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6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

The third in the series has more of suspense feel to it than the others, I have to say it didn’t work for me. I don’t really do suspense even when it’s paired with romance, so I found myself enjoying this novel less than the first two. I did enjoy how much love these characters had for animals. As someone who loves all animals (I am that person who won’t step on a spider!), it warmed my heart to see their devotion.

The bottomline is that, despite not enjoying the mystery/suspense aspect, it was an enjoyable read. The characters are easy to like and their actions make more sense than those of characters in the previous installment. This was one of those novels where I enjoyed reading about the journey rather than reading towards the goal.

It’s also much easier to pick up on the language after read a few of these novels. If you are not used to European, particularly British, terms, then it could throw you off. The author makes sure these don’t actually interfere with the story, however.

_ Arec
<a href="https://rainythursdays.wordpress.com">Rainy Thursdays</a>
  
IA
Ink and Steel (Promethean Age, #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If I had it to do over again, I'd read this and <i>Hell and Earth</i> first, then the "first" two Promethean Age novels. That would put them in chronological order, which is how I prefer to read.

Normally, I'd be terribly unhappy with the fact that this book leaves so many loose ends. Since it is clearly marked "The Straford Man, Volume I," and the author's note states that it is one of two closely-linked novels, I don't feel cheated. It helps that this and <i>Hell and Earth</i> were released very close together.

Bear's mastery of the language is always a pleasure. The book is well-plotted, and while I struggled a bit to keep up with all the similarly-named people in Elizabethan England, I can hardly blame the author for the fact that there really were three "Will's" in the same company of players, or several plotting Richards in association. I'm not well-educated enough with regards to that period in history to know how much of the intrigue is pure fiction, and how much may have historical basis. I look forward to the promised explicatory note at the end of H&E for that.
  
H(
Hereward (Hereward, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Obviously the first in a planned series of novels on Hereward 'the Wake' (in this context, 'the Wake' means wary or watchful), who was a real Saxon who lead the resistance against the Norman invaders of England in William the Conquerors time.

While largely forgotten by history, many of Herewards exploits have later been subsumed into the many legends of Robin Hood - it is easy to see the parallels between the two characters and, as such, I thought that this could prove to be an interesting read.

Unfortunately, for me, much of the novel fell flat - I was never really drawn into it all that much; never really connected with any of the main characters. Starting in 1062, the novels takes place over a span of years (up to, and slightly beyond) The Battle of Hastings in 1066 with that battle (and Stamford bridge beforehand) largely glossed over - maybe only a chapter or two devoted to the both of them. Indeed, it was only in the last 70 pages or so - with the beginnings of the English resistance - that I began to be more drawn into the novel, by which stage it was too late.

While I may read the sequels, I'm not going to be looking for them.
  
40x40

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Institute in Books

Nov 26, 2019  
The Institute
The Institute
Stephen King | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
8
7.8 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Would make a great film
Supernatural abilities and horrific events are nothing new for Stephen King, but this is the first time we've seen his take on The Maze Runner/X-Men and most other recent YA novels or films. And it's really rather good.

I wouldn't say it's up there with his knockout classics or epic stories, but this is a hugely entertaining read with some endearing and well developed characters. Even the kids in this are a lot more likeable than most other whinging teens that feature as protagonists in other novels, and it's just proof that King really does know how to do characters. The story itself is interesting and a neat new take on the supernatural/superhero powers that we're so used to seeing nowadays. My biggest issue is the ending. It's not terrible or even bad at all, it just comes across as very anticlimactic after the huge build up and is rather a bit of a letdown. It just seems a little too clean and wrapped up all too quickly.

Still I struggled to put this down, especially the further I got into it, and if you like stories about supernatural abilities then this is definitely one to read.
  
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
Alexandre Dumas, Bill Homewood, Bruch, F. Raf | 1844 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Let me start by saying that this is (was) one of the few novels I had abandoned, finding it very hard going and plodding.

And, truth be told, I still haven't actually read it.

You might be wondering, then, why I'm reviewing it?

Because, thanks to a well-known Amazon-owned subsidiary, I've now listened to it!

The subject of a fair-few movies over the years (most noticeably the 1970s Michael York duo The Three/Four Musketeers), I have to admit to being somewhat surprised at just how closely that Michael York fronted film actually sticks to the source material, with the first half of the novel (The Queens Diamonds) virtually transposed straight to the screen. And, as a result, I found this portion not really all that engaging, perhaps due to (over)familiarity.

However, things picked up once we got past the halfway point, and into more unfamiliar territory, before (roughly) the final third of the novel, which obviously served as the inspiration for The Four Musketeers (where d'Artagnan actually becomes one such).

Full of swashbuckling romance and acts of derring do, this - like many other classics - is one of those novels that you read simply so that you can say you've read it!