About stories of all kinds
One of the enduring types of fiction, one of the most prolific types of stories told to this day, through whatever medium, is the adventure story. There are quests, colourful characters, cut-throats, intrigues, losses, rescues, betrayals, cloaks, daggers… the works. I’m categorizing ten of my 100 books to read as predominantly adventure stories. 1. Kidnapped… Continue reading 10 Adventure Books: 100 Books to Read #4
I have a problem that’s been going on for quite sometime. I’ve sort of noticed it off and on in the background, but always dismissed it as something I don’t really need to take steps to fix. Until now. It came to a head when I went back to a WIP and started thinking about… Continue reading Secondary Characters: The Curse of the Dark Horse
Once upon a time, in days gone by, while I was still doing high school, I read books that interested me while they still interested me. There were times I actually read hyped books before the hype died down. Crazy, right? So here are 7 YA series I actually read all of. 1. Inkworld by… Continue reading 7 YA Book Series I Actually Got Into
Peveril of the Peak by Walter ScottMy rating: 4 of 5 starsWhen I started Peveril of the Peak I had no idea what it was about, which turned out to be fine because the first chapter or so pretty much lays it all out. There are, in fact, two Peverils of the Peak, a father… Continue reading Peveril of the Peak Book Review
I’m a chronic re-reader. I can’t not have the desire to revisit books I have previously enjoyed. Particularly when I have a stack of unread books in queue waiting for more of my attention than just an occasional dusting. Part of this liking for re-reading books feeds into my need to own all the books.… Continue reading Re-Read to Weed (but also just to re-read)
So I was reading along in The Nest of the Sparrowhawk, and in one scene a paragraph of narration caught my attention and reminded me of something else. In the scene, some Cavaliers have been cornered in the upper room of an illegal gambling house by Cromwell's guards. They draw their swords initially, taking umbrage… Continue reading Enjolras, Cromwell, and Counter-Revolutionary Dictates of Common Sense
The Nest of the Sparrowhawk by Emmuska OrczyMy rating: 3 of 5 starsThe Nest of the Sparrowhawk is an intrigue placed in the upheaval following the execution of Charles I and during the Protectorship of Cromwell. Lady Sue, orphaned daughter of royalist parents, has been placed under the guardianship of Cromwell supporter, Sir Marmaduke de… Continue reading The Nest of the Sparrowhawk Book Review
Twenty Years After by Alexandre DumasMy rating: 3 of 5 starsTwenty Years After brings back the old guard of The Three Musketeers (TTM), as D’Artagnan rises in the service of the Mazarin and seeks out his old friends in their various places of residence to join his cause. I was curious to see where the… Continue reading Twenty Years After The Three Musketeers: Book Review
Cromwell. The Roundheads. The Cavaliers. Bonny Prince Charlie. Wait, wrong Charles. Recently, I read three books in a row set in and around the English Civil War and it has definitely brought the time period to life for me. I’ve realised that when I read historical fiction I absorb a lot unintentionally about historical events,… Continue reading Recent Reads: Three Perspectives of the English Civil War
Drood by Dan SimmonsMy rating: 2 of 5 stars“My name is Wilkie Collins, and my guess… is that you do not recognize my name…my wager with you, Dear Reader, would be that you have neither read nor heard of any of my books or plays…” So begins the alternately falsely modest and egomaniacal narrator, a… Continue reading Drood: A Review
Fictitiously Yours 