FUNDAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (JANUARY 8, 2018)

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Bookwraiths

funday-monday

Another week begins.  I quickly slip into my business suit and head back into the office to save a few innocent people. But while I try to fool myself into being excited about the promise of a new year and the continuation of the regular grind, deep down, I’m not, so I’m going to escape dreary reality by reading a great book.

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blade and boneBlade and Bone by Jon Sprunk

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Book of the Black Earth #3

Publisher: Pyr (February 27, 2018)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 515 pages

In a world reminiscent of ancient Egypt and Babylon, where God-Kings and God-Queens hold the power of life and death in their hands, Horace, the onetime slave who became a powerful magician, has turned the tables on his former masters.

Horace, Alyra, and Jirom navigate the hurdles of managing the slave rebellion under the Akeshian Empire’s nose. But evil is not content to sit back and let them gather their strength. A new threat is coming in the form of an unstoppable army of the walking dead. To face this enemy, our heroes will have to dig deeper and find a strength they didn’t know they possessed.

Purchase the book at Amazon

Read My Reviews of the Series So Far

Blood and Iron
Storm and Steel

Check Out Jon Sprunk’s Appearances on Bookwraiths

Interview
Guest Post

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KILL ALL ANGELS

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Bookwraiths

KILL ALL ANGELSKill All Angels by Robert Brockway 

Genre: Horror – Urban Fantasy

Series: The Vicious Circuit #3

Publisher: Tor Books (December 21, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter 

Length: 288 pages

My Rating: 4 stars

Kill All Angels is the concluding volume of Robert Brockway’s humorous, punk rock horror series The Vicious Circuit.  If you’ve read the first two installments you definitely know each of them build upon one another (which means I recommend reading The Unnoticeables and The Empty Ones before picking this one up) and prepare you for the unique reading experience this final book serves up.

Continuing the past/present intertwining story lines from the first two volumes, Carey and Randall are now in Los Angeles during the early 1980s punk scene.  Soon, these two are pulled into more “Empty Ones” drama .  This time it is in Chinatown where a young Chinese girl turns out to be one of these beings.  Horrific, sarcastic mayhem follows, of course.

Meanwhile, in 2013, Kaitlyn and companions are heading back toward Los Angles at the direction of her visions.  Kaitlyn’s growing powers resulting in her feeling that she might be able to kill all the “angels” once and for all if she can only find the right one.  And where else should one look for angels except in the City of Angels.

At its core, The Vicious Circuit’s premise is a simple one: punk rock infused horror.  And this installment does just that, not afraid to mix gore and dark humor into nearly every scene, even as it highlights the punk rock culture of decades ago.  This blending of all these diverse elements producing a unique setting where Robert Brockway is able to continue the character arcs of Carey, Randall, and Kaitlyn.  Each of these people dealing with the unique problem of Empty Ones and Angels in their own way.  And to add another wrinkle, the author even spends time introducing and developing the person of one of the actual bad guys, tricking readers into understanding and empathizing with them before then showing them in all their brutal, maniacal horror.

Usually, this is the point in my review where I list any criticisms or problems I have with a novel, but I don’t really feel the need to so with Kill All Angels.  After two books, I went into this read understanding exactly what I would be getting from the author and this story, and it delivered just that.  So no criticisms.

Gritty.  Gory.  Humorous.  Immersed in punk rock influences.  All these descriptions help paint a mental picture of the kind of story Kill All Angels and The Vicious Circuit delivers. New readers should definitely begin their journey with book one of the trilogy however.  As for frequent readers, this is exactly the nice conclusion to the trilogy that they have waited for, because this horror story rocks!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

Purchase the book at Amazon

Posted in 4 Stars, Fantasy, Horror, Urban | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

MOON HUNT

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Bookwraiths

moon huntMoon Hunt by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen Gear

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: North America’s Forgotten Past #24

Publisher: Forge Books (November 21, 2017)

Author Information: Website

Length: 416 pages

My Rating: 3 stars

Moon Hunt is the third book of the Morningstar Trilogy but also book twenty-four of North America’s Forgotten Past by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear.  Built upon an accurate representation of ancient North America and filled with realistic characters, in-depth world building, shadowy mysticism, political intrigue, and interpersonal relationships, the Gears deliver as entertaining a novel in Moon Hunt as anything else on the shelves today.

