The Lost Bookshop by Evie Wood (Review #50)

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

Blurb

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

Review

This was a book I downloaded for my holidays but never got around to reading so when I had a train trip I started to read it on my phone. I soon got hooked on this book and thought it was a delightful read but sadly that feeling did not last.

The book has a dual timeline. The past is narrated by Opaline (who has a lovely name in my opinion) and the present is narrated by Martha. Opaline has escaped her older brother’s plans for her which involve an unwanted marriage and has gone into the book business. Martha is an Irish woman who has escaped an abusive marriage and found herself a job as a live in housekeeper to a very eccentric old woman.

The book also features Henry who is a scholar desperately trying to find a lost manuscript. This leads him to finding out more about Opaline and meeting Martha in the process. It also leads him to trying to find Opaline’s bookshop but it has completely disappeared.

This book contains some magical realism but isn’t explored enough in my opinion. I would have loved to have learned more about the bookshop and exactly what had happened but it wasn’t explained. The ending was also a massive flop and left so many questions unanswered. It felt like either the author had given up or didn’t know how to explain it herself.

I loved Opaline’s story and thought the author had really done her research on the history. Opaline’s story was heart wrenching at times and I really felt for the character. If it wasn’t for the story of Opaline I’m not sure I would have continued with this book. What started off as a book with so much promise it just fell flat for me and just became a book that I could take or leave. Sadly this book only gets 3 out of 5 Dragons from me.

🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Harper Collins | Waterstones | WH Smith

(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

Evie Woods is the pseudonym of Evie Gaughan, bestselling author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris.

Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Sudeley Castle: Royalty, Romance and Renaissance by James Parry and Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe (Review #49)

Sudeley Castle: Royalty, Romance and Renaissance by James Parry and Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe

Blurb

Set in the beautiful Gloucestershire Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle exemplifies popular perceptions of the romantic English country house. The final resting place of King Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, it is partly castellated and its centuries-old ruins are festooned with roses. This book, the first comprehensive publication about this remarkable castle, traces over 1,000 years of illustrious history from the time of King Aethelred the Unready through the castle’s Tudor heyday and its subsequent decline and fall, before its dramatic rescue during the second half of the 19th century by the Dent-Brocklehurst family, whose descendants still live there. Sudeley’s architectural heritage, art and gardens are all described and illustrated by historical material as well as stunning new photography.

Review

I went to visit Sudeley Castle during half term and absolutely loved it so I was very pleased to see they had a new book out.

The book is mainly the history of the castle right from before it was a castle to present day and it is interspersed with memories from Lady Ashcombe. The castle has a fascinating history and I love the Tudor connections. I also love how the book doesn’t hide the more grizzly history of the castle. The castle’s story during the Civil War is rather brutal.

The memories Lady Ashcombe shares are wonderful and really give an insight into the castle as a family home as well as a tourist attraction. I particularly like the stories of the pranks that Lady Ashcombe’s children pulled on the visitors when they were young.

The book isn’t long at only 160 pages and contains some wonderful pictures of the castle, maps from history and treasures from inside the castle as well as images of the people who have lived in the castle. It is a perfect coffee table book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The history chosen to feature in the book is well thought out and well written and is perfectly paired with the relevant photos. I will definitely be revisiting this book as well as the castle. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | Wordery

About the authors

James Parry

James Parry is a Norfolk-based writer and consultant. After training as a conservation officer with English Heritage, he joined the British Council, working in East Africa and the Middle East before returning to the UK to study for a Masters in Architecture. He was then appointed by the National Trust as its academic editor, and was responsible for developing a specialist art and architecture publishing programme. He now writes on art, heritage, natural history and conservation for a wide range of publications and takes a particular interest in the Islamic world.

Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe

Living in Sudeley Castle for over 50 years, making her the longest residing Chatelaine to date, Lady Ashcombe is responsible for opening Sudeley to the public in 1970 and continuing to ensure its success and intrigue to this day. Lady Ashcombe and her family are committed to the continued preservation of the castle, its treasures and the ongoing restoration and regeneration of the gardens, for future generations of visitors to enjoy.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (Review #47)

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

Blurb

Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right?

Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah—its former owner (protector? friend?)—submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who’s going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue?

And what will become of it when it’s caught?

Review

I love the Murderbot series and with every book I find Murderbot more and more adorable. This book really shows that Murderbot cares even though Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. In fact Murderbot wasn’t programmed to have feelings at all.

Murderbot has risked it all travelling across the galaxy to get the knowledge it needs to find out about its previous life but then Murderbot finds out that Dr Mensah is in trouble. Dr Mensah is the only human to ever show respect to Murderbot and in a way she is a friend and protector of Murderbot.

I love that even though Murderbot has no idea what to do with the situation it uses its vast amount of media knowledge to find a way to rescue Dr Mensah. Even if the shows it decided to get help from are unrealistic and extremely risky. It also uses its menacing presence to full advantage.

With each novella Murderbot has developed more as a character. Its sense of humour gets more dry and snarky and its language gets considerably more filthy. However, what Murderbot really starts to develop is an unfailing loyalty to those who have been good to it, those who have cared for it but with this also comes an ever increasing hate to those who have treated it as a tool and something to be discarded.

I love the Murderbot series but I always find myself wanting longer books. I can’t wait to continue with this series and give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Martha Wells has been a science fiction and fantasy author since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993. Her New York Times Bestselling series The Murderbot Diaries has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, Locus Awards, and an American Library Association/YALSA Alex Award. Her work also includes The Books of the Raksura series, the Ile-Rien series, and several other fantasy novels, most recently Witch King (Tordotcom, 2023), as well as short fiction, non-fiction, and media tie-ins for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: The Gathering. Her work has also appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the British Science Fiction Association Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, and has been translated into twenty-four languages.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Review #46)

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Blurb

They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis—neighbours call her the Witch of Oldhouse—and the haphazard manifestations of her powers make her the subject of malicious gossip.

When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives to town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has traveled the world performing his talents for admiring audiences. He sees Nina not as a witch, but ripe with potential to master her power under his tutelage. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent blossoms, as does her love for him.

But great romances are for fairytales, and Hector is hiding a truth from Nina—and himself—that threatens to end their courtship before it truly begins. The Beautiful Ones is a charming tale of love and betrayal, and the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon.

Review

This book is easily my favourite read of the year so far. I could not put it down and loved every page. It just made me so happy!

This is my second Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel and it won’t be my last. The book is so beautifully written. This character driven historical romantic drama also has a telekinetic twist. It really had quite a Jane Austen feel for me which is probably another reason for my love of the book.

Nina is an unusual girl who loves beetles and insects and not the usual things that a high society girl of her age is considered. She also has something else which hampers her progress in the Grand Season and that is her telekinetic abilities. These abilities have led her to gain the nickname the Witch of Oldhouse by people in her local village and it is not a nice nickname. Nina is spending the season with her cousin and his wife and things are not going well. However, things begin to change when Nina meets Hector. Hector is like Nina and has powerful telekinetic abilities but he has spent his life showing them off whilst performing on stage whilst poor Nina has been trying to hide her abilities.

This book is full of old world traditions and opinions and these are most prominent in Valerie. I really didn’t like Valerie, she is cold and calculating and loves nobody but herself. She lives to make people suffer and because she is from an old family of a good name she believes she has the right to get her own way no matter what the consequences.

This book is atmospheric, entertaining and very engaging. It is packed full of glamour, love, expectations, hypocrisy of society and gender inequality. The book is beautifully written and has such fantastic characters that I really didn’t want to leave behind. I loved this book and give it 5 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of several novels, including Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. She has also edited a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Goodby Mr Chips by James Hilton (Review #45)

Goodbye Mr Chips by James Hilton

Blurb

Mr Chipping, known fondly to his students as Mr Chips, is the beloved Latin master at a quiet boy’s school. For forty-three years he acts as the heart and the soul of his institution, proving that dedication, love and good sense of humour can make all the difference to generations of children.

The classic story of a quiet, unassuming man and the many lives he touches, Goodbye Mr Chips has sold over two million copies and has never been out of print.

Review

Oh what a beautiful little book!

I picked up this book whilst in Cheltenham and thought this will be a nice quick read. My husband has seen the film but I’ve never seen it so had no idea what the story would be like. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.

I could have easily read this book in one sitting but because of work and sleep I read it over two days. The story is focused on Mr Chipping, who is affectionately known as Mr Chips. Mr Chips is the Latin master at an all boys school but becomes so much more than just a teacher to everyone at the school.

This little book is all about a very quiet man who doesn’t seem to make a big impression on the world but who in his own small way touches so many lives in a big way. Mr Chips is a man that so many people treasure and remember and so many still want to meet.

This beautiful book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me ponder and so much more. For such a small book it certainly packs a punch and I must admit I would have loved it to be longer and sometimes more detailed. I would have loved to have learned more about certain times in Mr Chips’ life but sadly it was not to be and I was left to imagine instead.

I loved this book and will happily read it again and again. It gives you a perfect little snippet of England between the World Wars and the time before WWI. I happily give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

James Hilton (1900–1954) was a bestselling English novelist and Academy Award–winning screenwriter. After attending Cambridge University, Hilton worked as a journalist until the success of his novels Lost Horizon (1933) and Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1934) launched his career as a celebrated author. Hilton’s writing is known for its depiction of English life between the two world wars, its celebration of English character, and its honest portrayal of life in the early twentieth century.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Puss in Books by Paul Magrs (Review #44)

Puss in Books: Our best-loved writers on their best-loved cats by Paul Magrs

Blurb

A charming collection of quotes about cats from our favourite authors, accompanied by artwork in the trademark style of Paul Magrs (author of The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy ). ‘I love them, they are so nice and selfish’ – L.M. Montgomery This collection of quotes from the literary greats explores just why cats have fascinated, mesmerised and often infuriated writers for centuries. Celebrating the mystery of these daydreaming, snarky, selfish, watchful, contemplative and changeable creatures, Puss in Books helps cat and book lovers to understand these beings who have intrigued great thinkers and writers since the dawn of time. Quotes ‘Time spent with a cat is never wasted’ – Colette ‘Those who play with cats must expect to get scratched’ – Miguel de Cervantes ‘If cats could write history, their history would be mostly about cats’ – Eugen Weber

Review

I will be honest when I bought this book I thought it was going to be more about particular writers and their cats but instead it is just quotes from writers about cats. Each quote is accompanied by a lovely picture of a cat which has been drawn by Magrs.

This little book only took me 20 minutes to read because it is mainly cat pictures and not much to read but it is a book that I will happily go back to especially if I need a cat related quote.

The highlight for me with this book was the beautiful drawings of cats and I loved seeing how Magrs has captured each cat’s character. The quotes were also well chosen.

The thing that let the book down for me and this entirely down to my preferences was that I didn’t like the font that the quotes were written in. I know it is handwriting but I found it hard to read and the quote that was upside down really annoyed me. I suspect the upside down quote was to represent the nature of cats but when you are trying to read a book it is rather annoying to suddenly have to turn the book upside down.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and will happily read it again. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Paul Magrs (1969) is an English writer and lecturer who owns two cats called Fester and Bernard and lives in Manchester.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

A Stroke of the Pen by Terry Pratchett (Review #43)

A Stroke of the Pen by Terry Pratchett

Blurb

Twenty early short stories by one of the world’s best loved authors, each accompanied by exquisite original woodcut illustrations.

These are rediscovered tales that Pratchett wrote under a pseudonym for newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. Whilst none are set in the Discworld, they hint towards the world he would go on to create, containing all of his trademark wit, satirical wisdom and fantastic imagination.

Meet Og the inventor, the first caveman to cultivate fire, as he discovers the highs and lows of progress; haunt the Ministry of Nuisances with the defiant evicted ghosts of Pilgarlic Towers; visit Blackbury, a small market town with weird weather and an otherworldly visitor; and go on a dangerous quest through time and space with hero Kron, which begins in the ancient city of Morpork…

Review

I was so excited to read this book and it went immediately to the top of my TBR pile when it arrived. I couldn’t wait to read the words of one of my all time favourite authors again and I was not disappointed.

