Joe Ducie ”Distant Star” (The Reminiscent Exile book 1)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

For Declan Hale, the Shadowless Arbiter, life has been simple since he ended the Tome Wars and forced a cruel peace in the mythical realms of Forget. Exiled to Earth for his crimes, Declan spends his days managing a small bookshop.

So when a familiar looking corpse appears in the dead of night, spilling his scotch, Declan is less than amused. Especially because the body is his own. Someone—or something—has sent a calling card from the future.

Daring him to confront his monstrous past.

The last time Declan went to war, Ascension City burned and eight million people lost their lives. The Knights and Renegades should have left him alone…

*~*~*~*
An urban fantasy novel.

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pagājuši pieci gadi kopš Deklans Heils personīgi pārtrauca gandrīz vai mūžību ilgušo karu starp Bruņiniekiem un Renegātiem, bet trauslā miera cena un sekas pat pārāk nopietnas. Pateicībā Deklans saņēma mūžīgu izraidīšanu uz Zemes. Pašam Deklanam sava tiesa sāpīgu atmiņu.

Aptuveni pirms gada un drusku vēl biju lasījis Goodreads izlozē laimētu trešo daļu, tāpēc samērā interesanti lasīt, kā līdz tam nonāk, cik nu atmiņa ļauj atcerēties. Bet joprojām nedaudz neizprotu Zemes un citu Visumu/realitāšu savstarpējo saistību, vien to, ka pastāv īpašas grāmatas, kuru pasaulēs var ‘’ienirt’’, kurās tad noris Bruņinieku un Renegātu cīņas.

Ja vēl par paša atmiņām un trešo grāmatu, tad brīžiem bija apjukums radās, lai saprastu Deklanam apkārtējo tēlu lojalitāti (kurā pusē viņi ira); īpaši Emīlijas Greisas. Kas zin, varbūt pat kāda puszvaigzne pie vērtējuma vairāk, pateicoties sērfošanai atmiņās :D

Deklans bez īpašas izvēles tiek ierauts atpakaļ notikumu mutulī, bet visai dīvainā kārtā, pēc paša apciemojuma no nākotnes plus nomirst acu priekšā. Jāpiebilst, ka Deklanam pieder grāmatu veikals, cik varēja saprast, tad lietotu. Deklans cīņā nemetas viens – palīdz Sofija, Ītans, Markuss… – bet ne visiem var pilnībā uzticēties.

Maģija un tās spēka avots šajā grāmatā patīkami neierasts un saistīt ar Gribu, bet ne ikviens to spēj izmantot, vairums parasti vientieši :D Bez maģijas vēl arī neparasti un bīstami radījumi no Tukšuma (Void). Cerams otrajā grāmatā būs lielāka skaidrība, kas tas tāds.  : )

Cits interesants sīkums, ka Deklana Heila mītnes vieta uz Zemes ir Austrālijā. Bet varam būt droši, ka ilgi Deklanas nedabūs kvernēt atkal savā veikaliņā. Kā arī brīžiem nākas apšaubīt, vai Deklans vēl ir pie pilna saprāta.

Vēl piebildīšu, ka patika, ka netiek patērēts īpaši daudz laika iepazīstinot ar tēliem un kas noticis līdz tam. Ik pa brīdim tiek dotas norādes uz pagātni.

Ātrā, saistoša, interesanta lasāmviela.

                                                                                                                                                

It’s been five years since Declan Hale stopped almost unending war between Knights Infernal and Renegades. But the price and consequences for that are grave and harsh. In return Declan was exiled to forever live on Earth. For Declan himself has some very painful memories from those events.

About a year ago I had a chance to read the third book in this series which I won in Goodreads giveaway. So it was quite interesting to read what happens before that, as much the memories are there. One thing I still don’t understand is the connection between Earth and other Universes/realms. Only that there are certain books in which you (those with Will – the magic) can ‘’dive’’ into, and it’s where the fights between Knights and Renegades happen.

What else was a bit confusing then it was loyalties of some characters as to Declan or something else; like on which side they are; especially Emily Grace. Who knows maybe because I read the third book before this one the rating is a half (distant) star higher.

Without much choice Declan is thrown back into turmoil after witnessing his own death (from near future). I should add that Declan owns a book shop. In this fight Declan isn’t alone; with help from Sophie, Eathan (new guy), Marcuss… – but you can trust only to yourself. But from time to time you question sanity of Declan.

