The Dragon Republic

Title: The Dragon Republic
Author: R.F. Kuang

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Year: 2019
Pages: 656
Series: The Poppy War #2
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 15 - 22 Nov

Binding: Library Hardback

ISBN: 9780008239855
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Rin is on the run. . .

 Haunted by the atrocity she committed to saver her people, addicted to opium and driven by the murderous commands of Phoenix, the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power.

 Rin's only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold her homeland, Nikan, to her enemies.

 With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. She throws herself into his war.

 After all, making war is all she knows how to do. . .

Review:

 Oh my, this series. Quick warning, this is the second book in The Poppy War trilogy. I'm going to do some spoilery talk of the first book in this review so pleaser ensure you've read the first book! Also note that this book series thus far is riddled with trigger warnings: sexual abuse, addiction, death, torture and violence. It's really quite fantastically violent. It's right up my street but it's not for everyone.

 I want to do a more detailed review of some of the elements I loved in The Poppy War that I avoided due to spoiler issues in the first book. If you wish to skip right to my thoughts on The Dragon Republic, there's a header below.

 I honestly fell so in love with The Poppy War within that first chapter. The stakes are immediately set so high, you feel Rin's determination and reading about her burning herself in order to study for longer was a real eye opener to what she might become capable of. We move quickly to enter Sinegard and I honsetly gobbled up the book in the time we were being taught at Sinegard. The learning and tests, interactions with students and teachers was so fascinating, excellent world building from a single small setting.

 One point I was really stunned made it in but kind of so grateful to see was when Rin first experienced her period. I'm guessing she previously wasn't nourished enough to have one which is a very nice detail if so. To make it so painful is to bring it to make it relatable for so many women when often in fantasy the whole cycle is ignored. To have her then very quickly make a decision to have her womb essentially destroyed was quite impulsive but brings to mind how difficult this process is for women in reality, doctors so often refuse any kind of procedure like this due to the possibility of a man finding disappointment in not being able to have a child later. It's disgusting. It's such a real issue and I love that it wasn't shied away from.

 When the war started and we left Sinegard, my reading slowed down. A lot. I think other people found this to be the point where the book picked up but I'd really enjoyed the first part and wasn't so keen on the atmosphere changing. I felt a bit like Rin, chucked in to the deep end. We began to see Altan in a new light and I honestly hadn't seen what was that amazing about him from the beginning, but Rin was enamoured and it's such a pitfall for her. I was kind of differential to the Cike during this whole book but I was really pleased to see Rin build on her relationship with Nezha later in the book, when he was lost I kind of tucked away the detail that we hadn't specifically seen him die.

 Golyn Niis was a real horror fest, the violence that happened there really solidifies the hatred you have for the Federation, it joins your rage with Rin's. Meeting Venka, finding Kitay, hearing of Irjah. It was a lot and it was magnificent, it makes the end of the book so satisfying despite how horrific of an act it is.

 The interaction with Shiro before the final act was a really good piece of work, it sets us up for so much and gives Rin a bottom she never wants to hit again. Just so damn good.

The Dragon Republic

 This is a story of war. We pick up after one and jump straight in to another.

 Our opening chapter is a backflash in Nezha's history and should make it clear that we weren't done with him in the last book.

 A little time has passed since the destruction of Mugen and Rin and the Cike have been busy. Not massively busy, just beginning what they really want to achieve. Rin is determined to end Daji, it's one of the few thoughts she has that isn't lucid. She's spiralling between her addiction and the demands of the Phoenix. It's not allowing her to make sensible decisions so when Nezha returns and recruits her in to the Republic, a revolution lead by Nezha's father the Dragon Warlord, she's grateful to be relieved of making decisions.

 The beginning of their schemes doesn't work fantastically, Rin's encounter with the Empress leaves her at a disadvantage for a good portion of the book but she does some real healing at this time. She rebuilds relationships, destroys some others and all within the unfolding of a vicious war that's destroying the lives of so many innocents. This is so action packed, there's no time to relieve the tension!

 We also begin to learn more of other people in the work, mainly the Hesperians. It's not pleasant and as with Rin we realise that the only reason more focus was not previously put on them was because the Federation was the more looming threat. Vaisra's new allies are not what Rin may have hoped for.

 The Cike I am far more devoted to in this book than the first and that brings it's own devastation. Seriously, that second to last chapter is a killer just when you think it's all over. Prepare yourself. Kitay, you sweet soul, Venka you wonderful woman and Nezha, oh Nezha. I wish there was just a tad more romance in this book but there seems to be no room for it amidst the violence.

 I love Kuang's writing, it's no simple but it's very easy to read. The pacing was wonderful and the character growth is excellent. There's so much more to see and all I can say is that I'm lucky I only started these books shortly before The Burning God was released. I've got some upcoming exams in early December so I'll be holding off reading my copy until I've completed them but a longer wait would have been really, really bad.

The Poppy War

Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Publisher: Harper Voyager

Year: 2018
Pages: 527
Series: The Poppy War #1
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 2 - 14 Nov

Binding: Signed Paperback

ISBN: 9780008239848
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 When Rin aced the Keju, the test to find the most talented students in the Nikara Empire, it was a shock to everyone. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

 But surprise aren't always good.

 Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teached, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school.

 For while the Empire is at peace, the Federation of mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Review:

 Oh my, oh my oh my. Such violence.

 I remember when this first book came out that all the Facebook book groups I was a member off came out with trigger warnings for people. That piqued my interest and I knew it was probably going to be a book I enjoyed. Let me confirm some triggers I know to be obvious: self harm, drug use, abuse, sexual abuse, racism and death. Lots of death and violence. I loved it.

 The opening chapter really lets you know of the violence to come and the crude humour that's in there, it was both hilarious and shocking and I rocketed through the first half of the book where Rin trains at Sinegard. It's important to note that we travel through time quickly in this book, there is a point where years go by in a few paragraphs. You experience more than just Rin's training at Sinegard as a result.

 Rin is a wonderful young character, she's rash, determined, skilled and angry. I can totally see myself in her shoes, her journey through the book is just the beginning of what I expect we will see her go through in this trilogy. There are many other characters in this book to talk of. Nezha who defies expectations, Kitay who is the kindest of friends, Jiang the master and secret keeper, the Empress whom we still have a lot to learn of and Altan who is rumoured to be the last of his kind. You have all sorts and this is just at Sinegard! There's something to please everyone here.

 I feel there's much more of the world to explore but it has been done so well already. We are taught different views of the gods in this world, we see people of different cultures and experience the different landscapes. It's well done.

 I'm kind of annoyed at myself for not reading this sooner, but also relieved I've left it so I did not have to wait. The second book is ready on my shelves and the third book will be in my hands before the year is out. It's difficult to say much more without spoilers. I loved this, I think it's going to quickly become one of my favourite series.

Step Sister

Title: Step Sister

Author: Jennifer Donnelly

Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2019
Pages: 469

ISBN: 9781471407970
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/ Retelling

Reading Time: 21 Oct - 2 Nov

Binding: Library Paperback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★★☆☆

Blurb: 

 CINDERELLA HAD HER HAPPY-EVER-AFTER . . .

 BUT WHAT ABOUT HER STEPSISTERS?

 This is stepsister Isabelle's story. Isabelle is brave and strong-willed - but not beautiful. And she has bloody feet from trying to fit into the glass slipper.

 But now Isabelle has a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl.

