Ameleh

If you like Diana Gabaldon, you will like this

Revisado: 10-30-24

I personally detest Outlander so I did not like this either. I wish that people who purport to write historical fiction made some pretense of believability in the historic context. Merely wearing a pelisse and riding in a carriage does not make a believable early-19th century story. The worst thing about this book is that the protagonist is 45. It is ridiculous that all of these things happened to a 45-year-old woman in 1812. Moreover, 20 years of her and her sibling's lives are completely glossed over - how did they get to this ripe old age without ever having done anything, and more to the point, how was it possible for a sheltered society old maid to suddenly become Abraham Lincoln, vampire slayer?

If Augusta and Julia had been 25, it would have been much more believable, although the 21st century values still would be anachronism and the cloying "moon cow" love would still be gross. Every book with a protagonist who purports to be a "strong woman" but turns to jello around a man makes my skin crawl. Just be the strong woman who falls in love - you don't need to become a 12-year-old.

Oh, and the narrator is bad too.

For a similar storyline - at least in the heinous brother and sister-in-law force protagonist to a life of crime, try The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor and excellently narrated by Zara Ramm. It is complete fantasy and it is way more compelling and believable than this tripe.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

It just goes on and on nothing happens

Revisado: 10-18-24

The Bright Sword is like one of the less entertaining Seinfeld episodes, or more like an snl skit that never gets off the ground. King Arthurs round table has disbanded and the only ones left are the B players, each with some hidden emotional damage. But the plot meanders on and on to no resolution. Grossman’s previous books tended to be a little depressing as gritty reality cast harsh light on childhood fantasy, but they were relieved by flashes of quite brilliant writing like the Canada Goose scene. Bright Sword has no such redeeming poetic flights, its just all a drag. The narrator, however, is quite good.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing detail in intricate mystery

Revisado: 07-07-24

I have had to read the first 7 Lady Sherlock books a couple of times in order to understand them. That one in Cornwall - I think that is #6 I read three times before I figured out what was going on. #7, on the boat, marked a sea change, as it were, in Ms. Thomas' writing. As Charlotte has gained strength, so has the story. This book, #8, is a masterpiece. I did have to buy the e book too because I was getting confused on the timeline - it's a little hard to follow in the beginning when you are only listening.

The new characters, especially the boxers, and the older, minor characters, especially Mrs. Farr, are fully developed and so interesting on their own that I would be happy with a book only about them. The main characters have each come into their own. Sometimes, I, like Miss Livia, am merely agog at the machinations of Charlotte's plans, but this book was quite clear tying up many loose ends and preparing the path for many more adventures.

Sherlock Holmes has once again bested Moriarty but Charlotte has created a well-oiled machine, which will certainly benefit well with the additions of Mumble and Jessie.

Cheers to Ms. Thomas. Really, really well done.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The best one yet

Revisado: 07-06-23

Be prepared because there is not one second in this book that there is not action. Its crazy! How does she think of these things!!! Jodi is the best.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The best one yet

Revisado: 05-02-23

Themes of Sherlock Holmes, Victorian culture, autism, people falling in love. Each book before has been quite good. But this one, especially, in terms of the who done it and the delightful Charlotte and Ash developing relationship, was wonderful. I had to go back and reread the whole series again. Kate Reading, as always, is superb.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

All over the place

Revisado: 02-24-23

It has a lot of good ideas, but it needed a much better editor. Some characters got lost and never came back, it would have been great ya but for the gratuitous sex. It is at once feminist but then the leading man is the one who does all the leading. Confusing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Beauty

Revisado: 02-14-23

A novel about grief and beauty. The subject is not my cup of tea ,exactly, but you can tell Maureen wanted to speak. And the narrator, Penelope Wilton, Mrs.Crawley, could not have possibly narrated it better. I rate her 1,000 out of 10.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A new genre for Deanna Raybourn, and it's great!

Revisado: 09-25-22

I do not even like suspense novels, but Ms. Raybourn could write a novel about brushing your teeth and it would be great! I did not love the narrator of the past, but I did love the narrator of the present. At first, as a 58 year old, I was annoyed at being lumped in as "old" but it is explained very well - they aren't old, they just aren't as young as they used to be. All the characters are drawn so artfully - just like the characters in her other books - they become almost real. This is not a relaxing book - it is wildly exciting and hilarious - perfect for walking fast and far while listening.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Love the story/hate the narrator. Trigger warning

Revisado: 09-25-22

If you love Kate Saunders, stick it out, ignore how bad the narrator is, and finish the book. If you've never heard of Kate Saunders, get the written version. Saunders doesn't shy away from the rather bizarre and her sweet protagonist, although a good Christian woman, doesn't shy away either. It is a proper mystery - I was pretty close to the end before I figured out "who done it." Note that there is some sexual abuse stuff in it - not described in graphic detail, but people should know and the protagonist also gives a head's up that it's coming.

I hope Ms. Saunders will keep Mrs. Rodd solving mysteries, but please find the former narrator for the next book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Didn’t need the subplot

Revisado: 03-28-22

This is a great story that is really well narrated. If the story stuck to the women protagonists and the women at the consul, I would have given it a 10. The subplot of the man ruined the story for me though. You could just excise him out.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña