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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Creole Princess (Gulf Coast Chronicles, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Lyse is caught in the middle of the strife between countries during the Revolutionary war. Not just the British and the Americans, but the French and the Spanish as well. Don Rafael seems as mysterious as his comings and goings. Whose side is he really on, and can he be trusted? Lyse's best friend is the daughter of a British commander, but where do her loyalties truly lie? Caught between loyalties to family and country, what path will Lyse choose?
The Revolutionary War is a part of history we should all know. But I have never considered the effect that it had on the colonies on the Gulf coast. The colonies that remained loyal to Britain. Creole Princess is a wonderfully unique book about a chapter of our country's history that is not very well known. Beth White has opened my eyes to the involvement of the Spanish's help with the American's fight for freedom. Lyse's journey is also one of hope and faith. Trusting in God to lead us down the right path and that He knows what is best for us.
I received a free copy of Creole Princess from Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
The Revolutionary War is a part of history we should all know. But I have never considered the effect that it had on the colonies on the Gulf coast. The colonies that remained loyal to Britain. Creole Princess is a wonderfully unique book about a chapter of our country's history that is not very well known. Beth White has opened my eyes to the involvement of the Spanish's help with the American's fight for freedom. Lyse's journey is also one of hope and faith. Trusting in God to lead us down the right path and that He knows what is best for us.
I received a free copy of Creole Princess from Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated King in Waiting (Lord Edward’s Archer series Book 2) in Books
Nov 6, 2019
King in Waiting was an enjoyable, action packed, history filled novel, about Gerald War Bow and his part in the battles to free Henry III from Simon de Montfort in 1264.
Gerald is from a poor family, and King Henry is quite clear about his opinions of Archers - they’re disposable and unimportant. Luckily, his son and heir, Lord Edward, is not of the same opinion. He values Gerald War Bow, and sees his worth. Even though he’s young, he has loads of experience and his men are loyal to him.
This book gives the reader a real feel for the time. There’s a lot of historical detail, from how battles are run, to travelling and living in medieval England. I’ve finished the book feeling as though I now know more about this period in history, and how difficult it is to draw back and let fly an arrow from a longbow (serious strength is needed!). How the nobility could have seen so little value in these men is a mystery to me. Their skill is described so well.
So, if you enjoy historical fiction and a lot of action in battle, then this is the book for you - I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author for reading along with us!
Gerald is from a poor family, and King Henry is quite clear about his opinions of Archers - they’re disposable and unimportant. Luckily, his son and heir, Lord Edward, is not of the same opinion. He values Gerald War Bow, and sees his worth. Even though he’s young, he has loads of experience and his men are loyal to him.
This book gives the reader a real feel for the time. There’s a lot of historical detail, from how battles are run, to travelling and living in medieval England. I’ve finished the book feeling as though I now know more about this period in history, and how difficult it is to draw back and let fly an arrow from a longbow (serious strength is needed!). How the nobility could have seen so little value in these men is a mystery to me. Their skill is described so well.
So, if you enjoy historical fiction and a lot of action in battle, then this is the book for you - I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author for reading along with us!
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated The Missing Planets in Books
Jan 25, 2020
In Book 2, “The Missing Planets”, We land inside a planet called Terato. We meet a new young man named Ek to all his friends and family. Though is full name is Eklam.
This story continues a story plot of a different kind of war but one that affects all the planets in the Solaris world. If you recall the first book is called “The Belikovat Events” well, it mentioned and referenced throughout the book. This is when it connects the two books.
Does Terato have a history of invaders of their own in their history of life? This one likes to attack planets and destroy life and create extinction? They seem to want to help make sure that Earth or to them Eorthe. The planet they so want to warn and need the help of is called “Eorthe-Lanartan”.
This story is well written. I enjoyed the way it is different. It a way to connect the first book to the second. Though it mostly takes place on Terato and with the help of Korvo. Though Korvo does not much he seems to help Ek with what going on and also helps with guiding him and his planet, He does not overstep. He lets Ek lead his teams and make decisions.
This story continues a story plot of a different kind of war but one that affects all the planets in the Solaris world. If you recall the first book is called “The Belikovat Events” well, it mentioned and referenced throughout the book. This is when it connects the two books.
