Can’t Wait Wednesday : Mastermind: The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd
3 March 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't wait Wednesday, Sam Lloyd, The Rising Tide, 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 : The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd. I loved The Memory Wood and can’t recommend it enough so I was absolutely the most excited person ever when I saw this one:
The new pulse-pounding thriller from the bestselling author of THE MEMORY WOOD: beautifully written, evocative and dramatic, you will read it with your heart in your mouth.
******
HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?
The news doesn’t strike cleanly, like a guillotine’s blade. Nothing so merciful. This news is a slovenly traveller, dragging its feet, gradually revealing its horrors. And it announces itself first with violence – the urgent hammering of fists on the front door.
Life can change in a heartbeat.
Lucy has everything she could wish for: a beautiful home high on the clifftops above the Devon coast, a devoted husband and two beloved children.
Then one morning, time stops. Their family yacht is recovered, abandoned far out at sea. Lucy’s husband is nowhere to be found and as the seconds tick by, she begins to wonder – what if he was the one who took the boat? And if so, where is he now?
As a once-in-a-generation storm frustrates the rescue operation, Lucy pieces together what happened onboard. And then she makes a fresh discovery. One that plunges her into a nightmare more shocking than any she could ever have imagined . . .
Expected Publication August 2021
No Wondrous Reads ‘word’ this week – mainly because I forgot to highlight any words this week. Doh.
Witherward (Witherward #1) by Hannah Matthewson
My Five Word TL:DR Review – I thoroughly enjoyed this one
The thing is, I’m quite a lot less inclined to pick up YA these days. In fairness I’m not the target audience and more often than not I find myself coming away from them with more questions than answers. Witherward was such a lovely surprise, the world building was impressive, the plot kept me hooked and I enjoyed the characters. On top of which there is a very low key romance that is simmering away. Yeah, I had a good time with this one.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t necessarily say that there’s anything groundbreaking here and it has something of a ‘chosen one’ trope but there are some lovely refreshing elements, good writing,strong foundations and a number of twists.
This is a world with two Londons. One quite hidden and accessed via portals, known as Witherward, where all sorts of magic and supernatural elements exist. The other London – the one we, the readers, are familiar with – is known as Otherworld Witherward has a number of different factions. On the face of it they exist amicably, well, mostly. Changelings are exactly what they sound like- they can shift into virtually any animal, bird or even a different person providing their magic is strong enough and they can hold the image in their mind. The other factions are Wraiths, Whisperers, Oracles, Sorcerers, and Psi – each with their own particular strengths. There is an accord between the factions to keep them in line, they each inhabit particular areas but the Changelings are relatively new and at this point, not entirely accepted. So, for the purposes of this story we follow the Changelings as they withstand various conspiracies.
Ilsa is a Changer who has lived in the Otherworld for as long as she can remember. Initially at an orphanage until the cruel treatment she received eventually forced her to run away and carve out a life on the streets. As the story begins Ilsa is taken, ripped from everything she has ever known and taken to Witherward. From there, everything she has ever known is turned upside down, Amongst strangers she discovers a whole new world full of possibilities that she never imagined, although this is of course tinged with constant threats to life and limb.
What did I enjoy about this? Such a lot. The world building is really well done. Admittedly, there is a lot to take on board initially but it’s all really well grounded with history and emotions that run deep. I liked the characters. Ilsa is easy to like. She’s not perfect by a long stretch of the imagination but she is resourceful and independent. I also liked a number of the other characters and it felt very easy to get on board with them. I enjoyed the way that we discover things along with Ilsa. It felt natural and unforced. I liked the dialogue that came across easy to read and natural. The plot was intriguing and there were a number of twists.
Overall this makes a great start to series. We have something of an enemies to love interest ‘thing’ going on which is enticing and well paced and actually was quite unique in the direction it eventually takes and is a definite draw in terms of book 2 (which I’m really looking forward to given how this one ends).
In terms of criticisms. I don’t really have anything. This was a really enjoyable read for me that quite outdid itself in terms of my expectations for YA. I feel like I’m perhaps not giving this as glowing a review as I would like – so, for the avoidance of doubt, this was great.
I received a copy through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Here’s Looking at You : March
Each month I’m going to make a quick post highlighting what I’m expecting to read and any forthcoming news about events and the like.
