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David McK (3562 KP) rated Traitor's Blood (Civil War Chronicles #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Billed as 'The Sharpe of the Civil War' (ever notice how these types of novels always use that character as their benchmark?), it's easy to see the influence of Cornwell's most famous creation on this novel, which (according to the author) is the first in a planned series of 10 books set during the English Civil War.
This is told from the POV of a soldier in the (doomed) Royalist army: a soldier who has a history with some in authority (like Sharpe and Wellesley), and who is chosen to go behind the enemy lines on a top secret mission (again, like Sharpe), with the beginning and end of the novel taking place during one of the battles of that war (yet again, just like a Sharpe novel ...). Enjoyable enough, and gets off to a strong start, but is just not as polished as one of Cornwells books. Still, an impressive effort for a debut novel, and I may pick up more of the sequels ...
This is told from the POV of a soldier in the (doomed) Royalist army: a soldier who has a history with some in authority (like Sharpe and Wellesley), and who is chosen to go behind the enemy lines on a top secret mission (again, like Sharpe), with the beginning and end of the novel taking place during one of the battles of that war (yet again, just like a Sharpe novel ...). Enjoyable enough, and gets off to a strong start, but is just not as polished as one of Cornwells books. Still, an impressive effort for a debut novel, and I may pick up more of the sequels ...
David McK (3562 KP) rated Devil's Charge (Civil War Chronicles #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second book in Michael Arnold's planned <i>Captain Stryker</i> series of books, all set during the time of the English Civil War.
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Super Fun Sexy Time in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Consent (1 more)
Inclusive
Most Graphic of Graphic Novels
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
ClareR (5884 KP) rated Forget You Know Me in Books
Jan 16, 2019
Talking is good!
This is my first Jessica Strawser book, and I don't think it will be my last. From other reviews, it would seem that this is a departure from the 'thriller' genre of her previous novels: it's definitely more 'Literary Fiction'. There's no real mystery (ok, just the one), and everyone's cards are pretty much laid out on the table. It's just that they all seem incapable of talking to one another: Molly and Liza, once best friends, become more and more estranged as they live so far from one another. Daniel and Molly, although they are married, seem to be growing apart, and due to the demands of work and children, do not seem to have any time for one another. The takeaway message in this seems to be - just talk to each other, for goodness sakes! Relationships need effort from all sides!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of this book to read and enjoy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of this book to read and enjoy!
Erika (17789 KP) rated Witness for the Prosecution in TV
Jan 20, 2019 (Updated Jan 20, 2019)
Do not compare this to the original.
Watching the original Witness for the Prosecution (1957), I remember being genuinely shocked by that twist, because it came out of nowhere.This film just didn't build the story up to
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.
Merissa (12919 KP) rated The Bend-Bite-Shift Box Set in Books
Dec 17, 2018
First of all, this box set is an absolute bargain. Not only do you get three full-length novels but you also get two novellas as well.
The plot is well written and well paced. The characters all have depth and oomph to them, and more than one has a hint of mystery to them. The story has one main theme which runs through all five books but then each book has it's own, more detailed story. There is enough going on that is a series that could go on for a few more books at least. I'm really hoping it does! +Olivia Hardin has written some more in the "For Love of Fae" trilogy which will have at least some characters that we have already met.
If you want Paranormal Romance with some action and mystery, with powers to 'bend' your mind at an incredible value for money price, then check out the Bend-Bite-Shift Box Set.
The plot is well written and well paced. The characters all have depth and oomph to them, and more than one has a hint of mystery to them. The story has one main theme which runs through all five books but then each book has it's own, more detailed story. There is enough going on that is a series that could go on for a few more books at least. I'm really hoping it does! +Olivia Hardin has written some more in the "For Love of Fae" trilogy which will have at least some characters that we have already met.
If you want Paranormal Romance with some action and mystery, with powers to 'bend' your mind at an incredible value for money price, then check out the Bend-Bite-Shift Box Set.
Deborah (162 KP) rated A Duke's Temptation (Boscastle #10; The Bridal Pleasures #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This is the first in the new Bridal Pleasures series by Jillian Hunter, but it starts off with our heroine, Lily, who is from a junior branch of the infamous Boscastle clan!
The basic idea of this book, with the hero as a secret author of a series of gothic-fantasy novels is great and the concept does work well - the acting out of scenes is fun! However, I find that there is something missing here compared to other books I've read by Hunter. I think it's maybe that there isn't a huge feeling of jeopardy? When the villain comes in for a dramatic moment near the end it does seem to be a bit pointless and it's neither completely unexpected and therefore a dramatic shock, or really built up to with the ratcheting of the tension.
