#SPFBO X Review: Through Blood and Dragons by RM Schultz
26 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO X, Dragons, Fantasy, Review, reviews, RM Schultz, Through Blood and Dragons
For those who don’t know about SPFBO (the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off) – this is a competition created and run by Mark Lawrence. The competition is now in its tenth year and you can find out more about all the other entrants and judges over on Mark Lawrence’s blog.
I have now completed all my reading for the first phase of SPFBO X. Over the next few days I hope to publish reviews for the three books chosen by the Critiquing Chemist followed by a post in which we will announce our finalist.
Today’s review is for a high fantasy story called Through Blood and Dragons by RM Schultz.
If you love stories with dragons then this will surely appeal. Dragons are integral to the story. They are used by warring nations and in fact can tip the balance of whether you win or lose. They share a bond with their rider and there is a dragon realm that will hopefully be explored more in future editions.
This is the land of Cimeren, torn by a history of war between the north and south there is an uneasy peace which rests on a knife edge. Instability threatens to once again push the nation into war and so when a terrible event leads to the death of the King of Murgare and his Queen being taken hostage the infamous Dragon Queen of the north decides to take action. And so the scene is set for these two nations to once again go to war.
However, here is so much more to this story than the simple overview above. This is a story with intrigue and mystery, corruption and bravery.
The landscape of this world has largely helped to prevent the constant outbreaks of war that are always looming. The two are separated by a dark forest and a huge lake. Both of these are obstacles to war when your main threat comes from a host of dragons. The forest gives little chance of respite for the larger dragons to rest as does the lake, and so nature helps to keep these warring nations apart. They are, of course, constantly trying to keep ahead in terms of recruiting more dragons – a kind of arms war if you will. There are many types of dragons, the larger of which wear armaments and carry warriors into the fray. The author has clearly thought this through in depth with different breeds and abilities.
As the story begins we meet Cyran Orendain, a squire at an outpost called Nevergrace. Cyran is an easy to like character, he’s good natured and friendly, he cares about the dragons, he dreams of better things, he has a secret fancy for one of the young women from the outpost and he has a strong sense of duty. We follow Cyran for much of the story taking us back and forth into the large city of Belvenguard where the plot thickens and back to the outpost where war has raised its bloody head. There are of course other characters and Cyran’s sister, Jaslin, is definitely one to watch.
The world building is impressive and there are plenty of unexpected elements to the story to hold your attention. I was surprised by how ruthless the author was in terms of not only the characters but also the dragons.
I mentioned intrigue. Not all of the story elements are concluded by the end of the story. Clearly, there is more to this war than at first meets the eye. Of course there is the natural enmity between the north and south given their history, however, other forces are at play and maybe the start of this war is not as straightforward as it first appears. Certain members of the King’s court come across as decidedly suspicious, someone is sending out secret messages to a number of the key players warning them to be careful and on top of this the dark forests seem to be coming alive with death and mystery, strange magic, enchanted music and unusual artefacts.
In terms of criticisms. I didn’t have anything that spoiled the story for me. There are a number of threads, some of which are ongoing at the conclusion of the tale and there is a lot to take on board but this feels natural for epic fantasy of this scope. In that respect it has a typical start to a series feel. there are many characters to become familiar with, plus the layout and backstory which can slow the story down a little at points but not to the point that I wasn’t enjoying the read.
In conclusion, I enjoyed Through Blood and Dragons, it’s a great start to a promising series.
I received a copy courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Review: Magic by Sarah Pinborough
23 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Beauty, Blood, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Magic, Poison, Rapunzel, Review, Sarah Pinborough
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Pinborough, such a great storyteller
I love a good fairytale, but sometimes better still a good fairytale reimagined. If this is something you enjoy then I can’t recommend Pinborough enough. She has a wicked sense of humour, she turns everything on it’s head and I love the way she writes. Magic has been recently released as the first in the Tales from the Kingdom series. I’ve already read Poison, Charm and Beauty and loved them. I nearly had a conniption when I saw on Netgalley two new titles Magic and Blood. Magic is, as I understand it (although, ahem, I have been known to be wrong) being marketed as the first in the series, followed by the aforementioned three and then another new book, Blood, being the fifth instalment.
