The IX Genesis

Cover Reveal

So many of the fans who enjoyed the IX Series asked for a prequel, that I was obliged to respond. And I’m glad I did. As I mentioned last time out, IX Genesis is a story about the origins of the Horde, their expansion, and the impact their rampage has on the people of Arden.

Here’s the back-story:

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Arden, birthplace of a people who have mastered the secrets of arcane, reality-bending technology, and home to a civilization that now spans more than thirty planets throughout an entire quadrant of the galaxy. They are wise and understanding. Majestic in vision. Powerful beyond compare. And intent on extending their benevolent influence throughout the stars. . .

Until the fateful day their thirst for knowledge leads them to push too far, too quickly. In doing so, they open a door into the antiverse, a realm where the very nature of existence is an anathema to life. An antithesis to all that is good. Evil. And that evil is sentient, as highly contagious as it is fueled by an irresistible proclivity to feed and multiply and spread.

And feed and multiply it does.

Faced with an overwhelming flood, the Ardenese have no option.

They must fight or die!

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So, does that want to make you find out more?

If so, head on over to my sister page at:

https://theix.blogspot.com/

Where you'll find a complete breakdown on the cover:

And if you like what you see, please feel free to click on the Buy Link Below:

IX GENESIS

Or feel free to try the links on the cover pictures in the side bar.

In any event, be sure to let me know what you think.

 Enjoy My Glimpse Into The Past

With. . .

Mistborn Secret History

In Mistborn Secret History, Brandon Sanderson adds a wealth of hitherto unknown details to the Mistborn and Wax and Wayne sagas.

Here’s a snippet of what you can expect:

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Mistborn: Secret History is a companion story to the original Mistborn trilogy.

As such, it contains HUGE SPOILERS for the books Mistborn (the Final Empire), The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages. It also contains very minor spoilers for the book The Bands of Mourning.

Mistborn: Secret History builds upon the characterization, events, and worldbuilding of the original trilogy. Reading it without that background will be a confusing process at best.

In short, this isn’t the place to start your journey into Mistborn. (Though if you have read the trilogy—but it has been a while—you should be just fine, so long as you remember the characters and the general plot of the books.)

Saying anything more here risks revealing too much. Even knowledge of this story’s existence is, in a way, a spoiler.

There’s always another secret.

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Rather tight-lipped isn’t it? That’s because to do otherwise would – as it so plainly explains – spoil what’s in store for those who haven’t yet read the opening six books. And as someone who hates to reveal any form of spoiler, I totally agree. So, be reassured by the last line: There’s always another secret.

And what a secret it is!

Before I go any further, I would say that, if you haven’t already, ensure you read the original Mistborn and Wax & Wayne adventures first. And as you do so, keep an eye out for ‘things’ that don’t quite add up. Things that make you stop and think or suspect, ‘hang on, what else might be going on?’

Because they ARE there. Little teasers of something else. Something bigger. Something . . . secret. And just what those niggles in the back of your mind might relate to is laid bare in this companion story. Yes, Sanderson has achieved something of a gem with this novella, as it lifts the veil, allowing us to peek into behind the scene developments that we suspected were taking place all along. And now we know about them, it feels as if a void has been filled. Like a comfy pair of slippers that fit ‘right.’

Personally, I rather enjoyed this step back – and through – time. The revelations it contains are evocative, mind-blowing, and fully satisfying, providing a number of ‘I knew it' moments that will leave you eager for the concluding story: The Lost Metal.

And better still, you’re introduced to characters you won’t meet for real just yet. Characters you know will take the story arc into new and exciting territory when we eventually get to the finale.

Treat yourself. It’s always better to see the bigger picture.

Amazon Review

 My Thoughts On

Harrow the Ninth

I found this second book of The Locked Tomb Trilogy rather tiresome.

Yes, I know. I absolutely adored Gideon the Ninth. It touched a nerve, deep inside my darkened soul. What’s more, I’m usually spot-on when it comes to choosing reading material and the kind of saga I think I’ll enjoy. Alas, I failed in this regard. Though – I’m glad to say – my faith in Tamsyn Muir was restored as the story drew toward its climax.

Here’s the blurb to start you off, and then I’ll explain what I think was a major flaw that sucked all the joy out of this particular book.

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She answered the Emperor's call.

She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.

In victory, her world has turned to ash.

After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath -- but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.

Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor's Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?

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Sounds epic, doesn’t it?

