Book Review: Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

Posted on August 23, 2018 32 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Book 3 of The Murderbot Diaries

Publisher: Tor.com (August 7, 2018)

Length: 158 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Murderbot’s back again in Rogue Protocol, the third installment in Martha Wells’ series of sci-fi novellas about a rogue A.I. who has broken free of its SecUnit programming, but all it wants is to be left alone to enjoy its thousands of hours of entertainment vids in peace. Well, that is until recently, when Murderbot discovered that GrayCris, the corporation behind the attacks that almost killed the scientists on the expedition that started this whole mess, is up to no good again. Whatever they’re doing might be worth investigating, so before long, Murderbot once more finds itself on a transport ship traveling to its destination with another group of humans that needs protecting.

Fortunately, due to some recent modifications, Murderbot is able to pass itself off as an augmented human, presenting itself to the other passengers as Rin, a security expert. But a hitch in this plan occurs unexpectedly, when Murderbot realizes that one of the group is an android named Miki who is accompanying its human on this mission as a—colleague? friend? pet? Murderbot can’t quite make sense of the relationship, but Miki’s presence is something of a concern since the other bot would know there is something more to “Rin” than meets the eye. Eventually though, every team member—whether human or A.I.—becomes an invaluable asset as their ship arrives at the planet where a defunct GrayCris terraforming facility awaits, not quite willing yet to spill all its secrets.

Maybe it was the fast-paced plot, or the fact this was probably the most suspenseful and action-oriented installment so far, but Rogue Protocol felt like a very short read. I blew through it in a little more than an hour, which should tell you at least how much I enjoyed it. At this point though, I would expect nothing less from a Murderbot novella; they’ve become my go-to books for reliable entertainment.

But as I’ve noted before in my reviews of the previous volumes, the Murderbot Diaries is also a surprisingly introspective and conceptual approach to our understanding of human nature, specifically asking the question “What does it mean to be human?” Granted, most of it is seen through Murderbot’s eyes, whose unique attitude and perspective on the matter certainly injects a lot of humor into it. Still anti-social and as snarky as ever, our protagonist is nevertheless evolving into something different—definitely not a mere program anymore, but at the same time, not quite human yet either. It’s hard to put a description on this “in-between” state of being, but it’s definitely integral to what makes Murderbot such a fantastic and interesting character, and the refreshing originality of its narrative voice is also why these books are so fun to read.

As ever, Murderbot is trying to figure things out. And it’s not just what GrayCris is up to either. Our protagonist is also trying to work out what makes humans tick. If it wants to be able to pass as one of them (strictly for practical reasons, of course), it knows it has to learn. It also wants to understand what it is gradually becoming. After all, these pesky things known as human emotions are baffling and worrisome. So far, we’ve seen Murderbot picking up these social cues as it learns from observing humans and watching its beloved cheesy soap operas. For the last two books, however, Wells has also introduced a third way for Murderbot to discover more about its programming: by comparing itself to other bots. In Artificial Condition, we met ART, who gave Murderbot a whole new perspective on A.I. to consider. Likewise, the presence of Miki here is designed to make Murderbot consider its role in the world, and I have to say, the utter confusion the other bot causes our protagonist was enough to make me burst out laughing. Poor Murderbot. It was in no way prepared for Miki.

Still, how this volume ended was a bit predictable, which admittedly stole away some of the emotional impact. That said, Rogue Protocol is another solid sequel in what might be one of the best sci-fi series to come out in recent years. Don’t let the size of these books fool you; Murderbot Diaries packs a powerful punch in every 150-ish page volume, and this is coming from someone who isn’t even all that into novellas and short fiction. I loved this, and I’m looking forward to more.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of All Systems Red (Book 1)
Review of Artificial Condition (Book 2)

Waiting on Wednesday 08/22/18

Posted on August 22, 2018 27 Comments

Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy’s Pick

The Unbound Empire by Melissa Caruso (April 30, 2019 by Orbit Books)

Swords and Fire trilogy has been one of my favorite fantasy series to come out in the last couple years, and it’s hard to believe the third book and final book is already on the horizon for next spring.

“The final volume of the Gemmell Morningstar Award-shortlisted Swords and Fire fantasy trilogy, in which political scion Amalia and her bound fire warlock Zaira must save the Empire from a ruthless, magical enemy. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, The Queen of the Tearling, and Uprooted.

