The Dragon’s Path

May 222013
 

The Dragon's Path: Book One of The Dagger and the Coin The Dragon’s Path is the first instalment in The Dagger and the Coin epic fantasy series. It’s immensely rich in its own history, with a multitude of races and flawed but wonderful characters.  Just my cup of tea!

I was intrigued from the start, with an introduction to an apostate escaping from an ancient temple with a scary truth.  We don’t know who he is, but as the book progressed I started to have suspicions, but each time I thought I knew the truth I was cleverly deflected by Daniel Abraham.  In most fantasy settings, you often find one or two other races that are ‘typical’ but for this series, Abraham has created twelve and an extremely clever reason behind them (I mentioned the rich history already!)

It’s also a multi-faceted tale about people trying to do the best thing in the worst of circumstances and that means not always doing the right thing.  The major cast were brilliant. Marcus, Yardem, Cithrin and Master Kit were all characters that I really warmed to, even if I didn’t always agree with their choices. Geder, I felt for but wanted to shake and Basrahip… well, I don’t think there is a boot big enough to stomp on him!  Along with them are quite a few other characters, some you love and some you hate but they all felt extremely well fleshed out and very real.  I have to note the friendship and interplay between Marcus and Yardem, the first time they appear, made me laugh out loud and I knew I was hooked.  Daniel Abraham has quite the talent for creating his characters.

The plot can be quite complicated but not too hard to follow.  Explaining it however is another matter and I’m not even going to try.  I shall say instead that it is completely engaging and if you like a good epic fantasy that isn’t going to run to twelve books (I believe there is five in this series) then this will be right up your street.

The pace was good and I never felt it dragged, even when the characters themselves were being put through long journeys.  The action scenes were brutal and a couple of times I was open mouthed in shock but at the end of the day, that is not what the book is about.  The characters are what make it shine.

A great start to an epic fantasy series and I am eager to dive into the second book – The King’s Blood.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

The City

Apr 292013
 

The City The City is a fantasy tale of intrigue, deceit, hate and revenge, and yet it cloaks all of that beneath a layer of honour, loyalty and love.  The eponymous City is a vast and ancient state.  More than merely a single construct it covers many leagues, and it is at war.  Beneath the City, where the story starts, live the Dwellers, people who make what life they can living in the sewers, and it is here we meet the first characters in the story that is about to unfold.

I am challenged by stories which have many characters, especially when the story is then spread across them.  I prefer a small number of characters on which I can focus and understand in detail.  The City has a dozen or so characters of importance, and early on I struggled with my usual challenge, knowing who to like, who to root for, and who to hate.  Not because it isn’t always obvious what’s going on, but because the story has eight or nine people who could be considered the main protagonists.  The actual tale however is compelling, and that helped me work through my issue and I’m glad I did.  The story moves from character to character, or group to group, each progressing the narrative and revealing a little bit more of the history of The City, or the underlying war and rebellion in which everyone appears to be embroiled.  There are some leaps where things I felt were important happened ‘off page’, and I was sad for that, because Stella’s words are so graceful that I would have preferred to read them first hand, rather than hear them second hand through another character.

Stella’s prose is fluid, interesting and engaging.  Her touch is delicate, and her descriptions are vivid and long lasting.  I am left with a strong visual image of The City in my mind; it’s sprawling landscape and sewer system as much a character in the story as any of the people.  The pace throughout the whole story is even and measured, with only a gentle increase towards the end.  In some ways, I struggled with that, always expecting the story to explode and be driven forward at pace, and always being pulled back.  On reflection, I think it’s intentional, playing back the behaviour of some of the characters, and in particular a game in the story referred to as urquat in which great patience is required.

The City is not a riotous novel of warfare and combat.  There are certainly moments of action, vividly described, but the story is more subtle than that, a deeper reflection of the motivations of the characters, and a slow reveal of the people who inhabit The City and those who wish them toppled.  The characters throughout the story are well rounded, real and solid.  There are touching moments between two specific characters that brought tears to my eyes every time.

Although this is a fantasy novel, there is little magic, and the small amount is revealed slowly over time.  The magic is sinister, and woven in carefully to make sure we know it is powerful, closely guarded and mostly reviled.

Stella’s first solo novel is intelligent, compelling fantasy fiction, with enjoyable characters, and moments of true emotion.  If I could have one thing it would be to have spent longer with some of the characters, to have enjoyed more of the emotional moments with them.  But it is a small desire amongst an otherwise entertaining and enjoyable read.

