Archives | Fantasy Literature: Fantasy and Science Fiction Book and Audiobook Reviews

Lord Tophet: Better than its predecessor

Lord Tophet by Gregory Frost

Creatively Shadowbridge is a marvelous work of invention, embodied by the imaginative Shadowbridge setting — a world of linked spiraling spans of bridges on which all impossibilities can happen — the intriguing art of shadow play, and the many enchanting tales and fables that are interwoven into the main narrative. Yet because of issues that I had with not being able to emotionally connect with the characters, worldbuilding that I felt could have been more penetrating, uneven pacing and narrative structure, and an unsatisfying cliffhanger,

July 5th, 2009. Robert Thompson´s rating: 4.5 | Gregory Frost | SFF Reviews | no comments |

MythAdventures: Light fantasy for teenage boys

MythAdventures by Robert Asprin

Robert Asprin’s series of Myth books follows the buddy adventures of Skeeve, a young apprentice magician whose teacher is killed in the first few pages of book one (Another Fine Myth) and Aahz, a demon (anyone from a non-native dimension) who takes Skeeve under his wing. The two get in and out of one scrape after another over the course of many books as their relationship deepens and grows more equal, and they pick up a crew of friends along the way,

July 4th, 2009. Bill Capossere´s rating: 2.5 | Robert Asprin | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Vicious Circle: Persephone is not the misanthropic heroine you might expect

Vicious Circle by Linda Robertson

The bare bones of this story will be familiar to urban-fantasy devotees: Werewolves, vampires, faeries, and witches all exist and have become public knowledge in recent years. Girl, tough and feisty, takes it upon herself to dispense justice in a supernatural murder case. Girl is chosen against her will to play a major role in paranormal affairs. Girl is wooed by attractive werewolf and attractive vampire. I was worried Vicious Circle would be just like a hundred other novels with a similar premise,

July 3rd, 2009. Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 4 | Linda Robertson | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |

In A Time of Treason: This sequel is more rewarding

In A Time of Treason by David Keck

As much as I enjoyed David Keck’s debut, I admit that it was a flawed effort so I was quite happy to see how improved the writing was in In A Time of Treason. Namely, the prose was more elegant, the descriptions better expressed, there was a lot more background information without the author relying on shameless infodumping, and overall Mr. Keck just displayed greater confidence as a writer.

Even so, the writing wasn’t perfect. There are still passages that are confusing and may require a re-read or two,

July 3rd, 2009. Robert Thompson´s rating: 4 | David Keck | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Someplace to be Flying: Memorable, quixotic, original characters

Someplace to be Flying by Charles de Lint

Someplace to be Flying is the story of a gypsy cab driver and a freelance photographer who meet each other during a chance encounter with the “Animal People” in a dark alley in the familiar setting of Newford. This glimpse into a magical other world leaves them reeling, and as they seek out an explanation for the impossible, they are drawn deeper into the world of the Animal People, and the ongoing war between Raven and Coyote.

Someplace to be Flying starts out with a bang,

July 2nd, 2009. Ruth Arnell´s rating: 5 | Charles De_Lint | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Hunter’s Run: A fast but sophisticated read

Hunter’s Run by George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, Daniel Abraham

Hunter’s Run is somewhat interesting in that it’s a collaboration novel that you can’t really tell is a collaboration and a science-fiction novel that relies surprisingly little on science fiction. And these are by no means complaints. The collaboration’s seamlessness speaks to the craft and professionalism of the three writers while the lack of reliance on science fiction allows for a fine mix of quick-paced adventure and character introspection.

Don’t get me wrong — the science fiction elements are essential to the plot: space-faring races,

The Night World 2: Much better than Twilight

THE NIGHT WORLD: Volume 2 by L.J. Smith

“There Is Plenty of Darkness…”

The first omnibus edition of The Night World sets up the basic premise of the Night World, introducing several concepts and characters that pop up again in later books, and are quick, entertaining reads. But it’s not until the fifth story (found in this collection) in the series that things really get moving, and Smith begins to draw on her established history of the Night World, bring back past characters, and begin to set the scene for more epic things to come.

Changeling: A cute book for kids

Changeling by Delia Sherman

Neef wants desperately to go on an adventure of her own, alike to the ones she hears about in fairy tales, and that’s just what she gets when she’s kidnapped by the fairy.

From being banished by the Green Lady, genius of central park, to a wild ride on the pooka, to serving a riddle to the mermaid queen for her mirror, Neef toughs out obstacles and gains an unlikely companion who seems to be more trouble than she is worth. But Neef is a tough cookie and she gets through it … just not exactly as she planned…

Delia Sherman’s Changeling is a simple and cozy little story chock full of humor and sticky situations.

Worldbinder: Falls well short of its mark

Worldbinder by David Farland

Way back in 1998 I was sent David Farland’s The Sum of All Men because I forgot to check ‘no’ on one of those mailings sent out by the Science Fiction Book Club. Since I had the book in hand, I figured “what the heck” and proceeded to read the novel. While I wasn’t completely blown away by the book, it showed enough potential, especially the whole concept of Runelords — a magic system where individuals are granted endowments of certain attributes such as strength,

July 1st, 2009. Robert Thompson´s rating: 2.5 | David Farland | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Month: July 2009

Lord Tophet: Better than its predecessor

MythAdventures: Light fantasy for teenage boys

Vicious Circle: Persephone is not the misanthropic heroine you might expect

In A Time of Treason: This sequel is more rewarding

Someplace to be Flying: Memorable, quixotic, original characters

Hunter’s Run: A fast but sophisticated read

The Night World 2: Much better than Twilight

Changeling: A cute book for kids

Worldbinder: Falls well short of its mark

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