In all honesty I could have happily read this book in one sitting but sadly these things called work and tiredness rather got in the way. However, it didn’t take me too long to fly through the book and it made a lovely distraction from work.

I know these stories are some of Pratchett’s early work which was written under a pseudonym but as soon as I started reading them I recognised Pratchett’s voice and excellent sense of humour. Each story was excellently written and had me laughing out loud.

The Christmas themed stories had me longing for snow and Christmassy scenes. In fact I might reread the Christmas stories closer to Christmas to get me into the spirit of Christmas. My particular favourites of the Christmas stories were ‘A Partridge in a Post Box’ and ‘How Good King Wenceslas Went Pop for the DJ’s Feast of Stephen’. I loved how Pratchett had used the popular Christmas Carol as part of the story. I found myself trying to sing the story to the words. ‘How Scrooge Saw the Spectral Light (Ho! Ho! Ho!) And Went Happily Back to Humbug’ I also found incredibly clever and a really interesting take on the traditional Christmas story from Dickens because what exactly did happen all those years later once the spirits had left Scrooge alone?

I enjoyed so many of the stories in this book and definitely didn’t find a story that I didn’t like. I loved seeing the beginnings of the Discworld series and Pratchett’s characters and writing style take shape. What I also found fascinating was the story of how this book came about. If it wasn’t for the patience and perseverance of Pat and Jan Harkin we might never have had this wonderful book of short stories.

This book was a joy to read and one I will happily dip into again and again. I give this book 5 out 5 Dragons and it has to be one of my favourite reads for 2023.

🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English humorist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels, especially comical works. He is best known for his Discworld series of 41 novels.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (Review #42)

Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

Blurb

Ruth’s old friend Dan Golding dies in a house fire. But before he died Dan wrote to Ruth telling her that he had made a ground-breaking archaeological discovery. Could this find be linked to his death and who are the sinister neo-Nazi group who were threatening Dan? Ruth makes the trip to Blackpool to investigate, wary of encroaching on DCI Harry Nelson’s home ground. Soon Ruth is embroiled in a mystery that involves the Pendle Witches, King Arthur and – scariest of all – Nelson’s mother.

There are forces at work in the town that that threaten all that Ruth holds dear. But, in the final showdown on Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it is Cathbad who faces the greatest danger of all.

Review

At the end of September I needed a comfort read and this usually means I pick up a Dr Ruth Galloway book. I still haven’t read all the books from the series but I am almost there.

I will be honest I did get a little bit annoyed with Ruth in this book. I thought her reaction to visiting Judy and the new born baby rather selfish and considering she was a mother and has been in Judy’s position she wasn’t very understanding. She is also constantly so down on herself which I think is sad because she is clearly a wonderful woman who has a lot to live for.

The thing I loved about this book was that we learn more about the characters we have come to love. We learn more about Nelson’s mom and sisters and the arguments they have and find fun. We learn more about Cathbad’s childhood in Ireland and his mother and grandmother. We also learn about Michelle’s mother and Nelson’s relationship with his mother-in-law. I honestly couldn’t get enough of the background information that was packed in this book. It really made me understand and appreciate the characters more.

Dan’s discovery that Ruth goes to investigate is fascinating and I found it really intriguing. As per usual the archaeological side and history and myth side were bang on and Griffiths had clearly done her research. I really wanted to know more about the discovery and I hope it might be mentioned more in the next book.

