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TEASER TUESDAY

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Bookwraiths

teasertuesday1

Teaser Tuesday is a meme held over at Books and a Beat.

To participate, all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Bow of Destiny by P.H. Solomon

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Bow of Hart #1

Publisher: Self Published (September 28, 2015)

Author Info: Website | Twitter

Length: 302 pages

When his dead father touched his hand, Athson almost dropped the arrow. He squeezed his eyes shut. Ignore him. Focus. He took a slow, deep breath. Not this, not now.

“That’s it, slow breaths, steady your hands.” His father helped him nock the arrow.

“You’re not here. You’re dead.” Athson whispered lest he startle his prey. He didn’t need help with teh arrow.

“And Athson, make sure you keep that secret I trusted you with.” Ath’s hand dropped away.

“I’ve held my tongue.” Athson’s lip quivered and he forced his hands steady. A memory and nothing more. That’s what he got for forgetting his medicine. But he kept the secret over the years since his father taught him the bow that day.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

TOP TEN TUESDAY

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Bookwraiths

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday! This is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where a new top ten list hits the web every week!

This week our topic is …

BOOKS I JUST HAD TO BUY . . . but are still sitting on my bookshelf

**10. Lord of the Isles by David Drake**

Back in the day (1998), I usually bought any new epic fantasy book which hit the shelves. There just were not enough of them to keep my insatiable appetite satisfied, so when I saw this one, I immediately bought it. I am fairly certain I also purchased the next two installments in the series as well. Guess what? I’ve never read any of them. They are still sitting on the bookshelf somewhere collecting dust. Can’t make myself get rid of them though, because I’m certain I’ll get around to reading them soon.

**9. The Baker’s Boy by J.V. Jones**

A novel I bought due to its seeming classical fantasy leanings. Occasionally, I long for the simpler days of my youth when classic fantasy ruled the shelves. Those days might have been boring for most, but I recall it fondly, finding its naive and simplistic view of good versus evil a nice escape from the complexities of the morass of real life dialogue. So when The Baker’s Boy appeared and seemed to harken back to that simpler time I bought it. Now, I just have to read it.

**8. The Runelords by David Farland**

A more recent purchase for me; I bought this book a year or so ago. The Runelords (as well as the next six installments in the series) were used book store purchases that I couldn’t resist. But how could I help it? I mean, there were the first eight volumes in a fantasy series for only a handful of money. I couldn’t pass that up. And, no, I’ve never opened the first one since bringing them home.

**7. Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman**

Good premise. Cool cover. And an author whose previous work I had thoroughly enjoyed. This novel seemed like a can’t miss for me. After buying it out of my local Barnes & Nobles, it has maintained its very prominent spot on my bookshelf for many years. Nope, I’ve never even tried to read it.

**6. Wizards’ First Rule by Terry Goodkind**

When this book came out in 1994, it was the next big thing. Everyone I knew who read fantasy raved about it, told me to embrace the hype. So like the good follower I was back then, I bought the damn thing. I even tried to read it. Couldn’t get through it. But instead of getting rid of the book, I held on to it, bought the next three/four installments in the series. Hell, I still have them, even though I kind of realize I never intend to read them. Why am I keeping them then? Book hoarder, I guess.

**5. The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham**

Another epic fantasy I just could not keep myself from buying. I’m sure the comparisons to George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones is what initially excited me. Unfortunately, I’ve never had any desire to open it up and read it since purchasing it several years ago. Perhaps the complexity is what has caused my refrain. Not sure. I do intend to get to it one day.

**4. The Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts**

Janny Wurts was one of my favorite authors when I first began reading fantasy. I collected numerous of her early works, loved them all. So when I first encountered this epic series, I had to buy the first book. My plan was to wait until several installments had been published, then sit down and binge read them. I’m still buying the novels as they are published. Now, though, I’m way behind and really need to find the time to read such a massive series. Wish me luck.

3.The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Since I returned to reading fantasy four years ago, I have been consistently bitten in the ass by listening to the hype on books. Sure, several lived up to the crowds’ praises, but more were totally failures in my eyes. And that is why even though I have a pristine copy of Lynch’s masterpiece on my bookshelf, I have not touched it. I’m scared I will be burned yet again.

