B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsantique books / Getty Publications / History / indigenous languages / language / Maya / Mesoamerica / non-fiction / scholar / scholarship / science8 Comments
An in-depth exploration of the history, authentication, and modern relevance of Códice Maya de México, the oldest surviving book of the Americas. Ancient Maya scribes recorded prophecies and astronomical observations on the pages of painted books. Although most were lost to decay or destruction, three pre-Hispanic Maya codices were known ... more >
Book Reviews / Reading Lists / Top Ten Listsalternate England / Best of 2021 / businessman / Earl / f/f / family / Fantasy / heroine in disguise / historical romance / land steward / marriage-of-convenience / nun / paranormal romance / reframing / revenant / revenge / scholar / Scotland / secret society / self discovery / sportsman / suffragette / Thistle Grove Series / traumatic-past / Urban-Fantasy / werewolves / witch / YA fantasy9 Comments
Freya Marske, A Marvellous Light This was probably my favorite book of the year. I don’t read m/m romance much, but this book had me hooked. Full of angst and tension, containing a swoon worthy romance and with a very compelling magical world, it was hard to put down. The ... more >
B- Reviews / Book ReviewsFantasy / fantasy adventure / First-Person / friendship / Historical / Islam / Middle East / Muslim / POC / scholar / Soldier / sorcerer / swashbuckler4 Comments
As a snowfall blankets 8th century Mosul, a Persian noblewoman arrives at the home of the scholar Dabir and his friend the swordsman Captain Asim. Najya has escaped from a dangerous cabal that has ensorcelled her to track down ancient magical tools of tremendous power, the bones of the old ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviewsfamily relationships / Historical fiction / Historical-China / Jewish characters / Kaifeng Chronicles / Ming dynasty / novella / POC / scholarComments Off on REVIEW: Grand Canal: Kaifeng Chronicles, Book Three by Robert Campbell
Li Bing travels from Hangzhou to Beijing along the Grand Canal, planning to stop at Kaifeng along the way. Meanwhile, developments in his new wife’s family take some interesting twists. Unforeseen circumstances have a way of derailing even the best plans. Dear Mr. Campbell, Book three in the Kaifeng Chronicles ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviewsfamily relationships / Historical fiction / Historical-China / Jewish characters / Kaifeng Chronicles / marriage / Ming dynasty / novella / POC / scholarComments Off on REVIEW: Mandarin Ducks: Kaifeng Chronicles, Book Two by Robert Campbell
In late autumn 1630, Li Bing prepares to depart for Beijing to write the metropolitan examinations. Before he goes, he learns more about his heritage from his maternal grandfather and hopes to marry his childhood sweetheart Xiaoyun. However, political intrigue between his father and hers has the potential to derail ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviewsdjinn / Fantasy / First-Person / Islam / Magian / Middle East / Muslim / POC / scholar / Soldier / swashbuckler2 Comments
The glittering tradition of sword-and-sorcery sweeps into the sands of ancient Arabia with the heart-stopping speed of a whirling dervish in this thrilling debut novel from new talent Howard Andrew Jones In 8th century Baghdad, a stranger pleads with the vizier to safeguard the bejeweled treasure he carries, but he ... more >