Month October 2023

Blood of Wolves by G.N. Gudgion @GeoffreyGudgion @SecondSkyBooks @Bookouture #fantasy #trilogy #finale #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Blood of Wolves by G.N. Gudgion. This is the finale in the trilogy and I am gutted that it has come to an end. It has been an amazing journey throughout.

My huge thanks to Second Sky Books and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book that I read via NetGalley. My review is my own.

In a war between gods, Adelais stands alone.

After bringing down deadly vengeance on church and crown in Galmandie, Adelais escaped to her home in Vriesland. But even here she is surrounded by enemies.

While the common folk worship her, ruthless nobles plot to harness her fame and advance their own ambitions. In the shadows, assassins wait for a chance to strike.

Adelais makes a dangerous journey to the north, seeking to understand the prophecies that swirl around her. At the source of all rune magic, a place as ancient as time, she glimpses the chaos of a coming war.

The armies of Vriesland are on the march—thousands of spearmen and berserkers, inspired by the girl they call the Fate Weaver. But the Galman lords have gathered a vast army of their own, uniting behind a holy relic in the hands of Agnès de Fontenay.

As friends face off across the battlefield, as armored knights smash into shield-walls, as the gods themselves wrestle for power, Adelais must weave the fate of nations before all that she loves is destroyed.

The Rune Song Trilogy reaches its thrilling finale. An unputdownable epic of intrigue, action and Viking magic, Blood of Wolves is perfect for fans of Mark Lawrence, Andrzej Sapkowski, Robin Hobb and Guy Gavriel Kay.

MY REVIEW

I am absolutely gutted to have read the final book in this trilogy. I have adored these books a huge amount. From her humble beginnings, she has been on the run, evading those who believe in a new religion, Adelais is one who believes in the power of Runes, in the old Gods, in tradition, magic and superstition.

This final book continues on from the first two books as Adelais is trying to make her way to her homeland, she is caught up in politics, rivalries, religion, battles, war, skirmishes, ambushes, and so much more on her journey. As with each of the previous books, the runes are a central point and the links with ancient folklore are great. Mention of Odin, Thor, Feja, Valhalla and other Nordic and Icelandic Viking histories.

With this final book, there did seem to be more emphasis on the runes and I adored this a lot, it meant there was magic to this fantasy book that made it all the more special. Pitting this against the newer religion with hints and rumours of Christianity and the knight’s templar just added to the action and adventure. Throughout the book there are those who believe that Adelais is a chosen one, someone special, she does have gifts but has not had training to use them.

This is a woman who wants a simple life, to settle down have a family and live her days loving and being loved. Instead, she has people surrounding her to protect her from death and she is also responsible for death as these two sides vie for the upper hand.

There are characters that are mentioned from the first book that are still around, although there will be some that will not make it to the end. The way the author deals with his characters is great and I was not able to guess which ones would get what they deserved. Keeping the reader on edge throughout made the story and characters just flows at a great pace. Another thing that I really liked was the flitting between characters’ points of view, this meant that you could keep up with different sides of battles, negotiations and treasonous activities.

This has been a fabulous trilogy and one that I have adored. The way the author has brought together old traditions and folklore and weaved his characters and their lives has been a full-on adventure. I have loved each book and it has been a wonderful journey through this author’s world and with his characters. Ideal for fans who are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story that is sat well and truly in a medieval age. It is one I would definitely recommend.

See the full trilogy…

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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My Week In Books (w/e 29th October 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee

Hello and welcome to my weekly update of books I have read over the past week. One of the books I have already posted a review, and the other two will be posted over the next couple of days.

Bob Dylan – Mixing Up the Medicine – this was reviewed last Friday and it is an amazing book. The full review is HERE

Blood of Wolves by G.N. Gudgion – this is the final book in The Rune Song Trilogy and it has been an amazing set to read. This is a fabulous book and series for fans of fantasy genres. My full review is out tomorrow as part of the Blog Tour.

