Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, historical fiction, Science Fiction, supernatural, Thriller

The Prince’s Order (Renaissance Origins, #2) by Taylor Buck | Review

The adventure continues! Read the thrilling follow-up to Amazon bestseller, The Medici Letters: The Secret Origins of the Renaissance. A scientific breakthrough uncovers an ancient time capsule of knowledge. However, what is discovered may change our view on history… and time, forever.

Florence, Italy. Nearly a year ago, Professor Jack Cullen and his wife Kat nearly lost their lives discovering the infamous Medici family treasure. A powerful secret turned out to be the catalyst behind not only the Renaissance—but all of western civilization. The problem was… the secret was locked in a time-release code.

London, England. Present day. A revolutionary decryption program known as TETRA emerges, unlocking the code and revealing a powerful text, feared stolen. Jack’s friend and fellow classicist, Egan Church, pursues the text by following a mysterious note written five hundred years before by Niccolo Machiavelli. Church ends up in Italy, descending deep into the ploys of a shadowy brotherhood known as The Prince’s Order.

Paris, France. On vacation—Jack, Kat and their two daughters, Valerie and Anna, are intercepted by a group of mercenaries on a mission to stop The Prince’s Order from fulfilling a cataclysmic, age-old prophecy. The Cullen family discover the only way to survive is by unraveling an ancient legend and fulfilling a lost search for illumination.

Mediterranean Sea. As Jack pursues his missing friend, and Kat works to reprogram TETRA, the Cullen family find themselves evading capture, deciphering an ancient text, and discovering the shocking secret behind one of history’s most famous, political sages. How you perceive history, time and the lives of the Renaissance Greats will be forever changed.

This saga blends a modern-day thriller with historic accounts of Niccolò Machiavelli in Renaissance Florence in a non-stop, ride with twists, turns and shocking revelations.

Title: The Prince’s Order (Renaissance Origins, #2)

Author: Taylor Buck 

Pages: 211

Genre: Historical fiction

My review

What a spectacular story this was!

Okay, first thing first. I’m a big fan of historical mystery thrillers. I consider them as the perfect blend of entertainment. Historical thrillers are built on the secrets which are carefully hidden behind the scripted history. They open a new world of creativity and imagination. The Prince’s Order by Taylor Buck certainly fit into this line.

Renaissance is one of the most significant turns in the history of mankind. It shaped western civilization and practically crafted the fate of modern man. Taylor Buck’s Renaissance Origins dig deep through the lives of Renaissance greats for missing links and hidden knowledge. In this second instalment of the Renaissance origins series, we are following the life of Niccolo Machiavelli. The Cullen family is in the relentless pursuit of decoding the ancient knowledge to unravel mysteries.

One of the best qualities of this story is its storytelling style and narration. The author carefully builds suspense from the first page itself. The narration is impeccable. I was fully absorbed in the storyline. He created parallel storylines which are intervening frequently. This adds freshness to the storyline.

Every character introduced in the plot has an arc of mystery. Nothing is revealed easily. We only receive bits of information here and there and they all add up to some unpredictable level of truth at the end. Although this is a sequel in a series, it has its own independent existence. The story is crafted in that way.

In short, this is simply a brilliant story. One of the most underrated books ever!

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, historical fiction, Thriller

Oath: A Black Diamond Novel by Poppy Kuroki | Review

“Only through death may I leave the Black Diamond’s side…”

Tired of scraping for food in her war-torn homeland, Colette sneaks aboard a ship to Ranigh, the prosperous Empire capital, to seek her fortune. When she’s caught stealing, she is forced to pledge an Oath to a life of assassinhood.

When she’s bid to kill someone she cares for, what will Colette choose?

Obedience or love?

Title: Oath: A Black Diamond Novel

Author: Poppy Kuroki

Pages:

My review

Oath: A Black diamond novel by Poppy Kuroki is a dark fantasy-themed story. The plot is revolving around the strong female protagonist, Colette. This is her journey for survival and a better life. The whole story is narrated in a very unique manner. Whenever Colette’s journey hit a dead end, the plot is twisted and she unwillingly lands on entirely different circumstances. Her helplessness in these situations was heartbreaking. Hope is the only thing that gives her the strength to overcome these situations. She undergoes many transformations throughout the story. They all are for survival. But she remains true to her character. The climax underlines her character and it was satisfying from a reader’s point of view.

Strong female characters are one of the unique features of Ms Kuroki’s book. Another recurring theme I found was the sisterhood. The depth of human relationships is tested in her novels. She delves into the deepest human emotions and mold her characters with a touch of charisma. These characters are relatable and realistic. The portrayal of hunger was raw and convincing. No matter how the world progress, greed, and war remain so is poverty.

