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Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Zen Cho | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.

Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.

Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
  
White Rabbit, Red Wolf
White Rabbit, Red Wolf
Tom Pollock | 2018 | Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great YA book about a teenage boy (Pete) who has an extreme anxiety disorder. Oh, and he's a maths prodigy too. His mother is a very well-respected scientist. His twin sister, Bel, seems to be just your run of the mill teenager, who gets in to a bit of trouble as she's a bit handy with her fists (usually sticking up for Pete). The three of them go to the Natural History Museum in London to collect an award for their mother - and this is where it all goes horribly wrong. Their mother is stabbed, Bel disappears, and Pete is kidnapped.
Some very likeable main characters (particularly Pete and Bel), some typically 'mean' spies, a fair bit of maths (which I admit to skimming over: maths isn't really my thing, I'm afraid!), and lots of action.
A great book, which I'm sure adults and teenagers alike will enjoy!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for their serialisation!
  
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Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Friday Society in Books

Mar 19, 2019 (Updated Jul 27, 2020)  
The Friday Society
The Friday Society
Adrienne Kress | 2012 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun characters (1 more)
nice intro to steampunk
slightly repetitive (1 more)
too much build up for a one off book
A fun teen book set in 1900 London. It follows three young woman whose paths seem fated to cross. Assistants to three famous men, they become entangled in a mystery only they can solve. I really hoped this book would become a series because there is a lot of build up and it makes the ending seemed a little rushed. While it is considered steampunk, I feel like it is more like getting your feet wet just enough to be curious about the genre.
You have the no nonsense scientist, flighty yet loyal performer, and the doesn't speak English Japanese fighter. Three girl which should have little in common are more similar than they'd think. You get all three girl's POV which is nice. And I can identify with some of their irritations. A cute, fun and quick read.
  
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Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated D.T.M. - Single by Hope Tala in Music

Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)  
D.T.M. - Single by Hope Tala
D.T.M. - Single by Hope Tala
2019
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Hope Tala is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from West London, England. Not too long ago, she released a bittersweet contemporary R&B tune, entitled, “D.T.M.”.

‘D.T.M.’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who expresses to her ex-beau that she’s also hurting inside after their emotional breakup.

Apparently, not too long ago, the former lovebirds lost their loving way to prosperity. During their problematic journey, their bliss was destroyed and agony replaced their joy.

Even though their relationship ended on a bad note, the woman suggests that they can still remain friends.

‘D.T.M.’ contains a relatable storyline and dreamy vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses summery instrumentation flavored with acoustic guitar chords and a tropical R&B rhythm, almost like a Brazilian bossa nova shuffle.

‘D.T.M.’ is the second single released from Hope Tala’s upcoming sophomore EP.

Also, the first single from the anticipated project, “Lovestained”, has amassed over 600,000 streams online.


https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/hope-tala-d-t-m/
  
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
2007 | Drama, Musical, Thriller
Super talented actors (2 more)
Beautiful songs
good story
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd: the demon barber of Fleet Street it’s a musical by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett and Sasha Baron Cohen as Signor Pirelli and Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin.
The story is about Benjamin Barker ( later known as Sweeney Todd), a barber, that had a wife and child. And he was taken away from them because this Judge fancied Benjamin’s wife. He comes back to London to see his wife again after years until he meets Mrs Lovett who tells him she poisoned herself and that Judge Turpin has his daughter as his ward. So Sweeney Todd plans his revenge with Mrs Lovett.
I’ve watched this film more than 10 times and I love it still.
The film is all in shades or browns, greys and reds and the voice choices are marvellous.
  
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Andy K (10821 KP) Dec 9, 2018

What a fantastic film!

R(
Resurrectionist (Matthew Hawkwood, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The sequel to 2006's <i>Ratcatcher</i>, <i>Resurrectionist</i> again follows the exploits of Matthew Hawkwood: a former army officer now working as a Bow Street Runner.

While <i>Ratcatcher</i>, in many respects, was a straight-forward action/adventure set in Regency London, this novel is more of a mystery/crime novel. This time, Captain Hawkwood is on the trail of body-snatchers - colloquially known as 'Resurrection men' - and of an escaped convict from Bedlam Hospital. Initially believing the two cases to be distinct, this later proves to be far from the case ...

Body-snatching was - and is - a pretty gruesome business, and McGee doesn't shy away from the full import of what the grave-diggers were involved in, with some of the scenes described not for the squeamish! Similarly, the early years of medical science are also touched upon - again, some of those scenes are not for the squeamish.
  
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ClareR (5556 KP) rated Bitter Orange in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
Bitter Orange
Bitter Orange
Claire Fuller | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Fantastic Book!
Frances Jellico lies dying in a hospital bed in the present day. She has flash backs to 1969 when she was asked to go to a large, dilapidated country house to assess the gardens for its new owner. She leaves London just after her mother dies - a mother who she had taken care of on her own for a long time. Already there when she arrives are Cara and Peter. He is an antiques expert, and Cara is his wife.
There is such a lot going on in this book: Cara and Peter have a strained relationship, Cara is clearly unwell; the vicar in the local church is not happy in his work, and Frances seems completely incapable of understanding relationships - her upbringing seems to have been very sheltered.
This is such a good story. I enjoyed uncovering the layers and the last few chapters were stunning and completely unexpected.