Waiting on Wednesday : Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow by Christina Henry
7 July 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A tale of Sleepy Hollow, Christina Henry, Horseman, Waiting on Wednesday, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow by Christina Henry – because I’ve read two of her books and loved them. Give it to me now:
In this atmospheric, terrifying novel that draws strongly from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the author of Alice and The Girl in Red works her trademark magic, spinning an engaging and frightening new story from a classic tale.
Everyone in Sleepy Hollow knows about the Horseman, but no one really believes in him. Not even Ben Van Brunt’s grandfather, Brom Bones, who was there when it was said the Horseman chased the upstart Crane out of town. Brom says that’s just legend, the village gossips talking.
Twenty years after those storied events, the village is a quiet place. Fourteen-year-old Ben loves to play Sleepy Hollow boys, reenacting the events Brom once lived through. But then Ben and a friend stumble across the headless body of a child in the woods near the village, and the sinister discovery makes Ben question everything the adults in Sleepy Hollow have ever said. Could the Horseman be real after all? Or does something even more sinister stalk the woods?
Expected publication : September 2021
Around the Discworld: Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #3)
6 July 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Around the Discworld, Discworld #3, Equal Rites, Terry Pratchett
Today is my review for the third book in the Discworld series and the next step on a journey that Louise over at Lou’s Book Stuff and I agreed to undertake together whereby we read the entire Discworld series in order. You can check out Lou’s review here (I will be linking up asap).
Equal Rites is book No.3 in the series and was a little bit of a turnaround for me. I liked the first two books but I wouldn’t say I was bowled over, Equal Rites felt like it had a storyline I could get into a little more and of course Granny Weatherwax plays a role – and she is a character indeed.
My reviews for book 1 and 2 are here and here.
The main gist of the story for equal rites is that witches can’t be wizards. This is a known fact. Is isn’t possible. So, when a dying wizard passes his powers and staff of power to the eighth son of an eighth son – imagine the dilemma when the newborn baby turns out to be a girl. Of course, it’s too late to backtrack, the staff has been passed on and now belongs to Eskarina Smith – more than belongs in fact, the staff has a force of it’s own and it seems to protect its new owner with a passion.
Enter Granny Weatherwax. She lives on her mountain and prefers goats to people. She steps in to try and help train Esk in the witch ways, unfortunately Esk has too much untamed magic and finally it seems that the only thing would be to take her to the Unseen University – a very male establishment where the only way for Esk to enter is to be part of the staff, invisible, in the background, but secretly learning.
As I mentioned already I enjoyed this one more than the first two in series. In fairness, it’s probably unfair to say I didn’t enjoy them because I did. They’re entertaining stories with a whacky madcap humour but Equal Rites is the earliest introduction to Granny Weatherwax and already she is a character not to be trifled with. I’ve previously read the Tiffany Aching series and loved them so rediscovering this earlier version of Granny was delightful. She is such a force of nature. one of those people who is always right, even if she doesn’t have the first notion about what she’s talking she never admits it – hot damn I wish I’d had a little bit of that attitude at certain points in my life.
Esk is definitely an interesting character but Granny can’t help but steal the show.
Other things worth a mention. A certain similarity to the first two books in the series where a journey of two people is embarked upon. This particular journey could be said to be a ‘finding yourself’ type tale not just for Esk but for Granny. She has some very firm views herself, in some respects she feels akin to the wizards – which makes the conclusion of this particular story so interesting and actually a little heartwarming. I think Pratchett has a way of giving unbelievable characteristics to everyday things. I think he could probably make a chair look disapproving or a stove cook furiously. Firstly – the luggage from books 1 and 2 which came across as playful at times and like a determined guard dog at others. Here we have the staff, positively dripping with stubbornness. I love these little things.
In terms of slight reservations. Okay, I wouldn’t say that I’m really experiencing any seriously laugh out loud moments at this stage of my journey through the Discworld but I like to think it’s early days and the world and characters are still being established. I certainly found this story easier to get along with although that could be the familiarity with a certain character. I would also say that my experience with Equal Rites was that I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book more than the concluding chapters where things seemed to slow down for me even though, conversely the pace increased. That being said there were elements that were greatly enjoyable – I’m thinking of the dual between a certain witch and wizard which was very entertaining.
Witches, wizards, magic, tricks, broomstick riding, magic libraries and a determined witch and her protege ringing in the changes.
I always think the first 2 or 3 books in a series are the foundations and so with still (ahem) quite a few more books yet to come I will say I have high hopes. I feel like I’m starting to find my feet. Let’s see what No.4 has in store.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars
I bought a copy for kindle.
