Lockstep by Karl Schroeder is a space opera sci-fi novel which tells the story of Toby McGonigal who wakes up after a drift into cold sleep to be confronted with a new and confusing world. He must learn about the lockstep and his place within this new society. I was given a free copy by Tor/McMillan to review. I should point out straight off the bat that sci-fi/space opera is not a genre with which I am very familiar. In some ways that is a good thing; I am not so clued in to the standard tropes of the genre, as I am with contemporary fantasy, which means I can approach the story with perhaps fresher eyes. On the other hand, I freely admit some of Schroeder’s subtleties may have been lost on me. What I liked The lockstep concept. Because I am not so familiar with the genre, it took me a little time to get my head around the lockstep concept, but once I did get the general picture I could really appreciate what Schroeder did. I’m not going to try to explain it – go read the book. What I did like about it was the…
Lockstep by Karl Schroeder is a space opera sci-fi novel which tells the story of Toby McGonigal who wakes up after a drift into cold sleep to be confronted with a new and confusing world. He must learn about the lockstep and his place within this new society. I was given a free copy by Tor/McMillan to review. I should point out straight off the bat that sci-fi/space opera is not a genre with which I am very familiar. In some ways that is a good thing; I am not so clued in to the standard tropes of the genre, as I am with contemporary fantasy, which means I can approach the story with perhaps fresher eyes. On the other hand, I freely admit some of Schroeder’s subtleties may have been lost on me. What I liked The lockstep concept. Because I am not so familiar with the genre, it took me a little time to get my head around the lockstep concept, but once I did get the general picture I could really appreciate what Schroeder did. I’m not going to try to explain it – go read the book. What I did like about it was the…
Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist is the third book in the Riftwar Saga and together with A Darkness at Sethanon forms a kind of duology within the series. This first part tells the story of Prince Arutha’s search for the magical silverthorn plant to cure his beloved Anita from magical poisoning and of the growing threat of Murmandamus, I consider Feist to be one of the master storytellers of his generation. Let me tell you a story to prove it. I studied language and literature at university and after four years of deep literary analysis sucking all the enjoyment out of reading I refused to read anything more complex than a Cosmopolitan for many, many years after graduation. Not until, that is, a colleague loaned me Feist’s Shadow of a Dark Queen, the first in his Serpentwar saga. I completely DEVOURED it and the rest of the series. I was immediately drawn into Feist’s world of Midkemia and it reignited my love of reading that I’d all but forgotten. When I bought my first Kindle and made the switch to ebooks, a book by Feist was also the first book I bought to ease my transition to the new format….
Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist is the third book in the Riftwar Saga and together with A Darkness at Sethanon forms a kind of duology within the series. This first part tells the story of Prince Arutha’s search for the magical silverthorn plant to cure his beloved Anita from magical poisoning and of the growing threat of Murmandamus, I consider Feist to be one of the master storytellers of his generation. Let me tell you a story to prove it. I studied language and literature at university and after four years of deep literary analysis sucking all the enjoyment out of reading I refused to read anything more complex than a Cosmopolitan for many, many years after graduation. Not until, that is, a colleague loaned me Feist’s Shadow of a Dark Queen, the first in his Serpentwar saga. I completely DEVOURED it and the rest of the series. I was immediately drawn into Feist’s world of Midkemia and it reignited my love of reading that I’d all but forgotten. When I bought my first Kindle and made the switch to ebooks, a book by Feist was also the first book I bought to ease my transition to the new format….
