Review: Almodis the peaceweaver - Tracey Warr

“I could work as a peasant in a field and live in a small hut built into the side of the mountain.  I could hunt my own food, write a book of my life, but I would never see my children or my sister again. I don’t care about clothes and jewels and castles but I would miss my books.”

Synopsis:

After generations of fighting amongst the ruling families of 11th century Occitania, the marriage of Almodis, daughter of the Count of La Marche, to Hugh of Lusignan is intended to bring peace and harmony to the region. Youg Almodis, raised by her grandfather among troubadours, trobairitz (female troubadours, imagine that, books and poetry, of course expects much more, especially that her betrothed is handsome, young an amiable. Unfortunately he is also overly religious, almost to the point of complete zealotry. He would be a great monk. Instead, he has to produce heirs with his inexperienced but far more practical bride. As you can imagine the union does’t work; that’s why, after the birth of twin boys and a daughter (don’t even ask me how it was possible at all, you must find out on your own), their marriage is repudiated. Almodis is still resolved to create her own dynasty. She marries for the second time, choosing a far more important and more powerful man, Pons the Count of Toulouse.

Pons is old, ugly and lascivious. His young wife suffers greatly from his attentions but, as an ambitious princess, she gives him several children. When that grisly task is over she doesn’t want to even look at Pons any longer. It makes the Count very angry. He wants to imprison Almodis in a covent ( or rather literally brick her in an anchorite cell there so she knows who rules the roost). She barely escapes and marries for the third time. Her third husband, Ramon of Barcelona, seems to have it all (finally you might add): he is handsome, he’s been in love with Almodis for ages and he has political ambitions well-suited for such a lady. However, his grandmother Dowager Countess of Barcelona is against that marriage as, in her opinion, a marriage of inclination is strongly condemned in Catalonia. Will Almodis finally find her place and happiness she deserves?

What I liked:

The story of Almodis was written with a detailed care concerning history and our knowledge of that era. The main heroine was a woman who would deserve more than one novel. She was the ‘peaceweaver’ but also a passionate, intelligent woman who had to fight for her right to be happy, a living proof that life of a princess could be as difficult (if not much more difficult) than a life of a simple peasant woman. I really appreciated the fact that the author didn’t condone that simple truth, showing even in the very first scene how ugly things could turn out if a princess had forgotten herself.

After all her life was full of interesting ups and downs; what’s more, she was the mother of Raymond of Toulouse, a famous crusader and a great lord. The author  informs us that both Martin Aurell (1995) and Jacques Le Goff (1980) have suggested that Almodis was the canvas for the Roman of Melusine, which was associated with the castle of Lusignan (check out that Melusine if you haven’t heard about her yet!) . 

What I didn’t like:

The narration is divided into several points of view and I found it a bit misleading, sometimes really awkward, especially that all the narrative voices of those different people  seemed to be very similar to the voice of Almodis herself…they were simply not distinguishable enough to add to the story. I would rather the whole novel was written in the first person.

My other reservation concerns the plot. It isn’t  one smooth continuum of a narration but it seems to consist of episodes. Things tend to be told, not shown and overall the whole pacing is rather surprising, with events running too quickly (or at least such was my impression) - in one chapter Almodis is married, in the second she already has three children with Hugh, then they annul their marriage, she is married to Pons, bear him children…a real whirlwind! It is closer to a chronicle than a novel.

I know basically she had five babies in three years, poor woman, with more to come, but it really sounded a bit like she just jumped from one marriage to the next, spouting children all along, without thinking or pondering over her situation.

Finally I found such an exchange in the text:

“‘We can’t push her to it, Dia, she’d only resist,’ I say, when she’s gone out riding. ‘You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.”

When I read it I gasped. Oh really? So it is, according to the author, a proverb which was known in the 11th century Occitania? Well, I found a different etymology of that one: according to this site http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water.html

[This saying] was recorded as early as 1175 in Old English Homilies:

Hwa is thet mei thet hors wettrien the him self nule drinken 

[who can give water to the horse that will not drink of its own accord?] and is considered the oldest English proverb (emphasis mine).

Final verdict:

The narrative glitches spoiled this book for me a bit but if I find another novel about Almodis I will read it for sure! She was one hell of a princess!

Review: The Shadowed Path - Simon Stone

Book 1 of the Archwood Chronicles

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: Ebook (130.000 words)

Published: September 2011

Source: For review

Review by Anachronist

Synopsis (partially from Goodreads):
 In the west the ancient empire of Prast crumbles, remaining strongly of the late Roman Empire. To the east an upstart nation of sun worshipers spread their heathen ways, swallowing up city-states and small kingdoms as they tread ever closer to Prast’s borders. War is inevitable. And yet, war is as nothing compared to the greatest danger.

Prast is inhabited by humans and inhumani. Inhumani have bone white hair and black eyes, differing from normal people and allegedly they are physically unable to harm normal people. They are slaves and gifts from gods. It’s been so for several thousands of years. They can defend themselves only against Shadowland’s beasts not against humans. If they kill a human they get Bloodguilt and go crazy. It’s been always like that but now the time for change has come and nobody is expecting it. Almost nobody.

A merchant called Tyacles with a young man, Markus Aklaes, and a caravan in tow get lost while crossing Shadowlands. A band of strange inhumani saves their lives but then, as soon as they find out the merchants have been tricked into employing normal humans dressed as Darkbloods, they kill some of the humans, apparently not having any problems with it. Shocked Tyacles and Markus run into the jungle of Shadowlands to save their life. They manage to survive and return home but only after some years. They are happy to be alive but it is not the end of bad news. Markus’s father is dead and his fortune and his second wife -gone. Shadowlands are spreading. Nobody cares.

