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A Divine Fury

D. V. Bishop

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Florence. Autumn, 1539. Cesare Aldo was once an officer for the city’s most feared criminal...

Historical fiction Italy Florence

David McK (3632 KP) rated Sword in The Storm (Rigante #1) in Books

Sep 7, 2025

Sword in The Storm (Rigante #1)

David Gemmell | 1998 | Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.7

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is the first in David Gemmell's Rigante quartet of books, which is really largely a duolougy of two: the first two novels (this and Midnight Falcon in a quasi historical Scottish highlands setting, and the latter two (Ravenheart and Stormrider) set centuries on from the events of the previous novels, still in a quasi-historical Scottish highlands setting (more akin to the times of the English Civil Wars, with the first two more akin to the times of the Roman Empire)

All four novels are also largely 'coming of age' tales, with this entry following the childhood and early adulthood of Connavar, who is given the soul name "The Sword in the Storm" at this birth and who -initially, at least - grows up believing his father - who died shortly after he was born - to be a coward, despite his stepfather Ruathain (his fathers best friend) trying to convince him otherwise.

As with all of Gemmell's work, well worth a read!

Kudos

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Witch (2015) in Movies

Aug 22, 2017

The Witch (2015)

2015 | History, Horror

6.3

(28 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Potentially good concept (0 more)

Really boring and slow (1 more)

Failed in its delivery

That. Was. Awful.

My reaction to this film was what was the point of this production apart from the fact it had a little historical knowledge behind it. It was a great concept which failed miserably. I wasn't remotely scared let alone engaged at all. Having read extensively about this part of history it just didn't go anywhere. Terrible I do not recommend.

Kudos

Show all 4 comments.

Dean (6927 KP) Aug 24, 2017

Don't forget to rate it Lee. I know at least 3 other people who felt the same way.

Kudos

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) Aug 24, 2017

I actually can't believe this was overhyped to this extent. There was literally nothing happening for an hour!

Kudos

MissCagey (2652 KP) rated The Bone Garden in Books

May 30, 2018

Thoroughly enjoyable

I wouldn't put my neck on the line and say this book was unputdownable but I really looked forward to reading a few chapters every night. It alternates between an historical and a modern setting that become intertwined. I particularly enjoyed the characters from the past and preferred those parts of the book, there was more action and the description of that time was so vivid you really got a sense of it.

Kudos

David McK (3632 KP) rated Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #1) in Books

Jan 30, 2019

Quite an unusual setting: the Roman Republic (not yet an Empire) at sea, during the early stages of what would later become known as the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage.

Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.

Kudos

Ronnie (304 KP) rated Six: The Musical by Six in Music

Feb 1, 2020

Six: The Musical by Six

2018 | Soundtrack

7.3

(3 Ratings)

Album Rating

I love this musical so much! The songs are well written and well produced. It’s amazing the way they’ve put such a modern twist on a musical based on historical events. I have to say that I prefer the more upbeat songs on the album and usually skip “Heart of Stone” and “I don’t need your love”, but they are still fantastic songs. I can’t wait to go and see the musical next week!