Narrated in 1st person, present tense from 2 POVs; Raina & Alexus. There's supposed to be sexual tension between them but I'm not really feeling it. Starting part II of IV
Competently written but if I put it down it doesn‘t call me to pick it up again and the quality of the. writing fluctuates a bit.
Ch 1: Finally, with a faint thrill- for if not taboo, magic was certainly desperately unfashionable-I murmured the words of the insect-away spell. Eako ekaino ekalo.
978198890821
Ch6: we‘re up to 3 Jacks
Ch9: Oh. Wow.
978-1-4299-2057-5
My library ebook is due back in 4 days so I‘m trying to read it quickly. People‘s names are slowing me down; they‘re normal names but with ys and hs swapped in eg Dynnys, Myllyr, Haarahld. I'm not sure where dragons and wyverns have come from in this terraformed world based on Earth. 1/6 in; losing track of characters & taking a while to work out who the good guys are.
Received this via LT Early Reviewers. Competently written but is slow. Title character is a Mulranei - a wolf-type being - and outcast from his people. Adopts deaf & dumb 8yo human child to protect her from the Fates (she teaches him sign language). His race lives for centuries and talks to the gods - but he lets her call him Fluff. (still reading: ***)
As a teenager I read as many Sherlock Holmes books as I could get my hands on until I got a bit fed up. I‘m rereading this now and - 8 pages in, it‘s actually quite funny. Too many instances already but their visitor‘s 1st request on entering is to examine Holmes‘s skull. I‘m hoping to interest my kids in this classic. Introduction (Puffin Classic) by Judith Kerr. $740,000 in 1889 is worth $26,058,939.13 today
Just starting this one. It opens a week after ‘Stargazy Pie‘. It‘s odd (or maybe it‘s a fad) that they address each other as ‘Mr Greewing‘ and ‘Mr Dart‘ when they‘re only just out of university and have been friends from school. I‘d like to read the story of Mrs Etaris‘s youth; I wonder if it‘s told in one of the books in this series? Every chapter title is someone having an idea.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
A girl, running from the law, runs into a man and breaks her ankle. Feeling responsible, he claims that she‘s his wife. I‘m confused by the choices the girl makes; she asserts that she is Luna even to the people who know that she is not. And, from the story of her past life, which we get gradually in flashbacks, she‘s had a silly infatuation and behaved irresponsibly. At the halfway point; let‘s see how it goes.
9780743569330
begins '9 years to the day' after the start of the 1st book. read in order - starts with spoilers for the first book
(Ch 1) He was the very last sort of man to be murdered.
.
.
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He was the very last sort of man to become an amateur sleuth.
.
.
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Looking from the great dark bulk of the library looming in front of him to the green slope leading from the Terrace to the wide expanse of the lawn, he would often murmur to himself the words of the great Roman advocate Cicero: ‘If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.‘
978 1 782690 62 7; for the memorial read.
I liked 'Letter for the King' a few years ago. Nice but not finding it engaging (whether that is due to the translation or the original writing I don't know). I do like the illustrations, which are by the author
978-1-5266-6871-4
Set in Temple (a legal centre since C14) in May 1901 when CSI methods were in their infancy
9781803363691
Intriguing concept, though I‘m just starting this. I like the way everyone shouts their wares in rhyme in the Untermarkt and the bells sing their messages to rhyme with their names (as in ‘Oranges and Lemons‘ say the bells of St Clemens)
Author‘s name is Trip Galey (gaily?) but copyright is Powder Thomson
Lyrical descriptions
I like Aurelia.
It started picking up for me around ch 9 (of 52) despite some delightful ideas earlier on
I borrowed 'Even the Darkest Stars' (the 1st book in this duology) in Oct 2024 because I was trying to borrow 'Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries' by the same author but none of my Overdrive libraries have any books in that series. Continuing on ...
Listening to this and (4 chapters in) enjoying it. Has a feel of Narnia about it so far.
ETA 🤦♀️ looks like I borrowed this from the library and read it 12 years ago - but I liked it then too
Received this via LT Early Reviewers. Sadly the map is at 90º so it's a bit small. Narrated in 1st person, past tense. It took me 6 chapters to realise that we're reading a books she's writing about her experiences (still getting into the story); 'omake' is Japanese for 'extra' and ch 6 has an omake with her discussing the writing with her co-authors.
I'm still getting the hang of this story but enjoying it so far.
My reading is a bit fragmented as we're travelling around Europe at the moment so I'm not getting the best sense of this one. Though we're told at the beginning that it's set in Egypt in 1926 I can't really identify the time period from the story other than early (first half) 20th century.
Bought this as a guide to the Alhambra. So far (ch 3) is about the history. Lots of photos, diagrams & maps (good). Does have turns of phrases that show it's translated; uses 'vegetal' art but I think it means 'floral' and some terms which haven't been explained (yet). Has QR codes for digital content attached to the book (which I haven't tried yet) for additional info.
Ch 16:
After that, entirely by accident, they ended up in a library.