I received a copy of The Pilgrims by Will Elliott from Tor McMillan free to review – thank you, guys! It tells the story of journalist Eric Albright and Stuart Casey, a homeless drunk, who stumble across a hidden door which leads them to the fantastical world of Levaal. Naturally, there is an evil overlord they have to defeat. As can be inferred from the ages of the protagonists, this is more adult contemporary fantasy than young adult. The language and attitudes of the two main characters is more mature than that of your average Twilight or Mortal Instruments. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. First off, I need to be totally honest and say I was unable to finish this book. I started it at least a couple of times, and even bought it on Kindle as I find hardback books bulky and awkward to read now after several years of Kindling. Yet, I was unable to get beyond the first third of the story. Now, I don’t believe this is a reflection on the story or the author; just that I, personally, was unable to relate to the characters enough to become involved in their adventure. it…
I received a copy of The Pilgrims by Will Elliott from Tor McMillan free to review – thank you, guys! It tells the story of journalist Eric Albright and Stuart Casey, a homeless drunk, who stumble across a hidden door which leads them to the fantastical world of Levaal. Naturally, there is an evil overlord they have to defeat. As can be inferred from the ages of the protagonists, this is more adult contemporary fantasy than young adult. The language and attitudes of the two main characters is more mature than that of your average Twilight or Mortal Instruments. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. First off, I need to be totally honest and say I was unable to finish this book. I started it at least a couple of times, and even bought it on Kindle as I find hardback books bulky and awkward to read now after several years of Kindling. Yet, I was unable to get beyond the first third of the story. Now, I don’t believe this is a reflection on the story or the author; just that I, personally, was unable to relate to the characters enough to become involved in their adventure. it…
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series and the middle book of the second trilogy. It continues the plot points set up in City of Fallen Angels. We follow several plotlines; Clary’s attempt to infiltrate Sebastian’s and Jace’s fortress, Simon and the Lightwoods’ McGuffin hunt in an attempt to find a way to separate Jace’s soul from Sebastian’s and the furtherance of Sebastian’s dastardly plan. Clare also explores some of the relationships in depth, notably Alec and Magnus Bane and also Simon’s relationship with Izzy. Given the work put into them, I am rather nervous for these couples for City of Heavenly Fire. What I liked Pacing. One of my complaints about the previous book was that the pacing was not great. This was considerably improved in City of Lost Souls. Having set up the plot threads earlier, Clare was able to run with them and keep the narrative flowing. Relationship development. I really loved how the relationships developed in this book. I became invested in Simon/Izzy, Maia/Jordan, Magnus/Alec. Their actions and how it impacted their relationships came across as very believable. I was particularly touched by Izzy’s backstory…
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series and the middle book of the second trilogy. It continues the plot points set up in City of Fallen Angels. We follow several plotlines; Clary’s attempt to infiltrate Sebastian’s and Jace’s fortress, Simon and the Lightwoods’ McGuffin hunt in an attempt to find a way to separate Jace’s soul from Sebastian’s and the furtherance of Sebastian’s dastardly plan. Clare also explores some of the relationships in depth, notably Alec and Magnus Bane and also Simon’s relationship with Izzy. Given the work put into them, I am rather nervous for these couples for City of Heavenly Fire. What I liked Pacing. One of my complaints about the previous book was that the pacing was not great. This was considerably improved in City of Lost Souls. Having set up the plot threads earlier, Clare was able to run with them and keep the narrative flowing. Relationship development. I really loved how the relationships developed in this book. I became invested in Simon/Izzy, Maia/Jordan, Magnus/Alec. Their actions and how it impacted their relationships came across as very believable. I was particularly touched by Izzy’s backstory…
Codex Angelicus by the Quebecoise author Anne Robillard is the fifth entry in her A.N.G.E. series. This contains 10 books of which five are currently available in ebook format. For those of you unfamiliar with this series, A.N.G.E. stands for Agence Nationale de Gestion de l’Étrange (National Agency for the Management of the Bizarre) and refers to the top secret agency which investigates paranormal phenomena. We are introduced to the Agency in book 1 through new recruit Cindy Bloom. Cindy is only one of the many fascinating characters in the series. Sadly it is only available in French right now. I have read books 1-5 and here are my thoughts on the series up til now. What I liked Steady plot developments and twists. Throughout the series Robillard has built up the plot. We start off with Cindy being assigned to the False Prophets department under the tutelage of Oceane Chevalier – False Prophets is referred to as the new agents’ kindergarten as it’s normally a very safe and boring field where nothing much happens. Of course, what they learn there drives the whole plot for the rest of the series. Each subsequent book picks up on what has gone before…
Codex Angelicus by the Quebecoise author Anne Robillard is the fifth entry in her A.N.G.E. series. This contains 10 books of which five are currently available in ebook format. For those of you unfamiliar with this series, A.N.G.E. stands for Agence Nationale de Gestion de l’Étrange (National Agency for the Management of the Bizarre) and refers to the top secret agency which investigates paranormal phenomena. We are introduced to the Agency in book 1 through new recruit Cindy Bloom. Cindy is only one of the many fascinating characters in the series. Sadly it is only available in French right now. I have read books 1-5 and here are my thoughts on the series up til now. What I liked Steady plot developments and twists. Throughout the series Robillard has built up the plot. We start off with Cindy being assigned to the False Prophets department under the tutelage of Oceane Chevalier – False Prophets is referred to as the new agents’ kindergarten as it’s normally a very safe and boring field where nothing much happens. Of course, what they learn there drives the whole plot for the rest of the series. Each subsequent book picks up on what has gone before…