Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Review)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Blurb

When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Review

I had this book preordered from the day it was first announced and I was so excited for it to arrive. Thankfully my waiting was rewarded with an absolutely amazing read. It was so good to be back in the world of Panem.

This book answered all my questions regarding Haymitch. Haymitch was always a favourite of mine in the Hunger Games books and I always wanted to know about his story. In this book we find Haymitch as a teenager who is just hoping to survive the day of reaping and then spend the rest of the day with his girlfriend Lenore. However, things don’t go according to plan and Haymitch finds himself shipped off to the Capitol with 3 other tributes from District 12.

Haymitch soon realises that District 12 is set up to fail but a part of him decides to fight the odds. I loved the story being told from Haymitch’s point of view and found him quite different from Katniss. Haymitch is very quiet, he watches and plans, he weighs up his options. Katniss was very in your face rebellion and didn’t always see everything that was going on but Haymitch notices everything.

I adored the District 12 tributes but my favourite after Haymitch was Maysilee. She was so badass but was never rude. She was very stuck up but she was determined that people would see District 12 tributes as refined and not the animals people from the Capitol thought they were. She even ate sandwiches with a knife and fork! Maysilee was determined to rebel but in her own unique way.

I also loved meeting younger versions of the characters I came to love in the Hunger Games books. Mags was brilliant and the kindness and care she showed Haymitch was exactly what I expected after meeting her in Catching Fire.

I loved this book and it has made me want to reread all the books again as it has been a few years since I read them. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Suzanne Collins (born August 10, 1962) is an American television writer and author. She is known as the author of The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games trilogy.

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Void by Veronica Roth (Review)

Void by Veronica Roth

Blurb

An intergalactic luxury cruise to a distant port is a world unto itself in this piercing short mystery by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth. Traveling faster than light, the transport ship Redundancy is cut off from communication as effectively as an ancient ocean liner. The isolation suits crew member Ace Vance just fine—she’s got nowhere else to be. But when a wealthy passenger turns up dead during a routine voyage, Ace will have to connect with the passengers and crew to uncover the truth. Tragedy will strike again—it’s only a matter of time. Veronica Roth’s Void is part of The Far Reaches, a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Review

Wow, Veronica Roth can write a short story!

This is the second book in the Far Reaches series and a far better story than the first in my opinion. I really struggle with short stories because quite often an excellent writer struggles with producing a good short story but this was not the case with Roth. This was an amazing murder mystery set in space. Instead of a locked room mystery it is a ship in space with no communication with anyone else.

A lot of the workers on the Redundancy are there to forget something and because of how time works eventually the people they knew on their home planet are long dead whilst they are still young. This is just fine for Ace Vance and she likes her life working and living on board. However, when a murder happens on board there is nobody there to investigate so Ace takes it upon herself to solve the murder.

I was really impressed by the characters within this book. Usually in short stories you don’t get a sense of the characters but in this story you get a real idea of each character’s personae and how they work together as friends and colleagues. The other element I loved was the science included and how this linked in with the story so the ending all made sense.

I read this short story in one sitting and absolutely loved it. I will be definitely reading more Roth in the future as I now know she can write brilliant books and short stories. I give this story 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Veronica Roth is the New York Times best-selling author of Arch-Conspirator, Poster Girl, Chosen Ones, the short story collection The End and Other Beginnings, the Carve the Mark duology, and the Divergent series. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and dog.

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The Catch by T. M. Logan (Review)

The Catch by T. M. Logan

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

Ed is delighted to meet his twenty-three year old daughter’s fiancé for the first time. Ryan appears to be the perfect future son-in-law. There’s just one problem. There’s something off about Ryan. Something hidden in the shadows behind his eyes. And it seems that only Ed can see it.

Terrified that his daughter is being drawn in by a psychopath, Ed sets out to uncover her fiancé’s dark past – while keeping his own concealed. But no-one believes him. And the more he digs, the more he alienates her and the rest of the family who are convinced that Ryan is ‘the one’.

