I desperately hope that Patrick Weekes decides to continue this series, but I have to admit that things are wrapped up pretty nicely at the end. Loch and company have a final job, and this one happens to be to save all of society. Continue reading “The Paladin Caper by Patrick Weekes”
The Prophecy Con
Book Two in the Rogues of the Republic series.
Who would have thought a book of naughty poems by elves could mean the difference between war and peace? But if stealing the precious volume will keep the Republic and the Empire from tearing out each other's throats, rogue soldier Isafesira de Lochenville - "Loch" to friends and foes alike - is willing to do the dishonest honors. With her motley crew of magic-makers, law-breakers, and a talking warhammer, she'll match wits and weapons with dutiful dwarves, mercenary knights, golems, daemons, an arrogant elf, and a sorcerous princess.
The Prophecy Con is an amazing sequel that builds on the first book. Loch and team have a new job that needs doing, and some interesting Imperial antagonists are introduced. Continue reading “The Prophecy Con by Patrick Weekes”
The most powerful man in the republic framed her, threw her in prison, and stole a priceless elven manuscript from her family. With the help of a crack team, Loch must find a way into the floating fortress of Heaven's Spire and get past the magic-hunting golems and infernal sorcerers standing between her and the vault that holds her family's treasure.
What a phenomenally unique, interesting, and exciting book! The Palace Job is essentially Ocean’s Eleven in a fantasy world, complete with humor and just slight hints of ridiculousness. Continue reading “The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes”
A Shadow of All Night Falling
Across the mountains called the Dragon's Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world's beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman's hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings...
Glen Cook has created a wonderful and inventive world in A Shadow of All Night Falling. I can’t believe I haven’t run across this series before. Continue reading “A Shadow of All Night Falling by Glen Cook”
In sixteenth century Ireland, Alainn McCreary is healer to Chieftain O'Brien, his clan and his kin. Few realize she is also capable of many unusual supernatural abilities. Morag, the old healer, warns her against the use of her magic. But without it, how will she learn the secret surrounding the Glade Witch, or end the malevolent curse on the O'Brien line? Even her powers of perception will not allow her to see how deeply she is connected to both. She faces danger and uncertainty as she catches the chieftain's eye, his priest's suspicion, and his nephew's heart.
I really thought I would like this book. The setting, the description, and the focus on magic were a trifecta of the potential things that I love in stories. Continue reading “The Farrier’s Daughter by Leigh Ann Edwards”
The Gates of Iron
Shanis Malan must unite her broken country and unlock the secret of the Silver Serpent. With Galdora at war, Larris must unravel a conspiracy that threatens his nation from the inside. Oskar enters the order of saikurs, but does the secret to victory over the Ice King lie hidden behind the Gates of Iron?
** spoiler alert ** The final book in the series gets an additional star. I’ve enjoyed the improved writing since the first book and much fewer errors. The finale of the series is exciting and builds well upon the plots of the previous books. Continue reading “The Gates of Iron by David Debord”
Keeper of the Mists
Destiny, or perhaps mere chance, has chosen Shanis Malan to be the bearer of the Silver Serpent, the one prophesied to bring an end to decades of clan war, but a pretender has risen in the East, and enemies invade her homeland on all sides. Will she choose the path that leads back to the home she loves, or will she accept her destiny and face the Keeper of the Mists? David Debord’s memorable series continues in this second book of The Absent Gods series.
Keeper of the Mists was better-written than the first book in the series, and it was loads of fun. Character development continues to be good and the plot thickens when Shanis starts to wield the Silver Serpent and fulfill her destiny. Will definitely finish the series.
Taught the sword from childhood, Shanis Malan's only dream is to be a soldier, but a woman cannot join the Galdoran army. When Prince Lerryn holds a tournament in her home town, she believes her dream has come true, but circumstances snatch her from her home and into the midst of a search for a legendary artifact that can save the world from the minions of Tichris, the Ice King--Publisher's description.
I liked this book. Shannis is a good flawed character, and I enjoyed her tenacity and even her occasional tantrums. The supporting characters are interesting and well-flushed-out. Continue reading “The Silver Serpent by David Debord”
The great goddess Alta creates two sister queens to rule the forces of darkness and light on Earth and challenges them to work in harmony as perfect and opposing reflections of one another. Reissue.
I really wanted to like this book. It had a great premise and lots of promise, but I just couldn’t get into it. Continue reading “Sister Light, Sister Dark by Jane Yolen”
The first novel in the critically acclaimed contemporary fantasy series by Max Gladstone A god has died, and it's up to Tara, first-year associate in the international necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao, to bring Him back to life before His city falls apart. Her client is Kos, recently deceased fire god of the city of Alt Coulumb.
Three Parts Dead was incredibly inventive and wonderfully unique. It is a fantasy that follows Tara, a sorceress of sorts, as she attempts to investigate a god’s death in the city of Alt Coulumb. Continue reading “Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone”
The Starlight Raven
From the author of the beloved Royal Wizard of Yurt series, the first book in a brand-new series.
Antonia is the daughter of the head of institutionalized wizardry, and she wants nothing more—or so she thinks at fourteen—than to grow up to be a wizard too: the first woman wizard. But then she discovers that her mother has all sorts of unexpected female cousins who intend her to come be a witch with them, at the same time as she realizes that a lot of the male wizards are highly opposed to letting a mere girl learn their arcane secrets…
This is actually a continuation of the Daimbert series by C. Dale Brittain, but it focuses more on his daughter, Antonia. Continue reading “The Starlight Raven by C. Dale Brittain”
Daimbert is astonished to learn that he has been chosen as the Master's successor instead of Elerius, who is a much better wizard, and soon Elerius' thirst for power becomes a threat to Daimbert's survival.
** spoiler alert ** An exciting conclusion to the Daimbert series. Continue reading “Is This Apocalypse Necessary? by C. Dale Brittain”
The Witch & the Cathedral
Love and magic don't mix, and neither do wizardry and the church. But that doesn't stop Daimbert, the royal wizard of Yurt. When Daimbert discovers that the woman he's loved for years is marrying someone else, he decides to leave Yurt for Caelrhon. But no one wants him there and he senses hidden sinister plots at work.
The introduction of Theodora breathed some new excitement into Daimbert’s adventures. I very much enjoyed this book. Daimbert’s interactions with Joachim (now the Bishop) continue to develop both characters and I thought the plot was fun.
Five men from Yurt--the king, his nephew, the prince, a wizard, and a priest--encounter intrigue, treachery, black magic, and a big blue djinn on their journey, and only the wizard's cleverness can save their lives. Original.
Mage Quest is another fun book in the Daimbert series. This book is somewhat different in that it doesn’t take place in the Kingdom of Yurt (for long) – it involves a quest, or actually several different quests that all lead to the lands of the East. Continue reading “Mage Quest by C. Dale Brittain”
The Wood Nymph and the Cranky Saint
New light fantasy from the author of, Bad Spell in Yurt. When the king goes on vacation, Daimbert, wizard to the king, learns there's a great deal to be said for the quiet life, as he faces an all-too-beguiling wood nymph, a plague of magical horned rabbits, a scandalous duchess's fondess for young wizards, and a zombie-like creature made with spells they never taught at wizard school.
A highly-entertaining follow-up to the A Bad Spell in Yurt. Continue reading “The Wood Nymph and the Cranky Saint by C. Dale Brittain”
