David Barclay

I enjoyed this semi-historical tale of misplaced rage, young love, and fierce vengeance. Isabella is a character who is easy to sympathize with, just as it's easy to hate those who hate her (especially her betrothed, whose sadistic nature is very reminiscent of Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones). The story assumes a leisurely pace in the beginning, but then takes quite the violent turn when Isabella is taken prisoner and accused of witchcraft. Needless to say, this is when the story really gets good.

I really liked the emphasis on historical accuracy and how the author took his time with the witch trial scenes (showing exactly how this might have gone down in the past, and including a skeptical judge to play up the tension between religious superstition and scientific reason). Then the final third takes even another turn, lurching into a strange and chaotic revenge story. Overall I liked the pacing and what happens in the book, as well as the author's attempt to write in a style that is more historically accurate while also feeling brisk and modern. Though there are some moments and plot points that I'm still a little unclear on, I would still recommend this if you're into historical horror, witchcraft, and revenge tales.

(3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads)… (mehr)

As a horror lover and frequent reader of historical fiction nothing could pique my interest quicker than a story of witchcraft in the 1700s. It brought to mind the Witch movie by Robert Eggers in that Isabella was not a witch when she was accused and tortured. What she was, was desperate. What wouldn't we do to keep a loved one healthy for a little bit longer? Isabella was desperate to keep her father among the living. She was desperate to be free of an unwanted marriage to a vile and foul excuse for a man. It seems the good and godly people of Blackfriar see nothing wrong in bearing false witness against her, as long as it serves their purpose. When her friends and neighbors turned their backs on her, she found acceptance elsewhere. Together with the Lady of the Hill she will seek her revenge on those who have tormented her, and I can still hear their screams!

I received an advance copy for review.… (mehr)

I picked The Aeschylus to read because I thought it would be a book right up my alley. It wasn't. But by sheer persistence and skimming through pages now and then did I manage to get through the book.

The blurb sounded really fascinating. Two hundred and fifty oil workers that have disappeared from the offshore Aeschylus drilling platform without a trace? I thought that finally would have a page-turner. Ha! I just couldn't get into the story. I thought that after a while everything would finally come together I wouldn't be able to stop reading it, but instead I had to force myself reading it. “Just five more percent Magdalena you can do it, the book is soon over.”

I think one of the problems with the book, for me at least was that the characters never really made an impression with me. Can't say that I disliked them, they were just not memorable. I didn't feel like I got to know Kate and the others. They were very flat and uninteresting. Like the Nazis, I could never remember who was who.

No, this book just didn't work for me. I ended up at least finish the book, but not even the more paranormal aspect of the book, the explanation for what was going on at the platform made me like the book. Well it made the book a tiny bit more interesting to read, but that's all.

I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!… (mehr)

I picked The Aeschylus to read because I thought it would be a book right up my alley. It wasn't. But by sheer persistence and skimming through pages now and then did I manage to get through the book.

The blurb sounded really fascinating. Two hundred and fifty oil workers that have disappeared from the offshore Aeschylus drilling platform without a trace? I thought that finally would have a page-turner. Ha! I just couldn't get into the story. I thought that after a while everything would finally come together I wouldn't be able to stop reading it, but instead I had to force myself reading it. “Just five more percent Magdalena you can do it, the book is soon over.”

I think one of the problems with the book, for me at least was that the characters never really made an impression with me. Can't say that I disliked them, they were just not memorable. I didn't feel like I got to know Kate and the others. They were very flat and uninteresting. Like the Nazis, I could never remember who was who.

No, this book just didn't work for me. I ended up at least finish the book, but not even the more paranormal aspect of the book, the explanation for what was going on at the platform made me like the book. Well it made the book a tiny bit more interesting to read, but that's all.

I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!… (mehr)