Delivered through many point-of-view characters and shifting between these people nearly every chapter, this story demands that new readers jump in, make notes, and quickly acclimate themselves to this place and its colorful people.  The most important of these being Morningstar, who is believed to be a god reincarnated.  His death and passage into death the catalyst for an epic quest by his sister, Night Shadow Star, who quickly becomes the main focus of this swirling, shifting tale, as she journeys forth into the depths to return the soul of her brother to life.

The highlight of Moon Hunt for me personally was the Gears’ world building; their deft handling of this Native American culture filled with intricate detail, lovingly explored, and fully realized, as Cahokia and its denizens spring to life upon the pages.

Nearly as entertaining was the adventure and intrigue filled story line.  The quest of Night Shadow Star a twisting, turning trail of suspense, misdirection, and constant pitfalls.  The Gears expertly guiding readers along behind the heroes, building tension, promising resolution, only to pull the proverbial rug out from under their feet time and time again.  This journey of discovery meshing with the overarching plot of political machinations in the empire keeping readers constantly occupied turning the pages to get to the end.

As for any criticisms, my only one is the epic scope of the cast here, which literally contains a dozen or so people (mortal and divine) whom a reader must have familiarity with to fully enjoy the narrative.  This plus the constant shifting between these multiple point-of-view characters does become off-putting and a tad bit overwhelming, though this frustration does lessen around the halfway point.

Overall, Moon Hunt was an entertaining read with plenty of action, intrigue, and mysticism to keep my interest firmly fixed upon it.  Certainly, this is a demanding read with its large cast and detailed world building, but for those readers who enjoy a challenge and a dose of something unique, the Gears have produced a fine story sure to satisfy.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

Purchase the book at Amazon

Posted in 3 Stars, Historical Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

STANDS A SHADOW

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Bookwraiths

stands a shadowStands a Shadow by Col Buchanan

Genre: Fantasy — Grimdark

Series: Heart of the World #2

Publisher:  Tor Books (July 11, 2011)

Author Information: Website 

Length: 416 pages

My Rating: 4 stars

Grittier.  More complex.  More engaging.  Stands a Shadow is a book which does not succumb to the sophomore book slump but rises above its predecessor, making a reader crave more.  Col Buchanan crafting a mesmerizing sequel to Farlander, one which grips a reader from the first page and never lets go, as an epic tale of revenge, war, and survival plays out across the pages.  Or, to put it simply, this is a damn good book!

Picking up directly after book one, the Roshun assassin Ash is bent on revenge against the Holy Matriarch of the Empire of Mann after her treatment of his apprentice Nico.  This overwhelming desire going against all Ash’s beliefs, repudiating everything his order stands for.  But Ash is beyond caring, determined to follow after his chosen target as she heads across the sea at the head of a massive invasion fleet, bound for the city of Bar-Khos, which has been besieged by the Mannians for ten long years.

Caught up in the brutal struggle and quiet mission of vengeance are several other characters who find themselves struggling to deal with their own problems and fighting to find a way to survive the traumas of war.  Foremost of these is Che, a trained agent of the Mannians (and wayward Roshun assassin), who begins to waver in his loyalty to Mann and watches as his beliefs begin to crumble under self inspection.  Opposite Che in Bar-Khos is Bahn, a war-weary soldier, who finds himself loosing his nerve, desperately wishing to flee the looming threat of annihilation with his family.  And, lastly, there is a refugee-turned-prostitute named Curl, who joins the Khosian army, filled with the need to stop the Mannians from destroying her new home as they did her former one.

