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David McK (3623 KP) rated Hunting the Eagles: 2: Eagles of Rome in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I actually read this in a busy period, as a sort of on-again-off-again kind of deal amongst a couple of other (shorter, less involved) novels.
This is the second in Ben Kane's 'Eagles of Rome' series, that deals with - in the first novel (Eagles at War) perhaps Rome's most famous defeat of all: that which led (according to legend) the Emperor Augustus Caesar to cry 'Varus, give me back my legions' after that general lost three legions and - horror of horrors! - their eagles in the battle (ambush) of Teutoberg Forest.
This novel follows some key characters from that novel (and survivors of the ambush), from a revolt by the Legionaries through to another battle in a forest/bog land and is told from both the point of view of the Romans and from the German war leader Arminius (who successfully carried out that ambush).
Like the previous entry in the series, Ben Kane's knowledge of the period definitely shines through in this!
This is the second in Ben Kane's 'Eagles of Rome' series, that deals with - in the first novel (Eagles at War) perhaps Rome's most famous defeat of all: that which led (according to legend) the Emperor Augustus Caesar to cry 'Varus, give me back my legions' after that general lost three legions and - horror of horrors! - their eagles in the battle (ambush) of Teutoberg Forest.
This novel follows some key characters from that novel (and survivors of the ambush), from a revolt by the Legionaries through to another battle in a forest/bog land and is told from both the point of view of the Romans and from the German war leader Arminius (who successfully carried out that ambush).
Like the previous entry in the series, Ben Kane's knowledge of the period definitely shines through in this!
David McK (3623 KP) rated Guardian (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
3rd entry in Jack Campbell's (or John G Hemry) <i>The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier</i> series, so really 9th(!) book overall in </i>The Lost Fleet</i> series.
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
David McK (3623 KP) rated Shattered Spear (The Lost Stars, #4) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Fourth entry in Jack Campbell/John Hemrys spin-off series from 'The Lost Fleet' series (and I've lost count of what entry number this is in total), this is set back in what-used-to-be Syndicate Space, with The Syndicate themselves (as always) coming across as Stalin-era Soviets.
While they do put in an appearance, they're not actually the maion threat in this entry - rather, that is provided in the form of the alien Enigmas who, previous novels have shown, are to blame for the centuries-long war between The Alliance and The Syndicate and who, in this, are pushing into/trying to gain a toe-hold on a planet that falls with Human space.
All of which is a long way of saying: more of the same; more political machinations, space battles (in 'real-time' (as it were), and more ground battles.
A bit of a guilty pleasure, in short.
While they do put in an appearance, they're not actually the maion threat in this entry - rather, that is provided in the form of the alien Enigmas who, previous novels have shown, are to blame for the centuries-long war between The Alliance and The Syndicate and who, in this, are pushing into/trying to gain a toe-hold on a planet that falls with Human space.
All of which is a long way of saying: more of the same; more political machinations, space battles (in 'real-time' (as it were), and more ground battles.
A bit of a guilty pleasure, in short.
David McK (3623 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 (3623 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 (5996 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 (13379 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.