These strong themes are projected with clarity in the story. The female protagonist in the world ruled by females is a strong perspective. People bend rules for their advantages. Surviving in this world is difficult. But one must overcome every difficulty to realize our true character and destiny.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, historical fiction, supernatural, Thriller, Young-Adult

TIMESTAMPED: Book One- Postmarked Yesteryear by B. Patrick Bruce | Review

TO PROTECT THE FUTURE, WE MUST FIRST CORRECT THE PAST…

With the passing of her grandmother, and the inheritance of an antique holiday postcard collection, fourteen-year-old Rebecca Renford discovers she is a time corrector. Guided by interdimensional overseers and aided by a handsome, humanized computer historian (called a Continuant), with the selection of each vintage postcard from her album, Rebecca must travel back in time to help rewrite historical wrongs. Battling the omnipotent void and its never-ending roster of evil time disruptors (aka the Clan Gryves), Becca, as she is known by all who love her, is determined to seek vengeance for the deaths of her father and grandmother, Penelope Renford—the most recent time corrector. Smart, feisty and fearless, endowed with magical gifts she has yet to fully comprehend, Becca will stop at nothing until every last member of the Clan Gryves has been banished forever…back into the void, where all evil begins…and all evil belongs!

Title: TIMESTAMPED: Book One- Postmarked Yesteryear 

Author: B. Patrick Bruce

Pages: 294

My review

Timestamped: Book 1 of Postmarked yesteryear is a surprisingly original blend of supernatural and fantasy themes. The plot is fresh and captivating. I can guarantee that this strong female protagonist has the potential to go above and beyond in upcoming books. The plot is twisted to create a parallel world that is acting as a channel in time traveling. But the brilliance of this story lies in, how well the fantasy elements are woven with them.

A new world is created by blending past and present. The ability to travel back and forth in time does not come without responsibility. Becca is gifted and she must fulfill her destiny. She is fearless and determined. But she has to find everything on her own. Even the ability for time correction comes at her without any clue. This creates a sense of mystery and thriller. Becca’s journey is through an unknown path with awaiting dangers that can possibly threaten her life. The only thing that helps her in this journey is her intelligence and attitude.

One of the striking features of this book other than this unique plot is the prologue. A horrible crime is introduced right away on the first page itself. Because of that unusual beginning, I was so eager to connect this incident with the plot. But the author carefully delayed it and that incident is re-introduced only after the time was ripe.

The story is slow-paced at the beginning because the author took the time to introduce the background and characters. But once the main theme is uncovered, it quickly regains its pace. Then the whole story is like an unending maze, opening new doors one after another and giving new dimensions to the story.

Definitely, this is a masterpiece and I’m eagerly waiting to read the next installment in this series.

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, historical fiction, Memoirs

Slaves, Masters and Traders: Historical Fiction by H. Ann Ackroyd|Review

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Title: Slaves,Masters and Traders: Historical Fiction

Author: H. Ann Ackroyd

Pages: 546

“Slaves, Masters, and Traders: Historical fiction by H. Ann Ackroyd is a novel which is written in the background of true events of the slave trade which was prevailed in the 18th century.  Slave trade was one of the most disastrous events in the history of mankind. It was an unjustifiable crime by all means. If we look back to history, we may encounter that the slave trade was done by the noblemen of the society. The Africans were dragged from their home and transported to faraway lands to be a slave for the rest of their lives. The people who are born free in their native land were captured, abused, and forced to work and serve without any justice. Through this book you can relive these events. It is a story that has to be told over and over. Because it is the living evidence of the extend of racism in people’s minds.

I always love to read historical fiction books because they are always the perfect blend of creativity and history. This one also didn’t disappoint me. The book is comparatively thick because the author has narrated the story in-depth through these pages. These kinds of large books need a compelling narrative and unputdownable story to successfully lead the reader through these pages. In my opinion, this kind of beautiful narrative alone can drive the story. The author is narrating three main storylines in parallel. Three different backgrounds, three different cultures, and very different humans too. It was a perfect pleasure to delve into a historical fiction book that is sailing through smooth storylines.

From the story of black tribal family to the life of a black slave family and their masters in Lousiana, it was a journey that a reader can cherish in their whole life. The book is also a treasure of insights from history. A reader can learn many things through this book along with a heartfelt story.

Another highlight of the story is character built-up. Strong characters can only drive the story forward. Here, the characters are created to perfectly blend with the storyline. Each and every character is unique and attention-grabbing. Again the beauty of powerful writing skills.

Recommended for every reader who likes to read historical fiction.

Rating:5/5