savage_book_review's reviews
265 reviews

Taken south to be reunited with her family, Yelena doesn't quite get the homecoming she expected. With her magical specialty still unclear and accusations of being an Ixian spy swirling around her, she must tread carefully and try to reconcile her southern heritage with the fact that her heart lies in the north. 

At the outset, the reader goes in thinking they know what to expect; a family reunion followed by this world's version of Hogwarts. But my goodness there are a lot of directional changes in here! And trying to keep up with the zigs and zags of the storyline is enthralling and engaging, but also quite energy-sapping. It certainly keeps you on your toes, but you MUST be awake. So this isn't necessarily a book I'd recommend for bedtime reading. One character in particular jumps around in the reader's (and Yelena's?) estimations from villain to nice guy to maybe even potential rival love interest right back to villain again, with very little tangible reasoning for each shift. You get why, but it's all just feels a bit 'thin'. And when the story itself feels like a bigger version of this, you either want to read this in very small chunks so you can digest as you go, or read the whole thing in one go knowing that you have some time afterwards to take a breath and sort through everything in your head.

I'd say there's a lot more introspection on Yelena's part in this one. Parts of it are beautifully done, tying in with her learning about her magical abilities and bringing her northern mindset to the southern realm. And yet other aspects are less effective; for all of her thoughts about fitting in with her family, I'm not entirely convinced we needed her parents to be reintroduced. While they are lovely characters and have their parts to play, they don't feel like they make a huge difference - Yelena could just as easily have been a real orphan and the story would have worked just as well with a couple of tweaks. 

While I wouldn't say this is any more graphic than the last book, it certainly deals with similar themes and they are a lot more prevalent - indeed, one of the main aspects of the story involves kidnapping, rape and murder. The suspense and mystery is very well handled throughout when seen through Yelena's eyes and the contrast between her methods and those employed by the southerners are a really interesting way to examine the story. Similarly, although it is very easy to understand why an outsider may view the way the north is run as a dangerous dictatorship, the juxtaposition between their insistence that their way of life is fairer and Yelena's treatment of the beggar children she encounters really makes you consider   if their version of freedom is all its cracked up to be.

Recognisable tropes continue to make an appearance within, completed by the mind-link with a friendly animal. No dragons here, just a brilliant couple of horses! So simple, yet so effective, heartwarming and just a little bit funny to break the tension when you need it to.

Overall, I perhaps didn't enjoy the reading experience quite as much as the first book, but the story is great and I'm so glad I have the next book in the series ready and waiting!

Destined for the gallows, Yelena is no fool and accepts an offer to keep her life. In return, she must become the food taster for Commander Ambrose, leader of Ixia. Risking her life with every bite, she must also navigate the 'training' given by the chief spy master, Valek, try to survive the wrath of the father of the man she killed and keep her own secrets safe.

This is a great series starter and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one, but equally it's a really enjoyable story in its own right. I'd also say it would serve as quite a good 'on-ramp' for those who are just dipping their toes into the romantasy genre - it's got the magic, the intrigue and a number of the tropes that are very familiar (although no Fae, shadow daddies or wingspans in here - but then these books do predate these fashions), but at the same time it's not overwhelmingly fantastical - you could almost be fooled into thinking you're reading more of a historical fiction novel with a twist.

While it is an easy read, there is a darker undertone to the story and, while not explicitly detailed, there are moments in Yelena's backstory that are deeply disturbing. She is a very well drawn character and, although I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth to her development, she is certainly a character you can get on board with and walk alongside. Similarly, her relationship with Valek is joyfully inevitable given the genre, and while I didn't get much 'feeling' until it was written in black and white, at the same time I didn't really need it - my imagination just filled in the gaps for me!

I was very pleasantly surprised by a layer of representation in here that came completely out of no-where, but it's a wonderful idea and I'm very excited to see how it affects the story moving forward. Not saying what the representation is as I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it gives the book a feeling that it's a little ahead of its time IMO! 

