The Information Officer by Mark Mills

Basic Plot

It is 1942 in Malta and people are dying. Most die due to air raids, casualties of war but some die a more sinister death. Local prostitutes were disappearing and turning up dead seemingly due to accidents or other war related injuries. But Max knew things were not as they seemed. In pursuing a killer, what he found instead was a cold, emotionless psychopath who's only taste of emotion was the fear and pain he inflicted on his victims.

What I thought of the book

I bought this book as an impulse buy. One of the books that I would buy without knowing the author but because something in the blurb caught my eye. In this case, it was the parallel to the story of Jack the Ripper.

I was however, disappointed in this book, mostly due to its slow pace. It had every chance of being a good book, a good plot, a sinister villain, a charming hero but there was so much of the war to wade through that the story got lost under the rubble. Instead of serving as an interesting backdrop to the story, the war actually became a hindrance to the overall plot, preventing me from making any connections with the characters or even fully immersing myself in the book. I speed read and skipped many pages simply to sustain my interest.

Rating: 3/5

Virgin Earth by Philippa Gregory

Basic Plot

John Tradescant the Younger found himself in Virginia. Son of the King's gardener, he was there by order of the Queen to find new and unique plants to bring back to the English palace gardens. Instead he found himself in an unforgiving land, where people were too busy surviving to appreciate anything of beauty let alone cultivate it. John soon finds that his journey and his life both in the new world and old fraught with difficulties, obstacles, war and loss. Torn between his loves, his principles and his service to the King, John discovers that people are more difficult to tend to compared to his beautiful blossoms and lush trees.

What I liked and disliked about this book

This sequel to Earthly Joys was as good as, if not better than the original. The language was fluid and painted a vivid picture of both the unforgiving new lands of Virginia and the hard English countryside in turmoil. This story managed to capture the entitlement felt by the early white settlers in their dealing with the land and also the natives who simply regarded as savages and treated like animals. Switching from Virginia to England every few chapters also made the book very interesting as the reader not only follows John's exploits but also that of the family he left behind. It also explores the concept of love and loyalty, and how circumstances can make the most principled of men to be torn with indecision. My only grouse is that in getting to the ending, which I thoroughly did not agree with, the book seemed to drag a little. However, this was probably due to the fact that the author wanted to stay true to the timeline of events that occurred in England at the time. It was also very interesting to learn the history of England during the reign of Charles I. 

A quote I liked from the book

You would have to decide, without advice from me. I do not want a man with half a heart.

Rating: 4/5

Nefertiti by Nick Drake

Basic plot

Rahotep, a young Medjay detective from Thebes is summoned to the new capital Akhetaten. In essence, it was a death sentence for if he failed to complete his assignment, he and his beautiful family would be killed. The Great Changes have plunged the whole of Egypt in turmoil as the old Gods were banished to make way for the Sun God. At the helm of this new religion was the most famous and beautiful woman of the ancient world, Nefertiti, and her husband Akhenaten. However, Nefertiti vanishes just days before the biggest celebration of the new capital is about to take place. Rahotep has only ten days to find her or be sent on a one way trip to the Otherworld.

My full review here.

Rating: 4/5

Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

 

 

Basic plot

Gwyna, a girl-child, is inexplicably thrown into an unbelievable life as page to Myrddin, as a boy no less. She travels in Arthur's army as he marches through medieval England, conquering lands and fighting the Saxons. Soon, Gwyna discovers that Arthur, the warrior and saviour of the land is very much different from Arthur, the man. She learns that not all stories, however grand, are to be believed.

 

Rating: 4/5

My full review here.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

 

 

Basic plot

Widowed with 2 young sons, Elizabeth Woodville, uses her beauty and cunning to provide for her family and ensure their future. What better way to do so than to marry the King of England. The young King Edward IV, completely enchanted with her beauty takes her as his bride and queen. Elizabeth soon finds out that life as royalty is not simply about the splendours of English court, especially during the tumultuous time of the War of the Roses. Where cousins fought cousins and brother turned on brother to have a claim to the throne. With her family now in constant danger, Elizabeth may pay the ultimate price for her crown.

 

Rating: 3.5/5

My full review here.

The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn

Basic Plot 

Mary Tudor, previously disinherited daughter of the infamous King Henry VIII finally ascends the throne of England only to find that ruling a kingdom and its people is not a simple matter of faith. Married to Phillip of Spain who does not love her and struggling to stamp out the religious strayings of her people, her desperation to rule and produce an heir results in unspeakable horrors. Raphael, the Spanish sundial-maker, a stranger in a hostile land bears witness to this historical tragedy.

My review here.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Street Philosopher by Matthew Plampin

Basic plot 

An art critic turned war correspondent for the London Courier, Kitson, witnessed unspeakable horrors in the Crimean war both on and off the battlefields. Years later, he yearns only for normality and becomes a 'street philosopher', reporting on gossip and the frivilous activities of the Manchaster elite. However, his dreadful past catches up with him and he is thrown once more into a dark abyss of revenge, murder, lust and avarice.

My review here.
Your reviews: Kukuanga's review here.

Rating: 3/5

Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones

The Other Boleyn girl by Philippa Gregory

The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

Basic plot

Mary Stuart was the granddaughter to Henry VIIth sister. She was a Queen 3 times over with claims to the throne of Scotland, France and some say the true heir to the throne of England as compared to her cousin Elizabeth, bastard daughter of Henry and Anne Boleyn. She also lost 3 husbands, one young prince too weak to outlive her, one pansy noble murdered (some say by her plot) and a Scottish barbarian who kidnapped and raped her. She escaped to England in the hope of getting protection from her cousin and fellow queen from the unryly Scottish lords only to find herself a prisoner in England. The captors are the Earl of Shrewbury, George Talbot, a noble and honourable man soon torn between his duty towards one queen and his love for the other, and his wife Countess Elizabeth (Bess) Hardwick, a self-made woman intent on preserving her fortune.

My review here.

Rating: 4/5