The Englishman's Boy

The Englishman’s Boy By Guy Vanderhaeghe Published 1998 by Anchor ISBN: 1862 30015 1 This is a real gem. For those who enjoy history, particularly US late nineteenth century and the golden age of silent movies in the 1920s, then this is a must read. Vanderhaeghe cleverly weaves a tal...

War Horse (2011)

Five years ago author Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel ‘War Horse’ was adapted into a hugely successful and critically acclaimed stage play. Now it gets the Hollywood and, in particular, the Steven Spielberg treatment (who directs and produces here). Regardless of what preconceptions you bring to th...

Winter's Bone

Winter's Bone By Daniel Woodrell Published 2006 by Hodder and Stoughton ISBN: 978 0 340 89798 0 I picked up this novel aware of the recently released award winning film (I have yet to see it). The dust jacket and opening pages were filled with gushing praise for author Daniel Woodrell. The...

Blood & Steel: Legends of La Gaul

Blood & Steel: Legends of La Gaul Short Stories by Steven L Shrewsbury Published 2011 by Seventh Star Press Steven L Shrewsbury is the author of two novels ‘HAWG’ and ‘Thrall.’ These two short stories see the central character of ‘Thrall’ the ancient hero and legendary warrior Gorias La Gau...

Chronicles of Ave & Annals of the Rising Dawn

Chronicles of Ave & Annals of the Rising Dawn Short Stories by Stephen Zimmer Published 2011 by Seventh Star Press For those who already know, Stephen Zimmer is the author of two ambitious and epic series of novels: ‘The Rising Dawn Saga’ and ‘The Fires in Eden’ series. Here he brings u...

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

With Tom Cruise producing and starring in this the fourth instalment of the popular Mission Impossible series you know the stakes are high. As has been widely documented Cruise is in need of a box office hit after a few misfires in recent years. He is on a well trodden path here, although a slip ...

The Wolf's Hour

(Kindle Edition) By Robert R McCammon First Published 1989 by The McCammon Corporation This Edition Published 2011 by Open Road Integrated Media ISBN: 978-1-4532-3218-7 Here is something that should appeal to fans of thrillers and horror. Author Robert R McCammon has masterfully blend...

Citizen Vince

By Jess Walter Published 2005 by Hodder and Stoughton ISBN: 0 340 81995 2 Once in a while you read something that makes you realize why you enjoy reading in the first place. I am an avid reader and book reviewer and at a conservative estimate I have read over a thousand books. When I say th...

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Sequels are always tough especially when the sequel in question follows a film like ‘Sherlock Holmes’ directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law as Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr John Watson. Fortunately all three are back on hand for this entry. The trailer promi...

Stark's Crusade

By Jack Campbell writing as John G. Hemry First Published 2002 This Edition 2011 by Titan Books ISBN: 9780857688996 The last surviving superpower on Earth, the USA is fighting a war to conquer the moon and obtain its riches. However, the American military has its own battles to fight before...