Search
Search results
The Serpent and the Light (Abscondita Est Magicae Book 1)
7.7
Rate It
Book
The first novel set in Bo Luellen's richly imagined world of Abscondita Est Magicae welcomes readers...
The First Woman
10.0
Rate It
Book
At once epic and deeply personal, the second novel from prize-winning author Jennifer Makumbi is an...
Historical Fiction Africa Uganda Feminism Literary Fiction Coming of age
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Sunrunner's Fire (Dragon Prince #3) in Books
Aug 22, 2021
134 of 250
Book
Sunrunners Fire ( Dragon Prince book 3)
By Melanie Rawn
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The discovery of the Star Scroll, a repository of forgotten spells of sorcery, threatens the Sunrunners as Andry attempts to master the ancient knowledge, Pol seeks to touch the minds of dragons, and an old enemey reawakens.
These books get better with each one! They are a bit slow going but you realise how much you need that extra information as you get towards the end! Now not many books bring a tear but when Rohan and Sioned tell Pol about his birth and parentage I couldn’t stop myself! Over 3 books and they are thick books you come to love and despise these characters. It’s definitely a an epic journey. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes from the next set of books.
Book
Sunrunners Fire ( Dragon Prince book 3)
By Melanie Rawn
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The discovery of the Star Scroll, a repository of forgotten spells of sorcery, threatens the Sunrunners as Andry attempts to master the ancient knowledge, Pol seeks to touch the minds of dragons, and an old enemey reawakens.
These books get better with each one! They are a bit slow going but you realise how much you need that extra information as you get towards the end! Now not many books bring a tear but when Rohan and Sioned tell Pol about his birth and parentage I couldn’t stop myself! Over 3 books and they are thick books you come to love and despise these characters. It’s definitely a an epic journey. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes from the next set of books.
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Tarnished Crown in Books
Oct 25, 2021
I didn't think a book could be better than Scarlet Princess... until Tarnished Crown came along.
Rowan’s penchant for landing herself in almighty trouble continues in this epic second instalment of the Lochlann Feuds series.
Written from Rowan's POV, we explore more of the mysterious Socair kingdom and encounter dangerous fights, evil opponents and political plots galore!
However, with hilarious banter, saunas, cats and a lot of butt chat, TC definitely has moments that made me laugh out loud.
As always the Queens of the Cliffhanger (I'm going to make this nickname stick!) keep us guessing until the very end. They can probably hear my frustrated screams all the way across the sea.
I can't wait for Obsidian Throne! Like actually can't wait. Can we have it now please? 💜💜
I received an ARC of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
Rowan’s penchant for landing herself in almighty trouble continues in this epic second instalment of the Lochlann Feuds series.
Written from Rowan's POV, we explore more of the mysterious Socair kingdom and encounter dangerous fights, evil opponents and political plots galore!
However, with hilarious banter, saunas, cats and a lot of butt chat, TC definitely has moments that made me laugh out loud.
As always the Queens of the Cliffhanger (I'm going to make this nickname stick!) keep us guessing until the very end. They can probably hear my frustrated screams all the way across the sea.
I can't wait for Obsidian Throne! Like actually can't wait. Can we have it now please? 💜💜
I received an ARC of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
David McK (3632 KP) rated Kingdom of Heaven (2005) in Movies
Feb 5, 2022
Watch the Directors Cut instead.
I remember that, back in the early 2000s, there was a sudden surge in the 'Historical epic' sub genre of movies, largely as a result of 2000s 'Gladiator'
This was one such movie.
Set in a little known period of history, between the Second and Third Crusades, this follows the exploits of the blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom), who follows his estranged father Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) to Jerusalem to attempt to atone for his sins.
Of course, being a movie, he then goes on to be involved in many great events, from shipwreck to meeting Saladin and (eventually) leading the defence if Jerusalem.
Not bad, but maybe a bit long and slow, with The Directors Cut doing a better job of tying the themes together, including a whole subplot largely dropped from the theatrical release regarding the romance he becomes involved in.
This was one such movie.
Set in a little known period of history, between the Second and Third Crusades, this follows the exploits of the blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom), who follows his estranged father Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson) to Jerusalem to attempt to atone for his sins.
Of course, being a movie, he then goes on to be involved in many great events, from shipwreck to meeting Saladin and (eventually) leading the defence if Jerusalem.
