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David McK (3600 KP) rated The Last Berserker in Books
May 8, 2021
First entry in Angus Donald's new 'Fire Born' Viking series, in which the main character is what we would term as a Berserker (although never named as such).
This is set in an even earlier time period than his 'Holcroft Blood' series (set during the time of Charles II) or even his even-earlier set 'Outlaw' series (about Robin Hood), but - unfortunately - I found it to be inferior to both.
That's not to say that it's bad; just that it didn't resonate (with the twists not really hitting home) as much with me as this earlier series did.
This is set in an even earlier time period than his 'Holcroft Blood' series (set during the time of Charles II) or even his even-earlier set 'Outlaw' series (about Robin Hood), but - unfortunately - I found it to be inferior to both.
That's not to say that it's bad; just that it didn't resonate (with the twists not really hitting home) as much with me as this earlier series did.
Goemon (2009)
Movie
Based on a Japanese folk legend that echoes the tale of Robin Hood, this ninja thriller follows the...
David McK (3600 KP) rated The Saxon Wolf (Fireborn #2) in Books
Mar 22, 2022
The second entry in Angus Donald's Fire Born series (after The Last Berserker: An action-packed Viking adventure) and, for some reason, I'm just not feeling it.
Unlike his eminently more enjoyable (IMO) Robin Hood stories, or even the Holcroft Blood trilogy.
I'm not sure why that is: set during the dark ages in and around the time of Charlemagne (a major recurring character), and featuring a reluctant Viking berserker you would think that this ticks all the boxes, as it were.
And yet, for some reason, it just didn't click for me.
Your mileage, of course, may vary!
Unlike his eminently more enjoyable (IMO) Robin Hood stories, or even the Holcroft Blood trilogy.
I'm not sure why that is: set during the dark ages in and around the time of Charlemagne (a major recurring character), and featuring a reluctant Viking berserker you would think that this ticks all the boxes, as it were.
And yet, for some reason, it just didn't click for me.
Your mileage, of course, may vary!
David McK (3600 KP) rated The King's Assassin (The Outlaw Chronicles, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This, I believe, is the penultimate entry in [a: Angus Donald|584064|Angus Donald|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s 'Outlaw' series of novels dealing with the legend of Robin Hood.
If I'm honest, I also have to say that I read the title as meaning 'an assassin belonging to a King' rather than what proves to be the actual meaning: a (failed) attempt to assassinate the King (who, at this stage, is John).
As before, this is presented as the elderly Alan a Dale (now in a monastery as he has been since the opening of [b: Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806], and by this stage dictating rather than writing himself) recalling his earlier life in the company of Robin and his men.
The main 'hook' of this particular entry in the series is the events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, with King John proving to be an unpopular and failing ruler, especially compared to his older brother Richard ('the Lionheart'), and with Robin instrumental in bringing about the famous document.
If I'm honest, I also have to say that I read the title as meaning 'an assassin belonging to a King' rather than what proves to be the actual meaning: a (failed) attempt to assassinate the King (who, at this stage, is John).
As before, this is presented as the elderly Alan a Dale (now in a monastery as he has been since the opening of [b: Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806], and by this stage dictating rather than writing himself) recalling his earlier life in the company of Robin and his men.
The main 'hook' of this particular entry in the series is the events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, with King John proving to be an unpopular and failing ruler, especially compared to his older brother Richard ('the Lionheart'), and with Robin instrumental in bringing about the famous document.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Blood of the Bear (Fire Born volume 5) in Books
Oct 18, 2024 (Updated Oct 18, 2024)
This is the final(?) entry in Angus Donald's 'Fire Born' series about the Viking berserker Bjarki Bloodhand in the time of Charlemagne, a series which - will enjoyable enough - has never *quite* managed to hit the heights of his Robin Hood 'Outlaw Chronicles' series of novels.
Here, we have Bjarki living a quiet life at the start of the novel, before events transpire to drag him - and his sister Tor - back into the conflict between the Christian Franks and the pagan Danes/Saxons, events that culminate in one of the few Frankish (temporary) defeats.
Worth a read? Yes.
As good as the Outlaw Chronicles series? No.
Here, we have Bjarki living a quiet life at the start of the novel, before events transpire to drag him - and his sister Tor - back into the conflict between the Christian Franks and the pagan Danes/Saxons, events that culminate in one of the few Frankish (temporary) defeats.
Worth a read? Yes.
As good as the Outlaw Chronicles series? No.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Cabbages & Kings in Books
Feb 3, 2022
wonderful retelling of a local legend
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
As a Nottingham girl, I grew with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. So, finding this tale having tipped those tales on their heads was a delight!
The story tells of Alana Dale, and her new husband, Will Scathlock and how they came to suffer at the hands of Robin and Guy, and just how, after all that, THEY came to be the bad guys!
This is a delightful tale, set in places in and around Nottinghamshire, so I know these places, and I love reading books about places I really know.
