BLURB:
It's no walk in the bloody park, being a Drood - one of the family who has protected ordinary humanity from the things that go bump in the night for centuries. We're not much liked - even by one another. Now our Matriarch is dead. Murdered. Maybe by one of us. Maybe not. It's been left up to me, Eddie Drood, to figure out whodunit.
That's not going to be easy. You see, opinion is divided evenly between two camps of thought: those who think the killer was Molly, my best girl, and those who think the killer was actually me. And I know for a fact that I didn't do it.
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Hidden Warrior - Lynn Flewelling
BLURB:
As the orphaned nephew of the king, trusted companion to his cousin, and second heir to the throne of Skala, Prince Tobin's future is clear. But not as clear as the spring in which a hill witch shows him his true face - and his secret destiny...
Now Tobin carries a burden he cannot share with even his closest friend, Ki, his squire. He is to rule - not as he is but as he was born: a woman. Given the shape of a boy by dark magic, Tobin is the last hope of the people of Illior - those who desperately seek a return to the old ways, when Skala was ruled by a line of warrior queens. They still believe that only a woman can lift the war, famine, and pestilence that have run rampant through the land since the king usurped his half sister's throne. It is these outlaw wizards and witches who protect Tobin - and it is for them that Tobin must accept his fate.
With the unsuspecting yet fiercely loyal Ki at his side, Tobin must turn traitor against the only blood ties he has left. He must lift the masks of Skala's rulers to show their true colors - before he can reveal the power of the woman within himself...
As the orphaned nephew of the king, trusted companion to his cousin, and second heir to the throne of Skala, Prince Tobin's future is clear. But not as clear as the spring in which a hill witch shows him his true face - and his secret destiny...
Now Tobin carries a burden he cannot share with even his closest friend, Ki, his squire. He is to rule - not as he is but as he was born: a woman. Given the shape of a boy by dark magic, Tobin is the last hope of the people of Illior - those who desperately seek a return to the old ways, when Skala was ruled by a line of warrior queens. They still believe that only a woman can lift the war, famine, and pestilence that have run rampant through the land since the king usurped his half sister's throne. It is these outlaw wizards and witches who protect Tobin - and it is for them that Tobin must accept his fate.
With the unsuspecting yet fiercely loyal Ki at his side, Tobin must turn traitor against the only blood ties he has left. He must lift the masks of Skala's rulers to show their true colors - before he can reveal the power of the woman within himself...
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
The Chaos Crystal - Jennifer Fallon
BLURB:
The Tide Lords have gathered in Jelidia to find out the secret of how to kill an
immortal... Cayal in particular. Before they can do this, however, they must
find the Chaos Crystal that brought them to this world.
They initially head to Glaeba, where Arkady has been captured by Jaxyn. She
escapes and flees to Caelum, where she runs into Warlock and his family and
learns that Elyssa, Warlock's cruel immortal mistress, may know something about
the location of the Crystal.
With every immortal on Amyrantha searching for this artefact, the stakes are very
high...
MY TAKE:
574 pages. Book Four of The Tide Lords
The Tide Lords have gathered in Jelidia to find out the secret of how to kill an
immortal... Cayal in particular. Before they can do this, however, they must
find the Chaos Crystal that brought them to this world.
They initially head to Glaeba, where Arkady has been captured by Jaxyn. She
escapes and flees to Caelum, where she runs into Warlock and his family and
learns that Elyssa, Warlock's cruel immortal mistress, may know something about
the location of the Crystal.
With every immortal on Amyrantha searching for this artefact, the stakes are very
high...
MY TAKE:
574 pages. Book Four of The Tide Lords
Sunday, 28 August 2011
The Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling
BLURB:
For three centuries a divine prophecy and a line of warrior queens protected Skala. But the people grew complacent and Erius, a ursurper king, claimed his young half sister's throne. Now plague and drught stalk the country's lifeblood, and to be born female into the royal line has becme a death sentence as the king fights to ensure the succession of his only heir, a son. For King Erius the greatest threat comes from his own line - and from Illior's faithful, who spread the Oracle's words to a doubting populace.
As noblewomen young and old perish mysteriously, the king's nephew - his sister's only child - grows toward manhood. But unbeknownst to the king or the boy, strange, haunted Tobin is the princess's daughter, given me form by dark magic to protect her until she can claim her rightful destiny. Only Tobin's noble father, two wizards of Illior, and an outlawed forest witch know the truth. Only they can protect young Tobn from a king's wrath, a mother's madness, and the terrifying rage of her brother's demon spirit, determined to avenge his brutal murder...
MY TAKE:
524 pages. Book One of the Tamir Triad.
Assasin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb
BLURB:
In a faraway land in which membersof the royal family are named for the virtes they embody, one youg boy will become a walking enigma.
Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals - the old art known as the Wit - gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.
So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and learn a new life: weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.
MY TAKE:
460 pages. Long buildup to when he begins the training. very detailed, solid characters.
In a faraway land in which membersof the royal family are named for the virtes they embody, one youg boy will become a walking enigma.
Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals - the old art known as the Wit - gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.
So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and learn a new life: weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.
MY TAKE:
460 pages. Long buildup to when he begins the training. very detailed, solid characters.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
The Black Prism - Brent Weeks
BLURB:
Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit and charm are all that preserve a fragile peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: five years to achieve five impossible goals.
But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.
My take:
Gavin seems the good guy at first but he's keeping a secret that's eating at him from the inside out. The truth is revealed later in the book. I feel that he is a man trying to do his best for the world he lives in under rather... unusual circumstances and ways of showing his affection for his world. He is likeable and dashing. His son, on the other hand, has to battle his own upbringing. He has a weak and whiny(a little) character but when push comes to shove he mans up and does something.
The book is highly absorbing and once I picked it up I couldn't stop till I finished reading. I'm looking forward to the next book! Be warned - the book is almost a tome at 626 pages, hardcover. First in the Lightbringer series.
Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit and charm are all that preserve a fragile peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: five years to achieve five impossible goals.
But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.
My take:
Gavin seems the good guy at first but he's keeping a secret that's eating at him from the inside out. The truth is revealed later in the book. I feel that he is a man trying to do his best for the world he lives in under rather... unusual circumstances and ways of showing his affection for his world. He is likeable and dashing. His son, on the other hand, has to battle his own upbringing. He has a weak and whiny(a little) character but when push comes to shove he mans up and does something.
The book is highly absorbing and once I picked it up I couldn't stop till I finished reading. I'm looking forward to the next book! Be warned - the book is almost a tome at 626 pages, hardcover. First in the Lightbringer series.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Blue Moon Rising - Simon R Green
Blue Moon Rising by Simon R Green
BLURB:
In those days, there were heroes and villians, and darkness walked the earth. There were dragons to be slain, captured princesses to be saved, and mighty deeds to be accomplished by knights in shining armor. Many tales are told of that time, tales of steadfast bravery and derring-do...
BLURB:
In those days, there were heroes and villians, and darkness walked the earth. There were dragons to be slain, captured princesses to be saved, and mighty deeds to be accomplished by knights in shining armor. Many tales are told of that time, tales of steadfast bravery and derring-do...
This is not one of them.
Rupert didn't especially want to be a prince. And he certainly never asked to be the second son of a royal line that really didn't need a spare. After all, a kingdom suffering from crippling financial loss couldn't very well afford to have different factions fighting over who was more worthy to rule as the next king. So Rupert was sent out ot slay a dragon and prove himself - a quest straight out of legend.
But Rupert also discovered the kinds of things legends tend to leave out, as well as the usual demons and goblins, a dreaded Night Witch... and even worse terrors hidden in the shadows of Darkwood.
Rupert did find a fiery dragon-and a beautiful princess to rescue too. But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle. And with the evil of Darkwood suddenly spreading its roots... and with the blue moon rising and the Wild Magic along with it, Rupert needed all the friends he could get...
Drinking Midnight Wine - Simon R Green
Drinking Midnight Wine by Simon R Green
BLURB:
Toby Dexter is a slave to his own daily grind - nine to five at the local bookstore. One evening he gets a reprieve in the form of a beautiful woman riding the same train. A woman he follows through a rainstorm. A woman who opens a door in the wall that wasn't there a moment before...
So he follows her through the door, where a serpent awake and an angel falls...
Toby has entered Mysterie...
BLURB:
Toby Dexter is a slave to his own daily grind - nine to five at the local bookstore. One evening he gets a reprieve in the form of a beautiful woman riding the same train. A woman he follows through a rainstorm. A woman who opens a door in the wall that wasn't there a moment before...
So he follows her through the door, where a serpent awake and an angel falls...
Toby has entered Mysterie...
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
The Man With the Golden Torc - Simon R. Green
The Man With the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green
Book 1 of the Secret History series
BLURB:
The name's Bond. Shaman Bond.
Actually, that's just my cover. I'm Eddie Drood. But when your job includes a license to kick supernatural arse on a regular basis, you find your laughs where you can.
For centuries, my family has been the secret guardian of humanity, all that stands between all of you and all of the really nasty things that go bump in the night. As a Drood field agent I wore the golden torc, killed monsters, and I protected the world. I loved my job.
Right up to the point when my own family declared me rogue for no reason, and I was forced to go on the run. Now the only people who can help me prove my innocence are the people I used to consider my enemies.
