Stefan

…If you enjoyed All the Windwracked Stars and are curious about how it all started, definitely check out By the Mountain Bound. It contains some powerful scenes, tons of beautiful, poetic prose, and a highly original fantasy universe. However, while I have the utmost respect for Elizabeth Bear’s talent, I simply didn’t enjoy By the Mountain Bound as much as I wanted to.

Read the entire review here!

Disclaimer: The FTC wants you to know that the publisher provided me with a free review copy. Hum dee hur dee hur.

Next up: I'm already 2/3 done with "Iorich" by Steven Brust - so far, everything I'd hope for in a Vlad Taltos novel. I also have the Catherynne Valente novella "Under in the Mere" going, and am itching to get into my advance copy of the new Company novel by Kage Baker.

… In Nightchild, James Barclay basically does everything he did in the first two books of the CHRONICLES OF THE RAVEN, but just a little bit better. The novel is more tightly written, the characters have by now acquired some depth, and the plot is less simplistic. While the hectic pace of the first two novels occasionally lent them a cartoon-like quality, Nightchild is more evenly paced, better crafted, and simply a more enjoyable read…

Read the entire review here!

Disclaimer: The FTC wants you to know that the publisher provided me with a free review copy. So there.

…How to Make Friends with Demons is another great example of Graham Joyce’s distinctive style. Narrator William Heaney is a more or less regular middle-aged man: boring government job, divorced with two kids, likes seventies music, has a drinking problem. Oh, and he believes that there are 1,567 varieties of demons that can possess anyone at any time. Someone else claims to have identified 4 additional demons, but Heaney thinks he’s just confusing demons with psychological conditions — and then labels excessive footnoting as a demon a few sentences later.

Read the full review here!

Disclaimer: the FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this novel sent me a free review copy.

Next up: Just finished my re-read Lois McMaster Bujold's "Ethan of Athos" for discussion at Beyond Reality. My next read will be Catherynne Valente's novella "Under in the Mere" (due out next month from Rabid Transit Press).

All the Windwracked Stars is the first book in the EDDA OF BURDENS trilogy by fantasy and SF author Elizabeth Bear. The novel is a very original blend of fantasy, science fiction, steampunk and mythology, and while it has some weaknesses, its originality sets it apart in a genre that’s all too often filled with cookie-cutter material.

Please check out the full review here!

…As a newcomer to the works of R.A. MacAvoy, I enjoyed In Between, mainly because of Ewen, who deserves a full novel, but also because of the subtle spirituality of the story. At about 100 pages, this is a quick, enjoyable read that hopefully will be the base for a full-length novel in the future.

Please read my full review on Fantasyliterature.com!

DISCLAIMER: The FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this book sent me a free review copy of this novella.  So there.

Next up:  I already finished Elizabeth Bear's "By the Mountain Bound" - review should appear on FanLit soon.  I also read "Makers by Cory Doctorow but haven't written anything about it yet.  After this I'm going to read Graham Joyce's newest, "How to Make Friends with Demons", and also do a quick re-read of "Ethan of Athos" for the upcoming discussion on Beyond Reality.

Noonshade is another wild action movie in the shape of a novel, full of adventure, battles and magic. What it lacks in depth, style, and originality, it makes up for in entertainment value and pace. If you enjoyed Dawnthief, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll enjoy Noonshade just as much.

Read the full review here!

Next up:  "All the Windwracked Stars" by Elizabeth Bear.  

… I thought Sasha was excellent, especially given that this is Joel Shepherd’s first fantasy novel. It offers a huge fantasy world, a fascinating heroine, heart-pounding descriptions of both small-scale sword fights and full-on warfare, several characters that genuinely grow and change, and — maybe most importantly — the hint that this is just the start of what could become a great series. While I wouldn’t rank it quite as high as George R.R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, I think Sasha will go down very well with fans of that series.

Please check out the full review here!

DISCLAIMER:  The FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this novel provided me with a review copy.  So there.

