Tag: bookreview

Book Review: Dear Child – Romy Hausmann

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If you’re looking for a seasonal spooky read to pick up soon, I have a good recommendation featured in today’s book review. I read Dear Child in November 2022. With the nights drawing in, it’s the perfect time to settle into reads most sinister in nature…

Dear Child is German author Romy Hausmann’s debut, and it is a great book. I really enjoyed reading this one and I’m looking forward to selling it to you in the best way I can!

Shall we take a look?

 

Dear Child – Romy Hausmann

Genre: Thriller / Mystery

Pages:  343

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Quercus Books

Publication Date: 14 May 2020

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – Dear Child


A windowless shack in the woods. Lena’s life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father: meals, bathroom visits, study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them.

One day Lena manages to flee – but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called ‘Lena’, who disappeared without a trace over thirteen years ago. The police and Lena’s family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn’t quite seem to fit.


My Thoughts


Plot

With plenty of storyline to cover in just 340 short pages, there is a lot going on in this book. It’s full of revelations about the mystery behind the storyline. At the same time, there is no info dumping. We’re engaged in the story from the first page, and all throughout.

I enjoyed the pacing of it too – the unveilings come throughout the novel rather than leaving it all to the end. It certainly kept me reading on, and I’m sure it will for you too! If you enjoy books that keep you guessing… well you guessed it – pick it up!

It’s hard to talk about the plot without giving anything away. I deliberately don’t want to do that here and spoil it for you… so I’m not!


Characters

From the beginning I was intrigued by the characters, dynamic and mystery behind their real identity. Are they who we think they are? That’s uncovered in the story and not something I’m going to spoil here though. What I will say is that it was an interesting conundrum as part of the narrative. I’ll leave you to fill in the blanks.

When I read psychological thrillers I often find myself ‘testing’ the narrative point of view to decide if I trust it or not. I had a field day doing this when reading Dear Child, so if that’s something you enjoy then this will appeal to you.

The book is split into three very different perspectives. I much prefer multi-perspective books myself so it appealed to me. One of the perspectives is also told by a child, Hannah. It’s not a common perspective we get a naturally, it gave me plenty of scope for testing her viewpoint. Does her naivety impact her perspective?


Setting

Events in a number of chapters take place in the cabin in the woods – an isolated and controlled environment where Lena and her family are held captive. No windows. No contact with the outside world beyond their captor. Their daily routines are controlled by him rigorously. It’s not hard to imagine the abuse that has taken place there.

The trauma both Lena and her children display are the consequences of their predicament. Whilst it’s not too graphic, there is clearly a lot that has taken place behind the scenes already so it’s still for a more mature reader.

The contrast between the real world and that setting are in stark contrast with one another, yet realistic in both cases!


Narrative Style

Dear Child is written in such a way that ‘just one more chapter’ will become a common thought. You won’t want to put it down! Combine that with the plot elements I mentioned earlier and you can see why I read this book in less than a week.

The intensity of the storyline and the way in which the story draws us readers in is incredible. Sometimes this can get literally lost in translation. However, in the case of Dear Child I wouldn’t say that is true at all!

Dear Child is an approachable narrative in terms of style and length. Whilst I wouldn’t recommend it to younger readers based on the content, in terms of style it’s suitable for anyone. It’s easy to read and digestible… and not a long book either.

 

Summary

Dear Child is a gripping thriller that I really enjoyed! With a twisty plot encapsulated in an approachable page count, it’s an ideal read for everyone to try this spooky season! 

Have you read Dear Child?

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Book Review: Assassin’s Quest – Robin Hobb

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I get to talk about one of my favourite conclusions to a mini-series, Assassin’s Quest, in today’s post.

Robin Hobb is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. If you haven’t checked out my reviews of the earlier books of the Farseer trilogy so far, here are links to my reviews of Assassin’s Apprentice and Royal Assassin here.

Now you are up to speed, let’s take a look at my thoughts on the third instalment of this trilogy, which makes up the introduction to this epic sixteen book series!


Assassin’s Quest – Robin Hobb

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Pages:  848

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 27 Mar 2014

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads –  Assassin’s Quest


The gripping finale to Robin Hobb’s classic Farseer trilogy.

Keystone. Gate. Crossroads. Catalyst.

Fitz is about to discover the truth about the Fool’s prophecy. Having been resurrected from his fatal tortures in Regal’s dungeons, Fitz has once more foiled Regal’s attempts to be rid of him.

Now, back in his own body, and after months of rehabilitation, Fitz begins the painful and slow process of learning the ways of a man again. Under the watchful eye of Burrich, old King Shrewd’s Stablemaster, Fitz must learn to cast off the wild but carefree ways of the wolf and enter once more the human world: a world beset ever more viciously by the relentless Red Ship Raiders who are now left free to plunder any coastal town they please. But more immediately, a world in which he finds he is utterly alone.

