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A Medieval Tale #1
First Lessons
A brilliant Medical school graduate Aliya, a sporty and active girl, dies suddenly in a car crash… only to find herself reborn in a completely different body, in the middle of a dilapidated castle during Medieval times. While confused and dismayed, Aliya realizes she has been given another chance at life — so she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work on restoring her new castle and her new life.
Aliya has an unusual and difficult goal: reborn as Countess Lilian; she must learn to adjust to an unfamiliar world while trying to introduce the daily conveniences from her familiar modern world. She needs to take care of the collapsing estate of Irton and its inhabitants while living in the past as a disenfranchised woman. Regular robbers and slave-holders attacks won’t let her live in peace, killers and spies are just waiting for her to show a bit of weakness so that they can strike. On the horizon, there is a prospect of meeting with her perpetually absent husband, whom by the way, after her rebirth as Countess Lilian, Aliya has never even seen.
“First Lessons” is the opening book of the series “Medieval Tale” by Lina J. Potter. The heroine finds herself only at the beginning of a thorny path to progress and happiness. She makes her first steps, building a defense for herself, her new friends, and her rapidly developing business empire — and this is no piece of cake for sure. Despite everything, she has to still go up against the unprogressive and sexist society of the Medieval Ages, with only her knowledge, science, experience, and strong will on her side. Still, Lilian has to act carefully in order not to draw too much attention to her innovations — she knows she could be praised for her genius, or conversely, accused of witchcraft.
Aliya-turned-Countess Lilian gets acquainted and communicates easily with everyone from noble people, peasants, artisans, notorious pirates, proud traders of the East, and even with members of the royal family... but will she be able to bring peace to her own family?
Her plan is to make the best of her unusual circumstances to make the world better. She is not a girl in trouble, waiting for a prince in shining armor — she strives to achieve everything herself.
Will Lilian forge her own “happy-ever-after?” And if so, at what cost?
Aliya has an unusual and difficult goal: reborn as Countess Lilian; she must learn to adjust to an unfamiliar world while trying to introduce the daily conveniences from her familiar modern world. She needs to take care of the collapsing estate of Irton and its inhabitants while living in the past as a disenfranchised woman. Regular robbers and slave-holders attacks won’t let her live in peace, killers and spies are just waiting for her to show a bit of weakness so that they can strike. On the horizon, there is a prospect of meeting with her perpetually absent husband, whom by the way, after her rebirth as Countess Lilian, Aliya has never even seen.
“First Lessons” is the opening book of the series “Medieval Tale” by Lina J. Potter. The heroine finds herself only at the beginning of a thorny path to progress and happiness. She makes her first steps, building a defense for herself, her new friends, and her rapidly developing business empire — and this is no piece of cake for sure. Despite everything, she has to still go up against the unprogressive and sexist society of the Medieval Ages, with only her knowledge, science, experience, and strong will on her side. Still, Lilian has to act carefully in order not to draw too much attention to her innovations — she knows she could be praised for her genius, or conversely, accused of witchcraft.
Aliya-turned-Countess Lilian gets acquainted and communicates easily with everyone from noble people, peasants, artisans, notorious pirates, proud traders of the East, and even with members of the royal family... but will she be able to bring peace to her own family?
Her plan is to make the best of her unusual circumstances to make the world better. She is not a girl in trouble, waiting for a prince in shining armor — she strives to achieve everything herself.
Will Lilian forge her own “happy-ever-after?” And if so, at what cost?
255 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Lina J. Potter
14 books174 followersCall it inspiration, the voice of a Muse, or plain obsession… Lina J. Potter has been dreaming up stories for as long as she can remember. She has a light-hearted approach to writing. Whenever she is not writing, you can find her practicing karate and lace-making. Nowadays, she lives in the quite town of Tambov with her husband, daughter and two cats.
Lina is looking forward to hearing from you! Connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/linajpotter
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Lina is looking forward to hearing from you! Connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/linajpotter
Connect with readers and join in the discussion
www.facebook.com/groups/1041553379344...
Also have a look at:
www.lithunters.com
www.facebook.com/LithuntersPH/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
April 22, 2018
I am not a genre reader in general but I was up to trying something new. I very much loved the opening of the tale (I found it very captivating) and how she interlaced the lives of both Aliya and Lilian - a soul that hungers to live vs. a soul that wants to die. Reading this double character that is conflicting but also cooperative in a way - and its development was very refreshing and interesting to me. The first book is quite scattered but I guess it is necessary for worldbuilding... I was confused at times, but the more you progress in the book, the more the "scattered" stories integrate into one another. Needless to say that it was nice to read a strong female protagonist with an outspoken opinion about gender relations.
Read
July 9, 2026A sociopath dies and gets reincarnated in an alternative medieval world as an obese princess. A book that is as entertaining as it is insulting! Read at your own discretion...
(Edit after reading book 2 below)
🏰PLOT🏰
Aliya is a Mary Sue - she is a Medical Student Graduate, she is athletic and she knows EVERYTHING! One day this future Einstein dies in a car crash along with her family, but instead ofhellafter-life, she wakes up in a tacky, overly-decorated, pink room (that hasn't been cleaned in ages) and, worst of all, in someone else's body. A FAT BODY! (...oh nooo, the horror...).
Addressed as "Countess Lilian" by the people around her, she makes it her mission to transform her financially struggling estate into the richest and most comfortable habitat (for her) using the only advantage she has - knowledge of every scientific innovation and technological advancement of the modern age. GAME ON!
❤️PROS:❤️
1. An outspoken, proactive, no-nonsense type of Protagonist. Yes, there are plenty of cons that I will address later, but I can't deny that Lilian is rather... entertaining to read about. She is a menace and whatever convenience she desires, she gets it! Lilian knows how to command fear and respect (thanks to her Military experience?), she can blackmail or tantalize people with desirable information and let me tell you...she DESPISES her new body and right away starts exercising and dieting like a robot! She is an over-powered self-absorbed machine that will put everything in order OR ELSE!
2. The world is quite cozy. We meet an interesting bunch of random characters: nobilities, artisans, mercenaries and others. Lilian's mission to introduce the conveniences of the 21st century would require their skills, but recruiting them is not as easy and straightforward for the Countess...most of the time.
3. Very easy to read/listen to.
🔪CONS🔪
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
1. Lilian... is a sociopathic tyrant!!...So many examples I don't even know where to start! First, I don't think she cared one bit that her parents were dead! The only time she purposefully remembered them was when she needed to cry in front of a priest. She treats most of her subjects HORRIBLY! She bullies and threatens! And if things don't go her way? She whips a servant because he couldn't finish his job on time, she leaves a noble and his family without any protection and practically sends the peasants to kill them, she only values people who are useful to her and agree with everything she says! She looks down on everybody, she is spiteful, and she enjoys acting like a medieval bitch. When she helps someone she always tries to find a way to use them later on.
2. This girl is EXTREMELY fatphobic and lacks ANY EMPATHY! She wakes up in a body that was pregnant, has just lost the baby, has been stressed and neglected, trapped in a toxic relationship with someone who hates her and R@PES HER, and who knows how many reasons that can cause weight gain (not counting genetics). And FYI, I am 50 kilos (110 pounds), so no, I don't speak from personal experience, but I don't think I need to be a certain body size to feel disgusted every freaking time Lilian insulted the original owner of the body and called her names for letting herself get so big. Not only that, she calls her dumb constantly. I wish I could hit her!
3. Ex Machina and Mary Sue. Yes, Lilian knows absolutely everything! And every time she opens her mouth, people shut up and listen. Also, if she needs someone to do a job, they appear magically in the next paragraph.
4. Too many POVs! We get a few more POVs that distract us from the main story and feel quite unnecessary...
5. Cliffhanger ending.... Pacing is alright, but the book doesn't have a structure. It's like we are reading a part from a bigger project (11 books, to be precise).
🎬Conclusion:🎬
I don't know how to feel about this book. On one hand, I loved having someone with so much knowledge thrown into a medieval setting. I loved that Lilian was very careful about what information to share and picked simple things like adding buttons and pockets to clothes, or "inventing" more practical quills. And I am quite curious to see what will happen once she meets her nasty "husband" face to face. He is going to have one heck of a surprise and a few punches in the face, I hope.
On the other hand, Lilian's way of thinking is outdated and almost...harmful. Not just the fatphobia and the way she treats her servants. There is a girl who happily watches her lover kill members of her family and is ready to be killed as well, because she just loves him so much. It's even worse to know that Lilian, someone who comes from our century, would purposefully hurt people in order to give an example or a warning for the rest.
Not sure if I'll continue the series yet...
BOOK 2: DNF:11% No.
Review for Book 2
(Edit after reading book 2 below)
🏰PLOT🏰
Aliya is a Mary Sue - she is a Medical Student Graduate, she is athletic and she knows EVERYTHING! One day this future Einstein dies in a car crash along with her family, but instead of
Addressed as "Countess Lilian" by the people around her, she makes it her mission to transform her financially struggling estate into the richest and most comfortable habitat (for her) using the only advantage she has - knowledge of every scientific innovation and technological advancement of the modern age. GAME ON!
❤️PROS:❤️
1. An outspoken, proactive, no-nonsense type of Protagonist. Yes, there are plenty of cons that I will address later, but I can't deny that Lilian is rather... entertaining to read about. She is a menace and whatever convenience she desires, she gets it! Lilian knows how to command fear and respect (thanks to her Military experience?), she can blackmail or tantalize people with desirable information and let me tell you...she DESPISES her new body and right away starts exercising and dieting like a robot! She is an over-powered self-absorbed machine that will put everything in order OR ELSE!
2. The world is quite cozy. We meet an interesting bunch of random characters: nobilities, artisans, mercenaries and others. Lilian's mission to introduce the conveniences of the 21st century would require their skills, but recruiting them is not as easy and straightforward for the Countess...most of the time.