I find myself left wanting to know more about world, the people, the magic and the Serafim.  The City is like a dance viewed from the outside, where many dancers move in beautiful and unexpected patterns, eventually settling into a final position that is both satisfying and mysterious at the same time.

Caveat emptor: I personally know Stella Gemmell.  My copy of The City was purchased from Amazon.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Stella Gemmell
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

The Killing Moon

Apr 192013
 

The Killing Moon: Dreamblood: Book 1 Gujaareh is a nation at peace.  The streets are safe, the people ruled fairly and wisely by the un-corrupt.  There is no sickness or poverty and the old die in dignity.  Ehiru brother, a priest of Hananja, is also at peace.  His job is to administer the holy laws that protect the virtues of the great city.

Too good to be true?  Follow Ehiru and his faithful apprentice as they uncover the truth behind Gujaareen power and the hand they unwittingly play in it, and then decide.

In The Killing Moon N.K. Jemisin introduces an intriguing new concept; the art of Narcromancy (not to be confused with necromancy).  Furthermore, she conjures a society based on euthanasia that somehow feels both just and civilised.  This alone makes for a good and interesting tale.

Add to the mix an adequately visualised setting, a clever calendar system and key characters that are both engaging and spinning in emotional turmoil, and you have here a jolly good read.  If I have one small criticism it is that the book lacks that little something in the ending that causes you to mourn its passing and wanting more, more, more.

PS.  The writer provides a glossary at the back of the book.  Why the back?  Best you know that before you start eh!  For me a map (at the front) would have been more useful.  I do so love a good map!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: N. K. Jemisin
  • Series: Dreamblood (1)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

Promise of Blood

Apr 172013
 

Promise of Blood: Book 1 in The Powder Mage Trilogy I will hold my hand up and say I was less than enthusiastic about this book based purely on a brief read of the cover blurb.  However, since I was still enjoying being on a fantasy kick and wanting something new to sink my teeth into I picked it up.

It was actually the strapline on the cover that rescued the book for me – “The Age of Kings is dead… and I have killed it.” I loved it, both powerful and intriguing and that alone was enough to turn the first page.

I’ve never been happier to have been proved wrong.  I was pleasantly surprised by the plot – while it might have seemed like a common fantasy trope at first glance, Brian McClellan managed to turn it on its head and shake it around.  The result is an amazing debut that entertained and engaged me, while giving me that tingle of discovering something good and very special.

The writing was descriptive without being too wordy.  I could clearly envisage the scenes in my head, even without extra padding and that made for easy reading that flowed right to the end.

The characters were superbly envisioned and no one was clearly cut out as good or evil, just varying shades of grey.  Believing you are doing the right thing is a powerful force even in the face of evidence to the contrary.  As the plot unfolded, my allegiances changed, time and time again and while I have to confess my favourites were Taniel and Adamat, both were very different characters but there was something special about them that really touched me.

The magic system McClellan conjured was just as intriguing as the story.  Magic is very common but in the majority of the Knacked population it’s very minor and often no more than a help to do their job.  The more powerful Marked are pretty dangerous and the top ranking Privileged are utterly lethal.  Then there are powder mages, those who can use gunpowder to augment their abilities, often making them unbeatable in a fight.  Of course that’s a very simplistic description of something integral to the story so I can only suggest you read and find out the intricacies for yourself!

The ending of Promise of Blood was nicely done even and sets things up solidly for the next book. As an aside, I really liked the fact that while I really want to read the next one, I’m not left feeling desperate due to a cliffhanger.  It was no less powerful an ending because of that either.

Definitely an author to watch and highly recommended for any fantasy fan.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Book Information
  • Author: Brian McClellan
  • Series: Powder Mage Trilogy (1)
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

Books we can’t wait for this year!

Jan 072013
 

This is by no means a comprehensive list of releases this year, just ones we are particularly looking forwards to.  I’m sure there are others we’ve forgotten and new authors that we will discover along the way.  As you can see, between Tracey and I, we have a pretty eclectic taste in books ;)

January

A Memory Of Light: Wheel of Time Book 14 A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time Book #14)
Don’t Want to Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz (Dark Legacy #2)
Ice Forged by Gail Z Martin (Ascendant Kindoms Saga #1)
Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh (A Guild Hunter Collection)
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah Maclean (The Rules of Scoundrels #2)
The Zombie Whisperer by Jessie Petersen (Living with the Dead #4)
Ever After by Kim Harrison (The Hollows #11)
Fortress Frontier by Myke Cole (Shadow Ops #2)