While winter snows keep the Witch Lord Ruven’s invading armies at bay, Lady Amalia Cornaro and the fire warlock Zaira attempt to change the fate of mages in the Raverran Empire forever, earning the enmity of those in power who will do anything to keep all magic under tight imperial control. But in the season of the Serene City’s great masquerade, Ruven executes a devastating surprise strike at the heart of the Empire – and at everything Amalia holds most dear.

To stand a chance of defeating Ruven, Amalia and Zaira must face their worst nightmares, expose their deepest secrets, and unleash Zaira’s most devastating fire.”

#FearlessWomen: The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal Spotlight & Exclusive Excerpt

Posted on August 21, 2018 18 Comments

Women are shining in every genre of speculative fiction, and it is no longer enough to say “Women arehere.” Instead, #FearlessWomen everywhere are taking a stand to say “Women will thrive here.”

Highlighting major titles from bestselling authors V.E. Schwab, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jacqueline Carey as well as titles from acclaimed and debut authors such as Mary Robinette Kowal, Tessa Gratton, Sam Hawke, and Robyn Bennis, #FearlessWomen will be a coordinated social media celebration encouraging fans to start a dialogue about women in publishing, their worlds, their voices, and their unique stories.

The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal continues the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars, The Fated Sky looks forward to 1961, when mankind is well-established on the moon and looking forward to its next step: journeying to, and eventually colonizing, Mars.

Of course the noted Lady Astronaut Elma York would like to go, but there’s a lot riding on whoever the International Aerospace Coalition decides to send on this historic—but potentially very dangerous—mission? Could Elma really leave behind her husband and the chance to start a family to spend several years traveling to Mars? And with the Civil Rights movement taking hold all over Earth, will the astronaut pool ever be allowed to catch up, and will these brave men and women of all races be treated equitably when they get there? This gripping look at the real conflicts behind a fantastical space race will put a new spin on our visions of what might have been.

Exclusive Excerpt

Here’s the interesting thing: you don’t have to like someone to work well with them. In fact, in some ways, it’s more efficient when you aren’t paired with someone whose company you enjoy, because both of you have a vested interest in finishing tasks as quickly as possible in order to minimize contact. When you’re with a friend, there’s likely to be joking or goofing around.

By this measure, I could be efficiently paired with half of the Mars team. Okay . . . that’s an exaggeration, but it did feel like everyone was angry at me. And, honestly, I couldn’t blame them. It was bad enough that I was a late addition and had to do a ton of catching up, but the way that I was being trotted around like a dog and pony show . . . that wasn’t something an astronaut assigned to a mission was supposed to be doing. It meant that everyone else had to cover for me. Cover for me more.

As we walked down the hall, away from the classroom, Betty glanced over at me. “You okay?”

Sure!” I chirped.

“I tried to put it off. Honest.”

“I know. It’s just . . . I’m already struggling to catch up.” Betty nodded with a grimace. “I’m refusing most interview requests, believe it or not. It’s just . . .”

I know. This is why I’m on the team.”

She led me to the room that PR had co- opted as a makeup and prep room. With a sigh, I settled in front of the mirror and let other people worry about my makeup and hair while I concentrated on my binder of information, with-out the benefit of the rock samples.

On Mars, we’d need to know how to look for potential water flow. That could be identified by small laminations or cross- stratification that showed festoon geometry from transport in subaqueous ripples.

I rubbed my forehead, and the makeup lady gently pulled my hand away. “Mustn’t smudge.”

“Right.” My priorities were a mess. In the mirror, it looked as though I were going to a holiday party wearing a flight suit. My hair fell in perfect soft curls that would never have survived if I’d actually been working. In sims and on the moon, I tended to keep it out of the way in a kerchief, but accuracy wasn’t the image that publicity had wanted.

About the Author

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the historical fantasy novels Ghost Talkers and the five books in The Glamourist Histories series. She is also a multiple Hugo Award winner. Her short fiction has appeared in Uncanny, Tor.com, and Asimov’s. Mary, a professional puppeteer, lives in Chicago with her husband Robert and over a dozen manual typewriters.

Join the Conversation

Tor Books’ handles across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@torbooks) will be using the hashtags #FearlessWomen (and #FearlessFantasy and #FearlessSF) to promote excerpts, exclusive content, quizzes and giveaways beginning in May. There will also be exclusive giveaways at BookCon, San Diego Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. Follow Tor Books online, join the conversation – and get reading!

