Friday 14 December 2018

Wondrous by Travis. M. Riddle

Book Title: Wondrous
Author: Travis M. Riddle
Genre: Middle-Grade, Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: E-book copy provided by the author

Amazon UK, Goodreads

Plot Summary: Miles went to sleep tucked tightly in bed in his Austin apartment and woke up in the middle of a damp, dark forest in the kingdom of Rompu, a land being torn apart by a civil war between its king and queen.
Miles has few companions in this vast kingdom, which is filled with fantastical animals and flora yet sprinkled with familiar items like digital clocks and vinyl records. As he searches for a way to return home, he discovers that certain memories trigger magical abilities: he can shoot fireballs from his palms, heal with nothing but a touch, and more. But as he struggles to make sense of this new world, his thoughts are punctuated by painful memories of his sick grandmother, quarreling parents, and an icy school therapist.
When Miles learns that a monstrous entity flying through the countryside and killing for sport was summoned from a portal to another realm, he believes this creature is the key to learning how to open another rift and return home. Tracking down this beast and mastering his newfound magical abilities may be the only way for Miles to help save Rompu and get back to his family in Texas.
Thank you, Travis M. Riddle, for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for setting up TBRindr.

What did I think?

Wondrous is a wondrous little book with a peculiar and interesting young protagonist, Miles.

Nine-year-old Miles has just gone to bed when suddenly he finds himself in the middle of the woods in the kingdom of Rompu.

The author is extremely skilled at developing a very relatable young boy who worries about germs (which killed his grandmother in Texas) and suffers because of his parents' failing relationship.

The writing is straightforward and appropriate for any young reader.

The world building is imaginative and the story entertaining, though there were some slow moments. Travis M. Riddle weaves two stories together that mirror each other. One is the unfolding action in the fantasy world and the other memories from Miles' life in Texas.

I thought the way coming to terms with some unpleasant things he experienced in the real world helped him succeed in the fantasy world, while at the same time his experience in the fantasy world helped him come to terms with his life in Texas made the book a very interesting read.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys portal fantasy and a classic coming of age story with a very young protagonist.

Tuesday 11 December 2018

TTT (31) - Authors I Discovered in 2018

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Read up on the rules here and join in on the Top Ten Tuesday fun.

Follow the link to know more about the meme and join up, it's a great way to find out more about the book blogging community. It's also a great way to make new friends.

This week the theme is a freebie, and this week's post by That Artsy Reader girl can be found here.

Let me talk about some authors that I've discovered this year, and that have quickly left a lasting impression.

I made an attempt to choose all women, because women rock, and I've noticed that I read more men than women...
Vic James is a wonderful British author who also works for the BBC. I've met her four times this year, and after the first three almost felt like adding, "I promise I'm not stalking you. I am just attending this convention, but hi, again, I love your books." She wrote a book called Gilded Cage, and it turned into a trilogy called Dark Gifts. She describes it as "Downton Abbey meets Game of Thrones in a world where Voledmort won." It's YA. It's fantasy. It's filled with politics. And I love it, and I love her. I'm gushing, I know. [I read Gilded Cage in 2017, but only met Vic James in 2018.]
  
Janny Wurts is an author, I've discovered thanks to a Goodreads group that reads fantasy together. I picked up both Daughter of the Empire and The Curse of the Mistwraith thanks to that group. Are you a fan of Feist's Riftwar Cycle? Then definitely pick up the Daughter of the Empire trilogy that she co-wrote with him. And if you like slow burning, epic high fantasy that spans thousands of years then definitely look at The Wars of Light and Shadow which starts with The Curse of the Mistwraith. Wurts writes beautifully; her prose is a treat. She might be too slow for people looking for action mostly, but if you like slow reveals, Wurts is your author.

R.F. Kuang is young, and there's not a lot to say yet, except for she released her debut this year:The Poppy War. An amazing book. Asian inspired fantasy. One to watch, because she can only get better.
 
Sherwood Smith wrote the Inda quartet. Amazing books filled with everything fantasy has to offer. A school setting. Pirates. Backstabbing dicks, but also loyal friendships. Relationships. Coming of Age and triumph. I absolutely adored these books.

Robin Hobb is probably a well known name. I read her Liveship Traders Trilogy this year and I thought they were all amazing. Ships that are alive and have their own personality and speak. Great premise. Her Realm of the Elderings series consists of 16 books. Plenty to read if you end up falling in love with her.

Jacqueline Carey is another discovery which I owe to r/fantasy on Reddit and Goodreads. "The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good... and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt." The world building is exquisite, as is the romance. As a warning: this one also offers a lot of sex and often of the BDSM variety.

Ada Palmer is my last discovery for this list. Too Like The Lightning was a read I couldn't put down. It's complex and demanding and filled with philosophy and history and only something for the reader who enjoys those things. It plays in a futuristic utopia, maybe dystopia, and is told from the perspective of Mycroft Canner, an unreliable and to a certain extent unlikable narrator. We find ourselves in the 25th century, but Mycroft insists on writing like he time travelled straight from the Age of Enlightenment.


Did you discover any new authors this year? Leave me a comment, and I'll make sure to visit your blog. I've finally emerged from cardboard boxes, have finished moving and am hopefully back for good. I'll post about my move and stressful November next Sunday.

Before you leave: Three Crows Magazine has released its first issue that I worked on as an editor. There's a few short stories and interviews with SF authors up, if that's your genre. 

Monday 10 December 2018

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Book Title: Tigana
Author: Guy Gavriel Kay
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Library
Goodreads, Amazon UK 
Plot: Tigana is the magical story of a beleaguered country struggling to be free. It is the tale of a people so cursed by the dark sorceries of the tyrant king Brandin that even the very name of their once beautiful home cannot be spoken or remembered. But years after their homeland’s devastation, a handful of men and women set in motion a dangerous crusade—to overthrow their conquerors and bring back to the world the lost brightness of an obliterated name: Tigana.
Against the magnificently realized background of a world both sensuous and brutal, this masterful epic of a passionate people pursuing their dream is breathtaking in its vision. A spellbinding novel in which myth comes alive and magic reaches out to touch you.
What did I think?
I'm torn somewhere between three and four stars.

I can hear a gasp among fantasy fans, since Tigana is more or less considered to be the best standalone novel by one of the best fantasy authors of all times.

Let me talk about the good first, and of course that means I start with the writing. Kay's prose is wonderful. It makes you feel like you're sitting around a fire listening to a bard. It's poetic, lyrical, magnificent. I love the way he weaves words into sentences, and the writing alone will make sure I'll always be open to picking up a new GGK book.

The setting is well researched, filled with vast imagination, and I could imagine myself living there. I loved discovering Kay's version of Renaissance Italy. The world building is fascinating and intricate.

The characters are well developed, both the men and the women. I enjoyed getting to know them, and read about their pasts, hopes and fates. Dianora's first chapter was a bit jarring, mostly because it's such a big shift from one part of the story to another, but once I found my bearings I fell in love with her. I am not a fan of her ending, and I'm not entirely sure I buy her motivation in her last scene, but she quickly turned into my favourite character along with Brandin.

What's wrong with this book then, you ask? Well...I'm afraid the next few words will result in eggs being thrown at my blog. I *whispers* felt bored every now and then.

It didn't grip me like Lions of Al-Rassan did. At times, I put the book down and didn't pick it up for weeks. I can't tell you why. I just didn't manage to emotionally connect with Tigana. No tears were shed. No sniffles accompanied the ending.

I closed the book, returned it to the library, and that was that for me and Tigana. I'm sorry.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend Tigana to every fantasy fan, no matter if they've read GGK before or not.

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Three Crows Magazine: The First Issue

I've got a bit of self-promotion incoming here, because I've actually worked on this (reading, editing, interviewing).

And I love what it turned into. Love the stories. Love the cover. Especially the cover. Look at that wonderful art.

Much of it can be found on the website.

The first issue features six short stories, two interviews and two reviews.

Alex, the founder and editor-in-chief, spoke with Anna Smith Spark about her new book, The Tower of Living and Dying. The interview can be found here. Anna writes grimdark fantasy with a literary twist and is probably already on your radar if that's the kind of fiction you enjoy.

The other interview is with one of my favourite authors, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and if you think the interviewer sounds a bit nervous, it's because it's me, and I was! Audio and transcript can be found here. We talked about his books and the craft and the fact the man loves spiders.

Alex has since interviewed RJ Barker, author of the Wounded Kingdom. Fantastic fantasy trilogy, with a disabled protagonist and a wonderful coming of age story. The interview can be found here.

Three Crows Magazine reviewed The Tower of Living and Dying by Anna Smith Spark, and The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley.

Check out our fabulous cover artist, Cze Peku.

The six stories range from sci-fi to urban fantasy.

The Animals of Ure by Daryna Stremetska which can be read in either English or Ukrainian (the original is Ukrainian) is an SF story about two men landing on an unknown planet to hunt an animal for their king's zoo. Read it on the website!

Deciding Vote by Michael Kellichner can be read here. It's a fantastic story, well worth checking out, and captured my attention from the very start.

High, High Country by Brandon Daubs is a haunting story told in a way that made me shiver more than once. It's unusual and offers great tension.

Diplomatic Immunity by Daniel M. Kimmel can be read here. This piece is pure fun and made me laugh. Humans and aliens, ready to meet in person. What could go wrong? I think this may have been my favourite, simply because these days uplifting and humorous fiction means a lot to me.

Folk Hunters, by Kate Karl Lanier is about a girl hiding from monsters on a train.

Fathom by J.S. Rogers offers a team of scientists exploring an ocean. And there's nothing out there, or is there?

Check out the magazine:

Buy the 1st Issue:

If you happen to check it out, let me know what you think. We're currently working on the second issue.

Tuesday 18 September 2018

Resources for Writers: How to Write Books

There's a few dozen how to write books out there and many are worth your time, some aren't.

Don't let the rules restrict you. But learn the rules, know the rules, so you're aware you're breaking them. Rules are there to be broken, but they're also there for a reason.

Stephen King talks a lot about adverbs and how they shouldn't be used, but Stephen King uses adverbs in all of his books. It's definitely better to write, she runs, than to write she walks quickly.
However, sometimes, adverbs matter.

Which is why I personally find it important that as a writer you read about the craft, and learn what works for others.

On the other hand, don't be afraid to figure out your own process, your own style, and your own voice. When I first read "On Writing" and other books, I ended up stifling myself. A desperate attempt to follow all rules and produce quality writing. I blocked myself. I suffocated myself.

Don't let the books keep you from writing. Write, write, write. Read, read, read. Those are the two things that will improve your craft.

If you like King's work and write, give On Writing a try. I felt like the man spoke to me, and it is a book I treasure to this day.

 
Invisible Ink and Story are two books that taught me a lot about structure and how to build a story from scratch. They both talk about themes, messages, reveals, plot structure etc. They're geared towards screenwriters, but I found the advice invaluable.

In fact, if I were only allowed two books about writing, I'd probably choose these two books.

 
Honorable mentions for two books I thought were helpful, but that I've not yet been able to fully incorporate into my process. Take Off Your Pants teaches you how to outline. I am really bad at outlining, I mostly write organically, and just go with the flow...but I try. And 2,000 to 10,000 teaches you how to write faster but better at the same time. Only, it involves plotting and outlining, and as we've just established, I'm bad at both.

However, I'd still recommend these books to a beginner. Much of the info in those two books are probably known to people who have been writing for years.

If you're thinking about self-publishing then this book teaches you the basics, but it also quite simply reveals that the most important part of the process is to write, write, write. Oh and also: work, work, work.

NaNoWriMo is around the corner. Who is with me?

What books on writing would you recommend? Let me know in the comments.

Monday 3 September 2018

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

Book Title: The Library at Mount Char
Author: Scott Hawkins
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: I own a Kindle copy

Goodreads, Amazon UK 
Plot: Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts.
After all, she was a normal American herself once.
That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father.
In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God.
Now, Father is missing—perhaps even dead—and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation.
As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her, all of them with powers that far exceed her own.
But Carolyn has accounted for this.
And Carolyn has a plan.
The only trouble is that in the war to make a new God, she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human.
What did I think?

4.5 Stars.

If you think the plot sounds weird, then that's because the plot is definitely weird. This isn't your average novel. It's complex and requires attention, but the pieces will start to click into place after a few chapters or, well, at the very least towards the end of the book. Be patient. You'll get your answers.

The story is dark, bleak, confusing and at the same time wondrous.

There isn't a single dull moment in this book. From epic lion battles, to savage dogs, to zombies and psychotic characters, The Library at Mount Char offers everything.

It's compelling. Despite its horrific moments, it's incredibly compelling, and I couldn't put it down. Hawkins didn't just write a unique book, he's also got an unique voice. I especially enjoyed the way he managed to inject humour into the darkness.

The characters are all odd, some downright terrifying, but well developed and fleshed out. Hawkins has a vast imagination. I'm a tiny bit terrified of the man, now.

I don't want to say too much because I believe some books should be enjoyed knowing as little as possible, but this is one I would have never discovered without the invaluable recommendations I get from fantasy friends through Goodreads.

It's one of the most unique books I've ever read, and it's also one of the more darker and more terrifying ones. I'd definitely classify it as horror to a certain extent. I recommend it to people who love horror, fantasy and are looking for a bit different.

Tuesday 28 August 2018

Novella: Initiate (Guild of Tokens #1) by Jon Auerbach

Book Title: Initiate (Guild of Tokens #1)
Author: Jon Auerbach
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: E-book review copy provided by the author

Amazon UK, Goodreads

Plot Summary: The Quests are real, the rewards are real, and the dangers are unimaginable.When Jen Jacobs stumbles upon the Quest Board during a late-night programming binge, everything changes.
The rules of the Board are simple:
Complete a Quest, get a token.
The harder the Quest, the more tokens you earn.
Get enough tokens, and you level up.
Except the Quest Board isn't in a video game. It's real.
Jen's first Quest is simple enough, but when she receives her first wooden token, the sense of achievement is unexpectedly addictive and she vows to grind her way to the top of this real-world game, no matter what the cost.
As Jen crisscrosses New York City fetching more random items, slaying dragons (well, sewer rats), and meeting a host of Questers, she soon discovers a hidden underworld dating back to the city's very inception.
And when a simple task delivers Jen into the arms of a ruthless Quester with a terrifying agenda, the game becomes one not only of levels, but of life-and-death.
Thank you, Jon Auerbach, for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for setting up TBRindr.

What did I think?

3.5 Stars.

This series shows a lot of promise.

It's a quick read, and I quite enjoy the idea of reading a series of novellas in this world. It feels a bit like watching a TV show, and this one has an interesting premise.

I am an avid gamer. Completing quests in the real world sounds appealing, though I wouldn't want to slay sewer rats, so maybe this game isn't for me.

Unfortunately, this first book suffers from some issues. It's a very simple plot, and Auerbach doesn't offer a lot of world building, and so far his characters feel rather flat. I'm imagining this will change as the series grows. I'm hoping especially Jen will get to develop in the next instalment.

The story is straightforward with simple, uncomplicated prose, but emotionally I did not connect with the world quite yet.

I think these books could turn into an excellent series if Auerbach takes care to develop his world and characters and with time will add layers to the story, sort of like Jim Butcher did in the Dresden Files.

Recommended to urban fantasy fans.
The next instalment will be out in September.

You can find Jon Auerbach's website here and join his newsletter here, to get updated whenever he releases a new book.

Sunday 26 August 2018

Sunday Post (32) - Rain, Grey, Miserable

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

If you participate (and you totally should because the community is amazing) don't forget to link up and if you leave me a comment, I will definitely check out your blog.

The Rules can be found here. And this week's post can be found here.

Just as summer started, it feels like it's almost over again. In the south of England, it's grey, there's rain, and of course this is our Bank Holiday weekend and we've got Monday off...fabulous, because I get to spend it curled up with a book on the sofa.
Last week was our anniversary, and we celebrated by going climbing, then for sushi and on Friday we biked into London along the canal and had a wonderful day in the sun. As you can tell, my girlfriend is an outdoor person. If it would have been up to me: books and coffee.
This is some of the sushi we had. It was amazing, and I think it's one of my favourite foods.

My own writing

I published a little, silly piece on Friday that was written inspired by a prompt. The prompt was: robot dinosaurs. Read it here. Let me know what you think.

