Hello Supurr Library furiends
and
Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ
Many thanks for joining me in the stacks again, and look, no eye snot and smooth chest fur! Yes, I was ambushed by the P.A. and I did try most valiantly to fight off the washcloth and brush, but then I realised I really quite enjoyed it!
So now I'm looking supurr smooth and rather cute for the Mewton-Clawson Library Catmas Pawty tomorrow evening.
Parsley has been in charge with Melvyn's help, and apparently, it's going to be quite 'the do', although I have been told that I'm not allowed to get behind the bar due to my behaviour at BBHQ birthday parties.
This did offend me somewhat, as I thought it was my duty as a barkeeper to sample everything first to make sure a; it tasted good and b; it tasted better the more mew had.
Anyhoo, the library mice are in charge of the food, so no doubt there's going to be endless cheese platters and other cheesy delicacies. I did tell them I wanted some smoked salmon, so hopefully, they'll heed my request.
Melvyn has installed a karaoke stage, so Cod help us all when the caterwauling starts about nine-thirty pm, I'll probably be passed out under my desk in my emergency heated snooze spot.
Anyhoo, I'll fill mew in on all the gossip next week!
1. My favourite Christmas movie (or book) is ____________________.
2. My favourite Christmas song is _____________.
3. _________ is the best way to spread Christmas cheer.
4. _________ is my favourite day of the holiday season.
The P.A.'s answers are...
1. My favourite Christmas movie (or book) is the first Die Hard movie; it's not Christmas if I haven't watched it. HO! HO! HO! and Yippee-Ki-Yay! Yep, now you know where The B Team get it all from! LOL
2. My favourite Christmas song is _____________. I don't really have a favourite modern Christmassy song. However, I always liked, if I could use a hymn, Silent Night, and that was my favourite to play on the piano when I was younger.
3. Kindness is the best way to spread Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas, or as we say here at BBHQ, Meowy Catmas!
4. _________ is my favourite day of the holiday season. I don't have a favourite festive day, although I really enjoy Christmas Lunch, Boxing Day Lunch, and New Year's Day Lunch. Did anyone mention lunch? LOL
Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy
Gallows Born
Epic Viking Fantasy
The Bane Of The North Book 1
by
A.C. Salter
Here's a little of the book blurb:
'We live as men - but fight as gods.'
Born on the gallows, his mother still swinging from the rope above, the villagers brand him The Bane of the North and leave him out for the Fug to claim - a deadly fog ruled by Draugr - Viking warriors that had long ago fallen in battle.
They didn’t expect to find him the next day, tattooed with the mark of an ancient god.
Fifteen winters later - ridiculed, scorned; but never broken, Bane forges a life as a forager, surviving between Castle Garik and a looming mountain that legend says contains the body of a Norse god. In a strange twist of fates Bane discovers that the mark gives him abilities beyond that of mortal man, and along with his lineage and a blood link to the god, his journey unfolds, fraught with danger and purpose.
TIKTOK MADE ME BUY IT! MOL
Oh wow, have I found an epic fantasy book for mew this week! There I was just scrolling through the #FYP page last weekend, and this appeared as if by magic, and as it happens, I was looking for a new book, something exciting, an epic fantasy, and well, read my review because this is one of my new favourite books.
And as mew know, I love books with cats of course, and this has shadow leopards, so instantly I was utterly smitten.
Gallows Born, the first instalment in A.C. Salter's Epic Viking Fantasy series, plunges mew into a rich tapestry of Norse mythology, grit, and adventure. With an opening that establishes a dark, haunting atmosphere that captivates from the very first page.
The protagonist, Bane, is instantly a compelling character—marked by tragedy and born into a world that scorns him as The Bane of the North. His life is not merely a struggle for survival but a quest for identity and purpose amid the harsh landscape governed by fearsome Draugr and the ominous Fug. The plot masterfully weaves elements of ancient lore with compelling storytelling, making Bane’s journey not just physical but also deeply emotional.
As Bane matures over the fifteen winters, mew witness his evolution into a resourceful forager. The stark contrast between his early years of ridicule and his emerging powers offers a poignant reflection on resilience and the search for belonging. When he discovers the mark of the ancient god, the narrative gains momentum, revealing not only his newfound abilities but also linking him to a destiny that could alter the fate of the North.
The writing is both vivid and immersive. The landscapes of Castle Garik and the ominous mountain are brought to life with such detail that mew can almost feel the chill in the air and hear the distant roar of war drums. Additionally, the pacing is well-executed, balancing action with rich character development that keeps mew engaged and those pages turning while exploring the complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal among the villagers.
This is an epic tale of mythology and adventure that poses thought-provoking questions about what it means to fight as gods when one has been born of tragedy. As Bane stands at the threshold of war, mew are left eager to discover whether he can rise to meet his destiny or if the shadows of his past will consume him.
A.C. Salter has crafted a powerful opening to a series that purromises both thrills and depth, making it a must-read for readers who love excitement, fantasy and Viking lore alike. This book isn’t just about surviving; it’s about defining what it truly means to live.
UTTERLY FLUFFING BRILLIANT!
And to make it even better, there are four books in the series, and to make it even better than that, if mew have Kindle Unlimited, all are available to read (at the time of posting) within the catalogue - epic!
On a final note, the audio version is incredible, and the last two chapters, well, let's just say, I can't wait to dive into Book 2!
Hardback: 444 pages
Audio: 11 hours 40 mins
My Rating Scale
Ratings of:
Gallows Born
I'm off to prepare for next week's review, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time!
Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix.
Until next week...
Keep calm and read more books
Amber
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