Review: The Hermetica of Elysium - Annmarie Banks

Synopsis (starting with a quote):

 “Other shining, untarnished minds have come before us, lighting this path to understanding. But the sword of fear and ignorance has cut down their mortal forms, dissolving them as time does to all of us, to dust. Yet, their minds remain on paper. Their thoughts come to us in ink and parchment, packaged in tiny receptacles of light and wisdom.”

Spain, the dark years of Inquisition led by Torquemada. Nadira, a young Muslim slave girl and her owner, Sofir, a rich Spanish converso (so a Jew who conversed to Christianity) are one night accosted by some sailors (or rather pirates). These men ask specifically for Nadira; they brought with them a dying young man, which had been beaten by them to almost death. They think he doesn’t understand Spanish so they make Nadira speak her native Arabic to make him divulge his secret – the location of a certain book. The man is obstinate and doesn’t tell them anything so, after more beating, they leave him with Sofir, thinking he is dead. And he indeed dies after one more day but he also reveals to Nadira that a man named Henry has the book. He implores the girl to tell that to his little brother, Robin. Why was that book, any book in fact, worth such a sacrifice, though? Where is that Robin? One of these questions is solved very quickly.

Robert Longmoor, Baron Montrose of Scotland visits Sofir to collect the body of his elder brother, tortured to death. As he can’t read , he takes Nadira with him by force - she is fluent in several languages and he must find his brother’s book and read his letters. Although the girl remains a captive, her new master treats her with kindness and dignity. Because of him Nadira gets involved in a chain of adventures that exceeds her all expectations…she becomes important to many curious, rich and ruthless people. Will she find a worthy place in the world or remain the plaything of the powers that be? Will her strengths prevail over her weaknesses? What will she learn? Will Robert survive?

What I liked:

-          The subject matter - it is about a hermetical book for heavens’ sake!!! A very old book from Egypt, written in several languages, most probably an ancient text, coveted by many alchemists! How not to adore such a premise? It reminded me of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, one of my all time favourites! In fact I suppose the idea of an edible book was taken straight from that novel! Still I didn’t mind – not at all!

-          The narration was quick-paced and lively as I like. The book managed to keep me interested till the very end.

-         Plenty of knights in their prime, one pretty girl and no insta-love! No insta-lust either! A love triangle? Absent again! Well done and, as you see, it can be done!

-         A kick-ass heroine who is not only of Arab descent but also a very educated woman who knows what's good for her; despite being a slave, doesn’t want to follow her mother’s fate and remain despondent all her life; she takes difficult decisions but never ones which would be too stupid for her to live. By the way usually in such books  it is a Saracen master and a Christian slave; here we have an Arab girl,  a Jewish master and a Scotsman…not a bad mixture you must admit!

What I didn’t like:

-         In short small inconsistencies. The main heroine, Nadira, once states that she wants to return home to Morocco and then she says she would like to go to Marrakech. Well, last time I checked these were two different countries and I am not sure whether they were known by their contemporary names in the 15th century. Oh well, you know me…incurably anal…

-         It is not a flaw but it bugged me: Richard Longmoor was a kind of prominent scholar while his younger brother, Robert, couldn’t read an write at all…correct me if I am mistaken but if you were a Scottish laird who decided to spend some hard-earned coin on exclusive education, hiring a private tutor in the shape of a monk, you would make sure both of your precious sons got some necessary schooling… I would understand if Robert knew ‘only’ Latin or ‘only’ Old French/Norman but the fact that he could barely sign his own name left me perplexed…what did he do when Richard had his lessons? Chased skirts? Shot crows? How come his father didn’t intervene?

- I would like more three-dimensional baddies...

Final verdict:

Despite some quibbles I did enjoy this book and I would love to read the second part of this series. Alchemy gives me always a powerful tug and this book was based on some alchemical texts...

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing

Pages: 400

To Be published: December 8 2011

Review by Anachronist

Sent by the publisher in return for an honest review

Review: The Last Queen - C.W.Gortner

Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 400
Published: 2009
Publisher: Ballantine
Source: I made the library get it

In this stunning novel, C. W. Gortner brings to life Juana of Castile, the third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, who would become the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne. Along the way, Gortner takes the reader from the somber majesty of Spain to the glittering and lethal courts of Flanders, France, and Tudor England.

Born amid her parents’ ruthless struggle to unify and strengthen their kingdom, Juana, at the age of sixteen, is sent to wed Philip, heir to the Habsburg Empire. Juana finds unexpected love and passion with her dashing young husband, and at first she is content with her children and her married life. But when tragedy strikes and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, Juana finds herself plunged into a battle for power against her husband that grows to involve the major monarchs of Europe. Besieged by foes on all sides, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from ruin, even if it costs her everything.

My thoughts;

It's hard to grade this one, for my personal enjoyment it gets a lesser grade cos I felt so sad, but as for the writing and story it gets a higher grade. Because it was really good in the end.

Juana la Loca as she is known as did not have an easy life. Married at 16 to a handsome prince she was happy, for a while. But that love turned as he wanted her kingdom. He treated her badly, and declared her insane. Well if my man gave all my things to his whore then I would jump her too. If she was insane is the question, sure they had it in the family, but the way she was treated could only have made it worse. And it is also said at the end that it really showed long after when her last child was taken from her and she was left all alone. So no she did not have a happy life, first screwed over by her husband and then by her father. The book ends with her being locked away. She was a woman ruled by men.

It did make me think a bit, her mother was strong and ruled her kingdom, she went to war and knew her mind. Perhaps poor Juana was not as strong, because I do not think her mother would have tolerated being handled like that.

Still it is a fascinating story, Juana's life, for a few years, and the quest of who will rule what is Spain. Being heir to kingdoms was certainly not easy. And Gortner writes the story so well, I really feel for Juana, and the things that did happen he explains so well. What she might have thought right then.

