Tower of Dawn By Sarah J Mass Book Review.

Dear All,

Let's take a wander back into the Throne of Glass series with Tower of Dawn.

Blurb: 

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica--the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both--and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

What I Expected: I thought that I was getting into a series that was going to have my heart pounding. My fingers itchy and desperate to the turn the page. I expected some more of Celena doing her thing. 

What I Got: Choel with a new character at his
side in a place that sounded a lot like Austraila in my head and what felt more political rather than action pack until I got further in. 

What I Thought: I wasn't a huge fan of this one. I just felt there was to much lost in this book and there was a lot more that could be done. I felt like it dragged its feet in places and sometimes too long in other places.

4/5 Stars 

Review: Interesting start with Choal and seeing how he is doing after the attack in book five of this series. I like how we are following the healers as its different. I think the emotions of Choal are well done. There is a nice build up for the healer and you MUST READ the SHORT STORIES to understand this book. Watching the struggle between professional and emotion is a very nice touch. 

Yrene's discovery of the vlag magic is done really well even if its forgotten at times during this book. The tension between Nysern and Choal I think was nicely put, more of what I expect out of Sarah now. Choal tries to spot vlag but can't from his chair, can't see through the curtains which surround him. Nysern being a guard seems to be playing on her mind a bit. 

Yrene gets freaked by a storm passing through, she takes books and scrolls, feels hunted. She is learning more about the Vlag. She is reminded of Aelin's words however she doesn't know its Aelin and this was never revealed. So its one of the points that annoyed me the most about this book. Through her rush to leave she finds a dead healer who looked like her. She is forced to leave her, she finds four young healers to whom she spurs to leave, they enclose around her and exit together. 

The alarm is raised. 

Yrene insists that he attends a self-defence class that was inspired by Aelin teaching her to defend herself but again Yrene doesn't know it's Aelin or Celena who told her so. Nesryn encourages him to ride with some help getting up and down. Some embarrassment by the young healers tearing him off the horse. Later on Yrene angry and inspired attacks, Chaol's wound with new vigour. Afterwards, she explains what he is in for. He refuses to talk about his past or open up to her. It takes her a bit of time to begin again. 

Meanwhile, Nesryn takes a ride with Prince Satajah. She is hoping that he has answers for her. Nesryn doesn't really learn anything. Instead, she enjoys the hunt of his bird. 

Yrene gets nowhere with her attempts to heal him. She can't forget what she went through and what she sees at Morath. An army of darkness, despite the visions she knows she is making little progress with Choal and its tied to his emotions. He raises questions within her. Yrene can't bring herself to eat with him. Yrene leaves and Choal wonders if Nesryn had a more successful night. 

When Nesryn arrives she puts Choal to bed. Nesryn and Prince Satajah talk. She reveals pieces of her past to him. 

Yrene struggles to understand Choal. She runs into Prince Kajah. He offers her clothes, affection, she rejects him tactfully. The following day Choal and Yrene have a verbal fight. Yrene realises the mistakes that she has made. Tells him the soldiers killed her mother, right in front of her. She begins this round of healing. Chaol in return opens up a little bit. He curls his toes, the action fascinates him. Nesryn goes to visit her family. 

Princess Hasar updates Yrene on the war back where Yrene comes from. The princess insists that she has spies and that Yrene leaving might be harder than she might think. The Princess urges her to attend her party and she reluctantly agrees. Yrene fails to meet Choal. Choal rides alone to the Torre. Yrene is ill in bed from their healing session the day before. He talks to the healer on high. Offers to accompany her to future classes. She accepts. 

The following morning Yrene's met by a concerned Choal with her mare trailing behind him. Choal asks her to ride for a while to clear his mind. They visit some of her patients. Yrene takes Choal on a tour of the city. She asks him if Fenharrow or Adalan can be so peaceful. The festival they attend thrown by the Princesses. Everyone is dressed up. Princess Hasar takes charge. Chaol and Yrene have more honesty between each other. 

Choal and Yrene create a plan. Choal feels guilty about what he feels with Yrene when he is still with Nesryn. Choal and Nesryn return to their suite. Nesryn asks to leave with Prince Satajah to check out the mountain's, the outposts, see what she can learn. Choal is reluctant and the pair falls asleep talking. 

In the morning Yrene walks in on Choal and Nesryn in bed together, there is an awkwardness about it. She fails to cover up its impact on her. Nesryn leaves. Yrene reveals what she knows about Kings and Vlag. Choal has her hid everything she took. She offers to take him into the Torre to show him a book that talks about Vlag, he agrees right away. They have a session first, but finding him in bed with Nesryn has rattled her. She says he needs to be sure the old king is really gone. This leads to a pleasant chat between Choal and Yrene. They have another session which leaves him able to move his ankles. He sees her in the garden, realises he passed out. 

The story of her mother wins more movement and Yrene recounts her journey to finish. She never reveals nor does he know its Aelin she talks about. It always stops when it comes to Aelin and this is never revealed in the book. Choal asks her to eat with him as he is concerned by her appearance.

Neseryn is down about the night before so she goes to the Parrot Pit. Prince Satajah asks her to leave with him. she says she must ask Lord Westfall. he tells her he must leave soon and the urgency rests within her. Nesryn decides to go for three weeks. Leaves a note for Choal, a note freeing him of all promises he has to her. Get's on board with Prince Satajah, there is flirting, they fly for some time then take a break. She learns there's a tale about her. Proves how good his spies are. She does not want to discuss her perfect shot, because of the memories tied to it.

Yrene takes Choal to the Torre tower library, shares everything with each other. The promises she has made. She goes through a turmoil with him and leaves after an argument. Princess fills her in, Yrene goes to the slums to leave people. That is where her heart lies.

Vlag stalks and hunts Yrene, she locks Choal and herself in the suite. It says her name over and over. Choal says they do this 'together'. Palace guards come to their aid just in time. They demand Kashin come and he does. They come out for only him. Kasin insists she returns to the Torre. She says she feels safer with Choal, this hurts the Prince Kashin. He searches out the head of the guards.

Choal starts to train with the castle guards, despite his limits. Numbness in his limbs washes away day by day. He finds a new fire is lit inside him at this development.

Neseryn regrets leaving with Prince Satajah, she can't understand the kindness the prince has. They arrive at the Prince's outpost where she meets his other family. His heathen mother and sister. Nesryn notes his sister Brote is to be watched. She meets a man to whom is a shifter like her friend back in Adalan. Brote shows Nesryn where the baths are. Nesryn joins Prince Satajah for dinner.

While they wait they head up to the archery range where Brote encourages her to take part. Brote promises to braid her next time. Nesryn is unsure how to take this. Nesryn's tour aboard a Ruk. She is shocked and impressed. How children as young as five are flying Ruks. Prince Satajah takes time to ask her about her father. He asks about Rifthold, she tells him very little. Neseryn excels at archery. A challenge she answers from Brote. Prince Satajah's mother returns with bad news. Ruk's are being stolen by a creature like a spider, who are apart of the Vlag army. Nesryn has dread and fear about this. She suggests that Prince Satajah and Nesryn goes to the tower to see what they can uncover.