I mentioned Will which is the sort of magic in this series; I would like to compare it to Force : ) Also without the magic there are strange and very dangerous (also ugly) creatures coming out of Void. Hopefully more information about it in the second book. An interesting detail that Declan on Earth lives in Australia. But we can be sure that he won’t have much time to sell those books.

And the last thing. What I liked that there isn’t much time spent on introduction; you have catch those snippets when they are given along the main story.

Steve Berry ”The Tudor Plot” (Cotton Malone book 7.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

In this original eBook novella by the New York Times bestselling author of The King’s Deception, globetrotting intelligence agent Cotton Malone is lured into dangerous intrigue surrounding the world’s most famous royals—and uncovers a murderous conspiracy of terrorists and traitors, all born from an ancient tale of Saxon history.

“In Malone, [Steve] Berry has created a classic, complex hero.”—USA Today
  
In England to participate in the trial of suspected international terrorists, Justice Department agent Cotton Malone is mysteriously summoned to an audience with the Queen of England. A cryptic call has warned of looming danger to the ailing queen’s son and grandson—the next two heirs in line for the throne. And when the source of that ominous information, a notorious tabloid publisher, dies mysteriously, the royal family has reason to fear a genuine conspiracy. But they also suspect that the enemy lies within—and no one at Buckingham Palace, or even the nation’s own Secret Intelligence Service, can be trusted. Now it’s up to Malone to discover the truth. Matching wits with a power-mad politician and a vicious royal blue blood, he must race against time through the streets of London to the forbidden reaches of Iceland, all to stop a monstrous plot to seize the monarchy—one that stretches back to the time of Arthur.

Praise for Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series
 
“Malone, a hero with a personal stake in the proceedings, is a welcome respite from the cold, calculating superspies who litter the genre.”—Entertainment Weekly 
 
“Steve Berry gets better and better with each new book.”—The Huffington Post

“Savvy readers . . . cannot go wrong with Cotton Malone.”—Library Journal

“Berry raises this genre’s stakes.”—The New York Times
 
“I love this guy.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Notikums pirms septiņiem gadiem Lielbritānijā, kad Malons vēl netirgo grāmatas. Viņa atrašanās iemesls uz salas ir vajadzība liecināt tiesā, bet pa starpu tam viņa prasmes vēlas izmantot pati karaliene.

Lai gan autors karaļnama personāžus ir izdomājis, tomēr ideja visai intriģējoša. Ja nu trešais vai trešā ceļā uz troni nevēlētos gaidīt līdz būtu viņa kārta tikt kronētam, bet izvēlētos paātrināt procesu.

Arī šī .5 grāmata ir prīkvels un Malona visticamākais pretinieks (viens no) astotajā grāmatā būs Thomas Mathew, MI6. Varbūt tieši pateicoties, ka šis darbs ir garākas, arī vērtējums augstāks, kā diviem iepriekšējiem prīkveliem.

                                                                                                                                                

Events in UK seven years ago when Cotton Malone wasn’t selling books. Reasons for him to be on the island was a need to testify in court but between that queen herself wants to use his skills.

Although characters of the royalties are fictional the idea is itself is intriguing. What if the third in line to throne wouldn’t want to wait but would choose to accelerate the process.

Also this .5 book is a prequel and I guess that one of Malone’s enemies in the 8th book will be Thomas Mathew from MI6. Maybe because this was longer than two previous prequels the rating also is higher to this one.

Pirmdienas teikums #56

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Pirmdienas teikums ir mana versija par Bonespark~ “Sunday Sentence”, kurā tiek izcelts teikums no tā, kas iepriekš izlasīts.

She wondered about the bluntness, searching her memory, recalling nothing in the press about any animosity, whether perceived or real, between the first couple.

Steve Berry ‘’The Jefferson Key’’ (Cotton Malone book 7)

Steve Berry ”The Jefferson Key” (Cotton Malone book 7)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Four United States presidents have been assassinated — in 1865, 1881, 1901, and 1963 — each murder seemingly unrelated and separated by time.

But what if those presidents were all killed for the same reason: a clause in the United States Constitution — contained within Article 1, Section 8 — that would shock Americans?

