#Bookreview Joe Abercrombie – Shattered Sea Trilogy #YA #Fantasy #TuesdayBookBlog

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Author: Joe Abercrombie

Title: Shattered Sea trilogy

Genre: YA Fantasy

Note: It is hard for me to review this trilogy without spoilers. I cannot make all the points I want to, so please forgive the vague nature of this review.

Blurb Book 1: Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain his throne. First he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it with only his good hand.

First Impressions: First of all, I love the book covers. Stunning, aren’t they.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Joe Abercrombie’s YA trilogy as his adult books are quite dark. I wasn’t disappointed, rather I fell for Half a King and couldn’t put it down. The minute I finished reading it, I ordered the next book.

Each book has different viewpoint characters

Book 1 – Yarvi

Book 2 – Brand & Thorn

Book 3 – Skara, Raith & Koll

I enjoyed all the viewpoints and felt for each character in their own respective stories. However, switching the viewpoints gave you distance from the characters you previously liked and rooted for, so it was hard to adapt to each book in that sense.

Loved: The enthralling pace and the intrigue running through each book.

Annoyed by: The constant reference to ‘deep cunning’ and a bit too much gritty talk of farting and snot. I did not like the plot direction in the last book and felt let down by it.

Final thoughts: I loved this as a Viking Trilogy, why did it have to become something else?

For me the end was unsatisfying. There was a great battle, which changed everything, but after that it all seemed too rushed and underwhelming. There is a lot I would like to say here, but don’t want to spoil the read for you.

I still think the Shattered Sea is a brilliant trilogy and really enjoyed reading it.

Recommend: To anyone who reads YA fantasy and fantasy in general.

Star Rating:

Book 1 – Half a King 5 star

Book 2 – Half a World 5 Stars

Book 3 – Half a War 4 stars

Overall trilogy rating 4 stars. I really wanted to give it a 5, but the ending just didn’t satisfy me.

Have you read the trilogy, what did you think?

#BookReview Gertrude Jekyll Dreams – Helen Thomas #Poetry

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Title: Gertrude Jekyll Dreams

Author: Helen Thomas

Self published 2014.

Length: This is a short book of poetry, 32 pages with 27 poems.

Blurb: Gertrude Jekyll Dreams is the first full collection of poems by Helen Thomas. These personal, funny and moving poems are based on her 48 years of life, love, inspiration, flowers, travels, family and memory.

First Impressions: This was a step outside of my comfort zone as I don’t usually read poetry. Some of poems maybe too personal to the author for me to understand, some were hard to pinpoint, but others really resonated with me, and I wanted to read them again straight away and enjoy them a second time. I particularly liked My Parent’s Garden and Further Adventures In Art And Being.

Style: This is a neat little book, which is lovely to hold and read. The poems are set out one per page. There was space inside the author could have provided a little more details of herself (though there is a bio on the back cover.) She is an artist and I would have liked to have known more about her and if she drew the cover art and what the significance of it was.

Summary: Poems range from abstract, enjoyable to touching. It can be devoured in one sitting, or read at a slower pace. You find you want to go back and revisit those poems that touched you.

Recommend to: This would make a lovely gift for someone who enjoys poetry.

Rating: I don’t feel at all qualified to rate this book, I don’t even know the names of the different forms of poetry. However, I feel this is a good collection of poems that people can enjoy, and everyone should find something that resonates with them personally.

Check out the book on Amazon UK

#Tuesdaybookblog The Great Escape – Megan Rix #childrensbook #bookreview

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Title: The Great Escape

Author: Megan Rix

Genre: Children’s book 9+

Published: 2012

Pages: 208

I received a copy from my daughter who really wanted me to read it.

Blurb:

Robert and Lucy Edwards love their pets more than anything, but the threat of the Second World War forces them to flee to Devon – leaving their animals behind. As the air-raid sirens sound, the animals are sent to be put down. But Buster, Tiger and Rose make a daring escape. With danger at every turn, can the trio make it across the country – and cheat death for a second time?

First Impressions:

The Great Escape is a brilliant read for children. It’s packed with little facts and details about World War II, but as it all forms naturally within the story it doesn’t appear like learning at all. The author handled difficult topics like evacuations & mass animal destruction with great skill.

Characters:

Robert and Lucy and their pets were well drawn characters and I really enjoyed following their story.

Style:

I enjoyed all the interesting bits of history that the author cleverly wove into the story. Winston Churchill even turned up for a few pages as he adopted Tiger the cat and named him Jock (my daughter had learnt about this in school so it was a great way of reinforcing facts).

