Friday Mini Reviews #5 - Michelle Diener and Kevin Hearne
In A Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener (Susanna Horenbout & John Parker #1)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
An unconventional woman. A deadly enemy. A clash of intrigue, deception, and desire. . . . 1525: Artist
Susanna Horenbout is sent from Belgium to be Henry VIII’s personal
illuminator inside the royal palace. But her new homeland greets her
with an attempt on her life, and the King’s most lethal courtier, John
Parker, is charged with keeping her safe. As further attacks are made,
Susanna and Parker realize that she unknowingly carries the key to a
bloody plot against the throne. For while Richard de la Pole amasses
troops in France for a Yorkist invasion, a traitor prepares to trample
the kingdom from within.
Who is the mastermind? Why are men vying to kill the woman Parker protects with his life? With a motley gang of urchins, Susanna’s wits, and Parker’s fierce instincts, honed on the streets and in palace chambers, the two slash through deadly layers of deceit in a race against time. For in the court of Henry VIII, secrets are the last to die. . . .
Brilliantly revealing a little-known historical figure who lived among the Tudors, Michelle Diener makes a smashing historical fiction debut.
Who is the mastermind? Why are men vying to kill the woman Parker protects with his life? With a motley gang of urchins, Susanna’s wits, and Parker’s fierce instincts, honed on the streets and in palace chambers, the two slash through deadly layers of deceit in a race against time. For in the court of Henry VIII, secrets are the last to die. . . .
Brilliantly revealing a little-known historical figure who lived among the Tudors, Michelle Diener makes a smashing historical fiction debut.
9/10
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Michelle Diener writes some of the best, most entertaining historical fiction there is. I eat her books like candy. This series about a Flemish painter Susanna and a King's master spy and assassin John Parker is worth their weight in gold. It's fast, fun and wild without getting ridiculous, so yeah, damn well I recommend it!
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Мишель Дьенэ я читаю с огромным удовольствием. Её историческая литература полна интриг, опасностей, убийств и шпионов. В общем, всё то, что я так люблю. К тому же и Сюзанна и Паркер ну очень харизматичные главные герои, книги просто проглатываются.
Keeper of The King's Secrets by Michelle Diener (Susanna Horenbout & John Parker #2)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
A priceless jewel. A royal court rife with intrigue. A secret deal, where the price of truth could come too high . . . The personal artist to King Henry Tudor, Susanna Horenbout is sought by the queen and ladies of the court for her delicate, skilled portraits. But now someone from her past is pulling her into a duplicitous game where the consequence of failure is war. Soon, Susanna and her betrothed, the King’s most dangerous courtier, are unraveling a plot that would shatter Europe. And at the heart of it is a magnificent missing diamond. . . .
With John Parker at her side, Susanna searches for the diamond and those responsible for its theft, their every step dogged by a lethal assassin. Finding the truth means plunging into the heart of the court’s most bitter infighting, surviving the harrowing labyrinth of Fleet Prison—and then coming face-to-face with the most dangerous enemy of all.
9/10
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Considering that Susanna manages to acquire enemies with an alarming speed, book #2 is all about her saving Parker from danger and Parker saving his favorite painter from constant attempts of assassination while both of them are trying to find Royal jewel the loss of which might mean war with France. I can only say that this series is amazing, and that King Henry VIII is a proper ass. Read it!
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Я честно могу сказать, что с каждой книгой эта серия становится только лучше. У Мишель Дьенэ чувствуется флёр Дюма, а Сюзанна и Паркер кажутся её персональными мушкетёрами. Вот и в этот раз они пытаются найти королевские драгоценности, потери которых могут означать войну с Францией, так как король Генрих Восьмой - это большая головная боль и заноза в заднице и не хочет потерять лицо в политических интригах между монархами. Читать надо!
gifted
Synopsis from Goodreads
After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.
8.5/10
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Atticus and Granuaile might have had 12 years so she can finish her apprenticeship, but eventually his mischief and his numerous enemies catch up to them. Now both Druids are on the run while still trying to finish Granuaile's bonding to Gaia. Darker, harsher and bloodier book that you would expect. I just wish Atticus and Co. could have had a nice break...
Previous book reviews: Hounded | Hexed | Hammered | Tricked
Previous book reviews: Hounded | Hexed | Hammered | Tricked
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Тон книг конечно необратимо поменялся, стало меньше веселья и юмора и прибавилось битв и крови. Я скучаю по старому Аттикусу, по временам затишья между бурями, по каким-то крохам нормальной жизни, потому как в этой книге и он, и Грануаль и верный Оберон находятся в постоянных бегах и от этого очень устаёшь. Им не помешал бы нормальный отдых.
One day I must try Hearne! And Diener is always good :)
ReplyDeleteGreat short reviews, thank you! I want to read Michelle Diener, and do love the Kevin Hearne books. Hunted is on my desk already.
ReplyDeleteI hope you both enjoy Hearne's books, ladies!
ReplyDelete