Be sure to also check out the other blogs on the #FearlessWomen tour to read more exclusive content and reviews!

Book Review: Shadowblack by Sebastien de Castell

Posted on August 20, 2018 25 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Shadowblack by Sebastien de Castell

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: Book 2 of Spellslinger

Publisher: Orbit (August 21, 2018)

Length: 384 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

The Spellslinger series is starting to take shape with this second volume, and I’m liking where it’s going. Ex-magic student Kellen, having chosen the path of exile, has become transformed into a roaming outlaw of sorts, and I’m feeling these wonderful Western vibes seeping in. Best of all, traveling with our characters mean we get to discover a whole wide world of endless possibilities.

Indeed, Shadowblack is a sequel that greatly expands the world-building. In this book, Kellen and his companions Ferius the Argosi woman and Reichis the squirrel-cat are trekking through the wild and lawless borderland—a far cry from the more structured and civilized Jan’Tep city in which our protagonist grew up. Unable to use magic without bringing any unwanted attention to themselves, Kellen finds himself way out of his element. However, despite their precautions, trouble winds up catching up to our trio when they are ambushed by bounty hunters who nearly get the best of them. Battered and weakened, Kellen has no choice but to trust a pair of strangers who come to their aid, one of whom is an Argosi who seems to be acquainted with Ferius.

But it is the other traveler, Seneira, who astonishes Kellen the most. Like him, she is afflicted by the shadowblack, a deadly magical ailment which causes terrible headaches, disturbing visions, and swirling black markings to appear on the skin around the eyes. What Kellen can’t figure out is how. All his life, he has been taught that the shadowblack only affects magic users, but Seneira is no mage and has no magical ability to speak of. Drawn to the mystery, Kellen and Ferius agree to travel with Seneira and her Argosi mentor (who reluctantly goes by “Rosie”) to her home city, where to their dismay, they find that the plague is even more widespread than they had feared.

Shadowblack was everything I loved about Spellslinger, with a bit of added adventure. The characters are back and they’re as captivating as ever, especially Kellen, who finds himself way out of his depth in this new environment. His sheltered days are over, and he’s learning to get by without relying solely on magic (not that he was a very good mage to begin with), hoping that Ferius will teach him other ways to survive. But thus far, the Argosi woman is keeping her tricks close to the vest, and meeting Rosie has revealed just how secretive Ferius is by comparison. She’s an enigma, and something tells me her plans for Kellen go beyond simply wanting to help him find his way. Happily, there’s also Reichis, there to cut through all the bullshit. With him, what you see is what you get: a bad-tempered little squirrel-cat with an obsession with clawing out people’s eyeballs. Since the expectation is that Kellen will be growing and changing a lot over the course of this series, it’s nice (and even a bit comforting) to know that there are certainties you can always rely upon, such as Reichis’ propensity to say and do outrageously hilarious things.

For the most part though, this series is evolving. The ending of this book establishes a pattern which has been confirmed by the author, who has stated that each volume will take Kellen to new places where he will encounter new forms of magic and intrigue. This structure reminds me very much of a TV series where each episode might be self-contained, but together they make up an overall story arc that tells the journey of the main character. The downside, of course, is the sad implication that we won’t be returning to past places. In fact, Shadowblack ends on a strong sense of goodbye to this part of the world, as Kellen and his companions look ahead to their next destination. That said, it’s hard to see this as a true negative, especially now that I know what to expect. While I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we’ll meet some of these side characters again, at the same time I can’t really say I’m all that torn up about moving on to another chapter of Kellen’s adventure. I had a great time with this novel, and now I’m just even more excited for the future of this series.

Knowing Sebastien de Castell, he’ll have another incredible sequel in store for us. So far, I have been very impressed with his YA series; he seems to be able to excel at any kind of story he wants to tell. Every time I pick up one of his books, I know I can expect his great sense of humor, fast-paced plotting, attention-grabbing characters, and nonstop fun. If you enjoyed Spellslinger, you will absolutely want to pick up Shadowblack.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Spellslinger (Book 1)

YA Weekend: Scream All Night by Derek Milman

Posted on August 19, 2018 30 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Scream All Night by Derek Milman

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (July 24, 2018)

Length: 400 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Scream All Night is not a book that falls entirely into the realm of what I typically read, but I was already made aware of that fact by the author when he contacted me to see if I would be interested in taking a look at his debut. And quite honestly, despite not being a big reader of YA contemporary fiction, I really liked the sound of it. No, it’s not a horror novel, but the fact that the premise was about the making of horror films was an idea that greatly appealed to me, not to mention the meta quality of the story.

