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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
"This novella makes for a quiet evening read, and is filled with betrayal, revenge, and lost love."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/september/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/september/viewer/desktop/#page/62
"This historical romance shows that love is a promise for the future, but trust is a key ingredient."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/september/viewer/desktop/#page/62
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/september/viewer/desktop/#page/62
The Mistress of Magic is book 1 in The Mists of Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley and narrated by Davina Porter. I added this audiobook series to round out my Arthurian Legend Summer Reading List. This series focuses on the women of Arthurian Legend. We are introduced to Igraine, through a series of events becomes wed to Uther Pendragon and has a son named Arthur. However, from her first marriage, she had a daughter named Morgaine. Morgaine is taken to live with her Aunt Viviane, who is the Lady of the Lake and taught about the sight. However, Viviane is plagued by the sight and what the future holds. She must trust the Goddess, even if it means turning on her own kin.
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Guys, why does this keep happening to me?!
I finished the audiobook. I enjoyed the overall storyline and the characters. Davina Porter is a FANTASTIC narrator!! Then while I am researching for this review for some background of the author, I discover that she was accused of molesting her daughter from the ages 3-12. The money from the sales of these books now goes to Save the Children charity.
So I cannot bring myself to listen to the rest of the series. I also had to stop reading TH White’s The Once and Future King series due to the problematic themes and racial slurs. Come on. I just want one decent and unproblematic Arthurian Legend book. So hopefully Mary Stewart and Bernard Cornwell don’t let me down. If the circumstances were different, I would have probably rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. But I just can’t. I am so angry and disgusted. So 1 star it is.
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Guys, why does this keep happening to me?!
I finished the audiobook. I enjoyed the overall storyline and the characters. Davina Porter is a FANTASTIC narrator!! Then while I am researching for this review for some background of the author, I discover that she was accused of molesting her daughter from the ages 3-12. The money from the sales of these books now goes to Save the Children charity.
So I cannot bring myself to listen to the rest of the series. I also had to stop reading TH White’s The Once and Future King series due to the problematic themes and racial slurs. Come on. I just want one decent and unproblematic Arthurian Legend book. So hopefully Mary Stewart and Bernard Cornwell don’t let me down. If the circumstances were different, I would have probably rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. But I just can’t. I am so angry and disgusted. So 1 star it is.
I can always depend on Hester Fox for giving all the perfect Gothic vibes. I loved the Widow of Pale Harbor and I jumped for joy when I received The Orphan of Cemetery Hill. So thank you, Hester Fox, NetGalley, and Harlequin Publishing for the opportunity to read this book! The book takes place in Boston in the year 1844. Tabby and her sister Alice are orphans and they are fleeing their dangerous Aunt and Uncle and get separated. Tabby finds herself hiding in the cemetery and soon gets adopted the cemetery caretaker, Eli. Eli does not know that she possesses a gift. She can speak to the dead. Her path soon crosses with Caleb Bishop. His father’s body is taken by grave robbers. They soon get dragged into danger revolving around the “Resurrection Men.” She must use her gift and risk getting caught, even though that is something she has been keeping secret all her life.
This book is EVERYTHING I want during this time of year. If you are looking for something that has all the spooky, gothic goodness…this is it! Hester Fox has become one of my instant buy authors! Her plots are unique and intriguing. I always find it difficult to put down her books. I finished this book in two days. (And that is on top of work on monitoring virtual learning!) Tabby is a wonderful main character and has the best development! She lives her life run by fear of being used or tortured. It takes a great deal of courage and love to overcome that fear and use that gift to help those around you, even those who are already dead.
I loved the “Resurrection Men” plot. It gives a bit of history of grave robbing and the determination to study the human body. But it also gave me a lot of Frankenstein vibes. There are also mentions of women’s suffrage and ending slavery. One of the most haunting moments is one of the characters saying that there are dark times coming to the United States, referring to the Civil War. It gave me the chills. Everything just flowed together so perfectly.
I am telling you, this is the perfect book to read this Fall. The book publishes September 15th and you will not want to miss out! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars! —Also check out that gorgeous cover!
This book is EVERYTHING I want during this time of year. If you are looking for something that has all the spooky, gothic goodness…this is it! Hester Fox has become one of my instant buy authors! Her plots are unique and intriguing. I always find it difficult to put down her books. I finished this book in two days. (And that is on top of work on monitoring virtual learning!) Tabby is a wonderful main character and has the best development! She lives her life run by fear of being used or tortured. It takes a great deal of courage and love to overcome that fear and use that gift to help those around you, even those who are already dead.
I loved the “Resurrection Men” plot. It gives a bit of history of grave robbing and the determination to study the human body. But it also gave me a lot of Frankenstein vibes. There are also mentions of women’s suffrage and ending slavery. One of the most haunting moments is one of the characters saying that there are dark times coming to the United States, referring to the Civil War. It gave me the chills. Everything just flowed together so perfectly.
I am telling you, this is the perfect book to read this Fall. The book publishes September 15th and you will not want to miss out! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars! —Also check out that gorgeous cover!
Thank you NetGalley, Signe Pike, and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!
I had requested The Lost Queen by Signe Pike on a whim. I loved the cover and the blurb intrigued me. Little did I know it would pull me through space and time and leave me breathless. It is also convenient that my Summer Reading List theme is Arthurian Legend, so it fit right in! This book begins in the year 550 AD. Languoreth and her twin, Lailoken are children of King Morken. Their mother has died and they are being tutored by Cathan, a Wisdom Keeper. Their family believes in the Old Ways but Christianity is on the rise. As they grow, Lailoken will be trained as a Wisdom Keeper and Languoreth will be married off to the High Kings son, even though her heart belongs elsewhere. She wants nothing more than to forge her own path. Little does she know, she will be a huge part of a myth and legend that will stand the test of time.
How is the book not plastered everywhere?! Not only that, but it is a debut novel and it is STUNNING. I am not kidding when I said it took my breath away. This book is disturbingly underrated. In fact, I need this adapted into a Netflix series and stat! First of all, the introduction discusses a body that was found in Scotland in the 1830s. It was a woman buried with nothing but a parchment. All the remains were lost. That sets us on a historical fiction journey. Then begins the development of Languoreth and Lailoken and who they will become which sets us on the legendary journey filled with mysticism and myth.
Now, some parts will be slow with the development but readers need to realize this will be an epic trilogy. The first book takes our main characters from childhood to their mid-thirties. There is death, betrayal, action, magic, romance…everything you can imagine. I broke down in tears, more than once! My favorite aspect is how the author intertwines history and legend. It is such a beautiful blend.
I cannot recommend this book enough and have already begun reading the second book, The Forgotten Kingdom! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I had requested The Lost Queen by Signe Pike on a whim. I loved the cover and the blurb intrigued me. Little did I know it would pull me through space and time and leave me breathless. It is also convenient that my Summer Reading List theme is Arthurian Legend, so it fit right in! This book begins in the year 550 AD. Languoreth and her twin, Lailoken are children of King Morken. Their mother has died and they are being tutored by Cathan, a Wisdom Keeper. Their family believes in the Old Ways but Christianity is on the rise. As they grow, Lailoken will be trained as a Wisdom Keeper and Languoreth will be married off to the High Kings son, even though her heart belongs elsewhere. She wants nothing more than to forge her own path. Little does she know, she will be a huge part of a myth and legend that will stand the test of time.
How is the book not plastered everywhere?! Not only that, but it is a debut novel and it is STUNNING. I am not kidding when I said it took my breath away. This book is disturbingly underrated. In fact, I need this adapted into a Netflix series and stat! First of all, the introduction discusses a body that was found in Scotland in the 1830s. It was a woman buried with nothing but a parchment. All the remains were lost. That sets us on a historical fiction journey. Then begins the development of Languoreth and Lailoken and who they will become which sets us on the legendary journey filled with mysticism and myth.
Now, some parts will be slow with the development but readers need to realize this will be an epic trilogy. The first book takes our main characters from childhood to their mid-thirties. There is death, betrayal, action, magic, romance…everything you can imagine. I broke down in tears, more than once! My favorite aspect is how the author intertwines history and legend. It is such a beautiful blend.
I cannot recommend this book enough and have already begun reading the second book, The Forgotten Kingdom! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter is the 9th book in the Will Trent series. I have had this one on my shelf for a few months but I put off reading it just so that way I can pick up book 10, The Silent Wife right after, and not have to wait. In this installment, Will Trent is with his girlfriend Sara Linton at her family’s house. They work together and more often than not, live together. However, the afternoon is interrupted by an explosion nearby. Sara and Will race to the scene. However, the scene is not exactly what they expected and Sara is kidnapped. No one knows who took her and more importantly, why. Will, his partner Faith, and the rest of the GBI will stop at nothing to see her rescued.
Karin Slaughter’s books always start off with a massive event or crime and the pace never slows after that. Needless to say, when you pick up one of these books, chances are you won’t be putting it down until it’s over. As always we have our familiar characters like Sara, Will, Faith, and Amanda. But we also get more familiar with secondary characters as well. For instance, Sara’s parents and Sara’s sister. Sara’s mother fears for her and takes her frustration out on Will. The emotion felt by each character is very well done.
