Book Review: Hornet Flight by Ken Follett

Author: Ken Follett
Title: Hornet Flight
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Pages: 420
Published: December 2nd 2002 
Where I Got It: Gift

It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England.  Across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande an discovers an astonishing sight that will change the momentum of the war.  He must get word to England-except that he has no way to get there.  He has only an old derelict Hornet Moth biplane rusting away in a ruined church: a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely ever to get off the ground...even if Harald knew how to fly it.

I have heard of this author but I have never tried him out, so when my friend randomly gifted this to me, I was pretty excited. Plus WWII is always interesting. I always feel like I am learning something new. 

The story is set in 1941 and the war is not going well. England is pretty much alone and Germany is taking over everything. Things happen and Harald discovers something that can change everything. But how on Earth will he get this info out?

There were a lot of characters at play here. Harald, though, is the main character. I liked him, but I really did like Hermia and Karen. I found them more interesting. Harald was okay, but those two were the best I felt. 

The action was good but it take me a long while to really get into the story. The beginning started off quickly, but I did not connect with anyone right away. After a certain event, I became invested and was curious about how everything was going to be okay. The Nazis made it impossible for them for sure. 

There is a lot of description here and sometimes it did seem over-the-top and slowed down the narrative. However, there were times when we really needed it to understand the world and the characters. 

In the end, I did enjoy this. It took a while to get through but I was curious. I was worried how everything was going to be okay in the end. Nazis are worrisome like normal. Overall, I shall stamp this with 3 stars. Some over-description and slow spots, but I did like the story. Lots of action and a good set of characters.  

Book Review: The Romanov Empress

Author: CW Gortner
Title: The Romanov Empress
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: July 10 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



Narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar, this vivid, historically authentic novel brings to life the courageous story of Maria Feodorovna, one of Imperial Russia’s most compelling women who witnessed the splendor and tragic downfall of the Romanovs as she fought to save her dynasty in the final years of its long reign.
                  
Barely nineteen, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage—as her older sister Alix has done, moving to  England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir and becomes empress once he ascends the throne. When resistance to his reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie—now called Maria—must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.
                  
Her husband’s death leaves their son Nicholas as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has lead her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.
  
                
From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it. 

I really enjoy this author's work. I have read a few and there are more I want to read. This one landed on my lap and I've been drooling over this book for weeks. I wanted to wait until after or near its publication. 

The story follows Minnie/Maria who is Tsar Nicholas' mother. We all know the tale of the fall of Nicholas, his family, and Imperial Russia. However, how many people can they really know his mother? I know I know very little of this force of nature. In this tale, we get to see her young, newly married, become the empress, become a mother, and see her lose everything. So sad, so very sad. I cannot imagine seeing everything fall away and never really, truly knowing what happened to part of your family. She lost so many of her family members during the fall of the monarchy. 

If only those stubborn men had listened to her!! That darn Russian pride was the downfall. If they had listened to her and followed through on her father-in-law's plan to follow in England's footsteps ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. But no. The stubbornness of males caused so many needless deaths. They could have avoided the fall of a great country. 

The story was told wonderfully. I enjoyed every moment. There were a couple of slow moments, but they did not last long. Maria had very time to rest. Lots to do especially with all those kids and constant issues popping up. 

Yes, she was a stubborn woman and could be harsh, but I was on her side pretty much for everything especially Nicholas' wife. Yes, let Nicky marry her...but I really feel that Alexandra was a huge factor in the fall of the monarchy especially with her fascination with that man. 

I liked Sasha too, but in the end, he was a stubborn male who didn't realize the people give power NOT god. England learned this and some other countries did too THUS why their royalty got to keep their place. A pity indeed. 

The ending was so sad, of course. I did get some tears especially thinking how monstrous revolutionaries can be. THE CHILDREN! They did nothing. UGH!!!!! So sad. My heart broke for Maria. She lost everything and pretty much everyone; such a tragic story. I loved it though. This was real and I felt the author really brought the characters to life. Splendid, indeed. 


