Book review : First Lessons by Lina J Potter

 

First Lessons by Lina J Potter begins as Aliya, a high achieving medical student, is heading home, she has presents for her family and is so excited to share that she has all A grades. Her parents meet her at the end of her train journey. In the car they are busy catching up on all the news when a large truck comes over the hill straddling the lanes, it crashes into their car flipping it several times before it crashes into a tree. When Aliya comes round she is in a lot of pain, she doesn’t recognize the room she is in, the person who is sitting by the bed or the extremely overweight body she now has. Aliya has taken over the body of Countess Lilian! With the help of Lilian’s nanny Aliya realises that she has time-travelled to Medieval times. The resourceful Aliya has to quickly learn how to behave but she doesn’t want to be like Lilian who spends her time lazing around eating, stitching and waiting for the occasional visits from her husband who needs an heir. These are scary times there are robbers, pirates, slave traders, murderers and spies who are only too happy to bring about Aliya’s downfall. Aliya remains strong and adjusts to this unknown world, starting with a major upheaval of the staff she employs and then by repairing and building up her crumbling and unkempt estate. As she has always done she rolls up her sleeves and with sheer hard work and determination she works to get the best she can for her kingdom!
 

I appreciate the extensive research Lina J Potter has done in order to give us an insight into the life and times of the era, in particular the use of herbs as medicines. The author has also followed closely the fact that Aliya is a medical student in the present day and brings this knowledge to the fore when Lily is hunting out the skills of the crafts people of the day. The author cleverly shows the reader how important these skills were, for survival, in Medieval times. 

I was frustrated with the way Aliya got on with life and fell into the role of medieval Countess. Aliya is never going to return to the present day but doesn’t seem to be particularly bothered, I appreciate that she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself but surely in private moments she would have shown some fear and upset about the life she has left behind. I also felt that the change in character that Aliya brings to Lily would have been questioned particularly by the nanny who is always by her side. First Lessons starts off really well and I was excited to see how it developed but for me it never did. Lina J Potter is a clever researcher and writes a good narrative but there is nothing to get the reader excited. Lina J Potter hints at friction, murderous intent and slavery but these fizzle out really quickly and left me thinking ‘that could have been great, if only….!’ 

There were a few minor errors but in the main this book was well edited. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars, it was an interesting read but it just didn’t have enough substance for my liking and there was a great beginning but the middle and ending all merged into one and was very much the same. 

I think this book would appeal to teenagers who like historical fiction. I think they would find it entertaining but they would also learn a lot through the history and science without realising as it is so well woven into the structure of the book.

Thank you to Lina J. Potter for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review - Little Boy Lost by J P Carter

 I listened to this as an Audible book and have to say I didn't like the reader's voice, the characterisation, particularly of the main character, Anna, really grated. 

As for the book it started with a good story and had great potential, it was very well written but the story never really went anywhere. I guessed from quite near the beginning who the abductor of Jacob was although I couldn't work out why, so laboured on with the story until it was revealed at the end. I also found the riots and Chloe's experience became very boring and a lot of her story made little sense. Anna's daughter was abducted by her father when she was 2 and despite Anna being in the police, she doesn't get Chloe back again until she is 12. Interesting beginning with lots of potential! 

There are riots going on but Anna is called back to work and despite the riots, only having her 12-year-old
daughter home for a month and the hell both she and Chloe have gone through, Anna leaves Chloe alone, would any mother really do that? Sadly this was a minor part of a fairly boring book! 

Book review : Sister B by David Charles Hart

 

 Sister B by David Charles Hart is a beautifully written and well-researched historical novel about the life of the author's mother ( Willie-Mae / Sister B ) from the late 1930s in Mississippi to her death on 24th June 2017 at the age of 99!

Sister B is the true story of a truly amazing African/American mother who hates the discrimination faced by black people in Mississippi. After another young black man is lynched by white people she leaves her young son in the care of her mother and travels to California to seek a better life for her family. Sister B has to deal with prejudice and racism from all sides but she has an unstoppable strength that keeps her fighting for the things she believes in, standing up against injustice, and fighting for equality for all. 

A lot of the novel revolves around USA and Japan during WW2 mainly looking at Sister B's life but also bringing in other characters she has met along the way, comparing the different ways war affects people in USA and Japan. This is an impactful read about an awe-inspiring lady who succeeded in capturing the hearts of many and in the process managed to change many people's futures for the better. 

I found this book really enjoyable to read despite the fact that it covers some very meaty subjects: WW2, Hiroshima, murder, racism, apartheid, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. All events and dates are historically accurate but this isn't a dry history lesson it is a thought-provoking story written by a loving son to celebrate the remarkable life of his inspirational mother. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historically accurate fiction, particularly those featuring strong black women. I grew to know Sister B so well through the novel that I am sad to have finished it and feel I am now saying goodbye to a friend.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to David Charles Hart for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.