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Cleopatra: Her History, Her Myth by Francine Prose
How much do we think we know about the ruler known as Cleopatra? Nearly everything we know comes from the media and writers that come from a time when she was judged by her looks and how women were expected to behave like. Roman women weren’t permitted to own property or businesses and largely were expected to dote on their husbands and children. Misogyny was apparent in everything women did so when Cleopatra rose to power, she was a problem that needed to be dealt with. She should’ve been applying makeup and having drinks with her ladies rather than planning a revolt to get her husband/brother off the throne. She…
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Victorian Murderesses by Debbie Blake – REVIEW
I don’t know why I don’t read more non-fiction. This collection of crimes committed by Victorian Murderesses held my attention and got my imagination running wild. The Victorian era has always fascinated me. It’s an age that we can’t quite grasp our heads around. The medicine, the way of life, the clothing, and the evil deeds that women committed had me in a trance. The belief at that time was that women couldn’t commit violent acts, they were motherly, and caring and if driven to act then it was through the means of poisoning – that was a woman’s method. How wrong they were! Each of these dastardly evil women…
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As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh – REVIEW
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a title that truly deserves book of the year. A compelling story that is incredibly important. Raw, visceral, wrenching and revelatory. Have you ever read a book so powerful that you couldn’t find the words to describe just how impactful and an important narrative that it pushes upon you? That’s exactly how I feel with As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow. I always think it’s a good thing to read outside your usual boundaries – YA isn’t usually my bag but with this cover and the heartbreakingly powerful story, I couldn’t resist. A story of survival in war torn Syria, I…
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Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia -REVIEW
Signal to Noise is a brilliant call back to the 80s. A coming of age tale with complex characters and a soundtrack to compel the reader. A story about losing and finding yourself. Signal to Noise was my first reading experience with Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It was a fun and enjoyable trip, but I did struggle to engage with the protagonist, Meche. It’s a witchy coming-of-age tale of friendship, betrayal, and figuring out where the characters fit in life. Set in Mexico in the 80s, it allows the reader to experience particular hardships, feelings, and family dynamics. Although I found myself enthralled by the atmosphere, the descriptions of schooling and city…
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One Night With the Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpas – REVIEW
One Night with the Duke dazzled with a wholly modern heroine with intensity and wit. Jodie Ellen Malpas proves once again why she has her finger on the pulse of engaging romance stories – she is a genre-busting Cameleon. It’s been so long since I read a book by Jodi Ellen Malpas. The last being the This Man series. Now…don’t come for me but I daren’t read her other series’ mainly because I didn’t think anything could surpass the perfection of Jesse Ward. I will change that after reading her new release, One Night with the Duke. Now, this isn’t generally my preferred genre of romance, I haven’t read any…
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Review: The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings by Dan Jones
The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings is a medieval ghost story that was immortalised in the early fifteenth century. Dan Jones has based his retelling upon the original Latin scripture of the story. You can feel the authentic, old-time feel to the storytelling. The dialogue, the mannerisms, and the interpretations were at one with the story being told. The introduction sets up the story nicely and pushes you to think more deeply about the time in which the tale Is told. The story flowed beautifully even if it was super short.
