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David McK (3938 KP) rated Templar Assassin (Mongol Knight #2) in Books

Oct 25, 2026

The second part in Angus Donald's 'Mongol Knight' supposed-to-be trilogy, recounting - as a story within a story - just how the Templar Knight Robert Hadlow came to be riding with the armies of Genghis Khan.

Picking up from the end of the first story (Templar Traitor], this is now presented as Robert telling his tale whilst on trial in September 1241, mostly taking the form a a flashback with a few odd interruptions to the 'here and now'.

And, as before, I've found it to be an inferior story to any of Donald's Outlaw series, about a 'gangsterish' about Robin Hood.

I'm not sure whether that's because of the presentation (third person, instead of the first person of Alan a Dale in those other novels), whether it's because I don't find Robert to be as interesting a character, or whether because the setting just isn't as enticing to me. Or maybe all three?

That's not to say it's a bad read - it's not, by any means - but just that, for me, the currently released two books out of the Mongol Knight soon-to-be trilogy just haven't resonated with me as much.

Kudos

David McK (3938 KP) rated Blood's Campaign in Books

Mar 5, 2020

Blood's Campaign

Angus Donald | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Third entry in Angus Donald's Holcroft Blood series (after Blood's Game and Blood's Revolution), with this one set in Ireland.

Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).

Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!

Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.

An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.

Kudos

The Lone Cowboy of River's Bend

Lori Connelly

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

The man they're all talking about...Gossip has spread far and wide about the broken-hearted recluse...

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) in Movies

Sep 17, 2020 (Updated Sep 17, 2020)

The Peanut Butter Falcon is truly wonderful in every sense of the word, and quite possibly the most heart warming movie ever made!?

This story of Zak, a man with Down Syndrome, who runs away from his care home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler is shot beautifully - this film looks stunning from start to finish.
The cinematography and music cues give the movie a Cohens-esque vibe at times.
Zak finds an unlikely companion in Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), and outlaw who is on the run from some people that he owes to. The two of them journey together towards Florida in a simple story that at its core is a commentary on what it is to be human.

Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen are fantastic as the films leads. The companionship between the two of them feels truly special at all times, is frequently hilarious, and is the source of pretty much all the charm that radiates from TPBF.
Dakota Johnson, Thomas Jaden Church, and Bruce Dern are also great as well.

I wasn't expecting to love The Peanut Butter Falcon as much as I did, but honestly, it's a damn good film that will get to the coldest person.