Book Review: Shields in Shadow

Today I have a book review of the new military fantasy, Shields in Shadow (The Silent Champions #1) by Andy Peloquin. Enjoy.

A Review of Shields in Shadow (The Silent Champions #1)

Shields in Shadow is a well-crafted military fantasy that does not disappoint.

The book begins with a big action-packed battle scene which sets up the Roman-style legion army, their enemies and the tone of the book. One of the battle survivors, Aravon, is recruited into a covert ops company and the story evolves from there.

I loved this novel. The pacing is more deliberate and slower than some of the author’s previous novels, but it works well for this book as it builds layers onto itself which pay off in the later chapters.

The characters are top notch with their development happening with a nice subtle touch which I appreciated. Their interaction is believable, and the trust of their team gradual and solidly written.

I was also impressed with the battle scenes as they are well crafted as to strategy and accuracy in regard to their real-world counterparts. You still have some fantasy elements, but nothing distracting or eye-rolling and grounded in realism. I especially liked the special armour colours and the nod to the different types of metals and weaponry. The superior quality of some of the blades reminded me of the legendary Damascus steel.

Overall, I give the book first rate marks and highly recommend it.

You can find the book on:

Amazon

Amazon Canada

Goodreads

Shields in Shadow (The Silent Champions #1)

Burdened with legend. Hardened by battle scars. Hellbent on bloody revenge. As the son of a famous general, Aravon is proud to captain his own company against his people's enemy. But the experienced veteran’s march toward glory dissolves into pain as ruthless barbarians massacre every last one of his soldiers. Burning for vengeance, he leaps at the chance to spearhead a specially-trained company and pay back his tragic defeat with blood. Desperate to not repeat his tragic past, Aravon trains his new warriors relentlessly. But the captain fears that all the tactical drills in the world may not matter when they’re forced to defend a helpless village against overwhelming odds. As his quick raids sow chaos amongst the enemy, the bloodthirsty savages threaten to make Aravon's nightmarish history repeat itself… Can the captain take command of his fighting spirit before the kingdom falls to barbarous invaders?

A Review of The Scent of His Feathers

I have a review for you today, a book of poetry from the talented author, Ash Krafton...

My Review of The Scent of His Feathers

The thread of relationship, human connection, winds its way through this book creating a marvellous tapestry of broken hearts, searching souls, yearning spirits, lost hope, and hesitant faith. The thread coils its way through fascinating paths, intersecting darkness and death, connecting fantasy and reality, until it makes its way past starlight musings into universal truth.

The poems in this book are both profound and personal, objective and reflective. They play with words and dance along the edges of the shadows. I delighted in the expressive imagery conjured and emotional infusion contained with the penned lines (some of my personal favourites were Hush, Six Words For Edgar, Gaslight Fancies, Passage, Natural Deception, Note To Self:, and Oubliette). The Scent of His Feathers is superb, and I highly recommend this volume of poetry.

You can find The Scent of His Feathers at:

Amazon

Smashwords

Goodreads

The Toll of Another Bell: A Blog Tour Stop and Review

Today I'm playing host to a stop on the blog tour for the new fantasy anthology from Xchyler Publishing, The Toll of Another Bell, releasing Jan 31st. I got a review of the book for you, a blurb, a look at the full cover graphic, a giveaway, plus the trailer. And be sure to join the authors on Facebook, Saturday Jan. 31st, for the launch party. Now read on and enjoy...

The Toll of Another Bell

A collection of out-of-this-world short stories that ring true in mortal hearts.

Breath: The Guardian of Souls realizes her life is incomplete and sacrifices everything to find what’s missing.

Awareness: To achieve the status of Magi, Jyn must pass his father’s ultimate test.

Phoenix: Orion loses his wife on their wedding day and uses dark magic to seek her in the afterlife.

Life Under Research Conditions: Can a bioweapon possess a soul and make choices to save humanity?

The Year of No Foals: A miraculous colt and a mysterious old man bring healing to a family ripped apart by tragedy.

Naoki No Yokai: Yokai have overrun a local village, and it’s up to Saga Naoki to discover the reason why.

Jilted River: An Appalachian fairy tale attracts visitors to a state park, but then they start to disappear.

Tower Gods: A thirteen-year-old boy with an oxygen mask befits the role of hero in Watcher Benson’s eyes.

Reality As We Know It: Where otherworldly magic fails, is Row’s friendship enough to mend Singer’s grieving heart?

