Next SFF Author: Ben Aaronovitch

Month: September 2010

Stormlord Rising: Not as enjoyable as first novel

Stormlord Rising by Glenda Larke

Stormlord Rising, the second novel in Glenda Larke’s WATERGIVERS trilogy, starts right where The Last Stormlord left off: Ryka is a captive of the marauding Reduners, Terelle is traveling to Khromatis against her will, and Jasper — the titular last stormlord — finds himself forced to work together with his nemesis (and now de facto ruler) Taquar Sardonyx to create much-needed rainstorms for the parched lands of the Quartern. With almost every main character forced into a situation they don’t want be in right from the start,

September 27th, 2010. Stefan Raets´s rating: 2.5 | Glenda Larke | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Looking for Jake: Experimental story collection by Miéville

Looking for Jake by China Miéville

Looking for Jake is a collection of short stories by China Miéville, who has emerged as one of the most highly acclaimed fantasy authors of the 21st century. In Looking for Jake, Miéville freely explores whatever ideas take his fancy, without the burden of smoothing everything into a sensible narrative.

Not surprisingly, many of the stories in Looking for Jake therefore have a sort of experimental flavor. For example,

Why You Should Read… Jorge Luis Borges

We go highbrow for this week’s edition of Why You Should Read… Today I want to welcome a giant from the world of book blogging, someone who needs little introduction: Larry from OF Blog of the Fallen. As is his wont, Larry has chosen to talk about one of those authors who have been an influence on those writing in modern times: Jorge Luis Borges.

Jorge Luis Borges was one of the greatest 20th century storytellers. An Argentine short story writer, poet, and essayist, Borges’ stories have been read by millions of readers across the globe in dozens of languages.

September 24th, 2010. Amanda Rutter (guest) | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |

Blameless: Witty, charming, exhilarating, fun

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Lord and Lady Maccon have been smitten with each other since they first met, regardless of the fact that he is a werewolf, and she is a preternatural — someone who can remove supernatural powers from anyone she touches. Everyone knows that werewolves and vampires can’t reproduce, so when Lady Maccon becomes pregnant, Lord Maccon does what any right thinking man would do in the situation — he accuses Alexandria of infidelity and kicks her out of his home.

Forced to take refuge with her stepfather,

September 24th, 2010. Ruth Arnell´s rating: 4.5 | Gail Carriger | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |

Out of the Dark: Cool idea falls short of expectations

Out of the Dark by David Weber

CLASSIFICATION: For the most part, Out of the Dark is a military science fiction novel set on contemporary Earth, but the book also contains some historical fiction and cyber warfare in the prologue and beginning chapters.

FORMAT/INFO: Out of the Dark is 384 pages long divided over thirty-nine Roman numbered chapters, and a Prologue and Epilogue. Narration is in the third persion via many different perspectives, both humans and Shongairi. Main characters include Thikair, the Shongairi Fleet Commander;

Hawkwood and the Kings: Best battle scenes in fantasy literature

Hawkwood and the Kings by Paul Kearney

Hawkwood and the Kings is an omnibus of Hawkwood’s Voyage and The Heretic Kings, first released in the mid-nineties to critical acclaim but limited commercial success. Paul Kearney is, to the detriment of readers of fine fantasy, one of those authors who ran into publisher difficulties. Had the publisher actively marketed the original releases of The Monarchies of God, the books would have sold well and would unquestionably be considered classics alongside other great adult fantasies like George R.R.

September 24th, 2010. Guest´s rating: 5 | Paul Kearney | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Thoughtful Thursday: A (Wo)man’s Home is her Bookshelf

Dear readers, please excuse the dust. We’ve been doing some renovations to our house over the last week, and between the saw dust and the paint fumes, it’s been a bit dirty and smelly around here. But I have a lovely bathroom and a beautiful kitchen now, so it’s been worth it. I’d like to tell you about something amazing I discovered when we were working on our kitchen. The space between two walls is just the width of a standard paperback book. Ponder the possibilities that unlocks for a moment.

We ripped out some cabinets in our kitchen which left a huge hole where they had been recessed into the wall.

September 23rd, 2010. Ruth Arnell | Giveaway!, Thoughtful Thursday | 6 comments |

The Last Song of Orpheus: Old story told beautifully

The Last Song of Orpheus by Robert Silverberg

Finally. After all of the conflicting information we get from the numerous myths, legends, writings, and operas about Orpheus, we have the true story told by Orpheus himself as he writes his life story for Musaeus (with some help from Robert Silverberg).

In The Last Song of Orpheus, all the bits and pieces of Orpheus’s life are tied together into a single chronological narrative and Orpheus tells his own version of how he obtained his famous lyre and used it to charm Pharaoh,

Peril’s Gate: Unforgettable!

Peril’s Gate by Janny Wurts

Peril’s Gate picks up right where Grand Conspiracy left off: Arithon is once again on the run, pursued by an Alliance of Light army led by its Lord Commander, Sulfin Evend, and his half-brother Lysaer. The Koriani enchantresses are also still trying to capture Arithon, with Elaira forced to walk a precarious line between betraying her order and helping her beloved. In Arithon’s desperate bid to stay ahead and stay alive, he receives help from Earl Jieret’s war band,

September 23rd, 2010. Stefan Raets´s rating: 5 | Janny Wurts | SFF Reviews | no comments |

World Wide Wednesday: Speak

Middle of the week again – these come and go like clockwork, don’t they? I won’t keep you long as you wend your busy way to the weekend, but here are ten posts you really should be reading this week!

1) SPEAK

Mr Scroggins believes that the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson should be banned because there’s a rape in the book. Mr Scroggins implies that rape is pornography. Everyone who believes that Mr Scroggins is wrong should Speak Out.

September 22nd, 2010. Amanda Rutter (guest) | World Wide Wednesday | 3 comments |

Next SFF Author: Ben Aaronovitch

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