Tag: Book Review

The Ice Dragon by George R. R. Martin (Review #36)

The Ice Dragon by George R. R. Martin

Blurb

From ancient times the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember. The ice dragon had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the snow long after the other children had fled the cold. In her fourth year she touched it, and in her fifth year she rode upon its broad, chilled back. Then, in her seventh year, on a calm summer day, fiery dragons from the North swooped down upon the peaceful farm that was Adara’s home. And only a winter child – and the ice dragon who loved her – could save her world from utter destruction.

Review

I bought this little book last week and I thought it would be a nice quick read before I start another longer book. 

This little story really reminded me of the Grimm’s fairytales, it just had the feel of a fairytale about it. The illustrations also helped build the fairytale atmosphere. The story is based around the little girl Adara. Adara loves winter, she is a winter child born in the worst freeze ever remembered and because of this the Ice Dragon becomes a part of her childhood. 

Adara is a child who nobody understands. She barely smiles and hardly ever shows emotion, she lives for winter where she builds her snow castles and sees her Ice Dragon. The other thing that she loves though is her family and she would do anything for them just as the Ice Dragon will do anything for her. 

This is a children’s story with beautiful illustrations but I think it is perfect for adults to read as well. This is a lovely little story that I read in one sitting but I will be honest I didn’t like the ending but without that ending it would lose the fairytale element. I give this book 3 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

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About the author

George Raymond Richard Martin (1948) is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. 

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Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman (Review #35)

Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman

Blurb

Anne Boleyn is a subject of enduring fascination. By far the most famous of Henry VIII’s six wives, she has inspired books, documentaries and films, and is the subject of intense debate even today, almost 500 years after her violent death. For the most part, she is considered in the context of her relationship with Tudor England’s much-married monarch. Dramatic though this story is, of even greater interest – and significance – is the relationship between Anne and her daughter, the future Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth was less than three years old when her mother was executed. Given that she could have held precious few memories of Anne, it is often assumed that her mother exerted little influence over her.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Elizabeth knew that she had to be discreet about Anne, but there is compelling evidence that her mother had a profound impact on her character, beliefs and reign. Anne’s radical religious views shaped those of her daughter, and as a woman who wielded power over a male-dominated court, she provided an inspiring role model for Elizabeth’s queenship. Even during Henry’s lifetime, Elizabeth dared to express her sympathy for her late mother by secretly wearing Anne’s famous ‘A’ pendant when she sat for a painting with her father and siblings.

Piecing together evidence from original documents and artefacts, this book tells the fascinating, often surprising story of Anne Boleyn’s relationship with, and influence over her daughter Elizabeth. In so doing, it sheds new light on two of the most famous women in history and how they changed England forever.

Review

I have always loved Tudor history and Elizabeth I is my favourite monarch from history so when I saw this book I was intrigued to read it. It was also my first Tracy Borman book and it definitely won’t be my last. 

The thing I loved about this was how Borman had such a fresh and different take on Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. Usually history books keep them quite separate but Borman has their two histories running together. Even though Anne Boleyn was executed when Elizabeth I was only 3 years old, Borman shows how Elizabeth I was influenced by her mother through all of her life and reign. 

Borman pieces together historical evidence from surviving letters, documents, paintings, books and more showing the link between mother and daughter. Borman takes us right from Anne Boleyn’s birth to her death and the same for Elizabeth I.

The other thing I liked about Borman’s take on the evidence is that it felt so truthful and not sugar coated. So many history books either describe Anne Boleyn as an angel who was severally wronged or as an evil woman who deserved her fate. However, Borman shows Anne from all angles. She shows Anne’s faults, her character flaws, her lack of restraint and all her good points. We know that Anne Boleyn was wrongly accused and executed but Borman paints her as a real person and not a saint, which I liked. 

The only reason this book didn’t receive the full 5 out of 5 dragons, but only 4, was because it just felt a bit dry at times. It felt like a big list of events and lost the feeling that other historians put into their books which I missed. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it very interesting. 

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Tracy Borman, PhD, FRHistS, FSA is a historian and author from Scothern, United Kingdom. She is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth’s Women.

Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth’s Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, also in September 2009

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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Review #34)

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Blurb

A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see, standing before him, the most extraordinary little fellow. “Please,” asks the stranger, “draw me a sheep.” And the pilot realises that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out pencil and paper… And thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed forever the world for its readers.

Review

Over the years I have heard many good things about this book so when I saw a beautiful edition by Chiltern publishing I decided it was time to get myself a copy and get reading. 

This is a beautiful story about a stranded pilot who is desperately trying to find a way to survive. One morning he wakes up to find a little fellow standing in front of him. This Little Prince tells the pilot all about his travels around the universe. 

For such a small book it packed a massive punch and although it is considered a children’s book I found it contained a great deal of symbolism and is a fantastic learning tool for children and adults. Every encounter the Little Prince had on his travels taught him something new and most importantly he learned something of value in life. 

This is a beautiful story with lovely illustrations and one that I think I will read again and again because it will be a reminder about what is important in life and not to let the chaos of life get in the way. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a French writer, poet, journalist and pioneering  aviator. He received several prestigious literary awards for his novella The Little Prince and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Wind, Sand and Stars and Night Flight. 

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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (Review #31)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Blurb

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantès is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and he becomes determined not only to escape, but also to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. Dumas’ epic tale of suffering and retribution, inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment, was a huge popular success when it was first serialised in the 1840s.

Review

People who have followed my blog for any length of time know that Dumas is one of my all time favourite authors and I have read The Three Musketeers more times than I care to admit to. I had never got round to reading The Count of Monte Cristo though so this year I decided I would read it. 

I had a few short breaks with this book otherwise it would have taken me less time to read but I did find when work was particularly stressful that I needed a less complicated read and so took a little break. This is a mammoth book and one that I can see the appeal of reading as a serial rather than one big book but I still absolutely loved it and always looked forward to reading it. 

Edmond is a hard working 19 year old who has spent his short life so far trying to be the best man he can. His aim is to move up and become a ship’s captain and to marry his young sweetheart whilst making enough money to support her and his elderly father. However, by a cruel turn of events and through no fault of his own he gets thrown into the darkest blackest prison with no trial and not knowing why this is happening to him. After a long time of solitude and living in darkness he manages to make a friend and this friend tells him of the greatest treasure he could ever imagine. 

This story is of Dantes’ revenge which he plans over many many years. The three men who destroyed Dantes’ hopes and future and don’t even realise that the traps have been laid many years in advance before they met the mysterious character of the Count of Monte Cristo. 

Reading other people’s reviews I see there are quite a few people who find this book way too long but I did not find it too long. I found this book fascinating and enjoyable. It was jam packed with different storylines, different characters and as the plot spans many years you can expect the book to be rather weighty in length. Dumas’ excellent writing made this book a joy and a pleasure to read and I am so happy to have decided to read it. I really hope I get to read it again one day. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was a French novelist and playwright. His works have been translated into many languages and he is one of the most widely read French authors. 

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The Young by Nicholas John Powter (Review #30)

The Young by Nicholas John Powter

Blurb

A father and his son home has been attacked by a mysterious man, an omen a sinister presence has come about the lands of “The Deluge”, the great sun gods know as the Phrazon mur guide and protect the inhabitants who are awake during the day while the evil creatures and man alike come to fruition during the night. For that where the great evil moon gods come up out of hiding. A Religious cult known as the “Spawn” and their most prestigious leader Roland seek to extract the power of the moon gods and destroy the sun gods and plummet the world into but darkness and sorrow. Out two unlikely protagonist must go on a journey to stop them and free their lands from both the gods and the cults grasp. As somewhat reluctant they may be, they will set out on a task of many dangers and one most foreign to them. A journey of family, love loss violence and devastation, divinity and faith.

Review

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to Nicholas John Powter for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an ambitious work of fantasy especially as it is all squeezed into just under 130 pages and could have the makings of an epic fantasy. However, for me the book just felt lacking and in places rather off. 

