Tag: Net Galley

Book Review: “Castles: A Fortified History of the World” by Dan Jones

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When we think of castles, for most of us, we think of either fairy tale castles or medieval fortresses that were home to royalty and nobility. However, this only scratches the surface of the history of castles. The origins of structures that we know as castles go back centuries and are still being built in the modern age. And it was not just in Europe where castles were used to defend humanity, but all over the world. Dan Jones has taken on the arduous task of taking his readers on a journey through centuries and across continents to tell the stories of some amazing architecture. This is his latest tome, “Castles: A Fortified History of the World.”

I want to thank Viking and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. As many of you know, I am a huge Dan Jones fan, so when I heard that he was writing a new nonfiction book, I knew I wanted to read it. When it was announced that it was going to be about the history of castles, it caught my attention because one of my favorite documentary series was Secrets of Great British Castles, so I knew this was going to be a very good book. I wanted to see how well Jones would be tackling architectural history in a book.

Jones begins our journey with an explanation of what a castle is before exploring the Bronze Age cities, with a special emphasis on the legendary city of Troy. Each chapter of this book focuses on a different era of history and explores famous castles from the period and how they were important. We also get to see the archaeological work done at these sites and how the research gives us even more delightful stories that make the past even richer.

After the Bronze Age and Troy, we move to Iron Age Hillforts in Britannia, with a highlight of Maiden Castle. We then move to the Islamic Castles, which include the fantastic Alhambra Castle, a familiar castle to those who study the life of Catherine of Aragon and her family. Our journey continues with the Viking ring fortresses and the Norman castles, which include Baynard Castle and the Tower of London. Jones goes back to his roots by exploring the Crusader castles, such as Jacob’s Ford and Château Pèlerin. Then you have your chivalric castles, like Caernarfon Castle, the great walls associated with Hadrian, and the Great Wall of China. The Renaissance ushered in great halls like Castel Sant’ Angel while being defensive, like the samurai castles such as Osaka Castle. Finally, we explore the fantasy castles, bringing to mind the Sleeping Beauty Castle of Disneyland and the castles that were used for modern wars. Jones even explores American castles, which as an American that felt a little odd because I never considered the US having castles.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and learned a lot about the architectural history of castles. Jones did cover a lot of ground in this book and several centuries. Of course, he couldn’t cover every castle on every continent, as that would constitute a book series instead of a single tome. If you are someone who wants to read about castles all around the world, I highly recommend you read “Castles: A Fortified History of the World” by Dan Jones.

Book Review: “Royal Witch” by Philippa Gregory

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One woman’s ambitions for power, love, and a child will cost her everything. England is in a golden age with King Henry V and Queen Catherine of Valois on the throne. Jacqueline of Hainault has come to England to ask for help to take back her birthright. A young woman named Eleanor Cobham joins Jacqueline’s court, but Eleanor desires more. She wants power, the man she loves to love her, and a child. But when all else fails, Eleanor turns to a darker path to secure the throne. How did things go so horribly wrong, and why did Eleanor go to such extreme measures? Philippa Gregory tells the tale of Eleanor Cobham and the charges that made her infamous in her latest novel, “Royal Witch.”

I want to thank William Morrow and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. In recent years, I have come to appreciate Gregory’s newer books, so when I heard that she was writing a novel about Eleanor Cobham, it caught my attention. I have heard of Eleanor Cobham as a side character in books about King Henry VI, but I didn’t know much about her life, so I wanted to see how Gregory would tell her tale.

We begin the day that Eleanor Cobham’s life changed when her mother died, and Eleanor was no longer destined to live in a monastery. Now, she could chart her own path, which happened to land her in the court of Henry V. There, she meets the woman whom she will serve, Jacqueline of Hainault. Jacqueline is a woman on a mission to get her counties of Hainault, Holland, and Zeeland back from her husband, John of Brabant, whom she wants a divorce from, and Philip, Duke of Brittany. The only way she can do that is by seeking the help of King Henry V. Henry V’s brother, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, comes to Jacqueline’s aid as he seeks to become her husband and Count of Hainault. While navigating the complex nature of Jacqueline’s situation, Eleanor falls in love with a young Welshman, Owen ap Maredudd.