The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd
My Five Word TL:DR Review : I couldn’t put it down
I loved The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd and now I can add The Rising Tide to the ‘loved it’ list too.
As the book starts we meet Lucy Locke. Married to Daniel and with two lovely children, Fin and Billie, they seem to have an idyllic life. Lucy runs a successful local business called the Drift Net which is a great community venue as well as local meeting spot. They live in an impressive house that sits on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea and their love is as strong now as it ever was. Daniel’s business seems to have hit a blip but it’s nothing they can’t get through together – until Daniel heads off to work one morning and Lucy’s life is turned upside down.
Daniel has taken the family yacht out to sea, the local rescue service have received a mayday, the boat has been found but nobody is aboard and one of the biggest storms of the century is fast approaching. The police become involved and things escalate rapidly when it appears both children are also missing.
I can’t really go any further into the plot as that would reveal spoilers and I really don’t want to go there.
So, what worked really well for me with this?
Firstly, the writing is excellent and Lloyd sets the scene magnificently. You can feel Lucy’s ever growing terror as she scrambles around, desperately worried about her family while the tension builds much like the approaching clouds and swollen sea.
Secondly, this is a writer who knows how to keep his cards close to his chest, slowly revealing information that gives you pause for thought. You start to entertain doubts, and yet Lucy seems so steadfast, she loves her husband and he loves her. Is she hiding something? Is she delusional? I started to entertain notions that I knew what was going on, Lloyd is excellent at misdirection however, feeding you snippets of things that look a certain way until you start to doubt everything and everyone.
The setting also plays into the plot so well. This is one of those small seaside villages that feels almost claustrophobic and it seems that there are secrets and resentments lying just below the surface waiting to be revealed. On the face of it, Lucy and her family are loved and respected but scratch the surface and you find people who are not quite so enamoured.
In terms of the characters. Lucy is very well done. She’s far from perfect and as you gather more information about her you’ll start to regard her more cautiously, maybe even start to have a few ‘what the heck’ moments in regards to some of her behaviour. Some of it just doesn’t make sense, and I say again, is she delusional?? Then there’s DI Abraham Rose. He definitely makes his presence known, there’s something about him that just seems to draw attention. It’s like a bear has just entered the room and you can’t drag your eyes away. Rose is on a mission of sorts, like a knight on a quest, he’s determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and only his failing health can stop him. Is this family as perfect as we are first given to believe?
I didn’t really have any criticisms. I really enjoyed this one, I think maybe the culprit was a little thinly drawn but I think that’s a combination of not wanting to give away the story too early on and then being caught up in the thick of the drama in such a way that there wasn’t really an opportunity to provide too much without losing momentum.
As it is, I really liked this, it held me gripped, I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough, it was an absolute roller coaster of ups and downs, it took me by surprise more than once and not always in a nice way, the writing is great, the tension and atmosphere stand out and I didn’t see the ending coming. What more can I say? I’ll be eagerly watching Sam Lloyd to see what he comes up with next.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
4 July 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this last year but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Last week:
I had a busy week, the weather was good, I did a bit of socialising, some gardening, some experimental cooking and went a little off plan with my reading – but not totally. I managed a couple of reviews (not as many as I’d liked) but I also posted my first update post for SPFBO shortly followed by my next batch of books. This week I completed The Final Girl’s Support Group by Grady Hendrix – which was great – I went off schedule a little and read The Past is Red by Catherynne M Valente which is thought provoking, emotional, beautiful, hopeful and dreadful at the same time. I’m also reading The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley, I’m taking my time a little with this one because it’s so good I just don’t want to rush it, I want to savour the writing, the world and the characters.
Complete the Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley. Next I’m aiming to read The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry and maybe The Retreat by Elisabeth de Mariaffi (although She Who Became the Sun is calling to me as well at the moment so we’ll see. I’ll be picking up the fourth Discworld soon and also continuing with First Law which I’m loving..
Reviews Posted since last Sunday:
Forthcoming Reviews:
- Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
- A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams
- The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd
- Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
- The Final Girl’s Support Group by Grady Hendrix
- The Past is Red by Catherynne M Valente
#SPFBO 7 : My Second Batch of Books
SPFBO 7 got off to a great start. I’ve read my first batch of books – you can find my feedback here plus links to reviews for all four books. I have to say my first batch was very good and has set the bar high. Let’s see what comes next – I’m hoping for lots of good reads.
