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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Children of the Siege (book 1) in Books

Feb 22, 2024

33 of 220
Book
Children of the Siege (Book1)
By Diney Costeloe
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nineteenth-century Paris is in flames, houses ransacked, streets barricaded. Most people are fleeing the ravaged city, but the St Clair family have made a fateful decision – to return to Paris from their house in the country.

As the horrors of the Commune and the ensuring siege engulf the St Clairs, little Helene falls ill and becomes separated from the family. Lost and alone, she must fend for herself on the war-torn streets.

This was a pretty decent read. I love historical fiction, this is set in 19th century France when war is raging as well as civil unrest we follow a family dealing with life and the changes war has brought on them.

Kudos

TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Conqueror (Constantine's Empire, #1) in Books

Feb 24, 2021

Have you ever opened a package and immediately felt giddy over the book that popped out? Well, I will be honest that is how I felt about this book. The cover pulls you in, the weight and feel of the paper further builds up the hopes in your mind, and then to cap it all off, the description is intriguing! Did I mention I got a hardcover edition?

Bryan Litfin is a new to me author with a very great writing style. He pulls you in with vivid characters, drama, battles, and dreams. I loved the period and setting, and I am so thankful for the research Bryan Litfin put into making this book believable and accurate. The characters were pretty realistic, and they chose believable courses of action. Although at times I marveled at their courage! The Religious aspects of the book were spot on for the period (but more on that in a bit), and I truly felt like I was back in time facing off against the lions with the characters. Both Flavia and Rex captured me from the first page, and I enjoyed getting to go on their journey (But I am curious to see what happens to them next).

On the religious aspect. I usually only review Christian Fiction. This is not your normal overtly Christian Fiction. It does not mention God in the sense of having a personal deep abiding relationship with him. He is thought of more as a deity and mostly mentioned in passing. He is not the focus of this story, as most people expect from Christian Fiction. Yet to clarify it is not primarily listed as Christian Fiction, but Ancient, Historical, Romance with a Christian fiction genre thrown in there. Personally, if this book were to be marketed directly to a non-Christian audience, I could see it doing very well (maybe even having a movie made of it) but directing it towards Christians… I do not think it will go well. Also, because it has sexual connotations throughout the story, as well as taking an odd (period correct though) stance on women.

Overall, I give it 2 out of 5 stars for the great research, interesting story plot, and vivid characters. But I would NOT recommend it to anyone who is not sure of their faith, has problems with reading sexual references, or an impressionable audience. I would also recommend the publisher Revell not label it as Christian Fiction.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Kudos

Wars of the Roses: Trinity

Conn Iggulden

8.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

The brilliant retelling of the Wars of the Roses continues with Trinity, the second gripping...

Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive

Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

THE REVENGE OF BONNIE AND CLYDE Saving the future by exploding the past It's January 1945, six...

thriller Bonnie &amp Clyde Bonnie and Clyde adult fiction

ClareR (5784 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!