And to be fair, it is . . . after a fashion.
As before, we have all the elements of Dark City, the Necromongers from The Chronicles of Riddick and the evocative imagery of the Bene Gesserit nuns in Dune, blended into a ‘whodunnit” style murder/killer-on-the-loose/mystery to fathom out. And yes, as before, it’s interspersed with clever dialogue, untrustworthy characters with their own agendas, a brutal magic system, and plenty of action that keeps you guessing . . . And more importantly: who is it that seeks Harrowhark’s death?

Buuuuut. . .

In my honest, heartfelt opinion, it still falls flat. And the main reason for that is the amount of time/perspective/and literal head hopping spent flitting backward, forward – and sometimes – sideways, in between an imaginative and appealing opening, and the Hail-Mary redeemer of an ending that saves the day by lifting the story arc – at last – to a level that matches the pedigree of Gideon the Ninth.

And the reason for that is Gideon Nav.

Fans of Gideon the Ninth know all about Gideon Nav. A sassy, smart/foul-mouthed, hooligan with a sword the size of her ego. But, my oh my, she made battling foul necromantic monsters and backstabbing opponents to the death lots of fun!

SPOILER ALERT:

And yet we hardly get to see her? A surprise, as fans will also know that once a necromancer and sword wielding cavalier have blended to rise to Lyctorhood, they become near all-powerful immortal servants of the everlasting resurrection, nigh on impossible to kill.

Yet amazingly, Gideon is missing from most of the story.

END OF SPOILER ALERT:

So, okay. There IS a reason for that. And it took me until about halfway through the story to guess why that might be. (Slow, for me, as I’m usually sharp as the proverbial nail in working out the plot). But THAT was due to all the time/perspective/head hopping I mentioned. It’s distracting. And far from enhancing the mystery element, it stymies it completely.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This kind of thing doesn’t usually bother me. I’ve seen it employed in other stories by a variety of writers. Yet they managed it in a cohesive way that allows you to maintain a proper grasp of the storyline. And it’s here that Tamsyn Muir falls short. The temporal skipping is haphazard in that it often comes so unexpectedly that it takes a while for you to appreciate you’ve left the main story thread. So it becomes irritating. And that’s a mistake, as far as I’m concerned, as it spoils what could be – and does its best to be – an awesome sequel.

Now, this is only my opinion. As I mentioned at the outset, the story is saved by a much more consistent beginning and spectacular ending. But in between? All I can say is that I do read and review a lot of different books by a wide variety of authors. And when something I enjoyed immensely first time out is unnecessarily tainted by an avoidable trait? THAT vexes me.

I’m still a huge fan of the Locked Tomb trilogy, and hope Tamsyn Muir’s concluding chapter returns to the original format. Something I look forward to very much.

Amazon Review

 An Epic Conclusion

The Last Lies of Ardor Benn

To be honest, I wondered how best to introduce this, the final book in the Kingdom of Grit trilogy, and couldn’t make my mind up. So, here’s the back cover blurb to ease you in:

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Ardor Benn has takes his lies to a new level, infiltrating high society so he can steal a priceless resource. But now that he's on the inside, he finds himself poring over ancient texts, searching for answers to his deepest questions. He discovers something is coming. Something world-ending.

Now, an old enemy is extorting him for one last job. Steal a live dragon. He doesn't know how, and he doesn't know why. But he's got a feeling that it's a job he has to take. Only problem is, Ard's running short on time and shorter on lies. And his personal ambitions are alienating all of his allies.

With no one else to rely on, he'll have to trust the one person nobody else does: himself.

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As you can see, the blurb doesn’t give away a great deal. And that’s perfect. Because this isn’t just another book. It’s not just the finale to another trilogy. It’s a tale about the ruse to end all ruses. And only one person in existence stands a chance of pulling it off: Ardor Benn.

There’s so much I want to say, because this is a wonderfully complex and intricate story. But how to do that without dropping hints and spoilers everywhere?

I’ll be guided by the blurb itself.

The story unfolds a couple of years after the events of The Shattered Realm. Ardor Benn has been pardoned for his crimes and is now a studious man, trying to live a quiet life as he picks apart clues to the Chain’s future from ancient texts. The trouble is, his former enemies are making that rather difficult. The Queen may have exonerated him, but many of the people Ardor has scammed in the past are less willing to forgive and forget. In fact, a few are downright hostile!

Even worse, one of those disgruntled associates knows things. Things he shouldn’t. Quite how, neither Ardor, Raek nor Quarrah can fathom. What follows is a complex caper, fraught with mystery, intrigue and danger, where Ardor is expected to steal a mature dragon while avoiding the authorities and determined individuals out to murder him. And if they weren’t already, things get complicated when Ardor discovers that his small band of misfits are being guided by, of all things, Urgings. And when he then realizes just where those Urgings are coming from? Wow! Hold on to your collective hats, because THAT’s when things take off for real.