3. Very easy to read/listen to.
🔪CONS🔪
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
1. Lilian... is a sociopathic tyrant!!...So many examples I don't even know where to start! First, I don't think she cared one bit that her parents were dead! The only time she purposefully remembered them was when she needed to cry in front of a priest. She treats most of her subjects HORRIBLY! She bullies and threatens! And if things don't go her way? She whips a servant because he couldn't finish his job on time, she leaves a noble and his family without any protection and practically sends the peasants to kill them, she only values people who are useful to her and agree with everything she says! She looks down on everybody, she is spiteful, and she enjoys acting like a medieval bitch. When she helps someone she always tries to find a way to use them later on.
2. This girl is EXTREMELY fatphobic and lacks ANY EMPATHY! She wakes up in a body that was pregnant, has just lost the baby, has been stressed and neglected, trapped in a toxic relationship with someone who hates her and R@PES HER, and who knows how many reasons that can cause weight gain (not counting genetics). And FYI, I am 50 kilos (110 pounds), so no, I don't speak from personal experience, but I don't think I need to be a certain body size to feel disgusted every freaking time Lilian insulted the original owner of the body and called her names for letting herself get so big. Not only that, she calls her dumb constantly. I wish I could hit her!
3. Ex Machina and Mary Sue. Yes, Lilian knows absolutely everything! And every time she opens her mouth, people shut up and listen. Also, if she needs someone to do a job, they appear magically in the next paragraph.
4. Too many POVs! We get a few more POVs that distract us from the main story and feel quite unnecessary...
5. Cliffhanger ending.... Pacing is alright, but the book doesn't have a structure. It's like we are reading a part from a bigger project (11 books, to be precise).
🎬Conclusion:🎬
I don't know how to feel about this book. On one hand, I loved having someone with so much knowledge thrown into a medieval setting. I loved that Lilian was very careful about what information to share and picked simple things like adding buttons and pockets to clothes, or "inventing" more practical quills. And I am quite curious to see what will happen once she meets her nasty "husband" face to face. He is going to have one heck of a surprise and a few punches in the face, I hope.
On the other hand, Lilian's way of thinking is outdated and almost...harmful. Not just the fatphobia and the way she treats her servants. There is a girl who happily watches her lover kill members of her family and is ready to be killed as well, because she just loves him so much. It's even worse to know that Lilian, someone who comes from our century, would purposefully hurt people in order to give an example or a warning for the rest.
Not sure if I'll continue the series yet...
BOOK 2: DNF:11% No.
Review for Book 2
May 27, 2018
This is a good story with terrible editing, confusing at times. The author jumps from one character to another in a shockingly abrupt manner. The only thing that kept me reading was the story, it’s a good one, the main character is pragmatic and has determination. Nevertheless, I would read book 2, I like the story.
February 24, 2019
A book, I so wanted to love but... I failed. My 2-star rating is not so much for the author but is awarded to her support team. The book needs editing. Maybe a lot got lost in translation... who knows.
The concept of the story is one I love. I am for one a fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and love the historical fiction books by Sharon Penman.
What I look for in a fiction book is simple: Romance, Action, humour or a combination of them. The author failed on all accounts and concentrated more on the development of gadgets, such as making inkwells and clasps for earrings and a rigid weight loss scheme.
The main character is cold. She just lost her parents and her own body in a car accident and her new persona whose body she possesses in the medieval setting has lost her baby. I would be devastated but not Aliya/Lilian. She is more concerned about the pink colour of the walls, her overweight body and her pink dresses.
The book has an open ending which would not be a problem if at least something in the story has come to a conclusion. Maybe Lilian meeting her estranged husband would have been a good one but... no, this is probably happening in book 2.
I suspect that the book could be a good one if a lot of unnecessary info gets scrapped. The entire series can be concentrated in one volume and you probably end up with a good read.
The concept of the story is one I love. I am for one a fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and love the historical fiction books by Sharon Penman.
What I look for in a fiction book is simple: Romance, Action, humour or a combination of them. The author failed on all accounts and concentrated more on the development of gadgets, such as making inkwells and clasps for earrings and a rigid weight loss scheme.
The main character is cold. She just lost her parents and her own body in a car accident and her new persona whose body she possesses in the medieval setting has lost her baby. I would be devastated but not Aliya/Lilian. She is more concerned about the pink colour of the walls, her overweight body and her pink dresses.
The book has an open ending which would not be a problem if at least something in the story has come to a conclusion. Maybe Lilian meeting her estranged husband would have been a good one but... no, this is probably happening in book 2.
I suspect that the book could be a good one if a lot of unnecessary info gets scrapped. The entire series can be concentrated in one volume and you probably end up with a good read.
October 23, 2018
Publishing Date: April 2018
Publisher: Lithunter
ISBN: 9781980565512
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5
Publisher’s Description: A brilliant Medical school graduate Aliya, a sporty and active girl, dies suddenly in a car crash… only to find herself reborn in a completely different body, in the middle of a dilapidated castle during Medieval times. While confused and dismayed, Aliya realizes she has been given another chance at life — so she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work on restoring her new castle and her new life.
Review: This story line has been done before….a lot. I remember reading an old scifi novel where an engineer ended up in Poland prior to WWII and reshaped that countries destiny. Since then, there have been many a spin-off of the parallel world/time travel variety. So what sets this novel apart from the rest that have gone before? Read on!
The rendering of the period is just what you would expect. Dirty, muddy, stinky and gross. Hygiene was considered unholy and the author captures this slice of life to perfection. Rotten teeth round out the players in this medieval tale. Women are considered beneath consideration unless born to nobility, and even then, lack the pro-active ability that men share.
Reviews were up and down on this novel with “Jumpy narrative” and “Incomplete story” leading the charge. I agree that the story line sometimes shifted a bit and I didn’t have a problem with the serialized aspect as the novel was lengthy enough. What kind of sucked was the drawn out story line in places where it did not need to be. For instance ruminating over and over what you need to do in repetitive fashion and belaboring scenes until they are beaten to death, makes for more filler than actual story.
Despite some much needed editing, I liked this novel as the author crafts a main character that you constantly pull for. There are many collisions in Aliya’s future with not only her husband but the nobility at large. This dark cloud persists in driving the reader to root for her successes before the ax falls.
Get it and see where it goes if so inclined to serialized content.
You can read all of my reviews, here.
Publisher: Lithunter
ISBN: 9781980565512
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5
Publisher’s Description: A brilliant Medical school graduate Aliya, a sporty and active girl, dies suddenly in a car crash… only to find herself reborn in a completely different body, in the middle of a dilapidated castle during Medieval times. While confused and dismayed, Aliya realizes she has been given another chance at life — so she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work on restoring her new castle and her new life.
Review: This story line has been done before….a lot. I remember reading an old scifi novel where an engineer ended up in Poland prior to WWII and reshaped that countries destiny. Since then, there have been many a spin-off of the parallel world/time travel variety. So what sets this novel apart from the rest that have gone before? Read on!
The rendering of the period is just what you would expect. Dirty, muddy, stinky and gross. Hygiene was considered unholy and the author captures this slice of life to perfection. Rotten teeth round out the players in this medieval tale. Women are considered beneath consideration unless born to nobility, and even then, lack the pro-active ability that men share.
Reviews were up and down on this novel with “Jumpy narrative” and “Incomplete story” leading the charge. I agree that the story line sometimes shifted a bit and I didn’t have a problem with the serialized aspect as the novel was lengthy enough. What kind of sucked was the drawn out story line in places where it did not need to be. For instance ruminating over and over what you need to do in repetitive fashion and belaboring scenes until they are beaten to death, makes for more filler than actual story.
Despite some much needed editing, I liked this novel as the author crafts a main character that you constantly pull for. There are many collisions in Aliya’s future with not only her husband but the nobility at large. This dark cloud persists in driving the reader to root for her successes before the ax falls.
Get it and see where it goes if so inclined to serialized content.
You can read all of my reviews, here.
January 7, 2023
This review is for the whole series:
A waste of time and energy
The author creates two kinds of characters, those who love the protagonist and those who don't.
The plot is slow, it definitely serves for marketing, nothing adds to the main plot.
If I was asked what happened in these 6 Volumes, I would say nothing much.
The theme? Unimaginably ridiculous: conveying the readers that a cheating man can be tamed if the girl becomes beautiful? WTF. Any girl who is called a cow and is raped and ridiculed by her 'husband' should just run away from him. The protagonist comprises like an idiot. The author takes the readers as idiots I guess. What s headache.
Repetitive narration is all over the place.
Mary sue. Anyone who doesn't like the protagonist is considered as bad as a criminal.
The irony is the protagonist steals other people's ideas and sells them as her own but she disgustingly commanded the tongue and the fingers of a thief to be cut, I wanted to sit pokerfaced in front of the author. Why would a modern girl do something like that?
And too much Mary Sue. Like too much. Anyone she meets return her love, like a Sunshine.
She chops of body parts of a live human and calls it small punishment and justifies it by saying governments like (Islamic Regime in) Iran executes all the time. Shame on the author for her ignorance.
Is Putin brain washing Russian authors to say such inhuman thing ??
Does the author know that a bad marriage can affect the children, why the author wants to convey that cheating couples should stay together for the sake of their children is beyond foolishness.
A waste of time and energy
The author creates two kinds of characters, those who love the protagonist and those who don't.
The plot is slow, it definitely serves for marketing, nothing adds to the main plot.
If I was asked what happened in these 6 Volumes, I would say nothing much.
The theme? Unimaginably ridiculous: conveying the readers that a cheating man can be tamed if the girl becomes beautiful? WTF. Any girl who is called a cow and is raped and ridiculed by her 'husband' should just run away from him. The protagonist comprises like an idiot. The author takes the readers as idiots I guess. What s headache.
Repetitive narration is all over the place.
Mary sue. Anyone who doesn't like the protagonist is considered as bad as a criminal.
The irony is the protagonist steals other people's ideas and sells them as her own but she disgustingly commanded the tongue and the fingers of a thief to be cut, I wanted to sit pokerfaced in front of the author. Why would a modern girl do something like that?
And too much Mary Sue. Like too much. Anyone she meets return her love, like a Sunshine.
