Smashbomb

This book has received a massive hype about being amazing. So much so that I went over my usual budget on the purchase of a book to get a new hardback copy.
Although I read this book in a day, and did enjoy it, I hoped for a better insight into the life at the camp, and often found myself questioning whether certain things claimed in the book were true.
This was a good book, and I understand that some adaptations were made when converting it into a novel, but I think this has either been slightly overdone to play up the romance in the novel, or the lead character genuinely had a huge advantage over the other prisoners due to his role?
All in all, I am giving this a 7 because it was good, but doesn't quite reach the huge hype that it seems to have been given.

Kudos

ClareR (5879 KP) rated An Unknown Welshman: A novel of Henry VII in Books

Jan 5, 2019

An Unknown Welshman: A novel of Henry VII

Jean Stubbs | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

So good, that it couldn't possibly be history, surely?!

This is the story of how Henry VII came to be king, from his birth in Wales, to his crowning and marriage to Elizabeth of York.
I really liked the descriptions of life during the Wars of the Roses, how fickle the nobility seemed to be, swapping allegiances in order to keep their lands, possessions and lives. There was a good deal of action as well. Sieges, battles, hunts: mostly though, Henry had to wait around a lot, hoping that foreign dignitaries would keep him and feed and clothe him, not to mention the money that was sent over from the Crown in order to keep him away. Whilst eh was held captive in Wales, this was to the advantage of the man keeping him: he got to hold Henry's title and lands.
The Wars of the Roses can be very complicated and longwinded - there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between the sides. This is a good way to understand the Lancastrian (Henry's) side of the history. And it was fascinating to read.

Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy to read and honestly review.

Kudos

I Promise to be Good: The Letters of Arthur Rimbaud

Arthur Rimbaud

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

One of the most written-about literary figures in the past decade, Arthur Rimbaud left few traces...

Merissa (12914 KP) rated Atancia (The Durand Duology #1) in Books

Apr 15, 2023

Atancia (The Durand Duology #1)

Wren Figueiro | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is the first book of two that details the changing life of Atty (Atancia). She is dealing with panic attacks, possibly brought on by the trauma of seeing a young boy die in front of her. Apart from that, her life is safe and normal. However, that all changes when she goes to a New Year's Eve party and meets Ben. Before you (or she) knows it, her life has changed drastically and not in all ways good. Her beloved nana has died and Atty feels personally responsible. Ben is her knight in shining armour and helps to ease things. Before long, Atty has left the States for Australia, needing some space to get closure whilst she figures out just who she is and what she wants to do with her life.

I won't go into any more details as I dislike giving spoilers but I will say that this book has a fresh take on the whole 'vampire' story which makes it a refreshing and intriguing read. There are lots of amazing characters in here that you will like or dislike, depending on the part they play. Perhaps, it's my twisted mind, but I will admit to looking for 'snakes in the grass' throughout this story. Did I find them? That's for me to know and for you to find out when you read the book!

A brilliant book to start the duology with. Totally recommended.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 11, 2015