We already know that Sara is smart and strong. She has been through so much trauma already. However, she takes strength to a whole new level in this book. No matter what situation she is in she still cares for people and will give them medical attention no matter who they are or what they have done. I really admire her character. I really need to go back and read The Grant series to see her beginning. However, it will be difficult to read without Will.
Now, I have reviewed Karin Slaughter’s books before and I always need to say that these books are not for the faint of heart. Karin Slaughter is known for the gritty and gruesome details. So be warned these books contain rape scenes, murder details, and much more. I find her work realistic. She doesn’t try to soften the blow and I think that is what makes her crime thrillers so great. As always, 5 out of 5 stars.
Karin Slaughter’s books always start off with a massive event or crime and the pace never slows after that. Needless to say, when you pick up one of these books, chances are you won’t be putting it down until it’s over. As always we have our familiar characters like Sara, Will, Faith, and Amanda. But we also get more familiar with secondary characters as well. For instance, Sara’s parents and Sara’s sister. Sara’s mother fears for her and takes her frustration out on Will. The emotion felt by each character is very well done.
We already know that Sara is smart and strong. She has been through so much trauma already. However, she takes strength to a whole new level in this book. No matter what situation she is in she still cares for people and will give them medical attention no matter who they are or what they have done. I really admire her character. I really need to go back and read The Grant series to see her beginning. However, it will be difficult to read without Will.
Now, I have reviewed Karin Slaughter’s books before and I always need to say that these books are not for the faint of heart. Karin Slaughter is known for the gritty and gruesome details. So be warned these books contain rape scenes, murder details, and much more. I find her work realistic. She doesn’t try to soften the blow and I think that is what makes her crime thrillers so great. As always, 5 out of 5 stars.
I hate the bittersweet feeling of finishing a series. Thankfully, Karin Slaughter said she is writing more Will Trent books. The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter is book 10 in the Will Trent Series that just recently released–so it will be some time until we see book 11. The previous book left off on quite a cliffhanger and this book picks up right where it left off. Sara and Will are trying to figure out where their relationship is headed when they are assigned a case in a prison. A man has been murdered and while they are there, another prisoner claims he is innocent of a murder that happened years before. Will and Faith begin to investigate and the murder is a case of Sara’s deceased husband. It turns out there are more murders that match and occurred while the suspect was in prison. If he isn’t the murderer, then who is and how many victims are there?
This book refers back to Grant County quite a bit, so while I am waiting for book 11 I and going to go and read that series as well. This book is perfectly executed as it connects a past case with a future case, a past love, and a current love. Sara is torn. This case means stirring up her past and her husband’s integrity on the job. A lot of aspects of the case were hidden or changed, but why?
May I just say, I am with Sara. I HATE Lena. God, every time she makes an appearance she pisses me off. Not as much as Angie, but pretty close. If you are familiar with this series then you know what I am talking about. If not, I really recommend starting at book 1. These books can be read as standalone novels, but you will be missing so much from the previous books.
As always, the characters are amazing and this book has SO MANY TWISTS. I was reading one night, and I thought, “maybe I will just finish this chapter then go to bed…” —then BOOM, plot twist, and I ended up reading for another hour.
Again, I must warn readers that this book is filled with gritty and gruesome details regarding rape and murder. If this is something that would trigger painful thoughts, I would steer clear. Karin Slaughter is known for making her books very realistic with the details. So just be warned.
Well, I am off to Thriftbooks to start ordering the Grant County series. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
This book refers back to Grant County quite a bit, so while I am waiting for book 11 I and going to go and read that series as well. This book is perfectly executed as it connects a past case with a future case, a past love, and a current love. Sara is torn. This case means stirring up her past and her husband’s integrity on the job. A lot of aspects of the case were hidden or changed, but why?
May I just say, I am with Sara. I HATE Lena. God, every time she makes an appearance she pisses me off. Not as much as Angie, but pretty close. If you are familiar with this series then you know what I am talking about. If not, I really recommend starting at book 1. These books can be read as standalone novels, but you will be missing so much from the previous books.
As always, the characters are amazing and this book has SO MANY TWISTS. I was reading one night, and I thought, “maybe I will just finish this chapter then go to bed…” —then BOOM, plot twist, and I ended up reading for another hour.
Again, I must warn readers that this book is filled with gritty and gruesome details regarding rape and murder. If this is something that would trigger painful thoughts, I would steer clear. Karin Slaughter is known for making her books very realistic with the details. So just be warned.
Well, I am off to Thriftbooks to start ordering the Grant County series. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
Thank you, Atria books, Signe Pike, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!
