Book Club Award

Very proud to announce that The Dominion has been selected by the panel of select judges for 2nd place in Sandra's Book Club Favorite Award for the month of December 2021.


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My inspiration

I read the lyrics while I played each song. I am a massive fan so I already knew all the words. Regardless of this it was fantastic to read them through as I listened. I was fascinated to work out why certain tracks were grouped together.

In hardback it is a lovely book just to have and to hold. My little review is pathetic compared to David Mitchell's analysis which forms the introduction. However, every individual has their own particular experience which is special to them. For me, this is a summary of everything that is good about words and the expression of emotion and atmosphere. She is my inspiration!

The Dominion - Defiant

An ancient adversary in the east seeks to invade Ordefima and claim the treasures it holds.
When his beloved sister is captured, Rupert, the youngest son of the ruling family, is sent to save her. As the power of the enemy increases, can he overcome personal tragedy, emotional entanglements and lost allegiances to emerge as the hero? Or will subversive forces and increasing austerity inspire the people to rebel against him?
The Dominion - Defiant is the second book in the fantasy trilogy. If you like epic adventure, dark brooding menace, vivid characters and imaginative settings, then you’ll love this latest instalment by popular author Chris Cloake.
Buy The Dominion - Defiant today and immerse yourself in a mythical new world.

On The Nose


Essential for anyone interested in the great British language.

How many phrases we use that we don't really know the meaning of. This book and its companion will be a permanent source of reference. I'm Happy As A Sandboy to have read this and can use those words with thanks to Dickens.

Immense

An immense piece of work. There is so much story here. Enough for ten movies! The world Tolkien creates and controls here is fabulous and he covers many aspects of the creation myth.

It is a dense read and without the detailed index I would have struggled to follow some parts. Everyone and everything seems to have three different names!

If you are into fantasy fiction and of the millions who liked Lord of the Rings, this is essential to give a full understanding of the events and characters later on.

It is nice to see our language so well mastered and delivered. I found myself utterly transported to a history of ancient ideals where the people (and elves and dwarves) are as flawed as we are today.

Luxury



The real kind of reading experience. A joy to hold, touch and absorb.

Anyone with an interest in life should enjoy this. A triumph!

Essential reading - A review of T H White's 'Once and Future King'

Five books in one! Difficult to give a final rating as I preferred some to others. Four stars are earned if for nothing more than the monumental effort this work must have required. And it is on subject that is well documented and studied. Myths about King Arthur seem to exist everywhere in Britain.

If you like a fantasy adventure this is obviously for you. And a long story it is. Each novel covers a different character. There are some passages that are admirable. The use of language and the visions this conjures is to be applauded. It feels like an essential part of anyone's reading list who is interested in the history.

I did not like the references to modern day phrases / knowledge. It threw the mystery and atmosphere off for me by mixing the ages.

I would be proud to complete a project like this. I am in the process and understand what a labour of love this must have been.







Deeply personal

A deep and personal story with enough twists to keep you hooked. It was a lesson in how to write real relationships in the modern context and therefore helpful to a writer.

Anyone who has lost someone close (who hasn't) could find interest, insight and even solace from this book. Grief is such a deeply personal experience we all share and yet find so hard to share.

There are three main characters (one dead) and you find yourself rooting for each of them equally, even when they are at odds. This is convincing fiction I would recommend.



A real sense of loss

These are stories about finding a way to cope with the human experience. We all suffer loss in differing quantities and how we deal with that depends on our personalities. None of it is easy.

The characters in this book are haunted, so the title is appropriate. She offers no miracle transcendental solution. These people learn to live and accept their lives. In so doing, I got a bittersweet sensation and closed the cover with a knowing smile. Yes, I see. You have to carry on with what you have and get the problems into perspective. And there is nothing you can do to turn the clock back or freeze time in a happy moment.

Ultimately, it is reassuring to know you are not alone with these emotions and you need to remember that others you meet will have had the same stuff going on, however they cloud or hide this away.



Strength and courage

I'd forgotten what a good author Nevil Shute was. It was many years ago that I read No Highway.

A Town Like Alice is better in my opinion. He spares the expansive rhetoric you get from lesser writers and concentrates on the story, narrating in the classic show don't tell style.

I was completely absorbed by the lead character, Jean. The trials she endured and the courage she found were an inspiration. She maintains the sense of right and wrong and doesn't seek revenge or judgemental retribution. Throughout, she wants to give back to all who help her. It is always an interesting test for a reader - if you wish you could meet the person then they have completely grabbed you. This was the case for me.

Set in 1950, there are a few moments that now seem politically incorrect. There is even a positive description of them using DDT. The important thing to remember is the context. This is a piece of work of the time, recording the world as it was. There is no need to change what is set in history.

Its relevance is undiminished. The determination of a young woman in a world of war and hard men is just as meaningful now. I liked how he portrayed the soldiers and Australian ringers as believable people.

I would recommend those who are unfamiliar with Shute's work to read this, and for anyone better acquainted to take the time to revisit this fine novel.