Lately on my blog

Review: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. Amazing and wonderful debut. Fantasy. Starts out as YA but quickly turns into a pretty horrific read. It's a great read, but please check out the trigger warnings.

Review: Paternus: Rise of Gods by Dyrk Ashton. Dyrk Ashton is an indie author and this book left an impression during Mark Lawrence's SPFBO in 2016. It came third. It's fantasy, filled with mythology and packed with action.

Review: The Fire Eye Refugee by Samuel Gately. A quick fantasy read by an indie author. At its heart a mystery and tackles important themes like a refugee crisis.

Review: Manna City by Geoffrey Pierce. Another quick read. Science Fiction this time. A post-apocalyptic story with interesting characters.

Review: Existence Augmented by Channing Whitaker. This one is a novella. It's science fiction and has a bit of a Black Mirror feel to it.

Review: Stillwaters by Yvonne Anderson. I quite enjoyed this coming of age tale written in the style of a memoir. It's fantasy, not set on our world and offers an intriguing voice.

Review: Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp. This one was from Netgalley and sadly a disappointment.

  
Bright Ruin is the third book in the Dark Gifts trilogy by Vic James and a fantastic conclusion to this YA fantasy.
The Tropic of Eternity by Tom Toner is the fantastic third book in the Amaranthine Spectrum. It's a space opera, but it's so much more. This one is for people who enjoy world building and don't mind uncovering a world bits by bits.
And finally, Sorcerous Rivalry by Kayleigh Nicol. I'm not a fan of romance but this m/m fantasy was a delight to read.

  
Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell is a SPFBO contestant this year, and a fantastic fantasy read. One of my favourite reads this year so far.
Palom by L.L. McNeil; the first book, Moroda, is also a contestant in this year's SPFBO and Palom is the second book in her World of Linaria series. Dragons, air-ships and sky pirates and an uplifting fantasy in these times filled with grimdark.

I hope everyone has as great week. Have our dog waiting for my girlfriend to come home, sitting patiently on the stairs in front of our door as a pick me up.

Friday 24 August 2018

Fiction Friday (2) - Creaky

Note: This is a silly piece written for practice.

Creaky

by Olivia Hofer

Jay heard the creature before she spotted it.

It creaked in the corner under a desk, hidden behind two boxes. She pushed one to the side with her foot. It was heavy, filled to the brim with parts of a disassembled Tyrannosaurus.

Jay sighed. She'd been told that all AI had been turned off prior to the arrival of the clean-up crew, and that all they were required to do was find the dinosaurs, take them apart, stuff them into boxes and prepare them for removal.

Another creak, followed by a small squeak. "Turned off, my ass," she muttered. She definitely wasn't paid enough for this. Jay approached the corner, pushed the other box to the side and knelt.

Under the table sat a small raptor, its front leg bent at a weird angle, its head cocked sideways. It observed Jay with small, beady eyes, its tail curled around its hind legs.

She hesitated, waited for it to pounce and use its teeth, but it kept dangling its front leg, a miserable expression on its face.

"You were supposed to have been turned off," said Jay softly. She patted the raptor's head, and it showed her pointy teeth in return. "Woha, just trying to help." It cowered and pushed its bottom lip forward as if pouting. A guttural sound emerged from its mouth.

"I'm sorry little guy, but the park is being shut down."

The raptor lifted its leg once more, moved it back and forth as if to draw her attention to the broken joint. "Let me see," she said. She pulled on the small foot and clicked the joint back into place. "One moment." She retrieved a small bottle of WD-40 from her toolbox. She oiled the parts, bent the leg a few times and smiled. "There you go. All good."

The raptor jumped, inspected its leg and nipped her arm with enthusiasm. Its feathered neck glistened in the dim overhead light.

"Ouch. Look, it's not my fault the park is being shut down. Besides, you're not the only one experiencing a dreadful week."

The raptor whined softly, sat on its hind legs and pressed its head against her shoulder. A soft feather tickled her elbow. "My boyfriend ghosted me. Didn't even have the decency to break up with me, and now I'm talking to a robot dinosaur while working minimum wage. At least, you had a good run. I've seen you in the papers. You were a hit. Everybody loved you."

Jay thought the raptor attempted to smile, but that couldn't be. It wasn't made to smile. "It's not your fault people weren't visiting. Turns out no one is interested in perfectly safe creatures pretending to be dangerous when everyone knows they can be turned off by flicking a switch."

The raptor made a noise that sounded like a gasp and ducked.

"You didn't know you could be turned off just like that?"

It shook its head.

"See, I didn't know I could be ghosted just like that. One day he was living with me, and I cooked for him, the next day his stuff is gone, and he changed his number."

She absentmindedly stroked the raptor's head. The skin felt smooth under her touch. It purred. "You like that, don't you?"

It opened its mouth wide, exposing a row of impressive white teeth and a pointy tongue.

"I guess, I got some space at home with Brad gone."

Jay thought she saw a flicker in the raptor's eyes. "And you don't eat much, do you? Or at all, considering you're made of plastic or something."

It clucked much like a chicken and Jay laughed. "I will call you Creaky. Because of your gammy leg." She clapped. "We'll have so much fun."

Behind her, the door opened and slammed into the wall. "There's a time for breaks, but it ain't now."

Jay turned to face her boss. Spotting the raptor, he frowned and approached. “They told me all machinery had been turned off.” He grabbed it by its neck and ripped the head off. The cabling ripped with a sickening crunch, and Jay winced.