What Dies Inside Us by Tony J Forder – this is another brilliant book in the DI Bliss series and what a story this one was. This is the last time we see Bliss as a DI, but not the last we see of him. There is a new route for him to go in but not before he has a crime-filled week ahead of him to deal with. My full review will be out mid week.

There we go, all done for another week

Have a great week ahead

All the best

Yvonne xx

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Callaway Arts & Entertainment Presents – BOB DYLAN – MIXING UP THE MEDICINE by Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel @CallawayMedias #BobDylan #music #nonfiction #rockmusic #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share an amazing book. If you are a fan of Bob Dylan then this is a must-have. BOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is a wonderful treasure trove of pictures, interviews, memorabilia and so much more.

My huge thanks to Amy Cuthbertson Associates who got in touch to see if I wanted to read it. As someone who likes music, Bob Dylan is someone who has influenced many other artists, it was an easy one to agree to read and review. I received a gorgeous hardback copy of this book and it is a tomb at 600 pages. The publishers are Callaway Arts & Entertainment and The Bob Dylan Centre.

Several years ago, a treasure trove containing some 6,000 original Bob Dylan manuscripts was revealed to exist. Their destination? Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The documents, as essential as they are intriguing—draft lyrics, notebooks, and diverse ephemera— comprise one of the most important cultural archives in the modern world. Along with countless still and moving images and thousands of hours of riveting studio and live recordings, this priceless collection now resides at The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just steps away from the archival home of Dylan’s early hero, Woody Guthrie.

Nearly all the materials preserved at The Bob Dylan Center are unique, previously unavailable, and, in many cases, even previously unknown. As the official publication of The Bob Dylan Center, BOB MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is the first wide-angle look at the Dylan archive, a book that promises to be of vast interest to both the Nobel Laureate’s many musical fans and to a broader national and international audience as well.

Edited by Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel, BOB MIXING UP THE MEDICINE focuses a close look at the full scope of Dylan’s working life, particularly from the dynamic perspective of his ongoing and shifting creative processes—his earliest home recordings in the mid-1950s right up through Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020), his most recent studio recording, and into the present day.

The centrepiece of BOB MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is a carefully curated selection of over 600 images including never-before-circulated draft lyrics, writings, photographs, drawings and other ephemera from the Dylan archive.

With an introductory essay by Sean Wilentz and epilogue by Douglas Brinkley, the book features a surprising range of distinguished writers, artists and musicians, including Joy Harjo, Greil Marcus, Michael Ondaatje, Gregory Pardlo, Amanda Petrusich, Tom Piazza, Lee Ranaldo, Alex Ross, Ed Ruscha, Lucy Sante, Greg Tate and many others. After experiencing the collection firsthand in Tulsa, each of the authors was asked to select a single item that beguiled or inspired them. The resulting essays, written specifically for this volume, shed new light on not only Dylan’s creative process, but also their own.
 
BOB MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is an unprecedented glimpse into the creative life of one of America’s most groundbreaking, influential and enduring artists.

608 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2023

MY REVIEW

Bob Dylan’s music has always been part of my life, he was playing and recording before I was born. His writings have influenced many people and his songs are stories within themselves. He expresses himself through his music and he received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 in recognition “for having created new poetic expressions within the Great American song industry.” This made him the first-ever songwriter who had won this, previously given to “traditional authors”. This in itself is a testament to his writing and creativity. Although he was a reluctant recipient. Not one to shy away from making a point, his songs have, at times caused controversy, and he is known to write about history. He has been making records for 60 years and his last album was released in 2020 – Rough & Rowdy Ways.

This book is an in-depth look at the life of Bob Dylan, from his childhood, school friends and gradually up to the present day. The book is made up of photos, images, album covers, notes, memos and quotes from other music industry artists. This man has sold more than 100 million records. He is a legend who was born in 1941 and he has many songs that have been covered by others.

This book is immense. And each page is filled, no room for blank pages in this book! The images are from backstage, home life, with friends, family and influential people from around the world. Added to this are the album covers, if the bootlegs, singles, and other releases were added then that would be a book on its own.

As I was reading through this book I got a further insight into this artist. I didn’t know huge amounts about him and I didn’t realise just how many songs he had written. I really enjoyed the pieces written by other artists as they were asked to write an essay about what was it about Dylan that beguiled or inspired them.

The Bob Dylan Centre holds all the original manuscripts, notebooks and various other paraphernalia from his life. Having access to a book like this means you can get a glimpse into the life of this artist. He does give interviews but these tend to be guarded, in life a private man notorious for his inclusiveness and silence.

The book is laid out in various sections from 1941 up to 2023, with an introduction, epilogue, index, credits and permissions.

The book is a treasure trove and I found myself singing some of the lyrics instead of reading them! Of course, this meant pulling up a Dylan playlist.

This book is a tome, a book you definitely need to sit at a table with or need very strong hands. I adored everything about this book and even though I have read through it once I still keep coming back to it. The photos and information that are included are interesting and enlightening. It is a great book to read and learn more about the man behind the music.

It is one I would very definitely recommend.

Product Description

From the Back Cover

Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine is the landmark magnum opus every Bob Dylan fan has been waiting for since the 60s: lavishly illustrated with hundreds of previously unseen photographs and spanning from Dylan’s childhood in Hibbing, Minnesota, to the Nobel Prize for Literature and beyond, this is a treasure trove that promises to be of vast interest to Bob Dylan musical fans as well as a broader cultural audience. This is a landmark publication for the ages that will be supported by a substantial PR & mar

About the Author

MARK DAVIDSON is the Curator of the Bob Dylan Archive and the Director of Archives and Exhibits for American Song Archives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which manages the Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie Centers. Mark earned his PhD in musicology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2015, with a dissertation titled “Recording the Nation: Folk Music and the Government in Roosevelt’s New Deal, 1936–1941.” In 2014, he earned his Master’s in Science in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, with a focus on archiving and library science. Mark has published numerous articles and essays on music, archiving, and Bob Dylan, including Blood in the Stacks: On the Nature of Archives in the Twenty-First Century, published in The World of Bob Dylan (Cambridge University Press, 2021).

PARKER FISHEL is an archivist and researcher who was co-curator of the inaugural exhibitions at the Bob Dylan Center. Providing archival consulting for numerous musicians and estates under the aegis of Americana Music Productions, Fishel is also a co-founder of the improvised music archive Crossing Tones and a board member of the Hot Club Foundation. Highlights from his recording credits include Ann Arbor Blues Festival 1969 (Third Man Records), a forthcoming box set inspired by the legendary Chelsea Hotel (Vinyl Me, Please), and several volumes of the GRAMMY Award–Winning Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series.

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Everyday Folklore: An Almanac for the Ritual Year by Liza Frank @lilithepunk @RandomTTours @MurdochBooks_UK #almanac #folklore #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to be one of the Book Bloggers opening the Blog Tour today and share my review for Everyday Folklore by Liza Frank. This is a fabulous almanac that takes you through rituals, customs, traditions and much more from sources all around the world. I read this one on Kindle but have bought a copy as I enjoyed it so much.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my copy of this book from the publisher Murdoch Books UK.

For the curious and the adventurous! Turn to any date and you’ll find something to learn or do suggested by folklore of the day, the month, or the season.

Some suggestions will take no more effort than sticking your head out the window to look at the clouds, while others might involve knee pads and scouring giant chalk horses cut into hillsides. Taking inspiration from folklore found around the world, each daily entry is a tiny snapshot of what goes on – be it animal or plant lore, love predictions, the zodiac, the supernatural, food, festivals, divination, anniversaries, the weather or luck. By following the customs and traditions of the ritual year, you’ll find yourself becoming more engaged with what’s happening about you and discover how every month and season creates its own identity.

Dip into this fascinating book at any time of the year and discover something new and intriguing about the world around you. Just beware of the hare…

MY REVIEW

I read the Kindle version of this book and it was a wealth of information. A mix of folklore from around the world, traditions, customs and some right oddities. The book has some wonderful illustrations and prints adding to the overall charm of this almanac.