Nothing can stay the same forever, as the powerful King Henry V dies, leaving the throne to his infant son, King Henry VI. Eleanor does eventually marry, but not truly for love, but for power, as she finds out that Owen made a scandalous match of his own and married Dowager Queen Catherine of Valois. Eleanor and her husband, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, try everything to get ahead, but in the end, Eleanor resorts to consulting Margery Jourdemayne and others to help in a darker matter. The cost will be insurmountable for Eleanor Cobham.

This was an engrossing novel about a lesser-known figure in Plantagenet history. Eleanor is one of those figures you want to stop and let her be satisfied with the life she had, but you know they are digging themselves further into a hole that they cannot escape from. I am excited to see who Gregory will write about next. If you want a delightfully dark and dangerous novel about one woman’s unlimited ambitions and her fall from grace, I highly recommend you read “Royal Witch” by Philippa Gregory.

Book Review: “J’Accuse: A Medieval Crime and a Servant Girl Who Changed History” by Jennifer D. Thibodeaux

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In 1429, two women’s lives changed for different reasons. For Joan of Arc, it was the year that she led the French to victory and crowned the dauphin King Charles VII of France. In Normandy, it was the year that a young servant girl was violently attacked. The servant girl, Jeanne Corviere, decided to fight against her abuser in court. Her case would forever change the history of Rouen, where the trial was held. What is Jeanne’s story, and what were the results of her trial? Jennifer D. Thibodeaux tells Jeanne’s tale in her book, “J’Accuse: A Medieval Crime and a Servant Girl Who Changed History.”

I would like to thank Godine and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am always in search of books that provide information about obscure stories from history, so when I saw that this book was about a case of a servant girl and her attackers, it caught my eye. I wanted to see what new information Thibodeaux could provide for this period.

We begin with the day that Jeanne Corviere was attacked by Exupere Le Mire, who had asked Jeanne to help his wife deliver a baby. That was a lie, as Le Mire viciously attacked Jeanne in the woods and left her severely injured. She made her way to the nearest town, and while she was healing, decided that she would sue Exupere Le Mire for compensation. Thibodeaux explains the different types of rape cases while explaining how a woman’s role in society could change how the case was handled. Another aspect that would alter Jeanne’s case was something known as the Privilege of Saint Romain, which allowed the clergy of Rouen to select a prisoner to be released from prison and his or her crimes to be eliminated.

Thibodeaux takes her readers on a journey, telling Jeanne’s story over the course of a decade. We are also introduced to figures behind the scenes that fought either for Jeanne or for Le Mire. She also chooses to pair Jeanne’s story with Joan of Arc’s tragic tale of her trial and execution. While it does provide more context to the overall story of France while Jeanne’s trial was ongoing, it felt a bit distracting to me. I wanted to focus on Jeanne’s story, and it felt as if her story took a back seat for a little bit.

Overall, this was a fine book. I did learn a lot about Jeanne Corviere and her case, and the book was easy to follow. Thibodeaux clearly did her research for such an obscure case. If you want to read a book about a medieval legal case, I recommend you read “J’Accuse: A Medieval Crime and a Servant Girl Who Changed History” by Jennifer D. Thibodeaux.

Book Review: “The Pirate Queen” by Ariel Lawhon

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When we think about pirates, we often think of the scallywags of the late 17th and early 18th century. We think about predominantly men who sailed in the tropical waters of the New World, stealing and pillaging while drinking rum and avoiding the navies of Spain, France, and England. While this image is relatively accurate, piracy has been an occupation for centuries,s and it was not just a job for men. There were some famous women pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read, but there is one who does not get a lot of attention. Her name is Grace O’Malley, the pirate queen of 16th-century Ireland, who met with Queen Elizabeth I. How did Grace become a pirate, and what were the circumstances of her legendary meeting with Queen Elizabeth I? Ariel Lawhon explores the life of this extraordinary woman in her latest novel, “The Pirate Queen.”

I would like to thank Doubleday and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have heard of Grace o’Malley in previous books that I have read about Elizabeth I, but I didn’t know much about Grace. When I heard that there was going to be a novel about her life, I knew I wanted to read it. This is the first time I have read a novel by Ariel Lawhon, so I was excited to see how she would tell Grace’s story.