I enjoyed The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn. It was an explosive introduction to a brand-new world where anything was possible if you were only prepared to go out and make it happen. That enjoyment was compounded by the second book in the series, The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn, which went on to reveal ancient secrets as to the origins of mankind and the other beings that populate the Greater Chain. And here, in The Last Lies of Ardor Benn, the story comes full circle in a way you won’t anticipate; in ways that will delight as much as frustrate you. Because make no mistake, the world is ending. . .

And THAT’s what makes this weighty tome of a trilogy so exceptional. Tyler Whitesides’ ability to sweep you along in a roister-doister riot of a yarn, while tripping you up with unexpected twists and turns when you least expect them.

The Last Lies of Ardor Benn. An exceptionally sad, but oh so satisfying conclusion to an epic trilogy that ensures you’ll want to see the ruse through to the bittersweet end.

Amazon Review

 See How I Pieced Together. . .

The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn

After the impressive ending to The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn, I was itching to see how Tyler Whitesides would keep the story fresh and continue Ardor Benn’s journey.

Suffice to say, I wasn’t disappointed, though the cover blurb barely gives anything away.

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Ardor Benn saved civilization from imminent destruction, but his efforts brought war to the kingdom. It is believed that the rightful rulers have all been assassinated. However, a young heir might have survived.

An ancient organization known as The Realm is behind the chaos, working from the shadows. Under the anonymity of masks, information is distributed sparingly. Ard's been hired to infiltrate them, but he's got competition from an old friend. One who's set to prove she's better than the self-proclaimed 'Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.'

If Ard can't find the heir, then his world may again approach ruin. Stopping the complete and utter collapse of civilization is quickly becoming Ard's specialty.

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Yes, in the aftermath of Ardor Benn’s greatest ever ruse to date, charlatans and cutthroats rush to fill the void left by the death of a king who – for all his failings – had brought a decades-long peace to a land beset by racial pride and religious intolerance. And none are more devious than the Realm, an ancient criminal organization that feels it has a God-given right to control and direct society as they see fit.

Now, if that isn’t a challenge to Ardor Benn’s sense of mischief, then I don’t know what is.

Sure enough, events start spiraling out of control when different factions representing the Realm, the new King, and the Prime Isless, begin trying to influence matters with their own personal agendas in mind. Of course, Ardor Benn gets involved. That’s when things get complicated. Very complicated, very quickly.

And what follows is an immensely enjoyable romp through the visceral underbelly of a civilization on the verge of collapse. Collapse? Ah, there are secrets you don’t know about yet. And as Ardor and his fellow conspirators are drawn deeper into an ever expanding web of lies, the dark history of this marvelous world is uncovered, and yanked up into the light for all to see.

And that’s the great thing about this story. Not only has Tyler Whitesides managed to avoid the ‘second-book-dip’ that plagues so many writers, but he’s blow the story arc out of the water. (literally – you’ll see). As before, this is a thumping big book. Even so, the plot has so many twists and turns, you’ll be wondering what direction you’re heading in. Yet it’s all held together by clever pacing, a great plot, and just the right balance of sparky characters that you’ll end up hating the baddies and rooting for our heroes and heroines right down to the spectacularly climactic end.

Too much fun to miss! I can’t wait to see where Whitesides takes us next.

Amazon Review

 A Killer of a Story.

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn

An epic title introduces what turns out to be an equally impressive story, in which we meet Ardor Benn – con artist. He’s out to rob you. In fact, he lives for the thrill of the scam. But only if you’re important. A ‘someone.’ A name. An icon. A prominent part of an institution that will help him promote what’s truly important: himself!

The back cover blurb helps set the scene quite nicely.

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Ardor Benn is no ordinary thief - a master of wildly complex heists, he styles himself a Ruse Artist Extraordinaire.

When he gets hired for his most daring ruse yet, Ardor knows he'll need more than quick wit and sleight of hand. Assembling a dream team of forgers, disguisers, schemers and thieves, he sets out to steal from the most powerful king the realm has ever known.

But it soon becomes clear there's more at stake than fame and glory - Ard and his team might just be the last hope for human civilization.

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It’s incredibly difficult to write about this epically proportioned, 729 page tome without giving the game away – an unforgivable sin, where this story is concerned – as it’s just so darn enjoyable. But I’ll do my best.

First off, it’s important that you appreciate the magic system Tyler Whitesides dreamed up to add foundation to the world he’s created. Grit. A substance obtained – in its simplest terms – as a byproduct of the waste of dragons! Genius eh? I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a magic system built around what is basically, dragon poo. Awesome!

With a mind like that, I just knew I was going to love what followed. And I did.

