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mercurialreading's Reviews (107)
This was an absolute pleasure to read. Maybe I found myself so engrossed because the Tower is my favorite spot in London and I love learning about it, but I really enjoyed Skaife's chronicles of his position in the Tower and what that entails.
In my couple of trips to London, the Tower is the one place I have visited multiple times within each trip. There is so much to see, including the famous ravens. I cannot say I knew much about the ravens, other than they are iconic at the Tower. This was a great work to really learn about their role and kind of the history behind their role and the part they play... as well as Skaife's role too.
A very quick and fun read, I really recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Tower and wanting to learn more about a specific aspect of it.
In my couple of trips to London, the Tower is the one place I have visited multiple times within each trip. There is so much to see, including the famous ravens. I cannot say I knew much about the ravens, other than they are iconic at the Tower. This was a great work to really learn about their role and kind of the history behind their role and the part they play... as well as Skaife's role too.
A very quick and fun read, I really recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Tower and wanting to learn more about a specific aspect of it.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Going into The Wicked Deep I was very much under the impression of it being kind of like the film Hocus Pocus. While I can, in some ways, see some similarities, this book stands on its own very well and I felt for a book centered on the idea of witches, it was done in a seemingly unique way. I deeply enjoyed the vibe of this book and how the story was constructed, as well as the writing style. The plot flowed very nicely, it did not have any "fluff"/filler in it. Each event, plot twist and turn felt, for the most part, natural. I also felt invested in the main characters of Penny, Bo and the three sisters drowned centuries ago for the crime of witchcraft. To me this is very important to me when it comes to a book. If I do not feel invested in a character or characters, it is hard for me to continue with a book. Whether a protagonist or antagonist, character building is key and this book had it.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed is the concept of witchcraft and the idea of witches. The people that executed the Swan sisters took them for witches because they supposedly cast spells, made potions, and cursed men; however, the book went beyond those typical ideas of what many think of witches. I feel like it took on the kind of magic that you read in books like Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. You get a sense that these women are witches, but it is hard to definitively say because it is only in sensing something, a feeling in the gut. That is what I love in a story about witches, or I should say supposed witches, because people get those feelings "in real life" so to speak. The author really uses those feelings to get a reader interested- though of course there is that paranormal aspect of the sisters coming back each summer, so I feel like you get the best of both.
Overall, I think The Wicked Deep is a solid book. There were minor things that made me take a star off my rating, such as the insta-love in the book (a trope that I have great difficulties with). But again, the book was well done. I look forward to what Shea Ernshaw comes up with next.
(Cross posted: http://pursuitoftales.com/reviewthewickeddeep/)
Going into The Wicked Deep I was very much under the impression of it being kind of like the film Hocus Pocus. While I can, in some ways, see some similarities, this book stands on its own very well and I felt for a book centered on the idea of witches, it was done in a seemingly unique way. I deeply enjoyed the vibe of this book and how the story was constructed, as well as the writing style. The plot flowed very nicely, it did not have any "fluff"/filler in it. Each event, plot twist and turn felt, for the most part, natural. I also felt invested in the main characters of Penny, Bo and the three sisters drowned centuries ago for the crime of witchcraft. To me this is very important to me when it comes to a book. If I do not feel invested in a character or characters, it is hard for me to continue with a book. Whether a protagonist or antagonist, character building is key and this book had it.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed is the concept of witchcraft and the idea of witches. The people that executed the Swan sisters took them for witches because they supposedly cast spells, made potions, and cursed men; however, the book went beyond those typical ideas of what many think of witches. I feel like it took on the kind of magic that you read in books like Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. You get a sense that these women are witches, but it is hard to definitively say because it is only in sensing something, a feeling in the gut. That is what I love in a story about witches, or I should say supposed witches, because people get those feelings "in real life" so to speak. The author really uses those feelings to get a reader interested- though of course there is that paranormal aspect of the sisters coming back each summer, so I feel like you get the best of both.
Overall, I think The Wicked Deep is a solid book. There were minor things that made me take a star off my rating, such as the insta-love in the book (a trope that I have great difficulties with). But again, the book was well done. I look forward to what Shea Ernshaw comes up with next.
(Cross posted: http://pursuitoftales.com/reviewthewickeddeep/)
I was drawn to this book because I had a feeling I would be able to relate strongly to the subject. Though I don't have endometriosis, I do have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which based on how the author spoke about endometriosis, there are many similarities to how the diagnosis is acknowledged and treated, or in many cases not diagnosed and treated. For years I had symptoms that were explained away as either in my head or a side effect/symptom of something else, usually something that "could be prevented by doing X." Essentially, the PCOS was put back (even though I was never tested for anything) and it was always assumptions about how I took care of myself. So, with that personal story, I can appreciate Norman's work and her bringing attention to this very important subject/issue. It is nice to relate to Norman, which when I read a book, whether fiction or nonfiction, that is always an enjoyable reading experience for me. But too, even though I was reading Norman's story, it felt like I was being heard, if that makes sense.
The only real “issue” I had with the book is that I do feel like the book could have gone through another round of editing (which I see many people have said in their reviews). It feels like some of the stories are either incomplete or, in some cases, more information is given than needed. That is not to invalidate Norman’s experiences and her stories, but some sections could have been shortened, more tightly written.
Overall though, I am taking a lot away from the book and really appreciate Norman sharing her story and bringing light to not only her struggles, but the struggles of others.
The only real “issue” I had with the book is that I do feel like the book could have gone through another round of editing (which I see many people have said in their reviews). It feels like some of the stories are either incomplete or, in some cases, more information is given than needed. That is not to invalidate Norman’s experiences and her stories, but some sections could have been shortened, more tightly written.
Overall though, I am taking a lot away from the book and really appreciate Norman sharing her story and bringing light to not only her struggles, but the struggles of others.
