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geekyjack's Reviews (283)
I enjoyed this book more than I have enjoyed a book for a while. The characters are all brilliant and well developed, especially the title character, Sharpe who is a lovable rogue, and the detestable Sergeant Hakeswill who I wanted to throw to the Tigers throughout.
The action is relentless, bloody and extremely descriptive.
I think what made this book more enjoyable for me, as a big fan of history, is that most of what's described in this story actually happened back in 1799. Some of the characters may have been invented for the sake of the story, some of the action may have been glorified and some of the descriptions may not be entirely accurate, but the siege and capture of Seringapatam by the British Redcoats did actually happen more or less as described.
The added bonus for me were the Historical Notes at the very end detailing the areas that Cornwell exaggerated or invented, giving you a true understanding of the events.
If you're a fan of History, especially that of the British Empire, this book is definitely worthy of a read... I can't wait to drive into the sequel, Sharpe's Triumph.
The action is relentless, bloody and extremely descriptive.
I think what made this book more enjoyable for me, as a big fan of history, is that most of what's described in this story actually happened back in 1799. Some of the characters may have been invented for the sake of the story, some of the action may have been glorified and some of the descriptions may not be entirely accurate, but the siege and capture of Seringapatam by the British Redcoats did actually happen more or less as described.
The added bonus for me were the Historical Notes at the very end detailing the areas that Cornwell exaggerated or invented, giving you a true understanding of the events.
If you're a fan of History, especially that of the British Empire, this book is definitely worthy of a read... I can't wait to drive into the sequel, Sharpe's Triumph.
"The universe is what we make of it. It's up to you to decide what part you will play." ~ The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
Book Review:
Wow! Just wow! This book is just incredible. It made me feel all sorts of emotions that I didn't know I could feel. It's like a big, warm, comforting embrace disguised as a Sci-Fi book. I think it's fair to say it deserves a place on my list of best books of the year.
Unlike most Sci-Fi books, this isn't about the big Galactic space battles or the killer alien races or exploding planets/stars/spaceships. In fact, this book doesn't have much action at all, but it also didn't need it. This book is about the people (or should I say sapients?) It's clear that Becky Chambers wasn't trying to create an epic Sci-Fi series, but rather her own, slow paced, character driven, small scale story about an inter-species crew of average Tunnellers doing their job... Creating wormholes to allow quicker travel between different planets and galaxies.
I've never known a book to focus so heavily on character building. From the amiable Captain, the loving pilot, the fun but scatty mechanics, the adorable Dr Chef, and, of course, the dependable and friendly Artificial Intelligence (definitely nothing like HAL 9000). Each character is brilliantly built, especially those of a different alien race. We learn all there is to know about these creatures. What they look like, the differences in their social lives, the history of their race, what led them to leave their home worlds to work in space, how they communicate, what they eat... That's mostly what this 400 page books focuses on, and it never gets boring because Chambers makes you care so much about all of the characters (at the end, I found I was even starting to like Corbin, or at least feel sorry for him).
The action scenes in this book are few and far between, but when they arrive they're brilliantly executed and probably more impactive because the characters are so lovable.
If you're after a character driven book, this is it. If you're after a great Sci-Fi book, look no further. If you want to feel emotions in a book, you've found it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Book Review:
Wow! Just wow! This book is just incredible. It made me feel all sorts of emotions that I didn't know I could feel. It's like a big, warm, comforting embrace disguised as a Sci-Fi book. I think it's fair to say it deserves a place on my list of best books of the year.
Unlike most Sci-Fi books, this isn't about the big Galactic space battles or the killer alien races or exploding planets/stars/spaceships. In fact, this book doesn't have much action at all, but it also didn't need it. This book is about the people (or should I say sapients?) It's clear that Becky Chambers wasn't trying to create an epic Sci-Fi series, but rather her own, slow paced, character driven, small scale story about an inter-species crew of average Tunnellers doing their job... Creating wormholes to allow quicker travel between different planets and galaxies.
I've never known a book to focus so heavily on character building. From the amiable Captain, the loving pilot, the fun but scatty mechanics, the adorable Dr Chef, and, of course, the dependable and friendly Artificial Intelligence (definitely nothing like HAL 9000). Each character is brilliantly built, especially those of a different alien race. We learn all there is to know about these creatures. What they look like, the differences in their social lives, the history of their race, what led them to leave their home worlds to work in space, how they communicate, what they eat... That's mostly what this 400 page books focuses on, and it never gets boring because Chambers makes you care so much about all of the characters (at the end, I found I was even starting to like Corbin, or at least feel sorry for him).
The action scenes in this book are few and far between, but when they arrive they're brilliantly executed and probably more impactive because the characters are so lovable.
If you're after a character driven book, this is it. If you're after a great Sci-Fi book, look no further. If you want to feel emotions in a book, you've found it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
"America's a civilized country... more or less." ~ James Bond, Diamonds are Forever.
Yesterday I finished reading 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming. It's the fourth James Bond novel and also the fourth one I've read this year. It was also my least favourite one to date.
Fleming continues his infamous spy series by sending 007 to investigate an international diamond smuggling operation which is costing the British Government millions every year.
The majority of the story takes place across the United States with Bond coming up against a series of Gangsters of varying degrees.
I found it a lot more difficult to get into this story than the previous ones, although loved the chapters at the very start set in London. Bond's arrival in the States is where the story starts to slow down for about 150 pages and started to lose my interest. It didn't have the same intensity throughout as the previous books, but I was thankful when it did become gripping again towards the end. From Chapter 19 onwards it was great, bloody and gripping.
Overall, an enjoyable read, but not as great as other Bond books. I hope 'From Russia with Love' is better.
Yesterday I finished reading 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming. It's the fourth James Bond novel and also the fourth one I've read this year. It was also my least favourite one to date.
Fleming continues his infamous spy series by sending 007 to investigate an international diamond smuggling operation which is costing the British Government millions every year.
The majority of the story takes place across the United States with Bond coming up against a series of Gangsters of varying degrees.
I found it a lot more difficult to get into this story than the previous ones, although loved the chapters at the very start set in London. Bond's arrival in the States is where the story starts to slow down for about 150 pages and started to lose my interest. It didn't have the same intensity throughout as the previous books, but I was thankful when it did become gripping again towards the end. From Chapter 19 onwards it was great, bloody and gripping.
Overall, an enjoyable read, but not as great as other Bond books. I hope 'From Russia with Love' is better.
"IT GETS UNDER YOUR SKIN, LIFE," said Death, "SPEAKING METAPHORICALLY, OF COURSE. IT'S A HABIT THAT'S HARD TO GIVE UP. ONE PUFF OF BREATH IS NEVER ENOUGH. YOU'LL FIND YOU WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER."
'Hogfather' by the Legendary Sir Pratchett is a rather fantastic addition to the already brilliant Discworld Series. The 20th book in the series and Terry continues to make me laugh out loud and gawp in wonder at his world.
Death has always been a brilliant character throughout this series, but I think he really comes into his own in this book. It actually made me feel quite sorry for him at times with how lonely he is and his obsession with life. His granddaughter, Susan, also becomes another of Pratchett's great leading ladies.
The overall story is as fantastical as ever, with the anthropomorphic personification of death, wizards, magic, the Tooth Fairy, the Discworls version of Santa and even the Verruca Gnome... but there are also some serious points about life and humanity in this that really make you stop and think.
It's these elements of Pratchett's books that make me love them so much... He discusses humanity and real life issues by creating this perfect little fantasy world full of witty humour, puns (or should that be punes) and incredible characters.
Overall, (as is often the case with Discworld books), I give this a total of 💀💀💀💀💀/5.
"AND YOU SEE, THE MORE YOU STRUGGLE FOR EVERY MOMENT, THE MORE ALIVE YOUR STAY..."
'Hogfather' by the Legendary Sir Pratchett is a rather fantastic addition to the already brilliant Discworld Series. The 20th book in the series and Terry continues to make me laugh out loud and gawp in wonder at his world.
Death has always been a brilliant character throughout this series, but I think he really comes into his own in this book. It actually made me feel quite sorry for him at times with how lonely he is and his obsession with life. His granddaughter, Susan, also becomes another of Pratchett's great leading ladies.
The overall story is as fantastical as ever, with the anthropomorphic personification of death, wizards, magic, the Tooth Fairy, the Discworls version of Santa and even the Verruca Gnome... but there are also some serious points about life and humanity in this that really make you stop and think.
It's these elements of Pratchett's books that make me love them so much... He discusses humanity and real life issues by creating this perfect little fantasy world full of witty humour, puns (or should that be punes) and incredible characters.
Overall, (as is often the case with Discworld books), I give this a total of 💀💀💀💀💀/5.
"AND YOU SEE, THE MORE YOU STRUGGLE FOR EVERY MOMENT, THE MORE ALIVE YOUR STAY..."
"PC Purdy lumbered over. When you're wearing a stab vest, an equipment belt, extendable baton, nipple-shaped helmet, Airwave radio, cuffs, pepper spray, notebook and emergency Mars Bar, lumber is what you do." PC Peter Grant ~ 'Moon Over Soho' by Ben Aaronovitch.
'Rivers of London', the first book in the Peter Grant series, made me think of world akin to J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World... Only one where the main character joins the Metropolitan Police Service instead of attending Hogwarts. 'Moon Over Soho' continues to build on this awesome world of magic, murder and The Met.
While the story itself isn't as gripping as the first book, this sequel does continue to be brilliant fun and full of great characters. PC Grant is a funny lead character that is impossible not to love with his witty charm and occasional bouts of stupidity. Nightingale (the Dumbledore of the series) continues to intrigue. I can't wait for future books to build on his back story.
Aaronovitch's world building continues to astound me with his vivid imagination, his knowledge of London's history and his descriptions of Policing. I was convinced that he had once been a Police Constable himself to write about Policing the way he does, so he's clearly done a lot of research.
The Faceless Man (possibly the Voldemort of the series?) was a suitably creepy villain who I'm looking forward to reading more about throughout the rest of this series.
Overall, this book wasn't as good as the first in the series, but it was still a great, fun read and I'm excited to start book three sometime in the new year. If you haven't read this series yet, I recommend it. ⭐⭐⭐🌠/5
'Rivers of London', the first book in the Peter Grant series, made me think of world akin to J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World... Only one where the main character joins the Metropolitan Police Service instead of attending Hogwarts. 'Moon Over Soho' continues to build on this awesome world of magic, murder and The Met.
While the story itself isn't as gripping as the first book, this sequel does continue to be brilliant fun and full of great characters. PC Grant is a funny lead character that is impossible not to love with his witty charm and occasional bouts of stupidity. Nightingale (the Dumbledore of the series) continues to intrigue. I can't wait for future books to build on his back story.
Aaronovitch's world building continues to astound me with his vivid imagination, his knowledge of London's history and his descriptions of Policing. I was convinced that he had once been a Police Constable himself to write about Policing the way he does, so he's clearly done a lot of research.
The Faceless Man (possibly the Voldemort of the series?) was a suitably creepy villain who I'm looking forward to reading more about throughout the rest of this series.
Overall, this book wasn't as good as the first in the series, but it was still a great, fun read and I'm excited to start book three sometime in the new year. If you haven't read this series yet, I recommend it. ⭐⭐⭐🌠/5