**2. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson**

Several authors have been whispered in my ear for the last four years. You know, the fanboys favorites, who supposedly you can’t be a fantasy fan and not love. Sanderson is among those authors I’ve been instructed over and over to read. And I have done so. Mistborn: The Final Empire being the one I tried. It was good, but it wasn’t great in my eyes. And so (yet again) I’m holding back on reading a book, which sits upon my bookshelves, because I’m scared the hype has gotten out of control.

**1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss**

Hype. Hype. Hype. I’m terrified of it. Especially when there has been such huge gaps between books in the series and a small group of dedicated haters. It makes me wonder if taking the plunge with this one is worth it.

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday | Tagged BLACK SUN RISING, Brandon Sanderson, C.S. FRIEDMAN, Daniel Abraham, David Drake, David Farland, Fantasy, J.V. Jones, janny wurts, Lord of the Isles, patrick rothfuss, Scott Lynch, TERRY GOODKIND, The Baker's Boy, The Curse of the Mistwraith, The Dragon's Path, THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, THE NAME OF THE WIND, The Runelords, The Way of Kings, Top Ten Tuesday, WIZARD’S FIRST RULE | 17 Comments

THE BOUND FOLIO

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Bookwraiths

The Bound Folio by Rob J Hayes

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Ties That Bind #3.5

Publisher: Ragnarok Publications (June 1, 2016)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 226 pages

My Rating: 3 stars

The Bound Folio returns (or introduces) readers to Rob J. Hayes’ First Earth fantasy world, and like his first trilogy, The Ties That Bind, this collection of short stories is not for the faint of heart. Rather, these tales are grimdark to the core, filled with execution, rape, revenge, cynicism, and brutality.

To my mind, all the stories in this collection fit into two very nice categories: the unexpected twist and the shock-fest. The former generally consisting of a straight ahead narrative which concludes in a surprising way, while the latter is all about the death, mayhem, and gore. “The Night Blade”, “The Battle of Underbridge”, “The Twins”, and “The Mistress of the West” are the examples of what I consider twist stories. “The Sword of the North”, “The Kid”, “The Merchant of Truridge”, and “Beck” are the tales which felt like shock-fests to me. None of these shorts are connected in any way, other than they take place in the same world as The Ties That Bind trilogy and showcase some of the characters which appear therein.

What Folio does extremely well is deliver a heaping dose of bloody, brutal grimdark for fans of the genre. The scenes of children burning at the stake, men being fed their best friend, husbands watching their wives gang raped and killed, and all the other memorable moments favorably compares to the most hardcore grimdark out there, so those who love that type of dark and gloomy fantasy should be pleased beyond belief.

The main problem I had with the collection was more than a few of the stories seemed rather pointless. There would be a lot of buildup, a great deal of foreshadowing of big events to come, but then the story would end abruptly. Usually, the narrative would be wrapped up by a few brief sentences or a couple of concise paragraphs, which did not really deliver the exciting ending which I personally had been anticipating.

Not being a true follower of Rob J. Hayes, I picked up The Bound Folio to experience more of his grimdark world and his storytelling style. Both things this collection certainly showed me. After reflecting on my time with these stories, I’ve actually discovered that even as a grimdark fan I still have a level of utter despair that I’d rather not sink to. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I still prefer to have a little bit of light in all my grimdark-ness to keep me motivated to continue reading, and Rob J. Hayes world was a little too realistic and a little too harsh for my tastes, though others might find it to their liking.

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, Fantasy, Grimdark | Tagged First Earth, grimdark, grimdark fantasy, grimdark short stories, Ragnarok, Rob J. Hayes, The Bound Folio, The Ties That Bind | 4 Comments

FUNDAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (AUGUST 8, 2016)

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Bookwraiths

funday-monday

The work 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 grind, deep down, I’m not, so I’m going to escape dreary reality by reading some great books.

Well, this week things are looking a bit more positive. Sure, I’m still running a bit behind schedule, but I’m definitely making progress. Whether the kids returning to school this week will help my reading or hurt it only time will tell, but I’m trying to be pragmatic, so I’m only lining up two novellas. Hopefully, I’ll fly through them and get to that growing pile of books I need to read.

Ghosts of the Tristan Basin by Brian McClellan

Genre: Fantasy – Flintlock

Series: Powder Mage #0.7

Publisher: Self Published (February 16, 2016)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 90 pages

Taniel Two-Shot is a powder mage with the Tristan Ghost Irregulars, a band of volunteers who have made a name for themselves fighting in the Fatrastan Revolution. They range through the swamps of the frontier, cutting off enemy supplies and raiding towns while Taniel hunts the Privileged sorcerers that make the Kez armies so powerful.