In the end, this is a must-read for anyone who likes historical fictions. Heck. For anyone who likes a good people story. The author is such a good storyteller and knows how to bring historical people to life! Just note...there is no HEA in this one. Very sad. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. :3

Book Review: Ecstasy by Mary Sharratt

Author: Mary Sharratt 
Title: Ecstasy
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 387
Published: April 10th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher)



In the glittering hotbed of turn-of-the-twentieth-century Vienna, one woman’s life would define and defy an era 

Gustav Klimt gave Alma her first kiss. Gustav Mahler fell in love with her at first sight and proposed only a few weeks later. Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius abandoned all reason to pursue her. Poet and novelist Franz Werfel described her as “one of the very few magical women that exist.” But who was this woman who brought these most eminent of men to their knees? In Ecstasy, Mary Sharratt finally gives one of the most controversial and complex women of her time the center stage. 

Coming of age in the midst of a creative and cultural whirlwind, young, beautiful Alma Schindler yearns to make her mark as a composer. A brand-new era of possibility for women is dawning and she is determined to make the most of it. But Alma loses her heart to the great composer Gustav Mahler, nearly twenty years her senior. He demands that she give up her music as a condition for their marriage. Torn by her love and in awe of his genius, how will she remain true to herself and her artistic passion?

Part cautionary tale, part triumph of the feminist spirit, Ecstasy reveals the true Alma Mahler: composer, author, daughter, sister, mother, wife, lover, and muse.



I wanted to read this book because it sounded soooo good and that cover? I love it so much! So cool and unique. 

I honestly never heard of Alma before so this was a new adventure for me. Alma was a musically-inclined girl who wanted to be a composer. Things happen and she falls in love with Gustav and they get married. However, Gustav demands she has to stop writing her music and she agrees. Of course, she regrets this but loves him so she sticks around. 

Gustav wasn't a bad guy and it was hard to hate him. He was older and had old thoughts on women and marriage so what did you expect Alma? Can't blame her either though...love is blinding so I can see how she thought it would all be alright. Drove me to insanity! I could see how bad this was going to be. Of course....I was right. 

Lots of drama. I enjoyed every second of it. I felt bad for all players involved, but it was interesting to see this couple try to make it. They love each other but they have lots of issues. I don't know how Alma could stand it. I would've lost it. Imagine if my BF demanded I stopped writing or reading before we get married. Errrrr not sure if I would do it. 

The writing was lovely and I finished this in 2 sittings and that is only because I had stupid responsibilities. ;) 

Such a good book and that cover? LOVE IT! I highly recommend it if you want some drama. Out of five, I'll stamp it with 5 stars. 

Saturday Movie Night - The Danish Girl

Happy Saturday everyone! This month we will be discussing, "The Danish Girl".

Title:  The Danish Girl
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance 
Running Time: 1 hour and 59 mins
Rating: R
Released: 2015

A fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

TRAILER: 

DISCUSSION: **Blodeuedd is blue and Carole is dark purple (looks almost black)**

Let us start then :) I have a cat on me so I will see how this goes. He will get annoyed soon

Lol poor kitty. He just wants his mama. :D But yes, let us begin! What did you think overall?

It was a good movie, nothing amazing, but a good movie.

Agreed. It was good. They had a good cast and the flow was nice. However, the beginning had a lot of awkward scenes….like they were necessary to understand him/her….but the scene with the mirror had me covering my eyes.

Good cast, but didn’t she get an Oscar? She was not that good, Vikander that is. I am cruel here now ;) Nah, just honest. Haha, oh the mirror scene, it made me want to laugh honestly.

I thought she did okay! Maybe not Oscar-worthy, but I think she did alright. Eddie did awesome! Hahahaha! That mirror scene. I had to look away because it reminded me of that scene from Silence of the Lambs.

I am afraid I actually can not remember if I have ever watched Silence...I know!

But yes Eddie did well.

Maybe you blocked that movie from your brain? IDK, but that scene reminded me too much of it. But overall, besides that scene, I loved Eddie. It was very interesting to see him play such a complex and tough role. He essentially had to play two characters.

I do get how that one doc thought he had schizophrenia. Cos the way he was in that role was like, the man and painter, and then the woman who wanted a life. They were two different people. It never felt like he was a woman stuck in a woman’s body, but two people battling it out.

It did feel like that more so than someone just wanting to be the opposite gender. It felt weird that his wife was so okay with it. Yes, she had her moments of “I can’t believe this! I want things back to normal!” but overall, she was pretty okay with it. She supported him/her and stayed with them even when Lili was out with a boy and whatnot. It felt….strange to me that a woman in that time period was so okay with it.

I would have been angrier, or maybe not angry, just sad. And Lili, well she obvi wanted to cheat on her wife. The whole but that is another person, that is not me, I am not doing that. I felt like that was so not cool. That is your wife! She loved you, she stood by you. Sure she had issues, but hello, who would not when your husband suddenly wants to be a woman.

