Review: The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga by James A. Houston

4 stars for The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga by James A. Houston.

The White Dawn is a thought-provoking and insightful novel that explores the complexities of cultural clashes and the devastating consequences of increasing foreign influences.

The story takes place in 1896 in the Canadian Arctic where three shipwrecked whalers are rescued by an Eskimo tribe, and nursed back to health by the Inuit community who share their food and way of life. As the three outsiders integrate into the community, they cause disturbances to the delicate social fabric of the tribe, leading to a downward spiral of cultural destruction. To quote "From the first day we brought the strangers to the village, everything started to change for us. We began to look at our own lives through their eyes. For the first time we started to see ourselves."

Told in first person by Avinga, the Eskimo leader's half son who is half cripple and a half slave to his household, the narrative offers a unique insider's perspective on the tribe's values, traditions and way of life. The author's vivid descriptions of the Arctic landscape and his thoughtful portrayal of the Eskimo people demonstrates his deep respect and understanding of their culture. Through this story, the author sheds light on the destructive nature of increasing foreign influences and the importance of preserving cultural identities.

The White Dawn is a captivating and educational read that will resonate with readers who are interested in cultural heritage, historical fiction and the Arctic region.

Review: The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

Did Not Finish The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore.

This post is long overdue. It should have been posted more than two weeks ago. In truth, I am not only reluctant to put this up, I have been all too unwilling to start on this book in the first place. The reason is simple enough; reading this book equates to taking a break from the Song of Ice and Fire series. I am so into this fantasy series that I do not want to read any other books until I have read them all. But then, this is a book club read. I will feel bad if I do not read it in time and before the loan is due. So, here I am with the review.

This book is about electrical energy - how electricity is generated, how a generator works and how it generates current. It is an uneventful story that tells of the history of electricity, the invention of light bulb and the taming of electrical current. One quarter into the story and I already feel like giving it up. The only thing that keeps me going is the law suit case about the infringement of the light bulb patent. I keep hoping something exciting will come along the way.

In the end, nothing of interest appears and I find myself counting the grievances I have against the story instead. For a historical novel, one set in 1888, I expect quotes from people of the same time period, give or take some years, but definitely not something that comes from someone born more than sixty years down the road. While I think it is reasonable to quote James Watson (co-discoverer of DNA, born 1928) and Karl Popper (philosophers of science, born 1902), it just seems so wrong to be quoting Steve Jobs or Tim Berners-Lee or Bill Gates (born 1955).

It is hard to continue reading a story that does not interest me. Still, I struggle on for the sake of my book club discussion. But at halfway mark, I can stand it no longer. The topic in question is too boring for me. I decide that I shall not suffer myself to read on. That said, I find myself wanting to know about the ending since I have invested at least some five days reading half the book. So, I skip everything in between and jump right to the last two chapters. Having read those two chapters, I am glad of my decision to throw in the towel.

It doesn't feel right to say I have read this book. So I am listing it as a Did Not Finish. I will say this is no fault of the writer's but for the simple reason that this book is not my cup of tea.

Review: The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

Did Not Finish The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka.

This novel is inspired by the life stories of Japanese immigrants who go to America in the early 1900s.

I do not doubt the sincerity of the author in writing this book, but I find it tedious to be reading one that uses "we" all the time. It is not exactly a first person narrative, but rather a collective term to encompass all. Sorry to say, it gets on my nerves after a while reading a story that gathers the characters as one whole big community. When it is not "we, we, we", it is "us, us, us". At 20% of the book, I can take it no longer, I close the book and is done with it.

Review: My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

4 stars for My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie.

This is one novel which I thought I will never get to finish reading. Even in small print, there are 672 pages, making the paperback so thick and cumbersome that I only want to do my reading at home. It takes me long enough but finish it I did. Finally.

I am rarely excited about reading historical fiction, much less one on America's revolutionary history. Few historical novels interest me, but even so, I am impressed by the two authors and their extensive research and superb writing that brings about the fruition of this book. I feel as if I have relived history, a period from 1777 to 1848, through the eyes of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton.

