Priest of Lies (War for the Rose Throne #2) by Peter McLean #PriestOfLies
2 July 2019
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #PriestofLies, Peter McLean, Priest of Lies, War for the Rose Throne #2
Today I’m really pleased to be taking part in the blog blast organised by Jo Fletcher Books which coincides with the release of Priest of Lies. The second book in a series that I highly recommend. See details about the other blogs taking part in the banner below and give them a visit if you have the chance.
Before I start this review I would just give a warning that it might contain spoilers for the first in series, Priest of Bones (my review is here).
I am loving this series. It’s everything good that I hope for when I pick up a book. The storyline has clearly been well plotted. The strong foundations established in the first book are really well utilised and built upon here. The characters are really coming to life and I find myself absolutely fascinated about what will come next. On top of that we get to explore more of this world and that, coupled with wonderful pacing, made this a totally gripping read.
Once again the Prince of the People, Tomas Piety, priest, soldier, gangster, liar?, narrates his tale. Piety has a very compelling way of telling his story. He’s not a charmer precisely but he has enough self confidence to allow him to be refreshingly frank and this openness makes him a flawed but much more likable, or understandable character. He certainly manages to get himself in a fix but it all feels really plausible – like his hands are tied and his choices limited.
Tomas has rebuilt his empire, he’s doing well, in fact if the measure of a man was judged by the weight of gold in their coffers then Tomas could be standing ten feet tall. Of course, there is a but. His marriage is a sham. A cover for the intrigue carried out by Tomas’s wife, Ailsa, in the name of the Queen’s Men and in fact Tomas finds it difficult himself to forgive his wife for the carnage wrought by her plotting at the end of the first book. On top of this the scheming continues. Tomas has achieved his goals, he’s won back his turf, and so the Pious Men can’t help but wonder why they’re trying to expand into other territory when this involves increased risk to the remaining gang members. Basically, the Queen’s Men – in the form of Tomas’s wife are not yet finished. War is looming and the only way to keep the fighting and carnage at bay is to stop the infiltration of the enemy at the door and this time around that involves a detour to the capital.
I thoroughly enjoyed this little jaunt. It added an extra layer. In Dannsburg Tomas is very much out of his depth. His reputation doesn’t extend this far and he finds himself, instead of a big fish in a little pond he’s a little fish in a big pond where political sharks are circling and getting ready for the kill. This was such a great change of tack. The capital is very different to Ellinburg and the nobles’ disdain and casual indifference towards Tomas, his provincial accent and the small threat he poses to them is like a wake up call. Tomas finds himself very much in need of Ailsa’s calm head and careful counsel although he does occasionally resort to brute force. Even so, Tomas has to be careful, just like everyone else in the capital. Speak out too loudly and you will simply disappear overnight. The trip certainly gives Tomas a new found respect for his wife.
In terms of the characters the author really takes the opportunity to beef them up. Of course, some characters have more page time than others – particularly once Tomas leaves Ellinburg for the capital but, even with the change in place I still felt like I had the opportunity to know everyone a little better. I can’t deny that my favourites are Billy the Boy and Bloody Anne and I confess that the attachment I feel towards them is a little worrying – you just never know these days whether your favourite characters will survive or do something hideously treacherous and turn everything on its head .
The world building. I get a great sense of place with this series. I think when I reviewed Priest of Bones I mentioned that the place feels almost Dickensian. The twisty streets, dark alleys and abject poverty of The Stink sharply contrasting with the wealth and opulence of the nobles, especially in Dannsburg. Small surprise that some of the action has a French Revolution type feel when the poorest members of society finally snap. I love the easy way that the place simply springs into the mind’s eye.
Overall I had a really good time with this in fact I think it exceeded my expectations by surpassing the first. It still has that raw brutality and doesn’t shy away from bad language and violence but it is by no means as dark as some of the grimdark books I’ve read.
Incredibly entertaining, a great narrative voice and an ending that makes me anxious to pick up the next book in series. This is a tale of an ambitious character, a slightly jaded world weary guy who’s successes only help to push him in a direction that doesn’t seem to make him happy. The more wealth, power and respect that Tomas achieves the further away it pushes him from those he really cares about. Be careful what you wish for I suppose.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Rating 5 of 5 stars
#SPFBO5 My first batch of books
Today is the official start of the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off. As with previous years I have divided my 30 books into five batches of six books (selected using a random sequence generator). Each month I will highlight that month’s selection at the start of the month, providing details about the books and the authors. As the month progresses I hope to have a clear favourite out of each batch – although things don’t always go to plan of course – I will provide mini reviews for each book and hopefully a full review for each semi finalist – which I’m thinking should be five books in total. The aim being to then choose a finalist from those semi finalists.
I’d like to wish everyone the best of luck and I hope you all enjoy the competition.