Next up:  "Noonshade", sequel to "Dawnthief" by James Barclay.  About 100 pages in, it seems a bit better than the first book.

Conjure Wife is a 1943 horror novel by master fantasist Fritz Leiber, who is best known for his excellent FAFHRD AND THE GRAY MOUSER stories. While Conjure Wife is usually labeled as horror, the recently released trade paperback edition from Orb is marketed as "the classic of urban fantasy" — maybe to latch on to the recent surge in popularity of that sub-genre? Regardless of which genre it's placed in, Conjure Wife is an excellent novel that definitely deserved a re-release.

Check out the rest of the review at the Fantasy Literature website!

Next up:  I'm already halfway through "Sasha" by Joel Shepherd, which so far is much better than I expected.  

Dawnthief is the first book in James Barclay's CHRONICLES OF THE RAVEN trilogy (followed by Noonshade and Nightchild).  In addition to the trilogy, the author also published four LEGENDS OF THE RAVEN novels and one Raven novella, as well as two ASCENDANTS OF ESTORIA novels and the stand-alone Vault of Deeds.  Dawnthief was James Barclay's first published work in 1999 and, in the author's words, "came from a personal frustration with the pace, style and character matter of other fantasy novels."  Its aim, again quoting the author, was "to entertain readers".  If entertainment was the novel's only goal, I'd consider Dawnthief a success, despite several issues that a critical reader might find difficult to ignore.  

First of all, Dawnthief's plot and setting are so simplistic that they wouldn't look out of place in a YA novel.  The continent Balaia is split right in half by a mountain range.  The only crossing points are the narrow Understone pass in the middle, and two bays to the north and south.  To the east of the mountain pass is the civilized world, including a feuding nobility and four rivalling colleges of magic.  To the west of the mountains are the Wesmen, basically primitive Bad Guys who have waged war on the east in the past, as well as the prison of the evil Wytchlords.
 
In this setting we meet the Raven, a famous group of seven mercenaries consisting of six warriors and one elf mage.  One of the Raven's fighters is called The Unknown Warrior - that's actually the name he goes by, capitals included, and yes, his friends address him as Unknown Warrior or, maybe more affectionately, "Unknown".  After encountering this name several times in the first chapters of the book, I had so much difficulty taking it seriously that my eyes started to cross, but in a strange way the name is really part of the fun atmosphere in Dawnthief - and, surprisingly, even ends up having real significance in one of the few original fantasy ideas to appear in this novel.

At the start of Dawnthief, the Raven is engaged in the defense of one baron's castle from the attack of another noble, and in the course of the fight they stumble into another dimension and encounter a Dragon.  Denser, the "Dark Mage" (connected to Xetesk, the more evil college of magic) recovers an artifact from the dragon, and this item turns out to be one of the components for Dawnthief - an immensely destructive spell that will prove vitally important in the defense against the resurgent Wesmen and the threat of the Wytchlord's resurrection.    

From that point on, the novel basically never slows down: sword fights, magical battles, a damsel in distress, more sword fights, full-on warfare.  Frequently, Dawnthief reads like a particularly hectic AD&D campaign, with the party of heroes traveling hither and yon across the land, collecting spell components, getting injured and healed in battle, making wisecracks as they cut down their enemies or get cut down themselves (word of warning: James Barclay has taken a page from the George R.R. Martin "Don't get too attached to my characters" school of writing).  

As this was James Barclay's first novel, it's maybe not surprising that the prose isn't always as smooth as it could be.  Especially in the early part of the novel, run-on sentences pop up like clockwork, but given the author's commercial success, I would guess that those problems have been smoothed over in his later books.  I was more surprised to see not one but two names misspelled in the  "Cast List" of Pyr's otherwise lovely trade paperback edition, released in September 2009.  (At this point, I also want to point out how wonderful it is that Pyr is re-releasing the CHRONICLES OF THE RAVEN at such a quick pace - one novel per month, with Noonthief out in mid-October and Nightchild right on its heels in November.  It's great not to have to wait for the next book!)

Dawnthief is the literary equivalent of an entertaining action movie.  You're not going to, say, a Michael Bay movie for the deep characterization, multi-layered plot or artful cinematography.  You want fast-paced action, fights, special effects, straightforward escapist fun.  Dawnthief delivers all of those in spades.  What it doesn't deliver: well-rounded characters, an unpredictable plot, any semblance of depth.  If you're looking for any of those, Dawnthief is not the novel for you.  On the other hand, if you're willing to turn off your brain and enjoy a fast-paced and action-packed fantasy romp, Dawnthief is a fun and quick read that never gets boring.  Maybe most surprisingly of all, I'm actually looking forward to reading Noonshade.

DISCLAIMER:  The FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this book provided me with a free review copy.  So there.

NOTE: This review will also pop up on FantasyLiterature at some point in the near future. 

Next up:  I'm already well into "Conjure Wife" by Fritz Leiber --- very good so far, and very different from the previous books I've read by him (the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories).

Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts takes up directly where The Ships of Merior left off.  The two books are definitely meant to be read back to back - together they comprise Arc 2 of the author's THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW series, and some editions actually combine both of them in one cover.

It's hard to give many details of the story without throwing in spoilers for The Ships of Merior, so I'll just say that the ongoing conflict between Arithon and Lysaer, which reached a seeming climax at the end of "Merior", actually balloons to even larger proportions and reaches a stunning high point at the end of the novel.  The book contains a hilarious moment of hijinx (the "triple theft") that's so carefully set up and brilliantly executed you'll want to re-read the chapter.  Some characters show some (to me at least) unexpected changes, and some previously minor characters develop into very fascinating pieces of the puzzle.

While the story progresses, we also learn more about the world of Athera, its past, and the various groups and factions that make this such a complex and intriguing fantasy universe.  The odd side-effect of this slow revelation of world-building details is that you simply want to read and learn more, even as the picture gradually resolves and the story progresses.  These novels all have a solid and very satisfying ending, but at the same time they definitely leave the reader hungry for more.

Janny Wurts' novels are generally complex and challenging, and as such they require the reader's full attention.  I'm sure people looking for light reading might be turned off by their rich prose and long-term plotting.  However, if you're willing to give them the time they deserve, I doubt you'll be disappointed.  I've rated the previous two books in this series 5 stars, and astonishingly, Warhost of Vastmark is at least as good as The Curse of the Mistwraith and The Ships of Merior.  This is quickly becoming one of my favorite epic fantasies. 

DISCLAIMER:  The FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this book provided me with a free review copy.  So there.

Next up:  I'm doing  a quick re-read of "Cetaganda" by Lois McMaster Bujold for a book discussion, then jumping into James Barclay's "Dawnthief".

The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: Sixtieth Anniversary Anthology is an excellent collection of 23 stories picked from the treasure trove of short fiction that's been published in the eponymous magazine over the past 60 years. Editor Gordon Van Gelder — also the editor of the magazine since 1997 — has done an admirable job, picking stories that illustrate the diversity of both the genre and the magazine. As such, this is a great anthology for SF&F fans as well as newcomers looking for a taste.

Read the full review here!

Imager's Challenge is the second book in the IMAGER PORTFOLIO, the latest fantasy series by L.E. Modesitt Jr. The author is probably best known for his ongoing SAGA OF RECLUCE, but for readers who may be daunted by the length of that series, the IMAGER PORTFOLIO is a great way to try the work of this talented and prolific writer.

Check out the rest of the review at www.fantasyliterature.com!

The Ships of Merior is the first part of Arc 2 of THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW, the incomparable epic fantasy series by Janny Wurts. The novel was originally released in 1994, and has most recently been re-released by HarperCollins Voyager in a lovely mass market paperback edition, featuring brand new artwork by the author herself. This is the first US paperback edition of the novel in at least 7 years. Further novels in the series will be re-released in late 2009 and throughout 2010, in anticipation of the next novel in the series, Initiate's Trial, in late 2010.

( Spoilers for The Curse of the Mistwraith below the cut )

If it's been a while since you've read the first book in the series, you'll find the important events of that novel recapped early in the novel, not in the form of a summary but rather as an integral part of the story, usually seen from a different perspective or recounted by another person. In this way, Janny Wurts refreshes her readers' memories while deepening their understanding of this many-layered story. At the same time, there are plenty of surprises in store, including some information about the Fellowship's origin that dizzyingly changes the entire perspective of the series, and some (in comparison minor) twists and shocks that are sure to make you blink.

If you enjoyed The Curse of the Mistwraith, there's simply no reason or excuse not to read The Ships of Merior. The novel features all of the many strengths of its predecessor: meticulous plotting, strong characters, attention to the smallest details of world-building, and most notably Janny Wurts' gorgeous prose. Simply put, I can't think of many fantasy authors who can rival the richness and subtlety of the language Janny Wurts deploys in her novels.

One difference with The Curse of the Mistwraith is the amount of humor in the book. While the earlier book had just a few glimpses of lightheartedness, The Ships of Merior displays this side of the author more often, especially when recounting the exploits of the mad prophet Dakar early in the novel. The grimmer tone of the second half of the book is probably at least in part due to the fact that Dakar spends much of it drunk to the point of unconsciousness.

The Ships of Merior and Warhost of Vastmark, the second book in this Arc of THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW, were originally envisioned (and published) as one - very large - novel, but have been split into two titles in many editions. Fortunately, one of Janny Wurts' hallmarks is a midpoint climax, halfway through each novel - which in this case has the happy result of creating an unforgettable ending in the last chapters of The Ships of Merior (which were originally the middle chapters of the complete Arc 2). The book ends on an unmitigated nail-biter that left me unable to stop reading until the very end, and eager to get into Warhost of Vastmark as soon as possible.

DISCLAIMER:  The FTC wants you to know that the publisher of this book provided me with a free review copy.  So there.

Next up: "The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction" - the 60th anniversary anthology of F&SF magazine.  Looks excellent so far!

I haven't posted much lately, mainly because I've been busy re-reading some books, some for book discussions and some to refresh my memory before reading the sequel.  One of those is "Imager" by L.E. Modesitt Jr., and my updated review was just published on FantasyLiterature.com:

Excerpt:

Imager is a promising start to the IMAGER PORTFOLIO, recommended for fans of L. E. Modesitt Jr. as well as for people who aren't familiar with the author, because it's a solid example of the author's style and a great way to sample the work of one of fantasy's most prolific and talented writers.

Read the rest of the review here!

Right now I'm finishing up my review of "Imager's Challenge".  I've also started reading "Agent of Change" by Sharon Lee and Stuart Miller --- a fun read so far.

I didn't post many reviews in August, because the books I read didn't really lend themselves to extensive reviews - for reasons explained below.

The Demon and the City, by Liz Williams.  I did actually post a mini-review, but there wasn't really much to say aside from "still a cool setting, but the story kinda sucked".
David Falkayn: Star Trader, by Poul Anderson.  Didn't review it because I couldn't think of anything relevant to say that I hadn't mentioned in my review of the first collection of Technic Universe stories. 
Palimpsest, by Catherynne Valente.  I did review this one because it was utterly wonderful.
To Ride Hell's Chasm, by Janny Wurts.  This one I reviewed too - it was brilliant.
Idiot America, by Charles B. Pierce.  I was depressed after reading this book - because much of it is so true. 
Consider Phlebas, by Iain M. Banks.  This one was a re-read for a book discussion.
The Well of Ascension, by Brandon Sanderson.  I'm trying to work up the energy to write a review about this book, but I know that most of what I'd write can be summarized as "same strengths and weaknesses as book 1".  I really liked Elantris by this author, but everything else has been a bit disappointing.  Maybe later.

In other cool news, I've just been accepted as a reviewer on Fantasy Literature.  Yay!  My profile has already been added, as well as two older reviews.  A few more old reviews should be popping up soon, and then several new ones as I start working on their books.  I am VERY excited about this!

At the start of To Ride Hell's Chasm, an outstanding standalone fantasy by Janny Wurts, Princess Anja of the tiny isolated kingdom of Sessalie has gone missing on the eve of the ceremony for her betrothal to the Crown Prince of Devall.  Since Anja is beloved by her people, and the alliance with Devall represents potentially big trade increases, it doesn't take long for many people to be involved in the search, from Mykkael, a foreign-born former mercenary now in charge of the city's garrison, to Taskin, the military commander for the kingdom. 

Over 650 pages covering about 5 days, Janny Wurts delivers a story filled with almost non-stop action that's at times impossible to put down.  One of the odd and wonderful things about this novel is the contrast between the tight pacing and the lush language.  Again, that's 650 pages cover just a handful of days - the first day alone takes about 200 pages, because every emotion, every visual detail, every nuance of meaning is hammered down in the most meticulous, rich prose you could hope find in the genre.  As a result, one moment of realization can be dissected over several paragraphs, but amazingly, there's rarely an unnecessary word in those descriptions.  It all works together to drive the full experience of the characters home in unmistakable clarity.  To Ride Hell's Chasm never feels like a slow book - just a very intense one.

The novel is filled with several fascinating characters, but the most memorable one has to Mykkael, the "desert-bred" foreigner, reviled by many, always placing honor first, and simply unstoppable.  One of the highest compliments I can give a fantasy character: he wouldn't look amiss in one of Guy Gavriel Kay's books.  From the moment he is first introduced, through the heart-pounding conclusion of the adventure, to the emotionally gripping wrap-up, this is an unforgettable character.

It's hard for me to express accurately how much I enjoyed and admire To Ride Hell's Chasm.  Standalone fantasies are already a rare beast in this time of endlessly meandering series.  To read a story so meticulously crafted, contained in one cover, is a real pleasure.   This novel is easily going on my all-time favorite list of fantasy novels. 

The first thing that strikes you about this book is the gorgeous prose.  Every sentence is crafted with the utmost care, resulting in a novel that almost reads like poetry.  It simply begs to be read out loud.  I've read many books that attempt this kind of lush prose, but Palimpsest is one of the most successful and most beautiful.

Palimpsest is a sexually transmitted city.  People who have been there have a small tattoo - a piece of the city's map - somewhere on their body.  Sleep with them and you are transported there.  When you wake up, back in the real world, you will find a small tattoo of another part of Palimpsest on your body - and you will want to go back.

The story follows four people who are all newcomers to Palimpsest - a young Japanese woman, a beekeeper, a locksmith, a bookbinder.  They all have lost something in the real world and are naturally drawn to Palimpsest.  As the story progresses, more and more details about their lives, and about the strange city of Palimpsest, are revealed.  While the novel, at first, seems like four more or less independent stories, told in alternating chapters, slowly but surely a plot develops that connects everything and leads to a beautiful, bittersweet conclusion.

An interesting aspect of the novel is its strained eroticism.  After the initial "connections" that introduce the four protagonists to Palimpsest, they find themselves wanting to return, which can only be done by sleeping with another "infected" person.  The resulting scenes are almost uncomfortable to read - while they're at times fairly explicit, the sex is mainly a mode of transportation, something you have to get through. 

This is a novel to read slowly and savor, because it'll just be over all too soon.  I found myself rereading entire chapters after turning the last page.  I would recommend this without hesitation to fans of China Mieville, but also to anyone else who appreciates a slow-moving, lyrical and entirely unique story.  Absolutely gorgeous.

(The short story "Palimpsest" that "started it all":  http://www.sensesfive.com/samples/palimpsest.php)

(Thanks, tsubaki_ny , for the recommendation!)

Next up:  a quick re-read of "The Warrior's Apprentice" by Lois McMaster Bujold, for an upcoming group discussion.

(I also recently read "David Falkayn: Star Trader" by Poul Anderson, the second collection of his novels and short stories set in the Technic Civilization.  I didn't review it because everything I wrote about the first collection applies to the second one.)

I enjoyed Snake Agent, the first book in this series, because it was such an amusing mixture of genres. The story is basically set in a near-future version of Singapore. Heaven and Hell are not only real, but actual places you can go to (if you are dead - or have the proper visa). Detective Inspector Chen, the main character, investigates crimes in this setting, so the novels often read like a detective/police procedural. It's a mix of SF, fantasy, horror, detective - with some comedy thrown...more I enjoyed Snake Agent, the first book in this series, because it was such an amusing mixture of genres. The story is basically set in a near-future version of Singapore. Heaven and Hell are not only real, but actual places you can go to (if you are dead - or have the proper visa). Detective Inspector Chen, the main character, investigates crimes in this setting, so the novels often read like a detective/police procedural. It's a mix of SF, fantasy, horror, detective - with some comedy thrown in.
While I enjoyed the first book, I thought the second book fell flat. This is one of those plots where you basically have no idea what's going on until the middle of the book. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but combined with the lack of solid characters and the fact that the point of view kept jumping, it made this a very shallow and unenjoyable read for me. I was disappointed because I thought book 1 showed promise with its original setting and premise.

"Farmer in the Sky" is a Heinlein juvenile (today we'd call it Young Adult science fiction) about a plucky boy who joins the colonization effort on Ganymede to escape Earth's overcrowding, food rationing, and the memory of his recently deceased mother. 

I'm sure lots of boys who read this in the fifties and sixties got hooked on SF (and possibly signed up for the Boy Scouts).  For the present, I think this would be a good book to recommend to a young reader who's maybe not quite ready yet for something like Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars - think Ganymede instead of Mars, and boy scouts and pioneer-like farmers as opposed to a bunch of dysfunctional scientist.

I'm rating this book three stars, but I'm rating it the way I think its target audience would.  For someone with an adult's knowledge and taste, this book is probably too simplistic, but I think an early-to-mid teenage boy would lap this up.  It's a short and fast read with a bit of humor, some action, and just enough science to make it seem plausible to a young reader.  While some of the mannerisms and expressions sound extremely dated now (the book is almost 60 years old), it's still a fun read.  It has "wholesome" written all over it. 

The first thing that grips you in this book is its relentless pace.  It throws you right into the action and then basically doesn't slow down much until the very end.  The main story follows a group of high-end criminals (another reviewer compared it to Ocean's Eleven) who are in the process of planning a big job: overthrowing the Final Empire and its Lord Ruler.  The group consists of a number of interesting characters who, in the best David Eddings tradition, spend good chunks of the book bickering with each other.  Into this mix is thrown a poor orphan girl, from a much smaller and poorer group of criminals, who turns out to have amazing powers and so on and so forth.  It's not terribly original, but it's entertaining and well executed.

I truly enjoyed reading the first 500 or so pages of this 650 page novel.  The story is fun, never slows down, and the pages just keep turning themselves.  Another part of the fun is the inventive magic system (seems to be a trademark for this author) which slowly becomes more defined and sophisticated as the story progresses.  As with the author's other books, the magic system is actually relevant to the story, in the sense that it's not just an additional power for some of the characters, but instead an important part of the plot and the world-building.

Despite the fact that many of the characters don't have a lot of depth, and some of the plotting is very contrived and staged, I was completely ready to give this one 4 stars... until the ending of the story.  I won't go into detail so as not to spoil the read for others, but I was very disappointed.  Some of it was too predictable, some of it seemed inconsistent, and some of it just wasn't exciting. 

I loved this book up until the last 100 pages or so.  I completely see why this author is so successful: his work is as accessible as some of the big blockbuster names, but much more tightly written.  I just wish the ending hadn't been such a let-down, because I was ready to give this one four stars.  In my opinion, Elantris is still his best work, but I do plan to read the other 2 novels set in the Mistborn universe at some point.