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historical

reviews August 11, 2013

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

An Echo in the Bone (Outlander 7) by Diana Gabaldon

Jamie Fraser is an eighteenth-century Highlander, an ex-Jacobite traitor, and a reluctant rebel in the American Revolution. His wife, Claire Randall Fraser, is a surgeon—from the twentieth century. What she knows of the future compels him to fight. What she doesn’t know may kill them both.

With one foot in America and one foot in Scotland, Jamie and Claire’s adventure spans the Revolution, from sea battles to printshops, as their paths cross with historical figures from Benjamin Franklin to Benedict Arnold.

Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, their daughter, Brianna, and her husband experience the unfolding drama of the Revolutionary War through Claire’s letters. But the letters can’t warn them of the threat that’s rising out of the past to overshadow their family. (Goodreads)

I loved that Jamie and Claire visited Scotland we got to see Jamie’s family there again. We get to see lot more of Jamie’s son William but I thought those were the most boring chapters. It didn’t help he wrote very long letters to Lord John which were pretty tedious to read and ended up mostly skimming those … But there was much more of John Grey in this book and I have to confess I have soft spot for John. But boy, I would have loved to see how Jamie took that little surprise in the end!

Brianna and Roger are back in the 1980’s and I wasn’t huge fan of those scenes. There was something going on with their daughter, someone is stuck in the future and stuff happened but somehow I’ve never liked Brianna much so that was kinda boring.

I really hope Young Ian gets his girl in the next book because that boy sure needs some happiness in his life.

3,5/5
Published: Dell (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 1149
Source: my own

reviews August 11, 2013

A Breath Of Snow And Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

A Breath Of Snow And Ashes (Outlander 6) by Diana Gabaldon

The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.

With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence — with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie’s death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future. (Goodreads)

I liked the book but there was some boring parts too. I loved the books much more when they were in Scotland, and I have to confess I don’t know much about The American Revolutionary War. It’s just not really my era. And I’ve always thought Roger was boring and there were quite a few chapters by him.

I loved hearing more about Ian’s time with the Indians and his wife. It’s been awhile since I read the last book but I thought his wife was dead? Maybe I’m just remembering wrong or confusing it with their daughter…I so hope we get to see more Ian in the future!

3/5
Published: Dell (2008)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 1438
Source: my own

reviews August 11, 2013

A Tainted Dawn by B.N. Peacock

A Tainted Dawn: The Great War by B.N. Peacock

August 1789. The Rights of Man. Liberty. Equality. Idealism. Patriotism. A new age dawns. And yet, old hostilities persist: England and Spain are on the brink of war. France, allied by treaty with Spain, readies her warships. Three youths – the son of an English carpenter, the son of a naval captain, and the son of a French court tailor – meet in London, a chance encounter that entwines their lives ever after. The English boys find themselves on the same frigate bound for the Caribbean. The Frenchman sails to Trinidad, where he meets an even more zealous Spanish revolutionary. As diplomats in Europe race to avoid conflict, war threatens to explode in the Caribbean, with the three youths pitted against each other. Will the dawn of the boys’ young manhood remain bright with hope? Or will it become tainted with their countrymen’s spilled blood? (publisher)

The book starts with brief encounter of 3 boys: Edward; son of a Navy Captain, Louis; son of a French tailor and Jemmy; son of a carpenter who works as a fiddler. The boys’s lives will intervene later on The Caribbean after all of their lives has changed.

The book is told from the point of view of the 3 boys. My favourite was Edward’s story at a ship his grandfather dropped off. I liked to read about the life at the sea and men there. I didn’t however particularly like Louis so I found his chapters to be most boring ones. At the beginning Louis and Edward meet ends up fighting and Louis hates Edward for the rest of his life. I didn’t see the reason for such hate and it was the only thing besides revolutionary thoughts that drove him.
Jemmy was much more sympathetic character. A poor boy with a drunken father trying to get on with life.

There was some slow going paces but overall it was enjoyable. I liked the to read about the life at the sea most and it was fascinating reading about the relationship between the shipmates.