When a desperate call for help comes from the nearby city of Planth, the Irregulars aren’t the only ones to answer and Taniel must deal with another hero of the revolution: Mad Colonel Styke. But not all is well within the young Fatrastan government, and more hangs on the defense of Planth than Taniel and his companions could possibly know.

Occurs eight months before the events of Promise of Blood.

Purchase the novella at Amazon.

Sunset Mantle by Alter S. Reiss

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor (September 15, 2015)

Length: 192 pages

With a single blow, Cete won both honor and exile from his last commander. Since then he has wandered, looking for a place to call home. The distant holdings of the Reach Antach offer shelter, but that promise has a price.

The Reach Antach is doomed.

Barbarians, traitors, and scheming investors conspire to destroy the burgeoning settlement. A wise man would move on, but Cete has found reason to stay. A blind weaver-woman and the beautiful sunset mantle lure the warrior to wager everything he has left on one final chance to turn back the hungry tides of war.

Purchase the novella at Amazon.

Posted in Funday Monday | Tagged Alter S. Reiss, Brian McClellan, Fatrastan Revolution, Funday Monday, Ghosts of the Tristan Basin, Powder Mage, Powder mage novellas, Powder Mage short stories, Susnet Mantle, Taniel, Taniel Two-Shot, Tor, Tor.com | 7 Comments

TOP 5 WEDNESDAY: Books I Feel Differently About Now

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Bookwraiths

top5

Today, the guys in the Goodreads Top 5 Wednesday group had a great topic: Books You Feel Differently About Now! This can be books that you feel differently about after you’ve re-read them or just had more time to think about them. It can be books you gave a low rating to initial but now appreciate more, or a story you loved when you first read it, but now see many problems with it.

Obviously, this topic is a fairly broad one, and so I narrowed it down by deciding to focus on books I read for the first time in the last five years. No need to go back any further than that, since we all know our opinions about books from our younger years will definitely have changed quite a lot. So, let’s get to it!

5. DRAGON HUNTERS

After having loved When the Heavens Fall, I had really high expectations for book two. Maybe, too high. And when Dragon Hunters focused on another section of the world with all new characters and a different type of plot, I was not quite as infatuated with it. Thankfully, Marc Turner gave me an opportunity to beta read Red Tide, the third installment of the series, and it brought into focus the trajectory of this epic, causing most of my gripes about Dragon Hunters to evaporate.

4. HALF A KING

I was hard on this book after I read it. Christened it GRIMWHINE! And while I stand by much of my criticism, I realize now most of my angst was due to unreasonable expectations for Half a King. The Joe Abercrombie hype I’d been hearing setting this novel up as to be a big letdown. But after several years of contemplation, I realize this initial volume in the Shattered Sea series is a good fantasy. Not great, but definitely good. Maybe a little whiny at times, but still good. Something I wouldn’t hesitate to tell others to give a try. But don’t get me started on the next two books in the series, because it hasn’t been long enough yet.

3. SEVEN FORGES

As anyone who views my blog from time to time will probably know, I’m a big fan of the Seven Forges series by James A. Moore. It is my favorite sword-and-sorcery series on the 21st Century. So far, anyway. But when I closed the book on its initial volume, I had real doubts this amazing world and its mesmerizing denizens would ever realize their full potential, because the book Seven Forges did have its problems. Thankfully, Mr. Moore put it all together in the next three installments, taking me on a grand ride and making me appreciate the foundation he laid for it all in this novel.

2. KING OF THORNS

I have to go ahead and admit that I really hated this book when I finished it. Where Prince of Thorns had awed me with its gritty, bloody brutality and its brilliant but insane main character, King made me cringe in nearly ever way. Thank God, I eventually broke down, read Emperor of Thorns, and understood what Mark Lawrence was doing the whole time. All of which is my long winded way of saying I actually like King of Thorns now. Don’t know why that was so hard to type. 🙂

1. BEYOND REDEMPTION

I really liked this novel when I experienced it. Grimdark debauchery and brutality, madness and mayhem at its finest. But I didn’t fully appreciate Michael Fletcher’s amazing writing ability. Now, having read even more of the grimdark genre, I stand in awe. How Mr. Fletcher could created a world of madness (where those with the greatest insanity have the power to recreate the world around them) and craft a compelling story within that framework with characters readers despise yet still want to read about is utterly amazing. For that reason, this book continues to rise within my mind, and I hope other grimdark lovers will discover its divine madness.

