Review: The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End by Hourly History

Title: The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End
Author: Hourly History
Publication: October 17th 2017
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 3/5★

The Dutch East India Company
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Once valued at close to seven trillion dollars by today’s standards, the Dutch East India Company, formed in 1602, became the world’s first multinational corporation. In the nearly 200-year reign of their empire at sea, the Dutch East India Company amassed unfathomable fortunes, laid the foundation of the modern globalized world, and built monopolies that controlled the economy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe and the East Indies.

Inside you will read about...
✓ The Superstructure of the VOC
✓ The Growth of VOC’s Colonies and Trade Routes
✓ The Golden Age
✓ Reorientation and the Expansion Age
✓ The Great Wars and Conquests of the VOC
✓ Decline and Fall
And much more!

The rich history of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie commonly referred to as the VOC, and its titanic exploits are as astonishing as the twelve labors of Hercules. Uncover the organization that in no small part built the world we live in from the ground up.

I very randomly decided to read this book because I needed something short to read on the train while commuting and I'm glad I did so. I can't say it's my favorite Hourly History book because this isn't the kind of history that interests me the most or that I know a lot of but I did think it was a decent read and some aspects were very fascinating to read about.

Before reading this book I knew absolutely nothing about The Dutch East India Company. I've always liked the age of exploration but I've always been told about countries like England, Spain and Portugal and not about Holland at all, which is really odd considering I live in Belgium. You'd think I'd have heard more about all that.

I was very surprised to learn that when The Dutch East India Company was at it's high point in its time it was more successful than companies like Apple in this time and day. If that doesn't blow your mind, I don't know what will. So the little facts like that were interesting to learn and read about. The chapter of The Golden Age was my probably my favorite.

Overall, The Dutch East India Company: A History From Beginning to End by Hourly History was a short read that I easily read in 30-ish minutes. I think people who are particularly interested in this topic will enjoy it a bit more but I still thought it was a fascinating topic and good read.

Check out my other Hourly History reviews:

The Black Death: A History From Beginning To End

Mayan Civilization: A History From Beginning To End

Vlad the Impaler: A Life From Beginning To End

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning To End

Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End

Titanic: The Story of the Unsinkable Ship

Caligula: A Life From Beginning To End

King Arthur: A Life From Beginning To End

Byzantine Empire: A History From Beginning To End

The Great Pyramid of Giza: A History From Beginning To Present

More Hourly History reviews to come soon!

Review: Wilde in Love by Eloisa James

Title: Wilde in Love
Author: Eloisa James
Series: The Wildes of Lindow Castle #1
Publication: October 31st 2017 by Piatkus
Genre: Historical Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Play | Kobo
Rating: 3/5★

Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father’s castle, but just as he grasps that he’s not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty, Miss Willa Ffynche.

Willa presents the façade of a serene young lady to the world. Her love of books and bawdy jokes is purely for the delight of her intimate friends. She wants nothing to do with a man whose private life is splashed over every newspaper.

Alaric has never met a woman he wanted for his own . . . until he meets Willa. He’s never lost a battle.

But a spirited woman like Willa isn’t going to make it easy. . . .

The first book in Eloisa James’s dazzling new series set in the Georgian period glows with her trademark wit and sexy charm—and introduces a large, eccentric family. Readers will love the Wildes of Lindow Castle!

Wilde in Love was an enjoyable read to me and I liked the hero and heroine a lot, especially once they started getting stronger feelings for each other. I won't say it's my favorite historical romance ever but it was very well-written and had a lot of moments that made me swoon.

Lord Alaric wasn't the typical hero that I so often see in these kind of books. He had been away for years visiting foreign countries and writing books about everything he experienced. When he finally does come home he has no idea his books have become very popular with the ladies and that there's even a play about him. Needless to say he doesn't like this one bit. Then he meets Willa Ffynche who seems to be the only woman who doesn't swoon in his presence.

As I said before I really liked these two characters together. It took some convincing for Willa to accept her feelings for Alaric but once she did she had no more doubts about marrying him. I liked this a lot because it limited the drama somewhat. What I didn't like as much, though, was the drama surrounding Prudence. I know that her presence and what she eventually tried to do added some suspense but that part was too obvious for me. This, however, is my only slightly negative point.

Another part of what made the book so great were some of the secondary characters, like Willa's friend Lavinia. And even the animals in the story like Sweetpea, the skunk. It all added something different to the story. I also shipped the hell out of Lavinia and Parth because they just couldn't get along throughout the whole book. I'm sure they'd ben so much fun together to read about. I'm also glad the scene for the next book got set for North (Alaric's brother) and Diana. 

Overall, Wilde in Love by Eloisa James was a great start to this series set in the Georgian period. It had humor, steamy romance, witty characters and some danger. I can't wait to read the next book! 

