Wrath of the Fury Blade by Geoff Habiger and Coy Kissee

This is a fantasy based in an Elven city where humans and non-pure elves suffer discrimination.  A series of murders leads constable Reva to be paired with a new partner, Ansee, to solve them.

The authors did good character development. 

The problem of addiction was addressed circumspectly.   I had hoped the test results of Wake would have been addressed.   Was it adulterated in some way and if so by whom.

The idea of racial purity and consequent discrimination was shown as detrimental.

The mystery was good and had enough variable to maintain interest.

I enjoyed the book and 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.

Flamebringer By Elle Katharine White

This is the third  book of the Heartstone Series.  Heartstone was the first book of the series and it was great. The Daired family is a moving force in the kingdom.    Aliza and Alastair Daired are the protagonists.   They travel to the capital to convey a warning and are too late.

Once again, I am disappointed that the dragon roles are minimal.   I did enjoy the hobgoblins and Tobble in particular.   The villain isn’t who it seems and then like the proverbial onion, peel back another layer and make another discovery.

The relationships are the what makes White’s books special.  She gives her characters depth.

This appears to be the final book in a trilogy.

It was a worthwhile trip, try taking 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.

Palace by Katherine Kerr and Mark Kreighbaum

Palace is a novel of the Pinch which is the area that has been “pinched” off of the rest of the galaxy.   Interstellar gates that use to lead to the rest of the galaxy no longer work and haven’t for a millennium.   The technology of the Pinch is sophisticated but not as sophisticated as before.   Due to war, the AI s that controlled most everything were damaged and much technology has been lost.   The ensuing years have left a society that is stratified and stagnant.    A cull from the pleasure sector suddenly finds her life changed.

Vida, the cull, is thrust into political intrigue and violence.   A mysterious “Riva” seems intent on causing her harm.   Vida appears to have innate abilities to relate to artificial intelligence that are merely touched on in this book.  

The authors do good characterizations with plenty of action.  I enjoyed 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.

The Emperor’s Edge Collection by Lindsay Buroker

This is books 1, 2 and 3.  Buroker has the enviable distinction of being to evoke emotion.   Buroker has also crafted a strong, resourceful female protagonist in Amaranthe.   Amaranthe is still trying to clear her name.  She has successfully crafted a team to protect the emperor even if the emperor doesn't know it.  

Describing them selves as self employed mercenaries (is that redundant?), Amaranthe leads a motley crew.  Sicarius, the infamous assassin, Books, the discredited scholar, Akstyr, the wanna be sorcerer and street gang member, Basilard, a former pit fighter and Maldynado, the dis-inherited noble are her mixed bag team.     The very young emperor is a good soul surrounded by miscreants of the highest order. 

After saving the empire from several threats the team hopes to gain the notice of the emperor in a positive manner and get the bounties placed on their heads removed.  

The third book ends with a surprising request from the emperor.

I really enjoyed this series and 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.

The God Game by Danny Tobey

With notables such as the deceased Stephen Hawking and the very much alive Elon Musk worried about artificial intelligence, perhaps we all should be worried.   This book clearly shows the dangers of a fictional AI.  

The game is the AI’s proving ground or testing facility of the myriad sources of information available on line or programmed in by who ever created the initial AI.   Its origins are not explored.

A group of high school computer nerds are drawn into the AI’s game which is diabolical and inexplicable.   They soon discover that more than a game or good time is involved.

This book should scare the bejabbers out of you.   There is no telling when the Turing Test will be achieved but it will be soon.

I enjoyed the book but it is more thought provoking that I might wish.

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