I feel like SJM might have read this book... I get definite ACOTAR vibes in a few places. The 'power twins' who teach our main character to fight with weapons and have a banter between them like no others; a grumpy yet skilled female warrior involved in the training; the man with power over the FMC that compels her back to him at regular intervals... there's even a character called Nix! 

Hoping to meet the author at RARE24 in a couple of weeks, so really want to get through the next couple in the series before then! But with how smooth this was to read, I'm hoping there won't be a problem with that!

Finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the finale of the Hades x Persephone series. And as I'm going to RARE24 in Edinburgh next month where the author is making an appearance, I had to get it read before I go!

I would firstly say that this book needs to be read straight off the back of 'A Touch of Malice'/'A Game of Gods' for the first section impact properly. There's no on-ramp - you're straight into the thick of the story. Where I was reading it a few months after picking up the last one, this did throw me a little bit as I had to try and remember exactly who was who and what was going on. But once all the pieces had put themselves together in my head, we were good to go! 

It's an incredibly fast paced book IMO, which does mean that it feels like it's sacrificed some depth for the sake of drawing the various plot strands together. The story itself is great and really delivers on what has been building in the six previous books, but at the same time there are so many moments that could have been more detailed, drawn out or descriptive. Everything you need is there, but your imagination just has to work that little bit harder with this one to bring it to life. There are also a fair number of plot points left hanging - I'm hoping these might get picked up on in the follow up Aphrodite and Hephestus book/series that's coming, otherwise to me it doesfeel like the series has been left open-ended.

I do like that we get to see Hades and Persephone's PoVs side by side in this book, and Persephone's character feels much more mature than she does in previous books; I guess the threat of war and losing the one you love will do that to a character! The spicy scenes are still here, but they are somewhat toned down compared to the rest of the series. Still got sexy Hades though! Add to that the Theseus and Dionysius POVs and you get a great overview of all that's going on and a genuine disgust at Theseus's character and actions. Indeed, how I feel about him in this book is how I wanted to feel about him when reading Natalie Haynes' 'Stone Blind'. 

There were some elements I was expecting in the conclusion that didn't appear, which left me slightly disappointed as it felt like elements of the story have been subtly stressed throughout the series to lead to a great conclusion. Where they haven't materialised, I'm feeling a bit hollow. But again, that's what my imagination (and fanfic) is for! Overall, it's not the greatest ending to a series I've ever read, but the series as a whole is one of my favourite versions of this myth. I do hope the author chooses to continue the series, even if Hades and Persephone take a back seat a la Feyre and Rhys in ACOSF. Need more of this particular brand of retelling in my life!

This was my first ever Stephen King book, and I had no idea what to expect going in. I picked it up purely on the basis that I liked the premise, and just hoped that I wasn't being fooled into reading a horror story (definitely not my genre of choice!). At best, I was expecting to read it, shrug and unhaul it. But oh, my goodness, what a book. This has more than earned a place on my bookshelf; I am totally blown away by this absolute masterpiece.

For me, it's not so much about the overarching plot of trying to save JFK that makes this stand out. Instead, it's the attention to detail which vividly brings this man's journey to life, both in terms of the factual elements - tracing Lee Harvey Oswald's life in the lead up to the fateful day is fascinating in and if itself - but also the seamless weaving in of the fictional characters and their goings-on to 'harmonise' the past. It's so very easy to fall down your own rabbit hole and come to believe in these characters; it really wouldn't take much to convince me that George Amberson/Jake Epping did actually write his story, and Stephen King is just 'the face'. 

The concept of time travel might be sci-fi, but the writing makes it effortless to just 'go with it'. There's no real explanation as to where this hole in the world came from or why it exists, but there wasn't a single point where I didn't accept the position as plausible. The plot device just works. The exploration of the butterfly effect and the repercussions of George/Jake's actions do drag you into a type of dystopia, and I love how enough detail is given to allow you to understand exactly what has happened, while leaving enough to the imagination to have you thinking of the consequences for a long time after you put the book down. In turn, it inevitably leads to you questioning what you would do if you had the same or a similar opportunity. 

