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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Column of Fire in Books
Aug 6, 2020
127 of 200
Book
A column of fire ( Kingsbridge 3)
By Ken Follet
Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed.
The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald.
Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions and invasion plans.
Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the new queen.
Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents, it becomes clear that the real enemies - then as now - are not the rival religions.
The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else - no matter the cost.
Ken Follet and this series has completely stolen my heart I love these books! I’m a huge fan of historical based fiction and I think he just does it so well!! I did find some parts were a little rushed but it was still an amazing book. The characters were as usual full of life, I have loved and hated them he has a way of hooking you into these peoples lives. If I had one issue it was this one spent a lot of time away from kingsbridge I think the characters weren’t as linked to the city as they were in other books! I’m looking forward to to the new kingsbridge book!
Book
A column of fire ( Kingsbridge 3)
By Ken Follet
Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed.
The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald.
Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions and invasion plans.
Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the new queen.
Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents, it becomes clear that the real enemies - then as now - are not the rival religions.
The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else - no matter the cost.
Ken Follet and this series has completely stolen my heart I love these books! I’m a huge fan of historical based fiction and I think he just does it so well!! I did find some parts were a little rushed but it was still an amazing book. The characters were as usual full of life, I have loved and hated them he has a way of hooking you into these peoples lives. If I had one issue it was this one spent a lot of time away from kingsbridge I think the characters weren’t as linked to the city as they were in other books! I’m looking forward to to the new kingsbridge book!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated This Is How I Lied in Books
May 21, 2020
This book was one of those delicious surprises that turns out to be so much better than you expect. I've never read a book by Heather Gudenkauf before, but I certainly will be reading more of her books now! I read this as I was sent a Netgalley widget, and I'm so glad! This is such a dark and twisty tale, and I loved how it kept me guessing the entire time, always wondering and doubting myself about what exactly happened to Eve.
Gudenkauf tells her tale from multiple perspectives and time periods, but unlike so many thrillers these days, she does so deftly. It's heartbreaking to hear from the Eve of twenty-five years ago, knowing her fate, yet fascinating, as she slowly dispenses details and clues about what has happened to her. Eve's younger sister is the "town crazy," a veterinarian with a penchant for extreme creepiness. We also have Maggie's even-keeled husband, Shaun, who runs their orchard (and did I mention Maggie is way pregnant?), her father, the ex-chief, who is suffering from dementia, and her brother, who has been forced to care for him. And lets not forget Eve's ex-boyfriend, Nick, who now runs a store in town.
The small-town dynamics are perfect here. Eve's murder is the biggest thing to happen to this town. Everyone knows everyone else, and they think they all know each other's secrets. But, goodness, the secrets and lies buried deep in this small town are just beginning as Maggie starts investigating Eve's death again. The story unfolds perfectly--new pieces coming at you in just the right amount, constantly changing the perspective and allowing suspects to switch around in your mind. Half the thrillers I read, I feel like I have the "whodunnit" figured out from the beginning, but I was never sure here, always frantically reading, always wondering, and being pulled deeply into Eve and Maggie's lives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the surprise of it--finding a book I didn't expect to be so good--and I loved being drawn into such a taunt well-written thriller. 4.5 stars.
Gudenkauf tells her tale from multiple perspectives and time periods, but unlike so many thrillers these days, she does so deftly. It's heartbreaking to hear from the Eve of twenty-five years ago, knowing her fate, yet fascinating, as she slowly dispenses details and clues about what has happened to her. Eve's younger sister is the "town crazy," a veterinarian with a penchant for extreme creepiness. We also have Maggie's even-keeled husband, Shaun, who runs their orchard (and did I mention Maggie is way pregnant?), her father, the ex-chief, who is suffering from dementia, and her brother, who has been forced to care for him. And lets not forget Eve's ex-boyfriend, Nick, who now runs a store in town.
The small-town dynamics are perfect here. Eve's murder is the biggest thing to happen to this town. Everyone knows everyone else, and they think they all know each other's secrets. But, goodness, the secrets and lies buried deep in this small town are just beginning as Maggie starts investigating Eve's death again. The story unfolds perfectly--new pieces coming at you in just the right amount, constantly changing the perspective and allowing suspects to switch around in your mind. Half the thrillers I read, I feel like I have the "whodunnit" figured out from the beginning, but I was never sure here, always frantically reading, always wondering, and being pulled deeply into Eve and Maggie's lives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the surprise of it--finding a book I didn't expect to be so good--and I loved being drawn into such a taunt well-written thriller. 4.5 stars.
