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A Good Woman
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*Amazon: £9.92
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Love All
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*Amazon: £7.40
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 Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
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Rogue
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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*Amazon: £11.20
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
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Product Description
The third volume of his six-volume fantasy epic A Song of Ice and Fire, A Storm of Swords continues Martin's vigorous account of the civil wars which follow the death of King Robert, the usurper who deposed a dynasty gone mad and dangerous, and the judicial murder by his widow and heir of Ned Stark, the man who made him king. The surviving Stark children are scattered--Robb leading revolt in the North, Arya learning hard lessons as she treks through the war zone, Sansa an observer of court intrigue, crippled Bran heading towards a sorcerous destiny, Jon engaged in desperate defence of the icewall against barbarians and worse things. Daenerys, pretender and ruler of dragons, is building an empire elsewhere. And characters we have thought of as villains, notably Jaime Kingslayer, are developing belated consciences ... Martin keeps on upping the ante of violence and betrayal in this compelling saga of a fantasy middle ages soiled with blood and mud; his economic use of magic and his fascination with complex characters make this the sword-and-sorcery series for people with adult taste. As the series proceeds, his writing gets ever leaner and sharper, the evocation of the magical ever more sinister. --Roz Kaveney
Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
Fantastic Fantasy, 21 Apr 2008
These books are just intense and wonderful and gripping and deep and they move you at every level!! I LOVE them.
Oh and Tyrion is the best character EVER.
Brilliant, 21 Nov 2007
George R R Martin is at least mostly a genius. His plots are excellent - complex, slightly confusing and thoroughly engaging - made even more so by the juggling act he performs in having the story told from between six and ten characters' points of view. This is something I love - you get to the end of a chapter, feel let down by having to leave one character's journey only to find yourself smack bang in the middle of a story you didn't want to leave three chapters before.
But perhaps the best thing about Martin's writing is his unwillingness to do what is expected. No, it's not that what he writes is necessarily unexpected (although it sometimes is), it's that he doesn't write what you want to happen. Throughout the series, he is perfectly willing to write what happens regardless of any attachments, expectations or hopes his readers may have. And it is in this book that it comes to a head. The emotional reaction I associate most with Martin's writing is one which occurs usually once in each book, but uncomfortably more often than that here - is a gut wrenching sense of disbelief. An almost physical reaction of disappointment or surprise. Martin doesn't really deal in emotional impact in any other ways - other than these moments of disbelief the plot is exciting and free-flowing, and provokes a real interest in the characters and their stories.
A thoroughly recommended read. But make sure you start at the beginning...
Steel and Snow, 26 Apr 2007
Following on directly from (and, as Martin's note on chronology informs us, sometimes simultaneously with) A Clash of Kings, this is the first half of book three of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Steel and Snow begins at a far more exciting pace than the two books before it, and it never really slows down. It is full of the wonderful character development, powerful but subtle fantasy, unexpected twists and turns, and beautiful writing of 'Thrones and 'Kings, but with book three being split into two volumes, the pages seem to turn all the more quickly. Steel and Snow also includes some surprises in which characters are given chapters -- Jaime Lannister hardly gave the impression of being main character material in the previous books, but Jaime's chapters are some of the most enjoyable here. This is a true page turner, and will grab you in much the same way as the rest of this series.
Some of the foreboding fantastical elements that have remained subtle and behind-the-scenes in the series so far are made more apparent here, and the book is all the better for them. It certainly feels like more of a fantasy tale than 'Thrones did, though thankfully the edge to Martin's writing is never lost from word to word... and nor does the characterisation suffer. For those who enjoyed the previous books, this is a real treat (and no doubt something of a relief; it must have been difficult to imagine this writing equaling the closing chapters of 'Kings) -- I hesitate to say it's better than those books, but it certainly goes by more quickly. Indeed, its page by page brilliance is only really matched by the second part of book three, Blood and Gold.
Lost sleep, 14 Feb 2007
This book is the best in the series by far. I read the first in the series of George Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I was blown away by it. So much so I wrote a review here on Amazon to exult it to those considering buying it. I have now read Book 1, 2, 3 part 1 and this book, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold, Book 3 Part 2. I was let down by book 2 and 3 part 1, they were good but not great and if I tried to write a review I could not because the plot all amalgamated into a fuzzy series of events that I think should have been shortened down. However this book makes up for the previous 2 completely. It is a fantastic read and truly insomnia-inflicting! I could not put this book down virtually till I finished it. There are more twists and turns in this book than any of the previous. Events that were dragged out in the previous two are teetered over the edge and thrown off into a thundering development that you cannot help but get swept up in. Remarkably characters that were evil redeem themselves, characters that were good frustrate and annoy the reader.
Martin's use of the written language makes him a master at his craft and can slow or pick up the pace at will and completely manipulate your emotions. If you are reading this review then I presume that you have read at least the first one in the series 'A game of Thrones' therefore I wont summarise the plot incase I ruin it for anyone.
If by book 3 part 1 your getting a little stuck in the mud from the length of the story and the lack of significant movement then please read on because it is worth it to reach this far.
A marked improvement over the last episode, 13 Oct 2006
"A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow" is the first part of the third book of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series (stick with me here). After the excellent first volume (A Game of Thrones), the somewhat disappointing second (A Clash of Kings) meant that for me, Martin had a bit of catching up to do in this one. I am pleased to say that this is a more than satisfactory continuation of the saga.
My intro suggests that there is nothing wrong with this book, but as I stated in my previous review, a 5 star book has to be one of my favourites. While this is a very good book, there are a few things that stop it hitting the heights.
Firstly, the chapters again follow a specific character and although this works better than in "A Clash of Kings", the one problem I had with it here was that a number of the featured characters have quite a small part in this book and as such, the amount of time between their chapters meant that it was quite difficult to remember where they got to and what had happened to them. I often found myself looking back to the previous instalment to refresh my memory, which obviously impacts the flow.
My second issue was also a good indication of how goods the book gets. The last few chapters really ramp up the suspense and action and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. Then suddenly, I turned over only to be confronted by the Appendices, which take up a rather hefty 50 pages or so. Although I really enjoyed the story, hitting this situation invoked an even bigger feeling of anti-climax than is usual when reading a good book.
