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David McK (3562 KP) rated Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody, #4) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The fourth of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series of books, this again sees the Victorian archaeologist return to Egypt, in the company of her husband and precocious son.
As before, they are then caught up in a mystery surrounding a murder as well as the usual romantic entanglements for these novels. This also sees the return of the 'Master Criminal' from the previous books, who is both named (obviously not his real name) and looks like becoming a recurring character in the series as a whole.
I found this to be a diverting enough read, but not up to the standards of the first novel, perhaps due to the fact that I am now familiar with the type of story it is.
As before, they are then caught up in a mystery surrounding a murder as well as the usual romantic entanglements for these novels. This also sees the return of the 'Master Criminal' from the previous books, who is both named (obviously not his real name) and looks like becoming a recurring character in the series as a whole.
I found this to be a diverting enough read, but not up to the standards of the first novel, perhaps due to the fact that I am now familiar with the type of story it is.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Raven: Blood Eye (Raven 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The first in a planned trilogy, Raven: Blood Eye is set during the early days of the Viking incursion into what would later become known as England. Pretty much the entire novel centres around one such such fictional raid: before, during and after the said event, with the subseqent sequels planning to 'open out' the Viking world.
If I had to compare it to other similar novels I've read, I would probably have to place it somewhere in the gap between Bernard Cornwell's (an author, incidentally, who Giles Kristian acknowledges as being part of his inspiration) series on Alfred the Great and Tim Severin's Viking books: not quite as polished as the former, nor as scholarly as the latter. Still an enjoyable enough read, though!
If I had to compare it to other similar novels I've read, I would probably have to place it somewhere in the gap between Bernard Cornwell's (an author, incidentally, who Giles Kristian acknowledges as being part of his inspiration) series on Alfred the Great and Tim Severin's Viking books: not quite as polished as the former, nor as scholarly as the latter. Still an enjoyable enough read, though!
Finished by Richard Preston, this is the novel that Michael Crichton was working on at the time of his death in 2008.
I have to say that, of late, I have actually been disappointed by most of Crichton's more recent novels, with the possible exception of <i>Prey</i>. Unfortunately, I was also pretty disappointed by this: I felt that I was never really engaged with any of the characters, so their plight never really had any impact on me - without giving too much away, and in a pretty superficial sense, I think this novel could be pretty much described as <i>The Borrowers</i>, set in nature.
For me, <i>Jurassic Park</i> (by far) still remains Crichton's seminal work.
I have to say that, of late, I have actually been disappointed by most of Crichton's more recent novels, with the possible exception of <i>Prey</i>. Unfortunately, I was also pretty disappointed by this: I felt that I was never really engaged with any of the characters, so their plight never really had any impact on me - without giving too much away, and in a pretty superficial sense, I think this novel could be pretty much described as <i>The Borrowers</i>, set in nature.
For me, <i>Jurassic Park</i> (by far) still remains Crichton's seminal work.
themaxdog (14 KP) rated Highland Spring in Books
Jul 17, 2019
Spring is a feisty Scottish warrior woman and a refreshing change from the usual damsels in distress that permeate novels of this genre and period. However, once her father arranges her marriage to Shaw, laird of Edinvale Castle and her clan's sworn enemy, this young woman's life changes forever.
One of my favourite things about this story was Spring's character development. Throughout the story, she uncovers more and more of the truth and discovers what it truly means to belong along the way. Fun, romantic, and at times, steamy, this is a great starting point to delve into the world that author Elizabeth Rose has created.
Highland Spring is a quick, light read - perfect for keeping you busy on a rainy weekend!
One of my favourite things about this story was Spring's character development. Throughout the story, she uncovers more and more of the truth and discovers what it truly means to belong along the way. Fun, romantic, and at times, steamy, this is a great starting point to delve into the world that author Elizabeth Rose has created.
Highland Spring is a quick, light read - perfect for keeping you busy on a rainy weekend!
