Prince of Sunset by Steve White

This is a tale of undying friendship and the impact true friends can have on the fate of the known universe.

Basil Castellan is followed throughout the book as the main protagonist.   Basil is an idealistic supporter of a failing Imperial system.   As a teen, he has a startling encounter with a mythical being that, unknown to him, will be carried with him the rest of his natural life.

As often seen in military science fiction, there is exemplary loyalty among friends.  This loyalty includes camaraderie, trust and sometimes even love.

White does a nice job crafting likeable characters.  He could have made a multi-book series out of this but chose to limit it to one book that cries out for a sequel.

I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.authorstephenwhite.com/    

       

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Blood and Bone by Ian c. Esslemont

 

I’m conflicted in writing this.  In some ways it was one of the better fantasy I have read.  In other ways it was one of the more confusing books I have encountered.  A quest of sorts is taken by myriad groups for differing reasons.   The book follows the parallel quests.   I have to assume that anyone who read the books in the series that preceded this might have a clue as to each group and their goals.  Sadly I was pretty clueless about the overall plot. 

The book abounded with interesting characters and groups.  The Crimson Guard, the Thaumaturgs and the Malazans are just a few of the groups in the story.   A presumed dead, in this book that presumption is premature, king, elder gods, younger gods, shape stuck shape shifters and blood thirsty vagabond priests  compete with nomadic horsemen and water sprites to provide color and aroma to the story. 

If I had the book digitally, I think I would have searched out each quest and their pages and combined the resultant pages into short stories for each group.  I think it might have been easier to follow that way.  

My conflict seems to center on the fact that the author writes compelling prose but the structure, to me, is confusing.   I refer again to previous books and the thought that perhaps if I had read them, my confusion would abate.

Overall I enjoyed the book but I would highly recommend reading the books that preceded it so you have some idea who all these people are. 

I recommend the book.   

Web Site: http://www.malazanempire.com/site/authors/2-esslemont

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Oberon’s Dreams by Aaron Pogue

 

Captain Corin is a likeable scoundrel who runs afoul of his own pirate crew and finds himself a stranger in a strange land and time.

Captain Corin sees himself as an unmitigated blackguard but his actions say otherwise.   Since actions speak louder than words, I found myself enjoying his attempts to portray himself as an evil villain.

Pogue crafted an interesting setting and added a twist to what otherwise could have been a standard fantasy setting.  I’m never sure how much to say when I diligently try to avoid spoilers.  

The involvement of Druids in an otherwise Luxor valley type of setting provides some thought provoking moments.  Pogue did a nice job here.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://aaronpogue.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready

Romantic horror is a fascinating new genre.  Of course it may not be new, just new to me.  Scary stuff with lots of lusty behavior seems to rile the natives.  Look at Shades of Gray, sadomasochism porn for the masses.  In this case we have vampire human lust and rock and roll with a leavening of zombie.

This is the third book in the series that I have read.  I guess I am getting tired of them as this one just didn’t grab me.  Ciara is still a loveable klutz who seems to like being flotsam in the stream of life.  Ironically, Shane a vampire, is the most likeable and poignant character.  

The “Men in Black” or control are back and just as mysterious.   The curtain does get pulled back a hair to see what they are really like. 

This book ties well with the first two and continues the saga of lust, magic and the undead.

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > Jeri Smith-Ready</a>

Web site: http://www.jerismithready.com/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Assault by Brian Falkner

Earth is invaded, the invaders are as biologically as close to us as chimpanzees and they are winning our planet.  A team of teenage commandos infiltrate their most secure facility and wreak havoc. 

My first reaction to the age of the commandos was tainted by the reality of child soldiers in the African conflicts.  After I scrubbed that image from my mind I was able to focus on the story.  

The story line is fine.  The political logic regarding the arrival of the aliens seemed highly plausible.   The behavior of the aliens was akin to the behavior of the European assault on colonial America.  
Teenage abilities are often overlooked.  I found nothing outlandish about the capabilities of teenage commandos.  Kids are talented and far more resilient than what is commonly believed.   I also liked the way Falkner showed the innate optimism and nobility of the young.  Their unwillingness to randomly kill and their resistance to the “collateral damage” attitude was comforting.   

This was a good, entertaining YA book. 

I recommend the book. 


Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > Brian Falkner</a>
Web site: http://www.brianfalkner.com/Book_detail.asp?bk_id=8

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

This is a poignant tale of a gifted girl who grows into a woman in an environment that either kills or exploits those with uncanny gifts. 

This is the first book in a series.  The author does a superb job in crafting a confused young woman facing self doubt and distrust on every side.   Neryn is likeable but she is troubled, unable to trust in herself or anyone else.  Flint comes into her life.  Flint is unbelievably noble and self sacrificing. 

The combination of these two complex characters provides a high level of character tension that propels the story forward.  My recommendations are not so much a review as an expression of like or dislike on my feelings for a book.   I particularly like books that provoke emotion.   If a story captures my feelings and evokes emotion, I will normally like it. 

The uncanny folk provide the necessary color and flair

to the story.   Their diversity and their abilities provide a savory touch.

I really liked the book. 

I recommend the book. 

Web Site:  http://www.julietmarillier.com/books/shadowfell.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Shala Trilogy by Cathy Benedetto

 

The Eyes of Sandala; Dark Shala and The King of the Fels by Cathy Benedetto 

This is a trilogy.  As an avid fan of anthropomorphism, I enjoyed the communication with the Fels (cats of all types) in this book.   The Shala are the guardians of Sandala and the Fels are their companion warriors. This is a well crafted environment with a tried and true formula of a large empire wanting to

become even larger.   The implacable enemy is startled to find a more than worthy adversary in the Shala. 

The common folk are intimidated by both the Shala and the Surmese who are invading.  Sandala is comprised of multiple kingdoms, none of which are singularly a match for the Surmese.  

The tales told in these three books, highlight the relationship between Tahjeen and Ariann, the sacrifices made by the Fels and the heroics of the strictly human allies of the Shala.

I enjoyed the books and 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.