John

This book is basically an autobiography/Interview of an Italian Jew sent to Auschwitz. He describes the horrors he went through and the struggle for survival when everyone is your enemy. Everyone is hungry and desperate so there's nobody you can trust. Incredible story and your jaw will surely be open the whole time you read this

My first Elmer Kelton book and it was incredible. He tells the story of the points of view of Buffalo skinners as well as the Indians to the point where you feel sorry for both sides and don't know which side is right or wrong. He includes romance, betrayal, thievery, gallantry, and internal conflict with integrity. My favorite character was Smithwick although his integrity got in the way of what I wanted him to do sometimes.

I loved this book. Sackett's land bored the hell out of me and it took me over a week to finish, but this book I finished in 3 days! I've only read about 5 Lamour books and this one is definitely my favorite. One of the biggest problems I have with Lamour is the endings of his books are such a bore but this one ends entertainingly, even though it's not exactly what I would have wished to happen.

Idk how a book that has so much death and tragedy can be so good but wow this is some great historical fiction. This story will make you really think about what people went through in days without cellphones or social media for you to contact a loved one. If you moved across the country you more than likely never heard from them again. This story follows Gabriel's life in Normandy, where he then goes to Paris for school but sees such atrocities that he decides to move back. Events play out and he's forced to flee to New France(Canada) where he goes through many trials and tribulations that will make you see the value of love and forgiveness.

Probably the best adventure in American history. Lewis and Clark fight bears, see new flora and fauna never before seen by civilized society, make deals with Indians, navigate rivers and much more. After reading this, I don't know why Sacagawea is so famous. She helped communicate with a couple tribes, and helped navigate once or twice but York and Drouillard were much more pivotal in the expeditions survival. The difference is Sacagawea was a woman and carrying a baby through this arduous journey, so that's pretty cool. I also don't understand why humans were so hypocritical. In white society, if a beggar stole bread or something they would be jailed or whipped but the civilization as a whole doesn't mind stealing land from Indians. In Indian society, they are made out to be an honest people and hate the white men for not keeping their word but at the same time will sneak up on you in your sleep and steal all your stuff no matter how much you need it.

I think the Goodreads rating of 3.75 stars is perfect for this book. It's not as good as Dragonbone Chair but it's good enough to fill the void I feel waiting for the last book in his latest Osten Ard series.

This is a Tad Williams book 1 of series and like every Tad Williams book 1 of series it is very very VERY slow.

The beginning is him building the characters, letting you really get to know them like you know a close friend. He then describes the landscape and buildings which I really love. At the end of most chapters he creates an ominous feel about the future war against mankind that will inevitably come.

The middle of the book will be so slow you'll want to pull your hair out. It's not necessarily just filler but it's information you don't really care about unless you want to know every single detail.

The ending is much better and everything is coming together and tensions have reached a breaking point and will come to a climactic end.

I've come to realize that people just don't know how to read his books because most modern readers don't have the patience. You have to pay close attention in the beginning and really let yourself imagine what he's describing instead of just breezing through because you want to reach your yearly 100 book challenge. And if you start to get bored then just take a break from it and read another book then come back to it. That sounds like a lot of work but his stories are just so much worth it.

This story is about a land that was inhabited by the Qar (fairies) but they aren't the cute cuddly Tinker Bell kind. They're the white haired, pail skinned, black eyed kind with sharp nails that will open up a can whoop ass real quick. Somehow humans invaded them and pushed back to the north and in order to escape Man they created the Shadowline which is a magical wall where if a human crosses it they become disoriented and are never seen again.

Many years later, humans have settled into the land and worried about political intrigue. The king has been captured and the oldest son is bartering his sisters maidenhood to get the King back. Also a powerful man, considered a God, has taken over a southern island and is wanting to take over the world. All while the Qar are preparing to kill all humans.

There are several similarities to his previous series but his rich imagination of the land, people, and creatures makes everything so fun. If you're a fan of Tad Williams then give it a shot but I would not start here if you've never read his work before.

I had no idea that Simon Green was already famous for his Nightside series when I requested this book from NetGalley and I must say this is book does not do him any favors in me wanting to read it.

The plot sounds cool but everything else was not good to me.

