Friday Face Off: The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R Fletcher
31 January 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, book-blog, Books, fiction, Friday Face off, Michael R Fletcher, reading, The Storm Beneath the World
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). . So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week I’ve chosen a book that I’ve read previously and loved. The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R Fletcher. Here are the covers:
My favourite this week:
Have you read this book already? What did you think and which is your favourite?
Join me next week in highlighting one of your reads with different covers.
Countdown to 2025: Day 22: Reindeers
22 December 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Book With Critters, Countdown to 2025, Day 22, Michael R Fletcher, Reindeers, The Storm Beneath the World
Once again I am counting down to the New Year, as with the previous two years I shall be highlighting at least one book per day to fit the prompt on that given day. The main aim for this countdown is to highlight some of my reads during the past year and to shine the spotlight on them once again (although some of the prompts relate to forthcoming reads). Today is day 22 of the countdown to 2025 and a list of prompts can be found here if you wish to join me in counting down to 2025 and casting a spotlight on some of your favourite books (if you join in please leave me a link so I can check out your book choices).
Today’s Prompt : Reindeers – a book with memorable critters
9 Days Remaining
Okay, that critter on the cover looks nothing like a reindeer – but it’s flying, and it’s taking someone on a journey. Lots of critters in this book – it’s crazy how good a read this is. The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R Fletcher
Tomorrow’s prompt: Sleigh bells – a series that you want to ring out the praise for
The Storm Beneath the World by Micheal R Fletcher
12 March 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Michael R Fletcher, The Storm Beneath the World
My Five Word TL/DR Review : Well, Blown Away Am I
So, I picked up this book and I admit my initial thoughts were, ‘really, why insects?’ I mean apart from the fact that I’m one of those raging wusses who wants to run screaming at the sight of an insect, is this a gimmick of some sort, write a story and replace all the characters with insects instead just to be different? How very wrong I was. This story is brilliant. I was absolutely gripped virtually from the get-go, it’s stunningly unique, I loved the characters and the world building is impressive.
I’m tempted to say Bugs Life meets X-Men but that would give you too cosy a picture – and cosy isn’t a word you associate with this author. Or YA for that matter – even though the MCs are still young(ish). In a nutshell, there are some rather brutal scenes, or bloody – well, icky. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is going to be baby unicorns and rainbows but at the same time don’t be put off by the author’s ‘grimdark’ reputation because you’ll miss out on a seriously good read.
The Ashkaro are insects – yes, they have human like attributes, they talk, they feel, have aspirations, fears, raise families, run businesses, but their behaviours are also largely governed by the fact that they are insects. This is a matriarchal society, the females are much larger and stronger than the males, there is a queen, the females go out to war, etc. Also there is a caste like system which seems to be based on how bright and colourful is the insect’s carapace, the higher up in the system the more names you have, so the Queen has five names, whilst a lowly dull bodied Ashkaro might have only one. This system is easily apparent as the story progresses. We initially meet a three named female and from her perspective we discover much about the world – no info dumps though, the information is relayed as the story unfolds and feels like a natural part of the narrative. Some of the Ashkaro develop a Talent, the scope for these Talents is vast and ranges between the skill to carve trinkets to the ability to make powerful suggestions. It sounds great doesn’t it, you want one of those talents, you know you do. Except, here’s the rub, Talents are considered dangerously addictive, they’re pleasurable to use and eventually lead to apathy, madness and ultimately death. If an insect develops a Talent they become known as Corrupt and are immediately removed from their family and life – to who knows where – they don’t come back after all..
So, these insects basically live on floating islands, As it happens, one of these islands is travelling ominously close to another one, war looms and it seems a plot is afoot to use Talented youngsters as spies or assassins.
There are some moments of genius in this as well as some fantastically emotive scenes that I can’t really discuss but which really give the author a chance to demonstrate that these are insects, they’re not human, and whilst they might share certain character traits they rely heavily on things that are completely alien to us – such as antennae. I won’t say any more.
I can’t really tell you too much more but I can of course suggest that you read this book and I am using my very own powers of suggestion right now. Obi Lynn Kenobi “This is the book you’re looking for”.
The only downside – I would like the next book now please if it’s not too much to ask.
I received a copy, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Friday Face Off : Red skies at night – Covers that are red
4 November 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books by Proxy, Clayton W Snyder, Friday Face off, Michael R Fletcher, Norylska Groans
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
I’ve added themes in below. For information, I’m trying out some new ideas so along with coming up with particular items for book covers I thought we could also look for certain elements contained within the book or that play a large part in the story – this really broadens things out because I have plenty of more ideas with this – I’ve gone for a few of the Tough Travel Themes (so a book with that theme – just choose any book – the theme isn’t necessarily on the cover, then compare covers), also, I’ve thrown in some genres and some colours. Hopefully this will open things out a little and give us some more freedom to come up with new books.
