This won't be a long review as most anything I say other than some reaction and reason for my rating will be "spoilery".
I think many of you (horror faThis won't be a long review as most anything I say other than some reaction and reason for my rating will be "spoilery".
I think many of you (horror fans) may like this one more than me. It has a very dark melancholy feel (not least from the racism portrayed...but not that alone). My reaction to it as a 3 star read is I just wasn't looking for a depressing read, I in general don't like depressing reads ever. I do however realize when one is done well.
Of course a well written depressing, melancholy read makes it even more depressing and melancholy. I'll simply say this is a story about what can happen when someone is simply pushed too far, in this case with a truly bad (evil) outcome.
The spoiler below.... Don't read it if you don't want to know the horrible outcome our protagonist falls into after being pushed too far. No, really if you don't want to ruin the end of the book, DON'T READ IT.
Okay you're warned.
(view spoiler)[ Cthulhu wins. Our protagonist (or possibly by doing this he becomes a sort of antagonist to the entire human race) does what is needed to bring back the "Great Old Ones. We're told of course they don't look at time as humans do so it could happen in a month, a year, a hundred years or a thousand years, but they're coming and humans will be. Well I believe swept away is a nice way of putting it, though it will probably hurt more. (hide spoiler)]...more
Look, I'm not a TV fan...at all. However if I ever loved a TV show it would (probably) have been Grimm. Grimm was on for 6 (really 5.5) seasons when NLook, I'm not a TV fan...at all. However if I ever loved a TV show it would (probably) have been Grimm. Grimm was on for 6 (really 5.5) seasons when NBC showed the same wisdom the allowed them to cancel Star Trek (possibly the biggest money spinner in 2 centuries [so far]) after 3 seasons.
If you watched Grimm you know that Aunt Marie shows up in episode 1 towing a camper-trailer which becomes almost a character in it's own right. The trailer contained weapons, relics, maps, documents, needed poisons, herbs etc.,etc.,etc. Among all these amazing artifacts were SOME OF the Grimm Books. This book (while not actually a novel) goes into that part of Grimm. It's sort of a walk through one of the books (or possibly a sampling of the books) in said trailer. For "Grimm-o-files" this is a way to wander back into that world (you know between re-re-re-rewatching the DVD or digital recordings of the programs.)
If on the other hand you did not/have not watched the series Grimm, stop whatever you are doing and go...no go right now...and buy, download or watch (on Prime or where ever you can find it) the series. ...more
You may have noticed my screen name??? That may tell you that the "Paladin" is one of my favorite fantasy characters. I began playing D&D in 1978 (yesYou may have noticed my screen name??? That may tell you that the "Paladin" is one of my favorite fantasy characters. I began playing D&D in 1978 (yes I'm a card carrying "proto-nerd"). I'd always loved fantasy lit. Even in the army when I was in places that reading matter was as valuable as gold and mostly I saw westerns and action adventure I got fantasy when I could (and passed it along as everyone did books. I wonder sometimes if I created some fantasy fans among people who'd never have picked it up if they hadn't "just wanted something to read" to take their minds off the current situation).
I have found that more often than not the paladin character is either handled badly or (as more often happens) the character is caricatured. The paladin is treated as a buffoon, a charlatan or simply a fraud. But not so here.
I'd say this is the 2nd best paladin book I've come across.
For a while in reading this one I thought we'd face the bogging down problem I've seen so often in epic fantasy reads. No that didn't really happen. We meet our protagonist, and move the story along. Who is he...who was he? All this and more is important but we get it in dollops within the story instead of "info-dumps".
Our hero here when he meets "his" goddess (yes it's a goddess if that makes a difference [and I'm a Christian pastor. It didn't bother me...remember people, it's just a story]) we begin to see the advanced development of a paladin built on who Allystaire is and was.
The paladin in literature, myth, history and gaming can cover quite a wide span. The paladin here is much more the traditional picture those who's idea of a paladin comes from some form of gaming background would expect.
I won't go any further lest I include a spoiler. I like this one, I've finished the second ( Stillbright ) and have the third waiting for when I finish a couple of other books (I'm into a library book right now and need to finish it so it can go back).