Only one man carries the key to stopping the Shadowland’s progress. A man battered and scarred from his years alone in its deadly grasp. His name is Parellio, he used to be one of the greatest Darkblood warriors and now he is mad because he killed humans. To get back into the track he must first make a friend of his greatest enemy…and then he must enter the Shadowland again. 

What I liked:

An interesting mixture of the culture of ancient Rome (very prominent), that of Latin America Aztecs (definitely less detailed) and pure fantasy made this world a joy to discover.

Markus’s plight earned my sympathy and after Sheena/Jinx entered the scene things became really interesting -  enough to draw me into the whole narration. I like characters who have to carve a place for themselves, who bear a grudge, are tightly-wound and motivated. What’s more Sheena starts to suffer from a form of schizophrenia, no matter whether drug-induced or shock-induced or both but very logical and understandable after everything she’d been through. It makes her an interesting heroine, far from flawless but great to read about.

I also liked Parellio Redhand and his Darkblood kin, so skilled and intelligent yet so helpless when facing their masters. I wanted them to stand on their own so much. Soft-hearted, that’s me. ;)

What I didn’t like:

In short editing. At the beginning it was difficult to get into the book because the author changed POVs too many times and too quickly; too many new names and places swirling around made me confused. Overall I had an impression that the plot was sometimes almost overflowing as if the author tried to cram too much info into every chapter. When I come to think of it, there’s enough plot material for not one but two installments – first could e.g. present the whole four-year period of Marcus adventures in the Shadowland, only glossed over,  and the second would be about his return to Prast and the rest of the story. I don’t doubt a good editor would suggest such a division and the novel would benefit from it.

What’s more the author keeps adding new characters almost to the very end, when the only thing you would like is to follow the progress of Markus, Sheena and Lokan, Markus’s trusted friend. I don’t know if it is true for everybody but in my case such a narrative style causes additional confusion, making me want to skim the text or even dump the book. Finally there is a cliffhanger at the end because it is just the first book in the Archwood Chronicles. I hate cliffies.

Final verdict:

It was a good story. It could have been brilliant if the author had been given a piece of advice  or two from a professional editor. I wish Mr. Stone all the luck of finding such an editor in the future – his next books certainly deserve it.

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Let me introduce you all to my new guest reviewer Anachronist! *applauds* I hunted her down and begged her to review books for me ;)

She has her own blog, Books as Portable pieces of Thoughts and you will see her around now and then. She had sent me a bio, that I can't find, oh the evilness of modern inboxes. So I can just say what I want ;) She is funny, she is brutally honest, she writes these smart essays on her blog that are just excellent. She does not read a lot of romance, she often call the books I read fluffy and pink, but I am sure we all can tempt her to read more (she already read some, and should read more mowuahahahaha). And best of all, her reviews always make me smile (but I love the negative ones ;)

Review: Odessa - Rebecca Ryals Russell

Series: The Serphym Wars #1
Genre: Steampunk/fantasy
Pages: 272, ebook
Published: 2011
Source: for review
Review by Lis

Myrna Ashlin Watts graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Fl just in time to find herself transported to a bizarre and primal planet corrupted by demon-dragons. And they want her DEAD. Her problem is she has been recruited to kill them, too.18-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from a rape two years earlier, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets Michael, who becomes her guide and explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island.

Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil?

High school graduation is supposed to be the end of a period and the start of a new one. Well, Myrna’s is just a tad bit more unusual than most. She just graduated high school in Jacksonville only the find herself on the bizarre, steam-punk like primal planet of Dracworld. 

Oh yeah, did I mention there are dragons? Oh and Seraphyms. 

When I first got this book to review, I didn’t read past Steam Punk before I said yes. Heh, I may have mentioned I like Steam Punk before, right? While this book certainly didn’t disappoint, it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea either. 

Odessa is an ambitious piece of work that has a little bit of everything in it: from Steam Punk to Fantasy, from Religion to Romance. And some hunks! It is the story of sweet, strong Myrna; who, along with some demon dragons, has her own inner demons to slay. When she is transported to Dracworld, fate bitchslaps her with a great big destiny and a bit of prophecy: she is to find the remaining six Vigorios – that would be teen warriors with special talents – and train with them on an enchanted island (I want one of those!)

Fantasy is a big theme in Odessa and as such there is a lot of world building. You get to see the planet through Myrna’s eyes as well as a lot of history. Let me tell you, it’s a dark, disturbing and violent place to be. There are also a lot of creatures in this story and along with the characters they make this story pretty interesting. However, at points it was hard to follow. Not so much as in what was going on, just that there is a lot going on. 

As there are a lot of characters, besides Myrna, it was sometimes a bit hard to keep track of who’s who and who was leading in the story. But that also could have been me, ‘cause I was pretty tired at the time I read this. 

Odessa is a likeable first installment. It’s a pretty ambitious project. However, what didn’t work for me – but let me stress that this is a personal hang-up – were the Christian undertones in the story. There are a lot of themes going on here and Christianity and other religions have played many a part in fantasy stories – but in this one it didn’t quite work for me. Steam Punk and Fantasy, yes, Steam Punk, Fantasy and Religion, not so much. Add to that the Seraphyms – who are becoming a big thing in the fantasy world – and well it had me rolling my eyes at time. 

But don’t let that pull you off. Myrna’s story is a good one to tell and to read. 