The only other item (more of an irritation than a problem) was that Robb Stark, who has generally been seen as the "good guy" basically had more and more things go wrong, with very little respite. I have never been one to insist that a book be happy and indeed enjoy a good tragedy, but the fact that the "hero" (if there is such a thing in Martin's story) had everything go wrong, seemed to be a bit too depressing for me. I understand that the tragedies a character encounters make their redemption all the sweeter, but it just seemed a little too much.
Anyway, enough of the bad... Here's what I liked. I have always enjoyed Jon's and Arya's stories and they made up a lot of the backbone of this book and with good result. They were exciting and contained a nice balance of good and bad. Tyrion is, as always, an excellent source of amusement with his wit and self-depreciation and I like the fact that he kind and ruthless sides. Funnily enough, each book increases the number of characters that blame Tyrion for their mishaps or bad luck and for an unaccountable reason, I find this very amusing. I am sure that by the end of the series, he will have been blamed for all the woes of the world.
My favourite character has become Daenerys. She has been through a lot of hardship and has really earnt the position she has attained. Again, she shows a very human side (when quite clearly she is much more than that... Mother of Dragons, etc.), but also initiates and condones some moments of real brutality and ruthlessness. What I particularly like about the character is that whatever she does, it is borne out of necessity and in this way she reminds me of another great, strong female lead in the mould of Mara of the Acoma (leading lady in the excellent Empire series by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts). It is good to see another fantasy book where a main character is a strong and moral lady striving to succeed, rather than another muscle-bound warrior.
As a page-turner, this has been the best of the series and I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it when the only time I get is my train journey to work. When I finished this one, I immediately bought Book 3: Part 2 and the early signs are that it will be just as good. The series as a whole has an excellent balance between success and failure, humour and drama and adult themes and fanciful things. The duality of the characters is still one of the strong points of the saga and the writing encourages you to read "just one more chapter".
I will be writing a review for part 2 and if this one is any guide, this could be sooner than you think.
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Amazing Grace
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £3.06
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
Fantastic Fantasy, 21 Apr 2008
These books are just intense and wonderful and gripping and deep and they move you at every level!! I LOVE them.
Oh and Tyrion is the best character EVER.
Brilliant, 21 Nov 2007
George R R Martin is at least mostly a genius. His plots are excellent - complex, slightly confusing and thoroughly engaging - made even more so by the juggling act he performs in having the story told from between six and ten characters' points of view. This is something I love - you get to the end of a chapter, feel let down by having to leave one character's journey only to find yourself smack bang in the middle of a story you didn't want to leave three chapters before.
But perhaps the best thing about Martin's writing is his unwillingness to do what is expected. No, it's not that what he writes is necessarily unexpected (although it sometimes is), it's that he doesn't write what you want to happen. Throughout the series, he is perfectly willing to write what happens regardless of any attachments, expectations or hopes his readers may have. And it is in this book that it comes to a head. The emotional reaction I associate most with Martin's writing is one which occurs usually once in each book, but uncomfortably more often than that here - is a gut wrenching sense of disbelief. An almost physical reaction of disappointment or surprise. Martin doesn't really deal in emotional impact in any other ways - other than these moments of disbelief the plot is exciting and free-flowing, and provokes a real interest in the characters and their stories.
A thoroughly recommended read. But make sure you start at the beginning...
Steel and Snow, 26 Apr 2007
Following on directly from (and, as Martin's note on chronology informs us, sometimes simultaneously with) A Clash of Kings, this is the first half of book three of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Steel and Snow begins at a far more exciting pace than the two books before it, and it never really slows down. It is full of the wonderful character development, powerful but subtle fantasy, unexpected twists and turns, and beautiful writing of 'Thrones and 'Kings, but with book three being split into two volumes, the pages seem to turn all the more quickly. Steel and Snow also includes some surprises in which characters are given chapters -- Jaime Lannister hardly gave the impression of being main character material in the previous books, but Jaime's chapters are some of the most enjoyable here. This is a true page turner, and will grab you in much the same way as the rest of this series.
Some of the foreboding fantastical elements that have remained subtle and behind-the-scenes in the series so far are made more apparent here, and the book is all the better for them. It certainly feels like more of a fantasy tale than 'Thrones did, though thankfully the edge to Martin's writing is never lost from word to word... and nor does the characterisation suffer. For those who enjoyed the previous books, this is a real treat (and no doubt something of a relief; it must have been difficult to imagine this writing equaling the closing chapters of 'Kings) -- I hesitate to say it's better than those books, but it certainly goes by more quickly. Indeed, its page by page brilliance is only really matched by the second part of book three, Blood and Gold.
Lost sleep, 14 Feb 2007
This book is the best in the series by far. I read the first in the series of George Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I was blown away by it. So much so I wrote a review here on Amazon to exult it to those considering buying it. I have now read Book 1, 2, 3 part 1 and this book, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold, Book 3 Part 2. I was let down by book 2 and 3 part 1, they were good but not great and if I tried to write a review I could not because the plot all amalgamated into a fuzzy series of events that I think should have been shortened down. However this book makes up for the previous 2 completely. It is a fantastic read and truly insomnia-inflicting! I could not put this book down virtually till I finished it. There are more twists and turns in this book than any of the previous. Events that were dragged out in the previous two are teetered over the edge and thrown off into a thundering development that you cannot help but get swept up in. Remarkably characters that were evil redeem themselves, characters that were good frustrate and annoy the reader.
Martin's use of the written language makes him a master at his craft and can slow or pick up the pace at will and completely manipulate your emotions. If you are reading this review then I presume that you have read at least the first one in the series 'A game of Thrones' therefore I wont summarise the plot incase I ruin it for anyone.
If by book 3 part 1 your getting a little stuck in the mud from the length of the story and the lack of significant movement then please read on because it is worth it to reach this far.
A marked improvement over the last episode, 13 Oct 2006
"A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow" is the first part of the third book of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series (stick with me here). After the excellent first volume (A Game of Thrones), the somewhat disappointing second (A Clash of Kings) meant that for me, Martin had a bit of catching up to do in this one. I am pleased to say that this is a more than satisfactory continuation of the saga.
My intro suggests that there is nothing wrong with this book, but as I stated in my previous review, a 5 star book has to be one of my favourites. While this is a very good book, there are a few things that stop it hitting the heights.
Firstly, the chapters again follow a specific character and although this works better than in "A Clash of Kings", the one problem I had with it here was that a number of the featured characters have quite a small part in this book and as such, the amount of time between their chapters meant that it was quite difficult to remember where they got to and what had happened to them. I often found myself looking back to the previous instalment to refresh my memory, which obviously impacts the flow.
My second issue was also a good indication of how goods the book gets. The last few chapters really ramp up the suspense and action and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. Then suddenly, I turned over only to be confronted by the Appendices, which take up a rather hefty 50 pages or so. Although I really enjoyed the story, hitting this situation invoked an even bigger feeling of anti-climax than is usual when reading a good book.
The only other item (more of an irritation than a problem) was that Robb Stark, who has generally been seen as the "good guy" basically had more and more things go wrong, with very little respite. I have never been one to insist that a book be happy and indeed enjoy a good tragedy, but the fact that the "hero" (if there is such a thing in Martin's story) had everything go wrong, seemed to be a bit too depressing for me. I understand that the tragedies a character encounters make their redemption all the sweeter, but it just seemed a little too much.
Anyway, enough of the bad... Here's what I liked. I have always enjoyed Jon's and Arya's stories and they made up a lot of the backbone of this book and with good result. They were exciting and contained a nice balance of good and bad. Tyrion is, as always, an excellent source of amusement with his wit and self-depreciation and I like the fact that he kind and ruthless sides. Funnily enough, each book increases the number of characters that blame Tyrion for their mishaps or bad luck and for an unaccountable reason, I find this very amusing. I am sure that by the end of the series, he will have been blamed for all the woes of the world.
My favourite character has become Daenerys. She has been through a lot of hardship and has really earnt the position she has attained. Again, she shows a very human side (when quite clearly she is much more than that... Mother of Dragons, etc.), but also initiates and condones some moments of real brutality and ruthlessness. What I particularly like about the character is that whatever she does, it is borne out of necessity and in this way she reminds me of another great, strong female lead in the mould of Mara of the Acoma (leading lady in the excellent Empire series by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts). It is good to see another fantasy book where a main character is a strong and moral lady striving to succeed, rather than another muscle-bound warrior.
As a page-turner, this has been the best of the series and I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it when the only time I get is my train journey to work. When I finished this one, I immediately bought Book 3: Part 2 and the early signs are that it will be just as good. The series as a whole has an excellent balance between success and failure, humour and drama and adult themes and fanciful things. The duality of the characters is still one of the strong points of the saga and the writing encourages you to read "just one more chapter".
I will be writing a review for part 2 and if this one is any guide, this could be sooner than you think.
filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope., 04 Feb 2008
I picked up Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel, I had not expected it to be much more than a semi-interesting read. However, with every page turn, I became more and more attached to the novel's heroine, and actually found it very difficult to put the book down. Since reading this book, I have highly recommended it to all my girlfriends. It's a interesting look of a major disaster, about life, love and friendship filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope. I'd also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
Promising synopsis, but disappointing, 21 Nov 2007
After a promising synopsis, "Amazing Grace" was a great disappointment.
The main characters are interesting enough: Beautiful socialite wife and mother Sarah happily married to finance wizard Seth. Megastar singer Melanie and her overpowering ambitious mother. Bright young redtop Sister Maggie, nurse and nun. And restless, rootless alcoholized (saved by the AA) former war correspondent Everett. During a major earthquake in San Francisco, the lives of these people are intertwined and their destinies changed forever.
There is surely enough material for a very interesting story when so many lives change direction. However, through Danielle Steel's pen only the surface is skimmed, the easiest and most likely solutions chosen. Most of what happens is given early in the book, and the lack of intrigue and digging deeper into the characters' minds and feelings make the book boring and predictable.
Even the earthquake itself, a disaster of huge dimensions, seems more like a well organized event than a tragedy craving the lives and homes of thousands. We are told what happens but somehow not convinced. Popstar Melanie's search for a meaningful life is a beautiful thought but somehow the convert does not ring through. Maggie's destiny is apparent the moment she meets Everett. The only hint of uncertainty regards Sarah and Seth's relationship. The book puts up the slightest questionmark, which allows for a tiny bit of page-turning in order to find out.
Having been a fan of Danielle Steel's for years, I know she can do better than this. She will certainly be back.
Entertaining start but sloppy finish...., 19 Nov 2007
I have been a fan of Steele's for years, and consider her books a guilty pleasure. So don't pick up one of her novels in hopes of reading the great literature. With that said I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is not her best effort. I give it three stars as if you're a fan you'll still want to read the book but it is going to leave you a little hungry. This time out the story revolves around a San Francisco bay are earth quake and how it effects the lives of three successful and of course beautiful woman. The story starts off strong and quickly pilled me in, but I thought it lost focus towards the end. The typical Steele Romance is there but I did not feel connected to the characters. This is one you may want to wait for paperback. Oh, for a quirky romance I have to recommend "Across the High Lonesome" don't judge this book by the cover!
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
Fantastic Fantasy, 21 Apr 2008
These books are just intense and wonderful and gripping and deep and they move you at every level!! I LOVE them.
Oh and Tyrion is the best character EVER.
Brilliant, 21 Nov 2007
George R R Martin is at least mostly a genius. His plots are excellent - complex, slightly confusing and thoroughly engaging - made even more so by the juggling act he performs in having the story told from between six and ten characters' points of view. This is something I love - you get to the end of a chapter, feel let down by having to leave one character's journey only to find yourself smack bang in the middle of a story you didn't want to leave three chapters before.
But perhaps the best thing about Martin's writing is his unwillingness to do what is expected. No, it's not that what he writes is necessarily unexpected (although it sometimes is), it's that he doesn't write what you want to happen. Throughout the series, he is perfectly willing to write what happens regardless of any attachments, expectations or hopes his readers may have. And it is in this book that it comes to a head. The emotional reaction I associate most with Martin's writing is one which occurs usually once in each book, but uncomfortably more often than that here - is a gut wrenching sense of disbelief. An almost physical reaction of disappointment or surprise. Martin doesn't really deal in emotional impact in any other ways - other than these moments of disbelief the plot is exciting and free-flowing, and provokes a real interest in the characters and their stories.
A thoroughly recommended read. But make sure you start at the beginning...