Ed knows different. For reasons of his own, he knows a monster when he sees one…

Review

This book had been sat on my TBR trolley for several years so I thought it was high time I read it.

I will be honest I found this book very frustrating and nearly gave up on more than one occasion. The first half of the book was just far too unbelievable for me as Ed’s obsession was ridiculous and very annoying. Ed alienated everyone around him and basically destroyed his own life all because of a hunch and no real evidence. I began to really dislike Ed’s character and I was relieved when the narrative was taken over by Ryan.

The other characters weren’t great either and really lacked substance. I would have loved to have learned more about Abbie but all her character showed was that she was a teacher, loved cats and was blind to all else other than Ryan. Claire had a little bit more about her but the part at the end where she found Abbie was also verging on the unbelievable.

Ryan was probably the most interesting character in the book and to be honest I would have actually liked to have learned more about his past. However, my favourite character in the whole book was most definitely the cat!

All in all The Catch lured me in with its interesting blurb but the actual story was just completely lacking and the only reason I kept reading was because I find it impossible to DNF a book. I give this book 2 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Tim was born in Berkshire and studied in London and Cardiff before becoming a national newspaper journalist. He lives in Nottinghamshire with his wife and two children, and writes in a cabin in the corner of his garden.

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How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey (Review)

How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey

Blurb

Roy Court and his crew are taking the trip of a lifetime—several lifetimes in fact—duplicated and dispatched across the galaxies searching for Earthlike planets. Many possibilities for the future. Yet for Roy, no matter how many of him there are, there’s still just one painful, unchangeable past. In what world can a broken relationship be reborn? The universe is so vast, there’s always room for hope.

Review

I love James S. A. Corey books so I was really excited to read a short story and so I downloaded the full Far Reaches collection onto my Kindle.

I struggled with this short story and found it hard to get into. In fact I did abandon it for a few months so when I picked it back up I read it from the beginning again. I enjoyed the concept of the story and really thought more could have been done with the story but I felt that too much was being crammed into a short space and this led to it feeling rather confused at times. I would have also liked more things explained which I think would have also helped me with the storyline.

I couldn’t help but root for Roy and really hoped that at least one version of him found happiness in love. However, I would have loved to have learnt more about his fellow crew mates.

This short story had so much potential but I just felt like it missed the mark for me and it didn’t feel like a typical James S. A. Corey story. I really wanted more from the story but just felt disappointed. I give this short story 3 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

James S. A. Corey is the pen name of fantasy author Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, George R. R. Martin’s assistant. They both live Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie (Review)

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

Bookshop.org | Harper Collins | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

A healthy young man dies in his sleep, despite the ringing of eight separate alarm clocks… Gerry Wade had proved himself to be a champion sleeper; so the other house guests decided to play a practical joke on him. Eight alarm clocks were set to go off, one after the other, starting at 6.30 a.m. But when morning arrived, one clock was missing and the prank had backfired with tragic consequences. For Jimmy Thesiger in particular, the words ‘Seven Dials’ were to take on a new and chilling significance…

Review

This is my next book in my Agatha Christie challenge and it did not disappoint as I do love a Superintendent Battle mystery.

Superintendent Battle isn’t really the main character in the books that he features in and it is more the delightful Bundle. Battle was in this book and he always seemed to be in just the right place at just the right time and although he appeared a clumsy country policeman with no clue what is going on that is all a front because actually he is shrewd, sharp and very clever. He lulls the enemy into a false sense of security.

However, Bundle is my absolute favourite character in this book, closely followed by her father, Lord Caterham. Bundle is a super fast driver with no fear behind the wheel or in life. She is definitely a character who takes life by the horns and isn’t even phased by sleeping in the same bed which a man died in literally a few days before. She also loves a mystery and soon starts to investigate what is going on following the death of Gerry Wade.