Regal has stripped the kingdom of its riches and retired to the inland city of Tradeford. Of Verity, on his quest to find the legendary Elderings, there has been no word; Molly, Kettricken and the Fool have all vanished.

Unless Fitz can find Verity and help him in his quest, the Six Duchies will perish and there will be no safe place to live.


My Thoughts


Plot

I had no idea how this book was going to start. A lot happened at the end of Royal Assassin and Assassin’s Quest had a lot to live up to. You’ll be pleased to know it exceeded expectations! That’s the beauty of Robin Hobb. Just when you think she can’t do herself, she pulls a trump card out of her sleeve and we readers are left reeling.

Fitz did not have a great time of things in book two, and a lot of book three is shaped by those events. He has a lot to recover, physically and socially. He is not the man he was and neither is the Court he served in. With Shrewd and Verity no longer on the political scene, Regal is making his mark and rather royally making a mess of the kingdom. Fitz has to try and negotiate his way around a new way of life.

I loved the storyline of Assassin’s Quest. It has the fundamental place and setting of the books established to date, but we get to see more too. As the name of the book suggests, Fitz ends up undertaking a quest. We get to see whole new areas yet undiscovered by us readers. I loved every part of it. That’s the content I live for in fantasy. It was engaging and magical and exciting. The world revealed yet more about a past we are still discovering alongside the main characters of this storyline.

Magic. Absolute magic.


Characters

Fitz is a loveable character, but I frequently find myself asking what will happen to him. Robin Hobb doesn’t pull her punches or treat characters with any kind of favouritism. As the events in the previous book show, nobody in her universe is safe.

Fitz is an interesting character to view the world from, especially with his increasingly less subtle links to the animal kingdom. More so than previous books, his bonding with Nighteyes influences his behaviour. It’s a unique aspect to his character and I love that it’s so prominent in the narrative and in the way he’s treated.

Even though I feel precious and protective over Fitz, I do love many other characters in these books. Verity and Kettricken are firm favourites. Regal is the kind of character we love to hate. Molly and Burrich are great character-shaping supports. The list goes on!


Setting

The setting of Assassin’s Quest takes us across multiple places. That’s what I love about epic fantasy. There is a familiarity as there are places we’ve discovered and explored previously. At the same time, we also get new discoveries on top. I found it a really enjoyable balance of the two and this fit perfectly into the storyline of the book.

Robin Hobb’s descriptions are amazing – it’s one of my favourite aspects of her writing. It’s so detailed and immersive that I felt I was actually there. Equally though, it doesn’t hold up the action going on or hold the narrative back.


Narrative Style

Robin Hobb’s books are full of detail. For me, they are a slower read compared to a lot of books but they are enriching. I enjoy taking the time to immerse myself in her world. It’s worth taking time over! I’m six books into sixteen-part series as of writing this post, and I already know it’s a series I’m going to go back to again.

Assassin’s Quest, as a while package, is engaging. There’s plenty of action to keep us interested. We get a great picture of the world it’s set in. Physically, historically etc. The characters are easy to get behind and root for, or not in some cases. The way in which this is packaged up is make or break for me. If I don’t get on with a book’s writing style, regardless of everything else, it can be the difference between reading it or not.

For Assassin’s Quest, it’s the icing on the cake!


Summary

Assassin’s Quest is a great conclusion to the first mini-series of the wider Realm of the Elderlings series. I can’t wait to revisit some of these characters now I’ve read the second trilogy, The Liveship Traders.

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Book Review: Dark Matter – Blake Crouch

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Dark Matter is a thriller novel I devoured and happily rated 5 stars. In today’s review post, I share just what I loved about it!


Dark Matter – Blake Crouch

Genre: Thriller

Pages:  342

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: 26 July 2016

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Goodreads –  Dark Matter


‘Are you happy in your life?’

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.

Before he awakes to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.

Before the man he’s never met smiles down at him and says, ‘Welcome back.’

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

In this other life, Jason has created a box. Transport into infinite alternate universes – every possible outcome of his life, one behind each door. In this other life, Jason chose a door. And he stole the life he wanted.

If Jason Dessen wants his life back, he will have to find it among infinite possibilities. And he will have to battle a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe: himself.


My Thoughts


Plot

I really enjoyed Dark Matter for its interesting and twisty plot. If you read the synopsis after the book, you can see just how it fits so well to what happens. It’s clever in that it doesn’t really give it away either, so I’m impressed.

If I told you that the overarching plot involved some degree of quantum physics and parallel universes, your brain may instinctively want to back away and hide in the nearest hole. However, please do not let that intimidate you.

