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David McK (3600 KP) rated Shield of Thunder (Troy #2) in Books
Jan 8, 2023
The mid part in David Gemmell's final trilogy of books, all of which were a re-telling of the epic story of the Fall of Troy, and which were finished by his wife after he passed away while still writing the final installment ( Fall of Kings).
This is also very much a book of discrete parts, starting by focusing largely on Odysseus in the first section and the new characters of Banokles, Kalliades and Piria, before moving onto Troy proper (and recurring characters from the first book) in the second part and then taking a large jump forward in time to the third (and final) part, when war has broken out between the Greek kingdoms of the 'Great Green'.
For my part, I actually found the first section of the book the most enjoyable; the section that concerned itself mostly with Odysseus. While the next section was necessary to show how the war (eventually) came about, and with third part to show the impact that war would have, I felt that (unfortunately) at times it fell almost too much into that age-old trap for the mid-part of trilogies: all build-up, with no real pay-off.
This is also very much a book of discrete parts, starting by focusing largely on Odysseus in the first section and the new characters of Banokles, Kalliades and Piria, before moving onto Troy proper (and recurring characters from the first book) in the second part and then taking a large jump forward in time to the third (and final) part, when war has broken out between the Greek kingdoms of the 'Great Green'.
For my part, I actually found the first section of the book the most enjoyable; the section that concerned itself mostly with Odysseus. While the next section was necessary to show how the war (eventually) came about, and with third part to show the impact that war would have, I felt that (unfortunately) at times it fell almost too much into that age-old trap for the mid-part of trilogies: all build-up, with no real pay-off.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Nov 13, 2021
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Cold Crypt Cellars ( Krystianna Aramis book 1) in Books
Jul 17, 2022
121 of 230
Kindle
Cold Crypt Cellars ( Krystianna Aramis book 1)
By J R O’Bryant
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Centuries old vampire Krystianna Aramis and her contingent of security and staff have come to the heart of the Midwest for a wine convention. Well, the convention and a bit of "Adult" fun. The entire supernatural world comes out to play for the convention including Krystianna's main competetion from across the big pond. When all hell breaks loose and it looks like the vampire council will have to intercede things get a bit crazy for Krystianna and her love life.
I wanted to go with a 3.5 on this. The characters are interesting and well thought out the world building is pretty good. The story is interesting too. For a first published book it’s a solid start I’m definitely intrigued as to where it will go in future books. There was a bit of spice but it felt a little muted and restrained not sure if that was on purpose, there were a few places it just felt a little flat for me. Overall it’s was a good book and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Kindle
Cold Crypt Cellars ( Krystianna Aramis book 1)
By J R O’Bryant
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Centuries old vampire Krystianna Aramis and her contingent of security and staff have come to the heart of the Midwest for a wine convention. Well, the convention and a bit of "Adult" fun. The entire supernatural world comes out to play for the convention including Krystianna's main competetion from across the big pond. When all hell breaks loose and it looks like the vampire council will have to intercede things get a bit crazy for Krystianna and her love life.
I wanted to go with a 3.5 on this. The characters are interesting and well thought out the world building is pretty good. The story is interesting too. For a first published book it’s a solid start I’m definitely intrigued as to where it will go in future books. There was a bit of spice but it felt a little muted and restrained not sure if that was on purpose, there were a few places it just felt a little flat for me. Overall it’s was a good book and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Academy Arcanist (Astra Academy #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Hopes. Dreams. And literal nightmares out to kill a young boy. Gray Lexly, son of a candlemaker,...
Young Adult (YA) Fantasy
Beautiful Shining People
10.0
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Book
This world is anything but ordinary, and it's about to change forever… It's our world, but...
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Her Last Hello in Books
Dec 21, 2020 (Updated Aug 8, 2023)
HER LAST HELLO is a dark contemporary romance, with more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at.
