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Pop Goes the Weasel: The Secret Meanings of Nursery Rhymes
Book
In Pop Goes the Weasel, Albert Jack explores the strange and fascinating histories behind the...
The RAF Air Sea Rescue Service 1918-1986
Jon Sutherland and Diane Canwell
Book
Between 1918 and 1986 the marine branch of the Royal Air Force provided rescue facilities, support...
A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons: Book 6
8.0
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Read the books that inspired the How to Train Your Dragon films! This book will be a hit with...
How to Speak Dragonese
9.0
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Read the books that inspired the How to Train Your Dragon films! This book will be a hit with...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Immortal Beloved (Immortal Beloved, #1) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
This is another of those books where I've had it for years on my Kindle and just never had the urge to read it. So, yes, this is being used for another challenge on Goodreads. This one is another A-Z challenge but for Paranormal Romances and Urban Fantasy books.
I think one thing that put me off is this books lack of a proper description on Goodreads as seen above. You really do have no idea what it's going to be about. I have done a bit of searching and found a better more evolved description.
I assumed this would be about vampires with the name but it's not. Just people who live a really long time that call themselves Immortals. Nastasya - Nasty to her friends - comes to realise that she's hanging out with a bad crowd after her best friend of hundreds of years breaks a mans back for no reason. She seeks out a fellow Immortal she met about 50 years ago who offered to take her in and spends time at her sanctuary.
Nasty goes from being a careless party girl to someone who actually doesn't mind working and likes being busy. She begins to have proper friends and people who care about her and who she cares about. She feels like she has a purpose in life again.
I'll admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It dragged me in and I was intrigued by how Nasty and a certain blond Viking type Immortal, Reyn, knew each other. It took about 80% of the book to figure it out and then, though they knew they should hate each other, they were still drawn to each other. I am VERY interested in seeing what happens next with this lot.
I cannot wait to continue this series.
I think one thing that put me off is this books lack of a proper description on Goodreads as seen above. You really do have no idea what it's going to be about. I have done a bit of searching and found a better more evolved description.
I assumed this would be about vampires with the name but it's not. Just people who live a really long time that call themselves Immortals. Nastasya - Nasty to her friends - comes to realise that she's hanging out with a bad crowd after her best friend of hundreds of years breaks a mans back for no reason. She seeks out a fellow Immortal she met about 50 years ago who offered to take her in and spends time at her sanctuary.
Nasty goes from being a careless party girl to someone who actually doesn't mind working and likes being busy. She begins to have proper friends and people who care about her and who she cares about. She feels like she has a purpose in life again.
I'll admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It dragged me in and I was intrigued by how Nasty and a certain blond Viking type Immortal, Reyn, knew each other. It took about 80% of the book to figure it out and then, though they knew they should hate each other, they were still drawn to each other. I am VERY interested in seeing what happens next with this lot.
I cannot wait to continue this series.
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century
Book
A rollicking true-crime adventure and a thought-provoking exploration of the human drive to possess...
History Crime
ClareR (6256 KP) rated China Room in Books
Aug 13, 2021
China Room was a beautifully written, emotional novel set in rural Punjab in 1929 and the 1990’s. The unnamed male protagonist in the 90’s has travelled to stay with family mainly to kick a drug habit before he starts at university back in the UK. His addiction could well have been caused by the racist taunts and violence he has experienced at home in Britain - these things are addressed in the book.
He ends up staying on the abandoned family farm: a ramshackle building that needs a lot of work. One room is locked: the China Room. This is where his grandmother, Mehar, would have lived away from the prying eyes of men, working with the wives of the other two brothers to her husband. None of the women know who their husband is - they never see them in daylight. They cook and clean for them, and then have sex with them when their mother-in-law, Mai, allows. Their main function is to bear sons.
It’s a hard way of life, but the women accept their roles. As a 21st century women, living in the West, I found this very difficult to read. It’s an oppressive, claustrophobic life - even down to the veils that they had to wear when out in public which gave the impression of suffocation. I don’t know whether any of the girls actually looked another human in the face, other than each other and their mother-in-law.
But I found this timeline fascinating, and it was a huge contrast to that of Mehar’s grandson. It’s a compelling read - I read it in one sitting, and was a bit sad when I turned the last page, to leave the world of Mehar in particular.
Many thanks to Harvill Secker and Viking for my copy of this book to read and review.
He ends up staying on the abandoned family farm: a ramshackle building that needs a lot of work. One room is locked: the China Room. This is where his grandmother, Mehar, would have lived away from the prying eyes of men, working with the wives of the other two brothers to her husband. None of the women know who their husband is - they never see them in daylight. They cook and clean for them, and then have sex with them when their mother-in-law, Mai, allows. Their main function is to bear sons.
It’s a hard way of life, but the women accept their roles. As a 21st century women, living in the West, I found this very difficult to read. It’s an oppressive, claustrophobic life - even down to the veils that they had to wear when out in public which gave the impression of suffocation. I don’t know whether any of the girls actually looked another human in the face, other than each other and their mother-in-law.
But I found this timeline fascinating, and it was a huge contrast to that of Mehar’s grandson. It’s a compelling read - I read it in one sitting, and was a bit sad when I turned the last page, to leave the world of Mehar in particular.
Many thanks to Harvill Secker and Viking for my copy of this book to read and review.
