Book reviews Archives - Page 15 of 30

10Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding book review

When I received the sequel to The Ember Blade, The Shadow Casket, from Gollancz, I quickly went out and ordered the first book in the series The Ember Blade. I did some quick research on it and quickly saw it had received a lot of praise from people who'd read it with some even claiming it to be "the best fantasy" they'd ever read and "Lord of the Rings for the modern age" so I went it to it with high expectations. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of these products. The…

04Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Freeze by Kate Simants book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Freeze by Kate Simants was kindly sent to me by Viper books after they put out a tweet with the premise and I keenly jumped on their tweet saying I'd love to receive a proof copy prior to launch. The premise I hear you ask? A group of "celebrities" go to Greenland to film a reality survival show but there's clearly someone on that boat who is determined to ensure someone else on that boat doesn't make the journey home. Intriguing huh? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Tori and Dee…

28Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson book review

Book reviews, Mystery, Thriller

When I recently asked on my social media channels what I should read next from my TBR list, the majority of the answers came back for me to read Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson. I’d heard of the book before and had a general premise of what the book was about so I was keen to jump in and see if it could surprise me in any way. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose you purchase any products via the links before, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of Christine who wakes…

25Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness 4 Comments

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

I'd heard quite a few people suggest picking up and reading Child 44 including a lot of people who voted when I asked people which book on my physical TBR they should I should pick up next. I went into it blind with no idea what it was about, didn't even read the blurb. Was that a mistake? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Child 44 focuses on Leo, an MGB officer who is quite literally the poster boy for the army - he's young, good-looking and loyal. He…

15Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Dead Head by C J Skuse book review

Book reviews, Crime, Thriller

The third book in the Sweetpea trilogy, Dead Head, sees our hilarious secret serial killer, Rhiannon, on the run. She’s trying to hide from society as the whole world has found out about her and weirdly made her into an exciting celebrity for the whole of Twitter to talk about. In fact, she even has a book out now. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. As I said above, Dead Head is the third book in the series, so if you've not read the previous two books in the series,…

15Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

In Bloom by C J Skuse book review

Book reviews, Crime, Thriller

The Sweetpea series by C J Skuse is a series recommended to me by a fair few of my friends and one that I see a lot of people raving about online. In Bloom is the second in this series and sees us pick up Rhiannon's story right after she's just successfully had her cheating boyfriend sent to jail for the killings she's committed. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. In Bloom carries right on after where Sweetpea finished. If you've not yet read Sweetpea you definitely need to -…

08Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Pact by Sharon Bolton book review

Book reviews, Mystery, Thriller

I picked up The Pact by Sharon Bolton after sourcing my physical TBR for a companion audiobook that wouldn't cost me half a lung. At £2.99 (about $3.60) for The Pact, I thought I'd pick it up. I'd had a couple of recommendations to read it by some friends too so that added to my reasoning for it. The premise sounded like it had potential too but did it live up the hype? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below The Pact by Sharon Bolton tells the story of a group of young adults who are just about to pass their exams when one night they decide to take part in a dare that sees…

30Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery

When I read A Man Called Ove a couple of years ago, I absolutely fell in love with the character of Ove and the simple yet powerful story that Backamn told. One of my friends recommended I pick up Anxious People quite some time ago so when I received it as a present for Christmas I quickly put it to the top of my TBR and I'm so glad I did! Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is such an interesting book. It tells the…

26Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction

Act of Oblivion is a book I was recommended and lent by a good friend. He's a big fan of historical fiction and rated Act of Oblivion as a book that I definitely needed to pick up and read. It focuses on a story that I don't think a lot of people know about but one which is actually really interesting! The problem when you write historical fiction based on a real story is if the story isn't deeply fleshed out in real life then you've really got to fill out the book with other details. Does Robert Harris do this enough here? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase any products via any of the affiliate links below, I may receive a…

20Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Spare by Prince Harry book review

Book reviews, Memoir, Nonfiction

I can tell you now this book is one of the most talked-about books I've ever read. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have divided the world. Their whole relationship has been "front-page news" since its reveal. In this book Prince Harry takes you through his whole life, admitting a lot and also revealing so much about how the Royal Family is run. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Harry is often referred to as the "spare" which is a play on the fact that his brother William is the "heir".…

Category: Book reviews