savage_book_review's Reviews (328)

Renowned historian Tracy Borman takes up the well trodden path of tracing the last 1,000 years of English and British Royal families and presenting her reader with a succinct and well presented narrative of their lives and effect on the country they ruled over. 

As with all books of this type, it was only ever going to provide a general overview of each monarch and their rule. However, in this case I found that the author kept a very tight rein on her subject; in a lot of cases, the chapters focus solely on the ruler - things like the monarch's family members only get a very brief mention, and/or the wider events of the time period are excluded altogether. While this is certainly a different approach to the exercise and clearly shows the author's discipline, it does feel like the reader is missing out on a lot of context.

It's definitely a worthy read if you're looking for a 'jumping on' point for your studies or burgeoning interest in the royals; it compares vary favourably with similar books I've read. There are others that perhaps give a bit more background to place you more squarely in time, which may steer you better towards other reading material, but this will give you more of a feel of the person who wears the crown. Of course, if you're already a royal history fan then there's not going to be a huge amount of surprise in store, but that slight shift in perspective does allow you to imagine the history you know a bit differently.

To me, this style also clearly flags up the time periods in which the author feels most comfortable. As you would expect, the entries for each monarch vary in length to reflect the amount of time they sat on the throne. But, certain entries (particularly the Tudor period) seem to be far more detailed and well rounded, owing to the author's expertise in this area and the glut of sources available. Earlier Kings, such as the Normans and early Plantagenets, have far less insight. 

I believe the paperback version was published only a very short while before the passing of Elizabeth II, which is a shame. Clearly I'm not expecting Borman to be a fortune teller, but because of the specific circumstances and with the benefit of hindsight, it now has a slightly 'unfinished' feel to it as Elizabeth's chapter is only just short of covering her whole reign, and is probably the most detailed chapter of them all. Hopefully the author will take time to write an afterword or addendum for future editions to bring that chapter to a proper conclusion.

Mia and Pearl live a nomadic life, directed by Mia's artistic temperament. Carrying only what they can fit in a VW Rabbit, they arrive in the idyllic Shaker Heights. Meanwhile, Elena Richardson and her family embody everything the town represents, so when they see a chance to help people less fortunate than themselves, they take it. But as their lives become intertwined, the two families start to discover things about each other that could end up setting their entire world alight...

This is definitely a step outside my usual genre. Technically, the book is very well written and very easy to read; the author's use of contrast, imagery and description really give the story depth and a bit of a dark edge, and I can appreciate why it seems a popular choice and why it's been made into a TV series. However, the story itself seems to me to reflect the setting; meticulously planned, a pleasant place to be, but where not too much interesting or exciting happens. The expectation is set quite high at the outset, but the payoff never really materialises.

From a non-US perspective, this feels like the epitome of white middle class America, and I just don't get it. Sure, a nice big house with a garden in a good neighbourhood is totally understandable, but I just can't get my head around the fact that people actually aspire to live in places like Shaker Heights. So immediately I struggled to get into the story because I cannot relate to the community at large at all.

In terms of characterisation, I think Mrs Richardson in particular is very reflective of that same white middle class privilege that perhaps blinds us to our own prejudices. She is so keen to show that she's accepting, charitable, open-minded... but only when you fit into her world without a problem. Disturb the status quo and immediately you're not welcome. There's nothing overtly wrong with what she thinks day to day, but her world view is skewed by the community in which she's been raised. When you compare her to Mia, Bebe and even her own daughters (especially Izzy), she actually comes across as quite a two dimensional, Stepford Wives style character, whom again I could not get invested in.

Motherhood is a huge theme throughout the book, in all its forms. Each mother is judged in some way; from letting fear turn a relationship sour, to whether money is as important as love when you're raising a child. To me, it seems that every mother is doing their best with what they have, save again for Mrs Richardson, who recognises that there's a problem but does nothing to try and change it. I will be honest, there were moments where I wanted to stop reading as, while I have no particular triggers, the subject matter is quite emotive and I did find certain scenes hard to get through. 