 Is there hope for bullies? Can a mean girl change? It's time for Isabelle to reclaim her own fate and she's leaving nothing to chance.

Review:

 This is an enjoyable retelling of a classical tale, taken from a different viewpoint and focusing on the 'after' of happily ever after. I've never read the Grimms' version of these fairytales but knew that Cinderella's stepsisters hacked off pieces of their feet to try and fit the glass slipper. This is where we begin in Step Sister.

 Isabelle is one of the ugly step-sisters, she and her sister Tavi are learning to adjust to that role in their new world without money, servant and a tarnished reputation. Ella is gone and the rumors of their treatment have spread the country to make them some of the most hated women in France. It's unhinged their mother and to make it worse, Isabelle and Tavi were not normal girls to begin with. They are warriors and academics rather than marriageable women of their time. Sounds like a good feminist setting, right?

 We have some interesting world building quickly take place in the characters of Fate, Chance and a fairy queen. I like that these added another layer to the story but little would have changed if they were written out or more purely metaphorical. Fate is determined to see Isabelle meets the dreary end written for her, Chance wants to give her the opportunity to escape is and the fairy queen . . . I'm not really sure what she was doing other than granting odd wishes in a strange way.

 When Isabelle learns that to become 'pretty' she must discover the missing pieces of her heart, she thinks of qualities and traits as most people would. The real pieces she must discover are far more literal which I don't really think makes much sense but perhaps that's because it's not quite the norm. There's a little action, a little romance but everything is just that, little.

 The story itself doesn't have an awful lot of movement, it's actually quite a short story. For some reason there are over 100 chapters and it really wound me up that there were constantly one or two page chapters following each other. It wasn't needed. Sentence structure was similarly short which made it seem to fit a far younger audience. 

 I just wish it had taken a darker and more sophisticated tone. We're starting off great with the Grimms' version of the tales and it just flattens out. Any tense moments that could have been built between the powerful characters such as Fate and Chance were ruined by asinine comments. We have moments of really lovely writing about the magic of the heart and self discovery and they just don't fit in the book at all because it screams of a message too old and wise to fit the rest of the text.

 A little bit of a let down in execution but it encourages me to find other retellings from other points of view.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E.Schwab

Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2020
Pages: 541

ISBN: 9781789095586
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 5 - 21 October

Binding: Waterstones Exclusive Signed Hardback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb: 

 FRANCE, 1714
 A desperate woman makes a desperate seal in the dark - a bargain to live forever but be remembered by none.
 So begins the invisible life of Addie LaRue, shadow muse to artists throughout history, forgotten friend, confidante and lover, slipping away with the morning light. Addie passes through lives, desperate only to leave a trace of herself. Until the day she walks back into a small bookshop in Manhattan and meets Henry, who remembers her.
 After 300 years Addie's life is restarting, but the devil never plays fair. As Henry and Addie's lives start to intertwine, they must face the consequences of the decisions they've made and the prices to be paid.
 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a dazzling across centuries and continents, across history and art, about a young woman learning how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

Review:

 What do you do when you see people singing and dancing about a book that hasn't come out yet? What happens when you see a very respected author bringing out a new book that means a lot to them? What do you do when you when you own several of these authors books (multiple copies of some) but have yet to read any of them? You order any special edition you can get a hold of and begin reading it whilst the conversation is hot!
 This was a five-star read for me and it's mostly due to the fact that this is such a unique story. I've only seen it half approached in this manner before in The Age of Adaline starring Blake Lively, same name as well which is a wonderful little link. There are a few similarities such as the main character not ageing and experiencing those around her continuing to age thus making it difficult to maintain a relationship. Addie's curse creates an additional difficulty in that she cannot be remembered once she's out of sight. I never really thought of what kind of difficulties this would cause, the inability to hold down a job and thus have no income. Learning to become a thief would truly be the only way to live and it sounds exhausting.

 Addie has experienced lifetimes of wonders and horrors through her years but is a lonely route to eternity when no one can remember you. There is the one constant in her life and that is the one that cursed her. His image is conjured from her own mind into a face once desired most. The monster beneath can still be seen lurking in his eyes and it takes many, many years for Addie to truly understand him.

 When she meets Henry her world completely changes, he remembers her and that's all she's wanted in years. I admit that there were immediate hints that something was not quite right about him, nothing can be as simple as that. I didn't really read the blurb before going in to this book and I'm surprised at how much is given away.

 Thinking back there are things I'd have liked to have been a little different. It was a slow burner but then it does span 300 years of history and I wish the travel spanned more than two continents. Times during the war could have been so much more interesting read about.

 I really enjoy the writing, the structure keeps things interesting and the descriptions are a wonderful balance of settings and plot movement. We switch between the present story and Addie's history, often drawing parallels to the story or filling in flashbacks that explain Addie's reactions. I think it's a far more interesting structure than if it had been chronological. We largely experience Addie's point of view but also experience some from Henry. Not enough to become disorienting but enough to explain the emotions behind him. He's important to this story and really helps Addie finally achieve what she wants. It's a beautiful, fluffy yet bittersweet and sad story of love.

 There are really important themes in the book. Wanting to be loved and remembered, I think they're such basic human needs that we don't want to talk about. Wanting to be loved has become a more explored idea in psychology over the years. The wish to be remembered is more often explored as a motivation for villains, but I think it's natural to be scared that you won't leave anything behind. We're so small and that's such a strange thing to try and come to terms with.

 A lovely story that I didn't really want to end.

The Flame Bearer

Title: The Flame Bearer

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2016
Pages: 284
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #10
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 20 July - 7 October

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 From the day it was stolen from me I had dreamed of recapturing Bebbanburg. The great fort was built on a rock that was almost an island, it was massive, it could only be approached on land by a single narrow track - and it was mine.

 Britain is in a state if uneasy peace. Northumbria's Viking ruler, Sigtryggr, and Mercia's Saxon Queen Aethelflaed have agreed a truce. And so England's greatest warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, at last has the change to take back the home his traitorous uncle stole from him so many years ago - and which his scheming cousin still occupies.

 But fate is inexorable and the enemies Uhtred has made and the oaths he has sworn combine to distract him from his dream of recapturing Bebbanburg. New enemies enter into the fight for England's kingdoms: the redoubtable Constantin of Scotland seizes an opportunity for conquest and leads his armies south. Britain's precarious peace threatens to turn into a war of annihilation.

 But Uhtred is determined that nothing, neither the new enemies nor the old foes who combine against him, will keep him from his birthright. He is the Lord of Bebbanburg, but he will need all the skills he has learned in a lifetime of war to make hi dream come true.

Review:

 This is an exciting one so don't let my reading time fool you, exams and work drama in lockdown are not a good combination for reading time!

 Yes, exciting, we are headed back for Bebbanburg and my anticipation always peaks when Uhtred returns home to attempt to regain what is his. This book is full of manipulation, masterful planning and another set of battles where the stakes are wonderfully high. Probably as a result of this particular installment being almost completely fictional, Cornwell's historical note had me laughing with his sincerity of his embellishments at the end.

 Uhtred's plans, as always, are uprooted at the beginning of this book. He has oaths to uphold and kingdoms to protect before he can recapture his home. His battle on the way is the result of a sly nature and the consequences are still to be fully revealed. Uhtred's enemies seek any way in which they can remove his power but he just keeps winning.