It includes so many different things that seem bizarre and quirky but also things that will have been passed down by older generations, the things we refer to as “old wives tales”, but as we know some of these do have usefulness to them.

Working through this book day by day and month by month you can if you so wish, try some of the activities or follow some of the suggestions. I do think I will be more inclined to try some of the planting advice rather than maybe trying fire jumping though!

If you are interested in how many sneezes you have and what this means on whatever day you happen to sneeze. How about joining in a tomato food fight, (which sounds like great fun)? Would you like to know when Nettle Day is, or Dotterel Day is?

The book brings together lore from around the world and this means you get a plethora of information and it makes you realise that customs and traditions are still practised based on lunar phases, star signs, weather lore, plant lore and also magical, supernatural and mystical dates. If you think this is all about things from the past, then you would be mistaken as the author has brought her research up to date with mentions of Twitter and one of my favourite days, Star Wars Day!

this is a fabulous book and it is one that you could try to dip in and out of but you will soon find yourself engrossed in it.

I would definitely recommend this book for those who like almanacs that are well-researched, full of information and unusual things.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash #romance #contemporaryfiction #romcom #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash. This is the 2nd book in the series and it is a wonderful book to cosy down to read.

For years, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing. But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you!

With a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on, will she really spend the rest of her life alone?

And with some new faces at her blossoming bistro, perhaps romance may also be on the cards?

MY REVIEW

What a delight it was to return to Driftwood Bay, this is the second book in the series and you could read it as a stand-alone as it works well. Having read the first book though, and loving it, I would suggest reading it as it was another gorgeous story.

Gemma has been running her Mum’s cafe after the death of her Mum. She has put a lot of hard work into it and it is time to make a new step forward. Gemma has been through a lot in the past and it is with some trepidation she decides to expand. Always in the back of her mind is the memory of her Mum and she often wonders what she would have thought of Gemma’s ideas.

There is a newcomer into the Bay and he has his own bag full of problems, they are not as straightforward or as obvious as you would first think. Then there is Lucy, Gemma’s sister who is also thinking of the future. Behind all of this is a secret that Gemma has been holding onto. Letting it out could be heartbreaking, but this is something she wants to keep to herself.

It was great to be able to reconnect with some of the characters from the first book, Clem and Meredith pop up regularly and add to the overall friendly feel of this gorgeous-sounding bay. gemma’s cafe sounds wonderful as does the new look extension.

This is a story from Gemma’s point of view, it is her story and brings up things from her past. She has not put them to rest and there are things that she does need to deal with, these sorts of things tend to arise at the most inconsiderate of moments. But it will give her the chance to meet them head-on, even though at the time she would rather avoid them.

I adore this author’s books, they are full of warmth and with this one, family is well and truly at the centre. There are various family issues from various sources and this made for interesting reading. I did kind of work out connections, but the lightness of the story made the reading enjoyable. If you are a fan of cosy family and romance novels with a few chuckles thrown in then this is one for you. Some great new characters that liven up the Bay. Looking forward to the next one and I would happily recommend this one.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs @orbitbooks #scifi #fantasy #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs. This is the first book in a planned trilogy and it is a fabulous science fiction story.

My huge thanks to Orbit Books for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

A dangerous cat-and-mouse quest for revenge. An empire that spans star systems, built on the bones of a genocide. A carefully hidden secret that could collapse worlds, hunted by three women with secrets of their own. All collide in this twisty, explosive space opera debut, perfect for readers of Arkady Martine and Kameron Hurley.

Jun Ironway—hacker, con artist, and occasional thief—has gotten her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for proof that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.

Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots’ monopoly—and they can’t afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.

But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone’s guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all.

​It’s a game that could destroy their lives and devastate the stars. And they have no choice but to see it through to the end.

MY REVIEW

This was a fabulous action and adventure story that had me hooked. It is a science fiction set in a different star system to our own. There are different families, nations and ethnicities, I found that I thought of these more as tribes or large clans as this was how they struck me.

