Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Ancient Rome, 63-64 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Nero.
In ancient Rome, Vestal Virgins were selected at a very young age. Some younger than ten. They swore an oath to remain virgins for thirty years. The punishment for violating this vow was death by entombment. Vestal Virgins had more freedom than most Roman women. Some retired young enough to make profitable marriages and live out their lives comfortably.
Tyrpak's main character Elissa is a Vestal Virgin. She was selected when she was nine years old. She is now nineteen. As you can imagine, she is finding it difficult to remain faithful to her oath. There is a young man who would gladly marry her, but Elissa remains true to her vows.
Emperor Nero sits on the throne. He believes himself to be a god. Tyrpak's Nero is all we expect him to be: cruel, evil, vindictive and lecherous. Unfortunately, Elissa and her family have run afoul of Nero. Elissa's brother is accused of plotting Nero's assassination. While trying to save her brother, Elissa refuses to have sex with Nero. This angers Nero and he plots further misery for Elissa and her family. We eventually find out that Nero believes that Elissa can unravel a prophecy about him: Rome burns, and from a union unholy the sister will bring forth a son.
During the course of the story, Elissa meets a tent maker named Paul. Paul is a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christos. Elissa learns of the teachings of Christ, and begins to question her own Roman beliefs. This is a problem for her since she is a Vestal Virgin.
As the plot unravels, we get to experience the intrigue, violence, and lasciviousness of Nero's Rome.
I enjoyed reading this novel. Tyrpak has a great easy-to-read writing style. For me this novel was a real page turner. I couldn't wait to find out what Tyrpak's next plot twist was going to be.
This novel was more "chick-lit" than is usual for me, but I had fun reading it. I will probably try out Tyrpak's other historical fiction titles.
Vestal Virgin
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Dinosauria Part 1: The Garden by: J. Rock
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: A post apocalyptic Earth in an alternate time line.
A group of twenty-something scientists crash lands on a jungle covered island. Their vehicle lies beneath the ocean. Apparently, the egg shaped vehicle was some sort of time machine. There is the possibility that they have altered the past prior to crashing on the island. Interestingly, two of the women in the group, Andie and Andrea, are versions of the same person from alternate time lines.
The young scientists soon begin having various interpersonal issues. Andie and Andrea both loved two of the men during their time lines. The characters act impulsively. They go off by themselves, or in small groups, because they are angry, upset or reacting to a perceived slight.
One of the characters, Jack, seems different than the rest. At one point a prehistoric creature eats part of his foot. Then, miraculously, the foot grows back. When all the others seem to have massive headaches, he doesn't. At times he seems to be able to see and affect the future.
The island they are on is very strange. Day and night are shorter than normal. They often are varied in length. There are dangerous fishopod creatures living in the ocean. And there are dangerous man-eating velociraptors living on the island.
And we still haven't gotten to the "Truman Show" like garden dome, the mutated zombie creatures, the blast lands, the two copies of Earth in the sky above Earth, the Prophecy, the Saurians, or the train made out of diamonds run by a bipolar million year old computer.
For me, this book felt like season one of television show like "Lost". There are plenty of mysteries. Several characters have flashbacks or dreams which may or may not be relevant to the plot. And in the end there is no resolution, only more mysteries.
It also felt like reading book two of a series because there are references to plot elements without any exposition. One example, is the "Night Terror Virus" Apparently this virus killed most of the people on Earth and is the reason the group used the time machine. However, there is no explanation about why they time traveled and where they went prior to landing on the island.
I finished the book because I was hoping for some plot resolution. Perhaps those will come in later parts of the story. I probably will not read them though.
Dinosauria Part 1: Garden
Check out my eBook
Setting: A post apocalyptic Earth in an alternate time line.
A group of twenty-something scientists crash lands on a jungle covered island. Their vehicle lies beneath the ocean. Apparently, the egg shaped vehicle was some sort of time machine. There is the possibility that they have altered the past prior to crashing on the island. Interestingly, two of the women in the group, Andie and Andrea, are versions of the same person from alternate time lines.
The young scientists soon begin having various interpersonal issues. Andie and Andrea both loved two of the men during their time lines. The characters act impulsively. They go off by themselves, or in small groups, because they are angry, upset or reacting to a perceived slight.
One of the characters, Jack, seems different than the rest. At one point a prehistoric creature eats part of his foot. Then, miraculously, the foot grows back. When all the others seem to have massive headaches, he doesn't. At times he seems to be able to see and affect the future.
The island they are on is very strange. Day and night are shorter than normal. They often are varied in length. There are dangerous fishopod creatures living in the ocean. And there are dangerous man-eating velociraptors living on the island.
