The Librain……retired

This week’s post covers the two book series that I have read since my last Reading Roundup…

The first book in the series is Wolfskin. This is the blurb…

“All young Eyvind ever wanted was to become a great Viking warrior–a Wolfskin–and perform honorable deeds out in the name of his War fathergod, Thor. He can think of no future more glorious. And the chance to make it happen is his when his older brother Ulf is brought the tale of a magical land across the sea, a place where men with courage could go to conquer a land and bring glory to themselves. They set out to find this fabled land and discover a windswept and barren place, but one filled with unexpected beauty and hidden treasures… and a people who are willing to share their bounty.

Ulf’s new settlement begins in harmony with the natives of the isles led by the gentle king Engus. And Eyvind finds a treasure of his own in the young Nessa, niece of the king, seer, and princess. His life will change forever as she claims his heart for her own.

But someone has come along to this new land who is not what he seems. Eyvind’s heartfriend, Somerled, the strange and lonely boy Eyvind befriended so long ago has a secret–and his own plans for the future. The blood oath that they swore in childhood binds them in lifelong loyalty, and Somerled is calling in the debt of honor. What he asks might just doom Evyind to kill the only thing that he has ever truly loved.

Will the price of honor create the destruction of all that Eyvind holds dear?”

And this is my response on the Goodreads site…

Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a beautifully written tale of a young man’s journey to adulthood and the development of his character. Set in a fantasy version of Viking Norway and Orkney with magical elements, the clashing of cultures is deftly handled.

I found the book absorbing and interesting, having visited Orkney many years ago during my time as a student of archaeology (we worked on a Viking settlement).

View all my reviews

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On finishing Wolfskin, I went straight on to the sequel, Foxmask. This is the blurb…

“At his coming of age, Thorvald learns a shocking secret about his parentage, and sets out on a perilous voyage in search of a father he has never known. His loyal friend, Creidhe, was never meant to be part of this desperate journey. But love works in strange ways. In the Lost Isles they find a population gripped by terror. The Unspoken sing away the souls of the newborn and the chieftain of the isles answers to nobody. Creidhe and Thorvald become enmeshed in a battle for survival, in which they find themselves on opposing sides. For the future of the islands depends on a visionary child: the powerful seer Foxmask.

Snatched away in infancy by a young kinsman, the boy is held in a place protected by ancient forces of nature. Before the summer is over, Thorvald and Creidhe will learn truths about themselves and about the world that will change them both forever.”

And this is my short review…

Foxmask by Juliet Marillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again, I enjoyed entering Marillier’s version of Viking/Orkney/Faroe Islands historical fantasy. She writes beautiful settings and, in this book, created a very flawed “hero” and a lovely “heroine”. The plot was complex with moments of extreme savagery but also love. Some of the darker elements were difficult to read, but were important parts of the story.

I was left wishing that there could be a third book as I wasn’t ready to leave this magical and beautiful world!

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I only finished Foxmask last night, so now have to decide what I will read next. A complete change, I think! I remember reading Marillier’s Sevenwaters series many years ago and will certainly read more by her in the future. 

Happy Reading everyone.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Welcome to my blog and this week’s post about my reading journey! I have now finished the final book in an amazing trilogy…

The book is Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff, #03 Empire of the Vampire. Here is the blurb…

“From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

Gabriel de León has lost his family, his faith, and his last hope of ending the endless night – the Holy Grail, Dior. With no desire left but vengeance, he and a band of loyal brothers journey into the war-torn heart of the Augustin Empire to claim the life of the Forever King.

Unbeknownst to the Last Silversaint, the Grail still lives – speeding towards Augustin’s besieged capital in the frail hope of ending Daysdeath forever. But deadly treachery awaits within the halls of power, and the Forever King’s legions march ever closer. Gabriel and Dior will be drawn into a final battle that will shape the very fate of the Empire, but as the sun sets for what may be the last time, there will be no-one left for them to trust.”

And this was my response on Goodreads…

Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am left almost speechless on finishing this book and the series. Kristoff has written one of the most dark, dangerous and absolutely brilliant series that I have ever read in all of my decades of reading.

Now, was this trilogy a good choice for someone who suffers with dark and deep depression? Yes! I can’t really say any more without giving away too much! I am now totally stumped. What on earth can follow this? How do I choose the next book to read? Anything will pale after reading all three of this trilogy one flyer the other!!!

View all my reviews

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After that incredible reading experience, I really wonder how Kristoff is going to follow this series! I wonder what he will write next. All I know is that I will be watching closely to see what he publishes.

I am now well into my next read, but my brain is still processing the amazing books that I have read so far this year. I am so happy that my reading mojo has returned.