Steel and Snow, 26 Apr 2007
Following on directly from (and, as Martin's note on chronology informs us, sometimes simultaneously with) A Clash of Kings, this is the first half of book three of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Steel and Snow begins at a far more exciting pace than the two books before it, and it never really slows down. It is full of the wonderful character development, powerful but subtle fantasy, unexpected twists and turns, and beautiful writing of 'Thrones and 'Kings, but with book three being split into two volumes, the pages seem to turn all the more quickly. Steel and Snow also includes some surprises in which characters are given chapters -- Jaime Lannister hardly gave the impression of being main character material in the previous books, but Jaime's chapters are some of the most enjoyable here. This is a true page turner, and will grab you in much the same way as the rest of this series.
Some of the foreboding fantastical elements that have remained subtle and behind-the-scenes in the series so far are made more apparent here, and the book is all the better for them. It certainly feels like more of a fantasy tale than 'Thrones did, though thankfully the edge to Martin's writing is never lost from word to word... and nor does the characterisation suffer. For those who enjoyed the previous books, this is a real treat (and no doubt something of a relief; it must have been difficult to imagine this writing equaling the closing chapters of 'Kings) -- I hesitate to say it's better than those books, but it certainly goes by more quickly. Indeed, its page by page brilliance is only really matched by the second part of book three, Blood and Gold.
Lost sleep, 14 Feb 2007
This book is the best in the series by far. I read the first in the series of George Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I was blown away by it. So much so I wrote a review here on Amazon to exult it to those considering buying it. I have now read Book 1, 2, 3 part 1 and this book, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold, Book 3 Part 2. I was let down by book 2 and 3 part 1, they were good but not great and if I tried to write a review I could not because the plot all amalgamated into a fuzzy series of events that I think should have been shortened down. However this book makes up for the previous 2 completely. It is a fantastic read and truly insomnia-inflicting! I could not put this book down virtually till I finished it. There are more twists and turns in this book than any of the previous. Events that were dragged out in the previous two are teetered over the edge and thrown off into a thundering development that you cannot help but get swept up in. Remarkably characters that were evil redeem themselves, characters that were good frustrate and annoy the reader.
Martin's use of the written language makes him a master at his craft and can slow or pick up the pace at will and completely manipulate your emotions. If you are reading this review then I presume that you have read at least the first one in the series 'A game of Thrones' therefore I wont summarise the plot incase I ruin it for anyone.
If by book 3 part 1 your getting a little stuck in the mud from the length of the story and the lack of significant movement then please read on because it is worth it to reach this far.
A marked improvement over the last episode, 13 Oct 2006
"A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow" is the first part of the third book of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series (stick with me here). After the excellent first volume (A Game of Thrones), the somewhat disappointing second (A Clash of Kings) meant that for me, Martin had a bit of catching up to do in this one. I am pleased to say that this is a more than satisfactory continuation of the saga.
My intro suggests that there is nothing wrong with this book, but as I stated in my previous review, a 5 star book has to be one of my favourites. While this is a very good book, there are a few things that stop it hitting the heights.
Firstly, the chapters again follow a specific character and although this works better than in "A Clash of Kings", the one problem I had with it here was that a number of the featured characters have quite a small part in this book and as such, the amount of time between their chapters meant that it was quite difficult to remember where they got to and what had happened to them. I often found myself looking back to the previous instalment to refresh my memory, which obviously impacts the flow.
My second issue was also a good indication of how goods the book gets. The last few chapters really ramp up the suspense and action and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. Then suddenly, I turned over only to be confronted by the Appendices, which take up a rather hefty 50 pages or so. Although I really enjoyed the story, hitting this situation invoked an even bigger feeling of anti-climax than is usual when reading a good book.
The only other item (more of an irritation than a problem) was that Robb Stark, who has generally been seen as the "good guy" basically had more and more things go wrong, with very little respite. I have never been one to insist that a book be happy and indeed enjoy a good tragedy, but the fact that the "hero" (if there is such a thing in Martin's story) had everything go wrong, seemed to be a bit too depressing for me. I understand that the tragedies a character encounters make their redemption all the sweeter, but it just seemed a little too much.
Anyway, enough of the bad... Here's what I liked. I have always enjoyed Jon's and Arya's stories and they made up a lot of the backbone of this book and with good result. They were exciting and contained a nice balance of good and bad. Tyrion is, as always, an excellent source of amusement with his wit and self-depreciation and I like the fact that he kind and ruthless sides. Funnily enough, each book increases the number of characters that blame Tyrion for their mishaps or bad luck and for an unaccountable reason, I find this very amusing. I am sure that by the end of the series, he will have been blamed for all the woes of the world.
My favourite character has become Daenerys. She has been through a lot of hardship and has really earnt the position she has attained. Again, she shows a very human side (when quite clearly she is much more than that... Mother of Dragons, etc.), but also initiates and condones some moments of real brutality and ruthlessness. What I particularly like about the character is that whatever she does, it is borne out of necessity and in this way she reminds me of another great, strong female lead in the mould of Mara of the Acoma (leading lady in the excellent Empire series by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts). It is good to see another fantasy book where a main character is a strong and moral lady striving to succeed, rather than another muscle-bound warrior.
As a page-turner, this has been the best of the series and I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it when the only time I get is my train journey to work. When I finished this one, I immediately bought Book 3: Part 2 and the early signs are that it will be just as good. The series as a whole has an excellent balance between success and failure, humour and drama and adult themes and fanciful things. The duality of the characters is still one of the strong points of the saga and the writing encourages you to read "just one more chapter".
I will be writing a review for part 2 and if this one is any guide, this could be sooner than you think.
filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope., 04 Feb 2008
I picked up Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel, I had not expected it to be much more than a semi-interesting read. However, with every page turn, I became more and more attached to the novel's heroine, and actually found it very difficult to put the book down. Since reading this book, I have highly recommended it to all my girlfriends. It's a interesting look of a major disaster, about life, love and friendship filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope. I'd also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
Promising synopsis, but disappointing, 21 Nov 2007
After a promising synopsis, "Amazing Grace" was a great disappointment.
The main characters are interesting enough: Beautiful socialite wife and mother Sarah happily married to finance wizard Seth. Megastar singer Melanie and her overpowering ambitious mother. Bright young redtop Sister Maggie, nurse and nun. And restless, rootless alcoholized (saved by the AA) former war correspondent Everett. During a major earthquake in San Francisco, the lives of these people are intertwined and their destinies changed forever.