However, I didn’t like how the author switched between different character viewpoints within scenes. I haven’t read many childrens’ books to know if this is normal practice, and it may just be the writer in me nitpicking. It did not spoil the story in any way.

Recommend this book to:

It is a perfect learning device for children showing them how it was to live though the start of World War II. It should be recommended reading in all junior schools. Children and animal lovers will enjoy this tale.

Final thoughts:

I found this story emotional and enjoyed it a lot. I would like to thank my daughter for introducing me to this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

#Tuesdaybookblog Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson #bookreview

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I am very pleased to share this 4 star review of my novel, Visions of Zarua.

Book Savvy Reviews

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction

Pages: 472

Published by Suzanne Rogerson on November 16th, 2015

Amazon

Goodreads

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.

Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.

The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to…

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#AtoZChallenge R – Reviewers

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This is my chance to say a big thank you to all those who review books.

Indie Authors rely on you to help our books stand out from the masses. You give us your time, and post about us on your blogs.

I would like to give a special thanks to those I have connected with and who have been kind enough to review my book, or interview me over the last few months. These are links to their homepages if you want to check them out.

Into another world (hosts author interviews and novel excerpts).

Also let me say thanks to all those book purchasers out there who take chances on unknown authors and post their reviews on Goodreads and Amazon etc. Indie authors wouldn’t get noticed without your help.

Indie authors have you thought of the benefits of reviewing? It’s good to give something back, good to understand books from a readers perspective and good to get involved in the book reviewing community. Plus the more you get involved, the more great books you will discover.

I’ve actually taken my first steps into reviewing, but I am only doing it on a very small scale. I find it hard enough fitting in reading, writing, blogging, and all the boring stuff of every day life. As well as reviewing the books I’ve enjoyed on my own TBR pile, I’ve also joined Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team #RBRT. They are a supportive bunch of writers / reviewers, and I know that Rosie puts in a lot of effort to help authors get reviews. So thanks very much for all your hard work Rosie, and for allowing me to join you.

Have you got any reviewers you’d like to thank?

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Tomorrow S for something special I’d like to share.

Previous A-Z challenge posts can be accessed here

#RBRT #BookReview of No Time Like Now by Jennifer Young #romance

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

No Time Like Now – Jennifer Young

Genre: Romantic suspense.

Length: 258 pages

Review copy received from the author (via Rosie Amber’s book review team.)

Blurb:

Hiding away from a disastrous past, Megan McLeod is getting along nicely in her job as a housekeeper at a university field centre in Majorca. But the arrival of geological researcher, Tim Stone, throws everything into disarray – because Tim was the father of the baby she lost some years before and the two of them had parted very messily indeed…

First impressions:

I was drawn to the premise of a geologist and the location Majorca. I enjoyed the book from the start, the gentle introduction into Megan’s world at the field centre and then the impact of Tim’s sudden reappearance in her life. In her bid to escape him, she heads for the beach and stumbles on to something that will eventually put both their lives in danger.

The mysteries of past and present running through the book kept me turning the pages. I had to know what had happened in Megan’s past and how things had gone so badly wrong with her and Tim. There was a touch of menace in this storyline as well, which I hadn’t been expecting. I enjoyed the suspense element to the plot and how at times you weren’t really sure who to trust. I also liked how the author used the location and the elements to increase the tension and the danger.

Characters:

Throughout the book, I didn’t feel completely connected with the characters and at times it was frustrating that they kept refusing to talk to each other. There were also a few places where I felt both Megan and Tim acted out of character, but I can’t explain these points without spoilers.

However, when I reached the end where everything was revealed and the mysteries were resolved, I felt more emotionally connected to Megan. I even shed a tear or two for her and that is why I am happy to round up my star rating to 4.

Style:

I didn’t understand why the author chose to have Megan’s chapters in first person and Tim’s in third person. It didn’t detract from the story at all, but I don’t think it added to it either. I had no problem switching between both viewpoints and it was well written.

Summary:

An enjoyable read for romance readers, especially those who like a bit of added mystery and suspense.

My rating: 3.5 stars rounding up to 4.

#TuesdayBookBlog – #bookreview of Evensong by Krista Walsh #fantasy

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Evensong – Krista Walsh – Book one of the Meratis trilogy.

I stumbled on this book last year when I was researching fantasy book covers. This cover instantly appealed to me.

Published 2014.

317 pages.

Evensong is currently free on kindle and the next two books Eventide & Evenlight are available to buy now.