While the action and adventure are front-and-center here and monopolize the pages, this story is truly built upon the struggles of one man: Ash.  The world-weary assassin with his mysterious, haunted past looming over everything.  His personal quest for vengeance for his apprentice (and a need to redeem himself from past failures) is so real, so compelling that it carries the narrative.  Only the struggles of Che coming anywhere close to rising to Ash’s level.  All of which means that Stands a Shadow only works if you become deeply engaged in Ash’s journey.

The only criticism I have of this book is the failure of the other supporting, point-of-view characters — outside of Che — to carry their portions of the narrative.  Certainly, everyone begins with loads of potential and have brief moments of brilliance, but overall, their story arcs are fairly forgettable.  Especially disappointing to me was Bahn and Curl, who start off with a complex, intertwined plot which gradually ends in a proverbial dead-end and is basically dropped by the author all together without any satisfactory resolution.

Well written, tension filled, and driven by a compelling character in Ash, Stands a Shadow raises the Heart of the World series to new heights, ever facet of this epic saga improved immensely over its predecessor, Farlander.  Certainly, Ash and Che’s story lines are the highlights of the book, but the world building and tale of a brutal war adds to the richness of the narrative, making this novel and series one of my favorite finds in 2017.

Purchase the book at Amazon   

Posted in 4 Stars, Fantasy, Grimdark | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: GREY SISTER

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Bookwraiths

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Waiting on Wednesday is a meme I’ve participated in for years which lets readers share their excitement for books coming out soon, and for those who are frequent visitors here, I think this week’s pick will be a little surprising until you recall that, though I had lots of problems with book one of this series, I did enjoy certain aspects of it.  Plus, you know I’m a huge optimist when it comes to books.  Anyway, the novel I’m eagerly awaiting is . . .

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9781101988886_GreySister_FCOmech.inddGrey Sister by Mark Lawrence 

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book of the Ancestor #2

Publisher:  Ace (April 19, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter 

Length: 400 pages

In Mystic Class Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often even the deepest truths just make our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor and a life of prayer and service.

All that stands between her and these choices are the pride of a thwarted assassin, the ambition of a would-be empress wielding the Inquisition like a blade, and the vengeance of the empire’s richest lord.

As the world narrows around her, and her enemies attack her through the system she has sworn to, Nona must find her own path despite the competing pull of friendship, revenge, ambition, and loyalty.

And in all this only one thing is certain.
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There will be blood.

Purchase the book at Amazon

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BEST READS OF 2017!

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Bookwraiths

best of the best

As always, this list is my end-of-the-year effort to look back on all the books I’ve read, give a little more love to my favorites, and, hopefully, help someone discover a great story they missed out on.  So let’s get right to it!

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the ten thousand10. The Ten Thousand – Paul Kearney

The Ten Thousand is a grimdark fantasy penned by Paul Kearney. Inspired by the historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors in the Persian Empire circa 401 BC, this tale is a gritty, bloody, and brutal look at the realities of ancient war (especially civil war) and its undeniable horrors. With more than a few fantastical elements added, Kearney turns this into far more than historical fiction, but magic does not play as large a role in the narrative as some would like. However, if realistic and unabashed looks at ancient warfare and its consequences are what you love, then this is a can’t-miss grimdark.

Purchase The Ten Thousand at Amazon

the nine9. The Nine – Tracy Townsend

The Nine is a genre blending work from Tracy Townsend that isn’t afraid to blaze its own trail in fantasy, mixing and matching the most exciting elements from other genres into something new, something all its own. In this alternate universe, religion is science and God is worshiped as a being who created the cosmos as the ultimate scientific experiment. The focus of this divine study “The Nine.” Nine beings whom God has chosen at random to observes as they deal with life’s inevitable struggles; their actions to determine the final fate of all of humanity!

