savage_book_review's reviews
265 reviews

Having narrowly escaped death via the noose for witchcraft, and watching the Powder Treason plotters go to their deaths, Frances Gorges carries a secret back to her family estate at Longford. With her brother enjoying playing 'Lord of the Manor' just a bit too much, it's not long before she has to find a way out of there too. Fortunately, and old 'friend' comes to her rescue. But you can only stay away from the King's Court for so long, and after a too brief respite she finds herself back in the midst of plots, Princes and peril. 

I found this one a lot slower in pace than 'The King's Witch', I think because where the first book had a clear end crescendo in 5 November 1605, it was less clear where this was going to end up. I was able to figure it out, but the event in question, while it did change the course of history to an extent, is very much a whimper compared with the bang (pun intended) of the Gunpowder Plot. The story does build up, but it doesn't convey the same thrill as the first. At the same time however, the chronology skips past very quickly without detracting from the story. You know everything you need to, and the gaps in time don't really register.

There are definitely less likeable characters in this one, which also made it a harder read. Apart from Frances, her husband and her son (who is so cute!), even the returning characters has less overall appeal and we're all just a bit 'off'. Robert Cecil recedes into the background (though is still present), so his glorious awfulness is stunted, and he is effectively replaced by Frances' brother Edward and Prince Henry, neither of which seem to have any redeeming qualities whatsoever! They are both slimy, horrible creatures, and yet I didn't get the same sense of awe as I did from Cecil in book 1. 

I'm sure the plot itself does refect events that occurred to an extent, but in this case I found Frances' repeatedly being strong armed into plots against the Royal Family to be a bit less believable. The initial draw in absolutely makes sense in the context of both history and the story, but the subsequent strings being pulled feel a bit too much for one woman to be that entrenched in. Although, I do think it's a shame that the author didn't follow through on that lovely little parallel she draws at the pivotal moment; that would have been a great bit of writing to tie a few things together.

I liked the development of Frances and Thomas' relationship. Yes, it's very trope-y and a bit cheesy, but it doesn't feel too out of place. You do root for them as a couple once things get going, especially because of the adorable father/son relationship between Thomas and George, and yet it's not an obvious state of affairs - I think the relationship could have stayed as it was at the outset of the book and the story would have continued just fine. 

I will order the last in the trilogy from my library to finish off the series. It is a good read, but this one just didn't quite hit the spot for me.

Walking through the woods one day, Evie quite literally stumbles across the most notorious bad guy in the land, 'The Villain'. But instead of becoming another one of his victims, he offers her a job as his PA. It's pretty much what you'd expect out of a job really; fix the boss' coffee just the way he likes it, deal with snippy co-workers, contend with the admin tasks that cross your desk and try to ignore the screaming from downstairs. Except, when you're working for The Villain, you may just have to deal with someone trying to kill you...

This was a riot! The author has managed to balance so many different elements in one story to make it a perfect mix of macabre, funny, romantic, cosy and action-packed. The characters are brilliantly thought out and come to life in a blink, the story is simple yet satisfying, and absolutely leaves you wanting more. It's lighthearted, and yet there's a nice little undertone of seriousness about gender equality and other social issues which give it that little bit of depth. Basically, there's something for everyone within!

I adore Evie's character, particularly her smart mouth and sassy retorts when she's on a roll with The Villain. Their rapport is really enjoyable and natural, and the development of their relationship is fantastically paced. Likewise, The Villain is brilliantly pitched - on the face of it, he tortures and kills people for sport, but yup, beyond that he's 100% an eligible book boyfriend! Watching his softer side come out is a joy and a hoot - it's so easy to get sucked into Evie trying to bring out his dimple or make him smile, and when she manages it it's an immediate zing of happy for the reader. 

The supporting cast of characters really help in bringing the world to life; from the Frog Prince communicating via sing word sign boards, to the dragon tamer with the padded out CV and the by-the-book HR manager, every character has their place in the overall narrative and yet stands out as an individual. Evie's little sister is so sweet too! I have to say, I TOTALLY relate to Tatianna, the healer, with her penchant for pink! And when she explains why, I felt seen because that's my excuse too! 