There are some very dark moments throughout, with depictions of murder and domestic violence being important to the story. In some cases it's quite graphic, but it's not gratuitous and these moments are truly gripping to read. They're also important to our main character's development as he learns about the world he's now inhabiting and how the rabbit hole works.

Even in the quieter moments though, he writing remains engaging. I wouldn't say it's a fast paced book, and certainly there are plenty of more 'domestic' interludes that by all accounts should drag, but every moment is beautifully and thoughfully written and really digs into your psyche. I adore the romantic element - definitely not something I was expecting in a Stephen King book! - and to be honest I almost stopped caring about the world in jeopardy! And when the main character finds his 'people', the book develops a sweet small town cozy feel, albeit with shadows looming...

I'll admit to wanting a different ending, but the one we got is absolutely fitting, if heart-wrenching .

I'd thoroughly recommend this to anyone.

Picked this up as it's included in my Audible subscription and I really enjoy the author's podcast, 'Betwixt the Sheets'. Kate Lister is an engaging and energetic historian, who deals with the history of sex, scandal and society with frankness, openness and with a lighthearted humour that still manages to convey the more serious side of the subject.

As she states, it would be impossible to present a comprehensive history of this topic, so she has chosen to focus more on curiosities and less considered topics in this book. For example, drawing a link between the invention of the bicycle and the emancipation (sexual, fashionable and political) of women. It comes across as well researched, well presented and well balanced - although the author's opinions are clearly recognisable throughout, it is first and foremost a history, reporting the facts as they are known. In some respects this was a little disconcerting for me as I am used to hearing more of her own thoughts and opinions via the podcast, but it was interesting to experience this more scholarly side to her.

Clearly, there is a lot of explicit language and descriptive imagery throughout. Indeed, there is a whole chapter dedicated to the history of the 'c' bomb! It should be squirm-inducing, but the author takes pride in shining a light on these private practices and stressing that there is nothing to be ashamed of. The point is repeatedly made that shame around the subject is purely a social construct and that discussions about sex should be far more common. Likewise, although not said directly, the message that comes across is that as long as what you are up to is legal, safe and between consenting adults, you do you.

It's really interesting to see the changes in the perception of sex over the centuries, and the debunking of a few myths about the most 'liberated' and 'repressed' eras of history. I also love how she has included various euphemisms in the text for various sexual acts, and notes the earliest date that we have evidence they were used. Some are well known and still common, others really show their age and definitely raise a giggle! In some regards, I would like the book to have been longer so that more subjects could have been covered. Equally, she addresses the fact that she can only report these things on the basis of her own experiences and life - she sensitively deals with questions of race, gender and sexual orientation where they arise, acknowledging that she cannot possibly reflect all the nuances because she does not necessarily form part of the community being discussed. This gentle approach is a positive reflection of the progress made when compared with the historical sources quoted in the text, which were produced by such a narrow section of society. 

I wouldn't say that any of the topics covered are obscure, but I'd argue that some may be a little too 'niche'. Part of me wonders if the book might appeal to a wider readership if it had chosen broader subject matter and explored the more general history of sex and relationships and historical perceptions thereof, rather than the specific subjects mentioned. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting read!

The one criticism I do have is that there are a few phrases and details that are repeated on several occasions throughout, sometimes almost verbatim and sometimes within the space of a couple of pages (or even paragraphs). Nothing another pass with an editor couldn't fix, but I found myself getting a bit frustrated when it kept happening. 

For the audiobook, the narration was not as smooth and enjoyable as I had hoped it would be. When the author is reading her own words, it works brilliantly - her voice is conversational, light and easy to listen to. However, when faced with quotations from sources and the pronunciation of names from history or of foreign writers, her reading becomes incredibly stilted; it sounds like she hasn't practiced the pronunciation in advance and is trying to sound it out there and then. There are also a few moments where a name or a date gets absorbed into the text surrounding it so it's a little unclear what she's quoting from. Of course, reading the physical version would negate these issues.