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From Blodeuedd:

My flash for this week

Review: Deal with the devil - J. Gunnar Grey + One for the money trailer

Book 1+ 2
Genre: Historical murder mystery
Pages: 286, ebook
Published: May and June 2011
Review by Anna

Wehrmacht Major Faust has a dangerous secret: he likes England. But it's May 1940 and his Panzers are blasting the British Army off Dunkirk's beach, so he keeps his mouth shut. When the Waffen SS try to murder their English prisoners of war, Faust helps the POWs escape. Now it's treason, with his neck on the line. Then a friend gets him drunk, straps him into a parachute, and throws him out over Oxford during a bombing run. He's quickly caught. Because he helped type the battle plan for the invasion of England, Faust cannot allow himself to be broken in interrogation. Two German armies depend on it. But every time he escapes, someone rapes and murders a woman and the English are looking for someone to hang. He's risking disaster if he stays, someone else's life if he runs, and execution by the Gestapo if he makes it home. Major Stoner, professor turned British intelligence officer, sees three possibilities. Faust perhaps was joyriding in that bomber, as he claims. Or he's on a reconnaissance mission for the German invasion. Or he's a spy. Stoner must break Faust to learn the truth. Their battlefield is confined to a desktop. Only one of them can win. Someone must break. Someone must make a Deal with the Devil.

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“Deal With the Devil” is a historical murder mystery, set during the World War II. Hans-Joachim Faust, a German, finds himself in trouble. He wakes up in the night, not knowing where he is and what’s happened. Soon he realizes that he has fallen out of a plane with his parachute and is currently somewhere in England. But why is he in England and how will he find the way back to Germany? He finds his way to a farm, but unfortunately he is pretty soon captured and brought into custody. What he doesn’t know is that a young woman from the farm is missing and he is obviously a suspect. 

Things only get worse for Faust when he learns that the missing girl is found dead. He is now a suspect in a murder case. And that’s not all. Stoner and the other investigators at Margeaux Hall also suspects he might be a spy. Faust does not do much to clear his name by running away several times from the people who is supposed to guard him. The freedom is short lived, as he always finds himself back at Margeaux Hall, back in his cell.

When the second young woman is found dead, the Scotland Yard joins to investigate. Could it be that Faust is innocent? Stoner certainly doesn’t think so. But Stoner might be wrong. Arnussen and Hackney from the Scotland Yard more and more starts to suspect that it is one of the investigators that is the killer. The question is whether Scotland Yard is on the right track or if they need to look somewhere else for the killer.

The book was released in two parts, with the second part being a bit shorter than the first part. The second part begins where the first part ends, with no summary. This means you have to read part 1 in order to understand what is going on in part 2. Personally I don’t really understand the need in separating the two parts. Why not release the story as one book?

J. Gunnar Grey writes novels that are mysterious, adventurous and romantically suspenseful, as stated in the “About the Author” section of the book. “Deal With the Devil” is certainly mysterious and adventurous, with a little bit of romance. She has a degree (MA) in Writing Popular Fiction. She has been a secretary, a legal assistant, a Starfleet lieutenant commander, a stable manager, among other things. She uses the knowledge she has gained from being all those things, in the book.

I liked the second part of the book better than the first part. It took me a while to get into the story and to understand it. The end is really full of action, which is quite good. I do recommend the book for those who like historical murder mysteries.

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And something from me. I love the Steph Plum books (and hate them for dragging out), and I am sure excited about  the movie

Review: We, Robots - Sue Lange

Genre: Sci-fi

Pages: 96 (ebook)

Published: 2010 (2007)

Source: For review

Review by Lis

Avey, a personal robot purchased as a companion for a child must learn how to think like a human.

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Time for something entirely different. When B. fist send me the request for Sue Lange’s We, Robots I was expecting something entirely different than what I got. I expected more or less a light YA book, what I got was a fascinating in depth SF story that left my mind boggling. I can hear you thinking: Lis, what are you talking about?

Well, we’re talking robots today. Artificial Intelligence to be precise. We, Robots is the story of AV-1 are Avey, a AI Robot made to be a sort of nanny. He’s bought by Dal and Chit to look after their daughter Angelina. This is a time where robots are available in Wal Mart. Very scary. At first the story is very emotionless or static as Avey doesn’t have feelings or emotions.

However, this story settles around the notion of Singularity. Now singularity is a complex notion and even after reading this story, I’m not sure I understand it all. What it comes down to is this: singularity is the point where artificial intelligence becomes greater and thus surpasses human intelligence. It would be the point that AI’s no longer need humans for their creation. It is also linked to humanity shedding it’s mortal skin, but I’m not entirely sure on that. However, it’s the point that is feared by humans because it could mean that robot could turn on their creators.

Yes, I can hear you thinking. Humans are the top dogs and it never bodes well for when they are not. Thus, a chip is introduced that cause the robots to feel pain and a range of emotions so they can be controlled by humans.

It’s also the turning point in the story, because once you give something feelings it clouds the rational mind. I mean I so do not want to be recycled and I can understand robots not longer want that either.

All the events in this story are told from Avey’s POV. Suddenly he’s not longer just a nanny robot. He’s got all these feelings to deal with. The story is old as he watches Angelina grow up.

Avey is one cool, sweet, witty robot. He’s very sweet and caring and it’s very hard not to like him. At the end of the story there’s a spin that I think you’ll like.

We, Robots is very much the story that deal with injustice (let’s face it, we humans are cruel) and is told from the oppressed’ side. After reading this, I hated being human.

All in all We, Robots is not an easy Sci-Fi story to read. It’s very interesting because it also deals in “what if’s” What if the future is like this. What if we become like this. What if.. But at the same time it’s hard not to like Avey and his story. While an unlikely read for me, I’m glad I got the chance to read this.

Review: Lady of the English - Elizabeth Chadwick + guest reviewing

Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 544
Published: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Source: For review

Royal wives and royal widows, Queen Adeliza and her stepdaughter, Empress Matilda, are the only two women to be titled "Lady of the English," a title that does not come cheap. Adeliza, widowed queen and peacemaker, is married to a warrior who supports Stephen, grandson of the Conqueror. Matilda, daughter of the last king and a fierce fighter, is determined to win her inheritance against all odds and despite all men, including Stephen. Both are women who, in their different ways, will stand and fight for what they know is right. But for Matilda, pride comes before a fall. And for Adeliza, even the deepest love is no proof against fate.

