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INFINITE CRISIS

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Infinite Crisis by Geoff Johns

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: Infinite Crisis

Publisher: DC Comics (January 16, 2008)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 264 pages

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Back when I was a kid, I remember being one of the few kids in my junior high who did not like the outcome of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Not that I didn’t enjoy the mini series, because I did, but I hated that all those unique, interesting, and bizarre worlds had been compressed down into just one. I mean, why do that when you can let creators tell all kinds of cool stories about different superheroes on different worlds with no concerns about continuity?

It seemed silly for DC Comics to willingly throw away all that creative flexibility in exchange for a self-inflicted continuity nightmare. But who was I to question the professional, so I rolled with the punches, learning to love Byrne’s Superman, Perez’s Wonder Woman, New/Hysterical Justice League, and all the other post-Crisis titles.

I mention my Crisis feelings, because when reading Infinite Crisis, I had similar feelings of disappointment. Sure the series was a beautifully drawn collection, breathtaking even, that compares favorably to the original Crisis. And, yes, the story was okay, filled with emotional moments and cool twists that set up some changes in the DCU of that time. But . . . (I mean, you knew the “but” was coming, right?) IC suffered from the same problems as the original Crisis in having too much going on, too many characters, sacrificing established capes for shock value, and then failing to reinstate the infinite earths. All of which led me to be pretty “meh” about it after finishing.

Am I sorry I read it? No, I guess not. I don’t really see where this Infinite Crisis was really as big of a deal as Crisis on Infinite Earths, but, at least, I can mark it off my to-be-read pile. So for that reason, I’m glad I read it, but otherwise, I’m not taking much away from this one.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 2 Stars, DC, Graphic Novels | Tagged Batman, Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics, Flash, Geoff Johns, Infinite Crisis, Justice League, Superboy, Superman, Wonder Woman | 1 Comment

TOUGH TRAVELING — THE GOOD THIEF

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Bookwraiths

tough-traveling

Every Thursday, Nathan over at Fantasy Review Barn hosts a weekly party where blogs set out with Diana Wynne Jones’ hilarious book The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel in hand to explore all the tropes from their favorite stories. So sit back and enjoy the fun.

22th of October, 2015 – THE GOOD THIEF

Sure they may pocket things that don’t belong to them. And yes, anything that can be wiggled loose isn’t really locked down and may be fair game to them. And if they put half of their intelligence into legit trades instead of long cons they would probably be pillars of fantasyland’s community. But damn it, some thieves are still good people.

God, yet another fantasy trope that seems to be recycled over and over again within this genre. How many can I find in just thirty minutes. Let us see.

BILBO BAGGINS — THE HOBBIT

Okay, maybe this “burglar” isn’t the most hardcore of thieves, but he definitely is hired to steal things for his dwarven employers and does do so. Plus, he is such a damn good person . . . except for his little addiction to that shiny, golden ring he keeps around.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

ROBIN HOOD

One of my first swashbuckling heroes was this thieving legend who “Took from the rich and gave to the poor.” Once again, the legendary Robin isn’t so much a thief as he is a rebel against a tyrant, but that just shows what a good hearted thief he really is.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

KELSIER — MISTBORN

Kelsier is a professional thief. At least, he was until some pretty tragic occurrences turned him into a revolutionary, who gathers together a group of professional thieves to overthrow an empire. But even as he promises his cohorts wealth untold, Kelsier’s heart is all about helping the slaves of the land. For all of these reasons, this guy has to be on this list.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

JIMMY THE HAND — RIFTWAR

Though gifted beyond his fellow thieves, Jimmy is really only a glorified pickpocket until he aids Prince Arutha in a daring rescue. From this point, the young thief rises ever higher until he grows up to become one of the most powerful people in the kingdom. And it all started with him showing that deep down there was a decent, intelligent lad under all that thievery.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN

When people think of Conan, all they picture is the muscle-bound barbarian cleaving skulls with his mighty sword, but in the first stories by Robert E. Howard, he actually was a thief. Okay, he wasn’t a very skilled thief, but that was still his chosen occupation. And one thing Conan always exhibited was a good heart — especially for ladies in distress.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

THE GRAY MOUSER

This gifted thief, deadly swordsman, and former wizard’s apprentice teams up with his partner Fafhrd to drink, gamble, feast, wench, brawl, and steal their way from adventure to adventure. All the while exhibiting a good heart at the strangest of times.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

TASSLEHOFF BURRFOOT — DRAGONLANCE

This kender does not consider himself a thief. Sure, he takes things that do not belong to him all the time, but he calls this behavior “borrowing.” I know it sounds like thieving, but you better not call Tasslehoff a thief, or you will see his claws come out, because this guy has a big heart and would give you the shirt off his own back. Of course, he probably stole it from someone else earlier in the day though, but . . .