Purchase The Nine at Amazon

the court of boken knives8. Court of Broken Knives – Anna Smith Spark

Anna Smith Spark has gifted readers with a gritty, glorious grimdark fantasy which is beautifully written, filled with gray characters, betrayals, gory battles, horrible deaths, perplexing gods, and everything else a lover of dark, brutal narratives could wish for.  Due to the poetic prose, persuasive darkness, Game of Thrones-esque complexity, and gory brutality, readers have begun to call the author the Queen of Grimdark, which I personally believe is a moniker she has certainly earned with this amazing debut.

Purchase The Court of Broken Knives at Amazon

low town 27. Low Town – Daniel Polansky

A noir crime story set in a fantasy setting Low Town is a dark tale of drug dealers, realistic politics, corrupt cops, and vile sorcery set in the ugly, dirty, and crime infested section of the finest city in the Thirteen Lands, Low Town: a place few willing call home. It is here the Warden resides, using his cynical, streetwise, and violent skills to rule this slum as a crime lord. His days spent dealing drugs; his nights filled with turf wars for control; and the profits he makes from the drugs he deals paying off the guards to look the other way and setting him up in a bearable life.

Purchase Low Town at Amazon

stands a shadow6. Stands a Shadow – Col Buchanan

The Farlander series was a memorable discovery of mine in 2017, one which intrigued me with its first installment but really sunk its claws in deep with this sequel.  With Stands a Shadow, Col Buchanan picks up the story directly after the events from book one, sending our main character on an epic journey of revenge, as well as adding more than one new point of view character to take the tale in unexpected for directions.  It was a page-turner from start to finish.

Purchase Stands a Shadow at Amazon

lucifer's star5. Lucifer’s Star – C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Lucifer’s Star is damn fine space opera! This is the tale of Cassius, a loner aboard the star frigate Melampus; his mind plagued by nightmares of the war he somehow survived years before. His only desire to slip away from that past, forget what he has lost, and fade into obscurity among the other rift raft aboard Captain Ida Claire’s starship.  From this beginning, Phipps and Suttkus craft a rousing, pulse-pounding adventure story that fans of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, or other sci-fi series should not miss out on.

Purchase Lucifer’s Star at Amazon

ghosts of tomorrow

4. Ghosts of Tomorrow – Michael R. Fletcher

I’ve come to the realization that Michael Fletcher is among my favorite writers. Whether it is the fantasy insanity of Beyond Redemption or this cyberpunk vision of the future, he finds the perfect balance between madness and sentiment, poignance and action to keep me turning the pages. Honestly, the guy never writes a bad story, and in Ghosts of Tomorrow, his  skill is on full display, as he populates a future world with a supercharged internet, superpowered computers, and near superhuman robots mixed up in an action adventure for the ages!

Purchase Ghosts of Tomorrow at Amazon

TYRANT'S THRONE3. Tyrant’s Throne – Sebastien de Castell

Few series transcend their genre, bring readers of differing tastes together to brave dangers along behind its heroes. But when one does, this saga finds itself held up as an all-time great; descriptive terms such as the matchless, the peerless, the unparalleled pinnacle of the genre, and other even more flowery terms thrown around.  Sebastien de Castell’s Greatcoats series is among that small, heralded group of fantasy sagas for me personally. Tyrant’s Throne delivering the finishing touches to propel it into the best swashbuckling fantasy ever written; Falcio val Mond and comrades able to proudly parade among the elites of the genre.

Purchase Tyrant’s Throne at Amazon

sins-of-empire2. Sins of Empire – Brian McClellan

With a fast paced narrative, compelling characters, a cool magic system, a diverse world and an epic conclusion, Sins of Empire is a flintlock fantasy completed to perfection. This novel showcasing the silky smooth talent of Brian McClellan in crafting an epic fantasy which long time fans and new comers can both enjoy and love. Without a doubt, it was my front-runner for Best Fantasy of 2017, only held back from the top spot on this list by a fantasy novels for the ages!

