A review by Nalini Haynes The Beast’s Garden is a historical romance crossed with a thriller, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in …
Historical fiction
Spring Bride by Anne Gracie
A review by Lynne Larby Spring Bride is the third Chance Sister Regency romance by Anne Gracie, telling Jane Chance’s story of sense versus sensibility. …
Winter Bride by Anne Gracie
A review by Lynne Larby A romantic family tree begins with Jane Austen before branching through generations including Georgette Heyer and Marion Chesney to blossom once …
Raven’s Head by Karen Maitland
A review by Nalini Haynes ISBN: 9781472215079 Format: paperback, 468 pages Publisher: Headline (Hachette) The Raven’s Head is a gothic romance set in 13th century …
Skin by Ilka Tampke
A review by Nalini Haynes Warning: some spoilers. I’ve tried to keep these to a minimum. Trigger warnings: sex work, attempted rape, sex with an …
The Wind Rises (2013)
A review by Nalini Haynes Director: Hayao Miyazaki Writers: Hayao Miyazaki (comic), Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay), Mike Jones (screenplay adaptation, English version) The Wind Rises is …
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
A review by C J Dee Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley Other notable appearances: Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul, María Valverde …
Serena (2014)
A review by Nalini Haynes Director: Susanne Bier Writers: Christopher Kyle (screenplay), Ron Rash (based on the book by) Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Rhys …
Paper Planes by Allayne L Webster
A review by Nalini Haynes ISBN: 9781742990699 Format: Paperback, 183 pages Publisher: OMNIBUS BOOKS (Scholastic) Ages: allegedly 10–14; however, read review for my thoughts Trigger …
Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera
A review by Nalini Haynes Island of a Thousand Mirrors is historical fiction: it’s set in the twentieth century and follows the evolution of Sinhala …
Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson
A review by Evie Kendal Shaman begins with Loon’s “wander” – a tribal tradition in which he must survive in the wild without any of …
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
A commentary by Nalini Haynes [Spoilers, Sweetie] Burial Rites is ‘Scandinavian Noir’ because it’s set in Iceland; it’s the ‘speculative biography’ of Agnes Magnusdottir, the …
Da Vinci’s Demons s01e08: The Lovers
A review by Nalini Haynes Director: Jamie Payne Writers: David S Goyer (creator), Brian Nelson and Corey Reed Stars: Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Blake Ritson The Pazzi family plans to overthrow …
Da Vinci’s Demons s01e06: The Devil
A review by Nalini Haynes Director: Jamie Payne Writers: David S Goyer (creator), Brian Nelson & Marco Ramirez (writers) Stars: Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Blake Ritson Special appearances: sausages, meat, potatoes, …
Motion of Light in Water
A review by Nalini Haynes Created by Elbow Room Inspired by the work of Samuel R Delany & Marilyn Hacker Director: Marcel Dorney Designers: Matt …