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TOUGH TRAVELING — LABORERS

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Bookwraiths

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.

3rd of June, 2015 – LABORERS

Not everyone can be a Prince. There is only room for one Queen. A few spoiled nobles can sit around and play cards. But fantasyland can’t build its own castles and roads, nor can it plow its own fields, nor cook its meals. Someone has to do the hard work. And often, as a reward of course, these laborers get pulled from their hard but simple life into a bigger plan.

Okay, I really am drawing a blank with this one. Guess it is time to dig deep in the old brain and see if I can pull something out of my memory without setting the place on fire.

ARKAMONDOS — SCOURGE OF THE BETRAYER

This bookish young scribe is hired by a band of rugged Syldoon warriors to chronicle their exploits. While Arki had heard of the vicious reputation of these foreigners, he had longed to get away from the mundane exploits of fat merchants and minor lords and chronicle some historic adventure well worth the telling. But now that he is among these secretive soldiers he finds that just surviving might be the most amazing adventure of all!

Purchase the book at Amazon.

ARLEN — THE DEMON CYCLE

The hero (at least, one of them) of this series begins as a poor, farmboy from the middle of nowhere. Yes, he does find his way to the big city, trains in an occupation that is well respected and concerned with demon wards, but it isn’t until much later in the story that he begins his career as a hunter of demons and is christened The Warded Man. And even then, Arlen ever remains a non-royal hero who struggles with his growing fame.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

LUKE CALLIDOR — LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE

This “laborer” is a young adventurer, who sets out on his own to make a name for himself. Immediately, he discovers there isn’t a lot of money or fame in the minor jobs he can get in the countryside, and he despairs of ever earning a reputation as a great hero. Fortunately, a mission worthy of his skills falls into his lap, and he begins a life of stumbling from one grand adventure into another, adding to the legend that will one day be Luke Callidor!

Purchase the book at Amazon.

ADAM — THE LOST WORDS

This male prostitute is a laborer who finds himself sent off as cannon fodder to a huge war which has erupted across the continent. Immediately, he is thrown into horrible combat, where he is expected to die, but somehow he doesn’t and takes an opportunity to assume the identity of someone else. From this point, Adam’s rise to power and fame is a steady one, as he uses his previously unknown strategic abilities to wage a type of warfare that will reshape his world!

Purchase the book at Amazon.

HORACE — THE BOOK OF THE BLACK EARTH

This humble commoner has had his whole life destroyed by the ravages of the plague. His wife and child dying before his eyes as he remained unaffected. In his grief, he joins the religious crusades against the Akeshian Empire, hoping to find a quick death. Instead, fate intervenes, destroying the fleet he sails in, and casts him upon unfriendly shores, where he becomes a slave. What awaits him after this is a tale best left to Jon Sprunk to tell.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

AMARANTHE LOKDON — THE EMPEROR’S EDGE

This female police officer finds herself stuck in a dead end job, using her skills to stop thieves and pickpockets, while her less deserving male counterparts continue to get promotions. But when a chance encounter with the Emperor makes an impression on his majesty, Amaranthe’s life changes for the better and the worse, as she finds herself embroiled in political machinations she never dreamed possible.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

DRAVEN — WROGE ELEMENTS

Draven has set his axe aside except for cutting timber. Yes, he still remembers fighting in the Saive War, but now he is a devoted family man, paying taxes and working to take care of his loved ones. But even though he has put blood and war behind him, he finds that for the northern tribes the war has not ended, and now Draven finds himself fighting for the safety of his family; a struggle he can’t afford to lose.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

CROAKER — THE BLACK COMPANY

One of my favorite fantasy series always has to make this list in some way, so Croaker gets the nod again, because he basically was a nobody who joined a mercenary troop and later found himself walking among the most powerful people in the world. Even then though, he was still hard at work as a mercenary. Great laborer who rose higher than he would have ever dreamed possible.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Tough Traveling | Tagged Alexey Pehov, Charles E Yallowitz, Glen Cook, indie fantasy series, JEFF SALYARDS, Jon Sprunk, laborers in fantasy, Peter V. Brett, The Black Company, The Book of the Black Earth, Tough Traveling, Tough Traveling Thursday | 10 Comments

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY – CITY OF WONDERS

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Bookwraiths

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Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to let readers share their excitement for books coming out soon, and the novel I’m eagerly awaiting is part three of James A. Moore’s fantasy series Seven Forges, which has begun so amazingly with Seven Forges and The Blasted Lands.

City of Wonders by James A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Seven Forges #3

Publisher: Angry Robot (November 3, 2015)

Old Canhoon, the City of Wonders, is having a population explosion as refugees from Tyrne and Roathes alike try to escape the Sa’ba Taalor. All along the border between the Blasted Lands and the Fellein Empire armies clash and the most powerful empire in the world is pushed back toward the old Capital. From the far east the Pilgrim gathers an army of the faithful, heading for Old Canhoon.

In Old Canhoon itself the imperial family struggles against enemies old and new as the spies of their enemies begin removing threats to the gods of the Seven Forges and prepare the way for the invading armies of the Seven Kings. In the distant Taalor valley Andover Lashk continues his quest and must make a final decision, while at the Mounds, something inhuman is awakened and set free.

War is Here. Blood will flow and bodies will burn!