This question is what faces former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone in his latest adventure. When a bold assassination attempt is made against President Danny Daniels in the heart of Manhattan, Malone risks his life to foil the killing — only to find himself at dangerous odds with the Commonwealth, a secret society of pirates first assembled during the American Revolution. In their most perilous exploit yet, Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt race across the nation and take to the high seas. Along the way they break a secret cipher originally possessed by Thomas Jefferson, unravel a mystery concocted by Andrew Jackson, and unearth a centuries-old document forged by the Founding Fathers themselves, one powerful enough — thanks to that clause in the Constitution — to make the Commonwealth unstoppable.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to ‘’Latvijas grāmatu izstādē 2015’’

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Ja nu visas ASV prezidentu slepkavības būtu nevis atsevišķi gadījumi, bet gan saistīti. Tādu iespējamību piedāvā septītā grāmata Cotton Malone sērijā.

Commonwealth organizācija ir agrāko pirātu pēcteči, kuru senči tika nolīgti (palikušas četri kapteiņi), lai uzbruktu un laupītu ienaidniekus, tā lielā mērā palīdzot gan valsts dibināšanā, gan vēlākajos konfliktos. Bet pēc pirmā neveiksmīgā uzbrukuma prezidentam 19.gadsimtā attiecīgais prezidents īpaši pacentās, lai ieraksti par attiecīgu vēstuļu izsniegšanu no kongresa ierakstiem tiktu labi noslēpti. Jau vairāk kā 175 gadus Commonwealth neveiksmīgi mēģinājusi atrisināt šifru, kas slēpj izplēsto lapu atrašanās vietu.

Kopš prīkvela notikumiem ‘’The Devil’s Gold’’ Džonatans Vaiats laikam pazaudēja savu lielo apņemšanos izrēķināties ar Malonu. Tomēr tieši viņam jāpateicas par Malona un savā ziņā arī Kasiopejas iesaistīšanu, kā arī šķiet sapratis savu agrāko lēmumu sekas. Abi vien sāk apjaust, ko nozīmē attiecību aizsākums.

Sava daļa pārsteigumu un intrigu no Baltā nama, kas potenciāli varētu sagraut pašreizējā ASV prezidenta Denija Danielsa prezidentūras reputāciju un piespiest respektēt pirātus.

Kārtējo reizi burvīgi piedzīvojums ar Malonu un tikpat labi vietu apraksti.

Droši vien tie, kas lasījuši Stīvena Kinga grāmatu par 1963.gadu un tajā minēto pēdējo prezidenta slepkavību, varēs apstiprināt manas aizdomas, ka tajā darbā pirātu un tāda Commonwealth nav, ko apliecina autors kā savu izdomājumu.

                                                                                                                                                

What if all assassinations of the USA presidents are linked and not just separated events. The 7th book in Cotton Malone series gives this theory a chance.

Commonwealth is organization where descendants of pirates that once in the past operated as privateers to attack enemies of USA and deserves some gratitude as they helped in countries foundation and also in later military conflicts. But after the first attack to president in 19th century which was unsuccessful the president of that time makes certain that the pages of Congress Journal about passing out letter of marque to the ancestors of remaining four captains of Commonwealth. More than 175 the Jefferson Key has been doing its job to hide those two pages.

Since the events of ‘’The Devil’s Gold’’ it seems that Jonathan Wyatt has lost his resolve to have his revenge to Cotton Malone. Although it’s possible that he understood consequences of his earlier carrier decisions. But because of him Malone and also Cassiopeia is involved into this adventure. Both of them are only starting to comprehend what their relationship really means.

Few surprises and some intrigue comes from White House which could possibly destroy current president’s Danny Daniels reputation and would force him to respect Commonwealth.

Once again amazing journey and adventure with Cotton Malone and just as good descriptions of places.

Probably those who have read Stephen King’s book about 1963 could tell if my suspicions that Commonwealth is fiction which Steve Berry confirms, and that in that story there are no pirates.

Mans TBR priekš BookTube-A-Thon

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Visas izvēlētās grāmatas diemžēl nesanāca izlasīt TBRTakedown 2.0 laikā, bet par laimi klāt jau nākamais pasākums nedēļas garumā no 3. līdz 9. augustam – BookTube-A-Thon. Lai piedalītos nav jābūt Youtube kontam un/vai buktūberim, kā arī izaicinājumi ir pēc paša izvēles.

