The novel starts with an interview with a Vampire Killer by a Vampire. A different take on Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. The single POV is The novel starts with an interview with a Vampire Killer by a Vampire. A different take on Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. The single POV is Gabriel de Leon, Ordo Argent or Silversaint and one damaged half Vampire half Human wreck. Jean Francois is the Vampire doing the interviewing for history's sake. Gabriel spins the tale in nonlinear fashion, jumping from his training days to the Battles that earned him the name of Black Lion. As vampire stories go, this one is very good. The last third of the book is what takes this tale to the 5 stars range. A chase, a plot twist upon a plot twist and you see how Gabriel is as messed up as he is....more
This is a great novella series, on par with Dunk & Egg, Penric and Desdemona and Murderbot. Nice to have another series to keep track of. This tale haThis is a great novella series, on par with Dunk & Egg, Penric and Desdemona and Murderbot. Nice to have another series to keep track of. This tale has our group of cursed sword bearers seek out yet another sword with the help of a Knight seeking to reclaim a cursed castle to win the love of a Lady. ...more
This is a fantastic Epic Fantasy series. Old school "Good vs Evil" vibe, plenty of action, excellent plot and characters. Worldbuilding and the magic This is a fantastic Epic Fantasy series. Old school "Good vs Evil" vibe, plenty of action, excellent plot and characters. Worldbuilding and the magic system are spot on. I really enjoyed the journey from start to finish. Read for long stretches at a time and finish rather quickly, always a good sign of how much this series got better with each chapter. ...more
The second book in the Last War series continued its Good vs. Evil theme. Again, multiple POVs tell this great fast paced tale. This is a bit of a thrThe second book in the Last War series continued its Good vs. Evil theme. Again, multiple POVs tell this great fast paced tale. This is a bit of a throwback tale as most of the main POVs are the really good guys and gals, but a couple are a bit on the grey side. And the Bad Guys and Gals are the evil doers. Read this rather quickly as the first book sets everything up so nicely. Nice plot twist about midpoint of this second book. Sometimes the second book in the series can be a bit of a drag as its purpose is to get the characters into place for the final battle. No such problems with this novel. It jumps between the POVs and leaves to wanting more from each. Fabulous worldbuilding and magic system. On to Book 3 in the series Until the Last . ...more
The tale starts off setting up the Shulka, the military population of Jia. For centuries the Shulka have manned a fortress at the Gundan, opposing theThe tale starts off setting up the Shulka, the military population of Jia. For centuries the Shulka have manned a fortress at the Gundan, opposing the Egril, a group of northern tribes. All that is going to change. The novel is a tale of defeated people fighting back against their oppressors. And it is a very good tale. There are multiple POVs, excellent worldbuilding and a nice pace to the story. On to the second book A Fool's Hope. ...more
The second in what I think will be a 7-novella series. Nice to have another novella series to look forward to. I'm a big fan of Lois McMaster BujoldThe second in what I think will be a 7-novella series. Nice to have another novella series to look forward to. I'm a big fan of Lois McMaster Bujold Penic and Desdemona novella series and of course, Dunk & Egg novellas series. The first in the series introduces us to the Pilgrim aka Guyime, the main character and owner of a demon possessed sword. In this tale Guyime and Seeker are joined by a mage and her slave to find the sword that killed a Kraken. But to do it the small group must pass several tests to reach the goal. on to novella #3 City of Songs....more
An excellent use of humor and fantasy tropes. The "Heroic Quest Trope" has been turned upon its head, as in the novel the Quest is a money-making econAn excellent use of humor and fantasy tropes. The "Heroic Quest Trope" has been turned upon its head, as in the novel the Quest is a money-making economic model, with the Treasure horde of the F.O.E or Forces of Evils, the investors path to riches. Life is tough for the goblins, ogres, and wizards on the wrong side of the robes. But it not easy being a Hero either. Main POV character Grom is a Dwarven Berserker of the Ninth Level in the Heroes' Guild, that is until Grom ran away on one quest. Living on the edges of society, Grom is blackmailed into a quest that promised Grom would get his Heroic status back. Winner of SPFBO 4 (2017) and well deserved as the novel had a nice pace to the story....more
