Tag: Fantasy

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent #1) by Marie Brennan

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent #1) by Marie Brennan

Lady Isabella Trent is the world’s leading dragon naturalist, but obtaining that distinction was no easy feat.

Her journey to leading dragon scientist begins at a young age which is where this novel begins in the land of Scirland.

What began as a hobby soon grew into a full blown passion.  She began collecting Sparklings at a young age and ever since she saw her father’s book, A Natural History of Dragons, in his study her desire to know more about dragons has only grown.

Though not everyone is enthusiastic about her hobby. Her parents discouraged her in hopes that she will find a suitable husband.

Isabella enters in to what she calls her ‘grey years’ where she gives up everything dragon related. One fateful day, her brother takes her to a menagerie where she sees three dragons in real life.

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Review: Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire by James Lowder

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire by James Lowder

After recently re-reading A Game of Thrones, I couldn’t help but crave more of the epic story!

I’ve read all the books at least once and after this recent re-read I’ve been scouring the discussion forums for more theories and insight into A Song of Ice and Fire.

So needless to say, reading this book was a no brainer. I’ve read a lot of reviews about this anthology, and most people say that you can find better material online in the discussion groups for free.

While there is a plethora of material online, a lot of it isn’t structured or supported by research which was what I was looking for….something a little more organized.

This novel had a broad selection of essays about A Song of Ice and Fire and Westeros. Some were interesting and thought provoking while others left me wanting.

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Take Two Review: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin

by The Lit Bitch12 Comments on Take Two Review: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin

I’ve been nerd-ing out these last few weeks. I saw a co-worker with a copy of A Game of Thrones and she asked me a few questions about the prologue.

It’s been two years since I read the first novel so I gave her a recap from memory.

Well I went home and thought I wonder if I gave her the right answers…I’ll re-read just the prologue. Well the next thing I know I’m 100 pages in!

I love this series. It’s so rich, textured, and character driven. I can’t say enough good things. You don’t have to be a fantasy reader to enjoy this series. It’s one of the best books and series I’ve ever read hands down.

But thinking back to my first review two years ago, I don’t think I thought that about the book. I decided to do a re-review on A Game of Thrones to see what all I picked up this reading that I perhaps didn’t on the first go around.

So I am not going to give a lot of background on this book since you can see it all from my first review.

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Review: Dark Aemilia: A Novel of Shakespeare’s Dark Lady by Sally O’Reilly

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The story of Aemilia Bassono and William Shakespeare is wrought with passion, love, poetry, and a little magic.

While the story is about both William and Aemilia, the main protagonist of the novel is Aemilia herself.

She is an illegitimate child raised in the court of Queen Elizabeth.

She was taken in by the Countess of Kent who made sure she was educated and prepared to eventually become part of the Queen’s household.

While at court she becomes the mistress to Henry Carey but when he tires of he she is married off to Alfonso Lanyer–a lowly court musician. But not before she meets William and begins an affair with him as well.

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Review: The House at the End of Hope Street by Menna van Praag

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: The House at the End of Hope Street by Menna van Praag

Alba’s life is falling apart. Everything that she has been working for has literally come to a grinding halt, she has lost all hope.

While working on her MPhil at Cambridge, she suddenly gets rejected and can no longer continue pursuing her passion–history.

While wandering the streets of Cambridge one night, she suddenly finds herself in front of a house that she has never seen before.

Mysteriously drawn to the house, Alba is met by the land lady, Peggy, who invites her into the house for some tea.

As soon as Alba enters the house, she notices the hundreds of photos of famous women in British history–Beatrix Potter, George Eliot, Daphne du Maurier to name a few.

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