Philistine by Steven Shrewsbury

This story appears to be historically inspired by the biblical tales of Goliath, the champion of the Philistines.   It seems that the Philistines were often mercenaries for hire. Goliath was the NBA size warrior who was their champion.

I felt the story was someone disjointed.   I followed it but the action happened all over the place.  There was a lot of detailed mayhem.  This is not a book for the faint of heart.   Goliath was not a nice person but neither were the assorted ogres, monsters, godlings, demons or priest/priestess.

I see some similarities to Gorias from the previous Shrewsbury works but Goliath is not nearly as likeable.  Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian,  was in my review of Thrall and Overkill.  I liked those books better.

This book has action galore as well as gore to spare.

Web site: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/current_authors/steven_shrewsbury.html

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

Blood and Steel, Legends of La Gaul by Steven Shrewsbury

 

Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian,  is back and as I said in my review of Thrall and Overkill , he would kick Conan’s butt.  If you are looking for traditional heroes you may want to look elsewhere.   This is a short series of short stories about Gorias’ escapades.

I repeat from previous reviews, Gorias is a protagonist that I can identify with in many aspects.   Pragmatic to a fault he is accepting of his age and doesn’t let it stop him from doing what he wants to do.   I’m not sure I can identify with his ruthlessness but it certainly is effective.  He has skewed soft spots that pop up with surprising frequency.   He is a much, much larger than life character.  That is what makes him so entertaining. 

One of the stories, provides a little background on how Gorias got to be who he is when you meet his father.  I'm not all that fond of short stories in general but these were close enough to being relative to the books that they were enjoyable.   Gorias’attitude is amusingly brutal. However I suspect that in a time similar to that in which the story is set, that type of brutality would have been common. Mr Shrewsbury does a great job of creating an environment where a barbarian as grisly  as Gorias can flourish.

Action runs amuck as well as libidos, the easily offended may want to pass on this book.  For the rest of us who enjoy rollicking good humor and raucous action this is a book for the must read shelf. 

 

I highly recommend the book.

Web site: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/current_authors/steven_shrewsbury.html

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

Kalimpura by Jay Lake

This is the third of the series of one of those butt kicking female protagonist stories I enjoy so much.   Green, the main character, is now a mother and although she has mellowed this is akin to suggesting a tsunami is just a wave.   Green leaves Copper Downs and returns to the Temple of the Silver Lilly and her meanest foes.

I would suggest reading Green  and  Endurance , the precursors to this book.   All three books deal with empowering women and defying the status quo.  Green’s goal of stopping child slavery and the abuse of women becomes secondary to her goal to find lost friends and to protect her children.

There is a body of literature that suggests that if women were in charge there would be fewer wars.   I don’t think this is just due to the heighten sensibilities of women, nor do their lack of interest in macho posturing.  I do think there would be less conflict because when they do throw down the gauntlet, they follow it with massive overkill.  Green exemplifies that role with her temper and actions.

This is a coming of age book as well, Green is only sixteen.   Her baptism into motherhood is fraught with violence and peril. 

Jay Lake does a great job with these books and provides food for thought on complacency, misogynist lifestyles, abuse and power addiction.

I highly recommend it.

Web Site: http://www.jlake.com/2010/08/14/writing-endurance-is-a-wrap/

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

Green by Jay Lake

I made a promise I would read Green after I read Endurance. Well as I said about Endurance, this is one of those butt kicking female protagonist stories I enjoy so much. Green is a god ridden sell sword seemingly bent on self destruction. The book Green explains how the character Green ended up in Copper Downs defying and defiling gods.

This book also stands alone quite well. However I strongly urge you to read Endurance which is an excellent follow up to Green. This also was an excellent action adventure fantasy with a terrific understory. This book explains why Green is hell bent on stopping child slavery and the abuse of women.

In one light this is a coming of age story for a strong willed rebel and on the other it is a story of single minded mayhem. Kalimpura and the Lily Blades are also introduced and defined in this book. Once again, Lake’s lavish descriptions portray, with shattering clarity, a early Calcutta type of city that you almost feel the flying elbows and cutpurses jostling you. The characters were very colorful and varied.

After reading my second Jay Lake book I am convinced that Lake will be a force to contend with in the fantasy field for years to come.

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of Jay Lake

Web Site: http://www.jlake.com/2010/08/14/writing-endurance-is-a-wrap/

Endurance by Jay Lake

This is one of those butt kicking female protagonist stories I enjoy so much. Green is a god ridden sell sword seemingly bent on self destruction.

This book stood alone quite well. I do want to read Green now though, the precursor to this book. This was an excellent action adventure fantasy with a terrific understory. Green is hell bent on stopping child slavery and the abuse of women.

She finds her self immersed in god activities and her complete distain for any kind of humble attitude is fun to read. Kicking butt and taking names is her normal game plan. The characters were very colorful and varied. The scene set by Copper Downs was extremely well crafted. You could almost smell the sewers and the cinnamon.