What stands out in this book is not Alexander Hamilton to whom the book is titled. Hamilton fought and won a war. He built a federal government. He created a coast guard, a national bank and invented a scheme of taxation that held the states together. He had founded a political party, smashed a rebellion, and put in motion a financial system that was providing prosperity for nearly everyone. Yes, Hamilton did great things and many, but what stands out instead is his wife, Elizabeth Hamilton who was also called Eliza or Betsy. She was a widow far longer than she was a wife. She was someone before she met Alexander. And she was also someone after he died. She was the heroine here.

Having read My Dear Hamilton, I have now a better understanding of the American Revolution fought between 1775 and 1783 in which 13 of Great Britain's North American colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of America. This period consisted of victory, conflict, economic and political distress and progress. American's first president, George Washington, was elected in 1789.

I do not deny that this is a great book, but perhaps because I am not into American history, it is not a compelling read for me. For this reason and that alone, I am giving the book a 4-star review.

Review: Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies #1) by Diane Chamberlain

5 stars for Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies book 1) by Diane Chamberlain.

This is one powerful story; heartbreaking, intense and intriguing at the same time.

It is easy to feel sad for the characters in the story. The fact that this historical fiction is based on true events - the Eugenics Sterilization Program which did happen from 1929 to 1975 - make me feel even more sad.

Necessary Lies. What constitutes necessary? Is there such a thing as a necessary lie. To me, a lie is a lie is a lie. Period.

To be poor and to be on public welfare does not make one any less human. So why does it lead to the loss of freedom to make choices or decisions? The things they do to the girls and women who are not smart enough or healthy enough or rich enough.. are basically violations of basic human rights. Where does ethics even come in?

Even as I am fuming away at the unreasonableness and injustice of it all, the narratives make me feel as if I have stepped into a time machine. At first, I feel like the 15-year old, Ivy Hart, and the 22-year old case worker, Jane Forrester, and then all of a sudden, I find myself turned into senior citizens. Yes, the story is narrated in first person perspectives, by Ivy and Jane, and to a small extent, Brenna, from 2011 back to 1960 and then back to 2011 again.

The story is predictable - hey, I guess something right even though I do not know how I did it - and unpredictable; many of the happenings when revealed, catch me by surprise. Regardless of either, it is definitely a story that builds up slowly but surely in intensity. Though the ending seems a tad too good to be true, I feel that the author has done her part and everything necessary to raise awareness and bring across the story of those in Necessary Lies.

For those readers who enjoy stories based on true events, this is the book for you.

Review: The First Lie (Necessary Lies #0.5) by Diane Chamberlain

4 stars for The First Lie (Necessary Lies book 0.5) by Diane Chamberlain.

A book buddy friend read this book, Necessary Lies and promptly recommended it to me. I check it out and realise that it actually comes with a prequel, The First Lie. Though it is not clear, at least to me, the order in which the books are written, I go with my gut feel - though I can be wrong - that book 0.5 The First Lie is written only after book 1 Necessary Lies.

In the sequence of things, I should have started off with Necessary Lies. But I don't. Because.. well... I am curious as to what that first lie is. That and that the prequel is a relatively short story. And I am not sure if I am ready to move on to the next book after finishing my favourite Kate Daniels series.

So, that is how I end up reading this book in the dead of the night at my dining table and scaring myself silly over an Ouija board in the story. Haha

I gobble up this short story in two days' time. Yes, it is that enthralling; once I start reading, I cannot put it down. But the thing is, at the end of it all, I am not sure if I know what that first lie is. I may have some ideas, or should I say, plenty of guesses, but then, I don't know. Not really.

Now, I will read Necessary Lies to find out. More of these later.

Review: Death of Kings (The Last Kingdom #6) by Bernard Cornwell

5 stars for Death of Kings (The Last Kingdom book 6) by Bernard Cornwell.

After book 5 The Burning Land, I contemplate giving The Last Kingdom series a break, but the Norns at the foot of Yggdrasil, the tree of life, obviously feel otherwise and thus, propel me ever forward to be a witness to the Death of Kings. And so here I am again at the mercy of Uhtred's sword Serpent-Breath and his dagger Wasp-Sting.

