Review ~ The Peithosian Gift by Cristina Archer

Mèchant Publishing along with Rowanvale Books
August 2018

My thanks to Ben at Cameron Publicity for my copy of this book

The Peithosian Gift is a speculative fiction novel about two warring clans with the power to control the minds of others. 

Since ancient times, the Morgans and the Kanes have violently disputed the right to use their gift. The present-day Morgans are outnumbered and persecuted by the Kanes for using their gift; most are in hiding, while others avenge the slaughter of their kin. The Kanes hunt and assassinate Morgans to prevent a mind-controlled world. While one clan seeks a ‘saviour’ to restore the imbalance, the other fears the birth of a too-gifted child. 

Radha, born of a third, lost clan, has superior powers that she is scarcely able to control. Events lead to a clash of clan leaders and key players, forcing Radha on the run with both sides hunting her.

My thoughts about it..

Mind games and mind control form the basis for this journey into the world of speculative fiction, which, I have to be honest and say, is not one of my go to genres. However, from the opening few chapters which set the scene in the ancient world, through to the bulk of the novel which brings the action into a more recognisable time, there is never a dull moment between the two opposing families who each seek control.

Both the Morgans and the Kanes are decidedly hostile to each other and have been this way for generations. Each have the ability to control the minds of others, and yet, whilst the Morgans think it acceptable to do so, the Kanes feel that people should be free to make up their own minds. It is this concept which allows the author free rein to create a complicated world and where the story has its depth.

There is much to take in, as the book is divided into distinct sections, and there are lots of characters to keep track of, and yet, the author succeeds, in this rather complicated plot, to allow the story to flow quite well, although, there were times when I found things a little confusing, and I had to back track in order to keep both the characters and the complicated plot in my head. 

I am sure that fans of speculative fiction and fantasy will find much to consider in The Peithosian Gift. I’m still not sure that this is ever going to be a comfortable genre for me, but I enjoyed being taken out of my comfort zone and given the chance to read something quite different.

About the Author

CRISTINA ARCHER has long been fascinated by philosophy and psychology and has been writing fiction with these themes in her spare time since she was a teenager. She writes speculative/fantasy fiction as she believes these genres offer the widest scope to explore many a "what if" question that is relevant today. The Peithosian Gift is her fifth novel.

Cristina Archer lives in Melbourne, one of the most inspiring cities in the world. More information about her and her books can be found at cristinaarcher.com.

Blog Tour ~ The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be part of the Blog Tour for The Girl in the Tower

Del Rey an imprint of Ebury Publishing
Penguin Random House
9 August 2018

My thanks to the publishers and to Random Things Tours for the invitation to the blog tour and for my copy of the book

Inspired by Russian fairy-tales and folklore, this is the second book in a stunning literary trilogy. The perfect blend of historical fiction and magical realism, this series is for those readers who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, and Philip Pullman.

What's it all about ...

For a young woman in medieval Russia, the choices are stark: marriage or a life in a convent. Vasya will choose a third way: magic...

The court of the Grand Prince of Moscow is plagued by power struggles and rumours of unrest. Meanwhile bandits roam the countryside, burning the villages and kidnapping its daughters. Setting out to defeat the raiders, the Prince and his trusted companion come across a young man riding a magnificent horse.

Only Sasha, a priest with a warrior's training, recognises this 'boy' as his younger sister, thought to be dead or a witch by her village. But when Vasya proves herself in battle, riding with remarkable skill and inexplicable power, Sasha realises he must keep her secret as she may be the only way to save the city from threats both human and fantastical... 

My thoughts...

This lovely story starts where book one of the Winternight trilogy left off and for readers of this series, this second book is no less fascinating than the first foray into the magical world of Russian folklore. 

Beautifully and imaginatively written, Vasya, is now grown to young womanhood, and in the face of great adversity, makes the momentous decision to decide her own way in life. With limited choices before her and with the prospect of marriage or of being sent to a convent not very appealing, Vasya undertakes a challenging journey into the unknown, which will see her placed in great danger. To say anything more about the story would be to spoil the desired effect and my best advice really is to start this trilogy from the beginning and enjoy the introduction to Vasya and her family from the very start of this fantastical adventure.

Medieval Russia with all its ancient traditions of storytelling and folk lore comes alive in The Girl in the Tower and there is such an element of magic and a kind of questioning wonder to be found in the story particularly as Vasya challenges those who seek more from her than she is prepared to give.

