Here is my review of Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley- science fiction.
In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams and is, shortly afterward, told what project she’ll be working on. A recently established government ministry is gathering “expats” from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time. She is tasked with working as a “bridge”: living with, assisting, and monitoring the expat known as “1847” or Commander Graham Gore. As far as history is concerned, Commander Gore died on Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, so he’s a little disoriented to be living with an unmarried woman who regularly shows her calves, surrounded by outlandish concepts such as “washing machine,” “Spotify,” and “the collapse of the British Empire.” But he adjusts quickly; he is, after all, an explorer by trade. Soon, what the bridge initially thought would be, at best, a seriously uncomfortable housemate dynamic, evolves into something much more. Over the course of an unprecedented year, Gore and the bridge fall haphazardly, fervently in love, with consequences they never could have imagined. Supported by a chaotic and charming cast of characters—including a 17th-century cinephile who can’t get enough of Tinder, a painfully shy World War I captain, and a former spy with an ever-changing series of cosmetic surgery alterations and a belligerent attitude to HR—the bridge will be forced to confront the past that shaped her choices, and the choices that will shape the future.
Review
Here is my review of this science- fiction book- Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I love time-travel fiction ,so I was looking forward to this one by Kaliane Bradley and while I did enjoy Ministry of Time , it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The book has a different take on time travel- what would happen if time travel was another department of the British Civil service and the establishment. And yet, there are a lot of forms!
The first-person narrator is a civil servant who is of mixed Cambodian and British descent is recruited to be part of the Ministry of Time, a department to help a time traveller( or kidnappee) assimilate into modern society. The narrator becomes the bridge to Graham Gore ( a real-life explorer) from 1845 and the gentle , development of the relationship between them and the other time travellers form the core of this lovely book.
The book also touches upon the difficulties of being different and trying to fit in whether as a minority, gender, sexuality or because you happen to be from the past.
The book slowly builds to an action filled finale with some twists and reveals along the way- but these are gently threaded through the narrative.
Content Warning
References to racism, war crimes
Perfect for Fans
Who would like a different take on the time-travel trope.
The Princess Bride meets Six of Crows in this uproarious fantasy debut set in 18th century Scandinavia full of assassins, magic potions, romance and rivalry.
Valour and Petrichor are esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin’s guild tasked with keeping order in the rough city of Vinterstock. Plucked from the streets as children and raised to compete for their guild’s approval, Valour uses her brawn to survive, while Petrichor strives to be a gentleman assassin. When they’re given their biggest job yet—to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s illegal magic trade—it’s a recipe for disaster. If they can quell their rivalry long enough, the reward will be enough to settle their debts with the Order and start new lives. If this job wasn’t dangerous enough, Valour is saddled with protecting the aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. Valour finds her dangerously attractive, but Petrichor can’t wait to be rid of them both. He begrudgingly accepts Ingrid’s knowledge and connections as they navigate the city’s criminal underbelly in pursuit of Brandquist. As secrets bubble to the surface, the duo must outwit the thugs on their tail, keep Ingrid alive, and—hardest of all—work together without murdering each other.
Thank you Solaris Books for my copy
Review
Here is my review of this Scandinavian fantasy- Snowblooded by Emma Strener Radley.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I enjoyed Snowblooded- the Scandinavian setting and the subtle Nordic mythology that is threaded through the story gave this fantasy a fresh twist.
Valour and Petrichor are the two orphans trained to be deadly assassin and who hate being assassins and the story is told from their point of view. Valour is now my favourite female assassin so far- a woman who is honest about the how breasts and periods can get in the way of being an assassin ( an honest take I truly appreciated).
There is plenty of action and intrigue as well as the mystery of who Brandquist is. All this is set against the background of social unrest and a hint of a brewing revolution. There isn’t a lot of magic in the book except for magic potions.
The plot generally moves quickly but there where a few placed where it was slow with a little too much discussion between characters, but this did not stop me from enjoying the book.
There is a lovely romance between the hard as nails Valour and the rich pampered, heiress Ingrid.
I really enjoyed Leftovers by Eleanor Barnett- nonfiction book about food waste and food preservation.
A topical and richly entertaining history of food preservation and food waste in Britain from the sixteenth-century kitchen to the present day.In Leftovers, Eleanor Barnett explores the many ingenious ways in which our ancestors sought to extend the life of food through preservation, the culinary reuse of leftovers and the recycling of food scraps. Embracing a broad historical lens, the book spans Tudor household management; the world-changing inventions in food preservation of the Industrial Revolution from the tin can to artificial refrigeration; the growth of public health initiatives and organised food waste collection in the Victorian era; state promotion of thrifty eating during the two World Wars; and the politics of food and packaging waste in the modern era of sustainability.Opening a window on the everyday experiences of ordinary people in the past, Leftovers reveals how factors such as religious belief, class identities and gender have historically shaped attitudes towards food waste.
Review
I found this non-fiction book about the history of food waste and food preservation just as compelling as my fiction books. Here is my review of Leftovers by Eleanor Barnett.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I couldn’t put this book down. I was hooked from the introduction when the author described the Great Nottingham Cheese riots of 1766- a historical event that was not covered in any detail when I was school.
The book traces the history of food waste and food preservation from ancient times when food was preserved in the summer for the bleak winter months to very little waste to the current time where society is more aware of food waste and the environmental concerns of ever increasing amounts of rubbish.
It was reassuring to read that this isn’t a new problem, the descriptions of the Thames being a waste ground for butchers and the resulting stench that led to protests sounds familiar. As is the campaigns on imaginative and creative ways of substituting ingredients during the world wars- just have a look on blogs on thrift and saving money or the craze for banana bread during lockdown.
I found the history of how canned food came to be ( a result of a competition) and how this led to scandal of sailors being poisoned by contaminated cans. A scandal so bad it was discussed in parliament!
But this book did make me think about my own attitudes to food waste. I have always tried not to waste food, but this has somewhat slipped as life gets in the way. Leftovers has made me think about how I can reduce food waste.
Here is my review of The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo- historical fantasy
In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family’s social position. What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain’s king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England’s heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king’s favor. Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition’s wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.
Review
I really enjoyed The Familiar- A standalone historical fantasy by Leigh Bardugo.
Leigh Bardugo has become one of my auto-buy authors and The Familiar is her new standalone book set in Spain with a background of the Inquisition.
The book is told from the point of view of a few people but the mainly from Luzia, the scullion maid with magical talent, Valentina a poor noblewoman unhappy with her life and Santangel, the mysterious friend of nobleman De Paresdes.
The writing in the book is more descriptive than her previous book especially her descriptions of Luzia’s magic, Valentina’s and Santangel’s quiet despair as well as their willingness to do anything to escape their circumstances.
The suffocating presence of the Spanish Inquisition plays an important part in the book- initially in the background and then in the forefront. . The story moves quickly with plenty of action, romance, betrayal and of course magic.
Content warning
Descriptions of torture
Perfect for Fans
There is plenty of historical detail to please all the historical fiction fans with plenty of magic for Bardugo’s fantasy fans.
It’s another Top Ten Tuesday and it’s a fun one this week
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
I try not to DNF a book but then again life is too short. Here are my reasons to not finish reading a book.
Random Dead children
Want to make a Detective tragic? Give them a dead child. Need to make your fantasy dark? Kill a few children. Need to make your fantasy even darker? Kill a few babies. Want to make your story pull at the heartstrings? Reference a dead child.
Nothing makes me give up a book then random dead children that make no difference to the story.
Books in the present tense
I have no idea why I struggle with this, but unless the story or characters are amazing, I’m likely to DNF ( unless it is an ARC for review)
Graphic descriptions of violence
I give up on a book when there are pages and pages of graphic and vivid descriptions of violence especially sexual violence.
Insta love in non- romance books
When someone falls in love as soon as they set eyes someone a romance , it is well romantic. In any other genre, it is just unrealistic and sometimes creepy.
Random references to ‘isms’ for no reason
There are books where racism ,sexism, homophobism etc are an important part of the story or the setting but I just want to slam a book shut when a random character decides to use hate filled language as way to show how despicable they are.Or when an author adds a touch of non essential prejudice needs to show how terribly hate filled a place, community or person is.When this has absolutely no bearing to the story, I don’t finish the book.
Very slow middles
I expect the pace of most books to slow in the middle, but I give up when the pace is almost snail-like, and the book is over 400 pages long.
Books that sneak erotica in
An example of this is the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series- for years this was one of my favourite urban fantasy series but then I gave up whensuddenly Anita had just finished fighting a supernatural threat, she ends up in a very descriptive threesome.
Head Hopping
I hardly come across this but its does happen occasionally. Changing POVs with a paragraph is a definitely no for me.
Americanisms
I have DNFd when people who have never left Britain in the book use Americans words like sidewalk or elevator. This is especially worse if the character is older or if the book is a historical novel.
Here is my review of The Silverblood Promise by James Logan- fantasy.
Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away. When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death. His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.
Review
Here is my review of this fantasy- The Sliverblood Promise by James Logan.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
The prose in this book is well written with great descriptions. I enjoyed the interactions between the hero Lukan and Flea, a street orphan, who is trying to help with his quest to find his father’s murder. I liked Ashra who joins halfway through the book.
This is less a heist book and more a murder mystery in a fantasy setting.
I have to confess I did struggle with this one and I’m not sure why. It has everything I like in a fantasy- great world building ,intrigue, interesting characters and strong women. I just couldn’t get into book, and it took me a while to get to the end but I think most people will enjoy the book, especially fantasy fans.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
I don’t have many books on my physical shelves ( I’m on declutter mode at the moment) but have plenty on my kindle shelves- so here are my unread books I would like to read soon.
Slow Horses by Mike Herron ( On kindle since 2023)
London, England: Slough House is where the washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what’s left of their failed careers. The “slow horses,” as they’re called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated here. Maybe they messed up an op badly and can’t be trusted anymore. Maybe they got in the way of an ambitious colleague and had the rug yanked out from under them. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle—not unusual in this line of work. One thing they all have in common, though, is they all want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there─even if it means having to collaborate with one another. River Cartwright, one such “slow horse,” is bitter about his failure and about his tedious assignment transcribing cell phone conversations. When a young man is abducted and his kidnappers threaten to broadcast his beheading live on the Internet, River sees an opportunity to redeem himself. But is the victim who he first appears to be? And what’s the kidnappers’ connection with a disgraced journalist? As the clock ticks on the execution, River finds that everyone has his own agenda.
Stellar Instinct by Jonathan Nevair ( On kindle since 2024)
Strange signals pulse from an icy planet in a remote star system. Enter Lilline Renault, GAM-OPs secret agent extraordinaire. To ordinary citizens she’s Keely Larkin, an adventure company guide with a flair for the daring and a penchant for writing trite poetry. When a terrifying link between high-tech entertainment and ancient cosmic forces rises, Lilline leaps into action. Verses flow as she rockets through space, dons cunning disguises, and infiltrates enemy territory with an arsenal of secret gadgets. To solve the mystery behind a dastardly plan means beating a mastermind at his own game. Lilline will need her best weapon to stand a fighting chance: her instinct.
Cursed Under London by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch ( arc on kindle since 2024)
The hilarious first novel in a cosy and inclusive historical romantasy series by the writer of Horrible Histories In an alternative Elizabethan London, Upper London residents Fang and Lazare awake from their deaths to discover they are not quite human anymore. In fact, despite having acquired the power of immortality, they’re also not quite vampire, zombie, werewolf or any of the other supernatural beings that reside in the underground city of Deep London. Thrown together by the curse they share, the two strangers set out to reverse the spell, all the while trying to ignore the intense connection between them. As they are drawn further into the shadowy world of Deep London, they unearth a dangerous plot which they appear to be right in the middle of.
Malice by John Gwynne ( on kindle since 2022)
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars. High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Some are skeptical, fighting their own border skirmishes against pirates and giants. But prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.
A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie ( on kindle since 2021)
The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever. On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal’s son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments. Savine dan Glokta – socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union – plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control. The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another…
Jade city by Fonda Lee ( on kindle since 2020)
The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It’s the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities. The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion–but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection. When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.
The Secret Stealers by Jane Healy ( On kindle since – I have no idea!)
Anna Cavanaugh is a restless young widow and brilliant French teacher at a private school in Washington, DC. Everything changes when she’s recruited into the Office of Strategic Services by family friend and legendary WWI hero Major General William Donovan. Donovan has faith in her—and in all his “glorious amateurs” who are becoming Anna’s fast friends: Maggie, Anna’s down-to-earth mentor; Irene, who’s struggling to find support from her husband for her clandestine life; and Julia, a cheerful OSS liaison. But the more Anna learns about the organization’s secret missions, the more she longs to be stationed abroad. Then comes the opportunity: go undercover as a spy in the French Resistance to help steal critical intelligence that could ultimately turn the tide of the war. Dispatched behind enemy lines and in constant danger, Anna is filled with adrenaline, passion, and fear. She’s driven to make a difference—for her country and for herself. Whatever the risk, she’s willing to take it to help liberate France from the shadows of occupation and to free herself from the shadows of her former life.
Here is my review of Bloodshed on the boards by Judy Leigh- cosy mystery.
There is excitement in the air as the travelling theatre arrives in Seal Bay. When The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrives in Seal Bay to perform a Cornish version of King Arthur the locals flock to be entertained. But for Morwenna Mutton, sexagenarian librarian, wild swimming enthusiast and amateur sleuth, the theatre brings intrigue too. Actor and director Daniel Kitto is not the most popular member of the cast and unbeknownst to him, his role of Uther Pendragon on the opening night is to be his swansong. In front of a horrified audience, he collapses during the dying moments of the performance in a pool of fake blood, and although the police are content that the causes of his death are natural, Morwenna isn’t so sure. And once it becomes clear that there are a number of people who stand to gain from Daniel’s death, Morwenna’s investigation takes a dangerous turn.
Review
Here is my review of Bloodshed on the boards by Judy Leigh- cosy mystery.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
Bloodshed on the boards by Judy Leigh is a lovely cosy mystery set in Cornwall. I loved the fact the lead amateur detective is confident woman in her sixties living a great life. In fact ,Morwenna’s mother is equally fascinating as character.