On a separate note, if any of my authors wish to pay me a visit for either an interview, a guest post, or anything else then let me know. Also, if any of my books have audio versions available then let me know – I’m happy to use audio too.
Without further ado here are my six books for July:
The Courier’s Code (The Kingdom of Bolaji #1) by T.S. Valmond
A rebellious teenage princess with a day job?
Rasha enjoys the independence that comes with being a professional courier with a perfect record in the Bolaji kingdoms, that is until she’s tasked to deliver a mysterious package from the tenth king to the prince of the first kingdom.
When the package is accidentally opened her hidden royal past could be exposed, and she might lose her precious freedom for good. Worse than that the troublesome package could ruin her entire life.
If you want to escape into a young adult fantasy adventure on a faraway world, you’ll love this one.
Author Info :
Website : http://tsvalmond.com
Dissident (Forbidden Things #1) by Nikki McCormack
Ascard power can strengthen, heal and create. It also has great potential to destroy, enough to topple entire governments. Indigo’s country places strict limitations on the use of ascard so she must channel her talents into the healing arts or risk severe punishment. An orphan from a disgraced family, trapped by her father’s treason, Indigo struggles to reclaim her place in a society that has driven her into an abusive engagement.
Then a mysterious stranger from a neighboring country contacts her using ascard. He needs help escaping his prison so he can bring an end to his emperor’s oppressive rule or die trying. His unshakable devotion to his cause and the passion hidden behind his cool arrogance move her to help him at the risk of being branded a traitor herself.
When the politics of society bring them together a second time, Indigo decides to use her growing powers to help him fight his war. If only she dared fight for her own future with such passion. Perhaps she can find the courage to do so by helping the man she has fallen for win his revolution. She might have exactly the power he needs to succeed.
Author Info :
Twitter : Author_NikkiMc
Cry Havoc (Jack Frey #1) by Mike Morris
They say when the demons come, you either fight or you die.
The Black Dogs know this all too well. For three hundred years, the warrior priests have sacrificed their lives to keep the island nation of Abios safe from the flesh-eating Nostros, while the rest of the world fell under the demons’ savagery. However, an armada now stands poised to invade mankind’s last bastion.
Child thief Jack Frey is saved from the gallows and joins the mysterious order. Trained with the bullet and the blade, Jack finds himself on the front-line of a centuries-old war.
Across the Angel Sea, Lin is fighting for her life. As a slave of the Nostros, she knows death can strike at any time, either at the hands of her masters or her fellow humans.
Little do they know mankind’s fate lies in both their hands.
Author Info :
Twitter : scifimikemorris
Ghost by Jordan C. RobinsonRecently released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Paul is working a dead-end job with little hope for the future. But then he meets Lindsey, a girl that has the potential to change his world.
Their two seemingly incompatible worlds meet a third when a dangerous trio emerge to bring magic and devastation to Portland. Fortunately Paul’s powers are revealed to him, giving him a way to fight back.
Paul must find a way to win the perfect girl with a less than perfect situation while using his developing powers to save Portland from the trio that bring nothing but trouble.
Author Info :
Website : https://www.jcrbooks.com
Children of the Different by S.C. Flynn
Nineteen years ago, a brain disease known as the Great Madness killed most of the world’s population. The survivors all had something different about their minds. Now, at the start of adolescence, their children enter a trance-like state known as the Changeland and emerge either with special mental powers or as cannibalistic Ferals.
In the great forest of South West Western Australia, thirteen-year-old Arika and her twin brother Narrah go through the Changeland. They encounter an enemy known as the Anteater who feeds on human life. He exists both in the Changeland and in the outside world, and he wants the twins dead.
After their Changings, the twins have powers that let them fight their enemy and face their destiny on a long journey to an abandoned American military base on the north-west coast of Australia…if they can reach it before time runs out.
Children of the Different is a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set among the varied landscapes and wildlife of Western Australia.
Author Info :
Twitter : leftblank
The Narrows by Travis M. Riddle
“I can show you how to enter the Narrows to find what you seek.”
Oliver and his friends have returned to their hometown of Shumard, Texas for the funeral of their close friend Noah. They each grapple with the loss in their own ways, trying to understand the strange circumstances of their friend’s unexpected death.
While visiting the site where the body was found, Oliver stumbles across a chilling discovery that he knows must be related to what happened to Noah. Wanting to protect his friends from these newfound horrors, Oliver takes it upon himself to venture into the grotesque otherworld known as the Narrows to learn what happened to his friend and find a way to bring him back.
Entering the Narrows is one thing, but will whatever he finds there allow him to leave?
Author Info :
Twitter : traviswanteat
June : My Month in Review
30 June 2019
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Month in review, My month in covers, Weekly wrap up
Well everyone, that’s it the first half of 2019 has flown by – I can’t believe how quickly this year is going to be honest but I am having a good time so no complaints. SPFBO5 starts tomorrow and I will post my first six books then, the cover competition is already underway and my choices are here. and what a tough decision that was. I’ve included my weekly wrap up in today’s post and also my month in covers which I usually post separately.
