Top Ten Tuesday : My Ten Most Recent Reads
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic :
My Ten Most Recent Reads
This list is literally the last ten books that I’ve read. Some of them I loved, some I liked. I’ve given a brief intro, linked to my reviews and highlighted my rating.
The Drowned City by KJ Maitland – historical fiction set just after the Gunpowder Plot was discovered and political unrest and uncertainty run rife. A natural disaster strikes Bristol leading to talk of witchcraft and an investigator is sent to dispel such rumours before they lead to further uprisings. I’m hopeful that this is a start to series as I would certainly pick up more books with this MC. 4 of 5 stars
Black Stone Heart by Michael R Fletcher – a man awakens with no memories at all and embarks on a voyage of self discovery. A very grimdark read indeed that questions identity. I enjoyed this one but would say this won’t be to everyone’s taste due to the brutality and harshness that takes place. I have the next instalment which I will hopefully be picking up very soon. I gave this 8.5 of 10 so just over 4 of 5 stars
Such Pretty Things by Lisa Heathfield – psychological horror whereby overwhelming grief drives strong emotions and even stronger actions. I didn’t love this one as much as I’d hoped, maybe it was a touch too horror filled for my taste. 3 of 5 stars
Last Memoria by Rachel Emma Shaw. This is a very intriguing concept revolving around the ability to take memories. This is another dark read where flawed characters make difficult decisions in a struggle to recover who they really are. I gave this one 6.5 out of 10 which is just over 3 of 5 stars
The Two-Faced Queen by Nick Martell (The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings #2) – The Two-Faced Queen is everything that I hope for in a second book and then some. This is one crazy ride of a story, full of yet more intrigue and deceit involving immortals, serial killers and a continuing fight for the throne. 4.5 of 5 stars
Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone – I did enjoy this. It was a quick read, it was gripping and original and undeniably twisted. A strange read that takes a little time to reveal its secrets. 3.5 of 5 stars
The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin – In a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight so that the rest can remain at peace. I really enjoyed this one. 4 of 5 stars
The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson. This is the winner of the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off competition. Great fantasy with a twisted conclusion. I gave this 8.5 out of 10 so just over 4 of 5 stars.
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett. The introduction to the madcap world created by Pratchett. A good start to the craziness. 3.5 of 5 stars.
The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence. A great second in series. Wonderful writing, great characters and an intriguing long picture that makes me want the third book right away. 4.5 of 5 stars
The Girl and the Mountain (Book of the Ice #2) by Mark Lawrence
3 May 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book of the Ice #2, Mark Lawrence, The Girl and the Mountain
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Let the long game commence
Two things I have consistently mentioned in my reviews for books by Mark Lawrence. Firstly, his style of writing is a joy to read and, secondly, he is masterful when it comes to the long game.
That being said, The Girl and the Stars, although I enjoyed it, was not my favourite of his work, although the prose was delicious and we were introduced to a bunch of new characters struggling to survive. When I say it wasn’t my favourite, of course, I should point out it was still a 4 star read for me so don’t be distracted by my pointing that out. Unfortunately Mr Lawrence has found himself up on a high pedestal, it’s a precarious place and all I can say is that with great success comes great expectations.
Now, before I start this review I would mention that this being a second book in series this review will undoubtedly contain unintentional spoilers. I would also suggest that if you’re intending to read this you should start with the first book in series as opposed to crashing in, in fact I think it might even be helpful to read Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor series (okay, it’s not essential that you do so but I certainly got a kick out of the conclusion to this one that was definitely served better by being familiar with that series).
Very helpfully the author provides a refresher before the book begins which I really appreciated. The Girl and the Mountain then picks up almost immediately where The Girl and the Stars left off. Yaz has escaped the Pit of the Missing but is nonetheless in dire straits in fact you could reasonably suggest that a fitting catchphrase for this book (nay the series) might be ‘out of the frying pan into the fire’. The friends that accompanied her have a much more perilous journey but eventually all the characters find themselves trapped inside the home of the priests, the Black Rock – which undoubtedly, and rightly, has an ominous ring. Now this portion of the book contains plenty to grip readers. None of which I’m going to describe. I would advise you to harden your heart because along with some shocking revelations for the characters there is also a little heartbreak along the way. So, we discover that much of the way of life on the ice is founded on deception and lies, we already discovered some of that in book 1 but the start of TGatM reinforces it further and also reveals a much bigger conspiracy.
Yaz and a number of companions then undertake a perilous journey in search of the ‘fabled’ green land they’ve heard about. This section of the story really concentrates on the characters. Well, don’t get me wrong, there is hardship, danger and action but for me this really cements some of the friendships and helps to show the characters in a different light. Yaz is perhaps most in her comfort zone (if you can describe such conditions as comfortable) and even she loses her way a little as their journey progresses. This journey is hard to say the least.
The story then takes a most extraordinary leap of imagination which even now is making my head spin. To be honest I really don’t want to give anything away but it’s at times like this that I have an overwhelming desire to work my way back through some of the author’s other series. Basically there’s a fusion of sci fi and fantasy here that starts to make me look at other things with curious eyes. Anyway, I can’t speculate about it because I’m going round in circles arguing with myself about what it all means and trying to figure it out. Watch this space – but don’t hold your breath.
And, undeniably I loved the way that this one concluded. Yes, it is a cliffhanger but it’s the sort of ending that makes me really anxious to pick up the next book.
What worked really well for me was travelling further afield, uncovering deceptions, greater character development and the promise of future reveals.
