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Brilliant insight into Bram Stoker's life
*** Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review ***
This book stays true to the format of Stoker's Dracula, being written in the form of a compilation of diary entries, letters and newspaper reports. This allows some of the main characters to embed their own voice and to give their view of events, the narratives interweaved to give a good, suspenseful story.
Bram Stoker was not well as a child, pretty much bed-bound until the age of 7. Then he suddenly recovered and went on to become a successful athlete and University graduate. This book takes that life story and layers on a brilliant prequel to Dracula, suggesting that vampires very much impacted on Stoker's life and he himself did battle with Count Vlad.
Excellent, atmospheric story with plenty of suspense and action, and a few twists and turns along the way. A perfect read for this time of year.
This book stays true to the format of Stoker's Dracula, being written in the form of a compilation of diary entries, letters and newspaper reports. This allows some of the main characters to embed their own voice and to give their view of events, the narratives interweaved to give a good, suspenseful story.
Bram Stoker was not well as a child, pretty much bed-bound until the age of 7. Then he suddenly recovered and went on to become a successful athlete and University graduate. This book takes that life story and layers on a brilliant prequel to Dracula, suggesting that vampires very much impacted on Stoker's life and he himself did battle with Count Vlad.
Excellent, atmospheric story with plenty of suspense and action, and a few twists and turns along the way. A perfect read for this time of year.
Merissa (12861 KP) rated Tigana in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Another stunner of a book by GGK although this one is a stand alone book and is based loosely on Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Brothers in Arms in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Sold with the tag-line "If you like Sharpe, Jack Steel is your man", it's not hard to see the influence of Bernard Cornwell's eponymous hero on this novel: the only real difference beng that, while Sharpe is set during the Napoleonic Wars, this novel (the third in a series, apparently), is set during the Wars of Marlborough (1702 - 1713).
However, an unlike a Sharpe novel, this one never really gripped me: I never really seemed to connect with the title character at all. While it is written as one, this book could also easily be split into three main sections: the first part concentrating on the battle of Oudenarde, the middle part with Steel going undercover in Paris, and the final part with the siege of Lille: it's just a pity that none of these really grips and so, while I may read some more in the series, I won't be going out of my way to look for them.
However, an unlike a Sharpe novel, this one never really gripped me: I never really seemed to connect with the title character at all. While it is written as one, this book could also easily be split into three main sections: the first part concentrating on the battle of Oudenarde, the middle part with Steel going undercover in Paris, and the final part with the siege of Lille: it's just a pity that none of these really grips and so, while I may read some more in the series, I won't be going out of my way to look for them.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Guardian (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
3rd entry in Jack Campbell's (or John G Hemry) <i>The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier</i> series, so really 9th(!) book overall in </i>The Lost Fleet</i> series.
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
David McK (3557 KP) rated Devil's Charge (Civil War Chronicles #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second book in Michael Arnold's planned <i>Captain Stryker</i> series of books, all set during the time of the English Civil War.
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Maharajah's General (Jack Lark, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Following [a: Paul Fraser Collard|7024929|Paul Fraser Collard|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1368086413p2/7024929.jpg]'s [b: The Scarlet Thief|18752323|The Scarlet Thief|Paul Fraser Collard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1383577532s/18752323.jpg|24752025] (which dealt primarily with the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War), you would be forgiven for thinking that the Jack Lark series as a whole would be set during such war.
That's not the case.
Instead, in this, we move to an even further outpost of the British Imperial Empire: to India, to be precise, with Jack Lark impersonating a different officer than before.
I don't want to give too much away - suffice it to say that things do not always go to plan and that Jack finds himself caught up in the beginnings of the Indian Mutiny: a mutiny which, in retrospect, was no surprise given the way they were treated!
I have to say, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable 'Boys Own' style of read!
That's not the case.
Instead, in this, we move to an even further outpost of the British Imperial Empire: to India, to be precise, with Jack Lark impersonating a different officer than before.
I don't want to give too much away - suffice it to say that things do not always go to plan and that Jack finds himself caught up in the beginnings of the Indian Mutiny: a mutiny which, in retrospect, was no surprise given the way they were treated!
I have to say, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable 'Boys Own' style of read!
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
Marvels Magnum Opus
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is absolutely Marvels masterpiece, brilliantly writen,brilliantly acted all around a great finisher to what has been an epic journey.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies
Dec 25, 2019
The Christmas Holiday Speical
The Rise of Skywalker- is better than the last jedi but worse than force awakens. I mean it has good parts, intresting parts and alot of bad parts, no spoilers. All of go to this place to get this thing, than go to that place, than that place and continues on until the end. Still alot of unanswered questions from the pervious movies, still alot of questions from this movie, that will be unanswered. Alot of what the fuck moments from this movie.
The Plot: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
A fitting conclusion to this saga. I felt that this whole new sega was way overhyped, just so much hype for them, that their were all okay.
May The Force Be With You All, and a merry christmas. Happy holidays and a happy new year.
The Plot: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
A fitting conclusion to this saga. I felt that this whole new sega was way overhyped, just so much hype for them, that their were all okay.
May The Force Be With You All, and a merry christmas. Happy holidays and a happy new year.
Jordan Robert Mcdarby (7 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Jun 30, 2019
Best batman of our time thus far
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is the burton batman set in a quite gothic feel gotham with tall buildings and huge lights into the night. Batman is the protector of his home city and fiercly defends it from all criminal activity.
We see Jack Napier a young mafia hitman with big ambitions try to over throw his boss and become a big time gangster during one of his escapades he runs into the batman and is dropped into a vat of chemicals bleaching his skin and disfiguring his features , on the discovery of this he becomes The Joker and begins his crime spree with the intention to make all of gotham pay for what has happened to him this begins the ultimate battle between good and evil in gotham the Batman must stop him at all costs
We see Jack Napier a young mafia hitman with big ambitions try to over throw his boss and become a big time gangster during one of his escapades he runs into the batman and is dropped into a vat of chemicals bleaching his skin and disfiguring his features , on the discovery of this he becomes The Joker and begins his crime spree with the intention to make all of gotham pay for what has happened to him this begins the ultimate battle between good and evil in gotham the Batman must stop him at all costs
Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Nov 15, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)
Better than Homecoming
Contains spoilers, click to show
This was how a Spider-Man movie with Mysterio should be done. As an avid Spider-Man fan I was not disappointed in this movie like I was with Homecoming. The battle sequences were top notch. The struggles of Peter after the death of Tony was great. They did such a great job of making this fit into the MCU. Mysterio was affected by Tony in a way you don't expect. Even the "love story" angle wasn't overbearing. The love of MJ and Peter. They icing on the cake for me was seeing J.K. Simmons as Jameson once again as he accused Spider Man of murder and exposed secret identity. Yes that is how it ended. I know it's beating a dead horse but the "political correctness" still bothers me but I am so glad Sony and Marvel worked something out for the future of the Spider man franchise