War Horses : Chevalier (War Horses) by Scott Warren

 This is reminiscent of the Mech Warriors game I played decades ago.  The story is focused on Vandal and the Upright “tank” that he jockeys.   The Chevaliers are a mercenary outfit that is contracted to protect a government dealing with a rebellion. 

Vandal is a wrench turner who takes pride in seeing his Uprights run flawlessly.  Of course, lack of parts and money means that he does the best he can with what he can get.   

Vandal finds himself faced with decisions that he did not plan on needing to make.   Pulled from a slum and given a place, Vandal feels that the Chevaliers are his family and that they deserve his best.  Loyalty, camaraderie and fragility are aptly displayed by the author.

I enjoyed the book, can’t wait for the next one.

 

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 Middling Affliction: The Conradverse Chronicles, Book 1 by Alex Shvartsman

Think Harry Dresden without any innate magic.   Shvartsman has created a character that has a similar snarky personality with more courage as he has to rely on his wits to survive in his chosen profession.

Conrad has a secret that if exposed would lead to the termination, of work, friends, and life itself.   Needless to say, Conrad is careful with offering trust.  Conrad's vigilante life is based on his need to run toward danger instead of away.   He cares for people and despite his apparent disdain he consistently puts his life in jeopardy for others.

The plot was entertaining and complex enough to maintain interest.

I really enjoyed the book and 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

Flotsam by R. J. Theodore

I’m going to try and contain my enthusiasm for this new series.   I’ve only read the first book of the trilogy but….I really, really enjoyed it.   The setting is a planet, Peridot, that has suffered some sort of cataclysmic event that has sundered the planet into diverse cultures.   The interaction between sections is primarily a craft that appears to be the marriage between a traditional ocean-going vessel and         a hot air balloon.   The plot centers on a crew of misfitting individuals.   Captain Talis, Tisker, Dug and Sophia are provided depth and color and all have a major role in the tale.   A visit by Aliens is the yeast that leavens this story.

Captain Talis privately exhibits misgivings about her leadership while facing the world with bravado.   Theodore gives the characters flaws and personalities.   I admire the style and thoroughness of her work.

This is an adventure as well as a world-changing experience.  I hope Theodore is appreciative of my comparison to Robin Hobb’s early books, I loved them too.

I 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 The Last Lion of Karkov by Dale Griffin

Author to donate sales of feminist fantasy to Girls, Inc.

Politics, revolutions and sisterhood in European-inspired historical debut

 

NASHVILLE – The battle for the throne of Karkov commences in this epic feminist fantasy from debut author Dale Griffin. “The Last Lion of Karkov” (March 14, 2023, Books Fluent) dives deeply into the worlds of its characters, creating an epic fantasy debut that amplifies the hardships of politics, the sacrifice of love and the enduring bond between two sisters.

Using his experiences traveling across Europe and his passion for developing complex and endearing characters, Griffin’s epic features twin sisters who must fight for their rightful place in a male-dominated world. And in honor of the sisters within the story, he also plans to donate a portion of sales of his book to Girls, Inc., an organization that believes in empowering young girls to be independent and bold.

For royal twin sisters, Jillian and Natalia, there’s nothing that can come between them. Natalia is set for marriage to another kingdom and Jillian prepares to take up the throne as the first Lioness of Karkov. Raised to be warlords and rulers, Jillian’s path to the throne is met with opposition when the old warriors bring forth a male rival. Jillian must fight for her rightful position on the throne, but things change when she starts to develop feelings for her challenger. As destinies are altered and nations are spun into turmoil, Jillian and Natalia must reckon with the consequences of love and war.

For fans of Guy Gavriel Kay and Tamora Pierece’s Lioness series, “The Last Lion of Karkov” will give readers two new feminist icons to root for and suprising twists to linger in the mind well after reading.

“The Last Lion of Karkov”

Dale Griffin | March 2023 | Books Fluent | Epic fantasy

Paperback, 9781953865601, $22.99/$16.99

Ebook, 978-1-953865-61-8

 

About the author

DALE GRIFFIN is a historical fantasy writer releasing his debut novel "The Last Lion of Karkov" in March 2023. Griffin considers himself a traveler and a writer as a result. Married to his best friend and travel partner, the two explore Europe as frequently as possible. Inspired by those journeys, Griffin uses his experiences to influence his imagined worlds and the memorable characters who dwell in them.

