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Golden Shana: The Chase (Golden Shana #1)
10.0
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An evening at the La Scala in Milan twirls the lives of five people into a web of rivalry,...
Erotica Romantic Suspense
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Northern Lights (Arctic Heat, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
So this book carries on in the Arctic Love series but centres on Varg (norse for Wolf just in case you were wondering). Varg is a very different person than Andreas and has his own past to deal with. He hasn't lusted after Jonathan for years because he's never met him before. Jonathan we know from the first book has a very 'prickly' personality and makes sure that no one can get close to him. Varg is just here for a holiday , to see his brother Frey (if they can find the time due to Frey's shifts at the hospital) and spend time with Andreas too.
Varg is very blunt in his manner and has no problem with sex. He likes it, he admits it. He also admits that you don't have to like someone to have sex with them. For that alone, this book was refreshing. Yes, there's no gentle, tender build up to their story like there was for Christian and Andreas but come on, if every book was the same story, people would be complaining. This book is more matter of factual, less about love (to start with) and more about in your face instant attraction.
I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to reading Frey's story as there were a couple of hints in this book about him. We've had tender and drawn out, we've had instant and attitudes so it will be interesting to hear his story.
December 18, 2018
So this book carries on in the Arctic Love series but centres on Varg (norse for Wolf just in case you were wondering). Varg is a very different person than Andreas and has his own past to deal with. He hasn't lusted after Jonathan for years because he's never met him before. Jonathan we know from the first book has a very 'prickly' personality and makes sure that no one can get close to him. Varg is just here for a holiday , to see his brother Frey (if they can find the time due to Frey's shifts at the hospital) and spend time with Andreas too.
Varg is very blunt in his manner and has no problem with sex. He likes it, he admits it. He also admits that you don't have to like someone to have sex with them. For that alone, this book was refreshing. Yes, there's no gentle, tender build up to their story like there was for Christian and Andreas but come on, if every book was the same story, people would be complaining. This book is more matter of factual, less about love (to start with) and more about in your face instant attraction.
I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to reading Frey's story as there were a couple of hints in this book about him. We've had tender and drawn out, we've had instant and attitudes so it will be interesting to hear his story.
December 18, 2018
Debbiereadsbook (1171 KP) rated A River of Crows in Books
Apr 18, 2023
Being kept on my toes here was a very good thing!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Once in a rare while, I step out of my comfort zone and read something that isn't romance of any description. And once in an even rarer while, that step is a very good thing.
Because THIS surprised me, and I can't pinpoint why!
For a long time, I could not see where this was going, and the path it did take was very much how I did NOT see it going! Being kept on my toes here is a very VERY good thing!
What happened to Slaon's brother all those years ago is made perfectly clear, just not for a time, and something one of the minor characters said pinged my radar. Wrongly, as it turns out, but still.
I can't go into too much detail, because it would spoil this for you and I really don't want to do that!
I really enjoyed the way it all came together, both then and now. I liked hearing from all the important characters, even the bad guys, before, during and after.
I really enjoyed the way this was written, told in 1988 and 2008. Each time change is clearly headed, and titled with the person it is talking about.
This appears to be the author's second book. At some point I'd like to go back and read their first book. I shall certainly read MORE of this author in due course.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Once in a rare while, I step out of my comfort zone and read something that isn't romance of any description. And once in an even rarer while, that step is a very good thing.
Because THIS surprised me, and I can't pinpoint why!
For a long time, I could not see where this was going, and the path it did take was very much how I did NOT see it going! Being kept on my toes here is a very VERY good thing!
What happened to Slaon's brother all those years ago is made perfectly clear, just not for a time, and something one of the minor characters said pinged my radar. Wrongly, as it turns out, but still.
I can't go into too much detail, because it would spoil this for you and I really don't want to do that!
I really enjoyed the way it all came together, both then and now. I liked hearing from all the important characters, even the bad guys, before, during and after.
I really enjoyed the way this was written, told in 1988 and 2008. Each time change is clearly headed, and titled with the person it is talking about.
This appears to be the author's second book. At some point I'd like to go back and read their first book. I shall certainly read MORE of this author in due course.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
The first novel (later broken into 2 parts?) in Raymond e feist's so-called Riftwar saga; this definitely falls under what I term as epic fantasy as it spans more than a decade, and all the political and personal changes that occur during that time of war, complete with ye olde 'person of unknown origin finding their place in the world'.
