Category Action and Adventure

The Silverwood Promise by James Logan @QuercusBooks #NetGalley #fantasy #fiction #bookreview

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Before I share my review today, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you who shared my Blog Posts over the last couple of weeks while I was on Annual Leave. It has been nice to have a break but I am back and hoping to catch up with you all again. 🙂 xx

I am delighted to share my review of The Silverwood Promise by James Logan. This is the first book in The Last Legacy series and this book is a brilliant start to it.

My huge thanks to Quercus Books who granted my request to read this book via Netgalley.

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.

For in Saphrona, everything has a price―and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

MY REVIEW

Lukan is a disgrace to his family name, but when you realise his grandfather was similar as far as gambling goes is it any wonder Lukan is following in his footsteps? Well, there is more to Lukan than that, his mother died when he was 11 and he and his father have gradually grown apart. Lukan is sent to train but a duel that ends badly means Luan is further alienated from his family than ever.

When his father dies, Lukan discovers more than he realised and it leads him on an amazing adventure. His father left a note with three words. He travels to Saphrona to see if he can discover the answers that are held in the note. There he meets some interesting people, who come from different backgrounds and he finds himself mixing with the elite and the waifs.

This is a fab story that is a great start to this series, introducing Lukan and his background as well as the people he meets is great. he learns more about his father and I think he also learns more about himself.

The journey he makes is full of peril and danger and he navigates from one event to another. He seems to have the knack of falling into trouble as well as still seeming to get through things. But, then he does bring a lot on himself with his quick mouth, and constant backchat. It doesn’t endear him to others, but thank goodness the author decided that this was a trait for Lukan as it gets him into some serious trouble at times.

I really enjoyed the word building with this, the names and places are manageable and pronounceable, always helpful when you have to remember them! The imagery of the setting is also great, from opulent towers and palaces to basic rooms and inns. There is more to this book than is the beginning and I think there are some things that have a lot more to reveal, especially The Faceless, there are some indications as to who they are but nothing solid yet. this leaves me looking forward to the next books and following Lukan on the next part of his story.

If you are a fan of fantasy that has a mix of sorcery, corruption, deviousness and double-crossing then this is one you should have a look out for. It was a fabulous book to read and it didn’t take me long before I was hooked and read it over a couple of days. It is one I would definitely recommend.

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

Empire of The Damned Jay Kristoff #NetGalley #horror #fantasy #supernatural #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Empire of The Damned by Jay Kristoff. This is the second book in the series and it is another fabulous book. I would recommend reading the first book in this series. My full review of that book, Empire of The Vampire, can be read HERE

My thanks to Harper Voyager for my e-copy of this book via NetGalley.

Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.

After turning his back on his Silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in the Empire of The Vampire series and I would recommend reading these in order as the first book gives a lot of background information.

In this second book, the story continues, well, Gabe’s recounting of his story continues. He is protecting The Grail and trying to find who can help unlock the secrets of how The Grail can end the darkness that hangs over the world the author has created. Gabe is a silversaint and is sworn to protect and kill vampires and their spawn. He is on the edge; if you have read the previous book, you will know how this makes him dangerous. He is still in control but there are other forces that are testing his resolve.

This is another brilliant installment in the series and once again the author has created a tense and atmospheric thrill to the book. While he continues the journey there are more things that are brought into the equation. There is The Grail and what people think is the right thing to do, will The Grail end the darkness and the vampires? It is still unclear, and there are only a couple of people alive who can potentially solve the mystery.

This is a fast-paced story and it never lets up, the chase is continuous and there is little respite for the characters. The danger lurks everywhere and the battles they have are ferocious. I adore how this is all brought together and the author has a brilliant way of creating some very vivid imagery.

This is a series that is a mix of horror and fantasy, mystery, suspense, action, danger and supernatural thriller. I adored this second book as much as the first and I cannot wait for the next one. I would definitely recommend it.

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

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff #fantasy #horror #thriller #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. This is the first book in the series and one that I bought last year but just got to. I do have the second book to read from NetGalley so I wanted to read these in order.

From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn’t stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I can definitely say it will not be the last. This is the first book in the Empire of the Vampire series, the second book is due at the end of this month(Feb 2024).

The story is about Gabriel de León, Gabe is a half-breed and is taken from his home to train as a Silversaint. His mother was human and his father was a vampire. He is not the only half-breed in this book but he is slightly different to the others. Most have a special gift, yet, Gabe doesn’t seem to have one. He is looked down upon, and he must make an extra effort every stage of his training. He is deemed to be worthless and from peasant stock.