Purchase Sins of Empire at Amazon

oathbringer1. Oathbringer – Brandon Sanderson

Having binge read the first three novels in The Stormlight Archive this year, I have to say the saga pulled me, gripped me, and mesmerized me with its distinct originality and uniqueness. The world of Roshar familiar yet far different from Tolkien’s LoTR, Martin’s ASoIF, or even Jordan’s WoT. Familiar tried-and-true fantasy tropes turned upside down, sending a reader flailing about in delightful ignorance of what is coming next. Oathbringer quite simply the most magnificent fantasy books I read this year.

Purchase Oathbringer at Amazon

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

1.  Evil is a Matter of Perspective – Adrian Collins

2. The Providence of Fire – Brian Staveley

3. Eagle and Empire – Alan Smale

4. Scourge – Gail Z. Martin

5. The Realms of God – Michael Livingston

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Bookwraiths

star wars new year

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

BEST DEBUT FANTASY AUTHORS of 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Bookwraiths

2017-Debut-Authors-Bash-Banner

As 2017 comes to a close, there are so many exciting, depressing, and head-scratching things to reflect on.  On this last day of the year, I want to point out a few fantasy authors who hit the scene this year with tantalizing debut books and caught my imagination, making me very excited to follow their careers going forward.
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kings-of-the-wyldKings of the Wyld – Nicholas Eames

A group of over-the-hill mercenaries decide to get the “band” back together again in order to help one of their own.  The story which ensues is funny and tongue-in-cheek stuff which injected much needed fun into fantasy.  And with Nicholas Eames’s follow-up to this jewel coming out in 2018, I can’t wait to see what is in store for Saga going forward.  Amazing debut which everyone out there should give a try, because it certainly is different than the other novels sitting on the shelves.

Purchase Kings of the Wyld at Amazon

the court of boken knivesThe Court of Broken Knives – Anna Smith Spark

This stunning adult fantasy debut continued my luck with finding grimdark series to fall in love with.  The Court of Broken Knives (book one of Empires of Dust) following a crew of mercenaries as they head toward Sorlost, the empire’s richest and most important city; their mission one which could very well change the course of the world!  This was a pulse-pounding, gritty, and bloody affair from first page to last and promises great things to come with this series and from Anna Smith Spark in the future.

Purchase The Court of Broken Knives at Amazon 

the nineThe Nine – Tracy Townsend

This genre blending work from Tracy Townsend isn’t afraid to blaze its own trail in fantasy, mixing and matching the most exciting elements from other genres into something new, something all its own. And while 2017 has been a year filled with great debut fantasy releases, this opening installment of the Thieves of Fate series is among my favorites.  And the good news is this novel sets up so many great possibilities going forward that  I know this series is going to be an amazing one to follow in the years to come.

Purchase The Nine at Amazon

heartstoneHeartstone – Elle Katharine White

I want to admit up front that I have never, ever read any Jane Austen. How I was able to navigate through four years at a liberal arts university without ever reading this author still amazes me, but I did, without any grand plan by myself to do so. All of which means that when I picked up Heartstone by Elle Katharine White I was experiencing this fantasy retelling of Pride and Prejudice without any real knowledge of the original, which I actually believe helped make the experience more exciting.  Plus this story had dragons!

Purchase Heartstone at Amazon

age of assassinsAge of Assassins – R. J. Barker

This is a book/series which I picked up and began reading since Christmas, and I have to say that so far I’m really impressed with it.  Of course, fantasy assassins are a personal favorite of mine, but R.J. Barker has take the idea of  “to catch an assassin, use an assassin” to to new heights and in different directions than what I was anticipating.   Hopefully, I’ll find some time to finish this up a few days so I can be ready when the next installment of the series, Blood of Assassins, hits shelves on February 27th 2018.

Purchase Age of Assassins at Amazon

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Those are my picks.  Agree?  Disagree?  Have some things to add about each book?  Have a few books you’d like to bring to our attention?  Let us hear from you!

