en-US Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:40:53 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Comment290085962 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:40:53 -0700 /review/show/209847955 Mark's review of Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas
by Garth Ennis

I've read the whole series (haven't seen the TV show), and can say I think it is wonderful. ]]> Review7531929739 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:27:58 -0700 /review/show/7531929739 Chris gave 5 stars to Tyrant's Throne (Greatcoats, #4) by Sebastien de Castell
This is the final book of the Greatcoats saga, and it keeps up the high standards of the previous three books.

Anyone who has looked at the maps in the previous books must, like me, have wondered when the heck Avares (the big-ass area to the north-west of Tristia) was going to figure with any promenence. Well, it's now!

I'm not going to say anything other than don't presume to know what is going to happen. I thought I did, and boy, was I wrong. It's a rousing, funny, hearbreaking, shocking mess... or I guess the mess was me.

I'll say no more other than the book almost lost a star because a couple of plot threads were left open, from this book and the last one, but a little not at the very back of the book teases that there may be more to come... sometime. If so, I will be there!

One final piece of advice. After reading, make sure you read the acknowledgements. De Castell has craftily inserted some interesting snippets about the backstory that many might miss. ]]> Review7526161639 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:50:23 -0700 /review/show/7526161639 Chris gave 5 stars to Saint's Blood (Greatcoats, #3) by Sebastien de Castell
At first I thought this third instalment of the Greatcoats saga was just a diversion. Aline is, with the help of Valiana, who is turning out to be stronger than anyone (herself included) realise, in a stronger position... so what next?

Well... someone is killing the different Saints. The ones that everyone shout oaths to. Why are they doing it, and more importantly, who is doing it? Many are using this as an excuse to oppose Aline's ascension to the throne... just typical of the two-faced, double dealing noble of Tristia.

There are some gruesome torture scenes, and lots of buckles being swashed, as is the norm for these book. Also, the banter is still there to lighten the darkness.

Brasti for King!!

Loved it. ]]> Review7504625881 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 16:03:41 -0700 /review/show/7504625881 Chris gave 4 stars to Knight's Shadow (Greatcoats, #2) by Sebastien de Castell
The second entry in this series continues soon after the events of the previous book. Facio is suffering from the effects of a poison he inhaled in the previous book, and this inhibits him greatly throughout the book. Its a necessary plot device, but sometimes becomes a bit repetitive, and so the novel misses the full 5 stars.

Everything else is there. The banter, the misdirection and the heartbreak. It's all very talky and political (which is good in my view) and deals with the Greatcoats attempts to put Aline on the throne and thus set Tristia back on a noble path.

Easier said than done.

Loved it. ]]> Review7486309083 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:49:25 -0700 /review/show/7486309083 Chris gave 5 stars to Traitor's Blade (Greatcoats, #1) by Sebastien de Castell
This is a fantasy book with just a smidge of magic. It features a trio of 'Greatcoats', who used to be revered, but now... not so much. Their King has been killed and the land taken over by amoral Dukes, who would rather the Greatcoats were wiped from the earth... and there are not many of them left.

Falcio val Mond, Kest Morrowson & Basti Goodbow are three such Greatcoats and this is the tale of their adventures. If you think the premise is a bit like The Three Musketeers, then you'd be right. Though this is a tad darker, but also has a tad more humour. The banter between the three is wonderful, as are the fighting and duelling sequences. I'm not usually one for long action sequences, but here they sing. The author clearly knows his stuff.

I won't spoil if for you, but if you don't like fantasy and magic, or haven't tried it, I'd highly recommend giving this a go. And if you do like fantasy and magic, what are you waiting for? ]]> UserFollowing325265399 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 04:44:15 -0700 /user/show/1720620-anne Chris Everson is now following Anne ]]> Comment289400698 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 04:41:23 -0700 /review/show/7468305760 Anne's review of A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley, #1)
by Elizabeth George

I've read the whole series, and one or two clunkers aside, they're mostly great books. ]]> Comment289307844 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:15:16 -0700 /review/show/6982132039 Amy's review of Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)
by Keri Lake

Where's your review? :p Would I like it, or is it one of your girly ones? : p ]]> Comment289307828 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:14:39 -0700 /read_statuses/9289788390 Chris made a comment on Amy’s status

Where's your review? :p Would I like it, or is it one of your girly ones? : p ]]> Comment289307687 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:11:24 -0700 /review/show/7473411752 Chris's review of Days Like These: An alternative guide to the year in 366 poems
by Brian Bilston

I'm a man of hidden depths. :)

Google it... it's true. :) ]]>