A place of wildly diverse book reviews sprinkled with frequent swears, opinions, and general nerdery
Madame Tussaud
by Michelle Moran
The French Revolution seems to be a thing lately. There have been several historical novels about Marie Antoinette and the Revolution published in recent years. Perhaps it’s the new Tudors, I don’t know. I have read a few, since it IS a very interesting period of history, and Marie Antoinette IS still a controversial and intriguing figure. Moran’s novel is the best I have read yet about this period. Continue reading “Madame Tussaud”
I have loved the Mediaeval Baebes since I first discovered their music, many years ago now. Some albums I am more fond of than others. I have always felt that their real strength is in minimally accompanied tunes which highlight their lovely vocal arrangements. Of Kings and Angels is a perfect album for this. Continue reading “Of Kings and Angels”
“Now the circus is open. Now you may enter.”
I am not entirely sure what I think about this book. It was not quite what I expected, though I am not sure what I expected in the first place. The plot was intricate and complex and well executed, though it was a little slow for my taste. The writing, however, was some of the most lush, vivid, gorgeous that I have ever encountered. That alone was enough to keep me reading. Continue reading “The Night Circus”
A King’s Ransom (Plantagenets #5)
By Sharon Kay Penman
One of the things I love so much about Sharon’s books is that they aren’t over in a day. I feel cheated when I read a good book and get through it in 24 hours. No worry of that with hers, as this one came in around 700 pages. Love that! Continue reading “A King’s Ransom”
This novel was a fantastic account of the last of the Saxon English kings. Edward the Confessor was the last Saxon king to have a complete reign, and Harold Godwinson was the last Saxon king on the throne, however brief his reign was. Continue reading “I Am the Chosen King”
I really wanted to like this book, Not Without Mercy The Black Death, by Philip Wright. I really, really did. I mean, it’s about the Black Death! How could I not like it? But I didn’t. I am sad now. Continue reading “Not Without Mercy The Black Death”
I was at a big meeting at work, wherein the room was full of lots of people I didn’t know, when my brain honed in on the woman in front of me and piped up. This is never a good thing. Continue reading “A Conversation with my Brain”
Welp. I had planned to go to the talk by Cary Elwes about his book. But alas! It got postponed, and I don’t know when it will be rescheduled. I’m sad now, since I hardly ever look forward to things anymore, and I was seriously looking forward to that.