He gestured towards the boxes. "Once you're done, go and help Remy over at the museum. I'll load the truck." He wrinkled his nose. "I can't wait to leave. This place gives me the creeps."

He yanked on the raptor's legs before throwing the parts into an empty box.

Jay watched as he trudged out of the room, then turned and looked at the raptor's cabling dangling from its neck.

"Farewell, Creaky," she mumbled and proceeded to disassemble a Stegosaurus.

Thursday 23 August 2018

Paternus: Rise of Gods by Dyrk Ashton

Book Title: Paternus: Rise of Gods
Author: Dyrk Ashton
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: I own a Kindle copy

Goodreads, Amazon UK

Plot: Even myths have legends. And not all legends are myth.
When a local hospital is attacked by strange and frightening men, Fiona Patterson and Zeke Prisco save a catatonic old man named Peter--and find themselves running for their lives with creatures beyond imagination hounding their every step.
With nowhere else to turn, they seek out Fi’s enigmatic Uncle Edgar. But the more their questions are answered, the more they discover that nothing is what it seems--not Peter, not Edgar, perhaps not even themselves.
The gods and monsters, heroes and villains of lore--they’re real. And now they’ve come out of hiding to hunt their own. In order to survive, Fi and Zeke must join up with powerful allies against an ancient evil that’s been known by many names and feared by all. The final battle of the world’s oldest war has begun.
What did I think?

3.5 Stars.

Paternus is an exciting story, with a very fast-paced plot and accessible prose.

It just did not quite work for me. I'm interested in the sequel, and definitely will keep an eye on future releases of Dyrk Ashton, though.

Let's get the negative out of the way first. This reads a bit like it should actually be a movie. The narration hops from character to character, changing the point of view frequently, sometimes mid-paragraph. I found that a bit jarring. This is best enjoyed with popcorn, sitting in a cinema. As a book it just did not quite work. At least for me.

Others love this one, so if the premise sounds intriguing, give it a try.

Onto the positive.

Of course, what I described above, makes this novel unique. I highly enjoyed Ahston's fight scenes, and thought his narrative style was captivating.

Ashton's idea and world building are amazing. The visuals are captivating, and I think we can expect many great stories from Ashton's imaginative mind. The world building is intricate, filled with bits of world religions and various mythologies. I can't imagine the number of hours the author must have put into research.

When I say it's filled with world religions and myths, I mean, there's everything: from Chinese mythology to the Norse gods. There's Baphomet, and Ao Guant, there's Minotaur and Tengu. Just to name a few.

If mythology is at all what you're interested in, pick it up. Paternus is filled with it like no other book I've ever read.

Tuesday 21 August 2018

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Book Title: The Poppy War
Author: R. F. Kuang
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Netgalley

Goodreads, Amazon UK

Plot: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an The Nikara Empire is currently at peace, but the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away.
What did I think?

4.75 Stars.

I got The Poppy War from Netgalley a while back, but I've loved it so much I since decided to buy it for my girlfriend as an audiobook.

I couldn't put this down. This was one of those, 'I will stay up until the early morning hours if necessary' books.

Just look at the cover. It's gorgeous. The themes in this book, however, less gorgeous. Let me begin this review with a warning. I don't often do trigger warnings, but the beginning of this book may as well be YA, so I feel the need to point out: this story is dark, awful, dreadful, terrifying, horrific, etc. There are war themes, self-harm, children dying, genocide, abuse, animal cruelty, torture and off-screen rape.

The Poppy War is told in three parts. The first part starts out fairly fluffy with Rin passing an exam (against all odds, of course) to join a prestigious military academy where she must study hard or lose her place. We've seen that part many times, usually in YA, and it follows more or less the expected tropes. However, Kuang writes in a very pleasing way, and the pacing swiftly pulls you along and before you know it you start reading the third part.

Until that third part, I enjoyed myself, a lot. But I didn't get what all the fuss is about. The third part is what turns this debut from a great read into an amazing read.

Why not five stars? Because ultimately, a lot of the book is fairly predictable, and I did not enjoy the ending. It's not a bad ending but the protagonist develops in ways that made me want to close the book to stop it from happening (that's how it works isn't it? you close the book and just like that, you stop the events!) and it left me unsettled.

The world is inspired by Chinese history, and the world building is fascinating and different. (I must admit I don't know much about Chinese history.) Rin is a great protagonist, well developed and fleshed out. Some of the side characters felt a bit generic at times, but it didn't distract from the story. Simply because everything flowed at such a quick pace, and it just worked.

I recommend this to fans of fantasy who like grimdark worlds, and I think especially Mark Lawrence fans who love his Red Sister / Book of the Ancestor trilogy will enjoy this one.

Tuesday 14 August 2018

TTT (30) - Blogs I Visit Regularly

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Read up on the rules here and join in on the Top Ten Tuesday fun.

Follow the link to know more about the meme and join up, it's a great way to find out more about the book blogging community.

This week the theme is favourite bookish websites, and this week's post by That Artsy Reader girl can be found here.

I've been blogging for a while, and mostly I jot down my reviews and mostly I read fantasy. For me it's a hobby, and sometimes I think I should take blogging more seriously and have a schedule and scheduled posts and be all organised. But...I'm not. I'm a bit chaotic in how I approach blogging. However, I've met a ton of great people over on Twitter and through blog-hopping, and I'm very grateful for all the connections I've made.
I'd like to list a few of these people, because they've been supportive and I enjoy reading their posts.

