#SPFBO Spotlight : the first five books..
14 May 2016
Filed under #SPFBO, Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 2016, Mark Lawrence, Spotlight: first 5 books
As part of the SPFBO (details here) all the bloggers taking part have been assigned 30 books. By the end of a six month period the aim is to choose one book to put forward into the next stage. So, I’m aiming to check out 5 books a month. My list first appears here and I’ve picked five random numbers for my first batch of books which are set out below. I’ve provided here the write up and covers from Goodreads for background and also to shine the spotlight on each of these books:
Rebel’s Honor by Gwynn White:
Warrior princess Lynx was helping her brother through a rite of passage into the raiders—the band of rebels who protect their nomadic tribe from imperial guardsmen—when she received a summons to marry her sworn enemy, Crown Prince Lukan. The command cannot be denied. Not when it’s backed up by one thousand guardsmen, each armed with superhuman powers, stationed near her tribe’s desert encampment.
With nothing but her wits and her mundane fighting skill to aid her, Lynx is now on a crusade to destroy Lukan, his all-powerful guardsmen, and his evil empire. If she fails, she forfeits not only her own life but the lives of every person in her tribe.
Unbeknown to Lynx, the only thing the beautiful, brooding Lukan fears is the curse that says Lynx, his warrior bride, will destroy him and his world-conquering empire. Armed with secret but diabolical, mind-controlling technology, Lukan is confident he’s safe from her threats. Unfortunately, no high-tech device can protect him from his lust for her. And it’s his lust that will trigger his downfall.
A story of curses and prophecy, Rebel’s Honor is an intrigue-filled, romantic steampunk adventure. Warning: Don’t start reading at bedtime. Rebel’s Honor will keep you turning the pages all night.
The legions of Chaos have overrun the world.
Uërth is in ruins.With the Heavenly Host’s fall, Angel Swords rained from the heavens, littering the world in what was.Only the most honorable and purest of heart are able to take up the Angel Swords and wield them against the throngs of Chaos. These mighty Empyrean Knights are all that stand between Uërth and annihilation.
Saedeus is neither pure of heart nor honorable. Nor does he wish to wield an Angel Sword.
He just wants to be left alone with his mushrooms.
And his pet rock.
But he might not have a choice.
When he inadvertently takes the soul of a dying Empyrean Knight into himself, his world, and his obligations, grow forever larger.
With the help of his pet rock, the spirit of a heavenly knight, and the sword of a fallen angel, he might be able to make all the difference.
If he doesn’t die first.
Soul Stealer is a dark fantasy
Published October 7th 2015
Assassin’s Quest by Jon Kiln
But when more children go missing, Rothar digs deeper and discovers an insidious network that reaches high up into the echelons of nobility.
What started as a simple mission has become a dangerous quest for justice. Rothar must call upon all his skill to punish those responsible, and rescue the innocent before it’s too late.
“A fast-paced, full length, heroic fantasy novel.”
For the gate to the land of death.
In silver, over mountain, beyond the trees,
At journey’s center, across the seas,
To pass the door where no man draws breath.”Alcione wants more than anything to join her father and brother as one of the Talaria, the riders who defend the King on their flying mounts, the arion. She dreams of soaring up into the sky to protect her land. But as a girl, she will never have a chance to become a hero.After her family is killed in a revolution, Alcie is determined to bring them back. She sets out with Romi, her brother’s arion, towards the capital, where it is said rests a legendary crown with the power to enter the land of the dead. But if she can’t conceal her identity as a former noble, her quest could end before it even begins. Alcie must hide everything she is to survive in this new, dangerous world. But only as her true self can she ever hope to find the crown of five stones and bring her family home.Kindle Edition, 256 pages
Published February 17th
The Tarot Cards by Christina Maharaj
The cards have been released.
They’re draining the world of its magic.
A new master has been chosen.
Only she can capture the cards.High schooler Clara Marsters was on Summer break when it happened. She found the card that would change her destiny. Thrust into Gaia, a dying world filled with magic, she meets Alex, the mysterious yet familiar talking tiger, who came to assist her on her journey.
