June Cheap Book Haul - Witcher novels

Hi Folks

Even though circumstances ain't great and not much money I decided to treat myself to a cheap book haul.

I went to the Works before Lockdown and saw the Witcher books for £5 each - bargain.  Went to the Bradford store yesterday and they looked to be moving stock about and didn't open.  So I thought sod it and got them next day delivery from Works online.

Looked at Amazon and could have got full 8 book box set but for £57.

Waterstones are doing a box set in September but that £62.

The Last Wish short stories I already got for £3 sometime before so got the 5 full novels.  Not bad for £25.

I've still to get another short story collection plus a prequel book but will still work out cheaper.

Mind you the state of the box they arrived in I'm surprised they are in one piece lol.

 

Happy reading folks! X

Book Review - Race To The Kill by Helen Cadbury

Books Read in 2020  -  No 5!

Hi Guys

At long last I have read the third and sadly final Sean Denton book by Helen Cadbury.

Having met Helen twice at two Cleckheaton Literature Festivals I classed her as a friend who also gave me writing advice on Messenger.

So far I have enjoyed her previous Sean Denton books even though I'm not a huge crime reader.  Although after this I may get onto my Leigh Russell books and maybe other crime books by other authors.

This book blows books one and two out of the water and Helen is at the prime of her writing and storytelling talents weaving intricate plots that at first seem unrelated but join up for a thrilling read.

What I love about all Helen's writing is how easy it is to read and the quick short chapters help propel the book forward at warp speed and before you know it you've been reading for hours.  It took me just over two weeks to read which by my standard is good.

In this third entry into Sean Denton's world in Doncaster, events have moved forward in time.  Sean now lives with his crush Lizzie and has been for six months.  Although something seems off.  His half sister Chloe whom he met in the last book is now living with their Dad looking after him as he is terminally ill.

At work Sean has also moved up to DC (Detective Constable).

But there is so much going on in this book.  A dead homeless man is found in the abandoned old high school.  A rape witness is missing and has missed court and there are unusual activities happening at the Greyhound stadium.

It weaves tales of rape, illegal immigrants and more into the story.  The characters are all third dimensional especially Sean and his mentor DC Ivan Knowles.  Even secondary characters come to life.   When Helen describes the market it feels like you are there.

Overall  -  A fantastic end and farewell to what has been my favourite crime series.  Helen is at the top of her game and if she was still here would probably be writing book five by now.  I would have collected them all too as she would get even better.  Sadly it's not to be and the series is underrated.  It would make a great TV show too.

It was sad reading the last chapter which had a crematorium scene in knowing this will be the last fiction Helen writes.  RIP HELEN XX

Score   -   10/10  - No doubt about It!

June 2020 Update - Life Changes

Hi Peeps

Sorry I haven't posted much in May.  It was a weird month with a lot of life changes thanks to the Covid-19 Virus currently taking over the World like a low budget Apocalyptic film.

Sadly it's not low budget for those affected like myself and millions of other people plus businesses large and small.

Now I'm out of work it gives me time to reflect on what I really want and to be honest have felt in a happier mood the last few weeks.  No worries of travelling,  getting to work on time.  No targets to hit and rushing around to deadlines.

Obviously I don't want to be out of work long term but it's a welcome break.

Now I can decide what I want and yes I still want to be a writer and published Author.  I would love to work in Publishing in some capacity.  It's just getting there.

I'm thinking of doing some online courses like I did a few year ago with creative writing and will look at going for my English A-level.

For the short term it means I can blog more which I will do in June.  Plus I've been able to read more.  I'm not far off finishing "Race to the Kill" by Helen Cadbury.  So far it's her best.  Sadly her last but review will be up soon.  Probably this week.

Then I will be tackling Joe Abercrombie's First Law Books.  Have been watching his rise to Fantasy and Grim Dark fame since he first came out and have collected his books.

Anyway off to fill in more forms.

Chat soon!

Neil x

Book Review - Doctor Who - The Stealers of Dreams by Steve Lyons

Books read in 2020 - No. 4.

Hi Peeps

Have just finished The Stealers of Dreams by Steve Lyons.  A very good book and sadly the last one to feature the Ninth Doctor as played by Christopher Eccleston.   I'm sad about that.  Hope he comes back in a special or in audio adventures.

Anyway The Doctor,  Rose and Captain Jack arrive on a world similar to ours.  A colony world in the future which the Doctor notices shouldn't be as similar to our age and should have moved forward.

What has happened is that everyone has stopped using their imagination and dreaming - there is a good twist as to why.  So the Doctor sets out to right this wrong.  But can Rose and Jack stay out of trouble and not end up in the Big White House?


Overall - a solid adventure for the Ninth Doctor although did slow down in some parts.  Plus read carefully or you'll miss what is imagination and what is real.  It also is a good commentary on the News we watch and what to believe.
With good secondary characters and good writing by Steve Lyons it is so far one of my favourite Doctor Who books.


Score   -   7/10

Started 22 April 2020

May 2020 Update

Hi Folks

This is a really quick update.

I've still to get some writing done but will by the end of the week with me being off work.  There are changes coming thanks to the Pandemic.   

Hope you are all Staying In and Safe but exercising in the beautiful countryside where possible. 

I will try to do a few more writing blog posts in the next few weeks and also a WIP sample chapter.

I've decided what I'm going to read over the coming weeks -  here is my TBR -

Firstly finish The Stealers of Dreams.

Then read Race to the Kill by Helen Cadbury - Her final novel.

Then read through Joe Abercrombie's First Law Books.