I was expecting a lot of different things to what was actually delivered, so in that respect Incan say this book was, if not full of shock twists and turns, then certainly not as predictable as you might think. In particular, I was waiting for quite the denouement, as the events did seem to be building towards something big. But the ending left me very disappointed; it just gently tails off. Until the last few pages, I was going to give this a 4 star rating despite it not being my cup of tea. The only thing I can see is that the author has left it wide open for a sequel, which could work as there are plenty of plot lines that could be extended easily and the rounded off to a proper conclusion. I suspect that even if the author does write one, the producers of the TV version will be happy to run with it! 

Interesting and not something I regret reading, but just a little too far outside my comfort zone to be properly enjoyable.

My motto: When in doubt, pick up a book on the Tudors. There will always be something to learn, perhaps a bit of controversy, but always the familiar and reliable history of the most famous of royal dynasties.

This book certainly examines Anne Boleyn's life from a different angle, taking the story you think you know and redefining her rise and fall as anything but a love story. Taking oft ignored or twisted pieces of evidence, the author tries to provide a more nuanced view of Anne's thought processes and how she got where she did. Likewise, she examines Henry VIII's personality and behaviour to drill down into the heart of their tempestuous relationship. And the results are quite surprising!

This is definitely not a 'sophisticated' history book. The tone and language are aimed very much at the Instagram/TikTok generation, with plenty of hashtags, eye rolls and asides. While it definitely makes the book incredibly easy to read and her arguments very digestible, if you're looking for scholarly discourse this isn't the book for you. That being said, it's not 'dumbed down' history; the narrative is compelling and concise, suggesting alternative theories and setting out the author's stall with enough detail to draw you in and give you the chance to consider what you think you know.

It's also been written in the full glare of the #MeToo movement, with the modern implications of 'no means no' being fully explored in this historical context. It doesn't ignore Anne's flaws, but does reframe some of her actions in a way that clearly shows her as a smart, sophisticated, worldly woman, rather than the scheming 'goggle-eyed whore' of old. In some ways it is fascinating to examine such a strong historical woman through this modern lens - the parallels with modern day Hollywood and other walks of life are undeniable - but at the same time I do think it is slightly unfair to impose today's sensibilities and psychology on the past, as the mindset just isn't comparable. Trying to identify someone's possible mental illness at a distance of 500 years just seems a bit odd to me, and then to hang a lot of your arguments on that diagnosis is leaving a lot of room for critique. However, I can't deny that her theories are interesting.

One thing I'm not so keen on is the bashing of other historians. There are several moments in the text where the author takes aim at comments made by other prominent historians who have perhaps framed Henry and Anne as a tragic love story. This ignores the simple fact that we are not in possession of complete evidence for the period, and what we do have is open to interpretation. Again, the modern mindset does come across quite strongly here; it's got a definite feel of 'I'm right and you're wrong' about it, which totally misses the point that history might be about 'facts', but is also open to discussion and debate. History is written by the winners, after all! So how are we meant to get an objective view of the losers? I believe that you can never read too many books on one subject. Indeed, the more books you read, the more likely you are to get closer to the truth by letting your own analytical mind compare the versions of the story. 

The author has tried to remain objective, but given the subject matter and the angle from which she's exploring the topic, I'd say objectivity is nigh on impossible to achieve. She doesn't have to explicitly state her opinions for you to be able to take a good guess at what they might be....

This book has certainly made me consider Anne and Henry in a different way and remove the sheen of stereotypes from my view. Very enjoyable.

'Mockingjay' has always been my least favourite in the Hunger Games series. I don't know why specifically, but it's just never gripped me as much as the other two. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with it, but I just think about the story and shrug. I was hoping that listening to the audio version might shed some new light on the story, or allow me to pick up on some nuance I'd missed in my previous rereads, but unfortunately it only reinforced my view. 

