13Sep 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell

Book Review: The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell

Book reviews, Historical Fiction
Bernard Cornwell has built up quite the repertoire of best-selling historical fiction novels. However, his 'Last Kingdom' series is likely his biggest having been made into a critically acclaimed and very successful Netflix series too. The Pale Horseman is the second in the series and carries on the story of Uhtrid and everyone he comes up against. [caption id="attachment_1129" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] The Last Kingdom was a book that I had a lot of respect for. I love history and so love historical fiction - I enjoyed Cornwell's writing style and the massively flawed Uhtrid. The Pale Horseman continues to follow Uhtrid as he encounters different personalities along the way, staying close to King Alfred whom he is watching develop into a very intelligent King. Plot –…
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11Sep 2021 by Luke Harkness 5 Comments
Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See

Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See

Book reviews, Historical Fiction
All The Light we cannot see was recommended to me as my next read on my Instagram and Twitter. It was between this and The Song of Achilles. It's a story about two young people during the war and the struggles they face trying to survive under their own unique circumstances. And it just didn't resonate with me. [caption id="attachment_1110" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase All The Light We Cannot See via any of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. All The Light We Cannot See focuses on Marie-Laure and Werner Pfennig,…
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05Sep 2021 by Luke Harkness
Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Book reviews, Classics, Historical Fiction
To Kill A Mockingbird is up there with some of the all-time classic books recommended to anybody who wants to consider themself "well-read". It's a book that takes you through all the range of emotions, teaching you morality and pure kindness along the way. [caption id="attachment_1075" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Originally published in 1960, To Kill A Mockingbird was Harper Lee's first of two books she ever wrote. It is set in Southern America, in Alabama and follows the lives of Jean Louise, the daughter of Atticus Finch and her family and friends. It discusses and covers prejudice in a very gritty and down-to-earth manner and takes you through a story that will see you experience all the emotions. Plot – 5/5 To Kill A Mockingbird follows the…
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31Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Book Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance
One of the books of 2018, The Tattooist of Auschwitz tells the true tale of Lale and his time in a concentration camp and the finding of his one true love during the second war and the Nazi regime. [caption id="attachment_1039" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a dark tale that I think anybody who reads it will most certainly feel sympathy towards. It’s a story known around the world as one of the darkest times in human history and hearing the account of one victim really hones you into the personal element of something we all know a lot about. Plot – 4/5 Lale finds himself thrown into a concentration camp when the Nazis demand an adult family member join from each family. Quite…
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18Aug 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Book Review: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Book reviews, Historical Fiction
I think Shuggie Bain is likely on everybody's "to-be-read" list after winning the 2020 Booker Prize award. It's a tale that spans over a decade and tells the story of deep sorrow and struggle between a boy and his mother. [caption id="attachment_996" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to your Pinterest![/caption] Please note this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase Shuggie Bain via the links provided, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my opinion of the book. Shuggie Bain is the name of the son of Agnes Bain whose life has thrown constant pain and abandonment at her. She's an alcoholic and the story tells the tale of Shuggie's and her own experiences…
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