It's wonderfully written, with detailed descriptions of the things needed to get by, with Alana having ideas wise beyond her years, especially when it comes to health matters.
Alana is a strong-minded young lady (only 16 here!) and she will stand up for herself in a time when it wasn't the done thing. I loved Alana, and her teasing of Will, but to be fair, he gave as good as he got. Alana's deepest fears come to life here, and how she manages to hold it together to keep Will safe BEFORE she loses it, I have no idea.
There is some violence, Alana and Will's village is destroyed in the beginning of the book and the attack's aftermath is described in some detail. Because of this, I would class it as upper young adult, maybe 14+.
Tipping the Robin Hood legend on its head, Ms Sheppard made new heroes, and new bad guys. She tells of everyday life in Medieval England, and just how the common folk survived.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
As a Nottingham girl, I grew with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. So, finding this tale having tipped those tales on their heads was a delight!
The story tells of Alana Dale, and her new husband, Will Scathlock and how they came to suffer at the hands of Robin and Guy, and just how, after all that, THEY came to be the bad guys!
This is a delightful tale, set in places in and around Nottinghamshire, so I know these places, and I love reading books about places I really know.
It's wonderfully written, with detailed descriptions of the things needed to get by, with Alana having ideas wise beyond her years, especially when it comes to health matters.
Alana is a strong-minded young lady (only 16 here!) and she will stand up for herself in a time when it wasn't the done thing. I loved Alana, and her teasing of Will, but to be fair, he gave as good as he got. Alana's deepest fears come to life here, and how she manages to hold it together to keep Will safe BEFORE she loses it, I have no idea.
There is some violence, Alana and Will's village is destroyed in the beginning of the book and the attack's aftermath is described in some detail. Because of this, I would class it as upper young adult, maybe 14+.
Tipping the Robin Hood legend on its head, Ms Sheppard made new heroes, and new bad guys. She tells of everyday life in Medieval England, and just how the common folk survived.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
David McK (3600 KP) rated Celtic Warrior: The Legend of Cú Chulainn in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I'm always surprised that the story of Cu Chulainn, The Hound of Ulster, isn't better known; not as well known as, say, The Legend of King Arthur and his Knights, or of Robin Hood and his outlaws.
Based primarily around the Cattle Raid of Cooley at the end of Cu Chulainn's life, this graphic novel is a mythic retelling of that story, split into 6 distinct chapters. Interestingly, nearly every chapter includes a flash-back (shown in gray-scale) to an earlier part of Cu Chulainn's life, taking in how he got that name (from his birth name Setanta) and his training to become a warrior, for example.
Short? Yes.
Did I enjoy this? Also yes.
Based primarily around the Cattle Raid of Cooley at the end of Cu Chulainn's life, this graphic novel is a mythic retelling of that story, split into 6 distinct chapters. Interestingly, nearly every chapter includes a flash-back (shown in gray-scale) to an earlier part of Cu Chulainn's life, taking in how he got that name (from his birth name Setanta) and his training to become a warrior, for example.
Short? Yes.
Did I enjoy this? Also yes.
ZR
Zorro Rides Again
Bill Homewood and Johnston McCulley
Book
Zorro Rides Again is the third novella featuring Zorro, the Robin Hood of Old California. Reina de...
The Hunter's Moon (The Secret Warrior #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Seventeen-year-old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But...
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Batman And Robin Vol. 3: Death Of the Family in Books
Mar 27, 2018
"Death Of The Family" contains the Joker's return (also introduction into the New 52) and attack on the Bat family. Other titles feature the clown taking on Red Hood, Red Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing and Batman. Each one of those arcs concludes with issue #17 of the New 52 Batman. This volume centers on Joker's attack on Damian, the current Robin, and finishes with the issue mentioned above.
It is a darker storyline, and I love the New 52 Joker's psychosis. He thinks he's Batman's best friend. That he keeps the Dark Knight sharp while all the sidekicks make the Bat weak. It's intriguing, even more so when he interacts with Damian. This story basically boils down to two interesting characters butting heads.
Preceding it is a prologue issue in which Damian lures Bruce out of country with a familial scavenger hunt in order to take over as Batman for a few days. The epilogue is an issue in which all three residents of Wayne Manor have nightmares.
Start to finish, it was a solid piece of entertainment.
It is a darker storyline, and I love the New 52 Joker's psychosis. He thinks he's Batman's best friend. That he keeps the Dark Knight sharp while all the sidekicks make the Bat weak. It's intriguing, even more so when he interacts with Damian. This story basically boils down to two interesting characters butting heads.
Preceding it is a prologue issue in which Damian lures Bruce out of country with a familial scavenger hunt in order to take over as Batman for a few days. The epilogue is an issue in which all three residents of Wayne Manor have nightmares.
Start to finish, it was a solid piece of entertainment.