This is included in the storyline in the absolute best ways. There isn’t too much detail or advanced knowledge needed to understand the premise. In my opinion, it is balanced perfectly so that the subject is approachable by readers of all levels and not limited to science nerds of the century.

And if you enjoy the kind of rabbit hole of thinking what would happen if each of these parallel universes interact with each other, then you are going to have a field day!


Characters

I liked Jason’s character and he was interesting throughout the book. Throughout the book, we see multiple versions of Jason and what would’ve happened if he had taken different paths in life.

Developing one character to such an extent that they can uphold a main character role is enough of the challenge without then having to develop them further and think about how different they could be in different circumstances. Crouch did this very well as I found all versions of Jason intriguing to read about.

But of course, he is not the only character in this book. Although a lot of time and effort must’ve gone into developing Jason as a character, that’s not happened at the expense for the characters. There is naturally a full cast to get to know over the course of the book and how they each play their part in the overall storyline.


Setting

Even though the narrative deals in quantum physics and alternate realities, I was able to keep track of where we were throughout the book.

Dark Matter is clever in that it touches on this topic for a good deal of the narrative, but not in such a technical way to intimidate readers. If you can read books like Stephen Baxter’s The Long Earth, I’d say it’s on par with that.


Narrative Style

Dark Matter is nice and easy to read. With enough going on in the plot, the really easy to understand and follow narrative style compliments perfectly.

I read the book over the course of just over a week. I admit that it’s difficult to remember exact details given I read this book about two years ago now. At the same time, the overarching impression of my experience of the book is a great one. I loved picking this up at every opportunity I could.


Summary

If you love the idea of this kind of plotline but have reservations on the subject matter, please let me reassure you that it is well suited to readers of all levels. However, if you really can’t get yourself past the idea of trying the book, I believe there is a TV series that may be more approachable for you instead. I haven’t watched it myself, but would be inclined based on my love of the book!

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Book Review: The Silence of the Girls – Pat Barker

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In today’s review post I share my thoughts on The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. If you enjoy fiction with a feminist angle then it’s definitely one for you to try!

With the conventional narrative of the period turned on its head, we see the human (and often female) cost of war play out.

Let’s find out more!

 

The Silence of the Girls – Pat Barker

Genre: Historical Fiction / Greek mythology

Pages: 325

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 04 Sept 2018

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Goodreads –  The Silence of the Girls

‘There was a woman at the heart of the Trojan War whose voice has been silent – until now. Discover the greatest Greek myth of all – retold by the witness that history forgot . . .

Briseis was a queen until her city was destroyed. Now she is a slave to the man who butchered her husband and brothers. Trapped in a world defined by men, can she survive to become the author of her own story?


My Thoughts


Plot

Often, Greek retellings glamourise war as bold and heroic, but neglect to mention the human cost. In The Silence of the Girls, we get a unique perspective that strips away glory and valour. It highlights the upheaval of the female survivors and the fate they are later subjected to.

The main storyteller is Briseis, former Queen and now slave to Achilles. After her husband and family are murdered, she is taken as a sex slave. Over the course of the book we experience what it is like to be a woman, taken from home and imprisoned in a war camp. It’s a much more realistic view of war, and especially as a woman I found Briseis relatable and a good narrator.


Characters

Through Briseis we get a perspective that in the nicest possible way, we wouldn’t from a male, glory-drunk warrior. Women aren’t people with feelings and livelihoods, they’re prisoners and conquests. You can do what you want with them after all. They aren’t in control.

The lives and treatment of women is a big focus of the book. Naturally, with a protagonist subjected to the same atrocities as the rest of the women, even if her oppressor is almost exclusively one of the most prominent men of the myth, is sympathetic.

I even liked how the male characters, depicted as heroes in other tellings of the stories, are emphasised as fathers, brothers and sons. It’s a very human perspective – one we can all relate to.


Setting

The setting of the book is really immersive. Especially when details that normally are glossed over in these books are brought to the fore.

Sacked cities, battlegrounds and war camps are chaotic things. Thousands of men and women living together in close confines, and many in captivity, is a harrowing experience.

However, I found The Silence of the Girls an easy read for being able to put myself in the positions of the characters. Imagine the stink and chaos of unwashed bodies. The oppression and fear. The writing is powerful to be able to put is in the shoes of these women, and we find ourselves angry.


Narrative Style

Although the narrative covers more sensitive or downright difficult subjects, the prose itself is easy to read. I read the book in less than a week as a break from another I was struggling with. It picked me (and my desire to read) back up for sure!

The perspective switches a few times, keeping us interested in the narrative. Personally I enjoy books that do this ans give a more rounded view of events.