This novel is very unique in the way the story is told. It is based on the Trinity knot, in which Grace’s story is told in three separate parts: Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch. Each chapter focuses on one of the stages of Grace’s life. Grace O’Malley, also known as Grainne O’Malley, was the daughter of Eoin O’Malley, The O’Malley, and his wife Maeve. Grace also has an illegitimate brother named Donal, who is basically her best friend. All Grace wants to do is sail the seas like her father, but her gender hinders her ability to do so. To her family, she is a pawn in the marriage market to make a strong alliance with the O’Flaherty clan.

Through the Mother storyline, we see Grace’s tumultuous relationship with her first husband, Donal O’Flaherty, who likes to pick fights with everyone. Grace does not love her husband, but a childhood friend, Richard Bourke. However, Grace is a mother of three and a woman who is willing to fight on the sea for her family, even if it means she gains powerful enemies, including the Governor of Connaught, Sir Richard Bingham.

I enjoyed this book, even though the format took me a minute to get used to, as I prefer a novel in chronological order. The actual story was compelling,g and Grace was a strong female lead; I just wish we got to see more of her pirate antics. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I hope Lawhon continues writing about women in the 16th century and further back. If you want a novel about a female pirate, I suggest you check out “The Pirate Queen” by Ariel Lawhon.

Book Review: “The Undying Lamb” by Paul Brous

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A single child can frighten kings and the pope just by existing. The year is 1230, and Europe is on fire with war and the repercussions of the Crusades. Caught in the middle are a baby boy and his protectors who must get to a safe location before forces who want to see the baby dead catch up to them. On top of it all, the Cathars are in danger of being eliminated due to their beliefs. Can the child and his protectors escape Rome, or will the child be killed? Will the Cathars survive,e or will they be persecuted for what they believe? Paul Brous explores these topics in his novel, “The Undying Lamb.”

I want to thank Rising Action and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I like reading about new aspects of medieval Europe. I saw this novel was going to feature a storyline featuring the Cathars, who don’t get much attention from casual history lovers. I wanted to see how he would tell the tale of the Cathars and how the story of a child everyone wants dead would be incorporated into this narrative.

We begin with an extensive glossary of terms used in this book, which includes phrases in Latin, Occitan, French, Sardu, and Italian, which I found extremely useful and showed how much research Brous poured into this novel before I started reading. The actual story starts with Sibilia meeting the mysterious Robin. They are given the task of protecting a baby they call Will, but his identity is the Grail Child, one whom people fear will bring forth the Apocalypse. The mission was put together by Pope Gregory IX and his right-hand man, Cardinal Goffredo Castiglioni, to protect Will from people like Blanche of Castile, who fears that the child would be a threat to her son,n while King Henry III of England threatens to invade France.

To make matters worse, you have the church going after the Cathars during the Albigensian Crusade. While many of the Cathars have been eliminated by the time of this novel, there are still pockets of resistance. Now, the church is sending an inquisition after one such group. So while we have the Grail Child storyline, we also have the Cathar storyline with multiple points of view. 

Personally, I think that the plotlines included in this novel would have been better as two separate novels so that the ideas could have been developed fully. Either that or have an ending that alludes to a sequel novel. Overall, it was an okay read for me; I just felt like he had too many ideas for one novel. If you want to read a decent medieval novel that explores a different aspect of the past, you might enjoy “The Undying Lamb” by Paul Brous.

Book Review: “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds” by Taylor Wagmore

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Dogs have been man’s best friends for centuries. They are loyal, protective, and playful in the modern age. But how were dogs treated in different eras? While we could examine different pieces of literature to understand how owners loved their dogs, the Renaissance grants us a unique opportunity to see how pet owners wanted their furry companions to be viewed for centuries after they were gone. Taylor Wagmore examines the pups and the mutts painted by the finest Renaissance painters in her book, “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds.”

I would like to thank Ten Speed Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. Last year, I read a similar book about medieval cats in artwork, since I am a cat owner of an orange tabby named Colby. I thought it was only fair to read a book about Renaissance dogs this year. 

Since this book is mostly images and silly captions, I will keep this review relatively short. The paintings included in this book were beautiful, paired with some interesting factoids. The captions that Wagmore included, while humorous, were often distracting and felt unnecessary at times. Overall, this was an okay read. It feels more like a coffee table book instead of a serious academic book. If you want a novelty book for those who love the Renaissance and dogs, you might enjoy “Renaissance Dogs: A Litter of Hilarious Pups, Mutts, and Hounds” by Taylor Wagmore.

