Review: War Lord

Title: War Lord (The Last Kingdom #13)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: 15th October 2020 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 352 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

England is under attack. Chaos reigns. Northumbria, the last kingdom, is threatened by armies from all sides, by land and sea – and only one man stands in their way. Torn between loyalty and sworn oaths, the warrior king Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg faces his greatest ever battle – and prepares for his ultimate fate…

My Thoughts

Bernard Cornwell's legendary creation, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, returns for the 13th and final novel in The Last Kingdom series. What a ride it has been. This is such an excellent series, so much so, it was adapted by the BBC for television and is about to start filming its fifth season. I am such a fan. 

‘It's coming, and what I should do is raise the ramparts of Bebbanburg and shut out the whole damned world.'  He grunted at that. 'And you think the world will leave us alone?'  'No.'   

Cornwell is a master storyteller and sadly states, this is the final instalment in the legendary Uhtred’s journey. However, I can happily say it was a most fitting finale to what has been an epic tale. From the very beginning it has revolved around Uhtred’s great love for his home of Bebbanburg and in this final instalment with Aethelstan fighting to unite all the kingdoms into Englaland and the Scots invading from the North, Bebbanburg and Uhtread find themselves right in the middle.

‘I drew Serpent-Breath. I was angry, not with Kolfinn, nor even with Guthfrith, but with myself for not recognising what was so damned obvious. There was Englaland, almost formed, there was Alba, with its ambition to rule still more territory, and between them was Northumbria, neither pagan nor Christian, neither Scottish nor Ænglisc, and soon it must be one or the other. Which meant I had to fight whether I wanted to or not.’

Outside of the Tudors I did not know that much about English history. I have enjoyed every step along the way as initially Alfred began with a vision of a united England. Uhtred is, of course, fictional however so much of the rest of the story contains fabulous historical research. Cornwell’s notes at the end of every story are a revelation in themselves as his merging of fact and fiction is seamless. 

Cornwell is a fabulous writer, he has a legion of followers and to write 13 books in one series of this calibre is astounding. Fans will be happy with the characters - some old friends and some new faces. There is the usual action (how I will miss my shield wall!) and the total immersion in Uhtred’s world. Gosh! It has been a wonderful journey. I cannot recommend enough for you to spend some time with this pagan war lord, he may be getting old and finding it harder to fight but he is ‘Uhtred, son of Uhtred’ and will forever be a force to reckon with on any battlefield. 

‘He's risen above me. He's King of Britain and I'm old and irrelevant. He wants a new Britain dominated by Englaland and I'm a small pagan stone in his royal Christian shoe.' 'So what will you do?'  

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Bird in the Bamboo Cage

Title: The Bird in the Bamboo Cage

Author: Hazel Gaynor

Publisher: 2nd September 2020 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 380 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: women’s fiction, historical fiction, WWII

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

When war imprisons them, only kindness will free them…

China, 1941. Elspeth Kent has fled an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China. But when Japan declares war on the Allies and occupies the school, security and home comforts are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear.

For ten-year-old Nancy Plummer and her school friends, now separated from their parents indefinitely, Miss Kent’s new Girl Guide patrol provides a precious reminder of home in a land where they are now the enemy.

Elspeth and her fellow teachers, and Nancy and her friends, need courage, friendship and fortitude as they pray for liberation. But worse is to come. Removed from the school, they face even greater uncertainty and danger at a Japanese internment camp, where cruelty and punishment reign. 

Inspired by true events, this is an unforgettable read about a remarkable community faced with unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed in a distant corner of a terrible war.

My Thoughts

‘You see, our war wasn’t one of battles and bombs. Ours was a war of everyday struggles; of hope versus despair, of courage against fear, strength over frailty.’

Every now and again a special book comes along that truly moves you and lingers long after the last page is turned. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is one such book. Hazel has created a tale that transports her readers to living the life of those in the Chefoo Missionary School for foreigners on China’s eastern coast in Shandong during WW2. 

This is an amazing read as it will open your eyes to an aspect of WW2 not often portrayed in literature. As the teachers and students get caught up in the fallout from the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, so will you. Hazel explains both the fact and fiction of her story - as some parts are real and some are imagined in her ‘Author’s Note’. It was the inspired by a similar real life experience that, once having come across these voices from the past, they cried out to Hazel to be told. Intertwine the inclusion of Brownies/Girl Guides (something of which I was both a member of and memories came flooding back) and it combines beautifully for a rich and emotional reading experience.

