David McK (3369 KP) rated A Game of Thrones in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Despite that, and despite knowing various people who are either directly involved (as extras) or peripherally involved (costumers) in the filming of the series, I've never actually seen a single episode of it.
Similarly, I (thought) I hadn't read any of the books in the series until I finally got round to reading this one, and realised not that far into it that, actually, yes, I had read it before - it just didn't really *stick* all that much with me (never a good sign).
Nevertheless, I still made it the entire way through the novel, which is told from a different character's perspective chapter about. As a result (I felt) the book feels somewhat fractured: just as
you're getting used to a particular narrator and their perspective, it's over to someone else ...
If I'm honest, there were also times when I felt like skipping chapters and sections of the book (those dealing with Sansa in particular), with not all the plot threads as gripping as each other.
The acid test of the novel? Would it make me more likely to hunt out and watch the TV series? Sadly, the answer is 'No, not really'.
David McK (3369 KP) rated Young Bloods (Revolution, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is the first of those books, taking it roughly sectiona bout to follw each character through the trials and tribulations of their early life and formative years: through Arthur Wesley (as it was initailly spelled) early life in Ireland, to his move to Engalnd and back again to Dublin alongside Napoleon Bueno Parte (as the Corsican spelling has it) education in France, his attempts to gain Corsican indendepence and his rise during the period of the French Revolution.
As the first in the sereis, this (I felt) did not have - maybe - the 'grip' of the earlier Cato/Macro Roman legion books: there was nothing really in this that made me want to rush out and complete the set.
Having said, that, however, that is just what I did (complete the set), but more from a sense of completionism than for any other real reason. From what I remember (it's been a while since I read them - I may go back and do just that), the sequels are better!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Perfect Mother in Books
Feb 2, 2020
Caroline Mitchell has done it again. Her latest thriller, The Perfect Mother, is a stand-alone novel and not part of the DI Amy Winter series I enjoy.
In The Perfect Mother, Caroline Mitchell introduces us to Roz, a single, pregnant woman from Ireland who is not ready to be a mother. She is determined to do the right thing for her baby and joins an expensive, elite adoption service. She is thrilled when a secretive power couple is interested in raising her baby as their own. What starts as a dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.
Once again, while reading a book by Caroline Mitchell, I stayed up way too late because I could not find a place to stop reading. I kept reading until the end. I was exhausted at work the next day but the book was worth it.
It started off as a slow burn but quickly picked up speed and went flying. It is a tense book that made me cheer and feel for the main character and her unborn child. Once Roz moves to NY the story does not twist and turn but is a solid line of suspense until the very end.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/2/20.
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