Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Crimson: A Dark Sidhe Faerie Tale in Books
Mar 10, 2023
Ok so! As far as I can see this book is the only book currently written by this author. And if this is her FIRST book?? Oh my days, I cannot wait to see what she delivers next!
Because, bar two things, I bloody LOVED this book.
It's dark and deadly, with so much going on sometimes, I had to double back to check I fully understood. And that, for ME, is a good thing! I didn't find it especially explicit, for Kara and Alak, but for the Fae in general, it is. There is a lot of violence here too, but I think it is needed to get the way these folk live across. It's a truly multi-layered story and it takes time to get to where it's going.
Or rather, it takes time to get the whole point of the story across. And again, for ME, a very good thing. It kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
BUT.
It is a long LONG book, some 500 pages and it's not all easy reading. As I said, it takes time to build up to things. Some peeps don't like such long books. I did here, but it did take me a long time to finish. Mostly because of my next point.
AND.
Only Kara has a say. And if Alak had been given a voice, it would have broken this up a bit, and made it not seem quite so long. Because I really needed to hear from him at points along the way, especially when Kara is in danger.
Having said all that, I really REALLY enjoyed it, and I really REALLY hope we get a second book. Because while there is a HFN ending, Kara and Alak's story is by no means finished. And some other characters need a HEA, too!
So, for a first time author, I'd say Ms Speelman nailed it!
4 most excellent stars
Principles of Classroom Learning and Perception
Book
Originally published in 1974, this introductory text has been designed specifically for teachers in...
Barkskins
Book
Read our exclusive interview with the author here 'One of the greatest American writers'...
Girl Unknown
Book
'Full of intrigue and incident and keeps us guessing until the very last tragic page' Liz Nugent,...
Blue Skies (Collier's Creek)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Coming to Collier’s Creek is the best decision they’ll ever make. When Kit arrives in the...
Contemporary MM Romance
The Bigamist
Book
Directed by the actor/film-maker Ida Lupino, The Bigamist (1953) is the story of Harry Graham, a...
Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches
Book
Filmmaker Jay Holben has been battling in the production trenches for most of his life. For the past...
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Town Bronze Box Set in Books
Sep 1, 2024
3 stories, about three young men, finding themselves in 1812 London.
I found these easy reads, not too taxing on the emotional or angst side, and they were a welcome change after a couple of books that were high on both scales.
I loved watching each man fall, in a way they did not expect. Given the time, these men could have been hanged if they were caught, but what I liked about these was THAT particular fact wasn't too stressed. In some historical books, those things are shoved down your throat on almost every page, but not so here. Oh it's mentioned, don't get me wrong, but it's mostly in passing, what might happen if they get caught.
The three shorts aren't particularly explicit, but they are really rather sweet in the steaminess level. I liked that, a lot. And they were all a bit different, so that was good.
Two things stopped me giving it 5 stars.
This is the first I've read of this author. I'm not sure if it's her general style, or just these books, but it was very WORDY. Lots of words used to describe things. I found it a bit off putting in places, to be honest.
And I found the three shorts kinda ended, totally out the blue! Very abrupt endings, that threw me!
The short bonus chapters made up for some of it, but still.
WIll I read more by this author? Possibly.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewheree
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction in Books
May 22, 2019
Homeland meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
The story is led by a strong female protagonist who is pitted against her nemesis. To stop him, Petra must confront her past and the traumatic experience that took her out of the field.
This was a well thought out, well written intricate international thriller. The main character, Petra, is an intelligent and independent woman who is forced to overcome her fears and PTSD from a failed field op in order to prevent a massive terrorist attack.
Ms. Guha does a great job weaving the political landscape of the today’s Middle East with a future (2021) that she’s created. It’s a refreshing change from the majority of spy thrillers in that the author stays away from all the typical clichés that can slow a fast paced thriller down. A great first novel.
Very good strong characters and loved the plot.
Really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review
The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor
Book
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature and author of One Hundred...