There is surely enough material for a very interesting story when so many lives change direction. However, through Danielle Steel's pen only the surface is skimmed, the easiest and most likely solutions chosen. Most of what happens is given early in the book, and the lack of intrigue and digging deeper into the characters' minds and feelings make the book boring and predictable.
Even the earthquake itself, a disaster of huge dimensions, seems more like a well organized event than a tragedy craving the lives and homes of thousands. We are told what happens but somehow not convinced. Popstar Melanie's search for a meaningful life is a beautiful thought but somehow the convert does not ring through. Maggie's destiny is apparent the moment she meets Everett. The only hint of uncertainty regards Sarah and Seth's relationship. The book puts up the slightest questionmark, which allows for a tiny bit of page-turning in order to find out.
Having been a fan of Danielle Steel's for years, I know she can do better than this. She will certainly be back.
Entertaining start but sloppy finish...., 19 Nov 2007
I have been a fan of Steele's for years, and consider her books a guilty pleasure. So don't pick up one of her novels in hopes of reading the great literature. With that said I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is not her best effort. I give it three stars as if you're a fan you'll still want to read the book but it is going to leave you a little hungry. This time out the story revolves around a San Francisco bay are earth quake and how it effects the lives of three successful and of course beautiful woman. The story starts off strong and quickly pilled me in, but I thought it lost focus towards the end. The typical Steele Romance is there but I did not feel connected to the characters. This is one you may want to wait for paperback. Oh, for a quirky romance I have to recommend "Across the High Lonesome" don't judge this book by the cover!
Very powerful book! Well worth anyones time and money!, 12 Aug 2008
This book is a true masterpiece, and one of the best Annie Murray books that I have read to date. This is the sequel to her award winning book 'Chocolate girls' and in my opinion this book is even better than the first one.
This book tells the story from the thinking of Greta, a young girl who ends up marrying a man she doesn't love simply to escape Ruby her mother. And it tells about the Life of David AKA Rudi or Doodi and his life with his Wife Gila, and Son Shimon.
This book combines the strong characters of Ruby, Janet and Edie from the first book, but we see them in a different light as life has changed them. Although they are still key characters in the book we are led through events in their childrens eyes.
This is a captivating book, that made me both laugh and cry my eyes out. It captured my heart, and left me wanting more! I can't help but hope that this book becomes part of a trilogy!
A wonderful read, 06 Jun 2008
I have read all of Annie Murray's books with 'Chocolate Girls' being my favourite until now. I live 5 minutes from Cadburys and i finally finished it as 'The Bells of Bournville Green' struck midnight. The book is quite an emotional rollercoaster with births and deaths a plenty.It continues with the lives of many characters from 'Chocolate Girls, but the focus shifts from Edie to Greta, the daughter of Ruby, Edie's friend in 'Chocolate Girls'.Greta knows there is more to life than filling chocolate boxes and is desperate to better herself and not become like her mother Ruby who seeks solace in the arms of unsuitable men. Although Greta's story is quite predictable it does not spoil the book and i was desperate to get to the end in search of the happy ending she craved. The depiction of Greta's marriage to boring 'Trevor' and her frustration at the limited opportunities for married women at the time are incredibly accurate and it was great to be entertained and discover social history at the same time. Inter woven with Greta's story we discover what happened to Edie's adopted son David who is still in Jerusalem, again with accurate details of events there. Annie Murray really does make the characters realistic with the main characters living normal lives and having faults yet still very likable. I loved David and Anatoli by the end of it all and i will admit to sobbing my heart out at certain parts. A very accurate, moving and entertaining read.
Another best seller for Annie Murray, 18 May 2008
This is Annie Murrya's latest book and it is wonderful. It's about Greta a young woman living in the '60's era. She is looking for more in life than what is expected of her, getting married, settling down and having babies. She tries to strike out and is at odds with her mum and sister but does get married and obviously to the wrong person. Greta's sister shows no loyalty to her and has an affair with her husband resulting Greta moving on which leads her into another life. I won't expand on this and spoil the story which Ms Murray weaves around the central character. Needless to say it is another great read from the Author and couldn't put it down till I finished reading it.
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
Fantastic Fantasy, 21 Apr 2008
These books are just intense and wonderful and gripping and deep and they move you at every level!! I LOVE them.
Oh and Tyrion is the best character EVER.
Brilliant, 21 Nov 2007
George R R Martin is at least mostly a genius. His plots are excellent - complex, slightly confusing and thoroughly engaging - made even more so by the juggling act he performs in having the story told from between six and ten characters' points of view. This is something I love - you get to the end of a chapter, feel let down by having to leave one character's journey only to find yourself smack bang in the middle of a story you didn't want to leave three chapters before.
But perhaps the best thing about Martin's writing is his unwillingness to do what is expected. No, it's not that what he writes is necessarily unexpected (although it sometimes is), it's that he doesn't write what you want to happen. Throughout the series, he is perfectly willing to write what happens regardless of any attachments, expectations or hopes his readers may have. And it is in this book that it comes to a head. The emotional reaction I associate most with Martin's writing is one which occurs usually once in each book, but uncomfortably more often than that here - is a gut wrenching sense of disbelief. An almost physical reaction of disappointment or surprise. Martin doesn't really deal in emotional impact in any other ways - other than these moments of disbelief the plot is exciting and free-flowing, and provokes a real interest in the characters and their stories.
A thoroughly recommended read. But make sure you start at the beginning...
Steel and Snow, 26 Apr 2007
Following on directly from (and, as Martin's note on chronology informs us, sometimes simultaneously with) A Clash of Kings, this is the first half of book three of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Steel and Snow begins at a far more exciting pace than the two books before it, and it never really slows down. It is full of the wonderful character development, powerful but subtle fantasy, unexpected twists and turns, and beautiful writing of 'Thrones and 'Kings, but with book three being split into two volumes, the pages seem to turn all the more quickly. Steel and Snow also includes some surprises in which characters are given chapters -- Jaime Lannister hardly gave the impression of being main character material in the previous books, but Jaime's chapters are some of the most enjoyable here. This is a true page turner, and will grab you in much the same way as the rest of this series.
Some of the foreboding fantastical elements that have remained subtle and behind-the-scenes in the series so far are made more apparent here, and the book is all the better for them. It certainly feels like more of a fantasy tale than 'Thrones did, though thankfully the edge to Martin's writing is never lost from word to word... and nor does the characterisation suffer. For those who enjoyed the previous books, this is a real treat (and no doubt something of a relief; it must have been difficult to imagine this writing equaling the closing chapters of 'Kings) -- I hesitate to say it's better than those books, but it certainly goes by more quickly. Indeed, its page by page brilliance is only really matched by the second part of book three, Blood and Gold.
Lost sleep, 14 Feb 2007
This book is the best in the series by far. I read the first in the series of George Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I was blown away by it. So much so I wrote a review here on Amazon to exult it to those considering buying it. I have now read Book 1, 2, 3 part 1 and this book, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold, Book 3 Part 2. I was let down by book 2 and 3 part 1, they were good but not great and if I tried to write a review I could not because the plot all amalgamated into a fuzzy series of events that I think should have been shortened down. However this book makes up for the previous 2 completely. It is a fantastic read and truly insomnia-inflicting! I could not put this book down virtually till I finished it. There are more twists and turns in this book than any of the previous. Events that were dragged out in the previous two are teetered over the edge and thrown off into a thundering development that you cannot help but get swept up in. Remarkably characters that were evil redeem themselves, characters that were good frustrate and annoy the reader.
Martin's use of the written language makes him a master at his craft and can slow or pick up the pace at will and completely manipulate your emotions. If you are reading this review then I presume that you have read at least the first one in the series 'A game of Thrones' therefore I wont summarise the plot incase I ruin it for anyone.
If by book 3 part 1 your getting a little stuck in the mud from the length of the story and the lack of significant movement then please read on because it is worth it to reach this far.
A marked improvement over the last episode, 13 Oct 2006
"A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow" is the first part of the third book of the "Song of Ice and Fire" series (stick with me here). After the excellent first volume (A Game of Thrones), the somewhat disappointing second (A Clash of Kings) meant that for me, Martin had a bit of catching up to do in this one. I am pleased to say that this is a more than satisfactory continuation of the saga.
My intro suggests that there is nothing wrong with this book, but as I stated in my previous review, a 5 star book has to be one of my favourites. While this is a very good book, there are a few things that stop it hitting the heights.
Firstly, the chapters again follow a specific character and although this works better than in "A Clash of Kings", the one problem I had with it here was that a number of the featured characters have quite a small part in this book and as such, the amount of time between their chapters meant that it was quite difficult to remember where they got to and what had happened to them. I often found myself looking back to the previous instalment to refresh my memory, which obviously impacts the flow.
My second issue was also a good indication of how goods the book gets. The last few chapters really ramp up the suspense and action and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. Then suddenly, I turned over only to be confronted by the Appendices, which take up a rather hefty 50 pages or so. Although I really enjoyed the story, hitting this situation invoked an even bigger feeling of anti-climax than is usual when reading a good book.
The only other item (more of an irritation than a problem) was that Robb Stark, who has generally been seen as the "good guy" basically had more and more things go wrong, with very little respite. I have never been one to insist that a book be happy and indeed enjoy a good tragedy, but the fact that the "hero" (if there is such a thing in Martin's story) had everything go wrong, seemed to be a bit too depressing for me. I understand that the tragedies a character encounters make their redemption all the sweeter, but it just seemed a little too much.
Anyway, enough of the bad... Here's what I liked. I have always enjoyed Jon's and Arya's stories and they made up a lot of the backbone of this book and with good result. They were exciting and contained a nice balance of good and bad. Tyrion is, as always, an excellent source of amusement with his wit and self-depreciation and I like the fact that he kind and ruthless sides. Funnily enough, each book increases the number of characters that blame Tyrion for their mishaps or bad luck and for an unaccountable reason, I find this very amusing. I am sure that by the end of the series, he will have been blamed for all the woes of the world.
My favourite character has become Daenerys. She has been through a lot of hardship and has really earnt the position she has attained. Again, she shows a very human side (when quite clearly she is much more than that... Mother of Dragons, etc.), but also initiates and condones some moments of real brutality and ruthlessness. What I particularly like about the character is that whatever she does, it is borne out of necessity and in this way she reminds me of another great, strong female lead in the mould of Mara of the Acoma (leading lady in the excellent Empire series by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts). It is good to see another fantasy book where a main character is a strong and moral lady striving to succeed, rather than another muscle-bound warrior.
As a page-turner, this has been the best of the series and I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it when the only time I get is my train journey to work. When I finished this one, I immediately bought Book 3: Part 2 and the early signs are that it will be just as good. The series as a whole has an excellent balance between success and failure, humour and drama and adult themes and fanciful things. The duality of the characters is still one of the strong points of the saga and the writing encourages you to read "just one more chapter".
I will be writing a review for part 2 and if this one is any guide, this could be sooner than you think.
filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope., 04 Feb 2008
I picked up Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel, I had not expected it to be much more than a semi-interesting read. However, with every page turn, I became more and more attached to the novel's heroine, and actually found it very difficult to put the book down. Since reading this book, I have highly recommended it to all my girlfriends. It's a interesting look of a major disaster, about life, love and friendship filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope. I'd also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
Promising synopsis, but disappointing, 21 Nov 2007
After a promising synopsis, "Amazing Grace" was a great disappointment.
The main characters are interesting enough: Beautiful socialite wife and mother Sarah happily married to finance wizard Seth. Megastar singer Melanie and her overpowering ambitious mother. Bright young redtop Sister Maggie, nurse and nun. And restless, rootless alcoholized (saved by the AA) former war correspondent Everett. During a major earthquake in San Francisco, the lives of these people are intertwined and their destinies changed forever.
There is surely enough material for a very interesting story when so many lives change direction. However, through Danielle Steel's pen only the surface is skimmed, the easiest and most likely solutions chosen. Most of what happens is given early in the book, and the lack of intrigue and digging deeper into the characters' minds and feelings make the book boring and predictable.
