Next SFF Author: Ben Aaronovitch

Author: John Hulet

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by G.J. Koch

Science fiction is, at times, pretty serious stuff. We try, as readers, to wrap our minds around the evolution of history in terms of how we live and how technology has changed. At times this can be deep and thought-provoking material that challenges us to work with ideas and concepts that are radically different from what we are used to. G.J. Koch, in contrast, takes a much easier path to tell the story of roguish hero Alexander Outland and his spaceship crew.

July 5th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | Gini (G.J.) Koch | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |

The Awakening: Lacks anything special

Magelord: The Awakening by Thomas K. Martin

It is interesting to read older fantasy novels and see how the genre has grown and evolved. Thomas K. Martin published Magelord: The Awakening in 1997, and it feels dated.

Bjorn Rolfsson is a young hedge-wizard. In a time when people who can use magic are hunted down and burned alive, he and his father are part of a hidden, secretive group, called a Circle, who teach each other to use magic. I felt like I was reading about early Christians under the Roman Empire,

June 12th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 1.5 | Thomas K. Martin | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Black-Winged Tuesday: Interesting moral questions

Black-Winged Tuesday by Alicia Ryan

I read Alicia Ryan’s previous novel The First Vampire, about Samson and Delilah, and was impressed. Ryan is a competent story teller and an above-average world builder. In Black-Winged Tuesday (2012), I was not sure what to expect because it’s quite a departure from The First Vampire.

Herman Morrie is an unlucky guy, and Tuesdays in particular are often filled with disaster. When Herman dies from a jet engine dropping from the sky onto his home,

May 24th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | Alicia Ryan | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |

Princeps: Solid IMAGER novel

Princeps by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Princepsis a direct follow-up to Scholar and continues the story of Quaeryt, the Scholar/Imager. In Scholar, Quaeryt grew greatly both as a person and as an Imager through his service to Lord Bhayar in investigating the reason for heavy military requirements in the province on Tilbor. Quaeryt’s resounding success in figuring out the underlying issue and protecting Lord Bhayar’s interests is rewarded by an appointment as Princeps of Tilbor and marriage to Bhayar’s sister, Vaelora.

As Princeps of Tilbor,

May 22nd, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | L.E. Modesitt_Jr | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |

Broken Blade: A fun little fantasy novel

Broken Blade by Kelly McCullough

Broken Blade, the first book in Kelly McCullough‘s FALLEN BLADE series is a fun little fantasy novel. I picked it up as something to fill in space between “serious” series. In that role, Broken Blade exceeded my expectations because it was refreshingly simple and interesting all in one.

In the City of Tien we are introduced to Aral. As member of a cult of assassins, called Blades, Aral was a rising star with great promise and great skills.

May 7th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | Kelly McCullough | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |

A Perfect Blood: A quality installment

A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan has been through every sort of heartache and sorrow from the beginning of the HOLLOWS series through A Perfect Blood. Kim Harrison has spared her heroine nothing, and it has been a remarkable ride that has shaped Rachel while telling a interesting, if at times infuriating, tale.

Rachel’s genetic pattern makes her a demon. In previous books, she went through a number of trials to prove that. The unexpected effect of being positively identified as a demon is that society does not know what to do with her.

April 25th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3 | Kim Harrison | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Dragon Mound: Solid but slow

Dragon Mound by Richard Knaak

Dragon Mound, Richard Knaak‘s first installment in the KNIGHT IN SHADOW trilogy, chronicles Evan Wytherling’s confrontation with long time enemies as he seeks to end his seemingly endless quest.

Evan has been a part of momentous war, nations fighting against nations with magic, dragons and knights all vying on behalf of two master wizards for control of the nation of Rundin. The final battle in that war took place hundreds of years ago, and Evan has been on the road even since.

April 18th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 2.5 | Richard A. Knaak | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Initiate’s Trial: Epic high fantasy at its finest

Initiate’s Trial by Janny Wurts

Janny Wurts’s latest novel in the WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW, Initiate’s Trial, is another rock-solid installment in what has become one of my favorite series. Janny’s use of the English language, her ability to sculpt characters with concepts and characteristics that make them live and her continuing commitment to solid storytelling make her work some of the best ever. Initiate’s Trial is a perfect example of why her books are always worth the wait.

March 1st, 2012. John Hulet and Stefan Raets´s rating: 4.5, 5 | Janny Wurts | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |

Of Limited Loyalty: Sluggish

Of Limited Loyalty by Michael A. Stackpole

Of Limited Loyalty is Michael Stackpole’s second book in the CROWN COLONIES series, set in an alternate version of our world where magic exists and dragons and other creatures are real, but politics and other social conditions evolved much as they did in reality.

In the previous installment, At the Queen’s Command, we were introduced to Owen Strake, a young Officer sent to Mystria and serving the Crown Governor Prince Vladimir. Owen is so noble at times that it almost hurts.

February 24th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 2.5 | Michael A. Stackpole | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Control Point: Great world, bad soldier

Shadow OPS: Control Point by Myke Cole

Myke Cole’s initial installment in the SHADOW OPS series is an interesting read. The urban fantasy market is heavily populated with pretty, sassy heroines who are in love with this vampire or that werewolf. In Control Point, Cole takes a completely different approach to adding magic to the world we live in.

Oscar Britton is a conflicted man. His childhood was difficult, and in the Army he seems to have found a place that makes sense for him.

February 16th, 2012. John Hulet´s rating: 3.5 | Myke Cole | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |

Next SFF Author: Ben Aaronovitch

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