Book Review - The King's man (JS)

King's Man by Angus Donald

 

Review by Jacqui Slaney

As I mentioned in my review on Holy Warrior, I bought the sequels to ‘Outlaw’ very quickly. I had intended to read a few other books before I started on this one, but made the mistake of reading a little of the first chapter and that was it, I was hooked.

This is the description:

THE THIRD CRUSADE IS OVER Richard the Lionheart is bound for England. But with all the princes of Europe united against him . . . can the greatest warrior in Christendom make it safely home?
THE LION IS CHAINED Captured. Bound. Imprisoned. King Richard's slim hope of salvation rests on one man - a former outlaw, a vengeful earl, a man who scoffs at Holy Mother Church:
ROBIN HOOD For King and country Robin and his loyal lieutenant Alan Dale will risk all - from blood-soaked battlefields to deadly assassins - to see the Lionheart restored to his rightful throne.

Having found book two in this series a better and stronger story than Outlaw, I started this book with high hopes and was not disappointed.

The book starts with Robin and his soldiers returning home from the crusade and finding an army besieging Robins home. Robin although greatly outnumbered by the opposing forces uses a cunning plan to beat them and regain his home.

Robin soon runs into problems with the church and is accused of using the black arts to assist him; he is called to London to face these charges but refuses to take this seriously. He and his men then hear of Richards capture and agree to travel to see the Kings mother and see is they can assist in Richards’s release. The story moves to London where following his sons kidnapping, Robin is forced to face the inquisition regarding his actions, in between creating a plan to find Richard. The plot moves swiftly and I wont say one of the major incidents of Robins trial as I do not want to spoil anything. Alan and two clergy are dispatched to track down Richards’s whereabouts and eventual release. 

The story is still told by Alan, and it can be seen in this story how he has matured as a character. He started as a young boy looking at Robin as some kind of hero and though he has now seen the dark side of his Lord he has accepted him for what he is and supports him fully despite his faults.

There are some great characters in this, as villains you have Rix and his creepy partner in crime, Prince John and Murduc. On the other side, the reader now has Richard himself who is developed more as a complete character.

There are some great twists and turns in the plot and Nur- Alan’s lover from book 2 reappears which is well handled.

There are some criticism of the author’s writing in this series, saying it’s pretty basic, but then the review goes onto say that they have still read all the books which tells me that the writing cannot be all that bad.

I would recommend this book; if anything, it is a better story than the others are and does tie together threads from book 1 and 2. There is plenty of action to keep any reader entertained.

10 out of 10

Book Review - Eclipse

Eclipse – Stephanie Meyer

 

I found the first two books in the twilight sage excruciating slow to begin with and poorly written to the point where on both books I considered abandoning them. Thankfully, they both got better and strangely compelling to the point where I can honestly and unashamedly admit that I actually enjoyed them.

There are some books that just have a wintry/Christmassy feel to them. The Harry Potter books and the Twilight books fall into this category. With the temperature outside definitely plummeting I got the urge to revisit La Push. I was expecting much the same as the previous two incarnations.

The Blurb:

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob--knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Eclipse is without a doubt the strongest of the Twilight books by quite some margin. Unlike the first two books in the saga, Eclipse starts off strongly and doesn’t really falter.

Bella is transformed from the hopelessly in love girl, gushing over every movement Edward makes, to a girl with a backbone. Yes, she still has moments where she pauses to think how adorable Edward is but these are described in a more mature way and do not detract from the story.  She is also not afraid to push back when she disagrees with something Edward says and does and the relationship feels far more equal than before. For instance Bella realises that Edward is not just being protective in his behaviour towards her but overbearing and possessive.  This is well portrayed and Stephanie Meyer is keen to play on this dynamic by having Jacob feed off this conflict.

It would be easy for Stephanie Meyer to have Jacob as the guy waiting in the wings as an alternate if Edward were to slip up, but she makes sure Jacob has more to him by making him rough around the edges. Jacob is far from perfect. He is dangerous, arrogant but also playful with it. Jacob and indeed all the werewolves are given more strength in this novel. They are now portrayed as equal with the vampires in regards to the threat they pose and more than a match for them if the two were to break the treaty they share.

Edward develops in this novel too. In the past, I can honestly say I hated him as a character finding him annoyingly bland and perfect. In Eclipse I did not mind him so much. Rather than try to control Bella he slowly learns to trust her judgement and acknowledge that she has other friends and he has to accept that.