Posted in Fantasy, Lists | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MY FAVORITE FANTASY BOOK DISCOVERIES in 2017

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Bookwraiths

AmazingDiscoveries

Even though it seems like I read all the time, there are still books and series in the fantasy genre which some way or another escape my notice.  Months, years, or decades sometimes going by before I stumble upon these overlooked stories and fall in love with them.  And, today, I wanted to proudly proclaim the fantasy books/series I discovered in 2017 that I would encourage everyone else not to miss out on.

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lucifer's starLucifer’s Star – C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Damn fine space opera is what C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus deliver with this indie gem.  A science fiction tale which is gritty, brimming with action, and filled with characters with shadowy pasts, mysterious motives, and more than a few who are not exactly who they appear to be!  All of this taking place in a galaxy filled with war, rebellion, and space battles galore.  In more than a few ways this novel reminds me of an updated, modernized Star Wars; the great ones from the George Lucas Era I should clarify.

Purchase Lucifer’s Star at Amazon

col-buchanan-farlanderFarlander – Col Buchanan

Col Buchanan delivers an epic tale of a world at war with an aged assassin who has an worsening health condition and a cauldron of unresolved issues from his past which drive him to take on an apprentice.  From the standard setup, Col Buchanan weaves a story of an unending conflict where things are not quite what they appear and the familiar medieval landscape hides some major secrets which change everything.  One of my favorite series this year!

Purchase Farlander at Amazon

where loyalties lieWhere Loyalties Lie – Rob J Hayes

Pirates have always fascinated me.  No, I’m not talking about The Pirates of the Caribbean types.  Nope, I am referring to the brutal, cutthroat realities who terrorized the seas for ages in the past and still do in some parts of the world.  And Rob J Hayes has perfectly captured that kind of pirate, delivering a duology where a land of buccaneers must be forged together into a nation to defeat the crusader fleet sent to wipe them out.  Yeah, its grimdark.  What’s wrong with that?

Purchase Where Loyalties Lie at Amazon

for steam and countryFor Steam and Country – Jon Del Arroz

A fun steampunk with a strong female lead who is drawn into a rousing adventure.  Yeah, it is filled with zeppelins, daring-do, pulse pounding action, good guys versus bad guys, and more than a few laughs.  With characters like Zaira von Monocle headlining, you can probably guess that this is a tale which is determined to entertain with timeless stories and not send you into a depression relapse with serious, dark stories of steampunk angst.  I’m looking forward to seeing where Jon Del Arroz takes this steampunk series.

Purchase For Steam and Country at Amazon 

revenant windsRevenant Winds – Mitchell Hogan

An epic fantasy filled with ancient demons, sorcerous cabals, and a group of unlikely heroes attempting to thwart the rising of an age-old threat. While it starts off slow, setting the table with heavy world building and characterization, this novel takes off around the halfway point, rushing forward to an epic conclusion in pure old fashioned sword and sorcery style.  This story was just an entertaining thrill ride which caught me by surprise, since I could never get into Mitchell Hogan’s initial series, Sorcery Ascendant Sequence.

Purchase Revenant Winds at Amazon 

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Well, those are my amazing fantasy book discoveries this year.  Agree?  Disagree?  Want to add your own so we can all discovery them as well?  Let us hear your thoughts!

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MOST ANTICIPATED FANTASY BOOKS IN 2018

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Bookwraiths

My Most Anticipated 2018 Releases

The wrapping paper from Christmas gifts hasn’t even settled in the landfill, and I’m already making my list for all the gifts I want the beginning of 2018.  I suppose I just have to accept I have a book problem and build on to my house, so I’ll have more room to store them all.

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BLOOD OF THE FOURBlood of the Four

Expected publication: March 6th 2018 – Harper Voyager

In the great kingdom of Quandis, everyone is a slave. Some are slaves to the gods. Most are slaves to everyone else.

Blessed by the gods with lives of comfort and splendor, the royal elite routinely perform their duties, yet some chafe at their role. A young woman of stunning ambition, Princess Phela refuses to allow a few obstacles—including her mother the queen and her brother, the heir apparent—stand in the way of claiming ultimate power and glory for herself.

Far below the royals are the Bajuman. Poor and oppressed, members of this wretched caste have but two paths out of servitude: the priesthood . . . or death.

Because magic has been kept at bay in Quandis, royals and Bajuman have lived together in an uneasy peace for centuries. But Princess Phela’s desire for power will disrupt the realm’s order, setting into motion a series of events that will end with her becoming a goddess in her own right . . . or ultimately destroying Quandis and all its inhabitants.

Purchase Blood of the Four at Amazon

child of a mad godChild of a Mad God

Expected publication:  February 6th 2018 – Tor Books

When Aoleyn loses her parents, she is left to fend for herself among a tribe of vicious barbarians. Bound by rigid traditions, she dreams of escaping to the world beyond her mountain home.

The only hopefor achieving the kind of freedom she searches for is to learn how to wield the mysterious power used by the tribe’s coven known as the Song of Usgar. Thankfully, Aoleyn may be the strongest witch to have ever lived, but magic comes at price. Not only has her abilities caught the eye of the brutish warlord that leads the tribe, but the demon of the mountain hunts all who wield the Coven’s power, and Aoleyn’s talent has made her a beacon in the night.

Purchase Child of a Mad God: A Tale of the Coven at Amazon

the brass godThe Brass God

Expected publication: March 27th 2018 – Solaris

Magic and technology combine in an epic fantasy like no other.

War is coming to Ruthnia. As ancient, inhuman powers move against one another, Rel Kressind finds himself in the company of the fabled modalmen – giants who regard themselves as the true keepers of humanity’s legacy. Far out in the blasted, magical wastelands of the Black Sands where no man of the Hundred has ever set foot before, Rel comes face to face with the modalman’s deity, the Brass God. What Rel learns in the Brass God’s broken halls will shake his understanding of reality forever.

Magic and technology combine in an epic fantasy like no other, where lost science, giant tides and jealous gods shape the fate of two worlds, and the actions of six siblings may save a universe, or damn it.

Purchase The Brass God (Gates of the World) at Amazon

time of dreadA Time of Dread

Expected publication: January 11th 2018 – Orbit

The Ben-Elim, a fierce race of warrior-angels, burst into the Banished Lands over a hundred and thirty years ago. They were in pursuit of their eternal enemy, the Kadoshim demon-horde. On that day a great battle was fought, the Ben-Elim and Kadoshim joined by allies from the races of both men and giants, and a great victory was won.

Now much of the Banished Lands is ruled by the Ben-Elim, who have made this world their home, extending their influence and power as they swallow ancient kingdoms into the protective grasp of their ever-extending borders. But peace is fragile within the realm and the Kadoshim that remain are now amassing on the edges of the empire….

Threats long in the shadows are about to strike.

Purchase A Time of Dread (Of Blood & Bone) at Amazon

wrath of empireWrath of Empire

Expected publication: March 6th 2018 – Orbit

The country is in turmoil. With the capital city occupied, half a million refugees are on the march, looking for safety on the frontier, accompanied by Lady Flint’s soldiers. But escaping war is never easy, and soon the battle may find them, whether they are prepared or not.

Back in the capital, Michel Bravis smuggles even more refugees out of the city. But internal forces are working against him. With enemies on all sides, Michael may be forced to find help with the very occupiers he’s trying to undermine.

Meanwhile, Ben Styke is building his own army. He and his mad lancers are gathering every able body they can find and searching for an ancient artifact that may have the power to turn the tides of war in their favor. But what they find may not be what they’re looking for.

Purchase Wrath of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder) at Amazon

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Well, those are the books I’m dying to get my hands on.  What novels are you anxiously awaiting in 2018?

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