Author bio:
A reviewer from USA Today wrote that she "found herself devouring [Eloisa's] book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Eloisa wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got a couple more degrees and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. Over twenty best-sellers later, she teaches Shakespeare in the English Department at Fordham University in New York City. She's also the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.
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Review: The Boy and His Ribbon by Pepper Winters

Title: The Boy and His Ribbon
Author: Pepper Winters
Series: The Ribbon Duet #1
Publication: April 3rd 2018
Genre: Coming of Age Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo
Rating: 3/5

“What do you do when you meet your soul mate? No wait…that’s too easy. What do you do when you meet your soul mate and have to spend a lifetime loving him in secret?
I’ll tell you what you do.
You lie.”

REN

Ren was eight when he learned that love doesn’t exist—that the one person who was supposed to adore him only cared how much he was worth.
His mother sold him and for two years, he lived in terror.
But then…he ran.
He thought he’d run on his own. Turned out, he took something of theirs by accident and it became the one thing he never wanted and the only thing he ever needed.

DELLA

I was young when I fell in love with him, when he switched from my world to my everything.
My parents bought him for cheap labour, just like they had with many other kids, and he had the scars to prove it.
At the start, he hated me, and I could understand why.
For years he was my worst enemy, fiercest protector, and dearest friend. But by the end…he loved me.
The only problem was, he loved me in an entirely different way to the way I loved him.
And slowly, my secret drove us apart.

The Boy and His Ribbon was something new and different than what I'm used to from Pepper Winters. She's mostly known for her dark romances but this book was a coming of age romance. 3 stars may seem a lower rating than I usually give books written by this author but I want to say that I definitely wasn't disappointed in it. It was a good read but it didn't go beyond 3 stars for me. Coming of age romances have never been my type of genre. I just like her dark romance books more. This doesn't take away any of the possitive things about The Boy and His Ribbon, though. It was quite a beautiful book.

Like I said this is something different and the beginning certainly isn't the most conventional of book beginnings. It all starts with ten-year-old Ren who's running away from the farm that he was sold to by his mother two years ago. What he doesn't know is that he's got a secret stowaway in his backpack; one-year-old Della. This might seem a little bit silly and I thought so at first too but somehow it does work for this story. 

It really was a coming of age story because we seem Ren and Della growing up together through the next seventeen years. There weren't chapters of every single year but it was close enough. I wasn't the biggest fan of the childhood years because I never really liked to read about characters when they were children in any book. That's just a personal preference, I'm guessing but that's just how it is. I did like how well Ren took care of Della when she was so little and how he did everything in his power to keep her safe. It got more interesting once Della entered her teenages years, even though some of it was quite awkward for her and Ren.

Overall, The Boy and His Ribbon by Pepper Winters is a book that will definitely give its readers a rollercoaster of emotions. It was beautifully written, melancholy, touching but at times it exasperated me a bit because of the characters' choices and actions. I can't deny that it broke my heart a little, especially in those last few chapters. This also caused me to desperately want the second book, which is the conclusion to Della and Ren's story. I'm eagerly anticipating it because the way it ended left me wanting for more.

Author bio:
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.

Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.

Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian and Turkish. Audio Books for her entire back-list will be available in 2017.

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Review: Throne of Truth by Pepper Winters

Title: Throne of Truth
Author: Pepper Winters 
Series: Truth and Lies Duet #2
Publication: February 28th 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Play | Kobo
Rating: 3/5★

The thrilling conclusion to Crown of Lies from New York Times Bestseller, Pepper Winters

TWO YEARS
Since my life changed for the second time and not necessarily for the better. Two years since I traded prison bars for streets and hunted a runaway who I'd met in an alley.

TWO DAYS
Since I forgot how to lie, woke to fists, and chased after the girl who'd been stolen from me.

TWO HOURS
To save her, rescue her, keep my lies intact. She looks at me full of hate. I look at her full of confession.

TWO MINUTES
For our relationship to switch from mutual dislike to floundering with unknowns. I've hurt her. Now, she's hurt me. I guess we're even.

TWO SECONDS
For her to listen, to see, to finally know who I am. The answer comes with hardship. The answer isn't what she wants to hear

TWO BREATHS
For me to walk out the door.

TWO HEARTBEATS
For it all to be over.

At first I was having doubts about wanting to write a review for Throne of Truth. I decided to just do it because it would seem a little silly to have this one be the only Pepper Winters that I wouldn't have reviewed. But anyway... Throne of Truth wasn't a bad read. I didn't love it, though. But I did enjoy it more than the first book, Crown of Lies. 

I never really liked the two main characters of this duology. I don't know why because it doesn't happen often when a book by Pepper Winters isn't a five or four star read for me. I remember with the first book that I had issues with Penn being an absolutely bastard towards Elle an Elle being so freaking weak. Luckily this changed a bit in Throne of Truth. Elle had more confidence and Penn got over himself. However this didn't mean that I fully warmed up to them both. I definitely ended up being more of a fan of Elle because she said things like, "I don't need someone to claim me. I claim me." I was practically screaming FINALLY!

I do wish I had enjoyed the book a little more, though. Because of this it felt a little too long at times, especially towards the end and through Penn's jail time. Also, the whole Greg thing? It was a little ridiculous in my eyes. I'm sorry but as an atagonist he was so weak. I wanted to roll my eyes at him more than I can count. The writing, though, as always was really good. I can never say a bad thing about Pepper's writing because it's also lovely, quotable and pretty much perfection. 

It took me almost a year to pick up and read Throne of Truth but I'm glad I did it anyway because now I have read every single book by Pepper Winters! 

Author bio:
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.

Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.

Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian and Turkish. Audio Books for her entire back-list will be available in 2017.

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Review: Byzantine Empire: A History From Beginning to End by Hourly History

Title: Byzantine Empire: A History From Beginning to End
Author: Hourly History
Publication: January 2nd 2018
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 3/5

Byzantine Empire
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According to history books, the Roman Empire ended in 476 CE with the fall of Rome. But if you asked most people alive at that time, they would have pointed you to what they considered the continuation of the Roman Empire—the civilization we now call the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines, however, were more than just a remnant of Roman glory. At its geographical peak, the Byzantine Empire stretched out across the Mediterranean world. Culturally, the Byzantines both preserved the knowledge of the classical world, much of which was lost in the West, and added to it.

Inside you will read about...
✓ A Divided Empire
✓ The Fall of the West
✓ Rising to Glory
✓ An Age of War
✓ The Destruction of Icons
✓ The House of Macedon
✓ The Comnenian Revival
✓ The Final Decline
And much more!

Shaped by its classical roots, its Christian religion, and the changing medieval world, the story of the Byzantine Empire is one of both glorious victories and terrible defeats, of a civilization that rose from the brink of destruction again and again, and of the development of a culture whose vestiges remain today.

This book was a good introduction to those who are interested in learning more about the Byzantine Empire. It wasn't my favorite Hourly History book out of all I have read so far but I liked it for sure and it really was fascinated. All the emperors and their names made my eyes cross a little, though. It could get a little bit confusing unless you're really focused on the book.

The book covers the rise of the Byzantine Empire, wars, the house of Macedon and the final decline among others so there were lots of new things for me to learn, which I thought was great. The one thing that stood out to me were how  the Byzantine Empire basically just kept coming back for more even when they seemed to be on the brink of destruction. Can't help but admire that in a way.

Overall, Byzantine Empire: A History From Beginning to End by Hourly History was a candid and quick read, spotlighting the Byzantines. They certainly were a fascinating bunch and I'd just love to see more books set during those times, whether it's ficion or nonficion. So recommendations are always much appreciated. 

Check out my other Hourly History reviews:

The Black Death: A History From Beginning To End

Mayan Civilization: A History From Beginning To End

Vlad the Impaler: A Life From Beginning To End

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning To End

Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End

Titanic: The Story of the Unsinkable Ship

Caligula: A Life From Beginning To End

King Arthur: A Life From Beginning To End

More Hourly History reviews to come soon!

Question:
Which Hourly History review should I post next?

Galileo: A Life From Beginning To End

or

Spartacus: A Life From Beginning To End

Review: Caligula: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History

Title: Caligula: A Life From Beginning to End
Author: Hourly History
Publication: September 12th 2017
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 3/5★

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Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet.
Caligula was one of the first rulers of the Roman Empire, and yet numbers among the most famous. His family history is mired in political scandals, tragedy, and murderous plots to forward the agendas of shadowy cabals that sought to oppose the nation in its early infancy. The full story of his life begins long before his birth, and his legacy continues long after his sensational murder at the hands of those closest to him.

Inside you will read about...

✓ The Rise of the Roman Empire
✓ The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
✓ Caligula’s Rise to Power
✓ An Emperor Driven Mad
✓ An Emperor Becomes a God
✓ The Assassination of the Emperor
And much more!

A true product of his time, Caligula’s rich and colorful story is sure to draw you in until the very end.

"The history of Ancient Rome is as rich in intricacies and plot twists as any modern-day soap opera."

Caligula is probably the one ruler of the Roman Empire that fascinates me the most. A lot of mystery and intrigue surround him and his short reign of three years and ten months so I didn't hesitate to start this book once I received it.

I do have to admit that I was a tad disappointed that the first few chapters weren't actually about Caligula's life. It was mostly about some of the rulers who came before him, especially Tiberius. In my opinion, it wasn't actually until chapter six (out of the 9 + the conclusion) that it was really about Caligula. I do understand that we had to have a little backstory about the men that came before him but still, I would've rather read more about Caligula himself. 

