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EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Hinterland Fortress (Conquest of The Evermore #1) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
“Rhyal was sitting in a wagon. She wriggled her nose. The stench awoke her from her meditation. She opened her eyes to see Ender snoring away. She sensed and knew where she was now. She peered out of the canvas covering to see the dark mountains of Grund Morr. It would be the last known feature she’d see as they passed through the Evermire swampland.”
Conquest of the Evermire: 1. Hinterland Fortress is the first book in the Conquest of the Evermire series by author Ron Smorynski, author of the series Alfred and Knight of the Dead. (See the end of this review for links to reviews of all of those books as well). The novella follows adoptive siblings Rhyal, an elf, and Ender, a human. The two are on a journey to see the world outside of the elven havens. They have heard the stories and myths connected to Evermire, of treasure and glory, and decided to see it for themselves.
The book combines together a lot of my favorite fantasy things. An exciting adventure, interesting renditions of classic magical beings, strong bonds of friendship or family, a well-built world, and a lot of fun and quirky side characters. I found myself very drawn to the connection between Rhyal and Ender, their close bond already formed at the beginning of the book is engaging. I also really appreciated that, while they are trained and talented fighters, they acknowledge the difference physically and mentally in fighting in real life vs. practice. This added some realism and made the fighting more interesting to follow. My favorite side character in the book was Ligo. He is a fun, quirky, snarky gone with very big dreams. He added the lightness that this book needed to balance the dark setting and fights to the death.
What this novella really does is serve as an exciting set-up to the adventure. The book allows us to get to know some of the characters, learn a bit about the Evermire, but perhaps most importantly plant the seeds of several intriguing questions. I know just want to learn more about Rhyal and Ender’s pasts, more about the magic system, what is really hidden in the depth of the Evermire… This was an exciting start to a fun adventure that I look forward to continuing in the sequel: Conquest of the Evermire: 2. The Church.
The book is great for young adults as it is not unnecessarily dark or gory. I thought that this book was really fun and I am excited to see where it goes next!
Conquest of the Evermire: 1. Hinterland Fortress is the first book in the Conquest of the Evermire series by author Ron Smorynski, author of the series Alfred and Knight of the Dead. (See the end of this review for links to reviews of all of those books as well). The novella follows adoptive siblings Rhyal, an elf, and Ender, a human. The two are on a journey to see the world outside of the elven havens. They have heard the stories and myths connected to Evermire, of treasure and glory, and decided to see it for themselves.
The book combines together a lot of my favorite fantasy things. An exciting adventure, interesting renditions of classic magical beings, strong bonds of friendship or family, a well-built world, and a lot of fun and quirky side characters. I found myself very drawn to the connection between Rhyal and Ender, their close bond already formed at the beginning of the book is engaging. I also really appreciated that, while they are trained and talented fighters, they acknowledge the difference physically and mentally in fighting in real life vs. practice. This added some realism and made the fighting more interesting to follow. My favorite side character in the book was Ligo. He is a fun, quirky, snarky gone with very big dreams. He added the lightness that this book needed to balance the dark setting and fights to the death.
What this novella really does is serve as an exciting set-up to the adventure. The book allows us to get to know some of the characters, learn a bit about the Evermire, but perhaps most importantly plant the seeds of several intriguing questions. I know just want to learn more about Rhyal and Ender’s pasts, more about the magic system, what is really hidden in the depth of the Evermire… This was an exciting start to a fun adventure that I look forward to continuing in the sequel: Conquest of the Evermire: 2. The Church.
The book is great for young adults as it is not unnecessarily dark or gory. I thought that this book was really fun and I am excited to see where it goes next!
Signal Failure: London to Birmingham, HS2 on Foot
Book
One November morning, Tom Jeffreys set off from Euston Station with a gnarled old walking stick in...
Writers & Lovers
9.0
Rate It
Book
Following the breakout success of her critically acclaimed and award-winning novel Euphoria, Lily...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Ruby in the Smoke: A Sally Lockhart Mystery in Books
Oct 30, 2017
A fantastic tale of deceit with a few plot holes
This is the first look at Sally Lockhart's world, in which we discover she was surrounded by lies told by the people closest to her. A scrappy 16-year-old, Sally is forced to revisit her father's mysterious death after receiving an anonymous letter. From there, she becomes entangled in a dangerous plot all about a valuable jewel.
Philip Pullman manages to capture imaginations through another great work, plunging the reader into stories with gripping plots and delightful twists. My only gripe is that there are a few holes in the story, that doesn't explain some issues at the end or culminates too quickly.
Philip Pullman manages to capture imaginations through another great work, plunging the reader into stories with gripping plots and delightful twists. My only gripe is that there are a few holes in the story, that doesn't explain some issues at the end or culminates too quickly.