I have a few books I've recently finished and plan to review. However...I just finished this book and it goes first.
This is one of the happiest sad, I have a few books I've recently finished and plan to review. However...I just finished this book and it goes first.
This is one of the happiest sad, funniest sober books I've ever read and I can't recommend it too highly. I won't say much beyond that as anything I tell you won't really do it justice. I sort of understand Ove and feel for him all the way through the novel. I get his frustration with the life and times he faces. I've fought frustrating battles with bureaucracy. I've wondered where common sense has gone. While he and I wouldn't agree on everything he has become very real to me. I felt and feel for this fictional person and am glad I met him.
My highest recommendation. This is (I believe) an exceptional book....more
This book has been on my "radar" for some time. It looked interesting and as I like military science fiction seemed something I should try.
Glad I did.This book has been on my "radar" for some time. It looked interesting and as I like military science fiction seemed something I should try.
Glad I did.
This is an excellent read if you like action (military action or just plain action), military fiction, military science fiction, etc. And let me add you get what I'd call "ground-pounder" or "grunt" action along with "fleet action:.
Also while this will fall under the heading of space opera it's a bit more than the standard brain candy we think of when using the heading.
Going way, way back in the history of science fiction the idea of the "evil corporate" entity has been a standard. Sadly it seems to me that most of the evil corporation plots have been a bit silly. This one comes in with a feasible situation where large corporations have used their financial leverage to gain control of the governing bodies of the planets in the Union.
I can highly recommend this book and I'm moving on to the next. Recommended. ...more
I read this many years ago (in the 1970s). When I discovered Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion "Cycle" I set out to find them all. While there are aI read this many years ago (in the 1970s). When I discovered Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion "Cycle" I set out to find them all. While there are a few of the stand alone books (and one series) that are loosely tied to the series the "core books" are some of my all time favorites.
Here is the book in which we are introduced to The Eternal Champion, John or Johnathan Daker who is apparently a man of our world and possibly the single incarnation who remembers all the others as dreams...is he Moorcock??? That's up to the reader.
Jonathan becomes Erekosë. As is fairly common in the "lives" of the Eternal Champion the tale of Erekosë is a poignant one fraught with pain (both emotional and physical) where he's forced to make almost impossible choices and suffer betrayal and horrible loss. He must choose what actions to take and then live with those choices.
The book is short (especially by today's standards). I place it on my epic fantasy shelf as it's part of a large sprawling story that spans time and space. It can also be called high fantasy as these stories take place amidst the trappings of very magical worlds and lands.
Some put them on their Sword and Sorcery shelves or lists. I don't as that brings to mind the tales of Conan or Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. These tales tend to (on the whole) have a bit more depth when taken as a single story. Of course many will disagree and that's fine.
I can recommend this book and "most" (though not all) of the Eternal Champion novels.
By the way, I couldn't find a picture of the edition I read with the great Frank Frazetta cover.
I freely admit that I picked this series up because I was looking for a "book series like the Dresden Files". I'd tried several Urban Fantasy books anI freely admit that I picked this series up because I was looking for a "book series like the Dresden Files". I'd tried several Urban Fantasy books and series. Some I liked more than others. Some I intensely disliked.
This series has become my favorite (after Dresden). It seems to me to have gotten better with each installment. There are for my money some good Urban Fantasy reads out there, but few better than these. Starting with the first volume Mr. Jacka begins establishing his world and his characters. We get to know these people as they act and as they interact.
Alex is a mage, a diviner. He can in short look "down the possible futures", the possible pathways things might take if certain things are done, said...you get the idea. The farther down the time stream things get the more "iffy" the futures get.
This is not exactly combat magic. So far as the mages who have versions of magic that can suck your life away, burn you to ash, freeze you to ice shards...blow you to dust, this would seem to be a rather, modest form of magic.
Still, somehow Alex has managed to survive several (read A LOT) of attempts on his life. Also...and possibly more impressive the ones who have set out to kill Alex, most mages more powerful that he is or adepts with some serious "deadliness" have ended up dead.
