Search

Search only in certain items:

The War Prince (Warrior #3)
The War Prince (Warrior #3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think I'd posted previously that I'd heard (read) that Simon Scarrow and Tj Andrews 'Warrior' series of e-book novellas was to be a series of five.

If so, we're now at the halfway point.

(The previous entries being The King in Rome and The Druid's Lair).

We're also now past Caratacus' childhood and teenage years, with the protagonist hearing recounting how his training at the hands of the Druids came to an end when he was summoned home in order to participate in an assembly of tribes in an attempt over the, uhhh, 'ownership' of Lhandain.

Whilst all concerned do, initially (pre assembly), agree to abide by the resolution reached by the Druid High Council, this soon falls by the wayside when it is discovered that those on the council are just as venal and corrupt as any other (with Caratacus, as he recounts the tale, laying the blame squarely on Rome).

I'll continue reading these - I do also have to say, I'm intrigued by the 'modern day' (well, modern day to the historian in Nero's Empire who is documenting the story, not modern day to us) opening and closing of each novella - is he bringing unwelcome attention to himself?
  
A Luminous Republic
A Luminous Republic
Andrés Barba | 2020 | Crime, Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
15 of 220
Book
A Luminous Rebublic
By Andres Barba
⭐️⭐️⭐️

One day, the children begin to show up in the subtropical town of San Crist�bal. Aged between nine and thirteen, the children are covered in dirt and hungry. They beg food, commit small acts of vandalism, play games that don't seem to have any rules, and communicate with each other in a strange language. No one knows where they come from or where they disappear to each night. And then, they rob a supermarket and stab two adults, bringing fear to the town. Thus begins a fearsome and thrilling modern morality tale that retraces the lines between good and evil, the civilised and the wild, and drags our assumptions about childhood and innocence out into the light.

This is a strange little story of 32 children who mystery turn up in a subtropical town in called San Cristobel. These children have come from nowhere and they disappear just as quickly. These children cause mayhem round the town. Things take a turn when In a supermarket raid people end up dead and then the “normal” children start to disappear too. I’m not sure still how I actually feel after finishing it very odd.
  
BO
Barefoot on the Beach
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
122 of 220
Book
Barefoot on the Beach
By Katlyn Duncan
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Renee may be thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding, but after witnessing her mother’s two failed marriages, she has always vowed that she is better off on her own.
 
But when Renee discovers that Luc Hardy has moved next door, her world is knocked off kilter. Luc was her whirlwind summer romance as a teen and, more importantly, her first love. Now he’s back in West Cove, looking more handsome than ever.
 
There is no escaping the romance in the air this summer. With the wedding planning in full swing, Renee begins to believe that she might be able to put her childhood reservations about marriage aside.

Yet when her mother arrives, she stirs a torrent of emotions in Renee’s heart. She’s up to her old tricks again – boasting about her latest conquests – reaffirming Renee’s lack of faith in love.

As Renee’s happily-ever-after hangs in the balance, will Luc be able to convince her that true love can last forever?

This was a nice quick read and really sweet story. I’m not a romance fan normally but this was well written and enjoyable.
  
Restless Dolly Maunder
Restless Dolly Maunder
Kate Grenville | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another fabulous read that I wouldn’t have picked up if it hadn’t have been for the Women’s Prize.

Dolly Maunder is most definitely restless. She wants more than the hand that life has dealt her - and as a female whose parents work on a farm, she is expected to get married and have children who will work on a farm.

Dolly is determined, and that’s what shows throughout this book. When her parents take away the chance for her to become a teacher, she finds other ways to change her life. She’s a force of nature! I loved Dolly’s spirit. She did come across as obstinate and single minded, neither of which is a terrible thing for someone with ambition. But it’s not easy for those who have to live with her!

This is a pretty wide-sweeping novel, from Dolly’s childhood until her old age, and it still seemed to be over too soon. It was so interesting to learn about the Australian way of life from just before WWI to after WWII, and Dolly moves around enough for the reader to see different areas of Australia.

There’s a lot of emotion in this book, and when you read the authors note at the end, you’ll see why. Recommended.