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David McK (3207 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.
David McK (3207 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 (3207 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.
Debbiereadsbook (1087 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 (3207 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.
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.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Robin Hood (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
At this point I feel like I've grown u with definitive versions of Robin Hood. Kevin Costner will always be a front runner, and Disney's foxified version brings a smile to my face every time. I was also lucky to have been shown Robin Hood Men In Tights when I was younger and will always appreciate Cary Elwes' rendition. Errol Flynn will always be the high point for class in the role. There's always that one we don't talk about... Russell Crowe, I'm looking at you. We probably should consider the small screen as well, after all should we be excluding Robin from Madi Marian and Her Merry Men?
After the one we don't talk about I had fairly low expectations for this. Did we really need to reboot this icon?
The answer is evidently a resounding yes. No one is more surprised about this than I am. He's still not the best Robin (sorry... Rob) but he's an excellent modern adaptation for those who don't want to go old school with their viewing.
Taron Egerton doesn't quite have the on-screen presence of a lord, he's something or a whipper-snapper in Robin terms. He'd be much more at home in an episode of Arrow. Watch out, Roy. In fact that would be my guess of what happened in the pitching of this one. "Arrow is basically Robin Hood, shall we just do that?"
Ben Mendelsohn proved himself to be an excellent villain in Ready Player One, and he's brought himself back to that high with the Sheriff of Nottingham. Cruel and egotistical he makes an easy focus for everyone's revolutionary efforts.
Friar Tuck... hmm. Tim Minchin was an interesting choice. My main issue is that he basically seems to have played it as Bill Bailey. That was something that stuck out from the very first time we saw him and from that point on all I could think was that they might as well have got Bill Bailey to do it.
I had hoped that like the trailer the film would feature some modern music as well as what turned out to be some very atmospheric background ensemble. Sadly not though. Maybe it's just me pining back to A Knight's Tale.
Round of applause for the cinematography. Everything flowed really well and that opening scene of war (which you can see some of in the trailer above) really drew you in. In fact, the whole scene felt very much more modern than bows and arrows and was a striking moment in the film.
If cinematography is at the top, the writing is somewhere near the bottom. Generally it was passable and I didn't really notice it. That sounds odd, but you know what I mean, sometimes it is just there and doesn't really leave a mark. Every now and then you'd get a curve ball of a line that made me recoil and stopped my enjoyment of the film. Speeches that should have had power in the words didn't, there was no feeling of being roused to action like so many great films are able to do.
As a final comment... why must you mess with the naturally accepted order of characters?
What you should do
Go for the action, not the script. It's quite impressive on the big screen and Jamie Foxx's John holds some quiet moments of humour that are worth seeing.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
I would quite like John's ability to heal and not die. That seems like a massively impressive part of his character.
After the one we don't talk about I had fairly low expectations for this. Did we really need to reboot this icon?
The answer is evidently a resounding yes. No one is more surprised about this than I am. He's still not the best Robin (sorry... Rob) but he's an excellent modern adaptation for those who don't want to go old school with their viewing.
Taron Egerton doesn't quite have the on-screen presence of a lord, he's something or a whipper-snapper in Robin terms. He'd be much more at home in an episode of Arrow. Watch out, Roy. In fact that would be my guess of what happened in the pitching of this one. "Arrow is basically Robin Hood, shall we just do that?"
Ben Mendelsohn proved himself to be an excellent villain in Ready Player One, and he's brought himself back to that high with the Sheriff of Nottingham. Cruel and egotistical he makes an easy focus for everyone's revolutionary efforts.
Friar Tuck... hmm. Tim Minchin was an interesting choice. My main issue is that he basically seems to have played it as Bill Bailey. That was something that stuck out from the very first time we saw him and from that point on all I could think was that they might as well have got Bill Bailey to do it.
I had hoped that like the trailer the film would feature some modern music as well as what turned out to be some very atmospheric background ensemble. Sadly not though. Maybe it's just me pining back to A Knight's Tale.
Round of applause for the cinematography. Everything flowed really well and that opening scene of war (which you can see some of in the trailer above) really drew you in. In fact, the whole scene felt very much more modern than bows and arrows and was a striking moment in the film.
If cinematography is at the top, the writing is somewhere near the bottom. Generally it was passable and I didn't really notice it. That sounds odd, but you know what I mean, sometimes it is just there and doesn't really leave a mark. Every now and then you'd get a curve ball of a line that made me recoil and stopped my enjoyment of the film. Speeches that should have had power in the words didn't, there was no feeling of being roused to action like so many great films are able to do.
As a final comment... why must you mess with the naturally accepted order of characters?
What you should do
Go for the action, not the script. It's quite impressive on the big screen and Jamie Foxx's John holds some quiet moments of humour that are worth seeing.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
I would quite like John's ability to heal and not die. That seems like a massively impressive part of his character.
David McK (3207 KP) rated Blood's Game in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Like, I'm sure, many others, my first exposure to the writings of [a:Angus Donald|584064|Angus Donald|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] was when I picked up [b:Outlaw|6624899|Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347668868s/6624899.jpg|6819139] on sale: a novel which reimagined the familiar character of Robin Hood, and which I thoroughly enjoyed: so much so that I made it a point to pick up all the novels in that series ([b:Outlaw|6624899|Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347668868s/6624899.jpg|6819139], [b:Holy Warrior|7710240|Holy Warrior (The Outlaw Chronicles, #2)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327539941s/7710240.jpg|10428506], [b:King's Man|11351795|King's Man (The Outlaw Chronicles, #3)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328436464s/11351795.jpg|16281574], [b:Warlord|13077584|Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342984405s/13077584.jpg|18244685], [b:Grail Knight|20613734|Grail Knight (The Outlaw Chronicles #5)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1410172817s/20613734.jpg|21976159], [b:The Iron Castle|19857964|The Iron Castle (Outlaw Chronicles, #6)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402550564s/19857964.jpg|27860558] and (finally) [b:The Death of Robin Hood|29348050|The Death of Robin Hood (The Outlaw Chronicles, #8)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467543641s/29348050.jpg|49585935]).
