The Mirror of Worlds by David Drake

The Mirror of Worlds By David Drake

This is the second volume of the Crown of the Isles series.   The characters are the same but different. Circumstances have led too personality and behavioral changes that are drastic in some of the characters.  Ilna in particular goes through some serious mood swings.  Each member of the cast is shown a trial and they must survive it.

The level of world changing magic is daunting.  Some of the situations are a bit too contrived.   Keeping track of the characters incurred a bit of confusion.

I enjoyed the book.
 

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Ship of Ruin by Lindsay Buroker

What I like best about Buroker is her likeable characters.   I’ve been criticized for stating that a factor in my liking a book is whether it contains likeable characters.  Oddly enough, from my perspective, I’m writing the review, I’m giving my opinions and I call it as I see it, simple as that.   I like how Buroker addresses prejudice and her dislike of it.   I enjoy the character interaction and their foibles.   Buroker’s protagonists aren’t perfect which gives them character.   I am in awe of her literary output.   This is the middle book in a three book boxed set which is part of a 9 book series.   Just to note, I went to Fantastic Fiction and counted 84 titles under Buroker’s name.   I wonder when or if she ever sleeps.   This may appear to be written by a fawning fan but I guess it is more than a bit of jealousy to be able to get all those words down in such a palatable form.  

This book deals with Casmir attempting to keep a gate from falling into what he considers the wrong hands.   It also shows that brains can defeat brawn.

I heartily enjoyed it.

 

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Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs

Mercedes Thompson is a mechanic with a fondness for elderly VWs.   She is also a were-coyote married to the Alpha of a werewolf pack disavowed, due to political machinations, by the Morrock (audio book so spelling is phonetic).   Mercedes is once again being manipulated and once again she recognizes it but isn't sure of the identity of the purported fiend. 

 Underhill, the former sanctuary of the Fey, or Tilly as a personification of said place, has let a smoke dragon escape from her menagerie.   The monster is terrorizing the tri-cites which are under Adam, Mercedes’ mate’s protection.

The story is full of action, a bit too much romanticism for my personal taste but no doubt one of the reasons for Briggs’ series success.   Self-doubt and psychoanalysis are major features of the plot.   Not knowing who or what creature may pop up next always makes Briggs’ novels entertaining.

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

Star Kingdom: Shockwave by Lindsay Buroker

Casmir, a brilliant and socially inept roboticist, finds himself a target of assassins.  Clueless as to their origins and chagrined that he created them, he must flee or die.  In an attempt to protect his friend and roommate, Kim, he inadvertently embroils her in his bubbling mess.   Thrown together with a aging bounty hunter and an illegally modified teen warrior they flee for their lives.

Laser or Bonita, is a down on her miserable luck ship’s captain, who lets her desperation dictate to her morals.   Her belated regret, add further complications to Casmir and Kim’s flight.  

An archaeological discovery and a notorious pirate/mercenary add to the mélange of the plot.

Buroker’s stories always provide pleasure in reading.  Here astounding output of writing is also quite impressive.

I recommend the book and the 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Star Passage: Cyber Plague by Clark Rich Burbidge

This book has some interesting premises that would have been better served by a detailed back story.  It appears to be an interesting series but this, the fourth book, doesn’t seem to stand alone well.   I recommend reading the previous books since there seeming to be a solid story line but without the back story this book is a bit confusing.   I’m not sure if it should be seen as time travel or a smidge of the multiverse. I think time travel is probably the best category.  As an aside, I’ve always enjoyed stories with twins. 

It should be appealing to the younger section of the YA genre. 

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

Fortress of Glass by David Drake

This is the first book in the Crown of the Isles series.   A word of caution, it bounces all over the place.   Drake leaves a group of characters in a cliff hanger and moves to the next bunch and does the same to them.   If you are easily confused by quick changes you might duck this one.   A young ruler, Garric, is doing a royal procession across the isles which used to be under one rule.  In his head is a ghost of the last ruler of the Kingdom of the Isles.  I vaguely recall that this builds on the Lord of the Isles series but it is over twenty years ago that I read it.   His procession is interrupted by a wizard’s feud.

Bottom line is that I enjoyed the book.  It was a bit confusing but I liked the characters and their methodology.

 

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