The towers are outposts where the Fae had fought the Vlag. Nesryn knows that the spides are waiting for them, they can't stay at t he towers after day. The spides are watching the veil between worlds. No one has ever returned from checking out these towers.

Yrene and Choal continue their therapy. She tells him the answers to where the scrolls came from and that they came from the desert. Yrene tells Choal to talk to Noosha and they do. She tells them the answers to where might learn more. The oasis in the desert. Yrene tells Choal that only the Royals can go there, its their retreat. Yrene and Choal go to dinner with the Royals to put a plan in motion to get to go to the retreat. Choal returns to work with the castle guards the next day.

Neseryn and Prince Satajah arrive at the tower where they save each other's lives. Barely escape the traps set by the Fae. A spider attacks and they are trapped in the basement. A wolf appears and attacks it. They escape where the Ruk kills the chasing spider. The wolf turns out to be Falkan a shifter they met at the outpost. He's badly injured during his attempt to save Nesryn and Prince Satajah. They pack his wounds and return to the outpost where Nesryn tells Brote all that happened.

Prince Satajah confronts Nesryn in her rooms later. He demands to know who has the Widerkeys. Nesryn has not told him about the keys and comes clean. She turns it around showing him why they need him and his family to fight with them. There is two more towers south, this becomes the new mission set by Prince Satajah's other mother. Falken, Nesryn, Brote and Prince Satajah have to go together. They leave at dawn, she is uncomfortable as things are unresolved.

Yrene and Choal continue their work. Choal continues to reach healers how to defend themselves. Later on the Princess brings up the Skull Bay attack and Choal pretends that he knew they were there. Princesses take turns getting digs in, making claims that Choal has no idea if it could be true. Yrene struggles to say nothing. The Royal's openly pick apart Aelin's tactics. They want to know what is in it for them when Choal turns it around. King ends the discussion after Choal says Aelin's advisers have seen more war than they had or ever likely to see.

Kashin breaks into Chaol's room where he tells him his destiny is North. He will go if the king orders it.

Falkin takes a long time to heal. Nesryn's put to work in the meantime tending the Ruks, training the children. She ends up singing for them one night by the fire.

Nesryn, Prince Satajah, Falken and Brote visit the towers only there is nothing there. Yeran meets them mid-flight saying he's looking for baby Ruks. Yeran's rude interaction with Brote picks up Nesryn's attention. Brote is rude right back. Prince Satajah orders them back home. He tells Yeran that the spiders are back. The sense of dread spreads through his riders.

Choal oversteps with Kungan, banned from further meetings. He attempts to see the king but is denied. He tries to beg but can't get his words heard. He just finds out that he is banned from further meetings. Choal is teeming for a fight and it leads him going to far with Yrene. Declares his desire to die on the killing fields and they argue about all the hard work she has put into him to just go and die. Choal stands, its all apart of Yrene's plan to get him walking and he does. She is thinking about her plan to use the Princess the whole time. Plans to go to the Oasis for her birthday. She needs answers,

Yrene brings Choal up to speed on her scheme, knows that it will work. Choal surprised that it's her birthday. He promises to get her something. His progress as he starts to walk on sticks.

Nesryn questions Prince Satajah why he's not married. He explains how he has not found a wife that is right for him or Kadara (Ruk). Their arrival at the spiders terrority, Prince Sataha prepares fighting over the courts his normal brides want to be a part of. They scout the spider area from a distance, they see a baby Ruk. Kadara (Ruk) make a desperate bid for the baby Ruk, they get caught in a web sending them flying into a wall and down the side of the rocky mountain gorge.

Both injured Prince Satajah and Nesryn escape with Falkan in Nesryn's pocket. They are forced into the pass and must find a way up for Kadara to get them to safety, despite her injuries she can fly. The spiders give chase.

Yrene and Choal ride with the Royal's through the desert. The Royal's choosing to race at breakneck speeds ahead. Yrene and Choal end up racing each other for a kiss. They have fun on the ride together. Chaol feels the strain on his muscles as he rides and sorts of regrets this. When they arrive at a watering hole she heals him.

At the Oasis they go exploring together, they find a tribal burial ground. They believe the head of the Tore can read the scrolls that once only Aelin could read. They believe they will hold the answers they need. Depictions of Vlag and Fae fighting is everywhere.

Later at dinner Hasar goats Choal for information, war, Aelin's love life, her status. Hasar suggests Yrene be married as apart of an alliance. Choal says no. They must let her decide. Yrene sidesteps the taunts continue on though. Yrene pushes the Princess into the pool. They all laugh, the present from the other Royal's is her life. Choalr's ready to protect her all the same.

Choarl gives Yrene a locket. He tells her that he loves her. She's glad he does not love Aelin or Nesryn. They make love, she tells Choal about what Aelin did for her (still not knowing its Aelin). Choal is grateful for her.

Nesryn and Prince Satajah race through the passes looking for a way up. Prince Satajah is captured and Nesryn mourns. She comes up with a plan, Falkan is part of her plan. She allows herself to be captured.

The spider encharges of Prince Satajah and her tells the true tale of Maeve. She is the Vlag queen hiding in plain sight. Not a fae as people are told she is. Falkan works to free Nesryn, A injured Nesryn and Prince Satajah get free and make a run for it. They are chased up onto a narrow stone pillar with what looks like no way out. Falkan makes Nesryn promise to make his niece safe, to get his riches and protect her. He jumps into a fight with the spiders, offering his soul up for theirs.

Kadara comes to the rescue, it's not just Kadara. Brote and Yeran's men have arrived with plently of Ruks. They manage to rescue Falkan who's badly injured. Kadara picks up Prince Satajah and Nesryn in her claws. Brote signals the army to help, they do. They burn the mountain and the spiders on it.

Yrene and Choal rush back, the rooms raided, theres one scroll that remains. Choal distances himself. Yrene talks to Hara about the locked up books, hoping to take them to Aelin. Hasar is not sure if this is such a good idea. She thinks Yrene might be onto something though. She finds her ancestors bell where the answer comes to her, that will allow her to heal Choal completely. How to defeat the Vlag, goes to Choal where she finally restores him. She tells him how to render it forever useless. He must forgive himself though.

Yrene finds herself when she heals Choal. They grow even closer sharing each other's memories.

Nesryn, Prince Satajah, Falkan, Brote and Yeran arrive back at his outpost. There is a breakthrough with Nesryn and Prince Satajah. She tells Falkan that she may know who his niece is and where she is. Nesryn gets a letter from Choal, needing her to return as fast as she can. They rush back.

Choal and Yrene talk where they lay all their cards on the table. They work out the Torre connections, Yrene thinks she can save Vlag hosts. She is unsure though. Hasar enters Choal's apartment, there is a conversation. They go to Torre to speak with the Healer on High, but she isn't there, she's missing. They search the Torre where they find her in the tunnels with Vlag host Princess Duva, there is a fight Choal dies.

Yerne spares the Princess, she rushes to heal Choal and is willing to pay any price to save him. He's saved. The prices is they are tethered together forever. If one dies they both do. Choal can only walk when Yrene's at full strength. Nesryn appears with Prince Satajah. He thanks her for sparing his sister. They all go before the King. They tells him everything. Yrene's last test is to save the Princess Duva and her baby. She begins, Yerne after a fashion vanquishes the Vlage princess.