The story of Gabe, his time before going to the Silver Order Brotherhood, and his battles against monsters and other enemies. It is not told in the usual way, instead he is relating history to another. The scribe he is dictating to is a vampire, they are enemies but Gabe has no choice but to divulge his story.

This was a fabulous read and I am so glad I eventually came to reading this one. The story is of family, friendship and serving a higher order. This is a story of how Gabe found and then lost his faith but also of how he has become the feared man he is known as.

The author gives a huge amount of detail to Gabe and those he gradually befriends. A mix of mystery and murder with horror and paranormal aspects to it. It is not a straightforward fantasy novel but one that mixes a lot of things into it. This in some ways gives it a historical fiction feel but it is obviously fantasy as there are the vampires! Mentions of knights, grail, secret orders, and inquisition, give it knights templar-style, but a darker and definitely a lot more dangerous.

The vampires do have some things that are an accepted version of how they can be killed but the author takes it a lot further. The world in which he sets this story is one where the darkness is taking over, the sun is not as bright as it used to be and the tie of dark days and darker nights give vampires an extra edge. This does not mean that the silver order is without power, they have their own powers, and they can fight and kill.

Gabe is a character who comes across as a loner, secretive and also an angry character. There is not much about him that you like as such, but that does not mean he is completely unlikeable. The further I read about him the more I was able to get to understand him. His story is one of fights, flights, battles, and secrets and every step of his journey is full of action, adventure, revenge, determination and there is a lot more as well.

After reading this first book I cannot wait to get to the next one. I will also be looking at other books by this author and I am so happy to add another fantasy author to my list. A brilliant start to a series and if you are a fan of high fantasy then this is one you should have a look at. I adored this and I would definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.

He does not believe in happy endings.

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

Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #teamwilbur #TheCourtneys #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith. This is the 9th published book and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogy.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of this and the previous book was part of the ongoing promotional campaign with Zaffre Books.

“Africa!” The sound of that mysterious name on his own lips raised goose pimples along his arms and made the thick dark hair prickle on the back of his neck.

A simple mission. A battle for their lives.

It is 1667 and the war between the Dutch and the English continues apace. Sir Francis Courtney, his son Hal, and their crew are carried around the southern tip of the African colonies by the good ship Lady Edwina, licensed to attack and seize the treasure-laden ships of the Dutch East India Company. When they capture a Dutch trader and hold the passengers to ransom, Sir Francis hopes only for a good price and a small sense of satisfaction.

But this is unlawful territory they sail in. An unexpected betrayal will mean the men on board will face greater peril than they have ever faced before – and many good men may never see home again…

MY REVIEW

If you have read any of The Courtney series books, then you will be aware that they often come in trilogies and flit across each one. Birds of Prey is the 9th published Courtney title and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogie. This one starts in 1667, during the Ottoman Empire, Moguls, slave trade, Dutch East India Company and the Dutch had raided the dockyards at Medway, it is during this period the story starts and a peace agreement is just being signed.

This is the story of Hal, or to give him his full name, Henry Courtney, son of Sir Francis Courtney and they are aboard the Lady Edwina. They follow the order of knights known as Nautonniers, and Hal is learning from his father what this will mean.

During a skirmish, the crew and ship are taken, not before father and son have removed the treasure and coin they have amassed and hidden it. This is where Hal will learn what it takes to grow up into a man and what he needs to do to prove his father’s innocence and look at revenge for what he has been through.

With these books, the Courtney men are strong and easy on the eye as they always appear to have no shortage of women. Hal is no different, he like most of the others though, is not a womaniser. He is growing into a man and he has beside him some friends who have helped bring him up aboard the ship. These men are loyal and help imbue morals, loyalty, respect and empathy.

This is what I would call a “proper swash-buckler”, it is full of pirates, battles, warfare, travel, missions escapes and so much more. It is a book full of action and adventure, romance, life and death from the first pages through to the last.

As Hal moves through into being a young man he has dealt with a lot, but his upbringing has prepared him. Even though he is young he has experience and this will prove essential as he asks seasoned seamen to follow him.

The story takes Hal from life on the sea to being imprisoned, taking revenge and following an idea and religious mission. The author brings so many things to this book and I do think this is one of my favourites. The battles are amazing to read as are the trials and tribulations that are part of the journey.