 

An interview with Dale Griffin

Q. Jillian and Natalia are deeply developed characters in this story. Could you go into what it was like to create these characters and the work it took to evolve them throughout the story?

A. I wanted to create twin sisters who were subjected to the same cruel upbringing yet emerged from their circumstances with completely different personalities. Natalia’s character evolved more over the revisions than Jillian’s.

Despite some readers finding Jillian too quick-tempered and unfair, my thoughts are that she is the direct result of her childhood. Natalia, being a person who puts others before herself, should be considered the enigma. Early drafts did not portray her as spoiled during her youth, but I preferred to show her evolve into a proper heroine, with her love of Jillian being the reason.

Q. The story is set in a European setting despite being an epic fantasy world. What went into creating the world Jillian and Natalia live in?

A. Europe — its people, its landscapes, its cities, and its history — inspires me to write. I set out on writing the Euro-inspired story without knowing what the reader would think about my imaginary places obviously being taken from real places. Luckily, early readers found that it helped them picture the setting, so I fully embraced the method and ran with it.

Q. As a male author, what was your motivation to write a fantasy story focusing on two women fighting in a patriarchal society?

A. My favorite characters are feisty female protagonists who refuse to conform to what is expected of them. With Jillian in particular, I created a near-insurmountable obstacle to overcome and unleashed a ferocious lioness to attack it.

Q. You must have also drawn a bit from real life. Can you tell us a bit about what parts inspired your real life?

A. It’s easier to write about what you know. I was riding horses by the age of 4, which helped to write a book set in this period. My engineering degree was part of the inspiration for Lorenzo. Most importantly, my wife provided many influences throughout the book.

Q. You also plan to donate sales of your book to Girls, Inc. What is your motivation there and how do you believe this connects to the story?

A. It’s what Jillian and Natalia would want — to support girls in becoming bold and independent women.

Q. What do you hope readers gain from the story?

A. I hope that I created characters who will linger in the thoughts of readers between readings and well after completing the book.

Q. Are you working on any additional projects?

A. Yes, I have outlined a new book in a similar style where the lands are inspired by Scotland and Northern England, including their rivalry. A druidess is taken from her Highlands homeland to serve a Scottish-like ruler trying to preserve his title of king. But also, the continued “Last Lion of Karkov” story with the threat from the Desert Lion is never far from my thoughts.

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

Dead Country by Max Gladstone

Not sure if this is dystopian or alternate reality story, but it is a mix of modern thought and thoroughly mad max agrarianism.   The Craft, aka magic, is Tara’s life.   She is a big time crafter in the big city but goes home to rural Edgemont for her father’s funeral.  

Along the way, Tara picks up a pupil who has been abused.   Dawn, the pupil, is hungry for knowledge.  She wants knowledge to keep from ever being frightened again.  

Gladstone depicts a flawed Tara, flawed by the methods and people who taught her the Craft.   She has battled to be herself and to protect her world.  She goes home to discover that she must battle prejudice and fear in her hometown.

This is a good start on the Craft War Trilogy.   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

State Slave by D.G. Voda

I saw this book as a critical commentary on our capitalistic society. In a dystopian future, a socialistic dictatorship rules humanity with a machine-based foe.

The state slave depiction is a scathing portrayal of the lethal potential of a welfare society. 

Political commentary aside, there was action, betrayal, despair, and awakening.

Overall it was a heavy-handed satire that I enjoyed.  

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 Drift by C.J. Tudor

  

The story is about a lethal disease that impacts the world.  Pandemic-focused it follows a mixed and unknowingly connected cast of characters. It jumped from character group to character group as well as jumping back and forth between decades.   The story has merit the style left me cold and confused.

Flawed characters abounded throughout the book.  Philosophically “good” guys finished not only last but dead.   Surviving was all about narcissism. 

This is a very dark look at the future. 

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