City of Lies (Poison Wars #1) by Sam Hawke
My first thought on reviewing City of Lies by Sam Hawke was 560 pages! Really? It didn’t feel like it – for me, right there is a big surprise. I don’t mind a book being long, or epic – I just mind, very much so, if it feels that way whilst reading. So, kudos straight away. I literally had no idea this was such a chunkster *cue happy applause*. Secondly, this is a great first in series that shows not only a lot of promise in terms of going forward but also manages to provoke that feeling of ‘epicness’ whilst in actual fact providing a story that is much more focused on the inner workings. This isn’t a book with thousands of people battling it out on the bloody fields beyond the city walls – or at least, yes, okay, there is action going on out there but that’s not where Hawke chooses to shine the stagelights. Instead, this is a story of mystery and intrigue where the reader follows a select few as they endeavour to uncover what’s really taking place whilst also trying to stay alive.
So, why City of Lies as a title? Well, this novel is based in the City of Silasta, a shining beacon of virtue, a city of knowledge, learning, art and culture, literally a place that everyone can feel proud of. Except of course if you look beneath the structure of any large city lurking beneath will be a quite different feeling and experience. Obviously, I don’t want to give too much away here but I was fascinated by the way that so many people in this story, living their rather spoiled and privileged lives had very little notion of those residents within the city walls who kept the place ticking over or, more to the point, the way in which they live Even more so for the outlying villages that provide the much needed labour and crops that the city relies upon – even whilst their city counterparts harbour superior views about their poor country cousins. Anyway, that’s a relatively small point that I wanted to mention – really because I felt like this story delivers a very strong sense of place.
I loved the start to the story where we meet Jovan. The story shares two narrative view points in Jovan and his sister Salina and their own characters and sibling rivalry, not to mention their strong affection for each other and their childhood friend, Tain, really shines through. The introduction to Jovan was a really good one for me. It just worked very well in the way that some stories do to pull you in immediately. Frankly, any story that virtually starts by more or less saying ‘I was seven when my uncle first poisoned me’ pretty much secures my attention from the get go, colour me intrigued and curious to know more. Jovan and his family are proofers to the chancellor. Of course in a city that is ‘perfect’, where everybody is happy as can be, well, that role has to be hidden, because sure as eggs is eggs surely nobody would wish to poison their beloved Chancellor when all is so splendid and hunky dory – would they? It’s a pretty awful and thankless task isn’t it? Not only do you have to spend the majority of your childhood either being poisoned or trying to build up immunities and expertise in how to recognise these dangers but you then have to dive in and put yourself constantly at risk – and, in a way that nobody suspects you are doing so. Talk about your danger money – just no.
I really liked Jovan and thought his strong friendship with Tain helped to reinforce why he felt so strongly about his role. In fact he suffers from constant self doubt and also seems to suffer from some sort of OCD compulsions that he has to undergo in order to keep his feelings in check – I’m probably not really describing that very well in which case apologies. On the flip side of course, the friendship between the two is so strong that Tain feels guilty over the constant risk that his friend has to suffer. To an extent Salina’s character suffered a little bit as a result of Jovan getting off to such a good start. In fact Salina is, in a way, living in her brother’s shadow in more ways than one. Salina was originally to be the family proofer but following an almost fatal poisoning when she was young her health never fully recovered. The two tippy toe around the fact that Jovan supplanted Salina and there is a little bit of resentment bubbling beneath, but, the affection they both have for each other is much stronger than the rivalry. As well as that there’s the fact that Jovan had an immediate appeal for me as a reader. I liked his story telling voice which possibly made me a little resentful at first when I had to switch pov. But, Salina did eventually work her magic and I found myself totally in her corner, particularly as she was so frequently underestimated. On a number of occasions I could have happily slapped a few other characters, including Jovan, upside the head, for their casual dismissal. So, talk about your turn arounds.
You may have noticed that I’m saying very little about the plot. It’s difficult to do so without spoiling the story somewhat. This is a mystery in more ways than one and so to elaborate here would be to ruin the read imo. Fundamentally this is a murder mystery story that just so happens to fall into the fantasy arena. Using poison and intrigue and scattering a few red herrings it pulls you into a story of a city in danger.
Basically City of Lies has heart. It reads as a standalone novel and yet the ending has me champing at the bit to pick up No.2 and I find myself with a number of characters that I’m rooting for – which makes me all that much eager to find out what comes next.