At the center of this coming-of-age tale is 17-year-old Dario, whose father Lucien Heyward is the legendary director of dozens of beloved B-Horror cult films such as The Curse of the Mummy’s Tongue and Zombie Children of the Harvest Sun. However, few were aware of the things that truly went on behind the walls of Moldavia, the castle estate where Lucien made all of his films. Dario was just a boy when he was cast in the starring role of Zombie Children, and was subjected to verbal and physical abuse as well as unbearable emotional pressure at his father’s hands while on the set. At the time, Dario’s mother, struggling with severe mental health issues, was also unable to help her youngest son and in fact was hospitalized for much of his childhood. Life got so bad for Dario, that soon after Zombie Children was completed, the boy had himself legally emancipated from his father, choosing instead to be raised in a foster facility rather than step foot in Moldavia Studios ever again.

But Zombie Children of the Harvest Sun, despite being universally panned by critics, gained a large following of loyal fans and Dario himself became a minor celebrity. Moldavia, along with the tightly-knit community of cast and crew who live permanently on its grounds, carried on with the business of making campy movies—until the news breaks that Lucien Heyward is dying. Refusing to go out quietly, the eccentric director decides to invite all his family, friends, and fans to a mysterious event as a final sendoff. Dario reluctantly agrees to attend, with a promise to himself that this would be his last time at Moldavia. Instead, he finds himself roped back into his past when it is revealed during the reading of the will that Lucien had named Dario the heir to his studio and legacy.

A quirky dramedy, Scream All Night delivers a unique spin on a familiar idea—that of going back to your roots and rediscovering the family and friends you left behind, in spite of the painful memories. The main gist of the tale isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s all in the way it is told. Notwithstanding its blood-curdling title, which actually refers to one of Dario’s father’s favorite catchphrases, there is a surprising amount of heart and warmth found in this novel. This is one big zany family, made up of not only the Heywards but also the handful of actors, film crew, and administrative staff who have done recurring work on Lucien’s movies and found a home at Moldavia. For the same reason I love books about circuses and traveling shows, I also enjoyed the feeling of community I felt when I read about life at the studio. There is a strong sense of trust and camaraderie between everyone, a shared culture that—as weird and chaotic as it is—all of them can understand. Even Dario, who has been away for years, is unable to walk away from Moldavia’s magic once he steps back into it.

Much of the story is built around the relationships Dario has with the people who are closest to him. In addition to the troubled memories he has of working with his father, our protagonist also has his oddball of an older brother to deal with. Then there is Jude, Dario’s roommate and best friend from their youth home, who tags along for the ride and is immediately taken by life at Moldavia. Most surprising of all, there is also a romance which I thought was exceptionally well written and sweet—rare for me when it comes to YA. Hayley is a young actress who has been working at the studio for years, but she was also Dario’s childhood friend, first love, as well as co-star in Zombie Children of the Harvest Sun. The romantic elements in their story were light, natural, and free of unnecessary drama.

With all these interesting personalities in one place, there was never really a dull moment. If you’re looking for something more beyond reading about relationships though, there’s also plenty of hilarity and tragedy involved in the making of a Moldavia Studios production. While the story takes place in the present, Milman wrote that his book was “modeled loosely on Hammer Horror during the time they were filming their classic creature features at Bray studios in the 1950’s.” Fans of cult horror films will probably enjoy these sections the most, as the narrative pokes fun and pays tribute to both the movies themselves as well as the subculture of fandom surrounding the genre.

At the end of the day, you can call this a fun read about monster movies, but Scream All Night is also about so much more. It’s a story that’s full of pleasures, and genuine even in its sometimes-over-the-top portrayal of love and family. It’s a coming-of-age journey full of sadness and regrets, but also hope and lots of laughter. All in all, the novel was an unexpected surprise, both in terms of its sentimental poignancy and how much I enjoyed it. I’m very glad I picked it up.

Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on August 18, 2018 35 Comments

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every other weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I round up what I’ve read since the last update and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.