Six books in tow. I have come a long way with Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I have literally watched him grow up, from a pagan childhood to the fight in his first great shield wall, to the mistakes he makes as an arrogant, foolish and headstrong young warrior following his battle with the great Danish leader, Ubba Lothbrokson, to his return from Wessex in the South to Northumbria in the North only to discover chaos, civil war and treachery, to his return from Dunholm in the North back again to Wessex in the South where he becomes a builder, a trader, and a father, to how he leads the Saxon army and defeats the Danes as they launch a final assault on King Alfred's Wessex. And now, Uhtred is an old man of forty-five years.

In Death of Kings, Uhtred continues his story of how men feared him even though he is no great lord in terms of land or wealth or men, of how the death of a king brings uncertainty and in uncertainty lies opportunity for the enemies, and last but not least, of how the warriors scream their war songs as axes fall, spears stab, swords cut and shields block in the winter battle.

Having travelled so far alongside Uhtred, I feel as if I have majored in History all over again, only that it is Britain's history this time; for at the back of Uhtred's tales is the story of how England comes into existence.

In the winter of 898, there is no England. There is Northumbria and East Anglia, Mercia and Wessex, the first two are ruled by the Danes, Wessex is Saxon while Mercia is a mess, part Danish and part Saxon. It is Alfred the Great who lays the foundations on which his son Edward, his daughter Æthelflæd, and Edward’s son, Æthelstan, succeed in taking back the three Northern kingdoms and so, for the first time, unite the Saxon lands into one kingdom called England.

But as with most storytellers, author Cornwell imparts his knowledge to readers by peppering the history lessons with fiction and soaking them in generous doses of humour. These are what give shape to his historical fiction and breathe life into the characters such that they leap out of the pages alive.

And now that the characters have obediently returned to their rightful places inside the book, it is time for me to have a break, have a KitKat. As pointed out by book buddyson Sean who ever so politely puts it that I am reading this Saxon tales at the speed of a freight train, and that I should take a break from this long-running series. So, right now, I shall put aside the Uhtred in me. And open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Wyrd bið ful āræd

Review: The Burning Land (The Last Kingdom #5) by Bernard Cornwell

4.5 stars for The Burning Land (The Last Kingdom book 5) by Bernard Cornwell.

It has been a really long while since I read a series in succession, five books in a row. If my memory serves me right, the last was The Walk series by author Richard Paul Evans (book 1 The Walk, book 2 Miles to Go, book 3 The Road to Grace, book 4 A Step of Faith, book 5 Walking on Water), and I remember feeling deeply inspired for starting off the Year 2015 with the Walk series as it has brought along hope, faith and a sense of peace at that time.

Before I rattle off with reviews of old, let me get back to the topic at hand, the gathering of my thoughts and feelings on book 5 of The Last Kingdom series.

More years have passed and Uhtred, the pagan in service to a Christian king, is now in his mid-thirties. He longs to go North, back to his ancestral home besides the Northumbrian sea, to Bebbanburg, a home usurped by his father's brother.

As the title dictates, The Burning Land is mostly about fire and skirmishes. Burn Wessex Burn. Besides the burning, the killing and the plundering, it is interesting to note that the fights and battles are not just about men or food supplies, it is also about the hills and valleys, the rivers and marshes, as well as the places where land and water will help defeat the enemies. To this end, the author has done an impressive job propelling Uhtred to ever-greater heights as a strategist. A scheming man he is not, yet Uhtred has earned the readers' trust to have the best-laid plans.

In a time where a man is judged by his deeds, his reputation, the number of his oath-men, his generosity and his gold, to gain everything a man must risk everything. Dressed in his war-glory, mail and helmet and sword and arm rings, the Uhtred as we have come to know so well so far, is all about hopes, futures and dreams (of freedom).

Once again, the story and adventures of Uhtred, an exile and a warrior who straddles two worlds, the Danish North and the Saxon South, checked all the right boxes.

