Michael Kolhaus
Book
Based on actual historic events, this thrilling saga of violence and retribution bridged the gap...
David McK (3880 KP) rated Excalibur (The Arthurian Chronicles, #1) in Books
Oct 26, 2024 (Updated Oct 26, 2024)
There's no proof he ever existed, with the 'original' (for want of a better word) imagining of him being all Medieval style, Knights on horses, shining armour, lances etc (think the film 'Excalibur').
More recently, that's shifted to post-Roman Dark Ages, in the period between the Romans leaving Britain and the Saxon invasion.
Which is very much the time period in which this novel is set, (re)imagining Arthur to belong to this period (and all that entails), and with Merlin as a Druid rather than a Wizard.
This also 'brings in' several notable characters from the Arthur story alongside both Arthur and Merlin - Guinevere, Kai, Igrainne and Uther all make appearances here - but there is one notable absence (Lancelot) who, I presume, will appear in later books.
Well worth a read.
David McK (3880 KP) rated The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) in Movies
Feb 26, 2022
Excalibur.
I always thought they were two different blades, but not according to this movie, which transplants the action from ye-olde medieval England to modern-day times, with young Alex discovering the sword and setting off on a quest (alongside his best friend Badders, and two of his former bullies Lance and Kay) to stop the evil Sorceress Morgana from reawakening.
So, yes, it does follow pretty much the standard quest trope, complete with enemies who become friends and the battle against evil. I also found it to drag somewhat, and was sitting - for large portions - watching it with my mouth hanging open.
Unfortunately, that's not in a good way - just at the sheer plain ridiculousness of it all!
Then again, that may be simply because I'm not really it's target audience ... ?
Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose
9.0
Rate It
Book
Mother. Survivor. Queen. --- AN ENGLISH PRINCESS, BORN INTO A WAR BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES. ...
Historical fiction Tudor Medieval 16th Century England
David McK (3880 KP) rated Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind #8) in Books
Jul 19, 2026
Ostensibly featuring the wizards of Unseen University, this is really more about life below stairs, focusing more on new characters (who work in the kitchen and 'below stairs') than on the wizards themselves. That's not to say the wizards don't have a major role to play - just that they are not the main focus of the novel, which is also built around the game of 'foot-the-ball' changing from the all-out scrap in the streets it starts out as to the more modern, played-in-a-stadium type of game it becomes at the end, in pretty much the same way that the 'real' game of football (or soccer) grew out of the medieval version.
Risk Management, Liability Insurance, and Asset Protection Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners
David Edward Marcinko and Hope Rachel Hetico
Book
It is not uncommon for practicing physicians to have more than a dozen separate insurance policies...
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Zombicide: Black Plague in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Merchant’s Daughter in Books
Jan 2, 2019
If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Meister Eckhart: Philosopher of Christianity
Kurt Flasch, Anne Schindel and Aaron Vanides
Book
Renowned philosopher Kurt Flasch offers a full-scale reappraisal of the life and legacy of Meister...
Cambridge: the Watercolour Sketchbook
Marcus Binney and Graham Byfield
Book
The perfect introduction to the city's architectural heritage, Cambridge - The Watercolour...