I'm Shaman Bond, very secret agent. And I'm going to prove to everyone that no one does it better than me.
Book 1 of the Secret History series
BLURB:
The name's Bond. Shaman Bond.
Actually, that's just my cover. I'm Eddie Drood. But when your job includes a license to kick supernatural arse on a regular basis, you find your laughs where you can.
For centuries, my family has been the secret guardian of humanity, all that stands between all of you and all of the really nasty things that go bump in the night. As a Drood field agent I wore the golden torc, killed monsters, and I protected the world. I loved my job.
Right up to the point when my own family declared me rogue for no reason, and I was forced to go on the run. Now the only people who can help me prove my innocence are the people I used to consider my enemies.
I'm Shaman Bond, very secret agent. And I'm going to prove to everyone that no one does it better than me.
Monday, 23 February 2009
Light My Fire - Katie MacAlister
Light My Fire by Katie MacAlister
An Aisling Grey, Guardian, Novel
BLURB:
Aisling Grey is juggling being a demon lord, a Guardian, and a wyvern's mate, even though she's keeping her distance from said wyvern, Drake, these days. But her presence is still required at a meeting of the green dragons. Since several attempts have been made on her life, Drake is sure to get protective of her. Which might not be a bad thing when war breaks out and all hell breaks loose-literally.
MY Version:
This book is sizzling~~ Having Drake as a mate sure fires things up. *wink wink*
Aisling Grey has lots of responsibilities thrust upon her, and she's trying to run away from some of them. Leader? Who, me? No way. Run...
She's trying to get proper training to be a Guardian, juggling the dragons' attentions at the same time, AND trying to fend off imps, a result of her pet / familiar / minion Jim accidentally offending the imps BIG TIME. All in all, Grey seems to attract trouble, and trouble has no problem trailing after her everywhere. Chaos all around. And oh, people want her dead, people want to seduce her, people want her to be their leader... She should just makes clones of herself so that there will be enough of her to go around. Lots of things happening in every chapter, with Grey complaining all throughout. Did I mention that she is a Demon Lord as well, and has a minion named Jim who appears in the mortal world as a dog? Overall a satisfying read at 352 pages. Her capers leave you wanting to know what happens next in her overwhelmingly chaotic life.
Professional Review people [SPOILERS]:
MacAlister's third paranormal Aisling Grey novel takes her heroine and her pet demon, Jim (who looks like a Newfoundland dog), to London, where she is apprenticing to Nora to learn the Guardian trade. She is soon on the hot seat when Jim eats the Imp king, but that may be the least of her problems since the Green and Red dragon clans are now at war, and someone wants her dead. The imps do torch Nora's house so Aisling, Nora, and Jim move into the London mansion of Drake Vireo, green-eyed wyvern, and sparks fly. Then, kidnapped while wearing only a towel, Aisling is pitched from the frying pan into the fire when she is then stolen from her kidnappers and required to draw on her dark powers to vanquish a Demon Lord. MacAlister's crazy paranormal high jinks, delightful characters, and simmering romance between Aisling and Drake will appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy Taylor, Queen of the Vampires, series. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
An Aisling Grey, Guardian, Novel
BLURB:
Aisling Grey is juggling being a demon lord, a Guardian, and a wyvern's mate, even though she's keeping her distance from said wyvern, Drake, these days. But her presence is still required at a meeting of the green dragons. Since several attempts have been made on her life, Drake is sure to get protective of her. Which might not be a bad thing when war breaks out and all hell breaks loose-literally.
MY Version:
This book is sizzling~~ Having Drake as a mate sure fires things up. *wink wink*
Aisling Grey has lots of responsibilities thrust upon her, and she's trying to run away from some of them. Leader? Who, me? No way. Run...
She's trying to get proper training to be a Guardian, juggling the dragons' attentions at the same time, AND trying to fend off imps, a result of her pet / familiar / minion Jim accidentally offending the imps BIG TIME. All in all, Grey seems to attract trouble, and trouble has no problem trailing after her everywhere. Chaos all around. And oh, people want her dead, people want to seduce her, people want her to be their leader... She should just makes clones of herself so that there will be enough of her to go around. Lots of things happening in every chapter, with Grey complaining all throughout. Did I mention that she is a Demon Lord as well, and has a minion named Jim who appears in the mortal world as a dog? Overall a satisfying read at 352 pages. Her capers leave you wanting to know what happens next in her overwhelmingly chaotic life.