In order to save the world and get back home, they must travel through the kingdom of Burkhart, solving puzzles and braving the trials of the cards. It’s not just the trials she has to worry about though. Others want the cards magical power, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it.
How far would you go, to save a world that isn’t your own?
Cover Love: #SPFBO 2016
8 May 2016
Filed under #SPFBO, Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 2016, Cover spotlight, Mark Lawrence
I’m currently taking part in the SPFBO 2016 challenge organised by Mark Lawrence. My introductory post with details of the event here.
As part of this I wanted to first of all post all the covers for the books that have been selected for my batch. There’s some impressive covers this year so it would be a shame not to spotlight them all. (Apologies: I haven’t at this stage linked these to Goodreads but when I choose my batch of five each month I will do so). I must admit that I’m really looking forward to getting started! Feast your eyes on these lovelies:
There can be only one #SPFBO 2016
Last year I took part in the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (#SPFBO) organised by Mark Lawrence which proved to be very successful (I think) (more details here).
This year sees the return of the competition with 300 entries being received and distributed between the bloggers taking part (10 bloggers with 30 books each). The details for this year, the entrants and other bloggers can be found here. I’ve listed below my entries for the competition and will shortly be doing a separate post that will highlight the book covers for all 30 titles. Following that – I will schedule an introductory post each month with the five books I’m hoping to take a look at for that month – this will be a description of the book. At this stage I will not have read any of the books but simply wish to try and spotlight them. At the end of the month I hope to do a short round up of the books for that month. Last year I had a rather ad hoc approach to the books on my list and the order in which I read them. This year I haven’t quite made up my mind whether to read the books in order or not but regardless my monthly introduction will highlight the books I’m planning to look at. My aim is to check out 5 books a month (although this could go over or under depending on how successful each book is).
I can safely say that last year was a learning curve for me, I approached the SPFBO very much as a reviewer and not as a publisher whittling down a pile of submissions. This year I aim to stick to a certain percentage of reading time for each book before I decide to move on – I want to be as fair as I possibly can to each of the books and give them a fair opportunity but at the same time I intend to trust my instincts and I really do intend to wear a ‘publisher hat’ in order to do so. As it says in the title, and indeed this could be a slogan for the whole competition, ‘there can be only one’ and even though it’s possible I will enjoy a number of the submissions I can only put one book forward – it’s harsh but it’s also the objective. I will also aim to keep notes on each of the books so that I can hopefully provide some form of constructive feedback (although I make no promises in that respect – I will try my best to do so but sometimes when I get caught up in reading my good intentions leave the building). Any book that I read fully will receive a review (I fell down on this area last year and didn’t review a couple of my first round books that I completed – although I did review all 10 of the finalists, which is part of the undertaking the way I see it. Even so, I do like to review the books I complete – this depends on time. If I complete all five books in a given month then perhaps short reviews, for example.
Good luck to all of the entrants and thank you so much for taking part – it wouldn’t be such a great event without all of you and I’m really looking forward to reading the entries this year. We had some really good books last year and I hope the same goes for this year too! Finally, thanks to Mark Lawrence for organising all of this :D.