It does help knowing this is the first in a series - if I was under the impression it was a standalone I don't think it would have come across quite so well. There is a lot of backstory to be filled in, and the pace is quite quick, but I'm content with it as I'm sure it's all coming soon. 

This is absolutely a book I will read again and again, and I'm now very impatient for the next instalment at the end of the year!

I bought this book a long time ago after watching the TV drama 'American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson'. After seeing the news of the defendant's death, I was scrolling through my Kindle and the book jumped out at me, so I figured I should reread it.

Marcia Clark provides a wonderfully clear narrative of the prosecution's preparation and execution of the Simpson case, walking the reader through events and explaining the lawyers' thought processes, the facets of the case and the effect of the tidal wave of media interest in such a way as to convey the heinous crime and the unbearable pressures, but without bogging everything down with a 'woe is me' or sore loser attitude. While it is clearly not an objective and unbiased account, for the most part it reads as you would hope; a lawyer standing up for the rights of victims and keeping the aim of a fair trial in mind. That being said, she definitely had an uphill battle and is not afraid to speak out about her dislike for the judge, various members of the defence team and the defendant himself.

Looking at the bigger picture for a moment, the media acts like the spread of misinformation and 'fake news' is a recent phenomenon, but you only have to read Clark's comments about the jury pool to see that, while the medium may have changed from TV and magazines to the internet, the problem is definitely not new. I believe passionately in the right to a fair trial and innocent until proven guilty, but I honestly have no idea how it's even remotely possible to honour either of those maxims in a case like this. From the descriptions given by Clark, I would say that they gave it their best shot but the ingrained prejudices of all involved (not just regarding race, but all sorts of other things too), exacerbated by talking heads, sound bites and the desperation for exclusive headlines and/or a payday, were too big an obstacle to overcome.

Similarly, it also shows that we probably haven't come as far as we think with regard to the treatment of women in 'high powered' jobs. The coverage of Marcia wasn't so much about how she was an amazing lawyer and doing one hell of a job, but more about what she looked like, her personal life and her impending divorce. How she did not completely crumble under the pressure I will never understand, but I can only admire the fact that she kept on going in the face of it all. The moments where she does start feeling the effects are particularly emotive, and it's so frustrating to think that, again, the same things are still being said about female politicians, lawyers and other professional women 30 years later.

I'm not quite old enough to remember the case (plus I don't know how much coverage it was afforded in the UK), but this book does a great job at bringing it starkly to life. It manages to give an overview of the whole proceeding and enough detail to allow you to immerse yourself in the events without the need to hear the months of testimony. Yes, I was picturing Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Paulson, John Travolta etc in their respective roles from the TV series rather than the actual people, but the point is that it was very easy to see the story unfolding in my mind. 

Of course, this is one of many books written by people involved in the trial. As much as I understand why they want to get their own versions of the story out there, a small part of me does find it all a bit hypocritical; there are several passages in the book where Clark comments about witnesses, jurors and others selling their stories with some disdain, and yet the only difference I can see is that she chose to do so after the trial, rather than during it (I don't blame her for being annoyed with those who sold their stories rather than tell them in court though). There is still some element of 'cashing in' on the notoriety of the case - indeed, her comments at the end are essentially justifying her reasons for doing so - which leaves a little bit of a bitter taste. Ultimately, the story should be about the victims and not the man in the dock or the lawyers.

A very interesting read.

It's now been 112 years since the Titanic sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean. The people on board have no idea that, in just two days time, an iceberg will loom from the darkness and change the course of history. I've always been fascinated by the story of this ship and her passengers, and I do like trying to find something to read or do that relates at this time of year. Fortunately, I had just the thing on my TBR pile... the story of Eva Hart, who survived the sinking at 7 years old.

It is a little dated, particularly when discussing the failure of the 'Californian' to aid the stricken ship - it makes me wonder if modern theories about why they didn't come to help might have convinced her or been accepted - but nevertheless I think it's incredibly important to treasure the recollections we now have, as the chance to obtain first-hand accounts has passed on. I am torn between acceptance of the fact that she was only a child and so her recollections are probably not complete, and frustration that there is relatively little detail or emotional engagement. Part of me wonders if the fact this is being relayed through a third party might have given it that feeling of being one step removed, but equally Eva seems like quite a sensible, level headed woman and so perhaps she became used to speaking about the tragedy with a dispassionate voice.

