Search
Search results
ClareR (5874 KP) rated The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3) in Books
Mar 30, 2021
The Summoner’s Sins is a really engaging historical fiction set in the 14th century. I really liked that real historical people were used in the narrative, and the attitudes of medieval people towards religion and witchcraft always fascinates me. The average medieval person was a very superstitious type - which I suppose was an understandable way to make sense of the world without science. Curses shouted out from the gallows abound in this story, and there are plenty of rebels in the background who are only too happy to make it look as though they are curses that have come true.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Finding Grace in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Yesterday I finished Finding Grace, a short historical fiction book I was given the chance to read thanks to NetGalley. It follows Grace, a thirteen-year-old girl living in a Belgian convent in 1975. She was left on the steps as a baby, along with her disabled sister, Dotty. But Dotty recently died, and everything is changing.
Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.
All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.
I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.
There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.
All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.
I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.
There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
J Elizabeth Klug (21 KP) rated Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts in Books
Dec 14, 2019
A short non-fiction ebook that draws comparisons from the magic written by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series to the historical myths and folklore from which it's based. Invisiability, transforming into a creature, and warding off evil are just a few of the topics you'll find in this book.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
The Greatest Knight: The Story of William Marshal
8.0
Rate It
Book
Historical fact and fiction are entwined in this engrossing story about the infamous William...
Daughters of Time: An Anthology from The History Girls
Book
Look through fresh eyes at the stories of some of history's most remarkable women, in this inspiring...
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated A Fist Around the Heart in Books
Oct 5, 2020
In this sweeping historical fiction novel, Heather Chisvin takes us along a journey of two sisters who flee late 19th century Russia through to Canada and America of the early and mid-20th century. There, one sister must come to terms with her past, but the other continues to be tortured by it, with tragic results. You can read my review of Chisvin’s debut novel on my blog here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/06/23/between-two-sisters/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/06/23/between-two-sisters/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Dreamland in Books
Oct 7, 2020
In 1911, the wealthy Battenberg family are off to stay the summer in Coney Island, which was at the time, the home to a set of amusement parks that had something for everyone, from swimming on its beaches to roller coaster rides. This historical fiction novel looks at this spot during its heyday, and witnesses its destruction. You can read my #bookreview of "Dreamland" by Nancy Bilyeau here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/01/24/carnival-of-camouflage/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/01/24/carnival-of-camouflage/
Minds of Winter
Book
It begins with a chance encounter at the top of the world. Fay Morgan and Nelson Nilsson have...
historical fiction
Chateau Laux
Book
A young entrepreneur from a youthful Philadelphia, chances upon a French aristocrat and his family...
Historical Fiction
The Detective and the Devil
Book
'What impresses me most is Lloyd's ability to bring big themes into the weave of the story and yet...