Prince Satajah and Nesryn share there news. Choal shares his. They have a thousand Ruk's ready to fly for Aelin. As many ships as Hazar can bring. Yrene thanks them all. Prince Satajah meets Nesryn's family. Yrene's sadness about leaving. Two rough weeks for Choal, they set off. A lead into Aelin's story.

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Thank you all for stopping by.

Kristal 

Forever My Jewel By Jenny Snow Review

Dear all, 

So we are diving into a Firefly and Wisp Publishing book where am going to give you my honest opinion so here we go. 

THIS IS A 20 PAGE STORY!

Blurb:

When a young man's world suddenly ends with the death of his girlfriend, he is asked to give the eulogy and he speaks from his heart as he tells the story of their love and life together.
This story is heartbreaking, beautiful and real. It's a story of love and grief.

This is a short story by Jenny Snow.

Rating 3/5

What I Was Expecting: I was expecting a short, detailed story, one that might have an uplifting edge to it. I expected romance. I was excited by the detail I thought was going to be in this book. I should have reminded myself it was 20 pages. 

What I Got: A very telling story, it's done by the lead character telling us how they met, their first kiss, their love, there need to be with each other. 

My Thoughts: I think this is the end to a much bigger story, it could be truly wonderful if it was detailed out and has the feel of someone like Jamie McGuire's books. I plead with the author to make it more detailed, show us the story and don't just tell us what happened. 

Review: We are at the funeral for Jewel who's passed away after a battle with Leukaemia. There is a young man who is there and doing a detailed history and good bye speech. There is a great deal of emotion in this story and you can feel it from the very beginning. We learn through him telling us that he was her date for graduation dance, that she had a run-in with a bully Mel and broke his foot. That scared him and lightens the mood. We learn of how she was meant to be a PJ party but instead was at a beach party, thank goodness he was there to save her from really bad drunk boys.  He does this in a form of an apology. 

He's sorry that he's not keeping her secret, he tells us about how he went to her house and they talked on the veranda, on the bench in the park. How when he found out about what she was ill with he ran away and had to beg, grand romantic gesture to get back in her life. He was there from then to the end. The speech is done to her body in the casket. 

There first kiss and how she was the one that started it, he never wanted them to stop. At the end, he has to go outside and his mother comforts him. After the wake, he finds himself on the bench where he is comforted by her mother. They wait for a sign to see where she is now and gets one. A star streaks across the sky and breaks up, leaving a star behind. That is to make where she is now. They are moved and the story comes to a close. 

You can get this very quick read at the following links:
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Thank you for stopping by and come back soon for another review. 

Silence Of The Girls By Pat Barker Book Review

Dear all, 

I got this arc from the publisher and wasn't sure about it but will share thoughts below: 

WARNING THIS CONTAINS TRIGGERS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS!

The Silence of The Girls

'A very good, very raw rendition of the Trojan war from the point of view of the women' Kate Atkinson

There was a woman at the heart of the Trojan war whose voice has been silent - till now.

Briseis was a queen until her city was destroyed. Now she is slave to Achilles, the man who butchered her husband and brothers. Trapped in a world defined by men, can she survive to become the author of her own story?

Discover the greatest Greek myth of all - retold by the witness history forgot.

'Make[s] you reflect on the cultural underpinnings of misogyny, the women throughout history who have been told by men to forget their trauma... You are in the hands of a writer at the height of her powers' Evening Standard

Praise for Pat Barker:

'Barker delves unflinchingly into the enduring mysteries of human motivation' Sunday Telegraph

'She is not only a fine chronicler of war but of human nature' Independent

'Barker is a writer of crispness and clarity and an unflinching seeker of the germ of what it means to be human' Herald

'You go to her for plain truths, a driving storyline and a clear eye, steadily facing the history of our world' Guardian

Rating: 4/5

What I thought: I thought this might be a great historical fiction with elements of Roman ideas, (later realising that its Troy and Greek). 

What I expected: I expected more sort of romance to the story, I'm not sure why I thought that but I did. I thought it might be the alternative viewpoint. 

What I got: Was very different and worth enduring to get to the gooey centre. 

Review: What we get to meet Briesie through her eyes as she introduces us to Ritsa. Her marriage to the king and what she needs to do as the queen. She is being invaded in her city and she is scared witnessed. She is unable to conceive a child and she longs for one badly. There cities going to be raided by the Greeks on the warpath to Troy. During the fighting and waiting they get a little sleep. The cities breached by the greeks, where the King, men, male children and pregnant women are murdered. Most of the women have to witness the death of the children. Some jump from the citadel to ensure they aren't attacked. 

The women have herded away, they set fire to the city, the fire engulfs the place. The women are forced into ships where they are taken away. They are fed and watered but treated like slaves. They are forced into two huts where they are going to be inspected in the morning. Briseis is the woman we are witnessing this through the eyes of. 

Briseis is the queen and she is the one who's first inspected by the men and given to Achilles. She is his prize. He states that she will do to her face. She's taken to his hut where she is given food and wine. She can't eat so she drinks the wine. She is taken to Achilles bed. The first chance she gets she goes to the beach and washes him out of her. She feels very suicidal. She sees, hears odd behaviour from Achilles. Returns to the hut after finding a sharp piece of glass in order to protect herself with. She has cut her foot but doesn't care.  

Irphis takes care of her, Briseis struggles with camp life and her place in it. Her new responsibilities. She goes for a swim nightly before her duties begin. The smell of salt water drives Achilles mad with passion. His nightly retire of forced sex becomes more hurtful and distasteful. 

Briseis talks with other 'prize women' about what the normal is. They tell her to bear a son or become cast aside. They have their own horrors they are dealing with. This this is now their life. She continues to watch Achilles carefully. She longs for change, even prays for it. She can't understand how Iphris loves her captor. 

Chrysis father comes for her, he's a priest and she was meant to be a priestess. He offers to pay her ransom to get her back. He's refused, on the beach, he prays for the plague and Briseis prays with him. She notices how Chrysis suffers. How the young had always dreamed of being a priestess, how she was struggling with how that is gone. Briseis can't tell the other women that she has noticed the rats dying, scared to give them hope. 

At dinner one of the men discusses the ransom, how they are shocked it was denied. Briseis continues to pray for the plague while serving the men. She prays more after seeing her father's tunic on one of the men at the table. She hates this man deeply. Later on that night Patroclus talks with Briseis, explains how he ended up with Achilles. He killed his friend and that is how he ended up with Achilles as his friend, was sent to be with him. Patroclus uses the beach to be with Achilles. Through the conversation, he explains the reason Achilles is connected with the sea. Its where his mother lives and she is the goddess of the sea. 

They share a private moment that raises questions. The situation with the rats getting worse until Myron who wears Briseis father's tunic takes ill. Patroclus tries to reassure the men that nothing bad is going to happen. Myron dies and Briseis is part of the group of women who attend to his body being washed and burned. There is a flicker of tenderness from Achilles that surprises her. The women have fun preparing Myron's body. 

