Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (4400)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Pho Cookbook: Easy to Adventurous Recipes for Vietnam's Favorite Soup and Noodles in Books

Jun 18, 2018  
TP
The Pho Cookbook: Easy to Adventurous Recipes for Vietnam's Favorite Soup and Noodles
Andrea Nguyen | 2017
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Pho Cookbook by Andrea Nguyen is an in-depth introduction to pho and its history. The book is split into six sections Pho Manual, Master Pho, Adventurous Pho, Pho Add-ons, Stir-fried, Pan-fried pho and Deep-fried Pho and Pho Sidekicks. Each section is includes high quality photographs that show both food and life in Vietnam.

An excellent book, both from the point of view of the approach and extensive documentation, as well as a sample of quality food writing. Beyond the useful directions and details about how to prepare the traditional Pho, and the meals to match with, the reader is also offered anthropological observations about the history of this meal and other insider information based on frequent visits to Vietnam and direct experience in her mother's restaurant.

The book provided many variations of Pho, which I am looking forward to trying out. While I haven't yet made any of the recipes, I did read over them and they vary in skill and level of difficulty, which is something I appreciate as a lover of Pho as well as a lover of easy recipes.

I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
40x40

Deborah (162 KP) rated The Queen's Confidante in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
TQ
The Queen's Confidante
Karen Harper | 2012
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book has three mysteries at the heart - was Arthur Tudor really murdered (I confess this is a new theory to me and not sure how credible this is), what happened to the so-called Princes in the Tower and what became of Lord Lovell after the Battle of Stoke. Personally, I think the latter is done a great disservice here, based on the historical knowns of his character. Even so, what happens and with the hero and heroine's consent is pretty horrific - yes, I know the historical basis for this, but it doesn't do much good for liking the supposed protagonists! Also the rather melodramatic language as the book nears it's conclusion - monster, beast, devil - it just goes a bit over the top.

I could explain a bit more about why I wasn't keen on the book, but it would be difficult to do without spoilers, so I suppose I will leave that there. I will just say that I find it hard to credit that when Elizabeth Woodville came out of sanctuary in 1484 she didn't know what had happened to her sons and therefore one would assume that Elizabeth of York would also have known - and she was happy enough to be honoured at her uncle's court that Yuletide. Having the Elizabeth of this book rail against Yorkists when she came from what seemed a close family does seem to me to be somewhat absurd.

There are, also, a number of errors which could and should have been picked up. Another reviewer has already mentioned the note which is shown to two other people on one page and on the following page is apparently a secret! There are also TWO erroneous mentions of Richard duke of York, when the context is reasonably clear the person actually referred to is York's son, Richard Duke of Gloucester - elementary mistake that should not have been made!

Perhaps I have read too many non-fiction books about the period and have formed my own strong opinions to enjoy this book as much as some other reviewers. If it is going to be your 'thing' I can only give you my opinion and leave it to yourselves to determine.
  
40x40

Merissa (13681 KP) rated Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories in Books

Sep 13, 2023  
Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories
Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories
Jennie Lynn Roberts, Elsie Winters, Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Zoey Ellis, A.J. Lancaster, C.M. Nascosta, Kristin Gleeson, L. Penelope, Colleen Cowley, Maria Vale, Lisette Marshall, Vela Roth, Erin Vere, Trish Heinrich, S.L. Prater, November Dawn, Mimi B. Rose, Jaycee Jarvis, Dani Morrison, H.R. Moore | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Anthologies can be hit-and-miss for me. Sometimes, you'll get a great collection. Other times, it will be a list of mediocre stories. ONCE UPON A FORBIDDEN DESIRE definitely belongs in the first category. If you love fairy tales, then you will adore this collection. There is a heat level here for everyone, with stories ranging from The Pied Piper of Hamelin to Hansel and Gretel, told with their own twist by each of the authors.

With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.

This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 19, 2022