I know I just did my Roundup post, but I’m switching up my schedule a bit since it’s looking like I’ll be on the road again next week and I wanted to slip in an update before things got too crazy. So big thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and make sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

Received for Review

From the wonderful folks at Crown Publishing, I received this gorgeous finished copy of Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. As a big fan of the author, I should have started this book long before this, but worry not! This bad boy is coming with me on my trip and I’m looking forward to reading it at the beach.

Next up, with thanks to Ace and DAW Books, I received a finished copy of Ravencry by Ed McDonald, the highly anticipated sequel to last year’s Blackwing, continuing the saga of the bounty hunter Ryhalt Galharrow. As well, I received an ARC of The Way of the Shield by Marshall Ryan Maresca, the start of yet another series set in the author’s world of Maradaine. This makes, what, four series now? How many can this amazing man juggle? This time, he will be taking readers deep into the inner workings of Tarian Order, an ancient warrior guild that has always stood for order, justice, and the common people.

And with thanks to Orbit comes this finished copy of Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames, another book that is high on my priority list this month and which I will be reading soon. Also, a surprise came in the form of this ARC of There Before the Chaos by K.B. Wagers, the start of a follow-up series to the author’s Indranan War trilogy. I read the first book of that one a couple years back, and was intrigued to learn of the sequel trilogy. But the great surprise of all this week was probably this next one from Orbit’s sister imprint Redhook, a beautiful ARC of The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner. This book was already peripherally on my radar, but its arrival has shot it all the way up my highly anticipated list. As if the description of magic, folklore, and the dangers of the woods in this fantastical debut weren’t enough, in the package were also these pretty homemade gold feather bookmarks.

From the awesome team at Tor Books, I also received a finished copy of Denied by Cathy Clamp, the third installment in the Luna Lake novels of the Sazi. I’ve read the first book of this shapeshifter urban fantasy series, but I must have missed something because I only have hazy recollections of the second book’s release and the most part it completely passed me by. Looks like I have some catching up to do.

With thanks to Harper Voyager, I also received a surprise copy of Hollywood Dead by Richard Kadrey. Can you believe the Sandman Slim series is now on its tenth volume? I think I’ve only read the first two. As ever with these long-running urban fantasy series, I find it very difficult to catch up once I fall so far behind and I don’t know if I can jump in without feeling like I missed out on a ton. But I do hope I can check it out again sometime; I really like the author and his world-building and characters.

I’m also intrigued by A Time to Scatter Stones by Lawrence Block, a novella starring one of the author’s most beloved creations, the private detective Matthew Scudder. Thank you to Subterranean Press for the ARC!

And who else is curious about You May Now Kill the Bride by R.L. Stine? An author who was a staple from my 90’s childhood is revisiting his famous young adult series in Return to Fear Street, complete with a retro look and the tagline “perfect for fans of Stranger Things“. Okay, I admit I’m tempted to read this, if nothing else for a kick of nostalgia. And that’s not all; R.L. Stine seems to be quite busy these days, also bringing us Scream and Scream Again, a collection of original scary stories written by some pretty well known authors. Despite it being an anthology and targeted at Middle Grade readers, I kinda want to check this one out. With thanks to HarperTeen/HarperCollins for sending me these.

Finally, a big thank you to Titan Books for sending me a review copy of Spider-Man: Hostile Takeover by David Liss, the official prequel novel of the upcoming game for the Playstation 4 which I’m very excited about. The story will be completely new and not connected to any existing comic, game, or movie, covering both the character’s life as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. To get the full picture, I definitely want to play the game and read the book.

In the digital pile this week, I picked up an audio review copy of Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas, the latest in the DC Icons series. I have my concerns with Maas’ writing, but I’m hoping that my love for Catwoman might allay some of those. With thanks to Listening Library.

From NetGalley, I also hit the download button on The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout, the start of a new YA paranormal series that brings readers back to the author’s Lux universe. While I’m not familiar with her older books, I’ve heard nothing but good things about her stories and hopefully this will be a good jumping on point. With thanks to Tor Teen.

And from the awesome team at Tor.com, I received an eARC of Finding Baba Yaga by Jane Yolen, a short novel written in verse. The format is exactly what it sounds like: a series of short poems that tells the story of a young woman who runs away and comes upon a strange little house in the woods–a house that walks around on chicken legs and is inhabited by the well-known titular fairy tale witch. Not a hundred percent sure this is my kind of read, but hey, you never know.

