speesh's reviews
416 reviews

It was perhaps a mistake on my part to try and read this one all in one go, like it was a novel. A novel it most certainly isn’t and I can’t blame the author for that, it’s my mistake to think of it as such.

It’s clear, as the book develops, that it is intended as a work of reference and, whilst for me the beginning few sections at least, do seem to be intended to read like a sequential story, later sections are organised such that it becomes very difficult to read as if it was a historical novel.

I think the early pages covering Scotland’s earliest history, read like they do, in contrast to the rest, due to the lack of detailed information for him to show you he’s got a hold of.

My criticism of the book, if I can find one, is that Lynch does seem very keen to show us all the exhaustive research he’s done and then present us with all the exhausting information he possibly can. It seems sometimes, as if he wants to show us that’s it’s only he who can decide the meaning behind what happened. He’s clearly setting himself as the authority here. I’m maybe being too harsh, but sometimes it isn’t necessary to lay so much information down at one time. Not if you’re producing a one volume edition. The book could easily have gone over two or three volumes and not suffered. It would have been a bit more open and readable, in my humble opinion.

It actually made me think of the telephone book. Full of interesting, even vital information and an absolute triumph of collation of the information. But not something you’d want to wade through at one sitting.

As a work, fantastic. As a historical novel, not quite so. But that’s just me.

I haven't actually finished it. I can't at the moment. It's taking so long and I want to move on to others.

An outstanding sequel to the other 'Oathsworn' sequels (the series is now up to number four).
It's a good, gripping story, rich in detail and with plenty going on, both outwardly and inwardly. Many of the characters, especially our hero, get their personalities developed very satisfyingly. We really sympathize with them, through the good times, the battles to survive and the inevitable bad times.
As number four in the series, you might expect the story to run a little short on steam, but that is not the case here. The area and distances of the Viking world covered (early 'European' Russia) is more compact, the story better for it and I for one, am looking forward to the next book.
With this 'Oathsworn' series and Giles Kristian's excellent 'Raven' series (only two in paperback, one in hardback as yet), there are now some serious challengers to Bernard Cornwell's place on my bookshelf. Can't say fairer than that.

Raven. Sons of Thunder.
This is number two in the Raven series. There are three out (so far), the third still being in hardback, as yet. As I have an aversion to hardback books (an environmentally damaging waste of paper, waste of bookshelf space, etc), I'm still waiting for the paperback version of the third, so I don't know if that will be the last in the story, or if it will continue on.
You don't need to have read the first book, 'Raven: Blood Eye', to enjoy this one, but it helps. The story is pretty well self-contained, as the band of Vikings have moved from England to France in their pursuit of the English lord who betrayed them and of course, in pursuit of treasure, silver and adventure.
You pretty much know what you're getting with this sort of book (like with Robert Low's 'Oathsworn' series). This doesn't let the side down and, as with Robert Low's Viking series, this deserves to be compared with Bernard Cornwell's current Viking series.
Giles Kristian has a relaxed, easy to read writing style. He clearly knows his stuff, his Scandinavian languages (living in Denmark and speaking Danish every day, I'm well-placed to confirm that) and he clearly knows his Viking religion. In fact, the whole book here is surely a speculation (has to be a speculation, as the written evidence isn't available), as to how much the Viking world and their actions were dependent on, their views of, their gods' desires and whims.
I can thoroughly recommend the Odin's Wolves series and I'm looking forward to the next one coming out in paperback ASAP.