The Citadel was a study in opulence, dripping excess in every corner, but this was the room that really made Lore‘s jaw drop. The library had three levels, all of them visible from the bottom floor—balconies ringed the walls, accessible by small, polished-wood staircases set into the shelves. All three levels were filled to bursting with books, ⬇️
Ch 5:
Gabriel snorted. “The peerage likes to do just enough to think they‘re helping without inconveniencing themselves. What‘s in fashion moves fast, and it‘s easier to donate clothes you wouldn‘t be caught dead in after a season than it is to keep them in storage.”
Her brow arched. There was a low poison in Gabriel‘s voice, made more potent by the way he tried to hide it. “You seem to know the court well.”
⬇️
ISBN: 9780316435192
The first couple of (establishing) chapters are slow to take off but then (I'm up to chapter 9) it gets addictive.
Lore can feel death but can also use its power but, as a necromancer, could be put to death if she's discovered. She acts as a spy for poison-runners; people in the Auverraini capital of Dellaire use poison to get to just the edge of death for the power of extending their lives - but it comes at a price.
ISBN: 9781611134940
Listening to this, narrated by Robert Glenister. Strike has found the missing man - but I'm only 1/3 through the book. Enjoying the story (set in London).
Library books, dogs, a man who cooks superlatively - what's not to love?
Mercy is an undertaker's daughter, holding the fort till her brother can take over after his degree; Hart is a marshal keeping Tanria free of zombie-like drudges. From their 1st meeting they've hated each other but each feels lonely. Hart writes a letter to 'a friend' and sends it off into the ether. Mercy receives a mysterious letter and replies. Maybe ...
Similar overarching premise to 'The Mummy' film (with Rachel Weiss) but Ellie (not Evie) is in British Honduras on the trail of a Mayan city. Victorian/Georgian era, female would-be archeologist overlooked by male colleagues, looking for an ancient city lost to time. Meets an American who can guide her but the first time they meet, he's just come in from the bush and doesn't look very prepossessing. Others are also looking.
Enjoying this so far.
Guinevere rides to Camelot to marry Arthur. Except that the real Guinevere died and has been replaced. She tells no-one her real name, not even us. She seems to be Merlin's daughter, sent by him to protect Arthur against some unknown imminent threat, but she has gaps in her memories so there is a sense of mystery as we discover our narrator while she is discovering Camelot.
Re-reading. This book tugs on my heartstrings.
Silent Blade: Not liking the man in this one. I suspect he‘s going to be the love interest (at the moment, at the beginning, there‘s a lot of lust on both sides) but he sees her once and decides to break into her house.
I like the world-building but the premise of the story is creepy. And we're not shown why they fall in love.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☀ ☀
I‘ve noticed with this series that by the time the author gets around to describing the love interest he doesn‘t match my mental image of him. Felix Hartford, who has appeared in the previous 2 books, is made out to be a fop which had me imagining him as a skinny Bertie Wooster type figure. Instead he turns out to be tall and imposing (though he doesn‘t tend to come across like that in character) with broad shoulders and a ‘square-chiselled jaw‘.
Set in a future just-unified Korea with human-like robots. Slow going, for me; it feels like it might be translated into English (awkward word/ phrase choices, doesn‘t quite flow) but I can‘t find evidence for or against. The blurb does give away a twist which isn‘t revealed until part 2 (ch 9 of 51). The narrative (3rd person, past tense) jumps between 3 people but I‘m finding it difficult to get into their heads.
Ch 12:
“She says you‘re the archmage now. And that Adhémar is king.” Miach nodded. “I‘m surprised there‘s anything left of Neroche with him looking after it,” Keir said with a snort. “Your brother is an ass.” Miach suppressed a smile. He might have felt sorry for Adhémar and his reputation, but his brother had certainly gone out of his way to earn it.
Loved the 1st book, disappointed with the 2nd, thought I‘d finish the trilogy. 1/3 of the way in, it‘s getting back to the standard of the 1st one. Miach & Morgan are travelling with one of his myriad brothers, her grandfather & her uncle. It‘s nice that they have family with them but not sure how it advances the plot.
The premise is that Lauren is single but coming home from her best friend's hen night (a little worse for wear) she finds a strange man in her flat. Turns out he's her husband; but when he goes into the attic, a different husband comes down, and Lauren's world is a bit different (paint, carpets, books).
Ridiculous premise but has me laughing.
Read this one (I'm not even halfway yet)
Ch 6:
“Stop reading my mind. I don‘t like it, and you know that,” Addie said crossly.
“I explained about that. It‘s not actually mind-reading. But I do catch a sentence or two on occasion.”
Ch 26:
“I‘m a reformed character. Reforming, anyhow. Everybody Upstairs thinks so. I don‘t know why you can‘t see that,” Rupert grumbled, smoothing his own hair down. Addie had to admit that he was still ridiculously attractive, even if he was dead.
Set in London in 1925, after the Great War. Fun and light but the anachronisms and Americanisms (swapping ‘bring‘ for ‘take‘ for example) are tripping me up.
