skconaghan's reviews
361 reviews

The African Samurai by Craig Shreve

adventurous informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A fantastic story meets a mediocre author who gives us repetitive bits, without the sophistication Homer imbues in repetition, and retells this surely fascinating tale with all the intrigue one might find in a weak cup of tepid tea. Our should-be hero, while numbly passed from master to master, kind though some were, lacks the stirring character we see in the historical photos we have of him. Instead, he sets himself on autopilot in the midst of a potentially riveting warrior-lifestyle at the behest of the greatest warring powers of formational Japanese history, allowing us potentially moving glimpses at a scant selection of childhood memories. But the telling doesn’t live up to its potential.

While this is a story wanting to be told, the author delivers wooden descriptions (with brief moments of affecting dialogue) that act as markers for what are extraordinary events told in the simplistic style of: ‘this happens then that happens’. At least the broken timeline, intertwining his memories of previous horrors and wonders of his life with the present, added a slice of interest to this bland telling.

I wanted this telling to come to life as this story merits. I wanted to be moved, hooked and immersed in the details of this African Samurai’s life, and yet, all I felt was disappointment that I didn’t feel more.

I was hoping for so much more.

A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand

adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Finally read the first in this series, not that they need read in any particular order as each story is distinctly a thing of its own.

I appreciate this imaginative rewriting of history into something a less blood-thirsty humanity might have preferred. If only…

These are all gaffs and romance, full of dramatic irony and happy endings, minus all the bloody unpalatable truths of that violent path of kings and princesses of the Tudor and Stuart lineage we know from real history. Here we see that tragic and regrettable story (through the lens of a 21st Century perspective) as we might have written it, had we been given the chance. 

It is a thrilling adventure of multiple blossoming romances among the shape-shifting nobility, caricatured scheming dukes and interfering conniving mothers. But our young heroes avert wars and change the course of history in ways that leave you thinking long after the last page is turned just what might the world have been like had things happened this way instead…

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the last novel of this series, and while there were many things about this story I believe were wrapped up quite nicely, and some things were left pleasantly to the imagination, other bits left me scowling in disappointment. Of course, I’m not going to specify or I’d spoil all the fun, but I will say that previous instalments of this stretching story gave us great hopes for members of the overall cast, and yet, here, in this, their finale, we find certain of these characters succumbing to mediocrity and presenting as fickle remnants of the powerful beings they once were.

Other characters, however, have flourished, grown—exploded, really—and have won me over since first appearing as unsavoury shrews in Shadow and Bone.

The characters and writing style in the Six of Crows duo remain superior in this collection of seven novels, though Zoya and Nikolai gather increased interest as the series builds and climaxes and peters to its not-quite-bow-tied finish. Others rise and fall in interest, while one bright shining star among the original ‘Group of Six’ falls flat (at least for me), and I am grateful for the power of my own imagination that can take that character and develop an alternate ending which is far more desirable. That said, the last chapter holds up a sparkling promise, bringing together our best-loved characters and planting a seed that hints this story, even though it’s well over, isn’t over quite yet and all our marvellous favourites will continue their world-saving, love-motivated adventures in the shadowed recesses of our ignited imaginations.

Good storytelling does that. And this final duo presents a vast improvement on the simplistic storytelling Bardugo displayed in the first trilogy. However, the world-building in this series is its forte, and I appreciate all the continued escapades in this fantasy setting.

Bardugo presents current social and political issues through story and characters in this work, if somewhat subtly, which is true to her form. She raises questions between the lines and gives the consistent answer that love is the answer; I find that moral and lesson a staple in her writing, an expected ideology that sets aside class and status where the shared motive of equity and love are principal.

House of Odysseus by Claire North

adventurous emotional informative lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I savoured this novel as told in the voice of Aphrodite. That should say about enough as to the tone, and it was delightfully crass and suggestive (yes, delightfully so, as compared with cheap-crass, this was a bared toe over the line in the way only Aphrodite could get away with in polite society). The goddess of love gives us her seductive retelling of what happens on Ithaca in the decade after Troy falls and Odysseus is still lost at sea leaving Penelope, his not yet widow waiting wife to host a slew of unwanted potential suitors.

Claire North embodies this character of Aphrodite with aplomb, brings her lascivious perspective to life as she details the winks and gestures and inner desires of every character she brushes past, evoking blushing giggles despite the solemnity of the twisted tale. 

But what a tale.

The myths of the Greeks continue to be a timeless favourite, and Claire North’s second in the trilogy of Penelope is all we hoped for. As Hera related the first part of the tale, I anticipate the final song will be sung by Athena… maybe Artemis(?), but whether it be the Virgin Hunter or the Virgin Warrior, I’m looking forward to The Last Song of Penelope.

My Contrary Mary by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand

adventurous informative lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Mary Queen of Scots, unlike you’ve ever seen her. Although, there is a bit of the sass and attitude she has been historically known for— but in this story, as we’re told from the start, it’s all love and friends and happy endings. The way many of us who are caught tied up in the bonds of mixed religious ancestry might have preferred the turn of history to have taken. A silly and lighthearted, at times nonsensical adventure—a bit of grand fun overall. 

A Song of War: A Novel of Troy by Stephanie Marie Thornton, S.J.A. Turney, Libbie Hawker, Russell Whitfield, Christian Cameron, Glyn Iliffe, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A brilliant retelling of the siege of Troy and an exploration of these eternally interesting characters. They never grow old. I loved the take on Cassandra in this one, and was surprised to feel myself sympathising with Agamemnon (and chiding myself, because NO you cannot have sympathy for that man. Can you? Russell Whitfield certainly made me feel it). New insight on Andromache and Helenus and Penthesilea, the greatest of the Amazon warriors, were so engaging my chest hurt... 

The seamless way this massive cast of characters remain themselves throughout is a feat underrated and incredibly impressive, despite being told by multiple authors, despite fading from the foreground into the margins of other characters' stories. I was enthralled and absorbed and loved the adventure from start to finish.

I had cloud-scraping expectations as this is one of the greatest tales ever told, and Kate Quinn… well… I can pick up anything by Kate Quinn and be guaranteed it is a quality project of insight and entertainment with astounding character development. She, and this team of capable writers, did not disappoint.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

adventurous challenging hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Complex philosophy and political analysis amid fantastically odd storytelling. Couldn’t put it down. 

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby by Charles Dickens

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Marvellous. 

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Written a mere 15 years after the ceasefire and final liberation of Cambodia, and only 9 years after the death of dictator Pol Pot, this account does not attempt to give an extensive historical exposition of the political regime that was the mortifying Khmer Rouge reign over an otherwise peaceful and prosperous people. It is the memoir of a small child, stumbling in the dark, losing freedom and family in a flash followed by a long agonising journey that robbed her of her childhood. It is not meant to be a literary work of genius. It is a child’s memoir of what should never be the memory of any child. It is heartbreaking. It is stark. It is honest. And it is at once a warning and a plea to the world that this never happen again, and yet… 

I spent some time in Cambodia among the generation who survived and the children who came after; this was hard going. Names and faces of friends who still suffer nightmares and the pain of loss had me listening bent over as I sobbed for what cannot be undone. I’ve heard similar accounts first hand from numerous others. And it is a repeated agony each time. But somehow, miraculously, there is hope in the hearts of the Khmer people; the thing always said, as they share their horrific truth of loss and destruction is: ‘we tell our truth so we won’t forget, so it won’t happen again’. 

And yet… look at the world. How is this still going on dressed in a different scarf, a different face…?

Thank you, Ms Loung Ung, for sharing your story with us, for us. May your heart continue to find healing.