This month I have some really great books to look forward to (I can’t deny that I’m super excited). I’m starting another buddy read with Mayri at the Bookforager and I also have a forthcoming endeavour that I’ll be posting about shortly. I will also shortly be posting my review for my most recent SPFBO read and highlighting my next book.
In terms of books here’s what I’m hoping to read. Probably a bit ambitious although I did read 10 books in February so … never say never.
All the Murmuring Bones by AG Slater
Long ago Miren O’Malley’s family prospered due to a deal struck with the mer: safety for their ships in return for a child of each generation. But for many years the family have been unable to keep their side of the bargain and have fallen into decline. Miren’s grandmother is determined to restore their glory, even at the price of Miren’s freedom.
A spellbinding tale of dark family secrets, magic and witches, and creatures of myth and the sea; of strong women and the men who seek to control them.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.
All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…
You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.
In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…
The Unbroken by CL Clark
Touraine is a soldier. Stolen as a child and raised to kill and die for the empire, her only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts. But now, her company has been sent back to her homeland to stop a rebellion, and the ties of blood may be stronger than she thought.
Luca needs a turncoat. Someone desperate enough to tiptoe the bayonet’s edge between treason and orders. Someone who can sway the rebels toward peace, while Luca focuses on what really matters: getting her uncle off her throne.
Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren’t for sale.
The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers
Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder-a world where women tame magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. But each daring feat has a cost. Bound to her family’s strange and magical circus, it’s the only world Cecile Cabot knows-until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate love affair that could cost her everything.
Virginia, 2005: Lara Barnes is on top of the world-until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. Desperate, her search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother’s journals and sweeps her into the story of a dark circus and a generational curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations.
The Fall of Koli by MR Carey
The world that is lost will come back to haunt us . . .
Koli has come a long way since being exiled from his small village of Mythen Rood. In his search for the fabled tech of the old times, he knew he’d be battling strange, terrible beasts and trees that move as fast as whips. But he has already encountered so much more than he bargained for.
Now that Koli and his companions have found the source of the signal they’ve been following – the mysterious “Sword of Albion” – there is hope that their perilous journey will finally be worth something.
Until they unearth terrifying truths about an ancient war . . . and realise that it may have never ended.
Hyde by Craig Russell
Edward Hyde has a strange gift-or a curse-he keeps secret from all but his physician. He experiences two realities, one real, the other a dreamworld state brought on by a neurological condition.
When murders in Victorian Edinburgh echo the ancient Celtic threefold death ritual, Captain Edward Hyde hunts for those responsible. In the process he becomes entangled in a web of Celticist occultism and dark scheming by powerful figures. The answers are there to be found, not just in the real world but in the sinister symbolism of Edward Hyde’s otherworld.
He must find the killer, or lose his mind.
A dark tale. One that inspires Hyde’s friend . . . Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Two Faced Queen by Nick Martell
The Hollows is gripped in unrest and on the brink of civil war as an insurgency of anarchists rise, and brother and sister vie for the throne in the second novel in the critically hailed Legacy of the Mercenary King series which Brandon Sanderson called “excellent.”
Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labeled as a traitor. Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart. With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.
Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
What if the life you have always known is taken from you in an instant? What would you do to get it back?
Twins Jeanie and Julius have always been different from other people. At 51 years old, they still live with their mother, Dot, in rural isolation and poverty. Their rented cottage is simultaneously their armour against the world and their sanctuary. Inside its walls they make music, in its garden they grow (and sometimes kill) everything they need for sustenance.
But when Dot dies suddenly, threats to their livelihood start raining down. At risk of losing everything, Jeanie and her brother must fight to survive in an increasingly dangerous world as their mother’s secrets unfold, putting everything they thought they knew about their lives at stake.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
28 February 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Sunday Post, 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
So this week we decided to do some decorating – which is always a lot nicer in my head when I think about doing these things than the actual reality turns out to be. My dog, Dude, was not so good this week. I don’t know whether he’s found something nasty in the garden (something that he probably buried himself and left for ages before returning to) but I quite literally thought he was on his last legs! Then just as suddenly he was as right as rain and looking at me with that judgemental expression as though it was all my doing. I was very relieved, he’s an old chap now – 16 in June so he needs to stop his shenanigans. In bookish news. I’ve completed two books this week. I read and enjoyed Witherward by Hannah Matthewson. This is a YA book and I admit that I don’t pick a lot of YA books up these days as I sometimes find them a struggle. I’m happy to say that I didn’t have any problems with this one, the world building is really good with two versions of Victorian London, one of them filled with magic, shapeshifters and other fantasy elements. I also completed Devin Madson’s We Lie With Death, which was also really good, in fact imo even better than book 1.