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Welcome to my first Reading Roundup post for April! The days are brighter and golden daffodils are shining in the sun. So, what am I reading?

Relentlessly grim, dark, bloody fantasy with the most horrific vampires that I have ever encountered in all my years of reading!!!

Last week’s book was the second part of Jay Kristoff’s epic series Empire of the Vampire: Empire of the Damned. Here is the blurb…

“Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.

After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.”

It took me a while to read this huge book, but it was worth it! This is my response on Goodreads…

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Is it good for me to read a book like this in a series like this when I am suffering from a dark and deep depression? I think that many people would advise me against this. However, immersing myself in this relentlessly grim, gloomy, vicious and violent tale seems to have an unexpected effect. My own worries pale into insignificance as I read such a bloodthirsty book!

I think this second part of the trilogy was even better than the first. Another point of view character comes to the fore and this lends the reader a different perspective. Our hero continues to struggle with his nature but occasionally shows some dark humour. We are also given moments of hope amongst the relentless darkness and some great surprises.

The writing of this series is brilliant and the world building is excellent. I can’t wait to see how this all turns out!

View all my reviews

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I am now reading the third part of the trilogy and, so far, it is just as good as the first two books. The big question is: what on earth do I read next? How can anything follow this amazing series?

Choices, choices!

Happy reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Every Wednesday I post about the book I have read during the previous week. Most of the time, I am able to finish one book per week, but sometimes my poor health gets in the way and I don’t manage that. Years ago I was such a voracious reader that I was able to read two or even three books in seven days! Mind you, many books are extremely long these days, aren’t they?

Last week’s ebook was in fact a reread. A few years ago I thoroughly enjoyed this book and only recently came across parts two and three of the rest of the trilogy. So here we are…

The book is Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff, #01 Empire of the Vampire. Here is the blurb…

“From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn’t stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.”

This is my original review on Goodreads. After reading the book again, I don’t think I would change anything…

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

O M G!!!!!

Well, I have just finished this huge rock of a book and I am left speechless!

Vampires, heroes, anti-heroes, comrades, lovers, enemies.
Blood, rivers of blood, fountains of blood, oceans of blood…….. and yet more blood!
Battles, duels, fights, wounds and death… a lot of death.
Hate, love, disdain, passion and yet more dark hate.
Journeys by several different modes of transport over many types of terrain!

I won’t carry that on any further. It is interesting to read the reviews on here, especially the really negative ones. The readers who hate the book often give excellent reasons why and, in some ways, I can see their points of view. Especially the ones about the attitude to women in the book.

But, I am reading, these days, for pure escapism from my difficult life and the frightening situation. And this book, and others of its kind, help me to take my mind away from the real fears that threaten to overwhelm me. That’s why I gave it five stars.

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I am now about halfway through the second book, which is even better IMHO! Such escapism!

Happy reading.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Wednesday’s Reading Roundup post is here! This week I read part three of the Aven Cycle by Cass Morris…

This is the blurb…

“Latona of the Vitelliae, mage of Spirit and Fire, lies still as death. Her fate rests in the hands of her allies, who must redeem her soul from the churning void where Corinna, leader of a banished Discordian cult, has trapped it.

Protected by a cabal of corrupt priests and politicians, Corinna plans her most daring assault yet: a ritual striking at the ancient heart of Aven, with the power to swallow the city in a maw of chaos and strife. Her success would be Aven’s doom, and the greatest violence would fall upon the most vulnerable.

Before Sempronius Tarren can join Aven’s defense—and his beloved Latona—at home, he must end the war abroad, outwitting the blood-soaked machinations of his Iberian opponents. His own magical talents remain hidden, but dire circumstances tempt him to succumb to ambition and use forbidden tactics to hasten the way to victory.

To defeat Corinna, Aven’s devoted protectors will need to perform extraordinary magic, rally support from unexpected quarters, and face the shadows on their own souls.”

I really enjoyed parts one and two of this series and was really looking forward to part three. Here is my response on Goodreads…

The Bloodstained Shade by Cass Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this an excellent and utterly absorbing read and am astonished that the author is having difficulties with publishers! She continues to develop her characters (I love her depiction of the three central sisters), also deftly handling multiple points of view and the many different settings for the action. Her detailed research into Ancient Rome at the time of the Republic is clearly shown throughout the series. This book also has a very satisfying ending, with an obvious dark cloud that is not resolved. So, I wasn’t really surprised to discover that a fourth book is in the pipeline. I do hope that she is able to publish this soon because I can’t wait to read it!

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I have now left the world of fantasy Ancient Rome behind and moved on to something new. Mind you, I am looking forward to a return to both Cass Morris’s Aven and James Islington’s Hierarchy!

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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