Author Bio:

James A. Moore is the author of over twenty novels, including the critically acclaimed
Fireworks, Under the Overtree, Blood Red, Deeper, the Serenity Falls trilogy, Blind Shadows, and his most fantasy series Seven Forges: Seven Forges and The Blasted Lands. He has twice been nominated for the Bram Stoker award and spent three years as an officer in the Horror Writers Association, first as Secretary and later as Vice President. He cut his teeth in the industry writing for Marvel Comics and authoring over many role-playing supplements for White Wolf Games, including Berline by Night, Land of 1,000,000 Dreams and The Get of Fenris tribe. He also penned the White Wolf novels Vampire: House of Secrets and Werewolf: Hellstorm. He currently lives in Massachusetts.

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in Waiting on Wednesday | Tagged City of Wonders, James A. Moore, Seven Forges, Waiting on Wednesday | 7 Comments

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, VOL. 1

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Injustice: Gods Among Us, Vol. 1 by Tom Taylor

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: Injustice: Gods Among Us, Vol. 1

Publisher: DC Comics (November 19, 2013)

Author Information:Website | Twitter

Length: 192 pages

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is a prequel comic to the smash hit fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Here a single act by the most demented villain in the DC Universe causes Superman to commit a crime so heinous that it changes his whole outlook on life and his place in the world. Where once this icon believed in justice through the law, he know decides that he must personally put a stop crime once and for all, no matter if the governments of the world or his fellow heroes agree with him. For now, Superman is truly a god among us, meting out punishment to all those who stand against him!

Now, I realize many video game tie-ins really suck. Having read more than a few of them when I was younger, I did go into this prepared for things to not work out. But, to my surprise, this was a really good comic collection with a strong story and great art.

Instead of boring you with a . . .

I’ll just get to the point and list why I liked this one?

1) My sons and I play the video game a good bit. (I’m always Green Arrow.) Due to that, the whole story of Superman’s transformation into a world dictator is familiar to me, and I really wanted to see how it happened.

2) I’m a sucker for alternate history stories. It just amazes me how a few tweaks to history can change everything.

3) Love Supes and Bats going at it.

4) Good art.

5) The promise of lots of superhero mayhem to come, because DCU continuity doesn’t matter. This creative team can do whatever they want.

For all those reason, I’m looking forward to reading the next volume in this series.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 4 Stars, DC, Graphic Novels | Tagged DC Comics, DC superheroes fighting one another, Injustic: Gods Among Us, Injustice comic prequel, Injustice comic tie-in, Superman takes over the world, Tom Taylor | 7 Comments

SWORD OF THE NORTH by LUKE SCULL

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Sword of the North by Luke Scull

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Grim Company #2

Publisher: Roc (May 5, 2015)

Author Information:Website | Twitter

Length: 450 pages

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

As a huge lover of the first book of this series, Sword of the North was a novel I had to get my hands on. The Grim Company had introduced me to a delicious grimdark world populated with so many fantastic characters and filled with loads and loads of gory action that I really needed another fix of Luke Scull’s addictive concoction. And he definitely delivered here.

Grim Company ended with our band of heroes ripped apart after the tyrant Salazar’s defeat by the White Lady. Now, Brodar Kayne (Sword of the North) and his constant companion Jerek are returning to their cold, northern homeland on a desperate quest. Sasha and her lost sister find one another, but also find themselves drifting apart as they discover that the White Lady might be more charlatan than deliverer. The Half-Mage is his ornery self, making cutting observations on the human condition, and still determined to warn everyone that the Fade are on their way back to the world to destroy everyone – even if no one pays him any attention. And then there is Davarus Cole, our would-be hero, who succeeded in his lifelong quest but discovered several truths he would have rather not known, finding himself in desperate circumstances.

From this beginning the plot begins to unfold like an origami masterpiece taking shape; each plot not appearing, but slowly evolving out of what has come before. Each character acting as his nature suggests he would, duly changed by the events in the preceding novel. Each person coming to life before a reader’s eyes, developing into an irreplaceable member of this cast. These people’s all-too-realistic flaws on display for everyone to see, and a few having those faults and mistakes come back to haunt them, destroying relationships that had – until the moment of revelation – seemed permanent and unassailable. Brodar Kayne’s quest and reliving of his past no more compelling or important to the overall story than the new cast members like Sir Meredith and his warped view of honor. Bitter and desperate, addicted and pathetic, every person has their role to play in this grimdark saga, even if it is no more than a reader taking great pleasure in seeing them get exactly what is coming to them.

But never fear action lovers, Mr. Scull has not forgotten that this is a blood and guts fantasy tour de force. Fights, atrocities, drugs, monsters, magical battles, and gruesome deaths fill the pages. Horrible things happen to undeserving victims. Vile villains strut their evil stuff. Abuse and torture are casually inflicted on certain individuals. Blood and gore splash across the pages in places. Yet, in the midst of it all, a few souls rise above the muck to exhibit heroic qualities. Sword of the North is a grimdark in all its gloomy, realistic glory.

Somehow though, Luke Scull is also able to impart a harsh humor to the tale, turning what could have been a depressing narrative into a light, fun read. The unexpected banter of comrades, the cynical observations of the Half-Mage, or the wry comments of a villain lightening the mood, winning a smile, or, occasionally, pulling out a laugh here and there.

What I especially liked was the wonderful world that Luke Scull continues to unveil. This land without gods, slowly deteriorating under the rule of the remaining wizards, and filled with the memories of a world that was before the destruction of the divine is truly developing into a wonderful canvas upon which to paint brilliant tales of daring-do. It might not be Middle-Earth, but it definitely stacks up well with grimdark favorites such as The Broken Empire of Mark Lawrence or The First Law of Joe Abercrombie.

