I must have been in the right mood for this one because I didn’t find it too irritating! In which: Ma M and R get greedy, Ma Makutse shows insecuritieI must have been in the right mood for this one because I didn’t find it too irritating! In which: Ma M and R get greedy, Ma Makutse shows insecurities and Charlie goes to the dentist. Entertaining and soothing read....more
I was utterly charmed by this story! While probably aimed at the lower end of the YA range, I feel this is a book for any age. Inez was a very enjoyabI was utterly charmed by this story! While probably aimed at the lower end of the YA range, I feel this is a book for any age. Inez was a very enjoyable character to read about : feisty, independent, resourceful. The author brings nineteenth century Egypt to life. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
This was a lark! I really enjoyed the humour, the world described and imagined and our main female leads. The pacing needed some improvement. This is This was a lark! I really enjoyed the humour, the world described and imagined and our main female leads. The pacing needed some improvement. This is a long book weighed down by the complexity of the world building- the first fifth of the book was very slow to me but then very rapidly picked up speed and hence enjoyment as the story properly got underway. I found myself getting a bit bored with all the trials and training details in the middle too. This was a good read with loads of potential but if those issues had been addressed, this would have been a really thumping good read....more
Where were the dragons?! This was disappointing. If you like martial books then reading about fighting and training, training and fighting, on and on,Where were the dragons?! This was disappointing. If you like martial books then reading about fighting and training, training and fighting, on and on, you’ll be fine. It was exciting to start with but there seemed to be no end, not much of a story in between. I have read a few excellent african inspired fantasy and this was partly what drew me to this book- alas, it didn’t feel very integral to the story or writing at all. Tau, the main character , did not work for me at all....more
This was very well done, richly and evocatively written. The MC is brave and determined- I should have liked her, but I didn’t. I found her and her saThis was very well done, richly and evocatively written. The MC is brave and determined- I should have liked her, but I didn’t. I found her and her saviour complex annoying. Nevertheless this story is a hero’s journey and I love a well done African inspired fantasy....more
A fabulous read! Agent Fatma, with her natty suits, tie pins and bowler hat collection is a really fun main character. She has a supporting cast of otA fabulous read! Agent Fatma, with her natty suits, tie pins and bowler hat collection is a really fun main character. She has a supporting cast of other really cool people including a new partner who she’s not initially very keen about. This story has ALL the djinn- Marid and ifrit , Jann, ghuls, goblins, mechanical angels and a very evocative sense of the rich Egyptian culture. The steam punk elements are great, not overdone and of course we have a nefarious meglomaniac villain. Terrific stuff....more
When I heard about this story I was keen to read it: a story written by AC set in Ancient Egypt. So in a bid to keep my ‘want to read’ shelf under conWhen I heard about this story I was keen to read it: a story written by AC set in Ancient Egypt. So in a bid to keep my ‘want to read’ shelf under control I finally gave this a chance. After all, I enjoy the odd AC mystery as a palate cleanser between bigger books. It didn’t work for me at all! That same 1950s Received Pronunciation post war language transposed to Ancient Egypt seemed ridiculous and was quite off putting. The mystery itself was ok though!...more
Rich immersive African inspired epic fantasy! Despite the information dumping in the first couple of chapters, I was completely won over by this very Rich immersive African inspired epic fantasy! Despite the information dumping in the first couple of chapters, I was completely won over by this very accomplished story. ...more
I do enjoy this series but only every once in a while- they are quite charming, but there is a lot of repetition from previous books and nothing much I do enjoy this series but only every once in a while- they are quite charming, but there is a lot of repetition from previous books and nothing much ever happens. It is the attitude of Mma Ramotswe and the characters around her that make these books enjoyable as a palate cleanser between other books....more
A fascinating study of multiple personalities and how it can be linked to the spiritual realm. This was interesting to me as it relates to identity anA fascinating study of multiple personalities and how it can be linked to the spiritual realm. This was interesting to me as it relates to identity and aspects of personality- how subpersonalities can take precedence over the rest at given points in our lives is something we all experience. Therapeutically, we sometimes need to bring forward less developed aspects of ourselves to find or maintain balance. To me this book was more about the inner life than the outer one of the main character....more
‘The future is always working, always busy unfolding better things and even if it doesn’t seem so sometimes, we have hope of it.’
This book has a very ‘The future is always working, always busy unfolding better things and even if it doesn’t seem so sometimes, we have hope of it.’
This book has a very powerful message and I am sure it will inspire many people. It also makes me very grateful for all the choices and opportunities that I have in my life and realise how advantaged we are my neck of the woods. This book introduces an authentic voice and offers hope....more
There were parts of this book that were 5 stars: how racism and slavery were dealt with and integrated into the story; Bree’s strength and determinatiThere were parts of this book that were 5 stars: how racism and slavery were dealt with and integrated into the story; Bree’s strength and determination- even the romance. But I found the lore of the Legendborn quite confusing and unclear, I didn’t enjoy the teenaged angst in the first half and the circumstances- that Bree was only 16, deeply bereaved, was away from home for any reason was disturbing to me. Overall a mixed picture for me....more
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