Search

Search only in certain items:

A Darker Shade of Magic
A Darker Shade of Magic
V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.2 (19 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first book set up the idea of the different Londons: magic-less grey London, vibrant red London, starving and desperate white London, and decimated, dead black London. Each built upon a foundation of London but developed in completely different fashions. Their cultures, religion, speech, manner and being is so unique in each world.

It was a really intriguing way to build the world and immediately fascinated me. Good world building is so important to books because it is immersive, it pulls you in and makes you forget that it’s not real. You are living the story with the characters. She even created languages that were utilized by characters from different places, from the magic language of the Antari to the flowing words or harsh tones of the neighboring lands. It shows a passion for authenticity and true love of what she has created.

I love the characters. Rhy with his charm always brightens the room (or a scene). Lila is cunning, ruthless, ambitious and a thief. She doesn't need anyone and she would never admit to needing anything. She takes or does what she wants, no matter the cost with no regrets. She is tough as nails and her grit is inspiring. Her first instinct is to protect herself above all.

Many people may not agree with me, but Lila was probably my least favourite of our main characters. She was smart and tough, but a little too ruthless for my taste. Kell was the character that I liked/related to the most, even though he was a powerful magic user he seemed the most down to earth.

Not only does she introduce us to unique main characters, but she brilliantly gives depths to those in the background. There are some supporting characters that at times I liked even more than some of our leads.

Overall the story is more of a slow-burn/build rather than quick action packed scenes. I think that it worked really well for this story and have no complaints. Highly recommended to young adult/teen readers who enjoy fantasy or magic books with characters that have very diverse personalities/outlooks on life and great world-building.
  
B(
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
54 of 230
Kindle
Breathless (Scarlet Suffragette book 2)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nicola Claire's captivating new Gothic romance series continues with a dark and sinister London City at the end of the nineteenth century - brightened by a fearless and talented heroine and a loyal and secretive police inspector...


Determined doctor? Interfering busybody? Fearless fighter?

The London of Anna Cassidy's memories is not the London she faces today. Having proved her worth as a physician, Dr Cassidy finds herself pitted against the stolid attitude of a male-dominated society.

But it's not only society she has to contend with.

A criminal mastermind has set themselves up in London, England; chosen the dirty streets of Whitechapel and Lambeth as their stage. Competing against a devious and cunning opponent sets Anna and her closest friends off on a dire adventure, which could culminate in a loss so great Anna may never recover again.

Steadfast police inspector? Loyal guardian? Caring lover?

Anna, however, is not alone. Or, at least, she won't be once Inspector Kelly finds her. Facing the ghosts of his past, Andrew Kelly rushes to face Anna's enemies and protect the woman he loves.

But Anna is not unable to defend herself.

Proving she needs him is a task Inspector Kelly would gladly undertake. But the city of Andrew's birth is more in the grip of evil machinations than it has ever been, bringing to mind memories of a dark London, ripped to within an inch of its life by a devil known to most simply as Jack.

Andrew knows otherwise. For his secrets are unravelling and within their shadowed corners lies a murderer, a poisoner, and a villain so deceitful that nothing is what it appears to be.

A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
Read preview >

This was so good I love the era and the references to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It has fabulous characters both good and bad. The story kept you wanting to read more. I’m not one for huge relationship storylines but this I loved. Highly recommended if you like murder mystery set in a gothic Victorian era.
  
40x40

Alexandra Daykin (1 KP) rated Mayhem in Books

Jan 12, 2018  
Mayhem
Mayhem
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Easy to read fictional story based on real murders commited at the same time as jack the ripper. focusing on three characters. The author depicts the seedier side of london with the opium dens and the prospect of fear and death around every corner. wonderfully atmospheric. can`t wait for the next book for the further adventures of Dr Bond
  
40x40

Dean (6925 KP) rated The Conjuring 2 (2016) in Movies

May 7, 2017 (Updated Sep 27, 2018)  
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
2016 | Horror
Very Creepy (2 more)
Great character design
Based around events of the Enfield haunting
Conjured up another hit
A great follow up to one of the best Horror films in recent years. With the main stars of the first film coming to London to authenticate a haunting in Enfield. It's genuinely creepy and disturbing that some elements are based on true events.
  
BI
Black Ice (Young Sherlock Holmes, #3)
Andy Lane | 2011
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A teenage Sherlock Holmes takes a trip to London to visit his brother only to find his brother as the only suspect in a locked room murder. It's an interesting and fun book, but it was rather slow to get going.

<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-black-ice-sherlock-holmes.html">Read my full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
In the second book of the Peter Pan prequel trilogy, Peter heads to London to try to warn Molly that someone is searching for the star stuff. It was a bit long winded at time, but it was still a fun read.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-peter-and-shadow-thieves-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Insanity (Insanity, #1)
Insanity (Insanity, #1)
Cameron Jace | 2014 | Crime, Humor & Comedy, Young Adult (YA)
7
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
It holds your attention and uses all the Wonderland characters beautifully. (0 more)
About the only thing bad is that they could combine books to make them longer. (0 more)
Wonderland meets London
I really like this series, I just started book 8 today and can barely put it down. It blends all the characters from Wonderland into the real world beautifully. I highly recommend it.