Scan barcode
lisawreading's review
3.0
This prequel to A Spear of Summer Grass is definitely not a full stand-alone book -- but it is a good story, and worth checking out if you enjoyed Spear. If you wondered how Ryder got his scars, how Jude ended up married to that awful cad Anthony, and what exactly happened the time a lion walked down the street in Nairobi, make sure to read Far in the Wilds.
karlynrose's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
novelesque_life's review
3.0
3.5 STARS
"Kenya, 1918
Ryder White is Canadian by birth but African by choice. He is more at home in the wilds of the savannah, shooting and sleeping his way across the continent, than amongst the hedonistic colonists of Kenyan society.
In a landscape where one false move can cost a man his life, Ryder's skill as a guide is unparalleled, but only the rich or royal can afford his services. When a European prince hires Ryder to help him hunt an elusive leopard Ryder thinks it's just another well-paying job with yet another spoiled voyeur. But this perilous journey is full of dangers that may change Ryder forever....
Ryder returns in A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn, where he encounters a woman from a very different world, to explore beauty and darkness and what is truly worth fighting for." (From Amazon)
A promising novella from Raybourn set post-WWI.
"Kenya, 1918
Ryder White is Canadian by birth but African by choice. He is more at home in the wilds of the savannah, shooting and sleeping his way across the continent, than amongst the hedonistic colonists of Kenyan society.
In a landscape where one false move can cost a man his life, Ryder's skill as a guide is unparalleled, but only the rich or royal can afford his services. When a European prince hires Ryder to help him hunt an elusive leopard Ryder thinks it's just another well-paying job with yet another spoiled voyeur. But this perilous journey is full of dangers that may change Ryder forever....
Ryder returns in A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn, where he encounters a woman from a very different world, to explore beauty and darkness and what is truly worth fighting for." (From Amazon)
A promising novella from Raybourn set post-WWI.
margaretkearney's review
5.0
Fantastic introduction to the new series.Cant wait for A Spear of Summer Grass to be released.
ccgwalt's review
3.0
3.5*
This interesting little novella is best read as a prequel to the larger work to follow,[b:A Spear of Summer Grass|16074560|A Spear of Summer Grass|Deanna Raybourn|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356914412s/16074560.jpg|19200712]. Here we get to know the male lead for the next book, Ryder. Ryder is a Canadian now living in Africa where he is a business man but also a hunter of problem cats, such as man-eating lions. The writing is a little uneven, but some of that might be the fact that the reader jumps into the middle of the story and you figure it all out as you read. There is a short plot arc here, but not a really completed story. It's definitely a teaser for the book. And I am definitely "teased." I'll be reading A Spear of Summer Grass to see what happens next.
This interesting little novella is best read as a prequel to the larger work to follow,[b:A Spear of Summer Grass|16074560|A Spear of Summer Grass|Deanna Raybourn|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356914412s/16074560.jpg|19200712]. Here we get to know the male lead for the next book, Ryder. Ryder is a Canadian now living in Africa where he is a business man but also a hunter of problem cats, such as man-eating lions. The writing is a little uneven, but some of that might be the fact that the reader jumps into the middle of the story and you figure it all out as you read. There is a short plot arc here, but not a really completed story. It's definitely a teaser for the book. And I am definitely "teased." I'll be reading A Spear of Summer Grass to see what happens next.
kobfroggie's review
2.0
I enjoyed Lady Julia series and was considering buying [b:A Spear of Summer Grass|16074560|A Spear of Summer Grass|Deanna Raybourn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356914412s/16074560.jpg|19200712] when this little novella came out for free. The book includes a sample of A Spear of Summer Grass. A glimpse at the heroine and my interest plunged deeper. Instead of "teasing", this teaser actually turned me away.
It wasn't at all a bad story. I appreciated vivid and beautiful writing and interesting dialogues. But it's got too many of my pet-peeves, namely European colonialism, WW, killing animals, and the omnipotent hero.
I'd still recommend if you like Africa and the 1920s. But for me, I'll wait for her next series.
2.5 stars.
It wasn't at all a bad story. I appreciated vivid and beautiful writing and interesting dialogues. But it's got too many of my pet-peeves, namely European colonialism, WW, killing animals, and the omnipotent hero.
I'd still recommend if you like Africa and the 1920s. But for me, I'll wait for her next series.
2.5 stars.
lindca's review
5.0
I'm intrigued and look forward to reading of Ryder's (and Delilah's) further adventures in A Spear of Summer Grass.
verityw's review
4.0
An interesting scene-setting short story from Deanna Raybourn. I'm looking forward to reading the book proper.
bearlienktc's review
4.0
Good taste of things to come in Ms Raybourn's new novel. I'll have to read Spear of Summer Grass soon!
stacey_kenny's review
4.0
This was just a little prequel novella to the author's novel [b:A Spear of Summer Grass|16074560|A Spear of Summer Grass|Deanna Raybourn|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356914412s/16074560.jpg|19200712]. I normally don't rate novella's above 3 stars as they usually just fail to engage me however I really enjoyed this introduction to the character of Ryder White. I am now looking forward to reading the full length novel of which he is a primary character!