Book Review

Review: Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

Title: Black Powder War (Temeraire 3)
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Alternative History, Fantasy, War Novel
Publisher: Harper Voyager (6th August 2007)
Blurb:

Before Captain William Laurence can prepare his crew for the slow voyage home from China, new orders arrive for him and his dragon, Temeraire. They must fly home immediately, stopping only in Istanbul to collect three priceless dragon eggs, purchased from the Ottoman Empire.

But the cross-continental journey is fraught with danger; not only will they have to survive the perilous terrain but Lein, consumed by vengeance, has absconded from China. Holding Temeraire responsible for the death of her princely companion, her only desire is to destroy everything and everyone he loves.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

BLACK POWDER WAR is the third book in the magical Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. The book continues the story of the dragon Temeraire and his companion Captain Will Laurence of the Royal Aerial Corps. This book takes place not long after the events of the second book in the series. When we last left Temeraire and Laurence they were in China, this book sees them prepare to return home only to be commanded to collect three dragons eggs, purchased by the British from the Ottoman Empire, from Istanbul; a dangerous journey across the continents, a dangerous journey even without Europe on the brink of war.

Continue reading →

Review: City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

/ beckireads / 3 Comments

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong (UK edition)

Title: City of the Lost (Casey Duncan, 1)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Detective Novel, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Sphere (14th January 2016)
Blurb:

Detective Casey Duncan has a dark past, and it’s about to catch up with her. When her best friend Diana is attacked by an abusive ex, the two women realise they have to disapper, fast. Diana’s heard of a hidden town that’s so remote it’s almost impossible to reach. A town that desperately needs a new detective.

Casey has barely arrived in Rockton when a body is discovered. A man’s been murdered and there’s no time to waste. Casey’s job won’t be easy: everyone in town has a secret. Meanwhile her boss, Sheriff Eric Dalton, is a troubled man who’s hard to read and even harder to please.

With no chance of help from the outside world, Casey will have to rely on her wits to solve the case. But she’s running out of time. Rockton’s killer is on the hunt, and this deep in the wilderness, no one is safe.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

CITY OF THE LOST is, I believe, the first book in a new series by the brilliant Kelley Armstrong. CITY OF THE LOST tells the story of Casey Duncan, a police detective with a past that’s about to catch up with her. Her best friend Diana, who is running from an abusive ex, hears about a town where people who want to disappear can go and live. Rockton desperately needs a detective; when Casey arrives she quickly gets pulled into a case of murders. In a town where everyone has skeletons in their closets, it is difficult to tell whom you can trust.

Continue reading →

Review: A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart

/ beckireads / 2 Comments

A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart (UK edition)

Title: A Boy Made of Blocks
Author: Keith Stuart
Genre: Contemporary
Source: eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Publisher: Sphere (1st September 2016)
Blurb:

In the tradition of Nick Hornby and David Nicholls comes a warm and tender novel in which a father and his autistic son connect over the game of Minecraft.

Alex loves his family, and yet he struggles to connect with his eight-year-old autistic son, Sam. The strain has pushed his marriage to the breaking point. So Alex moves in with his merrily irresponsible best friend on the world’s most uncomfortable blow-up bed.

As Alex navigates single life, long-buried family secrets, and part-time fatherhood, his son begins playing Minecraft. Sam’s imagination blossoms and the game opens up a whole new world for father and son to share. Together, they discover that sometimes life must fall apart before you can build a better one.

Inspired by the author’s own relationship with his autistic son, A Boy Made of Blocks is a tear-jerking, funny, and, most, of all true-to-life novel about the power of difference and one very special little boy.

(Blurb taken from Goodreads.com)

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

A BOY MADE OF BLOCKS is Keith Stuart’s debut novel. It tells the story of Alex and his eight-year-old son Alex, who is on the autistic spectrum. Alex’s marriage to Jody has been pushed to the breaking point, and as the book starts he is moving in with his best mate Dan. As Alex works out what this break means for him his son begins playing Minecraft. The game opens up a whole new world for Sam, and presents a place where father and son have the opportunity to learn how to connect with one another. Together they learn that sometimes things must break so you can build something better.