She chops of body parts of a live human and calls it small punishment and justifies it by saying governments like (Islamic Regime in) Iran executes all the time. Shame on the author for her ignorance.
Is Putin brain washing Russian authors to say such inhuman thing ??
Does the author know that a bad marriage can affect the children, why the author wants to convey that cheating couples should stay together for the sake of their children is beyond foolishness.
July 8, 2018
"It's the candy, not the wrapper, that matters. And it's the person you live with, not their good looks." This book reminded me a lot of Game of thrones mixed with the tv show Reign who has a modern woman running an Count's estate. There was humor, political intrigue, backstabbing, and entertaining adventures similar to the shows above. My only only issue i had with this story and its a big issue in my opinion is the jumping from perspective to perspective in the middle of a chapter without warning. I really got annoyed with that especially when we were in one place one paragraph to be moved to a completely different place and a different character without warning at least be divided by chapters or let the reader know whats going on. Because of this i give this book a 4 out of 5 stars i really enjoyed this and cannot wait for more.
April 27, 2018
I love this adventure!
What a nice change this story is! No vampires, no blood and Gore, no crude sex scenes or filthy language and what do you know...it's still a great fun interesting story with wonderful characters!!! A talented Author that can truly write and does not require any gimmicks. Love Lillian!! What a trooper!
What a nice change this story is! No vampires, no blood and Gore, no crude sex scenes or filthy language and what do you know...it's still a great fun interesting story with wonderful characters!!! A talented Author that can truly write and does not require any gimmicks. Love Lillian!! What a trooper!
June 16, 2018
4 stars on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
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A Goodreads member whilst insulting a trans essayist, complained to her that I list other trans creators. The behaviour of the Snowflake (womanphobic, poorly socialised, US man-baby) no longer surprises. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include the agricultural economist, tall, lesbian, Canadian, sewist, military boardgamer, fashion historian, boat restorer, bi, lumber yard worker, mother, anarchist, poet, news presenter, queer, pensioner, Ugandan, cosplayer, miniatures builder, aviation modeller, intersex, farmer, military historian, writer, astrophysicist, cabin life, trans, WOC, Bahamian, communist, redhaired, psychologist, asexual, mechanic, miniatures painter, singer, Norwegian, comedienne, het, sociologist, chess master, piper, geographer and other creators known as Women.
Almost as dangerous are the channels featuring paleontologist, wood worker, other BIPOC, socialist, Finnish, reenactor, boardgame historian, other fashion historian, miniatures landscape builder, tabletop gamer, other neurodivergent, tailor, chemist, RPG player, other military historian, science fiction commentator, mathematician, other LGBTQIA, ginger, zoologist, narrowboater, older, van traveller, train enthusiast, photographer and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, immediately seek the nearest Taoist monastery and\or develop a new skill, perhaps critical thought and\or seek emergency therapy.
Even recalling interactions with certain members can be draining. In those moments. I sometimes think of the OPR Piorun's lone night attack against the Bismarck. When ordered to withdraw, she instead repeatedly charged, blaring "I am a Pole", engaging with gun and torpedo. As usual. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava! Crimea is Ukraine.
I thought this was a time travel novel but discovered it was a fantasy. The characters are very interesting both in motivation and action. There is plenty of room for deviance from historical development and events are not limited to a version of mediaeval Western Europe.
The story moved fast and some would probably say too fast. I would agree with them but in the main character's situation, I would probably do the same or something similar.
The dangers from poor hygiene, poor diet, lack of medical knowledge and stifling of innovation are very powerful drivers for making change as quickly as feasible for the sake of survival.
The power of the guilds and the rise of the early cities do not mirror closely in this world. That said, between the charging ahead by the main character and the lack of opposition to changes in merchant goods, farming and other things, the story does speed along almost too fast to develop many of the characters.
It is a fast fun read in a plausible universe and the series might be very entertaining.
Something similar is found in one of Alma Boykin's series.
This next made possible by YouTube - Doctor Who\Be Kind, Happy Pancake, Riverboat Jack, Agro Squirrel Narrates, SoulHikers, TheLitNerd, Farm to Taber, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Helena Thompson, No Justice MTG, Liz Webster, Canadian Dominion, Parkrose Permaculture, Marie Grey, Alex Fleev, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, The Resistance,
aidan knight, Democratic Penguins Republic, Guard the Leaf, Aid Thomson, Catherine Warr, The Sci-fi Graveyard, Vanisha Marie, Dangerously Informed with Evie, Katie Halper, Ally the Piper, fig tree, Refashioned Hippie, Warship Designs, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Brandon Fisichella, DamiLee, AllShorts Politics, Sarah C M Paine,
Irish Pagan, Guillaume Des PF, 6Up Table Top Gaming, Warspites Channel, Gold and Gunpowder, Omeleto, Talesmith Kiar, Naughty Nana DUZ, Tibees, Tom Nicholas, Long shot Wargaming, The Great War, Mini Agnostic, Timeless TableTop Gaming, Times News, Delamer, Harp Twins, Scale History SLC, Bernadette Banner, Brittany Page,
Brigitte Empire, Because of Dragons, DUST, Tale Foundry, On TableTop, The Dice Treasures, RobWords, T's Miniature Battlefields, Saga Lore AI, Lady of the Library, Munecat, Mindful Narrowboat, Ship Happens, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along, Charlie Angus, LetterKenny, Dreamloop Cinema, House of El, CBC News, France 24,
White Stork, Vintage SF, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Council of Geeks, Animorphs Universe, Sound Engineer, Templin Institute, Queer Collective, Brush with Bekah, Subha Reads, Bahamian Gyal, Reese Waters, Democratic Penguins Republic, Red Glasgow, Anark, Benn Jordan, Mandy, Wednesday, Bookpilled, Grumpy old Crone.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage discourse. As example, I wrote three years ago a short negative review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran who no longer refers to his other books.
The story originally blurbed as similar to a Heinlein classic, is "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon. It is the tale of the heroic efforts of a rich twat to enlist the military in overthrow of a US government in order that he not pay taxes. There are many similar books inhabiting Unlimited selection and while popular I found them all alarming, unhealthy and now prophetic.
Travis self-described as Libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), US veteran,
advocate for chattel slavery (openly expressed US view for decades, now supported by new concentration camps built for federal detainees, unhoused, van, auto residents and their families. With their existence now criminalised, there seems no pathway to their release. Given the gleeful support from tens of millions citizens, no objections from either Party and denial of or indifference to this policy generational enslavement is on the cards.
Additionally, these victims are subject to the two agencies which have never been required to record or account for deaths or the missing thousands of prisoners. These sites include industrial furnaces for disposal of biologicals. The general US response to all of this parallels that of mid-ninety thirties Germany.),
an employee of an unnamed US agency, admirer of Putin and his Russia (US position supported in foreign policy and seemingly tens of millions).
Travis Corcoran and six fellow patriots reacted angrily to my humble communist perspective. A year long comment stream demanding my response followed. Extraordinary even for Goodreads.
There was no mention of the book, though I was gifted a corrected understanding of literature, Western philosophy, the social good of slavery, my character flaws including narcissism evidenced by my refusal to engage, deficiency of intelligence and more.
Such wide ranging instruction kindled a slight hope that a detailed criticism of movie depictions of the Battle of Stalingrad might appear. I was disappointed but to paraphrase Rick "We'll always have the Irony".
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse, Jr. After referencing the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that Travis and many allies had launched at that point, a year long flood of disgusting sexual, racist and similar comments across apparently every channel I listed. It continues still.
It seems that the early teen boater and her mother, Oxford astrophysicist, pensioner, fashion historian and other female creators were not as receptive to Their charm offensive as had been expected..
Despite that stumble, They did demonstrate the fabled American Exceptionalism, increased the world's oversupply of ugliness and shared a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (womanphobic, emotionally stunted, altogether insecure, cowardly US tittie-baby) with a multinational audience.
Quite the Victory, on balance. If the madness above causes discomfort, there are BookTubers to suggest saner, safer, true reader forums.
This last made possible by YouTube channels - Glory to Ukraine, Think That Through, Anne Reburn, ATP Geopolitics, Whitenoiz CA, The Shades of Orange, The Enemy from Within, Guard the Leaf, Annie Hurdy Gurdy, The Plant Based Bride, North of MAGA, Portable Orange, Leyna Robinson-Stone, Erin Meryl Study, Philippe Joumard,
Jo Ellis, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Guillaume Des PF, Vintage SF, Kenzie Jacobsen, Martin Hilpert, Infinite Zebra, Amanda's Mild Takes, Karla Kim, TheRestisScience, No Justice MTG, Sabine Hossenfelder, SciFi Brandon, Saga Lore AI, The Resistance, Inside Archaeology, LeeReads, Subha Reads, Miranda Mills, FAFO, Rev Karla, Queen Penguin,
Sanna Vaara, Aid Thompson, aidan knight, RevolutionarythOt, Leeja Miller, Dungeons and Discourse, Zilla Blitz, Supertanskiii, !Lawyer Oyer, I've Had It, Raw News and Politics, Squire, Viva La Dirt League, Cruising Crafts, Sailing Melody, Narrowboat Pirate, Boat Time, Dust and Glory, Pike and Shot Channel, Swell Entertainment,
The Gaze, Tanya Fiona, Autistic Jenny, Leah Passaniti, Anne Applebaum, Yanis Varoufakis, LuckyBlackCat, Cosy Creative, ScaredKetchup, Professor Tim Wilson, Claus Kellerman POV, North of MAGA, Mercado Media, Maggie Mae Fish, Turn Left, Hoots, DW News, Kyiv Independent, Astoria Quartet, Carmina Burana, Chris Norlund,
Candlelit Tales, Scotland History Tours, ADHD Friendly, Portable Orange, Pyotr Kurzin, Red Viburnam Song, OrangeRiver, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Reads with Rachel, Erin Meryl Study, Big Think, Enter the Book, NotActuallyGolden, Geo Tactics, Ginni D, Planet D, Gabby Bryan, Haopones, Very Casual Librarian, Leena Norms, Paul Lance.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The nasty comments are considered acceptable on this site. Amazon delete reviews but seem to. encourage the deranged comment stream. They do not punish the deranged member, writers who organise Them or Kindle madlads who enable both.
Their activities include the stalking, threats, hacking, doxxing and more.
My limited message history was given over to These disturbed members, followed by a,request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged.The attempt at my history failed, though my friend was concerned that I was in danger.
Until we shared widely that bizarre (very American) experience, Amazon had no concern. Rather than acknowledgement of crimes, my page format and options after several years, were returned to normal, Lurkers I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, my ability to see other's reviews restored, the odd 24 -48 hour bricking of my Kindle ended and the rest.
A BookTuber had a review deleted from Goodreads for the "Hate Speech", that is addressing anti-human elements of a book. The US finds the doing of the misogyny, racism, ableism and other are acceptable, addressing them beyond the pale.
Another had her Kindle bricked and access to her cloud library blocked for the temerity to challenge an obvious double billing.
An EBay Chief of Global Security or something was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site had been deemed unkind EBay. They were awarded millions.
With the new protections awarded US data firms, I expect more dangerous incidents.
The commenters involved, employees who aid Them and members denying the above are drawn from a population which accepts the behaviours as normal, even acceptable. One mustn't criticise a false historical narrative as basis for a speculative fiction, take issue with poor prose and other writing flaws or question the general quality of the Unlimited selection.
Most threatening is writing a personal opinion, that glorified anti-human elements when normalised are political expressions. The defence of same is to These seen as duty and expression of a patriotic fervour, along the lines of Farage, Robinson or at this point Starmer. Ominous must ends. 😊
Be safe. May we all discover good reading. 🤗
Some favourite channels.
BookBorn, Masha, According to Alina, VintaCine Vault, Anna Connelly, CriminOlly, It Ain't Half Hot,mum, Kelly-Ann Maddox, Norse Witch, The Gothmother, Yorkshire Gamer, Mia Mulder, Philosophy Tube, No Justice MTG, Paige Layle, Katie Halper, Peachy Tips, Jormungandr, Big Battles Little Wars, Miniature Adventures, Ms Modeller,
TIKHistory, Storm of Steel Wargaming, Ivee Lionne, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Fran Blanche, Munecat, Galen Wood, Grave Warden, Reading Wryly, Life on Books, Shades of Orange, Jean's Thoughts, Amie's Literary Empire, Space Mog,Vintage Space, British Warships and British Warplanes, Real Vintage Dolls House, Honest2Betsy,
Bottleneck Loser, Blue Faun, Dr Ben Miles, Dr Fatima, Rutger Bregman, Freyia North in Norway, Dress Me Up Scotty, Sarah Spaceman, Shannon Makes, Ash LG, Abbie Emmons, Mr Zod, Coach D, Parkrose Permaculture, kgb detected, NFKRZ, Kyiv Post, Pink Deer, Book Guy, Weirdo Book Club, Shifty Book Club, Slaggy Book Club,
Amodelwhosread, Perun, Gingers are Black, Poison Pen Bookstore, Luke Sherlock, SciFi Scavenger, SciFi Odyssey, Hardy's Books, Underthedesknews, Your True Shelf, Roomies Digest, Allison Talks Books, Dr Helen Wemberley, Kate Horlor, Anthony Gramuglia, Door Monster, I'm Autistic Now What, Chloe Daniels, Barry's Economics,
Book Furnace, Book Nook Corner, Stephanie's Story, Julie Nolke, Guard the Leaf, House of El, The Dangerous Ones, Council of Geeks, Terrible Writing Advice, Tale Tinkerer, Roughest Draft, Gary's Economics, Taboo Education, SciFi Safari, Dangerously Informed with Evie, New Scientist, JimmyTheGiant, Dark Brandon, Vanisha Marie
Dr Josh C Simmons, Unlearning Economics, Sabby Sabs, Savy Writes, Cruising the Cut, The Blazing Redcoat, Robin Sellex, Anna Cramling, FairyPrincessLucy, Moon Sun, Yarmak, Tom Ayling, Kate Nash, Patty Gurdy, Media Death Cult, Kaz Rowe, Riverboat Jack, Calmly Unhinged, Battlefield Ambience, Canadian WW2 Tales, Gamers Nexus,
Tachyon Pulse, Skip Intro, Lily Simpson, Lilly's life, Renegade Cut, Mediaeval Wargamer, Table Top Times, Interesting Times, Nicole Jenes, Valeria Sistrunk, Onion, MeMyDogsandBooks, Creative Autistic, American Cossack, Kaelyn Partlow, Erika Jordan, DemonFlyingFox, John D Cundle, Audaciously AuDHD-Bella-Bella Ciao.
I wish you a glorious morning, an entertaining afternoon, a pleasant evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Denial of Evil's existence, is Complicity.
This made possible by YouTube - Doctor Who\WitHout Reward, National Centre for Military Intelligence, Russian Media Monitor, Fran Blanche, Dr Becky, Ms Modeller, Legendary Tactics, Carl Walmsley, Dr Myriam Francois, Nasimi Shabnam, Dr Larissa Tracey, Welcome to Ukraine, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Lady Izdihar, The Onion,
The Pastel Bookshelf, ScaredKetchup, Nicole Jenes, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Very Casual Librarian, TableTop Times, Miniature Wars, Kaz Rowe, Ember Green, Tony Rose Lonesome, Calmly Unhinged, Biz, Certifiably Ingame, Perun, Think Ukraine, Kyiv Independent, Real Vintage Dolls House, Medieval Wargamer, Narrowboat Pirate,
Modelling and Miniatures, Mia Mulder, Kate Nash, Red Viburnam Song, Reese Waters, Queen City Miniatures, Democratic Penguins Republic, Verilybitchie, Cindy's Villa, Door Monster, Tale Foundry, Candlelit Tales, Irish Pagan School, Anthony Gramuglia, Reads with Rachel, Mr Zod, Terrible Writing Advice, Words in Time, Kath Clarke,
Just in Time Worldbuilding, Lily Simpson, Bryn's Bookshelf, Savage Daughter, Saga Lore AI, Queer Kiwi, Geopolitic Lego AI, Reads with Rachel, Lindsay Ellis, Sina Drums, Grumpy Old Crone, Lena Down Under, Dreamloop Cinema, Canadian Dominion, Keffals, Matriarchetype, Alice in wonder1and, Broken Peach, Miranda Mills,
V4mpire Doll, Veritas et Caritas. Cindy Pinchart, Morgan Foley, Shifty Book Club, Forsvarsmakten, Alexis_Blake00, Verilybitchie, Grammaticus Books, Airlearn Language Show, Jacobin, RevolutionarythOt, Books and Things, Clare Blackwood, Operation Toybox, Warship Designs, Central Crossing, Napoleonic Wargaming.
A Goodreads member whilst insulting a trans essayist, complained to her that I list other trans creators. The behaviour of the Snowflake (womanphobic, poorly socialised, US man-baby) no longer surprises. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include the agricultural economist, tall, lesbian, Canadian, sewist, military boardgamer, fashion historian, boat restorer, bi, lumber yard worker, mother, anarchist, poet, news presenter, queer, pensioner, Ugandan, cosplayer, miniatures builder, aviation modeller, intersex, farmer, military historian, writer, astrophysicist, cabin life, trans, WOC, Bahamian, communist, redhaired, psychologist, asexual, mechanic, miniatures painter, singer, Norwegian, comedienne, het, sociologist, chess master, piper, geographer and other creators known as Women.
Almost as dangerous are the channels featuring paleontologist, wood worker, other BIPOC, socialist, Finnish, reenactor, boardgame historian, other fashion historian, miniatures landscape builder, tabletop gamer, other neurodivergent, tailor, chemist, RPG player, other military historian, science fiction commentator, mathematician, other LGBTQIA, ginger, zoologist, narrowboater, older, van traveller, train enthusiast, photographer and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, immediately seek the nearest Taoist monastery and\or develop a new skill, perhaps critical thought and\or seek emergency therapy.
Even recalling interactions with certain members can be draining. In those moments. I sometimes think of the OPR Piorun's lone night attack against the Bismarck. When ordered to withdraw, she instead repeatedly charged, blaring "I am a Pole", engaging with gun and torpedo. As usual. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava! Crimea is Ukraine.
I thought this was a time travel novel but discovered it was a fantasy. The characters are very interesting both in motivation and action. There is plenty of room for deviance from historical development and events are not limited to a version of mediaeval Western Europe.
The story moved fast and some would probably say too fast. I would agree with them but in the main character's situation, I would probably do the same or something similar.
The dangers from poor hygiene, poor diet, lack of medical knowledge and stifling of innovation are very powerful drivers for making change as quickly as feasible for the sake of survival.
The power of the guilds and the rise of the early cities do not mirror closely in this world. That said, between the charging ahead by the main character and the lack of opposition to changes in merchant goods, farming and other things, the story does speed along almost too fast to develop many of the characters.
It is a fast fun read in a plausible universe and the series might be very entertaining.
Something similar is found in one of Alma Boykin's series.