Right? So I really feel (if this movie was accurate to the real deal) that this character had way deeper issues. She wanted to cheat and be with a man. Which it is fine to realize that you are swinging for the other team now, but to try and be with your spouse and lead them on? That was not cool….I hope that is not the real story. Bc it wasn’t at all fair towards the wife. Let her be with a guy that wants to be with her fully.

Yes exactly. Be with her as a woman, if the wife is cool with that. Or leave her and stay friends or something.

He/she was totally taking advantage of the wife I feel. I think the wife should’ve been just a friend and got with that one guy who was the childhood friend. LOL.

I thought so too! I was rooting for them, especially since Lili was like she was.

Yes. But I guess you can’t help who you love. The wife, sadly, still loved Lili. The ending was sad.

Aye, true :/ Yes I wish I had not seen that ending Sigh. But it was the mad truth.

Yesssss which makes it sadder to me since I didn’t know (I did research after watching)! I had such hopes for Lili! Poor girl. :(

I was like why!? That is madness, but I understood, that I did.

Yes, yes, I understood and I was rooting for her to get all she wanted (just so maybe the wife could get a HEA as well) and have a HEA….:/ it was worth it in the end I suppose.

I also googled afterwards so at least ...well I can’t say more, spoilers for others. But yeees.

BUT, it so annoyed me at the end when they went to his home village and I was all, F NO. That is not flat Denmark, and yes it was Norway as I thought.

LOL good eye. I had no idea myself since I’m not from around there. I didn’t really get the connection to why he constantly painted that same picture and the story. It had to, because they mentioned it over and over. I didn’t understand the symbolism at all.

He was happy there? I do not know, I would go mad painting the same landscape over and over again.

Utter insanity. Maybe that is the connection? Maybe he felt like he was missing something and that it didn’t feel like home? IDK really. Maybe I’ll research because it is driving ME mad.

Lol, do that and tell me ;)

I will! Haha. Ummmmm there was something more I wanted to add….do you have anything while I think?

Not really.

Well - overall it was good, not amazing, but good. It is worth the watch for sure. I can see how this story had such an impact and is a rallying point behind the movement. It shows that this is not something that is just a modern issue. It has been a thing as long as humanity has been around. I want to see more stories like this!

Good, but not amazing, my thoughts exactly. I feel like I have nothing more to say really, nope, drawing a blank

My last thoughts - Eddie should’ve gotten a million rewards for this role. It was a risky movie and he had to play such a complex character. Plus poor guy had to learn to walk in heels elegantly which is hard for even women ;D. He did wonderful.

Yes he was great. And walking in heels is never fun ;)

Heels are pretty, but I hate wearing them. I avoid them and only wear them in certain occasions. LOL.

I do love heels, I wish I could wear them all the time, but ugh my poor feet. Then I fell in love with flats, but damn those hurt too.

I just want to wear slippers everywhere! We must make it socially a thing!!!!

Barefoot! Too bad it only works in summer here

Too much coldness here too! So a nice compromise….barefoot in the warm months and slippers the rest of the cold months. :D

Hehe, we are so off topic now. Until next month then? Should we do the movie I have already watched or another one?

Are we? I feel like Lili would approve of our discussion on our footwear! But we can do the other one. I just need to track a copy down. If I can’t find one then maybe we’ll look elsewhere.

She would approve for sure.

I shall let you know if I can find it! I’m excited.

The end?

The end


**CAROLE'S CONCLUSION**
I've had my eye on this movie for a while. It's a breath of fresh air and it really was worth a watch. It follows an interesting man/woman who is a very complex character. Y'all know how I love my complex characters ;D. I felt bad for the wife for sure, because I feel that he/she was taking advantage of her. But it did make it even more interesting. Learning the real history is interesting. Eddie, the main actor, really deserved all the awards for his portrayal. This was good, not amazing. A few plot and flow issues, but overall good. I shall give this 4 stars.

Book Review: The Unbroken Line of the Moon by Johanne Hildebrandt

Author: Johanne Hildebrandt (Translated by: Tara F. Chace)
Title: The Unbroken Line of the Moon (Sagan om Valhalla #4)
Genre: Historical Fiction & Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: October 1st 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)

In this grand saga of love, war, and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and England.

A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant, and matchlessly clever, her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics as a bloody war between Vikings and Christians rages on.