(I may read the Trilogy then pause and read another Doctor Who or Standalone novel then finish the books off.)

I've been wanting to read these for ages a Grimdark David Gemmell .

I hope to get these finished by end of July - wish me luck.

Hope everyone is safe - will blog soon x

My Book Recommendations for Isolation

Hi Peeps

As most of you are stuck in Isolation during these weird and awful times as the Pandemic gets worse, I thought I would suggest some books/series/authors to read whilst your at home bored.

1 - David Gemmell  (Drenai series plus rest of his work)

David Gemmell was a master story teller and having read his Drenai series can confirm these are great reads with plenty of fantasy action and great characters.  Even the side characters have depth.  These books are pre-grimdark with anti-heroes where everything isn't black or white.
As David is my favourite author I'm ashamed to admit there are still loads to read which I would also recommend including his Rigante series, Hawk Queen and Troy trilogy.

2 - Terry Pratchett - Discworld

Another favourite author is Terry Pratchett.  Again only read a handful of his novels including Hogfather, Mort and the excellent The Truth.

I would recommend Terry for his sheer imagination and humour using fantasy setting to satire our modern life (especially in later novels).

3 - Raymond E Feist - Riftwar Saga

Yes another author I love is Raymond E Feist who has created an epic series of up to around thirty books.  I've read the first Trilogy starting with Magician and the scale of the stories are huge as there are two worlds to build and learn about with hundreds of characters.  I hope to read the Krondor trilogy soon but as I said there are many books after these.

4 - JRR Tolkien - Hobbit and Lord of the Rings 

The Grand Daddy of Fantasy himself - JRR Tolkien created a complex and rich world for you to get lost in for weeks or months depending on your reading speed.  The Hobbit is a quick read and great introduction to his world as it's more a children's book.  The LOTR trilogy will drag you to murkier places but I loved them.  These will entertain during lockdown.

5 - David Eddings - The Belgariad and Malloreon Series

A great fast series to read and classic Fantasy fare is the Belgariad series.  Aimed at a younger audience it is still a great read with good world building,  a huge cast of characters and easy reading.   One of the fastest series I've read.  Hope to read the sequel series - The Malloreon very soon as you all should too in lockdown. 

6 - Doctor Who - Box sets and various 

As you've probably seen on this blog, especially recently I've been reading through my two box sets of Doctor Who.  I've still a fair few to go plus some single bought books and I highly recommend them for lockdown reads as they are quick light fluffy feel good reads.  You can get them individually in shops or online plus there are the Target Dr Who books out there to read too.

7 - Helen Cadbury - Sean Denton Series

The late great Helen Cadbury's Sean Denton books were sadly cut short by her death but there is still a good trilogy of crime novels here to read.

They are set fairly local to me in York and Doncaster.  They are great easy crime reads with good writing and believable characters. 

Race to The Kill will be the next book I read.

8 - Leigh Russell - Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson

Another crime series I've started reading is the Ian Peterson trilogy.  These are connected to the Geraldine Steel books of which there are about fourteen out.  Again good writing and fairly quick reads with some good twists.

Books/Series I recommend that I've to read.

1 - Joe Abercrombie - First Law books

The next series I'm going to read this is fantasy Grimdark and Joe Abercrombie is meant to be the best.  Plus similar to David Gemmell with great characters. 

2 - Alastair Reynolds  - Revenger series and more

Alastair Reynolds is the UK king of Sci-fi and has many space opera books under his belt including Revelation Space Trilogy and the new Revenger Trilogy .

3 - John Gwynne - The Faithful and the Fallen series 

A newer voice in fantasy with what I'm told a great story and lots of action similar to David Gemmell and Joe Abercrombie .

4 - Andy Remic - Various

Andy has dabbled in Sci-fi and Fantasy and his Fantasy looks like it is David Gemmell on speed with extra swearing and violence.  Can't wait to start these too.

5 - Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy

There are loads of these Warhammer books from Black Library.   They are action packed military Sci-fi and will keep you busy during the lockdown for ages.

6 - Scott Lynch - The Gentleman Bastards Series

This is meant to be a fun fantasy crime series which is funny with great characters.   Need to read this series soon to know more but will be fun during a lockdown.

7 - RJ Barker - The Wounded Kingdom

Yes another Fantasy which is meant to be great with fun characters and lots of action and comedy.  Go read this on lockdown too.

8 - DC Superhero Books

Another set of books I've to read and would be good fast reads in lockdown as they are more YA.  Written by some YA legends too including Leigh Barduco and Sara J Maas.

9 - Stella Gemmell - The City books

Yes the widow of David Gemmell.  Stella has started writing her own fantasy similar to David but slower books which are supposed to have some great twists.  These are quite bulky so will while away the hours.

10 - Lucy Hounsom - The Worldmaker Trilogy

A coming of age fantasy.  I'm not sure what this is about but looks great and again be good to while away the hours during Lockdown.

Other Authors to look at and read - Justina Robson, Stephen Baxter, Iain M Banks, George RR Martin, Anna Smith Spark, Peter F Hamilton, Ian Graham, Terry Goodkind, Robin Triggs, Joanne M Harris.

Enjoy peeps!

World Book Night 2020 - Reading Hour 7pm - 8pm

Hi guys n gals

Just a quick blog to remind you it is World Book Night tonight and they have a fun event you can take part in.

For just an hour 7pm to 8pm -UK time they have a reading hour to get people reading together.

Check link below:

https://www.worldbookday.com/2020/04/how-to-celebrate-world-book-night-on-the-23rd-april/

This is what I hope to read -