Since I always say no book is without flaws, I suppose I have to point out negatives about Sword of the North, but it really is a hard thing to do, because, for what it is, this novel is nearly perfect. Yet I suppose I could see some readers being turned off by the decidedly horrible events and harsh language that occurs, for there are more than a few bad moments and a lot of cursing. None of this was especially egregious to me; each fitting into the ongoing narrative, not seeming placed there merely for shock value, but some might disagree with me about that.

Honestly, this was one of the best sequels that I’ve come across. Luke Scull deftly moving his original plot forward while introducing new concepts, new characters, and new lore into the organically growing story. To say I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment of this series is not doing justice to my desperate need to get my hands on book three, because I have a feeling it is going to be one hell of a ride!

I received this book from Roc in return for a honest review. The opinion you have read is mine alone and has not been influenced by anyone else.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 4 Stars, Fantasy, Grimdark | Tagged best gridmarks 2015, best grimdark fantasy series, best new grimdark series, grimdark series you should read, Luke Scull, Sword of the North, The Grim Company | 6 Comments

FUN DAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (AUGUST 31, 2015)

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Bookwraiths

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.

This week I’ll be reading two novels in two of my favorite genres.

Germanica by Robert Conroy

Genre: Alternate History

Series: Standalone Novel

Publisher: Baen (September 1, 2015)

Length: 352 pages

Best-selling alternate history master Robert Conroy returns to World War II, this time for a dangerous last stand of the Nazis in the heart of the Alps.

GERMANICA, ÜBER ALLES!

Deep in the heart of Europe’s Alps in the redoubt called Germanica, Nazi propaganda master Josef Goebbels and a battalion of Nazi zealots hold out against a frantic final Allied push to end World War II. With Churchill losing his election, De Gaulle consolidating his rule over a newly liberated France, and Stalin asserting his own nefarious land-grab in Eastern Germany, only America, led by its untried new president Harry Truman, remains to face the toughest of Nazi warriors as they hunker down for a bitter fight to the last man.

Goebbels knows that if he can hold out just a bit longer, the war weary of the Western nations will back away from unconditional surrender for Germany, and he and his zealots can remain in power never to answer for their war crimes, and able prepare for the moment when their hateful Nazi ideology is ready once again to rise from its alpine grave and strike at the heart of humanity!

But there are Americans and a few stalwart Europeans just as determined to put a final stake in the Nazi heart. It is now up to heroes in the making such as newly minted O.S.S. operative Ernie Janek, commando Captain Scott Tanner, and formerly enslaved Czech “Jew” Lena Bobek, to bring down the dark Nazi menace growing like a cancer in the mountainous heart of the continent . . .

About the Author:

Robert Conroy was a best selling author of alternate history novels. His 1942, which is set within a Japanese conquest of Hawaii, won the prestigious Sidewise Award for alternate histories.

After taking early retirement from automotive management, Conroy decided to combine his loves of history and writing. After discovering that Kaiser Wilhelm had plans to invade the U.S., he wrote his first alternate history, 1901 in which the invasion took place. He found alternate history fascinating and the possibilities never-ending. He also wrote for Military History Magazine.

Conroy had a MBA, was a US Army Veteran and was a retired instructor at Macomb Community College. He had a married daughter and two grandsons. He lived in southeastern Michigan with his wife of forty-plus years. He passed away in December 2014 from Cancer.

Robert Conroy’s Rising Sun:
“Conroy extrapolates a new and militarily plausible direction for WWII . . . A thrilling adventure.”—Booklist

About Robert Conroy’s Himmler’s War:
“[Conroy] adds a personal touch to alternate history by describing events through the eyes of fictional characters serving on the front lines. VERDICT: Historical accuracy in the midst of creative speculation makes this piece of alternate history believable.”–Library Journal

About Red Inferno: 1945
“An ensemble cast of fictional characters. . . and historical figures powers the meticulously researched story line with diverse accounts of the horrors of war, making this an appealing read for fans of history and alternate history alike.”—Publishers Weekly

About 1901:
“. . .cleverly conceived. . .Conroy tells a solid what-if historical.”—Publishers Weekly

“. . . likely to please both military history and alternative history buffs.”—Booklist

Buy the book at Amazon.

Archmage by R.A. Salvatore

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Homecoming #1 | Legend of Drizzt #28

Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (September 1, 2015)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 384 pages

The pall that had descended over the North is gone, and a new day has dawned on a victorious Mithral Hall, but no matter how bright things seem on the surface, Drizzt and his companions know that what lurks just under their feet remains steeped in evil and charged with unimaginable power.

The dark elves of Menzoberranzan, including the powerful Archmage Gromph, aren’t done with Drizzt yet. And consumed by their own power struggles, feeling backed into a corner, the drow may just be desperate enough to call on demonic forces from the deepest reaches of the Abyss, and unleash a disaster even the Underdark could never have prepared for.

Archmage has everything Drizzt’s fans crave: action, adventure, characters that resonate with equal measures of warrior spirit and deep compassion, and no shortage of wicked dark elves!

About the Author:

Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.

Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.

When he isn’t writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.