Treachery checked
Betrayal checked
Inferno checked
Chaos checked
Oath checked
Duty checked
Love checked
Devotion checked
Courage checked
Battle checked
Pride checked
Allegiance checked
Loyalty checked
Honor checked

Notwithstanding the above, I do have one grievance, and that is, I start to see the emergence of a certain pattern to the happenings and it somewhat dries up and slowdown the development of the story by this fifth instalment. Perhaps that is also the reason why I take much longer to finish this book.

Regardless of my grievance, I am still awed by author Cornwell in his choice conclusion of this tale. Indeed, I cannot help but do a double take when I reach the end of this story for the final scene of book 5 The Burning Land and the last act of book 4 Sword Song mirrors each other. How cool is that!

Book 5 The Burning Land

The long oars dipped, the river banks closed on us, and in the west the smoke of Lundene veiled the sky. As I took Æthelflæd home.

Book 4 Sword Song

The long oars dipped, the riverbanks closed on us, and in the west the smoke of Lundene smudged the summer sky. As I took Æthelflaed home.

Uhtred takes Æthelflæd home. The endings are the same but yet they are different. Why? Because the state of Æthelflæd's mind is at odds with each other in both instances. Well.. I'm not going to tell you the details. If you want to know, read this Last Kingdom series to find out for yourself.

Fate is inexorable. Wyrd bið ful āræd.

Review: Sword Song (The Last Kingdom #4) by Bernard Cornwell

5 stars for Sword Song (The Last Kingdom book 4) by Bernard Cornwell.

... and so I set out to unravel the unknowns that await me in this book 4 Sword Song. Truth be told, before I start out on this perilous journey I have no inkling of what this book encompasses except that it continues to be one of Uhtred's adventures.

The previous Book 3 Lords of the North draws to a close in the Year 880 with a twenty-three-year-old warrior setting off from Dunholm in the North to Wessex in the South. Fast forward five years and this warrior, Uhtred, is now twenty-eight years old. Older and wiser, Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg, has become a builder, a trader, and a father. He still serves Alfred, King of Wessex, because he has given Alfred his oath, and not because he wishes to.

Much of Sword Song is set in Lundene (presently known as London) which stands where Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex meet. Lured by the promise of bright gold and shining silver, the Danes, the Norsemen, the Scots and the Britons, have all flocked to this city of merchants, tradesmen, and seafarers. And there, the new Viking leaders plot to hire these men, buy weapons, raise warriors, assemble armies, all with the ultimate goal to invade and conquer Wessex.

A title beautifully chosen, Sword Song is the song of the blade wanting blood. It is a story of bloodshed, of battle, of war cry, of Uhtred, a lord of war, fighting for his land, his family, his home and his country.

Once again, the battle scenes are magnificent with axe hacks, spear throws, swords thrust, shield walls, battle songs, male bonding, breaths of ale for courage (this one is contributed by buddy Sean), brute strength, sheer numbers, and a much needed dash of luck for survival. In addition to the power struggles, the author introduces something new: a disturbing yet powerful sad love story. Author Cornwell knows exactly how to tug at readers' heartstrings for I am overcome by emotions - anger, sadness, pity - so strong that I feel as if my heart is torn asunder in this new heart melting romance.

Fate is inexorable. Wyrd bið ful āræd.

Review: Lords of the North (The Last Kingdom #3) by Bernard Cornwell

5 stars for Lords of the North (The Last Kingdom book 3) by Bernard Cornwell.

Perhaps I am ambitious or maybe just overly enthusiastic, the truth is, I have been looking forward to reading this book way before I am even done with book 2 The Pale Horseman. The reason is simple; this is obviously a tale about the lords of the North. And Uhtred, who sways between his love of the Danes and his loyalty to the Saxons, is from the North, which means that he will very likely be returning from Wessex to Northumbria in this book for that is where Bebbanburg lies. And I am so looking forward to his return.

This third instalment of The Last Kingdom series packs a hefty punch. At twenty-one years of age (Year 878), with the belief that his swords can win him the whole world, Uhtred continues his adventure. There is certainly no lack of excitement in Uhtred's sword-path for there are ups, and there are downs, and they never fail to invoke a maelstrom of feelings that swirled within me as I read along. Courage, fear, anxiety, dread, anger, despair, relief, love, compassion, need, pride and hope all come into play, all in the name of upholding majesty and honorability in the story.

On top of the above, I have come to love the Historical Note that the author provides at the end of each book. And once again, author Cornwell promises that Uhtred's wars are far from over and that he will have need of Serpent-Breath again. So, right now, I am tingling with excitement. I am going to slowly uncover what lies in store for Uhtred in the next book, Sword Song.

Before I end off my review, I will like to give a shout-out to book buddy Sean who recommends this series to me. Speaking of which, have you started on the latest book 10 The Flame Bearer? Enjoy the read. Wyrd bið ful āræd

Review: The Pale Horseman (The Last Kingdom #2) by Bernard Cornwell

5 stars for The Pale Horseman (The Last Kingdom book 2) by Bernard Cornwell.

Fate is inexorable. Wyrd bið ful āræd.

The Pale Horseman calls out to me even as I am writing and wrapping up my review of The Last Kingdom. That is when I know I am destined to read this book.

Book 2 The Pale Horseman pretty much picks up from where book 1 The Last Kingdom leaves off, with Uhtred - at the age of twenty - recounting the mistakes he makes as an arrogant, foolish and headstrong young warrior following his battle with the great Danish leader, Ubba Lothbrokson. From then on, it tells of Uhtred's plight and fight where an adversary of today may turn into an ally on the morrow and vice versa. And finally, central to the story, events that lead to the King of Wessex being reduced to the King of a few square miles of swamp and how that is expanded on subsequently.

Taken verbatim from the book "The kingdom of Wessex was now a swamp and, for a few days, it possessed a king, a bishop, four priests, two soldiers, the king’s pregnant wife, two nurses, a whore, two children, one of whom was sick, and Iseult."

The story is phenomenally well written. There are twists and there are turns, and they catch me unaware. The author does a remarkable job in developing Uhtred's character here for there is no lack of action on his part that leads to heart-stopping moments. Yes, I cannot help but worry for Uhtred. Then, there is the ever-present humour, as sharp as ever, perhaps even more so than that of Uhtred's sword, Serpent-Breath, for words have power.

Once again, I have a great time immersing myself in The Saxon Tales, so much so that I stay up the night to finish up the last chapter culminating in the great shield wall battle yet again. As I read, I am ever thankful to buddy Sean who suffers through not one but two seasons of The Last Kingdom - crappy - TV series because he feels the need to refresh his memories and not be a book spoiler for my sake. Buddy, your binge-watch is duly noted and greatly appreciated!

Destiny is everything. I believe at the roots of Yggdrasil, the tree of life, the three women spinners are at work again, and now, they are spinning me towards The Lords of the North. I know it because..

Wyrd bið ful āræd. Fate is inexorable.

Review: The Last Kingdom (The Last Kingdom #1) by Bernard Cornwell

5 stars for The Last Kingdom (The Last Kingdom book 1) by Bernard Cornwell.

This series come highly recommended by a colleague without whom I doubt I will ever come across this novel, and needless to say, read it.

At the time of recommendation, I have yet to meet this newfound colleague, but our love to read and appreciation of good writing make me feel as if I have known him for years, not days. Best of all, he understands my unusual quirks on books and reading. Like it or not, everyone has their own reading quirks. They may be cultivated over time or happened overnight, but they will not go away and they are ours to keep. I am very happy indeed to have found another booklover, especially one who shares the same quirky habits as me.

I am not familiar with and have never before read stories related to the Anglo-Saxon period which lasted from 410 to 1066. I am equally clueless that by the ninth century, Anglo-Saxon England was divided into four main kingdoms - Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex. Because of my ignorance, I am not aware that the story in The Last Kingdom is in fact very much based on real events until I read the Historical note at the end of the book. Only then do I realise that the ealdormen in this historical novel whose names begin with Æ (a vanished letter, called the ash) and many of the Danes and their kings all existed at one time.

Two sentences into the prologue and I have a good feeling that I will like this story; Uhtred's story. Born an Englishman of England but brought up a Danish of the Viking way, this is his story where destiny is everything, where men are bound by duty, loyalty, pride, passion, love and land.

"My name is Uhtred. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred and his father was also called Uhtred."

True to my intuition, I have a whale of a time seeing the world through the eyes of Uhtred, from a pagan childhood right up to the fight in his first great shield wall. The author has certainly done his research well and consequently, a fantastic job feathering English history with fiction and topping it off with small doses of humour every now and then.

Thank you for the recommendation. If you are reading this, you know who you are. No? Don't make me spell it out.. Okay. Yes buddy. Sean, thank you! ..And I agree. Destiny is everything. It brings you to this series and now, it is my turn.

Review: The Girl in the Photograph (aka Fiercombe Manor) by Kate Riordan

4 stars for The Girl in the Photograph by Kate Riordan.

Have you ever chose to read a book because the title intrigues you so? Yes, I do and a resounding one at that; more often than not, I fall victim to the allure of aptly named storybooks. The Girl in the Photograph - the title alone - fascinates me so that the moment I set my eyes on the paperback, I feel compelled to read the book.

As much as I am attracted to the book title, I am awed by the author who writes with the florish and fluency of a polished writer albeit this is only her second novel. Even as I read the opening chapter, I am impressed by the way the author picks her choice of words and arranges them in sentences or in lines of dialogue to express her ideas and ultimately theme of the story. The use of simple yet mesmerising descriptions of the Fiercombe Manor - a lonely house tucked into the countryside where many have lived out their lives - lulls me into its enchanting yet deeply disturbing past.

At halfway mark, I find myself so curious about the history of this old Fiercombe Estate and the spectres lurking in the dark hallways that I steal a peek into the last two chapters, something which I shun but practice once in a blue moon. Surprisingly, what takes me aback is not the ending itself which is actually rather predictable but the fact that even with knowing how the story pans out, I am still keen to go back to where I leave off and continue reading the story of a house caught in a time warp and alive with the past. I may have known the story ending - the what and the where - but I still want to read and find out for myself the why.

As I persist in my reading, the many question marks branching out from the tree of why are slowly answered by Alice Eveleigh - a young lady 26 years of age - who takes my hand and walks me through her part of the story and the girl in the photograph who provides the all-encompassing eyes into the events long past.

All in all, The Girl in the Photograph is a skilfully written story. There is no clear-cut black and white to the characters who are often victims of their own circumstances. Though the ending may be easily predictable, the reason that leads to the finale is unexpectedly disconcerting and pretty sad. It is now a story that takes up residence in my mind.

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication date: 15 Jan 2015

*** Favourite quote 1 ***

Fragments of memory were flitting through her mind. They came so fast, bats across a darkening sky, that she hadn't yet been able to grasp one and examine it.

*** Favourite quote 2 ***

The real ghosts are the ones that take up residence in your mind...

~ The Girl in the Photograph
Kate Riordan

@}--->>--->>-----

The Girl in the Photograph/Fiercombe Manor
(published in the US and Canada as Fiercombe Manor)

When Alice Eveleigh arrives at Fiercombe Manor during the long, languid summer of 1933, she finds a house steeped in mystery and brimming with secrets. Sadness permeates its empty rooms and the isolated valley seems crowded with ghosts, none more alluring than Elizabeth Stanton whose only traces remain in a few tantalisingly blurred photographs. Why will no one speak of her? What happened a generation ago to make her vanish?

As the sun beats down relentlessly, Alice becomes ever more determined to unearth the truth about the girl in the photograph - and stop her own life from becoming an eerie echo of Elizabeth's . . .

‘Fiercombe is a place of secrets. They fret among the uppermost branches of the beech trees and brood at the cold bottom of the stream that cleaves the valley in two. The past has seeped into the soil here like spilt blood. If you listen closely enough you can almost hear what has gone before, particularly on the stillest days. Sometimes the very air seems to hum with anticipation. At other times it’s as though a collective breath has been drawn in and held. It waits, or so it seems to me.’

Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition
Publication date: 3 Jun 2015

*Blurb and except from author's website*

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