Jared,
You just need to read the book. As encouragement, I’ve just done it. There’s something special about the book and it’s not just nostalgia.
Title: The BFG
Author: Roald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU,
Synopsis: Sophie is a young girl in an orphanage. When she sees something she shouldn’t Sophie is whisked away to Giant Country by a Big Friendly Giant.
Recommendation: Perfect for any Youth.
Hey Jared,
I’m chipping away at my giant reading list. Mostly focusing on series I’ve only partially read so I don’t forget too much and then move on. This being one such book.
I have to say I love the cover art on this series. The abstract/painted look combined with the very Sci-fi theme just speaks to me on a visceral level.
Title: Ancillary Sword
Series: Imperial Radch Trilogy; Book 2
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, AI, FTL
Synopsis: Breq is a soldier who used to be a warship. Once a weapon of conquest controlling thousands of minds, now she has only a single body and serves the emperor. With a new ship and a troublesome crew, Breq is ordered to go to the only place in the galaxy she would agree to go: to Athoek Station to protect the family of a lieutenant she once knew – a lieutenant she murdered in cold blood.
Recommendation: Still could have been in the YA section. The style may not be for everyone, it’s basically a gender-less society so a persons sex or sexual preference/orientation are completely ignored. This came across more strongly than the previous book but it didn’t feel like one of the main themes so I still enjoyed it.
Continue reading “Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 2: Ancillary Sword – Ann Leckie”
Well, I’ve done it again. If I see books for close to a buck a piece then I just can’t help myself. Things like the picture below happen. I scour every shelf, weigh my feelings of want and need, inevitably convince myself I need them all, and then trying and figure how much I can explain away so Lisa will let me get them…..all of them.
This haul was made possible by the incredibly low prices at Deseret Industries, a thrift store of wondrous proportions. (Not a sponsored post…..just a PSA for bookaholics.)
This is the first ever Hype Train post. Basically just stream of consciousness and fangirl/boy screams over books I’m excited for their release. You can expect more hype on the Tuesdays without new release announcements.
If you’ve ever ventured deeper into the depths of the blog you’ll probably have come across our New Release Calendar where I keep the latest info on my favorite authors and their newest work. Last week I trawled through my author list and added over a dozen new books being released this year. Usually it’s not nearly so many but hadn’t checked since before Thanksgiving. Amazon is one of my main sources, but author websites and blogs are equally productive, if more time consuming. I haven’t found an effective way to check publishers directly but that’s another source I’m eager to exploit.
So right now my my biggest hype is for The Axe of Sundering by M.L. Forman (Adventurers Wanted #5). He posted on Facebook over the holidays which is kind of a big deal. The book was originally slated for release in December of 2014 but sadly Mr. Forman had a stroke which delayed it indefinitely.
I plan to reread the series in preparation once an actual release date has been set, which I’m hoping will be announced sometime this spring.
Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull (Fablehaven, Dragonwatch #1) is another I’m eager to get my hands on. Plus look at that cover! His Fablehaven series was pretty good, so this sequel series has my interest piqued. The basic premise it that there are magical preserves to protect magical creatures from us and us from them. A set of siblings comes to visit one being operated by their grandparents. Danger, adventure and plenty of magic ensue and crisis narrowly averted. It’s a great series for younger readers…..and older ones too.
According to both the authors website and Amazon, it’s expected to be released Mar.14.2017. I hope to R+R (Read and Review) at least the first book in Fablehaven before then so I’m all ready for it.
Lastly, what would a hype train be without the anticipation and dread of Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #6). It will come out when it comes out, but Mr. Martin sure does take his sweet time. Zero speculation on when to expect it because it’s been wrong. Every. Single. Time. That being said I hope it will be sometime this year, but realistically I know it’s probably a pipe dream.
We’re going to stop there because I could go on forever. Go take a look at the New Release Calendar and comment here if I’ve missed something you think I should be hyped about.
Robert
Hey Jared,
You’ll noticed that I’ve moved my Youth and Novella (or smaller) reviews from my usually Tuesdays to Mondays. There are a lot of new books being released in the coming months, especially in March, so the move will let me keep posting reviews twice a week. For those Tuesdays without a new release to announce we can come up with something.
Also, this is an actual Cosmere novella. A pretty good one too both as a standalone and as one of the many facets of the Cosmere universe.
Title: Sixth of the Dusk
Series: Cosmere
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Magic, Advanced Tech, Cosmere
Synopsis: The world is changing faster than Dusk can keep track of. As a trapper on one of the islands known as Pantheon. His ways are simple, steeped in tradition, and all of them are needed to survive the insanely hostile environment of the islands. But progress must be made and the islands, and their secrets, must be tamed.
Recommendation: A great read for Teens and up. If you like Sanderson then you already know what you’re getting. This novella is highly recommended.
Really I just am not ready for this book. For one thing it’s massive. The style is very different from what I’m used to and I was finding it really difficult to get into. Given that it was originally written in Chinese it isn’t surprising.
Sadly I’ve run out of renewals so it’s time to move on. I know it’s pretty cliche but, “It’s not you, it’s me.” This is definitely a book I intend to attempt again.
Robert
Jared,
Finally got around to starting this series and I’m surprisingly disappointed. You’re going to need to read this too and tell me if I’m wrong or crazy……or both.
Title: The Outcasts
Series: Brotherband Chronicles; Book 1
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Hal is undertaking brotherband training. He’s always had a knack for inventing things but being half Araluen he’s always been a bit of a loner. If his brotherband can win he might finally be accepted.
Recommendation: Don’t know if I’ll read the next one.
Continue reading “Brotherband Chronicles – Book 1: The Outcasts – By John Flanagan”
Jared,
I’ve decided to post this review in place of announcing the release of it’s sequel, Windwitch, next week. This is mostly due to my conflicting feelings about the book. Not the greatest of starts to the New Year.
Title: Truthwitch
Series: The Witchlands; Book 1
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: UU, Higher Magic (sort of)
Synopsis: Safi and Iseult are Threadsisters and as close as any family could be. When they attempt to rob the wrong mark it is but the first act in a harrowing adventure that will take them further than they ever thought possible
Recommendation: I’m on the fence with this one. It’s not completely horrible, but it’s not very good either.
Continue reading “The Witchlands – Book 1: Truthwitch – By Susan Dennard”
Jared,
I waited too long to write this and now I’m having troubles getting my thoughts together. But that’s what I get for procrastinating. It’s still an amazing book though.
Title: The Phoenix Unchained
Series: The Enduring Flame Trilogy; Book 3
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Just go read them and if you need more convincing; go read the review of the first book, The Phoenix Unchained.
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. I suggest having read The Obsidian Trilogy first but that technically isn’t required.
Jared,
Since I don’t get to experience winter this year I thought I’d read about it. Which having read this, I’m even more grateful to have avoided the worst of it. No snow and we haven’t even gone below freezing yet.
Title: Brian’s Winter
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 3
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Winter Survival, Canada,
Synopsis: What if Brian hadn’t been rescued at the end of Hatchet? With the end of summer, Brian must prepare for the realities of winter in the Canadian wilderness.
Recommendation: Another great survival story for teens……and adults alike. If you’ve read the previous books then you know what to expect.
Continue reading “Brian’s Saga – Book 3: Brian’s Winter – By Gary Paulsen”
Reading Over The Shoulder 