My thoughts:

Chadwick does it again. She brings an era to life and the women that lived then. For a big book this took no time at all to read. The pages just flew by. 

Matilda was married to Henry V, the holy Roman emperor, but he died when she was still young and they did not have any children. So she came back to England and her father Henry I, and that is where this book starts. He had no male heirs, legitimate ones, and he wants his daughter to rule. The times were sure different, she was 26 when she was married to 14 year old Geoffrey of Anjou. Not a marriage she wanted. This book then follows the struggle to get England since her cousin Stephen takes the throne, and she is not a woman that gives up.

 The book is also about Adeliza, the widow of Henry I. She did not seem to be as strong as Matilda but she was strong in another way. Where Matilda was harsh and said what she meant Adeliza took her time. And I liked her story as she was married for a long time but did not get any children even though Henry fathered bastard after bastard. But then when she re-married she got a bunch of kids. 

This is then the book about two women who are both fascinating in their own rights. It was a different time and I did like when Matilda did her best since this was not a woman's world. While with Adeliza we got more about what happened on the home front. 

Conclusion:

Truly another interesting story from Chadwick. She has the magic and can bring history to life. After finishing this one I sit down and wait for her next book. I can't wait to read whatever she writes about next. So this make this book a historical fiction book that I recommend to everyone.

Rating: 

Great

Cover: 

Very nice

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I am over at Vivienne's blog Serendipity reviews today and I am reviewing Just like heaven by Julia Quinn.

Honoria Smythe-Smith, the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Earl of Winstead, plays the violin in the annual musicale performed by the Smythe-Smith quartet. She's well aware that they are dreadful but she's the sort who figures that nothing good will come of being mortified, so she puts on a good show and laughs about it. Marcus Holroyd is the best friend of Honoria's brother Daniel, who lives in exile. Marcus has promised to watch out for Honoria, but he faces a challenge when she sets off for Cambridge determined to marry by the end of the season. She's got her eye on the only unmarried Bridgerton, who's a bit wet behind the ears. When her advances are spurned, can Marcus swoop in and steal her heart in time for the musicale? 

Review. Death by honeymoon - Jaden Skye

Series: Caribbean Murder series, #1
Genre: mystery
Pages: 220
Published: April 2011
Source: for review
Review by Lis

Cindy and Clint are enjoying their dream honeymoon, when paradise quickly turns into hell. Cindy finds her newly beloved taken away from her, drowned in a freak accident in the ocean. The local police are quick to declare it an accident, to insist that he was caught in a sudden riptide. But Cindy, left all alone, is not convinced. Cindy must return to her and Clint’s now-empty home in New York and face her in-laws, who never wanted Clint to marry her, and who did everything to make her engagement and wedding hell.
Cindy is mailed an anonymous photo of a woman she had never met, addressed to Clint. As she tries to unravel the mysterious package, as she begins to dig deeper into Clint’s emails and files, she realizes how many secrets Clint had been hiding from his past. She realizes that she didn’t really know the man she loved. And she also realizes that Clint was murdered.  She digs deeper, into the depths of Clint’s massive corporation, DGB oil, and as she starts to unearth information she shouldn’t, she goes too far. Soon her own life is in peril. On the run, she realizes that the only way to get answers, and to save her own life, is to return to where it all began: Barbados. As she heads into the dark underside of the island, into the heart of the local villages, she is shocked to discover what really happened to her husband on their honeymoon.

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When I first received the request for a review, I have to admit that I didn’t find the title very original. It not only reveals a hell of a lot about the book it’s also one of the many pun-titles you see around. However, I was intrigued by the blurb. There are not many stories that begin with the death of a husband on the newlyweds’ honeymoon. So of I went. 

The story was good, nothing spectacular, but not bad either. It’s the story of Cindy. After a lot of struggles with her in-laws she finally got to marry her love Clint only to lose him on their honeymoon, when he dies in a supposedly freak accident. This is also where the story starts. You get thrown right into it. No leading up to the big event for this author! The focus of the story is what happens after. Clint’s parents are not the easiest to get along with. Opposed to the marriage from the beginning they’re downright hostile to Cindy.

From the beginning Cindy suspects foul play, but it isn’t until later in the story that she really starts to delve into Clint’s live and death. Something foul is going on and Cindy is right in the middle of it. The question for Cindy is: does she want to know the truth? 

Like I said, this story was good. Nothing original, but not bad either. Cindy is not my kind of gal. She’s too easy for me. She lets her life be dictated by her overly bossy sister and hardly (in my eyes) stands up to her in-laws. Of course, she’s suffered a great loss and it’s not easy having to deal with everything.

The characters are standard and the setting is so-so. Though it was nice to see something different than America for a change!  However, keep in mind that Death by Honeymoon is a relative short story and doesn’t leave too much page-space to really delve into things. As a result this is why the story fell a bit short for me. The mystery hardly got going before the end is there. It’s too cut out for me. That doesn’t mean this story is not for you as it might just be what gets you through a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Book review: Can't hurry love - Christie Ridgway

Series: Three Kisses 3
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 320
Published: July 5th 2011 Berkley

Liam Bennett staked his claim to Tanti Baci after stepping in to help the Baci sisters save their family legacy. But Giuliana Baci doubts his motives. They've been at odds since the hot summer long ago that ended in heartache. With the fate of the winery on the line, the former lovers need to get a handle on their barely leashed hostilities-and the attraction that still draws them toward each other.

 

My thoughts:

This is the third and final book about the 3 Baci Sisters from Napa Valley. It can easily be read as a stand alone (though I did read book 2 but I have not read book 1 yet.)