I have to say I do love the tales of bad omens, premonitions and so on that come up surrounding the Titanic, and Eva has a particularly interesting one regarding her mother. The times she talks about her parents are the only times I 'felt' her story though. And there is one moment she mentions which has me convinced she and her family are portrayed in the 'Titanic' film, which helped a little to letting me see things through her eyes.

Of course, the sailing and sinking of the Titanic was only 4.5 days (ish) out of a lifetime, so of course it only takes up a small amount of the book. The majority deals with her life afterwards;  her travels abroad, her working life and her passion for welfare projects. But really, her life outside the Titanic was relatively ordinary, so while it is interested to hear about her engagement with the local community, it's not really the sort of life that requires a biography. She refers to the fact that she started talking more about her experience in later life, and does give a few examples, but again the description makes it feel like a footnote to her life, rather than the 'thing' which has given her and the writer a reason to publish a biography in the first place. As it's there in the title, I had hoped for more.

That being said, there is one thing that gives me chills. My copy is signed by both the biographer, and Eva herself. And my brain still can't quite process that the person who wielded the pen to mark something that I now own was actually there that night in 1912.

Lovely bit of extra Christmassy fluff!

After being ditched for another woman, Tiffy is desperate to find a new place to live. Leon has a flat sitting empty at night while he's out working and is in need of extra cash. Seems like the ideal arrangement; they live together and yet have the place to themselves. It's just the rest of their lives that make things more complicated...

Picked this book up after seeing the recent TV adaptation advertised (still haven't managed to actually watch ot though!) and liking the premise. It certainly delivered upon my expectations; I was pleasantly surprised that the set up didn't feel contrived, but instead made perfect sense in the circumstances! Similarly, the exchange of messages via post-it note works really well; they have phones and know how to use them, but somehow again there was no questioning why they didn't just message or WhatsApp eachother, even when their notes become longer. 

On the surface, this is a very cute story, but there are darker themes running throughout. Normally, the only thing that gets me to close the book and take a breath before continuing is second-hand embarrassment, but in this case there were a couple of occasions where I needed a moment to allow my more visceral reactions towards certain characters and actions to subside. Tiffy does go on something of a healing journey throughout the book, and so I also found myself having to revise my opinion on some of her thoughts and actions, and recognise them as almost a 'conditioned response' to a girl who can't quite let go of a guy who is clearly not good for her. I give the author kudos for illustrating the development and recovery process in such a way. 

The book is very well rounded, with a number of great little sub-plots and other details that serve the main plot very well and flesh out both the main and secondary characters, making them particularly lovable (or hateable as the case may be). There's a little bit of social commentary on the state of the justice system, a story of long-lost love, and an admiration of crochet that absolutely tips this towards the 'cosy' end of the spectrum in places! 

The one thing I didn't get to grips with was the way Leon's chapters were structured. The chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon's PoVs, but while Tiffy's are written in fairly standard prose, Leon's are a bit all over the place. Parts are written in abridged sentences, almost like he's filling in a patient's chart as part of his job. Speech isn't set out in speech marks, but rather prefixed with the name of the speaker, giving the impression of text messages or even a script. And other elements of the text feel more like a continuation of the post-it notes. There isn't a specific reason given for this quirky style and, while it is still 100% readable, it felt like energy needlessly wasted when it could have been set out in the same way as Tiffy's and been just as effective while being easier to digest.

I was initially torn about whether I'd keep this book or not, but the more I think about adding it to the charity pile, the stronger the feeling I get that I'll want to read it again at some point. So, for now at least, it earns a place on my bookshelf.

As Elizabeth I lay dying, Frances is on hand to provide traditional healing potions and folk remedies to ease her suffering. But the Queen's successor sees evil in such practices  and is determined to stamp put the scourge of witchcraft from his new kingdom.

I very much enjoy Tracy Borman's non-fiction works, but to be honest I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this, her first historical fiction title; she is very good at explaining the history when speaking or presenting a TV show, but I do find her a little stilted sometimes when it comes to "illustrating" the more subjective parts of an episode. However, I was pleasantly surprised; this shows that she is very capable of weaving fact and imagination together seamlessly to create a thoroughly immersive work. As she states in the author's notes, although Frances really existed, very little is known about her, so there aren't those moments that feel out of character or implausible like in some novels where the character is well known to history - her existence is enough to bring life and truth to the character, and the fictional elements give her the depth. 