Praise for Archmage:

“After a quarter of a century, R.A. Salvatore just keeps getting better and better, and The Companions is another masterful leap forward for one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time.”
—Philip Athans, best-selling author of Annihilation and Writing Monsters

Buy the book at Amazon.

Posted in Funday Monday | Tagged Archmage, Drizzt Do'Urden, Forgotten Realms, Funday Monday, Germanica, Homecoming Book 1, Legends of Drizzt, R. A. Salvatore, Robert Conroy | 3 Comments

MAGIC OF THIEVES by C. GREENWOOD

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Magic of Thieves by C. Greenwood

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Legends of Dimmingwood #1

Publisher: Self Published (November 28, 2012)

Length: 191 pages

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I’m a book lover. More importantly, I am a lover of stories. Stories that draw me into the life of a stranger, sweep me away from my ordinary concerns, and carry me into a fantastic world full of mystery, danger, magic, and warriors with swords are my favorites. ( What can I say other than I read what I think is cool.) And I’m always looking for my next fix; a new fantasy flavor that lets me experience another high. That is how I discovered this e-book on Amazon as a free download. The cover looked cool. The story description sounded intriguing. So I took a chance on this unknown self-published novel.

Well, I’m done now, and I have to admit the beginning of Magic of Thieves — where armed warriors are slaughtering civilians and a family desperately flees before them — sucked me in, making me want to see who all these people were, why the killings were occurring, and what was to become of the young child involved. It really was a masterful start to the narrative.

After such a promising beginning though, the story just sort of fizzles like a dud firecracker. Our rescued heroine settling into her life with a band of forest outlaws, growing up the favorite child of the camp, and knowing that she has a shadowy past that she needs to rediscover. Her growth from innocent child to angsty teenage whiner really resembled that dud firecracker I mentioned earlier, because, like it, our heroines story hisses and smokes a little, but it never really explodes like it should. Let me explain what I think went wrong.

First, it takes a very masterful storyteller to pull off a good anti-heroes. Such characters balance between two worlds; they are a person whose actions scream “bad guy,” but whose motives or background explains away that vile conduct into something understandable. Old school anti-heroes like Elric of Melnibone and Thomas Covenant come to mind as prime examples, or even the darker Jorg Ancrath of The Broken Empire (though some might say Jorg never fully excuses his actions.) And this sort of protagonist is what the author was going for in Magic of Thieves, but she fails to find the perfect mixture of good/bad to make this female lead palpable. Instead our heroine becomes progressively sulkier and whinier; a hateful teenager who does nothing but insult her family/friends, blames everyone around her for every minor annoyance she experiences, and is more than willing to let them be harmed to further her ends. And unlike the anti-heroes above, there is no black sword, no leprosy, and no thorn scene to explain away why she is such a despicable piece of work. Nope, she is horribly self-centered, egotistical, and unlikeable just because she wants to be, it seems.

How exactly does one like that sort of person?

I couldn’t as the story progressed. Her questionable actions beginning to mount, and her snarky, angst ridden action continuing to grow. Before you know it, she was not an anti-hero in my mind but a villain in fair form who really needed to get over herself already.

Second, the story was pretty much a linear affair about our heroine growing up in the outlaw camp. Nothing much else seems to be happening except for her growing desire to escape the caring oversight of her benefactors. The only excitement in this rather dull existence is when she will get in a fight with a loved one or friend, break out in a whine-fest about how no one understands her, or decide to throw one of her loved ones into the teeth of destruction to save her golden ass from what is coming to her. By the end, it all read like a fantasy Twilight to me.

Lastly, the ending. Honestly, I love fantastical weapons like Sting, Frostmourne, Andúril, Stormbringer, or Roland Deschain’s six shooters. They add a special quality to their wielders. Set them apart in a place where magic is the norm. But they have to be special and attained in a memorable way. I mean, none of the weapons I mentioned above were found sitting around a barn or gained by accident. But in Magic of Thieves, our heroine stumbles upon a magic bow, which whispers into her mind how to kill people, and instantly she is a super-powered individual. It really ended this whole story on a poor note.

All in all, I did not enjoy this one very much. It didn’t speak to me at all. But that may be because I left my angst ridden teenage self behind a few decades ago. Perhaps others might find this heroine more to their liking, empathizing with her feelings and angst fueled rants. As for me, I don’t think I’ll be revisiting Dimmingwood, even though there really are some mysteries hidden there that could be mined for an interesting story.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 2 Stars, Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery | Tagged C. Greenwood, indie fantasy series, Legends of Dimmingwood, Magic of Thieves, self-published fantasy | 1 Comment

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Justice League of America by Geoff Johns

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: New 52 Justice League of America

Publisher: DC Comics (November 12, 2013)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 224 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I didn’t expect much when I read this comic. After finishing, it seems that was a very wise decision on my part.

Basically, the story is about Amanda Waller (Director of A.R.G.U.S) and Steve Trevor (Wonder Woman’s former boy toy and Justice League liaison) gathering together a group of superheroes to take out the Justice League if they go rogue. After much debate (and endless intros) they decide to either blackmail, bribe, or trick Catwoman, Katanna, Green Lantern Simon Baz, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Star Girl and Vibe into joining up. (Green Arrow is on the team, but he actually forces his way onto it.)

Please note: There is no good explanation as to how in the hell this Justice League of America could stand toe to toe with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Cyborg. If that actually matters to anyone.