Let the festivities commence – may the best book win and in the words (almost) of Tolkien:
“One book to rule them all’
My entrants:
Daniel Potter – Off Leash
Jen Greyson – Lightning Rider
R.A. Meenan – Stolen Guardian
Bobbi Schemerhorn – Mechanical Dragons: Fire & Water
Greg Little – Unwilling Souls
F.T. McKinstry – Outpost
Moses Siregar III – The Ninth Wind
Michael DeAngelo – The Fall
Gwynn White – Rebel’s Honor – to be reviewed
Kristy Tate – Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent
Wilson Geiger – Ash & Flame
Xina Marie Uhl & Janet Loftis – The Ruling Elite and Other Stories
John March – Vergence
Ros Jackson – Melody of Demons
Jaclyn Dolamore – The Vengeful Half
Douglas Milewski – All the Saints are Dead
Joseph J. Bailey – Soul Stealer
Terra Lorin – Avadonya: Rescuing Pavra
Aidan J. Reid – Pathfinders
Jennifer Ealey – Bronze Magic
Jon Kiln – Assassin’s Quest
Will Collins – A Darker Shade of Sorcery
Peter Ravlich – The Fallen Shepherd Saga
Kat Parrish – Bride of the Midnight King
A.G Stewart – Loose Changeling
Robin Lythgoe – As the Crow Flies
Erica Converso – Into the Sky
Ashley Capes – The Amber Isle
Christina Maharaj – The Tarot Cards
Trip Ellington – Evermage
Road Brothers: Tales from the Broken Empire #3.5 by Mark Lawrence
29 December 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Mark Lawrence, Road Brothers, Tales from the Broken Empire
Road Brothers is a fantastic little book of treats which, if you love The Broken Empire, I feel you simply have to read. Coming in at approximately 120 pages it contains 10 separate stories that take us back in time and shares with us some of the histories and motivations behind the characters of Jorg and his brothers.
This anthology was something of a revelation to me. I’ve always protested that I don’t really enjoy short stories and I still maintain that stance – although now with provisos. I do prefer something I can really explore and let my mind wander around and with short stories it always feels that just as I’m getting comfortable they up and finish. The difference with this particular anthology is that whilst it is 10 individual stories they’re all from a world that I’ve already become fully immersed in and they’re extra snippets of information about characters that I’m already familiar with and want to know more about. I read each story eagerly, desperate to know what I’d discover next and frankly I could, even now, happily read some more – I’m greedy like that.
Seriously, this is the perfect companion to the Broken Empire. It’s a quick read, or maybe that’s because I simply couldn’t put it down and not only do we gain these little nuggets of information about the characters but we get to spend some more time in this world which frankly is a win win if you ask me.
The one thing I must point out however is that this book contains spoilers for the Broken Empire trilogy so please be aware of that before you pick a copy up.
For me the stories here were perfect little lightbulb moments. They contain pieces of information not previously included in the trilogy and whilst you could get along reading the series without their knowledge they’re wonderful to discover after completion. They feel like an insight into what the author had in mind for each of his characters and the substance behind their personality that helps to keep them all distinct. Also some wonderful pieces that provide closure on some of the storylines – pieces of information that you didn’t know you needed to know but now you do know, well, they feel invaluable!
I’m not going to elaborate on the stories as that would be to spoil them and I confess I find it difficult to choose a favourite because each one was my favourite when I was reading it. I can say though that I was totally gobsmacked reading Rike’s story! Kent’s – fascinating to learn how he received his name. Gomst – scary. Basically, we take a look at all the main characters from the series and in fact revisit Jorg twice in two completely different settings and all of them were fascinating to read. But, even more intriguing than all of that – we get a glimpse into the character of Jorg’s younger brother which I thought was very revealing. And we have a surprise – I know it’s a bit of a tease to say so and then not expand upon it at all – but it wouldn’t be a surprise then would it!
I found this anthology thoroughly enjoyable, in fact I loved it. Mark Lawrence has his own style of writing and it’s one that I enjoy reading very much. He is undoubtedly a master of words and also has a gift for the element of surprise that usually leaves me speechless!
If you love The Broken Empire I think you will love this book of short stories too. It feels a little like watching the extended version of Lord of the Rings or the Director’s cut of one of your favourite films. Let’s just be honest here – when you love something this much you never feel like you’ve had enough and this definitely fills a little gap whilst we wait for The Wheel of Osheim. What more could you possibly ask for – other than more books of course (no pressure there then Mr Lawrence).
Definitely recommended to fans of the Broken Empire.
I received a copy for review for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Waiting on Wednesday: Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence
9 December 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Breaking the Spine, Mark Lawrence, Red Queen's War, Waiting on Wednesday, Wheel of Osheim
“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. This book doesn’t have a cover yet or a description – but, nonetheless I want it so badly that I could potentially have a conniption – and it’s not often that I get to use that word! This is book No.3 of the Red Queen’s War – and I want it! Due June 2016.
Books and travelling with Lynn 