Debbiereadsbook (1788 KP) rated Dragon of Denmark in Books
Jan 18, 2025
these vikings are violent!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Skarde is the illegitimate son of the Danish King, Harald. Ylva is the illegitimate daughter of the Viking Duke of Normandy, Richard the Fearless. Thrown together in a marriage of based only on political power and sheer strength in numbers, the two are left to navigate the seas of their new marriage. But there are other forces at work, and they must tread carefully.
For the most part, I did enjoy this.
There is much description about how both Skarde and Ylva lived, separately and then together. I liked the way their marriage grew, and how they came to know each other better, in truth, rather than the image they had of each other before.
It isn't overly explicit, but there is violence. These are Vikings, after all, fighting for the things and people they love.
I liked that both Skarde and Ylva have a say, along with some other characters who I did not expect to hear from! So I really did enjoy that, hearing from the bad guy!
There are great descriptions about the runes, and what they mean, along with the herbs and plants, and the Gods that these people pray to. This is what I felt was a bit too much. The explanation of things is repeated, over and over and it really did get a bit annoying being told who was the God of what, and what certain gems did.
BUT
I did enjoy the tale, and it is the first I've read of this author. I liked the way she told her tale.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Skarde is the illegitimate son of the Danish King, Harald. Ylva is the illegitimate daughter of the Viking Duke of Normandy, Richard the Fearless. Thrown together in a marriage of based only on political power and sheer strength in numbers, the two are left to navigate the seas of their new marriage. But there are other forces at work, and they must tread carefully.
For the most part, I did enjoy this.
There is much description about how both Skarde and Ylva lived, separately and then together. I liked the way their marriage grew, and how they came to know each other better, in truth, rather than the image they had of each other before.
It isn't overly explicit, but there is violence. These are Vikings, after all, fighting for the things and people they love.
I liked that both Skarde and Ylva have a say, along with some other characters who I did not expect to hear from! So I really did enjoy that, hearing from the bad guy!
There are great descriptions about the runes, and what they mean, along with the herbs and plants, and the Gods that these people pray to. This is what I felt was a bit too much. The explanation of things is repeated, over and over and it really did get a bit annoying being told who was the God of what, and what certain gems did.
BUT
I did enjoy the tale, and it is the first I've read of this author. I liked the way she told her tale.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (14106 KP) rated Viking Ink (Tewsbury Daddies #1) in Books
Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
VIKING INK is the first book in the Tewsbury Daddies series and is also this author's debut novel, which I find incredibly hard to believe! I loved this story and can't wait to dive back in!
Rhys and Simon fall into a relationship quickly - more quickly than Simon wanted but he is unable to resist Rhys' puppy-dog eyes. There is plenty of talk about their kink and how they want it to progress. Ree does regress quite a way, so if you like your Littles to be more Middles, then this is not the book for you. It also covers some difficult subjects so be aware of that. I thought it was all delicately handled and extremely well-written. The two sides of Rhys did come together so brilliantly, it was easy to see how Simon was bowled over.
Apart from the obvious angst, the relationship itself is low-angst, very sweet and tender, with some steamy moments that worked perfectly. I was left with questions about Liam but nothing was really necessary. I was just being greedy! I am hoping to see more of Rhys and Simon as the series progresses, especially so I can find out how the investigation is coming along. They really need to pay for their crimes!!
Obviously, Mitch and Cal deserve their story, but I also want Doc's as well as Officer Grumpy's. I am really looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 7, 2023
Rhys and Simon fall into a relationship quickly - more quickly than Simon wanted but he is unable to resist Rhys' puppy-dog eyes. There is plenty of talk about their kink and how they want it to progress. Ree does regress quite a way, so if you like your Littles to be more Middles, then this is not the book for you. It also covers some difficult subjects so be aware of that. I thought it was all delicately handled and extremely well-written. The two sides of Rhys did come together so brilliantly, it was easy to see how Simon was bowled over.
Apart from the obvious angst, the relationship itself is low-angst, very sweet and tender, with some steamy moments that worked perfectly. I was left with questions about Liam but nothing was really necessary. I was just being greedy! I am hoping to see more of Rhys and Simon as the series progresses, especially so I can find out how the investigation is coming along. They really need to pay for their crimes!!
Obviously, Mitch and Cal deserve their story, but I also want Doc's as well as Officer Grumpy's. I am really looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 7, 2023
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories #2) in Books
Oct 15, 2023
152 of 235
Book
The Pale Horseman ( The Last Kingdom 2)
By Bernard Cornwell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons' strength from his watery base and help them to take on the Vikings once more.
I loved this book! This is the second one in the The Last Kingdom series and book has this kicked me in the bum! I love historical fiction and this is becoming one of my favourite series. The end of this book made me want to throw it at losing a character I think is just fantastic and made me laugh. Im not going to mention which one as I don’t do spoilers, but if you’ve read it you’ll know!
Book
The Pale Horseman ( The Last Kingdom 2)
By Bernard Cornwell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons' strength from his watery base and help them to take on the Vikings once more.
I loved this book! This is the second one in the The Last Kingdom series and book has this kicked me in the bum! I love historical fiction and this is becoming one of my favourite series. The end of this book made me want to throw it at losing a character I think is just fantastic and made me laugh. Im not going to mention which one as I don’t do spoilers, but if you’ve read it you’ll know!