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The Impassioned Choice (Etherya's Earth #5)
10.0
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Book
A new villain emerges, threatening the peace the immortals crave… Heden, the youngest Vampyre...
Fantasy Romance Vampires
Christie's: The Jewellery Archives Revealed
Book
For centuries, the stories of the world's great jewellery collections have lain hidden within the...
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Eat, Drink, Run: How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The blurb describes this book pretty accurately. After meeting The Royals, Bryony accidentally offered to run a marathon for Heads Together charity, who helps people suffering from mental health issues. I really loved how brutally honest and funny this memoir was. Bryony tells the reader the darkest and most shameful events of her life with pride! I think many people can relate to Bryony and her life lessons in one way or another. She openly speaks about her weight, OCD, depression, personal life struggles as well as her achievements with Mental Health Mates, her interview with Prince Harry and finishing the marathon.
Bryony talks a lot about mental health in this book, sometimes it did feel a little bit too much for me. I do understand the importance of it, but it got a little bit repetitive at times. I really liked the way it was written, it feels like an old friend, telling her life story, Bryony is unapologetic and states the facts the way they are. This book carries plenty of foul language, alcohol, strange relationships, and it was an absolute joy to read. 😀 I found the chapters to be a little bit too long for my liking, but because they were really funny, the book didn’t drag to me.
So, to conclude, I know that I learned a lot from Bryony. I learned that many people suffer from mental health issues, even though it is hard to see it with a naked eye. Bryony offers few easy and simple ways how to deal with those pesky demons, and enjoy your life as much as you can. I really enjoyed this memoir, and I hope you will give this book a try when you are looking for some inspiration.
Bryony talks a lot about mental health in this book, sometimes it did feel a little bit too much for me. I do understand the importance of it, but it got a little bit repetitive at times. I really liked the way it was written, it feels like an old friend, telling her life story, Bryony is unapologetic and states the facts the way they are. This book carries plenty of foul language, alcohol, strange relationships, and it was an absolute joy to read. 😀 I found the chapters to be a little bit too long for my liking, but because they were really funny, the book didn’t drag to me.
So, to conclude, I know that I learned a lot from Bryony. I learned that many people suffer from mental health issues, even though it is hard to see it with a naked eye. Bryony offers few easy and simple ways how to deal with those pesky demons, and enjoy your life as much as you can. I really enjoyed this memoir, and I hope you will give this book a try when you are looking for some inspiration.
Cleopatra's Daughter
6.0
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The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of...
ClareR (5854 KP) rated Lady MacBethad in Books
Apr 4, 2023
I studied Macbeth at school (pre-GCSE), and I don’t think I was told that it was based on a real historical figure - at least I’ve forgotten in the intervening 30-odd years. All I can remember , is that my English teacher at the time, Mr Jones, asked me to read Lady Macbeth’s part, because he thought I suited it! I’m sure I should have been more insulted than I was, but then I always thought that she had the good part…
Lady MacBethad is the story pre-Macbeth and probably closer to the truth. Shakespeare had his reasons for writing his play the way he did (keeping in with the royals and the fee-paying public, perhaps?), but it seems in reality MacBethad had more of a claim to the throne than Duncan.
This novel is of course from Lady MacBethad’s point of view - but she hasn’t got there yet. In this, she’s Gruoch, or as her grandmother says: “Groa, daughter of Boedhe, son of Coinneach, the rightful King of Alba…You will be the greatest of us all”
Gruoch is brought up in a household where her mother remembers her picti and ancient Druid heritage, but her father, Boedhe, follows the new Christian faith. Gruoch is conflicted. But she does know that she wants to be queen, and will stop at nothing to get there.
She’s so young though, and that does come across in some of her attitude, temper tantrums and opinions. She’s certainly undertaking quite some learning curve.
This was such a readable, immersive story, and I found myself backing Gruoch and wanting to actually help her (she would never have listened). I’ve no doubt this will be one of my favourite books this year - and I do wonder if there will be a sequel? I’d read it!
Lady MacBethad is the story pre-Macbeth and probably closer to the truth. Shakespeare had his reasons for writing his play the way he did (keeping in with the royals and the fee-paying public, perhaps?), but it seems in reality MacBethad had more of a claim to the throne than Duncan.
This novel is of course from Lady MacBethad’s point of view - but she hasn’t got there yet. In this, she’s Gruoch, or as her grandmother says: “Groa, daughter of Boedhe, son of Coinneach, the rightful King of Alba…You will be the greatest of us all”
Gruoch is brought up in a household where her mother remembers her picti and ancient Druid heritage, but her father, Boedhe, follows the new Christian faith. Gruoch is conflicted. But she does know that she wants to be queen, and will stop at nothing to get there.