You know, the way a lot of fatnsy stories do? Think Luke Skywalker, from the back-planet of Tattoine, or Frodo Baggins from Bagend, to name but two.
Rags to riches, basically.
Anyway, perhaps the key protagonist of this is the keep boy Pug, who, over the course of the story - finds himself a native of two worlds - that's where the 'Rift' from Riftwar comes in, as a magical rift in space connects them - during a time of war between those two planes.
He's not the only protagonist; just the main one - there's also his childhood friend Tomas, the princes Arutha and Lyam, the princess Carline, the magician Kulgan - but Pug is, to my mind, the key character, with most of those other characters introduced through their relationship to him.
Others have commented on the writing style employed by Feist - it may seem 'basic', however that in itself is no bad thing (and, remember, this book is now decades old) as Feist gives you just enough information to envisage your own world. A bit more, perhaps, than the thumbnail sketches of Terry Pratchett (incidentally, one of my favourite authors), but nowhere near the level of detail that JRR Tolkien that could make The Lord of The Rings, well, a bit of a slog at times!
You know, the way a lot of fatnsy stories do? Think Luke Skywalker, from the back-planet of Tattoine, or Frodo Baggins from Bagend, to name but two.
Rags to riches, basically.
Anyway, perhaps the key protagonist of this is the keep boy Pug, who, over the course of the story - finds himself a native of two worlds - that's where the 'Rift' from Riftwar comes in, as a magical rift in space connects them - during a time of war between those two planes.
He's not the only protagonist; just the main one - there's also his childhood friend Tomas, the princes Arutha and Lyam, the princess Carline, the magician Kulgan - but Pug is, to my mind, the key character, with most of those other characters introduced through their relationship to him.
Others have commented on the writing style employed by Feist - it may seem 'basic', however that in itself is no bad thing (and, remember, this book is now decades old) as Feist gives you just enough information to envisage your own world. A bit more, perhaps, than the thumbnail sketches of Terry Pratchett (incidentally, one of my favourite authors), but nowhere near the level of detail that JRR Tolkien that could make The Lord of The Rings, well, a bit of a slog at times!
ClareR (5686 KP) rated The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven in Books
Aug 9, 2022
The Arctic has always seemed to me to be a terrifying, forbidding place, which sounds very much like I’m not going to enjoy “The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven”, doesn’t it?
Well, wrong.
Fascination and terror seem to often walk hand in hand in my reading. There’s no way that I’d willingly go to these freezing, inhospitable places, but that’s no reason not to read a novel about it.
And what a novel this is.
Sven, who unsurprisingly comes from Stockholm, has always stood out from others and wants to go to the Arctic to seek adventure. But when he does go he finds himself working in a mine. Back-breaking, dangerous work, that ultimately ends in disaster for him. The result is a face that makes him even more of an outcast. But it also seems to attract the people who will be his friends. People who will help him to learn to live in the frozen north independently: Tapio, the Finn who teaches him to trap animals, shows him what to eat and when to eat it; Charles MacIntyre, a Scottish geologist who helps him to find his way back to life after the accident.
This is all written in the first person, and it really does feel like a personal account. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a true story - in fact it is a very human story. Sven’s determination to survive and learn to be self-sufficient is touching, funny at times and always life affirming. Sven experiences great highs and achievements, as well as terrible lows.
I’m so glad that I read this.
Well, wrong.
Fascination and terror seem to often walk hand in hand in my reading. There’s no way that I’d willingly go to these freezing, inhospitable places, but that’s no reason not to read a novel about it.
And what a novel this is.
Sven, who unsurprisingly comes from Stockholm, has always stood out from others and wants to go to the Arctic to seek adventure. But when he does go he finds himself working in a mine. Back-breaking, dangerous work, that ultimately ends in disaster for him. The result is a face that makes him even more of an outcast. But it also seems to attract the people who will be his friends. People who will help him to learn to live in the frozen north independently: Tapio, the Finn who teaches him to trap animals, shows him what to eat and when to eat it; Charles MacIntyre, a Scottish geologist who helps him to find his way back to life after the accident.
This is all written in the first person, and it really does feel like a personal account. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a true story - in fact it is a very human story. Sven’s determination to survive and learn to be self-sufficient is touching, funny at times and always life affirming. Sven experiences great highs and achievements, as well as terrible lows.
