Susan Hated Literature

She'd much prefer to read a good book

Britain - Georgian

1714-1837 (that includes the reign of William IV, technically not a George!)



14 August 2010
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A civil contract by

by Georgette Heyer
The library at Fontley Priory, like most of the principal apartments in the sprawling building, looked to the south-east, commanding a prospect of informal gardens and a plantation of poplars, which acted as a wind-break and screened from view the monotony of the fen beyond.
Adam Deveril has just left the army and the Peninsular War. Not through choice, but because his father recently died and he must assume his family responsibilities as the new Viscount Lynton. Added to his problems is the fact that his father was not the most reliable with money, and Adam finds himself hugely in debt. He may even be forced into selling the family home, as not only does he have mortgages and debts, but he will also have to support his mother and provide for his two sisters. But he is also a man of principle and honour; he does not even consider his advisor’s opinion that he find himself a wealthy bride. But he forced to reconsider when the wealthy business man Jonathan Chawleigh suggests he marries his daughter.
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19 May 2010
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Victory of eagles by

Author: Naomi Novik
Temeraire series #5

I hesitated before starting this book, wondering if I should reread the others in the series, it has been a while after all. But I have so many books waiting to be read that I decided to jump straight in and hope that it would all come back to me. And it did, almost the second I started reading the first page the whole world of Temeraire came back to me and I remember just how enjoyable these books are.

For those of you who have never read any of these books the first thing you need to know is that they are set in Napoleonic Europe, England. And have dragons. It is like Sharp meets Pern. Only better.

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26 September 2008
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The Courtesan’s Revenge by

Harriette Wilson, the woman who blackmailed the king ISBN: 0571205240 See also: LibraryThing ; Other reviews Harriette Wilson’s Memoirs omit both time and place; there are no addresses given, no locations described, no elections, diseases, or wars. “Dates make ladies … Continue reading

2 June 2008
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Empire of Ivory by

“Send up another, damn you, send them all up, at once if you have to,” Laurence said savagely to poor Calloway, who did not deserve to be sworn at: the gunner was firing off the flares so quickly his hands were scorched black, skin cracking and peeling to bright red where some power had spilled onto his fingers; he was not stopping to wipe them clean before setting each flare to the match.

Dragons and the Napoleonic wars. What could possibly be better? Well, I suppose there really isn’t too much of the Napoleonic wars in this book. Laurence and Temeraire are back from their trip to China, but they had returned to a plague. The dragons of Britain are ill; some are dead and more are dying. So off they head to maybe track down a cure. And of course they get embroiled in plenty of adventures along the way.

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19 December 2006
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Friday’s Child by

ISBN: 0099468042 ; Wikipedia entry “Do not, I beg of you, my lord, say more!” uttered Miss Milbourse, in imploring accents, slightly averting her lovely countenance, and clasping both hands at her bosom. This may be my favourite Heyer so … Continue reading

17 December 2006
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Black Powder War by

Book 3 in the Temeraire ISBN: 0345481305 ; Wikipedia entry ; aarti chapati I can’t say very much about the plot of this book without giving away plot details from Book 2. I enjoyed this more than the second, maybe … Continue reading

17 December 2006
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Throne of Jade by

Book 2 in the Temeraire series ISBN: 0345481291 ; Naomi Novik’s LJ ; Sandstorm Reviews In the first book of this series Novik introduced the slightly alternate Napoleonic world she had created; one with dragons used as instruments of war. … Continue reading

13 September 2006
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Bath Tangle by

ISBN: 0099468093 Heyer’s romance novels show the reader that your story doesn’t have to be original to be entertaining, and that predictability isn’t always a bad thing. By the time you’ve finished reading the first chapter you’ll know exactly who … Continue reading

20 August 2006
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Temeraire by

ISBN: 0007219113 Book #1 of the Temeraire series, aka His Majesty’s Dragon. See also: Naomi Novik’s site; Library Thing William Laurence is Captain of the Reliant, an English ship, fighting the French forces of Napoleon. A few weeks out of … Continue reading