Blood and Bone by Ian Cameron Esslemont
Blood and Bone is the penultimate book of Ian Cameron Esslemont’s main MALAZAN EMPIRE series (I say “main” because he has just begun a prequel trilogy) and while it has its issues, it easily ranks in my top three of the main series’ six titles thanks to a few well-drawn characters and, especially, thanks to its relatively unique setting.
That setting is the jungles of Jacuruku, one of the as-yet-unexplored continents of the Malazan universe.
May 17th, 2016. Bill Capossere´s rating: 4 | Ian C. Esslemont | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Wrath of the Bloodeye by Joseph Delaney
Wrath of the Bloodeye is the fifth book in Joseph Delaney’s very popular LAST APPRENTICE (or WARDSTONE CHRONICLES) series for middle graders. This book has also been released in other countries, such as those in the UK, under the title The Spook’s Mistake.
Tom has been John Gregory’s apprentice for a couple of years now. In the last book, Attack of the Fiend,
March 21st, 2016. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3.5 | Joseph Delaney | Audio, Children, Horror | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
The Rhesus Chart by Charles Stross
The Rhesus Chart is the fifth and most recent novel in Charles Stross’ LAUNDRY FILES. Bob Howard has been moving up the ranks in the Laundry — not due to any particular motivation or ambition on his part, but just because he has managed, so far, to stay alive as he and his fellow agents battle the eldritch horrors who are trying to find their way into our universe so they can eat us.
While doing some data mining in his office one day,
February 5th, 2016. Kat Hooper and Marion Deeds´s rating: 3.5 | Charles Stross | Audio | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
Tavi and his companions are escorting the Canim back to their home across the sea. When they arrive they find that the Canim’s land has been invaded by the Vord. Back home in Alera, unbeknownst to Tavi, his countrymen are also being overrun by the Vord and Amara, Isana, Bernard, and the First Lord are on the front lines. Will the Vord conquer both Alera and Canim, or can Tavi and Isana negotiate alliances with a couple of Alera’s enemies so they can fight the Vord horde together?
April 16th, 2013. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3 | Jim Butcher | Audio | SFF Reviews | no comments |
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
For a Few Demons More is the fifth entry in Kim Harrison’s series about Rachel Morgan and the Hollows. I would say that this book is easily the best since book two — the action kicked off literally from page one and there were enough plot twists, complications, heart-pounding sex scenes, arguments, comedy moments, and terror to keep the pages turning at a vigorous pace!
Here Rachel realises that the Focus isn’t quite as securely hidden as she originally thought — she wakes to find herself being possessed by scary mad demon Newt,
May 12th, 2010. Amanda Rutter (guest)´s rating: 4.5 | Kim Harrison | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Phoenix Endangered by Mercedes Lackey
I got through about three quarters of The Phoenix Endangered on audio. This was a sluggish and clunky second installment in The Enduring Flame trilogy. The writing was dull and not much happened to advance the plot. By the time a battle finally started, I couldn’t muster up enough interest to participate.
Even more than the last book, this one was full of two teenage boys brooding, bickering, whining, and being noble. Half of what they say is said “sulkily,”
September 28th, 2009. Kat Hooper´s rating: 1.5 | Mercedes Lackey | Audio | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Pretty challenging book. Cut by half, speed up the cadence. Trying to figure out the plot, the main point of…
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…