Seventh Tower – Book 4: Above the Veil – By Garth Nix

Jared,

It was disturbingly difficult getting a hold of this book. The only one in the series not in the library system! Never-the-less, I have prevailed.

47625Title: Above the Veil
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 4
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The Underfolk are restless. For a long time, they have kept quiet, occupying the lower levels of the Castle. But now they are going to be heard… Tal and Milla are no longer alone in their quest for the truth about their world. They have been joined by Crow, a rebel Underfolk, and his band of conspirators. They know many secrets about the Castle–and are on the verge of uncovering the greatest secret of all. The darkness is growing deeper. The shadows are growing stronger. And Tal and Milla are in greater danger than ever before.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower – Book 4: Above the Veil – By Garth Nix

May Book Haul

This month was shaping up to be a small, slow month for book acquisition……Hahahahaha!

As you can expect, I’m reaching the point of having quite a few books that I haven’t read so I’m going to really start pushing to read books off my shelf. There are still a few series I want to finish that I’ll need to use the library for and there are a couple of books coming out that might get priority but if possible I want to read some of these other books. My shelves are almost reaching the full stage and then it won’t be long until it becomes ridiculous.

IMG_20170511_095127

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May Book Haul

The Red – Book 1: First Light – By Linda Nagata

Hey Jared,

I really wanted to read this book before getting to Ms. Nagata’s new book, The Last Good Man, coming out next month because I wanted some context when it comes to her writing style and ability. The Red: First Light does this because it was first published under her own imprint before being picked up by a publisher. And boy does it create a high bar.

TheRed_600x1075Title: The Red: First Light
Series: The Red; Book 1
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: Lieutenant James Shelley, who has an uncanny knack for premeditating danger, leads a squad of advanced US Army military tasked with enforcing the peace around a conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. The squad members are linked wirelessly 24/7 to themselves and a central intelligence that guides them via drone relay—and unbeknownst to Shelley and his team, they are being recorded for a reality TV show. When an airstrike almost destroys their outpost, a plot begins to unravel that’s worthy of Crichton and Clancy’s best. The conflict soon involves rogue defense contractors, corrupt US politicians, and homegrown terrorists who possess nuclear bombs. Soon Shelley must accept that the helpful warnings in his head could be AI. But what is the cost of serving its agenda?
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Graphic violence and explicit sex scenes.

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The Red – Book 1: First Light – By Linda Nagata

Codex Alera – Book 1: The Furies of Calderon – By Jim Butcher

Hey Robert,

So you mentioned that Jim Butcher who writes the Dresden Files also wrote a book about the Roman Legion and Pokemon. After that conversation, I went to my library website and politely asked for them to send me the audio book.

Title:aloc-square-1536 Furies of Calderon
Series: Codex Alera; Book 1
Author: Jim Butcher
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Iron age, elemental magic, UU
Synopsis: For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies – elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon.” “Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans’ most savage enemy – the Marat – return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny is much greater than he could ever imagine.” Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara. But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gather intelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with the barbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos – when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies – Amara will find Tavi’s courage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury – one that could turn the tides of war. -Synopsis from Goodreads
Recommendation: This is such a cool idea I love it. It is a late teen book. There is way too much gore for it to be for the same age of kids that Pokemon is marketed to. WARNING: There are some strong themes of sexual assault and rape in this book.

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Codex Alera – Book 1: The Furies of Calderon – By Jim Butcher

Path of Zaan – Book 0: Father of Zaan – By C. K. Rieke

Jared,

I’ve been prowling for short fiction lately, especially intros to new series or authors, and I found this one. The cover and synopsis caught my attention and since it’s short I could give it a shot without investing too heavily.

fatherofzaan.jpgTitle: Father of Zaan
Series:
Path of Zaan; Book 0
Author: C. K. Rieke
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Adventure. Wonder. Fear. Danger. The first of his family to leave their hometown in generations, Janos Talabard seeks the adventure of his life. Traveling out into the open lands of Essill, he finds himself truly vulnerable for the first time. Because of unforeseen circumstances on the road, he must find a way to continue on, or chose to return home in shame.
Recommendation: Based solely on this, it is not recommended.

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Path of Zaan – Book 0: Father of Zaan – By C. K. Rieke

Tracker – By Gary Paulsen

Hey Jared,

tracker.pngGoing to do this one in a different format and there will be spoilers ahead.

No……just, no. Stay away. Save yourself! What did I just read?! How is this even published? Mistakes were made, and the first was that I read this book. I can’t unread it! Make it go away……….

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Tracker – By Gary Paulsen

Hype Train #5 – Axe of Sundering + Children of the Divide + Jupiter Rising + Fire Dance + Release Date Changes

Book news, cover reveals, release dates, rumors, and liberal amounts of hype.

Just a reminder, everything posted here is subject to change. This merely represents the most recent information at the time of posting. For the latest information check out our New Release Calendar.

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Hype Train #5 – Axe of Sundering + Children of the Divide + Jupiter Rising + Fire Dance + Release Date Changes

Warbreaker – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared,

Things have been crazy, and I’d taken a step back from reading these past couple of weeks assuming that I’d scheduled everything as I should and I discover now that I hadn’t. And we all know what happens when you assume.

warbreaker.jpgTitle: Warbreaker
Series: Warbreaker (Cosmere Universe)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Unique Universe, Cosmere, Magic, Medieval,
Synopsis: Sisters Vivenna and Siri are princesses of Idris. Susebron is the God King one must marry. Lightsong is the reluctant minor god of bravery. Vasher is an immortal still trying to undo mistakes of centuries before. Magic from individual breath from everyday objects can perform all manner of miracles and mischief.
Recommendation: Highly recommended.

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Warbreaker – By Brandon Sanderson

The Riyria Chronicles – The Viscount and the Witch (Short Story) – By Michael J. Sullivan

Jared,

12746970I’ve begun trying to clear out my backlog of stuff I want to read. This had been on my list for since before the blog started. I really like the idea of works of short fiction that introduce authors and series that I’m interested in. Sample chapters are good too but they’re always incomplete by nature. At least with a novella or short story it’s intended to be a more complete story.

In this short it’s clearly a part of something bigger but it provided everything that I was hoping for. I got a feel for the character dynamics, the setting in general terms and the author’s style. And I liked what I saw.

So Mr. Sullivan is now firmly on my authors to watch list and Riyria is a series I want to make time for.

Robert

The Riyria Chronicles – The Viscount and the Witch (Short Story) – By Michael J. Sullivan

Wax and Wayne Series – Book 3: The Bands of Mourning – By Brandon Sanderson

Hey Robert,

So I have read all the books prior to this in the series but I didn’t have the time to re-read all of them before this one called to me from the audiobook library and made me listen.

 Title: Bands of Mourningbtsw-square-orig
Series: Wax and Wayne Series; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience:  Adult
ROTS Setting: Cosmere, Magic
Synopsis: It’s six months after the end of Shadows of Self and Wax is getting married.
Recommendation: Good book for adults or late teens. Not my favorite Mistborn novel but talked more about the Cosmere which is slowly fascinating me more and more while also driving me insane.

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Wax and Wayne Series – Book 3: The Bands of Mourning – By Brandon Sanderson