In particular, I love that the author managed to get me hoping that she might forego the historical part of the historical fiction by the end; something that doesn't happen to me very often! The slow burn development of the main character's relationship is excellently done, and as things progressed I found myself rooting more and more for them. And even though the epilogue is almost stereotypical for this type of story, where I would normally roll my eyes I this case it gave me a little spark of warmth in my heart. 

I think I would have enjoyed a little more character development for Tom, just so he felt as fully developed as Frances, but at the same time you know all you really need to about him from the text (and the history books if you're familiar with the period). On the other hand, I don't think I've ever seen Robert Cecil portrayed so well as a straight-up villain of the piece. I had a visceral reaction to him and again I desperately wanted to see him get his comeuppance, whether or not it's historically accurate!

There is a quite dark scene of interrogation/torture in the book which, while certainly uncomfortable to read, does seem to reflect the reality of life at that time. It is very well handled; graphic enough to make the reader understand certain horrors and how it was often gratuitous violence, while at the same time not being so details as to be inappropriate or unnecessary. 

I would say that this does almost feel like two books in one though. The title really only applies to the first half of the action, and while it doesn't motor along, you reach the pivotal scene you assume would be at the climax of the book, but you're barely half way through. The second half of the story takes us into an almost completely unrelated plot, but if you know even rudimentary English history you'll probably have a good idea where you'll end up. While it does work, part of me wonders if things had been split into a duology and more description, suspense and slow-burn action had been included, whether it might have just been that little more satisfying.

I saw this in the library today while I was picking something else up, and with my "professional" hat on (Probate lawyer here) I thought it might be worth a quick look to see if there might be any little nuggets of wisdom that I could offer when helping clients in the earliest stages of their loss. And if nothing else, it never hurts to go back to basics!

The vast majority of the guidance is regarding the first steps after a bereavement; registering the death and arranging the funeral. It's written in clear, concise language that could be easily digested by someone struggling with loss, but in places there are quick changes in direction that might throw someone off. Likewise, there is a lot of information here that isn't strictly necessary to know unless you aren't using a funeral director,  which is quite rare. There are some useful bits in here about deaths abroad and non-Christian practices though, which I'll definitely be noting down for future reference.

As the processes differ in each country of the UK, guidance for each is included within. However, it's not brilliantly set out, so it would be very easy for a layperson to pick up on the wrong information. I'd have perhaps split the book into sections, starting with the general advice for all areas of the UK, and then going round each country and setting out the specifics. 

Although the book claims to be the 2024 edition, I was concerned by several points that don't appear to be up to date - there's a section about Scotland that still refers to an office being shut because of the pandemic, and the timescales they quote for the issue of the Grant of Representation are laughably optimistic (4 weeks! I can't remember the last time I received a Grant that quickly!). Similarly, there are an awful lot of typos and bad grammar littered throughout - IMO, it really does need going over again by a proof-reader/editor. 

I can absolutely appreciate that I'm looking at what is supposed to be a basic guide through the jaded eyes of someone who has been working in Probate for over a decade, and so I'm definitely seeing holes and a few cases of wince-inducing suggestions where a layperson would just see a source of help. But while there is useful information in here, I'm not entirely sure someone would pick up the little tidbits that actually make a difference (i.e. when is a good time to put a property on the market). And in places where they're advising people download forms and complete paperwork themselves to renounce their executorship, transfer property etc, it REALLY needs a note that suggests independent legal advice be sought before action is taken.

The true story of how three students at a Kansas school create a National History Day project based on a single paragraph news report, and ultimately uncovered the heroic actions of a Polish woman, Irena Sendler, who managed to save over 2,500 (not a misprint) Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War 2. 

I was recommended this book by a work colleague the best part of 2 years ago, but it's only just reached the top of my TBR pile. I read the ebook, but it's currently available as part of your Audible membership if you're interested in a free listen!

