Sink or Swim: Part One (Aria & the Seven Seas, #1)
10.0
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Caught between the land and sea, I’ve always been the spare. The misfit. The siren. Salt, magic,...
Paranormal Romance Erotic Multi-Partner
Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1)
6.0
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A Celtic warrior princess is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and duty to her people. ...
Historical Fantasy
The King's Champion (The Boar King's Honor #3)
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American reporter Kate Shaw and English Major Sebastian Mainwaring clash from the moment they meet...
Historical Fantasy Romantic Elements
Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas
7.0
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In the dying days of the eighth century, the Vikings erupted onto the international stage with...
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Bird King in Books
May 22, 2019
The Bird King is the story of Fatima, concubine, and Hassan, mapmaker, on the run from the Inquisition. They were both members of the house of the last Sultan in Iberia. When the Spanish (and the Inquisition) came to negotiate his surrender, one of their conditions was they wanted Hassan, because of the magic he used in his maps. Hassan has been Fatima's only real friend; he's the only man that wanted nothing from her, because he's gay and unmoved by her beauty. His sexuality has been largely ignored by the court; his maps were too important to the war effort, so it was tolerated and just not spoken of. When Fatima discovers the Sultan intends to turn Hassan over, she runs away with him. She has some unexpected help in her journey, which, along with Hassan's mapmaking, makes this a kind of magical realist historical fantasy novel. It's not really alternate history, because nobody's actions change how history plays out on a large scale.You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Once Upon a River in Books
Dec 19, 2018
"Once Upon the River" by Diane Setterfield is a difficult book to categorize. It’s part fairy tale, part mystery, part fantasy, and has a dash of historical fiction thrown in for good measure. It revolves around a little town, its pub, its residents, and the river that flow nearby.
The residents are a colorful cast of characters. I enjoyed Setterfield’s use of the pub’s regulars and how they helped move the story along with their storytelling. Storytelling is a significant topic discussed in the story.
I found the beginning of the story confusing. I think it was because of all of the people involved in the storyline. Three separate storylines run parallel and intermingle in the story. Once I was able to keep the characters straight I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I also listened to a preview of the corresponding audiobook and recommend that also. The narrator, Juliet Stevenson, uses different voices that allows the listener to clearly recognize that character.
I devoured Setterfield’s “The Thirteenth Tale” (my rating is 4 out of 5 stars) and now “Once Upon a River” (4 stars rating). Diane Setterfield is now an author I follow and am looking forward to her next story.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Golem (Der Golem) (1920) in Movies
Nov 4, 2019 (Updated Nov 4, 2019)
Another expressionist German fantasy film about the dangers of flirting with the powers of darkness; if you're looking for historical irony the fact it's based on a Jewish legend should give you plenty to work with. Holds up pretty well; the similarities to Frankenstein are very obvious, and the director gives a striking performance as the monster. Many other performances are striking to the modern eye as well, although not in quite the same way. Some interesting cultural baggage to be unpicked here too (the Jewish characters are the heroes of the film, but the Rabbi does have black magic powers which no-one seems very surprised). Interesting historically and a watchable genre movie, too.
Merissa (12339 KP) rated Eira in Books
Aug 5, 2021
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for 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!
The Keys of the Watchmen
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Katelyn Michaels plans on hating every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel with her father’s...
Historical Fiction Fantasy Science Fiction Fiction Time Travel France
The Court of Miracles
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Les Misérables meets Six of Crows in this page-turning adventure as a young thief finds herself...
Alternate History Paris France Les Miserables Retellings Historical Fantasy