Book Review: "The Valhalla Prophecy" by Andy McDermott

MYSTERIOUS RUNE STONES.
AN ANCIENT VIKING MYTH.
AND A PROPHECY OF LIFE OR DEATH.
 
In a Stockholm museum, thieves steal an enormous Norse rune stone, but not before killing a security guard. When Nina Wilde, head of the International Heritage Agency (IHA), and her husband and ex-mercenary Eddie Chase arrive to investigate, they are told a chilling story: A scholar has discovered that the stone may be one of two keys to finding the mythological site of Valhalla, where the Vikings predicted the world’s final battle would begin. The second lies at the bottom of a Norwegian lake. But when Nina and Eddie race to the scene, they’re hit with a shocking surprise.
 
Covert agents from around the world are drawn into a lethal game, including a ruthless mole in the IHA. Then a disturbing secret surfaces from Eddie’s past, involving a mission in Vietnam and a woman he tried to save. Suddenly suspicious of her own husband, Nina cannot afford to stop the perilous search for the artifact. For somewhere in a remote wilderness, two forces are about to converge: one that could save the world. . . . and one that could destroy it.- from Amazon.com

I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell through Netgalley.com for free in exchange for a review.

I don't recall reading any of McDermott's previous novels in this series of Nina and Eddie Chase. I believe this is approximately book nine in the series, but even so, reading it without knowing previous escapades, it read well. This is definitely a thriller/action/adventure novel that I compare to the Boyd Morrison's Tyler Locke series. Plenty of snarkiness in extreme tense situations, led into with a bit of history as Nina Chase is an archaeologist.  I enjoyed the way McDermott put together some mythological Norse tales, and bring it to a modern day story.

Book Review: "Fool's Assassin" by Robin Hobb

Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of FitzChivalry Farseer and his uncanny friend the Fool. A watershed moment in modern fantasy, this novel—and those that followed—broke exciting new ground in a beloved genre. Together with George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb helped pave the way for such talented new voices as Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson, and Naomi Novik.

Over the years, Hobb’s imagination has soared throughout the mythic lands of the Six Duchies in such bestselling series as the Liveship Traders Trilogy and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. But no matter how far she roamed, her heart always remained with Fitz. And now, at last, she has come home, with an astonishing new novel that opens a dark and gripping chapter in the Farseer saga.

FitzChivalry—royal bastard and former king’s assassin—has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire.

Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past . . . and his future.

Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one. . . .
 - from Amazon.com

I received an uncorrected proof of this book from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra, in exchange for a review.

The return to the world of the Fool and Fitz was not to happen, I thought those many years ago when I finished the series. This brings back their return, in about the same amount of time as it feels like it has been in the real world for me. Now Fitz is married, and the unexpected birth of a daughter, though long past the child-bearing years of his wife, brings on a new danger. Most of the book seemed to be self contemplation for Fitz, sharing guilt he holds for things done in the past, and then speculations and fears for the future in regards to his daughter, or whatever event is taking precedence at that moment. The story does evolve eventually, and leaves me guessing as to what will happen in future tales (because there will be, I hope).

Book Review: "The Hero's Lot" by Patrick W. Carr

Riveting Sequel from Christian Fantasy's Most Talented New Voice

When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne.

In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting. - from Amazon.com

This is the second book in The Staff and the Sword series, and continues without any time lost from the first novel. This book finds Errol under compulsion from the church, once again, to seek out and stop the rogue Reader in Merakhi. On this journey, he discovers more of the truth of what Martin and Luis had not told him, as well as more inner convictions. The religious tones of the story also come out more, though not overwhelming the reader.

As with the first book, I enjoyed reading this one through to the end to find out what happens to our main character. Though the plot is an often told one, there is enough twists in the plot, and the different kind of "magic" (Readers casting lots moreso than just discovering you can do more sorcerer-like magic)keeps me wondering how this may change with time as our main character has developed it so fast, as well as having a rare form of Reading ability. nothing stopping me from the third book, which I received free through Netgalley and the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, in exchange for a review.

Book Review: "Half A King" by Joe Abercrombie

“I swore an oath to avenge the death of my father. I may be half a man, but I swore a whole oath.”
 
Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it all with only one good hand.
 
The deceived will become the deceiver.
 
Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.
 
The betrayed will become the betrayer.
 
Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.
 
Will the usurped become the usurper?
 
But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy. - from Amazon.com

I received an ARC of this novel through Netgalley.com by the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra, in exchange for a review.

I have been a fan of Joe Abercrombie since his THE FIRST LAW series. That being said, I dove right into this story as soon as I got my hands on it, and I was not disappointed. This is a shorter than usual tale that Abercrombie shares with us, of the revenge sworn to be taken by a prince who has a malformed hand. Thrust into the King's throne suddenly due to the murder of his father, and older brother, Yarvi is introduced to regicide, though barely escapes with his life. Once he escapes, he is caught by slavers, and his tale begins. 

This is the basic story of revenge for the death of one's father (and family, plus being the rulers of the land), added in with the tale of growing up handicapped in a world where being less than hale is as good as being dead. Yarvi's tale shares how his training for the Ministry (similar to a priesthood, giving up all claims/family, yet serving as an advisor for a king) helped him escape his death, make friends, and complete his revenge oath.

This story was shorter than previous novels by Abercrombie, and thus was a pretty fast read. Being shorter in length, the characters were still pretty well developed and the story contained enough plot twists to keep me wondering how, and when, it would all come full circle. Another good story by Joe.

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.