Places to see - Edinburgh
2016-01-31
2016-01-27
2016-01-27
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If you could go anywhere in the world right now, would it be to a “where” or to a “who”?
2016-01-23
2016-01-23
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In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. (George Orwell)
2016-01-22
2016-01-22
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Are you ready for The Shadow? Release: February 2, 2016.
Don’t miss it because... [review by Raum]
Official Synopsis
The Florentine, #2
Previously...
In The Raven, Sylvain Reynard introduced Raven and William and made us follow the slow building of their relationship.
When a special bond is blossoming between two people, they need quality time to get to know each other. Raven and William had that in The Raven, where they had also some (needed) time apart. If you have read the book you know how those weeks apart represented an important opportunity to make a better choice on what they wanted from each other - on what they were willing to give and accept.
In this new novel, the skilled pen of Sylvain Reynard describes the way two lovers, together, get to know themselves and the world around them better.
William and Raven, as a couple, deal with people they love and with those who hurt them, both nowadays and in the past. I deeply enjoy the way they bare their souls to each other, chapter by chapter, opening up in a way they had never experienced before.
Is The Shadow just a (good) love story? It is not.
I have followed SR since his first stories, and for sure he has many talents. In The Shadow, he shows new ones: the author of Gabriel’s Inferno has a very skilled pen also when political schemes and strong, furious fights become a fundamental (and very compelling) part of the plot. Who would have thought that SR had a Machiavellian side in his writing?
If you want to know more about Machiavelli and his works, that are among Italy’s most brilliant classics, you should read The Shadow. If you want to meet a secret side of him, SR’s newest novel will surprise you.
Once again, SR offers Florence at its finest in his books. This time, you will dream about visiting the church of Santa Maria Novella to find out who is the mysterious character portrayed over there...
Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…
A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.
As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness…
2016-01-18
2016-01-18
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“Evil flourished when good people walked by and said nothing”
Synopsis: Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi gallery restoring Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semiconscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attackers’ screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her...
Cassita vulneratus.
When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. Upon returning to the Uffizi, no one recognizes her. More disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of her disappearance, Raven learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history—the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the police identify her as their prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and most elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets...
“Trouble is not what you do. Trouble is what you are”
In the first book of the Florentine Series, Sylvain Reynard introduced an evil supernatural creature who proved to be dangerously alluring.
In The Raven, we get to know better the elusive William and the brave Raven Wood. If you are expecting a story where the human is a damsel in distress who needs to be saved by someone with special powers, you are bound to be surprised: as the story progresses, we understand how the supernatural being is the one who truly needs help.
Writing about vampires (or “vampyres”, as SR prefers. Read the story and you’ll understand why) is a great challenge for any writer after more than a decade with bloodsuckers climbing the lists of the most successful books worldwide.
I am awed by the way SR explores all the differences between humans and supernatural creatures. Do not expect vampires posing as humans: SR’s vampires live among humans, but do not lead their lives in the same way: among humans does not mean like humans. This makes them helpless when it comes to human activities they have never experienced - the scenes about movies are absolutely delectable - and the gap between different worlds can lead to tragedy when love is involved.
In The Raven, SR puts to use some of the strongest traits of his style:
- a flawless prose, with a wide choice of elegant words. Every sentence is beautifully crafted, with quotes you will want to share and ironic remarks that will bring a smile to your face even in the darkest scenes;
- the ability to make readers see the setting, thanks to his poetic descriptions. Allow SR to be your guide to Florence in summertime and through some of the world’s most precious works of art;
- a well-known expertise in the art of seduction. Let me warn you: once you open your door (and your heart) to William, you will be spellbound.
Enjoy the Book trailer!
2016-01-16
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2016-01-10
2016-01-04
2016-01-04
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Good Luck on your writing! May the new year be filled with wonderful new ideas!
2016-01-03
2016-01-02
Hey there!
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve. Let's welcome this new year with some premiere dates, shall we?
Mr. Selfridge - January, 8 (UK)
The 4th season will be the last one, with Selfridge at the end of the roaring Twenties.
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| Mr. Selfridge |
Call the Midwife - January, 17 (UK)
I have deeply enjoyed the Xmas special and I'm really looking forward new adventures with the lovely midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House. Basing on the trailer, doesn't it seem we're going to explore the Sixties?
Here's the trailer (Facebook):
Across the Pond, Criminal Minds and The Good Wife are back after their Xmas break:
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| Call the Midwife |
- The Good Wife: January 10 (USA)
- Criminal Minds: January 13 (USA)
And then, are you up for a long weekend with Francis and Claire Underwood?
The entire new season of House of Cards will be available on March 4 on Netflix.
Stay tuned!
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| House of Cards |
- Raum
2016-01-01
2016-01-01
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Happy New Year! “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” Rainer Maria Rilke
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