Hey Robert,
So over my last long drive, I listened to Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection by Brandon Sanderson. All in all, as a bit of a Sanderson Fanboy I love the whole thing. Some of the stories are more worthwhile than others but if you follow along I’ll point out the best ones.
Continue reading “Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection – By Brandon Sanderson”
Jared,
There is some deep nostalgia reading this series.
Title: The Visitor
Series: Animorphs; Book 2
Author: K. A. Applegate
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis: Morphing is certainly more fun than Sega — you can soar as an eagle and walk as a cat. But being an ANIMORPH is by no means just fun and games. Rachel knew better than anyone. One of her best friends, Melissa, is acting very strange. And it looks like Melissa’s dad, who is also the school’s Assistant Principal, may be connected to evil aliens. Rachel can’t tell Melissa what the ANIMORPHS have learned, but Melissa doesn’t seem interested in talking to Rachel these days anyway. Could Melissa be one of “them?”
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series.
Continue reading “Animorphs – Book 2: The Visitor – By K. A. Applegate”
Hey Jared,
I’m back in Dragonlance, with the Brother’s Majere. The whole time I was thinking about us as kids talking about these epic characters. If I remember correctly you really liked Caramon. I also recall thinking that, as kids, we were a lot like them…..expect for the sudden but inevitable betrayal part.
Title: Time of the Twins
Series: Dragonlance Legends; Vol. 1
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Sequestered in the blackness of the dreaded Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas, surrounded by nameless creatures of evil, Raistlin Majere weaves a plan to conquer the darkness–to bring it under his control. Crysania, a beautiful and devoted cleric of Paladine, tries to use her faith to lead Raistlin from the darkness. She is blind to his shadowed designs, and he draws her slowly into his neatly woven trap. Made aware of Raistlin’s plan, a distraught Caramon travels back in time to the doomed city of Istar in the days before the Cataclysm. There, together with the ever-present kender Tasslehoff, Caramon will make his stand to save Raistlin’s soul. Or so he believes.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.
Continue reading “Dragonlance Legends – Vol 1: Time of the Twins – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman”
Anthology Thursday is a series of posts breaking down and reviewing an anthology every month. Because I need to read more short fiction. This month is The Sword & Sorcery Anthology edited by David G Hartwell & Jacob Weisman.
Terrifying barbarians, cunning mages, and daring heroes run rampant through these exceptional examples of the exciting sword and sorcery genre. In “Tower of the Elephant,” Conan takes up jewel thievery but proves to be far better with his sword. “The Flame Bringers” finds antihero Elric infiltrating a band of bloodthirsty mercenaries and outwitting a powerful sorcerer. “Become a Warrior” is the unexpected tale of a child who loses all she holds dear, only to gain unforeseen power and unlikely revenge. Further entries come from early legends such as Jack Vance and Catherine Louise Moore, the next wave of talents including Fritz Leiber and Michael Moorcock, and modern trendsetters like George R.R. Martin, Karl Edward Wagner, and David Drake. This essential, fast-paced anthology is a chronological gathering of influential, inventive, and entertaining fantasy—sure to appeal to action-oriented fans.
Continue reading “Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 4/4”
Jared,
I have yet to read the actual Spiderwick Chronicles so I can’t compare. I did enjoy this though and I’m going to track down the rest of the series before reading the main series. There are only 3 books in this spin-off, so that shouldn’t be too hard.
Title: The Nixie’s Song
Series: Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles; Book 1
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern/Contemporary, Magical Creatures, Faeries, Giants, Nixies
Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Nicholas Vargas only thinks his life has been turned upside down after his developer father remarries and moves his new wife and daughter into the soon-to-be completed Mangrove Hollow. But an “expedition” to a nearby lake turns up a little nixie with a giant problem – the huge, lumbering, fire-breathing variety – and it’s up to Nick; his stepsister, Laurie; and his big brother, Julian (plus a familiar face from the original Spiderwick Chronicles) to figure out the best way to stop a host of rampaging giants before all of Florida goes up in smoke.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for younger readers.
