The Short Knife

What an absolute treasure. Historical words/meanings thrown in to a fantasy set up. Absolutely worth picking up, enjoyed this so SO much!

<i>The Short Knife</i> is an uncannily relevant story; Britain divided and in turmoil.<br /><br />I’m sad that I didn’t enjoy this one – it has such potential. The time period is less-frequented in historical fiction and the discord of the Dark Ages has ample possibilities for conflict. <br /><br />The first third of the novel was engaging. It’s fast-paced, the characters are drawn deftly, and the writing is atmospheric. Once the initial action subsides, however, the plot begins to drag. I found the frequent use of compound adjectives a bit obtrusive and struggled to contextualise this in the young adult market. Much of the style of the novel lends it to a younger audience (9-12), but the content is dark enough to dispute this.<br /><br />There is an interesting plot twist at the very end of the story (a bit <i>The Girl on the Train</i>) but for me it was a bit too little too late.<br /><br />With thanks to the publisher for the proof copy.<br />

When I got this book in the Book Box Club of June I have to admit that in a way I was a little surprised. For some reason I had expected a different book. However, this was once more a beautiful case of reading a book that never would have crossed my path without the Book Box Club. It's a book I never would have gotten myself, a genre I don't read too often. It was also the perfect book to fill in the Historical Prompt of the N.E.W.T.'s though.<br /><br />Since it was out of my comfort zone and took place in a time I know not that much about, I had not too many expectations. And I guess that was for me the perfect mindset to read this book and to actually enjoy it. This book is a beautiful introduction to the confusing and incredibly hard time right after the Romans left Britain. Through the eyes of a 13-year old girl we meet a lot of key players and we get a clear sense of the life these children had.<br /><br />It's actually quite a small story. A story of one little girl who sees things she shouldn't have to see, who has things done to her no one should ever do to a child and who's forced to grow up and take charge way before she should do so. It's however not a very emotional story, but I don't think that would have been fitting. If she had been very emotional, she wouldn't have been able to be who she had to be and to do what she had to do.<br /><br />I also really loved how within this small story every piece of the story was important in the end and led somewhere. Due to the short flash forwards in between the story I already had an idea where this story was going, but it was quite lovely to see it unfold and to see how every part of the road she walked came together in the end. I also like how, even though we don't know what happens after the end, the tone of the book quite clearly changed during the last few pages. It was small, barely there and yet I felt and saw it. Hope.

This book was such a fascinating read. At times I found it quite slow and can’t say I loved any of the characters overly but that made it more intriguing to me. I loved the setting and the fact it focused on a time after the Romans had left Britain as I don’t feel like it’s talked about a lot? <br /><br />What I loved is this is a story about sisterhood, about survival and growing up. Told from Mai’s perspective and going back and forth in the timeline, this book is cleverly written and one I’d recommend if you’re looking for a story about a young girl fighting for survival and her family in a world created by men.