February

A French Affair by Katie Fforde
The Daylight War by Peter V Brett (The Demon Cycle #3)
Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #36)
Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner
Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian (Midnight Breed #11)
The Queen is Dead  by Kate Locke (Immortal Empire #2)
Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas
Devil’s Due by Rachel Caine (Red Letter Days #2)
Hellhole Awakening by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert (Hellhole #2)
Forged in Flame by Michael R Hicks (In Her Name: The First Empress #2)
Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt (Maiden Lane #5)
Cloak & Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The League #5.5, unconfirmed release date)
The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines #3)
The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis (The Milkweed Triptych #2)

March

Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb (The Rain Wild Chronicles #4)
And Then She Fell by Stephanie Laurens (Cynster Sisters #4)
Lover at Last: Number 11 in series (Black Dagger Brotherhood) Lover at Last by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11)
Immortal Ever After by Lynsay Sands (Argeneau Vampires #18)
Poppet by Mo Hayder (Jack Caffery #6)
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #7)
Shadow of Freedom by David Weber (Honor Harrington #18)
Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh (A Psy/Changeling Collection)
Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville #11)
Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #12)
Written in Red by Anne Bishop (A Novel of the Others)

April

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong (Darkness Rising #3)
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Chronicles of Nick #4)
Whisky Beach by Nora Roberts
Necessary Evil by Ian Tregillis (Milkweed Triptych #3)
Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson (Jessica McClain #2)

May

Once Upon A Tower By Eloisa James (Happy Ever After #5)
Forever by Jacquelyn Frank (World of Nightwalkers #2)
Fall of Night by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires #14)
Abaddon's Gate (Expanse) Abaddon’s Gate by James S.A. Corey (Expanse #3)
Leopard’s Prey by Christine Feehan (Leopard People #6)
Eternal Demon by Laura Wright (Mark of the Vampire #5)
The Tyrant’s Law by Daniel Abraham (Dagger and the Coin #3)
Magician’s End by Raymond E. Feist (Riftwar Cycle)

June

The Sum of all Kisses by Julia Quinn (Smythe-Smith #3)
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London #4)
Darkness Unmasked by Keri Arthur (Dark Angels #5)
The City by Stella Gemmell

July

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens (Cynster Sisters #5)
My Notorious Gentleman: Number 6 in series (Inferno Club) My Notorious Gentleman by Gaelen Foley (Inferno Club #6)
Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love (Belador #4)
Daughter of Blood by Helen Lowe (Wall of Night #3)
Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #5)

August

Omens by Kelley Armstrong (Cainsville #1)
Terminated by Rachel Caine (Revivalist #3)
Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter #18)
Posession by Kat Richardson (Greywalker #8)

September

Kitty Rocks the House (Kitty Norville) Chosen by Benedict Jacka (Alex Verus #4)
Thankless in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #37)

October

The Arrangement by Mary Balogh (Survivor’s Club #2)
Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance (Cassie Palmer #6)
Bound by Night by Larissa Ione
Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson (Jessica McClain #3)

November

Daylighters by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires #15)
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
Eternal Sin by Laura Wright (Mark of the Vampire #6)

December

Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The League #6)

Phew!  It’s going to be a busy and entertaining year :-D

A Discovery of Witches

Oct 042012
 

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy 1) If there was ever a book I regret not reading sooner, A Discovery of Witches would be it.  I didn’t think it would be quite my cup of coffee as time travel romance wasn’t really my thing and the comparisons I’d seen to Twilight put me off a bit.  I wholeheartedly say how wrong I was (and also not sure how *anyone* can compare this to Twilight!)  I was going through a bit of a reading slump at the time so was finding it hard to get enthused about many books.  That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it ;)

The first thing that grabbed me was the attention to detail.  I didn’t know at the time that Deborah Harkness is actually an Historian and that many of the things she wrote about, she knows on a professional level.  Her love for the subject showed through her writing and that same love was displayed in Diana, the female lead character.  Diana Bishop is a witch that has turned her back on her abilities and chosen the route of science and history in academia, a specialist in the subject of Alchemy.  She is a great character, level headed but also has good reasons for the denial of her heritage as a witch.  I loved seeing her work through her eyes and the curiosity that drives her.  When she finds a magical manuscript in the course of her work, life takes an unexpected turn.  Matthew Clairmont is a vampire geneticist who has been observing Diana and realises she is in trouble when the supernatural community take notice of her too.

The supernatural world is split into four types.  Humans, daemons, vampires and witches.  It should be noted that Daemons are not the Christian version of a demon but instead are creatures that are incredibly unstable and talented geniuses.  Humans are, or should be, unaware of the existence of the others but the other three can tell each other apart instantly.