That is my top five. What are yours?

Posted in Top Five Wednesday | Tagged beyond redemption, Broken Empire, Dragon Hunters, grimdark, Half a King, James A. Moore, Joe Abercrombie, Jorg Ancrath, King of Thorns, Marc Turner, Mark Lawrence, Michael R. Fletcher, Seven Forges, Shattered Sea, The Chronicle of the Exile, Top 5 Wednesday | 11 Comments

CITY OF WOLVES

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Bookwraiths

City of Wolves by Willow Palecek

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Standalone Novella

Publisher: Tor (July 26, 2016)

Length: 96 pages

My Rating: 2 stars

City of Wolves is a gas lamp noir fantasy, which was serviceable as a light, quick read, but isn’t much else.

The setting for this novella is an alternate nineteenth century England. At least, it appears to be England, though no one ever says that explicitly. Gas lamps, lords, ladies, vicars, cathedrals, and other Victorian-esque things seem to give it away however.

The action begins when a noble’s dead, naked body is found. The corpse is covered with unexplained bites and laceration. While the Ministry investigator believes he has a totally reasonable and scientific explanation for the chaps’ death, the noble’s family is not quite so sure, which is why they bring in investigator for hire Alexander Drake.

Now, Detective Drake is a fairly standard investigator sort: lives by his own moral standards, is cool, is collected, is tough, and can’t be shaken off the trail once he has the proverbial bit between his teeth. Nothing unusual about him. Very familiar, comfortable sort of fellow, who will be our guide through this complicated investigation.

But that is where City of Wolves begins to stumble badly: the mystery isn’t very mysterious or complicated. Obviously, the title to this story has wolves in the name, a dead body is naked and covered in animal bites, and there are other flashing Easter eggs scattered about which makes it fairly obvious from the very beginning that werewolves are involved. Indeed, throughout the narrative, there really isn’t many surprises. Sure, we have a bit of duplicity here or there, but nothing an experienced reader doesn’t see coming from a mile away. So the “mystery” quickly becomes a non-factor.

This left it up to Alexander Drake to carry the story, but, unfortunately, he just isn’t very interesting. Obviously, the author did not have many pages to flesh him out in detail, introduce any complex issues or unexpected quirks, but it is very disappointing that Drake is the same old detective we have read about or watched in every private eye story ever written – except he is less interesting than most.

As for the other characters, they are cardboard cutouts mostly. Nothing to set them about from the others. A few merely make appearances out of convenience to move the narrative along like a “crime lord” and an evil priest. Both of whom had no real role in the ongoing story.

But the action is great, right? There is a good bit of it: chase scenes and such, but it really didn’t liven things up enough to overcome the other issues I personally had with the narrative.

All in all, City of Wolves is an okay novella. It isn’t terrible. It isn’t great. It doesn’t bore. But it doesn’t excite either. Willow Palecek has written a light, quick read, which could get better in sequels as the world and characters are developed and grow more complex. Whether I pick up the next novella isn’t determined yet. I’m not saying I won’t read it. Rather, I’m unsure, because I only have a finite amount of reading time and far too many stories to read, and I do not know if I wish to spend that time on Alexander Drake’s further adventures.

Purchase the story at Amazon.

Posted in 2 Stars, Fantasy, Short Stories | Tagged City of Wolves, fantasy detective, fantasy mystery, gas lamp noir fantasy, Tor, Tor Books, Tor novellas, werewolves, Willow Palecek | 5 Comments

TEASER TUESDAY

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Bookwraiths

teasertuesday1

Teaser Tuesday is a meme held over at Books and a Beat.

To participate, all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Red Right Hand by Levi Black

Genre: Horror – Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor (July 26, 2016)

Length: 304 pages

I am going insane.

I couldn’t see it all, couldn’t take it all in, my vision breaking on the edges like cheap windowpanes, crackle-fracturing from the outside in. The thing in front of me filled the room, a mass of limbs and tentacles writhing in knots. The tentacles roiled against each other, worm-white membranes tearing as they rubbed. Clear ectoplasm gushed, lubricating the smearing caress of alien flesh against alien flesh. From this mass jutted spindly limbs ending in grasping, many-fingered hands with too many joints, each finger capped by a talon black and curved to pull meat from bone.

