Review

Wax and Wayne Series – Book 1: The Alloy of Law – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Jared

Trying to get this written before all the craziness of Christmas. It was great to get back into the world of Mistborn……Yes, I know it has an actual name but it’s odd and can never remember it.

This book began as a writing exercise to clear his head after some of his bigger projects. It obviously became much bigger than that and aren’t we grateful for it. Sanderson also, just did his annual “State of Sanderson” this past week and I’ve crawled though it looking for all the little tidbits.

the-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sandersonTitle: The Alloy of Law
Series: Mistborn; Wax and Wayne Series; Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU/Cosmere, Early Industrial, Unique Magic, Steampunk/Western
Synopsis: Three hundred years have passed since the events that reshaped their world. Guns, trains, and electricity are changing every aspect of society, but one thing that never changes are those who break the law……and those who keep it.
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.

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Wax and Wayne Series – Book 1: The Alloy of Law – By Brandon Sanderson

Perfect State – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , 3 Comments

Yet another short novella by Sanderson. He probably wrote it while putting off Alcatraz 4: Dark Talent. It was very short.  This will also be very short. Like you could read it over a decent bowel movement short.

25188109Title: Perfect State
Series: Cosmere
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Sci-Fi
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Advanced Tech, Cosmere
Synopsis: God-Emperor Kairominas has conquered and unified the whole world with his amazing magic. He loves his people, although he has changed how the minds of his favorite servants work. But that is to be expected. His “rival” provides a welcome distraction challenging Kairominas to duel against robots. Now he faces the biggest challenge ever. Finding a woman.
Recommendation: Teens would find this funny. Also as another book in the Cosmere they might as well get started reading and learning, because unless Sanderson stops writing they will have a lot more to read in this universe.

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Perfect State – By Brandon Sanderson

DNF – Magonia

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 2 Comments

magonia

This is a DNF (Did Not Finish) from a couple of months ago. I didn’t post about it sooner because if I had more I would just post them all at the same time. Anyway, it’s past time. There is really one big enormous reason I could not finish this book.

I have no desire to see into the vapid mind of a high school girl…..ever. With disturbing realism and accuracy, the author captured everything I detest from high school, teenagers, teenage girls, and Teen/YA literature. I would need substantial monetary compensation to endure that book.

Let me be clear. It did not feel poorly written……little though I actually read. But it is contrary to my personal reading preferences so DNF.

Robert

DNF – Magonia

Upon Dragon’s Breath Trilogy – Book 1: Dragons of Wild – By Ava Richardson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 4 Comments

Hey Jared,

This is the first, and perhaps last, “Galley” that I’ve done. For those of you who don’t know what that is; a galley is a pre-published version of a book provided for the purpose of obtaining feedback and reviews. They’re not yet the polished masterpieces they later become. So reviewing them is tricky, and I don’t know if I’m going to do any more.

dragonsofwildTitle: Dragons of Wild
Series: Upon Dragon’s Breath Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Ava Richardson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic (sort of)
Synopsis: The once peaceful kingdom of Torvald has been ravaged by evil magic, forcing Riders to forget their dragons and their noble beasts to flee to the wilds. Now, anyone who dares to speak of dragons is deemed insane and put to death.
Recommendation: I do not recommend this book.

A copy of this book was provided free of charge via NetGalley for the purpose of obtaining feedback and a review.

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Upon Dragon’s Breath Trilogy – Book 1: Dragons of Wild – By Ava Richardson

The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss

Lisa, , , , Leave a comment

Hey guys!

As you know, I love to read youth/YA books, in search of another great series, and I’m certain I just found another winner. 🙂

rimTitle: Elizabeth’s Legacy
Series: The Royal Institute of Magic; Book 1
Author: Victor Kloss
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/YA/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Like most normal people, Ben hadn’t the faintest idea there was an Institute of Magic…

Two years ago, Ben Greenwood’s parents walked out the door and never returned. The police have all but given up finding them when Ben stumbles upon a peculiar letter addressed to his dad. “You are the most wanted man in the Unseen Kingdoms. Unless you come to us, we cannot help. For your child’s sake, tell us what you know.”