Following on from ‘Nobody‘s Sweetheart Now‘ the widowed Lady Adelaide is embroiled in (solving) another crime, Inspector Dev Hunter is investigating this one too (and their mutual, unspoken attraction continues) and she still can‘t get rid of Rupert, her husband‘s ghost, who keeps popping up
I love the cover of this book; I‘ll have to search for the artist‘s name.
The pedlar (Derimot Findeel Dan-Tor) seems to be a predecessor of Padan Fain (from the Wheel of Time series).
ETA: according to ISFDB the artist is Mark Harrison
Ch 13:
They waded across, Mogget clinging to Sam‘s shoulder and the Dog swimming in the middle. Unlike most dogs, Lirael noticed, her friend actually stuck her whole head underwater, ears and all. And whatever power fast-moving water had over the Dead and some Free Magic creatures clearly didn‘t apply to the Disreputable Dog.
⬇
Slow going. Short, choppy sentences. And something of insta-lust (3 chapters in) *sigh*
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I‘m a sucker for Ruritanian romance; throw in some fantasy and I‘m there. This is the sequel to ‘Coronets & Steel‘ literally a modern day Ruritanian romance with fantasy elements; it follows on the Christmas after the events in the first book. Although (halfway through) there‘s not much romance, the love of Kim‘s life being otherwise engaged (pun intended). Still fun
2 chapters in and liking it so far. Published in 2008, it‘s reminiscent of late 20th century fantasy which is a Good Thing to my mind. Our heroine is Morgan of the island of Melksham, which evokes Morgan of Hed (the Riddlemaster trilogy is one of my long-standing favourites)
I'm a bit more than halfway through this but it isn't grabbing me. TBH I find it weird when European mythical creatures are transposed onto American soil. The protagonist is 16 years old and that seems to be the target audience. Slow going but not terrible. Megan does tend to jump into situations that have me going 'Stop and think!' but, hey, she's 16 🤗
I'm up to ch 5. The first 3 chapters are a bit of a slog but it seems to be improving.
Beccara is in turmoil as Prince Dar waits to be crowned (not ‘coronated‘) which can‘t happen until the animal holding the soul of his recently deceased brother is found. Multiple POVs including a race trainer who trains monsters (kehoks) and riders, and her trainee who all desperately need prize money from wins to pay off their debts, the Prince and an augur who can see the souls of people and what animal they‘re destined to be in their next lives
ISBN 978-1-529-91775-8
Shes not the assistant to the villain; she‘s the assistant to The Villain, scourge of the entire kingdom. Tongue in cheek and lots of fun. The writing style is a touch rough; a bit abrupt - but it adds to the lightness and flippancy. Not quite sure where The Villain stands morally. I mean he‘s supposed to be pure evil and all but ...
Enjoying this. It‘s not action packed but more about governance. Asher is the 7th and youngest son of a fisherman who doesn‘t get much cut of the family earnings so he‘s off to the capital of Lur for a year to make his fortune for himself and his dad. We get different POVs, not just Asher‘s. He‘s an Olken but the ruling human race is Doranen; they have magic & came to Lur centuries ago creating a magical Wall to hold back the terrors they fled
I‘m not quite sure why the title but it‘s about the death of one of 3 adopted children who was a supermodel and her brother‘s convinced she was murdered so he asks Cormoran Strike, a childhood friend of his brother, to investigate. I‘m 3 chapters from the end and I have a suspect in mind … but we‘ll see if I‘m right.
It‘s not overused and is in context - I suppose - but I wish there was less swearing by the characters.
‘The Museum‘ recruited 4 girls in the ‘70s as Project Sphinx assassins; now they‘re meeting on a cruise to celebrate their retirement. Switches (currently; ch 5) between now (in past tense in the 1st person from Billie‘s POV) and the ‘70s (in - confusingly 🙃 - present tense, 3rd person) when they were recruited & sent on their first mission.
Picked this up because I read & enjoyed Richard Osborne‘s Thursday Club & sequel
The title seems humorous but the prologue has an unknown menace approaching an unnamed village with the threat of extinction.
I‘ve just started the first chapter though, which has dragons scrambling over the (presumably) protagonist‘s bed and they seem about as threatening as kittens.
ISBN: 9781473539105
Intriguing concept; the author has written himself into the story as the narrator and even tells us the various TV and book series (eg Alex Rider) that he has written. Now he is collaborating with a police consultant from his TV series to cover a crime he's investigating
… and meeting Peter Jackson & Steven Spielberg to discuss the sequel to the Tintin film!
When your family think they know better than you 'for your own good':
But it‘s not just the fact that yesterday was a particularly long day that has me in bed at a time when I‘d usually be serving coffee or writing. It‘s also the emotional toll of spending so many hours around my family.
Re-read. Epic fantasy, power struggles in desert setting/ across a continent. Would have been useful if I could have rotated the map on my laptop screen but, reading late at night, was too lazy to keep switching back
Read it as a teen & feel that I thought the MCs were a bit Mary Sue & angsty but didn't find that this time. Maybe because I'm older/ not so passionate or invested in my reads/ I know I've read it before so didn't charge ahead ..?
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