Purchase the book at Amazon.

LOCKE LAMORA — GENTLEMAN BASTARD

Master thief, con artist, and false-facer, Locke Lamora is a pretty bad guy, but under all that thieving genius, he has a heart . . . of sorts. And it displays itself many times as this series moves along.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Now, it is your turn: list your favorite fantasy thief.

Posted in Tough Traveling | Tagged best thieves in fantasy, fantasy thieves, Tough Traveling, Tough Traveling Thursday | 8 Comments

INDIE WEDNESDAY — THE BOW OF HART SAGA by P.H. SOLOMON

Posted on October 21, 2015 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 faire than I’ve finished, but those that did keep my attention were — or had the potential to be — above average stories, and I’d like to occasionally share those few in the hope that you might also discover them.

So without any Stephen King disclaimers (Read my review of The Dark Tower Book VII to get the joke), let me introduce you to P.H. Solomon’s The Bow of Hart Saga!

The Bow of Destiny by P. H. Solomon

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Bow of Hart Saga #1

Publisher: Self-Published (September 28, 2015)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 305 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.

Sounds interesting. Sure, it has a bit of an old school fantasy feel to it, but
there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as the story itself is compelling. And so to determine if this was a series I wanted to get on board with I promptly picked up the free introductory short stories Mr. Solomon had released prior to The Bow of Destiny.

Trading Knives by P. H. Solomon

Series: Bow of Hart Saga #0.1

Publisher: Self-Published (August 8, 2015)

Length: 44 pages

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This short prequel to the series introduces readers to one Corgren. This down-on-his-luck man has seen his beloved wife Lucinda taken from him by the ravages of war and has retreated to the life of a river wanderer; he and his brother plying their trade as transporter of goods and knife-fighters all along the winding course of the Hart river.

It isn’t the best life, Corgren can admit to himself, but so far the prize money has been good and, at least, he is gaining some small measure of revenge against the hated Hartian by gutting their citizens in knife fight after knife fight.

Circumstances have begun to change though. Corgren’s brother becoming mixed up in dangerous business; something he is keeping hidden from his own flesh and blood. The only proof of it — besides Corgren’s intuition — a dragon tattoo on Paugren’s body.

When a mysterious stranger approaches Corgren after a fight, offers to grant him power to triumph over all his enemies, and displays a curious familiarity with Corgren’s personal secrets, he initially believes it is all a ruse. But slowly, it becomes clear much more is going on than it seems, and soon he is placed in a situation where he must choose between his own death or accepting the stranger’s offer — even though he doesn’t trust it.

What I can say about this introductory short is that it has some stellar knife fights, subtle characterization, and provides a wonderful hook to encourage new readers to continue on with the series. Nothing startling happens here, but it is a fun, quick read that does leave you wanting more. At least, it did for me, which is why I immediately picked up the second short story.

Purchase the story at Amazon.

What Is Needed by P. H. Solomon

Series: Bow of Hart Saga #0.2

Publisher: Self-Published (September 3, 2015)

Length: 52 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This second prequel story focuses on Hastra, a young mystic of the Withling Order. She is only now returning from a cold, uneventful journey, and as she reaches the gates to her home at Withling Watch, all she desires is warmth and food. What unsuspecting Hastra receives, however, is a vision of death and destruction that stuns her!

From this beginning, the story focuses on Hastra’s life among the Withling, her attempts to uncover the meaning of her vision, and the fickle nature of prophecy as it all becomes clear far too late. There is even an appearance by some old friends!

