Category Archives: Fantasy

SHATTERED SHIELDS edited by JENNIFER BROZEK and BRYAN THOMAS SCHMIDT

My rating is 3 out of 5 stars. Shattered Shields edited by Brozek and Schmidt is an anthology focused on military fantasy, specifically heroic struggles and epic combat. Here seventeen short stories and novellas explore the vast expanse of military … Continue reading

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VEIL OF THE DESERTERS

Veil of the Deserters by Jeff Salyards Genre: Fantasy — Grimdark Series: Bloodsounder’s Arc #1 Publisher: Night Shade Books (June 3, 2014) Author Information: Website | Twitter Length: 464 pages My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. When I finished … Continue reading

Posted in 5 Stars, Fantasy, Grimdark, Low | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Lookin’ Good: The Very Best of Kate Elliott

Originally posted on Far Beyond Reality:
Coming soon from Tachyon Publications: The Very Best of Kate Elliott, which is the author’s first collection of short fiction and essays. I’m very excited about this one, as I primarily know Elliott from her fantasy…

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MUSING: LITERARY SNOBBERY IS BAD, BUT HOW ABOUT FANTASY SNOBBERY?

Like most fantasy fans, I’ve watched Patrick Rothfuss’ response to academic, or literary, snobbery. It highlighted something that we readers have faced at one time or another: literary fiction snobs, who view the “fantasy” genre as “popcorn” fiction fit only … Continue reading

Posted in Fantasy, Musings | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

TOUGH TRAVELING — NOVICES

Every Thursday, Nathan over at Fantasy Review Barn hosts a weekly party where blogs get to follow along with Diana Wynne Jones’ hilarious book The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel listing their favorite books with … Continue reading

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THE SWORD OF SOLONUS by ADAM MATTHEWS

My rating is 3 out of 5 stars. With The Sword of Solonus, Adam Matthews has taken on the herculean task of taking a traditional fantasy world (medieval-like) and traditional fantasy races (elves, humans, etc.) and re-imagining all of it … Continue reading

Posted in 3 Stars, Fantasy, High, Self-Published | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

FUN DAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (NOVEMBER 3, 2014)

The work week begins. Usually, I slip on my business suit and head back into the office to save a few innocent people from wrongful incarceration, but today, I have foregone the formal attire to do paperwork. Something that is … Continue reading

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TOUGH TRAVELING — MONSTERS

Every Thursday, Nathan over at Fantasy Review Barn hosts a weekly party where blogs get to follow along with Diana Wynne Jones’ hilarious book The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel listing their favorite books with … Continue reading

Posted in Fantasy, Lists, Tough Traveling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

THE FREE by BRIAN RUCKLEY

My rating is 3 out of 5 stars. The Magnificent Seven. Seven Samurai. These action-packed, adventure movies supposedly inspired Brian Ruckley when writing this tale of a band of fantasy land mercenaries taking one last contract before retiring. I’m sure … Continue reading

Posted in 3 Stars, Fantasy, Low, Military | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

SLEEPING BEAUTY by MARK LAWRENCE

Sleeping Beauty by Mark Lawrence Genre: Fantasy – Grimdark Series: The Broken Empire #2.5 Publisher: Self Published (July 2013) Author Information: Website | Twitter Length: 33 pages My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Jorg Ancrath as sleeping beauty? Sounds … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Stars, Fantasy, Grimdark, Short Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment