Drown Deep by Phil Williams is the second book in the Blood Scouts series, and in my eyes even better than the first!
I adored having Wild Wish as the Drown Deep by Phil Williams is the second book in the Blood Scouts series, and in my eyes even better than the first!
I adored having Wild Wish as the central character, and seeing her trying to adjust to where life takes her. From being supposed to be an instructor, to a leader, to whatever will be next - it definitely never gets boring around her. Her tone and voice was just super easy for me to fall in love with.
It must’ve taken a series of huge explosions, and indeed a particularly heartless attacker, to destroy such a grand bridge. “Bloody animals,” Dalliance repeated, shaking his head. Wish agreed, but silently wondered if the Drail had even done it. It was the sort of thing she could imagine herself doing, even if mostly by accident.
There's a tiny bit of romance, but it fits perfectly well with Wild Wish's character, and didn't detract from the story at all. None of the typical romance tropes, and instead more of a "do I even have time for this?" vibe combined with her confusion about her current place in the world overall gave her a whole other angle. It definitely added to her growth and the character arc over all. If I may remind you, I usually detest romance, so if I think it enhances something, it must be a bit special.
It has been a while since I read the first book, but from memory, this sequel is even bloodier than the first, if only a bit. However it also had me chuckling aloud quite often, which led to strange looks coming my way on a plane. So maybe read this in the comfort of your home, if you have social anxiety like me...
Having been given the quick rundown of the Saints Mire’s generally disagreeable territory,with a particular focus on how brutal the bogs were (and it was mostly bogs), she was informed their best hope was to enter the region via boat, through the delightfully named Paradise Fails. Using the waterways of Paradise Fails, they could easily (as if) reach the equally delightfully named priory of Drowndeep (not one with nuns), before striking out across the land where it was possible to drown.
The mix of (dark) humour and gore galore was just immensely entertaining, while the more thought provoking bits gave the book a lot of depth as well.
Combine this with utterly wonderful worldbuilding, and a setting that is nature in its rawest and harshest form, as well as some ancient monasteries, and it's an amazing allrounder. ...more
Unbound by Michael R. Miller is the second book in a classic style fantasy series, which easily drew me in!
I absolutely love Holt and Ash, and was verUnbound by Michael R. Miller is the second book in a classic style fantasy series, which easily drew me in!
I absolutely love Holt and Ash, and was very happy to see their bond grow and stretch and become even more than it was.
I also enjoyed seeing the other main characters from different perspectives, and delve ever deeper into their thoughts. Be it a princess who's all of a sudden bound up in all the responsibilities, who has to adapt to her new life, or a villain who might have quite some humanity left on him after all. Or not? This made the whole story quite unpredictable, and I was surprised quite a few times along the way.
This book is quite a bit slower than book one, with less action, and instead more politics, world building and character development, but I liked it no less for that. In my eyes it's quite a good middle book, giving more meat to the overall world, and setting up ever more problems and mysteries to solve in the next one.
I would definitely highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys an epic fantasy that feels like one of the classics, but has a way more modern and quick style!...more
Toric's Dagger by Jamie Edmundson works probably have worked a lot better for me some years ago. Having read as many fantasy books as I have, it just Toric's Dagger by Jamie Edmundson works probably have worked a lot better for me some years ago. Having read as many fantasy books as I have, it just felt a bit too stereotypical, and predictable.
I did like the tone and voice of the two main characters, but some of the side characters felt a bit too two dimensional to me, as well as fulfilling the typical tropes.
Some scenes just felt weird and disjointed, like they had been stuck in there with sticky tape, instead of an organic part of the story, like I've specific scene meeting two wizards.
I found the start of the story intriguing, but sadly lost interest the farther i read, and by the end I wasn't interested enough anymore to pick up any sequels, despite owning the whole omnibus.
Overall it might well appeal to those looking for an easier epic read, with a familiar cast on a quest....more
Pauper's Empire by L.W. Jacobs is the second book in the series.
I really enjoyed the new direction - instead of rebelling and trying to free a city, iPauper's Empire by L.W. Jacobs is the second book in the series.
I really enjoyed the new direction - instead of rebelling and trying to free a city, it's now all about governing said city, and trying to hold things together. Easier said than done as everyone quickly learns!
This is still very much a coming of age story, so if you don't like to read about young people who are still trying to find their own way, with a lot of almost anime style fight scenes this will most likely not appeal to you.