Continue reading →

Review: My Husband’s Wife by Jane Corry

/ beckireads / 2 Comments

My Husband’s Wife by Jane Corry (ARC cover)

Title: My Husband’s Wife
Author: Jane Corry
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller
Source: The publisher
Publisher: Penguin Books (25th August 2016)
Blurb:

It’s the perfect love story.

Lily meets Ed at a party, and on their second date, he proposes. She’s a lawyer, he’s an up-and-coming artist. They own a small but beautiful flat in London and mix with all the right people.

But Lily has a secret. Something from her past, that is soon to collide with her present. And she thinks her new husband is hiding something too…

The vows they made will soon be tested to the very limits.

‘Till death us do part…’

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

MY HUSBAND’S WIFE is the debut novel by Jane Corry. It tells the story of Lily Macdonald, a lawyer, who has recently come back from her honeymoon. Lily views her marriage to Ed as a chance to have a fresh start, to leave her past behind her. On her return to London Lily finds herself put on the case of a convicted murderer that claims he is innocent of all charges. The trouble is, he reminds Lily of someone whom she used to know.

Continue reading →

Review: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (UK edition)

Title: The Raven King (The Raven Cycle, 4)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic (26th April 2016)
Blurb:

For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into his mission: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer life; and Blue, who loves Gansey . . . and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Nothing dead is to be trusted.

Now the endgame has begun.

Nothing living is safe.

Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

THE RAVEN KING is the fourth and final instalment of Maggie Stiefvater’s enthralling The Raven Cycle series. This book brings Stiefvater’s magical series to its conclusion. Gansey’s search for Glendower reaches its finale whilst Ronan deals with the consequences of his power; whilst Adam with the results of his bargain; whilst Noah faces what it means to be dead; and whilst the prophecy of killing her true love when she kisses him looms over Blue.

Continue reading →

Illumicrate Unboxing 4 – August 2016

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

Surprise! Despite everything going on at the moment I have actually managed to get this out on time – go me! My Illumicrate arrived last Wednesday and I thought you might like to see what’s in it. So I’ve done an unboxing video you can watch if you want, and I’ve also included photos of the items in the box. Needless to say there will be !Spoilers! beyond this point if you haven’t got your box yet.

If you’ve never heard of Illumicrate before it is a UK based subscription service. It is a box that contains a book and some other bookish goodies. It costs £29.99 (plus P&P if you live outside the UK). You can find out more information and sign-up for updates about the next box here: http://www.illumicrate.com/ . Needless to say I’m not  affiliated with them, I just enjoy the boxes!

The video for those who want to watch:

 

The items in this quarter’s Illumicrate are:

  • A gift card from MyBOOKMark
  • Drink Me Strawberry Tea by Post Tea
  • Jay Kristoff signed bookplate
  • Laure Eve signed bookplate
  • Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir sampler
  • Red Rising inspired artwork
  • Temporary Tattoos based on The Graces
  • A letter from Laure Eve
  • Postcard about Unboxed by Non Pratt
  • The Graces by Laure Eve
  • Nevernight by Jay Kristoff bookmark
  • Coloring Quotes by Ashley Poston
  • Trio Coasters by Taratjah Art
  • In Omnia Paratus tote bag by Colorful Geekiness
  • Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I hope you enjoyed this unboxing. I really enjoyed this quarter’s box, and I’m curious to see what the next Illumicrate will bring.

Review: The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic

/ beckireads / Leave a comment

The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic

Title: The King’s Men (All For The Game, 3)
Author: Nora Sakavic
Genre: Contemporary, GLBT, Mafia, New Adult, Thriller
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (31st March 2016)
Blurb:

Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn’t survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he’s got more reasons than ever to live.

Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew’s never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn’t mean anything, maybe Neil won’t regret losing it, but the one person Neil can’t lie to is himself.

