BOB THE WIZARD by M.V. PRINDLE

THERE WAS NO TURNING BACK NOW. HE WAS LOST IN A FOREST OF WORLDS CONNECTED BY, AS FAR AS BOB COULD TELL, A MAGICAL HIGHWAY CALLED THE ASTRAVERSE. HE'D FIND AND KILL THE GRAY MAN, OR HE'D DIE TRYING.

Where do I even begin telling you about this lovely little gem? 

We’ll start with the title. How could I NOT purchase a book with such a simple, yet intriguing title? Bob the Wizard? Come on! Sounds like a children’s book, although the cover definitely indicates otherwise. The blurb sucked me in even more. Check it.

 “Bob, a chain-smoking, foul-mouthed, shotgun-wielding ex-garbage man, chases his family’s killer—the gray-skinned Galvidon—through the realms of the mysterious Astraverse. The trail leads him to Hub, a world in turmoil populated by wizards, blue elves, faeries, giants, dragons, and unfortunately, plain old humans. Chained by his addictions and haunted by his past, Bob must find a way through this dark, magical realm and uncover its secrets, or lose all hope of ending Galvidon once and for all. See through the haze of smoke. Glimpse the dragon. Follow Bob across the Astraverse.”

Worth noting. If you’ve never tried writing a blurb, you’ve no idea how challenging they are. But this is a good one. Moving on…

If travelling through the Astraverse sounds a little sci-fi to you, well, you aren’t wrong. There’s a nice little touch of science fiction thrown in. However, Prindle does an excellent job of painting any science fiction topics with broad fantasy strokes. 

“Someone from his Earth had once said that any technology, sufficiently advanced, was indistinguishable from magic.”

As with all SFF, suspension of belief is necessary to fully grasp what is happening and how high the stakes really are. And the stakes are much higher for the residents of Hub than Bob’s personal vendetta against Galvidon. Culture wars, unexpected friendships, slavery, self-discovery, greed, altruism, religious fanaticism, all collide in glorious technicolor.

We know Bob is on a mission of vengeance when he arrives via Gatekey to Hub. That much is clear from the get-go. Hot on Galvidon’s trail, he quickly finds himself involved in a skirmish with bandits while hitching a ride with a local to the nearest town. The wagon’s owner, and several of the bandits, are killed in the raid and Bob assumes the wagon’s cargo as his raison d’etre for being in the town in the first place. At the city gates, his sunglasses are questioned. He passes them off as wizard glasses and gifts them to the guards. Things go wildly downhill from here for Bob. He is seized by the city watch, thrown into jail, stripped of his belongings (including his shotgun and Gatekey), and enslaved in an iron ore mine. 

While in the mines, he is eventually befriended by the blue-skinned En’harae, or elves, to use the local pejorative. Understandably mistrustful of anyone who resembles their human oppressors, the En’harae are a resilient, gracious people with a rich cultural history. Bob makes in-roads to gaining their trust when he saves their leader, Torael, from being crushed in a mine collapse. He wins them over with his honesty, frank curiosity, attempts to learn their language, and genuine concern for their welfare. Together, Bob and the En’harae plan their escape, the retrieval of Bob’s Gatekey, and Galvidon’s ultimate demise.

Along the way, Bob makes the acquaintance of a real wizard, Bernard, who helps him understand his role in the greater, cosmic scheme of things. Under Bernard’s tutelage, Bob discovers his kinship with the Earth spirit, Erto, and learns to literally move mountains. He is also adopted by a fairy scientist, Osivia, who is fascinated by human behavior and determined to accompany Bob through any adventure. Bernard, Erto, and Osivia are integral players in the En’harae uprising.

Obviously, there’s more to the story than I’m telling but since I’m not a fan of spoilers, that’s all I’ll say here. Bob spends quite a long time on Hub and while the passage of time can be tricky for authors, Prindle does an excellent job navigating this common pitfall. He lingers in the right places and move quickly when the narrative calls for it. It feels like Prindle was inspired by Native American history in his structure and creation of the En’harae. He is respectful without being obsequious or grasping at tropes. Likewise, his treatment of an En’harae ally, the men of the Nine Peaks, leans into Norse legends without treating the Niners like gregarious buffoons. 

Prindle allows his characters to grow and learn, to celebrate their victories and grieve their losses. He gives his readers space to savor each emotion before charging into the next fray. Don’t take that to mean Bob the Wizard is a slow moving narrative. The pace is fast when it needs to be, more relaxed when it can afford it. Prindle’s timing is impeccable. 

Fortunately, the ending is not only supremely satisfying, but also leaves readers wanting more. Thankfully, it seems another installment of Bob is in the works. I look forward to reading it. 

Et tessat sheerat morae. 

May the spirits guide our journeys.

(Did I mention the glossary and maps? No? Well, now I did.)

Demon's Reign by David Estes and Ben Galley

 I’m not sure why I decided to purchase Demon’s Reign, first of the Bloodwood Saga, but whew, I’m glad I did! Of course the only problem with first-in-series books is waiting for the next installment. Alas. 

Anyway, David Estes and Ben Galley knocked it out of the park with this collaborative effort. Wait! I DO know why I picked this one up! I love Ben’s writing style and world building and figured anything he was part of had to be good. (Sorry David, I’m not as familiar with your work. Although, I can promise I’m adding your books to my cart in a multi-tasking marathon while I write this review.) But I digress…

The Swathe is a strictly structured forest realm where citizens live and die according to the orders of their tribes, determined by birth order. 

The first-born shall be the heir.

The second-born the warrior.

The third-born blessed as workers.

The fourth-born owed to the scholars.

The fifth-born to become a healer.

The sixth-born shall forever wander.

Those with the gods’ gift for the sorcers.

These shall be the seven tribes of the Swathe.

THE BLOODLAWS, FIRST WRITTEN IN 1236

Regardless of tribe, most never set foot on the dark and dangerous forest floor, spending all their days in the soaring branches of their bloodwood tree cities. The bloodwoods are the oldest and strongest trees in the Swathe, towering hundreds of feet above the lesser trees in the forest. Hundreds of miles of canopy highways connect the bloodwood cities, stretching all the way to The Scorch, a vast, smoldering, and desolate memorial to the last demon invasion.

