adam_nesbitt's reviews
143 reviews

This was such a poignant read. Despite growing up with these stories, Keefe goes beyond mere story-telling by humanising the innocent victims of republican tribalism. A harrowing and emotive retelling of the Troubles, ‘Say Nothing’ serves as a reminder of the atrocities Northern Ireland has struggled to reconcile with. A perfectly written book that reminds its readers that the legacy issues of the Troubles haven’t gone away, you know.

Cannot recommend any higher!

A decent 3.5 stars. Storyland delivers a rich mythological history of Britain from the origins of Brutus to the victory of William the Conquerer. A showcase of magic and mystery, Storyland showcases a range of legends that follow the emergence of Britain and the development of English monarchy. Drawing from familiar and lesser known folklore, Amy Jeff retells many of the stories at the heart of the English identity.

I found this book to be a fast-paced narrative that delved, repetitively, into the psychological struggles of a teenage boy. It was an interesting and, at times, a very captivating novel exploring teenage coming-of-age wrapped in the mental exhaustion of keeping a horrific secret. 3 stars is a fair rate to give this book for its average portrayal of a compelling story. It’s use of recurring motifs (the heat, the fearfulness and sexual attraction) are at first interesting and utilised well, but are used so much that the novel falls into a repetitive and predictable story arc. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the quick read and would recommend it for anyone trying to get out of a reading slump.

The first Shakespeare book I’ve managed to understand purely by my own accord. A decent story, telling the dramatised Battle of Agincourt and Henry V’s claim for France. Here, Shakespeare grants insight into early English nationhood and the rising idea of England as a country on the precipice of becoming a dominant European power. If it was t already. A solid 3 stars.