I have not read a Jay Lake book before but I will be now.

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of Jay Lake

Web Site: http://www.jlake.com/2010/08/14/writing-endurance-is-a-wrap/

Wildfire by Karsten Knight

A group of somewhat troubled prep-school  kids find themselves bonding in a manner that they never expected. 

This is one of those books that make it difficult to write a review without inadvertently providing some spoilers.   I diligently avoid spoilers and will attempt to continue that behavior.  

Ashline Wilde is an adopted child having difficulties blending in a white bread, homogenous school environment.  She seems a bit pugnacious but otherwise reasonably normal as if any teenager doesn’t stretch the boundaries of  what adults consider normal.   She is involved in an unfortunate situation that leads to seeking asylum across the country in a prestigious prep-school

She meets and makes new friends at Blackwood Academy but discovers that those she is closest to have secrets as devastating as her own.   The propensity for supernatural in so many YA books is well established.   The presence of supernatural beings in this book is introduced in a more plausible manner (if that is possible) than in many I have read.

The only thing I find revolting is how young Karsten Knight seems to be.   How dare he write such a good book, at such a young age and force me to admit I liked it. 

So reluctantly, I recommend the book and look forward to the necessary sequel(s).   Seriously it is a well crafted and enjoyable YA book. 

I recommend it. 

Body of work of Karsten Knight

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

Make sure you visit the web site, it is well done too.  

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black

Nikki Glass is a private eye who suddenly becomes much more than human.  Her transitional experience is traumatic to say the least.   Caught in a battle between supra-normals she needs to choose a side to survive.

I liked the characterizations the Ms. Black portrays.  She is able to imbue her characters with a sense of normalcy.   Nikki Glass could be someone you know.   The premise of demi-gods was far-fetched and yet still entertaining.   They exhibited personalities that were both true to their historic roots and yet modern in their behavior.  

There is plenty of action and emotion with just a hint of sensuality.   This provides a touch of romanticism that doesn’t deter from a good urban fantasy.   I haven’t read any of Ms. Black’s work before but I am looking forward to reading the next in this series. 

I recommend it.

Body of work of Jenna Black

Web Site: http://www.jennablack.com/

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

An ancient Druid in a contemporary setting and his conflict with a pantheon of gods and his relationship with his dog and allies form the core of this book.

Atticus O’Sullivan is a highly likeable character with an even more likeable Irish Wolfhound named Oberon.   Oberon and Atticus are best buddies and communicate telepathically.   Luckily my character Tiny in my chapter books for kids was created prior to reading this or I would wonder if I had pulled the idea from here.   Anthropomorphism is and has been for decades one of my favorite things.   There is plenty of it in this story.

Atticus lives in harmony with nature but not so much with the series of gods he contends with.     Hearne had solid character development so you get a good idea on Atticus as a protagonist.    Vampires, werewolves, witches, gods, goddesses, succubae and other colorful and mystic characters are introduced.  The cast is set for multiple sequels. 

I enjoyed the way the concept of the Iron Druid was introduced.   Hearne does a great job in writing a good, rousing adventure with a welcome leavening of morality, loyalty and camaraderie

I highly recommend the book and look forward to reading the sequel.  

The Elder Gods by David and Leigh Eddings

This is your basic omnipotent evil villain vs. the good guys with minor gods assisting the good guys.

I haven't read any Eddings in awhile so I don't quite know how to feel. I wasn't as fond of this book as I have been with some of the past Eddings work. I always enjoy the banter and humor illustrated by the protagonists. The plot just didn't seem all that complicated. I guess it just didn't capture me like some of the other stuff they have written.

I do recommend it and plan on reading the rest of the series unless I get totally bummed out after all I bought the four book Dreamer series, I may as well read it.

Body of work of David Eddings

Review: http://www.sffworld.com/book/804.html

Web Site: http://eddings.fantastyka.art.pl/english.html

The Treasured One by David and Leigh Eddings

This book is a continuation of the series, The Dreamers. Two sets of gods, a younger and a an older are attempting to deal with a insect like genetic altering villain who creates minions on the fly. The elder gods recruit humans from their domains to deal with the villain since they are incapable of taking life.

I enjoy the Eddings work. This series seems to be too much like light beer, less taste and definitely less filling. I like the characters and I like the verbal interplay. The plot seems to be a replay of the previous book as opposed to growing from the last book. The plethora of omnipotent beings is a bit amusing but not overly so. Lots of fighting, spectacular deeds by unlikely heroes and some pontificating on the greed of some organized religion. It appears to be more of a young adult book than I had anticipated. A very light but never the less entertaining read.

Body of work of David Eddings

Review: http://www.sfsite.com/04a/to197.htm

Web Site: www.eddings.fantasyka.art.pl/english.html