Giuliana "Jules" Baci fell in love when she was young, but their love story came to a halt and they have not been civil to each other for ten years. Why they broke up is a mystery to everyone else and to the reader. Back to the characters, Jules is the mother hen for her two younger sisters, and Liam is still in her life as he owns a share of the winery and his half-brother is married to her sister.  These two sure can not get along and I did wonder what on earth made them like that, but little by little we understand what happened that fateful summer so long ago.

Jules has a lot on her plate. She is a strong woman but at the same time there is sadness over her cos of the things she has lost. While Liam also is portrayed as strong and the one who is doing the chasing. He wants her or just wants her out of his system. I do like a good lovers reunited story and these two clearly love each other and always have. But then there is that summer....

There is also other things going on. What will happen to the winery? And a slowly building romance between Kohl who works at the winery and Grace who also works there. I liked this story because they both had big emotional scars. Grace had been abused and Kohl was traumatized from the war.

Conclusion:

A lovely romance about lovers who find their way back to each other, and at the same time we get a second lovestory playing in the background. It was very enjoyable and sweet.

Rating:

Sweet summer read

Cover

Meh

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I am over at Alternative read today with a guestreview of Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

From the USA Today bestselling author comes the first in a magical romantic fantasy trilogy.

Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche's king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades. In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined

 

 

 

Come say hi :D

Review: Before Versailles - Karleen Koen

A novel of Louis XIV
Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 400
Published: June 28th 2011 Crown

Before Versailles is the luscious, sweeping story of the young Louis XIV in his first year as king of France. Told in the alternating perspectives of the young king and his first love, the woman who would become his mistress, Karleen Koen's newest weaves a portrait of court and country in turmoil with the legends of this colorful period in history, including that of the mysterious man in the iron mask.

My thoughts:

The book is in a way not written from one POV. Sure Louise de Valliere is the main character for most of it but there is always someone else taking  her is his turn to say something, or to think something. It feels not like you follow one person but like you are some sort of ghost jumping around trying to see what is going on.

The book also takes place during a few months in 1661. Lois XIV is madly in love with his sister in law Henriette and they have a relationship. Her husband Phillippe is angry, but then he has former lovers too, male ones. Viscount Nicholas who takes care of the finances is spying on everyone and he will soon be thrown into jail. Louise comes to the court, all innocent and sweet and tries to hide the affair between the king and his sister in law. And then Louise and Louis fall in love. Lots more affairs going on and someone are sending the king notes questioning who his father is. That is what is going on in this book. It is a young court since the king is only 22. Everyone is happy and flirting with each other.

There is also another part of the book. The author takes in the story about the iron mask and makes Louise find out more about this. A nice little plot that goes well with everything. Especially since it brings light on the relationship between the Queen Mother and Mazarin.

I felt sorry for poor Louise when I later had a look at her fate. She loved the king and he just threw her to the side when he was finished with her. The book may end all happily but she was certainly not the last mistress he had. Especially horrible was how she was used as a decoy when he found a new woman. The power of kings. Still in this book he is a young king and in love. You can't fault him for that, and neither Louise who is young and impressionable.

Sometimes I did wonder if it was the way it was written that never made me totally fall for the book. I never seemed to get a hold of anyone. They slipped through my fingers.

Conclusion:

This is a book for historical fiction fans out there, and especially those who enjoy the period.

Rating:

Nice

Cover:

Meh

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Review: Driftwood Cottage - Sherryl Woods

Series: Chesapeake Shores #5

Genre: Contemporary romance

Pages: 400

Published: March 2011 Mira

Review by Lis

Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

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This book has been in my to-be-reviewed pile for a while and honestly, due to the move it got a bit left behind in the review pile. Luckily I got to it in time! Driftwood Cottage is a book that reminds me of when I first discovered romance and used to buy bodice rippers in second hand bookstores or at flea markets. It’s been a long while since I read those and I found my tastes in romances have shifted. To be honest I never had the urge to lock two characters in a closet together and let them work it out so much as I had in this book. Or kick some sense in their stubborn no-good behinds. Communication can be a real bitch sometimes. Let me tell you why.

Driftwood Cottage is the 5th book in the Chesapeake Shores series that revolves around the O’Brien family. Despite that it’s a series, I had no trouble reading this book independently. This instalment is about Heather Donovan and Connor O’Brien who share a son, Mick, together. Connor has a career as a divorce lawyer and having so much to do with broken marriages has clouded his views on love and marriage. While they have a relationship together, Connor refuses to marry Heather – who of course dreams of love and marriage – he even kept Heather and Mick a secret from is family. Mostly. Both characters have issues and it’s not just Connor. However, when Connor refuses to move forward, she moves to Chesapeake where she is accepted into Connor’s family with open arms. Of course, Connor isn’t far behind. What follows is not much of a romance to me, but a repeat of the same old argument about marriage that get old very fast. Just when you think there’s no hope of them ever working The Argument out, something happens that makes Connor realize all he stands to lose. Of course. For a romance it was all very predictable and to me it was unfortunately very boring.

The one good thing about this book was the large, boisterous O’Brien family and their meddling ways. They not only supply the story with some much needed comic relief with their energetic ways, but gave me something to look forward to while reading this story. I found that they were the only character that were somewhat filled out, since both Connor and Heather were anaemic. This is most likely because they were way too stubborn and arguing in circles. While I do not think it was intended, I found both Connor and Heather very egotistical and self-centred. This is probably because they author focused too much on the argument of marriage and the issues while not really working them out in a good way.

I always feel bad when I have to give a less than sparkly review for a book, because I know how much work an author puts into a story. Unfortunately, this book did not really do anything for me. This might be because this type of contemporary romance is no longer for me or because the book wasn’t worked out to my expectations. In any case I can only recommend this book if you like contemporary romance with failed characters trying to overcome an obstacle in their relationship by arguing is circles. Who knows, it might just be what you are looking for!

