You know what, I can´t do it. I´m going to DNF these two books:

I should really stay away from newer (literary) fiction titles and gothic horror / historical fiction type of books. I haven´t read a good book out of these two genres in a very long time.

While Richard was throwing a tantrum and being fussed over by grown-ups, Maud squeezed through a gap in the fence and explored.

Richard is Maud´s brother and I guess he must be younger than her. The only thing I do know about the boy is that he is horrid (it has already been mentioned once or twice).

The writing in this book is weird. It´s told from the perspective of nine year old Maud, but instead of using a first-person perspective, Paver has decided to use third-person perspective. And I don´t think that this works particularly well and the writing just feels off.

So far I´m meh about the story as well. Maud´s father uses her mother as a kind of baby factory. I´m not sure what´s up with that, but I´m sort of disgusted by it. 

I think I might give this book a couple of pages more to improve. If it doesn´t, this is going to be a DNF.

Interesting way to look at death.  It took me 80 pages to get into the book then I enjoyed it.  I also had the wrong Lincoln, which did not help at the beginning.  I liked how the historical records were interwoven into the story with the ghosts.  I also liked how Vollmer and Blevins wanted what was best and right for Willie.  They were funny at times.  The three bachelors and their hats were comic relief.  I liked how we readers got to learn more about the cemetery inhabitants as they tell their stories in their own words.  Some are very quick.  Others linger.  Not what I expected but worth reading.

This book is so well written, and even though it seemed to take me an eternity to read, I enjoyed every moment. I would describe this book a cross breed between half historical fiction and half steampunk.

My feelings while reading were somewhat all over the place. I loved and hated most of the characters at some point during the novel, sometimes at the same time. There were moments that I wanted to shake and scream at some of them, "why are you doing this?" Was never able to actually foresee any of the events that were about to unfold - which is a big plus with me.

I can't say that this book is for everyone. You have to like a certain type of genre to really enjoy this book. I would pick and chose who I recommend this book to but I would definitely recommend to myself. And, I would definitely read another novel by Alison Goodman. 

The Knight of the Temple is the debut novel of The Crown of the World trilogy written by young author Nathan Sadasivan.

The book cover shows Christ's crown of thorns above a battle scene where the main character, Godfrey de Montferrat, a bold and brave Temple Knight, is engaged on a battle. The author takes the reader into a tale of Christendom with emphasis on Godfrey's dilemmas about faith, loyalty, love, war, and his purposes in life.

The book begins with Godfrey de Montferrat and his companion, Jacques de Maille, riding their horses through the desert of Egypt searching for a Frankish camp. Due to the intense heat of the sun, both horsemen are extremely tired, thirsty, and have had hardly any sleep. They find an oasis where they refresh themselves and their horses can drink water to replenish their energy. Not far from them, Yusef, an arab leader well-known for his battle and commanding skills, and his warriors discovered the hoofprints of the Temple Knight's horses. Yusef, allows Malik to go and investigate the matter and report back to him. Malik, a young warrior thirsty for Frankish's blood and with battle fever, reports his findings to Yusef and suggests a surprise attack on the knights. But things don't go as smooth as Malik expects. The knights fight back but get separated during the battle. This separation leaves Godfrey defending his life fiercely against Malik's violent attacks.

The outcome of his encounter with Malik marks the beginning of Godfrey's personal quest to find the answer to his many questions. The encounter with Yusef and his warriors at the desert is just the beginning of the many clashes between the Saracen (Muslims) and the Frankish Knights. The author will take the reader to a world of betrayal, espionage, love, prayer, and political power struggles, where the most ambitious and wicked one of them all will stop at nothing to reach his goal.

I admire the author's attention to details. With the skills of a masterful painter, he portrays the battle scenes and enfold the reader into a mystical tale of a world already forgotten, and a time where not everything is was what is seems to be.

At the end of the book Godfrey finds himself in front of the Tabernacle demanding to know:Why??? The answer to his question will open up the road of healing for his broken spirit and will leave the reader contemplating on its meaning, too.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy books about Christendom and are willing to follow Godfrey de Montferrat and his companions through this trilogy.