Difference between revisions of "Newest Fantasy Reviews"
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[[Category:New Reviews|Fantasy]] | [[Category:New Reviews|Fantasy]] | ||
__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove --> | __NOTOC__ <!-- Remove --> | ||
| + | {{newreview | ||
| + | |author=Jay Kristoff | ||
| + | |title=Kinslayer (Lotus War Trilogy 2) | ||
| + | |rating=5 | ||
| + | |genre=Fantasy | ||
| + | |summary= Spoilers for [[Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff|Stormdancer]] follow so | ||
| + | read it first! | ||
| + | The Shogun is dead, murdered in the public square by 16 year old Kage rebel | ||
| + | Yukiko to avenge her family and in retribution for the evil hold that he has | ||
| + | over the dystopian land of Shima. He may be dead but Hiro (equally nasty | ||
| + | and Yukiko's former lover) has a plan to take power which includes marrying | ||
| + | Aisha, the Shogun's sister and secret Kage sympathiser. Yukiko has to stop | ||
| + | the wedding with the help of Buruu, the flying thunder tiger and Kin, the | ||
| + | former Lotus Guild engineer. Yes, the Lotus Guild - the Shogun's lot. | ||
| + | Yukiko has problems of her own as well, in that her ability to hear the | ||
| + | thoughts of animals and feel the emotions of anyone and anything is becoming | ||
| + | a curse. Meanwhile in Hiro's palace there works No One, below the radar and | ||
| + | beneath contempt, but one day. | ||
| + | |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230759025</amazonuk> | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
{{newreview | {{newreview | ||
|author=Mark Lingane | |author=Mark Lingane | ||
| Line 302: | Line 323: | ||
|summary=Cithrin Bel Sarcour has arrived in Suddapal to complete her apprenticeship with the Medean Bank, but her past actions may have put her in danger. After being betrayed by his comrade Yardem, Marcus Wester has set out with Kitap rol Keshmet to kill a goddess. Clara Kalliam, who should be disgraced after her husband's treason, is surviving on the edge of high society thanks to her youngest son's friendship with the Lord Regent Geder Palliako - and is ready to risk everything to save her nation from Palliako. Meanwhile, all Geder wants is peace and prosperity for that nation. Even if it means killing everyone who disagrees with him to make sure he can get it. | |summary=Cithrin Bel Sarcour has arrived in Suddapal to complete her apprenticeship with the Medean Bank, but her past actions may have put her in danger. After being betrayed by his comrade Yardem, Marcus Wester has set out with Kitap rol Keshmet to kill a goddess. Clara Kalliam, who should be disgraced after her husband's treason, is surviving on the edge of high society thanks to her youngest son's friendship with the Lord Regent Geder Palliako - and is ready to risk everything to save her nation from Palliako. Meanwhile, all Geder wants is peace and prosperity for that nation. Even if it means killing everyone who disagrees with him to make sure he can get it. | ||
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0316080705</amazonuk> | |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0316080705</amazonuk> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
Revision as of 12:24, 15 November 2013
Kinslayer (Lotus War Trilogy 2) by Jay Kristoff
Spoilers for Stormdancer follow so read it first! The Shogun is dead, murdered in the public square by 16 year old Kage rebel Yukiko to avenge her family and in retribution for the evil hold that he has over the dystopian land of Shima. He may be dead but Hiro (equally nasty and Yukiko's former lover) has a plan to take power which includes marrying Aisha, the Shogun's sister and secret Kage sympathiser. Yukiko has to stop the wedding with the help of Buruu, the flying thunder tiger and Kin, the former Lotus Guild engineer. Yes, the Lotus Guild - the Shogun's lot. Yukiko has problems of her own as well, in that her ability to hear the thoughts of animals and feel the emotions of anyone and anything is becoming a curse. Meanwhile in Hiro's palace there works No One, below the radar and beneath contempt, but one day. Full review...