60 Seconds to Midnight: Fleeing an ancient evil, a young woman from amongst the stars finds unlikely refuge on Earth.

The Authors: 

Jodi L. Milner, Timothy Vincent, Elise Stephens, Thaxson Patterson II, Scott E. Tarbet, F.M. Longo, Ginger Mann, J.R. Potter, Danielle E. Shipley, and TC Phillips

The Toll of Another Bell: A Fantasy Anthology

The Toll of Another Bell is a bit of a fantasy mash-up, if an entertaining one, its magic and mayhem swirled with a bit of sci-fi and a dash of historical imaginings. It veers through a wide speculative spectrum, casting forth myths, enchantments, magic, strange creatures, and mad science in its wake.

Here are some quick thoughts on each of the stories.

Breath: This story is soft and subtle, with a seamless blend of character and parable. The setting and fantasy world is rich and creative, a delicate fabric that perfectly suits the story.

Awareness: The beginning of this story was a bit tangled for me as I tried to decipher my way through the opening puzzle motif, but once my brain clued in, I found the story captivating. The narrative had a tense precision to it without losing its mystical undertone of fantasy and surrealism. And I loved the ending.

Phoenix: An excellent modern re-imaging of the Orpheus myth. The tragic quest, the juxtaposition of the contemporary world against mythology was all woven together in an well-crafted tapestry.

Life Under Research Conditions: This story leans more heavily into the sci-fi realm than fantasy, but it was a kick-ass story regardless. The first-person narration, from the point of view of the traditional “monster”, lent the story a different, sympathetic intimacy I enjoyed.

The Year of No Foals: This tale is the star of the book, with a charming, cozy allure that draws you in and never lets you go until the end. It has a sense of wonder and hope, built atop an undercurrent of heartbreak, and melds the fantasy seamlessly into the story.

Naoki No Yokai: This story was light on the fantasy elements, but I enjoyed its historical, slightly off-kilter world, and the mystery that unravelled. I did have a minor quibble, however. There were a few clever, modern in-jokes that peppered the story. While amusing and witty, they pulled me out of the narrative and marred the flow of the story for me.

Jilted River: Another quiet story, but one with much clout. It was a lovely blending of folktale, superstition, and family ties to create a beguiling narrative.

Tower Gods: This one reminded me a bit of an old fashioned boy’s adventure story, complete with giant robots and mystical mentors.

Reality As We Know It: This story was a very entertaining tale that twists the fantasy element a bit, turning the fantasy creatures into regular people, instead of the other way around. It has a spectacular voice and set of characters, and a sweet tone.

60 Seconds to Midnight: I found this one a engaging yarn with sci-fi and Lovecraftian overtones. The ending was a bit open-ended, though. I love to see a sequel to the story, or to have the tale expanded into a book.

Overall though, the book is a great read and I recommend it.

Book Links:

Amazon

Xchyler Publishing

Smashwords

Kobo

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coffin Hop Winners and a Review of Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection

Today I linger a bit in the spirit of Halloween as I’ll be posting the winners of my Coffin Hop contest and reviewing the chapbook Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection by the wonderful poet Sean Theall.

First the review.

Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection

I first became acquainted with Sean’s poetry over on Facebook in a poetry group. He is a fellow poet of the dark arts, and recently I had the pleasure of reading one of his poetry books, Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection.

From the cover to the last word, Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection is infused with a Stygian splendour and wicked charm. The poetry didn't shy away from sinister, visceral imagery—yet avoided being repellent—and maintained an overall sense of delightful dread.

The author has a superb storytelling knack, weaving threads of shadows into a poetic tapestry of lustre. Each poem in the book tells a story, some macabre, some eerie, and a few even gruesome, but all imparted with words woven in a shadowy elegance and stylish spell. Two of my particular favourites were A Toast to Poe, a lovely tribute to the author and that famous grave visiting fan, and Angel’s Counsel, a quiet musing on the denizens of Heaven.

The book is bit like traversing through a mysterious cemetery of words, with shadowy surprises on each page. You can feel the Edgar Allen Poe influence in the poems—a very dark and deathly vibe—but there’s a certain raw beauty in the verse as well. Throw in a bit of serial killer, some bleak musings, and a touch of the paranormal for a well-seasoned mix of obsidian thrills and chills served in stanzas. Gothic Verses: The Halloween Collection is a must read for all fans of dark poetry.

You find out more about Sean and his books at these sites:

http://edgarallanpoet.com/Sean_Theall.html

http://mainstpoet.tripod.com/books.html

Okay, now on to the announcement of Coffin Hop winners.

First Prize (consisting of a Legends and Lore paperback and the two Killers and Demons ebooks) goes to: bn100

Please note: There was a small delay in shipping out the paperback of Legends and Lore from the publisher and it is still in transit to me, so there will be a short wait before can I can autograph it and mail it to the winner. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Second Prize (consisting of the potion bottles and pouch) goes to: Johanna Pitcairn

Third prize (consisting of the ebook copy of Killers and Demons II) goes to: Andrew Drage

Congratulations to the winners. I'll be contacting you by email sometime today.

I'd like to thank everyone who entered, and all the lovely people that stopped by to visit during Coffin Hop. And thanks as well to the wonderful organizers of the Hop and the fantastic bloggers.

Book Review: Birds of Passage

Well readers, it's time for another book review.
Some time ago I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the excellent first novel in The Raincoast Trilogy, the book Since Tomorrow by Morgan Nyberg. Now I bring you my review of the second book in the series, Birds of Passage...

A Book Review of Birds of Passage

Birds of Passage, the second book in The Raincoast Trilogy, is a darker, more sombre novel than the first; a harsher glimpse of a transitory journey through a decaying world. The book evokes a bittersweet melancholy, where the remnants of human civilization are more profoundly marked as a dying breed.

The book begins years after the events of the first, in a world that has devolved considerably. Frost’s Farm still exists, but the people there cling to faded hope as disease and death ravage their settlement. The characters of the first book, Noor, Daniel, Wing, have given way to the new generation, Cloud, 99, Fraser, and Fraser’s dad, Blaine. Birds of Passage is their story, full of sadness and tragedy. They have one hope, to go north and find a new place to settle, a new place for the farm.

The novel portrays its unforgiving world honestly, and convincingly, depicting a compelling vision of a ruined society struggling to endure and stay alive. It has some interesting things to say about human nature, both its savagery and nurturing aspects, and our survival instincts as a species. I may not have agreed with everything the author wove into the story, but it made for fascinating reading. The book focuses on action over reflection, external stimuli over internal, perhaps a bit too much for my liking, but still manages to weave an intriguing and captivating story. The pace slows and meanders in the middle of the book, when the characters find themselves embarking on a journey away from the farm, but not enough to be overly detrimental to the plot.

However, the book is not without its problems. I found the central characters in this book slightly less engaging than the first, perhaps due to the lack of an unifying character such as Frost in the original novel. The story is told as more of an ensemble piece, and while it does work, for me the depth of characterization was somewhat deficient at times. I found the character of Fraser especially frustrating, with the motivation for some of his actions incomplete. Without a more in-depth look at the bond between father and son, I found it hard to sympathize with Fraser’s loyalty to Blaine. This limitation is somewhat mitigated with flashback scenes near the end of the book, but it may have been a case of too little, too late.

I don’t think the book is quite as good as the first in the series, it is still a terrific novel, and one I recommend.

Birds of Passage is available at:

Amazon

Amazon.ca

A Stellar Voyage: A Review of Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology

Here's something I haven't done in a while, posted a book review. The following are my musings on Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology...

A Book Review of Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology

Terra Mechanica is a lush, diverse journey through strange, yet familiar histories, full of intrigue, airships, pirates, villains, clockwork machinery, and emotional nuances. Each story opens a distinct world, and sails you through a fascinating expedition of wonder and beguiling characters. While most of the roads you explore are straightforward, with few twists, they are all pleasant, enjoyable and a delight to explore.

The anthology is devised of nine stories, all built around the same theme: a world journey. The settings are varied, from an across Europe trek, airship flights in Russia and the South Pacific, a chase from France to Morocco, Indochina and Quebec, voyages to Western America, and to India and beyond. Each story holds a different point of view, while keeping the feel and aesthetics essential to steampunk.