 Some of our other main characters come back for short periods this book, Aethelflaed appears unwell and Edward is conflicted over the power of his sons, Aethelhelm continues to plan for his grandson to ascend to the throne. Finan is still fighting beside Uhtred but characters such as Oswald and Sihtric have mostly disappeared, I can't really remember why they just disappeared but their parts have never been quite as bit as the tv series.

 Our characters are getting old, old enough to use this as a disguise and old enough to worry me about how they're fairing after each of these battles. We're nearing the end of the series now and I'm really wondering how much more some of our main characters can take!

A Reaper at the Gates

Title: A Reaper at the Gates

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Year: 2018

Pages: 458

ISBN: 9780008288754
Series: Ember Quarter #3
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 13-17 September

Binding: Hardback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb: 

Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is being assailed from all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

In the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as the Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion - even at the cost of his humanity.

Review:

We got left on another cliffhanger only to pick right up again! This series does not let up. You're in for an action packed addition to the series and the ending is simply explosive. Whilst this review will remain spoiler free, I'd recommend only reading once you've finished An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night.

Laia's journey in this book is, if it's possible to believe, bigger and more challenging than any she's experienced before. There are some truly shocking revelations for Laia in this book and I am living for them. She's growing fiercer braver and her name is only growing more famous. She's regained her brother, though he's not the same as he was and that gives her some new hope and focus in the beginning of this book. It's a wild ride for Laia in this one.

Elias really does get the brunt of it. I really like Elias and his journey and the sacrifices he makes in his book are difficult to read. There is so much he has to learn and so much responsibility on his shoulders. His story is really changing from here and I'm pained by it much like he and those who love him are.

Helene is being torn in so many directions she must be dizzy. Marcus is threatening her position and her sister, the Commandant is threatening the Empire, she's supposed to be hunting her former friend and feels utterly alone. She's always a few steps behind, even when she thinks she's ahead and it's frustrating to watch Helene being constantly thwarted. The murder of her family in the last book really broke her.

Marcus and the Commandant are simply fantastic antagonists. A mix of madness, extreme intelligence and strategy yet we're simply unable to guess their next actions. Is it mindless violence or a play for power? The insight into the Nightbringer is simply fantastic and the jinn are an ever growing threat being brought to our attention. He's on the hunt for the last piece of the star, I called what it would be but it was still very well done.

Cook is back and oh. My. God. Yes!

We have a little more world building in this book, but it's largely learning of the magical elements and the waiting place. All in preparation for this next book. Which I am very, very excited for.

A Torch Against the Night

Title: A Torch Against the Night

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 2016
Pages: 454

ISBN: 9780008160340
Series: Ember Quarter #2
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 2 - 22 August

Binding: Hardback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb: 

 Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

 Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire's most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholar's survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

 But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene - Elias's former friend and the Empire's newest Blood Shrike.

 Bound to Marcus's will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and end the Scholar slave who helped him escape . . . and kill them both.

Review:

 We are picking up right off the cliffhanger of An Ember in the Ashes, a book I absolutely love! Straight out of the action and into the escape. Laia and Elias don't have a chance to catch their breath as they're hunted out of Blackliff and Serra. Not with Marcus setting bounties for their capture and his new Blood Shrike, Helene set to find them.

 We continue to have Laia and Elias guide us through their narratives in this book and we have Helene's point of view added. It's an eye in to the working of the Empire and what further work is at play whilst Laia and Elia try to hide themselves from the world.

 As we travel with Laia and Elias we experience a wonderful amount of world building, we experience new settings and learn a little more of what was hinted at in the first book. The magical elements of this world still have a lot to reveal and I'm excited to see it all unfold. Our three main characters are impacted by this in different ways and I can only imagine how glorious it's going to be!

 Elias is suffering with the choices he made in the Trials of An Ember in the Ashes and the consequences of the fighting he had to do to get himself and Laia out of Serra. There's a lot of development for Elias in that book. Not in the way of empathy, I feel he had a lot of that in the first book but the journey he goes on is intense and changing in a very different way. No idea what role he's going to play from this point on, it's going to be very interesting.

 Laia is much the same as the first book, perhaps a little more determined to find her brother now she's made her way out of Blackliff. She's gained strength and is exploring more about herself and the world she lives in. She has to take charge of the situation at some points but is generally still getting rescued, that subtly starts to change towards the end of the book and I see so much more to come from her.

 Helene is a point of view that is very interesting to see. Being given this insight in to the Empire and the horrors she suffers at the hand of Marcus and the Commandant whilst there is quite shocking. I have a lot more empathy for her than I did in the first book and I began really rooting for her. She has some fantastic interactions with Cook and a whole new character I'm quite interested in, Harper, is introduced through her narrative. I like him.

 We're in for a few shocks and a quickly developing plot in this one. There's a lot going on in the Empire and without Helene's narrative we wouldn't have a clue so it's a really necessary addition. This is becoming a complex story and there's so much unfolding yet to happen. It's going to be fantastic!

Where Dreams Descend

Title: Where Dreams Descend

Author: Janella Angeles

Publisher: Wednesday Books
Year: 2020
Pages: 447

ISBN: 9781250204356
Series: Kingdom of Cards #1
Genre: YA Fantasy

Reading Time: 27 July - 20 August

Binding: Owlcrate Exclusive Hardback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★☆☆☆

Blurb: 

 In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of a unseen danger striking behind the scenes.

 As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.

Review:

 My Owlcrate edition of this book is simply gorgeous. The contents didn't match up to the cover for me.

 I'm still not entirely sure of the setting. We begin in a house hidden in a forest, great start to a fantasy, right? The majority of our story takes place in a cold city that seems to have a life of its own. There's definitely a lot to be explained about it in the future and I wish we'd had just a bit more in this book. Magic is present in this world and would appear to be something you can be born to or try to obtain. That's not explained and we only see a bit of hinting that magic is used for labour as well as entertainment. We're focusing on showmasters and to be perfectly honest I think a more interesting story would follow the labourers. I didn't find the show magic all that impressive, at least not to read about.

 We've got a small range of characters here and three points of view:

 Kallia is our main female lead, a powerful magician with no real understanding of her history or idea of how she's going to maintain any kind of future. She's clueless of the world and everything is stacked against her in this patriarchal and misogynistic setting. But she's feisty and proud and likes to wear all forms of shocking and inappropriate clothing that makes others uncomfortable. I feel like we've heard this story a lot. 

 Demarco is a far more interesting character, powerful and in a position of authority yet very private. There's a lot of mystery surrounding him and it takes so long for use to get information I eventually got a bit bored of him.

 Jack is so shrouded in mystery of a dark nature that he was easily the most entertaining. We didn't get nearly enough of him.

 Other characters include Aaros, the quirky sidekick that is introduced and completely rusted far too quickly. A reporter that reeks of Rita Skeeter, a show presenter that reminds me of Caesar Flickerman, a Mayor that cause me some confusion when he and she was switched between in their first few chapters and a ton of circus troops that are entirely forgettable.

 This book has a good setting and mystery elements plugged for later will be interesting to uncover. But the pacing of this book was so slow I wonder how many books it's going to take. I thought we were in for fast pacing given the opening chapters and then it all slowed right down. Unbearably so, I'd even have preferred the beginning to be drawn out longer.

 All in all, I'm not sure I'll be joining in on the future books.

An Ember in the Ashes

Title: An Ember in the Ashes

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 2015
Pages: 448

ISBN: 9780007593262
Series: Ember Quarter #1
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 8 - 26 July

Binding: Hardback

Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she's never had much of a choice.