This, however, would be the first time I had read one of Donald's novels that concerned a different central character, and that had a different setting: would it, I wondered, be more of the same, or would it have it's own 'feel'?
The answer, I can now say, is the latter.
Replacing Alan-a-Dale with Holcroft Blood, and told in the more traditional her-and-know third-person narrative (instead of the conceit of an elderly Alan recalling his youthful adventures with Robin Hood), this particular novel deals with the (attempted) theft of the Crown Jewels from the Tower of England during the reign of King Charles II, not long after the restoration.
While that (attempted) theft is carried out by Thomas Blood - who was caught red-handed but later, incredibly, was granted a pardon by Charles II - this novel does not have Thomas as the central character: rather, instead, we follow the fortunes of his youngest son Holcroft: a son who, throughout the course of this novel, becomes friends with Sir John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough (and Winston Churchill's direct descendant).
Whether true or not, young Holcroft is portrayed in this as suffering from a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome, able to easily code and decode correspondence sent to his master The Duke of Buckingham from his various spies and informants: a skill that comes in handy in this tale! I have to say, too, that the court of King Charles II comes across as incredibly decadent, full of scheming and back-stabbing rivals out wholly for themselves ...
I'd be interested in seeing where this series goes, especially as the next entry ([b:Blood's Revolution|36146468|Blood's Revolution|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504033386s/36146468.jpg|57749834]) concerns itself - at least, according to the blurb at the back of this - with what is (in this country - Northern Ireland - at least) a very divisive and pivotal moment in English history.
This, however, would be the first time I had read one of Donald's novels that concerned a different central character, and that had a different setting: would it, I wondered, be more of the same, or would it have it's own 'feel'?
The answer, I can now say, is the latter.
Replacing Alan-a-Dale with Holcroft Blood, and told in the more traditional her-and-know third-person narrative (instead of the conceit of an elderly Alan recalling his youthful adventures with Robin Hood), this particular novel deals with the (attempted) theft of the Crown Jewels from the Tower of England during the reign of King Charles II, not long after the restoration.
While that (attempted) theft is carried out by Thomas Blood - who was caught red-handed but later, incredibly, was granted a pardon by Charles II - this novel does not have Thomas as the central character: rather, instead, we follow the fortunes of his youngest son Holcroft: a son who, throughout the course of this novel, becomes friends with Sir John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough (and Winston Churchill's direct descendant).
Whether true or not, young Holcroft is portrayed in this as suffering from a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome, able to easily code and decode correspondence sent to his master The Duke of Buckingham from his various spies and informants: a skill that comes in handy in this tale! I have to say, too, that the court of King Charles II comes across as incredibly decadent, full of scheming and back-stabbing rivals out wholly for themselves ...
I'd be interested in seeing where this series goes, especially as the next entry ([b:Blood's Revolution|36146468|Blood's Revolution|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504033386s/36146468.jpg|57749834]) concerns itself - at least, according to the blurb at the back of this - with what is (in this country - Northern Ireland - at least) a very divisive and pivotal moment in English history.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Court Jester (1956) in Movies
Apr 20, 2020
Lavish musical-comedy spoof. Humble carnival entertainer Hubert Hawkins (Kaye) infiltrates the court of evil king Roderick as his new jester, in an attempt to get the rightful heir back on the throne, little suspecting that the man he's impersonating is the deadliest assassin in Europe.
Feels very dated now, and it's spoofing a genre of films which is even more old-fashioned (e.g. the 1938 Errol Flynn Robin Hood). How you feel about Danny Kaye's clowning, cross-talk routines and patter songs will also affect your response to this movie. Still, you have to admire Kaye's sheer dexterity as a performer, and there is still a touch of genius about routines like the chalice from the palace and the flagon with the dragon. He's well-supported too. Technicolour vaudeville in the end, but still very funny in places.
Feels very dated now, and it's spoofing a genre of films which is even more old-fashioned (e.g. the 1938 Errol Flynn Robin Hood). How you feel about Danny Kaye's clowning, cross-talk routines and patter songs will also affect your response to this movie. Still, you have to admire Kaye's sheer dexterity as a performer, and there is still a touch of genius about routines like the chalice from the palace and the flagon with the dragon. He's well-supported too. Technicolour vaudeville in the end, but still very funny in places.
David McK (3207 KP) rated The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) in Movies
Jan 23, 2021
Kevin Reynolds - who also directed Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - take on the classic Alexandre Dumas (probably more famous for The Three Musketeers) tale of love, loss and revenge, starring Jim Caviezel as Edmond Dantes, who is wrongly imprisoned for treason and who - 13 odd years or so later - finally escapes with the aid of another Prisoner, who vouch safes to Dumas the location of a vast treasure that Dumas then spends to gain his revenge on those who betrayed him (including his former best friend).
Since I've never read (or listened to) the book, I cannot speak to how accurate this is to the source.
I can say, however, that it is an enjoyable enough watch, that reminds me (somewhat) of the likes of 'The Man In The Iron Mask' as well as 'The Three Musketeers' - no surprise there!
Since I've never read (or listened to) the book, I cannot speak to how accurate this is to the source.
I can say, however, that it is an enjoyable enough watch, that reminds me (somewhat) of the likes of 'The Man In The Iron Mask' as well as 'The Three Musketeers' - no surprise there!