March 9, 2019 by David McCan | Historical Fiction, Science Fiction | No Comments
Kindred by Octavia Butler is a very creative way of looking at the horrible and troubling history of slavery in the United States. In Kindred, the protagonist, Dana, time travels from the 1970s to the American South in the years before the Civil War and the end of slavery. In …
February 16, 2019 by David McCan | Historical Fiction, Legal Thriller | No Comments
This review contains spoilers. The Reckoning, by John Grisham, returns the reader to Ford County Mississippi during the 1940s to 1050s where an unusual murder takes place. Pete Banning, cotton planter, husband, father, and decorated war hero, one day walks into the Methodist church and shoots the pastor. There is no …
January 20, 2019 by David McCan | Historical Fiction | No Comments
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough is one of the best written and best told stories that I’ve read in a long time. It is the story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a young painter in Rome in the early 1600s. It is a man’s world and women have little say in their …
Masterfully Told Story – Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough Read More »
December 21, 2018 by David McCan | Fantasy | No Comments
Fire & Blood, by George R R Martin, provides the background history for the Game of Thrones series. Purportedly, the narrative is the piecing together of the various histories of the Targaryen royal family’s uniting of the seven kingdoms and rule of Westeros, so as to present the most accurate …
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin Read More »
September 27, 2018 by David McCan | Historical Fiction | No Comments
The Sea Queen by Linnea Hartsuyker continues the story that began in the Half-Drowned King. Ragnvald has sworn to King Harald, who wants to unite all of Norway under his rule. The first book focused on Ragnvald’s rise as a warrior, and his sister Svanhild played a more minor part. In …
August 31, 2018 by David McCan | Historical Fiction | No Comments
Age of Iron is a fun book that takes place during a time just prior to the Roman invasion of Britain. It is historical fiction and an adventure story. At its heart are three characters. Dug is a middle-aged warrior. He would prefer an easy job as a guard or …
August 10, 2018 by David McCan | Fantasy | No Comments
First off, let me say that Carry On by Rainbow Rowell is not Harry Potter fan fiction. There are a ton of parallels. Simon, the main character, is the “Chosen One.” He was an orphan. He is attending a school for magicians in England. His roommate Baz, and the start …
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July 31, 2018 by David McCan | Fantasy | No Comments
I love creative fantasies with rich, unique world building. In A Darker Shade of Magic V. E. Schwab brings that to the table. In the story, there are parallel worlds which are each very different, but have one thing in common: they each have a London. There are four Londons: White, Grey, …
July 18, 2018 by David McCan | Mystery | No Comments
Are you a C.J. Box fan? If so, you are in for a treat. Off The Grid is a great story and probably the best Box ever. There is a lot going on. The Governor asks Joe Picket to investigate some unusual activities. One of Joe’s daughters is in danger …
June 29, 2018 by David McCan | Legal Thriller, Mystery | No Comments
Betrayed begins with Judy Carrier in a funk. Judy is an associate attorney at the all women’s law firm of Rosato and Associates. Her boss, Benedetta Rosato, has dumped a large number of cases on Judy. Judy doesn’t feel good about these new cases, but doesn’t feel she has any say in …
How Judy Got Her Grove Back – Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline Read More »
June 3, 2018 by David McCan | Fantasy | No Comments
In many ways, Blood of the Four is an amazing story. There are Four gods buried below the city. The priesthood protects and grows powerful from their magic. The monarchy is descended from the Four and the blood of the gods flows in their veins. A mad queen wants all …
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May 8, 2018 by David McCan | Thriller | No Comments
The Vicious Circle is a story about the cycle of wrong doing, justice, revenge … rinse and repeat. Joe Pickett is a game warden who is a stickler for the law. He is caught up in the circle of violent retribution when a rodeo star he helped put away is …
April 27, 2018 by David McCan | Historical Fiction | No Comments
The Half-Drowned King is about two young people, Ragnvald Eysteinsson and his sister Svanhild, who were raised by their stepfather following their father’s death. The stepfather takes over their lands and, in theory, Ragnvald should get them back when he becomes an adult. The story takes place in the ninth century …
March 2, 2018 by David McCan | Thriller | No Comments
Good Behavior is a set of three novellas about Letty Dobesh, a thirty something pickpocket and con woman who is good at her craft. She has just one problem, she is a little too fond of drugs and alcohol. She lost custody of her young son due to drug use and …
November 26, 2017 by David McCan | Legal Thriller, Thriller | No Comments
I very much enjoyed listening to Flesh & Bones by Paul Levine. It is a fun story about a lawyer, Jake, who takes a case defending a model, Chrissy. Jake is a former pro football player turned lawyer and Chrissy is an international fashion model. After too much booze and drugs as well …