Alex is getting....known.
This book picks up where we left off in the last volume. A friend of Alex who has walked away from him because of events in our last outing is in danger(you know, because of the stuff that happened in that last book I mentioned). "And" (one might say "of course") she doesn't seem to realize how much danger she's actually in.
We will touch on new details of the world we're learning about, fill in some more details about the past we've been "considering" and tell an excellent story in the time of it.
Are there any disappointments? Sure the same one I have with Jim Butcher's Dresden books. These writers can't turn out a novel a week...not even a month. So here I am again with another series of books where I have to wait for the next book next year.
I keep telling you guys, I'm past sixty...how many more books can I wait for???
Sheesh.
Five stars and highly recommended.
(view spoiler)[ There are a couple of things here that will I think remind my fellow readers of the Dresden books. I don't for a second think they were copied. As I've said after several thousand years of fiction how many "totally new" plot points can there be?
Alex is mistrusted by the overall council of light mages...because he started out as the apprentice of a dark mage. In this book he gets made an offer that will bring him great power and advantage, but change him for the worse.
Those are sort of common threads. Don't let it put you off. These are excellent reads I really can give them my highest recommendation. (hide spoiler)]
Okay first let me say the only thing wrong with this book is that it ends. The only disappointment I have is that there isn't another Court Gentry booOkay first let me say the only thing wrong with this book is that it ends. The only disappointment I have is that there isn't another Court Gentry book in the foreseeable future.
I've read quite a few books and I've always been sure that the largest single genre was fantasy...but maybe that's changed and action/adventure/thriller is approaching the top of the pile.
Court Gentry is not at base a totally unique character. He's considered THE most deadly assassin in the world. He's known as the Gray Man and his story is absorbing. Put on his former employer's (the CIA) shoot on sight list. He has no idea why.
That said he's one of the best written examples of that "character type". We KNOW Court, we can even care about Court. Everyone he meets and becomes close to seems to either be ripped from his life...or betray him. These books are just "plain well written".
This time we meet up with another world-class hitter...code named Dead Eye. Dead Eye is a product of the same program that produced Court himself.
So, is he a friend or an enemy? Can Court really trust this person? And of course then there's the fact that Mossad now seems to have him in their sights...
This one is the proverbial page turning thrill ride and I give it my highest recommendation. Enjoy....more
I may come back and say more about this book later. I loved Ms. Moon's Paksenarrion books (the trilogy The Deed of Paksenarrion is always one I recommI may come back and say more about this book later. I loved Ms. Moon's Paksenarrion books (the trilogy The Deed of Paksenarrion is always one I recommend to readers who haven't found it and is among my top all time favorites). I followed this series from the first (though it took Ms. Moon about 20 years to get here it seems). We followed some of the characters from the trilogy onward in their lives here. If I need to put it this way I thought this book might have been just a little weaker than the rest of the series.
While I hate it for a book to wander off into superfluous meanderings this at times came across with a slightly hurried feel. We are tying up the "several" plot lines of the story (some of which actually predate the Paksenarrion Trilogy and go back to the two prequels). We have seen all along (well from the plot establishment of this series) that the events in The Deed of Paksenarrion and the actions of the Paladin Paksenarrion changed things and set certain things in motion. People have been "called" to places in their lives they never imagined they would go. We biol things down and confront evil in one of it's more concentrated forms.
All in all an excellent read. Do yourself a favor and read it from the first...including The Deed of Paksenarrion which is (in my opinion) a not to be missed book.
Frankly I hope Ms. Moon gives us more of the actual life of Paks......more
This book won't be for everyone...and I'll say why below. BUT I like it. The only negative I have for it is it ended...well maybe 2. There isn't a seqThis book won't be for everyone...and I'll say why below. BUT I like it. The only negative I have for it is it ended...well maybe 2. There isn't a sequel for it yet. This is the second in a fast moving, action packed military science fiction series. It started just a bit slower than the first as it took it's time to give us more of a build up. That said it wasn't a problem. As noted once it blasts off it wastes no time.