 For Elias it's the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire's elite soldiers. With the Mask's help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands of Scholars, all in the name of power.

 When Laia's brother is taken she must force herself to help the Resistance, the only people who have a chance of saving him. She must spy on the Commandant, ruthless overseer of Blackcliff Academy. Blackcliff is the training ground for Masks and the very place that Elias is planning to escape. If he succeeds, he will be named deserter. If found, the punishment will be death.

 But once Laia and Elias meet, they find that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire.

Review:

 This was a five-star the first time I read it when it was released five years ago and it still is. If you haven't already check out Penguin Teen's #EmberReadAlong in which they are giving as an entire month for each book leading up to the final instalment to be released later this year. I tried to stick to the schedule but couldn't resist finishing a little early!

Characters

 Our main characters a points of view in this book come from Laia and Elias, two people that lead very different lives. As the above blurb says, Laia is timid and experiences real tragedy in the opening chapters whilst Elias plots an escape from his barbaric people that is fraught with danger. Of course, the two collide in the training school of the Masks, elite soldiers, with Laia as a slave and Elias as a graduate of the highest prestige. They should hate each other. But Elias is more complex and compassionate despite Blackcliff trying to beat this out of him and Laia is in need of whatever help she can get. There's good development of these main characters in this first book but I sense so much more can be done in the coming books as well.

 Thinking firstly of those linked to Laia, her family set up and history is definitely an excellent origin. We don't spend an awful lot of time in their presence as we're quickly passed over to the Resistance. The resistance is full of characters that are here to take us places. I don't find Keenan all that interesting but Mazen has a confidence about him. He's also older but does that mean he's wiser? After all if the older members of the Resistance were any good there would be no need for a Resistance any more, would there?

 Izzi and Cook are marvelous, clearly submissive in their role as slaves but with more to them than we know in the beginning.

 The Masks are characters we get to spend a bit more time with. The Commandant is a fantastic character, horrible but excellently entertaining. She's a catalyst for so much and I love that we have a cruel female to do that. Love her when I shouldn't. Helene is conflicted and it's difficult for Elias to know how much he can trust her given she is otherwise a stickler for the rules, meaning she doesn't shy away from the sadistic duties of Masks. Marcus and Zak are a fantastic edition, Marcus being a particular kind of evil that thrives under his duty as a mask. Elias is quite right to hate him.

Setting

 This is a rich setting. There's a history that we're not overloaded with in the beginning and we learn more about later in the story. There aren't just humans, we have a number of creatures that I only expect us to continue to discover more of through this series. There are vast settings for us to discover along with the creatures. Being based at Blackcliff Academy for this book there's so much hinted at for us to look forward to!

Plot

 It's the beginning of a very big change of the times in this world. A change of those holding the power and the story of how that happens after being foretold hundreds of years before. It's difficult to speak of very much without giving things away.

 It was previously prophesied that the emperor's bloodline would end and thus a new emperor would need to be chosen. The trials are to determine the Mask appropriate from this role immediately after their graduation from Blackcliff. Can you guess who's going to be taking part? It certainly keeps the book action packed whilst Laia mopes about for a while.

Writing

 This is easy reading for me, I could gobble this up. I didn't remember much of the details of plot from my reading nearly five years ago but I certainly remember enjoying this and I think that's in part due to the writing. It could fit in young adult with this ease of reading but it may be a little violent and thus was just in fantasy when I first bought it.

 It will not be long before I continue these books. I'm actually rather glad I left it a few years rather than having to wait at the end of each of these books. I'm looking forward to polishing of the series with the release of the last book this year!

Warriors of the Storm

Title: Warriors of the Storm

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2015
Pages: 296
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #9
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 16 - 20 July

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 A fragile peace is about to be broken...

 King Alfred's son Edward and formidable daughter, Aethelflaed, rule Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing rich lands and wealthy churches are mounting raids.

 Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms' greatest warrior, controls northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester. But forces are rising up against him. Northemen allied to the Irish, led by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the gathering threat, both Edward and Aethelflaed are reluctant to move out of the safety of their fortifications. But with Uhtred's own daughter married to Ivarson's brother, who can be trusted?

 In the struggle between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior's courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred, and this may be his finest hour.

Review:

 I'm continuing with testing a new review format, when reviewing a long running series it's difficult to keep comments going so this should be a bit lengthier than my previous review! Spoilers if you haven't yet read the previous eight books, obviously.

 Characters

 Uhtred continues to amaze, he's getting old but his mind is still sharp. He has a warrior's mind and his loyalties straight. He's come so very far from the beginning of this series and I continue to enjoy the retrospective narrative that gives you a different flavour for the situation every now and then.

 Finan. We learn SO MUCH about Finan in this one. Some of the history comes out and it's heartbreaking. I've always rooted for Uhtred's return to Bebbanburg but now I want to follow Finan back to Ireland as well, he would deserve it after all he has been through. Naughty little Irishman.

 Aethelflaed is getting on my nerves. I used to find her quirky, witty and brave and now my view is switching to stubborn, naive and irritating. She's so changed from the girl she began as in the series as well. She's a powerful ruler but only due to the support of Uhtred and so when she constantly orders his obedience or ignores him for the view of priests it really riles me up and I'm surprised that Uhtred has not yet abandoned her. She seems like an ungrateful cow about now. No matter, Uhtred knows when she's being made a fool of but will fix it all and have the poets sing her praises anyway. What a man.

 Uhtred's children are all about for us in this one. Uhtred I feel takes a small step back from the last one and is continuing to prove himself as a warrior. Stiorra appears a little later and she has only grown stronger away from the father, she's fantastic. We even get a short time with Father Judas now calling himself Osbert. That was definitely interesting.

 Ragnall is a very good foe for this book having only been introduced to his brother in the previous book. I think it keeps the actions timely and more intriguing than just bringing in another Dane from across the sea. He's fed up of fighting the Irish and has come for easier pickings. He's clever, but is he clever enough?

 An old foe that continues to plague us is Haesten, the little weasel just shows up everywhere and anywhere he's not wanted.

 Another even older character from the very first book comes back to play with us. I'd been missing them and had searched to see if they would reappear and spoiled myself but that didn't make any of it less satisfying. So good.

 Edward is blissfully absent as are most of our Wessex based characters in this one. We have too much action in the north for anything else!

 Setting

 As an English person, I'm probably biased here. . .

 Cornwell continues to help us immerse in the history of England's making, referencing history of Roman buildings is a little nod to their recent history which I feel helps. Immersing in the religious views and reminders of the beliefs at the time is also quite immersive. I find any scene on a ship certainly reminds me of how perilous travel was in history.

 Plot

 This one was action packed and I loved it. We've gotten used to a certain formula of story telling by this point. A beginning battle and build up to an end battle. A little boring for some that like more of a surprise but it hasn't slowed me down and I loved this one. I think love for the characters is what pushes me forwards. The pacing is good, constantly moving and there was a lot going on in the book. I didn't feel it went stagnant at any point. In terms of where this fits in the series, I feel this is also an important development for the books which only happens for a few of them.

 Writing

 I'm still in love with the retrospective narrative. Seeing from Uhtred's side means a slightly one sided story but there's no one else that I'd rather follow. I think I fear historical fiction and that it will be written in a way that's difficult to read and these books are very easy to read through.