If you enjoy a quick pace, plenty of action and a world that slowly expands, but isn't overly complicated to follow, this might be an ideal choice!...more
Echoes of a Fallen Kingdom by B.T. Narro is the very slow start to a new series.
It's very much focused on the characters, and their everyday lifes forEchoes of a Fallen Kingdom by B.T. Narro is the very slow start to a new series.
It's very much focused on the characters, and their everyday lifes for most of the book, before the story actually gets going in the last 10% or so at a guess.
I enjoyed some of those bits, like the main character starting to train as a book binder, but overall it didn't really grba me nearly as much as it should have. I love a good "apprentice" story, but there's or enough actual training, and learning along with the character to scratch that itch, as the MC is treated very unfairly and doesn't really get to do what he is supposed to learn.
I did like the relationship between the brothers, but found the budding romance between two 10 yea roles a bit off. It's a strong friendship at first, which I love, but there's the few moments that seemed to go past it and just felt off for the age and majority of them.
I didn't really click with the thieving brother, again, I usually enjoy a good rogue or thief, but I simply didn't like him. Not necessarily the authors fault, I don't like all real people either after all.
Overall all the characters just didn't really felt real to me, but definitely stayed slightly removed fiction people.
The world building had some promise, but I would have liked a bit more depth even this early on.
The audio narration was great, which is what kept me going, but I don't think I'll pick up more books on the series....more
Unfamiliared by JE Hannaford is one super cute cosy fantasy, with so many animals!
The premise of the story is a small town, due to host a magical contUnfamiliared by JE Hannaford is one super cute cosy fantasy, with so many animals!
The premise of the story is a small town, due to host a magical contest, but someone steals all their familiars right beforehand. Now they don't just have to get them back, they also need to muddle their way through various events, but hiding the fact they lost their magic along with the familiars.
I was quickly drawn in by the voice of the main character, who came into her magic very late. She's a bit timid, but still manages to get things done, and I found her so very relatable!
The plot itself is cute and fun, and I especially enjoyed the friendships, and how the whole town came together. It's exactly what I like in my cosy books, it just making me happy. Not everyone in the town is extra friendly, which made it a bit more realistic, while the overwhelming feeling is still comforting.
There's a really tiny slow burn romance, which rounded the story up, without ever taking center stage. I'm usually not a fan of romance at all, but a cute and slowly developing one like in Legends and Lattes I can actually enjoy, and this was a similar amount. Just a small dash of it to add flavour.
I'm surprised just how different this book is from JE Hannaford’s other books, and how well she manages to pull off something completely new!...more
The Waking of Angantyr by Marie Brennan is hard for me to rate.
On the one hand I really loved the dark and bleak setting, as well as a 3,5 rounded up
The Waking of Angantyr by Marie Brennan is hard for me to rate.
On the one hand I really loved the dark and bleak setting, as well as a syringe female character who just won't give up. She defies the role she has in society, and she fails a lot along the way. She does get up and try again every time though, through sheer grit and determination, on her quest for a better life, and revenge for her ancestors.
She's not the easiest character to like, but I found her fascinating, so I was easily enthralled by her story. Especially the voices she hears had me intrigued instantly.
So who is it hard to rate then? I think it's mostly down to style and structure. This is a retelling of an old Norse poem, and I personally just don't always get on too well with those. I like a more fluent storyline to follow along, and some of the heroics and tragedies just don't engage me as much as a more modern take. I often find I enjoy the setting and characters a lot more than the actual story with these.
I do however appreciate just how much this differs from her Lady Trent series, in tone as well as in style. I adore authors who manage to not be stuck in one particular corner, but are versatile....more
Beyond The Burning Sea by T.B. Schmid & R. Wade Hodges
I did like the start, but overall the story felt too slow, and a bit confusing at first. The worBeyond The Burning Sea by T.B. Schmid & R. Wade Hodges
I did like the start, but overall the story felt too slow, and a bit confusing at first. The world and mystery were really interesting, but it took me a bit to get the into the characters and actually get immersed into the story.
A big plus for me where what seems to be a neurodivergent character, and a female fighter who felt well rounded.
Overall it just didn’t grab me enough to keep reading all the way through though....more
The Hidden Guardian by J.D.L. Rosell is the third book in the Rangers of the Titan Wilds series.
While I absolutely loved the first two, I "just" enjoyThe Hidden Guardian by J.D.L. Rosell is the third book in the Rangers of the Titan Wilds series.