As soon as I finished The Lost Queen, I jumped right into The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike. The first book did leave off on a little cliffhanger. Languoreth is imprisoned in her own home as her husband and son go off the wage war on her brother and lover, and her daughter, Angharad, is among them. As time goes by, Angharad separated from her Uncle during the battle and finds herself in the hands of the Picts and trained as a Priestess. In the meantime, Lailoken goes into exile. He is forever scarred from the battle and losing family members. And so a legend is born…
The first book left me in tears and the second book has left me on the edge of my seat. This book is more battle focused. The battle scenes are wonderfully descriptive and make you feel the fear and urgency of survival. Watching Lailoken suffer from PTSD is utterly heartbreaking. His emotions and struggles are something that many today could relate to.
Languoreth is such a wonderful main character. Her strength and dedication to her family are inspiring. She also knows her heart. She knows what must be done. Now, I can’t wait to find out what happens with Angharad. She is definitely her mother’s daughter. I loved watching her power grow.
Now, I must wait for book three, which completely breaks my heart! I love how the author weaves a beautiful tale filled with magic, destiny, legend, and history. It is really like watching legend come to life. Netflix, you have a series that you need to check out. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book releases tomorrow! So grab your copy!
As soon as I finished The Lost Queen, I jumped right into The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike. The first book did leave off on a little cliffhanger. Languoreth is imprisoned in her own home as her husband and son go off the wage war on her brother and lover, and her daughter, Angharad, is among them. As time goes by, Angharad separated from her Uncle during the battle and finds herself in the hands of the Picts and trained as a Priestess. In the meantime, Lailoken goes into exile. He is forever scarred from the battle and losing family members. And so a legend is born…
The first book left me in tears and the second book has left me on the edge of my seat. This book is more battle focused. The battle scenes are wonderfully descriptive and make you feel the fear and urgency of survival. Watching Lailoken suffer from PTSD is utterly heartbreaking. His emotions and struggles are something that many today could relate to.
Languoreth is such a wonderful main character. Her strength and dedication to her family are inspiring. She also knows her heart. She knows what must be done. Now, I can’t wait to find out what happens with Angharad. She is definitely her mother’s daughter. I loved watching her power grow.
Now, I must wait for book three, which completely breaks my heart! I love how the author weaves a beautiful tale filled with magic, destiny, legend, and history. It is really like watching legend come to life. Netflix, you have a series that you need to check out. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book releases tomorrow! So grab your copy!
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary is our bookclub’s August selection. August’s theme is a beach read. Would I have brought this on a beach trip? Not really. Tiffy is a quirky editor who just left her emotionally abusive boyfriend. She needs a cheap flat. Leon works the night shift as a hospice nurse. His brother has been falsely condemned for an armed robbery and Leon needs the extra money for his appeal. So Tiffy and Leon come to an arrangement. She has the flat during the night and weekends and he has the flat during the day and the have never even met. What can go wrong?
This is a sweet and quirky romantic-comedy. I enjoyed Tiffy. She is quirky and tall and shapely. She felt like a real woman, not the cookie-cutter versions we get in most books. However, the story was made by the supporting characters. Richie, Mo, and Gerty were my favorites, more than the main characters. Leon’s point-of-view is seriously frustrating to read. All his chapters are written like a script. For me, it slowed down the novel and I would completely lose interest in every one of his chapters.
The writing is clever and witty, which I do appreciate. I also loved how the author discusses emotional abuse and stalking. It is a type of abuse that doesn’t get discussed more often and I think many can relate to Tiffy in that regard. My issue is that it often felt like this plotline was added in later. I think there was a little too much going on and things got a little cluttered. For me, it is a witty rom-com but unfortunately forgettable. This book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
This is a sweet and quirky romantic-comedy. I enjoyed Tiffy. She is quirky and tall and shapely. She felt like a real woman, not the cookie-cutter versions we get in most books. However, the story was made by the supporting characters. Richie, Mo, and Gerty were my favorites, more than the main characters. Leon’s point-of-view is seriously frustrating to read. All his chapters are written like a script. For me, it slowed down the novel and I would completely lose interest in every one of his chapters.
The writing is clever and witty, which I do appreciate. I also loved how the author discusses emotional abuse and stalking. It is a type of abuse that doesn’t get discussed more often and I think many can relate to Tiffy in that regard. My issue is that it often felt like this plotline was added in later. I think there was a little too much going on and things got a little cluttered. For me, it is a witty rom-com but unfortunately forgettable. This book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
The Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes. Troyes is a famous French poet known for his Arthurian work. One of the reasons I combined this review is because some of his works are also in the Arthurian Legends collection above. Anyway. The edition I have contains the stories of Eric and Enide, Cliges, Lancelot, Yvain, and Perceval. I love the stories of Erec and Enide. It is full of the chivalry concept that you think of when reading anything about King Arthur. Then there is Perceval and his search for the Grail. I love these stories so much. They are the definition of classics. I am glad I got to revisit them. 5 out of 5 stars!