The difference with Eclipse as opposed to the other novels in the series is that the plot is interesting for the outset. The threat to Bella is kept to the background to begin with but you are always aware of it. It keeps the story focussed and moves it away from Bella’s agonising over Edward.

One particular strength of the novel is that the history and back-story of the characters is explored. We get to discover the origin stories of Jasper for example, which is well written and actually pretty darn good. The best part of the novel though belongs to the history of the Werewolves. This is told by Sam and stands out as a superior bit of writing. I wouldn’t mind seeing Stephanie Meyer explore this area further in a future book.

Having said all that, the book is not perfect. There is an inevitability about the direction of the story that took a little too long to surface for my liking. I found it hard to believe that none of the characters had considered a certain plot element way before they did when it was so bleeding obvious.

I also wished Stephanie Meyer had been braver with some of the choices she made in the story. She did not make any bad decisions but again there was a certain amount of inevitability over how things turned out.

The climatic battle was excellent however. Stephanie Meyer uses a fantastic technique of describing part of the battle through someone recounting events as they see it through the eyes of those actually engaged in the battle. This is highly effective and really ratchets up the tension.

Overall, I can honestly say that for the first time with this series I began to see what the fuss is about. Don’t get me wrong, it is not up there with the top fantasy books in the genre but it is a really good read.

 My rating: 8.9

Book Review - Dragon Song (JS)

Dragon song by Anne McCaffrey

Review by Jacqui Slaney

 

 

 

Looking back over the reviews I have done, I have realised that one of the authors I used to read the most I have not mentioned at all, so decided I should rectify that omission.

Anne McCaffrey created a world called Pern; she filled it with dragons and their riders and gave them peoples to protect from an alien threat.

There are quite a few books in the series, this one is less about dragons and more about the people who live on the planet, this is the description:

Every two hundred years or so, shimmering Threads fall from space, raining death and black ruin on Pern. The great dragons of Pern hurl themselves through the beleaguered skies, flaming tongues of fire to destroy deadly Thread and save the Planet. However, it was not Threadfall that made young Menolly unhappy. It was her father who betrayed her ambition to be a Harper, who thwarted her love of music. Menolly had no choice but to run away. When, suddenly, she came upon a group of fire lizards, wild and smaller relatives of the fire-breathing dragons, she let her music swirl around them. She taught nine of them to sing. Suddenly Menolly was no longer alone -- she was Mistress of Music and Ward of the dazzling fire dragons.

This is a story about a girl’s love of music and her desire to be something different from that of her parents and to break away from what a girl’s role is seen to be.

Menolly is a skilled musician living in a distant sea hold, all she wants is to be a Harper – someone who can teach music, produce their own and has some standing in the community. Unfortunately, being a girl, her father does not see this as a suitable occupation for her. After she has an accident, it seems that he will have his way about Menolly’s future, but instead she runs away.

To live outside a holding is seen to be a death warrant on Pern, due to the regular falls from the sky of Thread, a life form that can destroy everything it touches.

Instead, Menolly’s thrives on her own and actually finds egg’s of prized fire lizards that are tiny versions of the dragons that patrol Perns skies. She saves the young hatchlings and they become bonded to her. Through a series of events, the music that she loves changes her life and the attitudes of the people of Pern.

This is not a complicated story but it is very readable, and is suitable for the young or adult reader. There are better books, but thanks to the well-written characters and the world that McCaffrey creates, I enjoyed it.

I found all the characters real and three dimensional  even the supporting cast, whereas in some novels, you often have only a handful that are fleshed out and  the  rest seem to be just used to bulk the story out.

Pern itself is well described and very believable, I really loved the descriptions of the different peoples and the land itself.

I think it was reading the books of Pern that gave me the idea that I wanted to write, to see if I could create something like this.

 So if you want to read something in the fantasy realm then definitely try Anne McCaffrey, think you might enjoy it.

 9 out of 10

 

 

Book review - In the tall grass

In The Tall Grass – Stephen King and Joe Hill

 

Stephen King writes in a voice that can’t be beaten in my eyes. The way he writes prose just feels so comfortable and easy that I am instantly lost in whatever tale he weaves. As a result every time I think of what book I want to read next, I am automatically drawn to one of his stories.