Review: Catalyst: The Passage of Hellsfire - Marc Johnson

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Pages: 197, ebook

Published: March 2011

Review by Lis

For centuries, the kingdom of Alexandria has protected Northern Shala from the monstrous creatures lurking in the Wastelands. Now, a dark force threatens that fragile peace.

Far from home, Alexandria's princess is abducted. When a young villager named Hellsfire stumbles upon her and her captors, he rushes in to rescue her, alone and unarmed. His fear and fury unleash an uncontrollable magical force that grants him the power to save the princess-and change the world. Hellsfire has never craved nor dreamed of power. But such magic as he now possesses has not been seen in Northern Shala for a thousand years, since the devastation of the War of the Wizards and the creation of the Wastelands. Now Hellsfire must leave all he's ever known, and make a dangerous journey to learn to master this wild, ferocious power-power he knows he is not ready to wield. More difficult still, he needs to master his emotions. If he can't, the power will consume him, Alexandria will fall, and darkness will eclipse the land, destroying everyone he loves. In the dead of cold, the spark shall burn.

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Okay. Well. Sometimes you have these books you read that leave you feeling “hmmmm.” You scratched your head a few times. You go on a walk and ponder the book and when you get back browse through it again. But you’re still left thinking “hmmmmm.” Then you leave it for a while and hope you something comes you. So that’s what I did. I read this book, but after a few days I still didn’t really know what to make of it. Let me clarify though. It is hardly a bad book, but it didn’t excite nor impress me either. Let’s see if I can tell you why.

This story is about Hellsfire, a cocky young man full of attitude and bravado. He was named by a stranger and he always knew he was different. He has a fire burning inside of him. Everything comes to a highpoint in a fight with some bullies. His fire is released and the bullies are understandably frightened.

Puzzled over this new development he sees a young woman, the princess Krystal Cambridge of Alexandria, running from her abductors. Of course, being a good hero, he helps her with the use of his fire and she helps out too with expert swordsmanship.

Upon arriving home, his mother sees this as the sign she’s been waiting for – a sign a stranger told her about – and he is sent to live with this ‘angel’ as his mother calls him. There’s no angel. Just a wizard and a dragon. And that is just what Hellsfire is. A wizard. No surprise there.

There’s an interlude then of a few years where Hellsfire trains. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like he matures. After the years he still seems this immature, cocky boy. Granted he still is a teen, but he’s not what you expect in a hero. There is more coming after he trains and a big adventure looms. The question is, is Hellsfire ready for it?

This book read like a cross between Legend of the Seeker and Harry Potter, only without the engaging wizards. It has all the ingredients of a good fantasy story, but with a poor execution. None of the characters are really likable or engaging. The whole time reading this story I felt like there was something missing. The oomph that would set it apart from all the other fantasy stories out there.

Of all the characters in this book, I liked Krystal best. She seems to possess a certain strength that makes you admire her. Plus, she’s good with a sword. You gotta admire that.

The writing in this book is not bad, but it doesn’t add to the story. Like I said in the beginning of this book, this story just made me go “hmmmm.” Not a good or a bad “hmmmm.” As a result I can’t really give it a shining review, but it’s also not bad. It might be just what you’re looking for if you like YA stories with heroes who have a big destiny and a lot to learn.

Review: The Shadow at the Gate - Christopher Bunn

Series: Tormay trilogy 2
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Pages: Ebook
Published: March 2011
Review by Lis

The second volume of the epic fantasy saga that began with The Hawk and His Boy takes us back to the story of the thief Jute. The emissaries of the Darkness have infiltrated the city of Hearne in search of him. Desperate to escape, the boy flees the city and heads into the wilderness of the north. But the ghosts of the past have other plans for him and, soon, Jute and his friends must choose between their own deaths or the destruction of the entire land. All the while, the mysterious lady Levoreth races against time in order to discover who is behind the schemes of the Darkness.

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Alright, I’m guilty. Upon receiving this second installment in the Tormay series, I settled myself in my comfy chair with tea and chocolate and read until it was finished. Then I got caught up in moving, job hunting (damn those jobs are elusive) and knights and the review for this splendid book got pushed to the background. Bad me, no cookie!

You sometimes hear how the middle book is usually the one that is the less fun in a trilogy because it either goes really bad good guys or nothing significant happens. Not true for The Shadow at the Gate. It immediately picks up where The Hawk and His Boy left of and to me brought matters into focus where in was building up in the first book.

It is quite the lengthy story and there is a lot happening, so you have to keep watch out so you don’t miss anything important. There is a lot of action too, that will keep you on the edge of your seat and the plot thickens at every point.

The story is still about Jute who has destiny riding him hard with ‘the Dark’ (the great big evil) right behind it. Despite that he is still the street-smart boy we met in the first book, though you can see that Jute grows throughout this book. Ronan “The Knife” also carries a big part of the story. His ‘secret’ is an important part of the story and I liked learning more about this intriguing character. You tend to want to dislike him because of his role, but at the same time not everything is as black and white and you find yourself drawn to him.

Apart from the cast of characters that were introduced in the first part of the series, in the second part quite a few more are added. Some intriguing, some not. Some good, some bad. In this you can see that it’s a fantasy novel. There is always quite an impressive cast of characters and while I always like meeting new characters in a story that have their own part to tell, it also hard to keep track of them all and their moves. It’s the trap of a good book: the more characters that are introduced, the more likely that the reader will get lost in a maze of characters. I found that this author handled it quite well. While there are too many characters for my liking, they are introduced well and are not cardboard characters. And the shifts in narratives are smoothly. Though Jute is still my favorite character!