And we still haven't gotten to the "Truman Show" like garden dome, the mutated zombie creatures, the blast lands, the two copies of Earth in the sky above Earth, the Prophecy, the Saurians, or the train made out of diamonds run by a bipolar million year old computer.
For me, this book felt like season one of television show like "Lost". There are plenty of mysteries. Several characters have flashbacks or dreams which may or may not be relevant to the plot. And in the end there is no resolution, only more mysteries.
It also felt like reading book two of a series because there are references to plot elements without any exposition. One example, is the "Night Terror Virus" Apparently this virus killed most of the people on Earth and is the reason the group used the time machine. However, there is no explanation about why they time traveled and where they went prior to landing on the island.
I finished the book because I was hoping for some plot resolution. Perhaps those will come in later parts of the story. I probably will not read them though.
Dinosauria Part 1: Garden
Check out my eBook
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sharpe's Fortress by Bernard Cornwell
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: 1803 India
This novel is, chronologically, the third novel in Cornwell's Sharpe series. The series extends to twenty-four novels. The novels follow the exploits of Richard Sharpe in the British Army, and how he advances through the ranks from soldier to sergeant to officer.
At the end of the previous novel, Sharpe was promoted from sergeant to ensign. In the British army of the nineteenth century there was a vast class difference between common soldiers and officers. Sharpe is looked down upon by the other officers. He can no longer fraternize with soldiers who once were his friends.
Along the way Sharpe has picked up some enemies. First there is the vile Sergeant Hakeswill. Hakeswill hates Sharpe and has tried to kill him several times. Then there is Colonel Dodd. Dodd is a traitor who Sharpe witnessed leading a massacre of British troops.
In this novel, Sharpe is dealing with being an ensign. He is also dealing with his superior officers who don't quite know what to do with him. He gets reassigned to a supply unit. There he makes an enemy of slovenly Captain Torrence and finds his old rival Sergeant Hakeswill.
The army is following the Raja's troops across the hot plains of India. The Indian forces eventually retreat into the fortress of Gawilghur. This fortress is considered to be impregnable. The British army must find a way to defeat the Indian forces within the fortress. And, Sharpe must find a way to get revenge from his enemies and survive the battle.
I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's novels. They are interesting and well plotted. Cornwell gives enough description so we can understand the setting and moves the plot along. In Sharpe, Cornwell has created a unique character. He is generally good, but isn't afraid to break the rules when needed.
I will definitely continue to read my way through the series.
Sharpe' Fortress
Check out my eBook.
Setting: 1803 India
This novel is, chronologically, the third novel in Cornwell's Sharpe series. The series extends to twenty-four novels. The novels follow the exploits of Richard Sharpe in the British Army, and how he advances through the ranks from soldier to sergeant to officer.
At the end of the previous novel, Sharpe was promoted from sergeant to ensign. In the British army of the nineteenth century there was a vast class difference between common soldiers and officers. Sharpe is looked down upon by the other officers. He can no longer fraternize with soldiers who once were his friends.
Along the way Sharpe has picked up some enemies. First there is the vile Sergeant Hakeswill. Hakeswill hates Sharpe and has tried to kill him several times. Then there is Colonel Dodd. Dodd is a traitor who Sharpe witnessed leading a massacre of British troops.
In this novel, Sharpe is dealing with being an ensign. He is also dealing with his superior officers who don't quite know what to do with him. He gets reassigned to a supply unit. There he makes an enemy of slovenly Captain Torrence and finds his old rival Sergeant Hakeswill.
The army is following the Raja's troops across the hot plains of India. The Indian forces eventually retreat into the fortress of Gawilghur. This fortress is considered to be impregnable. The British army must find a way to defeat the Indian forces within the fortress. And, Sharpe must find a way to get revenge from his enemies and survive the battle.
I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's novels. They are interesting and well plotted. Cornwell gives enough description so we can understand the setting and moves the plot along. In Sharpe, Cornwell has created a unique character. He is generally good, but isn't afraid to break the rules when needed.
I will definitely continue to read my way through the series.
Sharpe' Fortress
Check out my eBook.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Dinosaur Wars: Earthfall by Thomas P. Hopp
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: Western US in the Present day
This is the first novel in Hopp's Dinosaur Wars series.
It is generally accepted that 65 million years ago an asteroid impact ended the age of dinosaurs on Earth. Civilized humans have only existed for a few thousand years. What if an asteroid impacted Earth today? The resulting explosion might obliterate the last few million years of the fossil record. If so, sentient species of the future would never know of our existence.