Blurb

Author Jeff Powell wakes up to find the impossible has happened. He is within his own novel – summoned into the fictional world of Fendall’s keep by a spell he didn’t write. One the house enchantress hasn’t figured out how to reverse. When the villain he’s been struggling to write reveals himself, unleashing waves of terror and chaos, Jeff must use more than his imagination to save the characters he created – and the woman he loves.

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The premise had me hooked. What writer wouldn’t want to read about an author sucked into their own book! BUT you may not look at writing or your characters in the same way again.

It was a humorous tale, at times a touch on the gruesome side but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a fantasy. I liked the blend of our everyday reality and the fantasy world of Andvell. It was refreshing to have modern language and swearing in a fantasy setting, and there were some very funny moments when Jeff tries to ride a horse and is challenged to a fight by one of his own characters. He is totally out of his depths in his own fantasy world and quickly realises it.

As readers we can enjoy the tale as it unfolds. As writers we can relate to some of Jeff’s problems and learn a thing or two about the process of writing, and maybe we can even consider going a little easier on our own characters!

I rate this 4 stars – I think because of the format of the story, it was hard to emotionally connect with all the characters. However, it was still a great read and I will definitely be continuing with the story.

Check it out on Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

What Websites/Blogs Have Reviewed Your book? #TuesdayBookBlog

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This is a great opportunity to share your book reviews, discover new reviewers, and some extra exposure for the reviewers themselves. I’ve already found a couple of new blogs to follow.

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Here’s your big chance to get some free publicity! If you’ve had your book reviewed on a website or blog, post the link! It’ll be free publicity for you, and a potential source fo…

Source: What Websites/Blogs Have Reviewed Your book?

#Bookreview – The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza #Crime #Thriller

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza

Crime Thriller – Book One of Detective Erica Foster.

396 (page-turning) pages

I ordered this during its pre-order period. The combination of great cover art, cool title, discount price and great reviews made me think, let’s take a chance.

It was a very fast paced and exciting read, the kind of book you just can’t put down. I enjoyed the story and meeting Erica Foster who is a troubled, but engaging lead character. I liked how her backstory was slowly revealed throughout the story, it really helped the reader understand why she was such a mess and sunk herself so heavily into her work. Getting justice became her sole priority, even at the risk of her own safety. I was rooting for her to succeed the whole way through.

The serial killer element to the story also kept me reading, and there were plenty of red herrings to leave me guessing at the killer’s identity.

The Girl in the Ice is current #1 in the UK kindle mystery chart and has 484 reviews (346 of them are 5 star). I rate it 4 out of 5 stars – there were just a couple of tiny details that made me wonder on its believability, otherwise it would have been a 5. I still highly recommend this gripping read and can’t wait for the next instalment.

You can buy Girl in the Ice at Amazon UK or Amazon US

#TuesdayBookBlog #review of Fire, Bed and Bone – Henrietta Branford #childrensbooks

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My Rating 5 out of 5.

Pages 136.

Blurb from the front cover, which makes an interesting change.

‘A revolt is brewing. The year is 1381 and unrest is spreading like plague. England’s peasants are ready to rise against their unjust landlords. The violent upheaval will affect everyone – even dogs, like the old hunting bitch through whose eyes, ears and nose these dramatic events are revealed.’

Children’s book – I’d say 9+ but the book doesn’t state. I would be happy for my 9 year old to read it, and I think my son (11) would enjoy it too (in fact my son read ‘White Wolf’ by Henrietta Branford a couple of years ago and said it was one of his favourite books).

My daughter bought Fire, Bed and Bone at her school fair. She said she really liked the cover and the blurb and that’s why she picked it out of loads of other books. I decided to read a page or two just to see if it was suitable, but I couldn’t stop reading. I read the book in a couple of evenings, though around page 100 it almost became too emotional to read (that might just be me as I’m a sucker for an animal story).

This book is brilliantly written. I was immediately drawn into the world of ‘old dog’ as she is affectionately called by her owners. But she is not old and has two litters through the story, proving herself a fiercely protective and loving mother. She is also devoted to her owners Rufus and Comfort, and their children. I loved her voice and all the little details that she as a dog notices about people and the world around her. I was not surprised to read Henrietta Branford grew up in The New Forest, England (a place close to my heart) and that she learnt a great deal from her father about animals from a shooting and fishing perspective.

It’s a short, wonderful read, and I recommend it to everyone.

I can’t wait for both my children (and my husband) to read it and see what they think. It will be an interesting experiment, something we haven’t had the chance to do as a family before. I look forward to updating this post with their opinions, I only hope they love Fire, Bed and Bone as much as me.