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My Darling Mr Asquith: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Venetia Stanley

Stefan Buczacki

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This is the true story of one woman's life set against the backcloth of the great events of the...

Aurora (9 KP) rated The Witchfinder's Sister in Books

Nov 7, 2018 (Updated Nov 7, 2018)

The Witchfinder's Sister

Beth Underdown | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

Historically-accurate setting (4 more)

Gripping

Emotional

Dramatic

Well-written characters

Emotional and Dramatic Historical Fiction

This book had me hooked from the start. I adore the amount of research done by Underdown to create the world of Alice Hopkins so artfully and accurately. Not only does the author capture the turbulence of the English civil war and the complex social systems of the time, but she also brings the reader into that world through the intensely relatable emotions felt by Alice throughout the story. Underwood expertly develops the personalities and flaws of each character in really believable ways, creating the complex relationships that we often see in real life. The story is also often pushed forward by gossip and secrets which the reader must choose whether or not to believe, adding an extra element of mystery to an already thrilling read.

After visiting many of the towns mentioned in the book (Manningtree, Mistley Wells, Colchester, Ipswich), I am in awe of the detail that Underdown used to bring these places to life. While some artistic license was taken (and described in the Author's Note), this book remains a beautiful and chilling glimpse into England's dark past.

Kudos

Henry III: The Great King England Never Knew it Had

Darren Baker

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Henry III (1207-72) reigned for 56 years, the longest-serving English monarch until the modern era....

Russian Emigre Short Stories from Bunin to Yanovsky

Bryan Karetnyk

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Fleeing Russia amid the chaos of the 1917 revolution and subsequent Civil War, many writers went on...

Merissa (12051 KP) rated Lord of the Last Heartbeat (The Sacred Dark #1) in Books

Sep 10, 2019

LORD OF THE LAST HEARTBEAT is the first book in the Sacred Dark series, and we focus on Mio and Rhodry. Both of these have secrets and 'powers' that have an effect on their lives. Mio no longer wants to 'help' his mother, but can't see a way out. Rhodry is intrigued by the younger man, but fears trying anything due to the curse he is living under.

What a fantastical world Ms Peterson has invented, with a hint of American Civil War era, coupled with the English Victorian period, this was a great combination of worlds. And yes, I realise I may have the time periods wrong, but that is what it reminded me of!

I loved how the story for both Rhodry and Mio came out slowly, the reader learning bits and pieces of it until it all fell together. Their relationship was the same way, a slow burner with temptation and resistance.

This was an intriguing tale, with plenty of mystery and misdirection thrown in. An amazing cast of characters helps to move the story along.

A wonderful start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Absolutely recommended by me.