Sven, a former warrior of Telfmare, drags his young son Fren from their home in The Deluge to embark on a quest to save a friend’s wife who’s been abducted and taken deep into the forests. However, the story soon moves along and Sven finds himself taking Fren to try and find Sven’s estranged elder son, Dason. This all leads to Sven having to defeat enemies on all fronts. Sven spends a lot of time talking about peace but he finds no qualms in grabbing his sword and killing everything in sight. 

As any fantasy reader knows the key to a good fantasy novel is excellent world building, Tolkien taught us that. The world should have developed setting, social customs, history, lore and religion. The Young has some wild woods and a windy mountain and some weird and wonderful animals and an olde worlde feeling but there are also references to elements that just don’t feel right to me. References to mail boxes, mansions and silk tablecloths just stuck out from the story. Powter also uses some odd language within the book which sticks out from the rest, to suddenly have “dad” used and “Hey” just felt very out of place for the storyline and setting. 

The dialogue between Sven and Fren leaves much to be desired as well. The dialogue is stilted, with the characters appearing to talk at one another rather than to one another. It was like they needed to get a huge amount of detail out for the reader but didn’t feel natural. The book had abrupt shifts in points of view mid-paragraph, sentences containing grammatical and typographical errors and awkward sentence structuring which made the text at times hard to read. 

I thought this book had great potential and was really excited to read it but sadly there were just too many points I did not get along with. Overall, I give this book 2 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

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The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Mosse (Review #29) #20BooksofSummer23 4/20

The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Mosse

Blurb

In a remote village near the English coast, residents gather in a misty churchyard. More than a decade into the twentieth century, superstition still holds sway: It is St. Mark’s Eve, the night when the shimmering ghosts of those fated to die in the coming year are said to materialise and amble through the church doors.

Alone in the crowd is Constantia Gifford, the taxidermist’s daughter. Twenty-two and unmarried, she lives with her father on the fringes of town, in a decaying mansion cluttered with the remains of his once world-famous museum of taxidermy. No one speaks of why the museum was shuttered or how the Giffords fell so low. Connie herself has no recollection—a childhood accident has erased all memory of her earlier days. Even those who might have answers remain silent. The locals shun Blackthorn House, and the strange spinster who practices her father’s macabre art.

As the last peal of the midnight bell fades to silence, a woman is found dead—a stranger Connie noticed near the church. In the coming days, snippets of long lost memories will begin to tease through Connie’s mind, offering her glimpses of her vanished years. Who is the victim, and why has her death affected Connie so deeply? Why is she watched by a mysterious figure who has suddenly appeared on the marsh nearby? Is her father trying to protect her with his silence—or someone else? The answers are tied to a dark secret that lies at the heart of Blackthorn House, hidden among the bell jars of her father’s workshop—a mystery that draws Connie closer to danger . . . closer to madness . . . closer to the startling truth.

Review

Another Mosse book that I simply could not put down! I am slowly working my way through all of Kate Mosse’s books and as soon as she releases another one I immediately buy it. 

I found this book a real classic gothic novel which was rather disturbing in places. I have never been a massive fan of taxidermy because why do we have to kill and stuff things when they are much more beautiful alive and happily living their lives? The description of the bird being prepped for stuffing was not a pleasant part to read and I will be honest I skipped past that part. 

I really enjoyed how this story built up. Constantia known as Connie had an accident when she was 12 years old and lost her memory but now ten years later things start coming back. As well as all this Connie also has the feeling she is being watched by a mysterious woman. 

As well as Connie trying to work out what is going on and how it is connected with her past there is also Harry. Harry is trying to find his father and this leads to him meeting Connie. Connie and Harry work together to try and work out what is going on and who the murderer is. I really liked Harry as he was a true gentleman who would go out of his way to help people even strangers. 

About half way through the book I did work out what was going on but that didn’t put me off from reading the rest of the book. 

There are some fabulous characters within this book and I loved how Mosse gives us such character details. I couldn’t put this book down and I give it a full 5 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Kate Mosse is an international bestselling author with sales of more than five million copies in 42 languages. Her fiction includes the novels Labyrinth (2005), Sepulchre (2007), The Winter Ghosts (2009), and Citadel (2012), as well as an acclaimed collection of short stories, The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales (2013). Kate’s new novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter is out now.

