Zaklínač: Posledné prianie (The Witcher: The last wish) ~ Review

Format: Paperback
Size: 115×171×28mm

Publication date: 2011
Language: Czech

Publisher: LEONARDO

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher a cunning sorcerer, a merciless assassin and a cold-blooded killer.His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.But not everything monstrous-looking is evil, and not everything fair is good and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.Don t miss the international hit that inspired the video game "The Witcher."

★★★★
1/2

Ah! Finally! My friend will be ecstatic when she hears I managed to finish one of her books that I'd borrowed. The reason why I did borrow it? Well my dear readers, I've played the games and I wanted to read it just beacuse it was based on it, and what a better opportunity than seeing it on my friend's shelf, right?

This brings me to the thing I struggled the most with. I compared it a lot to the game and I have to say that Geralt in book is just as intriguing silent type as in the game, but the book one seems more compassionate. Also it was a tad chaotic for me. I thought that Marrigold was Tris (a witch according to game) and Dandelion was a minstrel but in the book Marrigold was a musician? I was so confused.

As the book is just a bunch of short stories put together and not one consistent story I missed the fluidity of the text. I'm not saying it's wrong I just wasn't used to such 'time holes' as you could say. And it reminded me of Once Upon a Time show because I recognised one of the stories as Beauty and the Beast  but slightly modified version of it.

Anyways, the czech language made it a tad difficult read, because I know they tend to translate as much as they do and I don't know all the words, but I was quite satisfied. The book gave some insight into the Witcher world and how Geralt met certain people.

Krv Prvorodených (Blood of the Firstborns) ~ review

Format: Hardback
Size: 138×216 mm

Publication date: 2014
Language: Slovak

Publisher: Slovart

This time the trio of Stein, Barbarič and Jaroš wanders into the old city of Prague to solve the murders of the firstborn children of the local nobility. It starts off with them rushing for the cover before the heavy rain just outside of the city ramparts, however as it turns out the city itself isn't much better than the weather. After seeing what the people in this part of the country are like they arrive at the crime scene and their hostess tells them about the night the killer attacked. They meet with the house's occupants who consist of Contessa di castellari and her son, who as they later learnt is the secret son of the current monarch. Later on the new murmurs happen and they are called to examine the body directly on the banks of Vltava.

Yet as they were nearing to solving the mystery of the murderer's identity, the man  tries to cut the loose ends - meaning other people rather than children are dying, which gives them even more clues as to who it might be. However, another child is abducted and they are fighting the time in hope to find the poor child and to catch the culprit.

★★★★★

Seems like the family friend decided to make my TBR taller by borrowing me the next two books in the series, despite telling her that it doesn't need to be so soon. Yet I didn't regret a thing - finishing the book in matter of days and now I'm currently reading the third in the series.

My first impression of the medieval setting was that his books were getting bloodier and bloodier. But despite the gore behind all that the book was finely written. I liked the idea of  Italian Bandits controlling the city and the later suggested connection with other important characters in the book.
Also! It surprised me how Stein, the cold, not caring and always complaining man, actually cared enough about his companion - Jaroš, the executioner's son, that he managed to dig out his big secret (which I'm not going to spoil for you ;) Let's just say it did involve a woman.) of why he run away from his home and why his own father hated him so much.

The end was surprising yes, but I didn't like the aggressivity everyone approached things, But then again, it was men solving things and it was back in 1800s so I suppose it was to be expected. And yet, I thought that there won't be anything that had my heart swell, after all it was historical fiction, people were brutal in those times. But the last few lines of the book had me awing.

Mŕtvy na pekelnom vrchu (The Dead on Hell's Hill) ~ review

Format: Hardback
Size: 130×210 mm

Publication date: 2013
Language: Slovak

Publisher: Slovart

It's about two males: Captain of Slovak legion - Stein  and Matej Barbarič (who is a Commissioner of Oaths) who are trying to solve crimes that happened in history. It's set in area of the 16th century Slovakia and starts with description of recapturing Slovak city, which was occupied by Turks before that. Captain is then sent to the Northern part of Slovak country with his newly appointed lieutenant - executioner Jaroš, to find a traitor that had planned to smuggle Turks into the middle of one of the cities - Štiavnica, which is important thanks to its ore mines.  In the city Stein meets Barbarič, who from start hates the captain but soon finds himself intrigued by the ongoings around the city and helps him willingly.