As with all anthologies, I enjoyed some stories more than I did others, although I can’t say there was one I truly didn't like. I preferred the ones with more emotional and reflective style, finding Dr. Pax's Great Unsinkable Bird by J. R. Potter, Seven-year Itch by Rie Sheridan Rose and Priority Passage by S. D. Simper as highlights of the book, but I also enjoyed Dots, Dashes, and Deceit by Jay Barnson as a delightful adventure romp. However, the showpiece of the entire book, for me, was The Promise by Michael Cross. I loved the way that story shifted through vignette glimpses of lives, weaving a captivating patchwork whole, but still leaving pieces to the imagination of the reader. If there was one story that I found slightly disappointing, it was Ripper Bound by TC Phillips. While I found it well written and a good read, the plot, to me, seemed a bit predictable in its direction. And to be fair, I may have been a bit more critical with this one, as it falls very close to the horror genre.

Overall, Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology is a charming, and entertaining book, with shades of stories running from dark to light. I highly recommend it.

Terra Mechanica: A Steampunk Anthology is available at Amazon

You can find other retail links through the publisher's website, Xchyler Publishing.

And here's the very cool book trailer:

A Review of The Troubleshooter: New Haven Blues by Bard Constantine

My Book Review of The Troubleshooter: New Haven Blues

Noir is alive and well in the future. The Troubleshooter: New Haven Blues by Bard Constantine takes the atmosphere and sensibilities of a '30's detective novel and blends it well with sci-fi cyberpunk into a tasty and appealing cocktail.

The Troubleshooter begins where all good noir crime fiction should, with a slightly disreputable, down on his luck shamus, excuse me, private detective. In this instance, it’s Mick Trubble, a guy with money problems and a price on his head. The twist in the plot is this private dick works out of dystopian, post-apocalyptic sci-fi city called New Haven. Mick takes a case to pay off his debts, a high risk venture, almost guaranteed to get him killed. The deeper he investigates, the wilder things become as he finds mayhem, android killers, and dark secrets from his own past.

I loved the style and sensibilities of this novel, a cool hybrid of Blade Runner and the Maltese Falcon. The characters are tough and gritty, with a side order of sneaky. You can trust no one, and everybody has something to hide. The author does a nice job of creating this world, the noir and sci-fi blend seamlessly. The plot does a lot of twisting, but manages to keep the reader along for the ride (and at the edge of your seat once or twice), and comes to a satisfying conclusion with just enough left over to whet the appetite for a sequel.

I can recommend The Troubleshooter: New Haven Blues easily.

You can find The Troubleshooter: New Haven Blues on Amazon, Smashwords and other online retailers.

Book Review: The Rebels by Elizabeth Lang

My Book Review of The Rebels: 

The novel The Rebels, the sequel to The Empire, is as engrossing as the first book in the series. The author, Elizabeth Lang, once again creates an adroit plot with strong direction and fascinating characters.

The novel picks up where The Empire left off, with heroes, Adrian, Kali and Bryce, turned fugitive and on the run. Quickly, trouble follows and the intrepid band of three are separated, with Adrian falling into the clutches of a bounty hunter and Kali and Bryce out to rescue him. But things are never what they seem, with changes of heart, and new faces and old stirring up danger.

As with the last book in the series, The Rebels best strength lies in its strong characters and their interaction with one another. Despite the fact the two main characters of Adrian and Kali are separated for much of the book, I like the way the author intensified their relationship. Also, I enjoyed the subtle interplay between the bounty hunter and the new character of Dr. Adding. They challenged each other, with attraction and respect creeping in over time.

The storyline is nicely paced and meshes together smoothly, with a deft touch of tension in the right spots. I did find the endgame of the plot a bit predictable, if still entertaining. However the cliffhanger at the end was out of the blue and shocker for me (I definitely did not see that twist coming).

The Rebels is a terrific book and I highly recommend it.

The Rebels is available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Rebels-Empire-Elizabeth-Lang-ebook/dp/B00GT092EA

A Rewarding Mystery: A Review of Old Loves Die Hard

My Book Review of Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr:

The second book in the Mac Faraday mystery series, Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr is just as enjoyable as the first. It is another satisfying murder mystery chock full of fascinating characters.

This time around, Mac Faraday’s ex-wife comes calling, bringing a lot of old baggage and some dead bodies, including hers. Mac becomes a suspect in his ex-wife’s murder, but ends up investigating the killing. He delves into his past, both personal and professional, to find answers and the killer.

The charm of the first book remains consistent in Old Loves Die Hard, with its compelling main character the strongest asset of the novel. The author provides a nice bit of character development as well, in both the ongoing relationship between Mac and Archie and insight into his previous marriage. The well-rounded characterization is astutely managed.

