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Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2)
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Named after the Norse God of the Sea, Njörd grew up sailing, swimming, and fishing the fjords of...
Viking Historical Romance Fantasy
LissaBeth21 (6 KP) rated The Years of Rice and Salt in Books
Jan 8, 2018
What a stunning, epic tale. A collection of lives, a group of souls described as a jati, wending their way across the centuries of an alternate history.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Big Burn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Big Burn] by [Jeanette Ingold] is an excellently written historical fiction that deals with an interesting topic. The plot is focused around three young people: Elizabeth, a homesteader with her sister, Jarret, a fire fighter, and Seth, and African American soldier. The even that brings them all together is the forest fires of 1910 in Idaho and Montana know as the Big Burn.
[Ingold] tells a fast moving tale through the various perspectives of those involved. The fact that she chose very different characters but remained historically accurate says a lot about the skill of the author. This book is a welcome addition to any classroom library, especially for those reluctant readers.
[Ingold] tells a fast moving tale through the various perspectives of those involved. The fact that she chose very different characters but remained historically accurate says a lot about the skill of the author. This book is a welcome addition to any classroom library, especially for those reluctant readers.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated A Watery Grave (Wiki Coffin Mysteries #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The first in a historical mystery series set during the US Exploration Expedition of the early 1800's. Wiki Coffin, half New Zealander half American, is hired to be a linguist. But the night before they sail, Wiki finds a boat with a dead body inside. The woman was murdered, and there is reason to believe that the killer is with the expedition, especially when another body turns up. The historic details slowed the book down at times, but on the whole I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the trip back in time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-watery-grave-by-joan-druett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-watery-grave-by-joan-druett.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Traitor's Chase (The Last Musketeer, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Greg Rich and his parents are still stuck in 17th century France, and Spanish assassins have just targeted Greg and his friends, the Musketeers. This leads them to think that their old nemesis is plotting to overthrow the French government, so they take off to learn what kind of army is on the way. However, dissention in the group is making the trip hard. Can they keep it together to save the day? This is a fun mix of fantasy and historical fiction for kids. And adults. I certainly enjoyed it. It was another can't put down for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-last-musketeer-traitors.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-last-musketeer-traitors.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Last Samurai (2003) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Troubled Civil War veteran Tom Cruise goes off to Japan to train their new modern-style army just after the Meiji restoration; winds up being allowed to become a samurai despite not quite meeting the minimum height requirement.
Clearly wants to be a lavish Dances With Wolves-style epic drama; works well enough as a historical adventure with some well-staged action sequences, but not quite as moving or powerful as it would really like. Every Japanese person I know who's seen this movie seems to think it's supposed to be a hilarious deadpan comedy. Someone should tell Cruise it's bad manners to organise a kamikaze charge and not die alongside everyone else.
Clearly wants to be a lavish Dances With Wolves-style epic drama; works well enough as a historical adventure with some well-staged action sequences, but not quite as moving or powerful as it would really like. Every Japanese person I know who's seen this movie seems to think it's supposed to be a hilarious deadpan comedy. Someone should tell Cruise it's bad manners to organise a kamikaze charge and not die alongside everyone else.
Level the Playing Field: The Past, Present, and Future of Women's Pro Sports by Kristina Rutherford is a book that will inspire young athletes. It is a great book that contains information for all young athletes, male and female. It is a book that encourages an equal playing field for males and females.
This is a great look at the known and little-known names in women’s sports. With one-page interviews, historical glimpses and impassioned text this book is a must have for women of any age who have athletic dreams or just want to read about inspirational players.
I received this book from Owlkids Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great look at the known and little-known names in women’s sports. With one-page interviews, historical glimpses and impassioned text this book is a must have for women of any age who have athletic dreams or just want to read about inspirational players.
I received this book from Owlkids Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Franjpan (10 KP) rated Periodic tales in Books
Nov 26, 2018
The curious lives of elements
Periodic takes is a very interesting book about one man's take on the periodic table of elements. 'The great rift Valley, the field of the cloth of gold, Newton's prism, the Mona Lisa; all impossible without the elements'. This book contains many different stories about the different elements, grounding them into everyday life. It requires little to no scientific knowledge and also includes lots of historical, geographical and cultural context. Personally, I found this book a great read as someone who is about to go to university to study chemistry but I also know of others who have read it and enjoyed it just as much as me.
Gaiaroo (9 KP) rated Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country in Books
Jun 20, 2019
The Perfect Travelling Companion
This book is laugh out loud funny filled with interesting historical stories as well as up to date information with personal quirky stories thrown into the mix. A well-written travel guide mixing personal adventures with information about places, things to do and see (or not) and gives a true impression of the expanse of this enormous country!
As a traveller with a 3 week trip booked later this year, this truly was a fantastic read to offer insight into a unknown world (for me!). Who knew their political system was so complex? Or their history so diverse? Let the adventures commence !
As a traveller with a 3 week trip booked later this year, this truly was a fantastic read to offer insight into a unknown world (for me!). Who knew their political system was so complex? Or their history so diverse? Let the adventures commence !
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock in Books
Jan 14, 2019
This historical drama is unusual but entertaining for anyone who loves period pieces with detail and a slightly surreal flourish. It has a beautifully described backdrop of 18th century London and a cast of characters that fill the pages with their dreams, obsessions and whimsies. Jonah Hancock is shocked to discover that the Captain of his ship has sold the vessel in exchange for… a mermaid. The acquisition of such a rare find catapults Hancock into the highest circles of society and into the path of Angelica Neal, a beautiful courtesan in need of assistance. Their journey is changed by the creature, leading you to ponder the power of these mythical creatures. An enjoyable Georgian romp.