sign in| help
Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:

Follows you (block)

Requested to follow you (accept | block)

Blocked (unblock)

AvidReader

AvidReader

has 175 followers and is following 119 people

Like everyone else on this site, I love to read. My favourite genre is historical fiction, but I also enjoy fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, classic literature, and some chick and kid lit. In addition to my love of reading, I also love to buy books. As a result, with a few exceptions, all of the books on my virtual bookshelves can be found on... more »
  • Ottawa, Canada
  • member since December 20, 2006

Reviews

  • Sort by:
 
1 2 3 4 5  | Next » Last 
Displaying 1-10 of 139 reviews
  • The Turning of Anne Merrick
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The Turning of Anne Merrick, the second novel in Christine Blevins' American Revolution series, finds our heroine, Anne Merrick, once again using her considerable charms on the British in an effort to gather intelligence for the Patriot cause. While the series' first novel, The Tory Widow, takes place in New York City, this second book has Anne once again acting as a Patriot spy when she and her trusted servant Sally join British General Burgoyne's campaign down the Hudson Valley. With the collapse of Burgoyne's forces, Anne and Sally join up with the Patriot army to winter at Valley Forge. Once again reunited with her lover Jack Hampton, who serves as a Patriot scout, Anne hopes that she can put her spying days behind her and start a new life with Jack. General Washington, however, has other plans and calls on Anne to again assume the role of dedicated loyalist, this time in British-occupied Philadelphia where it is expected she will gather much needed intelligence about British plans. While this mission means another separation from Jack, she accepts without question knowing that any information she can gather could help defeat the British. But the mission to Philadelphia, where Anne opens a coffee house, proves to be her most dangerous yet. Not only are spies are being hung for treason, but someone from Anne's past resurfaces intent on destroying Anne and all she holds dear.

    Overall, The Turning of Anne Merrick is a great read. Blevins paints a vivid portrait of life with the British army, at that time the most formidable army in the world, as well as with the Patriot army under General Washington. I found Anne's days with the British Army and as a 'loyalist' coffee house owner in Philadelphia to be especially interesting and entertaining. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is the relationship between Anne and Jack. I admit I wasn't a big fan of Jack in the first novel but after reading the second book I've grown to like him. While I didn't at first find Jack to be a good match for Anne, by the end of this novel I came to better understand their relationship. Although the events at the conclusion of this novel seemed somewhat implausible, my interest in them never waned. Before I had finished, I found myself looking forward to the events of the next book.

    Although The Turning of Anne Merrick can be read as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading The Tory Widow first as it gives important background on the characters and events of this novel.

    Recommended to fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in the American Revolution.

    Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel as a host for The Turning of Anne Merrick Virtual Book Tour. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review 23 hours ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Crown
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The Crown, author Nancy Bilyeau's debut novel, is an engaging, action-packed historical thriller that is sure to delight fans of Tudor-era fiction. Set during the English Reformation, the novel centres around a young novice, Joanna Stafford, who, after breaking the rule of enclosure to go to London to show her support for a cousin condemned to death as a traitor, finds herself in the Tower of London for interfering in the King's Justice. While in the Tower, Joanna is approached by Bishop Stephen Gardiner, a close advisor to King Henry VIII, and asked to covertly locate an ancient relic -- the Athelstan Crown -- believed to be hidden at Dartford Priory. With her father's life at stake if she refuses, Joanna has no choice but to accept the Bishop's request. Cleared of all charges against her, Joanna, accompanied by two Dominican monks, returns to Dartford Priory and sets out to achieve her objective of finding the crown. Locating the relic, which has been hidden for hundreds of years, is harder than Joanna bargained for, and is hampered by a number of unforeseen events at the Priory, including a murder and the arrival of Thomas Cromwell's commissioners, who were involved in the dissolution of the monasteries. While Dartford Priory has always been a place of quiet refuge for Joanna, her quest for Athelstan's crown and events within the Priory itself reveals a hidden world of secrets and intrigues and it soon becomes apparent to Joanna that not everyone is as they seem.

    Full of rich historical detail, The Crown focuses on life in a priory in the midst of the suppression of England's religious houses. In my reading experience, this is a subject not prominently featured in Tudor-era historical fiction. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is the plausibility of the plot, which does not suffer from an excess of unbelievable events or feature a heroine who is repeatedly able to get herself out of impossible situations. Instead, Bilyeau has crafted a smart historical thriller that features events and actions entirely within the realm of the possible and set firmly within a proper historical context. The novel's protagonist, Joanna, is well-drawn and sympathetic. The supporting characters, whether hero or villain, are engaging. While the quest for the crown is the main focus of this novel, it also contains various subplots, including the murder of a nobleman staying at Dartford Priory, that provide an additional element of mystery. These sub-plots serve to compliment the primary story line rather than bog it down, and I was just as interested in them as I was in the main plot. Although I had some inklings about how some of various story lines would be resolved, for the most part the narrative leaves the reader guessing right up until the end. I look forward to hearing more from Nancy Bilyeau, and hope that we haven't heard the last of Joanna Stafford!

