Here I am, setting myself another impossible goal. These two Elizabeth Chadwick novels have been included in at least three monthly goals so far. Hopefully, I will get at least one of them read this time!

Here's the breakdown:

More Historical than Fiction Book Club:

Game of Kings

NetGalley:

Winter Crown

Little Paris Bookshop

Audio Book:

March

Indie Reads:

Owen

The Half-Hanged Man

The Secret World of Christovel Alvarez

Phoenix Rising

Fued

Other books on my shelves that may tempt me into going astray:

The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshall

Madrid

Also from NetGalley:

Killers of the King

Marbeck and the Gunpowder Plot

Edith Cavell

Medicis Daughter

Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar

The Queen's Caprice

Want to buy:

Invention of Fire

Kingmaker: Broken Faith

I like to think that I have good excuses for my reading plan going completely awry, but, excuses or no, it fell apart quite thoroughly. The only reason my reading accomplishments for the month don't look entirely pathetic is because the above includes two audio books and two DNFs. That's right, I actually completed reading four books this month.

*Samantha hangs her head in shame.*

That hasn't stopped me from accepting more books to review and assaulting NetGalley with requests, so I have a larger TBR than ever that I hope to attack with greater effectiveness in September.

August Summary:

Audio Books:

Little Women

Watch the Lady

DNF:

A Perilous Alliance

The Fall of Satan

More Historical than Fiction Book Club:

A Place of Greater Safety

Indie Reads:

The Serpent Sword

Wolf's Head

Best Book of August:

The Serpent Sword by Matthew Harffy - no competition whatsoever, loved this book!

I'm typically somewhat tough to impress, but I loved everything about this book. The time period, the battles, the twists and turns...everything.

Beobrand is a complex character who struggles to define himself in a turbulent world. Escaping an abusive father only to learn that his brother has been murdered, Beobrand is tempted by the glory of violence himself. This comes as no surprise as the kings of the land that would one day become England use cutthroat methods to grasp at supremacy. I loved watching Beobrand evolve into an honorable, thoughtful young warrior after fighting ghosts of his past and very real physical enemies.

Harffy has expertly recreated the 7th century in this novel, especially the mingling of pagan and Christian beliefs. Though Beobrand becomes close friends with several people in a Christian community, he remains staunchly loyal to the old gods, trusting even more in his own strength.

Though most of this novel is gritty, gory, and not for the weak of heart, there is a touch of romance for young Beobrand. This part of the story was just enough to show Beobrand soften a little, put someone else ahead of himself, and fully push him into maturity.

If you like Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred, you will love Beobrand. Still not convinced? Matthew Harffy has a recording of the prologue on his blog. (Now I even like this guy's voice!) You will be powerless to not read more.