Briseis talks with Patroclus about Achilles trying to understand him more. How she reminded Achilles of his mother. He suggests that he can make Achilles marry her. The mixed emotions that are raised inside her. 

There is a meeting called about the plague. Chrysis is going back to her father and she refuses to believe it. Says that Agemonnon tricks everyone and its a trap. Briseis is going to Agamemnon instead of her. Achilles doesn't fight for her, this hurts her in a way she doesn't understand. Promises she believes are forgotten at this moment. Nestor and Achilles talk deeply about this. Agamemnon sends his men. Patroclus comes to get her. She asks him 'if he'll still marry her?' Achilles cries openly when she leaves, this confuses her more. 

We move into Achilles point of view. We watch him trying to be okay with Briseis being taken from him. He's got a wounded pride and something more that he doesn't understand. We learn more of the history with Patroclus and him. How he faired after his mother left. 

Briere's first night with Agamemnon, where he spits into her mother. Briseis flees to the women's huts at the first chance she gets. She feels worse than when she was with Achilles, almost misses him. Knowing that Agamemnon hasn't picked her as his favourite raises fears inside her that she will be cast aside. The women try to reassure her. 

Ritsa tries to help her best she can adapt to her new position in the camp. The fact she no longer gets to go down to the beach or really leave the loom room. Causlities from the war start to creep up and men start to pay her more attention when she is working in the hospital. She loses herself in her memories in an attempt to cope. She thinks of her time in Troy, a better time and place, Helen of Troy and how they were friends. Slowly she comes to accept her new life, yet finds herself missing Patroclus and Achilles. 

Back in Achilles point of view, we see him inspecting the battlefield from his ships. His take on the mistakes they are making, dangers they are bound to face and the fact they are making this move on a floodplain. He worries what this might mean for him and his men. He refuses to help and makes it clear that this is over Briseis. 

Briseis gets moved to work full time in the hospital and from the men coming in she knows they are losing the war. She has torn feelings about it. Achilles names whispered among the men as the reason why. Some of the men are pleading over and over again for him to fight. Briseis is struggling with how she is feeling yet knows that she loves her work. It masks her feel worth something in a time when she is treated as if she were nothing. There is another wave of injured that comes in, some of these higher up men boost morale. The patients and she can hear the battle is closer. 

Agamemnon refuses to bow to the pressures of his men, this is causing unrest. Odysseus comes in injured and there is a lot of people who take notice. Agamemnon finally breaks and gives back Briesies back to Achilles. She is dressed up for her return and she is scared of what this means for her. She sits down on the stops outside of Achilles hut and waits to see what her fate will be. She allows her mind to distract her back to the times when her mother prepares for a feast. How pretty she was and how she shaped Briese. 

We go back in Achilles point of view to see his meeting with Achille hears the offers from Agamemnon, Briseis is brought in. Achilles rejects her and the offer very crudely. Patroclus whisks Brieseis back to the room she was in her first night there. They share wine together. He tries to reassure her but is she is returned. Back in Agamemnon, she starts to mull over that she might be in love with Achilles. The intimate tone that is shared between her and Patroclus. 

Patroclus reprimands Achilles over how he treated Briseis, he takes Achilles on a long walk trying to get him to see sense. He shows him the front lines like he hasn't been watching. When they are out there they see the doctor McMahon get hurt and Patroclus is sent to check on the man. Nestor catches a hold of Patroclus where he sparks some ideas in the young man. Patroclus runs into a cousin who has come in injured. He takes him to the hospital tent where he treats him because there is an overcrowding issue. He runs into Briesies where he promises her that things will change. They work together until Briseis sees him off. 

Patroclus almost strangles Achilles when an argument gets out of hand. When the men are calmer Patroclus gets Achilles to agree to Nestor's plan. He hopes that this will change the way the battle is going. Achilles put terms and conditions on it. Achilles sees Patroclus off in his armour. He runs into Briseis where she flees him. Patroclus fights and dies. Achilles goes into the yard of his compound and lets out a war cry. He grieves openly. 

Briese's wants to go to Achilles but can't. His mother shows up out of the ocean and everyone retreats from her. News of Troy and greeks fight over Patroclus body. Achillie's roars allow the greeks to recover Patroclus's body. Tetis delivers Achilles armour so he can kill Hector. The women prepare Patroclus for burial. Achilles receives all he is promised to rejoin the fight. Achilles blames Briesei's for the death of his friend and the reason it all happened. Briese's grieves and wars with herself over it. She tries to understand but can't. 

She lost a dear friend. 

Achilles gory and gruesome progress across the battlefield.  The Troy loses and the women of the city suffer. The blood that is shed. Achilles continues to fight, he visits Patroclus every night and day. Achillie's finally kills Hector yet this doesn't help him at all. The celebration of the war being over. Briesies sneaks out and covers Hector's face as his body lays in the stable yard. 

Achilles gets a visit from Patroclus wher he pleads with him to bury his body. Achilles discovers Hector's covered body and losing his mind. He's outraged and is heard all over the compound. Achillie's has the funeral, the games. He gives Iphris away and this Briesei's hurt by losing her friend. Achillie's calls for Briesei's who is tormented by what is happening around her. He fails to have sex. She leaves fearing that she is headed towards the slave traders. 

Achilles continues to grieve. His desire to both fight and die. Briesei's view on Achillie's ever-growing grief. There intimate response and Priam appears leaving her worried about what this means. The king of Troy recognises her and it almost makes it worse for her.

Hector's body is taken to be washed and wrapped. Briesies and Achilles do it so as to keep Priam's suspicions away from it being disrespected. Hector is loaded into the cart with love. After cleaning the body she joins them for a drink, spends the rest of the night with Achilles and enjoys staying with him. 

The book allows us to see Priam's point of view, how he walked into the camp without anyone stopping him or noticing. Its a really good edge to the book. During his time there we see his effects on Briesies. She thinkings of fleeing with Priam, he refuses to take her with him. She sneaks into his cart with Hector's body then decides she doesn't want to flee. Priam during his time trying to get his son back always insists to see him. He's taken care of well by her. She sneaks back to his hut and Achilles want to know why she came back and she has no answer for him. 

Achilles has to be there for Ajax who is struggling with his own problems. Ghosts and demons of what he has done are tormenting him. Ajax's wife/slave tells Briesie how bad it has gotten. Catches Brieseis being sick and asks if she is carrying a baby and she is. She finally tells Achilles when he catches her. He makes preparation for when he dies. He finally finishes his song with her being there. He forces her to marry Alcimus. Achilles dies. 

Pyrrhus (Achilles son) joins them. He has come to fight alongside his father and is angry when he learns she has died. He is also in a state of shock. He butches Priam for his father's death. Briesies has to help with Achillie's offering to get back to their home safely. She tries to bear witness to Pryzena end. It makes her ill. Alcum does a kind thing for her mother, the former queen Hecuba. Burries Hector's son in his shield by his father. Briesis finds a sliver of freedom and peace with Alcum.

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Kristal McKerrington  

The First Earl I See Tonight By Anna Bennett Review

Hello all,

So let's dive into an arch that has a lot to offer us.