The story flits back and forth between characters and timelines. Esek Nightfoot is dangerous, she is one of the main families who tried to wipe out another race. Chono is someone who should also be feared, but she has a serenity to her and is devout in her prayers, unlike her tutor Esek. These two are chalk and cheese, yet, they do have respect for each other.

Jun is a tech whizz, she is able to see into systems, write programs, overwrite programs and a whole lot more. She is a con artist and she is very good and is soon on Esek’s radar when it is discovered she has a piece of tech that could bring the whole governing system down.

I should mention that this has a political slant to it from the aspect of the ruling families and with any governing body there is going to be mistrust and someone trying to get one over another. These rulers are known as the Kindom.

With Jun in possession of a piece of tech, there is a definite cat-and-mouse game across the worlds and various other people are dragged into it. Some will help and others will kill to their hands on it, then we have those that are around for a reason but you don’t quite know where they stand.

This is a book that is action-packed from start to finish, there are different names, technologies, races of people, and abilities and it all slots together so well and makes for seamless reading. Even when the author changes characters or timelines it still maintains a fast pace.

There is a hierarchy in the families and nations in this book, with those in power being the more wealthy, while the others gradually get poorer and poorer. This gives another reason for tension with the expectation of an uprising. Rumours do their work but you are never quite sure who is involved or what their aim is, that is until later in the book.

There is some wonderful technology that has been introduced and I really enjoyed this, it wasn’t too techy and I was able to keep a handle on what the author was describing. It meant that the flow was great and I wasn’t stumbling around trying to understand things.

Overall this is a fabulous start to a trilogy, it has introduced the main topics, characters, and history. There are things that are waiting to be answered and fought over. You will get to discover who the mysterious Six is in this book and it is a fabulous journey to discover who this is and why they are such an enigma.

This is one for fans of science fiction and science fantasy, it is full of action and adventure, flows along at a brisk pace and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (22nd October 2023) #booklove #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Hello and welcome to another weekly update. I cannot believe how quickly we are flying through the month. Have to think about getting a few treats ready for the Halloween visitors next week.

It has been a good week for reading and I don’t know how I managed it, but I read books. One was a novella, two were short non-fiction and another was 500+ pages, so all in all a great week and got another unit of my course finished. My poor brain is feeling a little addled 🙃

Here is what I have read…

These Burning Shores by Bethany Jacobs – this is a fabulous start to a trilogy and if you are a of fantasy and science fiction, then this is one to have a look at. This was a brilliant book and one that was full of action as a game of cat and mouse ensues through this author’s world. Full review tomorrow.

The Times – Sir, The Year In Letters – this is quite an amusing book that has various letters that have been submitted to The Times. It shows a slightly quirky and humourous side to the readers of the paper. A fun book to read.

Everyday Folklore by Liza Frank – this is a fabulous almanac that I read on Kindle, I enjoyed it so much that I have the hardback preordered and it should arrive later this week. A mix of folklore, plant and weather lore, superstition, star signs and a whole lot more. Full review later this week.

Tap and Die by Lancelot Schubert – I love this cover, but unfortunately not so much the book. A retelling of the Die Hard film set in a Western-style, with magic, set above a volcano and with the main protagonist being naked! I don’t think I read the synopsis of this book properly when I requested it from NetGalley. A little too bizarre for me! 🤯

Older, Wiser, Fiercer by Virginia Wilde – back onto safer ground with this book and it was brilliant. A humorous look at getting older, the author has collated quotes, one-liners and the sort of thing you would see as a meme on social media and put them in this brilliant book. I reviewed this one last week – full review HERE

That is it for another week,

Wishing a wonderful week ahead

All the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Older, Wiser Fiercer – The Wit and Wisdom of Women by Virginia Wilde @alisonmenziespr @OMaraBooks #humour #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Older, Wiser, Fiercer! The Wit and Wisdom of Women by Virginia Wilde. This is a fabulous book and is full of quotes, observations, and one-liners that are aimed at women as they start to get older. As we get older I don’t think we take ourselves as seriously and are more able to laugh at ourselves and this book certainly makes you laugh.