It might be called a "rip snortin' adventure".
Now for some of you you'll find the fact that the protagonist is written as a gifted tactician who seems to screw up seldom and have amazing intuition bothersome. I don't, I think he comes across as human enough with flaws of bluntness and rashness along with some emotional baggage that he's "acceptable".
I know that after several books I burned out on Honor Harrington. She started to seem like a sort of borderline "Mary Sue" or maybe an "almost one". She was starting to have superhero traits. That's not what we have here. We get (two) book(s) where a ship captain (Lt. Commander) and his crew overcome and succeed.
As noted I think there are some pretty obvious comparisons to be made with the Hornblower books here.
In this one proving the adage that no good deed goes unpunished our hero's success in the first book gets him dropped into an even worse situation. No spoilers here. I like the book and think if you like science fiction, action, military fiction )including science fiction), space operas etc. You'll like this one.
This could be a slightly lengthy review so let me give a thumbnail for those who simply want to know if I like and recommend the book. Then I'll give This could be a slightly lengthy review so let me give a thumbnail for those who simply want to know if I like and recommend the book. Then I'll give a few details and impressions.
Yes...I greatly like and recommend the book. Good military science fiction, military fiction, action and simply a good novel. It get's my highest recommendation.
NOW, if you know my taste and my reviews then you know that means the emphasis is not on romance or a love story. Bottom line...there isn't one. Okay let me say a little about the book, the story and why (I think) I like it.
I wonder if some of this may not be related to the number of books I have read, even age related. I find more and more lately my reading is leaning farther away from nonfiction and message fiction. I have on my currently reading list right now 2 books that have failed to catch my interest. I keep laying them aside and just not picking them back up. I started another "space opera" and was so unimpressed that I put it back on my to be read list thinking I'd get to it later (it's the second in a series). I've also had a string of mediocre reads lately that I can only go about 3 stars for. I didn't dislike them, I even liked "parts of them". But as a whole they just didn't draw me in.
This book will I suspect appeal to those of us with military backgrounds (especially Navy or Marine here I suspect. However I'm Army and I got into it). I don't know why it is that often when in the military we "bellyache", complain and carry on yet then the positive side stays with us throughout our lives...but there it is.
The characters in this book while not being laid out in long laborious detail are complete and you'll get to know them by their actions. The story (as I've said about other books I've liked) breaks out of the starting gate at breakneck speed and barely slows down to catch it's breath.
Now I'm going to say something else but please read it to the end in case you don't particularly care for the books I'm about to compare this to.
I've often read where reviewers compare military navy science fiction to the Hornblower novels. This one does bring much of the Hornblower "mythos" (if you will) into a futuristic setting. Now if you didn't like those books don't let that put you off. What I mean is that you see a junior officer having to perform in a very tough situation. This is a "space navy war" where ships are boarded with swords and cutlasses being used. AND there is a rational reason for it. The crews and officers share in prize money for captured ships. They have to deal with neutral worlds that won't take sides...
(I know you're probably asking about why they would use swords and why not just have a self destruct for boarded ships. The book answers those questions...but if I told you, you would miss out on finding it out in the book. I wouldn't do that to you.)
No...no spoilers here. I truly enjoyed this book. Am I shallow???? Maybe, but it's a good book and I burned straight through it. I give it my highest adventure/action/military/science fiction recommendation...
What can I say here other than...SCORE? Excellent read.
What we got here is a story of two badly, badly injured individuals who are brought together byWhat can I say here other than...SCORE? Excellent read.
What we got here is a story of two badly, badly injured individuals who are brought together by circumstances and help each other heal as they also help those who come in contact with them. The fact that one of the individuals is a German Shepherd makes no difference at all.
Or for some may even make it better...Dean Koontz would love this book. Someone needs to recommend it to him.
Maggie is a Marine. She has multiple jobs but one of them is ordnance disposal. She and her partner are bonded, close as a single entity.
Scott is a cop and he also knows what it means to have your partner's back.
