Tag Archives: book review

In Solitude’s Shadow — Review

I have found with my years of reading that debut novels often lack finesse. As with any new creator, we must expect a period of skill honing. In Solitude’s Shadow is no different from other debut novels in this regard, such as a little too much telling and clumsy exposition; it is also a littleContinue reading “In Solitude’s Shadow — Review”

Best Read Worst Read ’23

Twenty-twenty-three was a year of new authors for me. Despite receiving recommendations for the works of Joe Abercrombie, I hadn’t yet delved into his grimdark world. The second trilogy in the First Law series had languished in my Kindle library for ages. I tried Kazuo Ishiguro for the first–and probably the last–time. Robert Jordan droveContinue reading “Best Read Worst Read ’23”

Never Let Me Go — Kazuo Ishiguro

The author has a way with words, for want of a better cliché. He paints a vivid picture of a dystopian near future. However, I got an immediate sense of The Midwich Cuckoos with this tale, as if Meat Loaf had remastered Bat Out of Hell and tweaked all the raw talent out of it. I found Kathy’s narrativeContinue reading “Never Let Me Go — Kazuo Ishiguro”

Iron — Kirkus Review

A satisfyingly gritty and complex tale of a noble Roman commander and a valiant Christian woman. In Cladáin’s historical novel, a Roman general experiences love and betrayal on the far northern frontier. The second book in the author’s The Iron Between trilogy continues the story of the Roman commander Agricola as he deals with frontierContinue reading “Iron — Kirkus Review”

5⭐️ Review of Hammer

Cathie Dunn – Author of historical fiction I must admit I’m not overly familiar with the period of the Roman invasion of the British Isles (other than through Nancy Jardine’s fabulous novels), and even less so with the politics of the regional tribes across the isles, but you don’t need much knowledge of it inContinue reading “5⭐️ Review of Hammer”

The Last Five Swords – John De Búrca

What can I say about this book? The Last Five Swords returns to the type of epic fantasy I loved as a boy. Black and white images and short introductions at the start of each chapter returned me to authors like Jeffrey Farnol and Robert Jordan. Little mores written in Gaelic with a translation lendContinue reading “The Last Five Swords – John De Búrca”

After Gairech ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review

A wonderful story with unforgettable characters and a plot that kept me reading well into the night. I adored the way the author has captured the very essence of this era. The mythological aspect of this novel was carefully written but there is a strong sense of historical realism throughout. Micheál Cladáin is a newContinue reading “After Gairech ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review”