Several people get chosen to be on a show like Ghost Hunters. They got locked in a haunted hallway, which is already a “meh” setting, but they're being filmed of their survival for one night where 20+ people have already been killed. You get a mediocre build up of tension from random sounds in the walls and footsteps but nobody is there. Then people start dying and there ends up being the same clue on all the bodies which already gives away the big reveal that I almost 100% figured out at about 75%. The “big” reveal happens and the book ends within 5 pages and even the ending was bad. The characters are very annoying. I don't know if I can ever stand to hear the word “darling” ever again. There's not one but TWO characters that constantly use the word and it's given me ptsd.

I seriously recommend the publisher do some changes before putting this out to the public...

I'm so glad I read this right after reading Joe Abercrombie's The First Law. Is it as good? Hell no but both author's have outstanding character development and that is just my favorite. It's hard for me to retain great battle scenes or intricate details of the setting that most people love but I'll be able to remember 10 years from now if a character was awesome to read about or not!

The story kicks off a year after the first book. Lukien, still heart broken over Cassandra, unfortunately is barely in this book but it builds up a lot of other characters I really enjoyed. People are hearing more about Grimhold and are flocking to it hoping to fix their kid's disabilities, but there's only so many magical spirits left to heal people.

Meriel is still fawning over Lukien and thinks that if she can get rid of her burns and go back to her beautiful self then he will desire her as much as she does him.

Baron Glass has stolen the Devil's Armor and is being possessed to do the Demon's bidding, but there is still enough Baron in there to sometimes fight it.

King Lorn the Wicked has escaped his kingdom from the hands of The Diamond Queen, Jazana Carr who is created a large mercenary army and is planning to take over the world, Liiria being her next target. But are they as evil as claimed?

So once again The Bronze Knight and Co. must save themselves from evil. Can't wait to read the next book.

Very happy with this book and I can not believe how underrated it is!

For some reason it is very hard to talk about this book without giving spoilers but I'll give it a shot.

The story follows Lukien, The Bronze Knight, who is basically King Akeela's bodyguard. They have been best friends since they were kids.

Akeela wants to be known as a good king who seeks peace among a war torn nation. He also wants to create a library where everyone, including the paupers, can come educate themselves.

One way he creates peace is by marrying Princess Cassandra who is the most beautiful woman in the land. But Lukien also wants a piece of the Cassandra pie and is fighting his urges of betrayal.

Cassandra also has an illness that is killing her and the only way to save her is for Lukien to find 1 of 2 amulets called The Eyes of God.

Marco's story is a very basic fantasy that I think is absolutely perfect for fantasy newbies but I think anyone can enjoy him.

If I had never read fantasy before I would give this 5 stars but after reading Martin, Jordan, Hobb, etc, I'll have to bring it down a star. He doesn't have the complexity of Martin or Jordan, the in depth lore of Tolkien, or the action packed writing style of John Gwynne, but his characters are so enjoyable to read about. I'd put him on a tier or two below Robin Hobb as far character development. There is betrayal, death, love and love lost. He really shows that choices have consequences and some consequences can be heartbreaking.

He also includes a people called Inhumans that are people with disabilities that are saved by The Witch and blessed with powers that I thought was very unique and I am super interested in the rest of the series and will be reading anything else he's written.

What an outstanding end to a wonderful trilogy. Definitely the most underrated author behind Brian Lee Durfee. I give this series a 4.25 ⭐️.

This series is a very simple epic fantasy that I think is perfect for someone wanting to get into fantasy or just wants an easy read with great character development.

The first book in the series is wildly different than books 2-3, to the point where it could be it's own story. The main gist of the series is that Lukien, The Bronze Knight, has lost his best friend, Akeela and the love his life, Cassandra. He is very unhappy and wants to die but he's being kept alive by an amulet, The Eye of God. He uses his powers to protect Jador, who are settled by “Inhumans”. The Inhumans are just people with disabilities who's bodies are inhabited by the Akar, who give them special powers.

There is an ancient evil Akar who inhabited “The Devils Armor”. He possesses the person who puts it on and makes him do his evil deeds. The armor is impenetrable to all damage except by The Sword of Angels. Lukien must find it and destroy The Devils Armor!

I originally read the first book in this series and thought it was incredible so I was ecstatic to read the sequel. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. It wasn't bad at all but also wasn't good to me. Just decent. Granted I dnf'd at 250 so it might have gotten better but after that many pages I should be more captivated. I'm still giving it 3 stars because even though I didn't finish it was still decent, I just have too many great books to read to continue this one if I'm not super enjoying it.