Despite being around the same length as the other recordings, this one has taken me far longer to get through, and that's including the fact that I didn't rewind to find the spots where I fell asleep while listening (intentionally, not because I was bored!). This isn't just the audiobook's problem - I do fibd that thr printed version also takes longer to get through. Where the other books feel like a proper slow burn, with tension building and plot layering until the Games begin, the pace of this book just drags. There might be brief shots of adrenaline, but they're just not enough to sustain a momentum. And I don't know if it's because Katniss has people overtly on her side in this one or just because there's so much 'hurry up and wait', but even the action when you do get to the 'arena' is not as gripping or interesting as the previous stories. 

I also find myself liking Katniss less in this book. She's not always a likeable character anyway, but I can normally at least partially understand what drives her. In this one, she crosses the line into a bit of a self-centered, woe-is-me teenager and I just can't empathise with her in the same way  The other characters still pop; love Haymitch, Finnick and Johanna in particular, but it feels like Katniss becomes overshadowed by events.

I'm sure it's just me, but I found Carolyn McCormick's voice reminiscent of Julianne Moore from the films, so hearing her play out President Coin brought her to life very well. But, as with the previous books, I just don't think she sounds right for Katniss' internal monologue. Indeed, she seemed to make Katniss sound even more childlike in this recording, which really didn't fit for me at all. So much of it sounded stilted and forced this time around, I found I didn't enjoy listening to her for long periods (another reason it's taken a while to finish). 

Also slightly disappointed by the 'bonus feature' of an interview with Suzanne Collins. It felt like a game of Jeopardy - you had to guess the questions from the answers she was giving, as there was noone actually asking anything. And it only lasted a couple of minutes, so to advertise is on the cover as a special feature feels a bit misleading. 

I'll be sticking with my physical or ebook copies of this one in future. I'm certainly glad I finished the whose series on audio, but I'm not jumping at the chance to relive the experience. It's still one of my favourites to read though!

Now the King's Champion, Celaena is employed to eliminate enemies of the realm, and by doing so will win her freedom. But despite her training and her previous life as Adarlan's Assassin, she comes to realise that some things might be more important. With dark forces awakening within and without, she faces love, loss and magic, all of which threatens to tear her world apart.

This story seems to serve as the introduction to the wider arc of the rest of the series; I'm certainly seeing more layering of story points, worldbuilding and character development, and it has really made me look forward to the journey to come. As a result, this book feels perhaps more well rounded than 'Throne of Glass' as there's a wider focus on all aspects of the story.

I'll admit finding it hard to reconcile the two sides to Celaena; the ice cold killer versus the girl who loves pretty things, the methodical and calculated assassin versus the impetuous teen. But the character is so well drawn, she comes to life straight off the page. In my head, I have her looking and sounding very much like Killer Frost/Caitlin Snow from the DC TV series 'The Flash', and I react to the two characters in a very similar way - love with just a touch of eye rolling annoyance!

I absolutely adore the relationship between the three lead characters; Celaena, Dorian and Chaol -  I just hope that she doesn't do a Tamlin with either one of the boys; they both feel like good men to me! But the only thing that bugs me a bit is that they all seem like they should be much older than they are - Chaol particularly feels very much more mature. I know it's YA fiction, but I just want to age them all up 10 years!

This book continues to show me why Maas has become such a popular author. Hers may not be the most sophisticated writing on the planet, but the images and feelings she evokes through her words are nothing short of amazing. The ending of this book didn't come as a surprise as such, but at the same time I couldn't have told you what was coming - I just think her writing flows so well that it's more of a happy realisation when the twists and turns occur. Likewise, the darker side of the story and Celaena's actions is so vividly painted, I'd be wary of watching if it were a TV show!

I just hope the library delivers the next book sooner than September..

