When last we left the intrepid — and tiny — heroes of Blackbringer, Magpie, Talon, and company were leaving on a task set to Magpie by the Magruwen (the Djinn King). Their mission: To find the last five of the Djinn who created the world.
In Silksinger we meet Whisper Silksinger, the last remaining member of a clan of faeries who weave flying carpets (because they’re all “scamperers,” meaning their wings are too small to carry them).
March 3rd, 2010. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 5 | Laini Taylor | Children | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
Since Firebird is one of Mercedes Lackey’s somewhat older works, I thought I’d enjoy it. It certainly sounded promising.
And indeed, Firebird starts off with a lot of potential. Though the main character, Ilya, is yet another underappreciated, super-clever youth whose family is mean to him, etc. etc., he’s a bit of a, well, womanizer. He likes him some womenfolk, and it’s kind of charming in a rather “That’s not very like Mercedes Lackey” kind of way.
February 27th, 2010. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 0.1 | Mercedes Lackey | Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Airs Beneath the Moon by Toby Bishop
Ever encounter one of those books that you really wished you’d enjoyed more than you had? For me, Toby Bishop‘s Airs Beneath the Moon was one of those books.
There’s something truly solid here, a pretty good foundation with some strong writing structurally speaking, with the exception of the fact that Bishop seems to think that a comma can always replace the word ‘and’. It can’t.
There’s also some fun support characters, like Hester Golden,
February 16th, 2010. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 3 | Toby Bishop | SFF Reviews | no comments |
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
Had I realized that House of Many Ways was another sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle it would’ve ended up in my hands even quicker than it did. Nevertheless, it found its way there happily enough, allowing me another visit into my favorite of Diana Wynne Jones’ wonderful worlds.
House of Many Ways features Charmain Baker, an overly sheltered girl strong-armed by her aunt into taking care of her Great-Uncle William’s cottage — which just so happens to bend space and time,
February 8th, 2010. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 4.5 | Diana Wynne Jones | Children | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
The Singer’s Crown by Elaine Isaak
When I picked up The Singer’s Crown and read the back of it, I thought it sounded pretty generic, but an instinct told me that I should pick it up and give it a try. I don’t know, perhaps I’m desperate for another Carol Berg or Lynn Flewelling. I’m not exactly sure what tree I was barking up here, because Elaine Isaak’s work made this review less of a “Did Not Finish” and more of a “Barely Began”.
February 8th, 2010. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 0.1 | Elaine Isaak | SFF Reviews | no comments |
THE BRIDGE OF D’ARNATH by Carol Berg
Carol Berg has been one of my favorite authors for years now, ever since I picked up Son of Avonar, having been intrigued by both the title and the cover. She’s an author who can handle first person point of view with skill (no, it’s not easier, trust me), weaves some truly fascinating plots with excellent twists, and creates interesting worlds peopled by races that feel unique in a genre full of elves, dwarves, and the like. Though she has her occasional disappointments,
December 22nd, 2009. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 5 | Carol Berg | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Dragon and Phoenix by Joanne Bertin
Joanne Bertin’s Dragonlord plot has been rather weak overall. However, Dragon and Phoenix is a huge improvement on The Last DragonLord.
The Dragonlords are no longer the sole concern and in fact, they are hardly mentioned for a good deal of the novel. They’re much less overbearing this time around and while the whole “soultwin” bit is still silly, it isn’t quite as absurd as it was throughout The Last DragonLord.
December 20th, 2009. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 4 | Joanne Bertin | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop
My last encounter with Anne Bishop’s BLACK JEWELS SERIES did not go well. Okay, that might be a bit of an understatement. But I suppose even my inner fangirl is a bit hard-pressed to let go sometimes, so I decided to give the series one last try.
The setup is somewhat different for The Shadow Queen. After suffering centuries of abuse and degradation under corrupt Queens, the territory of Dena Nehele is left without a Queen at all.
December 9th, 2009. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 3 | Anne Bishop | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Waking: Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall
Considering what an awkward foot Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall (Christopher Golden) starts off on, I was pretty surprised when, shortly after beginning, I found myself unable to put it down.
In spite of my overactive imagination, I like something scary once in a while. Poor Thomas Randall was already up against some stiff competition, since only days ago I wheedled my husband into watching Ringu (the Japanese horror film re-made as The Ring) with me.
November 18th, 2009. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 4.5 | Christopher Golden, Thomas Randall | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
I confess, I’ve been put off by YA books a lot lately. The trends seem to lean towards dark and “edgy” books (many of which sound depressing) and Twilight clones and wannabes. I can deal with the former, but the latter isn’t my thing. But while I was browsing one day, the cover of Eyes Likes Stars caught my attention (not surprising, since it’s gorgeous). I read the blurb and decided I had to get it; it sounded fresh,
October 26th, 2009. Beth Johnson Sonderby (guest)´s rating: 4.5 | Lisa Mantchev | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
Thanks for the kind words, Marion! Coming as they are from a professional writer, they are much appreciated!
Wonderful review, Sandy.
The "body count" bothered me a bit less because being dead seemed more like an inconvenience than anything else... unlike…
Detailed, thoughtful review, Bill. I'm going to read it for two reasons. First, Karen Russell wrote it, and second, it…
this sounds like a fun one