So, Magic is a retelling that predominantly focuses on Rapunzel but also captures so many other elements of stories that I’ve loved over the years. Aladdin plays a role, and believe me when I say he’s the furthest thing from the Disney imagined version than you’ll believe. Pinborough captures so many different elements and gives them all her own unique twist, I was filled with a lovely sense of nostalgia whilst reading at the same time as being dumbfounded at the creativity on display that takes all my ideas of tropes and characters and stamps them into the earth, followed by a quick dusting off of the hands and a hearty harrumph – take that you fairytale stereotypes. I mean literally, I loved this. I confess that I am a fan of the author and maybe I’m predisposed to like her work, I don’t know, but this book picked me up just when I needed it.
In fact the other three books are also available and as I no longer have copies (having given by beautiful hard copies to some scoundrel to read (and we all know how that goes) I’m tempted to request the others so I have the full set again, that way I could enjoy myself quite spectacularly reading all five in almost back to back fashion – is that greedy though?
As I said, this is Rapunzel’s tale. Rapunzel is a beautiful, sheltered, young woman who lives in a tower with her Aunt Gretel (we all know the tale of Hansel and Gretel and the gingerbread house – well, be patient). Anyway, Gretel is a witch, she makes charms or curses that are usually woven into spindles and she has many spinning wheels already imbued with such magic. Gretel has hidden herself away from the world, she’s raised Rapunzel to mistrust other folk, especially men. There’s no such thing as true love and men simply can’t be trusted (feels like a little play on Miss Havisham and Estella). Except, Gretel is becoming curious about the outside world and when she is given a book, by a friend, about love and romance, she finds herself longing to meet her very own Prince Charming.
Meanwhile, we have a King, he’s exploring the kingdoms (mainly sowing his wild oats) before he takes up his position of authority. He bumps into a young man who tells him of a beautiful maiden trapped in a tower by a cruel witch and he immediately imagines himself as the dashing hero rushing to rescue her. The young man who told him the story has his own motives, a room full of magic spindles seems too good to resist.
I think I’ve already told you too much of the plot so I’ll stop there. Pick these up and enjoy them for yourselves.
What I loved.
The writing. It’s clever and well plotted. The stories are written with Pinborough’s wicked sense of humour and it comes across so well. There’s a determined tongue in cheek poking of fun at everything you may have come to expect from such tales and it ultimately comes together in a perfect package.
I really enjoy the way the author turns the characters around. We have Aladdin, we even have a genie and a lamp, but they’re so unexpectedly different. I won’t say more.
All of the books are set within the Kingdoms and this is another reason why I’m tempted to read all of them in order, why deny myself such fun after all. They’re all connected in small ways so I highly recommend picking up all five and reading them all in order.
I can’t add too much more, well, other than the fact that these books are so easy to read and are good stories packed with humour and a little bit of sizzling sexiness. And, the cherry on top – this is ultimately a story of true love.
This book was the pick-me-up that I didn’t know I needed.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating
5 of 5 intoxicatingly delicious stars
Review: The Wilding by Ian McDonald
18 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Horror, Ian McDonald, Review, The Wilding
My Five Word TL:DR Review: A Little Slow to Start
I enjoyed The Wilding. The writing is really good, very evocative and the author sets the scene very well. Yes, it was a little slow to start as we get to know the characters. To be honest, on the one hand, I’m not totally sure that all the character building was totally necessary as some of these characters are about to meet a grisly end, but, on the other hand, if the author just skimmed over these characters and gave them no depth it would be immediately obvious that their roles were going to be short lived, so, for me, it’s worth taking the time to get to know these people as it definitely makes their sudden demise much more shocking.
The premise of the story is a group of rangers and young adults, going into the wild to spend a night, at one with nature. It’s an unlikely group of characters in some respects. Lisa, the MC, is longing for a new start in life at University and in fact this little wilderness trek is probably going to be her last mission. The other young adults don’t particularly come across as enthusiastic (at least not all of them) about this little jaunt into the wild and have an almost bored, are we really doing this, attitude, but they’re going to get a sudden jolt of nasty reality in fairly short order.
The author sets the scene early. There have been unexplained attacks on farm animals and other unexplained incidences. The setting feeds into the atmosphere perfectly. This is a rewilding project based deep in rural island where the locals, the project itself and nature are struggling to come to a balance and, well, ultimately failing it would seem. There’s a lovely build up of tension, I would say that at one point I was on the brink of wondering when the action would kick in but then suddenly I was in the middle of chaos. When the proverbial hits the fan things go batpoop crazy. The wilderness seems to take on a mind of its own causing confusion and driving the party deeper into the bog. There’s bad weather, marshy boglands, bugs and that awful feeling of being watched coupled with the hysteria and panic created when people are desperately trying to survive. And there are some really unusual settings where our little group find shelter.
