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David McK (3906 KP) rated Master of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #3) in Books

Jan 30, 2019

The third book in John Stack's 'Masters of the Sea' series, this continues the story of Atticus from the previous two novels. As I've said before, it's an interesting setting - the Roman Navy during the First Punic War - due to it's relative unfamiliarity to the reader: we're all aware of Hannibal crossing the Alps (which was during the Second Punic War), and of the might of the Roman army, but I can think of very few other books dealing with their navy!

This starts with teh Roman army defeated at Tunis, and then details the repercussions from this defeat and various other naval battles the fleet participates in. The novel also covers a long(ish) period of time: the events within are, sometimes, maybe a year or so apart.

Readable enough, but not a brilliant piece of writing.

Kudos

Erika (17789 KP) rated The Locksmith's Daughter in Books

Jan 21, 2019

The Locksmith's Daughter

Karen Brooks | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

An Elizabethan novel without royals as the main characters.

Recently, I haven't wanted to read any historical fiction novels. I feel like recently, a lot of them are either focused on royals, or on WWII. Harper Collins sent one of their promo emails at the beginning of this month, and after reading the description, I had to have it.
I really liked the main character, Mallory, made some dumb decisions, like everyone, but it was nice to see that she legitimately learned from her mistakes.
After Mallory ruined her reputation, her father seeks out the Spymaster of Elizabethan England, Sir Francis Walsingham, to give her a job. She becomes a spy, seeking out Catholics. Again, I was thankful that the Queen only appeared in person once.

Harper Collins totally got me on this one, and I was glad to read it.

Kudos

Allison Knapp (118 KP) Jan 21, 2019

Sounds interesting. I will have to read it.

Kudos

Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Rebecca in Books

Mar 15, 2020

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier, Sally Beauman | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry

8.6

(32 Ratings)

Book Rating

What a pleasure listening to Anna Massey narrate the audiobook of Rebecca. At first, I thought this was going to be another case of me finding classic raved about novels too much of a slow boil but I was so engaged in the prose and mind of the protagonist I ended up loving it.

Being in the head of the protagonist; who we don't even know the name of; is such a realistic if at times frustrating experience. As a self-doubting socially shy woman she's perfectly written and I'm sure many can sympathise. Thrust into a world of being waited on rather than doing the waiting when she marries Maxim de Winter, the shadow of his late wife looms large in her new home - Manderley

A beautifully written tale of suspense and mystery that will transport you to a different time.