Summary

The Silence of the Girls, and the remainder of the Women of Troy series, are great reads for feminist fiction and Greek mythology fans.

I’m yet to read any other books in the series, but I will!

Have you?

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Book Review: Invisible Women – Caroline Criado Perez

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Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez is a book that will naturally gravitate to more of a female audience. However, I would stress the importance of everybody reading this book. There is a lot of content in here that puts into perspective the female experience and why we are on the back foot of society.

From women in poorer countries being afraid to use the communal bathroom at night for fear of assault, to female crash test dummies not being regularly used when developing safety features in cars, there’s a lot to unpack!


Invisible Women – Caroline Criado Perez

Genre: Non-fiction

Pages: 411

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Portfolio

Publication Date: 12 Mar 2019

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟


Goodreads –  Invisible Women

 

Discover the shocking gender bias that affects our everyday lives.

‘HELL YES. This is one of those books that has the potential to change things – a monumental piece of research’ Caitlin Moran

Imagine a world where…

· Your phone is too big for your hand

· Your doctor prescribes a drug that is wrong for your body

· In a car accident you are 47% more likely to be injured.

If any of that sounds familiar, chances are you’re a woman.

From government policy and medical research, to technology, workplaces, and the media. Invisible Women reveals how in a world built for and by men we are systematically ignoring half of the population, often with disastrous consequences. Caroline Criado Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the profound impact this has on us all.


My Thoughts

If you feel women are under represented in society, then Invisible Women will reinforce that belief. The book focuses on data bias and how women are pushed to the background by an absence of data.

If you’ve ever wondered why speech recognition software picks up and understands the male voice better than a woman’s, it is because the data provided to the software in development is skewed by data bias. Sample data used features the male voice compared to female representation.

In the same example of vehicles above, car safety standards do not account for female differences in bone density and anatomical differences. In the past, women have been represented in tests with a scaled down male dummy. And even then, only until recently, in the passenger seat only…

It is these examples and more beside that should make readers angry. Although a non-fiction book, I found Invisible Women interesting and provocative in the right way. It made me want to advocate for my rights as a woman and for all the others out there who are currently not treated fairly.

The book covers a wide range of topics. From  personal to the workplace, and far more besides. There is something we can all relate to in this book. It goes a long way to stress that the problem is not limited to a small subset of the population. It affects all women.


Summary

I have gone on to recommend Invisible Women to a few people now, and it is out on loan at the moment to a friend of mine. Here I recommend it to you. Although it will naturally gravitate more towards women in the audience it attracts, I stress it’s important for everyone to read this book.


Have you read Invisible Women? Does it grab your attention and make you want to read it?

 

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Audiobook Review: Ordinary Heroes – Joseph Pfeifer

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Ordinary Heroes by Joseph Pfeifer is a harrowing read for its subject matter. The 9/11 terror attack at the World Trade Centre is an event even I can just about recall seeing on TV. I wasn’t yet old enough to understand what terrorism was, but the significance of the event still shapes our lives today.

 

Ordinary Heroes – Joseph Pfeifer

Genre: Non-fiction /memoir

Pages: 256

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Portfolio

Publication Date: 07 Sept 2021

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Goodreads –  Ordinary Heroes

From the first FDNY chief to respond to the 9/11 attacks, an intimate memoir and a tribute to those who died that others might live

When Chief Joe Pfeifer led his firefighters to investigate an odor of gas in downtown Manhattan on the morning of 9/11, he had no idea that his life was about to change forever. A few moments later, he watched as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Pfeifer, the closest FDNY chief to the scene, spearheaded rescue efforts on one of the darkest days in American history.

Ordinary Heroes is the unforgettable and intimate account of what Chief Pfeifer witnessed at Ground Zero, on that day and the days that followed. Through his eyes, we see the horror of the attack and the courage of the firefighters who ran into the burning towers to save others. We see him send his own brother up the stairs of the North Tower, never to return. And we walk with him and his fellow firefighters through weeks of rescue efforts and months of numbing grief, as they wrestle with the real meaning of heroism and leadership.

This gripping narrative gives way to resiliency and a determination that permanently reshapes Pfeifer, his fellow firefighters, NYC, and America. Ordinary Heroes takes us on a journey that turns traumatic memories into hope, so we can make good on our promise to never forget 9/11.

 

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a detailed and personal account of one of the chief firefighters on the ground during 9/11 then Ordinary Heroes is the perfect book to pick up. Starting from the beginning of that fateful day, Joe recounts his perspective of the disaster unfolding and the fallout of the terror attack.