From this less than inauspicious formation, the new JLA goes on to have an entertaining adventure fighting a group of mysterious bad guys, then gets caught up in the Trinity War event. (Be warned that several issues included in this volume really do not make much sense unless read in conjunction with Trinity War.)

After the Trinity War nonsense is over, there are some interesting stories focusing on Martian Manhunter, not that I’m a huge of J’onn J’onzz fan, but I thought they were well done and an interesting take on this classic alien character.

Overall, this was an okay story. I actually liked the intros (brought me up-to-date on the characters), thought the initial clash with the mysterious villains was well done, and felt the art was decent throughout. Unfortunately, the whole Trinity War ruined the flow of the narrative to me, and so this one is just “okay” in my book.

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Posted in 3 Stars, DC, Graphic Novels, Justice League, The New 52 | Tagged DC Comics, Geoff Johns, Justice League of America, The New 52, Trinity War | 4 Comments

SCARS by JAMES A. MOORE

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Scars by James A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Seven Forges

Publisher: Self Published (March 28, 2014)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 10 pages

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Scars is a short story that focuses on a minor character, Wollis March, from Seven Forges as he spends a night interacting with King Tuskandu of the Sa’ba Taalor.

For those of you who have not read Seven Forges as of yet, it is an epic story of Captain Merros Dulver and his small band of adventurers who are attempting to transverse a wind blasted, ash covered, frozen tundra called only the Blasted Lands. Merros himself is a retired soldier from Fellein; a world spanning empire that controls the majority of the known world and desperately would like to swallow the rest – including the lands under the legendary peaks called the Seven Forges.

The silhouettes of these huge volcanoes have tantalized the Felleins for generations. Their mesmerizing glows giving rise to visions of riches and untold secrets harbored in their fiery embrace. However, the icy tundra of the Blasted Lands has turned back ever adventurer who has ever attempted to cross it. Still the Fellein’s dream of reaching the distant peaks, and so Captain Dulver finds himself the latest man sent out by the powerful of Fellein to cross the wastes and reveal the secrets of the Seven Forges!

But the Blasted Lands are unforgiving of even the hardiest, most prepared explorer, and soon Merros begins to lose hope he will ever reach his goal. When disaster strikes his group in the form of ferocious beasts attacking and nearly overwhelming them, all seems lost . . . until unexpected help arrives in the form of the Sa’ba Taalor.

These strange, grey-skinned people appear out of the swirling winds; faces covered by their veils and their bodies strapped round about with innumerable weapons. That they say they are from the Seven Forges is unbelievable to Merros, but soon they prove it to be so by guiding the Felleins through the Blasted Lands and into the lush valleys at the volcanoes feet. There Merros and his group are welcomed with open arms and embraced as long lost brothers to the native Sa’ba Taalor.

Soon, the news of Merros’ success is sent back to the Empire by magical means, and an idea is hatched to bring a group of Sa’ba Taalor back to Fellein. Something that is surprisingly easy to arrange, as one of the Sa’ba Taalor kings, Tuskandu, agrees to accompany Merros back across the wastes to civilization. And so Captain Dulver returns home a man of renown with the hope of launching a new epoch in history, as Fellein and the Sa’ba Taalor embrace in friendship. But deep down, Merros has his doubts about his new friends from the Forges, and he wonders why these people are so secretive and hide so much of themselves from their supposed friends.

This short story focuses on Tuskandu himself sitting around the campfire with Merros’ best friend, Wollis, weaving a simple story that tells so much about his people and shedding light on their history and secrets. For these reasons, “Scars” is a fine story for anyone with an interest in the series and especially the Sa’ba Taalor themselves.

Read the story for free.

Posted in 3 Stars, Fantasy, Short Stories, Sword and Sorcery | Tagged best new fantasy series, free Seven Forges story, free short story, James A. Moore, Seven Forges, The Blasted Lands | 3 Comments

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: CROSS WORLD

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Bookwraiths

Batman/Superman: Cross World by Greg Pak

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: New 52 Batman/Superman

Publisher: DC Comics (April 30, 2014)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 144 pages

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

How the hell do you describe this collection?

Actually, it’s damn difficult.

Greg Pak’s story begins with a lot of promise. New 52 Batman and Superman meeting for the first time (Maybe five or so years before the New 52 reboot?) in real life as Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. Naturally, the two don’t exactly hit it off.

Before this meet-and-greet goes too wrong, a demonic spirit of some kind appears, transporting these two — for no clear reason — to Earth 2, where they immediately clash with their alternate, older selves and each other.

As Batman and Superman are trying to understand what the hell is going on and fight off these old guys impersonating them, the mischievous demon spirit reappears, babbling on about Darkseid and telling everyone that only one world will survive. Eventually, Wonder Woman shows up to use her lasso of truth on the damn thing and get to the bottom of what is going on. No one ever really understand what the hell is happening though, because Darkseid is a complete unknown at this time.

Through all this superhero fun, Pak throws out some rather good ideas, especially those focusing on the Big Three of Earth-2 (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman) and those foreshadowing the beginning to the Earth-2 series. But, even with the bright spots, this was a story that never really caught fire, but did more sputtering and smoking before it just went out. Honestly, I don’t know if Pak was trying to simplify the narrative, make it mysterious, or give it a dreamy tone, but whatever his reasons, this whole story had such a weird surreal feeling that it was about as appealing as the art.