Mad: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know Trilogy
1.0
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In this compulsively readable debut, set between London and Sicily over one blood-drenched week in...
Fiction
Shadows of the Wind
8.6
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The international literary sensation, about a boy's quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020) in Movies
Aug 11, 2021
Peninsula is by no means a bad movie, but from start to finish, it never manages to step out of the shadow of it's older sibling. It doesn't help that Train to Busan is as near-perfect as the zombie sub-genre gets, and it's imprint is felt all over this follow up, and that's where the main problem lies.
The film starts with an incredibly powerful opening, and initially seems like it's going to deliver the same emotional hellscape that it's predecessor did, but alas, the really out of place English exposition dialogue that accompanies the cold open is a sign of things to come.
Peninsula mainly suffers from pacing issues. All too often, it feels drawn out, slows down to a halt, spends too much time with characters that are hard to care about, and ultimately feels overlong.
The claustrophobic setting of a train is replaced by a wide open Korean cityscape, and with that comes a grander vision and an over reliance on CGI, CGI that is shaky at best. The effcts-heavy scenes are thankfully set at night time but it's hard not to notice, especially in the car chase set pieces (that go on for way too long by the way).
And then, when the final act comes a knocking, the events that unfold diver straight back into imitating Train to Busan again, but it completely misses the mark. The emotional closing moments are undercut but just how absurd and over dramatic everything is. There's just no subtlety.
I feel like I've ragged on this movie way more than I intended too, because I did enjoy it more than I didn't. The main group of leads (especially the child actors) are pretty damn good, the zombies themselves are still pretty intense, even if they are more of a background threat this time around, and once again, it's complimented by a wonderful music score, but I don't know, it just left me a little cold after just how much TtB blew me away.
Not good, not bad, just very middle of the road.
The film starts with an incredibly powerful opening, and initially seems like it's going to deliver the same emotional hellscape that it's predecessor did, but alas, the really out of place English exposition dialogue that accompanies the cold open is a sign of things to come.
Peninsula mainly suffers from pacing issues. All too often, it feels drawn out, slows down to a halt, spends too much time with characters that are hard to care about, and ultimately feels overlong.
The claustrophobic setting of a train is replaced by a wide open Korean cityscape, and with that comes a grander vision and an over reliance on CGI, CGI that is shaky at best. The effcts-heavy scenes are thankfully set at night time but it's hard not to notice, especially in the car chase set pieces (that go on for way too long by the way).
And then, when the final act comes a knocking, the events that unfold diver straight back into imitating Train to Busan again, but it completely misses the mark. The emotional closing moments are undercut but just how absurd and over dramatic everything is. There's just no subtlety.
I feel like I've ragged on this movie way more than I intended too, because I did enjoy it more than I didn't. The main group of leads (especially the child actors) are pretty damn good, the zombies themselves are still pretty intense, even if they are more of a background threat this time around, and once again, it's complimented by a wonderful music score, but I don't know, it just left me a little cold after just how much TtB blew me away.
Not good, not bad, just very middle of the road.
Star Wars: Sanctuary (A Bad Batch novel)
6.0
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Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Omega gamble on a mission to help rebuild Pabu in this thrilling...
Debbiereadsbook (1801 KP) rated Magic Always Sings (Magic Series #2) in Books
Dec 19, 2023
loved what the magic did!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I wrote in a review for the first book I read of this author: First I've read of this author, I'd like to read a longer book, with more to get my teeth into. And this book delivers, big time!
This is the second book in the Magic Sings series, and I have not read book one, Magic Never Lies. I didn't feel I was missing anything, and I will go back, at some point, and read that book. Not because I need to, but because I want to.
Rowan is a rock star who cannot write songs, hasn't for some time. He NEEDS to, or he will be in trouble. Having someone else's songs shoved at him, and his magic goes haywire. Rowan loves these songs. Meeting Jesse sends him into a tailspin: he knows Jesse but can't recall from when. Once the penny drops, Rowan goes all out to settle his magic. But Rowan isn't out, and doesn't want to come out, not yet. Can they make this work?
