Starting Rigante Book 2 - Midnight Falcon.

 

Hi

Can't wait to start book 2 of David Gemmell's Rigante series.  Sword in the Storm was epic!

Although I'm annoyed I'm behind in my reading, as I wanted to have finished this book by now and read books 3 and 4 in April.  Oh well.

Enjoy the sun folks.

Neil

Book Review - Sword in the Storm (Rigante 1) by David Gemmell

 

Books Read in 2021  -  No. 5

Hi Readers

Continuing my reading journey of my favourite author David Gemmell, I have now moved onto another popular series of his.  The Rigante series.

Comprising of 4 novels it isn't as well known as his Drenai series.

Sword in the Storm - book 1 - took me by surprise as it is definitely a Gemmell novel, yet has a slightly different writing style which I wasn't sure about at first, but then loved.

It is different as most of his novels take place at a certain point in time like a siege in Legend or a hunt in Waylander 2.  This novel spans years even decades, as it follows the birth and eventual rise to Rigante leader of Connavar. Spoilers! 

The book not only follows Connavar as he grows, feels heartache, fights a bear, becomes a hero and fights alongside his enemies - the Stone army - but lots of side characters and even minor ones.

Gemmell has the ability within a few paragraphs to explain who a person is, how they think and act and even backstory.  This all adds to the overall story and action.

Connavar grows up with his mother Meria and stepfather Ruathain, after his father dies in battle.  He grows believing his father is a coward and makes sure he isn't like his father.  His friend Banouin is older and comes from over seas where his people, the Stone army are a warmongering race.  Connavar goes with Banouin overseas where there is tragedy and Connavar works with the Stone army.

When Connavar returns home he knows it's only a matter of time before the Stone army rampages across the peaceful Rigante lands and makes it his job for them to prepare for war.  In doing this he becomes the leader.

There is some magic but not much in the book.  There is the Witch Vorna, and ancient spirits in the woods called the Seidh whose magic is dying.

I couldn't help but think Gemmell was writing an environmental novel as the Stone army is going to come destroy the woods and lands.  Like we are doing now, until the magic of woods and country is gone. Replaced by houses, shops and roads.

Overall  -  Already Sword in the Storm is one of my favourite Gemmell novels.  With multiple POVs, which I've tried to emulate in my stories but readers are left asking whose POV is it.  They need to read this as it manages it so easily and I'll just keep practising. 

With plenty of action and emotion, Connavar goes through a lot, this book will take you into Rigante lands and have you care for the characters.  One of Gemmells best books so far.

Score   -   10/10

Better Late than Never

 

Newest Gemmell book!

Hi guys

A quick post as I've not posted much in March.  I've finally got Lion of Macedon which I ordered on 6th February from Amazon.

Amazon, plus local book shops and Waterstones had no copies left, and I learnt from Brighouse Books that the publisher Orbit were doing a new reprint. 

Patience is a virtue and I waited till I got the e-mail that Amazon had new stock.  It was important I had this book, as I'd bought it's sequel Dark Prince a while ago and it's best to read the first book first.  Plus I wanted the same cover design to match the sequel.

Fair play to Amazon who have been great over the last couple of years, getting books to me next day, plus also having books I've not been able to get in book stores including Waterstones.  These include two Transformers books plus a chick lit.  It's weird as I thought Waterstones would be the most stocked.  Yet Amazon have more smaller authors and self published authors too.  Something Waterstones and smaller book stores should try to do. 

This is because I'd rather buy books from Waterstones or smaller book shops to keep them going, especially in this current climate with big brands disappearing.  If Waterstones goes it would be tragic for authors, readers and publishing.

Anyway ramble over.  A big thank you to Brighouse Books - Google them and visit their store.

Happy reading.

Happy World Book Day/March Update

 

 

My 3 Bookshelves! 

Hi Peeps

It's quite late, but anyway, Happy World Book Day - hope you're enjoying the magic of a book. As it takes you to strange worlds, meet new characters and just escape from this grey boring life.

Today I'm continuing on David Gemmells "Sword in the Storm".  So far I'm enjoying it a lot.

Update -

Firstly this month I'm continuing to job search.  I need a job pronto, by June the latest. September the very latest when help is taken off and I'll be £80 down.  It will be a struggle.  I'm after office work, maybe in publishing?

Writing wise, I'm determined to finish my novella "The Cubby Hole".  Plus this month I will make notes on a new project.  Not sure what yet but this year I'm taking part in Camp Nanowrimo in April/May.

Reading wise I'm on track for my March/April reading goals.  That is to read all 4 Rigante books in David Gemmell's Rigante series.

Well I'm off to read.  Hope you are too.  

Enjoy.

Neil x

 

Book Review - Doctor Who - The Nightmare of Black Island by Mike Tucker

 

Books read in 2021 - No. 4

Hi Folks 

Well I've managed to whizz through 4 Doctor Who books in January and February as predicted, but it is an easy task when each book is about 250 pages long.  It is also made easy by how much fun they are, as they are fun filler books to bump up my reading count.

In March the real challenge begins reading big, adult books - The Rigante by David Gemmell. There are 4 in the series and I hope to read 2 in March, and 2 in April.  Most book nerds and Booktubers would probably be able to read all 4 in a month.

Well back to The Nightmare of Black Island by Mike Tucker.  With the other Doctor Who books I have read, this is also a well written enjoyable romp.  Mick Tucker worked on the Sylvester McCoy Doctor Who show and co-wrote some 7th Doctor novels, so he knows his stuff.

A Welsh coastal town is being attacked at night by horrible monsters, as the children of the village have nightmares.

An abandoned Lighthouse on the Black Island shows sign of life, and a nearby rectory is being used again to look after the elderly.  Could there be a connection? 

Only one man can find out - the Tenth Doctor and Rose.

This is another fun ride, with plenty of scares and cliff hangers and plot twists. If I hadn't read it, I wouldn't believe so much could fit in 250 pages but Mike Tucker does it with ease.  With great pacing and characters including a great Doctor and Rose plus the girl Ali, and the mysterious Mr Morton at the old rectory, and his assistant Miss Peyne.

Overall  -  Another fun Doctor Who book and now one of my favourites.  These are great little adventures and another that kept me up late wanting to read on.  The only problem with these books is that they are too short!

Score  -  8/10