I Love Lucid by Mark Lingane
Lucid is more than a full-immersion role play game; it's THE full-immersion role play game. Its inventor Seth Pascal has ensured that all that needs to be done is to plug in and the player's brain will take them to the virtual world while during sleep, providing perfect lucidity and an alternative life within an avatar. However it's also becoming the game to die for. Yes, literally die for as players are being murdered while they're connected. Detective Evan Waugh is the investigator given the case to prove that he still has what it takes. However there's an added complication for both he and Seth as the investigation continues. Her name is Ellen, the woman for whom Lucid isn't just a way of life, it is her life. Full review...
The Time Traveller's Almanac by Anne VanderMeer and Jeff VanderMeer
From H.G Wells to Doctor Who, there is something about a good time-travel story that has the power to ignite the imagination in a way unique to the genre. Perhaps it is due to the fact that when dealing with the subject of time travel, literally anything is possible. Well, almost anything...apart from going back in time and killing your Grandfather, which we know would cause an almighty paradox and probably destroy the universe. Full review...
The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
It's been two hundred years since Optimus Yarnspinner last went to the great literary city of Bookholm, where people trawled underground hells for classic works of Zamonian literature, and our hero had an almighty, Odyssey-like journey through the nether regions. He would not have ever expected to return, except for a very intriguing letter he receives one day in his authorly garret. It contains such mystery, including the idea that he wrote it to himself, to force him to journey back to Bookholm – a Bookholm completely rebuilt after the ending of the last novel. The city is much more advanced, the subterranean areas seemingly more at peace – yet something is definitely afoot. Full review...
The Black Guard (The Long War) by AJ Smith
Ro Canarn is falling to the brutal conquest of the Red Knights. Duke Hector, its ruler, is on the verge of death and his twin offspring Lady Bronwyn and Lord Bromvy are on the run, outcast. However this is merely a portent of greater troubles ahead. One of the evil Seven Sisters is seen accompanying the Red Knights so if there is a secret agenda it's not a good one. Meanwhile if Ro Canarn can fall, is anywhere safe anymore? Full review...
A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish
Thren Felhorn is the leader of the Spider Guild and is a name feared by everyone in Veldaren. For good reason, for Thren has united the Guilds, those groups populated by the thieves and murderers of the city. Thren’s long term aim is to lead the Guilds in a war against the Trifect – the three richest families who control the majority of the city’s legal activities. Full review...
Bronze Gods by A A Aguire
One of the many reasons I love fantasy is discovering the new worlds that the authors have created. Where is the world? What kind creatures inhabit it? What are the customs, et cetera, et cetera. Steampunk novels are especially fascinating and steampunk mixed with fantasy is the double hit. Throw in some murder most frighteningly horrid and we have the makings of a really good time. Full review...
The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell
Lin and her family are living in a rented house in the city because Lin's mother has been given her dream job as professor of traditional songs at the university. Lin's novelist father doesn't mind: he can write and play at riddling in the city as well as anywhere. But Lin hates it. She misses the farm where she was brought up and she misses playing at troll-hunting with her friend Niklas. But most of all, she misses her pet vole, Rufus, who is buried under a rosebush. Full review...
Omens by Kelley Armstrong
Olivia Taylor-Jones has a charmed life. Her family is rich, her fiance perfect and though she has some questions about her career, she knows that things will work themselves out. Until she learns that she's adopted - her true parents America's most infamous serial killers. Suddenly on the run from the media, Olivia finds shelter in the small town of Cainsville. It's a strange sort of place - full of oddball characters and gargoyles that seem to only appear at certain times. Full review...
The Box of Red Brocade (Chronoptika) by Catherine Fisher
Ok. Let's catch you up. Jake's father is still lost in time. Venn's wife is still dead. Summer, the Queen of the Shee, still hasn't made Venn her husband. Sarah still hasn't prevented the destruction of the future by Janus. And the Scarred Man still hasn't done, well, whatever it is that he's trying to do. The Chronoptika, a mirror made of black obsidian and a time travel device, connects Jake, Venn, Sarah and the rest, but they all want different things from it. Can they all be satisfied? It doesn't look likely. Full review...