Readers are introduced to the Swathe via Tarkosi Terelta, a third-born worker from a disgraced family in Shal Gara, capital bloodwood city of the Swathe. Tarko isn’t the best worker and has failed at more job assignments than he cares to remember. He knows he failed the sorcer’s test as a child but can’t help feeling as though the results were wrong. He is sure he was meant for more than a lifetime of drudgery, working to support every aspect of Shal Gara’s existence. 

We meet Tarko as a lancewings nesthand. Lancewings are the bird-like steeds of the city’s air force. Tending the persnickety creatures and kowtowing to their arrogant riders is his last step before being demoted to the louse mines. Unfortunately, while tending to the lancewings, Tarko’s presence is noted by Eagleborn Haidak Baran, lancewing captain. Haidak’s father, Sage Baran is an advisor to the Matriarch and the nobleman responsible for the Terelta family’s fall from grace. Tarko loses another job and winds up pulling louse from the bloodwood’s core. 

And then the bloodwood city of Firewatch is destroyed. The sun goddess’s is being swallowed by shadow. Wildfires catch hold along the Loamsedge and greedily burn into the forest.

Shal Gara sends an expedition, led by Haidak Baran, to the determine the cause. Kidnapped by the blind beggar Pel, who has an addictive affinity for the drug known as urka seeds, Tarko finds himself swept up in the war party’s caravan. Pel tells Tarko that he suspects there’s more to the strange omens and events than simple marauders from the Scorch. Pel believes demons have returned to the Swathe. Pel isn’t alone is his belief and he is certain Tarko has a role to play in the coming confrontation with the demon invasion. 

The canopy causeway dumps the expedition directly into the hands of a waiting demon horde. Through luck and stolen magic, Tarko manages to survive. Only, his survival is due to the sudden presence of a demon’s spirit living in his head. Pel and his band of believers, known as the Scions, also managed to escape and eventually meet up with Tarko again. Together, the believers and Tarko (with his unhappy and insulting passenger) race back to Shal Gara to tell the truth of what is happening at the forest’s edge. Tarko doesn’t tell them he’s carrying a demon into their midst. The demon’s presence has ignited abilities and talents Tarko was always sure he possessed. He closely guards his secret.

Demons and wildfire are racing towards Shal Gara while the Scions furiously work to prepare the city for the coming onslaught. 

“I grinned around the circle until I caught the fear-soaked gaze of one of the warriors and remembered that none of them had their own private demons.”

Told primarily from Tarkosi’s point of view, Demon’s Reign is an incredible creation of new world and new magic. Estes and Galley provide a gorgeous map of Shal Gara which is immensely helpful for readers learning their way around. The primary characters, both protagonal and antagonal, are fully fleshed out, complicated and fallible. The supporting cast do their jobs very well. Even the animals and insects are compelling.

Because I’m not martially inclined, I often find myself skimming through the twists and turns of highly descriptive fight scenes. Not so here. I read every single word and caught myself bobbing and weaving my head as I dodged fireballs and mud arrows launched from the opposing sides. Estes and Galley absolutely nailed the fine balance between a well-choreographed battle versus an over-done bloodbath.

I prefer my fantasy to be virtually romance free and Demon’s Reign delivered on that front too. Give me swirling magic! The groans of surprising twists! The suspense of betrayal! The villain’s redemption! Yes, yes, yes!

I can hardly wait to return to Shal Gara and the Swathe. You should read this book and join me in anticipation.

Too Many Books, Not Enough Time - Here's The Highlight Reel

 

Yes, yes...I've been away for far too long. That doesn't mean I haven't been reading up a storm though - because I have. For the comeback tour, I thought I'd share a few books which stuck with me since we last spoke. You know, the kinds of books you'll read more than once and recommend to your friends. 

As you know, I am one of the judges for SPFBO8 with BeforeWeGoBookBlog. (Shout out to Beth Tabler for putting together an incredible team!) With more than 300 entries in this year's contest, the judging teams have been reading like crazy to find this season's winner. Let me tell you, the competition has been fierce and I have been immersed in some truly fantastic fantasy fiction. Four of the books pictured above, Thrice, We Break Immortals, Envy, and Miss Percy's Pocket Guide To The Care & Feeding of British Dragons, were contestants this go 'round. One of them is a finalist. (I'll tell you which one in a bit.) You can get up to speed on SPFBO, Mark Lawrence's brainchild, here if you are interested. The other two, The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin and Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh come from wildly different genres and heartstrings.

I won't eat up your blog reading time with long-form reviews for each of these books but rather will tell you why I loved them, and why you might love them too. 

Thrice by Andrew Meredith is a fast paced yet heart-warming work of fantasy centering around Jovan, a needle-maker, and Leaf, a young boy left in Jovan's care, as they run from nefarious parties seeking to control the endless potential of Leaf's magic. Meredith manages to capture the innocence of childhood without being saccharine sweet and weaves a cast of characters which are simultaneously both honest and duplicitous. This book surprised the sh*t out of me and the ending was superb. 

Thomas Howard Riley's chonky book, We Break Immortals, is a wonderful entry into the epic fantasy rolls and takes readers on a whirlwind exploration of dangerous rogue magicians, those who hunt them, and those who hate them both. Circumstances force unlikely alliances as our heroes, Aren, Keluwen, and Corrin, traverse the wilds in search of a serial-killer magician who has discovered the source of unlimited magic and immortality. Dangerous is an understatement. Took me two weeks to read this book because I was hanging on Riley's every word while he spun the tale. If you're settling in for a long winter's hibernation, Immortals is an excellent choice for companionship.

Envy. Tim Beeden's Envy, second book in his Seven Deadly and Four series, absolutely tickled me to death. Seriously, I read it three times! Beeden brushes up against all the standard fantasy tropes in this story of a wise-cracking, young fiddle player, Charlie Lightfoot, from the Backstreets of Calver who wants nothing more than to make a peaceful living making music. Charlie sets off to explore the world outside Calver in the company of a level-headed friend who never does anything daring and a strong-willed heiress running from the suffocating confines of an arranged marriage. Throw in an extremely jealous and wealthy jilted groom in hot pursuit of the trio and adventures ensue. This small-focus, fellowship fantasy is hilarious and hopeful with a generous dash of sass in the mix. I will probably read it again. If for no other reason than to brush up on my witty retorts. 