Milleen (47 KP) rated Our Little Lies in Books
Jan 14, 2019
This is a very dramatic departure from the usual sugar dusted, bakery inspired novels Watson is so famous for. It’s a psychological, dark, domestic thriller that explores a seemingly perfect marriage, exposing what goes on behind closed doors. Marianne has everything, a handsome surgeon husband, a beautiful home and three children she adores. A perfect life. Then her husband says another woman’s name and her spiral descent begins. Is it paranoia or does she have reason to believe that this is another woman? This is a tense novel, using dramatic irony to pull you along Marianne’s journey. The characters are a little cliched, but I won’t spoil your reading by revealing too much. If you enjoy this genre then it is ‘unputdownable’.
rebeccareadsyt (8 KP) rated Genuine Fraud in Books
Jan 18, 2019
Quick to read
I read this on holiday, in two sittings. Only because I had to get up from my first sitting to get a drink before burning up.
I felt that this was one of those YA novels that is very typical. We have the main character, someone who wants everything they can't have. We have the boyfriend of the friend, who she wants and who wants her, but neither can have.
But then, then we have the dead girl.
I don't know how I truly felt about this one, it definitely plays with your mind. It's a good start to psychological thrillers if that's a genre you want to explore more, but for me, it felt like a meh book.
I felt that this was one of those YA novels that is very typical. We have the main character, someone who wants everything they can't have. We have the boyfriend of the friend, who she wants and who wants her, but neither can have.
But then, then we have the dead girl.
I don't know how I truly felt about this one, it definitely plays with your mind. It's a good start to psychological thrillers if that's a genre you want to explore more, but for me, it felt like a meh book.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Forever, Lately in Books
Nov 4, 2019
My Thoughts: This is a truly entertaining novel. It's genuinely fun and engaging. The author has done a marvelous job of bringing the past and future together to make a charming and humorous storyline. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. Claire is a down to earth young woman trying to make a living writing historical novels; just an average girl whose life is changed forever one night when she puts on her grandmother's shawl. This novel was hard to put down, the plot is fast-paced and keeps the reader entertained.
A historical novel is full of humor and suspense with many twists in the plot that will keep the reader wondering what will happen next. A truly enjoyable read and highly recommended.
A historical novel is full of humor and suspense with many twists in the plot that will keep the reader wondering what will happen next. A truly enjoyable read and highly recommended.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated By the Book in Books
Nov 20, 2019
This book is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I was very excited when I heard about this book as Persuasion is my favorite of her novels, thank you to Touch My Spine Book Reviews for turning me onto this book! I loved seeing these characters come to life in a new light. I thought the setting was interesting and worked very well in adapting it into a modern time. I must say though that my favorite parts of the book were where it diverged from its source material and made something new. It was certainly successful in taking its inspiration from Austen but also did a great job of creating something interesting and unique. This is a fun romance story that I would definitely recommend.
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Last Wish in Books
Aug 4, 2019
Recently, I heard that Netflix were producing a series based on these novels, starring (the current) Superman himself, Henry Cavill.
I was also aware of the held-in-great-esteem computer game of the same name (or, rather, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt), even though I'd never actually played it.
When I watched the Netflix teaser trailer, I decided to give the original tales a go.
Translated from Polish into English, this is actually a collection of short stories rather than a full-blown novel in its own right, introducing - or so I've heard - some of the key players in the later full-blown saga, aside from Geralt of Rivia himself.
I think I'll be working my way through more of these!
I was also aware of the held-in-great-esteem computer game of the same name (or, rather, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt), even though I'd never actually played it.
When I watched the Netflix teaser trailer, I decided to give the original tales a go.
Translated from Polish into English, this is actually a collection of short stories rather than a full-blown novel in its own right, introducing - or so I've heard - some of the key players in the later full-blown saga, aside from Geralt of Rivia himself.
I think I'll be working my way through more of these!
Women in African History: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Book
A short history of the life of one of the incredible women highlighted in UNESCO's Women in African...