Fantasy

The Dragon Prophecy Trilogy – Book 1: Crown of Vengeance – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

My review is a bit late but the book is still good. I’ll be interested to hear what you think when you get to it.

crownofvengeance.jpgTitle: Crown of Vengeance
Series: The Dragon Prophecy Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons, Higher Magic, Prequel
Synopsis: Learn the truth about the Elven Queen Vielissiar Faricarnon, who was the first to face the Endarkened in battle and the first to bond with a dragon. She worked some of the greatest magics her world has ever known, and paid the greatest Price.
Recommendation: Adult or late teens. I suggest having at least some knowledge of the World of Obsidian before reading this. That’s not required but I feel it would make just an OK experience into a great one.

Continue reading “The Dragon Prophecy Trilogy – Book 1: Crown of Vengeance – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory” →

The Dragon Prophecy Trilogy – Book 1: Crown of Vengeance – By Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

DNF – Bloodmage By Stephen Aryan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

bloodmage

Ok, there’s nothing wrong with the book, it’s just not what I was expecting……at all.

The first book was pretty good with a sword and sorcery feel. This book was more like 3 detective stories, probably connected, that could not hold my attention. On top of that after getting 14 chapters in I’ve given up hope on any of the main characters from the first book making a real appearance. It’s basically a standalone novel. I say that because we don’t get a true continuation of characters or major plot arcs. It’s a sequel in the sense that it chronologically set after the first, but that’s it.

Lastly, the book has some strong “modern opinions” that just felt artificial and out of place given the setting and history of the world. These weren’t the main reason but they certainly did nothing to help.

In summary, the book was not as promised and while there aren’t any glaring issues it’s not what I want or like, especially right now. If anyone has read the whole trilogy and can tell me if things change, please let me know.

Robert

DNF – Bloodmage By Stephen Aryan

Adventurers Wanted – Book 1: Slathbog’s Gold – By M. L. Forman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

Hey Jared,

Finally going back to this awesome series which I’d found and read right before we started the blog. In fact it was one of the reasons I wanted to start it because I kept telling you about it and you just sort of went “meh.”

slathbogsgold.jpgTitle: Slathbog’s Gold
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 1
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Upon entering Mr. Clutter’s shop, Alex is swept away on an incredible adventure to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves. Alex becomes the eigth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red – and evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower. Alex’s adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Great for younger and older readers alike.

Continue reading “Adventurers Wanted – Book 1: Slathbog’s Gold – By M. L. Forman” →

Adventurers Wanted – Book 1: Slathbog’s Gold – By M. L. Forman

Dragonlance Lost Chronicles – Vol.1: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 5 Comments

Hey Jared,

In the original trilogy there were fairly large gaps in events of the world, some of them quite significant. So this trilogy helps fill in those gaps.

dragonsofthedwarvendepthsTitle: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
Series: Dragonlance Lost Chronicles; Vol. 1
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Tanis and Flint seek out a haven in the dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin while Raistlin is strangely drawn to the haunted fortress known as Skullcap. Sturm seeks the legendary Hammer of Kharas, and Tika embarks on a perilous journey to rescue those she loves from certain death. But it is the Dwarf, Flint Fireforge, who faces the most crucial test. The heroes race against time to save the lives of those dependent on them and Flint is forced to make a difficult choice, one on which the future of mankind may rest.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

Continue reading “Dragonlance Lost Chronicles – Vol.1: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman” →

Dragonlance Lost Chronicles – Vol.1: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

The Stormlight Archive – Book 1: The Way of Kings – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Hey Jared,

Here. We. Go.

way-of-kings-cover

Title: The Way of Kings
Series: The Stormlight Archive; Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience:  Adult
ROTS Setting: Cosmere, Magic, Big Swords
Synopsis: Roshar is a world of stone swept by tempests that shape ecology and civilization. Animals and plants retract; cities are built in shelter. In centuries since ten orders of Knights fell, their Shardblade swords and Shardplate armor still transform men into near-invincible warriors. Wars are fought for them, and won by them.
Recommendation: This book (& everything Sanderson) is highly recommended!

Continue reading “The Stormlight Archive – Book 1: The Way of Kings – By Brandon Sanderson” →

The Stormlight Archive – Book 1: The Way of Kings – By Brandon Sanderson

Storm Front – Book 1 Dresden Files – By Jim Butcher

Jared, , 3 Comments

Hey Robert,

Remember back in 2007 when the Space channel had a new series called the Dresden Files. Well, they are also a series of books and Jim Butcher is a freaking book wizard.

DF01-StormFront-2000

Title: Storm Front
Series: The Dresden Files; Book 1
Author: Jim Butcher
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Private Investigator (PI)
Audience: You should find this in the adult fantasy section of the library.
ROTS Setting:
Synopsis: Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the “only” at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get interesting. Magic – it can get a guy killed. (summary from Goodreads)
Recommendation: I am so glad I asked people if this was a good series as books. Because I honestly don’t remember much from the TV series. Oh and it is good, we’ll see if is very good depending on how the next books turn out.

Continue reading “Storm Front – Book 1 Dresden Files – By Jim Butcher” →

Storm Front – Book 1 Dresden Files – By Jim Butcher