‘I held my breath. What was I thinking, coming out here, putting myself, and others, in danger? This wasn’t a game, or a spy novel. It was real life, and we were only school teachers who didn’t know the first thing about war.’    

The story is told through the alternating voices of Elspeth the teacher and Nancy the student. This way you see these life changing events from both an adult and child perspective - very clever. There is also a range of other critical characters that will engage you as the Japanese military control firstly their school and then send them to an internment camp. These brave adults and children literally leap off the page making the story unforgettable in both the hardships and courage that are displayed on a regular basis. It is clear the detailed research Hazel has undertaken that brings both realism and authenticity to this tale. 

‘As I closed the door and walked to my bedroom, it dawned on me that perhaps this was why I’d come to China; why life had led me here, at this time of war and great uncertainty. I was here to step into the shoes of all the absent parents. I was here to watch over these temporary orphans of war. I was here to become the mother I always hoped I’d be.’

When detention/internment camps are written about, it ordinarily would involve sending English children to the countryside or the Jewish ghettos in Europe. To have this fresh focus of Westerners in China, under Japanese rule, is really so very unique. The children of either diplomats or missionaries bring a whole other perspective with separation issues to name but one. Therefore it is the multiple aspects of setting, story, characterisation and plot that bring heartbreak and loss, lives permanently and forever changed due to the occupation and experiences they endured. 

I admit it, towards the end there was a definite tear in my eye. I encourage you to read this compelling tale that regales the incredible experiences - both frightening and momentous - that will remain in your mind for some time. 

"‘They’ll never forget, Minnie, whether they write it down or not. War and internment are part of their lives now; part of their story, part of who they are.’ I put my pencil down and closed the exercise book. ‘I actually think life is meant to have its share of difficulty and struggle. That’s when we find out who we really are, what we’re really made of, not when everything’s  going along all jolly and straightforward and terribly nice. We come alive in the dramatic bits, don’t we; in the moments that make us gasp and cry.’     

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Heart of the Cross

Title: Heart of the Cross

Author: Emily Madden

Publisher: 19th August 2019 by Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

From Ireland to Kings Cross, a legacy of loss and hope echoes across the generations ...

Tinahely, Ireland, 1959 Rosie Hart is content leaving her home behind to follow her new husband to Australia. But she soon discovers there is no room for her or their young son in the life he has built in vibrant Kings Cross. As their marriage crumbles, Rosie will need to fight for the golden future her son deserves.

Rose Bay, 1984 Haunted by her past, Rosie is determined her daughter Maggie will follow the path she has set out for her. But Maggie has plans of her own, and Rosie can only pray the grief that plagues the Hart name won't follow her.

Sydney, 2017 When her grandmother dies and leaves Brianna Hart a secret apartment in Kings Cross, Brie wonders what else Rosie was keeping from her. As Brie chases the truth of Rosie's past she uncovers an incredible story of passion, violence, love and tragedy. Is the Hart family's legacy of loss inescapable, or has Rosie gifted her granddaughter with a future of hope?

My Thoughts

‘Feathers are brave—they go where the wind takes them. Feathers are patient—they arrive at their destination, fall to the ground and wait. And they’re strong—just like the Hart women.’

Heart of the Cross is wonderful historical fiction by Aussie author Emily Madden and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, I found her writing to be rich and engaging with this novel firmly cementing her as a ‘go to’ or ‘must read’ author. On this occasion, we have three timelines, with three women - Rose, Maggie and Brie - all from the same family. The emotions that flow through all three stories demonstrate a real dignified strength and determination.

There is much to appreciate with plenty on offer given there is such an extended timeline. A rich and fulfilling family saga most certainly, that is filled with not only the expected sadness and heartaches, but also keeps you eagerly turning pages with an enticing mystery, slowly unfurled with puzzle pieces gradually placed together. Then there is also the setting, Kings Cross (Sydney, Australia) - almost a character within itself. It was fascinating to watch this iconic destination transform over the years and I especially enjoyed the 1950's-60's time period. At my age, I also could smirk over many of the 80s references such as Island Cooler’s that brought back some fond times. 

However, at its heart this is a story of great tragedy held together by the firm ties of family and friendship despite all of the many hardships. Each main character  held her own in their given time period (Rose has to be a firm favourite with all she endured and then achieved in her lifetime) and you easily transition from Rose in the 50s to Maggie her daughter, to then Brie in the present day. The voices of all three women were strong and relatable. All in all, this is a wonderful story, incredibly heartwarming amidst the heartache and one which I highly recommend.

‘You can travel to the ends of the earth, Brie, but one day you’ll realise that what you were looking for was right here all along. Only then it might be too late.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.