★★★★

As mentioned in the TBR Tuesday, a family friend recommended this author to me. Said I might like it which in a way I did. The first few descriptions gave me the idea that this book will be a rather brutal and a lot of blood will be spilt. Just the title suggests that actually and I wasn't necessarily wrong.
       The opening scene was a description of a city that was under siege twice, and right after the battle. So there were still bodies and blood and every possible gore rated thing. This opening in which one of the main characters (Stein) starred with his thoughts as the only form of a spoken words left me thinking of him as a brutal and blood loving guy. After seeing the end of a fight he said that he had missed all the fun.
        Talking about Stein he is cold character and in a way he reminded me of Geralt of Rivia from Witcher. In the game he was as well this soulless, unemotional character just asking questions no matter what it cost him or if he had to cut flesh to get the answers going. Still I could see his development. Having companions around him taught him a little bit of compassion I think, despite him having a family around.
          Yet, as it was set in the 16th century, I kind of expected the descriptions to be more colourful. Compared to John Flanagan ones, these lacked something. It was just sentence upon sentence without using much of variety of expressive words. Maybe I'm just reading too many books from foreign authors and have my standards high, but I missed that kind of touch. Still I have to point out that the descriptions no matter how brief got the point across about how the society looked or the disgusting reality of battlefield and deaths where blood and gore were an everyday thing.

About recommendations I would watch the kids. This book was bloody with strong language at times and even mentions of NSFW things. Definitely for older audience, but I'm afraid that this isn't available in other countries than Slovakia, because of the author (and because our books...aren't translated much into other languages :/)

TBR Tuesday ~ Mŕtvy na pekelnom vrchu (The Dead on the Hell's Hill)

Mŕtvy na pekelnom vrchu

(The Dead on the Hell's Hill)

Author: Juraj Červenák

Page Count: 254

Genre: Historical fiction, thriller, detective, slavic history

Publisher:  Slovart
Release date: 2013
Language: Slovak

I picked up this book uppon a recommendation from a family friend. She, as a lover of detective stories recommended me this author when I mentioned I really liked when there was folklore and mythology implemented into the stories. What surprised me is that this is my home country author I've never heard of before.

Still synopsis tells me it might be quite interesting. Yet I didn't pick it, for myself as I wanted to thank my tutor on my work practice where I spent a total of 3 weeks over my student years. She taught me many things and as we were talking I found out what books she liked. The only thing I worry is that she wouldn't like it or already has the book at home, but let's hope she doesn't ;).

Anyway it is about two males Captain Stein and Barbarič (who is a Commissioner of Oaths) who are trying to solve crimes that often go to history. It is a first book of a 4 book series. It's set in area of the 16th century Slovakia (which by the way wasn't even existing in that time because we were occupied by Hungarians). Also I've heard that there might be mentioned the Turkish invasion which did happen in our history. 

Let's see how it goes. I couldn't hold back and read the first few lines and it's starting  rather bloody. It's descirbing the place of a fight. The book is rather thin so I think it will be a quick read compared to the 400 paged giants I have borrowed from my friend. The fact it's in my mother tongue makes it a tad easier to read and I can move through the pages quicker.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge ~ Review

Format: Ebook (.mobi)

Size: 938 KB
Publication date: 01 Jan 2005
Language: English

Publisher: Penguin Books LLC

Bracing for a final clash with the evil warlord Morgarath, the Rangers rally the kingdom's allies, and Will is chosen, along with his friend Horace, as special envoys to nearby Celtica. But the simple mission soon takes an unsettling turn - the Celticans have disappeared, their town abandoned. The scheming hand of Morgarath, it seems, has been far from idle. He has found a way to bring his legions over the once impassible eastern mountains and is planning to ambush the king's army in a rout. Now with help many miles away, Will and Horace are the only ones standing in the way of the dark lord's plans.They have shown great skill and courage in their training, but how will they fare in the face of true evil?

With bigger battles and higher stakes, John Flanagan's epic adventure charges ahead with this rousing follow-up to The Ruins of Gorlan.