Sigrid’s father wants her to marry Erik, a local king, to secure the peace between the Goths and the Swedes. Thinking she is doing Freya’s will, she accepts the marriage offer, only to find that her destiny lies not with Erik but with Sweyn, a warrior who dreams of dethroning Harald Bluetooth, the legendary ruler of Denmark. Will Sigrid sacrifice her will for the greatest Viking kingdom of all time, or will she follow her heart at the risk of losing everything?

This was shockingly good. I didn’t expect to love this book. Why you may ask? Well…this was an Amazon freebie. It is for sure a hit or miss with anything that is free and especially Amazon book freebies. I except to either hate them or mildly enjoy them. This was one of those rare gems. I actually loved this. 

This book follows a few characters, but the main character is Sigrid who is a devout believer in the old Nordic gods. The goddess Freya gives her little hints and guides her to her intended destiny. She agrees to marry Erik to secure peace between her land and his lands. However, this was kinda an oopsie, because that was not who Freya meant. She was actually supposed to marry Sweyn whose plans are to dethrone Harald and unite all the lands as one. A huge mess of course.

At first, I didn’t really care for some of the POVs, but once all their roads finally met it all made sense and I liked them. I really loved Emma. Sure, she was an insane little thing, but she was the most interesting character in the story! The author actually did a good job with the switch between POVS, I was never confused. So huzzah on that. 

Oooooh religion…you nasty thing you. You truly know how to bring the worst out of everyone. So much blood…so much hatred. So sad. I loved how the author seemed to accurately bring this to light and wasn’t shy around the brutality of the time and of the hatred.

This is a translation from the original Swedish language and I felt the translator did an excellent job from my point of view. Like anything, I’m sure some things were lost in translation or not correct. I’m sure the original is WAY better, but since I do not speak Swedish….I do not have a point in reference. However, this flowed well and the story didn’t seem at all choppy or confusing. Yayy. 

My only complaint is that there are 3 books before this one, but they have not been translated yet, so I won’t be able to read them or anything after this book until they are. 
However, I do not feel that I missed anything, so this does well as a standalone. 

I am really wanting to read the next one! Gah!!!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! I know some but she is such an aloof historical figure…some historians even doubt her existence. Sighs. Women from that time are always forgotten because they were not worth writing down. So sad. :/

Anyways….this was a good book. The writing was good, the action had me on the edge of my seat, the characters were interesting, and the ending left me wanting more. I might have to learn Swedish now…GAH! Add that my list of languages I need to learn. LOL! I highly recommend this to those that like historical fiction that is a wee bit dark and has fantasy elements involved. Out of five stars, I’ll give this 5.

Book Review: Beowulf by Unknown

Author: Unknown
Titles: Beowulf
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Poetry, & Classic
Pages: 176
First Published: 900-1000 AD
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Part history and part mythology, Beowulf opens in the court of the Danish king where a horrible demon named Grendel devours men in their sleep every night. The hero Beowulf arrives and kills the monster, but joy turns to horror when Grendel’s mother attacks the hall to avenge the death of her son. Ultimately triumphant, Beowulf becomes king himself and rules peacefully for fifty years until, one dark day, a foe more powerful than any he has yet faced is aroused—an ancient dragon guarding a horde of treasure. Once again, Beowulf must summon all his strength and courage to face the beast, but this time victory exacts a terrible price.

This is my second read through of this story/poem. The first one I had read was super, duper long while this version was a shorter version. I honestly feel the shorter version is better since it gets to the heart of the story. The original, longer version was very drawn out and bleh. 

The story of Beowulf is an old, old classic and I feel it is a story everyone should read at least once in their life. It was the catalyst to the stories and poems we have today. It influenced so many works. Plus it’s a fun read as well!

I would like to read this in the original language one day. I feel it would be much better. There is just something missing in the English version. 

It is a very basic story and at times yawn-worthy compared to some other stories that are considered Epics. This basic story is told in a basic way. However, it is still fun and worth the read. Beowulf becomes a mighty warrior, who slays an evil monster. He becomes a great King and then fights an evil dragon. In the end he dies and everyone is sad. 

In the end, this second read was much better than the first time I tackled this story. This version was smaller and done better than the other one I had read. It’s a quick read. Some slow parts, but still nice. My dream is to read this in the original language, but alas, I doubt it will be so. I do recommend any book lover to give this a read since it is the catalyst for many of the stories we know today. I am going to give this 3 stars, which is one more star than last time!