#SPFBO Spotlight : the fifth set of books..
8 September 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 2016, Fifth Batch of books, Mark Lawrence
This is my fifth batch of books for the SPFBO. I’ve listed below my links to updates and reviews for the first/second/third and fourth batch of books.
The book choices are being randomly chosen. I’m aiming to read about 20% of each book or five chapters (which I think should be enough to give me a fair idea of whether or not the book could be my potential final choice). Basically, if one of the books is standing out above the other four then that will be the clear choice from that section.
My next set of five are below. I’ve added underneath each a synopsis (taken from Goodreads) and also linked up the titles so they’re easy to check out.j
In a war-torn realm occupied by a race of unseen immortal warlords called the Fylking, trouble comes with a price. Using the realm as a backwater outpost from which to fight an ancient war, the Fylking taught human seers to build and ward over an interdimensional portal called the Gate. The Fylking’s enemies, who think nothing of annihilating a world to gain even a small advantage, are bent on destroying it.
After two centuries of peace, the realm is at war. Seers are disappearing and their immortal guardians are blind, deceived by their own kind. A Gate warden with a tormented past discovers a warlock using Fylking magic to gather an army of warriors that cannot die. A King’s ranger who defends the wilds of the realm is snared in a political trap that forces him to choose between love and honor. And a knitter touched by the gods catches the eye of a dark immortal with the power to summon storms.
Forced to find allies in unlikely places, these three mortals are caught in a maelstrom of murder, treachery, sorcery and war. When they uncover the source of the rising darkness, they must rally to protect the Gate against a plot that will violate the balance of cosmos, destroy the Fylking and leave the world in ruins.
2. Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent by Kristy Tate
When Petra Baron goes into the fortuneteller’s tent at a Renaissance fair, she expects to leave with a date to prom. Instead, she walks out into Elizabethan England, where she meets gypsies, a demon dog and a kindred spirit in Emory Ravenswood.
Emory must thwart the plans of religious zealots. His mission is dangerous, his enemies are fanatical, and Petra Baron is a complication that Heaven only knows he does not need. Or does he? Although Emory is on Heaven’s errand, he learned long ago that Heaven does not always play fair.
As Petra slowly falls for Emory, she wonders if he really is who he seems, or if he is just as lost as she is. How can they have a future while trapped in the past? Or is anything possible Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent?
3. Mechanical Dragons: Fire & Water by Bobbi Schemerhorn
Khaly has only attended Pifianka Academy of Polytechnics School for a short time since moving to Vlarlee, but already she knows that she doesn’t fit in. She is relieved when the new kid, Bancroft, proves to be competent, even pleasant, when they begin work on a mechanical dragon for their school project. He even stands up to her nemesis, Jahallah. But when she discovers that she is capable of magic, a whole new world opens up to her and she sees that she is not alone. Her world is torn apart, however, when she is thrust into a battle that she was not even aware existed around her. Suddenly, she and Bancroft are forced to flee for their lives and must now learn how to control and develop their magic. The Guild is fighting to create a new world order … one without magic. Khaly and her group cannot let this happen, but are they ready for the war to come.
As a wizard’s apprentice, Mithris always seemed to feel like a duck out of water. Clumsy, awkward, naive, and frequently a nuisance to his mentor wizard, it was hard for Mithris to believe he’d ever become a great and powerful wielder of magic…
But everything changed for the young apprentice one day when vicious and foul creatures attacked his master’s tower, killing his mentor, and driving Mithris into exile in the wild world outside.
Alone and left to care for himself for the first time in his life, Mithris must find the strength and courage to become the very thing he never expected he could be…A powerful wizard…
And he must do it in time to stop the monsters, avenge his master’s death, and save the world from the clutches of a power-hungry wizard.
5. A Darker Shade of Sorcery by Will Collins
The lonely and grieving Evan Umbra is the newest Venator to enter Veneseron, the school for demon hunters.
A Venator is a wizard, a spy and a demon hunter rolled into one. They’re taught how to wield their sorcery and enchanted weaponry by orcs, elfpires and aliens alike.
Their missions range from battling monsters and saving countless lives in the multiple worlds, to the more peculiar, like wrangling killer unicorns and calming down drunken yetis.
In their free time Venators enjoy goblin soap-opera’s and underwater bubble travel, but they also understand that every new mission they’re given could be their last.
Whilst learning how to manipulate the elements, summon magical creatures and shoot Spellzookas, Evan meets a girl who makes him feel nauseous; but in a good way.
He makes the first friends he’s ever had in the carefree Jed and the reckless Brooke. Whilst Jed gets on the wrong side of a rival Venator, Brooke finds herself falling for the enigmatic demon hunter who brought her to Veneseron, not knowing he isn’t quite human. But it soon becomes apparent that Evan is more than just a Venator. Everyone wants to kill or capture him, from demons to Dark-Venators and even people he’s supposed to be able to trust.