★★★★★

In this book we are introduced to another character Gilan, who becomes the inseparatable part of Will's life. His sense of humor is  self-explanatory, as all rangers apprantely have this special dry-type of humor which is funny at times. There are few passages which I would like to share with you that I found quite funny:

" 'That's the question, isn't it?' said the Ranger. 'I suppose I could hang them. I do have the authority. After all, tehy did try to interfere with officers on the King's business. And they're looting in time of war. They're both capital offenses.' He cast his gaze around the rocky hills surrounding them. 'The question is whether I can actually do that here,' he murmured. 

'You mean,' said Will, not liking the way his friend was thinking, 'you may not have the authority to hang them now that we're not in the kingdom itself?' Gilan grinned at him. 'I hadn't considered that. I was actually thinking that it'd be a bit difficult when there isn't a tree over a meter high within a hundred kilometers.' "

And then there is this thing when Halt finally shows that he cares for the boy, which really tugged at my heartstrings: 

" 'Gilan, do you think for one moment that I don't want to tear that plateau apart stone by stone until I find him?' "

Beside the funny attitude and heartwrenching moments I almost at all times reading through this book felt the surges of fangirliness. (resulting in me kicking my legs,  hugging my pillow and everything because I simply love this series and characters in it - no...DOn'T LOOK AT ME THAT WAY! I know that you know what I mean.). This series and me, one true love. And to add thanks to these books I found my soulmate :P.

Ashwood ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi)

Pages: 200
Publication date: 07 Sept 2016
Language: English

Publisher: Fantasy Works Publishing

When sixteen-year-old Willow goes urban exploring in an abandoned asylum she expects the dark halls, creepy echoes, and ominous atmosphere. But she doesn’t expect it to follow her home. After the trip, Willow becomes haunted by nightmares in which she never left Ashwood Asylum. Nightmares where she is pursued by grotesque, mind-infesting horrors called the Mora who feed off the fear of mortals. Unfortunately for squeamish Willow, they are hungry. And she is their perfect meal. 

Upon waking, Willow recalls only fleeting memories of dead butterflies, hollow eyes and discordant whispers. But slowly these phantasms begin to bleed into her daily life, making Willow question her own sanity. She soon realizes that the solution lies solely within the decrepit walls of Ashwood. As the boundary between dreams and reality disintegrates, Willow must find the courage to defeat the leader of the Mora before he traps her soul in the nightmare forever. 

★★★★

First off, I should mention this book was received as an ARC and I'm very very thankful for that! It took me longer to read than expected and I'm very sorry for the late review.

From the start it really does feel like dark fantasy. I, who is easily scared by the way, was glad that I've read it during the daylight hours (despite being a spn fan!!). The first few chapters were really scary.

The first point of view and descriptions of her emotions give out the perfect vibe, making the reader live through the dangers together with the character. Yet somehow during me reading it I lost the connection. I wasn't that interested or hyped to read the book. After longer parts of descriptions or without any dialogues I got a tad bored.

Besides that it got all a good book should have. There was romance, action, sadness and even some mystery that needed to be solved. I give it four stars only because it didn't drive me crazy. I actually managed to put it down to read another book, which I reviewed in the meantime and am almost over with another one.

Still it was a great book with just as great ending. Promising some more mystery from the author along with unanswered questions.

Ranger's Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi)

Size: 701 KB
Publication date: 08 June 2006
Language: English

Publisher: Penguin Books LLC

hey have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied.... 

★★★★★

This book is book from 'my childhood' in a way. I've read it on elementary school and it became my istant love. The way it's written, the characters the dialogues the describtions.

This was the third time I've read through the book and it didn't take me long to flip through the pages. It's a literall page turner, action is behind every corner and you want to either know what will happen next or more about the characters that are travelling along the journey through the kingdom.
To add it 'added gas to the fire' you could say, of my love for middle ages and all that. I wanted to become a part of the Rangers and everything you could possibly think off.

As for the technical side of things the book was an excellent debut for the author and it wasn't lacking anything. There was humour, non-confusing dialogues between the characters even development. And despite it being in third POV narrative when the character was confused so were you. Very, very well written and would recommend to kids from 6th grade to any adult. It's interesting to say the least because despite having the setting in a 'real world' with all working components of middle aged society with parts where magic fits in.