This book is packed full of events, we have arson, suicide, murder, kidnapping and more. The book is non stop and it was really interesting to have it mainly set in Blackpool rather than Norfolk. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Elly Griffiths was born in London and began her career in publishing, she then turned to writing full time. In 2016 she won the CWA Dagger in the Library for her work. Griffiths lives in Brighton with her family.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse (Review #41)

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse

Blurb

Carcassonne 1562: Nineteen-year-old Minou Joubert receives an anonymous letter at her father’s bookshop. Sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE. But before Minou can decipher the mysterious message, a chance encounter with a young Huguenot convert, Piet Reydon, changes her destiny forever. For Piet has a dangerous mission of his own, and he will need Minou’s help if he is to get out of La Cité alive. Toulouse: As the religious divide deepens in the Midi, and old friends become enemies, Minou and Piet both find themselves trapped in Toulouse, facing new dangers as sectarian tensions ignite across the city, the battle-lines are drawn in blood and the conspiracy darkens further. Meanwhile, as a long-hidden document threatens to resurface, the mistress of Puivert is obsessed with uncovering its secret and strengthening her power.

Review

This book was a holiday read for me so the review is rather late. Hopefully, I am starting to catch up with them now though. I really like Kate Mosse’s work so I was very excited to start reading this series.

I was really excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. The only problem I had with the book was I found the narrative a little bitty and at times this made the book drag. It didn’t feel like Kate Mosse’s usual flow of narrative.

This historical fiction novel was packed with adventure, mystery, conflict and some romance. Mosse takes us back to France’s Wars on religion the fighting between the Catholic Church and the Huguenots. The story is set in Languedoc in 1562, in Carcassonne. Minou Joubert is the main character of this book and when she receives an anonymous letter saying ‘She knows that you live’ her life is about to be turned upside down.

When Minou meets a Huguenot convert called Piet Reydon who needs her help to leave La Cite they find themselves drawn to each other in the most dangerous of circumstances. The story then begins to pick up pace and we are shown how family secrets can be hard to bear and the consequences of secrets.

As well as Minou’s story we also have the battle between the Catholics and Huguenot’s going on. Neighbour turns on neighbour and lives of innocents are caught in the middle. The story is fast paced and sets the scene for the time and location beautifully. I really enjoyed this book and the only thing that let it down was the bitty narrative. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones | WH Smith

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.

Etsy

If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to make a donation I would be very grateful. Thank you

Kings and Queens by Tony Robinson (Review #40)

Kings and Queens by Tony Robinson

Blurb

The good, the bad and the mad – a lively text, accurate but full of fascinating detail and fun coupled with the outstanding innovative illustrations from some of the country’s most inventive illustrators. Kings and Queens have always provided their subjects with a great deal to talk about. But how much do we really know about them? For instance, who became king when he was only nine months old? Which king invented the handkerchief? Which king died on the toilet? And who is England’s longest reigning monarch?In this fascinating and witty look at kings and queens of England, Tony Robinson provides all the answers to these questions and many, many more.

Review

This book has been sat in a bag waiting to be read for quite a while and as I was having a particularly bad week I thought it looked like a book that would make me laugh and bring a smile to my face. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.

Robinson’s brief history of the monarchy starts right at the beginning and goes all the way through to Elizabeth II and it is accompanied by some fun illustrations as well. The other thing I really enjoyed is the little facts you also get of what else was happening in history during certain kings’ and queens’ reigns. For example, when the sandwich was invented and when afternoon tea became popular. There were also serious facts such as when America was discovered and when the slave trade was abolished. I really enjoyed the mix of serious and fun facts though.

This mix of serious and fun facts was also included in the history of the monarchs. We get the serious facts and the bizarre facts which I have never come across. I know this book is aimed more at older children/teenagers but I think it was a joy to read and a great little resource to dip into when trying to remember which one of the Henry’s did what. There were a lot of kings named Henry!

You all know I have an obsession with the Tudor period but by reading this book I have discovered several monarchs I would love to learn more about and so I think this book has fuelled some further reading. Due to the nature of the book giving brief and interesting biographies of each monarch it means it can fuel you a hunger to know more and so further your love of history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I must be honest it did come across that perhaps Robinson is not a fan of the modern day monarchy. Although he has since stated that he is now a monarchist after seeing Elizabeth II’s dedicated service. I think this is a great little book for children and adults and give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

🐲🐲🐲🐲

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Sir Tony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, amateur historian, TV presenter, author and political activist. He is known for playing “Baldrick” in the BBC television series Blackadder and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History.