So overall it's not a bad book, but I think it could have been better. I had a few '??!?' moments in the reading.
The basic idea of this book, with the hero as a secret author of a series of gothic-fantasy novels is great and the concept does work well - the acting out of scenes is fun! However, I find that there is something missing here compared to other books I've read by Hunter. I think it's maybe that there isn't a huge feeling of jeopardy? When the villain comes in for a dramatic moment near the end it does seem to be a bit pointless and it's neither completely unexpected and therefore a dramatic shock, or really built up to with the ratcheting of the tension.
So overall it's not a bad book, but I think it could have been better. I had a few '??!?' moments in the reading.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Truth (Discworld, #25; Industrial Revolution, #2) in Books
Nov 27, 2019
For the 25th Discworld novel, Pratchett tackles investigative journalism, introducing a newspaper to Ankh Morpork run by William de Worde (much to the annoyance of his aristocratic family) with reporter Sacharissa Crisplock. They soon stumble on a plot to discredit Lord Vetinari, putting themselves and The Truth in danger.
This is all handled with Pratchett's typical humour with a great cast of characters. William and Sacharissa are pitted against the villainous duo of Mr Pin and Mr Tulip, who very much channel Mr Wint and Mr Kydd in Diamonds Are Forever.
Although a very enjoyable read (as are all Discworld novels), this one doesn't quite come together for me. There's just not enough to satirise in the subject and the underlying plot is perhaps a little flimsy. I had to look up the details of the plot, which is a bad sign for any book.
Still worth a read but by no means the best Discworld novel
This is all handled with Pratchett's typical humour with a great cast of characters. William and Sacharissa are pitted against the villainous duo of Mr Pin and Mr Tulip, who very much channel Mr Wint and Mr Kydd in Diamonds Are Forever.
Although a very enjoyable read (as are all Discworld novels), this one doesn't quite come together for me. There's just not enough to satirise in the subject and the underlying plot is perhaps a little flimsy. I had to look up the details of the plot, which is a bad sign for any book.
Still worth a read but by no means the best Discworld novel
Sunnysouthpaw (67 KP) rated They Both Die At The End in Books
Feb 4, 2020
Good characters both the main and side.. (1 more)
Good themes that make you think about them long after the end.
'Insta-love' but I'll forgive it in this sense. (1 more)
The title isnt wrong :'(
Death-Cast was a clever idea but I'm glad it's not real
Gosh I'm trying to figure out what to say about this book. It's LGBTQIA+ Friendly which is a big plus for me (I want to find that more in literature.) Adam Silvera has a way of writing that I like, I want to check out more he's written. I am not a big fan of 'insta-love' but it was ok in this instance.
I like books that make you think about them and wonder about your own existence. I liked the themes of how interconnected humanity is. I'm glad death-cast isnt real, but it was a clever idea. I didnt expect that much going into it because I dont read a lot of young adult novels, I was pleasantly surprised.
I like books that make you think about them and wonder about your own existence. I liked the themes of how interconnected humanity is. I'm glad death-cast isnt real, but it was a clever idea. I didnt expect that much going into it because I dont read a lot of young adult novels, I was pleasantly surprised.
Originally published as a series of five novellas, this - as such, and very much like the previous collaboration of these two authors (Invader - is a distinct multi-part book, made up of the following five parts:
Pirata: The Black Flag
Pirata: The Gates of Stone
Pirata: Hunters of the Sea
Pirata: Sea of Blood
Pirata: The Pirate Chief
As such, each of the five parts have their own distinct start, middle and end, with the series - as a whole -following the orphan Telemachus as he initially joins a merchant vessel before becoming a pirate and (perhaps too) swiftly rising through the ranks - I say perhaps too swiftly as that is my main criticism of the novel, with Telemachus - despite having lived his life on the streets of Piraeus - suddenly, and in a very short time, taking to the life of a pirate at sea.
An enjoyable enough diversion, but not as good - IMO - as Scarrow's Macro and Cato series of novels
Pirata: The Black Flag
Pirata: The Gates of Stone
Pirata: Hunters of the Sea
Pirata: Sea of Blood
Pirata: The Pirate Chief
As such, each of the five parts have their own distinct start, middle and end, with the series - as a whole -following the orphan Telemachus as he initially joins a merchant vessel before becoming a pirate and (perhaps too) swiftly rising through the ranks - I say perhaps too swiftly as that is my main criticism of the novel, with Telemachus - despite having lived his life on the streets of Piraeus - suddenly, and in a very short time, taking to the life of a pirate at sea.
An enjoyable enough diversion, but not as good - IMO - as Scarrow's Macro and Cato series of novels