This next made possible by YouTube - Doctor Who\Be Kind, Happy Pancake, Riverboat Jack, Agro Squirrel Narrates, SoulHikers, TheLitNerd, Farm to Taber, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Helena Thompson, No Justice MTG, Liz Webster, Canadian Dominion, Parkrose Permaculture, Marie Grey, Alex Fleev, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, The Resistance,
aidan knight, Democratic Penguins Republic, Guard the Leaf, Aid Thomson, Catherine Warr, The Sci-fi Graveyard, Vanisha Marie, Dangerously Informed with Evie, Katie Halper, Ally the Piper, fig tree, Refashioned Hippie, Warship Designs, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Brandon Fisichella, DamiLee, AllShorts Politics, Sarah C M Paine,
Irish Pagan, Guillaume Des PF, 6Up Table Top Gaming, Warspites Channel, Gold and Gunpowder, Omeleto, Talesmith Kiar, Naughty Nana DUZ, Tibees, Tom Nicholas, Long shot Wargaming, The Great War, Mini Agnostic, Timeless TableTop Gaming, Times News, Delamer, Harp Twins, Scale History SLC, Bernadette Banner, Brittany Page,
Brigitte Empire, Because of Dragons, DUST, Tale Foundry, On TableTop, The Dice Treasures, RobWords, T's Miniature Battlefields, Saga Lore AI, Lady of the Library, Munecat, Mindful Narrowboat, Ship Happens, Ben and Emily, Bobbing Along, Charlie Angus, LetterKenny, Dreamloop Cinema, House of El, CBC News, France 24,
White Stork, Vintage SF, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Council of Geeks, Animorphs Universe, Sound Engineer, Templin Institute, Queer Collective, Brush with Bekah, Subha Reads, Bahamian Gyal, Reese Waters, Democratic Penguins Republic, Red Glasgow, Anark, Benn Jordan, Mandy, Wednesday, Bookpilled, Grumpy old Crone.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage discourse. As example, I wrote three years ago a short negative review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran who no longer refers to his other books.
The story originally blurbed as similar to a Heinlein classic, is "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon. It is the tale of the heroic efforts of a rich twat to enlist the military in overthrow of a US government in order that he not pay taxes. There are many similar books inhabiting Unlimited selection and while popular I found them all alarming, unhealthy and now prophetic.
Travis self-described as Libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), US veteran,
advocate for chattel slavery (openly expressed US view for decades, now supported by new concentration camps built for federal detainees, unhoused, van, auto residents and their families. With their existence now criminalised, there seems no pathway to their release. Given the gleeful support from tens of millions citizens, no objections from either Party and denial of or indifference to this policy generational enslavement is on the cards.
Additionally, these victims are subject to the two agencies which have never been required to record or account for deaths or the missing thousands of prisoners. These sites include industrial furnaces for disposal of biologicals. The general US response to all of this parallels that of mid-ninety thirties Germany.),
an employee of an unnamed US agency, admirer of Putin and his Russia (US position supported in foreign policy and seemingly tens of millions).
Travis Corcoran and six fellow patriots reacted angrily to my humble communist perspective. A year long comment stream demanding my response followed. Extraordinary even for Goodreads.
There was no mention of the book, though I was gifted a corrected understanding of literature, Western philosophy, the social good of slavery, my character flaws including narcissism evidenced by my refusal to engage, deficiency of intelligence and more.
Such wide ranging instruction kindled a slight hope that a detailed criticism of movie depictions of the Battle of Stalingrad might appear. I was disappointed but to paraphrase Rick "We'll always have the Irony".
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse, Jr. After referencing the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that Travis and many allies had launched at that point, a year long flood of disgusting sexual, racist and similar comments across apparently every channel I listed. It continues still.
It seems that the early teen boater and her mother, Oxford astrophysicist, pensioner, fashion historian and other female creators were not as receptive to Their charm offensive as had been expected..
Despite that stumble, They did demonstrate the fabled American Exceptionalism, increased the world's oversupply of ugliness and shared a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (womanphobic, emotionally stunted, altogether insecure, cowardly US tittie-baby) with a multinational audience.
Quite the Victory, on balance. If the madness above causes discomfort, there are BookTubers to suggest saner, safer, true reader forums.
This last made possible by YouTube channels - Glory to Ukraine, Think That Through, Anne Reburn, ATP Geopolitics, Whitenoiz CA, The Shades of Orange, The Enemy from Within, Guard the Leaf, Annie Hurdy Gurdy, The Plant Based Bride, North of MAGA, Portable Orange, Leyna Robinson-Stone, Erin Meryl Study, Philippe Joumard,
Jo Ellis, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Guillaume Des PF, Vintage SF, Kenzie Jacobsen, Martin Hilpert, Infinite Zebra, Amanda's Mild Takes, Karla Kim, TheRestisScience, No Justice MTG, Sabine Hossenfelder, SciFi Brandon, Saga Lore AI, The Resistance, Inside Archaeology, LeeReads, Subha Reads, Miranda Mills, FAFO, Rev Karla, Queen Penguin,
Sanna Vaara, Aid Thompson, aidan knight, RevolutionarythOt, Leeja Miller, Dungeons and Discourse, Zilla Blitz, Supertanskiii, !Lawyer Oyer, I've Had It, Raw News and Politics, Squire, Viva La Dirt League, Cruising Crafts, Sailing Melody, Narrowboat Pirate, Boat Time, Dust and Glory, Pike and Shot Channel, Swell Entertainment,
The Gaze, Tanya Fiona, Autistic Jenny, Leah Passaniti, Anne Applebaum, Yanis Varoufakis, LuckyBlackCat, Cosy Creative, ScaredKetchup, Professor Tim Wilson, Claus Kellerman POV, North of MAGA, Mercado Media, Maggie Mae Fish, Turn Left, Hoots, DW News, Kyiv Independent, Astoria Quartet, Carmina Burana, Chris Norlund,
Candlelit Tales, Scotland History Tours, ADHD Friendly, Portable Orange, Pyotr Kurzin, Red Viburnam Song, OrangeRiver, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Reads with Rachel, Erin Meryl Study, Big Think, Enter the Book, NotActuallyGolden, Geo Tactics, Ginni D, Planet D, Gabby Bryan, Haopones, Very Casual Librarian, Leena Norms, Paul Lance.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The nasty comments are considered acceptable on this site. Amazon delete reviews but seem to. encourage the deranged comment stream. They do not punish the deranged member, writers who organise Them or Kindle madlads who enable both.
Their activities include the stalking, threats, hacking, doxxing and more.
My limited message history was given over to These disturbed members, followed by a,request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged.The attempt at my history failed, though my friend was concerned that I was in danger.
Until we shared widely that bizarre (very American) experience, Amazon had no concern. Rather than acknowledgement of crimes, my page format and options after several years, were returned to normal, Lurkers I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, my ability to see other's reviews restored, the odd 24 -48 hour bricking of my Kindle ended and the rest.
A BookTuber had a review deleted from Goodreads for the "Hate Speech", that is addressing anti-human elements of a book. The US finds the doing of the misogyny, racism, ableism and other are acceptable, addressing them beyond the pale.
Another had her Kindle bricked and access to her cloud library blocked for the temerity to challenge an obvious double billing.
An EBay Chief of Global Security or something was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site had been deemed unkind EBay. They were awarded millions.
With the new protections awarded US data firms, I expect more dangerous incidents.
The commenters involved, employees who aid Them and members denying the above are drawn from a population which accepts the behaviours as normal, even acceptable. One mustn't criticise a false historical narrative as basis for a speculative fiction, take issue with poor prose and other writing flaws or question the general quality of the Unlimited selection.
Most threatening is writing a personal opinion, that glorified anti-human elements when normalised are political expressions. The defence of same is to These seen as duty and expression of a patriotic fervour, along the lines of Farage, Robinson or at this point Starmer. Ominous must ends. 😊
Be safe. May we all discover good reading. 🤗
Some favourite channels.
BookBorn, Masha, According to Alina, VintaCine Vault, Anna Connelly, CriminOlly, It Ain't Half Hot,mum, Kelly-Ann Maddox, Norse Witch, The Gothmother, Yorkshire Gamer, Mia Mulder, Philosophy Tube, No Justice MTG, Paige Layle, Katie Halper, Peachy Tips, Jormungandr, Big Battles Little Wars, Miniature Adventures, Ms Modeller,
TIKHistory, Storm of Steel Wargaming, Ivee Lionne, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Fran Blanche, Munecat, Galen Wood, Grave Warden, Reading Wryly, Life on Books, Shades of Orange, Jean's Thoughts, Amie's Literary Empire, Space Mog,Vintage Space, British Warships and British Warplanes, Real Vintage Dolls House, Honest2Betsy,
Bottleneck Loser, Blue Faun, Dr Ben Miles, Dr Fatima, Rutger Bregman, Freyia North in Norway, Dress Me Up Scotty, Sarah Spaceman, Shannon Makes, Ash LG, Abbie Emmons, Mr Zod, Coach D, Parkrose Permaculture, kgb detected, NFKRZ, Kyiv Post, Pink Deer, Book Guy, Weirdo Book Club, Shifty Book Club, Slaggy Book Club,
Amodelwhosread, Perun, Gingers are Black, Poison Pen Bookstore, Luke Sherlock, SciFi Scavenger, SciFi Odyssey, Hardy's Books, Underthedesknews, Your True Shelf, Roomies Digest, Allison Talks Books, Dr Helen Wemberley, Kate Horlor, Anthony Gramuglia, Door Monster, I'm Autistic Now What, Chloe Daniels, Barry's Economics,
Book Furnace, Book Nook Corner, Stephanie's Story, Julie Nolke, Guard the Leaf, House of El, The Dangerous Ones, Council of Geeks, Terrible Writing Advice, Tale Tinkerer, Roughest Draft, Gary's Economics, Taboo Education, SciFi Safari, Dangerously Informed with Evie, New Scientist, JimmyTheGiant, Dark Brandon, Vanisha Marie
Dr Josh C Simmons, Unlearning Economics, Sabby Sabs, Savy Writes, Cruising the Cut, The Blazing Redcoat, Robin Sellex, Anna Cramling, FairyPrincessLucy, Moon Sun, Yarmak, Tom Ayling, Kate Nash, Patty Gurdy, Media Death Cult, Kaz Rowe, Riverboat Jack, Calmly Unhinged, Battlefield Ambience, Canadian WW2 Tales, Gamers Nexus,
Tachyon Pulse, Skip Intro, Lily Simpson, Lilly's life, Renegade Cut, Mediaeval Wargamer, Table Top Times, Interesting Times, Nicole Jenes, Valeria Sistrunk, Onion, MeMyDogsandBooks, Creative Autistic, American Cossack, Kaelyn Partlow, Erika Jordan, DemonFlyingFox, John D Cundle, Audaciously AuDHD-Bella-Bella Ciao.