A rattling good read for the most, though ultimately a disappointment.
For four fifths of the book, I was captured, but the final sections did seem to let the previous chapters' side down.
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, as it took a while for the book to let on - or was it that I was just slow on the up-take? - as to what it all turned on. Once I knew this, then it all enters the realms of fantasy.
With others of this genre, where they're looking for treasure or secrets buried, or lost, in ancient times, usually with a religious connection; you can think 'well, that could happen.' 'Maybe it did happen like that?' 'Wouldn't it be interesting if that was the case?' 'Maybe there is a secret sect that know the answer.' With that kind of book, the author has done his/her research, come up with a theory and the book is in some way or other, a speculation of what might have happened, clothed in historical 'facts', that support such speculation. With 'The Sanctuary', once the object of their searching was obvious, I was 'yeah, right'. Then, when the search was over, the aim reached, the 'thing' found, it failed to carry me with it and I found it a bit of a let-down. I could see them all walking and fading away into a golden sunset, bright clouds around them, up-lifting classical music playing in the background. Personally, I think it might have made more sense if whatever they were searching for, had stayed out of reach, stayed lost - but still tantalisingly findable. A bit like life.
There were however, some interesting ideas broached underway, some interesting speculation and question about our lives, our humanity what it is and perhaps what it could be. The action sequences were good, convincing and tense and that's pretty much what I'll remember this one for, rather than the final -for me - unsatisfactory ending.

'Sworn Brother', is number two in the 'Viking' series and is another excellent read. A good story, nicely written and exhaustively researched.
I thought at one point that it could perhaps do with having a bit more blood and thunder in it, but then I'm probably criticising it unfairly. I have, after all, just come off two rather more violent Viking sagas (by Robert Low and Giles Kristian). This is a whole different animal.
'Sworn Brother' and the 'Viking' series, is more of a thorough examination of the whole Viking Age. It is clear that Tim Severin has done his research and wants to show it - and wants us to learn.
The main character continues with his telling of his life and events (as though his saga has been found and read by a hostile Christian priest). He continues his journey around the known Viking world. Previously he was in Iceland, Greenland, Vinland and back, now he's off to Iceland again, several times, Norway, Denmark, Sweden (possibly), then into the far north, what is now Finland, then on to the east, (today's) Russia and down to Byzantium and the Arab world. All thoroughly possible in the Viking Age. There is a hint of what's to come in the final instalment and it also fits - though it would seem Mr Severin was incredibly lucky he found a Viking who got himself involved in so many pivotal events of the Viking era...
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the Vikings, their times, customs, beliefs and adventurous spirit.

Now this was an excellent book.
Like the first two in the 'Warrior of Rome' series; 'Fire In the East' and 'King Of Kings'; 'Lion of the Sun' again follows our Roman soldier hero Ballista (actually from the north of Europe), who was traded as a hostage by his chieftain father as a child and brought up in Rome by his captors.
The action takes place in the east of the Empire, where he is caught up in everything from desperate battles, scheming politicians to the crazed whims of Emperors who threaten not just him, but his wife and children as well.
'Lion of the Sun' continues Ballista's story, takes it on and leaves it perfectly set up for the next installment. You certainly get your money's worth in terms of desperate action and big set-piece battles, unlike my previous read, that's for sure. Ballista is a master tactician and has the respect of the soldiers in his command, so ingenuity is expected but the solutions, often including some finely-drawn supporting characters, are always pleasant surprises.
It is clear that Harry Sidebottom knows the period he is writing about intimately. According to the book cover, Harry Sidebottom is actually Dr Harry Sidebottom, a teacher of Classical History at Oxford University. This comes through loud and clear, but without ever being either a hindrance to the action or a problem for the reader who just wants to enjoy the fighting and intrigue.
As a review from The Times' Bettany Hughes printed inside the cover, says; "Dr. Harry Sidebottom's prose blazes with such searing scholarship that there is enormous enjoyment in this rumbustuous tale of the late Roman Empire...He makes you feel as though you are there".
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, couldn't put it down and look forward tremendously to getting hold of the next one in the series, probably called 'The Caspian Gates' and I certainly hope it's not the last in the series.

This is an excellent read. At least on a par with Harry Sidebottom's 'Warrior of Rome' books.'The Silver Eagle', is number two in Ben Kane's 'Forgotten Legion' series.
The Forgotten Legion are one of the Roman Legions defeated after the battle of Carrhae. They are then captured and taken east by the victors, the Parthians. In the east, they are kept together and kept fighting, but under (name) control against their eastern enemies, ending with a huge battle in the far east against an Indian army, in the footsteps of Alexander the Great.