My huge thanks to Alison for getting in touch and arranging a copy of this book from the publisher Michael O’Mara. My thoughts are entirely my own.

Featuring wonderful affirmations and wisdom from brilliant women from all over the world,this funny and wise book will strike a chord with many women. It is a true celebration of the benefits that come with age.

True wisdom comes with age, the saying goes. Of course it does – and this book proves it.

Older, Wiser, Fiercer is a celebration of something that only women in their later decades how glorious, satisfying and FUN getting older can be. We’ve traveled a way down the path of life and we have picked up much experience along the way. Whatever it is, we’ve been there, rolled our eyes and moved on. We know who we are and we’ve realized that we like ourselves, for all our faults (hell, because of all our faults!).

Full of funny affirmations, tongue-in-cheek mantras and sage advice from trailblazing older women, from film stars to musicians, writers to politicians, this book will make you laugh out loud and nod in recognition.

MY REVIEW

As you get older you do get a different sense of humour and for many of us, we are more able to laugh at ourselves. This book takes a look at women as they get older and gives it a humorous slant, made up from quotes that are on the ball, observations and general everyday things that are made obvious or comparable to others. This book made me chuckle and laugh out many times and also nod knowingly.

The quotes are short and they are the sort of thing you often see on the internet or social media. I do like these quotes as they are often to the point and when you read them state the obvious sometimes. There are also some quotes from famous women, if I mention Mae West, Patsy Stone, (Ab Fab), Agatha Christie, Courtney Cox, Joan Collins and many others have mentions, then you know what sort of thing to expect.

This is a collection that has been collated by the author and sectioned into different categories. So there is dating, relationships, socialising, friends, appearance, technology, mid-life crisis and a few others that give a good cross-section of women getting older.

I adored this book and it was a good one to sit and read, I did initially just flick through it and found it so good I stopped and started again from the beginning and read it from cover to cover. Fabulous little book that would make a great gift for a friend or relative or one to get for yourself to chuckle along with. Loved this and I would definitely recommend it.

Here are a few quotes (taken from the synopsis on Goodreads)

‘Tact means the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the journey.’

‘As a teenager, you are at the last stage in your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you.’
– Fran Lebowitz

‘The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.’
– Barbara Kingsolver

‘Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.’
– Oprah Winfrey

From the back of the book…

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Rage by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @ZaffreBooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n #TeamWIlbur #TheCourtneys #historicalfiction #drama #familysaga #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for the 6th book in The Courtney series. Rage by Wilbur Smith takes the reader into the 1960s in South Africa. It is a fabulous book and continues the story of the Courtneys.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of this book from Zaffre Books as part of their year-long marketing campaign.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the future bears down on Africa–fueled by the sins of the past and the blood feuds of nations, tribes, and families. For the Courtney family, who have known this continent from the depths of its gold mines to the pinnacle of political power, a time of reckoning is at hand.

Shasa Courtney has lived, fought and loved amongst Afrikaners, Englishmen, and natives. His mother is by his side but the rest of the world around him is exploding. Even his family harbors secrets more dangerous than his own worst enemies.

Now, a continent is convulsed. Streets teem with protestors. Desperate and devious men forge volatile alliances. And Shasa faces shocking revelations amongst traitors, fugitives, and heroes–leading a beloved country into the flames of civil war…

MY REVIEW

This is the 6th book in the Courtney series and the author has brought the story into the 1960s. To give a little context, this was the time when Nelson Mandela was being noticed and the ANC was being formed. This is not, however, the story of Mandela, but is the continuation of the Courtneys and the Del la Rey family and continues their saga.

Shasa Courtney has teamed up with Manfred De la Rey and is trying to use their political positions for the benefit of all the people in South Africa, it is a turbulent time and one where each person seems to have their own agenda. Some believe that all the tribes and black people should be segregated, and others disagree. In the US, segregation is coming to an end, and although it is not without conflict, it will be the same in South Africa.