    This novel is highly recommended to fans of historical thrillers and Tudor-era historical fiction.

    Disclosure: I received a copy of The Crown as a host for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Debutante
    • Rated 3 stars

    “3.5 Stars”

    AvidReader wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Running Vixen
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The Running Vixen, the second novel in Elizabeth Chadwick's Ravenstow Trilogy, follows the lives and loves of Adam de Lacey and Heulwen, daughter of a Welsh Marcher lord. Raised together, Adam has always loved Heulwen. But Heulwen, who has never thought of Adam as anything more than her foster-brother, marries another man. In an attempt to forget about Heulwen, Adam leaves Ravenstow and enters into the service of King Henry I. The novel opens with Adam's return to the Welsh Marches, where he finds Heulwen recently widowed and vows to win her over. While Adam's return raises feelings in Heulwen she didn't know she had, she is determined not to let her heart rule her decision on whom to marry. Will Adam win her hand, or will Heulwen make a marriage match purely for political purposes?

    Set against the backdrop of an England on the verge of political upheaval with the naming of Empress Matilda as Henry I's heir, The Running Vixen is, at its heart, a love story. But this is not a straight forward love story - Adam and Heulwen's relationship is complex, and their path to love and happiness is not an easy one. As is usual with her novels, Chadwick has once again crafted a strong storyline that is rich in historical detail and features a strong cast of characters. While I would have preferred a more emphasis on the politics that characterized the period in English history in which this novel is set, it didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

    Although this novel stands well on its own, I do recommend reading The Wild Hunt, the first book in the Ravenstow trilogy, prior to this one given it provides background on many of the key characters in this novel.

    Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in the medieval period.
    ”

    AvidReader wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Tory Widow
    • Rated 3 stars

    “3.5 stars

    The Tory Widow, the first novel in author Christine Blevins American Revolution series, is set in New York City in the early days of the Revolutionary War. At the start of the conflict, Anne Merrick is a young widow struggling to keep her late husband's printing business alive by publishing British propaganda, even though she doesn't necessarily believe in the propaganda herself. When her print shop is attacked by the Sons of Liberty, lead by the dashing Jack Hampton, Anne begins to question her actions. In so doing, she becomes increasingly drawn to both Jack and her country's struggle for independence from British rule. When the Patriot army is defeated in New York, and the city falls under British occupation, Anne decides to remain in her home and convert her print shop into a coffee house that caters to British officers. While outwardly playing the part of dedicated loyalist, Anne does whatever it takes to glean important information from the British and pass it on the Patriots. In so doing, Anne puts her very life on the line in the cause of liberty.


    Overall, The Tory Widow is an enjoyable read. Blevins paints a vivid portrait of life in New York City at the start of the Revolutionary War, both before and during the British occupation. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is Blevins' ability to convey the British as the enemy without painting them as a one-dimensional evil force. Even though they sit on opposite sides of the conflict, Anne comes to respect some of the British officers with whom she crosses paths and recognizes that if not for the war she would have little quarrel with them. One of the principal weaknesses of this novel, however, rests with the development of Anne as a character. At the opening of the novel, Anne is portrayed as dismissive and disapproving of the Sons of Liberty and their cause. Many years later, at the start of the war, while no longer disapproving, Anne still seems reluctant to support the Patriots. The arrival of Jack Hampton into her life changes this, and Anne seemingly goes from a reluctant bystander to an ardent patriot almost overnight. It would have been beneficial to the story for Blevins to have included a little more insight into the rationale behind Anne's abrupt embracing of the patriot cause, as it seems to come out of nowhere. Furthermore, some of Anne's actions don't seem consistent with her established character, nor with how a respectable woman of the age would have behaved -- war or not (e.g. mooning the British with a bunch of prostitutes from the roof of a brothel). Nevertheless, these weaknesses didn't detract significantly from my enjoyment of the story. While Anne herself could have been a bit better developed, the novel's secondary and tertiary characters, whether they be patriot or British, hero or villain, shine and I look forward to finding out what's next for them in the novel's follow-up, The Turning of Anne Merrick.

    Recommended for fans of the historical fiction genre interested in the Revolutionary War period. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Lady Macbeth
    • Rated 4 stars

    “3.5 Stars

    Susan Fraser King's debut novel, Lady Macbeth, takes readers back to 11th century Scotland. The novel's protagonist, Lady Gruadh, is the last descendent of Scotland's ancient royal line. Married to one of Scotland's most powerful lords, Gruadh leaves the comfort and familiarity of her family home to join her husband in his vast and unforgiving northern domain. Just as she begins to feel comfortable in her new surroundings, a pregnant Gruadh is left a widow at the hands of Macbeth, a man many feel is rightful lord over her late husband's people and lands. Widowhood doesn't last long for Gruadh, who is forced to marry Macbeth almost immediately after the death of her husband. While tumultuous at the outset, the marriage evolves into one of respect, admiration and finally love on the part of Gruadh, who works with her husband to unite Scotland and put an end to the constant threats posed by the Vikings and Saxons. Lady Macbeth is Gruadh's story.