While I absolutely loved the first two, I "just" enjoyed this one a lot. The scope gets a lot bigger, but I also felt a bit removed from the story for some reason. I think it's the switch from being very closely focused on the main character and her immediate stakes, to a more epic style and more politics, factions and such. While I do love quite some epic fantasy with big and complex worlds, here it just didn't feel as... Integral and engaging?
Don't get me wrong, I still love the characters the world building, the growth! It's not in any way a bad book, it's "just" an 8/10 and not a 10/10 from me....more
Gates of Sorrow by JE Hannaford is a great sequel!
While many of those suffer from “middle book syndrome”, this was just as enjoyable as the first. As Gates of Sorrow by JE Hannaford is a great sequel!
While many of those suffer from “middle book syndrome”, this was just as enjoyable as the first. As book one ended on a cliffhanger, book two jumps right back into the action. Or rather, into the plot! While there are some action scenes, this book is way more about the people, the plans, the world and everything going on.
It's still epic fantasy that manages to balance darkness and hope perfectly, so it's neither overly dark but neither is it too light or fluffy.
The darker parts are countered by strong friendships, nice banter, and a good dose of adventure! I do love a found family bound together with supportive relationships. While evil antiheroes can be compelling (looking at you M.R.Fletcher) there is a relief in finding characters whose fate you care about because you like them as people. These days it can be a relief to escape into a book where you can read about genuinely good people working together.
As if I didn't love the moonhounds enough, we get yet another animal companion, and I'm so in love! Cute, and still very handy to have as a friend. I want a Charver AND a moonhound please! Oh, and did I mention, there's dragons?
Those are just a glimpse of the fascinating and sprawling world(s) Hannaford has created. With a background in biology, I adore how realistic everything feels in her world. While I'm happy to suspend disbelief to a degree, some books just make this easier than others. Here I felt right at home, despite all the fresh ideas.
The stakes have risen for all of the POV characters, and big things have been set in motion. While I felt the ending was quite satisfying, this is clearly leading up to a whole new level of danger and a possible war.
I can't wait to see how the three different POVs will connect at some point, hopefully!...more
The Dark Feather by Anna Stephens delivers an epic conclusion to one of the best dark fantasy series I've read.
This book has ripped out my heart and sThe Dark Feather by Anna Stephens delivers an epic conclusion to one of the best dark fantasy series I've read.
This book has ripped out my heart and stomped on it a couple of times, but it also made me feel hope. There is a perfectly struck balance between the horrendous events and those (big and small) moments of gratification and joy.
The characters are absolutely one of the main strengths of this series. They are all incredibly well written, and feel totally real. All the characters have depths of motivation and mindset that make their actions not just understandable but entirely reasonable, so that you even empathise or sympathise with the villains. At other times you can feel hate towards the supposed heroes. There are no stereotypes, instead all the characters have a whole range of facets, which meant I ended up rooting for almost all of them at different points in the story. When you find yourself feeling for the obviously wrong people, then you know a writer knows their craft to the bones.
For example, if you follow my reviews, you know how much I usually detest romance. Here, some of the romantic relationships are so integral to the characters that I was totally hooked and fully invested in how things turned out. None of it felt like the artificial drama - the utterly avoidable manufactured conflict - that you so often see. Instead it was just human all the way through. People being believable and credible, doing the best they could in the circumstances. If delivering that kind of authenticity is not a mark of the highest craft, I don't know what is!
The world building is superb, and the politics get ever more entangled. The way the cultures, religions and societies are entwined again illustrated exceptional levels of the writer’s craft. With a lot of books it feels like there's a nice two dimensional background, like the backdrop on a theatre stage. Here it feels utterly three dimensional, as though I just walked right into this world, and could have lifted any stone, or walked around any corner and the world would still have been fully fleshed out in depth and detail.
All in all this one emotional rollercoaster of a story, which managed to leave me both hollowed out, and yet somehow also full of hope. How that works? Some kind of magic…
I was utterly satisfied, even though I felt like yelling at the author quite a few times along the way. Some of these decisions really hurt, but they also all feel very organic, and just needed to happen.
It'll take me a while to fully digest this, as the best stories do!...more
Yin and Yang is a rather predictable fantasy with the chosen one being a young woman, who meets a very reserved young soldier, wh3,5 stars rounded up.
Yin and Yang is a rather predictable fantasy with the chosen one being a young woman, who meets a very reserved young soldier, who is just drawn to her. I definitely liked that the "romance" part in here is so slow, there is just a tad of attraction, but no surrounding drama yet.