Nice when a book you have heard about turns out to be as good as people said it was. Viv had one last score with her crew before retirement. Viv has aNice when a book you have heard about turns out to be as good as people said it was. Viv had one last score with her crew before retirement. Viv has a plan for when she hangs up the broadsword. Travis has written a heartwarming story about opening a Coffee/ Cafe with an abundance of D&D like characters. A Succubus, Hob, Rattkin, Gromes and Dire-cat fill out the minor characters. A long arc mystery that has to do with ley lines and a stone's power. A Short book with a simple plot that was filled with likable characters. If you like sitting in a cafe, drinking a frothy cup and taking in the atmosphere, you will like this tale. ...more
Ancient India inspired this Fantasy book. Mutiple POVs tells the tale, mostly between an imprisoned Princess and her mysterious handmaiden. The first Ancient India inspired this Fantasy book. Mutiple POVs tells the tale, mostly between an imprisoned Princess and her mysterious handmaiden. The first part started out fairly slow, but that was okay. But as it got into the second part, and the rebels take their fight to the nasty emperor who likes to burn things, as in people, the book finished okay for me. ...more
Anthony Ryan is one of my favorite Fantasy writers. This novella is for Ryan's fans and those readers who like stories about a weapon being possessed Anthony Ryan is one of my favorite Fantasy writers. This novella is for Ryan's fans and those readers who like stories about a weapon being possessed and wise cracking. ...more
The third book in the Seven Swords novella series. You learn a bit more about the main protagonist Guyime who is face with a painting of his most blooThe third book in the Seven Swords novella series. You learn a bit more about the main protagonist Guyime who is face with a painting of his most bloody and decisive battle when he was king thousands of years ago. Thanks to a demon possessed sword that has granted him an immortal life he seeks to find the other six swords. In book 3 two more members join in the quest. The group go to the City of Song to see a renowned Art Collector, who just happens to be newly murdered. What follows is part mystery, part backstory. It all works well in this novella. On to the 4th installment in the series To Blackfyre Keep....more
Nice that people you follow on Twitter and BookTube liked this debut novel enough for me to pre-order. I enjoyed it too. An Irish inspired tale, ShauNice that people you follow on Twitter and BookTube liked this debut novel enough for me to pre-order. I enjoyed it too. An Irish inspired tale, Shauna Lawless has taken the reader to the Early medieval and Viking era of Ireland. Irish and Norse beliefs systems were being replaced by the Christian belief system. The book has two POVs, both ageless and part of two opposing gods. The book opens up on Gormflaith, wife of the dead King. She scrambles to protect her son Sitric and avoid being placed in a funeral pyre. She is also a Fomorian and can control fire. Floda is a healer and part of the Druid group Tuatha De Danann who hunt the Fomorians. Lawless writing style made it easy to keep all the characters straight, most who are actual historical figures. A fabulous blend of Historical Fiction and Fantasy. Hopefully this book and author will get some Hugo votes for Best New Writer, Best Novel and Best Debut Novel for 2022. It is well deserved if it happens. ...more
If you are a fan of Penric and Desdemona novella series by Lois McMaster Bujold, this series is for you. (If you enjoyed this novel too, you will likeIf you are a fan of Penric and Desdemona novella series by Lois McMaster Bujold, this series is for you. (If you enjoyed this novel too, you will like the Penric & Des tales.) A fabulous smash up of Fantasy and Mystery into a cozy subgenre. Katherine Addison is the Becky Chambers of Fantasy. It would be a shame if you read one and not the other. Read this in a flash, could not tear myself away from the story. I "stayed up late, woke up early, read myself into a nap" type reading experience....more
I can see why this is a " I love it "or "I hate it " type of book. It starts off with a young man who seeks help for his dreams, only to be killed by I can see why this is a " I love it "or "I hate it " type of book. It starts off with a young man who seeks help for his dreams, only to be killed by the Healer / Priest who task is to eliminate heresy. The dream itself is dreamt by the 4 other POVs who narrated the tale. It is a book heavy on politics as the King is at odds with the church who, in turn, are searching for the 4 "Ill Born". Any tale that has a story arc of religious figures searching to burn the POV is bound to have its detractors. Not me. I really liked the tale. I am not such a delicate soul who cannot stand problematic Characters, and the bashing of religious extremism. I look forward to the continuation of the world building....more
