Competition for Book Reviewers
Many of us don’t get around to posting reviews of the books we’ve enjoyed. It takes a bit of time to craft a well-worded review, but we writers are very grateful for the ones we do receive and even those with critiques can be very helpful for us. As a book reviewer myself (mostly for Historical Novels Review magazine), I know it takes creative effort to say something fair, eloquent and original about a book you have read.
I’ve received some wonderfully worded reviews over the years for my historical fiction. One of my favourites was for my first novel, Almodis the Peaceweaver:
‘Dear Tracey Warr, I would like to complain: I started reading your novel in the bath and hours later realised that I’d read a third of the novel, was still in the bath, and I was freezing cold.’
I’m running a competition now for the most creative review. Show me what you’ve got!
If you have read my new novel, Love’s Knife, or any of my historical fiction books – see
– post your review on Amazon, Goodreads, or both between 26 October and 31 December 2024.
After you have posted, send the link for your review and your email address to info@meandabooks.com.
The five most eloquent reviews (in my opinion) will win my thanks! and a special extra scene, a short story about Beatriz the trobairitz, the protagonist of my murder mystery series. The results will be announced in the January issue of my quarterly newsletter, Just Meandering. (If you haven’t yet signed up for my newsletter, you can do so here.)
Here are a selection of some of the other most eloquent reviews I’ve received in the past:
‘Almodis is feisty. She takes any situation by the scruff of the neck and shakes the best out of it that she can. Warr brings her off the page … I read the book over a couple of days when I really should have been doing something else.’ The Book Bag
‘Human chess played with lives and land … Three instantly likeable women fight the system from within.’ The Book Bag
‘As the drawbridge came down and I ventured in, I was not disappointed. In fact I remember nothing of what happened in my every day life until I came out at the end. The level of detail and care and attention which has gone into this novel is spellbinding but it never gets in the way of the plot. A brilliantly woven tapestry of historical intrigue where I felt as if I’d been part of the novel, and part of Nest’s life and I missed her for a while afterwards.’ The Booktrail
‘I could not put this book down from the moment I started it. I practically inhaled the content.’ Poppy Coburn
‘Tracey Warr’s Conquest trilogy spins a most excellent yarn. Although the main character is the hostaged Welsh princess Nest, this is definitely not mediaeval chick lit. The aristocrats are land-grabbing gangsters who plot, kill, maim and poison their way to the thrones. Although her writing has been supported by the the Welsh Arts Council, it’s not all noble Welsh kings being terrorised by the dastardly Normans. The Welsh don’t come off lightly in the plotting, raping and maiming stakes. Read and enjoy, but don’t forget Tracey Warr’s other historical novels. I particularly recommend The Viking Hostage, one of her best.’ Rob La Frenais, Barnes and Noble
‘This is a beautifully written story, set against impressively researched history and narrated at a thriller pace. This is history brought to life with real characters, real events and a great story. I couldn’t put it down and greatly anticipate the second volume.’ Gina Connolly, Goodreads
‘How did I miss this trilogy first time around? It’s hardly my standard fare such as Bernard Cornwell’s Uhtred but to me it was a breath of fresh air. Thought the presentation of the Norman era was splendid. While our heroine and other ladies have a tough old time of it, that was how it was and that is how it is handled. Great.’ S. Morris, Amazon
‘I loved Daughter of the Last King. First off, I loved the cover. This made me want to read the book. I read a lot of historical fiction, and this is about events and an era I have almost zero knowledge of so this appealed to me as well. I had a great time reading this book. The book is narrated by Nest. I felt connected to her, and you really get to know her across the course of the book as she tries to make the best with the circumstances she is forced into. She reminds me a lot of Sansa Stark and what she has to endure in Game of Thrones when her father is killed, and she’s forced to stay with Cersei Lannister. She’s a great character, feisty and brave but she knows her place and how not to aggravate the hand that feeds her. I loved the historical detail as well. The book is rich and vivid in detail. I was engrossed.’ Pamela
‘Highly recommend. Fabulous story woven into Princess Nest’s true life. I have read only some information on the 1100s but this book brought it alive for me. So much ordinary information that readers would love to know. All believable. I found it an exciting read and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good novel and loads of history.’ Suzi Hawkins, Amazon
‘Historical fiction at its very best. I loved reading this book because it wasn’t just a series of historical events – it was rich in sensory detail, full of emotion and there was plenty of multi-layered conflict. A roller-coaster ride through sadness, happiness, envy and trepidation. Warr has made an alluring female character from a historical name.’ Harriet Springbett, Goodreads
‘A richly detailed, historical story of life, love, and power in the 11th Century Anglo-Norman kingdom. Not a historical romance but a harsh, realistic, factually-based historical story that will grip you from start to finish. I became hooked by the workings of power, the betrayals and lies, and the treatment of women in the King’s court, and the author really lets you step back into the past to a much harsher time. With plenty of danger, subterfuge, and shocking revelations, Daughter of the Last King is an outstanding piece of historical fiction.’ Books of All Kinds
‘This is a wonderfully written historical novel, full of details that bring to life the people and the England and Wales of the time. From the descriptions of the wild Welsh coast, to the splendid court of Henry I, Tracey Warr makes you feel you are there alongside Nest, experiencing all of the sights and sounds of the medieval world. Highly recommended.’ Christine Rolls, Goodreads
I’m looking forward to reading your new reviews!