He’s got promises to keep and a team to get to championships if he can outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko’s not the only monster in Neil’s life. The truth might get them all killed – or be Neil’s one shot at getting out of this alive.

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

THE KING’S MEN by Nora Sakavic is the concluding part of her All For The Game trilogy. When Neil Josten signed with the PSU Foxes he knew he would only have limited time, but now that time has run out and Neil must face the consequences of choosing to stay. The monsters in his life are growing closer, and now after years of running Neil might just have a reason to live. His growing bond with the Foxes means for the first time he has a family. But one of them might mean a whole lot more to him, and kissing them would be dangerous.

Continue reading →

Review: Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward

/ beckireads / 1 Comment

Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward (UK edition)

Title: Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, 9)
Author: J. R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Piatkus (3rd November 2011)
Blurb:

IN THE DARKEST CORNERS OF THE NIGHT IN CALDWELL, NEW YORK, A CONFLICT LIKE NO OTHER RAGES. THE CITY IS HOME TO A BAND OF BROTHERS BORN TO DEFEND THEIR RACE: THE WARRIOR VAMPIRES OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD.

Payne, twin sister of the Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her vampire brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself – only to face a devastating injury.

Manuel Manello, MD, is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can – but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separate them?

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

LOVER UNLEASHED by J. R. Ward is the ninth book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This book tells the story of Payne, twin sister to Vishous who is a member of the Brotherhood. Payne has spent the last several centuries imprisoned by their mother, and has only been recently reunited with her brother whom she watched from afar. After she frees herself, Payne is injured and requires the help of a surgeon. Jane ropes in an old friend to help in the form of Manuel “Manny” Manello. Payne and Manuel share something more than doctor and patient, and the lines between them quickly become blurred.

Continue reading →

Review: The Raven King by Nora Sakavic

/ beckireads / 1 Comment

The Raven King by Nora Sakavic

Title: The Raven King (All For The Game, 2)
Author: Nora Sakavic
Genre: Contemporary, Mafia, New Adult, Thriller
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform  (31st March 2016)
Blurb:

The Foxes are a fractured mess, but their latest disaster might be the miracle they’ve always needed to come together as a team. The one person standing in their way is Andrew, and the only one who can break through his personal barriers is Neil.

Except Andrew doesn’t give up anything for free and Neil is terrible at trusting anyone but himself. The two don’t have much time to come to terms with their situation before outside forces start tearing them apart. Riko is intent on destroying Neil’s fragile new life, and the Foxes have just become collateral damage.

Neil’s days are numbered, but he’s learning the hard way to go down fighting for what he believes in, and Neil believes in Andrew even if Andrew won’t believe in himself.

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

THE RAVEN KING by Nora Sakavic is the second book in the All For The Game trilogy. It continues Neil’s story several days after the events of THE FOXHOLE COURT, and deals with the repercussions of those events. Neil and his teammates are left reeling after THE FOXHOLE COURT, and Neil’s past is quickly catching up to him. To stand a chance the PSU Foxes need to pull together, and Neil has made his choice.

Continue reading →

Review: Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat

/ beckireads / 1 Comment

Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat

Title: Captive Prince (Captive Prince Trilogy, 1)
Author: C. S. Pacat
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Berkley (23rd April 2015)
Blurb:

FROM THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON C. S. PACAT COMES THE FIRST IN HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TRILOGY – WITH A BONUS STORY.

Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos. But when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative, and deadly, his new master, Prince Laurent, epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal polical web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else . . .

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

CAPTIVE PRINCE by C. S. Pacat is book one of the Captive Prince Trilogy. In it we are introduced to Prince Damen and Prince Laurent, who are heirs to the thrones of rival kingdoms. Damen is sent to serve Prince Laurent as a pleasure slave when his half-brother seizes power and becomes King of Akielos. Stuck in a place where discovery will mean his death, Damen struggles to fit into the Veretian Court.

Continue reading →