The First Earl I See Tonight

She needed a husband of convenience. She got her one true love instead. Miss Fiona Hartley's huge dowry should have ensured that finding a husband would be quick. True, she's a tad older than the average debutante, and spends too much time sketching brutally honest character portraits. She desperately needs a husband so she can access her dowry, lest the man blackmailing her reveals a secret that would ruin her family. So desperate in fact, that she's willing to do the unthinkable - propose marriage to the most surly, irritable gentleman in town. As a matter of principle, David Gray, the Earl of Somerdale, avoids two types of women: those who are obviously desperate, and those who are stark-raving mad. And it soundly appears Miss Fiona Hartley is both. Yet David can't help but be drawn to her, and gives her a test - if she can spend one week in his dilapidated estate - the same one that caused his previous fiancee to jilt him - then he'll consider her proposal. But as the week goes on, Fiona's refreshing wit find a way into his heart. What started out as a marriage of convenience has turned into love but will Fiona have him for the rest of her days?

Review 

Rating: 4/5 Stars 

What I expected: Overall I expected something like as well crafted as a Karen Marie Moning or Lesley Pearse. 

What I got: I got something I would expect from the Mills and Boon publisher. It felt like it wasn't in the right place, but I truly loved the story. I would be highly interested in seeing how the author develops the storyline.

10 pages in are gripping. 

50 pages in are enthralling. 

100 pages are easy to read. 

150 pages are so far really fun to read. 

200 pages in I feel amused. 

250 pages have a great twist in the pilot here. 

300 pages I fell in love. 

372 pages in, I just fell for this ending. 

Review with SPOILERS:

Fiona writes a proposal to Gray (Lord Ravenport) asking to marry him. In hopes of protecting her sister from the scandal, they are expecting. She doesn't feel that she can turn to anyone. She meets with Ravenport She finds herself begging for a minute of his time. They get rained out of the park and take shelter in his carriage. He dares her to kiss him and its an awkward kiss. She is desperate for him to consider the proposal and will do almost anything to get him to just think about the arrangement. 

Gray invites Fiona to the Fortress in hopes of putting her off or finding someone else for her to latch onto. Lord Ravenport stops by to invite them personally. Fiona sends flowers to herself along with poetry that has the women swooning. Lily thanks him for the flowers on her sister's behalf. During this part were learn about Lily's history with the family. The scandalous secret that Fiona is protecting. This takes place after they have been getting their dresses fittings. 

We learn more about Ravenport from his point of view. Fiona takes him aside where she apologises for bringing him in on the lie. Ravenport plots how to rid himself of her. The blackmailer sends another note before she leaves for the Fortress. 

Arriving at the Fortress, Lily tells Fiona how she isn't impressed by her surroundings or having to share a room with Fiona. Keeping the blackmail a secret becomes harder for Fiona so she decides to sketch in the garden. Gray has an explosive reaction to finding her drawing in the garden. She helps to see the beauty of his mermaid fountain.  This leads to their first proper passionate kiss. She loses the blackmailers note and must wait till morning to try to find it. She is a wreck with fear. 

Dinner becomes a mess. Mumma can't get by the flaws of the house. Fiona can't relax about the note. She excuses herself to search for the note. Ravenport stumbles upon her and helps her to look for what she tells him is an earring. He gets them a lantern. Fiona waits on a bench for him but falls asleep. She is awoken by Lord Pentcham. He asks her to go on a country drive with him, he says he would like to give her his lantern. Fiona's tired but acts otherwise. 

Fiona gives Ravenport a hard time at archery. He promises to make it up to her. A secret meeting in the library. He's eager for her to start sketching him. He's jealous about her spending time with the other Lords and Earl.  Fiona tries to seduce Gray and does. 

She has a conversation with his grandmother. Ravenport becomes withdrawn during their time there. Fiona goes to the village on an excursion where Mr Kirby pulls her aside. He gives her the note that he found and offers her his support. Gray miss reads the conversation and it leads him to feel new emotions. Fiona and Gray meet again in secret. They come to terms and secretly engaged. 

Sketching turns passionate, she loves her virginity. Fiona worries that he might have changed his mind. Learns of the arrival of Fiona's father. Learns of the ball that is to be held at the end of their stay. 

Fiona goes on a picnic where she climbs a rock to sketch. Lord Pentcham helps her carry her utensils up with her. Mr Kirby talks to her about the note and it's the last thing she wants to talk about. She is climbing back down when Gray arrives. Fiona falls due to his distraction. He helps her through the shock of the fall. He takes her back to the manor on horseback. Fiona shows her sketch to him. He's touched it's for his grandmother. Fears her wiggling her way into his heart and his grandmothers. Gray and Fiona make plans to go to the river. Sophia, Lily and other guests join them. Fiona fears Sophia's match with Sophia. She fears her marrying the wrong man. 

Grays Grandmother encourages her to talk to him about his past. He wants to be with her always. They go to the river together. Gray arrange some alone time with Fiona. She reveals her blackmail problem to Gray. They share and enjoy some intimate time together  Shows Fiona his rope swing, where he used to escape too. He shares his family history with her, his own scandalous secret. His trust issues. 

Fiona finishes the sketch and during her day getting ready for the ball discovers who her blackmailer is. None other than Gray's best friend Kirby. She is given her mothers necklace and it makes her feel like her mother is there. Mr Kirby threats to expose Lily and Gray's secret to the world. She has to leave Gray and sell her necklace in order to save them. Fiona is rattled by Lady Helene. She tries to call it off with Gray but they interrupted. They make love. All hell breaks loose in the ballroom. 

Lightning has nearly destroyed the ballroom with a fallen tree. Everyone is okay though. Lady Helene tries to steal the engagement announcement but Gray stops her. Fiona's father storms out of the room. He arranges for Fiona and him to leave in the middle of the night. When Gray re-bucks Lady Helene she lashes out at him. The ball comes to a rapid close. He makes Lily deliver a message to Fiona who still leaves. 

Lily leaves with Sophie and her stepmother in the morning. She tells him that he has to give Fiona time. He knows that she doesn't have time. Fiona tries to ask her mother for the money but is turned down when she can't tell him what its for. She tries to get her sketch and journal back from Gray's house. Gray discovers the note. He follows Kirby not able to believe what he was seeing. Gray ends up confronting Mr Kirby. 

Gray makes a public plea for Fiona in the paper by publishing her sketch of their hands with a poem. It sways her. He has proven he can love and be romantic. They get publically engaged. HearSay asks for Fiona's sketches weekly with a line or two of poem. She agrees. 

At the rope swing, she takes a leap of faith and it works out. His grandmothers touched by her sketch. They have a truly happy ending. 

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Kristal McKerrington 

The Hidden Bones (Hills & Barbrook) By Nicola Ford Review

Hello all,

Here is my first Arc review for Allison and Busby. I'm so excited to share this with you. It's been delayed with my two stays in the hospital. 

Let's get into this great book. 