When the lost Ashmole 782 manuscript, rumoured to hold the key to the origins of all three types of creature, is discovered and awoken by Diana, the long journey for her and Matthew really begins.

This is not a fast paced, action packed book, it takes its time to get where it wants to be and I actually liked that a lot.  I had time to get to know the characters, their habits, to get a good sense of who they are.  The romantic side was slow paced as well and while I am a girl that enjoys a good sex scene, I felt the gentle approach really suited the pace of the story. It was sweet and romantic and the concept of bundling was fascinating.  The gradual development also made for a good long build up to a solid relationship between Matthew and Diana.  That the pace of the story is slow didn’t make it any less enthralling and I found it very hard to put down.

It’s quite a long book and Deborah’s writing style can be very descriptive but for me, it just added depth to the story.  It also made me want to drink a lot of tea ;)   As an aside, look out for the house which is almost a character in its own right… I so want it!

All in all, a wonderful story, full of rich detail and characters who while may not be human, still make mistakes and are not perfect.  I can’t wait for book two, Shadow of Night!

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Green Rider

Jul 252012
 

Green Rider Karigan G’ladheon is at a crossroads in her young life.  Suspended unjustly from the university where she was studying, she rashly decides to return home rather than await judgement.  It’s on the way home she finds her destiny waiting for her, in the form of one of the King’s Green Riders, dying on the side of the road, having been shot by two sinister black arrows.  F’ryan Coblebay begs her to take up his burden and carry his message to the King in Sacor City for it was a matter of life and death.  What message could be so important that it means one of the legendary messenger’s trusting a stranger on the road and begging for her help, even as he lies dying?

I first read Green Rider in about 2002 and have read it a couple of times since.  Having the third book unread on my shelf prompted me to pick it up again recently, remembering what a wonderful fantasy story it was.

Kristen Britain creates a vivid and well realised world for her characters to live in and then populates it with people you not only love, but get exasperated with, want to smack and who also make you laugh. The evil and the selfish characters are also well written, sometimes hidden amongst the good and at times you are kept guessing as to their true natures.  The battles and violent scenes can be stark, brutal and at times incredibly sad, but I thought they were entirely appropriate for the setting.

One of the things I enjoyed most about it was that it led me back to my love of epic fantasy.  I love all the genres I read, but with the amount of urban fantasy and paranormal romance I’ve read recently, the romantic scenes in Green Rider seemed gentle.  It reminded me of Guy Gavriel Kay, David Eddings, Gail Z. Martin where some acts were alluded to rather than laid out in descriptive glory (and don’t get me wrong, I love that too but this approach also has a special place in my heart).

The story is gripping and the history built around it is superb.  The actions of a madman and the solution used to stop his reign of terror now dwell in the depths of history, a thousand years ago.  Memories of that time have now fallen to legend and result in complacency, which I found all too realistic.  Now those safeguards are failing and it takes the ingenuity and heroism of a few remarkable individuals to bring that danger to light. Karigan is landed in the middle of it all and the snarkiness and spark that Britain gives her, makes her a heroine to love (and get fondly exasperated with).

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good epic fantasy that breaks out of the usual mould.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Kristen Britain
    • Buy on Kindle (UK)Buy from Amazon (UK)

The Dread

May 022012
 

I often approach the final book in a series with some trepidation.  Will it live up to the rest of the series, will the author be able to create enough impact for a finale but also finish it in a way that leaves you satisfied? I’d really enjoyed the five previous books that were set in the Winter Kingdoms, so I had both high hopes and mild anxiety when I picked up this final book.

I was in tears by page five so that put my fears to a sad rest!

Martin has managed to create a book utterly in keeping with the rest of the series, with the same engaging writing style.  The characters I love so much are present and pressed at every turn.  With the characters so scattered in different countries, it could have easily become confusing as what was happening and where but the author managed to keep it very clear and progression between segments felt very natural and smooth.

A very mild complaint I had from The Sworn was that Kiara was kept out of most of the story due to pregnancy and this time it was Carina’s turn.  I felt the loss of her input but in the end it felt more real, that a heavily pregnant woman couldn’t take part in a brutal war.  I’m glad that little snippets of her were included as it would just not have been the same without her.

The story doesn’t let up in intensity or pace, with Martin driving my emotions as a reader as hard as she does her characters.  It’s full of the things that are guaranteed to tug at my heart strings; fighting against the odds, heroic sacrifice, honour, duty, love and grief.  Many authors use them, only a few get it so right I end up holding my breath at crucial points, crying with joy or heartbreak.  It’s a gift and one that Gail Z. Martin has in abundance.

