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Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Town Bronze Box Set in Books
Sep 1, 2024
it was a wonderful read!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
3 stories, about three young men, finding themselves in 1812 London.
I found these easy reads, not too taxing on the emotional or angst side, and they were a welcome change after a couple of books that were high on both scales.
I loved watching each man fall, in a way they did not expect. Given the time, these men could have been hanged if they were caught, but what I liked about these was THAT particular fact wasn't too stressed. In some historical books, those things are shoved down your throat on almost every page, but not so here. Oh it's mentioned, don't get me wrong, but it's mostly in passing, what might happen if they get caught.
The three shorts aren't particularly explicit, but they are really rather sweet in the steaminess level. I liked that, a lot. And they were all a bit different, so that was good.
Two things stopped me giving it 5 stars.
This is the first I've read of this author. I'm not sure if it's her general style, or just these books, but it was very WORDY. Lots of words used to describe things. I found it a bit off putting in places, to be honest.
And I found the three shorts kinda ended, totally out the blue! Very abrupt endings, that threw me!
The short bonus chapters made up for some of it, but still.
WIll I read more by this author? Possibly.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewheree
3 stories, about three young men, finding themselves in 1812 London.
I found these easy reads, not too taxing on the emotional or angst side, and they were a welcome change after a couple of books that were high on both scales.
I loved watching each man fall, in a way they did not expect. Given the time, these men could have been hanged if they were caught, but what I liked about these was THAT particular fact wasn't too stressed. In some historical books, those things are shoved down your throat on almost every page, but not so here. Oh it's mentioned, don't get me wrong, but it's mostly in passing, what might happen if they get caught.
The three shorts aren't particularly explicit, but they are really rather sweet in the steaminess level. I liked that, a lot. And they were all a bit different, so that was good.
Two things stopped me giving it 5 stars.
This is the first I've read of this author. I'm not sure if it's her general style, or just these books, but it was very WORDY. Lots of words used to describe things. I found it a bit off putting in places, to be honest.
And I found the three shorts kinda ended, totally out the blue! Very abrupt endings, that threw me!
The short bonus chapters made up for some of it, but still.
WIll I read more by this author? Possibly.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewheree
Merissa (13178 KP) rated Lord Frederick's Return in Books
Aug 29, 2025
LORD FREDERICK'S RETURN is a standalone novel, although with links to different books, that details the differences between India and England when Frederick returns to English shores after a long absence.
You don't see much of his time there, but then the title tells you it's not set in India! What you do see is enough to know about his life there and the reasons he has for returning to England. The uncertainties he faces are understandable enough, and it made perfect sense for him to visit someone who was in the same position.
This was a very genteel story, with plenty of historical details, rules, and regulations that helped to emphasise how different things are now. I wish I could say it was all different, but some attitudes seem to be the same, no matter where you live.
Frederick and Susannah are both well-written characters, although I have to say Ruperta steals every scene she is in. Frederick's close family, or most of it, are lovely, but there's always one or two. I would have liked to have known a little more about the newfound family and if anything came of their machinations, but that may just be me being greedy.
It finished with a delightful ending that I wasn't ready for! I do hope these characters will appear in future books, even as cameos. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 29, 2025
You don't see much of his time there, but then the title tells you it's not set in India! What you do see is enough to know about his life there and the reasons he has for returning to England. The uncertainties he faces are understandable enough, and it made perfect sense for him to visit someone who was in the same position.
This was a very genteel story, with plenty of historical details, rules, and regulations that helped to emphasise how different things are now. I wish I could say it was all different, but some attitudes seem to be the same, no matter where you live.
Frederick and Susannah are both well-written characters, although I have to say Ruperta steals every scene she is in. Frederick's close family, or most of it, are lovely, but there's always one or two. I would have liked to have known a little more about the newfound family and if anything came of their machinations, but that may just be me being greedy.
It finished with a delightful ending that I wasn't ready for! I do hope these characters will appear in future books, even as cameos. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 29, 2025
Merissa (13178 KP) rated What Fools These Immortals Be (The Wild Hunt #1) in Books
Jun 20, 2025
WHAT FOOLS THESE IMMORTALS BE is the first book in The Wild Hunt series, but I would recommend you read it after the Monsters of London series, as it follows on from the events in those books.
We have previously met Njáll, but Maurice is someone completely new. Njáll is the new crai and doesn't feel up to the job, even though everyone else seems to have faith and confidence in him. Maurice is a vampire with fae magic, courtesy of The Huntsman, who is charged with 'babysitting' Njáll. He is overjoyed* at the idea (*sarcasm! 😉)
Their relationship isn't immediate, but grows over time, which I loved. Njáll has reasons for doing what he does, the same as Maurice, but when these two actually talk to each other and secrets come out, that's when the heat is turned up.
The thing I love about these books is you get normal situations with paranormal twists. Nothing is ever straight forward and it is talked about from every angle, so you know exactly just how complex something might be, that looks so simple at first glance.
I did absolutely nothing else once I had started this book, and I read it in one sitting as I was physically incapable of putting it down. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and I can't wait for the next one.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 12, 2025
We have previously met Njáll, but Maurice is someone completely new. Njáll is the new crai and doesn't feel up to the job, even though everyone else seems to have faith and confidence in him. Maurice is a vampire with fae magic, courtesy of The Huntsman, who is charged with 'babysitting' Njáll. He is overjoyed* at the idea (*sarcasm! 😉)
Their relationship isn't immediate, but grows over time, which I loved. Njáll has reasons for doing what he does, the same as Maurice, but when these two actually talk to each other and secrets come out, that's when the heat is turned up.