I wish you a glorious morning, an entertaining afternoon, a pleasant evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Denial of Evil's existence, is Complicity.
March 2, 2018
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you suddenly would be transported to a place in the past while you had all your modern knowledge?
In this Russian fantasy novel medical student Aliya dies in a carcrash and then somehow wakes up in another body in another world that is very much like our Middle Ages.
This Russian novel is a bit different. At first I thought it was a story meant for highschool students but nevertheless was so attracted by the synopsis I volunteered to review. The thing is that although the heroine is a medical student I think the targeted readers might be found in 18+. Not that the story is steamy: it is not! No because of the serious way the whole situation is handled.
In most timetravel stories people just blend in. If there is the fact that they know more than the people surrounding them then it is in that they know the future. It is not so much that they would share advanced technology. Here there is no knowledge of the future: it is a different world not the past. But Aliya now countess Lilian has a wide share of knowledge how to make things and how to cure people and she sets off to monetise that and improve her village. It made me wonder what I would do and I realised my knowledge is not suitable at all in a situation like that (I am a lawyer).
So what to say about this novel?
The writer is very apt in worldbuilding. The world described sounds real. Countess Lilian lives in a would with many similarities to medieval Europe. You recognise the Vikings, the Jews and the Arabs, but the church is just different. Laws are different. And similar.
Sometimes the writing style seems a bit different to me but that might be because it is a Russian novel that is translated. Things like that can somehow show different cultures of writing styles. It is not annoying.
The book really has potential to be great but seems to break off just when the stage is set for action. I would advice to publish it together with part 2 (I expect there is one). I think it will be received better that way. Lots of the better fantasy stories are heavy tomes that has the reader reading for days on end so there is no need to cut the story into different volumes. Now we end up with a clever exercise how to keep yourself afloat in the Middle Ages and we see storm brewing on the horizon but the thunderclaps have not been heard yet. All the action has yet to come.
It could be done like this if this part would be for free but when you want to charge a fee I think customers might grumble because it feels like you are reading a good book and suddenly someone grabs it and takes it away.
PS: I really liked the fact that the heroine is a heavy set lady who kicks ass (I am no feather either)
http://www.dutchysbookreviewsandfreeb...
In this Russian fantasy novel medical student Aliya dies in a carcrash and then somehow wakes up in another body in another world that is very much like our Middle Ages.
This Russian novel is a bit different. At first I thought it was a story meant for highschool students but nevertheless was so attracted by the synopsis I volunteered to review. The thing is that although the heroine is a medical student I think the targeted readers might be found in 18+. Not that the story is steamy: it is not! No because of the serious way the whole situation is handled.
In most timetravel stories people just blend in. If there is the fact that they know more than the people surrounding them then it is in that they know the future. It is not so much that they would share advanced technology. Here there is no knowledge of the future: it is a different world not the past. But Aliya now countess Lilian has a wide share of knowledge how to make things and how to cure people and she sets off to monetise that and improve her village. It made me wonder what I would do and I realised my knowledge is not suitable at all in a situation like that (I am a lawyer).
So what to say about this novel?
The writer is very apt in worldbuilding. The world described sounds real. Countess Lilian lives in a would with many similarities to medieval Europe. You recognise the Vikings, the Jews and the Arabs, but the church is just different. Laws are different. And similar.
Sometimes the writing style seems a bit different to me but that might be because it is a Russian novel that is translated. Things like that can somehow show different cultures of writing styles. It is not annoying.
The book really has potential to be great but seems to break off just when the stage is set for action. I would advice to publish it together with part 2 (I expect there is one). I think it will be received better that way. Lots of the better fantasy stories are heavy tomes that has the reader reading for days on end so there is no need to cut the story into different volumes. Now we end up with a clever exercise how to keep yourself afloat in the Middle Ages and we see storm brewing on the horizon but the thunderclaps have not been heard yet. All the action has yet to come.
It could be done like this if this part would be for free but when you want to charge a fee I think customers might grumble because it feels like you are reading a good book and suddenly someone grabs it and takes it away.
PS: I really liked the fact that the heroine is a heavy set lady who kicks ass (I am no feather either)
http://www.dutchysbookreviewsandfreeb...
July 17, 2019
Yikes
Aside from just being confusing, horribly written, and fully of unnecessary plot lines and details, it is completely obvious by the end of this book that the main character (and I suspect author) is a hateful and insecure person, who believes a skinny body is the only thing that matters in the universe.
As a plus sized woman, ever mention of Lillian’s body felt like an attack on not only my body, but my worth as a person. I am married, own a home, have a great job, attend grad school, and fight daily to thrive despite a disability. All while being fat! Shocking I know, as this book implies that all fat people are lazy and stupid. People of all body types deserve to be loved, happy, and valued.
I hope this author gets some counseling because she has major self image issues. Maybe also taking a couple writing courses? If you’re gonna be all high and mighty, at least do your job well.
Aside from just being confusing, horribly written, and fully of unnecessary plot lines and details, it is completely obvious by the end of this book that the main character (and I suspect author) is a hateful and insecure person, who believes a skinny body is the only thing that matters in the universe.
As a plus sized woman, ever mention of Lillian’s body felt like an attack on not only my body, but my worth as a person. I am married, own a home, have a great job, attend grad school, and fight daily to thrive despite a disability. All while being fat! Shocking I know, as this book implies that all fat people are lazy and stupid. People of all body types deserve to be loved, happy, and valued.
I hope this author gets some counseling because she has major self image issues. Maybe also taking a couple writing courses? If you’re gonna be all high and mighty, at least do your job well.
November 20, 2016
Героиня знает медицину, химию, биологию, ботанику, агрономию, животноводство, владеет навыками стрельбы, самообороны, стеклодувного мастерства (!), умеет ездить верхом, шить, вышивать бисером, вязать крючком и плести кружево на профессиональном уровне, сходу объясняет местным мастерам устройство чернильницы непроливайки, стального пера и хирургических инструментов, и "изобретает" перегонный куб. Два раза за книгу вспоминает об оставшейся в другой жизни Большой Любви, один раз - о погибших родителях (чтобы вовремя удариться в слезы). ГГ все слушают, всё у нее сразу же отлично получается. Идеальный попаданец.
+корявые фразы и стилистические ошибки.
Meh
+корявые фразы и стилистические ошибки.
Meh
March 18, 2019
When I discovered that there was a Russian fantasy series about a "strong woman" protagonist, I immediately *had* to read it. Alas, while the idea is brilliant, the execution is less so. But it seems that a lot of people are still enjoying it, which overall is probably a good sign for the future of fantasy.
So, first of all, the good: I have to give the books and the author major props for the woman-centric approach. The plot is a kind of Outlander-y slipstream/time travel thing, in which a a modern Russian med student is in a car accident and gets thrown into a kind of medieval-y, and thus far nonmagical, fantasy world, where she ends up in the body of a countess in an unhappy marriage. Only, and this is the brilliant bit, instead of spending the whole time fencing with her husband, only to inevitably realize that she's madly in love with them, she takes over the running of the estate. The husband is hardly part of the action at all (I don't want to go into further details for fear of spoilers). Instead, Aliya/Lily goes around finding intelligent and able people, especially women, in order to put her estate back in order and advance the progress of science and industry in this world where she's found herself. That is such a refreshing change in what at first glance appears to be another entry in a rather hackneyed genre that it's almost worth reading the book for that alone.
Next, the indifferent: A lot of Aliya/Lily's motivation is to make money. She's constantly coming up with schemes to use her knowledge of advanced technology to turn a profit. It's another refreshing innovation in fantasy tropes, but it's also a little off-putting to have a protagonist who's so nakedly opportunistic and interested in money for the sake of money. There are occasional mentions of Aliya's upbringing in Russia in the 80s and 90s, which will explain much to those who also experienced that period, but other readers might have a harder time putting together the pieces. Aliya is very much a post-Soviet character, combining communist self-righteousness with capitalist self-interest in a mixture that's interesting and understandable but not necessarily appealing.
Finally, the bad: While some reviewers have complained about the complexity of the multiple subplots, that pales in comparison with the sins of characterization committed here. I would say that Aliya has no central guiding character, instead being just a useful plot device, but that wouldn't be quite true. Her central guiding characteristic is her supreme self-interest. She treats everything and everyone around her as objects to be used for her own personal gain.
Other than that, there's not much to unify her personality and behavior. Her "strong woman" behavior is mainly manifested in making scenes and attacking people. She shamelessly threatens, bullies, and manipulates people from the get-go (something that will seem more understandable, again, to those with experience with Russian culture), while decrying the culture she's found herself in for being based on threats and physical force. She frequently acts apparently for the benefit of others, trying to save the victims of social injustice or bad luck, but given her incredibly self-interested behavior, her apparent altruism rings false. She repeatedly goes against the cultural mores of the society she's found herself in, and then on the next page worries, without any apparent self-awareness of the contradiction, about how she's flouting convention. In the hands of a more skilled writer, Aliya would be a complex character and the story would be a fascinating study in post-Soviet culture. As it stands, the whole thing feels like a series of cheap plot devices, with no attempt at unity of character.
As you can see, I have major reservations about the book. That being said, it *does* have a number of things going for it, especially the emphasis on women working together to share knowledge and empower themselves. So while I can't wholeheartedly recommend it, I can't condemn it either. Maybe you should page through the beginning of it and decide for yourself.
So, first of all, the good: I have to give the books and the author major props for the woman-centric approach. The plot is a kind of Outlander-y slipstream/time travel thing, in which a a modern Russian med student is in a car accident and gets thrown into a kind of medieval-y, and thus far nonmagical, fantasy world, where she ends up in the body of a countess in an unhappy marriage. Only, and this is the brilliant bit, instead of spending the whole time fencing with her husband, only to inevitably realize that she's madly in love with them, she takes over the running of the estate. The husband is hardly part of the action at all (I don't want to go into further details for fear of spoilers). Instead, Aliya/Lily goes around finding intelligent and able people, especially women, in order to put her estate back in order and advance the progress of science and industry in this world where she's found herself. That is such a refreshing change in what at first glance appears to be another entry in a rather hackneyed genre that it's almost worth reading the book for that alone.