The Hidden Bones (Hills & Barbrook)

Rating:4/5 

Following the recent death of her husband, Clare Hills is listless and unsure of her place in the world. When her former university friend Dr David Barbrook asks her to help him sift through the effects of deceased archaeologist Gerald Hart, she sees this as a useful distraction from her grief. During her search, Clare stumbles across the unpublished journals detailing Gerald's most glittering dig. Hidden from view for decades and supposedly destroyed in an arson attack, she cannot believe her luck. Finding the Hungerbourne Barrows archive is every archaeologist's dream. Determined to document Gerald's career-defining find for the public, Clare and David delve into his meticulously kept records of the excavation. But the dream suddenly becomes a nightmare as the pair unearth a disturbing discovery, putting them at the centre of a murder inquiry and in the path of a dangerous killer determined to bury the truth forever.

What I Was Expecting: With it being like the crime books in Shetland I expected a lot of culture in it. I wasn't sure how that the woman was going to bridge two different forms of looking or looking for the truth. I have grown up in a world where Viking sites were the primary focus in my old community so I wondered if that would be apart of it. 

What I Got: Such a great well thought out a book that managed to balance the archaeology and crime-fighting well. It felt like a fresh breath of air. She didn't lose me in the more technical parts of Clare's job. 

My Thoughts: I'm not sure how they are going to continue this on as a series. I am sure praying that they will allow me to review the arc for the rest of the series. I found I loved some of the different fonts that were used. 

Review: We meet Clare and Gerald right away as it drops us into the storyline. We learn about Hungerbourne and its surrounding moors history. We meet David Barbrook. Clare thinks a lot about him. She goes up into the loft to help clear out Gerald's manor. She finds the Hungerbourne digs achieve. The papers linked to it. Papers that were meant to have burned down in the garage fire.

Peter suggests Arason for the garage fire. That the silent calls to kill Gerald might have driven the man insane. Clare feels an instant connection to Gerald.

Muir and David are introduced even though Muir doesn't play a part in this book that much. There is much more on the history of David's struggles. We learn that people think of Muir as a runt. He's from Glasgow and people hate his customs. David is able to tell Muir that he got 15,000 pounds in funding for Hungerbourne. Muir is furious at David's success. When David floats doesn't help. The pair has a long history together.

Muir leaves David with a threat.

David lets Clare work on the project as a paid worker. Clare's grateful for the opportunity. Surprised by how much she's allowed to do. Keeps her mind of her husband's death, the mess he left behind that she must clean up.

Clare suggests bringing in a bone expert for the Urn. They speculate why Gerald stopped the dig and kept the finds from the British Heritage Association. The warning keeps coming back to them about the woe waters. They examine the finds together, they find an article in the times that have them questioning Gerald again. They travel to the British Museum.

David reveals his hopes to dig at Hungerbourne which leads to Clare questing one of the origins of the pieces. Embarrassing the Mesuem and David at the same time. The sundial isn't what is described in the notes or what is achieved. There is confusion in the museum has David questioning Clare. After a fashion and a long drawn out fight, David makes up with Clare. She's made no mistakes.

They decide to run down Mr Jevon who owned the field that the dig took place in. Clare and David find Mr Jevon's son who revels that his father found the dial. David stops in it with Clare again leaving her angry, really hurt by him.

After getting the names of the dig crew they set up a meeting with Margret Bockwell. Gerald's brother Jim had money issues that were often helped by Gerald. Clare finds out how to find Jim. She has dinner with Peter as she strikes out on her own. Her husband affairs torment her int he background of the story. SHe fears to deal with his mess alone.

Clare meets with Joyce Clifford who runs a BnB that she stays in for the night. Joyce still wears her wedding band. She's divorced from Jim Hard, Gerald's brother. Clarie reveals that she is also a widower. She's shocked to discover that Joyce was expecting her. Joyce pours them a drink and gets to the point. She fears that she is going to lose her BnB. Joyce reveals that she suffered domestic abuse at the hands of Jim Hart. Jim did not leave with Joyce. Jim owed someone big from what she knows.

She heard George and Jim arguing. Jim tries to calm George down. Gerald had been paying her for her silence. He feared another scandal.

David has breakfast with Sally Treen the woman who is meant to find the missing sundial. He has had a passionate night with her and enjoys her company. Clare remembers telling David she was getting married to Stephan and how he reacted in that memory.  Clare has dinner with Peter again as they have a heart to heart conversation. They discuss whether or not David and Clare have a history. They are friends and that is all.

Peter wants to help them with the missing sundial. George pushes Peters buttons as they make inquiries into it. They learn that the gold was fenced to pay Jim's debt off. He suggests they talk to Ed Jevons about the missing sundial. Peter's angry at how it all goes. He's learning things about his father he didn't want to learn. He didn't want to know anything about his father.

Inspector Sally tells David there is very little hope of finding the disc after so many years. They continue their intimate relationship nether the less.

The American bone expert arrives catching Clare off guard. They excavate the urn. They find a filling in the midst of the soil. Clare starts to understand why Gerald closed the dig and hid the findings. Jo and Clare believe they have found evidence to support Gerald killing Jim, then stashing in him the Urn.

David is livid about Jo and Clare's findings, he takes his anger out on Clare. Joe loses her contract and appears to be US-bound. She is still around long enough to learn that the corner rules an unlawful killing of Jim Hart.

Inspector Sally Troon has to take over the case and is given a hard time. Things are growing to a peek when Clare kisses Peters cheek outside the courthouse. David's longing after Clare even though he's sleeping with Sally. It doesn't stop them from starting the dig.

Margret Brookford joins them at the dig. Margaret gets drunk and falls down where she cuts her hand. She implies that she knows where the sundial is. Accuses her of watching Jim's cremation. She had. She tells them everything she saw. Reveals that there was someone else at the dig other than Gerald and Joyce. The dig suffers from bad weather and storms comes in. The money issues that are growing.

Another letter from her husband's lawyers pummels her.  Clare is determined to keep going and her fear of heights isn't going to stop her. She takes to talking photos of the dig site. Margaret inquiries about Clare future plans. Clare says that the business dealings that Stephen made were complicated and put her in a bad situation. Margaret comforts Clare, as she tells her that his accident was classed as suspicious. Clare wonders if this is her fault somehow. She wonders if it was suicide, she shares the letter with Margaret.

Clares heart breaks coming to the truth that Stephen was penniless at the time of his death. Margaret and Clare make a plan of action. They go through her assets. She learns he's remortgaged the house. Cashed in his life insurances. She hears that the police rule it as suicide. Margaret asks her why she got involved in the dig. Clare tells her its a way to get away from the pain of her loss.

Through Margaret's hotel room window, she sees someone up on the dig site. Margaret tells her she's an archaeologist all along. That is what she is to hang onto.

In the morning David and Clare clean off the paint from the tea hut that the intruder from last night left behind. Clare tries to get him to take the threat seriously. She tells him that she is selling her the Mazda. He's horrified, she is embarrassed over what Stephen has done. She finds that she can't confide in David about Stephen. All attempts to escape her pain fails.

David calls Jo and asks her to look up an article in the times called "Woe Waters". He tells her not to tell that Clare has asked her to do this.

The platform that Clare's using to take pictures gives way under Clare. She scolds herself for peeing herself but it turns out to be blood. Clare gets wedged in the platform, Ed Jevons takes risks to get Clare out. After a fashion, he manages it, but there is something off about him. Ed compares Clare to a cow. Clare is taken to the hospital and held overnight. She suffered cuts and a dislocated shoulder.

