Scan barcode
ithiliens's reviews
119 reviews
Hegel: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer
4.0
This was suggested further reading in the haymarket annotated communist manifesto so I figured I'd read it since it's so short. Peter Singer does an excellent job elucidating extremely opaque concepts. I always appreciate when examples or analogies are given because I do find it hard to wrap my mind around a lot of this. Definitely interested in checking out more of this series now.
All the Duke I Need by Caroline Linden
5.0
Caroline Linden is one of the only mainstream HR authors who writes her heroes as actual people and not Types. What’s more she gives so much depth of character to her heroines too— they actually have things to *do* and talk and act (along with the heroes) like believable people. I have enjoyed this series so much but this was definitely my favorite and very possibly one of my favorite HR ever. I appreciate how Linden handled Phillipa’s mixed heritage. I’m not Indian but I am mixed race myself and I found so much of it touching and very importantly not condescending or awkward.
I could go on and on. The sex scenes were all wonderful and actually sensuous rather than perfunctory A goes in B, the Big Reveal and especially Philippa’s reaction to it was well done, the writing itself as always was wonderful. My ONLY complaint is I wanted more at the ending!! I don’t think there are any more in this series though perhaps we’ll see more of the characters in future series (I think these was a reference to some past books during the London chapters?)
This was dreamy and sweet and even funny (very rare in HR lol) and just did everything for me I look for in Romance. Now to return to the back catalogue…
I could go on and on. The sex scenes were all wonderful and actually sensuous rather than perfunctory A goes in B, the Big Reveal and especially Philippa’s reaction to it was well done, the writing itself as always was wonderful. My ONLY complaint is I wanted more at the ending!! I don’t think there are any more in this series though perhaps we’ll see more of the characters in future series (I think these was a reference to some past books during the London chapters?)
This was dreamy and sweet and even funny (very rare in HR lol) and just did everything for me I look for in Romance. Now to return to the back catalogue…
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
4.0
This was very sweet and had a lovely happing ending but I wanted her evil family to suffer more tbh
Remember Love by Mary Balogh
5.0
4.5*
The two part aspect of this was a surprise but definitely felt like a return to form. I loved the Westcott series but I think Balogh was right to move on from it for now (presumable). This actually reminded me in the beginning of some of her standalone romances from the late 90s which I can’t recall the name of now. But the point is I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh this felt. Mary Balogh has written *so* much regency romance you might expect it to wear a little but it absolutely doesn’t because she is incredibly invested in the psychological and emotion nuance of her characters. This one really felt the most well shaded yet and had a lot to say not just about love but loving. And yet it was comforting in the way that her books often are. I realized reading this that part of that is the warmth of community that is present in many of her recent works. This one may be a bit fanciful in some of the hmm political economy of the time (Devlin is *so* decent) but HR are fantasies and there’s no real point in quibbling with it here to my view. I also loved the Welsh bits here which felt so natural I think because Balogh is Welsh herself?
In all a lovely read and I can’t wait to see whose story is next. I’m hoping for Ben
The two part aspect of this was a surprise but definitely felt like a return to form. I loved the Westcott series but I think Balogh was right to move on from it for now (presumable). This actually reminded me in the beginning of some of her standalone romances from the late 90s which I can’t recall the name of now. But the point is I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh this felt. Mary Balogh has written *so* much regency romance you might expect it to wear a little but it absolutely doesn’t because she is incredibly invested in the psychological and emotion nuance of her characters. This one really felt the most well shaded yet and had a lot to say not just about love but loving. And yet it was comforting in the way that her books often are. I realized reading this that part of that is the warmth of community that is present in many of her recent works. This one may be a bit fanciful in some of the hmm political economy of the time (Devlin is *so* decent) but HR are fantasies and there’s no real point in quibbling with it here to my view. I also loved the Welsh bits here which felt so natural I think because Balogh is Welsh herself?
In all a lovely read and I can’t wait to see whose story is next. I’m hoping for Ben
The Fourth Island by Sarah Tolmie
5.0
This was lovely and a good decision to read all in one go. Tolmie’s training as a historian shows here very nicely. I loved how interwoven with folklore is into the story; the island itself that recalls Tír na nÓg and the echo of Oisín in the effect the people of the island have on Inis Mór. I was also very happy to see that Tolmie is a poet and how alive poetry is in this. It was delightful to see The Lament of Art O’Leary referenced and indeed to see Nellie compose a keen. I would highly recommend anyone who enjoyed this read Doireean Ní Ghríofa’s A Ghost in the Throat.
I’m glad Tor is publishing these kinds of novellas. A very enjoyable read.
I’m glad Tor is publishing these kinds of novellas. A very enjoyable read.