A bit slow on the roll out of the story. Written way back in 1988. Main character is Simon, kitchen boy of unknown linage, who is apprenticed to the cA bit slow on the roll out of the story. Written way back in 1988. Main character is Simon, kitchen boy of unknown linage, who is apprenticed to the castle's wizard. I have heard a lot of good things about the series, along with the rather leisurely pace of the first novel. On to book two, Stone of Farewell....more
Love my Dresden stories . It helps if you are all caught up with the novels to understand all aspect of the story. Harry helps a woman who has turned Love my Dresden stories . It helps if you are all caught up with the novels to understand all aspect of the story. Harry helps a woman who has turned her life around but her past has caught up to her. She needs a miracle and thinks Harry is the right wizard to call on...more
The final book in one of the best recent Fantasy series. What makes it so? Worldbuilding for one. Set in The Tower of Babel which is not an archaeologThe final book in one of the best recent Fantasy series. What makes it so? Worldbuilding for one. Set in The Tower of Babel which is not an archaeological site, but rather a tourist trap, with an emphasis on the trap. The first third of the book follows a Adam, a character the reader last sees in Book 2 Arm of the Sphinx. Edith had sought to fine an escape route to get Adam away from the Sphinx. They run in to a group of individuals in rubber suits who are perfectly willing to let Edith go but are determined to hold on to Adam, who the group seem to know. In the story that follows we see Adam uses his fame to try to change the final ringdom in The Tower. Senlin, Edith, Iren, and Voleta POVs follow as we witness the final attempt by Marat to complete his revolution to free the Hods, an enslaved group of workers that serve the Tower. The pages flew by as I was draw into the attempt by Edith and the crew of the State of Art airship try to destroy Hod King while Senlin. now a hod, tries to destroy the Hod King from within. Plus an "out of the blue" plot twist. This series I believe, with the passage of time, will be considered a Classic of the Fantasy genre....more
In Book 1 , Senlin Ascends, Thomas Senlin is a naive newlywed tourist sucked into the weirdness that is the Tower of Babel. In Book 2, Arm of the SphiIn Book 1 , Senlin Ascends, Thomas Senlin is a naive newlywed tourist sucked into the weirdness that is the Tower of Babel. In Book 2, Arm of the Sphinx, Thomas becomes a pirate and assemble a little group of hardy souls who have all been damaged by the Tower, either physically or mentally. Here in Book 3, Thomas becomes a spy. Also in Book 3, multiple POVs are added to tell the tales of Thomas spying for The Sphinx, Captain Edith's diplomatic mission for the Sphinx aboard a new warship, plus Voleta and Iren's attempt to find spy Senlin and rescue his missing wife. There is a bit of back and forth on the timeline so not the best book in the series to do in audio, but it was not impossible. Just a few minutes of confusion until your brain recognizes " oh, this is happening in the days prior to the last point." In print it may have been a little less confusing. The audio narration is done brilliantly by voice actor John Banks. This series just gets better and better....more
Anthony Ryan is one of my " You write it, I will read it " authors. The second book in the Covenant of Steel series, the series is told through main Anthony Ryan is one of my " You write it, I will read it " authors. The second book in the Covenant of Steel series, the series is told through main protagonist POV, Alwyn Scribe. The book starts out with a report by a skeptical government official to the King, retelling the events that happened in Book One, The Pariah. It is a literary device that I really appreciate as it helps the reader get to Chapter One with your running shoes on. There is a rhythm to this story, frantic action, a step back, frantic action, and a step back. As Evadine the Martyr gains followers and challenges the established religious order, Alwyn goes from scribe to warrior to spy master and then a sword master learned from his sworn enemy. It is that kind of wild ride that I really appreciate, as it kept me guessing as to what path Ryan's Alwyn character will take next. Looking forward to the final book which is set to be published in 2023, so a short wait....more
Great Series, great characters, great worldbuilding, great magic and a great plot arc. What you want in a trilogy. Sancia is a fabulous main characterGreat Series, great characters, great worldbuilding, great magic and a great plot arc. What you want in a trilogy. Sancia is a fabulous main character to root for. The reader will watch her grow and find love, all the time at danger of losing it all. Final few chapters of the book is gods verses humanity, not my favorite trope. Still the lead up to the end battle and the epilogue after saved this final book for me....more