Yeah, I’m dissing Jae Lee’s artwork. Now, let me stop and say that I’ve always found this guys work to be amazing. I’ve considered myself a fan of his since I picked up a copy of Namor the Sub-Mariner back in 1992. Those books dazzled me, and I’ve generally liked his stuff ever since — except for this collection. Here his art has such a whimsical quality that it just doesn’t match the story. The ethereal nature of it not meshing with the superhero antics. Not sure why, but that is how I felt anyway.

All of the above really means one things: Batman/Superman: Cross World is not something I’ll remember for very long or remember very fondly. It really was a disappointment to me, because I was expecting great things from it.

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Posted in 2 Stars, Batman, DC, Graphic Novels, Superman, The New 52 | Tagged Batman/Superman, DC Comics, Greg Pak, Jae Lee, The New 52 | 1 Comment

BEST STANDALONE FANTASY NOVELS (UPDATED)

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Bookwraiths

A standalone novel to me is a book that is self-contained and independent, able to be understood and appreciated without the need to read anything else. Some fantasy novels are written to be a one shot, standalone story, while others started out as a self-contained adventure only to become the first part of a trilogy or a multi-part epic due to the obvious financial incentives to continue publishing stories set in the same universe. Be that as it may, however, both types of novels can be enjoyed without the need to read any other books written by said author. And those are the types of books this list tries to give examples of.

30) A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Quin

This is a classic fantasy from the 1960s that set the stage for fantasy tales to come. It is best described as a coming-of-age tale and focuses on a boy named Duny, who has an unusually high aptitude for learning and using magic. After saving his village from invaders, he is discovered by a wizard and begins traveling the lands learning his craft before finally enrolling in a school for wizards on Roke Island. Within no time, he is very advanced in his studies but makes a terrible blunder that unleashes a great evil upon the world. Fantasy fun ensues throughout. And yes, it does sound a lot like Harry Potter.

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29) Born to Exileby Phyllis Eisenstein

Alaric, a young minstrel with a talent for magic, roams the land in search of his fortune. The story follows him as he travels from locale to locale, attempting to find a new home but always remaining an outcast. There is not much intense action or violence here, but it is still a clever and thought-provoking, old school fantasy.

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28) The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

The classic tale of Bastian Balthazar Bux, who is “found” by a copper-colored, silk-bound book titled The Neverending Story. Since he is locked up in his school’s attic, Bastian begins to read the story of the heroic Atreyu and his Great Quest to save the dying Childlike Empress and the world of Fantastica. Only later does Bastian discover he is also a character in the book! Great story that is fun to read no matter what your age.

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27) The Paladin by CJ Cherryh

A tale of revenge and love as old as time itself. A young woman seeks out a great warrior to aid her in a quest for revenge against the murderers of her family. This man of legendary fighting ability wants nothing to do with her, because he has withdrawn from the world and wishes to be left alone, but the young woman is persistent and finally persuades him to help her in her honorable quest. Once thrown together, the young woman and older man become not only teacher and pupil but also inseparable lovers. Their dedication to one another more than enough to challenge any corrupt politicians determined to halt their goal of vengeance. Set in an oriental local, this is an excellent story.

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26) The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This is basically the legendary myth of King Arthur retold through the eyes and lives of the women. Certainly, the perspective of Morgaine, Guinevere, et cetera casts all the stories in a much different light, and for that reason, it is very interesting to see how women of the time period could have used their intellect as well as their charms to wield power from behind the throne. While this was labeled a feminist fantasy when it was published in 1982, today it probably would offend more modern feminist. However, The Mists of Avalon was a seminal fantasy novel and a must read for fans of the genre.

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25) The Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert

Nightfall–assassin, thief, swordsman, adventurer, and wielder of magic–has always evaded his pursuers, until he falls prey to a royal trap that leaves him bound by sorcery and oath to guard young Prince Edward on an epic quest. Naturally, the bitter, cynical Nightfall and the naive, idealistic Edward do not hit it off. Fun ensues from there. Think Hadrian and Royce from The Riyria Chronicles.

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24) The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Young magician, Lerris, has a big problem. You see, he is unhappy with his safe, mundane life in the peaceful land of Recluce, which is a society based on order. Due to his discontentment, Lerris finds himself run a fowl of the caretakers of order and is given the standard two options: permanent exile from Recluce or the “dangergeld,” a complex, rule-laden “wanderjahr” in the lands beyond Recluce. Unfortunately, most do not survive their dangergeld, but Lerris chooses it anyway. A nice adventures begin thereafter.

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23) The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

Aerin is the only child of Damar’s king and best friends with the heir to the throne, but her problem is that she is the daughter of her father’s second wife, who was viewed as a foreigner and perhaps a witch. After her royal Gift failed to appeared during puberty, Aerin gave up ever being a proper princess and turned her attention to adventuring. Then something miraculous occurred, for against all odds she and her trusty warhorse have become master dragon slayers! Wonderful – and short – adventure story about a female protagonist who does not need any man to save the day for her.

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22)The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Pevensie children wander into a world where anthropomorphic animals are the norm and discover that Narnia is locked into a struggle between opposing forces of light and darkness represented by Aslan and the White Witch. Soon, the four children are caught up in this eternal conflict and find that they must decide which side to stand with. Okay, some fans label this as “children” or “beginners” fantasy, it really deserves to receive more love. Sure, kids love it, but it is more than just a children’s book — it was one of the groundbreaking fantasy works of the genre, has deeper philosophical themes within it as well as being an entertaining story set in a great fantasy world.