This is one for those who like historical fiction 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.

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

Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel @makk_daniel #fantasy #action #adventure #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel. This is the first book in the series and it is a brilliant start. Loved this a lot and cannot wait to get the next one. My thanks to Daniel for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Find your strength in the light, or lose your chains in the darkness.

Three sun gods bathe the city of legends, Luminocity, in their blessed light. The city stands on the decaying ruins of an ancient civilization. Skeletal skyscrapers guard their solemn secrets of forgotten technology and past tragedies.

But under the surface the light dies and shadows began. It is a dark god’s domain, even caged. And he holds his grudges through the eons.

Five fates intertwine, thrown onto the currents of destiny, played like puppets. Will they be able to tear free from their strings?

Laxerion Tama, disowned noble son and heist group mastermind, finds his leisurely life turned upside down. Both his estranged family and an enemy from the past test his strange ability to find lies in the light.

His brother, Val-Gustus Tama, general and golden son, is forced to take responsibility for threats to the city, as war brews on the horizon. Intrigue and betrayal test his resolve and character.

New and outlandish technologies emerge that push the boundaries of morality and the conscience of a young scientist, Ilumi. She arrived in Luminocity from the far north, carrying a dark secret.

A huntress of the depths, Aiana, struggles with her inner demons and the chains of her past.

Dawb, a young urchin struck by grief, searches for monsters prowling the short nights.

And deep down, below all, eldritch things stir in the dark.

MY REVIEW

This is the first book in The Luminocity Seed series and what a brilliant start to the series this book is. The story is set in an ancient civilisation and it is run on the power of light. There are five main characters and how they are connected is gradually emerging.

I like all five main characters and at this point, I can’t say if I will have a favourite as they are all unique and have different characteristics. There is a set of brothers, Lax and Val but they have different agendas and have only been brought back together due to their father’s ailing health.

Ilumi is a young woman from one of the outer tribes who has been invited to the city to work with a professor of light creating new inventions. While in the city she meets Dawb, an urchin who lives by his wits and works with a gang (similar to an Oliver Twist-style person). Then there is Aiana, she is another one from outside the city and she is training to be a huntress, she is probably the most different to the others due to where she lives.

All five have different abilities and not all can channel the power of the light. Light is something that some have used to not just illuminate and power the city but can it to give them an extra edge. With the light, there is also the opposite – darkness. This is something that is starting to creep in and it gives a creepy, tense and edgy nervousness to the story. It also adds suspicion and a thriller feel to the story as this darkness is something dangerous and fatal.

Each of the main five has their own agenda as such, or task if you will. One will be trying to get a position in a political circle, another looking for a lost family fortune, trying to become a huntress, looking for answers to how light can be used and looking for the shadows and the monsters. There is a lot more than this, but I am not going to go into much detail about what happens.

The author has created the start of a series with a fabulous intro to the characters, some of the ways of his world and the city that this is focused around. There are politics and some history and things that are reminiscent of the ancient world. But also there is a lot of action and adventure which adds to the fast-paced feel of the overall story. Knowing that this is the first in a planned series is great, but it also means that I knew this first book would leave me waiting and desperate for more.

This is a book that gives the basis of what I think is going to be a very good series. The author has laid out a good base to build from and I am excited to see where he will go with this.

If you are a fan of fantasy genres then this one may well appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am eager to read the next book. Brilliant start and one that I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hungarian author Daniel Makk (writing as Daniel McDaniel) achieved his dream of becoming a writer after years of working in finance. Daniel always had a love for fantasy and sci-fi but was often unable to obtain the works of his favourite authors in his mother tongue. Twelve years ago, Daniel began to improve his English on his own in order to consume more works from his favourite authors, first of all Brandon Sanderson. The language opened new doors, and Daniel saw an opportunity to follow his true passion: writing. With the growth of self-published authors, Daniel realized that there were new ways of achieving success. Despite the steep climb he faced as a self-taught English learner, Daniel is now a published author with his debut Luminocity – Grieving Gold, the first in his Luminocity series. Daniel lives with his fantastic wife-and dedicated beta reader-who shares his passion for fantasy. Their young son also shows a great love for books and stories, and Daniel proudly hopes that one day he can share his own work with him.

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

House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky @HoZ_Books @#NetGalley #fantasy #bookreview @AdAstraFiction #NetGalley #fantasy #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This is a fantasy book and the 2nd in the series. It works well as a stand-alone and it was very enjoyable reading.

