The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang is such an incredible historical fiction fantasy series. The first book was good, the second was great, and the third, The Burning God, was devastatingly incredible. Rin takes on her War torn country with a state of ruthless unequalled by anyone. The emotions run high in this saga and in this last book in particular. This story is something I will never forget. It is beautiful and painful, and it’s not meant to be dismissed.
Thank you Netgalley for this Advanced Readers Copy! I knew I would enjoy this because I loved The Witcher series by this author. Andrzej Sapkowski, in this first book of The Hussite Trilogy, tackles this insane time period with historical references and fantasy references all mixed together. There are times that I felt like I was reading ideas on religion and politics, especially concerning this period (1425), but I would be brought back to a fantasy based series involving witches and magic. Also, yes, there is prophecy in this book, too! Although, I have to say, I definitely do not find myself agreeing with all the thoughts in this book… particularly the way men thought about and interacted with women. As a woman, I felt weird reading some general thoughts and actions taken by the characters. Just had to say that… honestly. I looked past that and really did love the majority of this book. So I do recommend this to fans.
What a great start to The Dark Artifices series by Cassandra Clare! The last line of the book, not the Epilogue, made me gasp a little. I couldn’t help it! I just… what? But? Omg! Too much and I cant handle it. This book was steeped in the importance and love of family, also romance for sure, but family more so really. The need to have that older sibling, fatherly or, for some, motherly figure. To have that wholeness as a unit, that togetherness that defines the Blackthorns as family. I thought this tale was beautifully told, exciting, had my heart racing at parts. I highly recommend this for fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare!
This is some serious storytelling. This first Volume of The Wars of Light and Shadow series came out in 1993. The 90’s were a good decade for some awesome fantasy books and this is no exception. I did find it hard to get into in the beginning and I think that is because Wurts spends a long time doing a great job of setting up the characters so the second half of the book really impacts the reader. A story about two half-brothers that are thrown together in a new world and asked to use their powers to fight an evil that lies over the land. However, this battle against this specific evil creates another evil, an evil that tries to consume them.
I recommend this for anyone willing to take the time to enjoy this. For me, this was a long read, but I am really glad I stuck with it.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!
When Anne Boleyn becomes a target of demise, Thomas Cromwell uses the opportunity for revenge that has been long in the waiting. This whole sequel felt like a spider web being spun, tighter and tighter, closing in on the Boleyn’s. As a reader who does not already know Thomas Cromwell’s whole story, I’m wondering if this web is closing in on him, as well? I feel like he is surrounded by shadows and is on the cusp of complete darkness.
This is an incredible tale and it is made more incredible by the way Mantel relates this story. There are parts that literally made me shiver and feel chills, particularly towards the end. And, I am not a person that takes fright easily so I know its these words that have been placed together so thoughtfully and wryly that I am left shaking!
I highly recommend this series for fans of historical fiction!! Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!
The continuation of Jack, Eliza and Daniel’s tales is a masterpiece. This story runs through the last ten years of the 17th century and on into about the first five years of the 18th century. Every topic that defines this time period is covered in this Volume and covered with beautiful detail. There are several parts of this book that I completely breezed through because it was so incredibly exciting, particularly with Jack. However, much of this Volume is a slow read. I read slowly to be sure to pick up every detail and to simply enjoy Stephenson’s amazing writing style.
I highly recommend this series! Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
This is the final book in Volume 1 of The Baroque Cycle and I am very pleased to say that Stephenson wraps things up very nicely while still leaving me wondering what happens further on.
This book contains both the evolving stories of Daniel Waterhouse and Eliza during the tumultuous 1680’s. Charles II has died and there is a new king of England, however, of course, things are not that simple. A new word is born, Revolution, or at least, given new meaning. Not only a “revolving around” but now a Revolution as we commonly know the word today, as an “uprising”. And Daniel and Eliza, although both in completely different parts of Europe, are quite in the middle of everything.
Neal Stephenson writes so clearly about these sophisticated political situations and, also, the ideas of Natural Philosophy at the time, that I have no problem understanding and following along. One thing I would like to mention that this first Volume has taught me, and that is that humanity in the late 17th century could be just as polite, nice, charming, vicious and vile as it is today.
There is so much quality to match the quantity of this massive Volume, so if the sheer size of the books of The Baroque Cycle scare you, I can assure you it is more than worth your time.
I highly recommend this! Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!
Once again, the book begins with hangings, although this is a little more involved. Jack Shaftoe is the unlikely hero of this tale which starts at the start, with his brothers. Eventually, Jack is on his own but is well-known as “half-cocked Jack”, the King of Vagabonds. This name does have an explanation that supports it, however, I am not going to go into that. You will just have to make an educated guess!
Jack is what is called, “The Devil’s Poor”, as opposed to, “God’s Poor”. “Devil’s Poor ” are the kind of poor that are not worth helping. However, Jack finds ways to help himself (even if its confused and sometimes backfires). His view on life and this world, Europe in the late 17th century, is often callous but there is real sincerity that just cannot help but shine through.
Jack has an involvement with a beautiful woman, Eliza, whom also narrates her own story throughout the book. It is Jack’s care for her, which he is really bad at showing, but it proves his inner goodness. This story created so many emotions in me. I honestly cannot explain it exactly without giving away what happens. All anybody really needs to know is that The Baroque Cycle is incredible. The story leaps off the pages and into my heart…. I’m just going to say, I’m feeling some feelings, ya’ll.
This is a must read! Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!!
This is part one of Volume One, entitled Quicksilver, of The Baroque Cycle. This was fascinating. There are not many other works that so truly fit in the Historical Fiction category that I have found to be so utterly fascinating. It’s as if Neal Stephenson somehow traveled through time to the mid to late 17th century and came back to generously tell us about this exciting, thrilling, disturbing and even sometimes humorous time period.
One of my favourite aspects to this book was sharing the joy and often, dissatisfaction, that comes with discovery. After all, what a time period to be alive in. This story is mainly told from the perspective of Daniel Waterhouse who happens to be a friend of Isaac Newton, a natural philosopher and also a member of The Royal Society of London. However, currently Daniel is remembering all of this while boarding on a ship trying to make it’s way out of the Massachusetts Bay and back to England 30 years later. This may sound confusing, it’s not, its awesome, trust me! There are even pirate fights!
Long story short, if you love learning about history and what discoveries led to our current way of life, you have to read this series. Also, you should read it because Neal Stephenson shows off his amazing skills in conveying the feeling of this insane time period in his writing.
I highly recommend this! Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!!
What a spectacular ending to a spectacular series! My emotions got a little out of control on this one, especially by the end. There were a few times I thought it was over and it would end badly for Clary and Company, that evil would prevail. I dont want to spoil it but the ending is good, perfectly wraps up this six book series of the Mortal Instruments.
If you know exactly how the last book ended, you should be aware that the true battle of good against evil is just getting started in this final book. Luckily, it’s a long book so there is plenty of time. Anyways, the proverbial shit has hit the proverbial fan.
This book opens with a wild scene at the L. A. Institute. However, it gave me the heartwarming feeling of family and togetherness and not fighting alone while still being incredibly heartbreaking. It’s the perfect start to this mad journey of love and truth and kindness battling those that are simply amoral and do not care about anything good.
I think that’s the real story here. Cassandra Clare wraps us up in a dazzling tale but what she is really saying, is to let your love shine through. That love conquers all.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!!!
Book Oracle 