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David McK (3791 KP) rated The Savage Isle (Savage Isle Series book 1) in Books
Feb 22, 2026
As a self-proclaimed ECW nerd, this is an unusual choice of setting for Michael Arnold: ancient Britain, just before the Roman Conquest, instead of (as in the Stryker series) during the 17th century period of the English Civil War.
It's been a while since I last read any by the author - indeed, a while since (I believe) he has published any - the last I read being, I believe, "Marston Moor", so I was a bit unsure if I would read this one or not.
In the end, I'm glad I did.
This is, largely, a 'coming of age' tale that sheds some light on the pre-Roman Britain and the culture therein, which modern evidence has shown to be more sophisticated than originally thought (after all, "history is written by the victors" and all that), following the main character of Cullen as his tribe (the Atrebates) is first destroyed by the Catuvellauni, and then finding himself fighting for the very same against the Roman invaders.
I reckon I'll pick up the inevitable sequel.
It's been a while since I last read any by the author - indeed, a while since (I believe) he has published any - the last I read being, I believe, "Marston Moor", so I was a bit unsure if I would read this one or not.
In the end, I'm glad I did.
This is, largely, a 'coming of age' tale that sheds some light on the pre-Roman Britain and the culture therein, which modern evidence has shown to be more sophisticated than originally thought (after all, "history is written by the victors" and all that), following the main character of Cullen as his tribe (the Atrebates) is first destroyed by the Catuvellauni, and then finding himself fighting for the very same against the Roman invaders.
I reckon I'll pick up the inevitable sequel.
Sunbringer
9.0
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The thrilling epic fantasy sequel to No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, GODKILLER. The godkiller is...
I really can’t get enough of this series. I did think that this was going to be a sequel to The Shadow Cabinet (a resurrected Anne Boleyn seemed like a very good idea to me!), but it’s a prequel to the series as a whole. The story of the one who started the idea of the HMRC. Although, it’s a slightly different story to the one we may know of Anne Boleyn.
We all know what happened to Anne Boleyn, and this book doesn’t change that OR the reasons. In fact she was called a witch in her own time. The HMRC series takes that one step further though, and Anne Boleyn really IS a witch. Her coven supports her, and after Henry VIII does his worst, they carry on her work.
This is a truly fabulous read - a reworking of history that gives women more muscle and autonomy.
And magic!
If I have any complaint, it’s that it was over far too quickly!
And now I must wait for the next book…
We all know what happened to Anne Boleyn, and this book doesn’t change that OR the reasons. In fact she was called a witch in her own time. The HMRC series takes that one step further though, and Anne Boleyn really IS a witch. Her coven supports her, and after Henry VIII does his worst, they carry on her work.
This is a truly fabulous read - a reworking of history that gives women more muscle and autonomy.
And magic!
If I have any complaint, it’s that it was over far too quickly!
And now I must wait for the next book…
The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus, #2)
6.0
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At only fourteen, Nathaniel is a rising star: a young magician who is quickly climbing the ranks of...
ClareR (6225 KP) rated The City Changes Its Face in Books
Oct 14, 2025
I felt that I was carried along on the voice of Eimear McBride as she narrated The City Changes It’s Face. I actually had to check if this was written as some sort of prose-poem because of the cadence, but no. I was hearing it the way it should be read (and here is the number one reason why I love audiobooks).
This is the sequel to The Lesser Bohemians - which I haven’t read. I didn’t feel that I needed to have read it to understand this book, but I will go back and read it, based on how much I enjoyed this.
The style of writing feels experimental, especially when we experience a lengthy description of a film that Stephen makes from the perspective of Eily watching it (I wished I could watch it too).
Obviously, it could be argued that I’ve started my Eimear McBride reading experience in the wrong place, but at least I have somewhere to go next! This novel really made me want to catch up with her previous work.
This is the sequel to The Lesser Bohemians - which I haven’t read. I didn’t feel that I needed to have read it to understand this book, but I will go back and read it, based on how much I enjoyed this.
The style of writing feels experimental, especially when we experience a lengthy description of a film that Stephen makes from the perspective of Eily watching it (I wished I could watch it too).
Obviously, it could be argued that I’ve started my Eimear McBride reading experience in the wrong place, but at least I have somewhere to go next! This novel really made me want to catch up with her previous work.
Big F@!king Deal
8.0
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Hotter than ever, everyone wants a piece of Jimmy, from Hollywood producers thirsting to take...
David McK (3791 KP) rated Captain America: Brave New World (2025) in Movies
Feb 22, 2025
Previously subtitled New World Order until it was renamed as Brave New World, this is - in many ways - more of a sequel to the oft-forgotten Edward Norton starring "The Incredible Hulk" than it is to any of the previous Captain America films.
It may help to have seen Disney Plus's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" beforehand, or even have a quick recap of the same - whilst I had watched that series when it was released, I had forgotten some (but not all) of what proved to be salient plot points for this.