One of two traditionally published books on the list, The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin brought me back to the world of WWII historical fiction. Martin masterfully tells the tale of two women working against Hitler's European invasion from vastly different perspectives. Ava is a librarian from the Library of Congress sent to Portugal, a neutral country during the war, to help the Allies keep tabs on news from occupied countries. Elaine is part of the French Resistance and working as an apprentice at an absolutely illegal printing press deep in France. When Ava realizes someone is sending coded messages requesting assistance for the most vulnerable people in Europe, she works with the information she receives to help those who need it most. The Librarian Spy is Martin's second historical fiction and I'd say it's her best book yet. 

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide To The Care & Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson is an absolute delight and worthy of it's long, lofty title. This Regency Fantasy work drops readers into the life of Miss Mildred Percy's boring life just in time for things to get exciting. A forty-something year old spinster, Miss Percy has been relegated to the role of unpaid nanny for her overbearing sister's children. She is an unread footnote with a meager room under the eaves of a grand house. And then she inherits a dragon egg from her Great-uncle Forthright. Olson writes in much the same way I think and speak (lots of parentheticals and asides) and it was refreshing to trot happily along with Mildred on her unexpected adventures as she tries to raise and protect her fledgling dragon. Apparently I wasn't the only one who enjoyed this book, Miss Percy earned a well-deserved place among the SPFBO8 finalists! Pick this one up. You'll be glad you did. (The second Miss Percy's Guide just published so you can get them both!)

 And finally, the children's classic Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Yes, this is a young reader's book. Yes, I read it for the first time a very, very long time ago. But, while on vacation, I was thinking about all the books I have loved over the years and Harriet was on that list. I decided to read it again and see if she still made the grade. When I was young, I adored Harriet and wanted to be like her. I wanted to know everything about everybody all the time. I even took to carrying around a notebook and making notes all the time. Now, I lived way out in the country so, unless school was in session, there was no way I could "spy" on anyone other than my family. Made for some pretty boring notes most of the time. The idea of prowling around on my own in a big city was tantalizing. Now? Eh...Harriet herself got on my nerves. She's a selfish little brat who's friends were right to be mad at her. It all works out in the end for Harriet and I think she learns some humility. Still, I've got a copy on my bookshelf for any grandchildren who may come along (no rush offspring-o-mine - for real, take your time). I'll just be available for discussion should any of them start toting around notebooks.

Anyway, I'm glad to be back and hope to see you again soon! Happy reading folks!

Discovering New Fantasy, New History, and Taking a Break

 

In addition to finishing up coursework for my MFA program, I have been a busy little reading bee!

I'll start with the #SPFBO winner from last season, Reign and Ruin by J.D. Evans. For those of you who don't know, the #SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off) contest is open to self-published authors only. Each year there are more entries for the all-volunteer judges to consider. Reign set itself apart from the field because it is an excellent example of fantasy romance. The stakes are high. The characters are compelling - even if they are predictably attractive. The plot and sub-plots are superbly executed. And like all romances, the chemistry between the protagonists is steamy. There's not a lot of sex in this book but what's there is tastefully done and just enough to elevate your heartrate. If you're into fantasy romance, you'll probably enjoy this one. I'm not a romance reader generally so...eh. It's good but some of the other finalists would have been my #1 pick.

The Living Waters by self-published author, Dan Fitzgerald, blew me away. The first installment in the Weirdwaters Confluence duology, Living Waters is a sword-free fantasy featuring unconventional relationships redolent in lush landscapes and gut-wrenchingly sympathetic characters. I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful this book is. When two painted-faces, prized for the paleness of their skin, embark on a journey of discovery before settling into their "rightful" places in high society, they each get more than they bargained for. Float along the river with them as they discover legendary places and civilizations are very real and accepted perceptions aren't always true. If I ever get to teach a writing class, this book will be on the list of required reading. It is simply stunning. I've never read anything like it.

The first two books in P.L. Stuart's Drowned Kingdom Saga were challenging. Beautifully written with excellent plotting, solid power structures, and convincing world building, both A Drowned Kingdom and The Last of the Atalanteans are well worth your reading time. What challenged me was the protagonist, Prince Othrun of Atalantea. Sure, the dude faces some horrific obstacles with bravery and honor but man alive! I have never enjoyed a book this much while simultaneously wanting to throat punch the MC. I kept having to remind myself, "It's fiction! It's a book! He's not real!" Othrun is an immature, arrogant, bigoted, chauvinistic, religious zealot with few redeeming qualities. His growth is slow but all signs point to fundamental change in subsequent books. (I mean, Othrun is so bleh that P.L. acknowledged his general unlikableness in the forward of Book #2!) I am looking forward to the next installment to see if Othrun pulls his head out of his butt. 

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is a shining example of the little book that could. Originally a selp-published work, L&L was picked up by a traditional publisher and has been making waves ever since. Seriously, I found it in the wilds of B&N last week. Super satisfying! Almost as satisfying as reading this book. Viv is an orc mercenary who dreams of opening her own coffee shop in a town where folks don't even know what coffee is. She buys a store front and hires help to make her dream come true. Of course, there's drama and sketchiness and betrayal to go along with the heart-melting, deliciousness of new friendships and self-realization. If you've never experienced what it's like to be hugged by a book, you should drop what you're doing and read this one. Have some coffee and a cinnamon roll while you're at it. Hug your imagination and your tastebuds at the same time. 

Oh my. I recently discovered Ruta Sepetys and y'all...her books are so good! I love a good historical fiction and these are it. Centering around and in historically significant places and events, Ruta draws you into the lives of her historically insignificant characters and makes you care about the everyday people swept up in what's happening around them. Out of the Easy is set in mid-twentieth century New Orleans and tells the tale of a girl who dreams of education as her ticket to escape the brothel-and-crime centered life she was born to. I Must Betray You drops readers into communist Romania just after the fall of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the struggle for democracy in the former Soviet block. While the protagonists are all young adults, the subject matter and consequences are not. You can bet I have more of Ruta's books lined up on my TBR list.

History, Fantasy, and Thrilling Romance - OH MY!

After finishing Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar last month, I thought I'd explore a couple more SPFBO nominated works and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint. HL Tinsley's We Men of Ash and Shadow introduces us to John Vanguard, background fader and assassin extraordinaire with a checkered reputation and a mission to unravel why the last war happened. Vanguard becomes the unlikely mentor to an aspiring assassin and discovers a revolution in the making. Vanguard finds himself pitted against his equally talented former pupil. This SPFBO finalist, adult fiction book is engrossing and serves as the jumping off point for a new series, The Vanguard Chronicles. Adult themes and subject matter included so maybe not the best idea for young or sensitive readers.

If you're hankering for a new epic fantasy with dragons, minotaurs, vampires, demons, good vs. evil, and strange magics, SPFBO nominee The Forever King by Ben Galley will be right up your alley. Weaving bits of Norse mythology into a dense, chonky narrative, the 600+ pages of The Forever King will wear you out, make you laugh, piss you off, give you hope, stomp on that hope, and leave you begging for more. Galley creates a world and power structure which should make Tor Publishing angry and jealous they didn't get the chance to add it to their stable. I have no idea if Galley tried to traditionally publish but if so, the trads missed out by passing on this one. Follow the tale of Mithrid, a teenage refugee in the frozen lands of Scalussen, as she discovers the dangerous and valuable magic which resides within. Rebel king, Farden, hopes Mithrid will use her talents to help him overthrow the greedy and corrupt Emperor Malvus, thus freeing Emaneska from his ever-tightening stranglehold. I suffered from extreme book hangover when I finished this one...even so, I need a few days to recuperate before moving on to the sequels. I'm exhausted.

Unknown Number by Anna Grace steps way outside my comfort zone. I don't usually read romance or thrillers and this one serves up both. Packing a super-satisfying twist at the end, this little book rolls along with predictably attractive characters in relatively unchallenging relationships which often border on the schmaltzy. UNTIL THE TWIST! Here I was just bee-bopping along, not bored but not enthralled either, when BOOM! All of a sudden my heart is racing and I am racing myself to the final page.

I love historical fiction but with the glut of WWII works in the field, I'd become a little "meh" and haven't read much in the genre recently. Still, They Went Left by Monica Hesse, caught my attention. So many works which place themselves in the WWII era focus on stories from during the war and life in the camps. While those stories are compelling and interesting, often highlighting true and incredible events, for me, it just felt like there were pieces of history which were being overlooked. Hesse shines her spotlight on camp survivors as they try to piece together themselves, their psyches, and their families after liberation. The guilt of survival, the foreignness of familiarity, the desperation for hope, the agonizing wait for news. All of these are front and center in They Went Left as it tells us of Zofia's search for the only member of her family she believes might have survived, her younger brother, Abek. Hesse does a wonderful job exposing Zofia's strength and frailty without making her seem superhuman or pitiful. I couldn't walk away from Zofia. You shouldn't either. 

The 13th Zodiac

 

Once, there were four Titans:

Urth, the mother of Gaea,

Sky, the father of the heavens,

Fate, the overseer of life and death,

And Time, the keeper of the Eternal Clock.

The lovers, Fate and Time, ruled over all.

Together they kept Gaea at peace,

Until one thousand years ago when

Mother Urth and Father sky created mortal man.

And shattered the Eternal Clock.

 

Time hated the children of Urth and Sky.

Thus, the Keepers were born.

Time assigned each to small pieces of Gaea,

Taking parts from Fate, Urth, and Sky.

 

Then, Time turned Urth into the Mother Tree

And dissipated Sky into the clouds.

The Keepers resented Time for what she had done.

For which Time banished them.

 

What her lover had done disgusted Fate.

To trap Time, Fate turned to the Keeper of the Stars.

Who Time shattered into twelve.

Creating the Zodiac – The heroes of mortal men.

 

Beneath the boughs of the Mother Tree,

Fate trapped Time for an eternity.

 

Angry and hurt, Time divided her soul in two.

Thus the 13^th Zodiac was born:

Eternity

 

 The 13^th Zodiac

By Lacey Krauch

 

Time is fickle and petulant. She is the one ephemeral idea of which we simultaneously have too much and never enough. She promises never-ending tomorrows and warps the memories of our yesterdays. Time traps young hearts in decaying bodies and gifts wretched souls with youthful vigor. She tricks us into believing we are more or less than we are, than we could ever be. Time smiles as she gives with one hand and steals with the other.

In The 13^th Zodiac, Lacey Krauch delivers her rendition of Time’s saga. Mortals, the children of Urth and Sky, tell their young the tale of Time’s ill-fated quest to repair the Eternal Clock and undo the creation of men. Time is their elusive boogeyman and her lover, Fate, their stalwart champion. But the Titans are distant, little more than fairy tales told as bedtime stories. The Zodiac are all too real. Twelve individuals bearing the sigils as birthmarks, evidence proving the stories are as real as their skin.

When Liya, the daughter of Aria’s Queen and her husband, Prophet Skylis, is born with the eternity symbol on her delicate newborn shoulder, Eternity, the thirteenth zodiac takes her first breath. Skylis, desperate to know the meaning behind his daughter’s mark, convinces Fate to allow him to see Time. Time, still angry over her lover’s betrayal, is trapped in a cave deep under the Mother Tree, held fast by ancient roots. Against Fate’s warnings, he begs Time to show him Liya’s future. Time grants his request, taking his eyes as payment. After all, one doesn’t truly need eyes to see. She kills Fate and is loosed on Gaea once again, determined to repair the Eternal Clock and erase men from existence.

Time chooses Soren, the cruel and grasping King of Chall, as her puppet, enlisting him to search for Liya, the princess of Aria. She gifts his kingdom with superior armaments and encourages his invasion of the tiny island kingdom to expand his borders and take possession of the princess. The now eight-year-old Liya escapes under the protection of sixteen-year-old Jemi, her sworn protector. They make their way to a Brighton, a small coastal village, and are adopted by a friend of Jemi’s father. There they live as commoners. Liya remembers nothing of her life as a princess. Jemi and the adoptive family are vigilant in hiding Liya’s true identity. Until one day, ten years later when a chance encounter with a man in the market. This man turns out to be the Crown Prince of Chall, Jase, Zodiac Leo. Jase has been searching for Liya for years. For reasons of his own, Jase has no intentions of taking the princess back to his monster of a father.

Alarmed by his sudden appearance, Jemi, Zodiac Aries, and her twin adopted brothers, Jiroo and Tokei, Pisces and Capricorn, with the assistance of a local shopkeeper, June, Sagitarrius, kidnap the prince and escape to Undall with Liya. Along the way, Liya’s zodiac-inherited ability to pause time becomes more and more evident. The group has questions and heads to the Keeper’s Library for answers. The librarians are also Zodiacs and happily assist the group on their quest to keep Time from her realizing destructive plans.

Skirmishes with soldiers from Chall, near-misses, breath-taking escapes, heart-breaking betrayals, and mind-boggling revelations stalk the Zodiac across Gaea from the gates of Chall to the Monastery of Fate Divided in the Dark Forest to the prison fortress of Mount Callous. Love is found and lost, families are created and torn apart. Zodiacs are discovered and scattered. Time is killed and a new Titan takes her place.

This book is a page-turner and threatens readers with losing track of Time. Give in to that impulse, just this once. Surely nothing bad will happen if you do.

The Chaos of War and the Brightwash

Chaos, by indie author Jimi Rodriguez, is an interesting YA/CoA (?) story. Loads of teenage angst and sexuality without being pornographic. With a hodge-podge of Hogwarts meets Hunger Games meets Divergent vibes, Chaos focuses on the life of Jacob Titus and his continual struggle to navigate the often deadly magical world with his very real secrets. Titus is a scholarship student at Valcrest School for the Promised. When a magical talent scout spots him on the streets of Eslor Island, Titus makes the tough decision to leave his mother and take the opportunity offered by Valcrest. He has little interest in magic though, preferring to search for an Alzheimer's cure to salvage what's left of his mother's mind. The concept behind Chaos is intriguing but, I admit, the sexual overtones were occasionally distracting. Maybe I'm just old. Ha! Still, if you're a YA/CoA fan, you might dig this one. Chaos is action packed and moves along at a quick clip. 

 

Not to be confused with legendary journalist Barbara Walters, political scientist Barbara F. Walter serves up an engrossing study on civil wars in How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them. I am an avid amateur poli-sci student and history nut. Civil Wars grabbed me by the throat and throttled me. I was by turns horrified and hopeful. She takes her readers on a break-neck trip around the world, pointing to triggers and indicators across the political regime spectrum about how and where civil wars began, could begin, and how world citizens can prevent them. Walter's delivery is warm and inviting without being dry or opaque. All poli-sci books should be so easy to read. This timely and thought provoking book took me about ten days to get through and I didn't mind one bit. Seriously, this one should be added to required reading lists in high school and college civics/political science classes.

Welcome to Dominion. A land powered by the highly regulated, and subjugated, "tainted" - people with talents ranging from the ability to heal, remove pain, light lamps, power machinery, to blowing up buildings. Krystle Matar's Legacy of the Brightwash is a gorgeous display of gaslamp/grimdark fiction. Regulation Officer Tashue Blackwood, is charged with keeping track of the "tainted" in his area. He's never questioned the law which requires people with "talent" to register and use their gifts in service to the nation. Well, not until his own son refused to register and is imprisoned in the Rift for non-compliance. But, Tashue still has his doubts. After all, his son's refusal to register may just be a flight of youthful defiance lashing out at authority. A decorated war-veteran, Tashue develops feelings for a tainted neighbor, Stella Whiterock and her daughter, Ceridwen. His complicating and complicated attachment to the mother and daughter pulls at the loose threads of his loyalty to Dominion. The plight of the tainted nags at him from every direction. Matar's fantastic new world is beckoning to you. Don't miss out on this #Stabby award nominee and SPFBO finalist. Legacy of the Brightwash is sure to be a fantasy classic before long. 

The Violins Played Before Junstan

 

I loved this book! Indie author, Lou Kemp does an incredible job weaving together so many elements and tropes - steampunk, Victoriana, magical realism, demons (?), witches, even a very mild touch of romance. Amazingly, it all works beautifully. 

The Violins Played Before Junstan is the prequel book to Kemp's Celwyn series. While it isn't required to read Violins before diving into the series, I do recommend it. Simply because it is just so very well crafted! Jonas Celwyn is a strong protagonist who uses his magical abilities to manipulate the world around him. But, he's not a bad guy. Not at all. His logical, ethical counterpart, Professor Xiau Kang, a mechanical automat, serves to balance and ground Celwyn's capricious nature. On a ship from San Francisco to Singapore, Kang and Celwyn identify threats against them and set out to neutralize those threats. Shenanigans ensue and leave the two men no closer to solving the mystery of who is hunting them or why. 

They also wind up collecting a wide array of companions who each bring a new facet to this thrilling and complicated adventure. Annabelle, the wealthy and feisty American heiress, trying to escape a forced marriage, who insists on joining their quest in return for helping them out of a tight spot when Celwyn is suspected of murdering another passenger. Bartholomew, a well-educated African, who merely hoped to book passage on a train but was denied because of his race, joins the group when Celwyn purchases a first-class ticket for him. Zander and Telly, orphaned children in need of love and opportunity, rescued from a madman, round out the unconventional family as they make their way across continents via private rail from Singapore to Prague. A host of other characters wander in and through the narrative, adding color and intrigue, as Kang and Celwyn attempt to protect them all from the evil which lurks. 

I couldn't put it down. Indeed, as soon as I turned the last page, I immediately purchased the first book in the series, Music Shall Untune The Sky, just so I didn't have to leave this incredible cast of characters or miss any of their adventures. 

Follow Up on The Tomb, Freeing the Bastards, and Brain Stretching

 

I promised more about The Tomb, Book 1 of The Watchers Series by Carl Novakovich and didn't want to let you down. So, here goes!

This independently published book is a roaring good time practically guaranteed to make you laugh out loud, hold your breath, and groan in dismay. Sometimes all in the space of one page! Chicago Police Detective, John Gideon and his partner cum father figure, Walter are working multiple missing persons cases. One of which holds particular interest for them both, the case of John’s missing mother. When a suspect in these cases, Steven, is taken into custody, John and Walter find themselves catapulted into a world they never knew existed. A world of demons which operates alongside the human world, forever plotting and planning, to unleash Hell on earth.
 
With the aid of a witch-turned-demon, Beth, John learns his family has a historical tie to the battle to keep Hell in its rightful place. He also discovers that his mother’s disappearance is not only connected to the demonic designs but that CPD leadership is somehow “in on it.” Can Beth and John rescue Walter, solve the case of John’s mother’s disappearance, and save the world from possession?
 
Told in the first person omniscient, with occasional fourth-wall breaks, The Watchers: The Tomb is well worth the space on your calendar to read. I promise.

I confess to anxiously waiting for the third installment of The Bastards series by Jonathan French and I have to say, The Free Bastards does not disappoint! Fabulously filthy and fun, Fetching, Jackal, and Oats grudgingly partner with Crafty, the half-orc wizard who they feel is responsible for the disintegration of their hoof, to take on Hispartha and wrest control of their home, the Lot Lands, away from the crown. The mongrels come into their own and realize their potential in this exciting trilogy conclusion. I have to admit, I hope French continues to tell us about their adventures as truly free bastards in the years to come. I will read each and every story without regret or remorse. 

The Red Grouse Tales, by indie author Leslie Garland, spins us in a completely different direction. Think Aesop's Fables meets Modern Morality. Constructed as an anthology (of sorts) of stories told around a pub table by a group of long-time friends, The Red Grouse Tales each stand alone without need for further explanation or exploration. However, don't write this off as just a fun time. The Little Dog, The White Hart, The Crow, The Blue Horse, The Golden Tup (and others) are thought provoking, philosophically challenging and engrossing. Garland's compelling stories kept me turning pages well into the wee hours when I should have been sleeping instead of reading. He masterfully weaves social commentary into tales of the uncanny without being heavy-handed or overbearing.

Thoroughly and effectively utilizing the story-as-lesson trope, Garland presents readers with gorgeously crafted narratives which are excellent on the surface and yet also address larger concerns such as the nature of good and evil, heartbreak and betrayal, redemption, vengeance, gender equality, and simple pleasures versus material strife. Several times in each short story, I was drawn up short to re-read and thoughtfully consider what I'd just read - even though I desperately wanted to forge ahead and find out what happened next! 

I'll be continuing my journey through the other Red Grouse Tales not included in this collection. I'll also be recommending these to educator friends and colleagues as discussion prompts.

Fantasy For The Win This Go 'Round!

Let's get this party started!

Beneath a Brass Sky by independent author, Eli Steele, is a fantasy adventure tale told from the third-person omniscient POV which follows Ulfric Halehorn and his band of sellswords as they embark on a dangerous mission across the Brasslands. From the beginning readers are dropped into an unfamiliar terrain with often confusing yet compelling power structures. Still, Halehorn, former Lord of Wyrmwatch from Prydia, has made his way to the lieutenancy of a sellsword company. He’s turned his back on his rightful place in the nobility for a life on the road, securing contracts, and working in the company of men whose demons are as familiar as his own. When his company, the Fives, secures a contract to deliver “something” valuable to the coastal city of Kush, his survival and drive for justice are put to the test.

Set upon by brigands in the Brasslands, a vast sprawling desert which divides the continent, Ulfric is knocked unconscious and awakens to find that only he and one other, Spero the Banker, have survived the attack. Halehorn is promoted to Captain by default and the two join forces with a mummer’s troupe for security in numbers. Determined to meet the terms of the contract and make the delivery to Kush, Halehorn’s contingent of misfits encounters a band of men led by The Huntsman, a charismatic, enigma who draws followers to him and leaves a destructive, killing trail in his wake across the Brasslands. Following a trail of crucified men, scalped corpses, and defiled children, it isn’t long before Halehorn and Spero realize The Huntsman is also headed for Kush. This realization redoubles their urgent push to the city and their desire to put an end to The Huntsman's murderous path.

With a mind-bending cast of characters (GoT fans will be thrilled), and a dizzying landscape which demands a map which is, sadly, not included, Steele delivers world building prose which borders on purple at times.

“A gust moaned in from the east, carrying with it thick smoke that reeked of scorched stone, and charred timber, and seared manflesh, and half a hundred other odors acrid and unknown. A bouquet of slaughter…His eyes burned.”

Occasionally, it is difficult to keep track of who’s speaking, why they're important, where they are, or where they’re going. But, it really doesn't matter. The blistering plot moves inexorably forward as quickly as Halehorn’s quest across the Brasslands; racing across endless dunes, winding through slot canyons, clambering over towering mountains, always on the lookout for dangers both real and imagined. Rife with misunderstood magics, creatures both familiar and strange, friendships forged and lost, Beneath a Brass Sky is worth the read and Ulfric Halehorn is a compelling, complicated hero. “And if rage was this sweet, it’s all I’d ever eat…”

Understand this before you venture into the Brasslands, “This is a hollow country – never forget that – all it does is swallow things up.”

The Wrack by John Bierce is an eerily relevant and timely work of fantasy about a plague which ravages the continent of Tyringia. Told from multiple points of view and with varying perspectives, The Wrack provides readers with fascinating insight into how a seemingly unstoppable, infectious disease affects everyone from kings to paupers. 

When a northern prince is suddenly struck with a crippling, immensely painful ailment, poison is immediately suspected and healers are called to assist. When healers are unable to find an antidote, they turn to a seer for aid. In Tyringia, seers tap into the spiritual flow and vibrations of all the elements which make up and surround the physical world. Seers spend years training in their art and of necessity, pluck out at least one of their eyes in order to use gemstones to help them navigate the aethers. This is where the magic happens.

"Having one's eye put out as a youth to gain the ability to see the spirit flows was also a rather challenging aspect of learning magic, of course."

The seer can see the illness in the prince and understands there is no poison but a new, virulent disease instead. 

Known as the Wrack, the disease ravages across the continent, killing and crippling thousands. Each new case signaled by the sudden screams of its new victim as they convulse in wild, excruciating muscle spasms. Many resort to filling their ears with wax in an attempt to drown out the sound. Insultingly, if the Wrack doesn't kill it's victims, it leaves their fingers and toes scorched and useless. 

News of the disease, its course, its suspected causes is spread across the world through semaphore. A network of lines, placed in the spirit currents surrounding the world in the rare places where the currents dipped low to the ground. As villages, towns, cities, and countries are brought to their knees by the Wrack, the semaphore lines of communication are brought to a near-stand still. Survivors are left to fend for themselves and often descend into rumor and superstition to protect themselves. 

The Wrack is an engaging and well-written work of fantasy which manages to avoid comparison to the current pandemic while still respecting the fear modern readers face in the face of uncertainty. 

I just started reading The Tomb - The Watchers Book 1 by Carl Novakovich, a tale of demons, both good and bad, roaming the Windy City of Chicago. Novakovich reached me on Twitter and asked if I'd consider reading his work. When he pitched the story, I have to admit, I was immediately hooked by the idea of demons in Chicago, one of my favorite cities in the US. I'm only a few pages in and have to admit, so far, it's very good. I'll have a complete review for you next time!

Thanks for reading!

W

The Ladies Have It

 Gild by Raven Kennedy. 

Hm. I can’t say I loved this book, but, neither can I say I hated it. If I were asked to describe Gild by Raven Kennedy in ten words or less, I would say “BDSM Billionaire Sort-of-Romance Wrapped Loosely in Fantasy.” Let me start by focusing on what I thoroughly enjoyed about this book.

Kennedy does an excellent job building the world of Orea, with its Six, albeit unimaginatively named, Kingdoms. The kingdoms are quite literally named, First, Second, Third, you get the picture. Nevertheless, she imparts each kingdom with defining and distinctive characteristics, cultures, geography. Only those with power can rule. In Orea, rulers must possess magical abilities, and should an heir not possess any special talents, well, the throne is up for grabs by whomever can claim and keep it by virtue of their own magic. The kingdoms are represented as extensions of their rulers. Snowy, perpetually cold Sixth Kingdom, the setting for most of Gild, is insulated from her neighbors. And, by all outward appearances, Sixth Kingdom is wealthy in reflection of Midas’ ability to gold-touch anything. Fourth Kingdom, realm of King Ravinger (or King Rot) is marred by his gift of decay. Fifth Kingdom is ruled by King Fulke, a lecherous and greedy man with the gift of duplication. His prosperity relies on his alliance with Midas. Midas turns items to gold for Fulke; Fulke duplicates those items. As ever in politics, allies are often the other side of an enemy’s coin and fortunes may be decided on the toss.

Kennedy delivers royals with magic abilities, fantastic beasts such as gigantic snow cats with flaming paws, snow pirates who’s ships glide over glistening fields of powder through the harnessed fire claws, pulse-racing plot twists, taut political tensions, heart-breaking humanity, and wretched villains. Her prose is often breathtakingly beautiful. The snowfall hasn’t stopped and continues to drop in a slow, delicate descent, the flakes landing on shaking shoulders. Another burden to carry on our backs.

Auren is the favored “saddle,” (concubine for those with gentler constitutions) of King Midas, the ruler of Sixth Kingdom. He rescued her from poverty and a certain future of slavery during a raid on her village. You’re safe now. Let me help you. I was done being exposed and vulnerable in the world, so he made sure I didn’t have to be anymore. She became his trusted lover before he married Sixth Kingdom’s magic-less princess and ascended to the throne by dint of his magical golden touch. Once Midas became king, he still treasured her as his “favored” but in reality, she is just as much a slave as she’d once feared being. She is the only person he has ever “gold-touched,” and he keeps her locked away in a gilded cage. She is precious and safe and bored out of her mind. Midas may have loved her once, but his love has twisted into a love of novelty.

King Midas is as duplicitous as the Greek mythologies suggest. King Fulke of Fifth Kingdom is his gullible ally in a plot to attack Fourth Kingdom, the domain of King Rot. Midas barters a night with Auren for Fulke’s cooperation in the attack; never intending to deliver his favored to fulfill his end of the bargain. Rather, he uses Auren as bait to lure Fulke’s armies to defeat at the borders of King Rot’s lands and depose Fulke. Thus leaving Fifth Kingdom vulnerable to Midas’s power grab.

Midas sends orders for his harem of “saddles”, including Auren, to join him in Fifth Kingdom’s capital. Their journey is the first time Auren has been outside in more than ten years. Along the way, Auren takes every opportunity to escape the confines of her gilded carriage and breathe freely, befriending one of her guards along the way. When the party is hijacked by the Red Raids, Auren realizes and regrets the danger her status as “Midas’ Favored” has placed upon the others in the caravan. Her despair deepens as she discovers there may have been a spy in the entourage; a spy willing to sell the lot of them to King Rot’s fae warrior, Commander Rip. Action, adventure, espionage! So far, so good!

Now, for what surprised me most about this book. Perhaps I should have read the synopsis more closely, taken it more seriously, something. I love a good sex scene. While there is a lot of sex in Gild, not much of it is very good. I did not anticipate a full-on, graphically described orgy within the first ten pages. I still wonder why this was entirely necessary. I don’t mind coarse language (full disclosure: my own language is often very coarse). However, in a work of fantasy, I was unprepared for modern speech patterns and shock-factor slurs. They feel gratuitous and redundant.

I kept waiting for Auren to NOT be the damsel-in-distress. I kept wanting her to claim her own agency. I kept wanting her to be more than the plaything of a childish king. I wanted her to recognize her own value and stop drinking so much wine. I needed her to not acquiesce so readily. I kept waiting for Midas to redeem himself. I needed him to not be an ass. I don’t regret reading Gild, but I probably won’t be reading further into this series. I didn’t care about the characters enough.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

Now this story, I can't say enough good things about it. Based on long-forgotten and dismissed parts of the Arthurian legends, The Lost Queen by Signe Pike centers on the story of Languoreth the alleged twin sister of the man who would become Merlin. 

Like most women of the period, Languoreth knows her options her few and she will have little say in how her life path unfolds before her feet. However, it doesn't mean she meekly accepts her fate or keeps her thoughts to herself. Rather, I found her to be a wholly believable representation of how a woman of noble birth might have actually behaved. She knows her role as the only daughter of a minor king in early Britain/Scotland and plays her part, rebelling in small ways whenever possible. Still, Languoreth generally chooses duty over desire and the consequences of those choices haunt her at every turn. 

The Lost Queen isn't a galloping adventure book. No, you're invited to follow Languoreth from childhood to middle-age at the same pace by which seasons turn. You get to know her and understand her frustrations, foibles, jealousies, mistakes, and triumphs as intimately as you know your own. The men in her life who would become legendary are merely uncles and brothers to this impressive and impressionable young woman. Languoreth shines just as brightly as they do in their armor. She wields her loyalties and loves as fiercely as their swords and spears.

Pike includes just enough romance to add to the humanity of Languoreth and her wanted, but unattainable lover, Maelgwyn. Their impossible, decades long love provides vulnerabilities more potent, more relatable to modern readers than the threat of Angle invasion or political maneuverings. Languoreth's political marriage to Rydderch is not without love but it does lack passion; he is not cruel or unsympathetic. He is as much a pawn of his king as she and together they must navigate intrigues if he is ever to be named heir to his father's throne. 

I love Pike's exploration of the forgotten women in history and legend. So many of our favorite heroes have the women in their lives to thank for their fame; the women who have become footnotes in the heroic tales. Pike refuses to let these women hide in the shadows or be overlooked when creating these works of fiction and I heartily approve.  

Reading Rainbow - More like READING ROLLERCOASTER!

Okay Folks, strap in - it's a wild ride this month! 

Whenever I have a break between school sessions, I read - a LOT. More than usual because I have more free time! Lucky me, right?

At any rate, I have been all over the genre landscape in the last couple weeks so let's pace ourselves. Anyone who knows me even a little will know that I am an historical fiction junkie. Three excellent entries this time are Gabaldon's Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, Gregory's The Lady of the Rivers, and Riley's Island Queen. 

If you love the Outlander series by Gabaldon, you won't be disappointed with Seven Stones. Okay, maybe a little because some of the stories are just too damn short! Nevertheless, they're all written to the exacting standards we've come to expect from this author and well worth the read. 

The Lady of the Rivers centers on the life of Jaquetta, Duchess of Bedford and eventual mother of Elizabeth Woodville, future Queen of England. Gregory is a master story teller and fans of fiction set in the Plantagenet/Tudor eras will not be disappointed. 

Ah, Island Queen. Because this is already going to be a long blog post, I'll do my best to keep it short. READ THIS BOOK. Focusing on a period of history not currently en vogue and on a little known, but deserving historical figure, Riley sweeps us off on an intensely interesting and harrowing narrative as she explores the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, slave, free woman, landowner, successful businesswoman of the West Indies. Again, READ THIS BOOK.

Little Universes by Heather Demetrios is a contemporary fiction work which delves deep into the relationship between sisters after the sudden, tragic deaths of their parents. The sisters couldn't be more different in their responses to the tragedy, nor in their outlooks on life in general. Still, they circle back to each other in the little ways only siblings can. 

Completely outside my comfort zone, Evolution of a Monster by J. Steffy, took me completely by surprise. Steffy provides readers with a rare look at the diary of a serial killer. Terrifying stuff. More disturbing is that readers may actually wind up feeling sympathy for the diary's author. Yikes. Feel free to start doubting yourself. And, don't bother expecting a satisfying ending. You won't get one. 

Cats of the Pyramids, by Paul Nelson, is a gem of middle grade writing. Paul draws on his years of experience teaching special needs students and caring for his autistic son to craft this beautiful story which showcases fully developed autistic heroes! Here's a hint...autism isn't a handicap, it's a rare gift, a connection to powers beyond human ken. 10/10 recommend this one for middle grade readers and those wanting an alternative explanation for some very special differences. 

For a completely new twist on Greek mythology and supernatural beings, dig into Emma's Fury by Linda Rainier. Set in modern times, readers learn the old gods aren't dead and are still engaged in universal power struggles. While Rainier's prose occasionally gets a little high falutin' at times, don't let this stop you from engaging in Emma's battle to save the world from the devious Thanatos as he sets his plans in motion to reclaim his 'rightful' place in the pantheon.

And last but certainly not least, Trail Markers by Cym Aros. Full confession, I have read all 5 books in this series but opted to only use the cover of the first book in this post. Beautifully and brutally rendered, Aros tells the story of Jesse Thomson Franklin and his journey to self-acceptance. He is the illegitimate son of wealthy rancher, Pony Express rider, Union Army veteran, POW camp survivor and so much more. His dedication to service and those who love him are both his salvation and his downfall. I promise, if you read the first book, you'll want to read all five. 

Classes started back up for me this week so I'll have to curb my extracurricular reading just a bit. You know, back to 3-4 books a week instead. Thanks for reading and as always, I hope you discovered some new imagination candy.

Find more from me at meanderyme.com

 

PHOENIX - Coming VERY soon!

COMING SOON TO A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU!!

PHOENIX by Megan Shunmugan will be released JULY 20, 2021!

In this YA fantasy, readers are given a new version of what happens when people die. Alexsia Solenia died on her way to live with her aunt and uncle in Canada. When she woke, she was determined to be a Helper and sent to aid King Fenix Arbora of the troubled kingdom of Arianon on the world of Vessus. If successful, she stands to be returned to the Afterlife and reunited with her mother. Can she help him step out from the shadows of a family curse and keep him from selling his kingdom to the enemy? 

I was fortunate to be an ARC reader for this book and I can hardly wait for the second installment. Mark your calendars folks!

Phoenix

OH THE CHOICES!!

 OH THE CHOICES!! - 24 June 2021

One international best selling author and two indies on the list this time. If you aren't familiar with Alix E. Harrow, and you enjoy magical realism, beautiful writing, and characters who grab you by the throat, I recommend you pick up The Ten Thousand Doors of January. You will never look at doors the same way again. Trust me on this one.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, indie author Jane Elzey and her gang of middle-aged friends will happily take you along on one of their adventures. In Elzey's sophomore offering, Dice on the Deadly Sea, Amy, Genna, Rian, and Zelda traipse off to the Galapagos Islands to celebrate Zelda's 50th Birthday. Along the way, they are caught up and implicated in a murder investigation on the high seas. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your beach reads list.

AJ Farrelly's book, Time to be Gonagain, drops readers onto The Reliant, a trading dirigible under the command of Captain Oisin Gonagain, as he and his eclectic crew are swept up in a time war between the Traditionalists and Geokinetics through their unexpected possession of a highly valuable, and controversial, tool. Farrelly's mastery of the "steampunk" genre is evident in his attention to detail and convincing power structures. When you're in the mood for something wholly different, sail away with this very entertaining read.