The other character I loved was Lady Coote. There was a very melancholy air about Lady Coote. She longed for a simpler life, a life before her husband made millions. She was quiet and often came across as socially clumsy and awkward but really she was very good at managing her husband and winning at bridge. She was a very cleverly written character who really added to the story.

I loved how this mystery developed and how it built up and I loved Christie’s little subtle digs at the ridiculous in the aristocracy and new money in the 1920’s. The comedy in this book was also brilliant and I couldn’t help laughing out loud whilst reading this book. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections. She also wrote the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap. She also wrote 6 novels under the name Mary Westmacott.

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Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll (Review)

Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

Quiet and reserved, Clemmie is happy in the background. But although her parents may overlook her talents, her ability to read hieroglyphs makes her invaluable at the Egyptian relic parties which have made her father the toast of Victorian society.

But at one such party, the words Clemmie interprets from an unusual amulet strike fear into her heart. The beautiful and dangerous glyphs she holds in her hands will change her life forever.

Five years later, Clemmie arrives in Egypt on a mission to save what remains of her family. The childhood game she used to play about the immortal sisters, Isis and Nephthys, has taken on a devastating resonance and it is only by following Nephthys’ story that she can undo the mistakes of the past. On her journey up the Nile she will meet unexpected allies and enemies and, along with long-buried secrets and betrayals, Clemmie will be forced to step into the light.

Review

I was really excited to read this book and had it preordered for quite a while and I read it almost as soon as it arrived in my parcel box which is unusual for me.

I will be honest I did not gel well with this book. I really tried and there were parts that I enjoyed but I did struggle with the writing style and some of the characters. One of the elements I did enjoy was that the main character Clemmie was an asthmatic. As a fellow asthmatic I found it really interesting to see how asthma was treated in the Victorian period. It really made me realise how dangerous asthma was in that period as there really wasn’t any drugs to help if they had a bad attack.

The other element I loved was the descriptions of Egypt and how the Victorians visited the different locations. I also enjoyed the snippets of Egyptian myths that were included in the book and I would have loved to have had more of those and the descriptions of Egypt. The showing of how Egypt was plundered by tourists and so much history was either destroyed or taken was also good to see that it wasn’t covered up or skipped over but was made part of the story.

I did struggle with how much this book jumped around at times from the present to past and sometimes to dreams. I just felt like it detracted from the storyline and I found it slowed the pacing down quite a bit. I also struggled with Clemmie. Clemmie was a very frustrating character to me. At times she was just too naive and childish and although I know the Victorians were very superstitious Clemmie was broaching on the ridiculous.

This was a take it or leave it book for me, I did enjoy the scenes set in Egypt but I found the flashbacks all too frequent and I just wanted the story to get a move on and back to Egypt. I give this book 3 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Rachel Louise Driscoll won the Curtis Brown Creative scholarship in 2020. Originally from the South West of England, she lives in the North East with her husband and cat, Cleopatra. Nephthys is her debut novel. She was inspired to write Clemmie’s story by an experience she had at a local museum as a child where she was allowed to hold a mummified ancient Egyptian cat. Enjoying the hours of avid research required, Rachel even wrote some of the book wearing a corset in order to capture Clemmie’s experience more accurately!

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The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Review)

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

Blurb

1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times.

So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination.

But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart.

Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.

Review

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favourite authors and I fully plan on reading all her books so I was quite excited to read this book which I bought at Christmas. I was not disappointed.

The first thing that struck me about this book was just how clever it was. It doesn’t just tell one woman’s story it tells three and they are very different from each other. Vera is an unknown Mexican who is cast as the lead in a Hollywood film. The film is about Salome, the well known biblical figure from the Bible. The second woman is Nancy, who has only ever had bit parts and will do anything to get that lead role she dreams about. The third woman is Salome, that legendary woman from the Bible whose dance set in motion certain events.

I loved the setting of this book and found 1950’s Hollywood fascinating. How it all worked on the set of film, the way to publicise a film through socialising and being seen at certain events, right down to where they had lunch with other actors and writers. These scenes were so well written and well researched that it really helped me see what it was like, the glamorous parts and the not so glamorous.

