Liv’s Book Corner

  Synopsis: The Demon King.  As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm - and even the monster within - to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.  The Stormwitch.  Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost. The Queen of Mourning.  Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart. King. General. Spy.  Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall. My Review: A brilliant ending to this amazing duology, bursting with character, adventure, epic

  Synopsis: The Babylonians were indisputably a formidable force in the ancient world’s stage, but how did they rise to power three separate times in Middle Eastern history? What led to their cataclysmic falls? And why did everyone keep stealing their chief god Marduk? Dive into the riveting stories of the remarkable Babylonians, who transformed the Middle East and left an enduring legacy. Thoroughly researched, engaging, and easy to read, this book will guide you through the fascinating history of a civilization that has left an indelible mark on our world. My review: A very thorough review of the Babylonian empire, includes some interesting facts and stories yet unfortunately was a little bit confusing and uninspiring. I felt that some parts of the book could have been written in a more clear manner. However, lots of good images and diagrams which helped to tell the history of this ancient kingdom. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about Babylonian culture and innovation - i didn’t

  Synopsis: Face your demons...or feed them. The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army. Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal. My Review: An excellent continuation to the brilliant fantasy that is the grishaverse. I loved getting back into this world, it’s unique magic system and brilliant characters

  Synopsis: Sadie loves her daughter and will do anything to keep her safe. She can't tell her why they had to leave home so quickly - or why Robin's father won't be coming with them to London. She can't tell her why she hates being back in her dead mother's house, with its ivy-covered walls and its poisonous memories. And she can't tell her the truth about the school Robin's set to start at - a school that doesn't welcome newcomers. Sadie just wants to get their lives back on track. But even lies with the best intentions can have deadly consequences... Review: This novel was gripping from start to finish, a constant feeling of unease and tension creeping through the superficial, light plot that spans the first half of the book. As all the various threads start to converge, you’re pulled into the chaos that ensues. The whole book is from Sadie’s point of view so you quickly become familiar with her feelings and relationships, especially with her daughter

  Synopsis: Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals. They are hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality. Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory after her family was murdered by a rival line. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man—now a god—responsible for their deaths. Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek her out: Castor, a childhood friend Lore believed to be dead, and Athena, one of the last of the original gods, now gravely wounded. The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and a way to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to rejoin the hunt, binding her fate to Athena's, will come at a deadly cost—and it may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with

  Synopsis: Sir Alex Ferguson's compelling story is always honest and revealing, and he reflects on his managerial career that embraced unprecedented European success for Aberdeen and 26 triumphant seasons with Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson's best-selling autobiography has now been updated to offer reflections on events at Manchester United since his retirement, as well as his teachings at the Harvard Business School, a night at the Oscars, and a boat tour round the Hebrides, where he passed unrecognized. The extra material adds fresh insights and detail on his final years as United's manager. Both the psychology of management and the detail of soccer strategy at the top level can be complex matters but no one has explained them in a more interesting and accessible way for the general reader than Sir Alex does here.  Alex Ferguson:   My Autobiography  is revealing, endlessly entertaining, and above all, inspirational. Review: One of the most boring books I’ve read in