The plot is solid as well, spinning several threads and then pulling them into a nice tight conclusion. Several suspects are juggled nicely until the final reveal, which provides an interesting, and fateful denouement.

Overall, I can recommend Old Loves Die Hard, as a gratifying murder mystery and a great read.   

You can find Old Loves Die Hard and the rest of the Mac Faraday on Amazon.

My Top Five Books of 2012

Last year (hmmm, it seems like only yesterday) I suffered from "review interruptus" from the month of May onward so I don't have a huge selection of books reviews to choose from. For that reason I went with a Top Five list this time (plus three honourable mentions) instead of a Top Ten. Now on to the List, drum roll please...

My Top Five Books of 2012:

• On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia by JA Clement
• Since Tomorrow by Morgan Nyberg
• The Midget's House by Anita Bartholomew
• Grave Situation by Alex MacLean
• Magnus Opum by Jonathan Gould

Honourable Mentions:

• You, Fascinating You by Germaine Shames
• Skin Games by Adam Pepper
• Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean

   

Steampunk in Space: A Review of Abattoir in the Aether

My Book Review of  Abattoir in the Aether:

Abattoir in the Aether by L. Joseph Shosty is very fine sci-fi space adventure, served up in a smart steampunk style. It was an enjoyable read, a lovely mix of fantasy, steampunk and science fiction blended to distinction.

                                              

The book is the fourth in the Space: 1889 & Beyond series,(each book penned by a different author), but is written so you can read it as a stand-alone book (although after reading this one, I am quite curious about the rest of the series). It continues the adventures of Nathanial Stone and Annabelle Somerset -beginning with the rescue of their crippled space flyer- as they become the slightly unwilling guests on a heliograph station in solar orbit between Earth and Mars. The pair must unearth the sinister secrets of this place, before they, the station and all its inhabitants are sucked into an aether space vortex.

I thoroughly delighted in reading this book. The author took anachronistic history and Victorian science fiction and created a fascinating and full-blown steampunk setting that makes its own perfect fictional bubble of reality. Add to that some wonderfully interesting characters, very Victorian villains, a well-rendered plot full of nice twists and a great ending, it leaves you with a splendid novel. I highly recommend Abattoir in the Aether to any fans of steampunk, or anyone who likes a great read.

Abattoir in the Aether  is available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Abattoir-Aether-Space-Beyond-ebook/dp/B006U44TS4/

Ghosts, Beasties, And A Werewolf: A Coffin Hop Book Review

Today's Coffin Hop post comes chock full of monsters and ghosts, courtesy of the book  The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural by Steve Vernon.  Here's my review.

My Book Review of The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural by Steve Vernon:

I love a good ghost story, and The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural by Steve Vernon is full of exceptionally good ghost stories, plus fabulous tales of monsters, pirate gold, fairy folk, demons and devils. It’s positively oozing those “creepy tales to tell around the campfire” and the “keep the lights on while you read” scary moments, yet it still maintains a black and whimsical sense of humour.

The book is darkly delightful. My fellow Nova Scotian, Steve Vernon, has collected an odd assortment of horrific tales, from the far corners of our fair province of Nova Scotia, and woven them into a first-rate and entertaining book of folklore. Between the covers you will find the ghostly Lady in Blue, the Phantom Ship of the Northumberland (my favourite ghost story), a Phantom Artist, a Black Cat that lingered after death, Beasts, Selkies, and of course the aforementioned Lunenburg Werewolf.

The author knows how to spin a satisfying yarn, weaving fact, history and folklore into a compelling read. Be the tales truth, fiction or a little bit of both, The Lunenburg Werewolf may leave you believing in ghosts. Or at least loving their stories. I can give The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural a high recommendation; just be sure to leave all the lights on when you read it.

The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural

The wind is howling and a full moon is in the sky-it must be time for more chilling tales from storyteller Steve Vernon. Spanning the length and width of Nova Scotia, these 25 blood-chilling yarns make perfect campfire fare. Some stories are so terrifying that they have been told far and wide, such as the Ghosts of Oak Island or the haunting of Esther Cox. Others, including the Murder Island Massacre and the Caledonia Mills Spook, might be lesser known, but are no less scary. Written in Steve Vernon’s unique style, these stories of the haunted, the supernatural, and the unexplainable are part history, part folklore, and a lot of old-fashioned, frightening fun.

The Lunenburg Werewolf: And Other Stories of the Supernatural is available at:
Chapters Indigo
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Kobo


And please visit the other Hoppers today.  Just scroll down to the bottom of the blog and check out our list.