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21) Bazil Broketail by Christopher Rowley

Bazil is a two ton battle dragon, sword champion of the Legion, and always ready for a fight. Relkin is his dragonboy. Together they are the leaders of the 109th dragon squad, fighting against almost godlike enemies and hordes of evil creatures who are determined to destroy the land of Argonath. During their running struggle to defeat this evil horde, a reader is entertained not just by the battles but also by Bazil and Relkin’s humorous relationship. A light and fun military fantasy novel.

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20) Dragondoom by Dennis McKiernan

An epic tale set in the fantasy realm of Mithgar, focusing on the quest of Elyn and Thork to find the one weapon capable of killing the dragon Black Kalgalath. In order to finish their quest, our two unlikely allies must overcome not only numerous enemies but also their hatred of each other. The underlying story of understanding and acceptance by two people divided by eons of racial tensions makes this more than just another fantasy quest story. Give it a go.

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19) Conan by Robert Jordan

I’m lumping all Jordan’s seven Conan novels into this spot. Each is a standalone tale, and I believe any one of them is richly deserving a spot on this list. Now, some people consider sword and sorcery fantasy to be nothing more than male, feel-good faire, but me personally, I look at them more like french fries from McDonalds. Are McD’s fries a gourmet meal? No. Are you going to get tired of them if you eat them every day? Sure. Are they really delicious occasionally? Absolutely. Sword and sorcery stories are just like that, and other than Robert E. Howard, Jordan’s Conan stories are the best. Give one a try — while eating your McDonald’s french fries.

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18) Magic Kingdom For Sale/Sold by Terry Brooks

Ben Holiday is a lawyer who finds little satisfaction in his work. On a lark, he answers an ad in a Christmas catalogue thinking it’s a joke, but instead of getting a laugh, Ben finds himself transported to the magical kingdom of Landover … and as it’s king no less! However, our erstwhile lawyer soon finds his new kingdom has its own share of problems. The Barons refuse to recognize him as king; the land has impoverished peasants; and he must fight to the death in a duel with the Iron Mask, the terrible lord of the demons–a duel which no human could hope to win. And Ben thought being a hated lawyer was bad. A light, entertaining fantasy novel.

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17) Old Tin Sorrows by Glen Cook

A creepy house, a dying General, his strange but beautiful daughter, and a series of petty theft. Just the place our favorite fantasy P.I. for hire finds himself having to visit to pay off a debt owed to his old army sergeant. But naturally, once Garrett arrives, the small favor turns into a major job, because the simple investigation takes a turn for the worst with a hauntingly, beautiful spirit appearing and a series of unexplained murders breaking out. And the worst part is Garrett didn’t get paid a large enough up-front fee to cover all this! This is one of the best Garrett stories – if not the best – penned by Glen Cook. Highly recommend this one for a suspenseful fantasy read.

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16) Sword-Dancer by Jennifer Roberson

The story of Tiger and Del. Tiger is a legendary sword-dancer of the deserts, raised as a slave and having won his freedom by the skill of his blade. No man can stand against his sword skills nor any woman resist his charms — until he meets Del that is. For Del is from the icy north, trained by the greatest of Northern sword masters in their secretive, runesword magic, and nothing – not even Tiger – will get in the way of her quest to find the brother stolen from her five years before. How can these two co-exist and complete Del’s quest without killing one another? Read the book and see. It is told from Tiger’s point of view, and he is a very funny dude.

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15) Mirage by Louise Cooper
Haven is a city which has long forgotten its glory. The never-ending war with the Sea People has ravaged not only its walls but its soul as well. The last hope for Haven is a specter called forth from the mists of time; one who is imbued with the spirit of the Sun Hound. But is this creature truly a savior? Only time itself and an inevitable battle will decide. Great, moody fantasy from an underappreciated writer.

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14) The Master of White Stormby Janny Wurts

Haldeth, a blacksmith turned galley slave, joins his mysterious bench mate in a daring escape. Cast together by fate, the two men decide to strike out together. The mysterious man, Korendir, soon proves himself to be very focused on one thing: building an impregnable fortress on the cliffs of Whitestorm. Read the novel and find out why.

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13) The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

Yeah, I know it is part of a trilogy or series, but when the novel came out long ago, it was a standalone epic fantasy. Sure, this tale of Shea Ohmsford of peaceful Shady Vale is eerily familiar to The Lord of the Rings, even down to its own mysterious wizard – I mean druid named Allanon. Throw in a quest to obtain the Sword of Shannara, which can only be wielded by a true heir of Shannara, and some intense battles featuring classic good guys versus bad guys, and you have a near LOTR clone. But even with that being said, this novel is still a feel good fantasy worth a read.

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12) Against the Horde/Legend by David Gemmell

Druss, Captain of the Axe, was a legendary warrior. The tales say he has never lost a battle, never been bested in combat, and never sacrificed his principles. But as the stories about his greatness grew, Druss himself grew older and withdrew from life, waiting on death to take him. Before the grim reaper can arrive, however, a massive barbarian horde does. All that stands in the way of this massive army a rundown fortress, manned by volunteer soldiers. And so the terrified people call on Druss the Legend to save them. But how can an old, fat warrior hold a broken down citadel until a real army arrives? Great story that is filled with grand heroes and villains, dramatic calls for bravery, non-stop fighting, and desperate last stands. It is the fantasy version of the Alamo, give it a try.