This is the premise of Thomas Hopp's novel. 65 million years ago dinosaurs had evolved into a sentient species. In fact they were more advanced than we are today. They had a moon base and they had advanced physics technology. When they discovered that they were doomed by the oncoming asteroid, they created a genetic "Noah's ark" on the moon. Unfortunately, their ark was damaged and remained dormant until humans discovered it. While investigating the dinosaurs' facility, human explorers restored power to it. What happens then is the plot of Hopp's novel.
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked Hopp's writing style. The plot moves along and there is plenty of action. While I felt some of the plot elements were a little cliche, I just suspended disbelief and enjoyed the ride.
There was one part of the novel I did not like. Hopp has one of his characters explain how the dinosaurs had found a way to convert light into an inert powder. I felt this description was not necessary. Many SciFi novels describe aliens who have advanced technologies which we don't understand. I get it. No need for physics class.
Over all, I really liked this book. I would definitely read the next book in the series. As I am writing this review, Dinosaur Wars: Earthfall is available free on Kindle. Check it out!
Dinosaur Wars: Earthfall
Dinosaur Wars: Counterattack
Check out my eBook!
Setting: Western US in the Present day
This is the first novel in Hopp's Dinosaur Wars series.
It is generally accepted that 65 million years ago an asteroid impact ended the age of dinosaurs on Earth. Civilized humans have only existed for a few thousand years. What if an asteroid impacted Earth today? The resulting explosion might obliterate the last few million years of the fossil record. If so, sentient species of the future would never know of our existence.
This is the premise of Thomas Hopp's novel. 65 million years ago dinosaurs had evolved into a sentient species. In fact they were more advanced than we are today. They had a moon base and they had advanced physics technology. When they discovered that they were doomed by the oncoming asteroid, they created a genetic "Noah's ark" on the moon. Unfortunately, their ark was damaged and remained dormant until humans discovered it. While investigating the dinosaurs' facility, human explorers restored power to it. What happens then is the plot of Hopp's novel.
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked Hopp's writing style. The plot moves along and there is plenty of action. While I felt some of the plot elements were a little cliche, I just suspended disbelief and enjoyed the ride.
There was one part of the novel I did not like. Hopp has one of his characters explain how the dinosaurs had found a way to convert light into an inert powder. I felt this description was not necessary. Many SciFi novels describe aliens who have advanced technologies which we don't understand. I get it. No need for physics class.
Over all, I really liked this book. I would definitely read the next book in the series. As I am writing this review, Dinosaur Wars: Earthfall is available free on Kindle. Check it out!
Dinosaur Wars: Earthfall
Dinosaur Wars: Counterattack
Check out my eBook!
Monday, April 2, 2012
One Virgin Too Many by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ancient Rome
This novel is the eleventh in Davis's Marcus Didius Falco series.
Falco leads a complicated life.
His first chore upon returning to Rome from Africa is to tell his sister that her husband has been killed by lions.
Then, a six year old girl shows up on his doorstep asking for Falco's help. She believes that someone in her family is trying to kill her. It just so happens that she is the favorite to fill a vacancy with the Vestal Virgins.
After that, Falco's brother-in-law discovers a corpse. When he and Falco return to investigate, the corpse has vanished.
To Falco's dismay, his Ma is chummy with the emperor's chief spy, who was Falco's partner for a time.
Additionally, Falco has been named the Procurer of the Sacred Poultry. It's a steady job, taking care of the sacred geese and chickens.
And then, Falco's wife surprises him with the house she has bought. It's too far out of town, and a basically a money-pit.
When the girl goes missing, Falco gets back to what he does best: unraveling mysteries. Will Falco find the girl? Or has someone in her family committed murder?
Its a great read. I really enjoyed it!
One Virgin Too Many
Check out my eBook:
Setting: Ancient Rome
This novel is the eleventh in Davis's Marcus Didius Falco series.
Falco leads a complicated life.
His first chore upon returning to Rome from Africa is to tell his sister that her husband has been killed by lions.
Then, a six year old girl shows up on his doorstep asking for Falco's help. She believes that someone in her family is trying to kill her. It just so happens that she is the favorite to fill a vacancy with the Vestal Virgins.
After that, Falco's brother-in-law discovers a corpse. When he and Falco return to investigate, the corpse has vanished.
To Falco's dismay, his Ma is chummy with the emperor's chief spy, who was Falco's partner for a time.
Additionally, Falco has been named the Procurer of the Sacred Poultry. It's a steady job, taking care of the sacred geese and chickens.
And then, Falco's wife surprises him with the house she has bought. It's too far out of town, and a basically a money-pit.
When the girl goes missing, Falco gets back to what he does best: unraveling mysteries. Will Falco find the girl? Or has someone in her family committed murder?
Its a great read. I really enjoyed it!
One Virgin Too Many
Check out my eBook:
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