Book Review: "The Shadow Reader" by Sandy Williams

A Houston college student, McKenzie Lewis can track fae by reading the shadows they leave behind. For years she has been working for the fae King, tracking rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn't her only secret. She's in love with Kyol, the King's sword-master-but human and fae relationships are forbidden. When McKenzie is captured by Aren, the fierce rebel leader, she learns that not everything is as she thought. And McKenzie must decide who to trust and where she stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.  - from Amazon.com

Not sure where to go on this one. I must have just skimmed over the story synopsis when I picked it out. Either way, I read the whole book.

I enjoyed the story mainline. Two different realms, Faae and Earth (as we know it) where the Fae can "fissure" (appear like through a portal) can travel between realms, but Humans cannot unless with a Fae, and have an anchor stone (a rock that has an imprint of the destination). Few Humans have this gift to see through the illusions, and even fewer are able to "read" the fissures when they close, which reveals the location of where that Fae went. Having this gift, Mckenzie has worked with the Royal Fae, in tracking down the rebels in the Fae Realm, and on Earth, for ten years. From there, I could care less about the book. Obviously it is a romance novel, though there was no graphic sex scenes (thank goodness). The normal love triangle was there, two men fighting for opposite factions, both are desirable hunks, and the girl can't decide which she truly loves. I am sure that carries over into the next book, if not the third as well. I am not reading anymore of this series.

Book Review: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" by Claire North

SOME STORIES CANNOT BE TOLD IN JUST ONE LIFETIME.

Harry August is on his deathbed. Again.

No matter what he does or the decisions he makes, when death comes, Harry always returns to where he began, a child with all the knowledge of a life he has already lived a dozen times before. Nothing ever changes.

Until now.

As Harry nears the end of his eleventh life, a little girl appears at his bedside. "I nearly missed you, Doctor August," she says. "I need to send a message."

This is the story of what Harry does next, and what he did before, and how he tries to save a past he cannot change and a future he cannot allow. - from Amazon.com

I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher, Redhoof Books, in exchange for a review.

What a great story! I was drawn in by the idea of living several lifetimes, sort of like the movie "Groundhog's Day". Before I knew it, it was more than just a recounting of one man's journey, but a mission, to stop another from destroying the known world. The intricate story told over fifteen lifetimes of one person, and the detail to historical events was very interesting. Add in personal conflicts, personal debates over moral/ethic issues, and you have this writing. Claire North has done a superb job in creating a tale that makes a reader question things, or sit back and ponder that whole "what if...". 

Book Review: " A Cast of Stones" by Patrick W. Carr

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny. - from Amazon.com

This is the first book in a trilogy called The Staff and Sword, and that is part of the reason I picked it out to read. I have always been a fan of the sword and magic fantasy series, but just the series name brought this book to my attention. Now, having finished this first book, I am anxiously starting the second one as soon as I finish rambling here.

Great epic story that tells of a young man that gets drafted into this huge quest to save the kingdom, and bring a new king to it as well. On this journey started with a priest, a Reader, a captain of the Kings's Watch, Errol, an alcoholic teen, beats his personal problems, learns how to wield a staff, and gains knowledge of the Readers, those that can cast lots (like BINGO balls with words). He turns out to be an omne, a reader that can read the lots of others. As the end nears, there is a climatic battle to save the elderly King, and Errol is given an Earldom.

I was a bit daunted at first, as it seemed like a fairly long book. But the reading was easy and fast. Obviously the story centers more around the events/actions of one character, and though there is not much detail about his background, I found myself liking him, and the others he traveled with. Though Errol seems a bit naive and overly-trustworthy of most anyone, and seems to come out of every fight/bad consequence with little damage, I am still drawn to the next book to find out what happens next.

Book Review: "Three" by Jay Posey

The world has collapsed, and there are no heroes any more.
But when a lone gunman reluctantly accepts the mantel of protector to a young boy and his dying mother against the forces that pursue them, a hero may yet arise. - from Amazon.com

The basic story description does not do much justice to this novel. Set in a future apocalyptic future, similar to Earth, the people are somehow linked to a computer-like network. Through this connection they can access information such as the time, sunrise/sunset times, GPS, etc. People live in communities, to protect them from creatures that run the night, called Weirs. Three is the name of our main character, and appears to be a sort of bounty hunter. When in one community, he is approached for help from a strange woman and child. Though his instincts tell him to not bother, he follows them, and gets caught up in saving their lives. She asks him to help deliver the child to his birth father in another community.

The story tells of their travel, eluding those chasing them - a group called RushRuin, ran by the mother's other child, half-brother to this boy. This group has enhanced abilities that give them added strength, or other attributes. As they travel to this other distant community, Three discovers emotions he had long though hidden, and of the unknown powers the boy child has.

I thought the plot interesting enough, though Posey does sort of just drop the reader into this world without much background information. How did the world get to be this way? How are people wired into this network? What exactly are these Weirs and how/why are the created and what do they hunt for? The second book, MORNINGSIDE FALL, will expand on more of these details I hope. Great read that even the YA crowd will like.