    Overall, Lady Macbeth is an enjoyable read. This novel's greatest strengths are Fraser King's descriptive prose and attention to historical detail, which enable the politics, culture, customs and beliefs of 11th century Scotland to come vividly to life. My enjoyment of this novel, however, was tempered by the author's use of first person narrative. Gruadh is an aloof figure and, even though the story is told from her perspective, by the novel's end I didn't feel as if I knew her any better than I did at the start. Furthermore, by telling the story through Gruadh's eyes, the motivations of the novel's supporting characters are inadequately, or not at all, explained. Macbeth himself remains very much an enigma. Yet learning more about him would have enhanced my enjoyment of the story. While the characters failed to come completely alive for me, Fraser King's presentation of life in 11th century Scotland in and of itself makes this novel a worthwhile read.

    Recommended to fans of historical fiction interested in Scottish history, particularly those interested in the early medieval era. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Dark Road to Darjeeling
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Dark Road to Darjeeling, the fourth book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey mystery series, moves away from the confines of Victorian England, the setting for the first three novels in the series, to colonial India. As their honeymoon draws to a close, Lady Julia and new husband, private detective Nicholas Brisbane, are requested by Julia's sister, Portia, and brother, Plum, to accompany them to India to come to the aid of family friend Jane Cavendish. Jane, a recent widow awaiting the birth of her first child, is convinced the circumstances surrounding her husband's death were not as straightforward as they appeared to be. Eager to help, Julia and Nicholas set forth for India and put their investigative skills to work; uncovering far more than they ever anticipated and putting their own lives at risk in the process.

    Somewhat disappointed with the third installment of the series, Silent on the Moor, I left Dark Road to Darjeeling languishing unread on my shelves for over a year before finally picking it up. My main concern was whether the series would still hold the same appeal now that the "will they or won't they" dynamic of Julia and Nicholas' relationship was put to rest with their marriage. I needn't have worried. This book is every bit as fun and mysterious as the first two novels of the series. The change in setting was refreshing, and I especially enjoyed the view of life in a small colonial village presented in the novel. Raybourn once again delivers a novel full of interesting and well thought out characters; successfully incorporating the story lines of new characters, to whom there is more than meets the eye, with those of the series regulars. One of the greatest strengths of this book is that the mystery surrounding Jane's husband's death was actually mysterious. I hate mystery novels that feature a villain who is too easily identifiable, but this isn't a problem in Dark Road to Darjeeling. I had little idea how things would turn out until almost the end, which is exactly how I think mysteries should be. I look forward to reading the next installment, The Dark Enquiry.

    Recommended to fans of the earlier Lady Julia books and historical mysteries in general, especially those set in the Victorian era. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review Saturday, January 14, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Mary, Queen of France
    • Rated 3 stars

    “2.5 Stars”

    AvidReader wrote this review Saturday, December 31, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Harold the King
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Helen Hollick's sublime novel I Am The Chosen King brings England in the years immediately leading up to the Norman Conquest vividly to life. It commences where Hollick's earlier pre-Conquest novel, The Forever Queen, left off. Harold Godwinesson, the English monarch best known for his defeat by William the Conqueror during the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is the primary subject of I Am The Chosen King. The novel also features William, Duke of Normandy, and England's King Edward, who is better known today as Edward the Confessor.

    I Am the Chosen King contains all of the necessary elements which, to me, make a great work of historical fiction. The author has done a masterful job of creating a strong sense of time and place, bringing the era alive for the reader and making them feel part of the action. The historical detail is impressive and is evidence of the significant amount of research that went into crafting this novel. While too much detail can serve to bog a novel down and detract from a story, in I Am The Chosen King the level of detail is just right. As a result, the historical detail enhances the story and the reader's ability to connect with it. Hollick paints a sympathetic portrait of Harold Godwinesson, a man not raised to the throne from birth, but who must accept it after the death of King Edward to ensure the peace and stability of England. Hollick's William the Conqueror is a vain man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, which includes a throne he has no right to claim, while King Edward is shown to be a man ill suited to wear a crown.

    When facts are known, accuracy in historical fiction is important to me as a reader. While Hollick does take some liberties in I Am the Chosen King, they are relatively minor and undertaken for the sake of the story. Historical accuracy, however, does not trump my desire for a well told and interesting story. I need both to be satisfied with a historical novel and this book delivers. I was drawn into Harold's world right from the opening pages, never once becoming bored or wishing the story would end. While the ultimate outcome of the battle between Harold and William of Normandy's is well-known, I couldn't help but hope that, this time around, things had turned out a little differently.

    I Am The Chosen King is recommended to readers of historical fiction who enjoy epic historical novels. This book reminded me of Sharon Kay Penman's great historical novels, so fans of Penman should definitely check this one out. ”

    AvidReader wrote this review Thursday, December 22, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Mr. Knightley's Diary
    • Rated 3 stars

    “3.5 Stars”

    AvidReader wrote this review Monday, December 19, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
1 2 3 4 5  | Next » Last 
Displaying 1-10 of 139 reviews

© 2006-2012 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close