I don’t, I don’t, I don’t . . .

The massed tentacles were split-seamed with gaping mouths, gnashing rims of razor-sharp chitin crowding and pushing each other in jutting, jagged rows, piranha mouths designed by a mad, sadistic creator. The teeth chomped together, the noise a cacophony, driving into my mind like a drill.

. . . understand, no sense, what, what, WHAT . . .

Hundreds of orbs of all sizes dotted the oily membrane skin. A few were as large as my face; some were the size of a pea. Unblinking they stared, drinking in my human frailty, my weakness, my lowly pathetic life. They looked on me without pity, seething animosity in their cold, unmoving stare.

. . . toomuchdontknowwhatiamlook . . .

Over this sloppy, slithering form lay a shaggy hide, still raw and bloody from being cut off its original host. It moved on its own, rippling around the chaos it clothed, trying to pull away each time its sore subcutaneous inside brushed against the skin of the chaos god who wore it. Each kiss of contact raised a sizzle and a thin wailing scream that cut through the teeth-gnashing noise of a hundred hungry mouths.

My sanity broke, sanity washing away like sand on a crumbling beach.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Teaser Tuesday | Tagged Levi Black, Lovecraftian horror, Red Right Hand, Teaser Tuesday, Tor, Tor Books, urban fantasy horror | 4 Comments

FUNDAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (AUGUST 1, 2016)

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Bookwraiths

funday-monday

Real life commitments (work specifically) has really put a major brake on my reading this summer, but it is a new month, and I’m optimistic things will turn around. So to start things out I’m going to read something a bit different for me, then head back into my comfort zone with an epic fantasy offering.

Red Right Hand by Levi Black

Genre: Horror – Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor (July 26, 2016)

Length: 304 pages

Charlie Tristan Moore isn’t a hero. She’s a survivor. On a night when her demons from the past are triggered, she arrives home to something even more harrowing-an attack by three monstrous skinhounds, creatures straight out of nightmares. She fights but is outmatched. Just as hope seems lost, in sweeps The Man In Black, a rescuer even more monstrous and unlikely, dressed in a long, dark coat that seems to have a life of its own and with a black-bladed sword held in his terrible, red right hand.

Her rescue comes at a cost. She must become his new Acolyte and embrace a dark magick she never knew she had inside her. To ensure she gives it her all, he takes her friend and possible love, Daniel, in thrall as a hostage to her obedience. The Man in Black, a Lovecraftian chaos god, claims to be battling his brethren gods, other horrors who are staging an incipient apocalypse. But is he truly the lesser of all evils or merely killing off the competition? Either way, will Charlie be strong enough to save herself, Daniel, and possibly the entire world?

Purchase the book at Amazon.

The Bow of Destiny by P.H. Solomon

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Bow of Hart #1

Publisher: Self Published (September 28, 2015)

Author Info: Website | Twitter

Length: 302 pages

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

Athson has seen things that aren’t there and suffered fits since being tragically orphaned as a child at the hands of trolls and Corgren the wizard. When a strange will mentioning a mysterious bow comes into his possession, he’s not sure it’s real. But the trolls that soon pursue him are all too real and dangerous. And what’s worse, these raiders serve Corgren and his master, the hidden dragon, Magdronu, who are responsible for the destruction of his childhood home. Athson is drawn into a quest for the concealed Bow of Hart by the mystic Withling, Hastra, but Athson isn’t always sure what’s real and who his enemies are. With Corgren and Magdronu involved, Athson must face not only frequent danger but his grasp on reality and the reasons behind his tragic past.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Funday Monday | Tagged destiny, elves, Fantasy, fantasy horror, Funday Monday, Levi Black, Lovecraftian horror, magic bow, P.H. Solomon, Red Right Hand, The Bow of Destiny, The Bow of Hart, Tor Books | 2 Comments

GUEST POST: IGOR LJUBUNCIC

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Bookwraiths

Today, I am very excited to have Igor Ljubuncic, author of the grimdark fantasy series Woes & Hose and The Lost Words, back to Bookwraiths. Instead of answering all my questions as he did last time, I’ve given Igor the floor to share his thoughts on what drove him to write The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich. So enjoy!