All in all, “What Is Needed” was a good introduction to the Withlings and continued unveiling the major players in the land of The Bow of Hart Saga. While I can’t say that I enjoyed it as much as I did the first prequel that might be because the Withlings and their home have a very mystic school quality (not Hogwarts, but in that vein) that I personally am not a fan of. Definitely, another great teaser for the ongoing series though, and worth a try if you are interested in seeing if Mr. Solomon’s classic fantasy series is something you might enjoy.

Purchase the story at Amazon.

Posted in 3 Stars, 4 Stars, Fantasy, Indie Wednesday | Tagged best indie fantasy series, free fantasy short stories, indie wednesday, P.H. Solomon, self-published fantasy, The Bow of Destiny, The Bow of Hart Saga, Trading Knives, What Is Needed | 6 Comments

MARVEL 1602

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: Marvel 1602

Publisher: Marvel Comics (August 2, 2006)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 248 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I’ve come to the inevitable conclusion that “hype” ruins any possibility that I might actually love a book. Sure, sure, occasionally a highly recommended piece of fiction will almost live up to the gushing accolades showered upon it, but most of the time books crumble under my lofty expectations. And, honestly, Marvel 1602 is a prime example of that sorry fact, because, even though it is on lists of the “Best Comics Ever” and whatnot, after reading it all I can say is that it was okay . . . I guess.

Now, just to be clear, I’m not a Neil Gaiman fan. Yes, I tried Sandman years ago when he was penning that comic, but I never got sucked into it. It was a good, solid series, just never more than that to me. And, honestly, Marvel 1602 felt the same way: a nice little gimmick on a standard Marvel superhero tale. There wasn’t any new ideas presented, no amazing storylines, or surprise characters at all. Gaiman merely switched the setting to Elizabethan England and early colonial America, changed the names and looks of the characters, but other than that nothing else was much different.

Wait a minute, I take that back: Gaiman did add a couple narrative themes that were “new.” One, we have an iconic character saying that the United States is a totalitarian government going to hell. (Obviously, this was written during the Bush presidency.) Two, in a single sentence, a character basically admits he is homosexual. (Not very startling or shocking now. Maybe it was then.)

Really, there just wasn’t anything earth shattering in this collection. It was fairly straightforward and meh to me. But I did mention that everyone has a cool Elizabethan name and costume, right?

Oh, I already mentioned that. Huh, I got nothing else.

Anyway, I know all this sounds like I’m bashing on this comic collection, but I’m not. It was a decent read. The problem really was that I was expecting something different, something amazing, because all the hype led me to believe that is what Marvel 1602 was. The reality, however, was that I’ve read better.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 3 Stars, Graphic Novels, Marvel | Tagged Marvel 1602, Marvel Comics, neil gaiman | 9 Comments

STACKING THE SHELVES, VOL. 5

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Stacking the Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, whether it be physically or virtually. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

First up this week is the maddening mayhem unleashed by Michael R. Fletcher in the grimdark delight Beyond Redemption! A novel Mr. Fletcher was nice enough to mail me after growing tired of my ceaseless begging.

Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher

Genre: Fantasy — Grimdark

Series: Stand alone

Publisher: Harper Voyager (June 16, 2015)

Length: 512 pages

“Faith shapes the landscape, defines the laws of physics, and makes a mockery of truth. Common knowledge isn’t an axiom, it’s a force of nature. What the masses believe is. But insanity is a weapon, conviction a shield. Delusions give birth to foul new gods.

Violent and dark, the world is filled with the Geisteskranken–men and women whose delusions manifest, twisting reality. High Priest Konig seeks to create order from chaos. He defines the beliefs of his followers, leading their faith to one end: a young boy, Morgen, must Ascend to become a god. A god they can control.

But there are many who would see this would-be-god in their thrall, including the High Priest’s own Doppels, and a Slaver no one can resist. Three reprobates–The Greatest Swordsman in the World, a murderous Kleptic, and possibly the only sane man left–have their own nefarious plans for the young god.

As these forces converge on the boy, there’s one more obstacle: time is running out. When one’s delusions become more powerful, they become harder to control. The fate of the Geisteskranken is to inevitably find oneself in the Afterdeath. The question, then, is:

Who will rule there?”

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Next is a book courtesy of Tor that I was not expecting but greatly appreciated. The third installment of Gideon Smith promises to be another pulse-pounding steampunk adventure!

Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper by David Barnett

Genre: Steampunk

Series: Gideon Smith #3

Publisher: Tor (October 13, 2015)

Length: 384 pages

“In an alternate nineteenth century where a technologically advanced Britain holds sway over most of the known world and the American Revolution never happened, young Gideon Smith is firmly established as the Hero of the Empire.

Back in London, Gideon and his colleagues: journalist Aloysius Bent, airship pilot Rowena Fanshawe, and Maria, the mechanical girl to whom Gideon has lost his heart, are dragged into a case that is confounding the Metropolitan Police. For the city is on the edge of mass rioting due to the continuing reign of terror by the serial killer known only as Jack the Ripper, who is rampaging though London’s less salubrious quarters.

While chasing the madman, a villain from their past strips Gideon Smith of his memory and is cast adrift in the seedy underbelly of London, where life is tough and death lurks in every shadowy alley.

With mob rule threatening to engulf London, the Empire has never needed its hero more…but where is Gideon Smith?

Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper is the latest in David Barnett’s riproaring steampunk adventures about a Britain that never was…but should have been.”

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Last, but not least, is this novel from Luke Taylor, who was nice enough to send me a copy of his self-published fantasy. Can’t wait to crack it open and take a look!

The Muiread by Luke Taylor

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Ageless Duel #1

Publisher: Self-published (September 9, 2015)

Length: 332 pages

“In the end of the Age, a champion has arisen. Blood has been spilt and nations torn asunder at the hands of The Warrior Who Knows No Defeat. So too, in the end of the Age, a venomous contender ascends; a foe of death and darkness, of hatred and hunger. Of Ageless Evil. For the end of the Age reveals secrets and forges destinies; interlocking hearts and minds, spinning Eternal tapestries in the stars. The end marks the path of conflict in steel and stone. The Duel begins.”

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Stacking the Shelves | Tagged beyond redemption, David Barnett, Gideon Smith, Gideon Smith and the Mask of the Ripper, Luke Taylor, Michael R. Fletcher, new grimdark, self-published fantasy, Stacking the Shelves, Steampunk books, steampunk series, The Muiread | 2 Comments

MARK LAWRENCE INVITED ME TO ARGUE THE BROKEN EMPIRE ON HIS BLOG

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Bookwraiths

DID WE READ THE SAME BOOK?

Mark Lawrence, the gifted author of The Broken Empire and The Red Queen’s War, was gracious enough to invite me to argue the positives and negatives of Prince of Thorns and King of Thorns over at his blog. So head on over there and give me some love. (I really need it, I think.)

And for my friends out there, no I haven’t been lying to you: my name is actually Wendell. But if Mark Lawrence wants to nickname my Lee, who the hell am I to complain! 🙂

Posted in Musings | Tagged Did We Read the Same Book, Jorg Ancrath, King of Thorns, King of Thorns criticisms, Mark Lawrence, Prince of Thorns, Prince of Thorns criticisms, the broken empire | 5 Comments

ROMULUS BUCKLE & THE CITY OF THE FOUNDERS

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Bookwraiths

This is a new feature I decided to do occasionally. A time when I can go back and shine the spotlight on a book that I really enjoyed in the recent past, but not enough other people have discovered. And our star this time out is Richard Ellis Preston, Jr.’s opening salvo in his steampunk extravaganza: Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin!

Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr.

Genre: Steampunk

Series: Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin #1

Publisher: 47North (July 2, 2013)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 446 pages

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Zeppelins!

The image of those huge, silvery-skinned dirigibles drifting above the earth with a cloud-filled sky as a backdrop has always captured my imagination. Honestly, I’m not ashamed to say I have purchased several books just because they had a zeppelin on the cover: Michael Moorcock’s The War Lord of the Air being one of them. So, when I ran upon Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders, I knew I had to read this novel.

From the first sentence, Mr. Preston gave me what I had always longed for in a zeppelin story: an adventure where the dirigible is the star of the show. Now, do not misunderstand, there are many interesting characters, suspenseful plot lines, and intriguing historical tidbits in this novel, but the Pneumatic Zeppelin absolutely steals the show in my opinion.