Next, the indifferent: A lot of Aliya/Lily's motivation is to make money. She's constantly coming up with schemes to use her knowledge of advanced technology to turn a profit. It's another refreshing innovation in fantasy tropes, but it's also a little off-putting to have a protagonist who's so nakedly opportunistic and interested in money for the sake of money. There are occasional mentions of Aliya's upbringing in Russia in the 80s and 90s, which will explain much to those who also experienced that period, but other readers might have a harder time putting together the pieces. Aliya is very much a post-Soviet character, combining communist self-righteousness with capitalist self-interest in a mixture that's interesting and understandable but not necessarily appealing.
Finally, the bad: While some reviewers have complained about the complexity of the multiple subplots, that pales in comparison with the sins of characterization committed here. I would say that Aliya has no central guiding character, instead being just a useful plot device, but that wouldn't be quite true. Her central guiding characteristic is her supreme self-interest. She treats everything and everyone around her as objects to be used for her own personal gain.
Other than that, there's not much to unify her personality and behavior. Her "strong woman" behavior is mainly manifested in making scenes and attacking people. She shamelessly threatens, bullies, and manipulates people from the get-go (something that will seem more understandable, again, to those with experience with Russian culture), while decrying the culture she's found herself in for being based on threats and physical force. She frequently acts apparently for the benefit of others, trying to save the victims of social injustice or bad luck, but given her incredibly self-interested behavior, her apparent altruism rings false. She repeatedly goes against the cultural mores of the society she's found herself in, and then on the next page worries, without any apparent self-awareness of the contradiction, about how she's flouting convention. In the hands of a more skilled writer, Aliya would be a complex character and the story would be a fascinating study in post-Soviet culture. As it stands, the whole thing feels like a series of cheap plot devices, with no attempt at unity of character.
As you can see, I have major reservations about the book. That being said, it *does* have a number of things going for it, especially the emphasis on women working together to share knowledge and empower themselves. So while I can't wholeheartedly recommend it, I can't condemn it either. Maybe you should page through the beginning of it and decide for yourself.
April 2, 2019
I was sadly disappointed. It may have just been a poor translation but it didn't seem like it. In fact it seemed translated well. I couldn't tell it was even translated at all. I just read that it was. But the dialog was terribly flat. I think it could have been a great story but it was a bunch of nothing for the most part. It was listed in Amazon as a romance, time travel and historical fiction. Two of those are my favorite genre. The ONLY thing about it as far as these categories are concerned was that it was about time travel but that wasn't even played up here. But there was no romance (I'm not terribly upset about that though) a d worst of all it is certainly not historical fiction. It's not even on EARTH!! It's about as historical as Game Of Thrones with far far less story. Perhaps the rest of the series gets much better but I won't bother. Truly this had no story it was just a set up to eventually become a story but just ended. It might be a good TV series one day of the screenwriters can fix the dialog....boring and get on to an actual story! I kept waiting for something to happen...nope. Just when you think it might, it's done. How did others love it enough to give it 4 or 5 stars? Nothing happened. Here's the entire story; she dies on earth, comes back in some medieval ladies body who's fat (why that was added is beyond me) somewhere else (who knows where) she sees her area is a mess so she goes to another city with a market and buys a bunch of crap and makes friends along the way. Then she goes home and boom the story ends. OK?? Someone loved that? I love most books but this didn't go anywhere. Don't bother.
October 7, 2018
”It’s the candy, not the wrapper, that matters. And it’s the person you live with, not their good looks.”
Aliya wakes up in another body in a different time period after she dies in a car crash. Her former life as a medical student is gone and now she is Lilian Earton Countess of Earton. In a whole new world Aliya has to get used to the medieval thinking and at the same time try to find people who can invent the items that already exists in our world.
Lina J. Potter gives us a story like no one I’ve read before were a strong female character slowly changes the world she’s living in. Lilian might not have been the kindest person but with her authority and Aliyas intelligent mind, a great unique woman is in the spotlight.
I’m so happy that LitWorld’s (@lithuntersph) Orisha (@o.orisha) reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to read some of Lina’s work because I’m pretty sure that this series will get even better and better as it continues.
The only negative thing I have to say about the book is that Aliya’s comments about Lilians body sometimes gets a little bit too much and was very close to fat shaming. That’s something I’m really against and don’t like at all. But after living in Lilian’s body for a while she seems to realize that she is beautiful, even though she has more fat on her body than she did in her former body.
⭐️”First Lessons” by Lina J. Potter gets 4/5 stars! Now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna read the next book.
❤️You can find this review + a creative picture with the book included over at my Instagram: @sannareads
Aliya wakes up in another body in a different time period after she dies in a car crash. Her former life as a medical student is gone and now she is Lilian Earton Countess of Earton. In a whole new world Aliya has to get used to the medieval thinking and at the same time try to find people who can invent the items that already exists in our world.
Lina J. Potter gives us a story like no one I’ve read before were a strong female character slowly changes the world she’s living in. Lilian might not have been the kindest person but with her authority and Aliyas intelligent mind, a great unique woman is in the spotlight.
I’m so happy that LitWorld’s (@lithuntersph) Orisha (@o.orisha) reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to read some of Lina’s work because I’m pretty sure that this series will get even better and better as it continues.
The only negative thing I have to say about the book is that Aliya’s comments about Lilians body sometimes gets a little bit too much and was very close to fat shaming. That’s something I’m really against and don’t like at all. But after living in Lilian’s body for a while she seems to realize that she is beautiful, even though she has more fat on her body than she did in her former body.
⭐️”First Lessons” by Lina J. Potter gets 4/5 stars! Now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna read the next book.
❤️You can find this review + a creative picture with the book included over at my Instagram: @sannareads
April 22, 2019
I could not get through this book. Found myself flipping pages just to read about the main character. Everything else was buzzing in my ear. This book does not have a plot and just buzzes on and on. I cannot figure out what genre to put it into. I will not bother with book 2.
November 25, 2021
4.5 stars
July 16, 2018
So, as you can tell from the synopsis the basis for First Lessons is a really unique idea. I have to confess it’s a little outside what I usually read but I was so intrigued by the synopsis I had to read it. The story gets off to an incredible start, and throws Aliya and the reader back in to a world, which resembles our own but as it was back in medieval times.
I did find that Aliya had a bit of a harsh attitude towards her new, heavier body. It was uncomfortable reading and to be honest this really didn’t endear Aliya to me at the start of the book. She has a pretty brutal opinion of the former inhabitant of the countesses body. But as the book progressed I found myself warming to Aliya. Her drive and determination are just so incredible to read. And her attitude towards her new body also alters slightly and she learns to see that there are some positives to her new form.
The pace of the story was perfect, it was a great mix of information about this new world as well as action. As you might imagine, the adjustments which Aliya has to make to become Countess Lillian are central to the book. I think that Aliya’s character development is wonderful. She learns and grows and even makes some fairly interesting observations about her old life. I love that, after some realistic mourning for her parents and old life, she grabs her new life with both hands and seeks to make things better for herself and the people she feels responsible for.
As a medical student, she had a rather unique set of skills and these are utilised fully over the course of First Lessons. The determination she applied to her medical studies in her old life, she applies to improving things in her new life. There are a few threads of narratives, which are slowly drawn together over the course of the book, they provide some interesting insights on the world in which Aliya now inhabits. I cannot wait to see how these narratives come together in the next book.
I read First Lessons in two days as I just couldn’t put it down, and the second half of the book really picks up the already brisk pace and I found myself really pulled along with the story. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and I need to know what else Aliya gets up to and how she, and the eclectic group she has surrounded herself with, change the world for the better!
I would definitely recommend First Lessons, I think it’s a really interesting read. Over the course of the book, I grew to love the main character Aliya and there are several really interesting side characters that I can’t wait to find out more about too.
I did find that Aliya had a bit of a harsh attitude towards her new, heavier body. It was uncomfortable reading and to be honest this really didn’t endear Aliya to me at the start of the book. She has a pretty brutal opinion of the former inhabitant of the countesses body. But as the book progressed I found myself warming to Aliya. Her drive and determination are just so incredible to read. And her attitude towards her new body also alters slightly and she learns to see that there are some positives to her new form.
The pace of the story was perfect, it was a great mix of information about this new world as well as action. As you might imagine, the adjustments which Aliya has to make to become Countess Lillian are central to the book. I think that Aliya’s character development is wonderful. She learns and grows and even makes some fairly interesting observations about her old life. I love that, after some realistic mourning for her parents and old life, she grabs her new life with both hands and seeks to make things better for herself and the people she feels responsible for.
As a medical student, she had a rather unique set of skills and these are utilised fully over the course of First Lessons. The determination she applied to her medical studies in her old life, she applies to improving things in her new life. There are a few threads of narratives, which are slowly drawn together over the course of the book, they provide some interesting insights on the world in which Aliya now inhabits. I cannot wait to see how these narratives come together in the next book.
I read First Lessons in two days as I just couldn’t put it down, and the second half of the book really picks up the already brisk pace and I found myself really pulled along with the story. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book and I need to know what else Aliya gets up to and how she, and the eclectic group she has surrounded herself with, change the world for the better!
I would definitely recommend First Lessons, I think it’s a really interesting read. Over the course of the book, I grew to love the main character Aliya and there are several really interesting side characters that I can’t wait to find out more about too.
May 6, 2018
*4.5 stars*
In Lina J. Potter’s “Medieval Tale: First Lessons,” tragedy is quite literally the Mother of invention.
When Aliya, a young Russian medical school graduate, dies suddenly in a car crash, she gets a unique second chance at life — albeit in medieval time on an alternate world. And she isn’t herself; the healthy young woman now has to learn to live in the body of the plump and simple Countess Lillian Earton.