My experience of Joe Hill is limited. I read and enjoyed the “Heart-Shaped Box” but did not feel the urge to lavish it with praise as many others have done. This short story then, was the perfect way to give me my King fix and explore Joe Hill’s work further.

 The Blurb:

 In the Tall Grass begins with a sister and brother who pull off to the side of the road after hearing a young boy crying for help from beyond the tall grass. Within minutes they are disoriented, in deeper than seems possible, and they've lost one another. The boy's cries are more and more desperate. What follows is a terrifying, entertaining, and masterfully told tale, as only Stephen King and Joe Hill can deliver.

At just over 62 pages it is difficult to review this short story without giving away spoilers. What I will say is that this is a classic example of how King comes up with his ideas for his stories I.e. what would happen if x happened to y.

In this instance the “x” is the tall grass that consumes whoever is lured into it and does not let them out and the “y” are the twin siblings Cal and Becky who have an almost disturbingly close relationship.

The concept is remarkably simple but the execution is superb. The plot is told from both siblings point of view which is brave considering the shortness of the story. It works however and King and Hill paint enough of a past for the characters to make them both interesting and for you to care about them.
 

There are many genuinely eerie moments in this story and a few of them are gross. One thing that King always succeeds with me, is to have me put the book down and reflect on what has happened. In “the Tall Grass” there were several moments where I actually thought, “What would I do in that situation?”

 The ending to the story is excellent. Enough of an explanation is given as to what is actually happening without having to go into any detail. As a short story the Tall Grass succeeds on every level. Highly recommended for £0.99.

My rating: 8.8

Book review - Holy Warrior (JS)

Holy Warrior by Angus Donald

Review by Jacqui Slaney 

Having enjoyed Outlaw, I took a chance and bought the next three books. I normally have quite a delay while reading a series, so thought this way would stop that delay.

This is the description:

Arrows will fly. Swords will swing. Heroes will fall. Legends will survive. And the Holy Land will never be the same.

1190 AD: Richard the Lionheart has launched his epic crusade to seize Jerusalem from the cruel Saracens. Marching with the vast royal army is Britain's most famous, most feared, most ferocious warrior: the Outlaw of Nottingham, the Earl of Locksley -- Robin Hood himself.

With his band of loyal men at his side, Robin cuts a bloody swathe on the brutal journey east. Daring and dangerous, he can outwit and outlast any foe -- but the crimson battlefields of the Holy Land are the ultimate proving ground. Moreover, within Robin's camp lurks a traitor -- a stealthy enemy determined to slay Christendom's greatest outlaw before the trumpets fade.

This story follows on from the events in Outlaw, and sees Robin and his warriors joining Richard the Lionheart on his crusade to the Holy land. Although Robin has no belief in God as such, he has been forced to make good on his promise to the Knights Templar’s after they saved him in battle. This is quite a violent tale, with the massacre of the Jews in York described in detail not too mention the sacking of the city of Messina by Richards army. There are various sub plots in the story, which are good and keep the story moving along at quite a fast pace, one of which is who is trying to kill Robin and why. Along side this, you have the story of the crusade and Richard himself, having read quite a few crusade books I found the detail accurate and interesting and added to the story.


As in the first book, you see events from the point of view of Alan Dale, the young thief who has become one of Robins most trusted men. Alan has changed in this tale; he has matured and has started to see Robin much more as he truly is. Ruthless, cruel and determined to do what ever is needed to gets what he wants, an example of this that haunts Alan, is Robin letting a young girl die, but saving her father  as he is more useful to him.


Alan is a great character and you feel for him through his journey with Robin and you also understand Robin’s actions though they do not make him a very palatable character, he is the man you would expect for the time he is living in.  


I enjoyed this book more than the first one, though as I said it is defiantly more violent, which will make the story not for everyone tastes, especially with the description of the execution of the prisoners of war.


It is a good story though with the violence part of the tale and not just for the sake of shock tactics. The characters are all well written and you have a good villain as well to dislike as you read along.


Again would definitely recommend this series and am looking forward to the next.


10 out of 10

Book Review - The Wayfarer King

The Wayfarer King – K.C. May




I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Kinshield series. As a relatively unknown author I was surprised at how accomplished the Kinshield legacy was. Not only that but it was also fun. It also ended with on a few cliff-hangers. Needless to say I was looking forward to book two.