There are a suitable number of suspicious characters with their own strange motives, and I have to admit I didn’t guess the identity of ‘who did it’.
Seal Bay and the villagers form a lovely backdrop to the mystery and Morwenna’s busy romantic life and there are some lovely descriptions of Cornwall. I liked the peppering of the dialogue with Cornish with a help guide at the start of the book.
I’m pleased to be part of the blog tour for The Secret Keepers by Tilly Bagshawe- sweeping historical fiction.
Sweeping from the French Riviera to the wind-blown Cornish cliffs, this is a spellbinding novel about the fates and fortunes of the Challant family – and the devastating secrets that echo through the years . . .The beautiful bastide at Beaulieu-sur-Mer has always been an idyllic retreat for the Challant family, a place of glorious memories and sun-drenched summers. But the summer of 1928 changes everything. One humid, stormy night, a young local boy suffers a fatal accident in the bastide’s grounds – and the suspicious circumstances around his death sets off a chain of whispers in the town on the Riviera. For the Challant children, they have no choice but to move on and leave those terrible events in the past. But through the years of loves and losses, marriages and betrayals, the Challants’ lives will always be tainted by that night. And it’s only by unlocking devastating family secrets that they’ll finally be set free…
Review
I’m pleased to be part of the Blog Tour for The Secret Keepers by Tilly Bagshawe- historical fiction spanning decades and countries.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
It has been a while since I read historical fiction centred on a single family and The Secret Keepers reminded me of how much I love these books.
The Secret Keepers follows the fates of the Challant family from the art deco 1920’s right through the swinging sixties and the secret tragedy that taints their lives.
The story mainly focusses on Ines, the youngest daughter who may or may not have witnessed something terrible one awful night in 1928 but it haunted by the hidden secret and Hector Young, an upper-class teenager, who would do anything to restore his family fortune. Their stories intersect and I wasn’t expecting quite how their lives turn out after they meet ( which was I loved).
The story is epic in its scale sweeping across the French Riveria, Paris, the Swiss Alps and Cornwall with each locale beautifully described a little differently in each new time period. The author manages to convey how society from the 20’s to the 60’s particularly the place for women in society.
The underlying secret lurks in the background, haunting the family until Ines decides to find out what happened that fateful night.
I really enjoyed this book and will be adding the authors backlist to my TBR list.
Perfect for Fans of
Historical Fiction, as I said it has been a while but this book gave me vibes of A Woman of Substance.
About The Author
Tilly Bagshawe is the internationally bestselling author of nineteen previous novels and has written for newspapers and magazines including the Sunday Times, Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph. She lives in London with her husband and 4 children.
I’m pleased to be part of the bog tour for Red Runs the Witch’s Thread by Victoria Williamson- historical fiction.
Paisley, Scotland, 1697. Thirty-five people accused of witchcraft. Seven condemned to death. Six strangled and burned at the stake. All accused by eleven-year-old Christian Shaw.Bargarran House, 1722. Christian Shaw returns home, spending every waking hour perfecting the thread bleaching process that will revive her family’s fortune. If only she can make it white enough, perhaps her past sins will be purified too.But dark forces are at work. As the twenty-fifth anniversary of the witch burnings approaches, ravens circle Bargarran House, their wild cries stirring memories and triggering visions.As Christian’s mind begins to unravel, her states of delusion threaten the safety of all those who cross her path. In the end she must make a terrible her mind or her soul? Poverty and madness, or a devil’s bargain for the bleaching process that will make her the most successful businesswoman Paisley has ever seen?Her fate hangs by a thread. Which will she choose?
Thank you, Silver Thistle Press and The Write Read Tours, for a copy of my book.
Review
I’m pleased to be part of the blog tour for Red Runs the Witch’s Thread by Victoria Williamson- historical fiction set in the times of the Witch trails in Scotland.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
I loved this novella by Victoria Williamson. There are so many historical fiction books that are based on witch trials, but Red Runs the Witch’s Thread is unique as the main POV character Christian Shaw has not been accused of witchcraft but is the accuser. But despite this I did feel sorry for her- Christian herself is also a victim of the times. Her experience as a young child exposed to adulthood too soon is haunting.
The book packs a lot, despite being a novella, the writing is atmospheric with an almost gothic feel at times. Christian’s desperation to cover her tracks and keep her secrets safe was fascinating if a little terrifying at times.
This was a book I couldn’t put down and finished it one sitting but have to admit it left an impression on me. I did find the historical aspect interesting- I did ending up trying to find out more about Christian and her business.
Perfect for Fans of
Historical fiction about Witch trials
About the Author
Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author who grew up in Scotland surrounded by hills, books, and an historical farm estate which inspired many of her early adventure stories and spooky tales. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.
Series Book Lover 