Next Week
This week I’m continuing with The Black Song which I didn’t have a chance to pick up last week. I’ll also be continuing with my SPFBO book, A Wind From the Wilderness by Suzannah Rowntree, I’m about 40% into this one It isn’t a quick read so far but the writing is lovely and the world building very strong, it has something of a historical feel atm with only light fantasy elements and I’m very interested to see how it develops.
Reviews Posted since last Sunday:
- The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
- Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Forthcoming Reviews:
- Children by Bjorn Larssen
- We Lie with Death by Devin Madson
- Witherward by Hannah Matthewson
What’ve you been up to the past week?
Friday Face Off : A book with ‘Magic’ in the Title
26 February 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Alice Hoffman, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Practical Magic
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future week’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout. This week’s theme:
A book with ‘Magic’ in the Title
Okay, hope everyone had a good time with this one and didn’t have a difficulty coming up with a book. I was very tempted to go with one of two books that will be forthcoming reads for me but then, I couldn’t resist going with Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman:
My favourite: Well, I’m not totally in love with most of these covers. It comes down to two very similar covers for me:
I like the concept for these but they both have their faults. I like the darker cover strictly speaking but the title and author disappear a little. I would prefer the lighter version to not have the yellow box. I think a combination of the darker background with the yellow font would be preferable.
But, my favourite is:
I’ve updated the list now to include themes for next year. If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next week – March is named for the Roman God of War – a Roman style cover or a cover with a God or Gods or simply a book about war
2021
March
5th – March is named for the Roman God of War – a Roman style cover or a cover with a God or Gods or simply a book about war
12th – Middle Grade – choose whatever pleases you
19th – Ruin or derelict, old and worn, could be the book itself, a building, a place
26th – A picture within a picture
April
2nd – A train or tram – travelling down the track, could be old style, futuristic, overhead, down below.
9th – Cartoonish or graphic
16th – I have to have it – a cover that gave you ‘grabby hands’
23rd – Your current read (if it has covers to compare) or any recent read
30th– A series that you love – highlight all the books in the series
May
Month of Wyrd and Wonder
7th – A Series where the cover changed midway through – which style do you prefer most
14th – The earliest fantasy you recall reading – or the first fantasy book you really loved, maybe the book that kickstarted your love of fantasy
21st – The Top Hat
28th – The Hood
June
4th – The nose boop – any animal, or human, with a close up shot.
11th – A cover that annoyed you and why
18th – Out of Perspective, or make you feel a bit dizzy
25th – Upside down, back to front or topsy turvy
July
2nd – A book with a landscape you’d like to visit
9th – A Wicked Grin
16th – Books with ‘book’ in the title
23rd – A Black Hole – could be in the universe or going deep into the ground
30th – Chaos – maybe too much going on in this one
August
6th – “They cluck their thick tongues, and shake their heads and suggest, os so very delicately!” – The Motel
13th – A favourite holiday read
20th – Dressed to kill (could be literally someone dressed to kill, or someone dressed up for a big night out
27th – Sunbathing or on the beach
September (RIP event)
3rd – 1920s feel, noir detective
10th – I’m Henry the Eighth I am – let’s look at Kings or other Emperors/rulers
17th – Books with ‘Murder’ in the title
24th – A favourite thriller
October
1st – A Halloween read
8th – Chills – anything at all that almost makes you too scared to pick up the book (your own pet hate)
15th – Your favourite book of magic
22nd – Books with ‘Queen’ in the title
29th – Must be gothic
November – Sci Fi Month
5th – Your earliest sci-fi read or the first sci-fi you reviewed
12th – A book with ‘star’ in the title
19th – Futuristic vista
26th – A Black Hole – in the universe or going deep into the ground
December
3rd – Windswept, the classic figure, stood majestically, with wind blowing out in a fetching way
10th – A fairytale retold
17th – Winter Solstice approaching – anything cold and seasonal
24th – All things fire – red hair, red covers, fire breathing dragons, simply fire?
31st – What’s your catnip – if it’s on a cover you have to pick it up
Books and travelling with Lynn 