Search
Search results
ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Beasts of Paris in Books
Oct 1, 2024
What I love most about historical fiction, is that I get to learn something new about the history of a place or a time I didn’t know about. I mean, I’d never heard of the Siege of Paris in 1870, and yet I now know a lot more about it through the characters in The Beasts of Paris.
There’s Victor, the assistant vet at the Menagerie; Anne has been an inmate at the women’s Salpetriere asylum for many years, provided entertainment for paying Parisians thanks to the immoral Dr. Jospin, and now comes to work as the Chief Vet’s maid at the Menagerie; Ellis is hiding his trauma from the American Civil War where he was a doctor, and is attempting to become a poet; and Lawrence is a Canadian Photographer.
We learn of the horrors of the siege and the further horrors of its aftermath. The descriptions of these events and how the Parisians both live through and cope with deprivation and fear, are emotional and engaging.
I was left wondering who exactly the Parisian beasts were; those inside or outside the menagerie?
Just an excellent story.
There’s Victor, the assistant vet at the Menagerie; Anne has been an inmate at the women’s Salpetriere asylum for many years, provided entertainment for paying Parisians thanks to the immoral Dr. Jospin, and now comes to work as the Chief Vet’s maid at the Menagerie; Ellis is hiding his trauma from the American Civil War where he was a doctor, and is attempting to become a poet; and Lawrence is a Canadian Photographer.
We learn of the horrors of the siege and the further horrors of its aftermath. The descriptions of these events and how the Parisians both live through and cope with deprivation and fear, are emotional and engaging.
I was left wondering who exactly the Parisian beasts were; those inside or outside the menagerie?
Just an excellent story.
The Fires of Gallipoli
Book
Edward Salter is a shy, reserved lawyer whose life is transformed by the outbreak of war in 1914. On...
Historical Fiction WWI
P&
Poetic & Real Worlds of Cesar Vallejo (18921938): A Struggle Between Art & Politics
Book
The world-renowned Peruvian poet Cesar Vallejo (18921938) was also a journalist, essayist, novelist...
The Devil's Workshop: Scotland Yard Murder Squad: Book 3
7.0
Rate It
Book
The Devil's Workshop is the third historical thriller in Alex Grecian's acclaimed Scotland Yard...
I Was Anastasia
9.5
Rate It
Book
In an enthralling new feat of historical suspense, Ariel Lawhon unravels the extraordinary twists...
Anastasia Romanov Russian Revolution insane historical fiction Anna Anderson
When the Men Were Gone
7.0
Rate It
Book
A cross between Friday Night Lights and The Atomic City Girls, When The Men Were Gone is a debut...
WWII WW2 World War 2 World War II football Texas
Merissa (12363 KP) rated Of Love and Betrayal (Warriors In Love #2) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
This is the second book of Louise's that I have read and she is definitely my go-to author for Historical Romance! Her stories are full of information, both fact and fiction, about what it was like to live in 'that' time period. With a cast of interesting characters and places, this book is sure to satisfy.
Of Love and Betrayal is the story of Aveline, on the run for killing a man. During the story, you find out that although she gave him a gruesome death, it was still far less than he deserved! The idea of being sold to pay off someone else's debts is simply diabolical, and yet it happened. Aveline is full of trauma and stress, not surprising considering what she's had to live through, but she still has a strong survival instinct and a sharp wit. As a heroine, she was wonderful, especially considering the restraints that Louise had to write within for that time.
Troy is our strong and silent hero, with a secret to hide, who is still willing to marry a stranger to keep her safe. I loved reading about him and his brothers and my heart ached for the breakdown in relationships between them, whilst still wondering what his secret could be. This deep, dark secret seemed so at odds with the person he was, and yet, once his secret was out, it was absolutely and utterly perfect for him.
With no spelling or grammatical errors that I noticed, this is another stunner from Louise Lyndon. Definitely recommended for all fans of Historical Romance!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 23, 2015
Of Love and Betrayal is the story of Aveline, on the run for killing a man. During the story, you find out that although she gave him a gruesome death, it was still far less than he deserved! The idea of being sold to pay off someone else's debts is simply diabolical, and yet it happened. Aveline is full of trauma and stress, not surprising considering what she's had to live through, but she still has a strong survival instinct and a sharp wit. As a heroine, she was wonderful, especially considering the restraints that Louise had to write within for that time.
Troy is our strong and silent hero, with a secret to hide, who is still willing to marry a stranger to keep her safe. I loved reading about him and his brothers and my heart ached for the breakdown in relationships between them, whilst still wondering what his secret could be. This deep, dark secret seemed so at odds with the person he was, and yet, once his secret was out, it was absolutely and utterly perfect for him.
With no spelling or grammatical errors that I noticed, this is another stunner from Louise Lyndon. Definitely recommended for all fans of Historical Romance!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 23, 2015
Downriver (Poison River #1)
Book
A sulfur sky poisoned her family and her heart. Now revenge tastes sweeter than justice. It’s...
Revenge Historical Fiction
Hazel (1853 KP) rated These Shallow Graves in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review </i>
Known for her young adult series about mermaids, Jennifer Donnelly also proves she is an excellent writer of historical murder mysteries. <i>These Shallow Graves</i> is set in the USA during the late 1800s where Josephine Montfort, a headstrong seventeen-year-old from a respectable family, is expected to marry well and produce a male heir. However, Jo’s innocent lifestyle is disrupted after her father’s mysterious death. With her passion for writing at the forefront of her mind, Jo rejects social etiquette and begins searching for answers.