I really enjoyed this young adult historical fiction. It’s lovely to read books based in Wales, so many are about Scotland or Ireland, so it’s long overdue we get more books about Wales and especially YA. Although I found the first half of the book slow to start, it did pick up around midway and then it really took off, after that I just couldn’t put it down. It's beautifully written, I love the use of the Welsh language and phrases. Overall a good story, with great writing and I look forward to future books by the author. <br /><br />Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Full review coming to my blog. Read for the Book Box Club, ready for the author chat later this month.<br /><br />---<br /><br />This book was the very first one I got through my Book Box Club subscription. With the theme ‘Courageous and Kind’ and book descripion I was so sure it would be Cinderella is Dead. It just had to be. But on the day of arrival my friend informed me ahead we had been wrong; she had received it a few hours before me. And even though it wasn’t the book I had expected, I had gotten curious. <br /><br />I wasn’t sure what I expected the book to be about, but this wasn’t it. Maybe because of the cover in combination with the description. Most historical fictions have a lot more adventure, travelling, not a… smaller story like this one. It wasn’t thrilling as I had hoped, it was more… mysterious. Something has happened, but you don’t know what or why. Bit by bit you’re left clues to connect the dots. That is something I did really enjoy: it all matches and connects in the end. Things feel like they stand on its own, but they aren’t. <br /><br />It’s a time period I am not that familiar with, just before one of my favorite periods. It’s interesting to get to know more about it, especially through the eyes of a young girl. It made it special, but somehow – I don’t know why – I think it was also the cause why I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. She is so naive and unknown. Normally I could easily name my favorite character, or struggle choosing between a few, but now it took a long time to figure out if I actually rooted for something or someone.<br /><br />The writing style took some time getting used to and to get into the story itself, but once used to it it fitted. It managed to drag you into the story, into the time period. So well chosen and in the end well written. Even though some words were unknown to me, in most situations it wasn’t distracting. It did make the connection to the time period more believable or the way of thinking. Things that are normal these days, are still unknown back then and the other way around.<br /><br />All in all, I wasn’t too hung up with the story of Mai, but it made me curious enough to continue – besides the fact I have my first author chat in the Book Box Club lounge later this month. I actually am curious to how things continue after the final page of the book. That feels like an adventurious story that is just my thing! (I wish there would be.)

<br /><b>4 Stars</b><br /><br />I wasn't sure I was going to like this at first. The book begins bleakly and continues in its bleakness for almost the first half of the story, which I'm generally not a fan of (also, the poor communication between the sisters in the first half <i>drove me mad</i>). However the second half provides a lot more light and shade, and the ending is very bittersweet in the best way.<br /><br />I went into this knowing next to nothing of this period of history. In fact generally speaking I'm pretty averse to most history taking place after the Romans and pre-1800. However the way history (and legend) was handled in this was ideal for me, light enough that I didn't feel bogged down by it, while interesting enough that I went and looked up some Wikipedia articles for more information when I'd finished. I love the names the author chose to use for the historical/legendary figures - Horsa being Horse (apparently one of the reasons historians believe Horsa and his brother are legendary is because they have animal names), and Gwrtheyrn (Welsh for Vortigern, as he is in Wales at this point!). Obviously I don't know enough to be able to properly appreciate the author's decisions here, and their implications, but I like little touches like that where you can see the author thought through what they were doing.<br /><br />Anyway, this was an unusual book for me - I so rarely pick up historical fiction, and when I do it's usually modern history, or historical fantasy. Yet as you can see, I enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend the audiobook with the narrator's lovely accent!

I found this book strangely compelling. I am not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this was something that makes me reconsider that. <br /><br />Mai’s story is sad but still somehow hopeful. It’s told in dual timeline and we slowly see the older one converge with the newer one, which is very nicely done. I found Mai quite a good main character, as she doesn’t stop looking for alternatives. And while I liked Haf, her sister, I found her so frustrating! Just sit her down and *tell* her, explicitly, why you’re doing what you are! OMG. ? I would have loved to have seen certain things from Haf’s POV. <br /><br />This book feels like one that is hard to discuss without spoilers, because of the way it’s set up, but I did like that we see camps on both sides, and that it’s very much set up as having no right or wrong. Both have their positives and negatives. <br /><br />It’s also a very compelling book, I found myself wrapped up in it quite quickly, and it was hard not to read ahead of our buddy read! 3.5 stars.

This was a wonderful read from start to finish. It took me a little way to get into the language used, and I think it could have benefited from a list of words and meanings somewhere in the book, although once you've got into the rhythm it becomes a delight to read and explore the language. The Short Knife wasn't quite what I had expected, as I think part of me had been expecting the usual, broader scope of historical fiction. This book has glimpses of that, but mostly this is a small, self-contained story within the wider world and historical period, and I actually loved that, as it was like getting a snapshot, especially as we follow Mai and therefore discover the world as she does. I loved the use of flashbacks, and the sense of mystery and atmosphere that permeated the entire story, and the author brought us full-circle to a wonderfully, satisfying ending.

History through the eyes and hearts of young girls! The things that people did to each other ;(