The Amazing Why

by

Igor Ljubuncic

A question often comes up – well, not that often, but let’s pretend I have friends and fans, mutually inclusive – why did you decide to write The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich? And then the follow-up question that allows me to elaborate more and actually write an article-worthy response: Why is it so different from your previous series, The Lost Words?

After spending roughly seven years writing the four books (from 2007-2013) that comprise The Lost Words universe, I felt I needed a break from its somber, multi-character, epic tone with a slow story development and tons of magic and gods. I think I probably had a similar moment that Steven Erikson had with Willful Child, without presuming any grandeur, talent or popularity on my behalf. He had spent two decades creating the ultra-massive Malazan Empire, and he must have been in a dire need of a sweet, quick and innocent distraction.

I know I did. So I thought, what now? And so Prince Dietrich was born. The Lost Words had magic and swords and gods, Dietrich’s world has gunpowder, no magic whatsoever, and a passing semblance of religion. The Lost Words chase a dozen people across the Realms. Dietrich – may we call him Dick – lives in a much smaller universe, and the action focuses on him, because he is a spoiled brat, me, me, me. He is also a coward, whereas you’d expect your protagonist to be somewhat of a hero. Not Dick. Between the rock and a hard place, Dick will choose a velvet cushion.

Humor was also quite important to me. The Lost Words is not a funny series. It’s grim, it’s brutal, it’s depressing. I wanted something lighthearted with just a speck of evil and dark. Let’s call it fundark. Or perhaps grimfun. Arguably, the humor that you encounter in the book – provided you find it funny, ’tis a gamble right – reflects the silly name of the novel and its nature. Fast-paced action revolving around a self-absorbed, indignant prince who lusts for the throne. Of course, it cannot be easy, and his father the ever-so-smart king will do his best to thwart Dick’s plans. Thus our adventure beginneth.

When you combine and blend and dice all these elements, what you get is a hopefully unique approach to storytelling. Dick is someone you will most likely despise. It’s not easy when your protagonist is an arse. But then, you will probably be entertained by all the plights and misfortunes afflicting him. After all, if he ain’t a hero, nor a tragic hero, he might as well just be tragic. Thus our plot thickeneth.

I immensely enjoyed writing the book. I had the most fun of any one of my works – save for the sequel, The Glorious Adventures of Glamorous Prince Dietrich, which yes, you guessed right, follows Dick on his deplorable quest of becoming the king – and it was such a pleasant release from the dark energy that I invested in the previous series. You may find the sentiment hard to comprehend, but when you write, you give it all. Stepping out, breathing out and then committing yourself to a story of a witty coward is an excellent holiday for the brain. As I said, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I hope you will, too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Igor Ljubuncic is a physicist by vocation and a Linux geek by profession. He is the founder and operator of the cool and highly popular website dedoimedo.com, where you can learn a lot about a lot. He really likes to write, particularly in the fantasy genre, and has been doing so since the tender age of ten summers. You can learn more at his blog.

Posted in Author Spotlights, Guest Post | Tagged fundark, grimdark fantasy, grimfun, guest post igor ljubuncic, Igor Ljubuncic, igor ljubuncic guest post, Prince Dietrich, self-published grimdark, The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich, The Lost Words | 2 Comments

INDIE WEDNESDAY: THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DASHING PRINCE DIETRICH – REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Bookwraiths

Along my reading journey, I’ve made a conscious decision to not only read the books on the shelves at my local Barnes & Nobles store, or online at Amazon, but to also try self-published, or indie, works as often as I can.

Now, I know several of you are snickering in the background or rolling your eyes at my idiot crusade to bring a few good indie works to light. And, believe me, I understand why you’d do that. Several years into this, I have to admit that I’ve probably stopped reading more indie stories than I’ve finished, but if I don’t share those triumphs and failure, then no one else will know whether these self-published stories are worth investing their time into or not.

This week we will be looking at a grimdark offering which holds nothing back — literally nothing.

The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich by Igor Ljubuncic

Genre: Fantasy -Grimdark

Series: Woes & Hose #1

Publisher: Self Published (May 20, 2016)

Author Information: Website

Length: 376 pages

My Rating: 3 stars

Realistic. Amoral. Violent. Igor Ljubuncic writes grimdark. Having read The Betrayed (The Lost Words #1), I knew exactly the hard hitting, dark story I was getting when I picked up his latest offering, and from the first page, the controlled chaos came at me fast and furious — though the beginning was a bit surprising.