My thanks to Head of Zeus and Ad Astra Fiction publishers for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

City-by-city, kingdom-by-kingdom, the Palleseen have sworn to bring Perfection and Correctness to an imperfect world. As their legions scour the world of superstition with the bright flame of reason, so they deliver a mountain of ragged, holed and scorched flesh to the field hospital tents just behind the frontline.

Which is where Yasnic, one-time priest, healer and rebel, finds himself. Reprieved from the gallows and sent to war clutching a box of orphan Gods, he has been sequestered to a particularity unorthodox medical unit.

Led by ‘the Butcher’, an ogre of a man who’s a dab hand with a bone-saw and an alchemical tincture, the unit’s motley crew of conscripts, healers and orderlies are no strangers to the horrors of war. Their’s is an unspeakable elbow-deep in gore they have a first-hand view of the suffering caused by flesh-rending monsters, arcane magical weaponry and embittered enemy soldiers.

Entrusted – for now – with saving lives deemed otherwise un-saveable, the field hospital’s crew face a precarious existence. Their work with unapproved magic, necromancy, demonology and Yansic’s thoroughly illicit Gods could lead to the unit being disbanded, arrested or worse.

Beset by enemies within and without, the last thing anyone needs is a miracle…

MY REVIEW

This is a wonderful book and is one that is set behind the scenes of an army. Set in the hospital division of the Pel army, this army is responsible for bringing order to chaos and battling kingdoms and realms as they go. They believe in one religion and are banishing all others, from local gods and deities, priests, believers and worshippers are all targets for them. So when Maric Jack is arrested and then forced to work in the hospital it is a little odd, not only is he a priest but he has in his possession a box of gods!

This is a book that is a fantasy but is also full of action and adventure. Think of the TV show MASH, this is a fantasy version of that… well sort of! The Butcher runs the unit, he is helped by a motley bunch that have a great sense of camaraderie and look out for each other. So, as the newcomer, Jack is looked on with interest especially as he tries to explain that he was a priest, but is no longer one.

This fabulous story shows how Jack gradually earns his place in the unit, the troubles he has and the troubles his box of gods makes for him. At times this is entertaining and at others it is action-packed. The author brings in politics, religion and the general area and society of his world. There are rules that have to be followed and protocols that are in place and this helps to build up the world of the author that his characters inhabit. As they are a medical unit, they are not exactly in the thick of the fighting, but that does not mean they are only on the edge of the action. They have plenty of reasons for the authorities to keep a check on them and their antics.

This is a fantasy story that is a fair old length, at times it does slow, but plenty is going on to keep the reader occupied. There are some good twists and overall I really enjoyed reading this book. Some great and entertaining characters with a good storyline and one that I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.

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

Golden Fox by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #historicalfiction #teamwilbur #TheCourtneys #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of Golden Fox by Wilbur Smith. This is the 8th book in The Courtney series and brings the series into the 1970s.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my books for the ongoing marketing campaign with Zaffre Books.

It was in Mexico that he first learnt how to exploit his extraordinary good looks and to develop his natural winning ways with women. By the age of seventeen his companions had nicknamed him ‘The Golden Fox’, and his reputation as an irresistible lover was established.

A country in conflict. A family torn apart.

Isabella, Shasa Courtney’s beloved daughter, enjoys all the freedoms London in the sixties can offer. So when a beautiful, charming man appears and sweeps her off her feet, why would she resist? But her lover is no simple admirer – he is Ramon de Santiago y Machado, a KGB operative known as Golden Fox, and his mission is to recruit her as an agent, and uncover her father’s secret business dealings.

With this knowledge, Ramon and his comrades plan to end white rule in Africa, whatever the cost. Isabella must make a choice about who she will betray – her father and her country, or her son and the man she loves . . .

MY REVIEW

This is another fabulous, action-packed story in the Courtney series. It is set in the 1970s and there are several references to political figures to help keep you in the time. Mentions of Castro, Haile Selassie, the KGB and Russia’s influence in Africa, apartheid and many other events in the world at the time. The story is woven around events but focuses on Isabella Courtney.

Isabella is living with her father in London in the African Embassy, she is a courteous daughter and helpful. She is also enjoying her life in London with parties and other events. One of which she meets Ramon, the Marques de Santiago y Machado. He is suave, and mysterious, and does not fall at Isabella’s feet as most men seem to. It makes him an intriguing character, but one that will cause her so much heartache and conflict.