The character I really did not like in this book was Nancy. Nancy was one of these characters who was convinced that she was cheated by everyone and that she should have the best of everything and yet she wouldn’t work for anything and was horrible to people. She was jealous and vindictive and I really didn’t like the parts of the book where she featured.

Vera was my favourite character and one that I felt very protective over. She had always been overshadowed by her sister, she even knew she wasn’t her mother’s favourite child and her mother regularly compared her to her sister. Vera was innocent and polite and kindness itself. She wanted to help everyone and be friends with everyone and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how Salome was portrayed. I could not put this book down and it very nearly made the 5 Dragons but I just could not get on with the character of Nancy and her storyline. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

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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.

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The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (Review)

The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

Blurb

Ali Dawson and her cold case team investigate crimes so old they’re frozen—or so their inside joke goes. Ali’s work seems like a safe desk job, but what her friends—and even her beloved son—don’t know is that her team has a secret: They can travel back in time to look for evidence.

So far Ali has made trips only to the recent past, so she’s surprised when she’s asked to investigate a murder that took place in 1850. The killing has been pinned on an aristocratic patron of the arts and antiquities, a member of a sinister group called “The Collectors.” She arrives in the Victorian era during a mini ice age to find another dead woman at her feet and far too many unanswered questions. But when her son is arrested, Ali attempts to return home only to find herself trapped in 1850.

Review

I’ve only ever read one book by Elly Griffiths that wasn’t a Ruth Galloway book so I was very excited to read something very different from Griffiths. This book was definitely something different and not what I was expecting at all.

This book revolves around the character Ali Dawson who is part of a cold case team who investigates old cases and these cases can be very old. However, there is something quite different from the way this team solves the crimes. This team uses time travel to look for evidence and this leads to Ali going further back in time than she has ever been before. Ali finds herself investigating a murder whilst stuck in 1850.

I loved the character of Ali as she is a strong independent woman who has fought the odds to better herself. Oh and she is also a cat owner. Ali worked cleaning jobs to provide for her son and at the same time she gained a degree in history. She then got a job with the police and she worked her way up the ladder. Ali works every problem she is faced with methodically and nothing seems to phase her. Whilst Ali is stuck in 1850 there is also a murder mystery happening in the present day which involves Ali’s adult son.

I really enjoyed this book and I would love to learn more about Ali’s team. John is a true gentleman who we do get to see more of and you can’t help but root for. Once I got over how different this book is from Griffiths’ usual work I thoroughly enjoyed it and found the concept fascinating. There were also some big questions left that I would love to get answers for so I really hope there will be a second book. The narrative of this book was quite busy and there was a lot going on. I will be honest and say that I actually enjoyed the Victorian sections more than the present day and preferred the Victorian characters. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly’s husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece’s head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.

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Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë (Review)

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

Blurb

Drawing heavily from personal experience, Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey in an effort to represent the many 19th Century women who worked as governesses and suffered daily abuse as a result of their position.

Having lost the family savings on risky investments, Richard Grey removes himself from family life and suffers a bout of depression. Feeling helpless and frustrated, his youngest daughter, Agnes, applies for a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy, upper-class, English family.

Ecstatic at the thought that she has finally gained control and freedom over her own life, Agnes arrives at the Bloomfield mansion armed with confidence and purpose. The cruelty with which the family treat her however, slowly but surely strips the heroine of all dignity and belief in humanity.

A tale of female bravery in the face of isolation and subjugation, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece claimed by Irish writer, George Moore, to be possessed of all the qualities and style of a Jane Austen title. Its simple prosaic style propels the narrative forward in a gentle yet rhythmic manner which continuously leaves the listener wanting to know more.

Review

This year I am determined to read more of my favourite books and I started this off by reading, for the third time, Agnes Grey which is by my favourite Brontë sister. I love all the Brontë sisters but Anne’s books are my all time favourites.

