See! This is exactly what I’m talking about! At work a few years ago now, we were told to stop using usb sticks to store our work and start using *theSee! This is exactly what I’m talking about! At work a few years ago now, we were told to stop using usb sticks to store our work and start using *the cloud*. I was very resistant because *the cloud* what does that mean really? Where does that leave us if/when the power fails? All that knowledge lost. All my kindle books lost. Life as it’s set up nowadays couldn’t survive one minute without computer technology- the pure logistics of getting food or fuel to people- and the majority of the population (very much including myself) are completely de-skilled in terms of growing, breeding, hunting food etc. What a nightmare! This book was thought provoking and scary in its likelihood. It’s more a matter of when and how than if. Gulp....more
I haven’t read any others in the series, but I consider this a Good Find. In the past I had quite a penchant for medieval murder mysteries, but they aI haven’t read any others in the series, but I consider this a Good Find. In the past I had quite a penchant for medieval murder mysteries, but they all seemed the same after a while. I have to say that this is definitely of better quality- the writing, plotting, content and characters and worked well as a stand alone, despite being seventh in series. I will definitely be looking up the others in this series and by this author. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
I do love these series from audible- like a very long play. Blame Covid19 for this not getting 5 stars. I only listen to audible in the car and I’ve bI do love these series from audible- like a very long play. Blame Covid19 for this not getting 5 stars. I only listen to audible in the car and I’ve been driving so infrequently during lockdown that it’s taken a loooong time to finish this. It would have been better done in a couple of weeks, rather than delays throughout. Still -a great series....more
I like to read a series in order, but although this book is the ninth in the Aelf Fen series, I haven’t read its predecessors. I enjoyed the story andI like to read a series in order, but although this book is the ninth in the Aelf Fen series, I haven’t read its predecessors. I enjoyed the story and enjoyed the first half particularly;I felt the book lost pace once the main characters arrived at the titular City of Pearl. I can see that to readers of the series, the events of this book would be more relevant and offer answers and insights not necessarily significant to me. However I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, particularly how hard travel could be during the winter months. Details of Lassair’s life in Cambridge have inspired me enough to go back and begin the series properly. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
This was an almost perfect blend of historical fiction and fantasy, mythology and folklore. I loved it! The writing was beautiful and lyrical. Karen MThis was an almost perfect blend of historical fiction and fantasy, mythology and folklore. I loved it! The writing was beautiful and lyrical. Karen Maitland has always been my favourite writer of medieval hf, but now I’d say she has a rival. By the time I was a quarter of the way through, I was looking up then buying the next in the series. To me this writing has traces of Robin Hobb and Juliet Marillier, but is also very much its own....more
This really might have been a 3.5 star read, but I’ve rounded it up because I learned a lot of history. I’ve learned that Richard I was basically FrenThis really might have been a 3.5 star read, but I’ve rounded it up because I learned a lot of history. I’ve learned that Richard I was basically French and his mother was Eleanor Aquitaine. It is set more than 100 years after William the conqueror conquered and the Crusades were happening. I’ve read several medieval mystery series, but they have generally been set a couple of centuries later. So I may read one or two more of the series to see if the history stays interesting!...more
Company of Liars is still my favourite Karen Maitland novel and so I was thrilled to notice a short story set in that world that I hadn’t read. If onlCompany of Liars is still my favourite Karen Maitland novel and so I was thrilled to notice a short story set in that world that I hadn’t read. If only it had been longer......more
A Gathering of Ghosts is set against the backdrop of a terrible famine which caused widespread poverty, desperation and displacement of thousands of oA Gathering of Ghosts is set against the backdrop of a terrible famine which caused widespread poverty, desperation and displacement of thousands of ordinary people as they were forced to travel across Europe in search of food or better conditions elsewhere. The well or spring sited at the Priory is central to the story representing the battle between Pagan and religious beliefs at the time. The characters of the story are bogged down in their beliefs, but for me the central character is Dertemor itself: it’s rage about being destroyed by tinners. I found this element of the story very interesting. Edward II needed tin for armour and weapons and passed laws to allow access to any land to mine for tin, where it could be found. The process of tinning was not a kind one to the land. The glowing moss which lined the rocks of the well does exist. Medieval historical fiction at its best....more
2.5 rounded up. If I was rating this in terms of historical detail alone, this book would have scored higher. The plot seemed to me one I’ve read in m2.5 rounded up. If I was rating this in terms of historical detail alone, this book would have scored higher. The plot seemed to me one I’ve read in many guises many times before and although it started quite well, it soon seemed a very flat read....more
Melvin Starr is wonderfully knowledgeable about this period of medieval history, but I find this series slow going and plodding, lacking in excitementMelvin Starr is wonderfully knowledgeable about this period of medieval history, but I find this series slow going and plodding, lacking in excitement. I actually stopped reading the series a few years ago for this reason, but was recently approved for the 11th in the series by Netgalley. I thought I would catch up with the books I hadn’t read first. Well it’s reminded me why I stopped reading them! The stories seem to have no dynamic to them. Three stars then almost totally for the attention to accurate details that this author brings....more
The final book in the trilogy. We see how the Londoners dealt with the plague and how it affected the economics of society and those left behind. We sThe final book in the trilogy. We see how the Londoners dealt with the plague and how it affected the economics of society and those left behind. We see the threads from the story tied up in a very satisfying way. I’m not very good on the royal family so this book helped a bit from that perspective. The king of this story is Edward III, married to Philippa. Their eldest son, Edward, became known as a warrior king and was called The Black Prince. Recommended for lovers of medieval historical fiction....more
Attention all historical fiction lovers! Fabulous audible original series, this the second of three. We follow the highs and lows of Jonah Durham’s liAttention all historical fiction lovers! Fabulous audible original series, this the second of three. We follow the highs and lows of Jonah Durham’s life as merchant prince. A shrewd business man, he, along with other prominent merchants, loses his fortune by lending money to Edward for his war with His cousin Philip of France. Jonah being Jonah however does not stay down long and after making a significant contribution in a sea battle is well rewarded. On the home front, he continues to build a community of Flemish weavers. Recommended....more
‘Was there ever such a year as this?’ There was a lot of speculation about whether this book would be completed and I was so hopeful and impatient for ‘Was there ever such a year as this?’ There was a lot of speculation about whether this book would be completed and I was so hopeful and impatient for it to be. And then, here it was. An enormous tome. It was wonderful and for the first time in this series, about a period and time I knew almost nothing about. Shardlake et al get swept up into the politics and upheaval of Kent’s rebellion, while investigating a case in Norwich. This is a book to savour- the details are so evocative and detailed, so well written, that even when a part of me was huffing and puffing at the actual case seemingly pushed to the side by the rebellion, the descriptions and character portraits of the incidental characters kept me thoroughly absorbed. Let’s hope there’s more to come....more
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