Book Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

This is a engaging, fast paced fantasy with good twists.
Half a King
by Joe Abercrombie

• File Size: 1770 KB
• Print Length: 354 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0804178321
• Publisher: Del Rey (July 15, 2014)
• Sold by: Random House LLC
• ASIN: B00HBQWGYO

Genre: Fantasy Adventure
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 15, 2014
“A fast-paced tale of betrayal and revenge that grabbed me from page 1 and refused to let go.”—George R. R. Martin
“I swore an oath to avenge the death of my father. I may be half a man, but I swore a whole oath.”

Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it all with only one good hand.

The deceived will become the deceiver.
Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.

The betrayed will become the betrayer.
Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.

Will the usurped become the usurper?
But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds that his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy.

Review:
Prince Yarvi is a younger son and not expected to become the King. He was born with a deformity and has always been a disappointment to his father, brother and those who value the warrior brawn over brain. Only his mother, his uncle and his tutor, Mother Gundring have shown love and encouragement. Yarvi has trained to become a minister but right before he is to test as a noble scholar his father and brother are ambushed. Yarvi is troubled to become King (or half a King as many consider him) but, with the encouragement of his Uncle, he accepts. As one of his first acts he vows vengeance on those who murdered his father.

Yarvi and a small army go to face the alleged enemy. Although they didn’t find the leader of the clan, his men slaughtered many innocent villagers. As they were returning to their ship to go home Prince Yarvi meets betrayal and is left for dead in the carnage. Unexpectedly he lives and falls into the hands of his enemy. He can’t tell them who he truly is so he claims to be a ship’s cook and he is sold to a slaver.

Yarvi ends up as an oarsman with other slaves. His companions help him to learn to do one stroke at a time. Yarvi struggles to row, managing to grow muscles and strength as he plots escape and reclaiming his throne.

Yarvi’s learning comes in handy and he gains a promotion to supply officer. He manages better than his predecessor and provides better food and conditions for the other slaves who appreciate his efforts. Eventually Yarvi and some of his friends escape. Of course they face more hardships as they try to stay ahead of the ship’s Captain who pursues. Yarvi finally reveals his identity and a group of his friends agree to help him sneak into the castle to capture the false king. Clues picked up along the way reveal how extended the betrayal was and, before the band faces the impostor king, there are more secrets and twists to surprise everyone and to challenge Yarvi once again.

Yarvi is not the usual handsome, strong hero. Instead he is a deformed, weak, scholarly nerd who is scorned in his society of warriors. But Yarvi is shrewd and remembers the wisdom shared by his teacher. His friends are a wonderful mix of characters who have suffered through hardships and share different talents for the obstacles they face. I enjoyed the characters, the fast paced adventure and was pleased with the twists at the end. I recommend this to those who enjoy engaging fantasy.

I received this from Del Rey through NetGalley.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 25, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

I don't quite know how these weeks keep going by so fast. This week was another busy and good one; not too stressful.
I'll start pulling together another box of books for next week. 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the July 18 Pick. There were Four! automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked which was won through the block.
Rita gets Full Bloom
bn100 gets Tangled Lives
Alyn gets Desperate Alliances
Anita gets Hearts are Wild

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 18 Pick:
MaryP gets a GC

Faith Hope & Cherrytea gets The Secret Life of Bees

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

The picture first caught my eye then "law school" caught my attention. :-)

Image found at Lawschooli.

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child
Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
The Grey Beginning by Barbara Michaels
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

PAIRS:
Karen Haper:  Black Orchid (spine creases) and Shaker Run
Elizabeth Lowell: Fever and The Color of Death
SINGLES:
After Dark by Phillip Margolin Audio Tapes
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology
Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz
Mesmerized by Gayle Lynds
On the Edge by Susan Kearney
Safe by His Side by Linda Conrad
Son of the Sword by J. Ardian Lee
Spring Fancy by LaVyrle Spenser
Tangled Lives by Margot Dalton
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis
Underfoot by Leanne Banks


New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

PAIRS:
Catherine Palmer: Prairie Rose and A Whisper of Danger
Stephanie Laurens: A Lady of His Own (spine creases) and Impetuous Innocent
SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy



New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

PAIRS:
   Virginia Henley - Notorious and Insatiable
   Debbie Macomber - Navy Woman and This Matter of Marriage
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 690+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review and Giveaway: Every Time I Love You by Heather Graham

An engaging romance that spans two hundred years. 

Every Time I Love You

by Heather Graham

• Paperback
• Publisher: Dell (1988)
• ISBN-10: 0440200873

Genre: Contemporary Romance, with Historical Elements
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Every Time I Love You is the captivating tale of a modern couple and their struggle with ill-fated past lives.

Review:
Gayle Norman is a modern woman who had a college romance that ended in tragedy when her temperamental boyfriend overdosed. Since then she has focused on her career as an assistant and event coordinator for Sabel Gallery, a well known artist gallery in Richmond, Virginia. Gayle keeps her distance from men even though her friends think it’s time to find a man to date.