 I never expected these books to be funny but little interactions are always making me laugh. Whether it be current interactions or flashbacks it's usually to do with mocking priests whom I find as tedious as Uhtred does.

 I'm not far off the end of this series now. I'm loving that I'm racing towards the end but also wanting to slow down and make it last longer. The Flame Bearer is next!

Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Title: Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Author: Melissa Bashardoust

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Year: May 2020
Pages: 311

ISBN:  9781529340976
Genre: YA Fantasy

Reading Time: 13 - 17 July

Binding: Fairyloot Hardback
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★☆☆

Blurb:

 There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away from everyone apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it's not just a story.

 As the day of her twin brother's wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she's willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn't afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.

 Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming . . . human or demon.

 PRINCESS OR MONSTER

Review:

 I'm going to try a new structure to my reviewing on this one, I read this as part of the Fairyloot read along to give myself some reading goals and want to have the review to show it!

 Characters

 I don't think we have any particularly surprising characters in this book. I'm going to go by known importance at the start and try not to spoil!

 Soraya is our main character and she hasn't felt the touch of a human since the days after her birth, her poisonous skin making any and all contact with living creatures impossible. I've seen a few people mention that this isn't something they've seen or read about before but it's certainly not unique. Rogue from X-Men, anybody? I've yet to really read about someone with this curse/ability that is a badass from the first page. There's always the loneliness and self-pity which is grasping Soraya a lot. She's the twin to the shah, Sorush, and so is a princess shrouded in mystery, hardly known by her own people. A kind of living legend. Sounds cool, right? Not really. I found Soraya boring and struggled to really root for her. In the first few pages she makes eye contact with Azad that is apparently some kind of order, I thought that was showing us she was going to be a real sassy character and then utter blandness followed.

 Tahmineh, that's a woman I could read more about and I love the complexity that surrounds her. A mother present in a YA book that we know holds a lot of secrets, even though we don't know why in the beginning.

 Sorush is the shah and doesn't get a lot of page time, though I thought he was a pleasant enough character that people were expecting to be cruel rather than understanding.

 Azad was also quite predictable, read anything he says and tell me you didn't find him suspicious and I shall laugh at you. He's cute and immediately loyal? Have you read YA recently?

 Parvaneh, another character I would have preferred to read a story about. There's years of fantastic stories there.

 Laleh is only marginally used, just a little side character and her brother Ramin has had some serious hate on the Fairyloot read along. Yes, he's pretty hateful but I thought he was one of the best characters!

 The Shahmar is a great character, a mirror for Soraya to despair at and the real reason there's any plot to this book. I want to read of his history. That'd be a really good book but let's make it adult because that's about to get bloody!

 Setting

 This is a nice fairytale setting and to begin with we realise that Soraya gets to experience nothing outside of the palace walls, indeed she's only really familiar with the secret and servant passageways to get around her own home.

 For this reason I quite enjoyed the setting, it grew with Soraya's experiences. There are horrors in the mountains which she can't imagine but there's also the terror of walking the streets of her own home for fear of touching and killing the citizens in a crowd. There is mythology and divs and pariks to evolve this world into our fantasy genre and the development is small yet suitable to the book.

 Plot

 Predictable, kind of formulaic in the way it ticks off every box of what you should expect in a YA fantasy book coming out in the current day. It moves along well enough, but just slow enough for you to also realise things a few chapters in advance. I need a little more surprise than that. Doesn't mean that many others will not be shocked or fall in love with this! It's very fairytale. I like things a little more hardcore.

Overall any enjoyable book, I just wish it had some more surprises in store for me!

The Empty Throne

Title: The Empty Throne

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2014
Pages: 353
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #8
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 29 June - 12 July

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 In the battle power, there can be only one ruler.

 The ruler of Mercia is dying, leaving no apparent heir. His wife is a born leader, but no woman has ever ruled over an English kingdom. And she is without her greatest warrior and champion, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

 An empty throne leaves the kingdom exposed to rival West Saxons and to the Vikings, who are on a bloody rampage once more.

 A hero is needed, a hero who has been in battle all his life, who can destroy the double threat to Mercia. A hero who will ultimately decide the fate of a nation...

Review:

 Female characters, go! I mean, not massively but I definitely felt there was a surge of focus on female characters in this book and it was great. It's still based on true points of history and as a female reader that just makes it that little bit nicer to read of strong women, some fiction and some that truly did exist in the making of my country.

 The start of this book is good. Especially following the end of The Pagan Lord when we didn't really know the outcome of the final battle. We have a different point of view for the first time in the series and it's just a little bit of harmless trickery for our opening.

 Uhtred is unwell since the last battle of The Pagan Lord and healing history is a strange thing. He's battling his own health, those that fight for control of Mercia and those that continue to try and invade. Poor bloke never stops. . . 

 It's a real politically heavy setting this time. Powers are shifting and it's making all of our characters tense. The writing continues to provide an easy read and I notice Cornwell is pushing it a bit now with the ages of characters, he even mentioned it in an interview on the BBC!

 But these books always seem to come in a story of two halves and that last half was just fantastic. Eadith is a very interesting addition and Sigtryggr, just yes. Fantastic. Very good, can't wait to see him again.

 In comparison to the series which I'm watching again now there are more differences than some books. No Brida in the book, there hasn't been for a while, I'm waiting for her return or a nugget of information on her. The invasions are actioned differently but for more tension on screen, though I would have liked to see that final battle on screen, Sigtryggr is developed slightly differently and I feel hopeful for his return because of that. Some characters are present in the series but not the book. All interesting to see how it goes now that season 5 has been announced!

The Pagan Lord

Title: The Pagan Lord

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2013
Pages: 303
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #7
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 20 - 28 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Uhtred - sword of the Saxons, bane of the Vikings - has been declared outcast.

 Peace in Britain had given Uhtred time to cause trouble - for himself. Branded a pagan abomination by the church, he sails north. For, despite suspecting that Viking leader Cnut Longsword will attack the Saxons again, Uhtred is heading for Bebbanburg, fearing that if he does not act now he will never reclaim his stolen birthright.

 Yet Uhtred's fate is bound to the Saxons. To Aethelflaed, bright lady of Mercia and to a dead king's dream of England. For great battles must still be fought - and no man is better at that than Uhtred.

 Uhtred of Bebbanburg's mind is as sharp as his sword. A thorn in the side of priests and nobles who shape his fate, this Saxon raised by Vikings is torn between the life he loves and those he has sworn to serve.

Review:

 Let me begin by acknowledging that my reading speed slowed down a lot on this one. No fault of the book, I found this one a step up on pace and excitement from Death of Kings. I simply had last week off to read as much as I wanted and when I went back to work this week everything that could possibly go wrong did. I'll do better next week and get my reading rhythm back!

 What an opening, peace has had it's time and now Uhtred's ready to get himself in a bit of trouble. He does it with style too, Uhtred is seen as an old man, an old warrior in his time now and his children are grown. Not all in to a life that Uhtred would approve of and thus Uhtred gives the church yet another reason to call for his blood.

 So where's Uhtred going to go? Only the place we've been waiting for him to go since the beginning. BEBBANBURG, BABY! It's all action. It's all tense. What a ride.