I did enjoy how the Yin is a strong woman, taught to be a fighter with special magic, but she's also not afraid to cry. So often the "strong female characters" are just stubborn, annoying and good at everything just because.
Yin definitely is stubborn as well, but she is willing to work hard, and actually sacrifice for what she believes in. I enjoyed having a woman who isn't just extra graceful and immediate godi at everything.
Despite this, it's still quite full of tropes. So if you are looking for something fresh and surprising, this book will definitely not be your right choice. If you're however looking for something easy to digest, it's definitely worth a look....more
I enjoyed Rebel of Riddle and Woe by Levi Jacobs a bit more than the previous book again. There's still not that much progress on the "main quest" but I enjoyed Rebel of Riddle and Woe by Levi Jacobs a bit more than the previous book again. There's still not that much progress on the "main quest" but the (side) characters felt deeper and more developed, which just hooked me more to the story
I especially liked a non straight female main character, which I really enjoyed to see! I'm not sure yet if she is bi, or pan sexual, but I don't think she even ever wonders about things like that herself. She just likes who she likes, and I found this a refreshing "non dramatic" way of including LGBT in fantasy!
Overall this is still a fast paced coming if age fantasy, which I devoured quickly!...more
Witch of Wealth and Ruin is the second book in this series by Levi Jacobs.
I found it to be both better and worse than the first.
So the characters defiWitch of Wealth and Ruin is the second book in this series by Levi Jacobs.
I found it to be both better and worse than the first.
So the characters definitely are more fleshed out and the gained depth helped to make them feel a lot more realistic. We also get to see a new part of the world, and yet another kind of magic, which I really enjoyed! However this felt a lot like a side quest, and while we gain new allies (and new foes) who will be important later in, it feels like the main plot has basically stalled for most of the book.
There's plenty of action and fast paced fight scenes, as well as some deeper insights into being forced to fight in an arena, which made for quick reading!
So despite being a bit disappointed by the lack of overall progression, I was well entertained all the way through, and finished this in just a couple of sittings.
If you like a good coming of age fantasy, with a female main character who's flawed and yet willing to fight, no matter what? This is a great choice....more
The Return of the Knights by Gregory Kontaxis is a promising epic fantasy debut!
If you like the classic style fantasy, with a big cast, scope and worlThe Return of the Knights by Gregory Kontaxis is a promising epic fantasy debut!
If you like the classic style fantasy, with a big cast, scope and world, this is definitely worth a look!
While I was well entertained, I also had some gripes with the book, especially the sort of type you often find in debuts. The chosen one trope is strong with this book, and while I can enjoy a book featuring that, it was just a tad over the top for me. He's young, bust the best fighter ever (even after having an expectational training, it just felt too much), and if that's not enough, everyone trusts him instantly and he gets super important quests.
There are also quite a lot of explaining, especially at the end of the book. I wouldn't have needed all that info dumped into the dialogue, most if it was obvious throughout the story, if you just paid attention.
There's also the obligatory bathing scene, with breasts being caressed by the water, however, later on in the book we get a similar scene with a male character, so it's less a "male gaze" thing, but more of a more sensory writing style it seems.
The last of my problems was the villain, who was just the worst baddy there ever was, for no real obvious reason, other than him being a very horrible person, and very overpowered as well.
I did however really love the big world to explore, the politics and scheming and interweaving plot strands. It's a good foundation for a series that could grow into something like A Song of Ice and Fire!
There's different mythologies and cultures involved as well, which made the world feel fresher and more nuanced.
The action scenes were well written and gripping, even if I would have liked our hero knocked down notch or 10. Fight scenes are often hit or miss for me, so I really enjoyed that part!
So all in all this wasn't a perfect book, but definitely a very promising start!...more
God's of the Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker is a hard to review book, but I can easily say - I loved it!
It's a slow burn epic fantasy, which enthralled me wiGod's of the Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker is a hard to review book, but I can easily say - I loved it!
It's a slow burn epic fantasy, which enthralled me with its mysteries right from the start. The main character is an outcast, living a solitary life on the edge of society. His POV and voice were really intriguing and captivating, so even though the story takes a good while to really take off, it never felt too slow to me.
Another absolute strong suit of this is the world building! I adored the fantastical creatures, the intimidating forest, the unexpected use people found for nature and the sheer imagination there. The magic is mysterious enough to still feel mysterious, but also clear enough to not but feel like an emergency solution to every problem. It felt like I walked off the page right into the forest and village, and coming back to the real world was jarring!