My weekly wrap up : 2 books read:
- Priest of Lies by Peter McLean
- Queenslayer by Sebstien deCastell
I also started Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa which, so far so good. And I’ve managed to catch up with some reviews.
My next reads:
- Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
- Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa
- The Toll by Cherie Priest
My month in review:
Books read: this month = 9
- Queenslayer by Sebastien DeCastell
- Priest of Lies by Peter McLean
- The Fall by Tracy Townsend
- Limited Wish by Mark Lawrence
- Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
- The Corset by Laura Purcell
- The Whisper Man by Alex North
- Nocturna by Maya Motayne
-
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
My month in covers:
Total No. of Books for first half of 2019: 57
Backlist books
- Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Unfinished series completed:
None this month
Books Bought:
None this momth
Audio Books Bought:
- Beautiful by Juliet Marilier
Review Books:
I think I’ve shown a good deal more restraint this month than last:
- Missing Person by Sarah Lotz
- The Girl with No Face by MH Boroson
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow
- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
- Ivory Apples by Lisa Goldstein
-
The Truants by Kate Weinberg
Cover compare:
I actually like both covers – I really like the long spindly yellow coloured trees but I think the creepy headless horse is probably my favourite – wonder what it all signifies?
Which is your favourite?
Hope you’ve all had a good month.
#SPFBO5 – a few details
29 June 2019
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO5, Mark Lawrence, Process for Stage 1
The Self Published Fantasy Blog Off 5 (SPFBO 5) is about to start and usually I take a moment to outline my process. To be brief the competition is the brainchild of Mark Lawrence, further details can be found on his blog and the first stage is outlined here. The Competition involves 300 books, 10 bloggers and one winner. During the first phase the 300 books are divided equally between the 10 blogs, each blog is then tasked with choosing just one book from their allocation to become a finalist. The second stage involves the ten finalists. Each blog reads the other bloggers’ finalists and rates the books and hopefully a winner will come to the fore – voila! Simples, no.
As the competition begins each blogger nominates three covers to be put forward into the cover competition. Details here. My list of books and all my covers can be found here and my final selection was posted yesterday. Go and check out the covers selected – because wow!
So, this year. Firstly, I have to say what a fantastic batch of books I have been allocated – I am so excited to get started, but, one thing at a time. I’d like to welcome all my lovely authors. I hope you enjoy the competition. I realise it’s a bit daunting putting your work out there for scrutiny and I want you to benefit from doing so. Let’s be honest, there is only one winner but that doesn’t mean that you can’t all make the most of it. Make friends, make contacts and have some fun. With that in mind I would like to extend an open invitation to all of you to visit my blog if you would like to do so. Just leave me a message in the comments.
I’m going to follow a similar pattern to previous years. The first stage of the competition runs for five months. I randomly select six titles each month, I hope to read at least 30% of each title and choose one semi finalist each month leaving me with five possibilities to choose from at the end of the first stage – from which I will then pick my finalist. I will post mini reviews for the books in each batch and a full review for each of the five semi finalists. This is the format I followed in the first three competitions. I changed it slightly last year but I’m going back to the original process because I think I took on a little too much last year – I’m only one blogger after all and even with the best intentions I have to be realistic.
So, at the start of each month I will publish a post that details the six books I’m hoping to check out that month. In that post I will try and provide as much information as possible about the book and the author – all publicity is good publicity right? I will give every book a fair chance and read at least 30%. I would also mention that I like lots of different styles of books so don’t worry about that. Grimdark, steampunk, gaslight, flintlock, urban and sweepingly epic – you name it, I like it, gothic, classic, history, mystery, noir – I just want it to be good and every book will have an equal chance. Also, in terms of my blogging style I err on the positive side. That’s my style and even if your book doesn’t work it’s magic on me I will give fair and sensitive feedback.
That’s it. I’m hoping to keep things informal and light hearted. I hope you all take the opportunity to make the most of the time and I wish you all the best of luck.
#SPFBO Cover Competition – Final Three
As you may be aware if you read this blog the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off Competition is about to start. The first stage is for all the blogs taking part to choose their three favourite covers from the batch of books they’ve been allocated. The details and other entries can all be found here – take the time to go and check out the other covers. There are some absolute stunners and my full list of books can be found here.
So, I needed to decide upon my three choices for the cover competition. I can’t deny that I had a really difficult time choosing and had to narrow it down in the first instance to 7 possibilities before making that final choice. Without further ado my three finalists are :
And the other covers that really stood out for me and made the first cut to semi finalist were:
Which are your favourites or do you agree with my choices?
And, finally, good luck to everyone in the cover competition and SPFBO5.
Books and travelling with Lynn 