Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up and Update
Books read this week:
Another very busy week with little time for reading or blogging. I’m definitely not progressing as well as I’d like to be doing this month. But, we’ve been away for a few days so reading has taken something of a backseat. We’ve spent a few days in the fantastic city of Porto in Portugal. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s such a welcoming place, absolutely gorgeous, lovely people and delicious food and drink. I have read another of my SPFBO books so have one left now to complete.
Next Week’s Reads:
I’d like to read my final SPFBO book and possibly The Coven by Harper L Woods.
Reviews Posted:
None this week.
Outstanding Reviews
- The September House by Carissa Orlando
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- 1 x SPFBO book
- The Wilding by Ian McDonald
- The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
- 1 x SPFBO book
#SPFBO 9 Update
What is SPFBO 9? This is a competition where authors of self-published fantasy can enter their work. The objective to find a winner out of the 300 entries submitted. Ten judges (or judging teams) each receive 30 entrants. Each judge/team will eventually submit one finalist to the second round where a winner will eventually be decided upon. Check out Mark Lawrence’s post here to look at this year’s entrants, judges and allocations list. Also, check out this page to see all the lovely finalists and the scoreboard for Phase 2 of the competition.
***
Okay, I realise that I’ve been very quiet in terms of posting about SPFBO. Rest assured this is not a reflection on the Finalists or indeed my progress in reading them, rather that I have been more fixated on getting some reading under my belt before I started to post any reviews.
As you may know, for Phase 1 of the competition I was joined by the wonderful Critiquing Chemist, Sarah and her trusty boffin Jennie, who helped with the initial phase taking on board half of the book allocation and helping to choose our finalist (A Rival Most Vial).
For Phase 2 Sarah has taken a step back due to family commitments but Jennie was still keen to join me in reading through the finalists and scoring each one. However, Jennie also has less time for reading at the current time due to pressures that I won’t go into here and whilst she has been reading we’re both not sure that she’ll manage to complete all the finalists before the end of the competition, and I certainly don’t want to add any additional pressure in that respect.
What does this mean going forward?
Well, as it currently stands I have now read 6 of the 9 finalists (i’ve started book 7 and I’m hoping to complete that and the remaining two books before the end of the month). I thought I’d make that clear first in case there were any concerns that the finalists wouldn’t all be complete.
In terms of scoring, Jennie has read and scored some of the finalists, however, as we cannot guarantee that she’ll be able to read all of them before the deadline at this point I will score the books alone – this seems fair and consistent (to be honest, our tastes have aligned very well so far so I don’t think this will affect the overall scores in any sort of dramatic way).
With that in mind I’m going to start posting my reviews very soon, I’ll hopefully be posting one every four to five days.
That’s my update for now. I’m so sorry that it’s taken me so long to post an update, but, as I mentioned, I’ve been concentrating more on reading than reviewing, and also I wanted to give my partner in books time to get through some of the finalists without adding any stress.
Watch this space, hopefully my first review will go live this forthcoming week.
#SPFBO : My Third Batch of Books – Update
Today I’m posting an update for my third batch of SPFBO books (which can be found here). This year I’m teaming up with the lovely ladies from the Critiquing Chemist and we split the batch of books equally – which gives me a little more time this year.
This month I read and reviewed all four books from my third batch and today I’m providing my feedback on which books will be cut or rolled forward. At this point I’m not making any decisions on semi-finalists as the semi finalists will be decided by both blogs before agreement on a finalist is reached. We will each put forward hopefuls and then take it from there.
I would mention that this is ultimately the most difficult part of the competition for judges and authors. I don’t find making cuts easy to be honest however it’s the nature of the competition. There can be only one. I would also like to thank the authors of the books that are highlighted today for taking the decision to throw their hat into the ring. It can’t be easy and I definitely applaud you for taking this step.
Without further ado here is my feedback from the third batch of books:
Rising Shadows (The Pillar of Creation #1) by Phillip Blackwater
As tension rises between the southern and northern nations of the small continent of Exitium in the world of Anteris, the Elves turn to their eastern neighbors, the Humans, for help. They wish to learn the ways of combat, which they are not accustomed to, for they have always wielded a power far greater than forged steel. The Shards of Creation, mystical artifacts of great and virtually infinite power, have always been their prized weapon, but times have changed. They now face the same threat as the Humans: the southern nation known as the Ethula.
Wariel Ritch, general of the Human army, will take upon his shoulders this burden. But when a shadow of a past long forgotten threatens what little stability is left in the world, he will have to leave everything behind to stop it. Medregal Tergrast, an Ethulan king, dead for a thousand years, plans his return to the world of the living to gain back his former glory and finally fulfill his destiny by gaining control of the Shards of Creation. But is he really the threat people make him out to be?