Even the earthquake itself, a disaster of huge dimensions, seems more like a well organized event than a tragedy craving the lives and homes of thousands. We are told what happens but somehow not convinced. Popstar Melanie's search for a meaningful life is a beautiful thought but somehow the convert does not ring through. Maggie's destiny is apparent the moment she meets Everett. The only hint of uncertainty regards Sarah and Seth's relationship. The book puts up the slightest questionmark, which allows for a tiny bit of page-turning in order to find out.
Having been a fan of Danielle Steel's for years, I know she can do better than this. She will certainly be back.
Entertaining start but sloppy finish...., 19 Nov 2007
I have been a fan of Steele's for years, and consider her books a guilty pleasure. So don't pick up one of her novels in hopes of reading the great literature. With that said I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is not her best effort. I give it three stars as if you're a fan you'll still want to read the book but it is going to leave you a little hungry. This time out the story revolves around a San Francisco bay are earth quake and how it effects the lives of three successful and of course beautiful woman. The story starts off strong and quickly pilled me in, but I thought it lost focus towards the end. The typical Steele Romance is there but I did not feel connected to the characters. This is one you may want to wait for paperback. Oh, for a quirky romance I have to recommend "Across the High Lonesome" don't judge this book by the cover!
Very powerful book! Well worth anyones time and money!, 12 Aug 2008
This book is a true masterpiece, and one of the best Annie Murray books that I have read to date. This is the sequel to her award winning book 'Chocolate girls' and in my opinion this book is even better than the first one.
This book tells the story from the thinking of Greta, a young girl who ends up marrying a man she doesn't love simply to escape Ruby her mother. And it tells about the Life of David AKA Rudi or Doodi and his life with his Wife Gila, and Son Shimon.
This book combines the strong characters of Ruby, Janet and Edie from the first book, but we see them in a different light as life has changed them. Although they are still key characters in the book we are led through events in their childrens eyes.
This is a captivating book, that made me both laugh and cry my eyes out. It captured my heart, and left me wanting more! I can't help but hope that this book becomes part of a trilogy!
A wonderful read, 06 Jun 2008
I have read all of Annie Murray's books with 'Chocolate Girls' being my favourite until now. I live 5 minutes from Cadburys and i finally finished it as 'The Bells of Bournville Green' struck midnight. The book is quite an emotional rollercoaster with births and deaths a plenty.It continues with the lives of many characters from 'Chocolate Girls, but the focus shifts from Edie to Greta, the daughter of Ruby, Edie's friend in 'Chocolate Girls'.Greta knows there is more to life than filling chocolate boxes and is desperate to better herself and not become like her mother Ruby who seeks solace in the arms of unsuitable men. Although Greta's story is quite predictable it does not spoil the book and i was desperate to get to the end in search of the happy ending she craved. The depiction of Greta's marriage to boring 'Trevor' and her frustration at the limited opportunities for married women at the time are incredibly accurate and it was great to be entertained and discover social history at the same time. Inter woven with Greta's story we discover what happened to Edie's adopted son David who is still in Jerusalem, again with accurate details of events there. Annie Murray really does make the characters realistic with the main characters living normal lives and having faults yet still very likable. I loved David and Anatoli by the end of it all and i will admit to sobbing my heart out at certain parts. A very accurate, moving and entertaining read.
Another best seller for Annie Murray, 18 May 2008
This is Annie Murrya's latest book and it is wonderful. It's about Greta a young woman living in the '60's era. She is looking for more in life than what is expected of her, getting married, settling down and having babies. She tries to strike out and is at odds with her mum and sister but does get married and obviously to the wrong person. Greta's sister shows no loyalty to her and has an affair with her husband resulting Greta moving on which leads her into another life. I won't expand on this and spoil the story which Ms Murray weaves around the central character. Needless to say it is another great read from the Author and couldn't put it down till I finished reading it.
Gripping story of family deception and cruelty. , 27 Jul 2008
The Dollengangers were the perfect family. All American good looks, golden hair, close relationships and comfortable living. The death of a father throws the four children into a whole new world when their mother drags them to a lavish mansion to win back the love of a dying father who cast her aside for marrying her half-uncle - for winning back his love means winning back a very large inheritance which will ensure a very comfortable living for the rest of her existance.
The plan for Corinne Dollanganger to gain back the love of her father means hiding the fact she ever had children, meaning Cathy, Chris, Cory and Carrie are to live locked in a bedroom with a secret entrance up to a wonderfully huge attic which is to become their playground and at the same time, their prison.
Cathy recounts the story as she and her siblings struggle to cling onto hope and promises while enduring the cruelty, the neglect and the emotional torment of being locked in the same rooms as time progresses.
An incredibly moving and gripping story that will leave you begging for more.
Pretty poor, 24 Jul 2008
I saw the movie, and then decided to read the book. I found it to be poorly written and unrealistic. I can swallow the bit about the woman being rejected by her parents, but then to come back and hide the kids in a cellar is where the wheels fall off. What about the servants? I could forgive the author expecting me to stretch my imagination and be somewhat gullible, but the writing is very poor. The sequel is even worse. Not impressed
great book, 15 Jan 2008
This was the first 'grown up' book i ever read and must have read it at least 10 times. It is fantastic and you just cant seem to put it down!!! even when you know what will happen next.
It changed my views on reading!, 10 Jan 2008
I can't tell you much more than the other people who have written reviews. What I can say is that I chose this book in my last year of school to do a report on. I hated reading and it was one of the shortest on the list. Now, 6 years later I can get through a book in a couple of days! I love reading and bringing the stories to life with my imagination and it is all thanks to this book, once I finished this I read pretty much all of Virginia Andrews' work and then explored different genres (i love crime novels!). It is a wonderful story and I recommend it to everyone!
A favorite!, 18 Aug 2007
I read this book when it was first published and loved it. I have read it at least twice since and as it has been a few years since the last time I am thinking of reading it again. I was in that attic with them.
It is an easy book to read, not to many fine details that take you away from the main story but enough to keep you turning the pages. Dont bother with the film if you ever come across it, it was total rubbish, nothing like the book at all.
Read it, you wont be dissapointed.
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Days of Hope
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Customer Reviews
Disappointing, 14 Nov 2008
What a disappointing read. Long and drawn out, with ill-defined characters who were sketchily drawn and unengaging. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself who was who. Couldn't understand why the book was set in the 1960s; the social and moral sentiments of the story would have stood up in a contemporary setting. Indeed, some actions in the book, such as eating pizza and having wine to offer readily at home, seemed rather advanced for the period. There were a few potential intriguing elements of the story that needed more development and other strands that were overdone and tedious.