Jo meets Eddie, a young, ambitious newspaper reporter who agrees to assist with her enquiries. However it is not as straightforward as Jo expects it to be. As the pair begin to uncover dangerous secrets, Jo is also witness to the injustices in the world. Life for the rich was a whole different world from that of the poor, but as Jo learns, that does not make anyone less worthy of being treated as a person.
<i>These Shallow Graves</i> is an exciting story that is gripping from beginning to end. Not only is there a crime to solve, Jo also ends up in a forbidden relationship that crosses the boundaries of her social status. From an historical point of view it is refreshing to read of a female challenging her position in society rather than being the naïve protagonist that many novels written during this time period contain. In some ways she is comparable to Jo March in <i>Little Women</i>, and not only because of their shared name.
Having read the first two books in the <i>Waterfire</i> saga, and been slightly disappointed with the writing style, I was a little apprehensive when beginning to read <i>These Shallow Graves</i>. I presumed I would get bored part way through, or find the narrative dreary, however I was pleasantly surprised. Donnelly is significantly better at historical fiction. The book was greatly researched thus the setting and dialogue were perfectly in keeping with the time period.
As with most murder mysteries the murderer is only revealed at the very end of the story. I guessed who it was fairly early on, however that is all it was, a guess. Most readers will be left hanging until the final chapters – will you work out who it was before then?
Known for her young adult series about mermaids, Jennifer Donnelly also proves she is an excellent writer of historical murder mysteries. <i>These Shallow Graves</i> is set in the USA during the late 1800s where Josephine Montfort, a headstrong seventeen-year-old from a respectable family, is expected to marry well and produce a male heir. However, Jo’s innocent lifestyle is disrupted after her father’s mysterious death. With her passion for writing at the forefront of her mind, Jo rejects social etiquette and begins searching for answers.
Jo meets Eddie, a young, ambitious newspaper reporter who agrees to assist with her enquiries. However it is not as straightforward as Jo expects it to be. As the pair begin to uncover dangerous secrets, Jo is also witness to the injustices in the world. Life for the rich was a whole different world from that of the poor, but as Jo learns, that does not make anyone less worthy of being treated as a person.
<i>These Shallow Graves</i> is an exciting story that is gripping from beginning to end. Not only is there a crime to solve, Jo also ends up in a forbidden relationship that crosses the boundaries of her social status. From an historical point of view it is refreshing to read of a female challenging her position in society rather than being the naïve protagonist that many novels written during this time period contain. In some ways she is comparable to Jo March in <i>Little Women</i>, and not only because of their shared name.
Having read the first two books in the <i>Waterfire</i> saga, and been slightly disappointed with the writing style, I was a little apprehensive when beginning to read <i>These Shallow Graves</i>. I presumed I would get bored part way through, or find the narrative dreary, however I was pleasantly surprised. Donnelly is significantly better at historical fiction. The book was greatly researched thus the setting and dialogue were perfectly in keeping with the time period.
As with most murder mysteries the murderer is only revealed at the very end of the story. I guessed who it was fairly early on, however that is all it was, a guess. Most readers will be left hanging until the final chapters – will you work out who it was before then?
When it comes to fiction books that are centered around Biblical times, it takes a really good author to hook me into the story line. Don't get me wrong, I love reading my Bible, however, not every author can create a story that brings the Biblical portion off the book pages and to the reader like a movie screen. David Kitz, however, truly hooked me with this book, and took me a first-class whirlwind ride through history.
I absolutely felt every emotion of this book, watching, most often on the edge of my seat, as Christ was cruxified. This book really brings to life the Biblical and the historical detail. As I watched the Roman Centurion who was tasked with awful task, I found myself with tears in my eyes, both for him, and for Christ. It was a heartwrenching, gut twisting, thought provoking story of sacrifice and pain.
This book......anything less than a 5 star review would be a disgrace. The style of which David Kitz wrote this novel is stunning and captivating. This book is definitely not for everyone though. If you are a reader of Biblical fiction, if you want to see what happened during that eventful week in time, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed and you will want more! I know I am already ready for another beautifully written novel of Biblical times by this superbly talented author! Grab this book and be prepared for a jaw dropping experience of watching the cruxifixion come to play. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/kregel-blog-tour-review-the-soldier-who-killed-a-king-by-david-kitz/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
I absolutely felt every emotion of this book, watching, most often on the edge of my seat, as Christ was cruxified. This book really brings to life the Biblical and the historical detail. As I watched the Roman Centurion who was tasked with awful task, I found myself with tears in my eyes, both for him, and for Christ. It was a heartwrenching, gut twisting, thought provoking story of sacrifice and pain.
This book......anything less than a 5 star review would be a disgrace. The style of which David Kitz wrote this novel is stunning and captivating. This book is definitely not for everyone though. If you are a reader of Biblical fiction, if you want to see what happened during that eventful week in time, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed and you will want more! I know I am already ready for another beautifully written novel of Biblical times by this superbly talented author! Grab this book and be prepared for a jaw dropping experience of watching the cruxifixion come to play. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/kregel-blog-tour-review-the-soldier-who-killed-a-king-by-david-kitz/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>