“ There was rain in my shoes and mother disappeared. Laurie and his family lived a hand to mouth existence where danger lurked at every tree covered, grass scented corner, and where food was often in short supply. It was knife-edged, dark and a wicked green, thick as a forest and alive with grasshoppers that chirped and chattered and leapt through the air like monkeys”įirst impressions are not always reliable as it soon becomes evident that despite the idyllic beauty of the landscape these were hard times. “ towered above me and all around me, each blade tattooed with tiger skins of sunlight. The book opens with the most wonderfully fresh descriptions of his countryside home. Now the war was over, so the end of the world had come” “All my life was the war and the war was the world. However, whether it was a re-acquaintance or new acquaintance I was very happy to pass the time of day with ‘Cider with Rosie’.Ĭider with Rosie is the story of Laurie Lees Childhood in a remote Cotswold Village in the period soon after the First World War. My copy looks well read and has sat on my shelf for such a long time, I don’t have any idea where it came from. I think it is such a familiar book, it’s easy to assume reading of it must have taken place at some time. Soon after starting to read it I realized I hadn’t. This is a book I always thought I had read.
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Return to where it all began-in the first novel in the phenomenal Black Dagger Brotherhood series by #1 New York Times bestselling author J. “Dark fantasy lovers, you just got served” ( New York Times Bestselling Author Lynn Viehl). THE FIRST NOVEL OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD Genres: Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, General Published by Penguin on September 6th 2005 Also by this author: The Shadows, The Bourbon Kings, Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1), The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1), The Beast (A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood), The Angels' Share (The Bourbon Kings, #2), The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15), Devil's Cut (The Bourbon Kings, #3), Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy, #2), Prisoner of Night (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #16.5), The Savior (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #17), The Sinner (Black Dagger Brotherhood #19), The Jackal (Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp, #1 Black Dagger Legacy, #5), A Warm Heart in Winter (Black Dagger Brotherhood #18.5), Lover Unveiled (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #19), Lover Arisen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #20), Lassiter (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #21)Īlso in this series: The Shadows, The Beast I love how Brian, Coco, and Ollie’s character arcs come full circle in the end. In terms of presentation of the fair itself, there are carnies and fun houses, but Arden avoids bringing in the ableist freak show trope if that’s something of a concern. I found myself chilled, and the atmosphere and tone are perfect for that carnival tone. The imagery is terrifying, with something like jump scares ending every chapter. If rictus grins, clowns, and dolls that are actually people all along terrify you, this book is a treat (or a trick? Depends on your preference). Brian, Coco, and Ollie have to work together across dimensions to keep their families in tact while the Smiling Man himself finds an enemy he can’t contend with.Ī perfect conclusion that tugged at my tear ducts and heart strings, where family born and found is the central hero of an otherwise terrifying story. It’s just her, the Smiling Man and a bunch of mannequins, some of which are clowns, some of which are others kidnapped like her. Gentle spoilers for previous entries in the Small Spaces seriesĮmpty Smiles picks up precisely where Dark Waters leaves off: with Ollie missing in an alternate dimension where no one else can see her either. Content warnings: missing children, reference to a dead parent |