Tātad:

1) Read a book with blue on the cover

By Steve Berry: The Tudor Plot (Cotton Malone, #7.5) 
2) Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name
3) Read someone else’s favourite book
4) Read the last book you acquired 

By Joe Ducie: Distant Star (The Reminiscent Exile, #1) 

Broken Quill (The Reminiscent Exile, #2) 
5) Finish a book without letting go of it

By Steve Berry: The Tudor Plot (Cotton Malone, #7.5) 
6) Read a book you really want to read

By Lisa Gardner: Alone (Detective D.D. Warren, #1) 

Hide (Detective D.D. Warren, #2) 

The Neighbor (Detective D.D. Warren, #3) 

Live to Tell (Detective D.D. Warren, #4) 
7) Read seven books

Mazie kustīgo bilžu komentāri #2

Tā kā ik palaikam sanāk noskatīties kādu filmu, tad grēks šo to neiekļaut blogā. Ideja par šo rakstu iegūta no Tējtasītes ‘’Mazo filmu komentāriem’’.

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Funky Forest: The First Contact (2005)

Iedvesmu noskatīties šo filmu guvu no Fine Brothers Entertainment – Youtubers React video. Filma pārsvarā sastāv no epizodiskām ainām, no kurām pāris tematiski atkārtojas un dažas arī robežojas kā pretīgas, bet tomēr nespēj novērsties :D. Mežs tiešām ir funky, un nebūtu kļūdījušies apzīmējot arī kā bizarre, bet vietām var arī pasmieties.

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The Lazarus Project (2008)

Pat Pols Vokers galvenajā lomā nespēja īpaši uzlabot filmu. Sižetiskajā ziņā visai vienkārša. Pēc atlaišanas no darba spiests piekrist piedalīties laupīšanā, turklāt nesen beidzies probācijas laiks. Laupīšana noiet galīgi greizi, kā rezultātā tiek piespriests nāves sods, bet kā filmas nosaukums varētu vedināt domāt, tad ar to viss nebeidzas.

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Let’s Go To Prison (2006)

Viegla komēdija bez liekas domāšanas par dzīvi cietumā – karjeras kāpums no pakalpiņa līdz pat bosam. Aiz gara laika var noskatīties, bet nekas ievērojams tomēr nav, arī kā komēdija.

Steve Berry ”The Devil’s Gold” (Cotton Malone book 6.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Jefferson Keybrings you a short story that takes readers on a perilous hunt for . . . The Devil’s Gold

Once he was called the Sphinx, a man so inscrutable that neither his adversaries nor fellow intelligence operatives could predict his next move. Now a contract agent with a secret mission, Jonathan Wyatt has gone rogue. For eight years he’s been plotting. Waiting. Scheming to kill Federal agents Christopher Combs and Cotton Malone, whom he blames for the loss of his career. But as Wyatt prepares for a final confrontation in a remote South American village, he makes a discovery that stretches back to the horrors of World War II, to the astounding secret of a child’s birth, to Martin Bormann and Eva Braun—and to a fortune in lost gold.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 3/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Džonatans Vaiats izseko savu bijušo priekšnieku Kristoferu, bijušo, jo pirms astoņiem gadiem pieņēma kļūdainu lēmu, kā rezultātā mira divi kolēģi. Kamēr izseko, ar nolūku atriebties, atklāj arī kaut ko negaidītu saistībā ar Vāciju un Hitleru, un vēl dažiem. Sava vieta īsajā tekstā arī dārgumiem, tai skaitā zeltam.

Bet Kristofers nav vienīgais, kuru Džonatans vaino savās nelaimēs, un tas otrs būtu Malons. Šķiet iznākumu varēs izlasīt septītajā sērijas grāmatā ‘’The Jefferson Key’’.

Kaut arī stāsts nav pārāk garš, Džonatans Vaiats paspēj radīt negatīvu iespaidu par sevi.

                                                                                                                                                

Jonathan Wyatt follows his ex-boss Christopher Combs. Ex because eight years ago he made mistake which led to death of two colleagues. While Jonathan follows with intent to take revenge he discovers something unexpected tied to Germany, Hitler and few others. In the short text there is a place for treasure including gold.

But Christopher isn’t the only one who Jonathan blames for everything bad that happens to him and the other guilty one is Cotton Malone. It seems that the outcome might be in the 7th book of this series – The Jefferson Key.

Although the story isn’t long Jonathan Wyatt manages to create bad impression about him.

Steve Berry ”The Emperor’s Tomb” (Cotton Malone book 6)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The tomb of China’s First Emperor, guarded by an underground army of terra-cotta warriors, has remained sealed for more than 2,000 years. Though it’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, the Chinese government won’t allow anyone to open it. Why? 

That question is at the heart of a dilemma faced by former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone, whose life is shattered when he receives an anonymous note carrying an unfamiliar Web address. Logging on, he sees Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who’s saved his life more than once, being tortured at the hands of a mysterious man who has a single demand: Bring me the artifact she’s asked you to keep safe. The only problem is, Malone doesn’t have a clue what the man is talking about, since Cassiopeia has left nothing with him. So begins Malone’s most harrowing adventure to date — one that offers up astounding historical revelations, pits him against a ruthless ancient brotherhood, and sends him from Denmark to Belgium to Vietnam then on to China, a vast and mysterious land where danger lurks at every turn.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pagājis gandrīz pusgads kopš iepriekšējās grāmatas notikumiem un Henrika nāves, kad Malons atkal tiek izrauts no grāmatu pārdošanas – jāpalīdz briesmās nonākušajai Kasiopejai. Viņas iemesls, kāpēc nonākusi tādā situācija, atrodams prīkvelā ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Levs Sokolovs pats nonācis nepatikšanās plus viņa 4 gadīgais dēls nolaupīts; Kasiopejas iespēja atlīdzināt.

Malona ceļš vedīs uz Ķīnu, bet viss nav tik vienkārši. Tur briest varas maiņa, un par to, kurš par nākamo līderi – Ni Jongs vai Karls Tangs – ieinteresētas tādas lielvaras kā ASV un Krievija. Šajā ziņā darbībā atgriežas trešajā sērijas grāmata esošais Viktors Tomas, kurš joprojām ir tikpat neuzticams un nekādīgi nevar saprast, kurā pusē tad viņš ir.

Ni Jongs un Karls Tangs savos uzskatos un vīzijā par Ķīnas nākotni ir ļoti atšķirīgi. Viens vairāk sliecas uz valsts lielāku demokratizāciju~, bet otrs gatavs izmantot militāru spēku un bailes, lai par katru cenu panāktu savējo.

Bet lielā grāmatas tēma, ja nu nafta, kuru tagad vairumā iegūst ir nevis biotiska, tādējādi izsmeļams un ierobežots resurss, bet gan abiotiska, kuru Zeme pati pastāvīgi ražo un rodas stipri vien dziļāk. Šāda apziņa droši vien mainītu šo to pasaules kārtībā un cenu pavisam noteikti.

Sērijā parādās drusku no romantiskā. Ja līdz šim Malons un Kasiopeja savstarpējas simpātijas situācijas spiesti atlikuši otrajā plānā, tad notikumi liek piespiež ne vien apjaust jūtas, bet arī atklāt tās; sava loma tajā arī nesenajai drauga zaudēšanai.

                                                                                                                                                

It’s been nearly six months since events in the last book and Henrik’s death when Malone again is pulled into new deadly adventure – he has to help Cassiopeia. Reasons why her own life is in danger you can find in the prequel ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Lev Sokolov is in danger, and also his four year old son has been kidnapped. This is a chance for Cassiopeia to repay a favor.

Eventually Malone’s path will lead him to China but not everything is that simple. Soon there will be a change as who will lead the country next and the struggle for that position is between Ni Yong and Karl Tang. Two superpowers of the world USA and Russia are interested in the outcome. In this case I have to mention a recurring character Viktor Tomas from third book of the series. Once again you can’t be 100% sure if you can trust him as he changes sides by the minute.

Ni Yong and Karl Tang are very different in their beliefs and in the vision of China’s future. On tends towards more democratization but the other is willing to use any amount of force and fear to be in the power.

The big theme of this was, what if oil that produced today was not biotic in that way non-renewable resource but abiotic – oil that Earth produces constantly and way deeper than fossil fuel. This kind of knowledge might change world order and definitely the current oil price. But that’s only what if.

In this book the romantic story line appeared a little between Malone and Cassiopeia. If previously events forced them to suppress the feelings they thought they might have then recent events and a recent loss of a mutual friend makes them realize the situation.