A Haunting, Fascinating Love Story: A Review of You, Fascinating You.

My Book Review of You, Fascinating You by Germaine Shames:

You, Fascinating You by Germaine Shames is a graceful, haunting book that brings its small part of history to life vividly. As a reader you find yourself immersed in a world full of happiness, sadness and looming terror perfectly realised on the page.

The book is a fictionalized account of the lives of Hungarian ballerina Margit Wolf and Italian composer Pasquale Frustaci aka “the Italian Cole Porter”. You, Fascinating You breathes soul into their life story, amidst the European setting before, during and after WWII.

The author has done a magnificent job recreating the era for her book, with not only place and facts, but with mood, language and emotion. From the first page you feel as if you are there, in Hungary, in Italy, peering into the lives of these people. I was captivated by the story, how the two main characters interacted, the choices they made and how their lives and their futures were swept into and changed by events beyond their control. It’s a book overflowing with love, sorrow, loss and perseverance.

I much as I enjoyed it however, once or twice the author’s choices in book structure bothered me. She rightly focused on certain events and years and skipped over some others, which gave the book an interesting surreal touch, especially near the end. But I found, where in most instances that added to the pleasure in reading, on a couple of occasions it fell flat for me. Overall though, I highly recommend, You, Fascinating You.

You, Fascinating You is available on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/You-Fascinating-ebook/dp/B007NL12WY/

Mysteries and Magic: A Review of Rock of Aeons

My Book Review of Rock of Aeons by Lawrence Kapture:

I liked reading Rock of Aeons by Lawrence Kapture. It unfolded as an entertaining fantasy story with a crime noir feel, and even a dash of paranormal romance.

The book centers on Ozzie, a female bounty hunter chasing a skip named Hank who is more than he seems.  Soon her life is full of paranormal creatures, namely mythological Djinn and Angels, and she is smack in the middle of their war looking for a way out alive.

The author does an excellent job with the mythological aspects of the book, grounding them in their origins before putting his own spin on myths and legends. This lends the supernatural nature of the book a legitimate tone and the magic doesn’t seem forced or fake.

I also found the romantic relationship realistic; there were no rushed feelings or artificial interactions. In addition the circumstances that drive the plot flow naturally and the decisions made by the main character seem neither too phony nor too altruistic.  The characters all have a slight tinge of ambiguity and there is no overt “good vs. evil”, yet the authors still maintains a clear separation of “good guys" and "bad guys”.

Altogether I found Rock of Aeons to be well-written, nicely plotted and I recommend it as a book worth reading.

Rock of Aeons is available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rock-of-Aeons-ebook/dp/B006HWXIEK

When Fantasy Melds With Sci-Fi: A Review of The Darkness by Crystal Connor

My Book Review of The Darkness:

The Darkness by Crystal Connor is an intriguing and entertaining book that mixes fantasy and science fiction by juxtaposing the concept of black magic against mad science.  It melds corporate power against dark arcane might, each side led by a strong female protagonist.

The book chronicles the lives of two women, Artemisia, an influential businesswoman and scientist and Inanna, a powerful and dangerous witch.  Their lives intersect through a child they both claim as their son.  Eventually it is his choices and anger that touches off a chain of events that lead to the book’s tense climax.

There is a lot to like about this book, strong characters, compelling plot, tension, exotic settings and a nice undercurrent of philosophical and ethical ambiguity towards science and witchcraft.  I loved how the author sets up the contrasting lifestyles of the two main female characters, both so wildly dissimilar, yet oddly matching.  Also, even with the often controversial subject matter, the author draws the reader into caring about the characters, despite their actions.

I did, however, find the structure of the flashback sequences that pepper the beginning of the book rather jarring at times and this gave the flow of the narrative a disjointed feel.  This may be a matter of taste, but I felt a few of the scenes could have used a bit more in the way of introduction.  But not a large problem in the overall read of the book, so I give The Darkness a recommend.

The Darkness is the first book in the author's The Spectrum Trilogy

It's available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback formats.

A Fantasy to Watch: A Review of the Watchtower

My Book Review of The Watchtower:

I was pleasantly surprised reading The Watchtower by Darke Conteur.  I expected a reasonably interesting fantasy novel, a short and quick, agreeable read.  What I got was a highly crafted, delightfully intricate book, entangled in a dark and a fascinating fantasy world populated with captivating characters.