For those of you unfamiliar with SPFBO here and here are two posts that might provide some enlightenment. Basically, SPFBO is the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off, brainchild of Mark Lawrence. 300 hopeful authors submit their word babies. 10 Judges are allocated 30 books each. Each judge chooses a finalist, the competition narrows to 10 hopeful candidates. Alas, there can be only one winner so following an intense reading session where all the judges read and score each others finalists a winner finally emerges.
The main change for myself this year is that I am joining up with the wonderful Critiquing Chemist and her lovely boffin. We are very excited to start reading our batch (at the moment equally divided between the two blogs). I love this part of the competition, it’s full of expectations and hope. As in previous years I will give a brief introduction to the books and authors that I’m picking up that month together with an update at the end of the month where I may roll some books forwards and cut others. I know! It’s a part of the competition that I’m not overly fond of but it is unavoidable. Personally, I like to think that as the competition begins we already have 300 winners who each took that bold step to throw their hat into the ring and join in. So, enjoy yourselves, take the opportunity to make friends and become part of the community.
This month the four books that I will be reading from me second batch are:
Berserker (Apocosmos #1) by Dimitrios Gkirgkiris
Alex is a game developer though he’d much rather stream RPG classics or spend time with Louie. That’s his adorable corgi.
He also hates people. Not in a homicidal way but rather in an extremely-antisocial one.
Unless you hurt Louie.
In such an instant, Alex is pulled in the Apocosmos, where our whole world is just a blip in a colorful tapestry of million others.
A multiverse ruled by a strict system.
Where Norse, Greek, and Celtic pantheons clash.
Where dwarves craft, dragons hoard, and vampires don’t glitter.
A world that is as cruel as epic.
Alex wants none of that though. He just wants to earn an early retirement somewhere in Spain.
There’s money to be made in the Apocosmos.
Alex will take advantage of the market just like he did in his MMORPG days, in what seems like an error-proof plan.
But it’s a zero-sum game and some would do anything to eliminate competition.
About the Author
The three things Dimitrios would grab in case of a fire, would be his Lord of the Rings book collection, his Chrono Trigger SNES game, and his dog, Poko.
July 2020 marked the beginning of his author career with the release of the Mana Trilogy, an epic fantasy saga focusing on world and civilization-building.
Dimitrios was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and is now living in Berlin with his partner and his doggo.
Stone Magus (Hidden Gems Saga #1) by Stephanie C. Marks
In life, love, and family, there is always strength in numbers.
Something is off balance between the Windsong Sisters, and for Opal and Ruby, the terrible might of their powers may just lead them to catastrophe—or clarity. As half-elf mages in the service of the Order of Aiuna, the sisters spend their days collecting and preserving anything that magic touches, and as their mission takes them further back into their past, the darkness that awaits them there threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.
Despite the dark smoke rising around them, Opal is finding it hard to ignore the flames flickering between herself and Baerdun. There’s just something about it that makes her feel weak, and not just in the knees. With so much happening around them, it’s becoming much harder to keep her head above water and her heart her own.
After everything they’ve lost—what if they lose themselves as well?
Enter a world where shadows exist within and without, and follow Opal, Ruby, and Baerdun down a path that will either bring them together or force them apart.
About the Author:
Book of Secrets (Merged Series #1) by Claudia Blood
Joshua Lighthouse never wanted to save the world, but now he has no choice.
Three hundred years ago, the human world and the world of Myth underwent a cataclysmic Merge. Those who survived – both human and Others – formed factions. Joshua led one faction, the Human Protection Agency, which is charged with maintaining the safety of the humans in his city. He secretly protects an artifact more powerful than even he knows…
About the Author :
In spite of a busy life wrapped around a military husband, two young children, a dog, bunnies, and a day job, Claudia Blood manages to pen epic, urban, and science fantasies.
Dragonbirth byRaina Nightingale
In a world where dragons are considered demons and Dragonriders are hunted and killed as witches…
A devout village-girl, Silmavalien, meets a dragon hatchling and discovers a love she could never have dreamed. At the same time, her world is ripped apart as she discovers the gods she has worshipped and everything she has ever been taught or believed is a monstrous lie. Not knowing what to believe – or even if she can trust her engaged, Noren, with her new secret – she must find a way to care for herself and her dragon, Minth, in a wild and hostile world, a world which only grows stranger as the days pass.
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Finally, good luck to everyone. Don’t forget, if you want to pay me a visit here on the blog you’re more than welcome. Just email or leave a comment.
Books and travelling with Lynn 