As they become closer she is gradually sucked into his world, she is unaware of just who he is and what he does. It is not until he uses their child to coerce Isabella into doing things that she understands just how far she is going to go.

This story is about Isabella, a mother and a daughter. She has access to information on policies, technology and so much more. Her role in politics is pushed by Ramon but this tests her loyalty to her family, but when she is denied access to her child, she has to do what is best for him as well.

The way the story plays out is great, the tensions between Isabella and what she must do is tense. While I do think the author does tend to stereotype his women, I do like her character and Isabella’s role, it does work well and fits with what she is asked to do.

Africa as a nation is still divided and some countries are engaged in civil wars. It is this time when other world powers are interfering and tweaking the strings to better their positions. Russia and Cuba have a strong presence in the story and on the world stage at the time. Using Isabella as a tool to join the links and keep the story moving.

If you are a fan of historical fiction then this is another fabulous book in the series. It is full of espionage, spies, conflict, heartache and family loyalties. Brilliant, addictive and full of action and I would definitely recommend it.

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.

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

Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan @BoldwoodBooks #viking #historicalfiction #Netgalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan. This is the first book in the series that is based on Harald Sigurdsson and it is brilliant.

My huge thanks to Boldwood Books who accepted my request to read this via NetGalley, my opinion is my own.

1030 AD Some men are gifted a crown. Others have to fight to claim it. Exiled from Norway, Harald Sigurdsson, brother to murdered King Olaf, must battle mercilessly for survival in the lands of the Kievan Rus. His brother’s legacy gifts him a warband of hardened warriors and entry to the court of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. By his wits, sword and skill in battle, Harald must learn not just to survive but to triumph. He fights for glory, for fame, and to regain his family’s battle-stolen throne. But his greatest challenge may not come from battlefield foes but from those who stand by his side. The first instalment in a remarkable story of an exiled boy’s incredible journey to become Harald Hardrada; The Hard Ruler and The Last Viking.

MY REVIEW

This is the first book I have read by this author and is a brilliant book based on Harald Sigurdsson. The book is set in 1030AD and is the story of Harald after being exiled. It is told by Eric, an older character as he looks back and recounts his life with Harald the battles they fought, and the people they met it is full of facts, and information and it is a brilliant historical fiction book to sit down and read.

Eric is an adviser to Harald and the author uses him to great effect as he can get the reader into the thick of things, being a witness to events and hearing of Eric’s views. Harald was exiled after his brother King Olaf was killed, he takes a war band with him as he journeys to Kyiv and fights for Prince Yaroslav.

The author brings the story of Harald’s early years into life with his writing and while this is very factual in its content the research that has gone into this is great. It is not dull for a moment and this is what makes this such a good book, it is also the first in the series and I cannot wait to continue Harald’s saga.

Some things have been changed to make it fit within the context of the author’s timeline and this is nothing major but keeps the action and the adventuring of the war band at a great pace.

If you are a fan of Vikings, European history and historical fiction then this is a book you want to be looking at. It is a fabulous historical fiction that I would definitely recommend.

About the author

James C Duncan is a debut author fascinated with history and fantasy. He writes historical fantasy/fiction based on our world, but in an alternate timeline, past, present or future, where each book or series asks and tries to answer a question of ‘What if?’ His first series ‘The Light of the North saga’, asks the question ‘What if the Norse didn’t convert to Christianity, and instead the Viking raids continued.’ And posits the answer, which you will have to read the book to find out! James does not create new worlds, he messes with the history and future of ours, grounded in our own history and the laws of our universe, but tweaked in events and often adding a soft sprinkling of the divine or fantastical, resulting in relatable historical and future fantasy.

Upcoming books include the questions:

‘What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.’ An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.

‘What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.’ A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary

James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.

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

The Ice Angel by Misha Herwin @MishaHerwin #fantasy #fiction #youngadult #publicationday #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today for The Ice Angel by Misha Herwin. This is the 6th book in the Letty Parker series and it is fabulous, to be honest, the whole series is fabulous.