I don’t really want to say too much more for fear of spoiling the read for others. I enjoyed this, it had a slightly slow start but I think that initial build up makes the story more dramatic. There is definite horror and blood and guts. I don’t know whether I’d call this a folk story. It’s more like nature as a whole – showing us it’s power coupled with the journey of one character in particular – Lisa – who starts the story longing to move on before going on something of a self discovery jaunt herself, becoming very protective of the young people in her charge and throwing caution to the wind as she tries to keep them alive.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars rounded to 4 for the strange and dark appeal
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy #1) by Stephanie Burgis
25 September 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books, Can't Wait Wedesday, Fantasy, fiction, Queens of Villainy #1, Stephanie Burgis, Wishful Endings, Wooing the Witch Queen
“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: Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy #1) by Stephanie Burgis. I’m loving her work and highly recommend her Regency Dragons series. Anyway, here’s the cover (which is absolutely gorgeous) and the description (which is absolutely captivating):
In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.
Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress everyone fears. After successfully wrestling the throne from her evil uncle, she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door. For that, she needs to spend more time in her laboratory experimenting with her spells. She definitely doesn’t have time to bring order to her chaotic library of magic.
When a mysterious dark wizard arrives at her castle, Saskia hires him as her new librarian on the spot. “Fabian” is sweet and a little nerdy, and his requests seem a little strange – what in the name of Divine Elva is a fountain pen? – but he’s getting the job done. And if he writes her flirtatious poetry and his innocent touch makes her skin singe, well…
Little does Saskia know that the “wizard” she’s falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, with perilous secrets on his trail and a fast growing yearning for the wicked sorceress, he’s in danger from her enemies and her newfound allies, too. When his identity is finally revealed, will their love save or doom each other?
Expected publication : February 2025
Review: Gorse by Sam K Horton
19 September 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Cornwall, Fae, Fantasy, Gorse, Sam K Horton
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Simple. I loved this book.
I love stories of the fae but confess that I’m sometimes disappointed when they fail to shine, show their difference or stick their heads above the parapet. I recently fell for Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde’s fae stories which I highly recommend and now I think I’ve found another story of the Others that delivers on so many levels. This is definitely not a Disney version of the fae and I loved it.
Gorse is a period piece. Set in Cornwall of 1786 this is a time of very mixed beliefs. The church was trying to get a firm grip on people and shake the superstitions out of them and at the same time the Others and their Keepers were not totally ready to relinquish their hold. That’s a very quick overview for a story that pretty much throws you straight into the mire.
What I loved about this. The writing is gorgeous. The entire story is steeped in atmosphere and intrigue. The setting jumps off the page. Bogs, moors, flowers, patches of beauty followed by the grim and ethereal. There’s a feeling of cold grubbiness, of strife, of bitter recriminations and murder all shrouded in mist and shadow. And, slowly but surely, the body count is stacking up.
There’s a mystery here but not in the traditional sense. And you really do have to bear with the storytelling because there is some set up here – but, I loved it all.;
The characters, Nancy and Pel, the dog Pat and the horse Selkie. I fell for them all with their secrets and lies, their steadfast loyalty and courage. Let’s also not forget the fae, those cheeky little critters that are full of mischief and danger, living in the rafters and dusty corners, tending the hearths and helping out generally when treated right and then the more dangerous Others that dwell below, The Hunt and their King. There is much danger in these pages but it’s tempered by the beautiful writing and the love that grows for the characters.
These are savage and desperate times. Crowds are easily driven to frenzy with mobs baying for blood and our characters have their work cut out to stay alive – in fact there is much death amongst these pages.
On top of this there’s the whole split world, Cornwall and beneath. Startlingly similar and yet dramatically different.
I had such a good time with this. History meets folklore. It’s not particularly fast paced in the first half but this isn’t a criticism. I loved the set up, getting to know the world and the mystery that’s taking place in the pages. It’s deliciously dark, full of intrigue and ends with a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come next. I can’t wait.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 Pisky stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 