Evan reckons he probably won’t survive his first year at Veneseron.
SPFBO Posts:
Waiting on Wednesday: City of Miracles (The Divine Cities #3) by Robert Jackson Bennett
7 September 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Breaking the Spine, City of Miracles, Robert Jackson Bennett, The Divine Cities #3, Waiting on Wednesday
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every Wednesday we get to highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. My book this week is : City of Miracles (The Divine Cities #3) by Robert J Bennett:
Shara Komayd, once Prime Minister of Saypur, has been assassinated.
News travels fast and far, even to a remote logging town somewhere northwest of Bulikov, where the silent, shaven-headed Dreyling worker ‘Bjorn’ picks up the newspaper and walks out. He is shocked and grieved and furious; he’s been waiting thirteen years for Shara, his closest friend, to reach out to him – to tell him to come home. He’s always believed she was running a long operation, that there would be a role for him at the right time. Now he has no one else in his life, and nothing to live for – except to find the people who did this.
Sigrud wasn’t there for the death of his daughter Signe, and he wasn’t there when his old comrade Shara was murdered. Now Bjorn is dead and Sigrud is back. And he will find answers, for Shara, and for himself. He’s made a promise
Due January 2017
I can’t wait for this book!
We got everything here from a diddle eyed Joe to a damned if I know..
6 September 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday, Top Ten TV series
Every Tuesday over at the The Broke and Bookish we all get to look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) examples to demonstrate that particular topic. The topic this week is :
a tv-themed topic – top 10 tv shows
I don’t tend to watch a lot of tv – not because I’m against it at all just simply things conspire against me and I’m also a bit unorganised so I’ll forget to watch the next in series. But, over the years I’ve watched a few excellent series – either through box sets or Netflix and some of my favourites are as follows:
- Stranger Things – I only just recently watched this but absolutely loved it – to find out why check this out. Supernatural, horror, sci fi 80s love fest!
- The Sopranos. We didn’t watch this series when it aired, I don’t know why, but then we decided to buy series 1 and give it a shot – all I can say is that we bought the whole set and watched all of it in less than 6 weeks – we were like maniacs and just kept staying up late to watch just one more!
- Band of Brothers – this is an absolutely awesome series that tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army – I confess straight up that I didn’t really fancy this but seriously, it’s so well produced and it’s swarming with actors that you’ll recognise. On top of that the actual story is completely compelling. I would watch this again no problem I enjoyed it so much.
- Big Bang Theory – I can’t help it, this one just makes me laugh. It’s a series that I can switch on at any point and just pick right up. A proper safety blanket, laugh out loud show.
- The Outlander – I have one more of these still left to watch – but I really enjoyed this and thought it was fairly good at sticking to the book (the ones I’ve watched so far anyway).
- The Vikings – do I even need to say why. Vikings. That is all. Plus.
- Breaking Bad – another series that we started watching and just became obsessed with – I don’t think we watched all of them but that just means we have something left to look forward to.
- Dexter – I loved this. When I first saw it advertised and realised that Dexter was a serial killer who worked for the police – I was seriously put off! I actually watched it by accident to be honest but then continued into about series 5 (or something – not sure how many this eventually went to).
- Blackadder – okay, I never got into the first series and I wasn’t particularly in love with the fourth either – but OMG, series 2 and 3 – where Blackadder plays a Lord in the Court of Elizabeth 1 and then The Prince Regent’s butler – so funny. Hysterical even!
- Hannibal – this is a series that I didn’t finish, which isn’t to say that I won’t go back to it – but I thought what I did watch was brilliant, creepy and scary!
Twilight of the Dragons (The Blood Dragon Empire #2) by Andy Remic
Twilight of the Dragons is the second in the Dragon Empire series by Andy Remic. This series is very dark and I will say upfront that it certainly won’t be for everyone. I have to say from the outset that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first, but, first things first – to the review and please note that there will be spoilers below in terms of the first book.
This story sets off almost immediately where the Dragon Engine concluded and there are a number of threads to follow. The three dragons being held captive beneath the mines have been let loose and are terrorising the countryside burning down villages and killing people. Meanwhile, back at the mine our would-be heroes are now on a revised mission, no longer a treasure hunt, but a quest to save the world from the disaster that has now been released (although if the opportunity comes along the way to snag a few precious stones then so be it). We have a storyline that sees Skalg in a far different role than I ever expected and we have the inclusion of the Iron Wolves.
Firstly, what did I enjoy about this. Well, I haven’t previously read Remic’s Iron Wolves and this series can be read without having done so – however, it was great to make their acquaintance here – in fact, truth be told I thought they stole the show a little.
I thought the dragons were just marvellously nasty. Nothing to like here. Fire breathing maniacs who own the skies and swoop down dramatically to leave death and destruction in their wake.
Then we have our motley crew – yes, they’ve escaped, but they’ve been brought low by the treatment they received at the hands of the dwarves. Led by Lilith they are journeying through the mines to an unknown goal. They still make a great bunch of characters – especially Beetrax who is just a gloriously larger than life character.
So, why didn’t I enjoy this book as much as the first? It has the feel of a book with second in series syndrome, the plot jumps about a lot and is interspersed with flashbacks. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the flashbacks as it was good to learn more of the background to some of the characters, but, it interrupted the flow somewhat. And, even though I say this feels like a book with middle book syndrome, I’m not entirely sure that this is the case as this feels like a conclusion. Granted, there is room for manoeuvre to continue but I’m not sure if that’s planned or not. On top of that, and this is still puzzling me, but in spite of what seems like a lot of action on reflection the story doesn’t go a whole lot further. I’m probably not articulating that very well but it has a feel of lots of dashing about with bloodshed and fighting, all really well described, but it somehow doesn’t have the scale of the first book and indeed the flashbacks almost feel like book filler. Finally, I think I mentioned in the last book review that Remic doesn’t shirk from the gritty in fact he paints his story quite liberally with it. But, I felt that in some respects this book just went too far for me. I got to a point where I was thinking ‘okay, I get it’ – leave something to the imagination.
I hope this doesn’t sound too critical. I think Remic is an excellent writer. He brings these scenes alive on the page. He can create an atmosphere of light hearted camaraderie and banter in one paragraph and then go to overwhelming despair the next and he is an expert at putting your emotions through the wringer.
Overall I enjoyed both books in the Dragon Empire series and if the author intends to write more I would definitely read on.
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
#SPFBO Spotlight : the fourth set of books. Update
4 September 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 2016, Fourth Round of books: update, Mark Lawrence, The Amber Isle
This is my fourth batch of books for the SPFBO. From my second selection of five I still have two books that I need to decide between and will update on that outcome shortly. For details of the SPFBO check here. I chose my first five books to look at during the course of May and my update post for the first five is here. The book that I took forward at that stage was Rebel’s Honor by Gwynn White review here. My update for the second set of five is here. The update post for my third set of books is here and today I’m giving an update on the fourth set of books.
The book choices are being randomly chosen. I’m aiming to read about 20% of each book or five chapters (which I think should be enough to give me a fair idea of whether or not the book could be my potential final choice). Basically, if one of the books is standing out above the other four then that will be the clear choice from that section.
My next set of five are below. I’ve added underneath each a synopsis (taken from Goodreads) and a short synopsis of my thoughts on the content that I’ve read so far. Unless I read the book fully I’m only giving brief comments on each book so apologies if these seem a little abrupt but basically I’m just trying to give a very brief view of why I’ve not taken that book forward.
1. Melody of Demons by Ros Jackson
In her home village, Aivee is worse than nobody. If her secret identity as a half-demon leaks out, she’s dead. But in the capital city she will reinvent herself as a dancer. She’ll be wealthy, and adored by thousands. Nobody will be able to hurt her.
Will they?
Nori knows how cruel the city can be. She’s lost her mother to its plagues, and lately her younger sister has joined the ranks of its disappeared. But she’s not giving up. The ruling classes think they can treat people worse than beasts and strip them of their human rights. Powerful factions want to keep the epidemic of missing people a secret. Well, they can eat her blades.
Nori joins a group of vigilantes fighting for answers, and voices in her head urge her to recruit Aivee to the cause. These vigilantes are bumbling amateurs, as likely to get themselves killed as to save anyone. But Nori is changing, going mad, lusting for battle and remembering centuries-old conflicts. She will whip them into shape, or die trying.
Bloodthirsty gangs, inhuman mages, and dragon gods have it in for the people of Kaddon city.
Yes, Nori is mad. But she’s not nearly even.
I have mixed feelings on this one. I think the start was a little hit and miss for me and I was thinking that this one wouldn’t work out. It has picked up though as the focus has moved to the City. I think at the moment I’ll put this one down as I might potentially return to read a little further.
2. Rescuing Pavra by Terra Lorin
On the planet of Avadonya, handsome yet brutal shapeshifters called the Beasts raid a small Bormian village, kidnapping young females. A young Beast named Romi wins the youngest captive Pavra in a challenge and takes her as his prize to save her from the hands of the other Beasts. As the years pass and Pavra transitions into womanhood, she and Romi fall in love and thus ensues their romance.
