28Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke book review

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke book review

Book reviews, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell has a lot of fans. When I posted that I'd started it on social media, it received a lot of comments and praise from people who had already read it. When I posted I only had 100 pages left, it also received a lot of comments. It's a very popular book with those who have read it. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinions of any of the products. It tells the story of well... Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Mr Norrell is the big magician on the block…
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11Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett book review

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction
The Vanishing Half was the number one most-voted-for book when I held a poll recently asking people which book I should read from my physical TBR list. After a quick google, I realised I wasn't quite sure what it was I was about to read about. And around 300 pages later, I'm still not 100% sure if I really get what the book was trying to portray. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase products via any of the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. The Vanishing Half focuses on the lives of twins Desiree and Stella and their two…
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09Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Revelation by C.J. Sansom book review

Revelation by C.J. Sansom book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery
The Matthew Shardlake series by CJ Sansom is one of the best historical fiction crime series around. It's likely not an overcrowded genre but nonetheless, Sansom seems to have marked himself down as the one to beat in the genre and the king of historical fiction crime. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of any of the products. Revelation is the fourth book in the Shardlake series by Sansom - a series that sees lawyer Shardlake get himself embroiled in murders far more often than he'd like and end up having to…
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25Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton book review

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery
There was quite the hype around The Miniaturist when I posted on social media that I'd bought it. It's a book filled with intrigue, an interesting setting and a lot of mystery. However, as I read it, I felt like more could have been done with it and it felt a little confusing. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via any of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Set in 1968 Amsterdam, The Miniaturist follows Petronella (known as Nella mostly) as she finds herself wed to a man whom she had no choice over and who also…
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17Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Death on the Pier by Jamie West book review

Death on the Pier by Jamie West book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction
Death on the Pier by Jamie West is West's debut novel set almost 90 years ago on a Brighton Pier Theatre that longer exists. During a play in which the main character is supposed to die at the end of Act 1, she is found to actually be dead when the curtain goes down - but who is the culprit and why? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Death on the Pier was sent to me by Jamie West himself in return for an honest review. It releases on 10…
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09Jul 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid book review

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance
Malibu Rising is my first Taylor Jenkins Reid book. I've heard a lot about TJR and so was excited to pick this up. When I saw it pop up in my local ASDA on the 2 for £8 deal, I knew I had to pick up Malibu Rising. It's a book that takes you on two separate life journies whilst also telling you a twelve-hour story of one of the most famous (fictional) parties in Malibu. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any product via the links provided below, I will receive a small commission no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Malibu Rising is a book that tells the…
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25Jun 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments
The Familiars by Stacey Hall book review

The Familiars by Stacey Hall book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery
I'll be honest, there were two reasons why I picked up The Familiars by Stacey Hall: the book was about £3 on Amazon and the front cover is absolutely stunning! Also, I had heard from a fair few people that it's actually a really good book. But what are my thoughts on the actual words on the page? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the blog. The Familiars is about Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the wife of a wealthy and respected man who has had failed births in the past and is holding on to…
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12Oct 2021 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments
Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Book reviews, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
The premise behind The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab had me hooked. A woman makes a deal with an evil god to essentially live forever. But one day a man comes along and changes the three hundred years of life she's lived forever. [caption id="attachment_1254" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my final opinion of the product. You can't tell me that the premise behind The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue doesn't intrigue you. It instantly made me think of…
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27Sep 2021 by Luke Harkness No Comments
Book Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Book Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Book reviews, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
You can't go too far on bookstagram without The Song of Achilles being recommended to you. In Madeline Miller's debut novel, she focuses on the story of Achilles and Patroclus as they grow from boys to men and the different directions life takes them despite their love for one another. [caption id="attachment_1176" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase The Song of Achilles via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my final opinion of the product. The Song of Achilles very much intrigued me as I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology (as any nerd is) and…
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24Sep 2021 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments
Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Book reviews, Historical Fiction
The Book Thief is described as a "life-affirming bestseller" in it's Kindle title on Amazon and I must say, this is very true. The Book Thief is the story of a young girl starting in 1939 as she grows up in Nazi Germany and the stories of those around her as the bombs begin to fall. [caption id="attachment_1169" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pin me to Pinterest![/caption] Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase The Final Empire via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my final opinion of the product. I'll be honest, I picked up The Book Thief three or four years ago and DNFed…
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