David blames himself for Clare's accident. Ed tells David to burn the wood. He wants to check it out for himself.

Geroge Clifford has a neat garden when David pays him a visit as Clare rests with Margaret. It turns out that most of the village detests him. They notice huge differences between his wives. George dismisses his wife. George has to contact DI Treen. He asks repeatedly if he sees his first wife. H doesn't. Peggy changed her name, at the time of the first dig was mixed with both brothers. Jim told George about the affair when he had been drunk.

George remembers seeing Ed Jevons running from the pyre at the time it was burning. He saw the smoke, then guesses the whole town could see it.

Jo finds proof the dig has been targetted before and is being now. Clare doesn't think it was an accident that she went through the wooden planks. Margaret takes charge of Clare, sets up a room for her. She tends to keep an eye on her and check out the photograph tower for herself. Clare slowly recovers. She confesses her beliefs someone tried to kill her. She believes it's the same person who killed Jim, she doesn't think it was Gerald.

She thinks Peter doesn't believe her and Peter discovers Gerald had the archive moved. Paid extra for a moving team to move the archive than to stay quiet. He made sure it was done at night so there were no questions asked. Gerald's dig is being investigated by Peter who wants to know what happened. He started to look into it because the fire didn't make sense. Peter thinks that he had the fire to cremate Jim further.

Clare shares a drink with Ed who reveals that he was close to Gerald for years. He had been in on Jim and Clifford's scheme to steal the sundial. Assumes Jim gave it to Gerald before being murdered.

Jo starts work at the dig on full project pay. She tells Clare about her concerns after everything she has learned. Jo thinks David hired her to watch over Clare. H's worried about her and so is Jo. They settle on having a cup of tea.

A bowie knife turns up in the old Hart trench. It's bagged and ordered to b on Clare's desk. She realises Jenny's having a rough time of it. The girls goes out of her way to not help herself. She thinks there is nothing that can be done. The students seem fed up. The students getting a day off.

Clare an Jo pay George Clifford a visit instead of busing the students around. Gerald informs her that he has spoken to DI Sally Treen. This baffles the pair. Gerald tells her it's not the damaged one they stole. They both find Gerald creepy. Jo suggests DI Sally Treen might be right. The wonder if Jim had help.

Jenny remembers the last few weeks. She shares a drink with a stranger. Jenny turns up dead in the canal.  When she is found the police says she smelt heavily of booze. Di Sally Treen can't understand people refusing to see that Gerald killed Jim.

Jenny's death makes the national papers much to the dread of David. Clare and David are aware that they are running out of time at the dig.

Ed Jevon gets DI Sally Treen up to speed on what they know so far.

Clare goes to get the site plans so they will be able to make the most of their time.

David goes with Jo. She rips her jacket. David gives her Clare's old waterproof. Joe loses the keys. David has to leave her at the dig. Jo plans to walk back to the pub. She secures the camp and leaves the site. Jo's ran over by diesel 4x4. Ed and Margaret share a drink. Clare joins them. She worries about too. Margaret and Ed reassure her.

Clare and the group go to see Jo at the hospital. She has a broken leg, ribs and skull fracture.

They suspect a drunk driver. Clare and David pay Estelle a visit Clare lays out how the Killers are after her. Because she is taking to find the missive gold. The story points out Jim was abusive, he beat, abused verbally abused her. He started to threaten Peter. Estelle confesses to killing Jim in self-defence. Clare presses for where the sundial is now. She states the sundial was missing before the fight. They were a pair.

Estelle worries Peter needed a dad figure. David reassures Clare.

There is a large discussion about the dig.

Gerald faked the fire after David's letter showed up. He feels guilty. They decide it's not Estelle trying to kill Clare or the others. So they keep her secret.

David feels bound to Clare through the secret. Clare brings the bowie knife to David not the knife that she was told was used by Estelle. David tells her to stick with the plan they have made.

Clare takes the dig reports to the site. David tells her that it wasn't an accident what happened to her. She tells him about how Jo told her that the bowie knife is not the murder weapon. That Jo had tested the theories show that the bread knife was not the knife that killed Jim.

She is tormented by the desire to want a family.

Clare confronts Peter with her suspicions. This is after Peter tells her all that she remembers. He's not her attempted murderer. David turns up with the police and Clare asks Peter to tell the police what he knows. DI Sally Treen is smug when she makes the arrest. Clare hands over the murder weapon. Clare has a flashback about Stephen.

Margaret talks sense into Clare about Peter. They are deep into this conversation when Ed Jevon's turns up drunk. Ed confronts Clare and Margaret. Ed is arrested after he goes to attack Clare by DI Sally Treen.

Peter is interviewed by DI Sally Treen who implicates Ed as a witness to his father's murder. He denies the attempts on Clare. He shows worry and concern for Clare.

Clare tries to take her mind off by examining flint findings in the area. She discovers that Ed uses to collect for the Reverand in his old age. Clare thinks she has found something. The sundial name after the son, not the father. Clare heads to the dig to meet David. Ed pays David a visit as David finds the missing sundial. Ed demands he hands it over. David refuses leading Ed knocking David out with the barrel of his shotgun.

Clare goes to the site seeking David. Clare leaves believing Ed is lying to her. Clare calls DI Sally Treen and ends up leaving a message. Clare returns to the dig where she sees Ed dragging David's limp body. Ed helps Clare after she falls in the supplies shed. He attacks Clare leaving her unconscious.

Clare comes around where Ed makes her assemble a Molotov cocktail. David comes around in time and wrestles Ed for the shotgun. It goes off. Margaret gives aid to Ed who was injured in the blast. He has serious injuries to his face and arm. Ed's charged with murder and attempted murder. Peter's released.

Peter donates his time and money to research, calling it the Hart Foundation.

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Kristal 

7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Tuton Review

Hello All,

We have a book from NetGallery to review today and I can't wait to see what other thoughts that you all might have had on it. I was surprised. I hope that this will help you make up your mind to read or not.

7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

A brilliantly original high concept murder mystery from a fantastic new talent: Gosford Park meets Inception, by way of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror

One of Stylist Magazine's 20 Must-Read Books of 2018
One of Harper's Bazaar's 10 Must-Read Books of 2018
One of Marie Claire, Australia's 10 Books You Absolutely Have to Read in 2018

'Somebody's going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won't appear to be a murder and so the murderer won't be caught. Rectify that injustice and I'll show you the way out.'

It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.

But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden - one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party - can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.

The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath...

4/5 stars

What I Was Expecting: A great murder mystery that would stand out from the rest of the crime, thriller and suspense market. I was thinking it was a time travel kind of story when I read the sample. 

What I Got: A "who done it" unlike any other and one that I recommend to all those who like a good "who" did it. 

My Thoughts: A fast-paced novel with so many minds, history and characters that I had to keep notes because I couldn't get my head around what was happening all the time. That is the warning I think should be in the book before people buy it. 

Review: We start with an introduction to Sebastian Bell, there is an instant mystery about a girl called Anna. Why he witnessed the death of a woman. Being ill an questioning himself a great deal. He explores the grounds he wakes up in. A nervous yet compassionate character is where we start as I said there is a lot of characters we are going to meet. 

