Click on stars to FIND REVIEWS BY RATING:
Recommended: 
Not Recommended: 
Wolfsbane, the sequel to Patricia Briggs’ debut novel Masques, was written later in her career and just published last month. It continues the story of the shapeshifters Aralorn and Wolf, whose relationship has developed significantly since the beginning of Masques. Aralorn has been called home after a ten-year absence because her father has died. When she and her “pet” Wolf arrive, they find some evil magic at work and a mystery to solve.
December 10th, 2010. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3 | Patricia Briggs | Audio | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan
After five years away on the King’s business, Wynter Moorehawke and Lorcan, her father, have returned to court. Though they are carpenters of common birth, they also serve their friend, King Jonathan, as Lord and Lady Protector. Wynter is excited to be reunited with her childhood friends Alberon and Razi, the King’s legitimate and illegitimate sons, respectively. They were like brothers to her and she and Lorcan were practically part of the King’s family. But it quickly becomes clear that things have changed dramatically since she’s been gone.
December 9th, 2010. Kat Hooper and Terry Weyna´s rating: 3 | Celine Kiernan | Audio | SFF Reviews | 6 comments |
Hawkmoon: The Runestaff by Michael Moorcock
This reissue reveals how much epic fantasy has changed since the 1960s. It’s hard to believe that there is an epic fantasy stretched over just four 200-page entries. Certainly, Hawkmoon: The Runestaff is an old-school sword and sorcery tale. Originally published in 1969, Michael Moorcock’s The Runestaff is the fourth entry in The History of the Runestaff. Tor has now released the story as Hawkmoon: The Runestaff. How have things changed?
December 8th, 2010. Ryan Skardal´s rating: 3 | Michael Moorcock | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Atlantis and Other Places by Harry Turtledove
Atlantis and Other Places is a collection of short stories published over the last ten years, in which Harry Turtledove does his best to showcase the freedom offered to writers of alternate history. Just ask “what if” and see what happens. For example:
What if 21st century news media existed during World War Two? What if centaurs suddenly discovered humans? What if complex intelligence had evolved in mollusks instead of people? They’re interesting ideas and it’s tough not to be curious about what sort of ride Turtledove has constructed for his audience.
December 7th, 2010. Ryan Skardal´s rating: 3 | Harry Turtledove | Short Fiction | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
The King’s Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells
I was really excited to read The King’s Bastard. Now that I’ve finished it I find myself both pleased and a little disappointed.
There isn’t much that’s amazingly new in this book. It has all of the traditional political elements that I’ve read about numerous times; for example, the older inheriting brother is jealous of the younger brother. Added into the mix are plotting relatives and friends set to destabilize the throne, as well as plenty of secrets.
December 5th, 2010. Sarah Chorn´s rating: 3 | Rowena Cory Daniells | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
Susan Cooper is best known for her five-part The Dark is Rising series, a sequence of fantasy novels that any self-respecting lover of fantasy should have on their bookshelf. Among her lesser known works is the time-slip adventure King of Shadows, a picture book trilogy based on Celtic legends, and two stories chronicling the doings of a Scottish boggart: The Boggart and its sequel The Boggart and the Monster.
In the Western Highlands of Scotland lives a mysterious and mischievous spirit known as a boggart.
December 3rd, 2010. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 3 | Susan Cooper | Children | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplighter
Shakespeare didn’t give us the whole story of Prospero, Miranda, Ferdinand, Ariel, et al. If you want to find out what really happened to the characters from The Tempest, pick up L. Jagi Lamplighter’s Prospero Lost. It turns out that Miranda and Ferdinand didn’t get married, Ariel wasn’t freed, and Prospero didn’t get rid of his staff and books. Instead, Miranda found The Well at the World’s End and brought back the life-preserving water for her father and her siblings.
December 2nd, 2010. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3 | L. Jagi Lamplighter | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Keira has spent the last few months in heir training, learning the magical and political ropes from Gigi, the family matriarch. Now she and her partner Adam are getting ready to throw a big reception at which they will formally present themselves as the rulers of their area.
One group, however, wants to meet her early: a pack of werewolves who have recently settled near the neighboring town of White Rock. Several pack members have gone missing lately, and the alpha wants Keira’s help in figuring out what happened to them.
November 23rd, 2010. Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 3 | Maria Lima | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Perhaps because it was a tad over-hyped for me, perhaps because since its publication there have been several other books and films that tell the story of Merlin’s youth, but T.A. Barron‘s The Lost Years left me a little cold. I enjoyed it well enough, though certain segments dragged a little, but ultimately I think that much of its initial novelty has worn off. What was an innovative look at an unknown aspect of a legendary figure’s life back in 1996 may feel like a somewhat generic fantasy-adventure by today’s standards.
November 23rd, 2010. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 3 | T.A. Barron | Children | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Children of Amarid by David B. Coe
The fantasy debut of historian David B. Coe is a highly readable adventure with a freshness and appeal that too many modern fantasies lack. I found the tale enjoyable, unpretentious, avoiding obvious Tolkienisms, with characterization superior to most of what is being sold and touted these days as the best of the best. Yet it has what you could term some routine first-novel flaws. Its pace is too languid, its narrative not always well focused. And it’s loaded with predictable “surprises”
November 22nd, 2010. Thomas M. Wagner (guest)´s rating: 3 | David B. Coe | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Do it! One of the best things I've read in recent years.
This reminds me. I want to read Addie LaRue.
We’re in total agreement David!
I felt just the same. The prose and character work was excellent. The larger story was unsatisfying, especially compared to…
Hmmm. I think I'll pass.