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Azincourt

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Bernard Cornwell

October 01, 2008
Cornwell at his very, very best.
If you enjoyed the Harlequin series featuring Thomas of Hookton then you will love this.
I read it within two days of receiving it and am gutted that it wasn't much longer even though it fully satisfied me as a true historical read.
Cornwell is the master of this style of writing. I really enjoy Conn Iggulden and Valerio Massimo Manfredi but Cornwell is the master.
My only wish is that Ridley Scott would take a story of Cornwell's like this one or the Harlequin series and make it into as visual a treat as the novels are writtenAzincourt.
More power to your quill Mr. Cornwell and long may your stories keep us as enthralled as this.

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Bones of the Hills (Conqueror 3)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Conn Iggulden

September 01, 2008
Not much I can add. Yes, it's the best of the three, which is praise indeed. This guy can write! My only worry, as voiced elsewhere, is that he can keep it up when he moves to a new theme. He certainly has in these two series. I noticed with some surprise that this one came out roughly 9 months after the previous one. I do hope he isn't being pressurised by publishers. He's currently way above the fading Cornwell and I hope he stays at the top of his game for a long time. Highly recommended.

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Lords of the Bow (Conqueror 2)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Conn Iggulden

September 01, 2008
I have just finished reading the book yesterday and 2 be quite honest i couldnt put it down wherever i go i take the book with me as i have read the Wolf of the Plains i couldnt wait for another book on Genghis Khan its just awesome to read i have seen book 2 but am not sure if its the same lords of the bow part 2 or the same one.need to ask at a bookshop to see cuz i cant wait to read the continuation as i have just pre-ordered BRISINGR.of the Inheritance Triology Eragon.

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Wolf of the Plains (Conqueror 1)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Conn Iggulden

September 03, 2007
Ignore the bitter people who have bought this book under another title and then didnt have the common sense to return it?

The Story is fantastic and very well written. I ususally plump for 18th Century Naval Fiction, so i was unsure what to expect.

The book is a genuine page turner and many a time i have been tired for work because "i just do another chapter before i turn out the light"!!

The characters are engaging and their life so hard that it makes you gasp. Despite the fact that Gengis Khan probably wasnt a very nice chap, you do warm to him and his tough little family.

It would have got 5 stars except that i have a little trouble remembering the many strange character names, but that ... Read More:

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The Other Queen

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Philippa Gregory

August 21, 2008
The Other Queen is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, during a specific period in her life--the time that she spent in the home of George Talbot and his wife, Bess, at Tutbury Castle. It was a period fraught with political turmoil and the threat of another civil war, as Mary attempted to regain her throne. The story is told from the point of view of all three characters.

I have to say straight away that this was not one of Philippa Gregory' best--a shame, since I was looking forward to reading it. Part of the problem is that I more or less have a preconceived idea of what Mary was like. Therefore, I was a little dismayed by the way that Mary is portrayed in the book; she's arrogant. And that's another problem I had with the book; I ... Read More:

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Revelation (Shardlake)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: C.J. Sansom

October 02, 2008
The Other Queen is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, during a specific period in her life--the time that she spent in the home of George Talbot and his wife, Bess, at Tutbury Castle. It was a period fraught with political turmoil and the threat of another civil war, as Mary attempted to regain her throne. The story is told from the point of view of all three characters.

I have to say straight away that this was not one of Philippa Gregory' best--a shame, since I was looking forward to reading it. Part of the problem is that I more or less have a preconceived idea of what Mary was like. Therefore, I was a little dismayed by the way that Mary is portrayed in the book; she's arrogant. And that's another problem I had with the book; I ... Read More:

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The Boleyn Inheritance

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Philippa Gregory

May 01, 2007
In this brilliant novel we get to see three women, one evil and guilt stricken the other shy and gullible, and the third women young beautiful and vain.

After reading the other Boleyn girl thirst, I was able to understood the true cruelty of Jane Boleyn (lady rochford) in this book once again she only thinks of herself , she befriends both of henrys new queens with only her interest in mind. She is most obsessed with Anne Boleyn and her brother George Boleyn. She feels the guilt as it was her who help put both brother and sister to death. She is a jealous vile women who gets her just deserts as someone uses her to his own advantage, giving her hopes and dreams and then easily taking it away from her.

Anne of Cleves ... Read More:

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The Other Boleyn Girl

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Philippa Gregory

October 07, 2002
This book was recommened to me by friends, and I am so glad that I took their advice and read this. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I just loved it so much, I found it really interesting to see the story unfold from the perspective from Annes sister, and experience the life of the court through her eyes. Luckily I read this book before I saw the movie otherwise I never would have bothered with it. The history might not be 100% accurate but its so well written and enjoyable that I didn't care and just enjoyed the novel at face value. Highly recommended!!

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The Constant Princess

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: Philippa Gregory

May 02, 2006
I have now read all five of Gregory's novels set in the Tudor court. This was the last one I read and, I think, my favourite. It is the story of Katherine of Aragon, formerly Catalina, the Spanish princess, told mostly from her perspective.

Gregory opens the book with some scenes set in Spain, when Catalina was very young, giving the girl some background and showing how her family and upbringing affected and shaped her as a person and character. Then we move forward to when she comes to England to marry Arthur, Henry VIII older brother and the heir to the throne. Gregory's original take on their doomed marriage is incredibly moving and makes for a very good novel, which wouldn't have been very compelling otherwise. In her version, the pair fall ... Read More:

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Revelation (Shardlake)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Historical
by: C.J. Sansom

April 04, 2008
Have read all four of the Shardlake series, all brilliant. I am now having withdrawal. Sansom has you totally engrossed, you can picture the scene, a detailed version of the violent times of Henry V111. I cannot find a single fault. Will there be anymore, please.
If you like historical whodunnits, these are for you, difficult to put down, extremely well written, who needs television.