Does Terato have a history of invaders of their own in their history of life? This one likes to attack planets and destroy life and create extinction? They seem to want to help make sure that Earth or to them Eorthe. The planet they so want to warn and need the help of is called “Eorthe-Lanartan”.
This story is well written. I enjoyed the way it is different. It a way to connect the first book to the second. Though it mostly takes place on Terato and with the help of Korvo. Though Korvo does not much he seems to help Ek with what going on and also helps with guiding him and his planet, He does not overstep. He lets Ek lead his teams and make decisions.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Moonglow in Books
Nov 9, 2017
Beautifully written
This biography of Michael Chabon's 'grandfather' is a stunning piece of whimsy, the tale of a cranky, old genius that grips and surprises throughout. It is a long, meandering novel masquerading as a memoir, flitting around time and place so that the chapters don't follow consecutively and it's only gradually that we build up a picture of the narrator's family history via the stories told to him by his grandfather.
Despite the fragmented narrative and some aspects considered to be fictional truth, there's real heart and soul here which lifts this novel beyond merely the clever construction, giving it a haunting, poignant undertone.
For me the book is less about the grandfather, but the beautiful, damaged woman with whom he falls in love with. Profoundly affected by her experiences during the Second World War, the narrator's grandmother tells stories to shore up her own sense of self and to hold herself together in the wake of trauma.
While at times it can seem tedious, the author's writing carries it through, moving effortlessly from rambunctious humour to distressing scenes. It is a meditation on families and what constitutes a family when it's not based on blood, histories and accurate memories. A big-hearted and beautifully-written novel.
Despite the fragmented narrative and some aspects considered to be fictional truth, there's real heart and soul here which lifts this novel beyond merely the clever construction, giving it a haunting, poignant undertone.
For me the book is less about the grandfather, but the beautiful, damaged woman with whom he falls in love with. Profoundly affected by her experiences during the Second World War, the narrator's grandmother tells stories to shore up her own sense of self and to hold herself together in the wake of trauma.
While at times it can seem tedious, the author's writing carries it through, moving effortlessly from rambunctious humour to distressing scenes. It is a meditation on families and what constitutes a family when it's not based on blood, histories and accurate memories. A big-hearted and beautifully-written novel.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Amityville: The Awakening (2017) in Movies
Jan 27, 2019
Not much (2 more)
Stays within the Amityville realm
Shows footage from DeFeo's crimes and mentions the Amityville history/"haunting"
Slow and drags on (8 more)
Boring
Tense in a teen angst way
Poor character relationships
One-dimensional characters
Vague plotlines
Visually too dark to see most action
Unoriginal
Flat acting
Drags on and on and on and blah.
If you expect a family to move into the Amityville house where DeFeo murdered his family in the 1970s and be haunted or possessed by a ghost, demon, poltergeist, etc., you are 100% correct. That premise could be interesting but unfortunately, this film falls short. It is tense because of the relationships between the characters and not from suspense. It's pretty boring and relies on a few jump scares and flashes of horror. The storyline is unoriginal and poorly done. The lighting is so dark that it's difficult to see the last 30 minutes of the action. You might as well be listening to an old-fashioned radio show or horror podcast instead. This movie is problematic from beginning to end. There are much better films out there with a similar premise so unless you're extremely bored and like to torture yourself, avoid this one.
Ghosts, a murderous cult, and men who can turn into wolves
Ghosts, a murderous cult, and men who can turn into wolves feature in Jordan Elizabeth's latest novelette Thomasine. As a young girl, Thomasine believed there was something sinister living in the cellar of their farmhouse and was thankful when the family moved away. Now she has returned for a funeral and cannot shake off the uneasy feeling that there is evil afoot. On top of that, Thomasine can see ghosts and there is one, in particular, that is begging her for help.
The story switches between Thomasine's point of view and Adelajda, a Polish girl from 1888. The girls' stories combine in a supernatural way, which brings the story to its dramatic climax. Thomasine discovers her family history is dark and complicated and her future looks bleak. If she tries to escape her fate, Thomasine's parents would be in grave danger. Just as she was beginning to despair, Thomasine discovers a solution to her problems in the form of Adelajda...
Thomasine is a fast-paced story, 155 pages in length, that keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end. Mystery, fantasy and mild horror are all combined together with a hint of romance to create a welcome addition to Jordan Elizabeth's œuvre.