While The Dread marks the end of the two amazing series and these characters for now, I’m glad to say we aren’t yet done with the Winter Kingdoms!

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Book Information
  • Author: Gail Z. Martin
    • Buy from Amazon (UK)

 

The Heir of Night

Mar 312012
 

A young girl discovers hidden powers which will ultimately exile her from her home.  A young boy discovers a strength he had been told he did not possess.  Dark terrors mount an assault in the dark and old oaths are stretched to their limits. New alliances are forged, hidden truths are rediscovered and an entire world is at peril.

The Heir of Night is a high fantasy saga with strong echoes of The Dragonbone Chair (Tad Williams) and Assassin’s Apprentice (Robin Hobb).  Our protagonist is the young Malian, only heir to the Keep of Winds and daughter to the Earl of Night.  Her soon-to-be companion is the boy priest Kalan, shunned and mistrusted as are all priests, by the Derai people.  A brutal assault on their home puts their friends and family in danger, tests the very mettle of the Alliance to which the Derai belong and proves an ancient evil is still abroad and seeking destruction.

The main book of The Heir of Night (~450 pages in the paperback) is split into three sections, and the whole novel covers only a short period of time (something like 10-12 days).  Each of the three parts in turn covers a specific event and each has a very tight focus.  While the scale of the story is epic, the individual set pieces are very personal and detailed.

The world setting is interesting and gripped me pretty quickly.  I like the layers and complexity that Helen Lowe has filled the land with, and in a short time she manages to convey a detailed and rich heritage that leaves me wanting to know more.  The prose is excellent and rich, easily conveying the bleak world that surrounds the Tower of Wind.

The characters that inhabit the land however, too often take second place in terms of depth to the world itself.  It’s not easy to develop characters when only a few days pass in the actual story, but I would have liked to have seen earlier events have a more visible impact on the character behaviours.  The characters are not shallow, but they inhabit clearly defined moulds that you will recognise quickly; the restless princess, the shunned hero-in-waiting, the dour and stern but loving father, the mysterious and magical minstrel.  It may be that this helps get a grip on the story early, there are certainly a lot of characters and a lot of backstory to pick up.  Having easy to recognise roles does help with that, but I would like to see the characters stretch and develop more in the second book.

I’ve hinted that this book has echoes of other fantasy books, and frankly which high fantasy books don’t riff on the ring quest or the fellowship?  In The Heir of Night the influences on Helen’s world and characters early on is very clear, Hobb and Williams with additional wafts of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time and maybe even a little David Gemmell.  At first, I was worried those lingering memories would overpower the story, but Helen manages to lift the world and characters just high enough to break free and present her own tale.  As with character depth, I’m hopeful the second book in the series can stretch that distance even further.

Overall, the story is engaging and interesting.  The Wall of Night (part 1) is the strongest of the three parts.  It is dramatic, engaging and triggered a real emotional response in me at the end.  Storm Shadows (part 2) is more reflective and subdued, as is fitting for the middle part of any story, but picks up pace at the end and answers a few more questions about the world.  For me though, Jaransor (part 3) missed the right pacing.  It was too slow, almost lethargic, and needed a much greater sense of urgency and fear injected.  It resolves well and furthers the story, but it just didn’t have the pace or impact the end of a book needs.

The Heir of Night is a good read, with some very interesting world concepts and a hint of much more complex things to come.  It struggles to, but eventually does break free of its influences, and although the last part finishes too slowly, the first two are well paced and emotional.  Well worth reading, and I am looking forward to the publication of the second novel (The Gathering of the Lost).

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Book Information
  • Author: Helen Lowe
    • Buy from Amazon (UK)

Gemmell’s Drenai series has new covers

Mar 302012
 

Orbit have re-released 6 of David Gemmell’s Drenai books with brand new cover art.

You can read the press release here on the Orbit website.

A quote from that press release,

To celebrate Gemmell’s legacy, we’ve reissued the classic Drenai novels that orginally earned him his reputation as a master storyteller. All six novels have gorgeous new covers courtesy of our designer Sean Garrehy and the talented illustrator Tim Byrne, who together have perfectly captured the grittiness of Gemmell’s books. In addition, two of the biggest names in modern fantasy – Brent Weeks and Joe Abercrombie – have given their seals of approval.

I think the covers look fantastic and reflect the gritty realism that David brought to all of his work.  If you’ve never read David Gemmell before, then check out my post on why you should.  If you have read Gemmell and are looking for something similar, check out this brief list.

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