In the meantime, in the bowels of the Human Kingdom, the reign of Dana Crystaloak is put into jeopardy when people around her start questioning her decisions. If she falls, war could break out across all lands.
My review is here.
In a nutshell: Rising Shadows is a quest style fantasy story involving a number of characters, racing against time, before an army of souls is released to fight for a King who has returned from the dead. There are a number of different threads to the story that all provide their own element of added threat. I didn’t struggle to read this but I did have a few issues and whilst this might not have totally worked for me it could be a gateway into fantasy for readers new to the genre
Conclusion: Cut
***
By the Pact (Pacts Arcane and Otherwise 1) by Joanna Maciejewska
High mages lied: Veranesh, the demon who destroyed the continent is still alive. And it’s up to their former student to expose the truth—even if it means another Cataclysm.
When Kamira, a once high mage student turned arcanist, discovers an imprisoned demon in underground ruins, she is forced into a pact that grants her powerful magic, but also ties her to the very demon that once devastated the continent… and Veranesh wants his freedom.
With one friend by her side, Veelk, a mage killer bound on protecting her, Kamira will have to outwit the archmages, other demons, and possibly her own demonic benefactor to survive. Her chances are slim, but with Veelk’s ever-present sarcastic repartee, Kamira might just pull through.
Plots and schemes, power and means—sometimes the price for victory is choosing which friend will die, but when you only have one friend, the choice is… easy?
My Review is here.
In a nutshell: I enjoyed By the Pact. It has some new (to me at least) notions around demons and magic that I haven’t seen explored before. I enjoyed the central characters and apart from a few issues related to editing (as opposed to the story itself) I would undoubtedly like to read the next instalment.
Conclusion: Roll Forward
***
Iarraindorn by Phil Dickens
ON THE NIGHT THAT HE WAS BORN, THE DEVIL CAME TO KILL HIM The son of a farmer in Iron Age Britain, Nuadhu finds himself thrust into a destiny he is ill-prepared for. After his king murders his parents, he and his brother are forced to flee into the Roman Empire under the protection of the archangel Anael. Meanwhile, a plague of the undead is sweeping across Europe from the east, raising their slain enemies as new allies. Their goal is not the conquest of one tribe or nation, but the subjugation of all humanity. Can one warrior-in-exile, hungry for vengeance, build a force to repel this existential threat?
My review is here
In a nutshell: This was a short but enjoyable story about a man who is born to be the ‘champion’ of the people, a protector from evil if you will. Set in the Iron Age we follow a young man as he trains with a celestial being. My only problem here is that I felt the length of the book worked against it in terms of the author really being able to draw a picture of the way of life, or to really given strength to the characters. As it is it felt like a fairly quick, episodic narrative that quickly sees the main POV grow up and finally face the threat he’s been training for. I think readers who like a quick read and fast pacing might enjoy this one.
Conclusion: Cut
***
Carrion by Alyson Tait
The Rook legacy: duty at all Costs. Regina’s family are the last living members after a long line of magical families. Their heritage is a promise to the world; they can be trusted to keep magic from corrupting power hungry witches — In doing so they keep an unearthly evil from crushing humanity.
When Regina Rook’s mother dies a sudden, violent death, the living coven members come from around the world to attend the funeral, and begin breathing down her neck as next in line to lead. Trying to find a balance between her own goals and her family’s demands, all the while keeping her recent nightmares hidden where she becomes the very thing they fighting.
But when those things become intertwined, can she do anything but watch as the world around her crumbles to ancient horrors?
My review is here.
In a nutshell: Carrion is a story about a coven of witches who use their magic to protect the world. When the coven’s lead witch dies it falls to her eldest daughter to pick up the reins. The eldest daughter however has long rebelled against the coven’s ways and traditions and with a new threat emerging this could spell trouble for the world we know. Again, this is a very quick read and a fairly short novel. I found myself struggling to really connect with the main character though and that could simply be because I wanted more backstory. I admit that shorter stories often leave me wanting more detail so this could potentially appeal to other readers who want something a bit more snappy.
Conclusion: Cut
My thanks again to the authors.
I will be posting my final batch of books very soon.
#SPFBO : My Second Batch of Books – Update
Today I’m posting an update for my second batch of SPFBO books (which can be found here). This year I’m teaming up with the lovely ladies from the Critiquing Chemist and we split the batch of books equally – which gives me a little more time this year.
This month I read and reviewed all four books from my second batch and today I’m providing my feedback on which books will be cut or rolled forward. At this point I’m not making any decisions on semi-finalists as the semi finalists will be decided by both blogs before agreement on a finalist is reached. We will each put forward hopefuls and then take it from there.
I would mention that this is ultimately the most difficult part of the competition for judges and authors. I don’t find making cuts easy to be honest however it’s the nature of the competition. There can be only one. I would also like to thank the authors of the books that are highlighted today for taking the decision to throw their hat into the ring. It can’t be easy and I definitely applaud you for taking this step.
Without further ado here is my feedback from the second batch of books:
Berserker (Apocosmos #1) by Dimitrios Gkirgkiris
Alex is a game developer though he’d much rather stream RPG classics or spend time with Louie. That’s his adorable corgi. He also hates people. Not in a homicidal way but rather in an extremely-antisocial one.Unless you hurt Louie.
In such an instant, Alex is pulled in the Apocosmos, where our whole world is just a blip in a colorful tapestry of million others. A multiverse ruled by a strict system. Where Norse, Greek, and Celtic pantheons clash. Where dwarves craft, dragons hoard, and vampires don’t glitter. A world that is as cruel as epic.
Alex wants none of that though. He just wants to earn an early retirement somewhere in Spain. There’s money to be made in the Apocosmos. Alex will take advantage of the market just like he did in his MMORPG days, in what seems like an error-proof plan. But it’s a zero-sum game and some would do anything to eliminate competition.
My review is here.
In a nutshell, I had fun with Berserker, it was an enjoyable read that I had a few issues with but nothing that really spoiled the read. If you like litRPG this could be your next read, I would certainly be interested to see what happens in the next instalment.
Conclusion: Cut
***
Stone Magus (Hidden Gems Saga #1) by Stephanie C. Marks
In life, love, and family, there is always strength in numbers.
Something is off balance between the Windsong Sisters, and for Opal and Ruby, the terrible might of their powers may just lead them to catastrophe—or clarity. As half-elf mages in the service of the Order of Aiuna, the sisters spend their days collecting and preserving anything that magic touches, and as their mission takes them further back into their past, the darkness that awaits them there threatens to destroy everything they hold dear.
Despite the dark smoke rising around them, Opal is finding it hard to ignore the flames flickering between herself and Baerdun. There’s just something about it that makes her feel weak, and not just in the knees. With so much happening around them, it’s becoming much harder to keep her head above water and her heart her own.
After everything they’ve lost—what if they lose themselves as well?
Enter a world where shadows exist within and without, and follow Opal, Ruby, and Baerdun down a path that will either bring them together or force them apart.
In a nutshell, this is fantasy and romance combined. It has a very unusual and unique concept and was easy to get along with. I think readers of romance who like a fantasy setting may enjoy this one – warning: it does become a little ‘steamy’ as the storyline progresses.
Conclusion : Cut
***
Book of Secrets (Merged Series #1) by Claudia Blood
Joshua Lighthouse never wanted to save the world, but now he has no choice.
Three hundred years ago, the human world and the world of Myth underwent a cataclysmic Merge. Those who survived – both human and Others – formed factions. Joshua led one faction, the Human Protection Agency, which is charged with maintaining the safety of the humans in his city. He secretly protects an artifact more powerful than even he knows…
My review is here.
In a nutshell, urban fantasy that manages to deliver a unique idea in terms of the Merge. It felt a little rushed in parts that made it difficult to connect to the central characters but for UF lovers this could be the start of an interesting series.
Conclusion : Cut
***
Dragonbirth byRaina Nightingale
In a world where dragons are considered demons and Dragonriders are hunted and killed as witches…
A devout village-girl, Silmavalien, meets a dragon hatchling and discovers a love she could never have dreamed. At the same time, her world is ripped apart as she discovers the gods she has worshipped and everything she has ever been taught or believed is a monstrous lie. Not knowing what to believe – or even if she can trust her engaged, Noren, with her new secret – she must find a way to care for herself and her dragon, Minth, in a wild and hostile world, a world which only grows stranger as the days pass.
My review is here.
In a nutshell this reads like a coming of age story about a young girl who bonds with a baby dragon and must then leave behind everything and everyone she knows in order to keep them both alive. The writing didn’t quite work for me with this one and the repetition prevented me from connecting to the characters as much as I would have liked. There are plenty of dragons though and maybe this is aimed more at a MG audience.
Conclusion : cut
My thanks again to the authors.
I will be posting my third batch of books very soon.
#SPFBO : My Fifth/Final Batch of Books – Update
3 October 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO 6, My Fifth Batch of Books, Update
300 books 10 Judges 1 winner
The 1st of June marked the start of the sixth Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (details here.) My Introductory post is here.
You can find my updates for batch 1, batch 2, batch 3 and Batch 4 by clicking on the links:
As with previous years I will read a batch of books each month. I will read at least 30% (or 100 pages) and hopefully will choose one or two books from each batch to roll forward and read fully and review before choosing semi finalists and a finalist.