As I mentioned, there is a lot happening in this book. There is a lot of growth and development in this book (okay that made me sound like a scientist!). It also grows increasingly darker. Like they say: “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” There are more villains apart from “The Dark” and they are sufficiently creepy.

The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. While it’s not exactly a great big open end, it leaves things open for the third part and as many of you know: I’m not a patient person!

Overall The Shadow at the Gate is a good if not better than the first installment and it’s a refreshing wind through the fantasy genre. I mean if it can pull me back into the genre it must be good, because y’all know how I love my boys! ;-) So go pick it up and find out what’s happening in this second part! 

By Lis

Review: Fallenwood - Leslie Soule

Genre: Fantasy/paranormal

Pages: 199, ebook

Published: March 3rd 2011

Review by Lis

Fallenwood—a land where magic is the life force, dragons are sages, and wizards good and evil battle for supremacy. When 16-year-old Ash is thrust into the middle of Fallenwood’s power struggles, she is also forced to face her own inner battles. Life on Earth was hard enough on Ash, who is locked in grief for her stepfather. Now, the fate of Fallenwood rests on her shoulders. She must destroy the Great Crystal—the catalyst for all the land’s magic. As the kingdoms prepare for war, Ash must look inside to find the power to save the world, and herself.

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Do you ever have that feeling like you don’t belong? You go through the routines, but nothing really makes sense. You question why it is you do what you do, but you don’t know why you do it. You just go on and on and one until one day you’ve had enough. That one day you just know something has to change and something has to be done because enough is enough! It’s a bit like that for Ashley Kensington. For her it gets harder and harder to get out of bed each day and face the world. She goes through her routines, goes to her dead end job day after day. Then one day the ashes of her stepfather are spread, it all becomes enough and Ashley runs into the woods to end it only to end up in Fallenwood a magical world where Ashley has a role to play and is part of a legacy.

This is certainly an interesting book. It’s not often that you meet a character who is as depressed as Ashley and who has such a big role to play, but I loved that she doesn’t give up. She struggles, yes, and she fights her depression, but with the guidance of the wizard Will she doesn’t give up.

The story of Fallenwood is fast paced. It’s not hard to keep up but a lot of things happen. At times it left me going: “huh?!” and then: “ohhhh right got it!”

There are also a lot of characters in this book. It’s almost like a high fantasy book in that regard. You have to keep track of your characters and their part in the story. From wizards to locked-up princes to shifting cats to other humans Fallenwood has it all. I would think that it’s not easy writing a story with such a big plot and such a cast of characters and at points you could see that the narrative wasn’t quite up to par. Luckily it’s nothing major and you can overlook it. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I think that a little practice will make perfect.

There is also a lot of world building in this story, which you would have to if you switch from good ole earth to a magical mystical one and I found that it was done just right. The author gives you enough to get a clear view of Fallenwood but doesn’t do so that it’s intrusive.

Fallenwood was not an easy book to review. While I liked it, I’ve been in a book slump and am very critical of the books I read and get easily bored (something I hope to overcome very soon). As a result this was not a book that suited my mood, especially with Ashley fighting depression. At the same time I could really appreciate the time and effort that went into this book and I can see why people would really like this book. So invite you to pick it up and find out for yourself! If you like a good fantasy book with a wide cast of characters and flawed character that are not your typical run of the mill cast of characters and an epic happenings then Fallenwood is definitely for you!

GuestReview: The Summoner - Layton Green

Series: The Dominic Grey Novels 1

Genre: Mystery, suspense

Pages: 332

Published: March 2011

Review by Lis

A United States diplomat disappears in front of hundreds of onlookers while attending a religious ceremony in the bushveld of Zimbabwe.

Dominic Grey, Diplomatic Security special agent, product of a violent childhood and a worn passport, is assigned to investigate. Aiding the investigation is Professor Viktor Radek, religious phenomenologist and expert on cults, and Nya Mashumba, the local government liaison. What Grey uncovers is a terrifying cult older than Western civilization, the harsh underbelly of a country in despair, a demagogic priest seemingly able to perform impossibilities, and the identity of the newest target. Himself.

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Oh my! That’s what I thought several times while reading this book! It was a surprise to learn that this book was self-published, because hot darn people, it’s good! Not that self-published books are bad, but they usually have editing issues and are badly spellchecked. None of that in The Summoner. It’s a well edited, well written, edge-of-your-seat, eye widening and mind blowing book. Yes, it’s just that good. Of course, now you want to know why, right? Well, keep on reading!

The novel is set in Zimbabwe and features Dominic Grey who is diplomat security for the ambassador to Zimbabwe. He is assigned to solve the mystery of a missing American diplomat, also the golf buddy for the ambassador. He is joined by Nya, a local Department of Foreign Ministry agent and Viktor an expert on cults and a religious phenomenologist. A what you ask? Wikipedia told me this: “The phenomenology of religion concerns the experiential aspect of religion, describing religious phenomena in terms consistent with the orientation of the worshippers.” What unfolds is a well-crafted mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The story is interspersed with religious and occult facts and story to support the subject of the story. That worked well for me because it not only shows the author did his research, but also gives the story claim and makes it believable.

The characters are just as mysterious as the plot itself. They come with backgrounds, have motivation, are complex and there is a rare depth to them that you don’t often see. All of that without the author laying it all out there for you to read. The author gives you just enough tidbits to keep you guessing but enough that it makes the characters believable. The sexual tension between Dominic and Nya…hot damn people!

The story is mostly centered on Dominic, but there is enough of Nya and Viktor that they aren’t just the support cast. I found myself really like Dominic. He is the epitome of dark and mysterious that you so often see in detectives.

Let’s just say that this book surprised me a lot. The writing and style of writing is excellent. It’s not flat, there’s no circular narrative. Instead it’s paced just right and imaginative. The author paints a vivid picture of the characters’ surroundings and I almost found like I was right there with them!

