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Lords of the Bow (Conqueror 2)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
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 > History and Historical Fiction
by: Conn Iggulden

September 03, 2007
One of the best books I've read in a long while,
would highly recomend it to anyone and everyone!
A great book about a great man.

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The Other Queen

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
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; ... Read More:

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The Constant Princess

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
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, ... Read More:

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The Boleyn Inheritance

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
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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Emperor: The Field of Swords

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
by: Conn Iggulden

September 05, 2005
This is a review based not just on "The Field of Swords" (third installment) but the entire quadrilogy. Whether you love ancient history fiction or non fiction you'll enjoy this book and the entire series. For fiction lovers who haven't yet tread through the pages of historical epics, than this is a great series to begin the adventure.

The recreation of the brutality of the battles and the atmosphere of ancient cities is realistic. The author almost transports you to another world.

Be warned though, if you like your protagonist a hero/heroine, you'll be badly disappointed. The primary character (Juluis) begins the journey in the first book "gates of rome" as an innocent boy. By the third installment, he has become a war mongering ... Read More:

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Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
by: Bernard Cornwell

May 06, 2008
Not appealing for all readers, for the atipic "old british" scenario, at levels of Sharpe's or the Arthur's books, the Saxons stories are like (almost) every Cornwell's book: solid plot, well done battle scenes, big characters, a bit of fine humorism. In a saga, some books are better than others, by the point of view of readers, but for a Cornwell's fan a new book on the wars between Saxons and Vikings are good (very good) news.
And Sword song is the last (but non least) adventure of a group of "old friends".

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Innocent Traitor

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
by: Alison Weir

June 07, 2007
History is my favorite subject and this author came highly recommended.
This is the first book I have read by her and was extremely disappointed.
It lacked a true atmosphere of the time,that this was set in.
I really could not picture any exacutioner, living during Mary's reign, thinking the thoughts that this author had written.
The terminology was all wrong, the dialogue sounded 1970's.
The characters all appeared wishy washy.
It is far more a type of Barbara Cartland for the history lover, than any serious attempt to understand or explain how these events really played out.
It is an easy light read, ideal for train travel or just before going to sleep.
The Tudor/War of the Roses have been far better written as stories by Rosemay ... Read More:

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Sea of Poppies

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
by: Amitav Ghosh

May 01, 2008
I was very disappointed by this book, it starts promising, with lots of good character description, one can hear and smell 1832 India. Unfortunately, that is all there is! As the book moves forward you realise that certain characters are simply superfluous.

The ending appears to be the ending because the writer: (1) ran out of time with his publisher, (2) ran out of ink, and/or (3) simply decided to cut his losses.

Up to halfway through the book I was really enjoying it and was expecting to be sad at finishing, but when the book moves into the "on board" phase the paucity of the plot becomes apparent and the end comes as a relief.

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Revelation (Shardlake)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > History and Historical Fiction
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.