Our steam powered lady drifts across the skies of this steampunk world in all her glory, capturing one’s attention in the same manner that the Starship Enterprise does in Star Trek. And as a reader learns how she is built, how she is flown, how her captain and crew adore her, and how she fights, the Pneumatic Zeppelin blazes brighter than a hydrogen balloon on fire!

And like her spacefaring counterpart the Enterprise, this mighty ship also has a man who cherishes her above all mortal caresses; this man being one Romulus Buckle, who is cut from the same swashbuckling cloth as one James Tiberius Kirk. Indeed, from the first page, a reader understands that “Romulus Buckle (i)s an airman, a zeppelin pilot, to be exact, or to be less exact, in the local slang, a gasbag gremlin, a dirigible driver, a balloon goose, an air dog, or whatever moniker any lazybrat might cook up in his gin-stewed cerebellum.” He is young, dashing, handy with a saber, and without a doubt married to the lady of his dreams: the Pneumatic Zeppelin, and as the story begins, he is a man on a life-and-death mission with his trusty crew in tow.

For in this post-apocalyptic world, the men of the Snow World – the old California – are divided into clans, fight never-ending skirmishes against each other, and attempt to live their short lives to the utmost before a quick death descends upon them. But now, something unheard of has occurred, as the “fogsuckers,” or the Founders if you will, have kidnaped Balthazar Crankshaft and several other clan leaders from a peace conference. This upsets the delicate balance of power in the Palisades, leaves all the clans feeling vulnerable, and has brought the Snow World unto the brink of all out war.

With the Founders not explaining their actions, the other clans are left to assume that their mysterious neighbors intend to finish what they began decades before: bring to heel all the clans around them and thereby fulfill the original “Founders” ancient desire to reshape human civilization.

But wait!

Before the “fogsuckers” can unleash their dreadful plans, Romulus and the Pneumatic Zeppelin are dispatched to set things right. They will attempt the impossible: pass through the walls of poisonous gas that surrounds the Founder’s city of old Los Angeles, breach the Founders’ legendary defenses, and snatch Balthazar out from under their very noses. The whole of the Crankshaft Clan believes the Pneumatic Zeppelin can accomplish this; the zeppelin’s crew is ready to lay down their lives for this task; and Romulus Buckle is willing to sacrifice everyone – including his own dearly loved airship – if that is what it takes to rescue Balthazar!

The adventure that follows is well-worth a reader’s time. There are “blackbang powder” musket battles, sword fights, dirigible combat, not to mention a fascinating crew (whose personalities and camaraderie remind you of Jim’s spacefaring group) as well as all the usual elements of the steampunk genre. Without a doubt, Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders” is an exciting ride, yet as I said, the zeppelin is the star here, whether the author intended it or not. For as Romulus Buckle himself points out: “The sky (i)s the place to be.”

Yes, it is Romulus. Can I go ahead and sign up for the next novel right now?

I received this book from 47North and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank Netgalley 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, In Case You Missed It, Science Fiction, Steampunk | Tagged 47North, Best Steampunk Books, best steampunk series, Chronicles of the Pneumatic Zeppelin, City of the Founders, pneumatic zeppelin, Richard Ellis PReston Jr, romulus buckle | 4 Comments

TOUGH TRAVELING — PURE GOOD

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Bookwraiths

tough-traveling

15th of October, 2015 – PURE GOOD

No middle ground, no moral middle, no grey area at all. Some people are pure avatars of goodness. Fantasyland seems to be full of them.

One of the most overused tropes in fantasy. I might run out of room for all these examples.

SAMWISE GAMGEE — The Lord of the Rings

Frodo might also be nominated for this list or some of the other characters in The Lord of the Rings, but to me, Sam is the most pure of all the good guy in this trilogy. I mean, the guy is always putting others (I’m talking to you Frodo) before himself, giving his food to others (I’m talking to you again Frodo), bearing the burdens of others (Yeap, you Frodo), and actually carrying people on his back to get the job done (I don’t even need to type the name, do I?) So Sam is first on the list.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

ERRAND — The Belgariad

This youth is a classic example of pure good. He is so pure that he is able to pick up and carry a magical item that will kill if touched by someone not of the correct bloodline. Okay, okay, Errand turns out to be a bit more than merely a good person, but that doesn’t happen until the next series.