The letter is from an organization called the Royal Institute of Magic and is dated a day before his parents disappeared. Like most people, fourteen-year-old Ben hasn’t the faintest idea what the Royal Institute of Magic is, but he has his first clue: the logo on the letter.

Armed with nothing but his wits and the help of his good friend Charlie, Ben sets out to find the Institute and, through them, his parents. To succeed, he will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and Spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the Institute has been fighting for the last five hundred years.

Recommendation: Late youth, teens, and anybody that loves discovering a new world of magic.

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The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss

The Enduring Flame Trilogy – Book 2: The Phoenix Endangered – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

Your review of Fantastic Beasts is garnering a lot of views, so congrats to that. Still haven’t seen it, and probably won’t until it’s out on Redbox…..maybe 6 months? As for this review I was going to do this book next week but I didn’t finish the intended book in time.

phoenixendangered.jpgTitle: The Phoenix Endangered
Series: The Enduring Flame Trilogy; Book 2
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Tiercel and Harrier have found themselves central to the plans and mechanics of the Wild Magic, the agent of the Light in the world. The myths and legends of the past aren’t just stories anymore and the consequences for failure are just as real.
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. I suggest having read The Obsidian Trilogy first but that technically isn’t required.

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The Enduring Flame Trilogy – Book 2: The Phoenix Endangered – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

The First Law Series – Two’s Company – By Joe Abercrombie

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

Hey Jared,

I’ve had my eye on this author months now. Finding a new author is always a mix of exciting and hesitation. In this case, short stories can help break the ice. What makes it even better is when you can get them for free.

twoscompany_storyfull1Title: Two’s Company
Series: The First Law; Short Story
Author: Joe Abercrombie
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval
Synopsis: A short story following a pair of unlikely partners in the world of The First Law.
Recommendation: It’s a great introduction to the author, their style, abilities, and a sliver of a much larger world. Worth the few minutes to read.

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The First Law Series – Two’s Company – By Joe Abercrombie

The Enduring Flame Trilogy – Book 1: The Phoenix Unchained – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

As you well know, I’d been trying to get a few weeks ahead for November. Well I had a couple of days downtime before the crazy and didn’t want to waste it. I read the entire trilogy in 5 days. There was no pressure, which was nice. A relief really.

phoenixunchained1Title: The Phoenix Unchained
Series: World of Obsidian; The Enduring Flame Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Once again Darkness stirs and the Light selects its champions. The problem is that nearly a thousand years have passed and the Dark is nothing more than myth and legend.
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. I suggest having read The Obsidian Trilogy first but that technically isn’t required.

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The Enduring Flame Trilogy – Book 1: The Phoenix Unchained – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

Temeraire Series – Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon – By Naomi Novik

Jared, , , , Leave a comment

Hello Robert,

Oddly this is a book I have read somewhat recently, just 2 years ago. Most of the books I reread have the better part of a decade between reads. I have told you about this series before and it is amazing, but you never read it. So now I’ll detail why this is such a fun series, to make you jealous that I read it first.

{4731D36F-EF04-4ADD-A3C9-0CC14D81D0A9}Img100Title: His Majesty’s Dragon
Series: Temeraire Series; Book 1
Author: Naomi Novik
Genre: Alternate History/Fantasy
Audience:Young Adult/Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate History early 1800s
Synopsis: Captain Lawrence captures a French vessel and finds a dragon egg on board, and it’s ready to hatch. Three weeks away from land Captain Lawrence is left with no choice but to try and harness the hatchling to tame it. But when the young dragonet chooses his master the captain’s life is changed forever.
Recommendation: I honestly love this series. I would recommend this for teens or adults. A beautiful mix of nautical, historical, and dragons. For me this got me very interested in the time period. Also from a genealogical stand point learning who our ancestors were and where they lived during the late 18th early 19th century.

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Temeraire Series – Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon – By Naomi Novik