Anyway, here Anthony Mackie is now the new Captain America whereas Harrison Ford is now-president Thaddeus Ross, consumed with guilt over his estrangement from his daughter Betty after the events of The Incredible Hulk, and still convinced he did the right thing in creating the Sokovia Accords that tore the Avengers apart (see: Captain America: Civil War).
This movie also - finally! - acknowledges the events of The Eternals, in particular with the body of a half-born Celestial in the ocean providing the impetus for the plot.
It may help to have seen Disney Plus's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" beforehand, or even have a quick recap of the same - whilst I had watched that series when it was released, I had forgotten some (but not all) of what proved to be salient plot points for this.
Anyway, here Anthony Mackie is now the new Captain America whereas Harrison Ford is now-president Thaddeus Ross, consumed with guilt over his estrangement from his daughter Betty after the events of The Incredible Hulk, and still convinced he did the right thing in creating the Sokovia Accords that tore the Avengers apart (see: Captain America: Civil War).
This movie also - finally! - acknowledges the events of The Eternals, in particular with the body of a half-born Celestial in the ocean providing the impetus for the plot.
David McK (3791 KP) rated Robin Hood and the Heretic Prince (Outlaw Chronicles #11) in Books
Aug 10, 2025
I believe this is something like book #11 in Angus Donald's 'Outlaw Chronicles' series about Robin Hood and his companions, all told from the point of view of Alan a Dale.
And, for those not in the know, this version of Robin is not so much the 'goody two shoes' that may be familiar from the movies and TV series', but is instead a ruthless mercenary who would not hesitate to kill for his own ends, but who is also very loyal to to those he sees as his own.
In this instalment, Robin and several of his companions are forced to abandon their lands following a robbery gone wrong, travelling to the French Languedoc region just in time to get caught up in the Cathar heresy, and (in particular) the ruthless response to the same from the ruling Roman Catholic church who viewed their beliefs as a threat to themselves.
As before, what follows is a very enjoyable tale, full of action, with plenty of plot threads left dangling for the inevitable sequel which I am sure I will pick up!
And, for those not in the know, this version of Robin is not so much the 'goody two shoes' that may be familiar from the movies and TV series', but is instead a ruthless mercenary who would not hesitate to kill for his own ends, but who is also very loyal to to those he sees as his own.
In this instalment, Robin and several of his companions are forced to abandon their lands following a robbery gone wrong, travelling to the French Languedoc region just in time to get caught up in the Cathar heresy, and (in particular) the ruthless response to the same from the ruling Roman Catholic church who viewed their beliefs as a threat to themselves.
As before, what follows is a very enjoyable tale, full of action, with plenty of plot threads left dangling for the inevitable sequel which I am sure I will pick up!
David McK (3791 KP) rated Shadow of the Sith in Books
Apr 22, 2023
Disney-era Star Wars extended universe novel, set in the period between the end of 'Return of the Jedi' and the start of 'The Force Awakens'.
So same period as covered in TVs 'The Mandalorian', of which this makes no mention.
The novel also double-downs on the big (and not-at-all-well-received due to some extreme clunkiness) twist introduced in 'The Rise of Skywalker', with Luke Skywalker - here, before his hermit days - and Lando Calrissian both being drawn into the protection of a family (who they never meet in person) that is being hunted by the Sith: a family that includes a very young Rey.
I actually found this to be not that bad a read that at least attempted to fix some of the problems in The Rise of Skywalker, although I do have to say that it started from an almost impossible position and chose probably one of the least-liked aspects of that film (and character from the sequel trilogy) to concentrate on/be built around!
So same period as covered in TVs 'The Mandalorian', of which this makes no mention.
The novel also double-downs on the big (and not-at-all-well-received due to some extreme clunkiness) twist introduced in 'The Rise of Skywalker', with Luke Skywalker - here, before his hermit days - and Lando Calrissian both being drawn into the protection of a family (who they never meet in person) that is being hunted by the Sith: a family that includes a very young Rey.
I actually found this to be not that bad a read that at least attempted to fix some of the problems in The Rise of Skywalker, although I do have to say that it started from an almost impossible position and chose probably one of the least-liked aspects of that film (and character from the sequel trilogy) to concentrate on/be built around!
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Uncharted (2022) in Movies
Feb 17, 2022
Tom Holland (2 more)
Mark walberg
Sophia Ali
Watched today as I’ve played the games in the last two years especially during lockdowns and finishing them so I knew enough about Nathan drake and sully it’s not perfect movie version of the games but it’s almost not sure about mark walberg as victor Sullivan but if there’s sequel then I would be convinced. then there’s Tom Holland as drake there are times where if he was Nathan drake or Peter Parker but I was more convinced with Chloe frasier played by Sophia Ali who was more like her character. And there’s parts of the movie that remind me of the games namely the opening scene which comes out of uncharted 3 which is my favourite of the uncharted games plus there’s a cameo later in the movie which is a wink to the games. Could have done with more Antonio banderas who spends most of the movie as the villain and then he’s basically gone. Overall good movie definitely would again