In terms of criticisms. I thought that there was a slight slowing down as Yaz and her friends traversed the ice, but it was only a very slight blip before the author threw in the next crisis. To be fair I enjoyed this section of the story for the character development that it allowed.
Overall I enjoyed this one. It’s a book that really takes things forward in a very interesting way and I look forward to seeing where the author takes us 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 stars
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
2 May 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:
So this week. I finished the SPFBO competition. My final read was The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson, which was coincidentally also the winner of the competition. My review is here. I also completed The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence which was a very good second instalment and I enjoyed that it took us back to a world that Lawrence fans are already familiar with. I’ve made a start on John Gwynne’s The Shadow of the Gods which has pretty much already grabbed my attention. I’ve also made a start on The Helm of Midnight by Marina Lostetter which is interesting. And, I seriously need to catch up with some reviews so hopefully I’ll manage to get three of four out this week. Finally, I’m hoping to get back on track with blogging and blog hopping and see what I’ve been missing out on.
Next Week
Complete The Shadow of the Gods and The Helm of Midnight. Also make a start on the second Discworld book and maybe make a start on The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper.
Reviews Posted since last Sunday:
- The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
- The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin
- The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson
Forthcoming Reviews:
- Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
- A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
- Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
- The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence
Around the Discworld: The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #1)
1 May 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Around the Discworld, Discworld #1, Lou's Book Stuff, Terry Pratchett, The Colour of Magic
Today is my review for the first book in the Discworld series and the first 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.
So, The Colour of Magic is our first read and to be honest this is definitely a book where forewarned is forearmed. As starts to series go this is kind of what I anticipated and a number of people had also mentioned to keep my expectations in check for this one as it isn’t the best that Discworld has to offer. Like most first books this is a good introduction, it gives you a feel for the world, it introduces a couple of characters that I understand pop up again throughout the series and it demonstrates the madcap, quirky humour so you can get an idea if this will be something for you or not.
I confess that it took me a little while to get into this one, I don’t know why exactly, but I swear that I must have gone back to the beginning at least four times before I finally got on board. After that little hiccup the rest was a very easy story to get along with although the plot is a little jumpy. This doesn’t feel so much like a coherent plot as a series of incidents that introduce us to places and characters.
The main characters are Rincewind and Twoflower. Rincewind is a wizard, although not a very competent one, and Twoflower is a tourist who has a surprising lack of fear for his own personal safety, by which I mean that he’s not so much courageous as simply oblivious to danger of any sort. I must say that I love that Pratchett starts his introduction to the world with a story that follows a tourist – it’s really just so appropriate because as a new reader of a very well established world I definitely feel like a tourist. My one wish – how I would love some luggage of the kind that Twoflower owns, luggage that you can’t lose. These two characters become inextricably linked. Twoflower hires Rincewind to be his guide to Discworld and whilst Rincewind has notions of double crossing his gullible would-be employer it soon becomes clear that he has instead become responsible for his safety and so the two embark on a series of (mis)adventures that usually involve scrapes with death – and, yes, we are also introduced to Death.
First impressions. I liked this, I wasn’t totally bowled over but nor was I expecting to be. I did find myself smiling at quite a lot of the descriptions, characters and humour, I mean, I wasn’t outright belly laughing but I do feel like this is a series that I could see myself really sinking in to. I have to say that this really put me in mind of Monty Python, just a little bit crazy where it feels like literally anything can, and will, happen. And, I loved some of the creativity, I mean, there’s a lot of imagination crammed in and little plays on tropes, dragons that only exist if you can imagine them or Gods that can’t be invoked by name. The other thing that really stood out to me was that, for a book that was written not much shy of 40 years ago, this doesn’t feel like it’s aged badly at all.
Anyway, those are my initial impressions of the first book of the series.
In terms of criticisms. Well, there doesn’t feel to be a plot that you can really become involved with. It feels a little flighty and the characters seem to fall into trouble and get out of it with equal alacrity – and yet, although I mention that as a slight issue at the same time it feels fitting in regard to the crazy mixed up nature of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It didn’t totally wow me and at this point I wonder, if I’d picked this up years ago, or if I’d not already read some of the other storylines and loved them, would I carry on after picking this one up? I’d like to think the answer to that is yes and I do always like to give the first book in a series some leeway so I’m fairly certain that I would. I look forward to reading and discussing No.2 this month.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars
I bought a copy through Audible and actually really enjoyed the narration. I have #2 to read on kindle so it will be interesting to compare the two different formats.
Friday Face Off : A series that you love
30 April 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A series you love, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off
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’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 series that you love – highlight all the books in the series
Firstly, I would just mention that I’ve not managed to catch up yet with all your lovely blogs. I have to confess that I’ve been feeling a bit sad. I’m sure I’ll get over that slowly but surely, at the moment it feels like it’s going to be very slowly, I’m annoying myself now with all the pesky miserableness (and I keep leaking! – by which I mean crying – don’t panic anyone). Anyway,I hope this was another easy theme for the week. I think the biggest problem that I had was choosing which particular series to go for. Anyway, I’ve gone for a series that I absolutely adore the covers of. In fact I think I never miss an opportunity to display these covers but truly, they are gorgeous. This week I have gone for The Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan. Seriously, these covers – and where did that sneaky 3.5 book come from – what absolute devilry is this? Anyway, here are the covers in all their beautiful magnificence. Try to disagree if you wish – but I will come over there – grrrrr!!
Feast your eyes on these little beauts:
Do you have a favourite? I’m not sure I can choose tbh.
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 – The start of Wyrd and Wonder. A month long celebration of fantasy. The theme: A series where the covers changed midway through – which style do you prefer most
2021
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
