August 2024 Wrap-Up
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 5:49 AM
Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 12:31 PM
“I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them.”
The First Law Trilogy ends with a captivating and stupendous conclusion, featuring gorgeous writing, an intriguing and unique setting, and gripping drama. In this volume, the characters return home from their grand adventures, only to find that home isn't always what they expect.
Logen Bloody Ninefingers has returned to surprise the people in the North, who had believed he was dead. Logen wants to start anew, but he has made many enemies during his time as the bloodiest and deadliest man alive. Despite this, his bloodthirsty spirit is needed to take out Bethod and his allies. However, in the North, people are not quick to accept new leadership, and civilized behavior is only temporary.
Luthar returns to Adua and his surprise is welcomed as a conquering hero. He still has it bad for Ardee but knows marrying her is out of the question. Luthar has a lot of growth as he rises to the occasion only to wonder whether having all his childhood dreams come true is ever going to make him happy.
Colonel West too has to rise to the occasion of leadership. It is to him that falls the ugly task of facing Bethod and surviving the complexities of modern army hierarchy. He may long to return to wandering with a handful of barbaric Northmen, but that's not where he's needed.
Glotka, the cripple, continues to be among the most fascinating of creatures in literature. Bitter, and self-pitying, but with an odd knack for survival, Glotka figures out what it takes with palace politics and who to trust - no one.
Last Argument of Kings is epic in every possible way from the hand-to-hand battles to the Union on the brink of survival nearly engulfed by overwhelming forces. What makes it work well is that every one of these characters is fully human, burdened by their past mistakes, thrust into roles they don't feel right for, and swirling in the mists of fate and strategy, often struggling not to be supported by more powerful forces.
The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:16 AM
Ling Suyin was the late Emperor's consort, known for her stunning beauty and reputation as the supreme seductress across the Empire. After years of navigating the treacherous Imperial Court, Suyin simply desires a peaceful place away from the palace's intrigue. Upon her former master's passing, she was granted a lovely home near the river, far from the Imperial Court.
Li Tao is a ruthless warlord who was raised on the streets of Luoyang. He rules a province and has the foresight and skill to understand the changing winds within the Empire. The Empire has fractured, war has breached the horizon, and Tao knows he will be forced to stand against Imperial forces.
Before Suyin could be granted her wish, an anonymous note sent to Li Tao led him to kidnap her and entangle her in palace politics. Aware that rival Governors want to eliminate the late Emperor's courtesan, Tao must determine if the secrets she holds justify her execution. As Imperial forces approach his province, Tao offers Suyin her freedom in exchange for a night in his bed. However, they soon realize that one night is not enough for either of them. What starts as a single night evolves into a love that has the potential to bring down an Empire.
"The Dragon and The Pearl" is Jeannie Lin's remarkable sequel to "Butterfly Swords". The story had me hooked from the beginning. It's a captivating and refreshing read. In this novel, Ms. Lin turns the villain from "Butterfly Swords" into a hero with a unique twist, and she delivers an engaging tale set during the Tang Dynasty. It's a must-read novel of the year.
Tombland by C.J. Sansom
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 3:41 PM
“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”
In 1549, after the young King Edward inherited his father Henry VIII's throne, there was an uprising against Edward's guardian, the Lord Protector Somerset. The rebellion was led by two brothers from Norfolk named Kett, and the story focuses on the city of Norwich, which was the second-largest city in England at that time.
In all of Sansom's Tudor novels, the story revolves around the hunchback lawyer, Matthew Shardlake, and his sidekick, Jack Barak. They are sent by Edward's older step-sister, Lady Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I), to investigate a gruesome murder near Norwich at the time of Kett's Rebellion.
Shardlake's character continues to evolve and the plot is truly excellent. It's a gripping story filled with outstanding historical insights and detail.
Month of July : Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 5:31 AM
Shield of Thunder by David Gemmell
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 9:20 AM
“Nothing of real worth can ever be bought. Love, friendship, honour, valour, respect. All these things have to be earned.”
The story takes place about a year after the events of the first book, focusing more on the characters Odysseus, Kalliades, and Banokles. It revolves around the events leading to the war between Agamemnon and Priam, and the years leading up to the siege of Troy. The plot also details how friends become enemies and enemies become friends. The book includes many battles, is vividly described for easy visualization, and features engaging and likable characters. There's a nice twist at the start of the book involving Helikaon and how he overcomes his predicament, demonstrating how knowledge can be seen as mysticism.