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11) Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

In a nameless city, there lies a district of twisted streets where the criminal elite live by dealing death indiscriminately. Among these desperate men and women lives Richard St Vier, the finest swordsman of the day, and he finds himself caught up in a plot to gain control of the city itself. No doubt, the unknown mastermind behind the coup is one of the elite of the city who reside upon the Hill, enjoying the theater, plotting and scheming, and flitting from one romantic liaisons to the next. But soon even the elite will not be able to ignore the power struggle brewing over the city, for Richard St. Vier brings death to even the powerful!

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10) The Once and Future King by T.H. White

This novel is arguable the ultimate Arthurian tale: the story of the mighty blade Excalibur, King Arthur, his noble knights, the beautiful Queen Guinevere and her star-crossed love for Sir Lancelot. Most people know the tale, but not enough have actually read the story that T.H. White “chronicles” for his reader. And those who have read this volume generally fall into two distinct groups: people repulsed by its medieval flavor or those charmed by it. If you are a fan of Arthurian myth, you probably have already read this one, and if not, what are you waiting for?

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9) Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly

This is an old school epic fantasy with a unique twist. Dragonsbane does not have empires clashing, huge armies waging war, the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it quest, or bloated worldbuilding. What it does have is a mature couple, involved in a very convincing relationship, who set aside their semi-comfortable life to accompany an idealistic youth back to his homeland in the south to kill a rampaging dragon. And not just any dragon, but the wisest and largest dragon of this world. However, that is just the least of this couples’ problems as one of them is presented with the opportunity of a life time, but to accept it will cost them their humanity.

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8) The Tower of Fear by Glen Cook

Most people only know Glen Cook’s Black Company novels, but he has written many fantasy tales including this one. Here, a reader is transported to the city of Qushmarrah, which has been conquered by the militarily methodical Herodians. Since then, the residents of the once mighty city-state have waited for the wizard’s citadel to open up and spew out its vileness; the foul sorceries within driving the hated invaders from the land, even as their former tyrannical leader returns from the grave to ascend back onto his throne. And so the city sits on a powder keg, waiting for one spark to ignite a conflagration.

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7) Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Brandin the Tyrant and Sorcerer had conquered eight of the nine provinces of the Peninsula of the Palm before the last one, Tigana, made a horrible mistake: killing the beloved son of the world’s most powerful wizard. Thereafter, Brandin’s grief drives him not only to annihilate Tigana but to also cast a spell so powerful it makes it impossible for anyone to even recall the land’s name. And so begins starts the quest of an entire world to remember a place called Tigana.

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6) Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris was once a beautiful city filled with benevolent beings who used their magical abilities to aid all people. But ten years ago, something horrible happened, as the magic of Elantris failed, and all the people of that shining edifice found themselves transformed into leper-like creatures, living in a dark and filthy city slowly crumbling into ruins. But now the Crown Prince Raoden has been banished to Elantris due to his affliction with the same deformities as the Elantrians, and once there, he struggles to help the wretches trapped with him, and so begins a series of events that promise to reveal the very secret of Elantris itself.

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5) Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

Sometimes, you make mistakes, and unfortunately for the Grand Duke of Orso, he decided to betray Monza Murcatto, the Snake of Talins, without making sure she was absolutely, completely, without-hope-of-ever-being-resurrected dead. And since – during his betrayal – the Grand Duke made the horrendous mistake of helping to kill the Snake’s family, he and six other men involved are going to pay. Pay in full with their screams of agony! Pay with blood for the suffering they have wrought! Because the Snake is on a mission for vengeance, and it is a dish that is Best Served Cold!

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4) Magician by Raymond E. Feist

This is an old school epic fantasy tale that incorporates all the standard fantasy cliches. However, somehow Mr. Feist takes this simple story of two friends from a backwoods town on the wrong side of the Empire and crafts an engaging action/adventure coming-of-age tale. Sure, Pug and Tomas’ story might sound familiar, but as they discover the world around them, the tale grows more complex, the world and its war more intriguing, and the twists and turns so unexpected that soon the cliches are forgotten.

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3) Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

Grimdark at its bloody finest, Prince of Thorns tells the story of Jorg Ancrath, who at ten years old flees privilege to grow up as a highway man: stealing, raping, torturing, and killing everyone in his path, as he follows a convoluted pathway to revenge. Revenge against the man who killed his mother and brother, but also revenge against the world which has somehow failed him. Not a hero, not an anti-hero, but rather a man above the petty, frailties of humanity. His lack of empathy for his fellow humans has allowed him to see life for what it really is: a game. One where you can only win if you are willing to sacrifice anyone and everything you love — even yourself.

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2) The Gunslinger by Stephen King

A genre blender book that mixes fantasy, western, horror, and other themes together into a classic. Naturally, this eclectic brew does not suit everyone, and I know some will disagree with my inclusion of it on this list, but to me, The Gunslinger has more than enough fantastical elements (wizard, ghosts, spells) to have it labeled a fantasy. Plus, it is just a really good novel with a great main character in Roland on a mesmerizing quest to the Dark Tower. And it all begins right here in this novel with the Man in Black feeling across the dusty land, pursued by the Gunslinger.

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1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The fantasy master’s epic standalone novel.

Yes, I know that Lord of the Rings is more epic in tone, reading more like an “adult” fantasy story and that The Hobbit is more a children’s story. However, no matter its lighter tone this is the adventure that began the greatest fantasy story ever told. If for no other reason that that, this novel must be on top of this list.

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