She’s so young though, and that does come across in some of her attitude, temper tantrums and opinions. She’s certainly undertaking quite some learning curve.
This was such a readable, immersive story, and I found myself backing Gruoch and wanting to actually help her (she would never have listened). I’ve no doubt this will be one of my favourite books this year - and I do wonder if there will be a sequel? I’d read it!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Vicious Royals ( Nocturnal Academy book 3) in Books
Oct 25, 2022
197 of 230
Kindle
Vicious Royals ( Nocturnal Academy book 3)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sadistic vamp lord. A rebellious fae. A vicious hunt.
The first term of Nocturnal Academy is over. Majors have been assigned.
I've made choices that brought me closer to the guillotine. But the fight isn't over, not yet.
I must get through the spring term. Not an easy feat when the vamp students are planning a sacrifice and have a bone to pick with me.
But even if I survive the prison academy, someone will be buying my contract after school is out, and rumor has it that the king of sadists is interested in me.
Whatever he wants, he gets.
But if he thinks I'll go down without a fight, he has another thing coming.
I'll even ally myself with Thorsten, the vamp guard whose family the sadist has wronged.
But working together with Thorsten brings new problems. The handsome jerk seems to hate me, yet keeps putting his head on the line for me.
My mind is growing more and more confused with him while my body craves him.
If I'm not careful, I'm going to leave Nocturnal Academy not just with a slavery contract, but also a broken heart.
Dive into a world where vampires rule over fae, and one girl is determined to change it all!
This world is a hard one if you’re Fae. It’s pretty brutal the way these vampires behave towards the fae especially the female. This is the best one so far it’s fully packed with action and drama. Also the bombshell at the end I didn’t see coming. Well worth a read if you like fantasy but it may need a trigger warning for some scenes. I do really like these two authors they are becoming firm favourites.
Kindle
Vicious Royals ( Nocturnal Academy book 3)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sadistic vamp lord. A rebellious fae. A vicious hunt.
The first term of Nocturnal Academy is over. Majors have been assigned.
I've made choices that brought me closer to the guillotine. But the fight isn't over, not yet.
I must get through the spring term. Not an easy feat when the vamp students are planning a sacrifice and have a bone to pick with me.
But even if I survive the prison academy, someone will be buying my contract after school is out, and rumor has it that the king of sadists is interested in me.
Whatever he wants, he gets.
But if he thinks I'll go down without a fight, he has another thing coming.
I'll even ally myself with Thorsten, the vamp guard whose family the sadist has wronged.
But working together with Thorsten brings new problems. The handsome jerk seems to hate me, yet keeps putting his head on the line for me.
My mind is growing more and more confused with him while my body craves him.
If I'm not careful, I'm going to leave Nocturnal Academy not just with a slavery contract, but also a broken heart.
Dive into a world where vampires rule over fae, and one girl is determined to change it all!
This world is a hard one if you’re Fae. It’s pretty brutal the way these vampires behave towards the fae especially the female. This is the best one so far it’s fully packed with action and drama. Also the bombshell at the end I didn’t see coming. Well worth a read if you like fantasy but it may need a trigger warning for some scenes. I do really like these two authors they are becoming firm favourites.
Lonely Planet Andalucia
Lonely Planet, Isabella Noble, John Noble and Josephine Quintero
Book
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Andalucia is your passport...
Ali A (82 KP) rated A Multitude of Dreams in Books
Sep 6, 2023
Trigger Warnings: plague, death, blood, racism, murder, self harm, genocide, survivors guilt
A Multitude of Dreams is a reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. Four years ago, King Stuart gathered his royals, noblemen, and daughters and locked them into the safety of the castle walls. Every window was boarded up and every door sealed shut - all to protect those within of the horrible mori roja plague ravaging the land outside.
Told in third person, this novel follows Seraphina, a Jewish girl, who is also the (fake) Princess Imogene, and Nico, who once lived a comfortable life but now works for Lord Crane, the man who saved his life after he lost everything. When Lord Crane sends Nico and two others on the search for survivors, Nico meets a princess who wants out. But both are living in giant webs of lies and deception that they must unravel if they’re going to survive.
I wanted this title because I read The Poison Season and I really enjoyed it. So, when I saw Mara Rutherford had another YA novel coming out, I immediately put it on my TBR list. It’s also listed as Fantasy Gothic and
I was all about it and also the cover - like, I love it!