Throughout this story and the previous book (presumably number three as well), we follow a brother and sister, made slaves, sold, captured, forced to fight, forced to...well, plenty of other things. They are separated, the sister is kept in Rome, the brother, Romulus, is forced into the 'Forgotten Legion.' The story follows them and the people who become their close friends, companions, spiritual advisors, enemies, rivals, tormentors and worse. The novel is centred around the two and their adventures both trying to stay alive at a crucial period in Roman history (the rise of Julius Caesar, the end of the Republic, the time of Rome as an empire, driven by Emperors and Caesars, modelled in various degrees of success, on Julius Caesar) and their search for each other and for revenge.

If you know, or can remember anything of this period of Roman history from your school-days, then there seem to be some clues as to what might well happen in the third (and possibly final) volume of The Forgotten Legion series. But, I could be mistaken of course.

You don't necessarily need to have read the previous book, The Forgotten Legion, but it would only increase your enjoyment of The Silver Eagle. There's a good pace kept up throughout the book, which is obviously written from a thorough understanding of and a deep interest in, the period it is set.

If there is one thing though, that I was a little doubtful about. He has a habit of ending each chapter on a cliff-hanger; 'will they, won't they get out of this one!' Whilst never having read any Charles Dickens (seen enough tv series and films to cover that particular base), I understand he used to do it because his stories were published in weekly, or monthly, periodicals and each chapter or section finished on a cliff-hanger in order to get the reader sufficiently worked-up to purchase the next edition. Here, Ben Kane is merely shifting from one strand of the story to another and back. Whilst it is exciting to read of battles against overwhelming odds blended into the story, it does get a little wearing and in danger of becoming a forced cliche by doing it at the end of each chapter. It eases up in the later sections and the story is the better for it.

Other than that minor irritation, I can thoroughly recommend 'The Silver Eagle' and look forward to the next excuse to order a whole load of new books from Amazon.

Close, but no cigar.
The Lucifer Gospel really could have been good, but wasn't. It was like a Dan Brown wannabe-lite. I gave it every chance, but it failed to deliver and finally, I couldn't get Clive-bloody-Cussler out of my mind.
(A Clive Cussler book has got to be one of the worst things ever to have wasted ink and paper and, more importantly, my time).
The majority of the plot actually seems to do its best to avoid the front and back cover's set-up entirely and involves a race across the world to find something, we're not really sure of. Even the title, or the actual item the title seems to describe, turns out not to be what you think it 'should' be, it's almost a play on words and I couldn't help but feel a little cheated.
It all starts out alright, ticking all the right boxes for the historical/biblical mystery, thriller-genre (if there is one); there's a possibly world-changing lost treasure, a desert, a sympathetic heroine, a helpful, knowledgeable male co-lead character who can do just about everything, a mad millionaire...oh yeah, see; all going wrong, all going Clive Cussler on us already.
The story then takes us from Egypt to Libya, across half of Europe, to the Caribbean and finally, the USA. Luckily, for each tricky situation they find themselves in, or faced with, they have the necessary experience required. The most eyebrow-raising point for me, came when they were trying to figure out how long somewhere had been deserted. They found a Coca-Cola bottle without a ring-pull opening. Fortunately, the heroine's mother had been to school with the man who invented the ring-pull system and the heroine had written a thesis on it and was thus able to estimate how old the place was...I think I finally lost touch completely with the book at that point, just as well it was towards the end or I might not have persisted.
The Lucifer Gospel actually has some reasonably interesting characters and situations, problem is, they're mostly the supporting characters and situations that aren't the big set-pieces. It's nicely written, decently put together and generally a pleasant read. But that's the problem, it's all too slight, too inoffensive and too far from being one I can recommend.