Agnes Grey is based on Anne’s own experiences as a governess and Agnes’ loving home I imagine is also based on Anne’s home life. Agnes is the youngest child of Richard Grey and because she is the youngest she has always been treated as the baby of the family and like a child. When her family’s fortunes change Agnes wants to be able to work to help the finances but she has to persuade her family that she is an adult and capable of being a governess.

The book focuses on Agnes’ adventures as a governess and she does face many challenges in her job. Her fist job is positively harrowing to watch and you can’t help but feel frustrated and sorry for Agnes. She has no support from the parents of her charges and no way of disciplining the children as the parents will not allow any form of reprimanding. The scene with the bird’s nest I always find the worst when reading this book and apparently it is exactly what happened when Anne Brontë was a governess.

Agnes’ time as a governess for a new family is slightly better but her charges, although older, still cause Agnes problems and heart ache. However, her times with this family aren’t all bad and she does form some friendships.

This book shows us what life could be like for the governess in the 1800’s. The rich families could treat their governesses how they liked. Agnes hoped for a kind family but instead she faced cruelty and humiliation which beat her down and stripped away her innocence. Governesses were always in a limbo; they weren’t servants so they rarely made friends with the servants and they weren’t family so their lives could be very lonely. This book is beautifully written and always makes me think. I will definitely read this book again and give it 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Harper Collins | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Anne Brontë was an English novelist and poet, the youngest member of the Brontë literary family. Anne’s two novels, written in a sharp and ironic style, are completely different from the romanticism followed by her sisters, Emily Brontë and Charlotte Brontë. She wrote in a realistic, rather than a romantic style. Mainly because the re-publication of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was prevented by Charlotte Brontë after Anne’s death, she is less known than her sisters. However, her novels, like those of her sisters, have become classics of English literature.

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Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir (Review)

Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir

Blurb

Adored only child of King Henry VIII and his first wife Katherine of Aragon, young Princess Mary grows up as the sole heiress to the English throne. But her father wants a son, and soon Mary’s world begins to fall apart.

With her parents’ marriage – and England – in crisis, Mary is banished from the court and kept apart from the mother she adores. The King promises to restore his daughter to favour, but first Mary must do something for which she will never forgive herself.

She seeks solace in her faith. But when her brother Edward VI dies, she finds herself fighting for the crown – and for her life. Emerging triumphant, all seems fair for the reign of Queen Mary. And then, very quickly, things began to go badly wrong…

Review

As you probably know if you have followed my blog for any length of time, Alison Weir is one of my favourite authors. Mary I has never really been one of my favourite monarchs from history but I was excited to read this book by Weir.

I have always found it difficult to feel any sympathy for Mary and this book was no exception. However, this book did highlight for me that Mary did not have an easy life. Her childhood started as perfect, loving parents and everything at her feet. However, that soon changed and she was separated from her parents and her life was thrust into turmoil. From that moment her life was not easy and even when she became queen her life did not go as she would have liked.

Mary could have done so much as Queen. Weir sets the scene of an England in chaos, the economy is a mess, her loyal subjects who always showed her such love are suffering and yet she does very little to help them. She is pushed around by her council and makes bad decisions, her husband doesn’t really help her and acts like a spoilt child when he can’t get his way and uses blackmail on Mary to try and get his own way. Then to top it off Mary orders cruel punishments for the heretics and orders people to be burned at the stake. Her people soon found it hard to still love her.

This book is as always brilliantly written and thoroughly well researched. Although the book is historical fiction it is based on historical evidence and well known facts from that time. The only thing that kept Mary going through her life was her fierce belief in God and the Catholic faith. I have always found the nickname ‘Bloody Mary’ quite apt for Mary I but after reading this book I fully agree with Weir’s choice of ‘Queen of Sorrows’. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Waterstones | WH Smith

About the author

Alison Weir was born in 1951 and is a British writer of history books, and latterly historical novels, mostly in the form of biographies about British Royalty.