So yes, this book sure deserves the praise it gets and it’s worth reading if you like a good mystery with even more mysterious characters. I even liked the cover! It suits the story. All in all I was very glad B. sent this book over! 

[1] Wikipedia phenomenology of religion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenology_of_religion

GuestReview: Reunion - Jeff Bennington

Genre: Supernatural thriller
Pages: 336
Published: April 15th
Review by Anna

David Ray killed eight students and then turned the gun on himself. He thought the shooting and suicide would fix his world. It didn't. The massacre threw Tanner Khan and the other survivors into chaos.

Twenty years later, Tanner and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion to lay the past to rest. Although they suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray.

Once they're inside the school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt, long overdue, and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears, putting the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare?

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"Reunion” (by Jeff Bennington) is fictional, and not based on anything that has happened in real life. It is the author’s third story, with more on the way.

Reunion” can be described as a paranormal thriller, but as the author writes in the foreword, it is also a mixture of “supernormal, horror, romance, suspense, and dark fiction”.

The story starts with a school shooting in Crescent Falls, a small fictional town in Idaho. A young man, David Ray, opens fire in his high school cafeteria, killing several students and seriously injuring others. The shooting occurs only days before the summer holidays.

The story then jumps 20 years into the future, and follows a number of survivors that were graduating in the year of the shooting. The survivors all have one thing in common; they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They all, however, deal with the PTSD in different ways, whether it is writing books, drinking or treating other people with PTSD.

Maria Vasquez, the Valedictorian in the graduating year who is now treating other people with PTSD, feels that the only way to put the shooting behind them, is to go back to Crescent Falls and have a reunion. And what would be better than to have the reunion 20 years after the tragedy? She contacts old school mates and some of them reluctantly agree to return to the town, which they have avoided for two decades, although some of the survivors remained in Crescent Falls the years after the shooting.

The survivors return to Crescent Falls well in time for the reunion, as there need to be a lot of preparations done. The high school has been closed ever since the shootings, and it is decided that the old school building shall be renovated before the big day. As the reunion day draws closer, the tension grows and the survivors continues to have flashbacks from the event 20 years earlier.

But there is something terrible going on in the school and the sheriff’s department is unwilling to tell the real truth to the survivors. Will they be able to have the reunion in the school after all? The sheriff Larry Richards is determined to find out what is really happening in the old high school and to solve the mystery before it is too late.

“Reunion” is hard to put down, once you have started to read it. You just have to find out what happens next. The different characters are all very well described in the book.

But “Reunion” also makes you think. Is David Ray such an evil monster, knowing what happened to him in the childhood? Could the society do something to prevent school shooters from comitting such horrible crimes? Do they deserve to die, the school shooters, or should they be put in jail for the rest of their lives? In the foreword, Jeff Bennington lists ten of the worst school shootings in the US history. When one hears and reads about school shooting one will of course feel sorry for the victims’ families and friends, but one should also remember the survivors. 

 I highly recommend “Reunion” to everyone. I think it is a very important book to read. It is very thrilling, with a little bit of romance and mystique. I give the book top marks, 5/5.

GuestReview: No Cure for the Broken Hearted - Kenneth Rosenberg

Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 267
Published: December 2010
Review by Lis

Katherine Spencer is an up-and-coming architect in New York City. Her professional life is on the fast-track. Her personal life is a shambles. Katherine compares every man she ever meets to Nick Bancroft, the billionaire’s son who broke her heart one summer long ago. Now, twelve years later he’s suddenly reappeared, asking her to design a house at the cove where they shared their first kiss. Is he looking for an architect, or something more? And should she forgive him?

While reading this book I was reminded of the song Summer Nights by Survivor. That would Survivor from Eye of the Tiger, yes. - Summer nights all night, dancin’ in the light of love, summer nights so right couldn’t last beyond September. Much the same is true for our main heroes: Katherine and Nick. They met one summer at sweet sixteen and fell in love. The feeling was mutual, or so Katherine thought. However, when Nick left she never heard from him again. That is until he asks her to design a home. Right at the place where they first kissed while he has another girlfriend – one of many. Gah heartless men!!! Luckily for us, there is more to this story!

Funny how some instances in life can have such an influence over us through the course of our lives. It is true for Katherine. That summer with Nick influenced her personal life. She doesn’t date and she doesn’t have fun. All her focus is on her work as an architect. On the surface she seems like one of many who are married to the job. Beneath that is a hurt young woman still waiting for her one true love to come back.

When we first meet Nick he seems very much in control of his life. The golden boy with a beauty on each arm who comes across as selfish and heartless, mostly because what we know about Nick we know from Katherine. And she says so herself: the Nick from now is much different from the Nick she knew. Of course we all change and grow up, but there was something very much different. Again, what we see on the surface is very much different from what’s underneath. Underneath all the layers of playboy and successful man is a hurt little boy under the firm thumb of his family.

So yes there is a lot more to this story. In fact it is a very likable story. It’s not like those wicked, witty paranormal chick lit stories we often come across, but it is very real. Nick and Katherine could be your neighbors or people you meet on the street. The conflicts are very believable and I loved how Nick gravitates to Katherine and over the course of the story becomes his own man again and how Katherine learns to trust again!

No cure for the broken hearted has a solid plot with flawed heroes that journey through live. They grow throughout the story, which I always like to see in a character.

Like the plot the writing is refresh and also very much solid and flawless. It was a nice change of pace!

No cure for the broken hearted is a story I can most definitely recommend! If B. were to ask me for a rating, I’d give it a 10! So go get it and see how Nick and Katherine get to know each other again!

Winners of What would mr Darcy do? by Abigail Reynolds

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