The first in a proposed trilogy, Blood and Sand is Wyk’s debut novel of one young woman’s quest for vengeance in ancient Rome in this gender-flipped rThe first in a proposed trilogy, Blood and Sand is Wyk’s debut novel of one young woman’s quest for vengeance in ancient Rome in this gender-flipped retelling of the Spartacus story. Attia, the crown princess of Thrace, was captured and sold into slavery when the Roman army decimated her homeland. Her entire family, town, and culture was left in ruins and she herself was given as a reward to Xanthus, the premiere gladiator in the ludus of Timeus. Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a bond and discover that they share a common enemy. Gradually, they decide to seek vengeance together and then flee to freedom, but before they can carry out their plans, Timeus makes a deal with a neighboring ruler that results in Attia taking up arms in defense of Xanthus in the gladiatorial arena - and giving rise to the birth of Spartacus, here an unknown and mysterious fighter.
Wyk’s novel is full of action and drama, as well as characters who develop pleasingly along the way. It is wonderful to see a strong female protagonist in a YA novel, though the same effect could be attained with adhering to historical facts, with which many liberties were taken. Even with these quibbles, this is still an entertaining read and is recommended. ...more
The Last Hours is the account of one demesne, Develish, and its occupants as they struggle to survive and make sense of their terrifying new world in The Last Hours is the account of one demesne, Develish, and its occupants as they struggle to survive and make sense of their terrifying new world in the grip of the bubonic plague. Lady Anne of Develish is left behind with her daughter, Eleanor, when her husband, Sir Richard, heads out to the neighboring demesne of Foxcote, intending on securing a husband for Eleanor. Instead, they encounter the pestilence and death. Lady Anne, convent raised and well educated, knows enough about health and healing to understand the importance of cleanliness and quarantine, and so orders her serfs within the walls of the manor and then seals off the manor, not allowing anyone to enter or leave. Sir Richard and his retinue return to find the manor barred against them and all but one of them die outside the walls. Anne surreptitiously send her steward, Thaddeus, a bastard serf, outside the walls on reconnaissance with the surviving member of Sir Richard’s retinue, Gyles, the captain of the guard. Eventually, Gyles is allowed to return within the walls when it is clear he does is not sick with the plague. Within Develish’s walls, serfs unused to inactivity are beginning to get stir crazy, stores are running low, and then a murder occurs. Thaddeus takes five young men, sons of the leading serfs, with him outside the walls to go in search of more supplies, and to help cover a scandal that could shatter the fragile peace Anne has created and which her daughter Eleanor seems determined to destroy.
This was a fast-paced and fun historical novel overall. The descriptions of the land and clothes were vibrant, and the effects of the plague were terrifyingly real. It seems that Walters did some thorough research on both, which is much appreciated. There were quite a few other areas that required a huge suspension of disbelief, and which were a bit too much to overcome - noblewomen with basically modern sensibilities teaching their serfs to read comes to mind - which draw away from the historical quality of the story. I think the same effect could have been achieved simply by acknowledging historical fact - so many deaths did occur that skilled serfs and farmers were needed and they could move up the social ladder in ways that hadn’t been open to them prior to the plague. Fact. Teaching the serfs to read isn’t necessary for that to have happened within the story, and it would have been more believable in the end. Just my two cents.
