Category: Historical

Mini Reviews

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Anthologies, Childrens, Fantasy, Historical, Manga, Non Fiction, Review, Sci-Fi, YA3 Comments

Hello!

For my first mini reviews of 2021, I’m catching up a few stragglers from last year as well as some early reads this year. There is a mixture of non-fiction, historical fiction and fantasy, as well as children’s, YA and Adult in the mix.

Mini reviews will differ slightly from the longer reviews in that they will only receive a rating badge, rather than featuring a quote and highlighted aspect badge, otherwise these posts would end up even longer than they already are.

“Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley for these in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.”

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Book Review: The Brass Queen – Elizabeth Chatsworth

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

For the first post today, I am reviewing The Brass Queen by Elizabeth Chatsworth, which was released on tuesday by Camcat Books.

Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Book Summary:

In 1897, a fiery British aristocrat and an inept US spy search for a stolen invisibility serum that could spark a global war.

Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogue inventors. Selling exotic firearms under her alias, the ‘Brass Queen,’ has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy, Trusdale, saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world they know will literally disappear before their eyes.

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Blog Tour (Book Review): Alex Cohen Series Books 1-3 – Leopold Borstinski

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Indie, Noir, Review2 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be helping to kick off the first day of the blog tour for the release of the box-set for the Alex Cohen Series books 1-3 by Leopold Borstinski organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I thoroughly enjoyed the second and third books in the series, and you will find those reviews below as well, and I was glad for the opportunity and motivation to go back and read the first book in the series in The Bowery Slugger. I hope that you will check out the author and this fantastic series, as well as the rest of the wonderful bloggers participating in this tour.

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Norsevember Wrap- up

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Norsevember, Review, Sci-Fi3 Comments

Hello!

I can’t believe that we’re already at the end of November! It comes with bittersweet feelings, because on one hand I can now thoroughly embrace the festive spirit – Christmas music is going on at work tomorrow!! – on the other, today is St Andrews Day and were it not the year of Covid I would be attending a Street Ceilidh, torch-lit procession and fireworks. I will however, be indulging in haggis, neeps and tatties and blast some Ceilidh music while I do so.

Tomorrow, I will be sharing my November wrap-up post and looking at what’s on for December. Today however is all about Norsevember, and will actually be my main post for the month as life (and my blasted knees) have got in the way and derailed most of my November plans.

Firstly a massive shoutout to Alex at Spells and Spaceships for organising this event, and for all his amazing posts over the month which have been a much needed bright spot. Also, thank you again for this lovely bookmark that I won from one of the giveaways.

Secondly, I managed to read all but one of the books from my Norsevember TBR, but hadn’t managed to review them yet, so below you will find those reviews (hence the fact that this is a veeeery long post). They turned out to be a mixed bag, with some that I absolutely adored and others I absolutely hated, and some snuck in that weren’t even on the TBR to start with (as is always the way, right?)

Posts:

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Book Review: These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) – Chloe Gong

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published, YA3 Comments
Gray Dragon Statue

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong which will be released in three days on the 17th, and one that I will certainly be snagging a physical copy of because it is a beautiful book inside and out.

Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Book Summary:

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

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Mini Reviews

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Historical, LGBTQIA, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Review, Self-Published, Traditionally-Published, YA1 Comment

Hello!

For the first post today I have a bunch of smaller reviews from netgalley reads over the last couple of months, which are mostly a mixture of YA and Fantasy this time around, with a couple of others in the mix.

*Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of these books from netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

***** *****

How to be Ace: A Memoir of Growing up Asexual – Rebecca Burgess

Genre: Memoir | Comics & Graphic Novels | LGBTQIA

Book Summary:

“When I was in school, everyone got to a certain age where they became interested in talking about only one thing: boys, girls and sex. Me though? I was only interested in comics.”

Growing up, Rebecca assumes sex is just a scary new thing they will ‘grow into’ as they get older, but when they leave school, start working and do grow up, they start to wonder why they don’t want to have sex with other people.

In this brave, hilarious and empowering graphic memoir, we follow Rebecca as they navigate a culture obsessed with sex – from being bullied at school and trying to fit in with friends, to forcing themself into relationships and experiencing anxiety and OCD – before coming to understand and embrace their asexual identity.