Kate is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction (previously the Orange Prize) and in June 2013, was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to literature. She lives in Sussex.

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The Two-Penny Bar by Georges Simenon (#28 Review)

The Two-Penny Bar by Georges Simenon

Blurb

‘We saw a door opening ahead of us. There was a car parked by the roadside. This guy came out pushing another guy in front of him. No, not pushing. Imagine you’re carrying a shop dummy and trying to make it look like it’s your friend walking next to you. He put him in the car and got into the driver’s seat . . . The guy drove all over the place. He seemed to be looking for something, but seemed to keep losing his way. In the end, we realised what he’d been looking for.’

A series of chance encounters sends Inspector Maigret down yet another winding path of murder and mystery. While visiting a criminal in his cell, the young convict tells Maigret of a man who’d been spotted dumping a body in a Parisian canal some years ago.  On an unexpected trip to a popular inn, Maigret finds himself in the very place the suspected killer was last seen, and the Inspector is pulled deeper into the web of blackmail and deceit.

Review

I really enjoyed this Maigret book but yet again I felt very sorry for poor Mrs Maigret. All Mrs Maigret wants is her husband on holiday with her but as per usual Maigret chooses his work first. The poor woman deserves a medal in my opinion.

While visiting a criminal in his cell the criminal tells Maigret of a crime scene he witnessed years ago. The criminal witnessed a man dumping a body in the canal years ago and of course Maigret is intrigued. 

Maigret ends up getting caught up with a group of friends who meet every weekend at a bar near the Seine. This group of friends happily drink, gamble and party the weekend away and enjoy swinging. This leaves Maigret drinking way too much and trying to work out what exactly these people are hiding. 

Maigret has quite a task on his hands in this book as he really has no idea who could have done the crime and been responsible for the disposal of the body. After all he has no evidence just the man’s account of the crime. As he is trying to put the pieces together and deal with the people he also has Mrs Maigret sending him telegrams asking him when he will join her on holiday. 

I really found this book quite different to the ones I had read before and I enjoyed the different feel about it. I also found this book quite funny in places. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Georges Simenon (1903-1989) was a Belgian writer who published nearly 500 novels and many short stories. Simenon is best known as the creator of the Maigret stories.

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Hidden Depths by Ifan Morgan Jones (#27 Review)

Hidden Depths by Ifan Morgan Jones

Blurb

Rees has been running away his whole life. But when a legend from his childhood turns out to be fact rather than fiction, he is drawn deeper into a hidden world that reveals a troubling truth – not just about his present, but also his past. The choice is keep running, or stay and fight.

Review

I do love a quick read and I was really excited to read this one as it is my kind of book. Ifan Morgan Jones is also a new author for me and I do love discovering new authors through the Quick Reads scheme.

This book had all my favourite things: sci-fi, legends turning out to be real and even some dragons made an appearance. However, no matter how hard I tried I just could not gel with this book! I know I struggle with short books because I find myself wanting more from the story but if this book had been any longer I would have had to DNF it. 

I did not get on well with Jones’ writing style and I fear that this will be one of the books that I soon forget about because it just lacked that something for me. Jones tried to put a very human story into a sci-fi setting and for me it just didn’t work. I give this book 2 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Ifan Morgan Jones is lecturer in Journalism at Bangor University. He is the author of Babel – the first steampunk novel in Welsh, which won the 2020 Wales Book of the Year award (in the Welsh language), the Fiction category prize, and the Golwg360 Barn y Bobl (People’s Choice award).

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Atalanta by Jennifer Saint (#26 Review)

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

Blurb

When Princess Atalanta is born, a daughter rather than the son her parents hoped for, she is left on a mountainside to die. But even then, she is a survivor. Raised by a mother bear under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows up wild and free, with just one condition: if she marries, Artemis warns, it will be her undoing.