There were a few twists in here I didn’t quite see right away, which was nice. And, even some of the ones that I did see coming, I still enjoyed Rutherford’s storytelling and it kept me interested. And yes, there is some romance in this, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story - surviving and getting out of the castle was.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who’s in need of a good gothic fantasy with a hidden identity, Jewish representation, a masquerade, and the fight of survival.
*Thank you Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
A Multitude of Dreams is a reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. Four years ago, King Stuart gathered his royals, noblemen, and daughters and locked them into the safety of the castle walls. Every window was boarded up and every door sealed shut - all to protect those within of the horrible mori roja plague ravaging the land outside.
Told in third person, this novel follows Seraphina, a Jewish girl, who is also the (fake) Princess Imogene, and Nico, who once lived a comfortable life but now works for Lord Crane, the man who saved his life after he lost everything. When Lord Crane sends Nico and two others on the search for survivors, Nico meets a princess who wants out. But both are living in giant webs of lies and deception that they must unravel if they’re going to survive.
I wanted this title because I read The Poison Season and I really enjoyed it. So, when I saw Mara Rutherford had another YA novel coming out, I immediately put it on my TBR list. It’s also listed as Fantasy Gothic and
I was all about it and also the cover - like, I love it!
There were a few twists in here I didn’t quite see right away, which was nice. And, even some of the ones that I did see coming, I still enjoyed Rutherford’s storytelling and it kept me interested. And yes, there is some romance in this, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story - surviving and getting out of the castle was.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who’s in need of a good gothic fantasy with a hidden identity, Jewish representation, a masquerade, and the fight of survival.
*Thank you Inkyard Press and BookishFirst for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Uptown Oracle (24 KP) rated Darien in Books
Jun 30, 2017
A good venture into the fantasy genre
Darien starts slow as every person is introduced. Side characters are introduced and the world is built up. Iggulden has a world filled with detail. With his past of historical fiction this isn't surprising. The detail is extremely immersive and you get to know the world really well. I loved the world it was set in, it was an old world, with problems for the lower classes. I also enjoyed that we weren't following one of the royals or twelve houses that are the higher classes within Darien.
At times, Darien is a struggle to read. The writing style is complex and full of intricacies. A lot of focus is needed when reading Darien because of this. I often read before bed, but when I'm winding down this is not the right book. Changing POV's kept confusing me because of lack of focus. It's very similar to Lord of the Rings or ASOIAF books in that sense.
What I enjoyed was the characters are not labelled good or bad. They all have both good and bad traits which are shown throughout the book. This gave the characters so much depth. There was the problem that I didn't know who I was routing for though as sometimes the characters were on opposing 'sides' of the conflict.
The character's storylines could have also been more entwined than they were. Although it was nice to see different POV's from each character, often I questioned whether it was necessary for the overarching plot. For example, the old man, Tellius, did we really need his part of the story for the story to make sense? I don't think we needed the background information. For some characters it was just a mention of missing each other at the same place by mere minutes. I would have been more coherent if it was all interlinked somehow.
Overall, Darien was a nice read. Iggulden has used his historical fiction background to ensure descriptive world building and well written politics. There were just some aspects that I personally didn't enjoy as much as others would.
At times, Darien is a struggle to read. The writing style is complex and full of intricacies. A lot of focus is needed when reading Darien because of this. I often read before bed, but when I'm winding down this is not the right book. Changing POV's kept confusing me because of lack of focus. It's very similar to Lord of the Rings or ASOIAF books in that sense.
What I enjoyed was the characters are not labelled good or bad. They all have both good and bad traits which are shown throughout the book. This gave the characters so much depth. There was the problem that I didn't know who I was routing for though as sometimes the characters were on opposing 'sides' of the conflict.
The character's storylines could have also been more entwined than they were. Although it was nice to see different POV's from each character, often I questioned whether it was necessary for the overarching plot. For example, the old man, Tellius, did we really need his part of the story for the story to make sense? I don't think we needed the background information. For some characters it was just a mention of missing each other at the same place by mere minutes. I would have been more coherent if it was all interlinked somehow.
Overall, Darien was a nice read. Iggulden has used his historical fiction background to ensure descriptive world building and well written politics. There were just some aspects that I personally didn't enjoy as much as others would.
The Private Lives of the Tudors: Uncovering the Secrets of Britain's Greatest Dynasty
Book
'Borman approaches her topic with huge enthusiasm and a keen eye for entertaining...this is a very...