What this is, right, is a wonderful tale of being true to yourself. Jesse has loved Rowan for a long time, and he will take him anyway he can get him, but Jesse knows Rowan is not being true to himself, regardless of what he said all those years ago. It's quite difficult reading, when Rowan tells Jesse why he won't come out, but the magic inside Rowan will not be denied.
I loved the magic thing, I really did. It just is, you know? You don't need a long winded explanation about it. Some people have it, and some don't, and I loved what the magic did to them both. Makes them kinda face their feelings, really!
I didn't think it overly explicit, but I liked that here, for these two. It's more about admitting your feelings, and letting them all out. Fairly low on the angst scale too.
A thoroughly enjoyable longer book by this author, and my to-read list is somewhat longer now too!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I wrote in a review for the first book I read of this author: First I've read of this author, I'd like to read a longer book, with more to get my teeth into. And this book delivers, big time!
This is the second book in the Magic Sings series, and I have not read book one, Magic Never Lies. I didn't feel I was missing anything, and I will go back, at some point, and read that book. Not because I need to, but because I want to.
Rowan is a rock star who cannot write songs, hasn't for some time. He NEEDS to, or he will be in trouble. Having someone else's songs shoved at him, and his magic goes haywire. Rowan loves these songs. Meeting Jesse sends him into a tailspin: he knows Jesse but can't recall from when. Once the penny drops, Rowan goes all out to settle his magic. But Rowan isn't out, and doesn't want to come out, not yet. Can they make this work?
What this is, right, is a wonderful tale of being true to yourself. Jesse has loved Rowan for a long time, and he will take him anyway he can get him, but Jesse knows Rowan is not being true to himself, regardless of what he said all those years ago. It's quite difficult reading, when Rowan tells Jesse why he won't come out, but the magic inside Rowan will not be denied.
I loved the magic thing, I really did. It just is, you know? You don't need a long winded explanation about it. Some people have it, and some don't, and I loved what the magic did to them both. Makes them kinda face their feelings, really!
I didn't think it overly explicit, but I liked that here, for these two. It's more about admitting your feelings, and letting them all out. Fairly low on the angst scale too.
A thoroughly enjoyable longer book by this author, and my to-read list is somewhat longer now too!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1801 KP) rated Soul of Ash: Revised Edition (Death's Embrace #2) in Books
Apr 18, 2026
Im invested in these people!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Death's Embrace series and it CANNOT be read as a stand alone, you must read Heart of Dust First.
I said in my review for that book, that I couldn't give it 5 stars, because we only got to hear from Doran. And guess what?? Here, we get Nathaniel too!! Hence the 5 stars!
Because I loved this too! It is a tad more policitical, and it takes a bit more reading. I had to concentrate more, in places, to follow the story line and what was happening but that's not a bad thing for me!
I loved that we heard from Nathaniel. I loved we got a bit more about him and his upbringing and his history and most importantly, his feelings and emotions. We get more of what he did and what's going on with this bloody plant that everyone seems to what and what it will do to Nathaniel, eventually.
There was a conversation about Tsa Lein, and some of that went over my head, the references were subtle and I didn't get them all but it's only a comment I nned to make, rather than a complaint. And I'm not entirely sure what Samuel has to do with anything and it's driving me NUTS that I can't!
Things are moving fast making the mines safe, but not fast enough for some, hence the political issues that are in this book. And I do feel for Grace at points. She needs to be strong, but she really is still young, and a widow. And someone wants her gone.
Which leads us nicely into the next book! There is a bit at the end of this one, chapter one of Throne of Lies and it lays out what's coming, what you SEE coming here. I didn't read it though, I want to wait!
I am fully and totally invested in Doran, Nathaniel, Grace and Tsa Lein. I can't see where it's all going and I both love and hate that I can't!
5 full and very black dusted stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Death's Embrace series and it CANNOT be read as a stand alone, you must read Heart of Dust First.
I said in my review for that book, that I couldn't give it 5 stars, because we only got to hear from Doran. And guess what?? Here, we get Nathaniel too!! Hence the 5 stars!
Because I loved this too! It is a tad more policitical, and it takes a bit more reading. I had to concentrate more, in places, to follow the story line and what was happening but that's not a bad thing for me!
I loved that we heard from Nathaniel. I loved we got a bit more about him and his upbringing and his history and most importantly, his feelings and emotions. We get more of what he did and what's going on with this bloody plant that everyone seems to what and what it will do to Nathaniel, eventually.