Aside from all of that I did like this book as I do all of Hourly History's book. I don't think I could ever get tired to read about ancient Rome because I always learn something new. It wasn't any different with this time around so that in itself was a positive point for me. The Julio-Claudian dynasty was definitely very fascinating, it can't be denied.

Overall, despite wanting just a little bit more about Caligula himself, I definitely liked Caligula: A Life From Beginning to End. As always these books are quick reads and can easily be read in one sitting, which is what I did with this one. 

Check out my other Hourly History reviews:

The Black Death: A History From Beginning To End

Mayan Civilization: A History From Beginning To End

Vlad the Impaler: A Life From Beginning To End

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning To End

Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End

Titanic: The Story of the Unsinkable Ship

More Hourly History reviews to come soon!

Review: Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: DC Icons #1
Publication: August 31st 2017 by Penguin Books Ltd
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Kobo | Book Depository
Rating: 3/5★

She will become a legend but first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning...

Diana is desperate to prove herself to her warrior sisters. But when the opportunity comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law to save a mere mortal, Alia Keralis. With this single heroic act, Diana may have just doomed the world.

Alia is a Warbringer - a descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery. Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies, mortal and divine, determined to destroy or possess the Warbringer.

To save the world, they must stand side by side against the tide of war.

So... eh. I'm a bit disappointed with Wonder Woman: Warbringer. This book was so hyped and it's written by Leigh Bardugo (I love all her other books) so I had expected to totally love it but I obviously didn't. I feel like I missed something in it that everyone else did see. Did I like it? Yes, I did but I had expected more from the story and the characters. 

I actually really liked Diana. She was wonderful and I really enjoyed reading about her. I also liked all the mythology stuff, which is no surprise if you know me just a little bit. And the story in general was also pretty good, in my opinion. Honestly, I wish it had focused just a little bit more on Diana.

So with all of these possitive things why didn't I like this book more? Well, I actually couldn't give a damn about any of the other characters (aside from the Amazons). Alia, Nim, Theo, Jason... I just didn't care about them. Sure, they had their moments and I enjoyed their banter but other than that I was all "meh" about them. 

I do have to mention that the big plot twist was pretty good. I hadn't seen it coming at all and that's always a good thing for me. This character in particular took me by surprise in that way. I have to give some points for that. 

All in all, Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo was an okay read. Nothing spectacular and true, I was slightly disappointed but it had some good moments for sure and I adored Diana.  

About Leigh:
Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over one million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, and The Language of Thorns— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and even makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Los Angeles, where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

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Review: Flame Kissed by Alexis Radcliff

Title: Flame Kisses
Author: Alexis Radcliff
Series: Seeking the Dragon #1
Publication: August 18th 2017
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Purchase Link: Amazon
Rating: 3/5★

On a romantic night at a ski lodge, 17 year-old Ella Denton has the perfect opportunity to finally confess her feelings to her long-time crush, Nick Gauss, before she goes off to college. But before she has the chance, everything goes horribly wrong: Ella is kidnapped by a mysterious grinning monster-man to the heart of the Ether-Realm, a magical land with a strange red sky at the nexus of all possible worlds. She is placed in chains and taken to a golden city ruled by the dark and brooding dragon prince, Kaden Kolrath, and told that she is now his slave.

It seems her fate is now to be lost forever in a strange land far from home, never to return to Nick or her family back home in Havery Falls. That is, until Ella discovers she carries a mysterious spark of power… a spark that could change everything, forever.

Flame Kissed is the first book in Alexis Radcliff’s exciting new fantasy romance serial, Seeking the Dragon. It’s a short, 15,000-word novella perfect to knock out in a single, quiet evening, and one of five total episodes.

Flame Kissed by Alexis Radcliff is the first in a 5-book series of shorter novellas. I can't say it was my most favorite story I have ever read but I did think it was a nice starter book and I really liked the whole concept of it.

To keep it short, the story is about 17 year-old Ella Denton who's on a trip with family and friends at a ski lodge when she gets kidnapped by a sinister man and taken to the Ether-Realm, which is (like the synopsis says) a magical land with a strange red sky at the nexus of all possible worlds. Sounds intriguing, right?

I easily read the story in one sitting (on a pretty short train ride even), which was really great. I also feel like I should say that you shouldn't let the 47 pages of the book fool you. I thought it had some good character and world developement for such a short book. A lot of short stories I've read don't have that type of developement so that was really great obviously. 

The story and especially the end definitely made me crave more. I'm curious to see where the story takes Ella next. I can't wait to meet the dragon prince! 

About Alexis
Alexis Radcliff is an author, gamer, and history junkie who lives in the Portland area with her husband and a very fluffy, very surly cat.
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