First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher

I know I am repeating myself but if you haven't read the reviews below then you won't have heard this caveat.   I am going to keep this short.   This is an outstanding series and I strongly suggest reading the books in order.   Butcher's Harry Dresden Wizard for Hire series works fairly well in stand alone mode.  Too much back story would be needed to be read to truly appreciate this series.  Tavi's lack of fury crafting was a handicap throughout his life.  Little did he know that his lack of physical size and his inability to control furies would force him to develop a devious and creative outlook on life that would enable him to grow into the Princeps that Alera needed.

Tavi's ability to forge alliances among current and former enemies serves him well in his battle to prevent the Vord from totally conquering his continent.   There are titanic battles, insidious treachery and astounding courage and nobility through out the book.

Once again I am truly impressed with Butcher's ability to craft his characters and to imbue humor while immersed in deadly straits.  

I give this series my strongest recommendation.

      

This book completes the current series.  There is potential for another series and one can only hope that Butcher writes it.

I highly recommend the book.

My previous reviews of the series.

Furies of Calderon (2004)

Academ's Fury (2005)

Cursor's Fury (2006)

Captain's Fury (2007)

Princeps Fury (2008)

Web Site: http://www.jim-butcher.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.

Trail of Evil by Travis S Taylor

I felt like I was coming into the middle of a great action flick.  The story has enormous potential and I suspect if I had read the precursor I would have loved it.  

A former president is guiding a taskforce centered on a super carrier  in deep space seeking remnants of an AI guided robotic army.

The book has elements that I normally enjoy, a family whose job is to kick butt and take names, ala John Ringo.   There is plenty of action and although there are flashbacks, there just wasn't enough information to give me a firm understanding of the direction of the book.

Start with the first book, not the fourth and I think you will like this series.

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 Ecological Envoy by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Nathaniel Firstborne Whatler is s a typical Modesitt protagonist.  He is thoughtful and slow to wrath.  He is humble, cognizant of  his own short comings and extremely competent.   His goal is to keep his planet free from the grasp of a galactic empire without resorting to war.

A lone operative in a hostile environment, Nathaniel must convince an antagonist of the danger in threatening his home.  The problem is in a gargantuan buracracy he doesn't know who he needs to convince.

Admittedly I am a Modesitt fan, his propensity for creating characters who find the right spot to situate their lever to move the world is always entertaining and frequently thought provoking.

I highly recommend.


Site:  http://www.lemodesittjr.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.

Thief's Magic by Trudi Canavan

Thief's Magic by Trudi Canavan

This is the first book of the Millennium's Rule Trilogy.   This seems like a bi-polar or perhaps schizophrenic book.  It is about two different people who have magic in two different societies.  Considering this is a trilogy, I will make a rash assumption that at some point these two characters will meet, fall in love and have little magicians.  If not, then I am a  bit confused.  I'm not even sure the two protagonists are in the same world.   The storyline of both stories is that two young people are struggling to come to terms with a skill set that is unacceptable to their society.

Tyen finds a treasure that communicates to him in an unexpected manner.   Rielle discovers that her talents may not be just in art.   The two find unexpected allies in surprising places.   Both are alienated from families and their comfort zone.   The stories have good plots, sufficent action and likeable charactes.

I recommend.

Site:  http://www.trudicanavan.com/books/millenniums-rule-trilogy/

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

NightLife Hazardous Material by Matthew Quinn Martin

Nightlife  and Nightlife Night Terrors were the previous Martin books I read.  This novelette introduces the Division, a secret pseudo-governmental agency that appears to deal with paranormal activity. 

Jarrod Foster finds his life going nowhere.  He is working as a demolition technician which is labor speak for a scavenger tearing out old buildings.  One of his jobs leads to the discovery of a sealed room having some frightening history.   This history leads Jarrod into the twilight zone.   

This was an entertaining story and gives a rudimentary introduction to the Division.  It ended too soon.


Site: http://www.matthewquinnmartin.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 Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp

Ben Tripp writes and interesting book with lots of nuances.  I read The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp which was a YA novel.  I liked it but this book is a monster of a different genre.  This is a vampire book that provides a whole new look at vampires, their motivations, their forms and their personalities.   Succinctly Tripp redefines vampires.   Sax, the protagonist, faces both his fear and his greed in the journey of the books culmination.  

Sax is both likable and unlikable.   Recently I had another author who did not like the review I gave his book and suggested that if I found his character unlikable then by definition, I must be unlikable.  His logic is even less straight forward than his writing.  Regardless of that flawed logic, I find likability of a character helps to draw me into the story.   Actually sometimes the unlikable draws just as hard as the likable.   Sax has many despicable qualities but remains likable.   His greed motivates him and has provided him with both the meaning of his life and the motivation to end it. 

This is an adventure that pits a team of intrepid and quirky vampire hunters against a wily foe with vast resources.   The Catholic church is included with their own special ops agents.  

The story moves well and the characters exhibit some complexity.

I recommend it.

Web site: http://kitbristol.com/ben-tripp-author-bio.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.