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

Rating: 3.5

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Cryoburn: A good installment in a great series

Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold

Cryoburn is the long-awaited new novel in Lois McMaster Bujold’s excellent VORKOSIGAN SAGA, following 2002’s Diplomatic Immunity. If you’re not familiar with this series yet and are in the mood for some intelligent, character-driven and consistently entertaining SF, drop everything now and go find the first few books. Almost all of them are conveniently available in affordable omnibus editions from Baen. You can start with the Cordelia’s Honor omnibus if you want to read the series according to internal chronological order,

August 10th, 2011. Stefan Raets´s rating: 3.5 | Lois McMaster Bujold | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |

The Lost Heiress: Doesn’t quite match the excellence of the first book

The Lost Heiress by Catherine Fisher

The Lost Heiress, Catherine Fisher’s follow-up to The Dark City, picks up the action a short while after the close of the first book. Galen, Raffi, and the Sekoi have left the city of Tasceron behind, while Carys has returned to the Watch. The book opens with a bang when Raffi and the others steal back the blue box relic from Alberic, the dwarf thief-lord who had stolen it from them in book one.

The Fire Within: Charmingly whimsical

The Fire Within by Chris d’Lacey

The Fire Within is the opening book of Chris d’Lacey’s Last Dragon Chronicles. Interestingly enough, despite the series’ title, and the dragon on the cover, there are surprisingly few dragons in the book. In fact, one could make an argument that the dominant creatures are squirrels. Yes, squirrels. But somehow, it works (dragons play a much larger role in succeeding books).

The novel begins when David, a college student, takes a room with the Pennykettles — mother Liz and young daughter Lucy.

The Spirit Lens: Berg gives us a hero who is a true courtier

The Spirit Lens by Carol Berg

Courtiers are figures of contempt and fun in most fiction. They are craven lickspittles and influence peddlers, usually without honor. In The Spirit Lens, Carol Berg gives us a hero who is a true courtier. He is diplomatic, disciplined, strategic and loyal to his king at all costs — and the costs are great.

The Spirit Lens is the first book in the Collegia Magica series. Portier de Savin-Duplais is the librarian at the Camarilla Magica.

August 5th, 2011. Marion Deeds´s rating: 3.5 | Carol Berg | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |

Den of Thieves: Fun if your expectations aren’t too high

Den of Thieves by David Chandler

FORMAT/INFO: Den of Thieves is 480 pages long divided over a Prologue, four titled Parts, and 100 chapters. The book also includes a map of the Free City of Ness and an excerpt from A Thief in the Night, book two of The Ancient Blades trilogy. Narration is in the third person, mostly via the thief Malden and the knight Sir Croy, while minor POVs include Cythera. Den of Thieves is self-contained, but is the first volume in The Ancient Blades trilogy,

July 25th, 2011. Robert Thompson´s rating: 3.5 | David Chandler | SFF Reviews | 8 comments |

The Hidden Boy: Charming children’s story

The Hidden Boy by Jon Berkeley

Bea Flint’s family has won “the adventure of a lifetime” for seven people, so they grab Phoebe from next door, and Gabby, the clockwork girl who’s always lived in their house, and board the submarine bus for Bell Hoot. But while the bus is under water, Bea’s brother Theo disappears with a “pop.” When Bea and Phoebe set out to find Theo, they discover that Bell Hoot is not a normal vacation destination, that Bea’s family is not quite normal either, and what “the adventure of a lifetime” really means.

Komarr: A futuristic detective novel

Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold

This is Marion’s review of Memory, Komarr and A Civil Campaign. Kat’s thoughts about Komarr are at the bottom.

In Memory, Komarr and A Civil Campaign, Lois McMaster Bujold turns the VORKOSIGAN SAGA from space opera to planetary politics.

Miles Vorkosigan has always been a risk-taker. Usually the person he puts at risk is himself,

July 9th, 2011. Marion Deeds and Kat Hooper´s rating: 3.5 | Lois McMaster Bujold | SFF Reviews | 7 comments |

A Shot in the Dark: A strong sequel

A Shot in the Dark by K.A. Stewart

A Shot in the Dark continues a few months after A Devil in the Details, with Jesse James Dawson mostly recovered from his last demon death-dance and tornado tango, but still suffering from nightmares of an earlier near-fatal demon fight. His annual Colorado camping trip with his buddies should provide ample opportunity for rejuvenation and recreation. A walk in the woods, dodging paintballs and pine cones, to a mountain cabin retreat should fit the bill.

July 4th, 2011. Guest´s rating: 3.5 | K.A. Stewart | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |

Flame Winds: Entertaining, but doesn’t hold up to REH

Flame Winds by Norvell W. Page

The mighty Prester John, aka Hurricane John, whom the Mongols call Wan Tengri, is a red-bearded champion from the Roman gladiatorial arenas. He seeks fortune and glory in the lands of the East, while also spreading Christianity by way of conquest. His wanderings bring him to the edge of the Karakorum Desert where lies the mysterious city of Turghol. Turghol is said to have many riches and a beautiful princess, but is controlled by seven evil Wizards of Khasimer who are the masters of the Flame Winds,

City of Flowers: Rich world, sluggish pace

City of Flowers by Mary Hoffman

They Want To Take All My Sons!

This, the third book in the Stravaganza series, is almost twice the size of the first installment, City of Masks, and I can’t help but feel that its pacing suffers as a result. Though still rich in detail and description, City of Flowers feels rather sluggish at times, with none of the intrigue or urgency that filled the pages of its predecessors. It picks up considerably toward the end of the novel,

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COMMENT Was I hinting that? I wasn't aware of it. But now that you mention it.... 🤔
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So it sounds like you're hinting Fox may have had three or so different incomplete stories that he stitched together,…
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It's hardly a private conversation, Becky. You're welcome to add your 2 cents anytime!
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I picked my copy up last week and I can't wait to finish my current book and get started! I…

Rating: 3.5

Cryoburn: A good installment in a great series

The Lost Heiress: Doesn’t quite match the excellence of the first book

The Fire Within: Charmingly whimsical

The Spirit Lens: Berg gives us a hero who is a true courtier

Den of Thieves: Fun if your expectations aren’t too high

The Hidden Boy: Charming children’s story

Komarr: A futuristic detective novel

A Shot in the Dark: A strong sequel

Flame Winds: Entertaining, but doesn’t hold up to REH

City of Flowers: Rich world, sluggish pace

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