Jared,
This is the first book to the one I won off Goodreads. Since it was being provided I figured I should do the series right and start here. And I’ll definitely be continuing on, too.
Title: The Gatekeeper’s Son
Series: The Gatekeeper’s Son; Book 1
Author: C. R. Fladmark
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic
Synopsis: With the help of a mysterious girl, a San Francisco teenager saves his grandfather’s business empire from a ruthless businessman while discovering things about himself and his family that lead him back to ancient Japan and threaten to destroy the life he has always known.
Recommendation: Highly recommended. Teens and adults should both enjoy this.
Continue reading “The Gatekeeper’s Son – Book 1: The Gatekeeper’s Son – By C. R. Fladmark”
Anthology Thursday is a series of posts breaking down and reviewing an anthology every month. Because I need to read more short fiction. This month is The Sword & Sorcery Anthology edited by David G Hartwell & Jacob Weisman.
Terrifying barbarians, cunning mages, and daring heroes run rampant through these exceptional examples of the exciting sword and sorcery genre. In “Tower of the Elephant,” Conan takes up jewel thievery but proves to be far better with his sword. “The Flame Bringers” finds antihero Elric infiltrating a band of bloodthirsty mercenaries and outwitting a powerful sorcerer. “Become a Warrior” is the unexpected tale of a child who loses all she holds dear, only to gain unforeseen power and unlikely revenge. Further entries come from early legends such as Jack Vance and Catherine Louise Moore, the next wave of talents including Fritz Leiber and Michael Moorcock, and modern trendsetters like George R.R. Martin, Karl Edward Wagner, and David Drake. This essential, fast-paced anthology is a chronological gathering of influential, inventive, and entertaining fantasy—sure to appeal to action-oriented fans.
Continue reading “Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 3/4”
Hey Jared,
Thanks to you and the Sanderson HumbleBundle I was able to read this little short story. It’s classic Sanderson……but also disturbingly not.
Title: Dreamer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: EU (expanded universe), Magic, Modern,
Synopsis:
Recommendation: Intended for adult readers. WARNING: Some Sanderson fans may find this story disturbing when compared to his usual work.
Continue reading “Dreamer (Short Story) – By Brandon Sanderson”
Hey Jared,
I picked this up in an airport for something to read in flight. There wasn’t much to choose from and this was the best there. Both Lisa and I have read this and we agree that it’s an odd one. Somewhere between Middle-Grade and YA but lacking in the strengths of either one.
Title: Starlighter
Series: Dragons of Starlight; Book 1
Author: Bryan Davis
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen/YA
ROTS Setting: UU, Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Jason Masters doubted the myths that told of people taken through a portal to another realm and enslaved by dragons. But when he receives a cryptic message from his missing brother, he must uncover the truth and find the portal before it’s too late. At the same time, Koren, a slave in the dragons’ realm, discovers she has a gift that could either save or help doom her people. As Jason and Koren work to rescue the enslaved humans, a mystic prophecy surrounding a black egg may make all their efforts futile.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for teens.
Continue reading “Dragons of Starlight – Book 1: Starlighter – By Bryan Davis”
Jared,
I was wondering if I’d be posting a review of this before you and it appears that I am. Now to get Bands of Mourning done and then on to the Stormlight Archive. It’s my goal to read the first two books before the third is published this Fall.
Title: Shadows of Self
Series: Mistborn; Wax and Wayne Series; Book 2
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU/Cosmere, Early Industrial, Unique Magic, Steampunk/Western
Synopsis: This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. This book is highly recommended. However I do suggest reading the Mistborn Trilogy first, but that technically isn’t required.
Continue reading “Wax & Wayne Series – Book 2: Shadows of Self – By Brandon Sanderson”
Reading Over The Shoulder 