ClareR (6250 KP) rated The Lady of the Ravens in Books
Jan 7, 2020
The Lady of the Ravens is based on the real historical character of Joan Vaux. I find historical fiction fascinating, especially those books which have a foot firmly placed in what was the real world.
Joan and her mother are taken in to the care of Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother, during the end years of the Wars of the Roses. She becomes a good friend to Princess Elizabeth in the time before she marries Henry, and goes on to be a Lady in Waiting and eventually the Lady Governess to the Princesses Margaret and Mary.
I really enjoyed all of the historical detail and what life was really like in Tudor England: the preoccupation with death and the many ways that a woman especially, could die, and the precariousness of children’s lives.
I had never really thought about the Ravens in the Tower of London (you’re never interested about the places that are on your doorstep as you’re growing up, I fear 🤷🏼♀️), assumed they’d always been there and that they’d always been seen as important to the realm. But in this novel, we learn that they were actually seen as vermin by the nobility and soldiers stationed there, until Joan and her servant looked after them, convincing others - royalty especially - of their significance to the safety of England and the Royal Family.
I haven’t read Joanna Hickson books before, but I really enjoyed the characters, the insights into the royal family, the uncertainty around the possible sons of York (Perkin Warbeck for one), the descriptions of everyday life - and just the evocative styled her writing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my copy of this great book to read and review.
Joan and her mother are taken in to the care of Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother, during the end years of the Wars of the Roses. She becomes a good friend to Princess Elizabeth in the time before she marries Henry, and goes on to be a Lady in Waiting and eventually the Lady Governess to the Princesses Margaret and Mary.
I really enjoyed all of the historical detail and what life was really like in Tudor England: the preoccupation with death and the many ways that a woman especially, could die, and the precariousness of children’s lives.
I had never really thought about the Ravens in the Tower of London (you’re never interested about the places that are on your doorstep as you’re growing up, I fear 🤷🏼♀️), assumed they’d always been there and that they’d always been seen as important to the realm. But in this novel, we learn that they were actually seen as vermin by the nobility and soldiers stationed there, until Joan and her servant looked after them, convincing others - royalty especially - of their significance to the safety of England and the Royal Family.
I haven’t read Joanna Hickson books before, but I really enjoyed the characters, the insights into the royal family, the uncertainty around the possible sons of York (Perkin Warbeck for one), the descriptions of everyday life - and just the evocative styled her writing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my copy of this great book to read and review.
The Misadventures of Two Reluctant Zombie Hunters: Hospitals are Hell
10.0
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Follow our not so reluctant Zombie Hunters on an irreverent and satirical romp through the Zombie...
Zombies Zombie Apocalypse Lesbian Main Characters
Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine
Book
The momentous new book from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gulag and Iron Curtain. In...
History Politics
UAE and the Gulf: Architecture and Urbanism Now
Kevin Mitchell and George Katodrytis
Book
At the end of the 20th century, Dubai attracted international media attention as the world sought to...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Avoiding the Abyss ( The Abyss Trilogy 1) in Books
Oct 26, 2023 (Updated Oct 26, 2023)
159 of 235
Kindle
Avoiding the Abyss ( The Abyss trilogy 1)
By A.C. Ward
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aubrey never realized there was a better life beyond being the rebel leader’s disappointing teenage daughter. But when she’s abducted by the government and taught the demonic truth behind the rebellion at their official academy, she is torn between two worlds.
Wielding a power she didn’t know she had, Aubrey must decide who she can trust. The rebels want her to open a dark dimension that will destroy the government once and for all. It is the opportunity to earn the approval she’s always yearned for. But if she goes through with it, Aubrey will lose the person she’s beginning to love.
Can Aubrey master her power in time to prevent the end of the world?
This was a decent read with a very different approach to heaven and hell and all it’s demons. Are the gifted teenagers really gifted?? I did enjoy it.
Kindle
Avoiding the Abyss ( The Abyss trilogy 1)
By A.C. Ward
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aubrey never realized there was a better life beyond being the rebel leader’s disappointing teenage daughter. But when she’s abducted by the government and taught the demonic truth behind the rebellion at their official academy, she is torn between two worlds.
Wielding a power she didn’t know she had, Aubrey must decide who she can trust. The rebels want her to open a dark dimension that will destroy the government once and for all. It is the opportunity to earn the approval she’s always yearned for. But if she goes through with it, Aubrey will lose the person she’s beginning to love.
Can Aubrey master her power in time to prevent the end of the world?
This was a decent read with a very different approach to heaven and hell and all it’s demons. Are the gifted teenagers really gifted?? I did enjoy it.
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