Dissapointed, 29 Aug 2008
I have to agree with the previous reveiew in that I found myself wondering what happened?!? It started off well and as with all other Danielle Steel books her writing is easy and flows well, however this particular story about Maxine and her ex husband Blake, along with Maxines new husband to be Charles was a little repetitive, if not a little boring. The ending was abrupt and predictable and I didn't enjoy the book that much but it was an easy read.
Danielle Steel - Rogue, 30 Jul 2008
I think I must be outgrowing Danielle Steel as I found this book very repetitive in her writing. If she told you once about Maxine and Bradley being best friends etc she mentioned it 100 times. She should either stop writing or spend more time on each book!!!
I have to say I became bored reading it - a fact which I thought would never happen to me with Danielle Steel!
A happy ending to this depressing trilogy, 22 Aug 2007
The final book in the Wideacre trilogy and tells the story of Julia and Richard Lacey's daughter Meridon (Sarah Lacey). Her mother gave her up to travelling gypsies at birth to protect her from the Lacey madness.
After her gypsy sister is killed during a trapeez act by the father of her unborn baby, Meridon is consumed by grief and accidentally discovers Wideacre and her inheritance. She dashes everyones hopes as she wants to farm the land for a profit for herself.
On her deathbed she is tricked out of her inheritance, but somehow finds the strength to live and against all odds win back Wideacre and the man she loves. She is then able to give Wideacre to the poor.
A happy ending to a mostly depressing trilogy.
Disappointing end to the trilogy, 28 Sep 2006
This book marks a departure from the first two, and takes Meridon, an abandoned gypsy girl who is secretly the heiress of Wideacre. I found the characteristion and plotting significantly weaker than the other two books and never felt involved with what was happening. I seems to me that Gregory just got bored with the series and was writing to order. The relationship between the characters was never more than superficial and the convenient ending of the heir of Laceys giving the land to a commune and living herself in a common-man's cottage as his lover but not wife was just way too contrived.
I thought the other two books were flawed but interesting, but this one failed to either capture of hold my interest and brought the whole trilogy down with its too neat tying up of all the ends.
book nostalgia, 12 Feb 2006
When I think about this book, I feel book nostalgia. It's what you feel after reading the truly great historical fiction, when you've been seduced by the characters and by the intoxicating intrigue of historical fiction. The BUT is that you have to get through the two first books, which are to put plainly quite painfully depressing, so as to really understand what drives the women of Wideacre. Meridon is on a par with Phillippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool".
A Fantastic Third!, 23 Jan 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on the third in this triology! And I was thrilled with the book. The storyline is just terrific!
One of the best trilogy's i have read!, 14 Aug 2005
I started with Wideacre and was gripped, even though I did not usually go for this type of historical fiction. I read that book twice, then realised that The Favoured Child and Meridon followed the story through. I loved the twists in the tales that you dont expect, and the characters are brought to life in your mind. Excellent, well worth reading.
Fantastic Fantasy, 21 Apr 2008
These books are just intense and wonderful and gripping and deep and they move you at every level!! I LOVE them.
Oh and Tyrion is the best character EVER.
Brilliant, 21 Nov 2007
George R R Martin is at least mostly a genius. His plots are excellent - complex, slightly confusing and thoroughly engaging - made even more so by the juggling act he performs in having the story told from between six and ten characters' points of view. This is something I love - you get to the end of a chapter, feel let down by having to leave one character's journey only to find yourself smack bang in the middle of a story you didn't want to leave three chapters before.
But perhaps the best thing about Martin's writing is his unwillingness to do what is expected. No, it's not that what he writes is necessarily unexpected (although it sometimes is), it's that he doesn't write what you want to happen. Throughout the series, he is perfectly willing to write what happens regardless of any attachments, expectations or hopes his readers may have. And it is in this book that it comes to a head. The emotional reaction I associate most with Martin's writing is one which occurs usually once in each book, but uncomfortably more often than that here - is a gut wrenching sense of disbelief. An almost physical reaction of disappointment or surprise. Martin doesn't really deal in emotional impact in any other ways - other than these moments of disbelief the plot is exciting and free-flowing, and provokes a real interest in the characters and their stories.
A thoroughly recommended read. But make sure you start at the beginning...
Steel and Snow, 26 Apr 2007
Following on directly from (and, as Martin's note on chronology informs us, sometimes simultaneously with) A Clash of Kings, this is the first half of book three of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Steel and Snow begins at a far more exciting pace than the two books before it, and it never really slows down. It is full of the wonderful character development, powerful but subtle fantasy, unexpected twists and turns, and beautiful writing of 'Thrones and 'Kings, but with book three being split into two volumes, the pages seem to turn all the more quickly. Steel and Snow also includes some surprises in which characters are given chapters -- Jaime Lannister hardly gave the impression of being main character material in the previous books, but Jaime's chapters are some of the most enjoyable here. This is a true page turner, and will grab you in much the same way as the rest of this series.
Some of the foreboding fantastical elements that have remained subtle and behind-the-scenes in the series so far are made more apparent here, and the book is all the better for them. It certainly feels like more of a fantasy tale than 'Thrones did, though thankfully the edge to Martin's writing is never lost from word to word... and nor does the characterisation suffer. For those who enjoyed the previous books, this is a real treat (and no doubt something of a relief; it must have been difficult to imagine this writing equaling the closing chapters of 'Kings) -- I hesitate to say it's better than those books, but it certainly goes by more quickly. Indeed, its page by page brilliance is only really matched by the second part of book three, Blood and Gold.
Lost sleep, 14 Feb 2007
This book is the best in the series by far. I read the first in the series of George Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I was blown away by it. So much so I wrote a review here on Amazon to exult it to those considering buying it. I have now read Book 1, 2, 3 part 1 and this book, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold, Book 3 Part 2. I was let down by book 2 and 3 part 1, they were good but not great and if I tried to write a review I could not because the plot all amalgamated into a fuzzy series of events that I think should have been shortened down. However this book makes up for the previous 2 completely. It is a fantastic read and truly insomnia-inflicting! I could not put this book down virtually till I finished it. There are more twists and turns in this book than any of the previous. Event | | |