An interesting read.

The premise of this book is essentially the same as 'Six The Musical' - to bring the six women who married Henry VIII front and centre, to give them their own voice and to separate them from their husband. Each wife has been studied by a different author, and is presented as if writing a diary/memoir towards the end of their marriage. This is interspersed with Henry popping in to briefly give his point of view. Listening to the audiobook, it's narrated by a full cast, so you really do get to hear each Queen's 'voice'.

It's a great overview of the history from their perspectives, and gives you a small taste of what their personalities could have been like. I wouldn't day it's groundbreaking in its originality; as much as they want to paint the women as more than the stereotypes, they do still lean quite heavily into them (albeit toned down for a YA audience). However, there are a few moments that work very well - I love the exploration of Anne of Cleves in this; it's another example of taking a woman who is generally ignored or overlooked and expanding on her story in a fictionalised way that makes her more intriguing than all of the others. 

Henry's continual blaming of everyone but himself for the failure of his marriages is particularly stark in this; he really does come across as a whiny, petulant child! It's a great contrast with the grace and dignity of the wives and works really well within the context of the book. I'm not sure it's the fairest representation of him overall, but this is just an overview rather than a scholarly work and it does what it's meant to do; include him, but not draw focus from the women.

There are a couple of things that grated on me; the "narrator's" American accent threw me completely at the outset and just sounds wrong given the topic at hand. And there are a few cases throughout of modern parlance and Americanisms creeping in, I.e. "he fancied me", Fall instead of Autumn etc. It's not so common that it stopped me enjoying it, but it happens enough that I felt it needed a little more Brit-picking in the edit.

I don't think they quite achieved what they wanted to; overall, much of the wives' discourse was mired in Henry's thoughts, feelings and actions towards them rather than their own individual identities, and it generally "stuck to the script", picking up on the same old episodes that have been examined innumerable times before. Of course, I understand that's because they are the events best documented, but when you're writing a fictionalised version of history there's no reason to hold back with the artistic licence to consider those moments shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, it's an interesting beginners guide.

I know so, so many people get to this point in the series and stop because they can't stand Nesta and imagine that a book telling her story will be infuriating, annoying and no where near as fulfilling as Feyre's tale. And I'm here to tell you that yes, she is infuriating, annoying and general a bit of a b***h, but my goodness is this book worth it. In these pages, you finally get to understand the person beneath that icy cold exterior; the character exploration and development is utterly incredible, and while you may still not necessarily like Nesta at the end, you will certainly come to respect her.

As with most of the first parts of these audio books, the pace is quite slow as the story is layered in, new characters are introduced or expanded upon and Nesta is dragged kicking and screaming towards a redemption. Although there is an element of the overall ACOTAR story arc that continues in here, it is effectively relegated to a sub-plot that intertwines with Nesta's healing journey. It's absolutely a necessary part of the story, but I prefer watching Nesta's growth through her more 'everyday' activities and her taking tentative steps towards friendship.

The single biggest thing that annoys me about this one though is that it's written in third person. For the graphic audio version, that means a proper 'narrator', rather than Nesta and Cassian telling the story in their "own words". Don't get me wrong, the lady who does this job is very good and I can listen to her with ease, but at the same time I wouldn't personally have chosen that voice to lead the story. It's a big adjustment after having Feyre narrate the rest of the series, and takes a little while to settle into. 

On the other hand... Now we get to hear Cassian in the central role! Yup, he could read the phone book and I'd listen; the actor here really shines! He's got everything down, from the lighthearted banter he shares with his brothers to the sexy rumble he uses to get under Nesta's skin. A weird insight for you; I've always seen Cassian as a blonde with hair falling into his eyes a la Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Titanic'. I know that's completely the opposite of the author's description of him, but somehow the voice in here has given me an even stronger vision of the character looking like this. Normally I picture an actor *cough*David Tennant*cough* playing my leading men, but Cassian now has a face and body all his own in my mind (even if he is borrowing someone else's voice...).