As always I appreciate the inclusive cast, trions for example, who are neither man nor woman, and are using They / Them pronouns. It's also very normal to have a first wife or second husband or whoever / whatever you choose. I love how this isn't made a big deal, it is just the normal setup for this society.
The characters were varied and plausible, and I'll really miss spending time with some of them! We have two main POV characters, Cahan as our "hero" and Kirven as his opponent in a way - Kirven. While Cahan tries to avoid bloodshed and violence, he clearly has a very dark past and is not innocent himself.
Kirven in the other hand revels in causing pain, and ruthlessly doing what needs to be done to keep keep her power. Yet both get enough page time, so you can understand their motivations and goals. I always love it when "the bad guys" aren't just bad for the sake of it, but you somehow manage to care for them, while hoping they won't win... Her child Venn is a trion and meant to be extremely powerful. Yet they refuse to kill to actually activate said power. They are very naive and yet stronger than it seems, and I really enjoyed this counter balance to Cahans world weary way.
Udinny, a monk, is yet another character type, and is very outgoing, optimistic and never shutting up. I loved the relationship that slowly grew between Cahan, Venn and Udinny, which had a strong found family feel, even though they all just met.
Barker manages to write fantasy that has the magic and fantasy we so much love from the genre, and yet it feels fresh and different. I need more!...more
Read for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely!
Daughter of The Beast by E.C. Greeves was a really fascinating reaRead for SPFBO, this is only my personal opinion, group verdict might differ widely!
Daughter of The Beast by E.C. Greeves was a really fascinating read, which I devoured quickly.
I loved how the book "grew" right along with the main character. We're starting with a young girl, only 10 summers old, who gets kidnapped by the Vulkari, who are dog-like warrior women. As we see the whole story through the main characters eyes, we have no idea why she was taken, instead of killed.
Throughout the story she both grows up, and turns from a naive kid into a fearsome warrior. This fits the narrative extremely well, as we can easily learn about the world and different cultures along with her, and it just feels like a natural part of the story.
I really enjoyed how this allowed the book to combine a fast paced and quick start with a coming of age feeling, which then blends into a lot darker and deeper story.
The change from hating her captors, to slowly becoming part of their culture felt plausible and well done. I was hooked just seeing her change and adapt and find her way in her new sisterhood. (Btw, this is not a spoiler, it's even in the blurb!)
This sisterhood was another bit that I simply loved. They are so very different by nature, and yet they are definitely like found family. While Zyntael might always be the weakest in physical aspects, she's strong willed and manages to stand her ground despite being so much less powerful. I loved the banter and dynamics forming. There are long running jokes and loyalties, which make the relationships feel very genuine and three dimensional.
There's a lot of Slavic mythology, and probably even a lot more than I even noticed, being not well versed in it at all. I absolutely love a book that has plenty of non-human characters, so this was a definite strength for me!
My one slight complaint is the pacing not always being super smooth. The switch between action scenes and the normal day to day life didn't always go perfectly.
It almost feels a bit Slice of Life at times, a quite bloody life to be sure, which I personally like a lot. Exploring different worlds and cultures, and learning along with the main character is a favourite bit of fantasy for me. The contrast between a matriarchal society and the typical "women are so important, men have to protect them" on the other hand was nicely done, and I liked the varying views throughout this world.
All in all this was a really engaging read, and I'll happily round up my 4,5 stars!...more
Beggar's Rebellion by L.W. Jacobs is an epic fantasy, that is still an easy and quick read!
There's some nice and fresh bits , but there's also the gooBeggar's Rebellion by L.W. Jacobs is an epic fantasy, that is still an easy and quick read!
There's some nice and fresh bits , but there's also the good classic fantasy style to it, that makes it easy to feel right at home!
I really enjoyed the voice of the characters, and the way the two balanced each other out. We have a female MC who is very clever and manages to stay afloat due to her cleverness and being able to learn quickly. As a contrast we have a male MC who starts out just wanting to keep himself and the kids he cares for alive. This way we get to see more of the world, be it how society works, the court system or political intrigue, as well as we get to learn about the magic and how it can be used in fighting and war.
Despite there being quite a bit going in, I found it easy to follow, so it's definitely a good book for those who are just starting into fantasy, or just looking for something that works well after a long day at work, without feeling to shallow!...more
Loading...
