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Illusion: A wonderful historical fantasy!

Illusion by Paula Volsky

A fictionalization of the French Revolution set in the invented kingdom of “Vonahr” and laced with a little bit of magic, Illusion is a gem of historical fantasy and ought to be a classic. Paula Volsky combines epic ideals, all-too-human characters, and lovely prose to create a book I couldn’t put down and will never forget.

The events of these turbulent times are seen through the eyes of a high-born young woman, Eliste vo Derrivalle. Eliste is at first a product of her society and upbringing,

April 30th, 2009. Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 5 | Paula Volsky | SFF Reviews | no comments |

The Book of Shadows: Feels unfinished

The Book of Shadows by James Reese

James Reese attempts Anne-Rice-style supernatural fiction with The Book of Shadows, his first novel. It is Rice-like in that it contains gender-bending sexual material, lush detail, horrifying violence, and a set of supernatural beings who have long existed in folklore but are given new “rules” and characteristics by the author. Here, it’s witches, but not the sort of harmless neo-pagan witches that are around today. These are witches as depicted in medieval lore, throwing orgies and dealing with demons.

April 30th, 2009. Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 2 | James Reese | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Fall With Honor: Are you still with us, Mr. Knight?

Fall With Honor by E.E. Knight

In Fall With Honor, Val is taking part in an effort to start another area of human control in a Kurian zone. He’s worn down, tired, and somewhat broken, but he’s still Val.

Fall With Honor was a bit of a let down. There is an intriguing mission and there could be interesting characters,
but the folks who surround Val seem to be just different iterations of many similar characters who he’s fought, served with,

April 30th, 2009. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | E.E. Knight | SFF Reviews | no comments |

The Firebird: Russian folklore fantasy

The Firebird by Sophie Masson

The Firebird is a story made up of a range of Russian folklore, from the gnome-like ‘leshis’ to the greedy tsar to the Firebird itself. It reads like a fleshed-out fairytale, and contains much of the imagery and themes associated with such stories — everything from the persecuted younger brother to the quest narrative to the malevolent ruler of the land to the magical helpers and objects. For this reason, the story may sound rather predictable (and often it is), but as Russian folktales are not often delved into by Western writers,

A Fistful of Sky: Too mature for YA, too shallow for adults

A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

A Fistful of Sky is the story of Gypsum LaZelle, who comes from a magical family. Each child goes through transition in their early teens and receives the ability to do magic. However, Gypsum doesn’t go through transition. After several years of adjusting to her life as the mundane member of her family, she unexpectedly goes through transition, and receives the power of cursing. The only magic she can do is to perform curses, and if she doesn’t use her power regularly,

April 29th, 2009. Ruth Arnell´s rating: 3.5 | Nina Kiriki Hoffman | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Warbreaker: Sequel, please!

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

I just finished Warbreaker, and the words that keep coming to mind are “That was so good!” This is the first Brandon Sanderson novel I’ve read, and it certainly won’t be the last. Warbreaker combines highly original world-building with an exciting plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The novel begins with the introduction of two major characters: Vivenna and Siri, princesses of the tiny kingdom of Idris. You may think you’ve seen these archetypes before — the stiff,

The Green Pearl: Florid imagination, deliberately peculiar

The Green Pearl by Jack Vance

The Green Pearl is another engrossing adventure in Jack Vance’s whimsical world. This installment of Lyonesse mainly follows Aillas, now King of Troicinet, as he seeks revenge on the Ska, tests his infatuation with Tatzel, deals with a couple of traitors, and tries to thwart the ambitions of King Casmir of Lyonesse who, unbeknownst to Casmir, is Aillas’s son’s grandfather. We also spend quite a bit of time with Shimrod, Glyneth, Melancthe, and some new and excellent characters such as the duplicitous innkeeper Dildahl,

April 28th, 2009. Kat Hooper´s rating: 5 | Jack Vance | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |

The Singer of All Songs: Gripping

The Singer of All Songs by Kate Constable

In the world of Tremaris, there are nine types of magic. Ninth is the power of tongue, the ability to speak in all languages. Eighth is the power of beasts, commanding all animals at will. Seventh is the power of seeming, which creates illusions in the mind. Sixth is the power of wind, which commands weather. Fifth is the power of iron, commanding all that belongs to the earth excepting anything living, fire, wind and water.

Storm Glass: Great characters, no tension

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Opal, a student magician at the Keep in Sitia is having problems learning how to control her magic. Known as a “one-trick wonder” by the other students, Opal has a strong relationship with glass and glass making, but can do little else with her skills.

When a glass problem comes up in the storm lands, Master magician Zitora takes Opal with her to see what the problem is. As it turns out, the storm orbs that all the stormdancers use to capture the power of raging storms are breaking and killing stormdancers.

April 24th, 2009. Guest´s rating: 3 | Maria V. Snyder | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Blood Memories: Neither Fish nor Fowl

Blood Memories by Barb Hendee

Originally published in 1998, Blood Memories is an odd book. In some ways, it’s more in line with the gothic vampire-fiction trends begun by Anne Rice, while in other ways it’s more reflective of the newer urban-fantasy trends influenced by Joss Whedon and early Laurell Hamilton.

On the Rice side of the scales: Barb Hendee’s vampires kill, but are presented as sympathetic characters who don’t enjoy killing. (In current urban fantasy,

April 24th, 2009. Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 3 | Barb and J.C. Hendee | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Month: April 2009

Illusion: A wonderful historical fantasy!

The Book of Shadows: Feels unfinished

Fall With Honor: Are you still with us, Mr. Knight?

The Firebird: Russian folklore fantasy

A Fistful of Sky: Too mature for YA, too shallow for adults

Warbreaker: Sequel, please!

The Green Pearl: Florid imagination, deliberately peculiar

The Singer of All Songs: Gripping

Storm Glass: Great characters, no tension

Blood Memories: Neither Fish nor Fowl

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