And yes, the spice is just as good as you're hoping it will be. My husband is now well and truly aware of the existence of Fairy pr0n! And this half only gets you as far as the dining table 😉  IYKYK.

Yes, there is a lot wrong with this story; something about Feyre and Rhys is just 'off' in this one; their characters don't feel quite the same as in the earlier books, and their treatment of Nesta - from a complete hands off, let her self-destruct approach to a micro-managing enforced regime in no time flat - feels more like the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court sentencing a subject rather than family trying to help family, which again feels quite out of character for them. But I can put that down to their being secondary in this story. 

But the best of this story is yet to come...

I've literally been waiting for a whole year to have this book arrive at the library for me to borrow as they only have 1 copy in the whole system! Another of Dominic Sandbrook's 'Adventures in Time' series, I was particularly interested to read this one as my knowledge of Alexander the Great is very limited, and I've always found that learning about a new subject is always made easier if you start with a children's book. It's why I'm a huge advocate of books like this and the Horrible Histories series even for adults - they're great primers so you can understand the basics, before getting bogged down in more scholarly tomes.

In this instance, the author hasn't gone down the route of telling the story through the eyes of various real life characters who were there, I guess because there are such limited primary sources it would have essential been fiction. However, this is a very well written narrative history, presenting the factual history in an almost 'novelisation' format. It's got a great balance between the objective factual events and the more fictionalised scenes which portray those events, and certainy kept me engaged! I can see this absolutely appealing to its target demographic; just enough battles and blood to satisfy a younger reader's curiosities, without being overly graphic, and yet still clear and concise in its storytelling.

Clearly, there are elements of Alexander's story which have been toned down or omitted to suit the target audience, so it's definitely not a comprehensive history. However, it is a very good overview of his movements and his famed conquering of large swathes of territory. But, while it does give some insight into the man as well as the myth, I was slightly disappointed that the author didn't explore Alexander's character more. For example, while two of his wives do make an appearance (plus a brief hint of a dalliance withe the Queen of the Amazons), there is absolutely no hint that Alexander may have also had male partners. I do think this is a shame; I'm not saying it needs to be explicit, but there should be nothing wrong with stating the fact that same-sex relationships were accepted and understood more than 2000 years ago. 

One of the podcasts I enjoy, 'The Ancients', has a presenter who is an expert on Alexander, but where I haven't known the history I've always been a bit confused when he discusses the topic. However, having read this, some of his comments now make a little more sense! Thinking I might need to go back and re-listen tona couple of old episodes to see if I can follow them better now I have this entry-level knowledge. I have tried listening to the author's podcast, 'The Rest is History', but unfortunately I found it incredibly dull - when you've got me falling asleep whole you're talking about the Tudors, then something is definitely wrong! But his books so far have generally been far more engaging and interesting, and I really wish he'd bring some of this energy to his work aimed at the grown ups! 

Was it worth waiting a whole year for? Probably not, but I am glad I've read it and it would be one I'd point others to if they want to dip their toe into the world of this historical behemoth.

Something is happening to those who take the Longevity pill. Those who are supposed to live forever are getting ill. And worse, they're dying. Richard Pincent has to find out why his drugs are no longer working, or risk his entire empire crumbling. Could Anna and Peter hold the key? Or has Mother Nature finally had enough of being denied?

This is certainly the best flowing of the three stories - the reader is comfortable enough with the world now that it's easier to fall straight into the narrative. It maintains a good pace throughout, keeping things moving while also allowing the characters to have moments of stillness, and the building of tension is steady almost until the climax. There are a few perspective shifts throughout, not just to each of the main characters but some supporting cast too. Surprisingly, this doesn't have a huge impact on the flow of things, but there is still a momentary jolt when you switch to a lesser character and it takes a moment to remember how they fit into the story. 

