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| Final Rating: 4/5 |
I don't know about you, but there is just something so magnetic about
the name Romanov. For me, it conjures visions of opulence, Orthodox
traditions, conspiracies, enduring mysteries and of course cursed
tragedy and when I saw this title trumpeting the salacious tales from
behind the doors of the House of Romanov and infamous deeds of less than
royal behavior I just had to read this and I am very happy with my
choice. Here is a title I am excited to recommend not only for the
interests it will spark in anyone with a passing curiosity in Russian
history but it pulls the glittering jewels and powerful titles away and
reveals human behavior (of course a lot of those are debatable) and the
absurd antics that who are we kidding ourselves are just fun to read.
Mr.
Farquhar has created an entertaining compulsory read that condenses 300
years of the lives of Russian rulers ranging from Ivan IV Vasilyevich
(better known as Ivan The Terrible) to Nikolai (Nicholas II)
Alexandrovich Romanov and presents the italicized names from history to
the reader in an easy to understand lesson with details of the some of
the most peculiar stories about royals you may hear and even throws in
some final serious pages that hold vivid accounts of one of the main
reasons the name Romanov is now synonymous with historic tragedy.
Chapters of tsars and tsarinas quickly fly by with humor and
entertaining pieces from history pulled and aimed to capture a lite
overview of an autocrat's reign with fascinating sections about: an
unorthodox cannon salute for an imposter, a Russian spin on "spare the
rod, spoil the child", the perks for men who caught Catherine the
Great's eye, to why doves cried over Russia when Empress Anna poked her
head outside her windows to the finale of how a rumored cross-dressing
prince helped to bring down the "Mad Monk". With this winning
combination of history and humor, the author can quickly become the laid
back fun history teacher you wished you would have had in high school.
So indulge in your curiosity and have some fun with Russian history with
Secret Lives of the Tsars: Three Centuries of Autocracy, Debauchery,
Betrayal, Murder, and Madness from Romanov Russia.
* I would like
to thank Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for
the opportunity to read and enjoy Secret Lives of the Tsars: Three
Centuries of Autocracy, Debauchery, Betrayal, Murder, and Madness from
Romanov Russia
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| Final Rating: 4.5/5 |
Sisters of Treason is your next read if you delight in a story where history comes alive before your eyes
Multifaceted viewpoints of the bloody game for power that consumed
16th-century England create this gripping tale of poisonous fate,
consequences of choices and battles for survival. The reader follows the
keyhole views of Mary and Katherine Grey who live with the daily fear
of being sent to the executioner's block as their brother-in-law, older
sister and father before them for treason. An outsider's view is also
supplied by following Levina Teerlinc a talented artist who paints
miniature portraits of the English court, forms a unique bound with the
Grey family and allows the reader a commoner's view of the shifting
decrees and opinions of the widespread public. These three women must
somehow transverse the narrow razor edge of favor with the Grey's fickle
ordained cousins who with one word and flourish of a sharpened quill
pen could sentence all three to the dreaded Tower, banishment or send
them to their grisly deaths at the hand of the executioner. With these
looming threats the sisters must make choices that will ultimately
affect everyone involved but what are the right choices? Katherine Grey
wants to be loved, her younger sister Mary wants her freedom from the
gilded cage of palace life and Levina Teerlinc wants to keep her family
safe and untouched by the danger that surrounds them. This is the
ultimate game of survival where it seems no one can be trusted, there
may not be any easy solutions and the simple fact that if a drop of
Tudor blood flows in a man, woman, or child in 16th-century England they
could be next to kneel to the axe.
I was pleasantly surprised
with Sisters of Treason. I will be honest, I was envisioning only a
brushed over flimsy history lesson with weak characters and
anachronistic language, terminology and actions. While I did find a few
modish scenes in the beginning that did cause a brief interruption the
second part to the novel had me barely remembering those few scenes and
overall applauding such a creative and historically polished work. The
depth the novel went with the characterizations of the central figures,
minor characters and the smooth transition of the shifting narrations
and views never confused this reader and I knew exactly who I was
following, listening to, or who was in the room in each chapter so any
curious reader who may not be familiar with the multiple names from
history be assured that Ms. Fremantle has spun every: Mary, Jane,
Elizabeth, Kate, John, Henry, Thomas and Edward into a vibrant fleshed
out entity that really brings history to life for her audience. Details
are also shared with the reader that leaves a clear distinction what era
we are experiencing and even explains the conflicting religious turmoil
and court politics in a clear entertaining fashion. I did find the
action a little slow in the beginning but then the second part made up
for this when the risks escalate and well you will just have to wait and
see. Overall, this was an unexpected engaging read that I recommend to
those who are just finding a fascination with 16th-century English
history, delight in a story where history comes alive before their eyes
or those who are familiar with the maelstrom of events and are curious
to further explore the other side of the Tudor family tree.
* I would like to thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Sisters of Treason
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| Final Rating: 4.6/5 |
A compelling title that is more than what it seems
Don't judge this book by its cover. Succession may seem a benign
rendering of history told by the dual perspectives of Margaret of Anjou
and Margaret Beaufort purporting all the surrenders of romance, fettered
views of the rise and fall of the Lancaster and York houses
concentrating on frivolous trappings and precious else during
15th-century England but Succession by Livi Michael is actually a
compelling tableau of history that is sure to excite history enthusiasts
or those who appreciate a brilliantly delivered story. Presented in a
distinct clever style Succession combines imaginative dialogue, rich
description, a touch of lyrical prose and brilliantly depicted
historical events to weave a tale chocked full of: premeditated
treachery, all consuming greed, loss of innocence, murder most foul and
the strong personalities that dominated the sides of the dynastic Wars
of the Roses.
Whether the curious reader is unfamiliar with the
years or events that led to and followed the uneven rise and fall of the
houses of Lancaster and York that historians delight in debating to
this day, they are sure to be swept into a convincing tale that not only
focuses on views of the 15th-century court but also pulls brief
narration from the common man and woman. Machinations that consumed
minds and corrupted hearts and its further consequences are shared with
the reader in a concise fashion that fully captures the monumental
events that affected the rich, poor and left a country torn with loyalty
to either the red rose (for the house of Lancaster) or the white rose
(for the house of York). Characters are divided by their houses (at
times even representing both), cast in multifaceted light and dark
shadows of personality and alliances and are heralded in chapters with
the red or white rose insignia to aid the reader in understanding the
character the chapter focuses on. Chapters are also introduced in a
scholarly fashion with a selection from a chronicle, register, calendar
roll or ballad that then is spun into a tableau of that event for the
entertainment of the reader following a central character and continuing
the time frame of events cleverly moving the story along without the
need to backtrack and explain a journey or lesser battle. Although,
Succession could even at times confuse those familiar with the history,
events and central figures and even share in excess certain scenes and
over dramatize at times- this is still a compelling title that is sure
to entertain and encourage further study. If the reader desires more, it
is clear Succession explains only part one of the events of the Wars of
the Roses and there is still much to be told.
-read and purchased on kindle
Next in this Series:
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| Final Rating: 2.8/5 |
What is it about the story of the Fitzgeralds that draws many of us like
moths to a consuming fire? Is it the fascination with the excess and
frivolity of the era the golden couple dominated, the fine line of
eccentric brilliance and unbalance they both danced or is it just human
nature to want to read about tragedy and misfortune of others? With so
much material to mold and conjure into a striking portrait of Zelda
Fitzgerald and F. Scott Fitzgerald during their rise, ultimate fall from
grace and arguable codependent relationship, I'm so sorry to say Z: a
novel of Zelda Fitzgerald disappointed this reader.
I thought
this novel had been waiting long enough on my to-read list and on a whim
purchased it, I wish now though I read more reviews or did more
research. Ultimately I never lost myself in this story like I hoped.
With a broad expanse of topics to cover that made up the years of
1918-1940 I understand that a lot of topics had to be explained and
brought into Zelda's narration but for this reader it just became
muddled with anachronistic dialogue, terms, and misplaced facts to point
of frustrating distraction. Certain topics were also forced into the
narration and became irksome to see in continuous pages. In regards to
pacing, I found it sadly slow and tedious to the point of almost giving
up.
In the end, I am so sorry to say I think the central focus
and time setting more than the choices of the direction of
characterization kept me engaged enough to finish. However what
disappointed this reader may fascinate and charm many enough to ignore
the negatives. I wish those have a wonderful reading experience but it
may help others to learn from my folly and maybe sample this novel, read
a couple more reviews before their final decision or perhaps wait to
read at your local library.
-read and purchased on kindle
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| Final Rating: 3.8/5 |
Take it as it is a small collection of some of the strangest tales you
will read about the Tower of London, Hampton Court, Banqueting House,
Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and a few other locations. In these tales
history, modern pop culture references, myth and legend blend into a
quick read about the aforementioned locations between 1078 and 2013. In
this concise book the reader will encounter amusing tales about: a
disappearing bear, bold escapes from the tower, deadly jams and
preserves, a misplaced scepter, a wild child, legendary spiders, the
embarrassing complications of lady's fashion, and a reattached head for a
long overdue commemorative portrait. Of course there is much more to
explore and these are indeed some of the strangest tales you will read
about London's historic palaces.
In the end I just decided to
take this small book as it was-a quick and entertaining read. Finishing
this read in one sitting I enjoyed the time spent and learned some new
tidbits of trivia (and phrases). I was however looking for a more
comprehensive read but then again it is nice to let my curious mind to
just relax with a light collection of facts. Overall this book is a nice
collection of fascinating trivia and opens many new windows of study
for the reader, so have a little fun with history with London's
Strangest Tales: The Royal Palaces: Extraordinary but True Stories.
* I
would like to thank NetGalley and Pavilion Books for the opportunity to
read and enjoy London's Strangest Tales: The Royal Palaces:
Extraordinary but True Stories