Book Review: "Dryad-Born" by Jeff Wheeler

The struggle to save the plague-ridden kingdoms continues in this captivating second novel in the Whispers from Mirrowen series.

The orphan Phae has kept her innate ability secret since she was young. Not only does she possess the dangerous fireblood, but she can also steal the memories of anyone who looks into her eyes.

Phae has no idea that her combination of powers is extraordinary. She is the unwitting key to discovering the secret origin of the plagues…and she is also now a target. The ruthless Arch-Rike of Kenatos has sent his most menacing servant—the Quiet Kishion—to destroy her.

As Phae struggles to wield her powers and escape her pursuers, a team of allies has already been dispatched on a quest to end the plagues. Some face the horrors in the Arch-Rike’s secret lair, while others search for the fabled lost Shatalin temple.

The determined allies must square off against the Arch-Rike, who is ever steadfast in his aim to kill Phae…and let the plagues rage on. - from Amazon.com

I received this book for free from the publisher (47 North) in exchange for a review.

This is the second book in Wheeler's 'Whispers of Mirrowen' series. It centers around Phae, who is dryad-born, a not heard of, or very rare, birth, combined with the magic of the Fireblood. There is short background on her growing up, and her limited knowledge of the Fireblood and the dryad ability to steal memories from a person. Phae's life is turned around when she is sought out, and she discovers that she is a key figure in ridding the land of the Plague. In her attempt to flee her pursuers, she discovers her real father, joins with the once-enemy Kishion, and learns of her dryad magic, the use which is needed in the Scourged Lands to be rid of the Plague. The characters introduced in the first book ("FIREBLOOD") are also on their quests Tyrus sent them upon. All reunite near the end, and ready to head to the Scourge Lands.

Wheeler first captivated me with his MUIRWOOD series, and again pulls me in with this second novel of Mirrowen. Though the basics of the plot being a group of young persons on quests to discover not only themselves, but save the kingdom, is a pretty common story plot, Wheeler has done a wonderful job of making the events they go through interesting. Characterization is a bit bland, and in my opinion could use some more filling out, but there is enough difference between each person. The cover art is excellent, too.

Book Review: "Blood From a Silver Cross" by E. S. Moore

Trust is a dangerous business.

Some people still call Kat Redding by her hunter name: Lady Death. But she’s not eager to see more violence brought to her doorstep. The neverending tide of hungry supes and vicious humans doesn’t change the math—sooner or later Kat’s one-vamp battle against the nightmares that infest Columbus is going to leave her dead. And she has innocent people—well, a werewolf and a demon-summoner—depending on her now.

But when a rogue werewolf who’s opted out of the bloodbath is found crucified and mutilated with toxic silver, Kat knows she’ll be tangling again with the dangerous Pureblood murderers of the cult of the Left Hand. She already has an undead countess blackmailing her into taking out the city’s garbage and a demon playing with her head. Add to that her serious suspicions about changes at the house of her uneasy ally Jonathan Alucard, werewolf denmaster, and Kat might have finally gotten in danger so deep, not even Lady Death can survive… - from Amazon.com

I received this copy from the publisher for free, in exchange for a review, through Netgalley.

This is the fourth book in the Kat Redding series. It continues the story line created in book one, adding more drama to Kat's life in the form of problems, obstacles, and people that try to get too close to her. This time around, the Left Hand has closed in, jealousy raises it's head with a new member to the Luna Cult Clan, and Beligral has again made an offer that Kat is not sure she can turn down. While spinning from one issue to another, Kat is also learning how to be human again, by being more open and willing to share problems.

Moore, in my opinion, has done a great job in a series, leaving an opening for more (there was an excerpt for the next book)that grabbed my attention and kept me interested. Much of the plot line was not easily figured out as I read, and the though the characters seem too 'good' when they are good, and just 'evil' when they are bad guys, the read was still enjoyable.

Book Review: "The Very Best of Tad Williams" by Tad Williams

This career retrospective from beloved author Tad Williams (Otherland; Tailchaser's Song;Shadowplay) demonstrates why he is one of fantasy's most enduring icons. The Very Best of Tad Williams collects Williams' finest work in multiple genres, including epic fantasy, urban fantasy, and YA. These superlative tales, many of which were previously available only in limited editions, introduce dragons, wizards, assassins, heroes, and fools — even a few cyberpunks.

Readers familiar with Williams' internationally bestselling novels and series will be delighted that in his short fiction he explores myriad new possibilities and adventures. Here are the stories that showcase the exhilarating breadth of Williams’ imagination, hearkening back to such classic fantasists as J. R. R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Peter S. Beagle, and beyond. - from Amazon.com

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

I have enjoyed Tad's GREEN ANGEL TOWER series, and TAILCHASER'S SONG, that a chance to read a collection of short stories was nothing to be sneered at. It was great to have the publisher send me a free Uncorrected Proof!! There are 18 stories in all, and as usual in any collection, there were some that I liked better than others. This particular collection, as I read each story (rather, lost myself in each story)I would be dropped back into reality suddenly after what seemed just a few short pages. Truthfully, the stories are longer than a handful of pages, and take on a few different writing styles. If you are a Tad Williams fan, you will enjoy this collection!