It would be easy to get discouraged without all of the creature comforts - and advancements - she’s used to, but Aliya/Lillian realizes that she can use her knowledge and skills to better this world. Taking care not to appear too out of place, or cause too much change at once, Lillian starts to suggest new inventions and other improvements that will earn her respect from her community while solidifying her place in the ruling elite. However she has yet to meet her husband, the Count…
"First Lessons" is the first of five volumes in Potter’s “Medieval Tale” series. While it can, at times, be difficult to follow some side plots that the author uses to introduce new characters, all in all it is an intriguing story that leaves the reader wanting to know more about Lillian and her fate.
In Lina J. Potter’s “Medieval Tale: First Lessons,” tragedy is quite literally the Mother of invention.
When Aliya, a young Russian medical school graduate, dies suddenly in a car crash, she gets a unique second chance at life — albeit in medieval time on an alternate world. And she isn’t herself; the healthy young woman now has to learn to live in the body of the plump and simple Countess Lillian Earton.
It would be easy to get discouraged without all of the creature comforts - and advancements - she’s used to, but Aliya/Lillian realizes that she can use her knowledge and skills to better this world. Taking care not to appear too out of place, or cause too much change at once, Lillian starts to suggest new inventions and other improvements that will earn her respect from her community while solidifying her place in the ruling elite. However she has yet to meet her husband, the Count…
"First Lessons" is the first of five volumes in Potter’s “Medieval Tale” series. While it can, at times, be difficult to follow some side plots that the author uses to introduce new characters, all in all it is an intriguing story that leaves the reader wanting to know more about Lillian and her fate.
December 29, 2018
Thank you @lithuntersph for sending me a copy of this books!
The story follows a young woman who is transported from her time into the time of the life of a historical countess. She needs to learn how to adapt to her new surroundings and how to make a place for herself in this new world.
I thought the transition from her present day to the old world was a bit abrupt. I would have liked a bit more character building to get to know the main character before she is transported into this new body and life. The explanation of the fantastical world was done well, and I felt like I understood the medieval type fantasy world that she was transported to. Her transition was interesting as she seemed upset that she was not in her old body, but I felt like she could have had a bit more feeling for the loss that she experienced. Overall, the premise of this book was interesting and I enjoyed some of the characters, but I just felt myself skimming a few sections of the book, so it didn’t quite grab me like I hoped it would!
The story follows a young woman who is transported from her time into the time of the life of a historical countess. She needs to learn how to adapt to her new surroundings and how to make a place for herself in this new world.
I thought the transition from her present day to the old world was a bit abrupt. I would have liked a bit more character building to get to know the main character before she is transported into this new body and life. The explanation of the fantastical world was done well, and I felt like I understood the medieval type fantasy world that she was transported to. Her transition was interesting as she seemed upset that she was not in her old body, but I felt like she could have had a bit more feeling for the loss that she experienced. Overall, the premise of this book was interesting and I enjoyed some of the characters, but I just felt myself skimming a few sections of the book, so it didn’t quite grab me like I hoped it would!
June 26, 2019
I very much enjoyed this whole series. I started it at my fathers continuous prompting (He’s the one that got me into reading to begin with) he told me he bought every book in the series, and for him to do that I know it had to be good. Yes, he sure was right! I read all five books pretty quickly. Lots of 5am bedtimes, and I told my dad it was alllll his fault! LOL we’ve also already pre-ordered the 6th book in the series set to come out this month! So, a little bit about the story. Lilian is a very witty, courageous and inventive woman in the Middle Ages. She navigates through a world that is totally new to her, while making her mark in history. She shows her perseverance throughout the series and you’ll actually learn a bit on medicine too, considering she’s also a 21st century doctor. How does this happen? Hmm. There’s heroines, villains, plots, murder and a little love too. I most certainly wasn’t disappointed.
July 6, 2018
THIS BOOK IS AMAZZZZZZZZING!!
Just a pain in the ass waiting for book 3 (since i devoured the second book enthusiastically)
It will be torment waiting that last week for the next one... if there is a book for then i don't know how i can survive the gloomy torment waiting for the next one...
But if there isn't i will just straight out die inside!
Absence of awesome literature is pure torment!
I which awesome authors like this could be cloned and factory farmed so i can get a book a day without fail...
Its so hard finding someone this good at writing a truly compelling main character.... i absolutely loved it!
Just a pain in the ass waiting for book 3 (since i devoured the second book enthusiastically)
It will be torment waiting that last week for the next one... if there is a book for then i don't know how i can survive the gloomy torment waiting for the next one...
But if there isn't i will just straight out die inside!
Absence of awesome literature is pure torment!
I which awesome authors like this could be cloned and factory farmed so i can get a book a day without fail...
Its so hard finding someone this good at writing a truly compelling main character.... i absolutely loved it!
September 29, 2022
Немного не то что я ожидала но мне вполне понравилось. Да Героиня уникальная Мэри Сью, она все может и умеет и прям баба огонь. Но это не портит историю. Да тут много персонажей, но главный персонаж Лиля и на других пока намного меньше страниц, они так как задний фон, ты знаешь что они есть и они вылезут но пока не мешают. Пока тут совершенно нет никакой романтики, но появиться она думаю должна может во второй или третьей части, муж то как то должен приехать. Очень хорошо понимаю почему это книга не понравится западному читателю. Это далеко не лучший вариант для перевода, и тут очень много особенностей менталитета, не только не понятных но и обижающих людей с западным мышлением.
June 14, 2018
Lesson 1
I liked this book. The plot was interesting and the characters believable. I liked the Russian background - pleasantly different from the usual English . However, I don't care for cliffhanger endings. I may rent the next book, though I haven't decided yet. If I had paid money for this book, I would not have been a happy camper about the ending forcing me to buy the next, and I assume the next, etc.
I liked this book. The plot was interesting and the characters believable. I liked the Russian background - pleasantly different from the usual English . However, I don't care for cliffhanger endings. I may rent the next book, though I haven't decided yet. If I had paid money for this book, I would not have been a happy camper about the ending forcing me to buy the next, and I assume the next, etc.
Did Not Finish
April 12, 2018I would like to thank netgalley and Litworld for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't get pass the first page, the writing is just telling you rather than showing you and the entire first page is an info dump.
I couldn't get pass the first page, the writing is just telling you rather than showing you and the entire first page is an info dump.
April 15, 2022
I really disliked how she kept putting down the original owner's body. And I also disliked how poorly she went about doing things. She tried to punish people, but went about it very unrealistically. And it seemed like she was going to continue to make changes and improvements, but the way she was going about it was so unrealistic.
So, basically I got 1/3 the way through. Wanted to like it tho.
So, basically I got 1/3 the way through. Wanted to like it tho.
September 30, 2022
First of all, the book ends at 80% on Kindle. The rest is portions of other books. Obnoxious. But given how bad the book was, the shorter the better.
The book doesn't have a good ending. Or a bad ending. It abruptly ends, no cliffhanger or anything, just an unfinished book.
Some people have referenced a cultural difference. Regardless of culture, the book is shamelessly fatphobic, slut shaming, and generally sexist.
The main character is an arrogant know-it-all that the author tries to paint as "tough but fair" and instead we get a jumbled mess of a character that sometimes degrades, shouts at, and is violent with others but also hates people who treat others poorly -- herself excluded presumably. She's supposed to be so smart, but most of her contributions are items designed for vanity. Plus the audacity of finding herself in a completely different world and time period and then immediately deciding to teach them all what to do. She's very worried about money until about halfway through when apparently it's not a concern any longer. Characters appear and then are rarely heard from again. There are a handful of storylines, and none of them are of interest.
The book doesn't have a good ending. Or a bad ending. It abruptly ends, no cliffhanger or anything, just an unfinished book.
Some people have referenced a cultural difference. Regardless of culture, the book is shamelessly fatphobic, slut shaming, and generally sexist.
The main character is an arrogant know-it-all that the author tries to paint as "tough but fair" and instead we get a jumbled mess of a character that sometimes degrades, shouts at, and is violent with others but also hates people who treat others poorly -- herself excluded presumably. She's supposed to be so smart, but most of her contributions are items designed for vanity. Plus the audacity of finding herself in a completely different world and time period and then immediately deciding to teach them all what to do. She's very worried about money until about halfway through when apparently it's not a concern any longer. Characters appear and then are rarely heard from again. There are a handful of storylines, and none of them are of interest.
April 27, 2019
Ridiculous! Don't waste your time. A medical student dies in a car crash and time travels not only to the middle ages but also into a different world where she awakens in the body of a countess. The history of the other world:s kingdoms and players is explained at length (why?), with made-up names, and hard to follow because you don't care and want to get back to the main character. She does not like the dirty castle and proceeds to make her wishes known to the servants by beating on the table, yelling at them, bossing them around and threatening them with whippings (she follows through). She decides the steward is corrupt and has him beaten and killed to get her money back. This story is so ridiculous! Translated from Russian which may explain the high handed behavior with the serfs. The writing or the translation makes for choppy writing and short sentences. Did Not Finish.
June 17, 2019
This promised to be a good one: woman from the 21st century suddenly wakes up in a 12th century (or thereabouts, the story never mentions what year it is) countess's body. Discovering ripe corruption among the servents, she has to get the household back into shape during the long absence of her husband, the earl. I wanted to like it. But it was downright awful. Half the book is spent with the protagonist hating on her suddenly overweight body, and the other half is spent screaming at the servants and threatening to whip everyone in sight. People who pose a threat to the countess quickly die, elimating any hope of an interesting plot. There are 4 more books in this series, but I sure won't be reading them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
I can’t even describe how poorly written this is even though it has a promising premise. I’m hoping it has something to do with it being translated from another language but the gaps in logic and narrator for the audiobook are annoying. I can’t believe I even finished it. For example, the lead character travels to medieval time and brings every invention with her because she’s so smart (she’s not). She also immediately commands everyone in the time period solely because of positional power - makes no sense. She really just screams and throws fits and thinks she’s brilliant. Spend your limited, precious time on far more gratifying literature.
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