I’m so glad that I read this.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Death in the Aegean in Books
Sep 10, 2022 (Updated Sep 10, 2022)
Travel to Greece for this Fun Caper
Stefanie Adams is finally returning to Greece on vacation. Her trip is timed with the debut of the gold statue of the Akrotiri Snake Goddess, a new archeological find. She is on hand for its first viewing, but that event might turn out to be its last viewing since someone steals it that night. The next day, Stefanie finds the dead body of a woman she’d met the day before. With her reputation, not to mention her freedom, on the line as the police think she is tied into both of these events, Stefanie begins investigating to find out what is really happening. The only person she might be able to trust is, Thomas, a German traveler she met along the way, but a man with secrets of his own. Will she clear her name of not one but two crimes?
This is a fun debut. It’s more of a caper than a traditional mystery. The action is fast and never lets up. Capers can seem a bit chaotic to me as a genre, and that’s the case here, but all our questions are answered by the time we get to the climax. Stefanie and Thomas are wonderful main characters we can’t help but root for. The rest of the cast isn’t quite as well developed, but they work for their place in the story. The action takes place mostly on Crete, and the book does a good job of letting us play armchair tourist without slowing the action down. I’m already booking my next trip with Stefanie.
This is a fun debut. It’s more of a caper than a traditional mystery. The action is fast and never lets up. Capers can seem a bit chaotic to me as a genre, and that’s the case here, but all our questions are answered by the time we get to the climax. Stefanie and Thomas are wonderful main characters we can’t help but root for. The rest of the cast isn’t quite as well developed, but they work for their place in the story. The action takes place mostly on Crete, and the book does a good job of letting us play armchair tourist without slowing the action down. I’m already booking my next trip with Stefanie.
Fighting the Lure (Fighting for Love)
10.0
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Amelia is the last person Sam should fall for—her brand new client at the gym, a decade younger...
Contemporary FF Romance MMA
Kyera (8 KP) rated City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3) in Books
Jan 31, 2018
City of Glass sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. You know characters are well written when you viscerally feel the emotions that they are experiencing, you connect with them as if they are real people and cannot help but be completed enamoured with the story. Of course, to get this experience you need to follow the characters on their journey from the first book, City of Bones. This is not a book that you could read by itself and fully understand the immersive and expansive world that Cassie has built.
Even though I may usually not be consciously thinking about the fact that I’m going to review a book – I believe having been writing reviews much more frequently I am more cognizant of the aspects of a book. I am now subconsciously more aware of a book, especially with a re-read or an author I’m familiar with. I’m so used to having spent the last decade with the characters from the Mortal Instruments, that I feel I had forgotten who they were at the start. You don’t realize just how much they’ve grown until you re-read the books.
Each character learns so much over the course of the books that we get to know them and watch them evolve. The Clary I think of is artistic, strong, passionate, fiercely loyal and loving, brave and capable – so it is strange seeing her when she is new to the Shadow World. You can see the potential, although she has not grown and matured into that person yet. In City of Glass, I was amazed to be reminded just how whiny, child-like, quick to anger and throw temper tantrums, and reckless she could be.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I am continually impressed with and in awe of how much Cassandra Clare’s writing has improved over the years. Just the level of growth each principle character experiences over the course of the novels is fantastic. There were also so many emotional or action-filled scenes that the plot just raced by, but not in a bad it. I just fell completely into the story and didn’t want to put it down.
The fact that, even three books later, Cassie continues to expand the world she builds is incredible. I love when a fictional world, even one set within our own with hidden depth, is so real that you feel like you could live there. You understand the way of the world and its nuances. It was wonderful getting to see the Shadowhunters’ home country, Idris and the city of Alicante.
I can’t really discuss more without there being spoilers from the first two books or City of Glass, so all I have left to say is please read this series. If you give it a chance, even if it’s not perfect at first, I hope you will fall in love with it just like I did.
Even though I may usually not be consciously thinking about the fact that I’m going to review a book – I believe having been writing reviews much more frequently I am more cognizant of the aspects of a book. I am now subconsciously more aware of a book, especially with a re-read or an author I’m familiar with. I’m so used to having spent the last decade with the characters from the Mortal Instruments, that I feel I had forgotten who they were at the start. You don’t realize just how much they’ve grown until you re-read the books.