Brent McCauley is an intense, reclusive artist who has agreed to have a showing at Sabel Gallery. His works consist of a group of nudes, including two entangled lovers. Gayle is impressed with the strong evocative feel of the painting.

Brent and Gayle meet and the connection is instant, intense and undeniable. Although it is not her usual behavior, Gayle ends up going home with Brent. Soon they are inseparable and planning their wedding. Gayle begins to have some dark dreams where she is drawn to a man who looks like Brent but she is terrified of him. She can’t really remember the dreams but feels a disquiet.

At the wedding Gayle passes out and after the wedding the dreams increase to the point where Brent insists she seek professional help. She agrees although that doesn’t help much. Then Brent begins to act in unexplaned, angry and violent episodes that he doesn’t remember. Gayle is frightened but Brent refuses to seek help because it might have a bad impact on his reputation.

Interspersed with these modern chapters are chapters set in 1774 introducing Percy Ainsworth, a young American rebel and Lady Katrina Seymour, the sixteen year old sister of a staunch British Tory. These two are at extremes politically but their attraction is explosive.

The conflict in the story stems from Percy’s belief that Katrina betrays him. Gayle and Brent are struggling with the strange flashes they are experiencing. But how can they figure out what is happening especially if Brent refuses outside help?

I had picked this story from my TBR pile because I wanted something involving the American Revolution. Although this had small portions of the Revolution the story is really a double romance. The modern characters are well developed and likable although I had difficulty with the impulsive, contrary traits of the 1774 couple. The romance between Gayle and Brent is very nicely handled. The ‘reincarnation’ aspects of the story added the focal interest even if I have mixed feelings about that theory. The book started a bit slowly but by midway I was anxious to keep reading. The writing is strong and engaging and I recommend this to those who love entertaining romance.

This story was from one of my TBR author collections.

Giveaway:

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my 1988 Print paperback

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 2 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 2, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book Review: The Divine Inspiration of the Bible by Arthur W. Pink

This is a wonderfully edifying and encouraging listen.
The Divine Inspiration of the Bible
Author: Arthur W. Pink
Narrator: Ralph Cosham

Runtime: 3.2 Hours
Recording: Unabridged
Release date: 5.6.2014
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Nonfiction/Religion
ISBN-13: 978-1-4830-0194-4
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/06/14
Summary
“Deny that the Bible is, without any qualifications, the very word of God, and you are left without any ultimate standard of measurement and without any supreme authority.”—from the book
The Bible is the foundation of Christianity. In The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, Arthur Pink sets out to defend the belief that this holy book is, in fact, the true word of God. In doing so he examines the idea of divine inspiration and presents various arguments that aim to prove God Almighty is the author of the Bible.
This book not only examines evidence for the trustworthiness of scripture and what belief in inspiration means but also helps Christians achieve a firmer understanding of the Bible’s authority.
Originally published in 1917

Review:
I loved this audio book. I read Pink’s The Sovereignty of God about 20 years ago and remembered that I thought it was sound, if sometimes difficult, theology teaching. I already believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God but I was interested in the presentations that Pink would make. The book is laid out with each chapter dedicated to a specific, concise argument. As an attorney I appreciated that the arguments and proofs are supported by logical statements and examples that make sense to a person with an open mind and heart. The first chapter presents a “Presumption in Favor of the Bible”. Again, this resonates in legal precedence for me. Other chapters discuss the “Character of Its Teachings”, “Fulfilled Prophesies” and the “Wonderful Unity” as just a few of the themes explored with precision and confidence. Some of the supporting statements I had heard before but others were fresh and all of it was edifying.

I found myself excited about how well the text fit with and encouraged my current Bible reading. It also reinforced past studies I have read (and led) that show how the Old Testament and the New Testament speak as one from the beginning (“In the beginning God created...” Genesis 1:1) to the ending warnings not to add or take away from the scrolls (Revelation 22:18-19).

This book was originally published in 1917 but it is timely today. It has a scholarly, gentle, but forceful and confident, tone that lends strength to the arguments. The audio is a quick listen - less than four hours. I highly recommend this to everyone. Believers and followers of Christ will be encouraged and uplifted. Those who are seeking, and even those who would object or rebel, will find sound arguments if they read (or listen) with fair-mindedness.

Audio notes: The narration by Ralph Cosham enhanced the book for me. It matches the text by being precise and on the side of elegant. This is a book I could, and suspect that I will, listen to repeatedly just for the shear joy and uplift it brought me.

I received this from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop, July 22 to July 31, 2014

“Christmas in July” Giveaway Hop

July 22nd to 31st

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Laurie Here

This is a Christmas Books only hop.  
The winner at Martha's Bookshelf gets to pick Christmas Title(s) valuing up to $25.00 (including shipping). The choice can be print, eBook or Audio.

Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas all year round!
Open Worldwide; Ends midnight July 31, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This is a Blog Hop!
If Linky list doesn't show - start at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer