Bibbity. Bobbity. Boo
This week over at the Fantasy Review Barn we are once again traversing the tropes of fantasy with our trusty guide Nathan
This week’s topic is MAGIC SYSTEMS.
Without further ado. And with an excuse about my brevity this week: I’m having IT problems and so this is all from my phone! Expect errors and you will probably not be disappointed. So:
- Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. In which allomancy is used and people ingest small amounts of metal which acts like a fuel to their particular type of magic.
- The Tiffany Aching books by Pratchett. Good old fashioned witchcraft with broomsticks and witches living in hovels (Sometimes)
- Harry Potter. Ditto the above but set in a huge ass school with bucket loads of students all learning spells and enchantments/potions. Wands and broomsticks are all the rage. The students even have their own familiars, although I don’t fancy having a rat!
- Feast of Souls by C S Friedman. This is a very unusual magic system in which the magic user chooses and connects to another individual. Their power therefore comes from that person’s life energy. Nasty eh!
- Sunshine by Robin McKinley in which the main protagonist gains power from the sun. (I guess the clue is right there in the title!)
- Strange and Norrell by S Clarke. In which there is an alliance with the fae.
- Similarly. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho involves magic which is fuelled by the fae.
- Flex by Ferret Steinmetz. This is an intriguing system in which the people with magical ability manifest the strangest abilities unfortunately their magic creates something called the Flux. Which is a bit like a nasty byproduct of the magic and can be very dangerous unless dealt with carefully.
- The Bondsmagi from Scott Lunch’s Gentlemen Bastards. I don’t know exactly how their magic works but I do know that they need their hands and their tongues in order to conjure!
- God given? Kushiel’s Dart/chosen by Jacqueline Carey. In which Phedre is chosen by a god. She perhaps doesn’t seem overtly magical unless being able to manipulate people into giving you what you want is magic.
That is all for me this week.
“Expeliarmus”
Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
Just finished reading Sorcerer to the Crown which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a great combination of Regency period manners and fantasy written in a very easy to read and accessible style.
My first thoughts upon starting this read were of a sort of mash up of Pride and Prejudice and Strange and Norell, but, let me be quite plain, this is not written in either the style of Austen or Clarke and Cho is in no way trying to mimic either of those authors. So, if your taste doesn’t run to old fashioned language and bonnets or lengthy footnotes and extensive descriptions of Regency England but you would like to read a period drama that brings a bit of intrigue and a touch of romance, takes a fairly bald look at a few of the restrictions and prejudices of the time and then places the society into chaos then look no further. There is magic, there are attempted assassinations, there are talking familiars, trips into the land of the fae and flights of fancy atop the clouds. And more.
Characters. Well, we have Zacharias, A freed slave who has unwittingly risen to the position of Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers. To say this is a source of displeasure to some of the eminent magicians within that Society would most definitely be an understatement. There are whispers and mumblings and things don’t look too good for Zacharias. On top of this the magic seems to be in decline. The border to the land of fairy is shrinking and the flow of magic in between the two worlds seems to be considerably reduced. Zacharias needs to take measures to restore the balance. We also have Prunella Gentleman, a wonderful name for a woman of mixed race who has also been at the receiving end of prejudice. Prunella is an orphan, even untrained she seems capable of great magical displays. She’s been brought up in the care of a woman who runs a boarding school for young ladies (of magic). This of course brings us to the other restrictions of the time. Women couldn’t possibly carry out magic – they’re far too fragile and delicate to attempt such a feat, in fact it appears to be more acceptable that they perform almost death like rituals to remove their magical ability rather than use their ability (and quite potentially be as good if not better than the men of the time).
In a strange twist Prunella goes off to London under the care and tutelage of Zacharias – he’s going to help her come ‘out’ into society, indeed he’s going to help her to catch a husband. Because, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of immense magical ability must be in want of a wealthy husband! Is it not?
I can’t really give too much of the plot away but I can say that the story moves forward at a great pace with never any opportunity for a dull moment.
What did I really like about this. I enjoy reading stories set in a different period, particularly Regency. I like that this story turns the period onto it’s head a little bit. We’re damn well looking at the inadequacies of the time and that’s that! I enjoyed that we have such unusual circumstances such as Zacharias, freed from being a slave, now holding the most prestigious and sought after role in the country with great magical power at his fingertips. And we have Prunella, a half caste woman with an extraordinary ability to weave magic who is completely capable of walking into any situation and handling herself admirably and is about to revolutionise the role of women in the magical field. On top of that, I’m always happy to meet the inhabitants of fairyland and see what antics they’re getting up to – and, let’s face it we have a number of wonderful creatures who play a role. And, as if you needed any more incentive there is plenty of witty dialogue and moments of exasperation between the two main characters which is very amusing to read.
In terms of criticisms – nothing major to be honest – I think there was an element of the solution to Prunella’s problems being glaringly obvious – but that isn’t really an issue that detracted at all and it was actually quite enjoyable working up to the eventual outcome.
This is a quirky kind of read. I found it quick and fun and I will definitely continue with the next in series.
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
You can run but you can’t hide!
7 September 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday, Unfinished Series
This week over at the Broke and Bookish the Top Ten Tuesday is:
Ten Finished Series I Have YET to Finish
Yes, this week’s topic is finished series – that I haven’t yet finished reading!! I wrote this (shamefaced) post some time ago and I have been trying to cross some books off the list – unfortunately at the same time I’ve been crossing off I’ve also been adding more. However, as I haven’t put the new series on the list yet I refuse to feel guilty about them. Without further ado my 10 unfinished series:
- Timeless by Gail Carriger – already read Soulless, Changeless, Blameless and Heartless
- The Descent by Alma Katus – already read The Taker and The Reckoning
- Dust by Hugh Howey – already read Wool and Shift
- The Merchant of Dreams and The Prince of Lies by Anne Lyle – already read The Alchemist of Souls
- Monsters by Ilsa Bick – already read Ashes and Shadows
- Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – read Graceline and Fire (not altogether a series but based in the same world – and have now started reading this one!)
- The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness – already read A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night (in truth I’ve actually gone off this series a little)
- The Last Rite by Jasper Kent (No 5 in the Danilov Quintet) – already read Twelve, Thirteen Years Later, The Third Section and The People’s Will – I really need to finish this one.
- Outpost and Horde by Ann Aguirre – already read Enclave
- Shimmer and Burn by Paula Weston – already read Shadows and Haze
The Bloodbound by Erin Lindsey
The Bloodbound is one of my backburn books. I’ve had it waiting for quite some time after picking up a copy following glowing reviews. Why I waited so long remains a mystery but I’m very pleased to have finally started this series. How would I describe Bloodbound – I would say it’s the perfect beach read for fantasy lovers! There’s action, blood magic and romance and, yes, I would say that the romance does play a fairly central role but I enjoyed it.
The Bloodbound gets off to a fairly intense start. We begin the book as a bloody battle rages. Alix is a scout. At the start of the story she watches the battle from afar and realises with horror that her King (Eric) has been betrayed on the war field. The aid he is expecting is not going to arrive and he stands on the brink of massacre. Completely disobeying orders Alix rushes to King Eric’s aid dragging along with her Liam, another scout. What you must remember is that these are scouts and don’t normally make up part of the fighting contingent but Alix is bloodbound to her blade which does help to give her ferocious
precision with the sword. Unwittingly, Alix becomes the saviour of the moment and although she’s never sought any particular attention or regard finds herself newly elected to the position of bodyguard to the King. Eric has been betrayed by his own brother, who, expecting that Eric is dead has returned home to claim the crown effectively making Eric an exile. In order to regain that which is his right he must bide his time and form a plan, all the while trying to keep the enemy at his door from swooping through his kingdom and massacring everyone.
That’s all I’m going to go with in terms of plot.
World and characters. The world has an Arthurian feel to it almost. Knights in armour, heavy warhorses and swords. The difference here is that women go to war in this kingdom as well as the men. In terms of the fantasy elements these are fairly thin on the ground and are mainly related to the blood magic that binds weapons to their owners. This also plays a huge part in the dark magic that is used by the enemies in the story.
The main characters are of course Alix, Eric and Liam with a few peripheral figures that make up the King’s advisors and such like. Alix is a very easy character to like. She stands behind her own beliefs and isn’t afraid to speak up and make her thoughts known. She’s certainly not perfect and very capable of making mistakes – particularly where her love life is concerned! What I particularly like about the way Alix is written though is that she isn’t dainty or meek and mild (and let’s face it – it wouldn’t do to be so when fighting on a battlefield). She’s tall and strong and has a fiery character that matches her hair. Eric is also a character that I found easy to like – in fact truth be told I probably felt a little bit sad for him in more ways than one. And then we have Liam, who yes, makes up the love triangle that develops. Liam and Alix have a strong friendship developed over time that has forged something strong between them. They’re in a little bit of denial about their own feelings at the start but things are beginning to change.
Now, I’m not usually for love triangles but I do think that this story is well executed. I think my biggest problem with love triangles is that it makes me all judgemental (sorry but it’s true) about the person who is stuck in the middle. I confess I don’t like it, probably because I wouldn’t want to be played like that. That’s not to say that I don’t have sympathy for how the situation could occur it just tends to make me cross at the pinnacle character (that being Alix) and sad for the eventual character that will be left out in the cold. (And, can I just say, I would have chosen differently than Alix – there, I said it!)
All that being said though, it would be difficult to not like Alix and like her I did. It’s great to have such a tough female character who isn’t weak, can stick up for herself and isn’t afraid to play her part – even if it could mean a one way ticket to a tea party with the grim reaper.
So, in summary. This is a fast paced, fun read with plenty of action tempered with a little romance. I very much look forward to No.2.
This counts as one of my backburn books. This is a theme run by Lisa at Tenacious Reader. The idea being to try and read and review some of those books that you’ve let sit around looking all sad and gathering dust. Time to show them some love.
Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.6
6 September 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Chosen, Readalong week No.6
Today is week No.6 of our readalong for Kushiel’s Chosen. I am hosting this week so naturally everything has gone a bit pear shaped!! Anyway, the chapters this week were great! As you would expect – spoilers lurk below – so beware. All welcome, if you want to join the readalong or jump in with comments then please do so (here is the SCHEDULE). This week’s questions and answers below:
1. We had a bit of a discussion about Kazan in the previous week’s questions, about his nature, double crossing, etc, and whether Phedre was right to save him. What are your thoughts on Kazan now given these most recent additions. Also, I think we should include his mother in that discussion – it was interesting to finally see her I thought. And, in fact his whole homecoming.
I really enjoyed the change in Kazan this week. I mean, he’s been through the cleansing – and let’s face it, he’s not a changed man, as Phedre pointed out – he’s simply going to continue as previously but now with a clean slate. But I really liked that he confessed into having put Phedre into an impossible situation to force her hand into sleeping with him. I also thought it was good that he recognised that they could have probably saved some trouble if they’d both been a bit more honest and I liked the fact that he recognised that Phedre had saved him more than once and he was now going to stand by her. I thought his homecoming was very touching really and brought home how much his banishment had affected him. I was also thinking about his mum and how she’d cursed him in anger and then probably regretted it very much because she then, in effect, lost both sons. It was good to see that she was so happy to see him – I hope nothing happens to him and he gets to return home.
2. What did you think of the whole ‘tribute’ ship idea – is that your idea of a good plan or your worst nightmare??
I must admit I don’t think I’d like to spend all that time in that confined space – I probably wouldn’t be able to move by the time I was released. The one thing that really occured to me was that if anything had happened to the ship, bad weather or potential sinking Phedre would have remained trapped in there because she’d be the last person on everyone’s minds. Not my idea of fun to be honest but a good idea that put me a bit in mind of a Trojan horse.
3. Let’s just talk about the reunion with Joscelin and Phedre. Oh my word! More to the point the changes in both of them and how you think their relationship will now move forward.
This week was so touching – I practically had tears in my eyes. The reunion with Phedre and Joscelin was so sweet. And Ti-Phillipe as well. I think that Phedre and Joscelin have been through such a lot together, they share such a lot of meaningful experiences but I think the experience of Phedre with the cleansing and Joscelin thinking that he’d lost Phedre forever has changed them both – and for the better really. It’s sort of put things in perspective hasn’t it. Joscelin was so annoyed with Phedre that he left her – probably safe in the knowledge that he could see her again anyway, Being faced with the possibility that he couldn’t just walk back into her life was so much more final and finally made him see things differently (not to mention that he was probably feeling terribly guilty). On the other hand, Phedre actually admitted that she’d treated him badly which I think was a big change because to be honest she doesn’t usually come over in that way.
4. Lastly, what do you think Phedre’s plan is – it’s in a temple, she spoke about making retribution in earlier chapters and yet her latest plan seems to have caused gasps of surprise. What do you think we have in store.
I actually haven’t read further on so I really don’t know what to expect here. I’m guessing that by the gasps it involves something a bit shocking and I was thinking as they were using the secret tunnels to appear in the temple that maybe there was going to be some pretense of being a ‘God’ maybe – you know, making a dramatic appearance to distract everyone. But what do I know. I have a strong suspicion that things will get a lot worse before they get better!
I’m excited to be oton the final chapters. I think this has been a great read so far – I admit that I’ve missed Joscelin and I like it better when he steps back into the picture, but, I really do enjoy Carey’s writing and world building. She pays such a lot of attention to detail.
Other participants:
Allie at Tethyan Books
Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Grace at Books Without Any Pictures
Nancy at FaeStruck’s Reviews & More
James at James T. Witherspoon
Emily at Emma Wolf
Susan at Dab of Darkness
Books and travelling with Lynn 