 Avoiding the results of that, Uhtred feels he's called back South as the Danes begin to wreak havoc, Aethelflaed calling him back to his duties, more in spirit than orders. Uhtred truly does love her. Here comes another game of strategy, tricks and bluffs showing us how Uhtred's mind has been honed by war. All for the Saxons that continue to resent him. Old enemies come back to the front in this book, it's an entertaining one.

 A final note in comparison to how Netflix has adapted this one. Two deaths are mentioned in this book, big deaths that are only given a short page. That's likely more accurate to the time but Netflix changes these deaths massively, which explains my confusion of the changed events from the last book. The series did these deaths better.

Death of Kings

Title: Death of Kings

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2011
Pages: 330
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #6
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 18 - 20 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Alfred, the great king, is said to be dying. Rivals of his succession are poised to tear the kingdom apart. The country Alfred has worked thirty years to build is about to disintegrate.

 Uhtred, the King's arrior, Viking born but Saxon bred, wants more than anything else to go and fight to reclaim his stole Northumbrian inheritance. But the knows that if he deserts the King's cause, Alfred's dream - and indeed the very future of the English nation - will very likely vanish.

 Death of Kings is an outstanding novel by a master storyteller of how England was made - and very nearly lost.

Review:

 I'd like to start my review with a note on why I'm here, the adaptation of the series currently available on Netflix. The series up until this point has been one series for two books, with series one and two mostly faithfully lifted. The content is excellent so the screen writers don't need much further inspiration. I believe this was also the point at which the series was also still being produced by the BBC. Therefore this book should be represented by the second half of the third series and having watched it I had certain expectations. It was an absolutely excellent couple of episodes and only has the bare bones of the book, so I was a tad disappointed but that is no fault of the book itself and therefore this series continues under a 5-star rating!

 We are picking back up a few years following The Burning Land, Uhtred is now 41 and this book spans another few years, Uhtred is considered an old warrior at this point. Definitely sure some other characters have had ages carried across incorrectly from when they were first introduced, a minor thing but as I'm reading them back to back it's easier to notice. Uhtred is a more mature character than earlier in the series now due to his experience, he's renowned and feared by both Danes and Saxons. Still can't keep his hands to himself though!

 Alfred is weakening and leaving his people in fear of what should happen upon his death. Will the Danes approach, pillaging, raping and burning all in sight? Will Uhtred return to Bebbanburg? Will he remain and protect the kingdom? I don't think even Uhtred knows at some points in this book.

 Aethelwold returns in full force in this book, though we're not seeing him for long periods due to Uhtred's point of view and retrospective narrative. His treachery is plain to all and undeniable at this point but the Christian Alfred can be ever forgiving. So many treacheries in this book, all entertaining and one well written so as not arouse much suspicion by the men or us readers. Mind games are being played by both sides in this war as battle still waits to come.

 Aethelflaed continues to impress, I love the quick wit she has with Uhtred and I can't wait for her to be rid of that hateful husband. I only hope her brother Edward can come to sense as quickly as her and value Uhtred's help above those others that are whispering in his ears.

 The Pagan Lord is next and I just don't know where the series is going now that I can see such a separation for the series. There are things I definitely wanted to read about but now there's more mystety for me than before, very exciting stuff!

 

The Burning Land

Title: The Burning Land

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2009
Pages: 384
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #5
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 16 - 18 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 To King Alfred he is 'lord of battles'. He has gained rickes, loyal men and a beloved wife. But Uhtred is dogged by betrayal and tragedy.

 The ailing Alfred presses Uhtred to swear loyalty to his son and heir Edward, preventing the warrior lord from taking vengeance on those who stole his home at Bebbanburg. Now Uhtred will once again defend the Christian kingdom - in a battle which could smash the growing power of the deadly Danes.

 In do doing he meets a woman more dangerous than any warlord. A killer, a schemer with a dark power over men's hearts: Skade.

 Uhtred of Bebbanburg's mind is as sharp as his sword. A thorn in the side of priests and nobles who shape his fate, this Saxon raised by Vikings is torn between the life he loves and those he has sworn to serve.

Review:

 I'd say this is only the second book in the series so far in which we see some real vulnerability in Uhtred, the first being The Lords of the North. Uhtred is now in his mid-thirties, being around five years after the events of Sword Song. I have to say that for a few books now I've been questioning whether some character's ages have been carried across correctly from when they were first introduced and I'm still not sure they're quite right. Uhtred has remained in Lundene with his friends and family and continues to fight for Wessex.

 There are at least two battles in each of these books so far and the first is quickly paced compared to others that we have seen on this scale so far. With it comes the introduction of a new female character, Skade. What a witch. This character is brimming with strong female characters with very different traits. Tragedy strikes for Uhtred early in this book and it sets us in to a new series of events that will continue in to the next book. Uhtred sets sail again and reverts to some of his bachelor days, keep it in your pants Uhtred!

 There are characters that were missed in Sword Song and we are welcomed back to them with open arms, Ragnar and Brida are strong and will be seen again. Alfred is weakening and preparing Wessex for the ascension of Edward. Asser is a troublesome little bastard that Uhtred really should have killed years before. Relationships are being tested unlike they have before and it leads a real question to how their story will progress. We are also reminded heavily in this book of Uhtred's wish to return to Bebbanburg as he travels north for the first time in years before having his loyalties tested once again.

 The battles noted in this book have true inspirations, I always rely on the historical note to help me separate what comes from the history and Cornwell's imagination. He also notes that he does not think Aetheflaed is a woman from our history with enough recognition and I have to agree, it's wonderful to see him pushing her forward as heroin in these stories even if Cornwell notes he's likely giving Aethelred the short end of the stick.

 If you're on your way here from the Netflix adaptation then do not expect this one to line as closely to the series as previous books. It's still very well lifted but I was certainly trying to search my memory to remember if certain elements were completely changed or only inspired by.

Sword Song

Title: Sword Song

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2007
Pages: 364
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #4
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 13 - 15 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south. But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London.

 It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, hald Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred. His uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.

 A gripping tale of love, rivalry and violence, Sword Song tells the story of England's making.

Review:

 I've just finished the book and will attempt to write a review through the tears. I can't deny the overwhelming feelings I have for this book are largely heightened due to what I felt when watching the episodes dedicated to this book. This is the only book so far I've really wished we were able to gain a perspective other than Uhtred's but it doesn't greatly take away from the experience if you've not yet watched the series.

 It's been some years since the events of The Lords of the North, Uhtred was 23 at the end of that book and is 28 at the time we now pick up with him. He has matured, helped by the life he has built with Gisela under Alfred's rule. The retrospective narrative voice of Uhtred in his far away future gives us many hints of what may and most definitely will happen to him in future books. I've said before I find this type of narrative comforting and it is but it also gives a sense of foreboding.

 Our opening is pretty exciting, mysterious and inviting for the action that's going to happen later in the book. These books so far just aren't happy with only the one battle scene, Cornwell gives us plenty each time so far.

 Aethelflaed becomes a more important character in this book and Alfred takes a little step back. I'm a real sucker for the last 20% or so of this book and just wish it had lasted longer. All the feels. Erik is a turning point for her and I love him.

 Cornwell's historical note tells us that there is more fiction to this installment than the previous novels and I really, really appreciate it. It's an easy one to love though I feel there's not that much going on in the middle as we were prepared for the next act.

 Once again it's difficult to write a lot without giving away spoilers. I found less humour in this one than I have previously and perhaps that's as Uhtred is maturing. There are characters for Uhtred's past only mentioned in this book and many characters take a larger step back as the family that Uhtred has built for himself takes priority. Alfred brings him out of that state in his constant plans to expand his rule with disastrous results.

