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David McK (3918 KP) rated Sworn Sword (The Bloody Aftermath of 1066, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)
About a month or so ago, I was in my local Waterstones when I spotted two books both set around the time of the Norman Invasion but telling the tale but different angles: <i>Hereward</i> and this. Humming ang haaing, I eventually decided on <i>Hereward</i> and then, later, came across this novel for sale in Tesco's picking it up there.
Of the two books, I have to say - and despite a title that sounds like a bad b-movie ('"Sworn Sword: 1066: The Aftermath!" coming soon to a theatre near you!') - this is the better. Told in first person prose, this novel is from the point of view of a Norman Knight (whereas <i>Hereward</i> was from that of an Anglo-Saxon), and reminded me very much of one of the better Bernard Cornwell books in that the history covered (albeit slighlty fictionalised to fit the demands of the story) is just as interesting as the actual plot.
The first in a series of books set in the same period, I think I will be picking up more of these!
Of the two books, I have to say - and despite a title that sounds like a bad b-movie ('"Sworn Sword: 1066: The Aftermath!" coming soon to a theatre near you!') - this is the better. Told in first person prose, this novel is from the point of view of a Norman Knight (whereas <i>Hereward</i> was from that of an Anglo-Saxon), and reminded me very much of one of the better Bernard Cornwell books in that the history covered (albeit slighlty fictionalised to fit the demands of the story) is just as interesting as the actual plot.
The first in a series of books set in the same period, I think I will be picking up more of these!
Becky is a retelling of Vanity Fair - which I haven’t read - so I only really know what other people have said about it, really. Regardless of my lack of background knowledge, I can safely say that you will be able to enjoy this novel without any Regency or Victorian novel reading background.
I tore through this. When you realise that for the meteoric rise of the main character, Becky, there will be a plummet, it’s a case of morbid fascination!
And like the original, this is a story without a hero. None of the men are particularly “dashing”, or nice, in fact. Becky isn’t a likeable character either. She knows what she wants, and will do anything in the dirty world of tabloid “news” to get it.
I couldn’t stop reading this, and I closed the book after the last page thinking: “Well THAT was a good job!”
So hopefully I haven’t given too much away, and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’ll know that I love to hate a character, and Becky has this particular trait in spades!
It’s a cracking read!
I tore through this. When you realise that for the meteoric rise of the main character, Becky, there will be a plummet, it’s a case of morbid fascination!
And like the original, this is a story without a hero. None of the men are particularly “dashing”, or nice, in fact. Becky isn’t a likeable character either. She knows what she wants, and will do anything in the dirty world of tabloid “news” to get it.
I couldn’t stop reading this, and I closed the book after the last page thinking: “Well THAT was a good job!”
So hopefully I haven’t given too much away, and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’ll know that I love to hate a character, and Becky has this particular trait in spades!
It’s a cracking read!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Don't Swipe Right in Books
Jun 25, 2023
This is a debut novel for the author and, in my opinion, a pretty successful one at that.
Gwen is trying to move on after the end of a long-term relationship and she does this by throwing herself into finding a new man by using a dating app. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite how she would want with her experiencing some pretty dodgy dates but when those dates start turning up dead, Gwen comes under the spotlight of the police.
Gwen, for me, wasn't the most likeable character and she did do things that made me roll my eyes at times but I did like her sarcasm and sense of humour which made me giggle.
The plot is intriguing and engrossing, the writing is easy to read and the pace is good. There are twists and turns which kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end and it all came together very nicely.
Overall, a pretty good debut novel and one I would recommend and thank you to Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Don't Swipe Right.
Gwen is trying to move on after the end of a long-term relationship and she does this by throwing herself into finding a new man by using a dating app. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite how she would want with her experiencing some pretty dodgy dates but when those dates start turning up dead, Gwen comes under the spotlight of the police.
Gwen, for me, wasn't the most likeable character and she did do things that made me roll my eyes at times but I did like her sarcasm and sense of humour which made me giggle.
The plot is intriguing and engrossing, the writing is easy to read and the pace is good. There are twists and turns which kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end and it all came together very nicely.
Overall, a pretty good debut novel and one I would recommend and thank you to Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Don't Swipe Right.
Solid characterisation (1 more)
Genuinely terrifying concept when you consider the metaphors
Occasional drawn out tangents (1 more)
"That scene"...
Worth 1100 pages!
As always, Stephen King is able to take an abstract concept and instil it with the purest kind of terror. The characterisation of these young children is really solid and only gets stronger as he distils the essence of their personalities in their adult selves. In the strangest way, it would still be an excellent novel without Pennywise, but the looming threat of this ethereal beast just adds to the mood.
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) created a post
May 17, 2017
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Nothing in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Over the top vulgar fiction
I was looking forward to reading Hanif Kureishi's latest novel, but I was mildly disappointed. The crude humour is not to my taste and I may have missed the point to the story, but I believe loneliness as a reactionary behaviour seemed to be a major element to this. I had sympathy for the dying protagonist, stuck with little choices and watching his impending doom unfold, his wife's behaviour was horrifying so I found his pacifying attitude irritating. Not the best of novels for me.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Man Made Murder (Blood Road Trilogy, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This is the 3rd book I have read by this author; the 1st book I read is Suckers which is not only a pretty good horror novel but an excellently written story about friendship; the 2nd is Insylum which is much more than it first appears. All 3 I have enjoyed as once again, Z Rider writes a great story with interesting characters whose stories weave together with ease.
Full review at my blog <a href="http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/man-made-murder-book-one-of-blood-road.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Full review at my blog <a href="http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/man-made-murder-book-one-of-blood-road.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Outside (Outside #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Everything has consequences. All actions are linked. That is the way [Shalini Boland] manages the novel [Outside]. This post-apocalyptic story takes place in England after a worldwide rash of terrorist attacks. The country has been divided into numerous walled cities of various stature and safety.
The twists and turns in this book will leave you wanting to find out more. I really enjoyed this story. I received it as a give away as part of the [Shattered World] books. I really recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels.
The twists and turns in this book will leave you wanting to find out more. I really enjoyed this story. I received it as a give away as part of the [Shattered World] books. I really recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated One Year After (After, #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[One Second After] was one of those books that the cover made me want to buy. I was not disappointed. So when I was in the book store and saw [One Year After] you know I had to buy it even though I have an unusually long queue of books to read. [William R. Forstchen] writes a compelling novel that makes me want to prep for disaster. The way humanity can either come together or tear each other apart is sadly something I feel is true to human nature.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated One For The Money (Stephanie Plum, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
The first thought I have about this book is that it is a mystery that doesn't try too hard. The second thought would be that I can't believe I waited so long to discover Janet Evanovich & this series!!!
The characters are well developed & I found myself rooting for Stephanie Plum throughout the entire novel. She seems like someone you would want to know. She's funny & tough, but still manages to seem vulnerable without being all "girlie- girl." I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
The characters are well developed & I found myself rooting for Stephanie Plum throughout the entire novel. She seems like someone you would want to know. She's funny & tough, but still manages to seem vulnerable without being all "girlie- girl." I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!