Although she loves her beautiful forest home, Atalanta yearns for adventure. When Artemis offers her the chance to fight in her name alongside the Argonauts, the fiercest band of warriors the world has ever seen, Atalanta seizes it. The Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece is filled with impossible challenges, but Atalanta proves herself equal to the men she fights alongside. As she is swept into a passionate affair, in defiance of Artemis’s warning, she begins to question the goddess’s true intentions. Can Atalanta carve out her own legendary place in a world of men, while staying true to her heart?

Full of joy, passion, and adventure, Atalanta is the story of a woman who refuses to be contained. Jennifer Saint places Atalanta in the pantheon of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, where she belongs.

Review

I am a huge Jennifer Saint fan and she is now an auto buy author for me. I just wish I was faster at reading the books so they don’t sit on my TBR pile for so long!

Atalanta is not a very well known hero in the ancient myths and she is definitely not a main character in the myths so I was excited to read a story where she is the main character and not some woman at the sidelines like all the females in the ancient myths. 

Atalanta was left exposed on a hillside as a baby because her father wanted a son. However, a mother bear took her in and protected her so she didn’t succumb to the elements. Once she is older Artemis herself takes charge of Atalanta. Atalanta grows up wild and free and a skilled hunter but she longs for more and so Artemis offers her the chance of adventure and fame by letting her join Jason and the Argonauts. 

The story of Atalanta is told in the first person and I think this works brilliantly with how the storyline moves along because we get all of Atalanta’s feelings and opinions and we also get the adventure and interactions with the Argonauts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Argonauts and their hunt for the Fleece and the Caledonian boar hunt told from Atalanta’s perspective and how she proved herself worthy to be among them time and time again. 

However, I did find that a bulk of Atalanta’s narrative was dominated by the exploits of men and her feelings for these men. I also felt let down at times because Atalanta was also quite passive in the story and although she had physical strength and power, mentally she was not that strong and relied on certain men in her company. For me Atalanta lacked the strength of character that Saint’s Ariadne had and that is why the book only gets 4 out of 5 Dragons from me. 

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Jennifer Saint grew up reading Greek mythology and was always drawn to the untold stories hidden within the myths. After thirteen years as a high school English teacher, she wrote ARIADNE which tells the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur from the perspective of Ariadne – the woman who made it happen. Jennifer Saint is now a full-time author, living in Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two children.

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Silas Marner by George Eliot (Review #25)

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Blurb

Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe is the third novel by George Eliot, published in 1861. An outwardly simple tale of a linen weaver, it is notable for its strong realism and its sophisticated treatment of a variety of issues ranging from religion to industrialisation to community.

Review

This is one of the books off my Classics Club list but it is also a book that is one of my all time favourite books. I have read this book quite a few times but I thought it was time for a reread. 

This wonderful little book is in my humble opinion Eliot at her best. Silas Marner is a beautifully written character and one you can’t help but love. Silas had a hard start in life and was cruelly mistreated and it is because of this he finds himself in Raveloe. In Raveloe Silas keeps away from his fellow villagers and works hard. He weaves day and night and the one joy he has is his gold but then a series of events take place and Silas’ life changes forever.

This book is only short but contains so many different themes. There is the theme of religion and how different denominations of Christianity are treated with fear and misunderstanding. We witness industrialisation taking away the work of cottage industries. How newcomers are treated in communities. There is so much within this tiny book but the main theme is the power of love and it is a wonderful theme within this book. 

I will be honest there are certain characters within this book I have never been keen on and the main for me is Nancy. I’m not really sure why I dislike her so much but for some reason she just grates against my nerves. Godfrey Cass is also one who annoys me, he has good points but he also has bad points and I find the bad points outweigh the good. 

I just love this book and will happily reread it again. I give this book a big 5 out of 5 Dragons. 

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Purchase Links

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(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)

About the author

Mary Ann Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She was born in 1819 at a farmstead in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, where her father was estate manager. Mary Ann, the youngest child and a favourite of her father’s, received a good education for a young woman of her day. Influenced by a favourite governess, she became a religious evangelical as an adolescent. 

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