Greg over @ Greg's Book Haven reviews a lot of interesting books and I always enjoy his discussion posts, and every Sunday he posts inspiring graphics that I, very often, pin to one of my Pinterest boards for future writing inspiration. Greg also talks movies and TV, and I've not been disappointed by any of his recommendations thus far.

Esme blogs @ The Weatherwax Report and she mostly reads indie published fantasy authors and as a lover of fantasy her blog is a wealth of information. She put together a tool called TBRindr where reviewers who like fantasy can find indie authors who are looking for reviewers.

Danielle over @ Books, Vertigo & Tea writes thoughtful reviews and often makes me smile.

Elle blogs over @ Keep on Reading and there's anime, YA and fantasy among other books, and I make a point of visiting her blog at least once a week. She's instrumental in making my anime to-be-watched list grow.

Kristen reads a lot and she reads a lot of fantasy and sci-fi, and I always enjoy her reviews.

Di over @ Book Reviews by Di has been there from the start, supporting me, checking up on me and always with kind words of encouragement. Well written reviews, lots of YA to make my tbr pile grow. She's got an artistic eye and her photos are always beautiful.

Amy blogs over @ A Magical World of Words. Amy writes and often shares bits from her work in progress and her inspiring Pinterest boards. She also offers a lot of discussion posts which are very thoughtful. In particular, I enjoyed the ones tackling romanticised abuse.

Uma over @ Books, Bags, Burgers has been someone I've connected with from the start and has always taken her time to comment on my blog. She reads and reviews a lot of YA and her posts are always making me smile (and also fill my tbr pile with more books.)

Daniela has also been someone I've met at the very start. Daniel always has encouraging blog posts, inspiring posts and spends a lot of time talking about her writing. She's a positive and warm person and I enjoy her blog a lot.

Tanya blogs over @ Girls Plus Books and I've enjoyed her comments and posts for a long time now. Lots of romance and always very thoughtful reviews that make me want to dive into romance more.

Verushka is someone whose presence I highly value on Twitter, always tweeting interesting articles. Her blog is filled with great reviews and various, diverse genres.

Suzanne is over @ the Bookish Libra and reads many genres. I enjoy the thoughtful reviews and she's a very kind and supportive person.

Lindsey blogs over @Lindsey Reads. She reads lots of different genres, but often reads fantasy, which is my favourite genre, so, of course, I'm a regular visitor.

Obviously, everyone knows Net Galley, Goodreads and Book Riot.

Then for sci-fi and fantasy specifically, I've got Tor, SF Book Reviews, SFF World, Fantasy Book Reviews.

I worry, that I've forgotten many of you, and there are so many of you, and I love reading your comments and visiting your blogs, and I do hope, I won't spend the rest of the day jumping every five minutes, muttering, 'Oh! No!" as I remember bloggers I should have included.

Anyone who wants to find me on Twitter where I try and find a balance between some politics and social issues, lots of books, and pictures of my dogs, I can be found here @Vinjii

Thursday 9 August 2018

The Fire Eye Refugee by Samuel Gately

Book Title: The Fire Eye Refugee
Author: Samuel Gately
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: E-book review copy provided by the author

Plot Summary: A spy must face her past or die in exile.
As lanterns stream up towards the Fire Eye, a woman weaves through the crowd, eyes down. Kay is a fetch, a finder of lost children, and she’s been saddled with a case she couldn’t refuse. A child is missing among the refugees beyond the walls. Before she is found, Kay will face her past as an exile, the loyalties which divide her by heart and blood, and an enemy who would have his spy back on her leash or content himself to watch her hang. A killer has returned to the city, war looms, and, above it all, the Fire Eye hangs open, watching.
Thank you, Samuel Gately, for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for setting up TBRindr.

What did I think?

3.5 Stars.

This book has a fantastic cover. It's also entered into Mark Lawrence's fourth SPFBO contest, and I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kay finds lost children. She's a character with a dangerous past threatening to catch up with her. Gately developed her well, and she's smart, independent. She's got mixed blood and finds herself in the middle of racial tensions between the Gol and the Farrows. In fact, Gately deals with some very dark issues in this book, and racial and social tensions are high in the city of Celest.

I highly enjoyed reading about Celest. It's a great setting, and Gately describes it well. I would have wished for a bit more world building and background to the current conflict.

Gately's prose is accessible and straightforward, and the novel is well edited. It's a fairly short read, fast paced and the plot is entertaining. At its heart it's a mystery, and reminded me a bit of the Sherlock Holmes novels.

Overall, it's a solid book with an exciting premise and everything necessary to make a great fantasy novel. Sadly, I had trouble connecting with any of the events or characters. Somehow, I did not manage to build an emotional rapport, and towards the end I realised, that I didn't actually care all that much whether the protagonist succeeds or fails.

I recommend this one to fantasy fans looking for a quick read that deals with a refugee crisis, and the problems resulting from a clash of different cultures.

Tuesday 7 August 2018

TTT (29) - Genres I Like to See Mashed Together

Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Read up on the rules here and join in on the Top Ten Tuesday fun.

Follow the link to know more about the meme and join up, it's a great way to find out more about the book blogging community.

This week the theme is books that you'd mash together, and this week's post by That Artsy Reader girl can be found here.

I'm not so much for mashing books together, as I'm in favour of mashing genres.

For example if someone would write about Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy in space? I'd be all over that. In fact, all of my favourite books should get a space retelling.
The Count of Monte Cristo in space, thankfully has been done. Here's my review of Song of Edmon by Adam Burch.


If you like anime I highly, highly recommend you watch Gankutsuou. The Count is some sort of space vampire in that adaptation. It's loosely based on the novel and most of the story is told from the point of view of Albert Morcerf. Amazing soundtrack!