Book Review: “Son of the Serpent” by Shauna Lawless

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Medieval Ireland is full of magic and danger, with the Anglo-Normans threatening to invade. Ireland is a fragmented nation of numerous kingdoms that can’t even figure out who their High King is, let alone figure out how to fend off the Anglo-Normans. Caught in the middle is Cuan, the man who is friends with Isolde, the Descendant who is trying to stay alive and learn about her powers. Cuan must fight for revenge for his father by surviving in his treacherous uncle’s court. Can Cuan and Isolde survive against the Irish and the Anglo-Normans, or will their worlds be burned to ashes? Shauna Lawless continues the Gael Song Era 2 series in the second book, “Son of the Serpent.”

I would like to thank Head of Zeus and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoyed the first book in this series, “Daughter of the Otherworld,” when I read it a few months ago, so when I saw that there was a second book, I wanted to read it. The first book ended on such a cliffhanger that I had to know what happened next.

We begin this novel with Cuan’s story before he met Isolde. He was the son of a prince, and before his father became High King after his grandfather’s death, his uncle Ruaidri took the throne. Now, Cuan lives in his uncle’s court as a nobody, but he has secret powers of his own. Meanwhile, Isolde is learning about her gifts in Seir Kieran, including the gift of seeing visions of the future. She tries to use her powers to protect the other Descendants from the Fomorians and the destruction they bring.

On the other side of the conflict, we have the Fomorians, Donnchad, Angelo, and Gormflaith, who have their own schemes. Donnchad works with Strongbow on a planned invasion of Ireland. Gormflaith plays the cards she is dealt to become a powerful woman in the ranks of Strongbow’s court. Meanwhile, Angelo is on the hunt for the Descendants. Each has to use schemes and disguises to infiltrate and make their plans work. The way this novel ended was a shocking twist that I hope will be resolved in book 3.

It took me a minute to get into this book again, as I was trying to remember who these characters were and how they connected, especially Cuan and Isolde, but once I did, this was a fun ride. It was darker than the first book, filled with action and suspense. I cannot wait to see where the series will go next. If you enjoyed the first book in the Gael Song Era 2 series, you might enjoy “Son of the Serpent” by Shauna Lawless. 

Book Review: “The House of Boleyn” by Tracy Borman

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The story of the Boleyns has been an area of fascination for Tudor and history nerds for centuries. There are hundreds of novels and nonfiction books specifically about this family and their rise and fall from grace in the court of King Henry VIII. Most of these books focus on the Boleyns inside the court, but there was another place where the Boleyns shined: their home of Hever Castle. The Boleyns did not live by themselves at Hever; there were also the servants who served them throughout the entire saga. Tracy Borman explores the Boleyns and the lives of their servants over the course of three decades in her latest novel, “The House of Boleyn.”

I would like to thank Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been such a fan of Tracy Borman’s nonfiction books for years, and I know she has written historical fiction novels, but I have yet to read any of them. When I heard that she was writing a novel based on the lives of the Boleyns, I knew I wanted to read it, especially after reading her nonfiction books about the Boleyns. I wanted to see how she would interpret the lives of the Boleyns in a novel.

This novel is very much what happens if Downton Abbey met the Tudors in the best possible way, with elements of the upstairs, the Boleyns, and the downstairs, the servants. Even certain characters remind me of Downton characters, whether intentional or not, which I loved. We start in the year 1512 and see Anne’s relationship with her older sister Mary, the black sheep of the family, and her grandmother, Lady Margaret, before their lives change forever. We get to see a softer side of Thomas Boleyn, one who actually cares about his children, and Elizabeth Boleyn, who has a favorite child, which was George. Downstairs, we have loyal Esther, who served Anne, the scoundrel Cranwell, and Aphra, who served Lady Margaret even though she had her own secret. It is the characters in this book who shine, but it is the way Borman portrays Jane Boleyn that is truly special, as she is seen as more sympathetic than as a villainous figure.  

While a lot of the events are known, Borman adds some twists and turns in this novel that I was not expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised by their inclusion. Out of all the novels that I have read about the Boleyns, this is one of my favorites. The Boleyns came alive for me while reading this novel. I cannot wait to see what Borman will write about next. If you love reading about the Boleyns, you simply must read “The House of Boleyn” by Tracy Borman.