The book is split into three distinct parts, starting in Kansas and introducing you to the students, Liz, Megan and Sabrina, as they are pulled into the project and start their research alongside their teacher, Mr C. I'll be honest, this did throw me a little bit to start with; I was fully expecting Irena's story to be front and centre, but instead you're confronted with a misfit who acts out and an almost stereotypical smart kid who manages to balance her schoolwork with 101 extra curriculars, a boyfriend and helping out on her parents' farm. But actually, it's a really clever way to draw the reader in, immersing you in Irena's story through these girls' eyes first and allowing you to experience their emotions as they learn more about this forgotten hero and the horrors of Nazi occupation. Only then do you move on to hear Irena's actual story, seeing her work through the difficulties and determined to help where she can, before being shown the impact both of her help, and the students bringing their project to wider audiences. It's only once you've finished reading that you realise how powerful addressing things in this way is.

This is written as 'creative non-fiction'. Essentially, it reads like a novel, where individual conversations might be invented and characters given names where they might not otherwise be known, but the action and bones of the story are factual. I think this is the perfect medium for a story like this; what you're reading is a reliable account as far as possible, but it also allows you a deeper insight into the people involved and the events they were a part of. I don't think a purely factual account would have done it justice, and indeed it seems very reflective of the Life in a Jar project itself. 

So many moments are beautifully illustrated and hard-hitting; the deterioration in health of Irena's friend Ewa, for example. Objectively, we know how Jews were treated in the Ghetto and we've seen pictures of their suffering. But this not only puts a name to a face, but makes those photographs come alive; it makes them live again and makes them 'real' to those of us who are far removed from those experiences. It also goes beyond the history of WW2 to examine the reasons why this woman and so many like her were forgotten and ignored by history in the years afterwards, when they should have been lauded, and how hard it can be to drag their stories back into the light. Even this story still continues.

It's by no means an easy read (especially part two), but equally there is this thread of positivity that runs through the whole work which lifts the spirits even in the darkest and most heart-stopping moments. 

My only criticism is that, in places (particularly when telling the student's stories), the writing does become a little clunky; there are details given about the girls that don't always seem necessary, that are repeated or that seem to spring from nowhere. On a couple of occasions I thought I'd missed something earlier in the text, so I was left a bit confused about one of the girls' backstories, and introductions to new members of the project aren't always particularly clear. In some respects, it feels like the majority of effort was put into writing Irena's story. That's fine and understandable, but equally these students deserve just as much attention for 'rescuing the rescuer'. 

I'd be very interested to see a performance of Life in a Jar, and to read other material about Irena's life. Defining someone who deserves to be recognised more!

In an endless war to control time, what starts as a taunting exchange of letters between two rival warriors develops into a lasting bond between the pair. But battle still rages, and consorting with the enemy could have dire consequences if discovered. So what's more important; winning the war, or each other?

I have to say that this is a beautifully written piece; the imagery it invokes is wonderfully powerful, and the feelings of the characters as they develop soar from the page. You are immediately pulled into the story and kept there, and while you might try to anticipate the story as it progresses, the authors have done a fab job at keeping the reader guessing. For such a short book, it packs a powerful punch!

However, while this has lots of elements that should make it slot perfectly into my wheelhouse (time travel, enemies-to-lovers etc etc), I'm finding it very difficult to place, I think because the writing style is so very different to what I would usually enjoy. There is practically no context to the wider events, and little in the way of worldbuilding to allow you to understand the mechanics of the roles the characters are playing and the sides they are on. As a result, it reads more like a series of vignettes than a strong 'linear' narrative, with the authors describing how the characters receive each letter (in various weird and wonderful ways) before revealling the content. But it feels like there are just too many unknowns or unanswered questions about who they are, what they're doing and how they got there.

I will admit that a very small part of me sees the characters as The Doctor and The Master - hey, if you mention the Time War, my brain is on a one way trip to Doctor Who land! But in an odd way this helped me grasp the basis of Red and Blue's story better, I suppose because I could then contextualise the characters and their relationship. It's by no means a perfect fit, but enough seemed to resonate that it helped. Again, there are so many unknowns about the characters for me. 

I could see this making a beautiful one-off TV series, or even an anime series, as the visuals from the page scream to be brought to life. I definitely enjoyed reading it, but not quite as much as I'd hoped.