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Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Blue Sword (Damar, #1) in Books
Sep 19, 2019
A fast read. Set in the desert there are illusions to Colonization, the main Character Harry, she prefers her nickname to her actual name, is from a place called Home (yes original I know) which resembles if not England than America. She goes to Damar (MiddleEast/ North Africa) to be with her brother after their father dies. and although they never say her age I'd place her closer to 15 than 20. Harry is that awkward wild child that grows into her own. She is a strong female character that is humble and while out of her depth still tries to maintain a type of dignity.
Kara Skinner (332 KP) rated A Most Unconventional Courtship in Books
Sep 10, 2019
“Do you not recall last night?” The hidden speaker came into view at last. There was a moment of crowded thought and he realized his mouth was hanging open.
“I remember nothing of it at all, and I’m sure I’d remember you.” He would have to be dead not to, he thought, studying the tall, slender figure standing in front of him, hands on her hips and an expression of exasperated disapproval on her oval, golden face. A veritable Greek beauty, he thought.
There is an instant attraction between Benedict Casper Chancellor, Earl of Blakeny and Alessa, an independent woman in the Greek town of Corfu. Alessa hates everything he stands for– conservative, high society England. It was the very thing her father ran away from all those years ago. But when Chance realizes English relatives of Alessa are looking for her, he wants to acquaint her to her family, and bring her to England where he could court her properly. He was convinced the life of an English noblewoman would be better suited for her than her life full of hard work and responsibilities. But Alessa isn’t willing to give up her independence. yet, especially when her aunt says Alessa cannot bring her two orphaned wards to England with her and then kidnaps her to save her own reputation. Chance will do anything to get her back, even becoming a pirate.
Despite the great opening line in this book– “Someone was trying to commit murder, and apparently they were doing it on her front step.”– I had a difficult time enjoying the first few chapters. They went by slowly with the character introductions and world-building. All of it was necessary, but I wish there was some more action and passion during that time. I liked Alessa a lot. I enjoy strong leads, anyway, especially in historical romance, but in the second half of the book, the dynamic between her and Chance was fantastic. A lot of the conflict in this story was caused by jumping to conclusions, however. That can be good sometimes, but if that’s the main reason for conflict, then I feel cheated. It’s lazy no matter how consistent the jumps are to the character. But the chemistry between Chance and Alessa definitely make this story worth reading at least once, especially for historical romance readers who particularly like world and plot development.
“I remember nothing of it at all, and I’m sure I’d remember you.” He would have to be dead not to, he thought, studying the tall, slender figure standing in front of him, hands on her hips and an expression of exasperated disapproval on her oval, golden face. A veritable Greek beauty, he thought.
There is an instant attraction between Benedict Casper Chancellor, Earl of Blakeny and Alessa, an independent woman in the Greek town of Corfu. Alessa hates everything he stands for– conservative, high society England. It was the very thing her father ran away from all those years ago. But when Chance realizes English relatives of Alessa are looking for her, he wants to acquaint her to her family, and bring her to England where he could court her properly. He was convinced the life of an English noblewoman would be better suited for her than her life full of hard work and responsibilities. But Alessa isn’t willing to give up her independence. yet, especially when her aunt says Alessa cannot bring her two orphaned wards to England with her and then kidnaps her to save her own reputation. Chance will do anything to get her back, even becoming a pirate.
Despite the great opening line in this book– “Someone was trying to commit murder, and apparently they were doing it on her front step.”– I had a difficult time enjoying the first few chapters. They went by slowly with the character introductions and world-building. All of it was necessary, but I wish there was some more action and passion during that time. I liked Alessa a lot. I enjoy strong leads, anyway, especially in historical romance, but in the second half of the book, the dynamic between her and Chance was fantastic. A lot of the conflict in this story was caused by jumping to conclusions, however. That can be good sometimes, but if that’s the main reason for conflict, then I feel cheated. It’s lazy no matter how consistent the jumps are to the character. But the chemistry between Chance and Alessa definitely make this story worth reading at least once, especially for historical romance readers who particularly like world and plot development.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Three Hours in Books
Jan 1, 2020
This was an intense book dealing with some deep issues.
Covering a three-hour time span where a siege of a school in England occurs I fell short of getting as emotionally invested as I think I should have been.
The book jumps between multiple POVs with students, staff, police, and parents all focused on the unimaginably terrifying scenario of a school on lockdown and under attack. For a book that jumps straight into the action and only covers a short time period I really struggled to get into this one, it’s never good when I keep finding myself updating the shopping list mid-chapter…... Although the jumps in POVs were clear and well written I just failed to become invested (or particularly interested in the characters.) I liked the mother of one of the students and her internal dialogue with her teenage son, it felt very genuine; but most others fell flat for me.
I’m glad I persevered though as the second half picked up for me with more on the police and their investigation. The set up of such an attack in England that just happens to be when a snowstorm hits never quite jelled as a setting for me despite attempts to explain it all.
I feel this book tried to deal with too many hard-hitting topics, without managing to pull me in with the story leaving a feeling of having a slightly preachy tone.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGallry for the ARC.
Covering a three-hour time span where a siege of a school in England occurs I fell short of getting as emotionally invested as I think I should have been.