 I'm at a bit of a loss for words, excuse me whilst I go and bawl my eyes out watching this part of the series again. Then I might be ready to begin The Burning Land.

The Lords of the North

Title: The Lords of the North

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2006
Pages: 382
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #3
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 12 - 13 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Uhtred wants revenge. He wants the land and castle that is his. He wants his treacherous uncle to pay for taking them.

 Heading north with his lover, former nun Hild, he finds chaos as the Vikings battle among themselves to consolidate their hold on the region. At the heart of it are men from Uhtred's past - Sven the One-Eyed and Kjartan the Cruel, men of vicious reputation. Still, he has matched such men before.

 Then Uhtred suffers a betrayal to rival the treachery that deprived him of his birthright. It will leave him trapped with no hope of escape ...

 Uhtred of Bebbanburg's mind is as sharp as his sword. A thorn in the side of priests and nobles who shape his fate, this Saxon raised by Vikings is torn between the life he loves and the cause he has sworn to serve.

Review:

 At last, we come out from the thumb of Alfred and Wessex, or so it appears for a time. We appear a month after the battle that ended The Pale Horseman and as we can expect Uhtred is not happy. He's lost everything all over again and it is time to journey for himself. To the blood feud and birthright that has haunted him since The Last Kingdom.

 Uhtred is 21 at the beginning of this book and I believe 23 by the end, so this is a relatively short time frame for so much to happen. Uhtred's plans to return home are constantly delayed by the will of others. Northumbria is chaos compared to what we've seen of Wessex so day in the series and that says a lot! Uhtred continues to show a keen mind for battle and deception. He's a real leader at such a young age but can still be ruled by his rage.

 Hild, sweet Hild. A good woman for Uhtred and one I think that is helping shape him more so than his previous lovers. I wish and hope we see a little more of her. 

 There's little to say without spoiling this one. But revenge is the name of the game for a great many of the players. The betrayal part way through this book is a real shock to the system. A grueling story that reveals a more redeeming quality than I've seen so far for Alfred. Uhtred has found new followers and I know they're here to stick around for a while. Bloodthirsty little buggers that they are.

 Another fantastic battle, another tense final chapter. A little more steering to where Uhtred is going as this book finishes than the previous book. Continued retrospective narrative that just becomes more dear to me as I keep reading, fantastic description that allows you to immerse in the history and yet another historical note to nod to Cornwell's thoughts on the history and how developed the story from it.

 Now I'll compare it the series a little as that's how I ended up reading the series. This is only the first few episodes of the second series. Things got ramped up a little and new things invented. I think Hild is more badass. Halig was a wonderful character just for the fact that his death scene is, for me, one of the most powerful scenes in the whole of the series so far. It wasn't in the book at all and I commend the show writers for finding a way to really make this situation felt for the watchers. Finding Guthred was also a bit more entertaining but only ramping up what was already present in the books. Good stuff. But where was the absolute beast that was Thyra in that battle? Or Gisela in her attempt to help? Dammit!

 Well, on to the next!

The Pale Horseman

Title: The Pale Horseman

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2005
Pages: 415
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #2
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 6 - 11 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 When peace is torn apart by bloody Danish steel, Uhtred must fight to serve a king who distrusts him.

 Skeptical of a treat between the Vikings and Wessex, Uhtred takes his talent for mayhem to Cornwall, gaining treasure and a mysterious woman on the way. But when he is accused of massacring Christians, he finds lies can be as deadly as steel.

 Still, when pious King Alfred flees to a watery refuge, it is the pagan warrior he relies on. Now Uhtred must fight a battle which will shape history - and confront the Viking with the banner of the white horse ...

 Uhtred of Bebbanburg's mind is as sharp as his sword. A thorn in the side of the priests and nobles who shape his fate, this Saxon raised by Vikings is torn between the life he loves and those he has sworn to serve.

Review:

 I'm here because of the tv series, so let me note that there are increased difference from the first book in this one. Things were adapted to be a little more interesting and needing less explanation on screen but regardless, this was a great sequel to the first book!

 We're looking at a shorter timespan than The Last Kingdom, perhaps only two years rather than ten! We start off recovering from the action of the last chapters in The Last Kingdom and it's not pretty. Uhtred is all rage and justice in these chapters. He's angry with the church, the king, the opposing ealdormen and himself. He's just won a great victory and his thanks is very little. This opens to a particular funny line as we are being told the story retrospectively by an older Uhtred and he will openly criticise his own and other's actions.

 Uhtred's relationships with some of the most important people in his life become more strained in the beginning of this book as his frustrations show. He's young and prone to violence but he's just won a greater battle than any of them could have anticipated. So there's respect for him but it can't be shown too greatly, he still has a lot to prove.

 This book comes in two halves, the first of Uhtred's anger. He's practically exiled to his lands and takes his good friend Leofric on a little adventure to lift his spirits. It's not what I would have expected to happen and the whole experience of finding Iseult would not have been something I anticipated either. Iseult is a real turning point for Uhtred, I think she calms him.

 The second half begins on another spring of action just as Alfred has once again turned his back on Uhtred. The pace here slows a little as Wessex is reduced to the marshes. I say the pacing slows, a lot happens, lots involving some of those opposing ealdormen and lots of trust building until religion comes back in to it. There's action but I feel the focus is taken to Wessex relationships rather than the Danes and Saxons. Iseult and Uhtred are pagans surrounded by Christians that scorn them for their beliefs. I think this shows more of Uhtred's courage as we see Iseult succumb to some of the pressure of this. This also made me realise why I find so many points in these books funny, it's the utter devotion to religion. I'm not religious and to see everyone so devout just seems obsessive to the point I find it hilarious.

 There's another final battle to this one, it takes longer than previous battles and I think back to the first battle with Uhtred as a child wishing the soldiers would move faster. In the retrospective narrative Uhtred speaks of how this was the wish of a child not understanding battle and we're being taught this as we live through the shield wall experience again and again with Uhtred in increasingly sized battles. There's a rather impulsive and exciting ending to this battle and I like it in the books and how it's done very differently in the series. In the series these use a small battle reference from The Last Kingdom and use it here. I think I'm glad to see that on the screen than the complexity of this battle and it's ending.

 There's another note on the historical accuracy from Cornwell in this book and he acknowledged some of his movements. It's an excellent note for those ignorant of the history (like me) to know what events are inspired by the truth of how this country was built.

 The next book is Lords of the North, expect to read about it soon!

The Last Kingdom

Title: The Last Kingdom

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2004
Pages: 327
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Time: 3 - 6 June
Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 In a land torn apart by conflict, an orphan boy has come of age. Raised by the Vikings, deadly enemies of his own Saxon people, Uhtred is a fierce and skilled warrior who kneels to no-one.

 Alfred - Saxon, king, man of god - fights to hold the throne of the only land still resisting the pagan northerners.

 Uhtred and Alfred's fates are tangled, soaked in blood and blackened by the flames of war. Together they will change history.

Review:

 So I've just finished watching the series so far, which has only recently seen the release of season four on Netflix. I tried a few times in the past year to get in to this series not to get any further than episode four, history has never been a big interest of mine. This time I made it all the way through, with the 20 hours of seasons 3 and four being consumed in one tense weekend. Then I thought to myself, what am I going to do whilst I wait for the next series? Wait, what? There are books?