I love when fantasy and science fiction are being mashed together and create something entirely new in a fantastic way. Tom Toner's Amaranthine Spectrum is such a book.

  

So, who is up for writing me Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre in space? I'd pre-order it today.

Friday 3 August 2018

Manna City by Geoffrey Pierce

Title: Manna City
Author: Geoffrey Pierce
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Digital copy provided by the author 
Plot Summary: Nista is nine months pregnant, starving, and living in a cave. Her husband, Dane, thinks she's gone crazy. And the first time she heard the voice of her unborn child, she thought she'd gone crazy, too. But the child has told her too many things, shown her too many things that have come to pass. She knows…someone is coming to usher them away from their isolated purgatory. Someone is coming to lead them through the unforgiving desert - teeming with lawless killers and savage beasts - to the last bastion of civilization, a mythical land of plenty called Manna City.
I received a digital version from the author (thank you) in exchange for an honest review.

What did I think?

I almost never read the synopsis, even when authors ask me for a review I only briefly glance at it, because I like to enjoy a book knowing nothing about it. Occasionally, I'm very pleasantly surprised. Occasionally, it goes wrong.

I was pleased with this read.

We follow three characters: Nista, Dane, and Halvist. Nista is pregnant, married to Dane and together they're trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The day they meet Halvist things change...

Manna City itself is a mythical place. A place where things are good, and where water and food aren't scarce. But is it real?

I love post-apocalyptic novels. I enjoy the grim tone, the desperate characters, and the odds stacked against their success. Pierce does a good job at describing the world he created. His style is easy to read, and his visuals are vivid and clear. I read the book almost in one sitting; it's pretty short, but also pretty tense with good pacing.

The characters are well fleshed out, but I couldn't connect the three. In fact, I disliked all of them, and maybe that's realistic, because I doubt someone fighting to survive every single day against all odds is going to remain what we'd call a "nice person." Sadly, barely caring whether these people lived or died, made me feel somewhat detached from the book.

I recommend Manna City to people looking for a short post-apocalyptic read with a supernatural touch.

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Palom by L.L. McNeil

Title: Palom
Author: L.L. McNeil
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: ARC, but I did buy it as well!

Amazon UK, Goodreads 
Plot Summary: Palom is the second novel in an epic six-book saga, following a group of characters as war rages across their world. With pirates and soldiers, smiths and princes, Linaria is a vibrant land with a deeply unsettled past and an equally ominous future.
‘Now the fighting’s over, you want to pick up where we left off? How? Everything’s changed.’
Linaria’s cities lie in ruin and her lands are scarred following Aciel’s war. The devastation worsens as dragons turn against the survivors in retribution for Aciel slaying their kin and stealing their power.
As the world attempts to recover from one global war and arm itself against another, Palom, hero and creator of the dragon-forged weapons that thwarted Aciel, flees across the Val Sharis wilds to rid himself of unwanted fame. Overwhelmed by guilt for failing to protect loved ones, his greatest threat is not just the weapons he created, but the new shadow growing over Linaria.
He is accompanied by a dragon hatched in his care - but with the god-like creatures turning against the world, will she be his salvation or destruction?
I received an ARC of Palom from the author in exchange for an honest review, but I also bought it!

Find the author's website here. Find the first book, Moroda, here on Goodreads and here's my review of it.

What did I think?

4.5 Stars.

I always like to get the negative points out of the way first, so I can proceed to gush about the many characters I love. Palom feels a bit slower than Moroda in places. That's mostly because Moroda had an epic conflict going on, and the world of Linaria was in immediate danger. Here, a big portion of the book deals with the fallout of the previous instalment. And, of course, the chess pieces need to be put in place for the third book.

Despite that, it's not a filler book. On the contrary, some of the themes L.L. McNeil deals with are super important and heartbreaking.

We've got Palom, the main character, hailed as a hero, but what happens to the hero after he defeats the enemy? I've often wondered that when reading fantasy books. I would watch the hero fight and kill for the good side, and I'd think, how will you feel once you get to go home? Hello, PTSD.

It's incredible to see a hero after the battle. My heart broke watching him suffer and deal with all the emotional fallout of his past. Palom's struggle to get out of the dark hole he fell into is intense, and it doesn't help that his past lurks just around the corner.

Amarah. The sky-pirate. One of my favourite characters. While Palom struggles not knowing how to move on with his life, Amarah is unwilling to give up. She's broken, but she refuses to let that stop her. I've followed her journey on the edge of my seat, and she continues to be a favourite of mine.

I was a huge fan of Sapora in the first book, but in this one a character emerges, I didn't think I would like quite so much: his sister Isa. She's fantastic. Only part Varkain she shifts into a wild cat instead of a snake, and that's apparently a reason other Varkain think less of her. (I'd like to smack a few of those Varkain by the way, thank you very much.)

Despite my dislike for certain Varkain, the characters I wanted to smack the most were Kohl and Palom. Both for very similar reasons...

We slowly find out more about the characters we got to know in Moroda. What drives them? What is lurking in their past? L.L. McNeil is very good at dripping information into descriptions and conversations, and never dumps it all on the reader at once.

In Palom we get to see the world expand, and we find out more about the history of Linaria. There's a few things that should possibly best be left sleeping, but sigh, when will characters ever learn? The world building is imaginative, with a few very intriguing bits emerging, and I'm excited to find out more in the next book.

L.L. McNeil's prose is straightforward and easy to read, and she moves the plot forward at a good pace. If only the book were longer...I need to know what happens next!

Recommended to people who love dragons, sky-pirates and airships. L.L. McNeil's World of Linaria is a great introduction to fantasy for new fans, but also a treat for old fans of the genre.

Monday 30 July 2018

Novelette: Existence Augmented by Channing Whitaker

Title: Existence Augmented
Author: Channing Whitaker
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Digital copy provided by the author

Amazon UK, Goodreads

Plot Summary: Existence Augmented is a dystopian, sci-fi novelette and psychological thriller. The world outside is cold, hostile, and virtually lifeless. Human existence depends on sophisticated, technological living compounds. The people who don’t have them, once driven to theft and murder, are believed to be long since dead. Alden, a genius of physical and computer engineering, spends his time tending his hydroponics garden, maintaining and improving the complex systems critical to survival, and, in turn, continually refining the pleasant life he’s created with his wife, Laurel. On a day like any other, everything is following Alden’s plans until the power begins to fail…
I received a digital version of this novelette (47 pages) from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Find the author's website here.

What did I think? 

Channing Whitaker is a master of misdirection, and I must admit even though I read quite a bit of science fiction, and this novelette is only forty-seven pages long, he managed to surprise me more than once.

It's obviously a very quick read, and I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Whitaker has a brilliant imagination and his scenes are filled with vivid details. I enjoyed the prose, and the story flowed at a nice pace.

Obviously, forty-seven pages is not a lot of time to flesh out a character, but Alden felt like a real person, and I emphasised a lot with him. He's got believable flaws and I enjoyed the way Whitaker developed him throughout the piece. The author slowly reveals more about Alden by showing us how he deals with the challenges this dystopian world throws at him.

The world building is intriguing, and I'd very much like to find out more about this setting...maybe at some point in a full-length novel?

I will definitely read more by this author and recommend Existence Augmented to anyone who is a fan of the genre and enjoys when the world is rather bleak.

Wednesday 25 July 2018

The Tropic of Eternity by Tom Toner

Book Title: The Tropic of Eternity (The Amaranthine Spectrum #3)
Author: Tom Toner
Genres: Science Fiction
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Netgalley

Goodreads, Amazon UK for the first book in the series, The Promise of the Child
Goodreads, Amazon UK for The Tropic of Eternity

Plot Summary, without spoilers: It is the 147th century.
In the radically advanced post-human worlds of the Amaranthine Firmament, there is a contender to the Immortal throne: Aaron the Long-Life, the Pretender, a man who is not quite a man.
In the barbarous hominid kingdoms of the Prism Investiture, where life is short, cheap, and dangerous, an invention is born that will become the Firmament’s most closely kept secret.
Lycaste, a lovesick reclusive outcast for an unspeakable crime, must journey through the Provinces, braving the grotesques of an ancient, decadent world to find his salvation.
Sotiris, grieving the loss of his sister and awaiting the madness of old age, must relive his twelve thousand years of life to stop the man determined to become Emperor.
Ghaldezuel, knight of the stars, must plunder the rarest treasure in the Firmament—the object the Pretender will stop at nothing to obtain.
From medieval Prague to a lonely Mediterranean cove, and eventually far into the strange vastness of distant worlds, this series is filled with gripping action and astounding ambition unfolding over hundreds of thousands of years, marking the arrival of a brilliant new talent in science fiction.
  

As usual no spoilers.

Here's my review of the first book.

I got the first book from Netgalley but bought it afterwards because I loved it so much. I also bought the second book and will buy this one, but for now I've got a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What did I think?

Tom Toner may be the Steven Erikson of Science Fiction, because he drops the reader straight into an unfamiliar world without any explanation.

I'm a fast reader and sometimes tempted to skim more than I should, which works with books set on our world where not every third word is strange and unfamiliar. After reading a third of the first novel, about two years ago, I almost put it away for good, because I had no idea what was going on. I decided to re-start from the beginning and take my time.

I admit, I had to take notes, and while reading the second book I frequently had to use the glossary and look up names, races and places.

Throughout the third book, however, I finally felt like I belonged in this world and was able to navigate without feeling lost.

I've hardly ever been this immersed in a world. Tom Toner presents a world so rich and so fleshed out, I was blown away by every page. It's a creative mix between sci-fi and fantasy presenting an innovative future filled with diverse, unique cultures and breathtaking ideas. The scope alone is immense and the level of complexity, frankly, insane.

More than once I thought: how did he come up with all of this?

At one point, during the second book, I looked up at my partner and said: this is absolutely brilliant.

The books are very complex. While I personally don't mind not knowing what's going on for a good portion of a book, I think Toner expects a lot from the reader. There's a vast cast of characters to keep track of, next to a dozen species and planets.

The prose is wonderful, very descriptive, filled with lush details and striking visuals.

I love all the characters, but I've got a soft spot for Percy and Aaron in particular. The entire cast is fleshed out, well-developed and I find them all incredibly intriguing. I wasn't entirely sold on Lycaste at first, but Toner develops him in fascinating ways, and I grew quite fond of him.

The third book is almost non-stop action, the chapters move with a sense of urgency as an epic conflict unfolds. While this is not the last book in the series it does end on a hopeful note with a few touching chapters at the end that made me smile.

Toner has definitely created something ambitious and memorable, and I am eagerly awaiting new books by him.

I recommend The Amaranthine Spectrum series (for the love of everything, please start with the first book) to everyone who likes a complex and epic plot spanning centuries, and beautiful prose. I think both fans of Gene Wolfe as well as Steven Erikson will appreciate this one.

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