Five hundred years ago, Johannes Gutenberg discovered the art of libriomancy, allowing him to reach into books to create things from their pages. Gutenberg’s power brought him many enemies, and some of those enemies have waited centuries for revenge. Revenge which begins with the brutal slaughter of a wendigo in the northern Michigan town of Tamarack, a long-established werewolf territory. Libriomancer Isaac Vainio is part of Die Zwelf Portenære, better known as the Porters, the organization founded by Gutenberg to protect the world from magical threats. Isaac is called in to investigate the killing, along with Porter psychiatrist Nidhi Shah and their dryad bodyguard and lover, Lena Greenwood. Born decades ago from the pages of a pulp fantasy novel, Lena was created to be the ultimate fantasy woman, strong and deadly, but shaped by the needs and desires of her companions. Her powers are unique, and Gutenberg’s enemies hope to use those powers for themselves. But their plan could unleash a far darker evil… - from Amazon.com
Jim Hines has done it again with another fun, fantasy novel in the Magic Ex Libris series. This story continues a short time after the first novel, and I felt was a great sequel. Hines has a easy reading style of writing that even YA readers would love, and carries some great fantasy ideas that even adults will enjoy reading.
Spoilers follow
It was good to see some more background develop: about the Porters, and their creation. Even more additional story about Gutenberg. The introduction of the Asian magic (and it's style) was interesting as well, seeing how ... well, don't want to spoil too much. Though Lena's background as far as her appearance in our world was basic in the first novel, this one centers more around her than Isaac, though as one of her lovers, he plays a major role. I thought the ending a bit blase, but still leaves me hanging on wanting to know what happens next, as I feel Hines has left a nice hook for the next book in this series.
The story that brings the Ranger's Apprentice arc full-circle!Will Treaty has come a long way from the small boy with dreams of knighthood. Life had other plans for him, and as an apprentice Ranger under Halt, he grew into a legend—the finest Ranger the kingdom has ever known. Yet Will is facing a tragic battle that has left him grim and alone. To add to his problems, the time has come to take on an apprentice of his own, and it’s the last person he ever would have expected. Fighting his personal demons, Will has to win the trust and respect of his difficult new companion—a task that at times seems almost impossible.John Flanagan returns for one final bow to the series that has conquered millions of readers worldwide with this pulse-pounding adventure that brings one era to a close, and ushers in the next . . . - from Amazon.com
I never would have thought the Flanagan would bring this series to an end, choosing to instead let it just sort of hang out there. This book wraps up the series, in my opinion as it has been quite a few years since the previous book. It is great to see Will back in action, even as an adult.
Basic Storyline: Will is torn up by the unfortunate death of his wife, and is on a spree to kill the man./men responsible. To bring him out of this dark side, Halt and Galin propose to give him an apprentice to train. Turns out that Horace and Cassandra's daughter is of an age, and they are currently exasperated with her teenage rebelliousness. Long story short, she is assigned as an apprentice to Will, bringing about the acceptance of females into the Ranger's, as well as a new weapon they can use.
Though much of the story was somewhat predictable, and the writing set obviously for a more YA crowd, I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the tale of the Rangers again.
Legend has it that Paxon Leah is descended from the royals and warriors who once ruled the Highlands and waged war with magical weapons. But those kings, queens, and heroes are long gone, and there is nothing enchanted about the antique sword that hangs above Paxon’s fireplace. Running his family’s modest shipping business, Paxon leads a quiet life—until extraordinary circumstances overturn his simple world . . . and rewrite his destiny. When his brash young sister is abducted by a menacing stranger, Paxon races to her rescue with the only weapon he can find. And in a harrowing duel, he is stunned to discover powerful magic unleashed within him—and within his ancestors’ ancient blade. But his formidable new ability is dangerous in untrained hands, and Paxon must master it quickly because his nearly fatal clash with the dark sorcerer Arcannen won’t be his last. Leaving behind home and hearth, he journeys to the keep of the fabled Druid order to learn the secrets of magic and earn the right to become their sworn protector. But treachery is afoot deep in the Druids’ ranks. And the blackest of sorcery is twisting a helpless innocent into a murderous agent of evil. To halt an insidious plot that threatens not only the Druid order but all the Four Lands, Paxon Leah must summon the profound magic in his blood and the legendary mettle of his elders in the battle fate has chosen him to fight. - from Amazon.com
I received this book for free through NetGalley.com.
Terry Brooks is back with the start of another series set in the Shannara Universe. This is another story in the Leah bloodline, taking place around 150 years after The Dark Legacy series. If you have read any of these series, as I did as a young teen and on up to now, then you will like the return to Brook's story of magic and swords. I can't add more than what the book description gives without giving some of the story away.