 I hesitated on looking in to the books, historical fiction is not a genre I've really entered before. Libraries are shut during the pandemic and I simply don't have room for 13 books that aren't signed or special editions. Imagine my surprise when I browse the kindle store only to find that I purchased the book in 2016 whilst it was free on kindle. Perfect!

 For me, this was really easy reading. The writing isn't complex and the story moves along easily. Reading this on kindle, I think this is my most highlighted and bookmarked book so far. I wasn't expecting it to be funny but there are little sentences and interactions all over the place that made me smile or chuckle.

 Our story is all told from Uhtred's point of view and there is a long range of his early years in this story. I think we see around a decade with him from the age of nine. There's no shying away from the fact that monstrosities happened to children at this time. So much more happens at a younger age to Uhtred than we realise from the series and I think that's fantastic for shaping him for a character we'll see through a long series. He can be brave, irrational, arrogant, distraught and we really do see it all.

 Brida is a great character as this series begins and you can tell from some of the early pages with her that she's going to cause trouble. She's intelligent and fierce, a fantastic female companion for Uhtred.

 Alfred, I must say I have greater interest in now than when I was watching the series. It's the same for a great many of the characters and so I decided to start watching the series again in order to see how well lifted from the books this series is. The answer is really well. Little interactions that I found funny in the series have come out of the books, the material is there. They're have been elements moved around but it is generally very true to the book and that's why it's so fantastic.

 The pacing moves well for me, there is plenty of action in this book and it's told in an evolving way as Uhtred ages and has move involvement, just as he's shaping his mind to that of a warrior. He's brash in the beginning but is learning the intelligence of those around him and he's got a good bit of luck on his side. His priorities are set and he often has to complete tasks he doesn't want to but it's all in order to reach his final goal of going home. He's outmatched several times and seeing how Uhtred then conquers or faces the consequences of this is a source of wonder and tension.

 I can't talk about historical accuracy because I frankly haven't got a clue. There's a historical note and I believe Cornwell has done his research.

 As I'm writing this I've just finished the second book, The Pale Horseman, the previous evening. I have books I want to read, but this series is taking priority right now. I'm obsessed!

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Title: Alice Through the Zombie Glass

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: MIRA INK

Year: 2013
Pages: 476
ISBN: 9781848452534
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles #2
Genre: Zombies/ Paranormal/ Retelling
Reading Time: 17 - 24 May
Binding: Paperback
Goodreads

Stars:
★★☆☆☆

Blurb:

 Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give.

 She was wrong.

 After a new zombie attack, her world gets even stranger. Mirror come to life and she can hear the whispers of the dead.

 But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms insider her, urging her to do dangerously wicked deeds that are impossible to come back from...

Review:

 Oh man, I thought I'd enjoyed the first one. That was four months ago and since then I've read a new book by one of my favourite authors and an adult fantasy series originally published in the 90s. Going back to this series, it feels like I'm reading fanfiction written by a teenager. No one talks like these characters, it's a mix of trying to sound you and then speaking in paragraphs and words that no one of their age would use.

 The characters are shallow, everything in the book is either zombie or boyfriends. That doesn't hold up for over 400 pages, especially when the boyfriend theme is stronger and the basis of every other character. None of the relationships in this book are healthy, I worry what this would have taught me about men if I'd read this when I originally bought it a few years ago.

 All the action is contained to three chapters. It's over so quickly and would have been better off coming in half way through the book and being drawn out to at least have something going on rather than Ali constantly feeling sorry for herself.

 I don't know. I'm not a quitter, I already own the third book but not the fourth. I'll try and finish the series but it'll be with slightly gritted teeth.

House of Earth and Blood

Title: House of Earth and Blood        

Author: Sarah J Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2020
Pages: 799
ISBN: 9781526623454
Series: Crescent City #1
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Time: 10 - 14 May
Binding: Hardback
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Bryce Quinlan used to light up Crescent City, partying all night in the clubs where the strict classes of angel, shifter, human and Fae merge into a sea of beautiful bodies.

 And then a demon murdered her closest friends.

 Two years later, when the supposed killer is behind bars but the crimes start up again, the city's leaders command Bryce to help investigate. They assign an enslaved fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, to mare sure she does. But as Bryce fights to uncover the truth - and resist her attraction to the brooding angel who shadows her every step - she finds herself following a trail that leads deep into her own dark past.

Review:

 Wow. Wow. Wow. It's not often I read an 800 page book in 5 days. I read over 400 pages of this beast yesterday. Crying is also not on my list of things I do often with books but I did that yesterday too. I'm thinking this may currently be my favourite first book in a series by Maas. Maybe. Throne of Glass is nothing like the expansions for the rest of the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is tough to read again when all you want to read is the final half of the book. This though, so much action and set up. Maybe it's just my love for any new Maas material. How long until the next one?

 Let's begin with the setting. I'd like to call this a rich setting, there's clearly a lot of history in this world and we're allowed all sorts of possibilities with the knowledge that there are other worlds that can be reached within this universe. I'll be waiting for references to her other series! There are numerous species within this world and you'd better bet there's a pecking order. We've got mention of ongoing wars which I'll expect we're going to get pulled into later in this series, let's not mention that visitor from another world that I'm very looking forward to seeing again.

 We've got a range of characters, though I think back and feel all our main characters have very similar backgrounds to Maas' other books. Bryce is a good looking party girl, doesn't fit in with either species as a half-breed. Much like Aelin and Feyre. Hunt has a long history of killing, but he's not as bad as everyone thinks. Much like Rowan and Rhysand. I'm not going to complain, this combination has worked for me so far and it doesn't stop here.

 I like Bryce, like the intelligence and wit we get to see in her character. She's got a card up her sleeve and no one has much of an idea who she really is, not that they realise that of course. She's perceived as a vain party girl looking for her next hook up. There are chapters where she definitely is that but there is so much revealed about this character in this first book I don't know where she has to go next.

 Hunt, hello, hello. I don't mind a fallen angel romance, not one bit. Intelligent, a history, powerful. A really good story for him so far and I'm really looking forwards to how it progresses. However we all know what Maas does to first book romances, please not again!

 Other characters, well. I didn't read the blurb so I wasn't expecting a murder within the first few chapters. Luckily I didn't get too connected to those first characters, I think it was the f-bomb in every odd sentence that I wasn't looking forward to continuing to read. They didn't last long at all though, did they? Lele is beautiful, Ruhn is a good brother, the other Fae need a bit more page time, the Angels need a tad more personality, Bryce's friends are a bit of a second thought, I want to spend some time underwater and I want to see some more redemption for the wolves.

 There's so much to say about this beast of a book but to try and avoid spoilers is so tough! Stick with this book, lots and lots have people struggled with the pacing. For me it wasn't a problem. Action in the first few chapters, catching up to the present time and the investigating. Usually the final revelation is in the last 5 chapters and this is an 800 page book so of course it will move a little slowly! Around the 600 page mark things just suddenly explode in to action. Twists, turns, ducks and dives. So. Worth. It.

 I'm struggling to really identify a difference that makes this book adult against Maas' other books but now ACOTAR is being re-branded as adult. There is less sex in this than ACOMAF which needs to be immediately remedied! Our characters are a little older. The only thing is swearing. Which wasn't really needed but I still thought it fit the characters and it wasn't as persistent as everyone is making out.

 Super excited to see this series continue!