I received a copy, through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher for which my thanks The above is my own opinion.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery (The Risen Kingdoms #2) by Curtis Craddock
29 August 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery, Can't wait Wednesday, Curtis Craddock, The Risen Kingdoms #2
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery (The Risen Kingdoms #2) by Curtis Craddock. I loved the first book in series, my review is here.
“A gripping tale of a woman who refuses to be defined by her physical and magical limitations, thwarting both assassins and all who see her as a pawn. A great read!” — Brandon Sanderson, on Curtis Craddock’s An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors
A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery is the masterful sequel to Curtis Craddock’s critically-acclaimed high fantasy An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors, which continues the engrossing tale of courtly intrigue and breathtaking magic, and starring our fiercely intelligent heroine Isabelle des Zephyrs with her loyal musketeer Jean-Claude.
Isabelle des Zephyrs has always been underestimated throughout her life, but after discovering the well of hidden magic within her, unveiling a centuries-long conspiracy, and stopping a war between rival nations, she has gained a newfound respect amongst the cutthroat court.
All that is quickly taken away when Isabelle is unfairly convicted of breaking the treaty she helped write and has her political rank and status taken away. Now bereft, she nevertheless finds herself drawn into mystery when her faithful musketeer Jean-Claude uncovers a series of gruesome murders by someone calling themselves the Harvest King.
As panic swells, the capital descends into chaos, when the emperor is usurped from the throne by a rival noble. Betrayed by their allies and hunted by assassins, Isabelle and Jean-Claude alone must thwart the coup, but not before it changes l’Empire forever.
Due for publication January 2019
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
28 August 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: School or apprentice settings, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic is:
A School Freebie
I’ve gone with books that take place within a school setting or other learning type environment (apprenticeships for example):
- Harry Potter by JK Rowling. I expect this will be on many, many lists this week but it had to be here otherwise the list would be incomplete.
- The Poppy War by R F Kuang – I loved this book, it’s not for the faint of heart and it is definitely, absolutely not aimed at a YA audience. Excellent book though and the main characters spends a good portion of time at military school.
- Red Sister by Mark Lawrence – nuns – or are they assassins in training???? An absolute must read.
- Skullsworn by Brian Staveley – I loved this book, it’s not based in a school but does involve a learning type role. Pyrre Lakatur is an acolyte, yet to become a priestess and she is about to undergo her initiation. The Priests and Priestesses who serve Anashiel are trained in the art of everything that is deadly, be it hand to hand combat, stealth, poison, or any number of other means – as you can imagine, her initiation might be tricky – aka deadly.
- Age of Assassins by RJ Barker – I love this series and hope to pick up the third book soon. Girton is an assassin in training. I’m not saying anything else – except, this series is brilliant – go read it.
- Nevernight by Jay Kristoff – Another school for assassins (hey, they have to learn somewhere, being lethal doesn’t just, you know, happen overnight with the onset of puberty!) Mia and her shadowy cat, Mr Kindly, have some fun times making friends and drinking lemonade – or maybe they don’t, maybe they’re at a school where the competition is tough and the teaching can literally be the death of you.
- Blood Song by Anthony Ryan – I love the start of this story, well, to be clear, I loved the whole series – but at the beginning we meet Vaelin as a young boy, given by his father to the Sixth Order where he will learn how to become a warrior who serves the realm or die in the process of trying. A good portion of the book is spent with Vaelin as he faces various trials with the other boys who have also been ‘given’ to the Order.
- Confessions by Kanae Minato. The story starts in a highschool classroom where a home tutor (Yuko) informs her students of her decision to leave her job. She relates a story about how she came to be a teacher and goes on to more personal issues including why she raises her child (Manami) as a lone parent – sometimes necessitating bringing her to school. (Unfortunately during one such occasion Manami goes missing and her body is eventually found floating in the school swimming pool.) Yuko believes that two of her students are responsible for the death of Manami. And so the story begins.
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. In which Kvothe aspires to attend the University – there are reasons for him wishing to be accepted as a student, not least his search to find out more about his parents’ deaths.
- The Gentlemen Bastards – maybe a little bit of a cheat but with the start of the series Locke and Jean are learning the tricks of their trade from Chains – I think it counts.
Weekly Wrap Up : 26th August
Hi everyone. Hope you’ve all had a great week. I’ve not too much to report this week although I did manage to read my two books.
So, my books:
- The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
- Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach
Next week’s reads:
- The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
- Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
Upcoming reviews: –
- Starborn by Lucy Hounsom
- Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace
- Noir by Christopher Moore
- The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
- Temper by Nicky Drayden
- City of Lies by Sam Hawke
- The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
- Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach
I’d love to know what you’re reading this week.