Both these individuals suffer through something that makes the "higher-ups" decide they need to be retired. But these two are fighters. They get the chance to fill the jagged wounds in each other's lives.
This is one of the more rewarding (view spoiler)[ feel good (hide spoiler)] books I've read in some time. No Elvis Cole and Joe Pike aren't here but I for one hope this presages the beginning of a new series.
After consideration I think this one deserves a "rave review". Oddly it's not one I've been planning to read. it's not one I was aware of. I completedAfter consideration I think this one deserves a "rave review". Oddly it's not one I've been planning to read. it's not one I was aware of. I completed a book yesterday that I was only "mildly" impressed with. I finished it and then wondered what to pick up. I have a couple of other books "going". There's a nonfiction, but I wasn't in the mood for a serious read.
I ran across this book in an update from a friend here. It was a good review, the synopsis looked interesting so I did the thing that has gone wrong so often before. I went to Audible and downloaded it.
So I started it yesterday afternoon...and finished it at 3:00AM this morning. I only stopped for "stuff" I had to do. This book pulled me in and held my interest from the word "go".
The story of Mark Watney, how he gets stranded on Mars, how he survives or doesn't is frankly fantastic. You want a suspenseful thriller, it's here. You want hard science fiction, it's here. You want a character driven story, you got it. You want a plot driven story, you got that to.
Told from various points of view Mr. Weir does something I've seen fail badly but carries it off magnificently. Mark's story is told in the first person as he records a log of events and experiences on Mars. Then we get news reports and a third person narrator account of what's happening on earth. We also get a narrator's account of the crew of the ship that accidentally left him behind on Mars. Mr. Weir ties all these accounts and disparate points of view together to tell an enthralling story.
I have placed this book directly onto my favorites list. While it's not what may be called "literary fiction" it is incredibly readable and deeply interesting....as I said above, enthralling.
So, my highest recommendation. I might even say this one is a "not to be missed" read if you like any of the types of books I mentioned above. Mr. Weir...I don't know how you'll follow this one up, but I for one will be watching for your next novel....more
I waited for this book with what is usually called "bated breath". The first book in the series snatched my interest and held it from almost the firstI waited for this book with what is usually called "bated breath". The first book in the series snatched my interest and held it from almost the first line. This book, while I give it 5 stars is not quite up to the first book. I'm still involved in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
But not with the intensity I looked forward to this one. So let me say first that I do recommend it and it is an excellent read. Note I do go the full five stars, after thinking it over.
First the book opens with our original narrator (the "historian" who was "writing the story" in the first novel) except now he's a slave. How'd that happen?
That would be telling.
Still he begins his tale and we set out to put together events from the end of the last book. Sadly, the book is slow to get started. For some reason this novel took a long time to draw me in. I actually almost lost interest a few times. I was probably a fifth or a quarter of the way in before I found myself deeply into the story.
The book does pick up the "ball" and it does run with it. It just seems to want to do some broken field running. Where the first book was basically told from 2 viewpoints this one breaks up into as many as 5. These viewpoints occasionally come together, travel along in common and then split off again. It gets a little disjointed at times and then seems to find it's feet.
We do pull together again and get to a good climax that satisfies and gives a nice balanced story.
This promises to be one of the best epic fantasy series in a long time if it stays true to it's story and doesn't fall into the Wheel of Time trap of repetitive drawn out story telling. So far it's still an intensely interesting story and I like it immensely.
I freely admit that I picked this series up because I was looking for a "book series like the Dresden Files". I'd tried several Urban Fantasy books anI freely admit that I picked this series up because I was looking for a "book series like the Dresden Files". I'd tried several Urban Fantasy books and series. Some I liked more than others. Some I intensely disliked.
This series has become my favorite (after Dresden). It seems to me to have gotten better with each installment. There are for my money some good Urban Fantasy reads out there, but few better than these. Starting with the first volume Mr. Jacka begins establishing his world and his characters. We get to know these people as they act and as they interact.
Alex is a mage, a diviner. He can in short look "down the possible futures", the possible pathways things might take if certain things happen are done or said...you get the idea. The farther down the time stream things get the more "iffy" the futures get.