The final instalment of the Red Queen series, this book contains a number of short stories, including the two that comprise the book 'Cruel Crown', alongside some of Julian Jacos' "research" into the history of Norta and a glimpse into the future of the world.

I really liked the historical notes and the additional comments scribbled in the margins by Julian's character. To me, it just illustrates how deeply the author has thought about the world her characters inhabit and the lengths she has gone to to make it as 'real' as possible. A history of the monarchy of Norta, details about all of the other realms, and the setting out of the link between their reality and ours makes me want to read more reference books about it, before remembering that the place is fictional! And there's even a cheeky Batman reference, which I applaud!

As for the story elements, as I've already read 'Cruel Crown' I will admit to skimming those two stories quite quickly. I'm a little confused by the inclusion of 'World Behind', a story about a Silver princess running away from a forced betrothal; I may be missing something, but none of the characters were familiar to me. While it's a nice little interlude, it doesn't seem to have any bearing on the actual story of Mare, Cal etc. and so just feels like a bit of filler.

However, the other three shorts; 'Iron Heart', 'Fire Light' and 'Fare Well' continue the main narrative of the series and draw together a lot of the loose ends. It also gives me the happy ending I was waiting for - part of me wonders if the author realised she made a mistake at the end of 'War Storm' (or got a lot of stick for the ending) and wrote these to correct it. In particular, I really enjoyed the 'full circle' moment it rewards the reader with, and the fact that it gives the characters the endings they deserve without detracting from their development or personality. The addition of Cal trying to keep a diary is lovely and a couple of his comments made me chuckle. And the author's addition of an extract from a text set a few decades further on just adds the cherry on top, as it leaves you with the satisfaction of characters with lives well lived.

I think the only character that is spoiled by these stories is Queen Anabel. The clothing and exterior remains constant, but her personality seems to undergo a change for no real reason save a grandmother's love, which just doesn't chime with the steely, duplicitous nature of the previous books. But it's a small niggle in an otherwise very enjoyable read.

The most impressive thing about this book is the aesthetics of the product. It's not a long book, but it's beautifully put together and is actually quite hefty! The pages are thick and glossy, which really serves to enhance the gorgeous photographs included throughout, and despite it being an 'outsize' book it's been very comfortable to sit with it propped against my knees to read. But the one thing that did bug me slightly was the constant changes in font size. I can't see that it's deliberate - on several occasions it happens within one 'article'. And I picked up on a few typos too.

Unfortunately, in my opinion the content doesn't match up to the looks. It mostly reads like a lot of self-congratulatory back slapping for a job well done, and while it appears to be split into 'chapters' mirroring the production process, there doesn't feel like very much depth of information or anecdotes from the making of the show. There are a couple of mentions of production difficulties (a roof caving in on freshly built sets etc), but there's no in-depth discussion of the effects these 'disasters' had, how they worked around them and so on. It seems to me that most major shows that do BTS books/interviews/documentaries make their production sound like a nightmare, and the way this us written just makes me feel like they've dropped in these little tidbits to join the club. 

Although there is some input from the cast, it is quite limited and, again, it's not really about their filming experiences or getting under the surface of their roles. Instead, it all feels quite superficial; like they were only included as an afterthought. Likewise, if you are looking to work in the film/TV industry as a member of crew, you might find some interesting insights in here, but nothing detailed enough to give a full understanding of these important roles.

I absolutely love the series and think everyone involved deserves all the praise they can get. But this just doesn't shine enough of a light on all their hard work.

I'll preface this by saying that I'm reading this series in the 'purist' order. Not for any particular reason; I was just able to get hold of 'Assassin's Blade' first! But straight away I can see why the 'romantic' order might be many peoples' preference; there's the start of a nice little build in this book which I'm sure will offer a gut punch and all the feels if you leave AB until the middle of the series. By reading it in 'purist' order, you are effectively spoiling yourself and removing some of the mystery from the character of Celaena.

