Book Review: "Shadows of Olympus" by Deric Wagner

 

Modern renditions of epic legends.

As the lines between myth and reality blur, the ultimate test of heroism awaits those who challenge fate. In this modern retelling of the Hercules myth, New Illion becomes a battleground where ancient legends and contemporary life collide. Roland, a former ruler turned shapeshifting were-lion detective, prowls the dark streets of the city, burdened by the murder of his family and the loss of his throne. His quest for justice is driven by profound grief, and he is determined to uncover the truth behind his family's killer. His partner, Damaldi, a gunslinger cursed with divine luck, provides an unpredictable edge as they navigate a city where the supernatural is ever-present.

Their investigation into a series of gruesome murders at Yamamoto Industries reveals troubling connections. Executives are being killed in increasingly horrifying ways, each death hinting at a deeper, more sinister threat. As Roland and Damaldi dig deeper, they discover that gods and demons are manipulating mortal affairs, their ancient powers threatening chaos.

Facing both human and supernatural adversaries, Roland and Damaldi must prevent a catastrophe of mythic proportions. With the fate of New Illion—and potentially the world—at stake, they must confront the ultimate challenge and stop the impending disaster. - from Booksirens.com

This eArc was provided by Booksirens.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

When I started reading this requested book, I had quite a few mixed feelings. A ruler of a large city of mixed population (shifter, human, etc) is arrested for murder (of his own family), claims it was magic-induced control of his mind, avoids a sentencing - other than you have to serve as a Warden (special police) in the same city he ruled, for an undetermined length of time. Conflict of interest much? Well, let's add in that as the story flows, we find out gods are involved, and doing their own manipulations, as well as the daemons. So everything is flipping nuts, and this guy is feeling guilt and remorse, as he was trapped in his body when he killed his family, yet has not gotten a chance to try to find the one who manipulated him. Oh, and let's hook him up in this Warden department, as more ofa detective, than a street patrol, because, hey - who needs training? His partner, oh, this guy is all Wyatt Earp with his two six-shooter handguns on the hips, and ensemble like Bat Masterson with an Earp mustache. 

But, once I got into the story, it was easy to overlook all this (it is fiction we are reading, right). There are always parts of hero stories that we know will happen: heroes almost never die, always win in the end, etc. This tale is not much different. His partner is a, for better terms, a "Luck" creature, and there are so many others that just happen to have a particular 'skill' or magic when the hero needs it. Overall, the tale was a good read, and since it is labeled as a chronicle, I am sure to be watching for the next one.

Book Review: "The Cartographer's Return" by Lisa Maria Koenig

 

Years have passed since the cartographer Soread from Greenwood has left Snowcreek. Now he returns, driven by trust towards the Lord and the Lady of Eridris and accompanied with secrets he wishes to keep. - from Booksirens.com

This eARC was provided by Booksirens.com and I giving an unbiased review.

This is the second novella in 'The Cartographer's Travels" series, and is also a fairly quick read. The tale takes place approximately 17 years after the first tale, and starts with our traveling map-making elf returning to the neighboring lands of his home after all this time. Again, he is wounded physically, though not as bad as the first time. Makes one wonder how clumsy this elf must be.

Either way, this one was a bit slower to read than the first one, as it delves more into the elf's inner turmoil and feelings (ewww, feelings). Obviously there is loads of guilt, anger, resentment, pride... the list just goes on, and flips around each paragraph. I tried to step back from the directness of it all, and saw that this seemed more of a tale of reuniting friends, one full of angst, etc, and one that is just open and loving, that share their burdens with each other.

Not sharing the ending, but from what I read, I don't see any future novellas about Soread coming in the future, though I admit, I always could be wrong.

Book Review: "The Cartographer from Greenwood" by Lisa Maria Koenig

 

In a stormy night, a strange elf stumbles through the doors of Lord Aeglas' manor in Snowcreek. He is injured and it is not his love for drawing maps that has driven him out of his home for many years. Will he learn that he has to fight for what is dear to him or will he continue his travels and avoid the arguments awaiting him at home? - from Booksirens.com

This eARC was provided by Booksirens.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

I actually came across the second novella of this small series (two books) prior to this one, but saw this one was available to be read and reviewed so requested it as well. Thankfully, both came, so I did not have to read out of order. Though each could be a stand-alone (I believe enough information is given in the second one to cover any possible missing plot).

I really liked the synopsis of the storyline: a wondering elf into neighboring lands, harboring inner feelings that prevent him from returning home to family. Here in this land he finds compassion and friendship, which erodes at his inner feelings, but in the end, we find it is not enough. Let's add in that this elf draws maps, very exquisite maps, and regardless of his wounds received, thus bringing him here, takes little time to recover. It is a novella, and some parts (to me) dragged on a bit longer than needed. I did find myself occasionally wishing this could be fleshed out into a longer tale, maybe including some of his traveling background. Overall well-written, easy to read, and looking forward to the second novella.

Book Review: "The Staircase in the Woods" by Chuck Wendig

 

A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

Five high school friends are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what.

Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something extraordinary: a mysterious staircase to nowhere.

One friend walks up—and never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.

Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy—and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods.  - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

Wendig has done a wonderful job of creating yet another thriller story! This stand-alone novel takes us on a guilt-trip for a group of friends that lasts for years. As adults, they are tricked into climbing a random staircase found int he woods that takes to a place none would have suspected, for a goal that int heir hearts, they believe they want.

What is it about random staircases showing up in weird places, yet not in cities, etc? I did not take the time to 'Google' it, but either way, Wendig has taken an unexpected element and made it a focal point of a story. The novel is a nice read, and though not quite a horror story, does bring in elements that could make it considered as such. Overall, was a good read for the day, and look forward to future stories from this author.

Book Review: "Galaphile" The First Druids of Shannara" by Terry Brooks

 

New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks makes his triumphant return to the world of Shannara, delving deep into the origin story of the druid order and its enigmatic creator that will change the face of the Four Lands forever.
 
One of the most iconic structures in the Four Lands is Paranor, the fortress home of the Druid Order. Legend holds that it was erected by an Elven leader known as Galaphile Joss. But who was this Galaphile, and how and why did he choose to establish this center of magic and learning?

Within these pages we meet the real Galaphile, following him from a friendless teenage orphan stranded in the Human world to a powerful adult and master mage, studying under the infamous recluse, Cogline. We learn of the forces that shaped him—those he loved, and those he lost; those who aided him, and those who stood against him.

Throughout it all, Galaphile’s goal is a noble one: to bring order to a chaotic world, and to make life better for those trying to survive it. To this end, he commences building the citadel which will one day be known as Paranor with the aid of the King of the Silver River. But there is one other who seeks dominion over the Four Lands—and for far less virtuous ends.

For this foe has been corrupted by an ancient evil—one that will not only reach out and touch Galaphile’s nearest and dearest, but also echo down through the centuries, sowing the seeds for some of the darkest times the Four Lands will ever face.- from Netgalley.com

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am supplying an unbiased review.

Brooks' Shannara series have always been a good read to me. Over the years, I have read them them all at least twice. Each time he comes out with a new trilogy installment, I wonder where it will lead....

Galaphile is no disappointment. This time we are going back to the beginning of the druids, and this book, titled after the first, starts us on the journey that lasts through many books. Well written for those of Young Adult and older are able to enjoy, the worldbuilding is great, and one is able to tell the changes the world has gone through, and yet still faces (based on the other novels).

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and look forward to, if not a continuation of Galaphile's story, something that leads into the lives of some of the earlier druids.