Conclusion:

Because of this it is a book I recommend, and I do confess that plenty of times while reading I thought to myself how much men suck. Bastards!

Cover:

pretty

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My flash, a day late, have mercy M

Author Interview: Grace Burrowes and The Virtuoso giveaway

Today I have Grace Burrowes over for an interview, and you have the chance to win her new book The Virtuoso.

1. Tell me 3 interesting facts about yourself….

GB: I have kissed the Blarney Stone; I spent a wonderful week last spring in Scotland writing on grounds at Balmoral Castle; I have a three-legged cat named Caspar. 

2. You have 2 new books out;  Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish and The Virtuoso. Could you tell me about these two?

GB: I was a debut author with Sourcebooks last fall, looking forward to the publication of my first book, The Heir, when my editor offered me the opportunity to write a Christmas romance. We decided to develop a story for Sophie, another sibling in the Windham family (to which my first three heroes belong). Sophie’s story is hitting the shelves at the same time as the third brother’s story, The Virtuoso. In that book, Lord Valentine Windham, known far and wide for his skill at the piano, has to learn how to live and love when that skill is taken from him. 

3. With Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish you are starting a new subseries within the Windham books. Can you tell me anything about the books yet to come?

GB: The Duke of Moreland, in addition to having three extant sons, has five lovely unmarried daughters. When I signed my contract with Sourcebooks, the sisters’ stories weren’t written—I had other manuscripts ready to meet my contract obligations. Lady Sophie’s book was great fun to write, so we decided to continue with the four remaining sisters stories in 2012 and 2013. 

4. I liked Val from the moment I read about him. What was your inspiration behind him?

GB: I have a degree in music history and piano was my instrument. I was by no means a virtuoso, but I saw many skilled musicians who were pouring their lives, their souls, their entire beings into their art. I also saw what happened when their art failed them or demanded too much, and it wasn’t pretty. 

Then too, I am the sixth out of seven children. In large families, there’s a paradoxically greater privacy for each sibling—Mom and Dad can’t micro-manage each child—but also a threat of getting lost in the crowd. Valentine solved the part about not being micro-managed a little too well by committing so intensely to his music.

5. Is it hard writing a series about siblings? How do you keep track of everyone?

GB: Because I grew up in a large family, I think the more difficult challenge for me would be to write the story of an only child—though, ironically, I am a single parent to one child, which is as small as a family can get. It is difficult to keep track of some details—which aftershave scent does the Earl of Westhaven favor? Does Lord Valentine ride a bay or a chestnut, and what is that horse’s favorite treat? Readers catch the smallest slips, and I hate to disappoint a reader like that. 

6. We all love heroes, so tell my readers why they will fall for Lady Sophie’s hero…

GB: Vim Charpentier is the only romance hero I’ve met who captures a lady’s heart (in part!) by showing her how to change a dirty nappy. He loves babies, he cannot leave a damsel to her distress no matter the inconvenience to him, and he knows exactly what to do when faced with a lady lingering under a sprig of mistletoe. 

7. And last, do you do a lot of research for your books?

GB: I can never do enough research for my books! When I’m done writing for the day—which task I enjoy tremendously—I go off frolicking on the internet. When was the door knob invented? The sulfur match? When was whiskey first exported from Scotland commercially? When were the first corsets available that laced up the front? So many wonderful questions and so little time! I’ve also taking to traveling in the UK, and that is habit forming.

Thank you :D

GIVEAWAY

2 copies 2 winners The Virtuoso

1.Open to US and Canada

2, Ends December 11

3. Go ahead and enter :)

Or if you want to write more, then tell me what you want for Xmas.

The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes – In Stores November 2011

A genius with a terrible loss…

Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father’s obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him.

A widow with a heartbreaking secret…

Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen’s devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.

Together they’ll find there’s no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.

Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes – In Stores NOW!

A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All she wants is peace and anonymity…

Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie’s holiday is about to heat up…

With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits—but when Sophie’s brothers whisk her away, Vim’s most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie’s been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true…

About the Author 

Grace Burrowes is the pen name for an award-winning author of historical romances. The Heir, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010. Both The Heir and its follow-up, The Solider, are New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. She is a practicing attorney specializing in family law and lives in a restored log cabin in western Maryland without a TV, DVD or radio because she's too busy working on her next books. For more information, please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/.

Review: Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish - Grace Burrowes

Series: The Duke's Daughters #1, Windham #4
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: For review

All she wants is peace and anonymity...

Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie's holiday is about to heat up...

With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits-but when Sophie's brothers whisk her away, Vim's most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie's been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true...

My thoughts:

In this new series from Burrowes it is time for the Windham sisters to find love and we start with Sophie.

This book is different from the 3 about the brothers. This one is slower, not in a bad way, but the other books had their big secret and a bit of drama connected to that. While this one had a more peaceful pace and even if there was passion it was not as big. I will get to the reason of this all soon enough.

Sophie has been out for a long time, but she has yet to marry. She is the sensible daughter who takes in strays cats and limp horses. She is quiet and nice and she is all alone in a big house with a baby that was left behind. In comes our hero who she meets and who helps her. This book is also as much about the baby as it is about these two. Vim stays to help, he a good man, nice, helpful and falling for a woman who he does not know is a Duke's daughter. That is where the tiny drama comes in, mostly because of a misunderstanding. 

I liked how they grew closer together thanks to the baby. They cared for him together and fell in love (and lust). There is where the stillness of this book comes in, for a long time it is just the two of them and baby Kit. Then when it changes the tone of the book changes to a bit, the stillness is not as still, but there is still a calm as forces try to get them together.

Conclusion:

A nice Christmas tale about love and family.

Cover
Ok