Purchase the novel at Amazon.

KELSON HALDANE — Chronicles of the Deryni

The classic vision of a young, noble, and chivalrous king who spends his life desperately trying to live up to the unattainable vision of the perfect knight-king. Sure, there are moments where Kelson is forced to make hard decisions, but even then, he is the pinnacle of goodness. Really is sad that knights weren’t really as perfect as Kelson is in these novels.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

EVERYONE — The Original Shannara Trilogy

I decided not to try to list every character in this series that was pure good, because it seemed like every “good” guy was pure as the new fallen snow and every bad guy was vile to the core. Nothing was too complex or gray colored about the characters in this classic fantasy. It was still good fun, just not very realistic — in the extreme.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

DRIZZT DO’URDEN — Legend of Drizzt

The dark elf is really one of the most pure hearted individuals you will ever encounter in fantasy. He is a philosopher warrior who was so disgusted by his own vicious people that he braved an unknown surface world to find the goodness his soul craved. He is dedicated to his friends, committed to his woman, and loyal to his allies. Not that I’m a Drizzt aficionado, but I can’t think of one bad quality this elf ever exhibits. Perfect example of pure goodness in my book.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

SIMON — Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

This castle scullion boy is the classic example of pure goodness. A fitting way to end this list too . . . even though I know I could find many more examples of pure goodness littered across my fantasy shelf. But why try to list then all, because it would be better if you discovered them on your own.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Tough Traveling | Tagged David Eddings, Deryni, Drizzt Do'Urden, J.R.R. Tolkien, Katherine Kurtz, Lord of the Rings, R. A. Salvatore, Samwise Gamgee, Shannara, Terry Brooks, The Belgariad, Tough Traveling, Tough Traveling Thursday | 5 Comments

CONVERGENCE

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Convergence by Jeff King and Scott Lobdell.

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: Convergence

Publisher: DC Comics (October 13, 2015)

Length: 320 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Convergence is the series that set out to put the Infinite back into the DC’s multiverse. Because, back before 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, there existed all these infinite worlds with innumerable versions of all the DC characters as well as less well-known characters for writers to use in their stories. And since the New 52 reboot wasn’t living up to plans, DC decides to reinstate the infinite earths multiverse to allow creators to tell whatever stories they wanted to without having to be so concerned with continuity.

Sounds like a decent idea, right? At least in theory. But before those new stories from the new-old infinite earths could start rolling out, DC needed to reboot everything with this Convergence multi-volume crossover event of the century . . . the year . . . the month . . . well, the one DC just did – until they start the next one.

As for story itself, Convergence starts out fine if not spectacular. The heroes from Earth-2 escaping their soon-to-be-destroyed planet only to find themselves whisked away by some strange alien being called Telos who works for Brainiac.

Quickly, our Earth-2 heroes discover that Brainiac has trapped entire cities on a living planet, where Telos is suppose to be the zoo keeper until the big Brain needs these test subjects. Naturally, Telos gets bored when his boss leaves for a while and decides to entertain himself by forcing cities and their superheroes to fight against one another in battle royale-style conflicts. The losers and their city paying the ultimate price for defeat. (No, I’m not going to mention how this sounds eerily like Secret Wars or Galactus and the Silver Surfer or anything like that.)

Out of this chaos, the Convergence creative team is able to parade dozens and dozens of DC characters across the pages; each one getting a little face time before being pushed to the side. Fight after fight follows each new hero introduction until finally the tale turns into a roller coaster ride of team-ups, twisted motives, god-like monologues, and eventually an ending where things turn out exactly as you imagined: the infinite earths of the DCU reestablished in heroic style.

As to whether I liked Convergence or not, I guess I’d say it was okay. Not much different than every one of these massive reboot series. And while I’m glad the infinite earths are back (including the New 52, I might add), I think a huge series to accomplish that wasn’t really needed. But then again, I’ve never been a big fan of these things. Honestly, I didn’t love Crisis on Infinite Earths back in the mid-1980s either.

But should you read it?

