Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 2/4

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.

sword&sorcery

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 2/4”

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 2/4

Seventh Tower Series – Book 3: Aenir – By Garth Nix

Hi Jared,

With this book I’m now halfway through the series. Something that always bugged me was that the series is called “Seventh Tower” but there are only six books……Maybe it’s just my OCD flaring up.

aenir

Title: Aenir
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 3
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The dream world Aenir is not a safe place. One wrong step can lead to danger, entrapment…or death. Tal and Milla must fight their way through this shifting landscape. They are searching for the Codex, a magical object that will decide the fate of their worlds. Many creatures stand in their way–from the cloud-flesh Storm Shepherds to a swarm of venomous Waspwyrms to a horrifying figure named Hazror. Tal and Milla cannot leave Aenir without the Codex. But finding it might endanger them more than they’ve ever dreamed…
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

Continue reading “Seventh Tower Series – Book 3: Aenir – By Garth Nix”

Seventh Tower Series – Book 3: Aenir – By Garth Nix

Foreigner Universe – Book 1: Foreigner – By C. J. Cherryh

Hello Jared,

I am a little surprised at how much I liked this book. I didn’t know what I should expect so my imagination and run a bit wild. It was simpler and more amazing. I suppose those who’ve read it probably could have told me that. Anyway, this is a blind review, so take what you will from it.

ForeignerTitle: Foreigner
Series: Foreigner Universe; Book 1
Author: C. J. Cherryh
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Distant-Future, Colonization, FTL, Aliens
Synopsis: It had been nearly five centuries since the starship Phoenix, lost in space and desperately searching for the nearest G5 star, had encountered the planet of the atevi. On this alien world, law was kept by the use of registered assassination, alliances were defined by individual loyalties not geographical borders, and war became inevitable once humans and one faction of atevi established a working relationship. It was a war that humans had no chance of winning on this planet so many light-years from home. Now, nearly two hundred years after that conflict, humanity has traded its advanced technology for peace and an island refuge that no atevi will ever visit. Then the sole human the treaty allows into atevi society is marked for an assassin’s bullet. The work of an isolated lunatic? The interests of a particular faction? Or the consequence of one human’s fondness for a species which has fourteen words for betrayal and not a single word for love? 
Recommendation: Highly recommended!

Continue reading “Foreigner Universe – Book 1: Foreigner – By C. J. Cherryh”

Foreigner Universe – Book 1: Foreigner – By C. J. Cherryh

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 1/4

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.

sword&sorcery

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 1/4”

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 1/4

Book 1 – Carve the Mark – Veronica Roth

Hey Robert,

Since I read the Divergent series a few years ago and moderately enjoyed them I was intrigued enough to give Carve the Mark a try.

TitleCarve the Mark30117284
Series: Carve the Mark; Book 1
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: Science Fantasy, Young adult, romance
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: AU, Space Travel,
Synopsis:In a galaxy powered by the current, everyone has a gift.
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power — something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get this brother out alive — no matter what the cost.
The Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another? (summary from Goodreads)
Recommendation: Teens would really like this book. Not a bad book just not that great either.

Continue reading “Book 1 – Carve the Mark – Veronica Roth”

Book 1 – Carve the Mark – Veronica Roth

Animorphs – Book 1: The Invasion – By K. A. Applegate

Jared,

I’ve decided I need to get started on this series sooner rather than later. My plan is to read at least one a month, but with 52 books plus extras I don’t really want to still be reading this series 4 years from now.

theinvasion.jpgTitle: The Invasion
Series: Animorphs; Book 1
Author: K. A. Applegate
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis: Sometimes weird things happen to people. Ask Jake. He may tell you about the night he and his friends saw the strange light in the sky. He may even tell you about what happened when they realized the “light” was only a plane — from another planet. Here’s where Jake’s story gets a little weird. It’s where they’re told that the human race is under attack — and given the chance to fight back.

Now Jake, Rachel, Cassie, Tobias, and Marco have the power to morph into any animal they choose. And they must use that power to outsmart an evil that is greater than anything the world has ever seen…
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series.

Continue reading “Animorphs – Book 1: The Invasion – By K. A. Applegate”

Animorphs – Book 1: The Invasion – By K. A. Applegate

Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 3: Dragons of Spring Dawning – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Hey Jared,

I am deep in the nostalgia having finished this book. I don’t think I’ve ever read this trilogy in such quick succession. Which has given me a good perspective on them as a whole. Now it’s on to Dragonlance Legends.

dragonsofspringdawningTitle: Dragons of Spring Dawning
Series: Dragonlance Chronicles; Vol. 3
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: The conclusion of the first Dragonlance trilogy. The companions are still separated but fate would see them together at the end, just as they had been in the beginning. Will the plans of the Dark Queen come to fruition or will the balance be maintained?
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

Continue reading “Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 3: Dragons of Spring Dawning – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman”

Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 3: Dragons of Spring Dawning – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Assassin’s Quest – The Farseer Trilogy – Robin Hobb

Hello Robert,

I have devoured this series but I don’t know why.

Title: Assassin’s Questhobb_9780553565690_cvr_all_r1.indd
Series: Farseer Trilogy; Book 3
Author: Robin Hobb
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU,
Synopsis: Newly reborn Fitz relearns how to be a man, both how to be human and how to be a man. He is soon called on a quest that leads him away from Buck Keep to places he has never been before.
Recommendation: A great book to finalize the series. If you read the other two books then who are you kidding you have to read the ending. It has some mature themes but nothing a teen audience can’t handle.

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Assassin’s Quest – The Farseer Trilogy – Robin Hobb

A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning – By Lemony Snicket

Jared,

Have you read this series before? I assume Julia has, but this book confounds me. I don’t really know what to think about it.

thebadbeginningTitle: The Bad Beginning
Series:
A Series of Unfortunate Events; Book 1
Author: Lemony Snicket (Pen Name)
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: Orphans, Dark, Disturbing
Synopsis: (Insert mildly condescending synopsis here.)
Recommendation: Not recommended for younger readers. Mature themes include foster parental abuse, child exploitation, physical abuse, child brides, and hopeless reality.

Continue reading “A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning – By Lemony Snicket”

A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning – By Lemony Snicket

Luna Series – Book 1: New Moon – By Ian McDonald

Hey Jared,

This was not what I was expecting at all, and I basically had zero expectations. The second book is coming out in a few days, but I have no intention of reading it after this.

newmoonTitle: New Moon
Series: Luna; Book 1
Author: Ian McDonald
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Near-Future, Colonization, Moon
Synopsis: The Moon wants to kill you. Whether it’s being unable to pay your per diem for your allotted food, water, and air, or you just get caught up in a fight between the Moon’s ruling corporations, the Five Dragons. You must fight for every inch you want to gain in the Moon’s near feudal society. And that is just what Adriana Corta did. As the leader of the Moon’s newest “dragon,” Adriana has wrested control of the Moon’s Helium-3 industry from the Mackenzie Metal corporation and fought to earn her family’s new status. Now, at the twilight of her life, Adriana finds her corporation, Corta Helio, surrounded by the many enemies she made during her meteoric rise. If the Corta family is to survive, Adriana’s five children must defend their mother’s empire from her many enemies… and each other.
Recommendation: Not recommended. Superfluous, explicit sex scenes.

Continue reading “Luna Series – Book 1: New Moon – By Ian McDonald”

Luna Series – Book 1: New Moon – By Ian McDonald