The book starts with the character of Martin Cunningham, who is looking for a job and getting a bit desperate.  This job urgency is what brings him to Terin Global, a not-at-all typical place of employment.  Once hired, he slowly gets dragged into a dangerous and strange world.

One of the best aspects of the book is Martin’s point-of-view, which goes from, “okay these guys are quirky” to “I can’t believe this is happening” without ever seeming forced or out of step.  As a reader, you identify with Martin and are drawn into the story as he is wrenched from his comfortable beliefs and faced with another reality.

The plot is fast-paced, but never sacrifices continuity or believability in favour of keeping the action moving.  The reader receives just enough explanation and back-story to construct the fantasy, without breaking the authenticity of the real world setting.  The Watchtower is a first-rate urban fantasy and I highly recommend it.

The Watchtower is available at:  Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, and B&N Nook 

  

A Dramatic Historical: A Review of Casting Stones

My Book Review of Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean:

I enjoyed reading Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean, very much.  It is a taut historical drama, with the emotion played just right and never overwrought.

The book tells the story of James Raven and his family, the tragedy involving his first marriage and the nightmare existence that becomes his second marriage.  It takes the reader on a tense ride through his turmoil to the stunning conclusion.

I love good historical fiction and Casting Stones fits the bill.  It’s not one of the sweeping epics or historic mysteries I usually read, but it takes a solid story, and marries it with strong, believable characters.  Mix in the author’s excellent writing style and you have a winner.

I really liked the fact that author manages not to pull punches when it comes to misfortune while still maintaining a credibility of plot.   Nothing goes too far over the top, and the motives and rationales of the characters are realistic.  And that is where the heart of the book lies, with the characters.  You feel for James Raven and his son, and grow to loathe those responsible for their pain.

It was a treat to read Casting Stones and I recommend it.


Casting Stones is available at Amazon in:

Paperback

Kindle

Love and Circuses: A Review of The Midget's House

My Book Review of The Midget's House by Anita Bartholomew:

I loved this book. Now I might have been a bit pre-disposed to enjoy it considering it’s full of things that interest me: ghosts, history and circus performers, but there is enough charm and grace in the book to entrance any reader.

The book essentially tells the story of two women, Marisa, who is starting her life over after loss, and the ghostly Lucinda, whose truth has been lost in time. Their stories interweave in a fascinating tale of mystery, ghosts, romance, and circus history until they collide in a tense conclusion.

The perspective of this novel is told from two points-of views, Marisa’s and Lucinda’s, and shifts the reader back and forth from the modern day to the early 20th century. Now this change could have easily become disjointed, but the author makes the transition seamless, and as a reader I flowed through the story effortlessly. Both Marisa and Lucinda are compelling characters -never seeming helpless or weak, even when they faced adversity- and you are naturally pulled into their captivating parallel stories.

The book is also rich in alluring backdrops of setting and description. Both worlds come to life exquisitely as the book takes you on a charismatic journey through modern Florida and the bygone era of the heydays of carnivals and circuses. This lovely detailing keeps the book’s pace flowing perfectly until the end.

The Midget’s House is an easy and enthusiastic recommend

Of Farce and Fantasy: A Review of Magnus Opum

My Book Review of Magnus Opum by Jonathan Gould:

Magnus Opum by Jonathan Gould is whimsical fantasy novel, that trips along the path fantastic. It takes a quiet approach to its storytelling, but also regales the reader with a frothy sprinkling of satire and wit.

The book begins with an unlikely hero, Magnus Mandalora, an unassuming character from Lower Kertoob. An unexpected event turns his life askew and sends him off into the world. He embarks on a spy mission of sorts, finds friends and unlikely allies, and uncovers enemies, danger and escapades galore.

The narrative style follows the traditional epic quest, but folds in an absurdist quality, balancing the plot on a decidedly quirky edge. The characters are both amusing and appealing, and carry the reader blithely along on the adventure. On the surface the story portrays itself as a conventional, if fanciful, fantasy, with a touch of light farce, but by its end has flipped a few fantasy traditions on their head.

I enjoyed reading this book very much with its clever turn of phrase and endearing characters. It never renders too much idiosyncrasy, or becomes overburdened with cuteness. It strikes a perfect balance of odd and sincere and I give it an enthusiastic recommend.


The book is available from Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Magnus-Opum-ebook/dp/B007QGNO1I