#SPFBO4 Interview with Dave Woolliscroft, author of Kingshold
25 August 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 2018, Dave Woolliscroft, Interview, Kingshold
Today I’m pleased to welcome to my blog Dave Woolliscroft author of Kingshold (No.1 in the Wildfire Cycle)
Hi Dave, welcome to my blog and thank you so much for agreeing to take part in an interview
Firstly, Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and your book??
The short answer, and the one that avoids regurgitating my bio from my website (dpwoolliscroft.com, go take a look), is that I’m a long time reader, first time writer, and I reached the point in my life where I finally thought, “sod it”. I better give writing a good go before I have (more) regrets as I get (even) older.
I’ve read a varied bunch, in genre and out, but it all started something like this. Tolkien to Eddings, to Weiss & Hickman (dragonlance chronicles), to Feist, to Williams, to Pratchett. I had a bit of a fantasy lull for a while in the late nineties, early 2000’s, but then Steven Erikson caught my attention and I became embroiled in the Malazan Books of the Fallen. That led to Glenn Cook and Joe Abercrombie and a great swathe of excellent authors who are producing today (don’t you think we are so lucky to have so many great books being published today?) (Why yes, yes I do)
Anyway, so thirty years of reading has created ideas and stuff sloshing around in my mind that in quiet moments will preoccupy me. Sir Terry Pratchett has been an enormous influence on me (I still go back and reread the City Watch novels), and so one day, at the beginning of 2017, I was reflecting on the absolute chaotic results that democracy delivered in 2016 in the UK, the US and around the world. It occurred to me that it was a shame that Terry never wrote anything about democracy in Discworld. I thought about how democracy almost sounds like a portmanteau of demon and crazy; and so that how’s the initial idea of tiny pink demonic pixies as the means of voting came about. And then I realized I would have to write it if I wanted to read this story.
Demon-crazy, eventually became Kingshold, and the story expanded to envelop the odd idea I’d been kicking around for nearly ten years.
Kingshold is supposed to feel comfortable to readers of fantasy in many ways: there is an ancient wizard; the city has a euro feel to it (though it’s not medieval). But then I wanted to flip some of the tropes on their head. The king and queen are killed in the opening chapter. The ancient wizard has had enough of the endless grind of protecting the kingdom and wants to retire (to somewhere warm probably). The new ruler isn’t going to be some lost child heir to the throne (no coming of age here), instead the ruler is going to be chosen by the people with money. And though I wanted it to feel epic, the entire story takes place over just thirty days and in the one city.
But Kingshold is also really a story about people believing in themselves and trying to live up to their potential. It’s about families, fathers in particular, and communities coming together. All wrapped up in a package with magic, monsters, pirates, demons, assassins and good old fashioned action!
I also think it’s worth mentioning that Kingshold works well as a stand alone read. It has five POV characters so the opening part of the book is laying some of the groundwork for both this story and the rest of the series, but by the time you hit the 40% mark it’s non stop to the end.
Oh, and it has some laughs in it. Because, if you can’t laugh when the world is going to hell in a hand basket when can you laugh?
You mention that your world has a European feel – does that come as a result of being well travelled as well as well read? Is there any place in particular where you feel you’ve drawn quite heavily upon the culture/characteristics of the place and can you tell me a little bit more about your own process in terms of world building?
I guess I’m fairly well traveled but there are so many places I would still love to go. When I still lived in England I really took advantage of how easy it was to get around to various places in Europe from London. And then, right before we moved to America we had a six week backpacking adventure through Eastern Europe: Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Vienna and Berlin. We had such an amazing time; lots of very cool castles, museums and gorgeous scenery. So travels, and also history books, have definitely acted as a frame of reference as I started world building.
World building for me is a combination of “develop it as it was needed” or “dredge up something from the depths of my brain that I have been noodling on in quiet moments over many years”. As an example of the former, I think I wrote the first four chapters and I already knew that the story wouldn’t really leave Kingshold, but I didn’t know enough about the place. So I stopped writing and drew maps of the city, named the neighborhoods, considered its place in the world and its institutions. And after that I needed to have the larger world setting in place too. I had actually hand drawn the map of the Jeweled Continent about three years ago, just for fun, and so I claimed that for these books, further developing their people, religions and political institutions even though they don’t really appear in Kingshold. But to me it was really important to think broadly early, as I knew that Edland (of which Kingshold is the capital) was an island nation that punched above its weight, largely off the back of it’s ships, both merchant and navy. And that meant that Edland would be connected to its neighbors – globalization isn’t a new thing, it really started with the age of sail.
