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Leah Lopez (7 KP) rated Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives in Books

Nov 6, 2019

I have to be honest and say I am not one for reading books based on animals/pets.

However, with my current research on British/American forces I thought it would be a good idea; given the fact I have/had no knowledge of dog/handler in the forces. It was such a great read. After reading heavy books based on Afghanistan/Iraq about Soldiers being shot at, severely wounded, and sometimes being blown up, it was good to read an easy-reading book. The chemistry between Will and Buster was well addressed; Will's narration on Buster's emotions was both funny and warm. I was actually falling in love with a dog I hadn't met. But, this journey, although it was based on Buster, wouldn't have succeeded had the chemistry and understanding not have being as blunt. Will Barrow is clearly a dog lover and to work alongside a dog with as much as energy is a bonus. I am glad they made it back to England without neither been injured.

I did notice that quite a lot of the reviews claim this book to be "boring" without "much happening (action)."
Well, I can assure you, it is much more of a pleasure in reading this book, having a happy journey and ending, than reading those whose lives have changed drastically and/or ended.

Kudos

Ross (3284 KP) rated Siege and Sacrifice in Books

Dec 12, 2019

Siege and Sacrifice

Charlie N. Holmberg | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

A good conclusion

Contains spoilers, click to show

The final part of this trilogy starts with what should be an almighty conflict. The (somewhat damp squib of a) second book in the series ended with the much-feared monster being summoned into the body of the presumed-dead Anon, Sandis' brother. Sadly, this opening scene is short-lived as the heroes scarper and live to fight another day (though admittedly it was always going to be that way!).
That opening anti-climax out of the way, this book is a more intelligent and thoughtful one that the previous two. Finally we have some answers and insight into the world we are in, and where the ancient mystical race went, as well as where the summoned demons come from. While I didn't feel this was missing from the first two books, it is good to have some answers and extra world-building to get stuck into.
The first third of the book rattles along quite well, the humans trying to track down the host of the demon and hence stop its daily attacks. The middle third was a bit of a slog, with much less happening, quite heavy on the exposition and endless narrative descriptions. The final was much more pacey, though I was starting to tire of the book by then and skimmed some chapters.
All in all a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.

Kudos

Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper in Books

Feb 26, 2020 (Updated Apr 18, 2021)

An Different Angle to View True Crime

So many of us that are into True Crime get caught up in the killers and this book, thankfully, gives us a kick in the butt to wake up and remember the tragic victims of the horrific crimes we pour-over. Taking a very in-depth look at the lives of the victims of Jack the Ripper we get a vivid picture of the lives of these women before they were so brutally ended.

This book gives us a window into the lives of women in the 19th Century that is fascinating.

I listened to audiobook read by Louise Brealey and I think mainly because it was an audiobook (and people had like a million children each!!!) it got a bit name heavy at points as well as other details being hard to take in. This though reflects on what is clearly a very thoroughly researched book. It's conclusion that not all the victims were necessarily prostitutes I think was slightly off the mark in that it doesn't matter even if they were there was more than that to sum up their lives.

There is always more to the victims of horrendous acts than we often look at while we are busy giving in-depth looks into the lives of killers. This book does a great job of refocusing the True Crime narrative.