This is not exactly combat magic. So far as the mages who have versions of magic that can suck your life away, burn you to ash, freeze you to ice shards...blow you to dust, this would seem to be a rather well, modest form of magic.
Still, somehow Alex has managed to survive several (read A LOT) of attempts on his life. Also...and possibly more impressive the ones who have set out to kill Alex, most mages more powerful that he is or adepts with some serious "deadliness" have ended up dead.
Alex is getting....known.
This book picks up where we left off in the last volume. A friend of Alex who has walked away from him because of events in our last outing is in danger(you know, because of the stuff that happened in that last book I mentioned). "And" (one might say "of course") she doesn't seem to realize how much danger she's actually in.
We will touch on new details of the world we're learning about, fill in some more details about the past we've been "considering" and tell an excellent story in the time of it.
Are there any disappointments? Sure the same one I have with Jim Butcher's Dresden books. These writers can't turn out a novel a week...not even a month. So here I am again with another series of books where I have to wait for the next book next year.
I keep telling you guys, I'm past sixty...how many more books can I wait for???
Sheesh.
Five stars and highly recommended.
(view spoiler)[ There are a couple of things here that will I think remind my fellow readers of the Dresden books. I don't for a second think they were copied. As I've said after several thousand years of fiction how many "totally new" plot points can there be?
Alex is mistrusted by the overall council of light mages...because he started out as the apprentice of a dark mage. In this book he gets made an offer that will bring him great power and advantage, but change him for the worse.
Those are sort of common threads. Don't let it put you off. These are excellent reads I really can give them my highest recommendation. (hide spoiler)]
Okay...wow. This one may just go onto my favorites shelf...brain candy...mind junk-food at it's finest. I wish I could get hold of every military scieOkay...wow. This one may just go onto my favorites shelf...brain candy...mind junk-food at it's finest. I wish I could get hold of every military science fiction fan here and say, "don't miss this one".
This book was recommended to me a good while back and it looked good. I ordered it from Amazon...but since I bought it, I had to move all the library books I had waiting to be read ahead of it. See they had to be returned. So last night I finally started it (even though it's been on my "currently reading list" for some time). I finally put it down at 3:00AM because I really needed to get some sleep. I finished it today, bought the 2 short stories set in this "universe" for my Kindle and plan to download the only other novel set there from Audible.
I'm giving this the highest recommendation I can give. If you like science fiction, military science fiction, space opera (though I would not really call this space opera as that tends to bring to mind more "pulp", "fantasy" type reads) as I said, don't miss this one.
From the word go we get involved in this future Earth. it's very plausible and sets us into the novel. We follow the protagonist as he works to "get out" of the "life trap" he's in taking one of the few (One of the only?) routes out of that life available to him, or to anyone in his situation.
Also to anyone who's been in the military his experience will be...recognizable. It may be the future but it's a future that is as noted earlier very plausible. You will more than likely get involved in the life of this character and the lives of those around him. You'll get caught in the plot, in the world, in it all.
This is I believe a somewhat exceptional book.
In case you didn't pick it up...I like this book. I'd say as I said above, if you like science fiction, if you like military science fiction don't miss this one. I'll go so far as to say if you like military fiction, techno thrillers don't miss this one.
So far I've put every one of these on my favorites shelf. The story here goes back to the beginning of Riyria (in the book and elvish word (view spoilSo far I've put every one of these on my favorites shelf. The story here goes back to the beginning of Riyria (in the book and elvish word (view spoiler)[ It means something like 2 working together as 1...sort of. I gather it doesn't translate directly. (hide spoiler)])
Before I elaborate any more, I'll say I recommend this. It's an excellent read and a good addition to the epic fantasy genre.
Now, in more detail. It's possible to start here with this volume (as it's labeled "Book 1") or to read the series first. As The author doesn't give a number of books he plans to write (which isn't a problem for me as long as they stay this good). He could I suppose write many, many adventures for Royce and Hadrian. (view spoiler)[ The series comes at what is apparently the close of their career as Hadrian. (hide spoiler)] If you start with the series this will be an extended prequel filling in details of things you've already read about and telling stories of things we saw culminate in the said series.
If you start here then a lot of the book will be foreshadowing and things will be said that are "pregnant" with possibility and portent (there are even oblique prophecies..."to be fulfilled later").
Of course the only problem is that if you're like me you'll read this and run right out to get the series...then when other books come out, they'll be prequels.
Okay, "first off" I know some don't care for long reviews and sort of skip through just interested in the "bottom line" so to speak. I have a few thinOkay, "first off" I know some don't care for long reviews and sort of skip through just interested in the "bottom line" so to speak. I have a few things to say, but for you who want things boiled down to the basics...in my opinion, that's "In My Opinion" this is an excellent, even an exceptional book. I have moved it directly on to my favorites shelf. The only negative I have here is that the next volume isn't due out till July 2014. God willing and I'm still alive, healthy and solvent I plan to snap it up as soon as it's out and that my dwindling time lasts through this series.
Clear? This seems to me a great book. That paragraph should help at least two groups of people. First those who find that they more often than not they agree with my taste in books, second those who find that, "more often than not" they "disagree" with my taste in books.
Now, for everybody else who'd like me to say a little about the book, here we go.
"Usually" a sure way to cause me to steer clear of a book is to call it a, "coming of age story". "Usually" these turn out to be emotionally soaked tomes of the struggles a youth has as he/she/it struggles into adulthood with it's pain and of course it's loves.
But now and then there is a different take on any "type" of book. This one is definitely a "coming of age story".
The book open with a historian, scribe recording the story of The Hope Killer. The Hope was the heir to the Emperor's thrown and the people loved him. he was slain by the Northman they call Hope Slayer, among other names. As The Hope Slayer begins to relate his story to our historian, we get the events told in flashback.
I'm sure some will compare this to Rothfuss' King Killer Chronicle because it's told in the, "present vs. past" style of story telling. If I compared them I'd say then that this is what that series should be.
Vaelin Al Sorna's mother has been dead for a while and life with his father, the King's Battle Lord hasn't been easy. Really it's just been, distant as he doesn't really know his father. Then one day his father has him pack a very little and takes him to a strange place, a barred guarded gate.
Vaelin has been, "given to" the Sixth Order", soldiers who are defenders of, "The Faith".
We will follow Vaelin Al Sorna and his Brothers as they grow in the Order. They will receive not so gentle training and become full Brothers of the Order or fail and be turned out with some coin or die in one of the tests.
I won't even try for a synopsis as this is a long and nicely involved book and it's only flaw is that it ends. It's a long book yes, but I remained involved throughout. I took my time and savored this book and it's story.
I repeat, I don't think I can recommend this one too highly.
By the way, yes the book revolves a great deal around the "fantasy religions" of this world. None really resemble in detail Christianity, Shintoism etc. There are some aspects of these and other actual religions but none I think should offend anyone. I note this as I am a Christian and so are some of my friends here. I didn't find myself offended or subverted into some other form of belief and I don't think anyone else will be.
So, back to the topic at hand I think this book will one I'll try to reread before the next volume comes out.
Of course now I'm having trouble finding a book to read as I liked this one so much...but there you go.
A High 5 Stars and my highest recommendation. Enjoy. ...more
Okay, "first off" I know some don't care for long reviews and sort of skip through just interested in the "bottom line" so to speak. I have a few thinOkay, "first off" I know some don't care for long reviews and sort of skip through just interested in the "bottom line" so to speak. I have a few things to say, but for you who want things boiled down to the basics...in my opinion, that's "In My Opinion" this is an excellent, even an exceptional book. I have moved it directly on to my favorites shelf. The only negative I have here is that the next volume isn't due out till July 2014. God willing and I'm still alive, healthy and solvent I plan to snap it up as soon as it's out. (Also God willing my dwindling time lasts through the entirety of this series).
Clear? This seems to me a great book. That paragraph should help at least two groups of people. First those who find that more often than not they agree with my taste in books, second those who find that, "more often than not" they "disagree" with my taste in books.
Now, for everybody else who'd like me to say a little about the book, here we go.
"Usually" a sure way to cause me to steer clear of a book is to call it a, "coming of age story". "Usually" these turn out to be emotionally soaked tomes of the struggles a youth has as he/she/it struggles into adulthood with it's pain and of course it's loves.
But now and then there is a different take on any "type" of book. This one is definitely a "coming of age story".
The book opens with a historian, scribe recording the story of The Hope Killer. The Hope was the heir to the Emperor's throne and the people loved him. He was slain by the North-man they call Hope Slayer, among other names. As The Hope Slayer begins to relate his story to our historian, we get the events told in flashback.
I'm sure some will compare this to Rothfuss' King Killer Chronicle because it's told in the, "present vs. past" style of story telling. If I compared them I'd say then that this is what that series should be.
Vaelin Al Sorna's mother has been dead for a while and life with his father, the King's Battle Lord hasn't been easy. Really it's just been, distant as he doesn't really know his father. Then one day his father has him pack a very little and takes him to a strange place, a barred guarded gate.
Vaelin has been, "given to" the Sixth Order", soldiers who are defenders of, "The Faith".
We will follow Vaelin Al Sorna and his Brothers as they grow in the Order. They will receive not so gentle training and become full Brothers of the Order or fail and be turned out with some coin or die in one of the tests.
I won't even try for a synopsis as this is a long and nicely involved book and it's only flaw is that it ends. It's a long book yes, but I remained involved throughout. I took my time and savored this book and it's story.
I repeat, I don't think I can recommend this one too highly.
By the way, yes the book revolves a great deal around the "fantasy religions" of this world. None really resemble in detail Christianity, Shintoism etc. There are some aspects of these and other actual religions but none I think should offend anyone. I note this as I am a Christian and so are some of my friends here. I didn't find myself offended or subverted into some other form of belief and I don't think anyone else will be.
So, back to the topic at hand I think this book will be one I'll try to reread before the next volume comes out.
Of course now I'm having trouble finding a book to read as I liked this one so much...but there you go.
A High 5 Stars and my highest recommendation. Enjoy.
This is a good series and it continues a longer story that Ms. Moon began (and I'm not sure how much of it was planned as there was a long interval beThis is a good series and it continues a longer story that Ms. Moon began (and I'm not sure how much of it was planned as there was a long interval between publication of the "beginning") with The Deed of Paksenarrion and the two prequels (though I really never got into the prequels). This book picks up the story (in a pattern Ms. Moon has set) at the exactly moment the last book ended. King (formerly Duke) Keri Phelan is in a "pickle" (seemingly) as things ended and that is the first thing we have to deal with.
To say much here about the story/plot itself or even the characters this far into the series would almost have to entail spoiler. What happens with each one even who participates would tip the hand. I will say a couple of things "in general" to help (I hope) give an idea of how things are going.
First let me say that in spite of one concern I have this is still going among my favorites. I became hooked on the story of Paksenarrion and have followed the story ever since. I will also say that I'm glad to see Pacs make a reappearance here and have hope that the next volume might tell us where she's been as it obviously has something/a lot to do with the continuing storyline.
The concern/concerns I have is that the story is spinning out with several new threads and has really only tied up a couple. Ms. Moon has not lost control of the story and it stays very interesting. I was caught u8p in the story from the first and wish I had the next waiting. Ms. Moon has told this story from the first with a multiplicity of viewpoints and as noted she handles them well. Unlike many books told from several points of view this one doesn't really have one I'm not interested in.
All that being said I think my experience with Robert Jordan has made me wary of "multiplying story threads". LOL
The way the book ends? Well, it just "ends", stops with the action "in action". It's more like the end of a chapter than the end of a novel, frustrating.
So...as always with this series of books highly recommended...and hope that the next volume comes out soon...and of course I live that long.
By the way, if you haven't read The Deed of Paksenarrion while you don't have to to follow this series I would highly recommend it..it's one of those books I feel is "not to be missed".
Mike (the Paladin)
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