3/5
Published: Fireship Press (2012)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

 

reviews August 10, 2013

To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Sandra Byrd

To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn (Ladies in Waiting 1) by Sandra Byrd

What would you sacrifice for your best friend?
Would you die for her?

Meg Wyatt has been Anne Boleyn’s closest friend since they grew up together on neighboring manors in Kent. So when twenty-five-year-old Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes Meg along for the ride.

Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling… at first. Meg is made mistress of Anne’s wardrobe, and she enjoys the spoils of this privileged orbit and uses her influence for good. She is young and beautiful and in favor; everyone at court assumes that being close to her is being close to Anne.

But favor is fickle and envy is often laced with venom. As Anne falls, so does Meg, and it becomes nearly impossible for her to discern ally from enemy. Suddenly life’s unwelcome surprises rub against the court’s sheen to reveal the tarnished brass of false affections and the bona fide gold of those that are true. Both Anne and Meg may lose everything. When your best friend is married to fearsome Henry VIII, you may soon find yourself not only friendless but headless as well. (Goodreads)

Meg Wyatt grew up as a neighbor to Anne Boleyn and the two were best friends since childhood. When Anne is sent to court in the service of the king’s sister, Meg is married off to an elderly baron while her heart belongs to Will Ogilvy who chooses priesthood over her.
But when Anne starts to rise at court, Meg joins her as one of Anne’s ladies and finds herself in the middle of court intrigue.

I really liked the idea of telling the story from the point of view of Anne’s friend and it was nice change as well. And I loved that she was a real person who could have actually been Anne’s friend.
Meg was likeable person but she could also see the flaws of her friend while still being loyal till the end.

I would have liked to hear and see more about Anne’s relationship with Henry Percy and what did Meg make of the rumors about Anne and George. Since Meg and Anne were childhood friends Meg probably knew George also and it would have been interesting to see her view of it,

Religion is a major theme in the novel thankfully it doesn’t come off as preachy as I feared.

3,5/5
Published: Howard (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 332
Source: my own

reviews August 10, 2013

Shadow of the King by Helen Hollick

shadow of the kingShadow of the King (Pendragon’s Banner 3) by Helen Hollick

Britain lies uneasily at peace, and Arthur Pendragon, King of Britain, is secure in his stronghold in the heart of the Summer Lands. Ever the fighter, he defies the advice of his wife Gwenhwyfar to sail for Gaul to defend his territories in Less Britain, leaving his country vulnerable and leaderless.

When word comes that the Pendragon has fallen in battle, Gwenhwyfar, at Caer Cadan with their small daughter, faces overthrow by the powerful council headed by Arthur’s uncle, who is anxious to reassert Roman ways. Also opposed by Arthur’s ambitious ex-wife, Winifred, keen to advance her own son as the rightful heir, Gwenhwyfar must struggle to carve out a future for herself and her daughter.

But, unknown to Gwenhwyfar, events abroad mean a far mightier battle for the Pendragon throne – and the very future of Britain itself – lies ahead. (Goodreads)

Arthur is planning to go fighting to Gaul for Rome yet all isn’t well in his kingdom. His uncle Aurelianus Ambrosius wishes to bring back old Roman ways and his son Cedric is starting to become a real problem.
Discovering treachery in Gaul, Arthur comes to realize he’s very close to defeat for the very first time on his career.

This is the final book of the trilogy and I’ve loved watching Arthur’s and Gwenhwyfar’s relationship through. It wasn’t easy marriage but I loved seeing how they managed to make it work despite everything.
Arthur is still a bastard at times but we see more humane and emotional side of him in this book. And I noticed there was no mentions of his women towards the end. I’d like to think he spent less time womanizing but I’m most likely just dreaming. He might be asshole most of the time but I still liked this realistic version of him.

It was great seeing Bedwyr and Ider again. Poor Bedwyr nearly got what he wanted…

The book started little slow and the parts during Arthur staying away from Britain dragged little bit but when he returned the book got lot better. Surprisingly I think the middle book was the best and for me didn’t have any dragging parts.

3,5/5

Published: SilverWood Books (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 542
Source: library