Book Review: “The Unicorn Hunters” by Katherine Arden

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Mythological creatures have been part of cultures all around the world, and none as much as unicorns. While many European countries honor the unicorn, there is a series of tapestries in France that show a virgin hunting a unicorn. Now what if you took that mythological tale of the unicorn and combined it with the story of a real historical woman, like Anne, Duchess of Brittany? Anne of Brittany is trying to avoid a marriage to the French king, which would mean her beloved Brittany would become French property, so se devices a scheme. She will have a wedding in a magical forest and disguise it as a unicorn hunt. But what happens in the magical forest does not stay in the forest. The consequences of Anne’s actions will come back to haunt her. Katherine Arden combines historical figures and fantastical elements in her novel, “The Unicorn Hunters.”

I would like to thank Del Rey and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been slowly getting into the subgenre of historical fantasy, so I wanted to continue my journey with a new cast of characters besides the Tudors and 16th-century Italy. I know a little bit about Anne of Brittany, so I was looking forward to seeing how she would translate in a historical fantasy novel.

Anne of Brittany is nervous that if she marries into the French royal family, her beloved Brittany, which she is protecting for her younger sister Isabeau, would fall into the clutches of the French. So, the young duchess comes up with a plan to marry Maximilien of Austria via a proxy wedding in the mystical forest of Broceliande. To distract the French, Anne decides to disguise the wedding as a unicorn hunt so she can give King Charles of France the unicorn horn. The hunt does not go as planned, as Anne receives a piece of the unicorn’s mane and a new suitor for her hand, one with mystical powers and who will not take no for an answer. Anne and Isabeau, along with Louis, Duke of Orleans, must navigate not only the political front of the Holy Roman Empire and France after Brittany, but a threat from the shadows that could destroy everything and everyone Anne loves.

Although I appreciate Arden’s attempt at telling Anne of Brittany’s story with a magical twist, it took me a while to get into this story. I also felt that the historical elements tended to become lost in the fantasy elements, which is a bit of a bummer because I enjoy reading about Anne of Brittany. Overall, I think this was a decent historical fantasy novel. If you want a historical fantasy novel that features Anne of Brittany and elements of her life, you might enjoy “The Unicorn Hunters” by Katherine Arden.

Book Review: “The Ghost of Rataskaevu Street” by Indrek Hargla

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In 15th-century Livonia, peace was restored after the chaos caused by the notorious pirates, the Victual Brothers, was brought to an end. The town of Tallinn has begun to rebuild, but things do not stay quiet forever. The deaths of a prostitute, a Flemish painter, and a Tower watchman may not seem connected until the detail that they all allegedly saw a ghost on Rataskaevu street before they died. Now, it is up to Apothecary Melchior Wakenstede to figure out if something supernatural was the killer or if it was a human with a grudge. Can Melchior solve the case, or will the spirit from the past get away with murder? This is the premise of book two of the Apothecary Melchior Mystery series, called “The Ghost of Rataskaevu Street” by Indrek Hargla. 

I would like to thank Pushkin Vertigo and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. Earlier this year, I read the first novel of Hargla’s Melchior series, called “The Secret of Saint Olaf’s Church,” which I did enjoy, so when I saw the second novel was available, I wanted to see if I would continue to enjoy the series. 

We join Melchior and the town of Tallinn a few years after the incident in the first book. Like the previous book, Hargla pulls the story from the archives and gives it more of a twist. The story begins with the death of a soldier named Tobias Grote, who was a Tower watchman. Before he died, he is said to have seen a ghost on the infamous Rataskaevu street. However, as Melchior soon discovers, Grote was not the only one to die that day, nor is he the only one who saw a ghost on Ratatskaevu Street. Soon, we see the deaths of a merchant, a prostitute, and a beggar. These deaths do not seem connected, but when the stories of two families come to life, the strings that tie these murders together get tighter.

I enjoyed how Hargla continued to develop his existing characters and the world of Tallinn in this second mystery. He stuck with the murders, which contained many layers and twists that I was not expecting. For a novel that was originally written in Estonian, it is well translated and compelling in English.  If you enjoyed the first book in the Apothecary Melchior mystery series, I think you would enjoy book two, “The Ghost of Rataskaevu Street” by Indrek Hargla.