This week’s theme:
Red skies at night – Covers that are red
This week I’ve gone for a book that was one of the finalists in SPFBO 7. Norylska Groans by Michael R Fletcher and Clayton W Snyder. This is grimdark fantasy with intriguing magic and a dark and twisted City. Only two covers this week. Take a look:
My favourite:
I love the way the character takes centre stage.
Do you have a favourite?
If you’re taking part in this week’s theme feel free to leave your link in the comments below.
If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next Week’s Theme : Tough Travel Tropes – The gang
2022
#SPFBO Review: Norylska Groans by Michael R Fletcher and Clayton W Snyder
14 April 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO Review, Clayton W Snyder, Michael R Fletcher, Norylska Groans
Stage 2 of the SPFBO competition is now well underway and the Critiquing Chemist and I have been reading the finalists. Today we post our review for our fifth finalist Norylska Groans by Michael R Fletcher and Clayton W Snyder. Don’t forget to stop over to the Critiquing Chemist to check out their review.
Norylska Groans is perhaps one of the darkest books I’ve read for some time. Having read both Fletcher and Snyder previously I think I was quite well prepared for the grimfest but for those of you who haven’t read them before I will start this review with a simple ‘heads up’. This is not for the faint of heart. That is all. You have been warned.
In a nutshell this is an alternate history, low fantasy set in a Russian-style-industrial-revolution-era city. We follow two characters who end up on opposing sides, both simply trying to survive in a world that takes no prisoners and neither of them totally happy with the paths they have followed. Again, before I say anything further about the plot or writing I must say that I absolutely loved the magic system that these authors have come up with, it’s fascinating, unique and rife with possibility.
Firstly, the characters. We follow Katyushka Leonova and Genndy Antonov as they take desperate measures in order to try and eke out a better way of life. Gen, having lost his job resorts to work with the crime syndicate where is role becomes one of violent enforcer. Gen was a soldier, he now suffers from PTSD and he seems to go into an all consuming rage when embroiled in a fight. Kat seeks work as a secretary but is instead forced into a job with the militia in a strange turn of events. Kat doesn’t exactly have a wonderful homelife and the rigours of her new job actually start to appeal more to her than playing the meek and dutiful wife to her insufferable husband. I have to say that I found myself preferring Kat’s storyline, although the two of them worked very well together when they eventually crossed paths and I particularly enjoyed having a bird’s eye view from two opposing camps.
The world building was solid. It’s easy to imagine the place, the filth (caused by excessive mining), the grime, the oppression. It’s a dog eat dog world. The poor live in ramshackle abodes, shantytowns with makeshift homes thrown together and barely standing. On top of this the story takes place over winter and there seems to be a constant barrage of snow, ice, slush and just your basic sub-zero and rather unpleasant conditions. It’s a world of poverty, life is cheap and the poor are plenty.
As I already mentioned I love the magic system. There are memory stones which serve a dual purpose. They can imbue the person wearing the stone with the memories of those who wore the stone previously along with storing new memories as each new wearer uses the stone, When the stone is removed the wearer no longer remembers their actions – which certainly gives a whole new meaning to the ethos of ‘not taking your work home with you’. There is also the possibility of stones being used to help the wearer feel more confident, or aggressive, etc depending on the combinations used. I’m probably not describing this very well but it is impressive and it has multiple opportunities for storylines and feeds particularly well into the storyline here.
In terms of criticisms. Well, I think I could have used a little less detail on the torture – that’s just me and maybe I’m a bit squeamish – but I felt there was a little too much and that combined with the overall large slice of grim reality definitely felt at times a little bit relentlessly dark. I’m not saying that the violence and bloodshed is gratuitous because it actually fits well with the setting and the theme of crime lords and their brutal retributions – just, maybe, give me an idea of just how brutal this world is once and I’ll take that on board and keep it firmly in mind. The plot itself also felt a little light – to be honest, that’s not so much a criticism as a statement because this felt more like a slice of life fantasy and I have to say I had no problems reading it.
Overall,I found Norylska Groans a compelling read and if you love grimdark then this has got to be your next read.
I received a copy from the authors for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 7 out of 10 or or 3.5 out of 5 for Goodreads.
Books and travelling with Lynn 