Kellanved's Reach by Ian C. Esslemont

 Esslemont is the master of complexity.  His books demand you pay attention to what you are reading.   This volume has Kellanved mastering more exotic arts.  An enigma to the other mages, demigods, gods, demons, and assorted supernatural beings, Kellanved continues to quest.  Dancer, an assassin, professional assassin if you please, accompanies him against his considerable reservations as to Kellanved’s sanity.

Reviewing this series is difficult, not for the normal fear of spoilers, but due to the often overwhelming complexity of the plot. Frankly, I’m not sure I could do a spoiler, that anyone not reading the series would understand.  

 This is not negative!  I am enjoying the series and marveling at Esslemont’s mind.   This is an author capable of juggling chainsaws while spinning plates.

 If you are a fantasy fan willing to sort through allegiances and characters to get to the multi-layered plot, this series is for you.

 I’m loving 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

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu

Note:  I never give 6 stars to any book!

Mataru is a new Rock Star!  I loved the book!  I read a great deal.  I normally read three or four books at the same time, not simultaneously but at the same time.  I don’t normally struggle with not moving to the other book, it is usually whichever book is at hand, Kindle, phone, or actual physical book.  This time I didn’t want to put Dragon Rider down.  It captivated me.   This is the part of the review which normally goes at the end, sorry.

Dragon Rider is a tale of a third son, held as the least of three hostages, by the Sabine Empire.   The old emperor needed assisted living and with him living in a fantasy world that didn’t exist so Jai, the third son of the dead nomad leader, was his “arse” wipe.

Leonid was brutal but not cruel.  His son was cruel and brutal.  His grandson was ruthless, cruel, brutal, and treacherous.  This delightful family interplay leads to Jai being on the run while harboring an alleged poisoner.

The two of them run into unlikely allies, vociferous and despicable enemies.

The path is fraught with danger and non-human companions, one of which is obvious from the title of the book.

I insist, no I demand that you treat yourself to this outstanding read, you deserve to revel in the wonderous nature of this extraordinary story.

I can’t wait for the sequel.

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

From the Forest by L.E Modesitt

Updated to show the finished cover 1/3/24

Happy to be back to Recluce, I really enjoyed the book.  It is like visiting a friend you haven’t seen for a while.   A new character, Alayiakal, is a Mirror Lancer with many secrets.   Faced with a strictly stratified society, he must hide his strengths or be forced into unwanted roles or even condemned to death.  

 Alayiakal shares the same humble bragging characteristics as many of Modesitt’s characters.  He dissuades fame and downplays his successes with aplomb.  Modesitt’s main protagonists always seem likable and have a strong ethical core.  The likable description has resulted in negative commentary in previous reviews.  Criticism be damned, I want to have likable characters.   I invest in my reading and I don’t want to be invested in a despicable personality.

The storyline is not predictable and yet seems familiar.  That too, is something I enjoy.   Once again, it feels like visiting an old friend and I like doing that.

 I enjoyed the book and look forward to the ensuing volumes. 

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

Deadhouse Landing by Ian C. Esslemont

This is book two of the Path to Ascendancy series.   Esslemont is overly fond of complexity.  This is not a book or a series you want to take to the beach for light reading.  His plot and characters are Byzantine.

Dancer and Kellanved, the mage formerly known as Wu, are once again surrounded by extraordinary events and characters.

The secretive Surly and her shipwrecked crew are ensconced in a dump of a taproom. Her interaction with Dancer and Kellanved is nothing short of hysterical.  She is mystified by their behavior but discovers associating with them may be beneficial and deadly.

There are mages, monsters, battle royals, elite troops, and haunted houses and ships.  There is a wealth of action and there are so many characters you are grateful for the list in the front of the book.

I am enjoying the series with intense glee, the complexity is challenging but well worthwhile.   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

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

 

I Love Books, A Christmas Video

Purchase Links:

Alden and the Trash Truck

A Parent's Struggle: Helping Children Understand Alcoholism

A Lab Of A Different Color

A Quirky Christmas

The Mighty Pranksters of Bright Lives Academy

Dizzy's Diary

The Puppy Mill Escape

Hardy Belch and The Gold Train

If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. 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

Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont

This author is fond of complexity and that forces you to pay attention. Li Heng is a city-state protected by the Protectress and her mages. Dorin, a professional assassin is trying to establish his “rep”.   To establish a reputation you need to assassinate someone notable or difficult.  On his journey, he meets Wu an aspiring mage who may be insane.  The two of them end up in Li Heng where they discover a surfeit of opportunities for wealth, knowledge, and reputation. 

 

Esslemont provides plenty of interesting characters such as the NightBlades, and Jaghuts that may or may not be the offspring of higher beings.  There is an allusion to another dimension.  One which seems to have had a devastating war. For unknown reasons, Wu wants to go there or at least control the beings he finds there.  They both run afoul of Li Heng’s criminal environment with disastrous results. The Kanese have decided to add Li Heng to their string of conquests.  They then besieged the city and challenged the mighty sorceress, the Protectress.   

 

Dorin has had his humanistic side burned out by his training.  He is befriended, much to his dismay, by a healer of birds.  She brings out normal human feelings that he was unaware of having.

 

The book provides a decent enough closure that you could read it as a standalone.  It is the first book in a trilogy that precedes another trilogy so their hooks aplenty to get you to buy the next book. 

 

Due to Esslemont’s attention to detail and the complexity of the plot, I would recommend reading the books in order. 

 

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