The characters were well developed and all were interesting, even the ones you love to hate. Anne was a more complex character than she first appears, and it becomes more apparent as the plot comes to its climax. Some intriguing questions are posed about her character and personality and I hope that they are answered in the next book. Thaddeus is intriguing, even if I don’t believe that such a man would really have existed, or not very likely, and I hope to know more about him as well. Gyles is one of my favorites and I want him to get more of the limelight. Eleanor is odious and I want to know how she ends up. There are too many unanswered questions and I am really excited that the book specifically said “to be continued” at the end, because I would be so unhappy otherwise.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next instalment, literate serfs and all. ...more
Terrifying and believable, like The Handmaid's Tale. Also, she quotes Hildegard of Bingen! My lady!Terrifying and believable, like The Handmaid's Tale. Also, she quotes Hildegard of Bingen! My lady!...more
Wow. I shouldn't read books like this, when I'm already THIS close to dropping everything, grabbing my kid, and going walkabout as it is.Wow. I shouldn't read books like this, when I'm already THIS close to dropping everything, grabbing my kid, and going walkabout as it is....more
One of the best books I read all year. The research was superb and the narration was delightful. This book and the man it is about has inspired me to One of the best books I read all year. The research was superb and the narration was delightful. This book and the man it is about has inspired me to try to be more creative in the coming year....more
One of the Read Harder tasks - read a book published by a micropress. It took the Native American myth of Antelope Woman and have her a modern urban sOne of the Read Harder tasks - read a book published by a micropress. It took the Native American myth of Antelope Woman and have her a modern urban spin. Super interesting....more
A fun, fast, and surprisingly funny read. Lots action, of course, tons of delightful feminism, and gorgeous pictures. I can't wait until my daughter iA fun, fast, and surprisingly funny read. Lots action, of course, tons of delightful feminism, and gorgeous pictures. I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to read with me....more
In Deeds of Darkness, the tenth installment of the Hugh de Singleton medieval mystery series, the titular character Hugh, Oxford surgeon, is called toIn Deeds of Darkness, the tenth installment of the Hugh de Singleton medieval mystery series, the titular character Hugh, Oxford surgeon, is called to help investigate a murder. The victim turns out to be one of his friends, Hubert. He had been killed, while traveling between Oxford and Bampton, by a group of goliards, a band of lawless young men who had at one time been scholars but had, for one reason or another, left their studies before they finished their degrees. Hugh has to figure out ways to deal with them when they have protection that is far above him in social rank, and to bring his friend’s killer to justice. As Hugh investigates, more murders occur, and the pressure increases to uncover the identity of the men responsible for the crimes.
As with all of Starr’s previous novels, Deeds of Darkness is chock full of thoroughly researched detail and interesting tidbits of daily medieval life. The characters are well fleshed-out and believable, making readers either care a great deal about their well-being or hope they really get a good comeuppance. Hugh remains an intriguing man, complex and honest without being annoyingly pedantic, as some protagonists can be. Most of the secondary characters are pretty well rounded, though I felt that Kate, Hugh’s wife, was overlooked. To be fair, she doesn’t have a large role in this novel, but she seemed like an afterthought. Overall, though, this is a fine addition not only to the Hugh de Singleton series but to the medieval mystery genre as a whole.
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous ones. It was still a great deal of fun but the story didn't grip me as much for some reason. I aI didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous ones. It was still a great deal of fun but the story didn't grip me as much for some reason. I also didn't care for the way David Tennant read Toothless's voice this time. He changed it a little and it wasn't quite as good. I hope he goes back to the old way in the next books. He's still one of my all-time favorite narrators, though. I wish he did more. And my daughter was enthralled, which is really all I care about. ...more
Not really an Arthurian legend, more Arthurian-adjacent. It featured Alden du Lac, the son of a certain Lancelot du Lac. Set in the 5th century, it taNot really an Arthurian legend, more Arthurian-adjacent. It featured Alden du Lac, the son of a certain Lancelot du Lac. Set in the 5th century, it takes actual historical events and people and superimposes an Arthurian spin on them in a believable and not-grating way. I hate when authors take real events and fuck them up or change them and make it inaccurate, but that is NOT the case here. This was historically accurate as far as the events and people, inasmuch as it could be, and was a fun story.
I loved the characters. Alden was tormented and uncertain. His younger brother Merton is just plain old fun, but also flawed and broken. Annis is learning to be a woman unto herself and find her own value. These are not perfect people, nor would I like them much if they were written as such.
The only thing I didn't like about this was that it needed a serious edit. There were numerous grammar errors and typos throughout.
This was a wonderful read overall and I am looking forward to the next in the series....more
Read this with my daughter. It was cute enough, though a bit catty. I love that it's a great way to get kids interested in Classical writing, though. Read this with my daughter. It was cute enough, though a bit catty. I love that it's a great way to get kids interested in Classical writing, though. I was able to introduce _The Iliad_ to her because of the class assignment the kids had to in Hero-ology. She loved it!...more
A book for bibliophiles! I love the idea of keeping just a book of books. I obviously keep a record since I do reviews here and elsewhere but the simpA book for bibliophiles! I love the idea of keeping just a book of books. I obviously keep a record since I do reviews here and elsewhere but the simplicity of Pamela Paul's system is appealing enough that I think I'll start my own Bob....more
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