I would like to thank the author for sending me the latest copy of her book for me to review. My opinion is my own and unbiased. I would also like to wish Misha a very Happy Publication Day 🙂

A frantic message from her absent Ma sets Letty on a perilous course to the northern lands, pursued every step of the way by vengeful Dark Ones. Once again her life is in danger – except that this time even Gabriel seems to have deserted her. Marooned and alone, in a land of ice and snow that is ruled by the cold and callous Ice Angel, Letty must rely on her wits and courage to survive. In Bristol, her fellow investigators at Letty Parker & Associates have problems of their own as Hepzibah battles Mr Murkstone, her sinister new guardian, for control of both her business and her beloved Aunt. Hepzibah’s entire world could be lost as she joins forces with Jeb and Mango in a desperate race to foil Mr Murkstone’s evil plans. Two friends a continent apart – both fighting the Dark Ones with everything at stake and so little time left to succeed.

MY REVIEW

This is the 6th book in this series and it is another absolutely fabulous story. This series is aimed at Young Adults, but Older Adult adores it. A mix of fantasy, mystery, action and adventure.

Letty Parher & Associates is a group that investigates mysteries and they have had some corkers over the previous books. This latest one though takes the danger up a notch as the Dark Ones have more of a sinister role to play.

Letty is sent a message that her mother needs help, this will involve her sailing to another country. Meanwhile, Hepzibah has her own troubles with her Aunt as a stranger seems to have got his foot well and truly in the door, and his nose into Hepzibah’s family business.

With the help of Mango, Jeb and others the group are trying their hardest to discover what exactly is going on. With the investigating teens split between two countries and with forces that they still need to understand, they certainly have their work cut out for them.

From the outset this book is action-packed, there are quick re-caps where necessary but the story flows from the first page right through. The Bristol of the author’s stories is one that has a whole range of creatures lurking, skulking and generally being a nuisance. There are also friendlies such as the dragons, Bears and a certain Gabriel.

The story flows back and forth from one case to the other, filling in important information and keeping up a breakneck pace. If you have read any of these books then you will be aware of the various phrases and characters, they are still around and more villains have been brought in. Such as the Ice Angel!

Having read and loved each of the books, this one is another fabulous episode. Full of drama, tension, danger, slinking, lurking and creeping. I know that young adult readers who pick this series up will enjoy it as much as I have. This is another book I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Misha Herwin is a writer of books for adults and children.
They vary from time-slip to contemporary women’s fiction, family saga and children’s fantasy adventures.
All her books are set in Bristol, whether real, imaginary or remembered from her childhood.

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

A Time To Die by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @ZaffreBooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n #histfic #TheCourtneys #TeamWilbur #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Time To Die by Wilbur Smith. This is part of the Courtney series and the author brings the story into the 1980s.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of the book from Zaffre Books as part of their yearlong marketing feature.

Sean Courtney, ex-guerilla fighter in the Bush War, is now a man of peace, leading hunting safaris in Zimbabwe for wealthy men. His current client is Riccardo Monterro, a strong-headed man whose beautiful, strong-minded daughter Claudia has reluctantly accompanied him on the search for the greatest of all trophies: the old bull elephant Tukutela.

But the elephant, and Riccardo’s obsession, will lead them over the border into a Mozambique still devastated by civil war. What began as a rich man’s holiday will become a desperate battle for survival – and Sean must help them escape the most dangerous predator of all: Man

MY REVIEW

Once again this author brings an action-packed story to the Courtney series, this is 7th in the series and brings the series up to the 1980s.

Sean Courtney is one of the main characters in this book and it sees him running hunts Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia are hunting for an old elephant. Claudia does not see this as a hunting trip but as a chance to spend time with her father. For her father, it is a chance to achieve something he has always wanted. Claudia is against hunting and this means she clashes with Seran often. All three are stubborn and have their own opinions. This is a way for the author to show the various opinions of the time regarding hunting.

The team delve into danger as they try, but fail to avoid the conflict between warring factions as they wander into Zimbabwe in pursuit of the hunt. In this period, South Rhodesia claimed its independence from the UK and became Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. The decade was volatile and this made the hunt into this area dangerous.

While this book is part of the Courtney series, it can be read as a stand-alone as the author does not feed the history into the narrative. Sean Courtney is the grandson of Centaine de Thiry.

The book has the same action and adventure vibe as the previous and the essence of life at the time is very much in this story. There are some friendships formed and friendships lost in this book. Details of the character’s journey across the area are fraught with tension, and danger and this is felt in the story.

It was another fabulous episode in the series and one that I adored. I am aware that not everyone has the same feeling about this book and feels it lacks something, and I agree. It is still a fabulous read but when in close proximity to the others there is something missing.

If you are a fan of action, adventure, historical fiction and tense story lines then this is a book you should look at. Even though it can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend reading it in order as the series is fabulous. It is one I would happily 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.

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