Professional Review people [SPOILERS]:
MacAlister's third paranormal Aisling Grey novel takes her heroine and her pet demon, Jim (who looks like a Newfoundland dog), to London, where she is apprenticing to Nora to learn the Guardian trade. She is soon on the hot seat when Jim eats the Imp king, but that may be the least of her problems since the Green and Red dragon clans are now at war, and someone wants her dead. The imps do torch Nora's house so Aisling, Nora, and Jim move into the London mansion of Drake Vireo, green-eyed wyvern, and sparks fly. Then, kidnapped while wearing only a towel, Aisling is pitched from the frying pan into the fire when she is then stolen from her kidnappers and required to draw on her dark powers to vanquish a Demon Lord. MacAlister's crazy paranormal high jinks, delightful characters, and simmering romance between Aisling and Drake will appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson's Betsy Taylor, Queen of the Vampires, series. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Wolfblade - Jennifer Fallon
Wolfblade by Jennifer Fallon
Book ONE in The Wolfblade Trilogy
BLURB:
Marla Wolfblade is young and impulsive, the sister of Hythria's debauched ruler. In a fiercely patriarchal society, her life is his to command. And, to the displeasure of the Patriot faction, who are eager to usurp the throne, she is chosen to carry on the royal line.
Marla's position places her at huge risk in circles where friends and family are enemies and socerers play insidious games. But when she chooses the dwarf Elezaar as her slave, the odds change. His guidance sees Marla become a wily diplomat and tactician - but will that be enough to save Hythria's future heir?
This must be her mantra: trust no one.
MY Version:
Marla starts out as a whiny, empty headed pretty young thing with her head in the clouds. Her brother, on the other hand, is the High Prince of the land but does a poor job of it. He leaves the task of governing the country and the numerous Warlords of the provinces to the High Arrion, which is a fancy name for the chief of sorcerers. Ironically, the chief of sorcerers has not a magical bone in his body. The High Prince is not interested in women and prefers to spend his time exploring his perverse fantasies with slaves and others of his elk. This is where Marla comes in. Essentially, whoever who marries and gets Marla with child will be the father of the heir of the land, and that would grant immense power to the man who marries Marla. Politics eludes Marla until she gets her first slave, Elezaar the dwarf. Elezaar is a damn smart guy, seemingly with all the answers. Kinda like Merlin to Arthur. He teaches Marla his Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power which are like Confucious sayings that really come in handy. I really liked this rule: Accept what you cannot change - change that which is unacceptable.
Armed with her new knowledge, Marla tries her hand at politics... And that is where the fun begins. Those who wanted to make use of a doll found Marla more than what they bargained for.
I look forward to finding Book TWO in the library. This is a good read, though hefty at 711 pages. In fact, what attracted me to the book in the first place was its size. Don't read it the wrong way, I'm just attracted to a long story because I find short ones end too abruptly. And precisely because they end so fast, the character development / feelings for the character in most short novels tend to be lacking. There's an author interview transcript at the end too, if you want to know more about the woman who wrote this great book.
Book ONE in The Wolfblade Trilogy
BLURB:
Marla Wolfblade is young and impulsive, the sister of Hythria's debauched ruler. In a fiercely patriarchal society, her life is his to command. And, to the displeasure of the Patriot faction, who are eager to usurp the throne, she is chosen to carry on the royal line.
Marla's position places her at huge risk in circles where friends and family are enemies and socerers play insidious games. But when she chooses the dwarf Elezaar as her slave, the odds change. His guidance sees Marla become a wily diplomat and tactician - but will that be enough to save Hythria's future heir?
This must be her mantra: trust no one.
MY Version:
Marla starts out as a whiny, empty headed pretty young thing with her head in the clouds. Her brother, on the other hand, is the High Prince of the land but does a poor job of it. He leaves the task of governing the country and the numerous Warlords of the provinces to the High Arrion, which is a fancy name for the chief of sorcerers. Ironically, the chief of sorcerers has not a magical bone in his body. The High Prince is not interested in women and prefers to spend his time exploring his perverse fantasies with slaves and others of his elk. This is where Marla comes in. Essentially, whoever who marries and gets Marla with child will be the father of the heir of the land, and that would grant immense power to the man who marries Marla. Politics eludes Marla until she gets her first slave, Elezaar the dwarf. Elezaar is a damn smart guy, seemingly with all the answers. Kinda like Merlin to Arthur. He teaches Marla his Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power which are like Confucious sayings that really come in handy. I really liked this rule: Accept what you cannot change - change that which is unacceptable.
Armed with her new knowledge, Marla tries her hand at politics... And that is where the fun begins. Those who wanted to make use of a doll found Marla more than what they bargained for.
I look forward to finding Book TWO in the library. This is a good read, though hefty at 711 pages. In fact, what attracted me to the book in the first place was its size. Don't read it the wrong way, I'm just attracted to a long story because I find short ones end too abruptly. And precisely because they end so fast, the character development / feelings for the character in most short novels tend to be lacking. There's an author interview transcript at the end too, if you want to know more about the woman who wrote this great book.
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