Adult

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 3/4

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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 3/4” →

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 3/4

Dreamer (Short Story) – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 5 Comments

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.

dreamerTitle: Dreamer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: EU (expanded universe), Magic, Modern,
Synopsis: In this horror story, a body-hopping game of cat-and-mouse between the entity known as Dreamer and his target is bound to leave tragedy in its wake.
Recommendation: Intended for adult readers. WARNING: Some Sanderson fans may find this story disturbing when compared to his usual work.

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Dreamer (Short Story) – By Brandon Sanderson

Wax & Wayne Series – Book 2: Shadows of Self – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 3 Comments

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.

shadowsofself.jpgTitle: 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” →

Wax & Wayne Series – Book 2: Shadows of Self – By Brandon Sanderson

Anthology Thursday – Sword & Sorcery – Part 2/4

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

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

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

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

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

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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

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

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 6 Comments

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.

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

Assassin’s Quest – The Farseer Trilogy – Robin Hobb

Jared, , , 6 Comments

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

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

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

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