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.

Grim, Dark and Glorious

Before They Are Hanged

This is the second Joe Abercrombie novel I’ve had the pleasure of delving into – the second of “The First Law” series, come to that – and I have to say, it’s one of the best continuation books I’ve read. THIS is the way to write heroic fantasy. And how could he possibly fail when all the ingredients are there: ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed; barbarian hordes creating havoc; ghoulish demons raising hell; traitorous scoundrels and incompetent, over-privileged fops making things worse –compellingly complex characters you can’t help but love or hate, contending as much against impossible odds as their own shortcomings. . .

Like I say, all the ingredients for an adrenaline-laced, epic high adventure are there, just waiting to unfold. And unfold they will, with all the panache of a berserker on amphetamine-laced steroids taking a fight-club vacation in the boldest, brashest, bloodiest landscape imaginable.

It's grim, dark and glorious. And by the end, you’ll be inclined to forgive your enemies . . . But not before they are hanged!

What’s not to like?

Have You Ever Wondered 

What a Mix between "Conan the Barbarian” & “Game of Thrones” Might Look Like In a Gloriously Epic Production Directed by Quentin Tarantino?

Look No Further!

The Blade Itself

It’s not often I pick up a book and start reading, only to catch myself on repeated occasions grinning – in a deliciously evil way – from ear to ear. That’s exactly what happened when I delved into my first ever Joe Abercrombie novel: The Blade Itself.

And why?

Because it has perfect balance. THAT’s why. Think “Conan the Barbarian” meets “Game of Thrones” in a gloriously epic production directed by Quentin Tarantino, and you’ll get an idea of what’s in store. It’s bloody; it’s brutal; it’s breathtaking and brilliant. Cutting-edge stuff, quite literally, with thoroughly engaging characters, (I just loved Inquisitor Glokta. He’s the favorite uncle I never had), vivid imagery, and an action-packed plot, you’ll be “incited to deeds of violence” and swept away in a world of adventure you won’t want to end.

I took to this story of an empire – swollen by its own grandeur; overconfident in its own invincibility; and ignorant of its imminent collapse – as naturally as a Tasmanian Devil does to throwing tantrums. It still calls to me in my sleep!

Dare I say, the second book in this series won't be far behind?

See my Amazon Review - Here

The Blade Itself - Amazon Review

My Thoughts On. . .

The Last Sun

Rune St John is the sole surviving heir to a former great house of New Atlantis. But he’s also a man hiding a secret shame that can never become public knowledge. Because of this, he’s also something of a maverick. A loner, who – along with his bodyguard and companion, Brand – now makes ends meet by working as a freelance private eye in a city full of scions and unimaginably powerful deities.

When Rune is hired to search for Lady Judgment’s missing son, Addam, he assumes he’s been given just another ordinary assignment. But as he begins to question Addam’s relatives and business associates, any semblance of normalcy soon disappears. Even worse, it seems Rune is too good at his job, because his investigation attracts the unwanted attention of creatures that shouldn’t exist. Creatures who would see him dead, and aren’t in the least bit fussy as to how they go about trying to achieve that end.

The problem is, he can’t give up! Some of the clues he unearths hearken back to the fall of the Sun Court, and the skeletons in the closet from his own past that he is only too willing to kill to keep.

It’s inevitable that things quickly go from bad – to weird, to macabre – to worse, leading Rune to question what the hell is really going on, because there’s no way this is a simple abduction.

I’ve got to say, K. D. Edwards has done a marvelous job. Employing an innovate – and I must stress, rather cool magical system – The Last Sun is set in an alternative world where the legend of the lost city now lives on in modern-day New Atlantis. Clever. It’s familiar enough that you immediately connect to the environment, yet so unusual, you can’t help but be spellbound by the mystical elements. Just the ingredients you’d expect in a quality fantasy romp. An engaging narrative; down-to-earth – and often cynical – humor; and a pleasing interplay of characters, help the story fly past. And it does!

You don’t need a full deck of Arcana to know what the future holds. Trust my Judgment. I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Sun, and I’m sure you will too. So, the Devil with Temperance! Jump in your Chariot or shuffle down to your nearest bookstore or online retailer and deal yourself a Sun, Moon and Star of a treat.

You’d be a Fool to miss it!

2019 Nebula Award Finalists Announced

See List Here

Serendipity Strikes!

As followers of my blog will have noticed, I only completed my review of Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon last week. And guess what? Marque of Caine has been nominated for the Nebulas!

. . . (A little bit of a trend where this series is concerned, as Charles Gannon’s books are extremely popular and always end up doing rather well). And this year’s awards are no exception.

Well done to Charles Gannon, especially, along with all the other nominees.

And tooting my own horn for a moment . . .

You will see from the list that I’ve read quite a few of those who have been nominated, highlighting what fine taste I have when it comes to my own personal library.

In a nutshell, that should prompt YOU to keep tuning in, as you’ll always find my latest reviews of the finest speculative fiction right here . . .