Heart of a Lion by Stephen Zimmer

Stephen is aware of my penchant for strong female protagonists.    Note the list of books at the top of my Azure Dwarf site on butt kicking female protagonists.   Digressing, Person of Interest, the TV series is populated by some seriously strong female characters.   Caring on for Stephen Zimmer's latest treat, Heart of a Lion is an excellent fantasy where Rayden Valkyrie is traveling home through many trials and tribulations.

Rayden is a no nonsense woman who takes her men by her choice and her's alone.   She battles injustice as she sees it and internally philosophizes as she travels.  She faces horrific danger with pragmatic good humor and depends on her wits and strength of arm to see her through her occasionally self destructive behavior.

The plot is intricate without being confusing.  My only note of discord is that I felt her abandonment of Ammanus was out of character.

I highly recommend it.  

Web site:  http://www.stephenzimmer.com/

Excellent Trailer

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

Dream of legends by Stephen Zimmer

This is book two of the Fires in Eden series. Forces of the good All Father are facing the Unifiers dreaded minions. Help from a surprising source provides hope and leads to the next book in the series.

Stevens Zimmer is crafting an epic fantasy. The book is practically overwhelming in its scope and detail. I found it difficult to keep track of the good guys and bad guys. Zimmer does a very good job showing that opponents are not necessarily evil. Zimmer colorfully depicts the frustration of the warriors on both sides of this extraordinarily broad conflict.

I find the patience exhibited by Gunther borders on unbelievable, considering the ill conceived behavior of his other world guests. Erin in particular is flat out annoying.

The scope of this book and the multitude of characters demands a high level of concentration when reading. This isn't a beach Book. Zimmer the depicts scenes and characters in such detail that it is practically over whelming. In some ways the book is like a visit to Baskin and Robbins. The number of flavors is overwhelming. There are so many characters and scenario's it is easy to get lost. However if you're looking for a rich an florid fantasy this book should meet your needs.

This is the 2nd book in a series and details the initial battles of a cataclysmic clash between good and evil.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Stephen Zimmer

Web site: http://www.stephenzimmer.com/

Crown of Vengeance by Stephen Zimmer

This book is an epic tale of morality and courage. An unlikely assortment of contemporary characters finds themselves in an alternate world immersed in monumental, sword wielding conflict.

The Unifier plans to unify the known world for the benefit of its inhabitants. That is his story and he is sticking with it. He is handsome, muscular, charismatic and dedicated, unbeknownst to his minions, to evil.

The motley cast from our world is thrust into a situation that strains their credibility and their sanity. Each one adapts to the new environment in their own way. Zimmer’s use of prose paints a clear and rich world but his characters are not memorable. The tapestry of the world and the story line are second to the individuals that populate this alternate world. I suspect each reader will be able to find a character they can identify with in this varied crew.

I found the description of the Unifier’s marching army extraordinary. Zimmer does a wonderful job in painting a full and very detailed panorama.

This is the first book in a series and details the beginnings of a cataclysmic clash between good and evil.

I recommend it.

Body of work of Stephen Zimmer

Web site: http://www.stephenzimmer.com/

Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury

The press release suggested this book was in the vein of Conan but Thrall would kick Conan’s butt. A dark heroic fantasy with an aging protagonist.

While not an aging warrior, I am aging and feel some of the aches that plagued Thrall throughout the book. I thought Shrewsbury did an excellent job of portraying an aging warrior. He shows that treachery, deceit and experience can thwart youth and bravado. Thrall isn’t exactly likeable but he is admirable. He soldiers on when lesser men have curled up and died. I liked his perseverance and attitude.

The family interaction was certainly eye opening. The characters were well portrayed and the action and violence certainly fit the genre. I liked the book and hope to see a sequel.

I highly recommend the book.

Body of work of Steven Shrewsbury

Web site: None found

See my interview with the author.