The plot is fairly simple, but very tightly executed for the most part. That being said, this is a fantasy book and so you do have to get yourself into the mindset a little before you dive in; it's quite fast paced from the getgo, so easing yourself in isn't really an option. It definitely holds the reader's attention though - even if you do have to go back and reread a passage to grasp an extra detail, it's not a hardship; I found I wanted to understand more throughout.

There are clearly plot points being laid for the subsequent books in the series and, in the main, these do pull you in. However, I'm not a huge fan of the 'jealous rival' in this case; while I don't know what's going to happen with Kaltain next (which may of course change my mind about her), at this point I'd say that the character feels quite contrived and two dimensional, purely there to fill a few extra pages.

Maas' biggest strength is her beautiful descriptive writing; from buildings to clothes to landscapes, she has a way of weaving words together to paint the most gorgeous pictures in my mind's eye. While I wouldn't say her descriptions are as strong in this book as it is in some of her others, I'd still say that she sets the tone perfectly for the YA category she's writing for.

The library has already delivered the next one in the series, and I can't wait to crack it open!!

Continuing my annual reread of the Hunger Games trilogy, but listening to the audio version of it for the first time. 

This is my favourite of the three books, I think because it has a slower build which ratchets up the tension constantly- there's not a moment of respite anywhere. The narrative is so tight; it doesn't feel like there's a wasted word or scene - everything has meaning, and everything is necessary, even if it does mean the 'action' doesn't really get going until part 3 of the book. It also reflects the fact that Katniss has to live with this tension for an extended period, with worry and fear weighing down on her constantly for the year between Games.

While I don't think Katniss' character development is great in this one, I do love the changes wrought in Peeta and Haymitch. Likewise, the introduction of the other victors really adds an extra layer of understanding as to what it actually means to win the Games, and what it costs you. They're all such distinct characters as well; even characters like Seeder and Chaff, who don't feature that heavily, are easily conjured in the mind's eye. 

Having gotten used to the narrator in the last book, I did find her easier to listen to this time, but equally I still found her voice a little robotic, and a bit too well spoken - it just doesn't quite match up with the tale being told IMO. And in a few places she either used a character voice when reading the narrative, or forgot to put on a character voice when speaking, which I did find a little frustrating. That being said, she did throw in a few more accents this time, which kept things fresher.

I do think I prefer reading this book myself, but I won't deny I enjoyed being able to close my eyes and zone out while listening.

This obviously isn't the most calming series to read, but at the same time I needed something this week that I could just let drift over me without too much concentration. Plus, it was about time for my annual reread of the series anyway...

I know some people don't class listening to audiobooks as reading, but I'd argue that having someone tell the story to you allows you to pick up on nuances and aspects of the writing that you might not have picked up on when scanning the words on a page. This is no exception - I've read this book a lot, but until now it's never actually registered with me that Katniss believed Peeta was faking his love just as much as she was. I've always just read it that she understood he was crushing on her and that she just had to go along with it. In turn, this had changed my understanding of some of her actions and reactions and generally added to my respect for the depth the author has managed to layer in to this book. 

It took me a while to get used to the narrator of the version I listened to. For an American, she sounds very prim and proper in her pronunciation, which I didn't feel quite fitted with Katniss' voice. There was no contraction of words, which in places made things sounds very staged; definitely not how people would speak in normal conversation. And while she had good tone and inflection, weirdly for a good amount of the book I felt like I was possibly listening to a computer-generated voice - there was just something that didn't sound quite 'real' about it.

I can't explain why I love this series, but it's one of those that fall into my 'comfort reads' category. I just think the world is brought to life so incredibly well through Collins' writing; the characters are all well fleshed out and three dimensional, the settings are easy to visualise (whether or not you've seen the movies) and the wordbuilding is so clear and makes absolute sense. It's a triumph of dystopian fantasy and definitely the one to beat in my eyes.