Ordinary Heroes is just one perspective in a huge event in recent history. However, it is a prominent perspective and very personal and insightful. I have watched several documentaries about the event but never have I come across this kind of perspective before. Admittedly, I had also never really realised how long the aftermath of the event was felt by New York more locally, but also the world. I was only a young child when this happened. As an adult I have taken an interest in the subject from time to time, but there is still much I do not know. I have no doubt that there is much that will never be known about that day and the lives of the people affected.

Ordinary Heroes honours those who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It also proudly gives thanks to the innumerable service men and women in every emergency services department who sacrificed and in some cases lost their lives trying to protect others. I already have a lot of respect for people like Joe who put themselves in the firing line and risk their lives. After reading Ordinary Heroes, that’s even more the case.


Summary

If you’re looking for a non-fiction book that memorialises a prominent period of history in a respectful manner, together with unique insight, Ordinary Heroes is a book I strongly recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspective and I learned a lot that I didn’t know previously.

It’s not the easiest of reads (or listen if you go for the audio as I did), but it’s worth it!

 

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Book Review: Royal Assassin – Robin Hobb

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I discovered Robin Hobb after numerous recommendations by my friend Rachael. I’d given Assassin’s Apprentice an informal try a couple of times on my phone but never started reading it seriously until June 2022. Then, I was hooked!

Since then I’ve read 6 of the 16 books that make up the wider Realm of the Elderlings series and I’ll soon pick up the 7th. I’m especially looking forward to that book as we revisit the characters from the first trilogy that I feature in this review.

In today’s book review, I’m going back to the second book of the series and to the trials and tribulations of FitzChivalry Farseer in his relatively new and turbulent place at the royal court.

Shall we get to it?

 

Royal Assassin – Robin Hobb

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 648

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 01 April 1996

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads –  Royal Assassin

Fitz has survived his first hazardous mission as king’s assassin, but is left little more than a cripple. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family.

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz’s hands—and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.

 

My Thoughts

 

Plot

In Royal Assassin we are once again thrown into the political intrigues of the royal court. Whilst Verity is determined to do all he can to save those in the Duchy from raiders, Regal schemes to better his position and influence.

Fitz is wise to his scheming and the threat he poses but has little influence in protecting those Regal would gladly step on in his quest for power. That doesn’t necessarily stop him, however. With those he loves at court, Fitz will intervene to try and protect his newest and dearest. That’s his nature after all.

I loved the angle of the plot progression from book one. Already Assassin’s Apprentice set out a world from which a complex and well developed plot could emerge. In Royal Assassin, Robin Hobb builds on that exponentially.

 

Setting

I enjoyed returning to the familiar surrounds of Buck and Buckkeep. Whilst we do have the opportunity to roam a little further through Verity and the shared histories and geography interspersed in the narrative, we do so from this safe and well trodden ground.

For someone who has no interest in politics in real life, it is an aspect I really enjoy in novels. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. In this second instalment, we really get into familial dynamics and political relations. It’s a fun aspect of the narrative to explore in a world in which there is far more going on, yet still takes centre stage.

 

Characters

I love the characters in this first series, but particularly the main character. We find ourselves investing in Fitz having spent all the first book watching him grow from a boy to a young man in an environment where he isn’t exactly the safest. That doesn’t change in this book either…

One of my favourite things about Robin Hobb’s writing is that you are never quite sure what will happen to your favourite characters. She isn’t exactly known for being the kindest, and so we remain in constant tension as to where the story will progress and what will happen to those within.

Events in the second book of the series don’t exactly treat anyone kindly, but especially Fitz. That said, executed very well and I really enjoyed his story arc in this novel.

But of course, he is not the only character. We have already come to identify a lot of the other main players as a result of the first book in series, Assassin‘s Apprentice. This book really builds upon that first one, but at the same time we get to see different facets and more complex storylines allowing characters to develop and win a place in our hearts.

 

Narrative Style

I wouldn’t describe Robin Hobb books to you as fast reads. On the contrary, I find them very slow burn, but interesting and detailed.

Some books I can read quite quickly even when they have more complex storylines. That’s not the case with Robin, but I don’t take that as a detractor. On the contrary, they are books to take your time over and really think into the detail and characters with. Royal Assassin is much the same. There is a lot going on in this book and over the 600 odd pages of the narrative, we get to explore a lot of different relationships, events and set the scene for the wider world in general.

 

Summary

If you read Assassin’s Apprentice and are looking for an equally promising, detailed and fun political fantasy to sink your teeth into… you’ve got the right book! If you haven’t read Assassin’s Apprentice yet, well, what are you waiting for?

The Realm of the Elderlings is a fantastic world to dive into, so why wait?

 

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Blog Tour Review and GIVEAWAY: The Maiden of Florence – Katherine Mezzacappa

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I picked up the blog tour of The Maiden of Florence as I love the historical setting and implied feminist perspective in the narrative. In that respect, the book has lived up to expectation!

As always, thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and to author Katherine Mezzacappa for organising this latest tour.

Before we get to my thoughts on the book, here are the details!

 

The Maiden of Florence – Katherine Mezzacappa

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Fairlight Books

Publication Date:  18 Apr 2024

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads – The Maiden of Florence

‘My defloration was talked about in all the courts of Europe. The Prince boasted of his prowess, even as preparations were being made for his wedding, as boldly as if he had ridden across that causeway with bloodstained sheet tied to his lance.’
1584, Italy: Twenty-year-old Giulia expects she will live and die incarcerated as a silk weaver within the walls of her Florentine orphanage, where she has never so much as glimpsed her own face. This all changes with the visit of the Medici family’s most trusted advisor, promising her a generous dowry and a husband if she agrees to a small sacrifice that will bring honour and glory to her native city.
Vincenzo Gonzaga, libertine heir to the dukedom of Mantua, wants to marry the Grand-Duke of Tuscany’s eldest daughter, but the rumours around his unconsummated first marriage must be silenced first. Eager for a dynastic alliance that will be a bulwark against the threat of Protestant heresy beyond the Alps, the Pope and his cardinals turn a blind eye to a mortal sin.
A powerful #MeToo story of the Renaissance, based on true events.

 

Purchase Link – Amazon UK     Amazon US

 

My Thoughts

Plot

We start with a young girl called Guilia, who is cloistered with other orphans for most of her young life. Suddenly she is taken away from that life, lied to and thrust into the political machinations of some of the most powerful men in Italy.

Politics is obviously a key driver in the plot, but far from overwhelming. The perspective is far more personal rather than looking at the broad view. I have enjoyed reading the perspective as is, but I would also have been happy to get a little more detail on the political landscape of the time given the influence on the plot. I know the influence of the Medici’s from history and other sources, but exploration of them is, in my opinion, pretty light touch in this book.

 

Setting

One of the main reasons I wanted to pick up The Maiden of Florence was because of the setting. I have read a limited number of books in this setting previously, but not many. I’m always looking to push my boundaries and try new things!

It’s interesting to explore the setting from the perspectives we see in this book. First we pick up the story from Guilia’s perspective. Having lived a sheltered life throughout childhood, her emergence into the world gives us an awestruck and naïve take on the setting. It gives readers who are unfamiliar with the setting a perspective they can relate to and learn along the way with.

Later there is a second perspective, and from them we get some context of the backdrop and circumstances that have led to events so far. Whilst the majority of the book is from Guilia’s viewpoint, this second perspective is valuable in its contribution to the overall story!

 

Characters

the Maiden of Florence is very much a character driven tale. Guilia, and her life in the hands of more powerful men are the feature. With very little autonomy over her life, she is a victim of society.

Guilia is a complex character in that she goes through so much throughout this narrative. She is taken advantaged of, treated life cattle. She experiences joy and loss and heartache. We are with her for every step of the ride, and it is an emotional one!

Make no mistake, this is Guilia’s story. Although there are plenty of supporting and very influential characters in the book, Guilia is the focus. At the same time, it is also very much a story highlighting the rights (or lack of) for women in this time.

 

Narrative Style

As the book changed perspective a few times, I found it helpful that the book is split into sections to make this clear. The chapters are also relatively short, making this very readable even for short periods of time. That said, I sat and read this book for hours at a time, so it’s binge-worthy too!

The way in which Guilia’s tale is told makes it approachable for all readers. I went into it with some knowledge of the main players and setting. It’s not necessary however. Even if you went in blind, events and the narrative are easy to follow.

 

Summary

If you are looking for an introduction to historical fiction as a genre, or even just a new time period, The Maiden of Florence is a great place to start!

It’s a compelling character driven story that emphasises how treatment of women at the time cast its shadow on society, as well as the women themselves.

 

Author Bio

Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference. In her spare time she volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katmezzacappa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherinemezzacappafiction/
https://katherinemezzacappa.ie/

 

Giveaway!

Giveaway to Win a vintage postcard, early 1900s, of the babies from the façade of the Innocenti orphanage. (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494586/

 

Blog Tour Review: Lost Solace – Karl Drinkwater

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In today’s post, I have the privilege to share my review of Lost Solace by Karl Drinkwater. I originally shared my review back in February, but I’m back today having touched up my review to share as part of the blog tour!

As always, a huge thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for organising the tour and to the author Karl Drinkwater. I received a review copy of the earlier edition of the book and as you will see, I thought the book was fantastic!

If you’re looking for a fun science-fiction novel to pick up and potentially explore the further series, look no further!

