Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I received at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 40% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
Words like, “sponsored,” “promotion,” “paid ad” or even just “ad” are clear ways to disclose that you’re being paid to share information and links so BE AWARE that some of what I write can be described as an AD by the government. BTW I will NEVER say a product is great, super or even acceptable if it isn't, whether I got it free or NOT!

Friday, March 8, 2024

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci


 

This book departed from what I normally expect from David Baldacci.  Normally, it would be a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair action adventure, ie. The Camel Club, which I highly recommend or Mercy, or Amos also highly recommend.  This book is a thought-provoking metaphor for our current state of affairs.  Baldacci recreates “To Kill a Mockingbird” in his own unique, and oblique manner.

The book forcefully makes you look at how you look at people of another color.  Race is the plot's focus, but the situations posed are not just plot devices.   Baldacci weaves a mystery around social commentary.  I’m not privy to Baldacci’s thoughts but from my perspective, the book abounds with similes that apply to current events.   

I always enjoy David Baldacci’s writing but this book may have provided more fodder for introspection than any of his other many books I’ve read. 

I applaud his courage to tackle a controversial topic.

I highly recommend it.



This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont

 


After finishing the fourth book of this series I must reiterate that the author is fond of complexity and that forces you to pay attention. On that note, Dorin from earlier books is now Dancer.   Wu is now Kellanved.  Luckily Esslemont who is still Esslemont the author, provides a list of characters in the preface. Succinctly the plot is that Kellanved wants to conquer the known world.

 Esslemont will introduce a character, provide significant details to their portrait, and then abandon them for a hundred pages.  

 There are oddities and characters to appeal to any appetite.  Giants, shape-shifters, semi-sentient cyborg monsters, gods, demi-gods, mages, warriors, soldiers, frankly if you have read any fantasy, you will probably find a character to identify with in this book.

 Again a strong admonishment that due to Esslemont’s attention to detail and the complexity of the plot, I would recommend reading the books in order and pay strict attention to what you read.

 

I recommend the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett NOW AVAILABLE



NOW AVAILABLE


First kudos to Bennet for the creative use of botany, which underpins the entire storyline.   The empire is threatened by seaborn (e) titans.  Concentric semicircle walls protect the population with the gentry occupying the safest section.   Din and Engraver is paired as an assistant to Ana an investigator in a tiny backwater of the empire.   They are drawn into an insidious plot to possibly destroy the empire.   Din, with secrets, serves Ana who has greater secrets, the two end up with the daunting task of discovering who is threatening the empire.

Bennet’s creativity is captivating.   The plot is important but I found myself looking forward to seeing what new graft or contagion might shift the storyline.   The types of characters let alone the mystery of the titans made this difficult to put down.  

Other books by Bennett I’ve enjoyed and reviewed are below, click on the links to see the review.

Locklands

Shorefall

Foundryside

 

 


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Monday, January 22, 2024

Kellanved's Reach by Ian C. Esslemont




 Esslemont is the master of complexity.  His books demand you pay attention to what you are reading.   This volume has Kellanved mastering more exotic arts.  An enigma to the other mages, demigods, gods, demons, and assorted supernatural beings, Kellanved continues to quest.  Dancer, an assassin, professional assassin if you please, accompanies him against his considerable reservations as to Kellanved’s sanity.

Reviewing this series is difficult, not for the normal fear of spoilers, but due to the often overwhelming complexity of the plot. Frankly, I’m not sure I could do a spoiler, that anyone not reading the series would understand.  

 This is not negative!  I am enjoying the series and marveling at Esslemont’s mind.   This is an author capable of juggling chainsaws while spinning plates.

 If you are a fantasy fan willing to sort through allegiances and characters to get to the multi-layered plot, this series is for you.

 I’m loving it.

 


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu


Note:  I never give 6 stars to any book!

Mataru is a new Rock Star!  I loved the book!  I read a great deal.  I normally read three or four books at the same time, not simultaneously but at the same time.  I don’t normally struggle with not moving to the other book, it is usually whichever book is at hand, Kindle, phone, or actual physical book.  This time I didn’t want to put Dragon Rider down.  It captivated me.   This is the part of the review which normally goes at the end, sorry.

Dragon Rider is a tale of a third son, held as the least of three hostages, by the Sabine Empire.   The old emperor needed assisted living and with him living in a fantasy world that didn’t exist so Jai, the third son of the dead nomad leader, was his “arse” wipe.

Leonid was brutal but not cruel.  His son was cruel and brutal.  His grandson was ruthless, cruel, brutal, and treacherous.  This delightful family interplay leads to Jai being on the run while harboring an alleged poisoner.

The two of them run into unlikely allies, vociferous and despicable enemies.

The path is fraught with danger and non-human companions, one of which is obvious from the title of the book.

I insist, no I demand that you treat yourself to this outstanding read, you deserve to revel in the wonderous nature of this extraordinary story.

I can’t wait for the sequel.


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

From the Forest by L.E Modesitt



Updated to show the finished cover 1/3/24

Happy to be back to Recluce, I really enjoyed the book.  It is like visiting a friend you haven’t seen for a while.   A new character, Alayiakal, is a Mirror Lancer with many secrets.   Faced with a strictly stratified society, he must hide his strengths or be forced into unwanted roles or even condemned to death.  

 Alayiakal shares the same humble bragging characteristics as many of Modesitt’s characters.  He dissuades fame and downplays his successes with aplomb.  Modesitt’s main protagonists always seem likable and have a strong ethical core.  The likable description has resulted in negative commentary in previous reviews.  Criticism be damned, I want to have likable characters.   I invest in my reading and I don’t want to be invested in a despicable personality.

The storyline is not predictable and yet seems familiar.  That too, is something I enjoy.   Once again, it feels like visiting an old friend and I like doing that.

 I enjoyed the book and look forward to the ensuing volumes. 


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Monday, January 1, 2024

Deadhouse Landing by Ian C. Esslemont



This is book two of the Path to Ascendancy series.   Esslemont is overly fond of complexity.  This is not a book or a series you want to take to the beach for light reading.  His plot and characters are Byzantine.

Dancer and Kellanved, the mage formerly known as Wu, are once again surrounded by extraordinary events and characters.

The secretive Surly and her shipwrecked crew are ensconced in a dump of a taproom. Her interaction with Dancer and Kellanved is nothing short of hysterical.  She is mystified by their behavior but discovers associating with them may be beneficial and deadly.

There are mages, monsters, battle royals, elite troops, and haunted houses and ships.  There is a wealth of action and there are so many characters you are grateful for the list in the front of the book.

I am enjoying the series with intense glee, the complexity is challenging but well worthwhile.   I recommend the book. 


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned