Book reviews Archives - Page 16 of 28

21Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin book review

Fire and Blood is a Game of Thrones prequel. Though it isn't a book about a set of characters with lots of speech and a simple overarching plot, instead it tells the story of the hundred years leading up to Game of Thrones. It covers many kings, queens, families, wars, betrayals and stories. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of any of the products. Fire and Blood starts off just prior to Aegon's Conquest which upon his coronation resets the year date to 0 AC. Essentially Aegon reunited the seven kingdoms, starting the…

15Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Rivers of London By Ben Aaronovitch book review

Book reviews, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch is a book I have actually read before. I picked it up three years ago as it sounded quite cool and the front cover pulled me in. However, when I initially picked it up, it kind of flew by as I listened to the Audiobook, not really appreciating anything I was listening to. However, this time I had a lot more appreciation for the writing, and the comedy but I believe I still hold some of the same opinions as before. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion…

11Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Vanishing Half was the number one most-voted-for book when I held a poll recently asking people which book I should read from my physical TBR list. After a quick google, I realised I wasn't quite sure what it was I was about to read about. And around 300 pages later, I'm still not 100% sure if I really get what the book was trying to portray. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase products via any of the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. The Vanishing Half focuses on the lives of twins Desiree and Stella and their two…

09Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Revelation by C.J. Sansom book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery

The Matthew Shardlake series by CJ Sansom is one of the best historical fiction crime series around. It's likely not an overcrowded genre but nonetheless, Sansom seems to have marked himself down as the one to beat in the genre and the king of historical fiction crime. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of any of the products. Revelation is the fourth book in the Shardlake series by Sansom - a series that sees lawyer Shardlake get himself embroiled in murders far more often than he'd like and end up having to…

03Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett book review

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery

The Twyford Code is Janice Hallett's second book after The Appeal was very positively received. I absolutely adored The Appeal - I enjoyed the incredible way it was written and how, despite having the technicality of trying to write a book in that way, Hallett still managed to write great characters and a clever twist and crime story. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any of the products below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of any of the products. The Twyford Code is similar to The Appeal in that it is written in a unique way. The Twyford Code uses dictated voice notes to…

01Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness 1 Comment

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

I reviewed A Game of Thrones back in 2021 quite early on after I started this blog - since then I've done a reread and decided I want to give it another crack. I wrote my review based on memories of about two years after I'd read the book. This updated review is based on a reread I finished literally days ago. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any of the products linked below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These links do not affect my opinion of the products. A Game of Thrones is the first book in the epic A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin - if you've…

25Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery

There was quite the hype around The Miniaturist when I posted on social media that I'd bought it. It's a book filled with intrigue, an interesting setting and a lot of mystery. However, as I read it, I felt like more could have been done with it and it felt a little confusing. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via any of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Set in 1968 Amsterdam, The Miniaturist follows Petronella (known as Nella mostly) as she finds herself wed to a man whom she had no choice over and who also…

17Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Death on the Pier by Jamie West book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction

Death on the Pier by Jamie West is West's debut novel set almost 90 years ago on a Brighton Pier Theatre that longer exists. During a play in which the main character is supposed to die at the end of Act 1, she is found to actually be dead when the curtain goes down - but who is the culprit and why? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Death on the Pier was sent to me by Jamie West himself in return for an honest review. It releases on 10…

13Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Normal People by Sally Rooney book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Normal People is one of those books, like quite a few on my blog actually, where I picked it up because I'd heard a lot of chatter around it. My partner watched the television show and really liked it and one of my friends had read the book too. Therefore, to feel involved, I decided to pick it up too. What did I think? Please note that this article contains affiliate links, this means that if you choose to purchase any products via the link below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Normal People by Sally Rooney focuses almost solely on the lives of Connel and Marianne and how they constantly intertwine…

11Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Perfect Couple by Jackie Kabler book review

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

The Perfect Couple by Jacke Kabler was recommended to me by my partner after she finished the last 50 pages of it in under an hour one sunny weekend a couple of weeks ago. She said it was filled with twists and kept her gripped throughout. But do I feel the same way? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. The Perfect Couple focuses on Gemma and the disappearance of her husband. One night he doesn't come home when she thinks he will, he then doesn't come home the following day…

Category: Book reviews