Athena's life certainly hasn't turned out the way she thought it would, but she has survived. She is a hooker without a future but still dreams of being free. That dream is brought to the surface when she sees an old friend and finds out he is living and working nearby.
I loved how this story gave you all the information you needed but was not graphic or gruesome in any way. It messes with your mind the same way as it messed with Athena.
This was incredibly well-written, with nothing that jumped out at me as 'wrong'. I thought the 'happy' epilogue was wonderful, but the cliffhanger after...? No! Just no! Now I need to find out if that story has been released too.
For a dark romance, I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 21, 2020
Athena's life certainly hasn't turned out the way she thought it would, but she has survived. She is a hooker without a future but still dreams of being free. That dream is brought to the surface when she sees an old friend and finds out he is living and working nearby.
I loved how this story gave you all the information you needed but was not graphic or gruesome in any way. It messes with your mind the same way as it messed with Athena.
This was incredibly well-written, with nothing that jumped out at me as 'wrong'. I thought the 'happy' epilogue was wonderful, but the cliffhanger after...? No! Just no! Now I need to find out if that story has been released too.
For a dark romance, I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 21, 2020
The Girl from Bologna (Girls from the Italian Resistance #3) by Siobhan Daiko
Book
Bologna, Italy, 1944, and the streets are crawling with German soldiers. Nineteen-year-old Leila...
Historical Fiction Women's Fiction WWII Italian Historical Historical Romance
His Lordship's Blood (His Lordship’s Mysteries #4)
10.0
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Book
Even after a year of having an earl for a lover, Dominick still isn’t prepared for the dazzling...
MM Historical Mystery Romance
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Spark in Books
May 20, 2023
Francy is a 'normal' teenage girl, with nothing outstanding about her that she recognises. She is doing okay at school, has some good friends, and is on the Basketball team. So why would an alien entity decide to take up residence with her?
We stay with Francy as she enters a world of alien theories, collapsed fulcrums, mathematics, entropy and yoga. It is a whirlwind of theories that made my head spin at times. I loved Francy's dad's explanation of entropy, with analogies of having a 9-year-old child. Perfect!
There is intrigue and suspense in this book as Francy tries to figure out just what is going on, and more importantly, how she can help in any way. Then we also have a splash of romance as she and Owen become closer.
This is not your normal, run-of-the-mill Young Adult tale. It will intrigue and delight as the story takes you along. Different from anything I have read, I would not hesitate to recommend it.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2016
We stay with Francy as she enters a world of alien theories, collapsed fulcrums, mathematics, entropy and yoga. It is a whirlwind of theories that made my head spin at times. I loved Francy's dad's explanation of entropy, with analogies of having a 9-year-old child. Perfect!
There is intrigue and suspense in this book as Francy tries to figure out just what is going on, and more importantly, how she can help in any way. Then we also have a splash of romance as she and Owen become closer.
This is not your normal, run-of-the-mill Young Adult tale. It will intrigue and delight as the story takes you along. Different from anything I have read, I would not hesitate to recommend it.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2016
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Defects (The Reverians #1) in Books
May 23, 2023
This is a young adult story of action and adventure with romance to round it off. Em is classed as a Defect because apart from being able to Dream Travel, she has no discernible gift and has to endure daily injections in the hope that they will help to bring it forth. However, things aren't always as they seem, and Em finds out through an old friend, that things are going on she had no idea about, and her family are directly involved with.
I loved the friendship between Zach, Em, and Rogue, although Zach's feelings were plain for all to see apart from Em and Rogue! Their story is only just beginning and I can't wait to read more. With intrigue on every page, this is a well-written and well-paced story, set in a world that I haven't read about before. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing with this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 22, 2016
I loved the friendship between Zach, Em, and Rogue, although Zach's feelings were plain for all to see apart from Em and Rogue! Their story is only just beginning and I can't wait to read more. With intrigue on every page, this is a well-written and well-paced story, set in a world that I haven't read about before. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing with this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 22, 2016