My Review of. . .

Twilight of Dragons

Our heroes are in trouble.

Having lost one of their number during the escape from the dwarven slave mines, they long for the simple pleasures of the sun on their faces and wind in their hair. But such pleasures are hard to find when you’re heading in the opposite direction, and trekking ever further underground.

But why on earth would they do such a thing when there’s nothing to stand in their way?

Because they’re heroes, that’s why. And the dragons are free, spreading death and fiery destruction upon the descendants of those who locked them away, so long ago. And nothing can stop them celebrating their liberty in an orgy of violence. . .

. . . Or so it seems.

Longtime enemies face off. Unlikely alliances are made. Old scores are settled, while new ones are kindled. Ancient magicks are unleashed. Unearthly powers come into play.

And all the while, a dark peril lies forgotten. Yes, a thousand dragon eggs are nearing maturation, awaiting the catalyst that will give rise to a new reign of terror.

How do you prevent an apocalypse when the world is coming down around your ears?

Find out, in this spectacular, action-packed saga filled with heroic deeds, traitorous scum, and sinew rending battle scenes. It won’t give you a moment’s rest. The pace really is that exhilarating, setting off at a sprint and maintaining its momentum until the breathtaking finale.

What I particularly liked about Twilight of Dragons is the fact that it takes a series of unexpected, sometimes heartrending/sometimes welcome turns as it nears the end. I’m usually a jammy so and so at working out the plot and guessing how things will turn out. So, when I’m taken by surprise – which doesn’t happen very often – I love it.

So, accept the challenge. Turn the first page and enter the quest. Death and glory await you, toasted in your enemy’s blood.

Awesome fun!

Genius!

Absolute Genius. . .

The Genius Plague

In this time of outbreak and self-isolation, what better way could there be to spend your day than by reading a story highlighting just how bad things could be if the virus creating havoc around the planet right now was driven by an inhuman intelligence, hellbent on survival at our expense.

The Genius plague, by David Walton, does just that. In this case, using an insidious fungus as the catalyst for mayhem.

Neil Johns is a down-to-earth kinda guy who has just landed his dream job by following in his father’s footsteps as a codebreaker for the NSA. Meanwhile, his brother, Paul, a research fellow and mycologist, nearly dies in an unprovoked terrorist attack while of a field trip to the Amazon jungle. When Paul eventually makes it home, it becomes apparent he’s a changed man. Different in ways that can’t be explained rationally.

The thing is, Paul’s not alone. Other people throughout South America are changing too. Not only does their cognitive functioning become off-the-charts strong, but no matter who they are or where they’re from, they all begin working toward a common goal. One that becomes increasingly aggressive and dangerous as time goes by.

Of course, these events come to the attention of the NSA, who has to devise an appropriate response.

What that response is, you’ll find out in a skillfully crafted, fast-paced and engaging story that will insinuate itself into your mind until you can’t fight the urge to read ‘just one more chapter’. It’s intelligent, subtle, and compelling. Timely too, revealing just how ignorant we are of the potential surrounding us as we go about our self-centered lives.

And the thing I especially liked about the Genius Plague? It has the appeal to make you think . . . 

What if?

A Story Epitomizing

the Union of Joffrey Baratheon and Harley Quinn 

Last Argument of Kings

In this, the third installment of “The First Law” series, Joe Abercrombie brings his trilogy to an end. And I have to say, I thought it was cleverly done.

Logan has business – bloody business – to attend to in the north. Bethod has had his rampaging way for far too long, and it looks as if it’s up to the Bloody-Nine to sort things out!

Sand dan Glokta faces an equally tricky – and just as gory – situation in the capital, where political intrigue, treasonous jockeying, and assassination attempts by friend, foe, and demon alike come thick and fast, forcing him to take extreme measures in order to survive.

The Gurkish Empire, not content with annexing Dagoska, the Union’s southernmost province, continue their assault and bring the war to the heart of the Union.

And Jezal dan Luthar, having made it safely back from the edge of the known world, wants nothing more than a quiet life. To settle down with the woman he loves to raise a family. But the king is dying. Added to all the turmoil festering in one place after another, it’s no wonder the common folk are terrified and start revolting. And guess who the powers-that-be task to deal with it?

A veritable cauldron of strife and torment, if ever there was one. To help heat things toward boiling point, we have all the usual accelerants: Narcissistic wizards; incompetent rulers; revolting peasants – and lords too, come to that – restless, warriors itching for a fight; and devious, flesh-eating ghouls, all crowing for the world’s end.

And the thing is, though Joe Abercrombie builds the series to a climactic conclusion, he doesn’t just end it after an epic battle. Oh no. He adds a cunning touch of realism to the mix that helps us appreciate that, at the end of every epic – when the fabled deeds are done and our heroes and heroines come to rest from their labors – picking up the pieces is never easy. Life goes on. But for the survivors, that life might be so drastically changed, that they’ll never be the same.

Kudos to Joe Abercrombie. He leaves us with a bittersweet taste of a world where the lovechild of Joffrey Baratheon and Harley Quinn is allowed to take the reins of a shattered kingdom, only to steer it in a Pulp Fiction direction.

Ultima Ratio Regum.