Shasa’s sons, Sean, Garry and Michael, along with his daughter Tara are all growing up, and making their own decisions. Some fit well with the Courtney family background, while others do not. There are some terrible events that occur in the country and there are people who will find themselves on the wrong side.

Once again the author has brought the reader up to date with the goings-on in the families and as well as the dramas within the families there is what is happening further afield in the country and also around the world. Apartheid, segregation, rebellion and factions are all at the front of people’s minds whether they are basic workers with no rights, or they are in the corridors of power making the rules.

What the author does do is show the different sides, perspectives and opinions. For me, this gives a balanced approach to the story and one that allows each person to have their say.

While the politics and rivalries continue there are also the personal aspects of the characters, and this was great to see especially as each of the children not only from the Courtney side, but also from the Del la Rey side included. If you have read the previous books then you will be aware of the history between the two families, but now they are working closely together there is still one thing that still weighs heavily on the matriarch of the family, Centaine. She has managed to stop a secret from becoming public knowledge once, will she do it again though?

This is more sided towards the political history of South Africa, but as I mentioned earlier it does also include a lot about the families and other characters. It is inevitable that this period of history is going to be optical but it is also very relevant to the overall story.

Another fabulous book in the series and one that is full of tension, and drama and almost has the feel of a thriller as it is so tense. Another great read and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wilbur Smith was the bestselling author of many novels, each researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird.

His books have been translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. By the time of his death in 2021 he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.

Wilbur Smith died at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

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The Man Who Didn’t Burn by Ian Moore @Duckbooks #NetGalley #crime #mystyery #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Man Who Didn’t Burn by Ian Moore. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was interesting to see how the French Police set up their rural crimes and investigations.

My huge thanks to Duckworth Books for accepting my request to read and review this title via NetGalley.

A KILLER. A SAINT. A TOWN FULL OF WHISPERS

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When an English expat is brutally murdered, his charred corpse left on a Loire Valley hillside, the police turn to juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard to find the perpetrator.

Instead, Lombard discovers a wealth of secrets, grudges and feuds in the idyllic town of Saint-Genèse-sur-Loire. He begins to suspect that the remaining members of the Comité des Fêtes know more about the death than they are letting on.

But rather than towards an arrest, each clue he uncovers seems to point in one, unexpected Joan of Arc. Is the answer to the murder hiding in the barroom gossip of the Lion d’Or? Or in another century altogether?

The thrilling new crime series from The Times -bestselling author of Death and Croissants

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was a thoroughly enjoyable book. This is the first book in the Juge Lombard Mystery series and it is set in France. Lombard is called back to oversee a crime and it is the first case he is attending since the death of his wife.

The French Police system is different to ours in the UK, and this made for interesting reading in itself. It is interesting to see how other countries’ departments work. Lombard is not like others, rather than sit behind a desk he likes to be out investigating, much to the annoyance of police officers and others. Lombard is sarcastic, often found to be mulling and keeping his thoughts to himself, being vague and going off on a different tangent. I liked him.

When a body is discovered disguised as a scarecrow, but crucified, then Lombard has his work cut out. There is little in the way of clues, but there is a link, this is one that becomes longer and longer as the case continues and another body is found. What starts as a coincidence, now becomes something that is almost a hindrance. Too much is fitting too well together, but does that mean the team are being sidetracked, set up or being led too well?

I really liked the pacing of this story, the mystery and investigation are not too fast-paced and there are some interesting locations and some history mixed into the storyline. Having mentions of bureaucracy, ways of doing things, councils, mayors and other positions of office makes for interesting reading. There is also the murder and the accompanying investigation, as I said a different style compared to UK or US styles and this is what I have read most so it was great to see.

This is a murder mystery and also crime and police procedural, there are some wonderful twists and I do like Lombard, he is a little bit like Poirot and Morse, or at least he reminded me of them! Not a brutal and bloodthirsty thriller, but more than a cosy mystery. Very enjoyable story and I am looking forward to picking up more by this author. I would happily recommend this one.

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