book reveiws

[WannabeAngua]

Just finished John Connollys 'Samuel Johnson vs The Devil Pt2 - Hells Bells' the sequel to ' The Gates of Hell are Opening , Please Mind the Gap'

In the states the books are called The Gates , and The Infernals .
Definitely Fantasy genre but strikes me as a mix of Good Omens and Eric if they were to be compared to Terry Prtachett Books.
First Books is set in England where the Devil and his Minions have discovered how to open a gate to a small town by harnessing power from the Haldron Collider. Pardon the pun but all hell breaks lose with demons causing havoc while the General of hells army becomes a cross dresser and a few others discover the beauty of english lager . One becomes addicted to wine gums.
All this centres around Samuel and his dog who try to stop all this.

Second book is based around the cross dressing demons attempt at revenge for how the first book ends . She tries to drag Samuel and his dog to hell but also manages to pull in a pair of coppers , four alcoholic psycho dwarves pretending they're elves, and an icecream van driven by Dan Dan the Ice cream man.
More sentimental than the first book and a little slower paced but with very funny and exciting moments well worth reading.
I was particularly impressed with the characters of The Watcher, Old Ram and The Blacksmith.

First book a 9 out of ten and the second one an 8.5 out of ten.

Really enjoyable and not as dark than his previous 'All Age' book - 'The Book of Lost Things'(which is bloody amazing and a 10 out of 10 book based around Grimms fairy tales) or his Charlie Parker crime novels.
Yes i am promoting a fellow dubliner but seriously worth a look. The link below opens the first chapter of Hells Bells from Johns site which readds quite well as a short story in its own rights
http://www.johnconnollybooks.com/novels-hells-bells1.php

I looooove John Connollys books Book of lost things was amazing. Haven't bought the Hells bells yet, have to get it ASAP.

 

[pip]

Book of Lost Things still remains one of my favourite ever books. Pure Genius
He's doing a signing at my favourite bookshop next month

Real nice guy

 

[WannabeAngua]

Book of Lost Things still remains one of my favourite ever books. Pure Genius
He's doing a signing at my favourite bookshop next month

Real nice guy

*Turning green with envy*

Could you tell him from me that Jo Nesbø is Norwegian, not Swedish.....a couple of newsletters ago he said he was doing - actually can't remember what it was at the moment - something with the Swedish novelist Nesbø :x
Sweden allready has Mankell and Stieg Larsson, please let us keep Nesbø.

 

[pip]

I will. Did you check out the first chapter of his book i posted

 

[WannabeAngua]

I will. Did you check out the first chapter of his book i posted

No, just read your rewiew. I will take a look later on though.

 

[pip]

Cool

 

[pip]

Book - Monarchy
Author - David Starkey

A non-fiction book detailing the History of the English and then British monarchy from the start of the Tudor preiod under Henry VII to the 21st century.

A very interesting well written and well researched book, David Starkey is a fantastic historian who knows his history. Quite sarcastic at times the book reads well and links the lineage very well together.
Gives a great account of the changes in form, the attitudes and actions of the Monarchs , Parliament , the general public and other leaders throughout the huge changes and revolutions that took place over the period.
Really enjoyed this book and have an interest in the subject matter .
Good well informed opinions and analysis in general. Disliked that he brought it right up to his opinions on Charles as Starkey is a historian and this section at the end didn't fit to well with the rest but doesn't detract from the overall quality.


8 out of ten

Have bought another of his books - Henry about Henry VIII and look forward to it

 

[meerkat]

For a fictional read re: time of Henry 8th, try CJ Sansom. Historically accurate and very interesting view of the country under Henry's rule!

 

[pip]

Book - Africa Reich
Author - Guy Saville

A trouser leg of time book based on a similar premise to that of Robert Harris Fatherland.
Britain turned chicken after a massacre at Dunkirk and signed a peace treaty with Germany which carves up Africa between them and allows Germany a free reign in there new and old colonys and eastern europe.
An ex Leggionaire and British soldier of german decent is hired to assasinate one of the German Governors who he has a History with and heads to Africa.
Book is full of action, very bloody and occasionally disturbing.
sometimes manic due to the action and the main character Burton Cole is blessed at repeatedly escaping impossible situations but still highly enjoyable
. Book is well written despite a slightly wooden start and has a decwent twist or two at the end.
The author has created a vivid alternate world which works well in the background.
Took a chance on a debut novel (although the author did sign the book)
but glad i did.I'll see what else comes from his pen in future

8.5 out of ten

 

[pip]

For a fictional read re: time of Henry 8th, try CJ Sansom. Historically accurate and very interesting view of the country under Henry's rule!

I like reading both the fiction and non fiction history books so i'll check it out meer. Cheers

 

[Prolekult]

I've got a short review for you, I just read Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman.

It was ****ing great.

Not going to tell you what it's about, just read it and find out. And don't read the blurb either, it's more fun reading a book that way imo.

 

[Tonyblack]

I agree! I really enjoyed it.

 

[pip]

Great book .

Prefer American Gods but still brilliant

 

[chris.ph]

i just bought the first 17 anita blake vampire hunter novels by laurel k hamilton for a pound each in the red cross charity shop in llandiello

 

[pip]

Bump. For other review page

 

[Tonyblack]

Here's a link to that other thread for future reference.