This batch of books made for good reading and some very difficult choices. Unfortunately I can’t carry all the books forward so as ever there will be cuts with my sincere apologies to those authors.
Long Stories: Early Immortals and the Birth of Death by) by Evan Witmer
This is an unusual story primarily focusing on Death. Basically, God created Death to kill the Immortals. Primarily these immortals are made up of vampires, but there are also witches, and others that are swelling the numbers of long lived bodies down on Earth. Death teleports round the world finding his next victims and eliminating them swiftly before burying the bodies.
Eventually, all the immortals bar one have been eliminated. Lucy. Lucy is a very strange case, over 100 years old but she is still a child and Death finds it impossible to kill her.
Unfortunately this one didn’t quite work out for me. I struggled to get a feel for the characters or understand where the story was going. To the point I read up to it felt like a series of anecdotes that jumped back and forth in time relating Death’s encounters. There’s a tongue in cheek tone and a very surreal feel and I’m surprised that this didn’t work out for me given all the fantasy elements but I was unable to connect with it.
Conclusion : Cut
Tuyo by Rachel Neumeier
I’m not reviewing Tuyo at the moment as I’ve decided to carry this one forward.
Conclusion: roll forward
Voice of War by Zack Argyle
I’m also not reviewing Voice of War as I want to read further.
Conclusion : roll forward
The Flight of the Darkstar Dragon by Benedict Patrick
Again, no review at this point as I would like to continue reading.
Conclusion : roll forward
Warbringer by Aaron Hodges
I must say that I enjoyed reading War Bringer to the point I read up to. This is a world inhabited by creatures known as the Tangata. The Tangata seem intent on destroying mankind, they are strong, fast and feral and they are gathering their forces to launch what feels like a final attack.
The story has three clear threads. Romaine is a warrior. His homeland has been invaded and destroyed by the Tangata. We first meet Romaine whilst he’s on a foray into the wild. He and his captain and party follow Tangata tracks into the wild where they manage to survive an attack and rescue a woman who is alone in the wild. Erika is an Archivist for the Queen. She believes that ancient artefacts are the key to defeating the Tangata and seeks these artefacts out. Whilst on such a mission Erika finds what appears to be a map that provides the location of other ancient sites. She also finds a magic gauntlet although it’s unclear what the gauntlet can actually do at this point. Finally, Lukys. He’s a new recruit, sent to the frontier. After surviving a brutal Tangata attack he has decided that his best hope is to seek help from Romaine.
I thought this had a good pace and the three storylines worked very well in taking the story forward. I enjoyed the style and I’m definitely curious about the history and would like to know more about the Tangata.
In terms of criticism. The only thing that occurred to me was that considering how deadly the Tangata were Romaine seemed to deal with them remarkably well – which kind of belied the threat a little for me.
Overall I would like to read this one at a later date and review more fully.
Conclusion : cut
Exile was another enjoyable read. It has a slightly generic feel with a mediaeval backdrop, castles, nobles and an old school swords and sorcery feel.
The MC, Aron, is a sell sword. He gets into bother as the story sets off when he kills a man and is taken prisoner by the local Earl. The Earl of Nandor’s son has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by their enemy. Aron has unwittingly killed the Earl’s champion and so finds himself pressed into service as part of a rescue party.
I didn’t have any trouble getting into this story but I had a couple of issues. Firstly, I was puzzled by the Earl – he sends another noble on the mission to lead the party, but this same noble is hoping to marry one of the Earl’s daughters and basically, if the Earl’s son and heir fails to return, said marriage will result in this noble becoming the next Earl. This seems like a real conflict to me, surely this man would be more than happy for the mission to fail and if the Earl can’t see this himself then I don’t understand why not.
Also, there are a number of romantic threads so far – which I don’t have a problem with as such – other than it seems that the Earl’s wife and both his daughters are making a play for Aron and it felt a little over the top. It also gave me misgivings about Aron as he seemed just to go with the flow making out with whoever/whenever.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, I enjoyed the writing and was actually starting to like Aron at the point I concluded reading but it didn’t stand above the other books from this batch that I’ve decided to roll forward.
Conclusion : cut
Mid-Lich Crisis by Steve Thomas
This was another enjoyable book. I dual read and listened to this one as I had a copy of both versions and I must say that the audio version is very well done.
I’m not reviewing at this point as I would like to conclude the book and review fully but at this stage I won’t be rolling this forward in terms of the competition simply because this batch has some very strong contenders.
Conclusion : cut
My thanks to all the authors who have taken part. I’ve had some very good books in my lot and will be providing an update tomorrow about the rest of my process going forward.
Books and travelling with Lynn 