The Legend of Broken by Caleb Carr
A historical manuscript has been found in what is now Germany (so the story goes) chronicling an ancient civilisation inhabiting the fortress city of Broken (or Brocken in the original German). Those who anger the government are cast out into the surrounding forests where they must face the dangers of man-eating wolves and worse. These outcasts can only survive by collaborating and becoming one tribe: the Bane. Although, to be honest, they're becoming a bit of a nuisance with their terrorist ways, therefore Sixt Arnem, Sentek of the Broken Army is ordered to eradicate them for once and for all. Full review...
Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson
Drusilla Jaco (DJ) is the sentinel for the preternatural community in the greater New Orleans area and is still recovering from bereavement, Katrina and broken ribs from her last adventure. No such luck as life taking things easy on her, however, as it is discovered that the copycat of a famous serial killer is not, in fact, a copycat. The Axeman of New Orleans himself has been raised from the dead by a necromancer or necromancers unknown. To make matters worse, her loup-garou fiend Jake bit her in a fit of pique and her best friend’s creepy boyfriend won’t leave her alone. She doesn’t know what he wants and she doesn’t know whether she’ll turn into a wolf at the next full moon but she does know that the Axeman is after her, specifically. Full review...
Apocalypse Now Now by Charlie Human
Baxter Zevcenko is a sixteen year old student in South Africa who believes everything in life is business related and for the sole purpose of increasing his own power. Baxter deals porn at his school and is the leader of a gang of misfits who have carved a niche within the school’s hierarchy out of the student populations need for smut. The group is called the Spider and Baxter believes himself to be the arachnid at the centre of an impressive web with the ability to manipulate and scheme his way to power and riches. His heroes are Rasputin and Machiavelli and we are made aware very early on that as well as being a despicable power hungry megalomaniac he is also quite possibly insane. Full review...
Chosen by Benedict Jacka
Alex Verus, seer and London magic shop owner, has had a year of crowded uncomplication since we last caught up with him. Crowded because he now shares his small flat with unqualified but adept mages Anne and Variam as well as his apprentice Luna. Uncomplicated because his biggest problem seems to be progressing Luna's training and finding someone to pick up Anne and Variam's apprenticeship; not huge when his normal kind are a matter of life or death. However all is about to change. You remember that way back in his youth Alex worked for a dark mage? Well he was hoping to forget that. Was? Yes, past tense, for now Alex's past has invaded his present and is in danger of curtailing his future. Full review...
Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper
I loved Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Sequence, but as surprised as I am to say this - this book is far better. While still suitable for older children, this is definitely a book that adults will want to read as well. The book is more mature than her early works, and while obviously gifted from the start, Cooper's talents have matured as well. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece. Full review...
The Crown Tower: Book 1 of The Riyria Chronicle by Michael J Sullivan
Hadrian Blackwater (ex-soldier, ex-lots-of-things) and Royce Melborn (exemplary thief and grump) are summoned to Melengar by Professor Arcadius. The duo may not know each other and arrive separately, but as they meet and begin the Professor's mission together a legend is born: The Riyria. (That's elvish for two by the way.) Meanwhile a prostitute named Gwen escapes to save her life. Across the road (ok... she didn't run far) she goes into business leading her to a place in fantasy novel history. Full review...
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
I’ve been waiting for Broken Homes to come out for months. Months. When it arrived on my doorstep, I whisked it away, cackling like Gollum over my new precious and was no use to anyone until I’d finished it. Then sat and thought about it for a while. Then re-read my favourite bits. The considered further. This is the conclusion I reached: if there are no further Peter Grant books, Mr Aaronovitch, you and I are going to have words. Full review...
Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Unemployed and desperate, Clay Jannon wants a job, any job! So, despite not having touched a paper book in years, he jumps at the chance of working the night shift at Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore. Mr P is a very particular employer. The books are lent (not sold) to members of a unique club. Clay is to serve these visitors, log their visit in the smallest detail (including their mood, their choice of clothing and what they say). Oh and Clay must never open any of the books. He doesn't but he's curious. Perhaps if he realised where his curiosity would lead he'd be a little more cautious. Full review...