 

Lost Solace – Karl Drinkwater

Genre: Science-fiction

Pages: 258

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Organic Apocalypse

Original Publication Date: 15 Oct 2017

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads –  Lost Solace

They’re called the Lost Ships … but sometimes they come back.

And when they do the crews are missing, while the ships have been strangely altered, rumoured to be full of horrors.

Opal Imbiana has been seeking something her whole life. It’s a secret so precious she’s willing to risk her life recovering it from a recently discovered Lost Ship, in a lonely nebula far from colonised space.

She’s just one woman, entering an alien and lethal environment. But with the aid of an amazing AI companion and experimental armoured suit, Opal might just stand a chance.

This blast of a book kickstarted the much-loved Lost Solace series, about an unlikely friendship between two women who keep hope alive in the darkest of times.

 

Purchase Links:

https://books2read.com/karldrinkwater

https://karldrinkwater.myshopify.com

 

My Thoughts

 

Plot

If you enjoy fast paced, action-led plot-lines then Lost Solace is a book you won’t want to miss! Full of twists and turns, within is a compelling storyline in which we explore many interesting facets of lore in this world.

Opal is determined to explore the hostile environment of a re-emerged Lost Ship. Not only does she have the local environment to overcome, but she is also challenged by other humans on her quest for discovery. With an AI, Clarissa, on her side, she sets out to do what would appear to be impossible.

In a race against time, will Opal and Clarissa prevail? 

 

Setting

The Lost Ship is an eerie setting we get to explore in detail throughout the narrative. Whilst Opal and Clarissa feel very isolated in their quest, they are far from alone. If the local hostile environment wasn’t enough to contend with, Opal is being hunted down.

The tension and atmosphere Karl Drinkwater incorporates into this already busy narrative is impressive. Although the book overall is very action-led, there is plenty of world-building and description incorporated into the narrative to construct an immersive, deserted and eerie atmosphere present throughout.

 

Characters

Lost Solace is told from the perspective of two strong female leads. The first of these is Opal. She is a strong and inquisitive individual, empowered by her determination and force of will. Opal is accompanied by an AI known as Clarissa. She is incredibly smart – as can only be expected from a supercomputer. However, this isn’t just where her strengths lie.

For artificial intelligence, she is full of humour and dry wit. It’s a facet of personality that I expected from her character as a result of reading Helene, but otherwise would have been surprised by. It works very well too! Clarissa stands out and the personality quirk adds depth to her character.

The interactions between Opal and Clarissa are hilarious to read and their relationship is one of my favourite aspects of the book. Their witty dialogue is interspersed within the action in the book, making for a well-rounded read.

As a little extra, we also get to see characters from Karl Drinkwater’s other Lost Tales of Solace series. It was fun to see the overlap and get to revisit some of these individuals!

 

Narrative Style

Lost Solace has an easy to read, flowing narrative style. The book is approachable for readers of all levels and experience. Although a science-fiction novel, the content isn’t so technologically advanced that readers are unable to understand what’s going on. It strikes just the right balance of setting the scene, but also being clear and descriptive so no presumed knowledge is required.

At under 300 pages, it is also a quick read. I am a fast reader anyway, but a book of this length is definitely approachable for anyone interested in (or wants to try) the genre, and for any level of commitment.

 

Summary

I am a fan of science-fiction, so I was never not going to love Lost Solace. It is the first book in a series that I will be continuing with as soon as possible!

Lastly, I cannot help but share the dedication that Karl includes in the opening of this book. I loved it!

To strong women everywhere, at all times. 

 

Author Bio

Karl Drinkwater is an author with a silly name and a thousand-mile stare. He writes dystopian space opera, dark suspense and diverse social fiction. If you want compelling stories and characters worth caring about, then you’re in the right place. Welcome!

Karl lives in Scotland and owns two kilts. He has degrees in librarianship, literature and classics, but also studied astronomy and philosophy. Dolly the cat helps him finish books by sleeping on his lap so he can’t leave the desk. When he isn’t writing he loves music, nature, games and vegan cake.

Go to karldrinkwater.uk to view all his books grouped by genre.

As well as crafting his own fictional worlds, Karl has supported other writers for years with his creative writing workshops, editorial services, articles on writing and publishing, and mentoring of new authors. He’s also judged writing competitions such as the international Bram Stoker Awards, which act as a snapshot of quality contemporary fiction.

DON’T MISS OUT!

Enter your email at karldrinkwater.substack.com to be notified about his new books. Fans mean a lot to him, and replies to the newsletter go straight to his inbox, where every email is read. There is also an option for paid subscribers to support his work: in exchange you receive additional posts and complimentary books.