The Blurb:

Beyonders, evil beings that materialize without warning from the realm of chaos, continue to invade the world of men, destroying everything -- and everyone -- in their path. The most powerful of them all, Ritol, has been confined for two hundred years inside the palace in Thendylath, trapped by King Arek's magic.

Having newly claimed the right to rule Thendylath as king, Gavin Kinshield has no money or army, but he's determined to protect his people from the beyonder attacks. With his new power of Wayfarer, Gavin has the ability to journey to all seven realms. To end the invasion, he must travel to the realm of chaos and summon Ritol. But can he escape before the beyonder champion kills him, devours his soul and takes his place as Wayfarer?

If wizard Brodas Ravenkind has his way, Gavin will never make it that far. Not only does Ravenkind want the throne for himself, he wants revenge for his cousin's murder too. After all, he made a promise the first time Gavin crossed him…

The Wayfarer King started slow for me. The characters seemed to meander all over the place and took along time for them to find their feet again. Gavin who was a lovely rogue in the first book lost some of his edge in the first third of the story. In the first book Gavin was reluctant to fulfil his destiny but accepted it was his duty. He was unsure he was cut-out to take on the mantle as King given his rough background and lack of manners. Whilst this was amusing and effortless in Kinshield legacy, in the Wayfarer King this feels forced. Every inappropriate belch in front of a lady feels contrived, his reluctance to be King comes across as almost annoying.

The same can be said for the plot as well. The Wayfarer King never really gets going for a long time. The characters seem to wander aimlessly for a portion of the novel and the events that happen to them feel like they have been set up purely to give them something to do rather than serve the plot. Dare I say, the first third felt like K.C.May was told to flesh the novel out to increase the word count (the page count is only 292 pages). I’m sure this was not the case it just felt that way.

After the first third book I was beginning to doubt why I rated the first book so highly. Thankfully, this all changed. There was no particular event, the writing just seemed to click, Gavin became more like the character I remembered and the plot started to get a bit more direction.

The supporting cast are solid: Daia is fleshed out and her complicated relationship with Gavin is quite refreshing in that it is not based on anything sexual. The introduction of Feanna is the novel’s strongest point, although some of the dialogue between her and Gavin is clumsy.

The demon Ritol is well written. He suitably oozes menace and unlike most books feels like a legitimate threat to the protagonist. However, Brodas seems to be far more like a caricature in this novel.

In truth though the book feels like it is always building toward the conclusion which I am happy to say is excellent. The climatic battle the journey Gavin has to go through and the fact that all the other cast have significant parts to play too add to grandiose battle.

Overall then, although slightly flawed this is a good conclusion to a series that deserves more exposure.

My rating: 7.3

Book Review - Bridge of Birds (JS)

Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart

 

I first read this book years ago after find a copy in an old bookshop, I remember enjoying it but somehow over the years had completely forgotten all about it until I was sorting out some books and came across it again. I glanced through and was soon hooked again by the story.

This is the description: 

When the children of his village were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox found Master Li Kao. Together they set out to find the Great Root of Power, the only possible cure, and together they discover adventure and legend, and the power of belief....

I can hear the sighs of boredom now; I promise you that the description does not do the book justice.

Our heroes are number ten Ox and Li Kao. Ox who was called that quite simply as he was very strong and the tenth of his family. When a strange poison strikes down the young of his village, Ox is sent in search of a Sage. The only one he can afford is an ancient old man who looks like an alcoholic, but despite his looks is one of the cleverest people alive and calls himself a sage with a slight flaw to his character. The search for the cure for the children drags Ox and Li Kao backwards and forwards across China, and they soon find that the cure they seek is caught up in an ancient mystery, which they have to solve before the children can be saved.

It is an entertaining story; and it is full of excellent characters, Ma the Grub, Henpecked Ho and Doctor Death just to name a few. There are monsters and magic, gods and ghosts and a real evil villain who is trying to live forever. It is also a love story though, but a not a mushy one, but one that everyone will enjoy.

There is quite a lot of violence involved in the story, with people being killed but the writing is so full of humour and very much tongue in cheek that  it keeps the story light and moving along at a fast pace as our heroes race against time to save the day.

This is not a long story but has a real feel good feeling about it, although the puzzle itself is not hard to work out before the end of the book, the writing will still keep you turning the pages.

I am pleased I found this book again, and made sure, now that it is sitting safely with all my other books.

 10 out of 10