The thing I love about these books is you get normal situations with paranormal twists. Nothing is ever straight forward and it is talked about from every angle, so you know exactly just how complex something might be, that looks so simple at first glance.
I did absolutely nothing else once I had started this book, and I read it in one sitting as I was physically incapable of putting it down. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and I can't wait for the next one.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 12, 2025
Buzz Books 2018: Young Adult Fall/Winter: Exclusive Excerpts from Forthcoming Titles by Rebecca Hanover, Julie Kagawa, Kody Keplinger, Natasha Ngan, Courtney Summers and More
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Our ninth Buzz Books: Young Adult gives readers the special excitement of being among the first to...
shayneyh (3 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jun 6, 2017
Great and Gripping Story (2 more)
Fantastic Characters
The References
Loved Everything About This Book!
This book lived up to the hype that had surrounded it and I was not disappointed. It is 80s pop culture, meets video games, meets a dystopian world in the most perfect of ways. The best part is, it doesn't matter if you don't know too much about each of the topic because it all gets explained or you're too into the story to mind. This was one of the first books that I listened to as an audio book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, that I now want to go and buy the actual book so I can go and read it for myself. Couldn't recommend it enough.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Eruption (Supervolcano, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I got really excited when I saw this book! I love reading about disasters and post apocalyptic and the concept of a super volcano under Yellowstone is something that fascinates me. [Supervolcano: Eruption] by [Harry Turtledove] lived up to all my expectations. The characters were well developed and very believable. The intertwining stories kept the plot moving.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Transcription in Books
Jun 6, 2019
Good but not memorable
I really struggle with books like this. It's well written with a fairly engaging plot, but is just ultimately unforgettable. It probably doesn't help that it's a book about spies which has been done better by someone like John Le Carre. Don't get me wrong this isn't a bad spy novel, it just doesn't build any real intrigue or tension. Juliet is a likeable main character if not as fully developed as she should be, and overall I did enjoy reading this book. But for me it's a sign of how unremarkable it is that I wouldn't ever go out of my way to recommend it to someone, and will likely have forgotten all about it by next week.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Mafia Captive in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Okay, so this is one of those guilty pleasure books that will keep you entertained and a little embarrassed that you are entertained.
Things I liked about the book: The psychology behind the main characters, the use of conditioning, and how fast of a read it was.
Things I didn't like about the book: Sexual Assault, Stockholm Syndrome, and the stupidity of the characters.
The book has a different kind of plot and it is very dark compared to other novels that I have read. The main character is kidnapped, held hostage, forced into sexual experiences. This book frustrated me in the fact that BDSM does NOT equal abuse, or rape. Safe, Sane, and Consensual are the three things that don't really make an appearance.
Things I liked about the book: The psychology behind the main characters, the use of conditioning, and how fast of a read it was.
Things I didn't like about the book: Sexual Assault, Stockholm Syndrome, and the stupidity of the characters.
The book has a different kind of plot and it is very dark compared to other novels that I have read. The main character is kidnapped, held hostage, forced into sexual experiences. This book frustrated me in the fact that BDSM does NOT equal abuse, or rape. Safe, Sane, and Consensual are the three things that don't really make an appearance.
This is one of the most genuinely funny books I've read in a long time. The introduction made me chuckle and several of the stories had me laughing out loud and holding on to my stomach while tears fell from my eyes. The editor is honest in saying that you'll find some of the stories hilarious and others not so much but somewhere along the way, we can see ourselves in similar situations and circumstances and while it might not be funny at the time, in the end, it makes for a good story.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the book is that sprinkled amongst the stories are little jokes, quotes and witticisms about the happy accidents and miseries known as traveling.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the book is that sprinkled amongst the stories are little jokes, quotes and witticisms about the happy accidents and miseries known as traveling.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Star Wars: Captain Phasma in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Lead-in comic mini-series to "The Last Jedi", following Captain Phasma's disappointing showing (i.e didn't do much, then got sent down a garbage chute) in "The Force Awakens".
This, effectively, is about how she covers her failings and works her way back into The First Order, covering her tracks and using another escapee from the now-explodeed StarKiller base as her fall guy.
While the art - like all the recent Marvel Star Wars issues - is good, the story, however, leaves a lot to be desired: there's nothing really memorable about this, now real 'wow' moment (like there was in '[b:Vader Down|27247275|Vader Down (Star Wars)|Jason Aaron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462909901s/27247275.jpg|47296344]';) to make it stick in the mind.
In short: forgettable.
This, effectively, is about how she covers her failings and works her way back into The First Order, covering her tracks and using another escapee from the now-explodeed StarKiller base as her fall guy.
While the art - like all the recent Marvel Star Wars issues - is good, the story, however, leaves a lot to be desired: there's nothing really memorable about this, now real 'wow' moment (like there was in '[b:Vader Down|27247275|Vader Down (Star Wars)|Jason Aaron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462909901s/27247275.jpg|47296344]';) to make it stick in the mind.
In short: forgettable.