Meanwhile, twins Gael and Gion head a group of young Bormians to rescue their younger sister Pavra and the other females taken on that fatal night two years ago. Will the eleven young Bormians be able to battle these shapeshifting Beasts, who outnumber them, and are just as deadly in their beastly incarnation? Not to mention the other dangers they must face along the way, even before they reach the Beasts’ lair.
Action, adventure, romance, and surprises are in store for this band of brave heroes as they encounter fairies, ogres, gigantic creatures, more shapeshifters and other friends and foe on their courageous rescue mission.
I’m just going to be totally honest and say this isn’t really for me – I can see how this might appeal to some people with this whole idea of men/beasts living in the jungle – and let’s face it they’re all portrayed as gorgeous specimens of manly hunkyness. And there are certain elements of this that are really quite intriguing – the fae elements, the idea that the band of would be rescuers who set off to search for the kidnapped women are now on a quest to find a ‘wise woman’ type of character – these elements of the story were easy to read and could in themselves have turned into a good quest type story but for me I think the man/beast idea could do with more development. I just can’t figure out what the story is trying to be and the whole neanderthal man beating his chest and kidnapping women from their homes – it doesn’t work for me I’m afraid.
3. Pathfinders by Aidan J Reid
– In the darkest corners of your mind, they hunt –
Norman Adams’ life changes in an instant when he experiences his first lucid dream. The watershed moment reveals an alternate world of consciousness which compels the young man to explore the boundaries of reality.
He meets an eccentric librarian, Stephen Breagal, whose interest in the topic seems to know no limits and they strike up an unlikely friendship.
Soon however, the dream turns into a nightmare when Norman is involved in an accident sending him into a coma. Under the apprenticeship of Breagal, loyal but sceptical friend Victor James volunteers to use the librarian’s pioneering techniques to enter Norman’s dream state and finds the horror trapping him there.
The race is on to rescue their friend as together they search the deepest, darkest recesses of the mind – a place where nightmares are born.
This is definitely an intriguing concept that I was looking forward to reading. On the whole I found the chapters I read quite interesting and if this wasn’t an elimination scenario I probably would have read further to see how this one would develop, but, as it is, and having read over 20% of the story, I think this is quite a slow burner and I found my attention was not always completely focused.
4. Bronze Magic by Jennifer Ealey
Bronze Magic, a fantasy novel of 484 pages, is the first in a series that track the woodfolk legend of Tarkyn, Guardian of the Forest. It is written in an easy flowing style that makes it accessible to both teenagers and adults. The major protagonist, although powerful, spends much of his time trying not to intimidate people, while memorable characters battle with issues of trust, cultural differences and respect against a background of magic and action:
In Eskuzor, land of sorcerers, Prince Tarkyn, tempestuous and strong in magic, is forced to flee from his brother the king, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind him.
After days on the run, he wanders into the woodlands in the company of an old wizard, only to find himself unable to leave. Even worse, Tarkyn is horrified to discover that he is the unwelcome, bitterly resented liege lord of an elusive people whose oath to him has been spellbound to the welfare of their forest. The prince, moved by his unwilling liegefolk’s plight, modifies his expectations. On the other hand, one woodman, Waterstone, puts aside his own prejudices to offer Tarkyn his friendship, persevering in the face of the prince’s mistrust.
Bounty hunters are tracking Tarkyn. Wolves and sorcerers are hunting the woodfolk.
Battling the woodfolk’s resentment, Tarkyn holds true to his duty as their liege lord to fight with them against wizard-driven storm, captivity and exposure of their existence to the world beyond the forest. As Tarkyn works side by side with his liegefolk, he not only develops friendships and acceptance but also gains new powers which transform him, in the eyes of the woodfolk, into a figure of their legends, the guardian of the forest.
Despite this, their mutual trust is fragile and when Tarkyn discovers that his liegefolk have been concealing the existence of woodfolk not sworn to him, he is driven to extreme lengths to repair the schism in woodfolk society that his presence has caused, so that they can stand united against the greatest threat in their history.
I think this book has a lot of potential but it suffers from over wordiness which slows down the pace. From the chapters I read I would say that the main character needs more development as he feels a bit one dimensional at the moment and his feelings don’t really come across. I also think the dialogue needs to be a bit more snappy as it comes across a little bit ‘staged’.
The Amber Isle by Ashley Capes
Roguish Never is on a quest to lift a curse on his blood and to learn his true name; but upon joining a group of treasure-hunters he soon finds himself unearthing world-altering secrets that have long lain dormant within the mysterious Amber Isle.
I enjoyed this one, I had a few niggles and I would have liked a longer story – this feels a little like the first step of a journey but definitely one I would like to continue reading. In fairness to the author I’m not sure at this stage I would put this forward to the next round as it’s only a fairly short story but I did enjoy it.
From the fourth round The Amber Isle was my favourite read.