Out of the gate, we find out main character, Prince Dietrich, having an idyllic dream; the setting a peaceful meadow with a gurgling stream and an ewe eating blackberries. Our prince quietly marvels at the beauty of the sheep, drifting closer, attempting not to spook Betty (that is the ewe’s name) as he gently pulls on the strings of his breeches. What Dick (Everyone calls Dietrich “Dick” for numerous reasons.) plans for his encounter with Betty is fairly obvious. Thank God, he wakes up before the dream relationship is fully consummated however.

From this eye-raising opening, the real story begins to progress. It all starts with Dietrich’s father giving him an ultimatum: marry the Duchess of neighboring Sacony or be disowned. Not really a tough decision for our fat, pampered prince who enjoys his meals, his manservants, his feather bed, and the prostitutes who warm it, and so off Dick goes to gather up his bride-to-be and bring her back home for a fairy tale wedding.

Not far away, Eva, daughter of the Lord First Citizen Vincezo of Enissia, is also facing an unwanted wedding, her future husband a man notorious for his mistreatment of his wives. Thus, Eva plans a final act of independence; a night when she will escape her father’s fortress-like home and experience life through the eyes of her friend Nicole, who is a high priced prostitute at The Swan, a house of pleasure.

Fate now intervenes in Dietrich and Eva’s lives, however, as they meet at The Swan. A deadly fight leading to the prince’s hasty departure from the city of Enissia. The unrecognized Eva and her prostitute friend taken as hostages — attractive ones at that. Dick then concocting a plan to hire a mercenary army in a neighboring city, come back to Enissia and conquer it; this daring act sure to impress his father and allow him to escape his unwanted nuptials.

Naturally, back at home, King Ulaf hears of his wayward son’s actions. But instead of viewing Dietrich’s presence with a mercenary army as a sign of his disobedience, the king interprets it as a sign of Dick’s capture by an unknown enemy. This leading him to send troops to rescue the prince. The whole episode infuriating Dietrich’s ambitious sister Wilhelmina, who dreams of seeing Dick disowned or dead and herself installed as the heir to the Kingdom of Monrich.

But that isn’t all. Prince Dietrich’s future father-in-law, the Duke of Savony, also hears of Dick’s mercenary army, seeing it as a clear sigh that the war-like King Ulaf is pretending to want peace while he prepares to invade. This leading to yet another armed force being sent to capture Dick. The table set for the grim and dark things to come.

Now, I know many people do not enjoy grimdark stories. Nothing wrong with that, at all. I personally have been turned off by more than a few. But I found The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich an okay read for several reasons.

First, I was expecting the tale to be all the things that it was. Realistic political backstabbing and violence. Thoughtless actions which harms people. Amoral characters. Selfish motives. Not a single, solitary person to empathize with. And when all these elements arose in the story I wasn’t shocked or appalled by them, since I was prepared for them to happen.

Second, I enjoyed all the shifting perspectives. It was fun seeing the world through Prince Dick’s perverted eyes for a while, then shifting over to Eva or Wilhelmina or someone else. Igor Ljubuncic taking advantage of the different personalities, motives, and viewpoints of each person to fully fuel the conflagration which begins to smoke before igniting in expected (and unexpected) ways.

As for the negatives, I suppose it would be the pessimistic tone and dark humor of the tale as a whole. No, they didn’t bother me, but they did wear on me that everyone was irredeemable pieces of crap. For example, Prince Dietrich never gets much better after that sexual fantasy about the sheep. He is and remains a perverted, unsympathetic man to the end. Sure, he has flashes of decency from time to time, but all I can say is I wouldn’t let him sit my pets or my children. And, honestly, the other viewpoint characters are not much better, merely repulsive in different ways. All of which meant I never became emotional attached to any of these guys.

All in all, Igor Ljubuncic has crafted a fine grimdark with The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich. Filled with gray characters, political machinations, amoral actions, and non-stop twists and turns, it will satisfy most every grimdark lover’s craving. If all those things sound horrible or simply unappealing to you, then I’d suggest you skip this one for something a little lighter in tone.

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

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES GIVEAWAY

Giveaway time again! With thanks to the author, three print copy of The Amazing Adventures of Dashing Prince Dietrich is available to all residents of the US and Canada. To enter, all you have to do is visit the Rafflecopter giveaway before 11:59pm Eastern time on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

The winner will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends all personal information will be deleted.

Good luck! And happy reading!