Each character learns so much over the course of the books that we get to know them and watch them evolve. The Clary I think of is artistic, strong, passionate, fiercely loyal and loving, brave and capable – so it is strange seeing her when she is new to the Shadow World. You can see the potential, although she has not grown and matured into that person yet. In City of Glass, I was amazed to be reminded just how whiny, child-like, quick to anger and throw temper tantrums, and reckless she could be.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I am continually impressed with and in awe of how much Cassandra Clare’s writing has improved over the years. Just the level of growth each principle character experiences over the course of the novels is fantastic. There were also so many emotional or action-filled scenes that the plot just raced by, but not in a bad it. I just fell completely into the story and didn’t want to put it down.
The fact that, even three books later, Cassie continues to expand the world she builds is incredible. I love when a fictional world, even one set within our own with hidden depth, is so real that you feel like you could live there. You understand the way of the world and its nuances. It was wonderful getting to see the Shadowhunters’ home country, Idris and the city of Alicante.
I can’t really discuss more without there being spoilers from the first two books or City of Glass, so all I have left to say is please read this series. If you give it a chance, even if it’s not perfect at first, I hope you will fall in love with it just like I did.
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>
“Dreams come true. So do nightmares.” Dea Donahue has spent her entire life travelling from one state to another, starting school after school… and walking other people’s dreams in order to survive. Dea, like her mother, is a dream walker, but she must keep this a secret from everyone else. She must follow the rules: don’t walk a person’s dream more than once, don’t let the dreamer see you; otherwise the monsters will find you. Or so Dea’s eccentric mother says.
Dea’s mother is a very paranoid person, afraid of many things particularly mirrors, and has a strange obsession for clocks. At any moment she may decide they need to pack up and leave, but Dea has had enough. Especially now that she has met Connor, the first boy to ever treat her nicely, the first boy she could call a friend. But when Dea’s mother goes missing, Dea needs to take a closer look at her mother’s obscure fears in order to track her down. At the same time there are rumours going around suggesting that Connor may not be the nice guy Dea thinks he is.
<i>Dreamland</i> is both a fantasy novel and murder mystery. It is as though Robert L. Anderson has written two different stories and then seamlessly merged them together. The main narrative focuses on Dea’s predicament but Connor’s life is constantly present underneath it. The real life quality to the story line makes the incidents Dea experiences all the more creepy.
Part three of the book becomes more fantasy-like which is a little confusing and difficult to see the setting in the way the author perceives it, however the narrative soon returns to the real world and progresses on with Connor’s story. It is not until this point that the reader realizes that <i>Dreamland</i> is part murder mystery.
As a whole, <i>Dreamland</i> is a gripping read that is difficult to put down. Readers are plagued with questions and anticipations as they wait to find out why Dea can dream walk, what the significance of the mirrors and clocks are, and what happened to Dea’s mother. Once these are resolved a whole bunch of new questions crop up.
The ending is mostly satisfying although it is not completely clear what happens next. Although the reader knows where Dea and Connor both end up, it is largely up to our own interpretation as to what their lives are like once the story ends.
<i>Dreamland</i> is definitely a worthy young adult book to read. It is different to other novels in the genre and brings a whole new concept to the table. I expect this book to rise in popularity rather quickly – and if it does not? Well, lots of people are missing out!
“Dreams come true. So do nightmares.” Dea Donahue has spent her entire life travelling from one state to another, starting school after school… and walking other people’s dreams in order to survive. Dea, like her mother, is a dream walker, but she must keep this a secret from everyone else. She must follow the rules: don’t walk a person’s dream more than once, don’t let the dreamer see you; otherwise the monsters will find you. Or so Dea’s eccentric mother says.
Dea’s mother is a very paranoid person, afraid of many things particularly mirrors, and has a strange obsession for clocks. At any moment she may decide they need to pack up and leave, but Dea has had enough. Especially now that she has met Connor, the first boy to ever treat her nicely, the first boy she could call a friend. But when Dea’s mother goes missing, Dea needs to take a closer look at her mother’s obscure fears in order to track her down. At the same time there are rumours going around suggesting that Connor may not be the nice guy Dea thinks he is.
<i>Dreamland</i> is both a fantasy novel and murder mystery. It is as though Robert L. Anderson has written two different stories and then seamlessly merged them together. The main narrative focuses on Dea’s predicament but Connor’s life is constantly present underneath it. The real life quality to the story line makes the incidents Dea experiences all the more creepy.
Part three of the book becomes more fantasy-like which is a little confusing and difficult to see the setting in the way the author perceives it, however the narrative soon returns to the real world and progresses on with Connor’s story. It is not until this point that the reader realizes that <i>Dreamland</i> is part murder mystery.
As a whole, <i>Dreamland</i> is a gripping read that is difficult to put down. Readers are plagued with questions and anticipations as they wait to find out why Dea can dream walk, what the significance of the mirrors and clocks are, and what happened to Dea’s mother. Once these are resolved a whole bunch of new questions crop up.
The ending is mostly satisfying although it is not completely clear what happens next. Although the reader knows where Dea and Connor both end up, it is largely up to our own interpretation as to what their lives are like once the story ends.
<i>Dreamland</i> is definitely a worthy young adult book to read. It is different to other novels in the genre and brings a whole new concept to the table. I expect this book to rise in popularity rather quickly – and if it does not? Well, lots of people are missing out!
Natacha (374 KP) rated Half the World in Books
Dec 15, 2019 (Updated Dec 15, 2019)
As with the first book, the main story is very basic. I group of misfits that are thrown together to complete a quest to find allies. But I still had a blast reading this book.
Things I liked:
-Because the main plot is so simple all characters and their developments are amazing. All of them have their own voice, their own personality and keep evolving and keep you intrigued until the end.
-Thorn. Thorn is a strong female character but with a twist. She is not the typical strong female character that is the best fighter to ever walk this earth, the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth and who think that loves is something stupid and not for her. No, she tall, muscular, with scars and a weird hair cut. She is a fighter and a killer but you get to see her become one through hard training and strong will. And when she falls in love? She is afraid of it, yes, but when the times comes she doesn't shy away from it, she embraces it and doesn't mind showing a more gentle side of her. That was very nice to see.
-Brand is our second main character and the opposite of Thorn. He is a sweet boy that wants to be a soldier but deep down he just wants to be a good person and do good no matter what.
-There is a love story but it's not the main theme of the story and it's a slow burn one. Initially, I was a little annoyed just because at some point there is a misunderstanding that could have easily been solved by simply talking but the way things evolve later makes up for it.
-The ending left me with the feeling that something big is coming with the next book and made we want to pick it right away.
-We got to see magic! One of my complaints in the first book was that we had elves and magic being mention but never saw any of it.
Things I didn't like
-The main reason why my rating is (4.5 instead of 5 goodreads rating) 9/10 instead of 10/10 if this one. As I mention the main plot is very basic. I group of misfits that are thrown together. They travel a lot, get to know each other, bond and fight bad guys. Unfortunately, although I loved the characters, for more than half of the book I felt disappointed because what I was reading felt very similar to what I had read in book one. In Half a King you had again a group of misfits thrown in a boat together that travelled a lot, had to find a way to survive, they get to know each-other bond and fight bad guys. It sounds like a minor thing but when I picked because it picked up this book straight after the first one it felt repetitive.
Things I liked:
-Because the main plot is so simple all characters and their developments are amazing. All of them have their own voice, their own personality and keep evolving and keep you intrigued until the end.
-Thorn. Thorn is a strong female character but with a twist. She is not the typical strong female character that is the best fighter to ever walk this earth, the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth and who think that loves is something stupid and not for her. No, she tall, muscular, with scars and a weird hair cut. She is a fighter and a killer but you get to see her become one through hard training and strong will. And when she falls in love? She is afraid of it, yes, but when the times comes she doesn't shy away from it, she embraces it and doesn't mind showing a more gentle side of her. That was very nice to see.
-Brand is our second main character and the opposite of Thorn. He is a sweet boy that wants to be a soldier but deep down he just wants to be a good person and do good no matter what.
-There is a love story but it's not the main theme of the story and it's a slow burn one. Initially, I was a little annoyed just because at some point there is a misunderstanding that could have easily been solved by simply talking but the way things evolve later makes up for it.
-The ending left me with the feeling that something big is coming with the next book and made we want to pick it right away.
-We got to see magic! One of my complaints in the first book was that we had elves and magic being mention but never saw any of it.
Things I didn't like
-The main reason why my rating is (4.5 instead of 5 goodreads rating) 9/10 instead of 10/10 if this one. As I mention the main plot is very basic. I group of misfits that are thrown together. They travel a lot, get to know each other, bond and fight bad guys. Unfortunately, although I loved the characters, for more than half of the book I felt disappointed because what I was reading felt very similar to what I had read in book one. In Half a King you had again a group of misfits thrown in a boat together that travelled a lot, had to find a way to survive, they get to know each-other bond and fight bad guys. It sounds like a minor thing but when I picked because it picked up this book straight after the first one it felt repetitive.