The book jumps between multiple POVs with students, staff, police, and parents all focused on the unimaginably terrifying scenario of a school on lockdown and under attack. For a book that jumps straight into the action and only covers a short time period I really struggled to get into this one, it’s never good when I keep finding myself updating the shopping list mid-chapter…... Although the jumps in POVs were clear and well written I just failed to become invested (or particularly interested in the characters.) I liked the mother of one of the students and her internal dialogue with her teenage son, it felt very genuine; but most others fell flat for me.
I’m glad I persevered though as the second half picked up for me with more on the police and their investigation. The set up of such an attack in England that just happens to be when a snowstorm hits never quite jelled as a setting for me despite attempts to explain it all.
I feel this book tried to deal with too many hard-hitting topics, without managing to pull me in with the story leaving a feeling of having a slightly preachy tone.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGallry for the ARC.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated David Copperfield in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
How trauma can be overcome through determination
David Copperfield is written in the perspective of him narrating his experiences as a child, in which his stepfather and sister treat him cruelly, eventually sending him away to a boarding school. Similar to Cinderella, his mother dies leaving him neglected by his family, hence he begins his search for his father’s sister, Miss Betsey Trotwood.
His life consists of moving from one place to another, literally walking the length of England, much like Oliver Twist, attempting to find a place in the world. Dickens', as in his other works, explores how hardships can force a child to become independent and successful. It's terribly sad once again, so you'll need something lighthearted afterwards.
His life consists of moving from one place to another, literally walking the length of England, much like Oliver Twist, attempting to find a place in the world. Dickens', as in his other works, explores how hardships can force a child to become independent and successful. It's terribly sad once again, so you'll need something lighthearted afterwards.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Middle book syndrome
Audibook review - 3.5 stars
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Cry Fowl in Books
Mar 10, 2018
Joe and Tommy are going to visit family in the UK, but they can’t leave behind their lives as homicide cops. Joe, visiting his in-laws in England, discovers that his father-in-law’s business partner has been murdered. Meanwhile, Tommy’s visit to family in Ireland is complicated by the fact that someone is out to kill his uncle.
It would have been nice if these two stories connected, but instead we get two novellas. That’s a minor complaint, however, since it is wonderful to get more adventures with these two great characters. Both stories are solid with plenty of complications before they are resolved. We also get some interesting developments for Joe and some good background on Tommy. Fans will be glad they read this one.
It would have been nice if these two stories connected, but instead we get two novellas. That’s a minor complaint, however, since it is wonderful to get more adventures with these two great characters. Both stories are solid with plenty of complications before they are resolved. We also get some interesting developments for Joe and some good background on Tommy. Fans will be glad they read this one.
Charley (64 KP) rated Good Omens in Books
Jan 26, 2019
A good mix of both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimam
This story is about a demon and an angel trying to find the anti-christ and stop the apocalypse. It has a very similar style to all of Terry Pratchett's books. It is nice to read something written by him that isn't set in the discworld (no matter how much I love them).
It is full of the two authors dark humour and being set in England means that there are loads of little bits that are recognisable.
Some of my favourite parts are when they discribe certain aspects of the country that have been designed by demons to torture humans (like the M25!)
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
It is full of the two authors dark humour and being set in England means that there are loads of little bits that are recognisable.
Some of my favourite parts are when they discribe certain aspects of the country that have been designed by demons to torture humans (like the M25!)
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
David McK (3245 KP) rated Raven: Blood Eye (Raven 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The first in a planned trilogy, Raven: Blood Eye is set during the early days of the Viking incursion into what would later become known as England. Pretty much the entire novel centres around one such such fictional raid: before, during and after the said event, with the subseqent sequels planning to 'open out' the Viking world.
If I had to compare it to other similar novels I've read, I would probably have to place it somewhere in the gap between Bernard Cornwell's (an author, incidentally, who Giles Kristian acknowledges as being part of his inspiration) series on Alfred the Great and Tim Severin's Viking books: not quite as polished as the former, nor as scholarly as the latter. Still an enjoyable enough read, though!
If I had to compare it to other similar novels I've read, I would probably have to place it somewhere in the gap between Bernard Cornwell's (an author, incidentally, who Giles Kristian acknowledges as being part of his inspiration) series on Alfred the Great and Tim Severin's Viking books: not quite as polished as the former, nor as scholarly as the latter. Still an enjoyable enough read, though!
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Dec 24, 2018
Great story overall but pacing issues
This was a great story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Scarfolk Annual 197* in Books
Mar 8, 2020
Deeply twisted parody/satire manages to be unpleasantly disturbing and consistently funny throughout. You kind of have to be familiar with the conceit of Scarfolk - a 'lost' town in the north of England, trapped in the 1970s and run as a brutally right-wing totalitarian dystopia - to get the joke here, but the recreation of the sort of useless filler that made up the bulk of children's annuals in the 1970s is brilliantly done. The inventiveness and attention to detail is consistently impressive, and most of the jokes connect - there's a combination of silliness, savage political satire, and League of Gentlemen style macabreness that certainly won't be to all tastes. Gets the balance between horror and humour just about right; very funny, but also undeniably disturbing.