Giving unparalleled insight into asexuality and asexual relationships, How To Be Ace shows the importance of learning to be happy and proud of who you are.

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Book Review: The Bell in the Lake (The Sister Bells #1) – Lars Mytting

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!
The first post for today is a review of The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting, a historical novel in translation, which was one of those books that called to me and I ended up enjoying even more than I expected.

*Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Book Summary:

Norway, 1880. In the secluded village of Butangen at the end of the valley, headstrong Astrid dreams of a life beyond marriage, hard work and children. And then Pastor Kai Schweigaard comes into her life, taking over the 700-year-old stave church with its carvings of pagan deities. The two church bells were forged by her forefather in the sixteenth century, in memory of conjoined sisters Halfrid and Gunhild Hekne, and are said to have supernatural powers. But now the pastor wants to tear it down, to replace it with a modern, larger church. Though Astrid is drawn to him, this may be a provocation too far.

Talented architecture student Gerhard Schönauer arrives from Dresden to oversee the removal of the church and its reconstruction in the German city. Everything about elegant Schönauer is so different, so cosmopolitan. Astrid must make a choice: for her homeland and the pastor, or for a daunting and uncertain future in Germany.

Then the bells begin to toll . . .

Translated from the Norwegian by Deborah Dawkin

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Blog Tour (Book Review) – Midtown Huckster (Alex Cohen #3) – Leopold Borstinski

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Crime, Historical, Noir, Review1 Comment

Midtown Huckster banner

Hello!

              Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Midtown Huckster’ by Leopold Borstinski, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book, as well as the rest of the blogs involved in the tour.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

 

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Book Summary:

1930s Jewish gangster, Alex Cohen runs Murder Inc for Lucky Luciano. After the death of Prohibition he must find a new way to make money, just as the cops are baying at his heels. When Luciano goes down for racketeering, Alex loses his protection and is arrested for tax evasion–he must decide between saving his skin and ratting out his friends.

If he chooses prison time then his gang will fall apart and he will end up with nothing. If he squeals then he will have to flee the city he loves and the family he once adored. What would you do in a world where nobody can be trusted and you have everything to lose?

The third book in the Alex Cohen series is an historical noir novel, which plunges you deep into the early days of narcotics trafficking and the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s piercing crime fiction delivers a fix to every reader like heroin from a needle.

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Book Review: The Story of Silence – Alex Meyers

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am reviewing ‘The Story of Silence’ by Alex Meyers, whose cover and premise intrigued me from the start.

*Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Book Summary:

There was once, long ago, a foolish king who decreed that women should not, and would not, inherit. Thus when a girl-child was born to Lord Cador – Merlin-enchanted fighter of dragons and Earl of Cornwall – he secreted her away: to be raised a boy so that the family land and honour would remain intact.

That child’s name was Silence.

Silence must find their own place in a medieval world that is determined to place the many restrictions of gender and class upon them. With dreams of knighthood and a lonely heart to answer, Silence sets out to define themselves.

Soon their silence will be ended.

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Blog Tour (Book Review) – Tomb of Gods – Brian Moreland

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Review, Traditionally-Published2 Comments

Tomb of Gods BT Poster

Hello!

Today (or rather yesterday as I have just realised that I had written the wrong date in my diary, and both calendars…) is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Tomb of Gods’ by Brian Moreland, organised by Random Things Tours. I was delighted to have participate in this tour as this book sounded right up my street, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I recieved an arc in exchange for an honest review.’*

Tomb of Gods Cover

Book Summary:

Deep inside the tomb exists a hidden world of wonder and terror.
In 1 935, British archaeologists vanished inside an Egyptian cave. A year later,
one man returned covered in mysterious scars.

Egyptologist Imogen Riley desperately wants to know what happened to the
ill-fated expedition led by her grandfather. On a quest for answers, she joins
a team of archeologists and soldiers in Egypt. Inside a mountain tomb,
they’ve found a technologically advanced relic and a maze of tunnels. Dr.
Nathan Trummel believes this tomb leads to the most guarded secrets of the
pharaohs. When the explorers venture deep into the caves, they discover a
hidden world of wonder and terror.

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