The evolution of a map
Not all of the locations have that European feel as we move through the series. In fact, one of the things that is of increasing importance is the Wild Continent that is mentioned in the book. You could think of it as the Americas when discovered by the Spanish, with its own very different range of cultures and civilizations.
I have quite a few things figured out when it comes to the world inside or outside the walls of Kingshold but I’ve definitely left myself room to discover new things too (which for me is huge fun). That’s one reason why my next book to be released is a collection of novelettes and shorter stories (called Tales of Kingshold, and officially book 1.5 of the series) that enables me to explore the backstories of some characters, introduce new characters and add more color to the world. Chronologically I think about a third of the stories in that book are from before the events of Kingshold, about a third are concurrent and then a third bridge books 1 and 2. I know this is an odd approach to publishing but it’s something I plan to continue for the rest of the series.
I’d like to know more about your characters. Did you have a particularly strong character in mind when you started writing, how many POVs does your book have, do you find it difficult to make them all individual and do you have a strong favourite.
Well, Kingshold has five POV characters. Maybe a little ambitious for a debut novel but I love to look at problems and situations from many angles. And I love to read a scene of a prominent character from a different perspective, I think that helps round out your view of them. I also really wanted to make this story diverse (in a good way) with prominent female characters and characters with different backgrounds, so multiple POV was the way for me to do that.
Hopefully, all of the POV characters feel distinct. They all have their own particular challenges and issues that they are dealing with as you meet them. We have some characters with a lack of confidence in themselves and their appreciation of their own self-worth. We have one character who is not living up to the potential that was identified early in his life. And there is definitely a common theme of characters who are struggling with the expectations of family and those who are close to them. Each of the characters have their own arcs and finish the book in quite a different place than they started, and it will be fun to see how the meat grinder of life treats them in the future.
And is it difficult?
Hell, yeah! Revisions, editors and beta readers really helped me with identifying where there were gaps that needed to be addressed to make the characters pop before I released Kingshold in to the world. One thing I was proud of from the feedback of my beta readers is that the most and least liked characters differed between them, and now too with actual reader reviews. I want readers to have the opportunity to latch on to the characters that most appeal to them.
I don’t think I can pick a favorite POV character. There’s a little bit of me in all of them. But of the supporting cast I really enjoyed writing Jyuth, the ancient wizard. He’s a cantankerous, foul-mouthed old guy who loves his food and the country that he helped found. You could think of him as a combination of the Danny Glover character from Lethal Weapon (“I’m too old for this s#!t” – one for the teenagers there) and Bayaz from the First Law trilogy. But unlike Bayaz, Jyuth is secretly a softy underneath, like a tough old teacher you might have had who wants you to learn for yourself but still very much cares.
Thanks for this. Finally, can I ask a few random questions unrelated to the book?
If you could go back in time to your younger self what advice would you impart? Embrace and be public with your inner geek! Don’t care what other people think. Be creative. Have confidence in yourself.
Can you tell readers 3 random snippets of information about yourself that isn’t available elsewhere on your social media?
- My three deceased heroes are Terry Pratchett, Brian Clough and John Peel. Which rather neatly covers my three passions of fantasy, football and music.
- I watched the sun rise from the top of my university dormitory on my 19th birthday. It was five floors up and required climbing up the outside of the building and through various other people’s dorm rooms to access parts of the roof. Yes, we had been out all night and I did find that I had suffered some injuries in the process after finally going to bed.
- I love pork products. Pork pie and sausage rolls are the foods I miss most about home.
If you could choose from any superpower what would you go for and why. Super speed. I could travel to anywhere in the world without having to get on a plane (and I’ve spent a lot of time waiting in airports). I would also be able to make more use of the time I carve out every day for writing.
If you could travel to a fictional world anywhere in the universe where would you go. Ankh Morpork. This city feels very real to me from Pratchett’s writing. It’s so colorful and diverse, and with a capacity for constant change. I’d try to wangle a meeting with Vetinari and see if Dibbler’s pies really are that bad.
Dave, thank you so much for taking part. I wish you all the best in the SPFBO.
FYI: Dave can be found at:
Goodread’s : author’s page
Website: http://dpwoolliscroft.com
Twitter: @dpwoolliscroft