The author with great imagination and a genuine flair for story telling has certainly brought this world of magic and superstition to life in a believable way. I am already really excited to see how the trilogy concludes in The Winter of the Witch, which I believe is coming in January 2019.

I just need to add something about the book covers, they really are quite beautiful and compliment the story within perfectly.

  

About the Author

Katherine Arden has studied Russian in Moscow, taught at a school in the French Alps, and worked on a farm in Hawaii. Born in Austin, Texas, she currently lives in Vermont. She is the author of the critically acclaimed The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower.

Website

Twitter @arden_katherine #TheGirlInTheTower #WinternightTrilogy

@EburyPublishing

#RandomThingsTours

Review ~ On the Account by Helen Hollick

Silverwood Books

July 2016

Sea Witch Voyages #5

A bit of blurb..

Captain Jesamiah Acorne is in trouble. Again. Arrested for treason and smuggling, believing his beloved ship, Sea Witch, lies wrecked on England’s North Devon coast, his only hope of escaping the noose is for someone to quash the charges. That someone turns out to be his ex-lover – but there’s a price to pay. 

He needs to find a boy who has disappeared, and a valuable casket that more than one person wants to get their hands on. When people start getting murdered and Barbary pirates kidnap his wife, Tiola, his priorities rapidly change – but who is lying about what? Is returning to piracy a wise idea? Is Tiola having an affair with her mysterious Night-Walker ‘friend’? 

Meanwhile, Tiola has her own battle to fight – keeping herself and Jesamiah alive!

My thoughts about the book..

There's something rather special about meeting again with established characters and in On The Account, the fifth book in the Sea Witch Voyages, the author has again brought to vivid life the adventures of swashbuckling Captain Jesamiah Acorne and his mysterious wife, Tiola.

When authors seek to maintain stability within an established series, there is sometimes a danger that stories can become diluted, but this is not the case with this series, which seems to go from strength to strength. Maintaining continuity, whilst at the same time giving readers something new to discover is what makes reading the Sea Witch Voyages so much fun. I enjoyed this story because it’s little bit more mystical than its predecessors, slightly otherworldly in places, but always at the forefront is the author’s keen eye for detail and a strong sense of history, both real and imagined. The fine attention to detail and the author’s unique story telling ability always ensures that Captain Jesamiah and his adventures never fail to hit the mark. 

To say more about the minutiae of the story would be to spoil the overall effect but what I can say is that the eighteenth century comes alive in splendid detail, from Jesamiah’s initial incarceration in a gloomy Bristol gaol, to the terror of kidnap and the threat of coercion, there is never a dull moment, either for Jesamiah and his wife, or for those characters who form a major part of this rollicking good adventure.

As with any series, it is of course best to start reading from book one, however, it is perfectly possible to read and enjoy On the Account as a standalone story.

Best Read with…A ripe French brandy and platters of aromatic mutton stew...

About the Author

Helen Hollick lives with her family in North Devon, England, in an eighteenth-century farmhouse, surrounded by thirteen acres of fields and woodland. A variety of pets include horses, two Exmoor ponies, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and geese. A passionate supporter of indie, Helen is Managing Editor for the Historical Novel Society Indie Reviews. Her main passion is her pirate character, Captain Jesamiah Acorne of The Sea Witch Voyages, which carry the quality endorsement of Indie B.R.A.G. medallions. Helen is also published traditionally in the US, and became a USA Today Bestseller with 'The Forever Queen' (titled 'A Hollow Crown' in the UK) – the story of Saxon Queen, Emma of Normandy. Her novel 'Harold the King' (titled 'I Am the Chosen King' in the US) is an acclaimed re-telling of events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy, set in the fifth century, is widely acclaimed as a different telling of the Arthurian Myth. Helen is published in various languages including Turkish, Italian and German.

Find Helen on her website Click here

Follow on Twitter @HelenHollick

Visit on Facebook Click here

My thanks to Helen for sharing Captain Jesamiah's latest adventures with me.

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Review ~ 1066 Turned Upside Down ...An alternate view..

Troubador/Matador
August 2016

A bit of blurb..

Ever wondered what might have happened if William the Conqueror had been beaten at Hastings? Or if Harald Hardrada had won at Stamford Bridge? Or if Edward the Confessor had died with an heir ready to take his place? Then here is the perfect set of stories for you. ‘1066 Turned Upside Down’ explores a variety of ways in which the momentous year of 1066 could have played out differently. 

