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justjeanettelee_reads's reviews
606 reviews
Helen of Troy: The Story Behind the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by Bettany Hughes
5.0
(April-June for thesis one; September-October for thesis two)
How could I not give a book that put me on my dream career path 5 stars?
Hughes was one of the first influences o ever had in wanting to do archaeology and ancient history, through watching her documentary based off of this work, not long after watch the TV Mini Series "Helen of Troy" (2003) and the film "Troy" (2004). Now, after doing my own accumulative work on Helen, I've finally had a reason and purpose to reading through this work, rather than leaving it on my book shelf, acting like a shrine item.
Hughes puts Helen in her context. Her actual history. Not exclusively her mythology. She explores Helen as the mortal woman she would have been as a Mycenaen queen. She touches on Helen and the religion associations she has.
Very well written. I cannot fault her.
How could I not give a book that put me on my dream career path 5 stars?
Hughes was one of the first influences o ever had in wanting to do archaeology and ancient history, through watching her documentary based off of this work, not long after watch the TV Mini Series "Helen of Troy" (2003) and the film "Troy" (2004). Now, after doing my own accumulative work on Helen, I've finally had a reason and purpose to reading through this work, rather than leaving it on my book shelf, acting like a shrine item.
Hughes puts Helen in her context. Her actual history. Not exclusively her mythology. She explores Helen as the mortal woman she would have been as a Mycenaen queen. She touches on Helen and the religion associations she has.
Very well written. I cannot fault her.
The Empty Throne by Cayla Kluver
4.0
This book is a primary example of an amazing sequel.
It immediately picks up after events that occurred in "The Queen's Choice" and has our heroine, Anya in one of the most damaging wars within herself.
We see a lot more from the Ivanova perspective, there's more Zabriel, plentiful Tom/Anya chemistry and many surprise appearances.
It's last two chapters were haunting and although the outcome of "The Empty Throne" had been predicted by the Great Redwood in the previous instalment, nothing could've prepared me for the result of the last few chapters, nor could the predictions never have hoped to unveil such an intricately woven plot as fascinating as this.
Please note: Drunk Anya and Ione are amazing!
It immediately picks up after events that occurred in "The Queen's Choice" and has our heroine, Anya in one of the most damaging wars within herself.
We see a lot more from the Ivanova perspective, there's more Zabriel, plentiful Tom/Anya chemistry and many surprise appearances.
It's last two chapters were haunting and although the outcome of "The Empty Throne" had been predicted by the Great Redwood in the previous instalment, nothing could've prepared me for the result of the last few chapters, nor could the predictions never have hoped to unveil such an intricately woven plot as fascinating as this.
Please note: Drunk Anya and Ione are amazing!
Dragonfox by Andrew Lansdown
3.0
Not as great as "With My Knife". Still a pretty decent sequel though. More action. More time spent in Klarin. A strong female (albeit annoying, but she's like 10 so I can forgive her) character. Interesting plot and prophecy.
I can understand why I liked these books as a kid
I can understand why I liked these books as a kid
The Red Dragon by Andrew Lansdown
2.0
The last instalment in Lansdown's 'With My Knife' books isn't the best of sequels or finales. There was an endless build to the conflict which consumed only about 40 pages at the very near completion of the book. The endless build up of Colyn befriending the dragonette and the red dragon was cumbersome to read, and his developing hatred and annoyance at Kinzar is unwarranted and petty. I can understand Colyn being mad at Kinzar for killing the first dragonette, but our protagonist should have been able to get over it. The continuous snapping and irritable nature towards the dog was just plain annoying and incomprehensible. What was also unfathomable was the fact that Colyn knows that the dragonettes are agents of the dragons, and the fact it had poisoned his OWN FATHER should have turned him right off from liking them. Yet he continued to treat them like they were God or something. And then there is his relationship to the dragon. Sure, like Wayth and Insay said, it may have had a hold on him and was controlling him, but it's beyond reason that after everything Colyn has seen in regards to the dragons, that he would work so easily to befriend one. On another note, Yasni is annoying as ever, but I guess that can be expected from an 11 year-old-girl. While I enjoyed this book when I was younger because I wasn't ever this critical about books, I now see that the third book is the least entertaining of the series and most definitely not my favourite. It has many flaws and perhaps should have been written differently.
PS: how could Colyn NOT make the connection between the Bible verse he read and the red dragon plus the six foxes; and then Yasni showing up and then the eventual fallout and doom blah blah (then again, he is a rather naive 11-year-old boy).
PS: how could Colyn NOT make the connection between the Bible verse he read and the red dragon plus the six foxes; and then Yasni showing up and then the eventual fallout and doom blah blah (then again, he is a rather naive 11-year-old boy).
With My Knife by Andrew Lansdown
4.0
Still maintains its four star rating for me.
I forgotten how fast-paced and exciting this book is. Then again, it's is only a short story and meant for younger (MUCH younger) readers, so it has to be pretty quick with the whole beginning/middle/conflict/resolution/end line of story telling.
I loved it when I was ten and I love it now. More than likely a book I'll be reading to my own children, and a book my own children will read one day. "With My Knife" is a lovely piece of children's fantasy.
I forgotten how fast-paced and exciting this book is. Then again, it's is only a short story and meant for younger (MUCH younger) readers, so it has to be pretty quick with the whole beginning/middle/conflict/resolution/end line of story telling.
I loved it when I was ten and I love it now. More than likely a book I'll be reading to my own children, and a book my own children will read one day. "With My Knife" is a lovely piece of children's fantasy.