Cold Steel: Spiritwalker: Book Three by Kate Elliott
The Master of the Wild Hunt has stolen away Cat Barahal's husband. She's being blamed for a murder. Fire mage James Drake wants to kill her. And rebellion is burning up the streets back in Europa. Can Cat save her man and crush her enemies, and maybe even change her world? Full review...
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
On the run from the Darkling, Alina and Mal are together at last. But when he emerges from the Shadow Fold with a horrific new power, the Darkling could prove himself to be more dangerous than ever. Alina will be torn between her growing power, the man she loves, and her patriotism - can she survive the oncoming storm? Full review...
The Glass God (Magicals Anonymous) by Kate Griffin
Sharon Li, former coffee shop barista and current community-support-worker-cum-apprentice-shaman, continues to run Magicals Anonymous, a self-help group for those with mystic issues. It sounds a simple life, however there there's one factor that ensure that 'simple' remains an illusion: her acquaintance with the Guardian of the City, Defender of the Gate and so forth, The Midnight Mayor, aka Matthew Swift. Matthew's workload includes investigating a number of supernatural disappearances. Or at least it did till he too went missing. So who ya gonna call? No, they don't call them; they call Sharon and along with the mission comes unwanted promotion: Sharon Li, Deputy Midnight Mayor. Full review...
The Never Pages by Graham Thomas
There are two rules that the Dream Investigator must follow:
1. Document everything.
2. Keep moving forward.
Master G is in search of his one true love, Lucy. But Lucy is lost in the NeverRealm, the dimension that separates the living from whatever comes after. In the NeverRealm, memories do not exist. So how is Master G - the Dream Investigator - to find her? From the very first moment, his journey into the NeverRealm is destroying his mind, turning thoughts and knowledge and recollection to sand, shifting sand. He will need courage to face the nightmarish environment. He will need fortitude to resist the degeneration. He will need to find Brekker, his unreliable scientist friend. And he'll need the companionship of Paisley, a dog named after a carpet... Full review...
Before the Fall by Francis Knight
After destroying Mahala's power source, Rojan really, really wants to keep his head down. The Ministry thinks he's dead - which helps - but with the last scraps of power fast fading, people are starving and the danger of riots and chaos looms. Full review...
Blood Song: Book 1 of Raven's Shadow by Anthony Ryan
Young Vaelin Al Sorna's father takes him to the gates of the Sixth Order of the Faith and leaves him there. Vaelin's father is the King's Battle Lord and Vaelin's mother someone the lad has sorely missed since her death but this doesn't matter. As a member of the Order Vaelin has no family except his Order brethren. The long life-threatening training binds him closer to his fellows while exposing him to greater dangers and mysteries than he's ever known. However one day he'll outgrow his comrades. One day he'll become a name whispered with fear and awe. For Vaelin will become a deadly weapon: Hope Killer himself. Full review...
The Mirror Chronicles: the Bell Between Worlds by Ian Johnstone
The hero of this long and engrossing book is a boy of twelve, orphaned, lonely and unloved. He spends the little free time he has in creating beautiful kites covered in complicated, colourful designs until the day he meets a strange old man who sets him on the path to his destiny as a saviour of not one but two worlds. But in line with the traditions of the genre, this path will be fraught with fear, danger and loss. Full review...
Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle by Marie Harbon
Following several main characters - scientist Paul, businessman Max, remote viewer Tahra and mystery woman Ava - across two time frames spanning the 1940s to the present day, Seven Point Eight blends science fiction and fantasy in a sprawling, absorbing, diffuse novel that will attract fans of both genres. Full review...
Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty
In a world where vampires are the new romantic heroes, Stoker’s Manuscript is a bit of a Godsend. I, for one, am absolutely delighted to find some good old fashioned evil as sin, night dwelling, blood guzzling, crucifix hating Romanian villains. Of course, this means sacrificing sexiness, romance and attractively sulking out of a window but since what we get in exchange is stunning views of Transylvania, thought-through biology (for want of a better word) of the creatures and stakes that are elevated beyond one person, I say sharpen up the spike pit. Full review...
The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway
Nick was born in England in 1790 and is rather partial to pickled bits of pig and beef jelly. He finds this rather difficult to explain to his girlfriends, him being a young man and this being America, 2013. His 19th century Napoleonic war wounds are hard to explain away too. His second lease on life in the 21st century is thanks to the mysterious Guild whose main rule is that no one can return to the time or home country from which they originated. He doesn't mind as they pay him well for his silence but all this is about to change. Eventually they seem to think that they can send him back and won't take no for an answer. Any thought of a possible catch is suppressed by thoughts of Julia, the girl Nick left behind in England. It's all a bit fishy though. Full review...
The Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides) by Mur Lafferty
Zoe is an unemployed book editor who had to leave her last job, and indeed her last city, in rather a hurry. Zoe's personal exodus brings her to New York and the possibility of a job that sounds perfect: editing a travel guide to NYC itself. However, its projected readership isn't one for which Zoe has written before. New York City is full of monsters or coterie to be polite. Vampires, werewolves, demons, sprites, zombies… the list goes on as all alternative life is there, both in and out of the office. So the first question is if she survives her colleagues, will she survive her readership? The second question being, of course, who or what is Granny Good Mae? Full review...
The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones
Hannah Wilde flees into the Welsh mountains with daughter Leah and husband Nate while the life blood slowly seeps out of him. They run to escape the evil that has relentlessly haunted Hannah's family for generations. Some people see it as a Hungarian legend but to the Wildes it's real and insatiable and won't forget them. They know what to do: verify everyone, trust no one and, if in any doubt, RUN! Although one day that may not be enough. Full review...
The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
As a child, I read The Grey King, book 4 in Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising Sequence. I loved the book so much it topped my Christmas list for years, but sadly Santa never delivered. As an adult I finally bought the entire sequence for myself. This book is intended as a child's book, and it is brilliant as book for children, but it is also well loved by many adults, whether as a cherished memory of their own childhood or as a book discovered as an adult. I'll admit that as child, this can book can completely draw into other worlds in a manner not possible for an adult, but this is still an excellent read, whatever age you may be. Full review...
The Red Plague Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Sorceress Prime, Emma Bannon, has done many things in service of Queen and Country, and willingly. Her latest mission to track down a missing doctor puts her in the path of a deadly contagion - the Red plague. Mentath Archibald Clare is perhaps the only person capable of helping her find the doctor in time. But asking Clare, and Valentinelli his assassin servant, to assist in the chase risks exposing them to the Red. And Clare does not have the sorcerous advantages that Emma possesses. Full review...
Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days Book 1) by Susan Ee
Angels have ransacked the Earth and humankind is facing the apocalypse. The people who are left are desperate and starving. Penryn is one of the survivors and the protector of her disabled younger sister Paige, and when Paige is kidnapped by an angel for an unknown purpose Penryn has to do everything within her power to find and rescue her. Embarking on a quest containing all manner of horrors both human and supernatural, Penryn is forced to make dangerous decisions and question her own humanity. Full review...
The Tyrant's Law (Dagger and the Coin) by Daniel Abraham
Cithrin Bel Sarcour has arrived in Suddapal to complete her apprenticeship with the Medean Bank, but her past actions may have put her in danger. After being betrayed by his comrade Yardem, Marcus Wester has set out with Kitap rol Keshmet to kill a goddess. Clara Kalliam, who should be disgraced after her husband's treason, is surviving on the edge of high society thanks to her youngest son's friendship with the Lord Regent Geder Palliako - and is ready to risk everything to save her nation from Palliako. Meanwhile, all Geder wants is peace and prosperity for that nation. Even if it means killing everyone who disagrees with him to make sure he can get it. Full review...