There was a conversation about Tsa Lein, and some of that went over my head, the references were subtle and I didn't get them all but it's only a comment I nned to make, rather than a complaint. And I'm not entirely sure what Samuel has to do with anything and it's driving me NUTS that I can't!
Things are moving fast making the mines safe, but not fast enough for some, hence the political issues that are in this book. And I do feel for Grace at points. She needs to be strong, but she really is still young, and a widow. And someone wants her gone.
Which leads us nicely into the next book! There is a bit at the end of this one, chapter one of Throne of Lies and it lays out what's coming, what you SEE coming here. I didn't read it though, I want to wait!
I am fully and totally invested in Doran, Nathaniel, Grace and Tsa Lein. I can't see where it's all going and I both love and hate that I can't!
5 full and very black dusted stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
The Last House on the Street
8.0
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A small town divided by prejudice. A secret that won't remain silent... The stunning new novel...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Breathless ( Scarlet Suffragette book 2) in Books
Mar 29, 2022
54 of 230
Kindle
Breathless (Scarlet Suffragette book 2)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicola Claire's captivating new Gothic romance series continues with a dark and sinister London City at the end of the nineteenth century - brightened by a fearless and talented heroine and a loyal and secretive police inspector...
Determined doctor? Interfering busybody? Fearless fighter?
The London of Anna Cassidy's memories is not the London she faces today. Having proved her worth as a physician, Dr Cassidy finds herself pitted against the stolid attitude of a male-dominated society.
But it's not only society she has to contend with.
A criminal mastermind has set themselves up in London, England; chosen the dirty streets of Whitechapel and Lambeth as their stage. Competing against a devious and cunning opponent sets Anna and her closest friends off on a dire adventure, which could culminate in a loss so great Anna may never recover again.
Steadfast police inspector? Loyal guardian? Caring lover?
Anna, however, is not alone. Or, at least, she won't be once Inspector Kelly finds her. Facing the ghosts of his past, Andrew Kelly rushes to face Anna's enemies and protect the woman he loves.
But Anna is not unable to defend herself.
Proving she needs him is a task Inspector Kelly would gladly undertake. But the city of Andrew's birth is more in the grip of evil machinations than it has ever been, bringing to mind memories of a dark London, ripped to within an inch of its life by a devil known to most simply as Jack.
Andrew knows otherwise. For his secrets are unravelling and within their shadowed corners lies a murderer, a poisoner, and a villain so deceitful that nothing is what it appears to be.
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
Read preview >
This was so good I love the era and the references to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It has fabulous characters both good and bad. The story kept you wanting to read more. I’m not one for huge relationship storylines but this I loved. Highly recommended if you like murder mystery set in a gothic Victorian era.
Kindle
Breathless (Scarlet Suffragette book 2)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicola Claire's captivating new Gothic romance series continues with a dark and sinister London City at the end of the nineteenth century - brightened by a fearless and talented heroine and a loyal and secretive police inspector...
Determined doctor? Interfering busybody? Fearless fighter?
The London of Anna Cassidy's memories is not the London she faces today. Having proved her worth as a physician, Dr Cassidy finds herself pitted against the stolid attitude of a male-dominated society.
But it's not only society she has to contend with.
A criminal mastermind has set themselves up in London, England; chosen the dirty streets of Whitechapel and Lambeth as their stage. Competing against a devious and cunning opponent sets Anna and her closest friends off on a dire adventure, which could culminate in a loss so great Anna may never recover again.
Steadfast police inspector? Loyal guardian? Caring lover?
Anna, however, is not alone. Or, at least, she won't be once Inspector Kelly finds her. Facing the ghosts of his past, Andrew Kelly rushes to face Anna's enemies and protect the woman he loves.
But Anna is not unable to defend herself.
Proving she needs him is a task Inspector Kelly would gladly undertake. But the city of Andrew's birth is more in the grip of evil machinations than it has ever been, bringing to mind memories of a dark London, ripped to within an inch of its life by a devil known to most simply as Jack.
Andrew knows otherwise. For his secrets are unravelling and within their shadowed corners lies a murderer, a poisoner, and a villain so deceitful that nothing is what it appears to be.
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
Read preview >
This was so good I love the era and the references to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It has fabulous characters both good and bad. The story kept you wanting to read more. I’m not one for huge relationship storylines but this I loved. Highly recommended if you like murder mystery set in a gothic Victorian era.