Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont

 

After finishing the fourth book of this series I must reiterate that the author is fond of complexity and that forces you to pay attention. On that note, Dorin from earlier books is now Dancer.   Wu is now Kellanved.  Luckily Esslemont who is still Esslemont the author, provides a list of characters in the preface. Succinctly the plot is that Kellanved wants to conquer the known world.

 Esslemont will introduce a character, provide significant details to their portrait, and then abandon them for a hundred pages.  

 There are oddities and characters to appeal to any appetite.  Giants, shape-shifters, semi-sentient cyborg monsters, gods, demi-gods, mages, warriors, soldiers, frankly if you have read any fantasy, you will probably find a character to identify with in this book.

 Again a strong admonishment that due to Esslemont’s attention to detail and the complexity of the plot, I would recommend reading the books in order and pay strict attention to what you read.

 

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

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett NOW AVAILABLE

NOW AVAILABLE

First kudos to Bennet for the creative use of botany, which underpins the entire storyline.   The empire is threatened by seaborn (e) titans.  Concentric semicircle walls protect the population with the gentry occupying the safest section.   Din and Engraver is paired as an assistant to Ana an investigator in a tiny backwater of the empire.   They are drawn into an insidious plot to possibly destroy the empire.   Din, with secrets, serves Ana who has greater secrets, the two end up with the daunting task of discovering who is threatening the empire.

Bennet’s creativity is captivating.   The plot is important but I found myself looking forward to seeing what new graft or contagion might shift the storyline.   The types of characters let alone the mystery of the titans made this difficult to put down.  

Other books by Bennett I’ve enjoyed and reviewed are below, click on the links to see the review.

Locklands

Shorefall

Foundryside

 

 

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