Social Media Links

Newsletter (and Substack) https://karldrinkwater.substack.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5766025.Karl_Drinkwater

Book Review: Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb

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Today, I review a book on my review backlist – Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb! I’ve published a few review for blog tours of late. It’s been fun, and I want to keep up momentum of reviews and recommendations. 

I first picked up the book on the recommendation of my friend Rachael. She loves Robin Hobb and I gave her a go based on that recommendation. I haven’t looked back since! Since reading Assassin’s Apprentice in 2022 I’ve gone on to read 5 further books in the Realm of the Elderlings series and loved every one. I’m also hoping to read Fool’s Errand soon and return to Fitz and his adventures.

But, I guess I need to introduce you to him first! So, let’s crack on!

 

Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 392

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 01 April 1995

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Goodreads –  Assassin’s Apprentice

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

 

My Thoughts

Plot

In Assassin‘s Apprentice, we follow a young boy who is known to us as Fitz. In the opening of the narrative, he is just a small child, dropped off at the home of his father who is absent. Instead, he is cared for by his loyal man and stable master Burrich.

Fitz is eventually brought into the royal household, but his duties are far from regular. He serves the crown by training and executing his duty as the royal assassin. Not only that, but he is an irregular boy. Fitz shows signs of a form of magic frowned upon. Having been a part of his identity all his life, he fails to see why the superstition of others should prevent him from bonding with animals. It’s a point of conflict throughout an I expect this to become even more prominent in the later series. 

If you enjoy fantasy with plenty of political intrigue, then this book is a great foundation for a series rife with it! I really enjoyed the depth and attention to detail even in this opening book. It is shorter than the sequels to this mini series within the Realm of the Elderlings universe. Even so, it really paves the way and draws the reader in. Honestly, this description of the book really doesn’t do it justice, but I doubt I ever could!

 

Setting

Western medieval fantasy fans will be in their element. The vast majority of this first book is set in the location of Buckkeep. Home to the Royal family, it is where Fitz is brought as a young boy and we watch him progress into adolescence and role in court.

It is a very typical setting on its own, but it is vastly complimented by the introduction to the wider landscape and universe that Robin Hobb writes so well. We start to see some of this landscape explored in this first book and it adds a great deal of contrast to the political landscape we otherwise spend our time exploring.

 

Characters

Fitz is a wonderful and complex protagonist, and his perspective is one that I have enjoyed the most out of the series so far. At first I was a little bit disappointed when the second mini series deviated from his character arc. However, I quickly got over that because that set of books follow a completely different (but equally impressive) character set. I am excited to be going back to his storyline in the next mini series though, I can’t lie.

Fitz it’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster in that his relationships with the people around him are constantly changing. Dynamics constantly ebb and flow, and it makes the events taking place in the book feel even more tangible and like real life.

In reality, Fitz is one of many in-depth characters in the series. There are many prominent characters in their own right, such as Verity, the Fool, Chade and Burrich. They all ultimately help shape and support the man Fitz becomes. Even beyond that, every character introduced has their part to play, however major or minor.

 

Narrative Style

Personally, I find Robin Hobb to be an author to take on the slower side. These books aren’t the quickest in terms of pace or readability. But, with the amount going on at any one time, that’s not a bad thing. There is a lot of depth and detail to take in and turn over.

Assassin’s Apprentice itself isn’t so bad, but this comes into play more as you get further into the series. I love these books, but I feel it’s only fair to advise this to potential future readers to manage expectations. There have been times I have wanted to read her books more quickly, but I’m not able to. You may have a completely different experience and find it easy to rattle through her narrative. If you do, that’s great! When it comes to Robin Hobb, I’m a “slow and steady wins the race” kind of girl.

In terms of the written style itself, I find there is a good balance of action, as well as world-building and general description. There is no lack of detail in these books, and especially so in this introduction. It’s the shortest of the series I’ve read so far, with the longest being near 900 pages. Even across these vastly different page ranges, the writing style is consistent throughout. Robin Hobb has a knack of lifting events off the page and portraying it vividly in the readers mind.

 

Summary

If you are looking for a new epic fantasy series to start, and aren’t intimidated by a large number of books (or page count), I strongly recommend Realm of the ElderIings. I only discovered Robin Hobb for the first time in 2022 and already she is one of my favourite authors!

I love this series and I am always looking forward to picking up the next book. I wanted to feature Assassin’s Apprentice in today’s review because I cannot scream loud enough from the rooftop that Robin Hobb is an author you need to try. Have I done her justice in the review? Who can say?

If you have read Assassin’s Apprentice or any other books by Robin Hobb and want to add to this sentiment, please let everyone know in the comments what you think! I’d love to persuade more people to start this series 😊

 

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