Totally up to you. You don’t have to read it to understand the new DCU. But it might gain you some closure on a few titles or characters and get you ready for the new infinite earths DCU. So use your best judgment.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 3 Stars, DC, Graphic Novels | Tagged Convergence, Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics, DC infinite earths, infinite earths, The New 52 | 1 Comment

AN APPRENTICE TO ELVES

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Bookwraiths

An Apprentice to Elves by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Iskryne World #3

Publisher: Tor (October 13, 2015)

Author Information:
Sarah Monette at: Website | Twitter

Elizabeth Bear at: Website | Twitter

Length: 320 pages

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

An Apprentice to Elves is a fascinating novel, where the multi-layered, mythical world is as much a star as the characters themselves. Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear filling its vibrant borders with fully developed and completely realistic cultures derived in part from Norse and Roman history; these very unique people on a collision course that promises to end one or more races. And while it is the third installment of the Iskryne series, Apprentice definitely can be appreciated as a stand alone novel; lack of familiarity with the prior books not an impediment at all, as the authors effortlessly integrate all needed history into the ongoing narrative.

The story itself takes place during a time of change in the Northlands. This harsh land of icy winters and dense forests has kept its people safe and sheltered from invasion for generations, but now a new enemy has appeared: the Rhean. These disciplined, brutal, and determined empire builders have the manpower and the will to brave the Northlands, willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to bend it to their will. And all that is standing in their way is the scattered Northmen with their wolfcarls and their trellwolves, whose only potential allies (the alfar) are just as likely to be their enemies.

Monette and Bear develop this growing conflict through multiple points of view. We have Alfgyfa, a human girl sent to apprentice with the legendary svartalfar (dark elves); one who has trained to become a mastersmith, but wishes to become a wolfcarls. (Wolfcarls being a few special human men who form a telepathic bond with the fearsome, intelligent trellwolves.) There is also Tin, Alfgyfa’ svartalf master, who reveals the mysterious and almost alien ways of this legendary people. And Otter, a foreign woman from Brythoni, who was once a Rhean slave but was saved by a Northman and taken away by him; her place among her rescuer slowly but surely maturing until she is now an accepted member of the heall willing to do anything to stop the Rhean invaders.

All this might suggest Apprentice is a tale of war, and that is somewhat true (The Northland/Rhean conflict does grows throughout), but it is more than that just that. Rather, this is a complex tale which attempts to realistic shine the light on important questions like the clash of cultures and ideas, not merely different people colliding but the old ways versus the new ways. The narrative gradually revealing the centuries old conflict between the traditional svartalfar and their former brothers the more open-minded (at least in some ways) aettrynalfar; the lingering mistrust between alfar and mankind; and the growing problem of exactly what is the role of women in a wilderness society on the edge of annihilation.

Even with that being said, where this novel excels beyond belief is in the world-building. From first page to last, a reader is feed a steady stream of intricate details about this land and its people. Minute details about everyday life are scattered around like biscuits before a beggar, resulting in lovers of complex, well-crafted fantasy world-building gorging themselves until they cannot hold anymore. Legends, customs, history, and language all becoming perfectly realized. And as readers devour each delectable morsel in turn, they will realize that their expectations for fantasy world-building will never be the same.

But what about those amazing trellwolves featured on the stunning cover, I know some of you are wondering?

Oh, they are here. These massive masters of the northern forests running around as integral parts of society, aiding their chosen wolfcarls in both ordinary life and conflict. The amazing thing about them their realistic nature. The wolves’ moods, body language, and personality shining through, transforming them into living, breathing, vibrant characters who you could see youngsters like Alfgyfa dreaming of bonding with.

There has to be something wrong with this book though, I see that guy over in the corner mumbling?

Not much really. The only thing I thought needed adding was a glossary. An Apprentice to Elves was such a world-building extravaganza I felt it would have been a very practical addition. The names of people and places all within easy flipping distance of readers, so that they could easily refresh their memory of an unfamiliar term quickly without having to take notes or flip around within the text. But that is really a very minor criticism on my part.

Overall, this was an epic fantasy novel that does things differently. Sure, there is traditional conflict and the clash between opposing forces, but it is more about the journey of several people and their cultures evolution from the old ways to the new. Yes, identity and feminist themes are also explored here, but for a simplistic fantasy fan like myself, what I will always recall about this novel is the wonderful land of Iskryne, which really does exist between the covers of this book.

Purchase the book at Amazon.