Sebastian goes on a walk with Evelyn Hardcastle, where he discovers he's a drug dealer. Eve and Seb discover a crime scene where a dead rabbit ends up to being a present from someone known as the Footman. 

We jump into Roger Collin's whos known as the butler for the rest of the book. The person in the butler isn't Roger rather someone else. He's attacked and who believes that he's not the butler. The butler is attacked by the character called Gregory Gold. 

We jump characters again when he meets the Plague doctor. He works out the Plague doctor is at the heart of all of this. He's told he must solve a murder in order to be set free of a recurring day. 

The next character we meet is Donald Davies who attempts to escape Blackheath refusing to take part in this game. He's introduced to two rivals to this contest to be released. In a blink of an eye, he finds himself shift into another character. 

Waking up in Ravencourt. A character he instantly hates due to the size of his body and Aiden who the man inside him is ashamed of. He learns the strange rules to this mystery. He has to spend a full day in the different people's bodies. 

He learns about Evelyn's desire to die. Despite the hard time I had to keep up with this book I did think the point of view jumping was interesting. He finds Lord Hardcastle's chat with Daniel interesting and he thinks it gives him a lead. He tries to warn Evelyn but discovers that she already knows. He's threatened and feels utterly useless. He feels no closer to the answer. 

Desperate he blackmails Cunningham to help discover more. He meets Anna the girl he's been searching for. She gives him his whole name "Aiden Bishop". Derby gives up no leads what so ever. The book that held a lot of answers is destroyed. 

Cunningham reveals a scandal that surrounds this family that Ravencourts marrying into. Note of warning Evelyn of Derby. Evelyn dies at the pool and he's forced to watch. Ravencourt witnesses the whole thing. 

Anna and Aiden have a plan to get out together. Aiden experience as Johnathan Derby. Derby slaps the cook and meets with Doctor Dickie who is crooked. He learns more about his plan to leave this place with Anna, feels close to her. They build trust in each other. 

Aiden's host Derby is summoned by Mr Stanwin, while waiting he hears Evelyn screaming. Mr Stanwin prevents Derby from checking on her. Thre's a letter that Eve needs. Derby goes to extreme lengths to heart there conversation. Aiden fears his own chat with Stanwin. 

He learns to command each host and what each one offers him. 

A) Derby is flightly

B) Bell is a coward

C) Ravencourt is ruthless. 

D) Dance is logical

E) Rochester is a detectives mind. 

Derby just escapes a beating and Stanwin threatens his mother. Aiden learns that Anna will betray him after another visit from the Plague doctor. Anna is supposed to remember more than she is letting on. He discovers that Dickie has the murder weapon. 

He searches Evelyn's room only it's fruitless. Derby desires are shocking to Aiden. Derby learns about his mother's death and it crushes him. He isn't allowed to grieve. Instead, a short conversation follows with Evelyn. He watches Evelyn die all over again. 

Derby fights the Footman and is killed 

Aiden wakes up and walks in an old man's body's and Gold warns him to not get out of the carriage. Aiden is returned to the butler. Seconds later he's in the old man body called Dance. He has a plan to end the blackmail with his three best friends. He announces Evelyn's brother's murder was not the Lord's idea. Aiden sways the group to take Daniels offer of doing him one favour. 

Helene Hardcastle has made Ravencourt swear that he will never put his hands on Evelyn. Helene sees this as a punishment, her affair with Charlie Carver. Cunningham is Helene's child and Charlie the father. Helene's secret, reputation is why he's being blackmailed. This forces Aiden to confront Anna. 

Aiden and Anna make a new plan to save Evelyn. They all will get out. They set up a trap for the Footman using the notebook that Anna got, Aiden uses it to make the graveyard plan work, he confronts Dickie and fins himself in an uncomfortable situation as Dance. He learns Lady Hardcastle's acting strangely. Her behaviour started the year before, meeting with the Plague doctor Aiden hopes to learn more. He feels like he is losing himself. 

The Footman swears to murder all of Aiden's hosts. Stawin is killed by Daniel He's shocked when he learns about his future selves behaviour. Must stop his future self from leaving He searches for Stawin reveals a book of a decoder and the letters. 

They hope Aiden Bishop wakes up and it's just a bad dream with no consequences for what they have done. 

Anna betrays Aiden getting host and the butler killed. Aiden learns he murdered Anna in a different loop. He wants to trust her and is reluctant to follow her but does. Anna and Aid start to put the pieces of the future events in place. Grace derails Aiden's new host as he learns about Davies.  He pays Stanwin a visit as Rochester. He discovers who killed Thomas's killer.

He follows Daniel and uncovers the partnership between him, the Footman and another Plague doctor called Silver Tear. He visits the lake to understand Evelyn's own actions. He robs bell with Charlie and Grace. Rochester finds Anna and Peter Hardcastle. Peter's dead and he suspects Evelyn. 

Rochester discovers Evelyn's plans. The Footman attacks Rochester in Helen's room. Rochester joins Evelyn's plan. The original Plague doctor isn't happy about the other one. Rochester believes he's worked out it all out. He hopes his plan works. 

Michael reveals himself to the killer after trying to shoot Eve in the sunroom when he discovers that she is actually alive. Rochester ends the charade even gets an offer of a bribe of sorts. Michael wants to know how Rochester figure all this out. Rochester reveals the revolvers. Micheal drinks the remains of Evelyn's drink. Rochester watches Michael die after saving Evelyn. 

The Footman finds him and kills him, he wakes up again in Davies carriage. Davies retrieves a shotgun and runs into Daniel. He's confronted by Daniel and Silver Tear at the lake, the other Plague doctor is there. The real Plague doctor appears and confronts them. Silver Tear starts shooting. Aiden tackles Daniel and a fight breaks out. Silver Tear is shot by Lucy Harper,. He chases Daniel to the Lake's edge. Another fight ensues. Donald drowns and Anna tries to save him. He dies anyway. 

Wakes up next to Madeline Dupert, after a fashion he think's he's Gold. Aiden solves the murder, It's Michael. Only he's left fighting for Anna. He argues with the Plague doctor intensely. He's in a prison world to change the prisoners of their evil traits. Anna committed a crime to be there. He's come here for vengeance for his tortured sister who Anna killed and humiliated. He's been torturing Anna for 30 years. 

Plague doctor unmasks and looks like he's in his late 50s. Plague doctor is called Oliver. Anna committed many murders and destruction over many nations. He still argues for her. He is given his memories back of his sister. It almost crushes him. Implies there's a second killer and that's Anna's ticket out. He arranges to meet Oliver there to prove it. 11 pm at the boat shed. 

Plays out the day as it should happen. Aiden betrays Donald, Madeline draws a gun on Anna. Should have ended in my opinion at ninety per cent. Opening the chapter 59 does not make sense. They unmask Evelyn as a killer. Anna tells Aiden to never come back and tries to save him. Felicity kills Evelyn. Anna's set free so she can start afresh with Aiden. 

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Thank you for stopping by and come back to tell me what you think of the books reviewed here. 

Kristal