If my maths is right, we're about 10 months on from the end of 'The Resistance', but Anna and Peter's relationship has shifted again, this time feeling like a couple on the brink. To me, Jude has the most realistic development, and Sheila almost feels like she's regressed rather than progressed, so to some extent the feeling of time that has passed between the end of the last book and now feels inconsistent. It's not a comfortable dynamic for either pair, but it works for the tale being told.  It also reminds you how young these characters are, which again sometimes feels at odds with the way they are portrayed.

The twists and turns do make for a few surprises; some bits you'll be able to predict, others not so much. However, the resolution is a little rushed for my liking - without spoiling anything, I wasn't particularly impressed with a scientist who thinks they've been able to thoroughly investigate an item in literally 30 seconds. As the whole story hangs on their discovery (or lack thereof), I do feel that the story could have been taken in a slightly different direction so as to make these investigations feel more realistic and dramatic. There are a couple of revelations that are also squeezed into the same scene, and so it came across to me as if the author had forgotten her word limit and realised she was a bit too close to it. Likewise, there are a couple of seemingly loose threads through the book that feel important when you're reading them, but don't actually lead anywhere. 

Overall, I think the premise of the trilogy makes for a great story and I really enjoyed the ideas set forth, even if the writing style wasn't always to my taste. I would love to see this developed into a TV or film series, as I think that medium would allow for some additional exploration of this particular dystopia. For once, I don't think I'd complain if they went "off-book" as there is so much more that could be done with this world and these characters. 

A good end to a good series.

This book made me react in ways I've never done before while reading. I hesitate to use the word 'triggered', as I can't say there's anything in books that would send me into a complete nervous breakdown or have me clutching my pearls, but equally I've never picked up and put down a book so many times! I could only ever digest a couple of chapters at a time, before a feeling of overwhelming anxiety? Annoyance? Nervousness? overtook me and I had to step away for a few minutes before my next attempt. And for a young adult book to have that sort of impact, I have to give kudos to the author! 

The upside is that, as I hit about 3/4 of the way through, the book seemed to find its rhythm, action started happening and there was more to keep me invested. I still had to stop a couple of times, but I managed to read a larger chunk to finish it off in one hit. And I am still intending on reading book three in the series! The premise is really good, and the development of the themes throughout really hammers home the terrifying nature of eternal life and what people will do to attain it. 

As with 'The Declaration', the story itself is quite simplistic, but it's definitely darker in tone and there is more depth in places. In particular, where the story focuses on Peter, we get to learn more about his character and he begins to become fleshed out. Likewise, it is again fairly predictable, but this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story. The only issue I found with this added layering is that it feels like all the worldbuilding that was missing from book one has been 'infodumped' in book two. For example, we finally get to understand what 'The Declaration' is as the full text of it is included. IMO, this is something that should have been set out much earlier. 

I will admit to struggling a bit with the difference in dynamic between Anna and Peter in this one. The book seemingly only takes place a few months after the end of book one, and yet they both feel like they have aged a good few years in that time - it's very much an 'old married couple' vibe. Similarly, a big part of this book is the choice they face between signing the Declaration and Opting Out, and propagating the next generation. Indeed, almost at the very start of the book it is mentioned in passing Peter recalling the first time he and Anna made love. Now, I get that this is a world where there are basically no children, and so I'd expect that the concept of someone being under age is probably non-existent. Similarly, the idea of childhood being something 'separate' is only seen through the lens of them being surplus to requirements. But when you bear in mind how immature and, yes, indoctrinated Anna was in book one, and the fact that she had barely turned fifteen then... There was just something about the whole idea of these young, vulnerable people living life as if they are much older that just felt a bit disconcerting to me.

The writing has aged up a little too. I'm certain that this book isn't suitable for that middle grade audience this time around! There are still elements of the storytelling that could be improved upon, but it does read better than 'The Declaration' in terms of maturity. Strangely, I think the presentation of the book is perhaps the issue here - the font type and size gives it the feel of a 'Scholastic' book, which I associate with slightly younger readers, so some part of my brain struggles to comprehend the darker scenes that appear as being appropriate. 

A very different reading experience for me. Not one that I particularly want to repeat, but I come back to the fact that the book must have something going for it to get that kind of reaction!