Not bad, but maybe a bit long and slow, with The Directors Cut doing a better job of tying the themes together, including a whole subplot largely dropped from the theatrical release regarding the romance he becomes involved in.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Silence of Scheherazade in Books
Nov 29, 2022
What’s it about:
We follow four families as their lives are changed forever when the Ottoman Empire is torn apart, and the city of Smyrna is at the front and centre of the trouble and violence.
This novel covers about 17 years from 1905, and follows four families from very different backgrounds: Levantine, Greek, Turkish and Armenian.
Scheherazade is born in September 1905, and never knows her mother as she is abandoned. An Indian spy (sent from the British) is who will tie them all together.
My thoughts:
I love an epic, sprawling story, and following the lives of four families certainly gives a lot of scope for that.
It was fascinating to learn about the different cultures of the four families, and of course Smyrna was a main character in itself.
It’s a book to be immersed in, with the sights and smells beautifully described.
Just my kind of book!
We follow four families as their lives are changed forever when the Ottoman Empire is torn apart, and the city of Smyrna is at the front and centre of the trouble and violence.
This novel covers about 17 years from 1905, and follows four families from very different backgrounds: Levantine, Greek, Turkish and Armenian.
Scheherazade is born in September 1905, and never knows her mother as she is abandoned. An Indian spy (sent from the British) is who will tie them all together.
My thoughts:
I love an epic, sprawling story, and following the lives of four families certainly gives a lot of scope for that.
It was fascinating to learn about the different cultures of the four families, and of course Smyrna was a main character in itself.
It’s a book to be immersed in, with the sights and smells beautifully described.
Just my kind of book!
The Eisenhower Chronicles
Book
In 1938 he was a lieutenant colonel stationed in the Philippines; by 1945 the world proclaimed him...
Historical Fiction Historical Biography WWII Eisenhower
The Silver Wolf
8.0
Rate It
Book
The extraordinarily rich, dark, panoramic tale of an orphaned boy's quest for truth and then for...
Historical fiction 17th Century The Thirty Years War Europe
Merissa (13419 KP) rated A Reaper of Stone (A Reaper of Stone #1) in Books
May 26, 2023
This is a novella that comes with an epic story! With an excellent storyline, world continuation, and fantastic characters, you enter the world of Razors, the Academy and those people who believe in the dream. Friendships are forged but will they survive the fires?
Elinor is a feisty woman, sworn to uphold her duty to the King. It comes out in the story that she can't be bribed and she won't look the other way. But being such a character in a field of deception and intrigue is not so good for your health, as Elinor finds out.
Fast-paced, with plenty of action, and a storyline to thrill, this is a novella to read and enjoy. A perfect coffee break book.
* I received this book from the authors in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 12, 2016
Elinor is a feisty woman, sworn to uphold her duty to the King. It comes out in the story that she can't be bribed and she won't look the other way. But being such a character in a field of deception and intrigue is not so good for your health, as Elinor finds out.
Fast-paced, with plenty of action, and a storyline to thrill, this is a novella to read and enjoy. A perfect coffee break book.
* I received this book from the authors in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 12, 2016
David McK (3632 KP) rated Ends of the Earth (Epic Adventure series, #13) in Books
Aug 26, 2025
While this may be book no 13 in Colin Falconer's 'Epic Adventure' series, it's actually only the second of his works I have read (after "Silk Road").
This time, we're back in the dying days of the Roman Republic, just as one of the triumvirate of Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus was starting to break down, especially after Crassus led his men to a disastrous defeat by the Parthians at the Battle of Carrhae (which opens this novel).
Taken prisoner by the victors, and sold into slavery, this follows a small group of the Roman survivors as they attempt to (first) escape and then make their way back to Rome - a journey that covers a greater distance, and takes in many more wonders, than any of them had ever participated in (or seen, or believed to have existed) before.
So, a travelogue of sorts.
Well worth a read.
This time, we're back in the dying days of the Roman Republic, just as one of the triumvirate of Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus was starting to break down, especially after Crassus led his men to a disastrous defeat by the Parthians at the Battle of Carrhae (which opens this novel).
Taken prisoner by the victors, and sold into slavery, this follows a small group of the Roman survivors as they attempt to (first) escape and then make their way back to Rome - a journey that covers a greater distance, and takes in many more wonders, than any of them had ever participated in (or seen, or believed to have existed) before.
So, a travelogue of sorts.
Well worth a read.