Written by nine well-known authors to celebrate the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, the stories will take you on a journey through the wonderful ‘what ifs’ of England’s most famous year in history.

My thoughts about the book..


It's 1066 but not as you know it..

I'm fascinated by historical fiction written by authors who wade way through dusty history books and ponder long into the night about the minutiae of the lives, and times, of historical figures, always maintaining historical accuracy, so that no-on can ever accuse them of changing, or of rearranging history. It must be a temptation though, on occasion, to have the opportunity to rearrange events, to give a voice to that little mischievous murmur that whispers ever so softly… what would have happened, if only..

In 1066 Turned Upside Down, nine talented historical fiction authors, all at the top of their game in terms of historical fiction, have taken the facts, as we know them, about the tumultuous events of the year, 1066 and have given us their alternate versions of events. All of the eleven stories have an air of authenticity and each combine historical facts with a delightful, alternate twist. All of the stories are readable in short snippets, little bite sized stories, which you can comfortably read in one sitting, but which, ultimately, offer a fresh approach to a time in history that most of us feel we know really well.

Whilst I am familiar with some of the authors who have contributed, others are new to me, but what convinced me about the combined quality of this book was just how seriously these committed authors take their craft. They make history come alive, and with real conviction turn fact into fiction and fiction into fact, cleverly manipulating events so that everything you read becomes totally convincing and in some cases you wish it had happened just so..

I’m not going to single out any one story as my ‘favourite’ as each one brings something different to the feast and I think the stories should be looked at as a collective whole rather than singletons, however, it must also be said that each story is complete within itself and stands proudly alone.

It’s a great idea to take something as momentous as 1066 and turn it completely on its head but in this 950^th anniversary year of the battle of Hastings, it’s refreshing to look at events in a totally different way and I commend these fine authors for their inventiveness and obvious enthusiasm for their chosen genre.

Best read with ..Tankards of yeasty ale and a rich and pungent venison pasty…

And here are the authors :

A foreword by CC Humphries

An Introduction by Joanna Courtney 

January - Helen Hollick - To Crown A King

February -Annie Whitehead - A Matter of Trust

March - Joanna Courtney -Emperor of the North

April - Carol McGrath - The Dragon-Tailed Star

May - June - Richard Dee - If You Changed One Thing

July - Alison Morton - A Roman Intervenes

August - Helen Hollick - In the Wake if the Dolphin

September - Anna Belfrage - The Danish Crutch

October -  Joanna Courtney - Hold England Firm

November - G K Holloway - The Battle of London Bridge

December - Eliza Redgold - The Needle Can Mend

An Endword by Helen Hollick

You can discover more about the authors and their stories

on the 1066 Turned Upside Down website 

Available as an ebook click here 

Historical Novel Society Review click here

Huge thanks to the authors for sharing their stories with me 

and for allowing me a totally different look at 1066.

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Review ~ The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

Headline
July 2015

The Book of Life is the place where history, science, magic and romance combine and where the All Souls trilogy finally reaches its dramatic conclusion.

The Book of Life is the third and final part of the All Souls trilogy in which vampire scientist, Matthew Clairmont and his wife, historian and witch, Diana Bishop, search for the elusive alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, which is also known as The Book of Life.

The story is intense, complicated and filled to bursting with historical references to vampires, witches and daemons, and as the search for the mysterious Ashmole 782 gets underway, nothing and no-one is allowed to get in Matthew and Diana’s way. The ever present threat to their ordered world is real, their fear is tangible and the terrifying urgency of their search is controlled in a remarkably realistic way. Old grudges are allowed to fester, whilst forgotten resentments and malevolent forces constantly seek to outwit them. However, with a little help from their friends, true goodness will overcome pure evil and light will eventually shine through the darkness.

As the story draws to its inevitable conclusion, there is a definite sense of wrapping up all the loose ends, and after such an epic journey it’s gratifying to see some sort of resolution take place. My only criticism is that without prior knowledge of the previous two books in the trilogy, this book would be almost impossible to read, as so much of this story is reliant on what has gone before. My advice would be to start at the very beginning and take the journey into the All Souls trilogy alongside Matthew and Diana. I'm sure you won’t be disappointed.

I read this book as part of the Love Reading.co.uk Reading Panel.

The paperback of The Book of Life will be available from all good book shops from the 9th April 2015.

Amazon UK


My thanks also to NetGalley and Headline for my digital copy of this book

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