Fleet Elements by Walter Jon Williams

This is a Praxis book.   There is a overlap of characters from the Accidental War.  There are a wealth of characters.   This book never grabbed me.   I don’t know if it is too long since I read the Accidental War or what.   It was a chore to plow through and I normally enjoy Williams work.   I suspect it just may be the stress of current events but this was a difficult read.  It did not captivate me and carry me away to a world of civility and respect.   My apologies to Williams as trite as it sounds it probably wasn't his book, it was me. 

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The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst

Once more Durst has affirmed her position as one of my favorite authors.   She had the  ability to allow her villains to have some humanity and to have that humanity recognized but not letting said recognition derail the protagonist’s need for victory.  This book involves bone magic, those who can use it and those who abuse it.

Kreya was so well portrayed, she showed her love through her willingness to sacrifice.  Durst allows a lot of weight for love which endears me to her work.  Stran and Ammura’s relationship demonstrated the strength that can come from a diverse relationship.

The plot was good and I loved the rag dolls.  The constructs were all to easy to imagine.   I read in awe someone who’s imagination creates believable worlds and people to populate it.

I loved the book and 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

Spotlight on Fairhaven Rising by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

Modesitt continues his bestselling Saga of Recluce series with the twenty-second book and the first book in a new character arc

FAIRHAVEN RISING

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

 

“Extraordinary … Series fans are sure to be pleased.”
—Publishers Weekly

Sixteen years have passed since the mage Beltur helped to found the town of Fairhaven, and Taelya, Beltur's adopted niece, is now a white mage undercaptain in the Road Guards of Fairhaven. Fairhaven's success under the Council has become an impediment to the ambition of several rulers, and the mages protecting the town are seen as a threat. Taelya, a young and untried mage, will find herself at the heart of a conspiracy to destroy her home and the people she loves, and she may not be powerful enough to stop it in time.

Praise for The Mongrel Mage

USA Today Bestseller

“No writer does it better.”—Kirkus

“Smart, thoughtful, and entertaining.”—Pat's Fantasy Hotlist

 

Praise for Outcasts of Order

USA Today Bestseller

“Always a pleasure to abide in Modesitt's universe, if only for a few hours or days.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

Praise for The Mage-Fire War

USA Today Bestseller

“Readers with a fondness for family sagas will appreciate the focus on day-to-day life”—Publishers Weekly

 

L. E. Modesitt, Jr., is the bestselling author of the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce, Corean Chronicles, and the Imager Portfolio. His science fiction includes Adiamante, the Ecolitan novels, the Forever Hero Trilogy, and Archform: Beauty. Besides a writer, Modesitt has been a U.S. Navy pilot, a director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant and staff director for a U.S. Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer. He lives in Cedar City, Utah.

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

Scoundrel Worlds by Chris Bunch

This is the 2^nd of the Star Risk, LTD books.   This is a violence prone private eye type agency.

This book deals with proving the innocence of a prisoner on a distant planet. 

This book just didn’t do it for me.  It was okay but that is as effusive as I can get.   The characters didn’t seem as fleshed out this time.  Same “people” as before just seemed shallower this time.

The violence was still there but for some reason it just didn’t seem as exciting.   I don’t see myself reading the remaining three books in spite of owning them. 

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

Dark Star Rising by Bennett R. Coles

This is a follow up on Winds of Marque which I also enjoyed.   Once again it is an interesting meld of high tech and steam punk.   Sailing ships with cannons and yet air locks and aliens provide an interesting setting.   Lord Liam Blackwood and Petty Officer Amelia Virtue are the main protagonists.   There in likes one of the contentions in the book, a Lord and a commoner with more in common then is normally acceptable in “polite” society.   A notorious pirate, Dark Star, is assaulting the Empire’s trade and HMSS Daring is tasked the stopping of Dark Star.

The author shows the disparity between haves and have nots quite clearly.   Considering the way our society is heading, the disparity description may be spot on.   Dark Star may not be a criminal and Dark Star’s goal may not be just the amassing of ill-gotten gains. 

An entertaining story with a good set of characters.

BTW the women in this book KICK BUTT!  

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

Cobra Gamble by Timothy Zahn, Cobra War Book 3

Cobra’s are cybernetically enhanced warriors. Decades after they save humanity they are regarded as a tax burden.   Then the Cobra worlds are invaded by the Trofts.  The Moreau family takes the brunt of defense dispersing over two planets.   Qasama, an old enemy needs help but can they accept help from the hated Cobras?   Alliances are tenuous and are also dependent on the success of the Cobras and the Djinns.

The anguish of sending love ones into combat and the willingness to sacrifice for one’s children is clearly shown by this book.  Zahn makes a lot of statements about prejudice and sacrifice.   There is plenty of action and the plot has enough nuances to keep you engrossed. 

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.  This series ends but it sets up the next trilogy, The Cobra Rebellion.

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

Cobra Guardian: Cobra War Book 2 by Timothy Zahn

Cobra Guardian picks up afterbook 1, Cobra Alliance.  Jin Moreau joins her husband, Paul, and her son, Lorne, to fight against the Trofts who have invaded the Cobra worlds.   SPOILER ALERT, STOP HERE if you have not read book one.   Jin has found new allies in the insular Qasama people.   They travel to Caelia to gather troops to free the Qasma from the Trofts.  She discovers that the Caelians have their own problems with Trofts and her family is already involved.

They cybernetically enhanced Cobra warriors are the dreamed of super soldiers.   Regardless of their enhancements they are still fraught with the fragility of human fears and phobias.   The book shows that adversity can unite diverse groups and help them to learn that there are ways to solve problems that are not uniquely their own.   The Djinns from Qasma must overcome their historic prejudice while the Caelian Cobras must to the same.

There is plenty of action and the methodology of using the uniquely predatory ecology of Caelia is inspiringly creative.

I look forward to reading the third and final book of the 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.