The story switches between Thomasine's point of view and Adelajda, a Polish girl from 1888. The girls' stories combine in a supernatural way, which brings the story to its dramatic climax. Thomasine discovers her family history is dark and complicated and her future looks bleak. If she tries to escape her fate, Thomasine's parents would be in grave danger. Just as she was beginning to despair, Thomasine discovers a solution to her problems in the form of Adelajda...
Thomasine is a fast-paced story, 155 pages in length, that keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end. Mystery, fantasy and mild horror are all combined together with a hint of romance to create a welcome addition to Jordan Elizabeth's œuvre.
Ali A (78 KP) rated The Fountains of Silence in Books
Jun 1, 2020
The Fountains of Silence is about Texan teen Daniel visiting Francisco Franco's Spain in the 1950's. Franco is a dictator who needs business men to invest in his country so he opens it to Americans. Daniel visits with his parents to see his mother's birthplace. Ana works at the hotel Daniel and his parents are staying in and is assigned to their rooms. Daniel and Ana quickly become friends but Ana is guarded with him. Her family were Republicans, those who were against Franco's rein, and now are either shunned to live as second class citizens or died horrific deaths. Daniel quickly learns that Spain isn't what the government likes to show and there are secrets everyone is hiding.
I was fascinated with this novel as it's something I have never really learned of this time in history in school. I knew of before, during World War II, but never afterward with Franco's dictation. I cared about the characters and wanted to know the outcome. I could tell when some things would happen and cried during some of them too.
It was a heartfelt novel set in a dark time that had family and love and exploration. A must read for historical fiction readers and lovers of Ruta Sepetys.
I was fascinated with this novel as it's something I have never really learned of this time in history in school. I knew of before, during World War II, but never afterward with Franco's dictation. I cared about the characters and wanted to know the outcome. I could tell when some things would happen and cried during some of them too.
It was a heartfelt novel set in a dark time that had family and love and exploration. A must read for historical fiction readers and lovers of Ruta Sepetys.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated The Mapmaker's Children in Books
Sep 9, 2017
I loved this book with each turn of the page. It gave you two stories that went well together. You get a modern mystery. You also learn about history at that time.
This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.
What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?
You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.
This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.
What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?
You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.
Fruit Bat (42 KP) rated The Boss of Bethnal Green, Joseph Merceron the Godfather of Regency London in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I've never heard of this Joseph Merceon until I came across this book in a bookshop and it turned out to be a very enjoyable and interesting read
Joseph Merceon was born above a pawnbrokers in Brick Lane London in the year 1764. In the insuring years he would rise to control the whole of Bethnal Green through intimidation bribery,fraud and without a single feeling of compassion for others including his own family. I can honestly say I find Joseph Merceon to be a truly rotten individual and makes Scrooge like a pussycat.
The book is clearly written and you can tell that the life Joseph Merceon has been thoroughly researched by the author. The book is very informative and would it be of great interest to anybody interested in the history of London overall I'd say definitely a five star read.
Joseph Merceon was born above a pawnbrokers in Brick Lane London in the year 1764. In the insuring years he would rise to control the whole of Bethnal Green through intimidation bribery,fraud and without a single feeling of compassion for others including his own family. I can honestly say I find Joseph Merceon to be a truly rotten individual and makes Scrooge like a pussycat.
The book is clearly written and you can tell that the life Joseph Merceon has been thoroughly researched by the author. The book is very informative and would it be of great interest to anybody interested in the history of London overall I'd say definitely a five star read.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Out from the Underworld in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The story starts out by having Heather with her daughter and visiting her father. Heather starts the story of her childhood from when her mother left them. The story is painful but intruding at the same time.
We get the authors view of things through her eyes. We also learn about how she and her sister Jazz needs to deal with grieving. We learn about her life in foster care with her brother and sister. Heather has a hard time with her mother's loss.
We see what happens when their father has to make his decision. The siblings have a bond together. We also learn about their father background and the family history. I learned that the siblings had a strong bond with each other. They can not seem to understand why their father does not want to escape the basement.
We get the authors view of things through her eyes. We also learn about how she and her sister Jazz needs to deal with grieving. We learn about her life in foster care with her brother and sister. Heather has a hard time with her mother's loss.
We see what happens when their father has to make his decision. The siblings have a bond together. We also learn about their father background and the family history. I learned that the siblings had a strong bond with each other. They can not seem to understand why their father does not want to escape the basement.