bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)

Really enjoyed this one, not quite to the heights of Hitchiker's but still funny, philosophical and very silly. Martin Freeman nailed the narration, so so good!!

First Rachel Harrison and really enjoyed this one. A Werewolf horror that's centered on the female experience.
And I want to find an Ian!!

This was such an interesting, well researched and moving story with an immediately intriguing premise. I do love a 'what if' story that takes a well known historical period and gives it a twist. In this case we're given an alternative Tudor literary history that explores the possibility that acknowledged poet Emilia Bassano/Lanier was the true author of some of the most famous plays ever written - in other words, what if William Shakespeare was just a front for a female playwright, the acceptable face for Tudor England society.

I will admit I didn't look too in depth into the premise beyond that key question as I was absolutely drawn in by that alone which did mean I was a little disappointed when it opened up with a modern storyline. Mel is a likeable enough character but wasn't what I wanted from the book. I was much more taken with Emilia's story and was absolutely swept away by her chapters. 

The modern timeline felt a little like a rude interruption at times and whilst I understood why the stories were running in parallel I found myself resenting it, especially as how that story was going to unfold was very clearly signposted from minute one. Despite those misgivings, and being proven pretty much correct on every point, Mel's story did wrap up nicely but I overall found Emilia's story to be much stronger, engaging and moving. 

I really enjoyed seeing her story develop over the pages and felt much more attached to her so when her story came to its close I found myself profoundly touched by the final pages which were beautifully written.

This was my first Jodi Picoult and I thought her writing style was wonderfully fluid and easy to read and really brought into her world through her words. As a Shakespeare fan I had a smile every time I saw something from a play or sonnet woven into the story helping shape Emilia's experience. Despite my discomfort about the early years of her relationship with Hunsdon due to her age (unfortunately a common enough occurrence during that time) I thought that Picoult navigated it well and really gave context to the situation.

Having read Rachel Blackmore's Costanza earlier this year which a full fictionalised biography, I was left feeling a little disappointed that we had the dual timeline for this story as I wanted to be fully swept up in Emilia's life without distraction. However, overall I can understand why it was written this way and it does work and is an important perspective that gives this book a different edge so it doesn't sit purely in the historical fiction category.

This book may not work for all and it may feel a little long for some but I highly recommend reading it because the historical chapters are captivating and fully draws you into that world.

3.75* rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for a digital review copy of "By Any Other Name" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Really enjoyed this and glad to have finally read a Chuck Tingle

Every so often I need a bit of historical fiction and one set on the Titanic absolutely called to me. Overall loved it. Vividly written, moving and I really enjoyed the building romance against the doomed voyage.

Solid YA horror. Creepy at times, can see why it's spawned a series but 1 is enough for me.

A 4.5* winning read for me.

'This Cursed House' is an extremely impressive Southern Gothic Horror Debut from Del Sandeen that drew me in from minute one. It's an uncomfortable, eerie and suitably spooky read that is also full of sadness, loss and gives an insight into man’s inhumanity to man.

There are areas of repetition and where the editing could may have been a little tighter and the characterisation of Jemma at times was frustrating as a reader but it didn't detract from the power of the story for me as it drew on so many areas that I love to read about - Ghosts, lies, family secrets, Black American history and the always timely notion that the sins of the father are visited upon the children. History can never stay hidden or forgotten and the way this is demonstrated in this book was moving, shocking and unforgettable.

I will absolutely be keeping an eye on this author’s future releases!

Thank you to Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph and Netgalley for inviting me to read an eArc of "This Cursed House" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

4.5* just a lovely book. A little mystery, found family and a genial and gentle pace.

I picked up Running Cold because I really was looking forward to the premise of the story, and the setting of Banff in Canada. But it didn't work for me at all. I struggled with the writing style from minute one - overegged similes shoe horned into page one turned me off instantly - "her cheeks shone shiny red like Christmas tree ornaments" and "Izzy's eyebrows merged like fuzzy skis in snowplough" are two that gave me the instant ick. 

After that I struggled to connect at all to the story sadly. I became easily distracted, the characters lacked depth and the plot felt contrived. It felt like there was too little story for the page length given and with everything else going against it I skim read a lot and skipped sections and didn't feel like I'd missed out.

Sadly lacking the atmosphere, thrills and intrigue that I'd hoped for, this one was a big miss for me and I probably won't try other works by the author based on the writing style.

1.5*

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy of "Running Cold" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. 

Overall very strong short story collection showing off CJ Tudor's skills in horror/supernatural horror/psychological thriller genres