Ardor is always looking for the ultimate scam. Something that will confirm he’s the best of the best, no matter how outrageous or dangerous it is. Nevertheless, when he’s hired to carry out what he considers will be the greatest test of his abilities, it turns out there’s a whole lot more involved than establishing his supremacy as a ruse artist.

Kings might fall. Religious hypocrisy might expose those at the very highest levels. The very foundations upon which society has been built might crumble. Everything mankind has built might end up in ruins.

And why?

People have been lied to. That’s why!

However, to understand the depth of that deception, you’ll have to immerse yourselves in the world of Ardor Benn and join him on his adventure. And boy, you’ll be glad you did. Though a self-centered, out and out rogue, Ardor is a charmer with a heart of gold. He’s amazingly loyal to those he trusts. And no one is closer to him than his boyhood friend and accomplice, Raekon Dorrel.

Together, they lead an amazing cast of characters who are as down to earth and relatable as they are freakishly funny. Each has their own weaknesses and skeletons in the closet. But it’s those weaknesses that highlights their humanity and charm, making them believable.

And there’s the key.

This is a long and comprehensive caper. But Tyler Whitesides doesn’t rush you through it. He carefully lays out the foundations. And, having done so, continues building from the ground up, adding layer after layer to a complex and fascinating story that not only draws you in and involves you from the outset, but will keep you busy until the stunning finale.

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn. Outstandingly original, with twists and turns and timely revelations sprinkled in along the way, to you guessing until the very end.

Explosive exploits & fiery fun! Don’t miss it.

Amazon Review

 There's No Hoping About It
This Story Works - And Then Some.

A Fool’s Hope

The Egril.
Cruel. Savage. Monstrous barbarian killers.

The trouble is, they’re cunning too, with a penchant for strategy that always keeps them one step ahead of the game. And when that game centers on world domination, it turns out the Egril are grand masterclass players. Not the kind of thing you want to discover when you’re trying to bring your nation back from the brink of destruction.

With a premise like that, you begin to appreciate why I’ve been chomping at the bit, waiting for this sequel to We Are The Dead to arrive. And Mike Shackle doesn’t disappoint.

Take a quick peek at the back cover blurb:

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From Tinnstra, it took her family and thrust her into a conflict she wanted only to avoid. Now her queen's sole protector, she must give all she has left to keep Zorique safe.

It has taken just as much from Jia's revolutionaries. Dren and Jax - battered, tortured, once enemies themselves - now must hold strong against their bruised invaders, the Egril.

For the Egril intend to wipe Jia from the map. They may have lost a battle, but they are coming back.

If Tinnstra and her allies hope to survive, Jia's heroes will need to be ready when they do.

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So, what does A Fool’s Hope bring us?

Well, our favorite characters from the first book are still there: Tinnstra, Dren, Jax and Yas. We watch them evolve through pain and fire to become the kind of people Jia needs to survive . . . though not everyone will make it. This is war, after all.

Those we’ve met before in passing also get fleshed out: young Queen Zorique; the mage Assagod; Captain Ralasis, to name a few. As you will see, they become much more integral to the overall story arc as time passes. Helping you relate to their individual circumstances in a graphic, often personal way.

We’re also given a greater clarity of what life is like for the invading Egril, through the eyes of a new character, Mateon. A clever move, as through him we discover the true futility of war, especially where everyday folk are concerned. Mateon has been raised from birth to be a soldier, and the perfect instrument of his bloodthirsty god, Kage. Yet he struggles to reconcile the rhetoric of his superiors with the unjust treatment of the Jian people, and the brutality vested upon them. But will he suffer for such a blasphemous viewpoint?

Even better, the waning magic of this incredible world – only hinted at or rarely seen in the first book – is brought to the fore and given center stage. And Shackle does so in the most dexterous of ways. (Genius really, and not what you’ll expect).

Yes, war can and does bring out the best – and very worst – in people. Loyalty costs nothing, but it’s a priceless commodity in an arena where life is cheap, and betrayal is cheaper still. . . (Keep an eye out for the criminal element left in Kiyosun city, the Weeping Men).

A Fool’s Hope presents you with great narrative from a new writer who has become an instant favorite of mine. Believe me, I know a great story when I read one, and Mike Shackle will soon be up there with the likes of Joe Abercrombie and George R. R. Martin.

This is gripping fantasy set in a world rent by war, discarded ethics, and a savage, ‘stay alive in any way you can’ philosophy. The characters are human. Damaged and flawed and disappointing in all the right ways. But somehow, they hold it together and survive . . . barely!

Marvelous stuff – and a definite candidate for your reading list.

Amazon Review