Reviews

A list of my reviews posted since the last update:

Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan (4 of 5 stars)
Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach (3.5 of 5 stars)
Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw (3.5 of 5 stars)
#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil (1 of 5 stars)

What I’ve Read Since the Last Update

Here’s what I’ve managed to “unstack” from the TBR since the last update. More reviews coming soon!

Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!

Friday Face-Off: Doors

Posted on August 17, 2018 30 Comments

Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme is:

“Knock, knock…who’s there?”
~ a cover featuring a DOOR

Mogsy’s Pick:
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

So I fudged today’s topic a little, since the theme actually calls for a closed or slightly ajar door. But being more general afforded me some better options, so this is my story and I’m sticking to it. At its heart, A Head Full of Ghosts is a possession story (a complicated one, but let’s just roll with that). It stars the Barretts, a seemingly average suburban New England family hit by hard times. When John Barrett lost his job, his wife Sarah became the soul breadwinner. Finances became further strained when their eldest daughter, fourteen-year-old Marjorie started getting sick, displaying symptoms of psychosis. Doctors, however, were unable to help. Reluctantly, the family decides to turn to the Catholic Church. A priest called Father Wanderly suggests that Marjorie could be under the influence of a demon. A TV production company was also contacted, and they in turn offer the Barretts a large sum of money if they will agree to be filmed for the exorcism.

Fifteen years later, the Barrett’s youngest daughter Merry, who was eight at the time, breaks the silence about what really happened.

Let’s take a look at the covers:

From left to right:
William Morrow (2015) – Titan Books (2016)

Bulgarian Edition (2016) – Italian Edition (2017) – Slovak Edition (2016)

Portuguese Edition (2017) – Hungarian Edition (2016)

Turkish Edition (2016) – Indonesian Edition (2017) – French Edition (2018)

Polish Edition (2016) – German Edition (2018)

Winner:

Lots to choose from this time, and a few that are actually really good. My favorites are the Portuguese edition (I really love the cool effect of the light and shadows made by the doors in that creepy hallway), the Hungarian edition (which is unabashedly trying to be reminiscent of The Exorcist), the Polish edition (because that color scheme is very interesting to me), and the German edition (even though it makes the book look like it’s about a haunting). Ah, decisions decisions decisions. After going back and forth, I finally narrowed it down to a winner.

But what you do think? Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan

Posted on August 16, 2018 17 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 3 of The Legends of the First Empire

Publisher: Del Rey (July 3, 2018)

Length: 420 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Age of War is the third book of The Legends of the First Empire series and it is aptly titled, given how things are heating up again after the slight slowdown we experienced in the previous installment. From my time with the Riyria Revelations, I’ve learned that Michael J. Sullivan is an author who likes to slowly and methodically build up a series arc, and though this strategy often leads to uneven pacing and some monotony during the early volumes, it’s absolutely worth it to stick around because you always know the ending will be rewarding. Indeed, here we are seeing the results of the first seeds sown in Age of Myth and Age of Swords, and these burgeoning developments are growing into a very promising outlook for the rest of the series.

So far, we’ve seen the results of the brutal clashes between humans and Fhrey, but also learned that the relationship between the two races aren’t all that simple. The Fhrey have their own internal conflicts, with infighting and rebellions against the Fane. The leader of one of these fractured groups is Nyphron, who has taken his renegades and joined forces with the humans, led by Persephone. But with so much history of anger and distrust between their two peoples, this new alliance is proving fragile. In response, Nyphron proposes marriage to Persephone in a political move to unite their two forces.

Although Persephone believes it is a prudent plan, a few concerns make her hesitate. She doesn’t exactly know how to feel about Nyphron, for one, even if she knows love will not play a part in the marriage. That’s because she’s already in love with Raithe, the hero known as the God Killer. Also, while a political marriage will help solidify the alliance and help both their sides, there are suspicions that Nyphron might not have been entirely forthcoming with his agenda. But in order for her people to survive, Persephone must quickly make a choice, for the Fane’s armies are on the move and the first real war between Rhune and Fhrey is about to begin.

Again, for most of the book, we have significant sections devoted to relationship building, as well as establishing the foundation for the major battle to occur at the end of the story. Persephone’s role as keenig of the human clans has her running around smoothing over conflicts and attending to everyone’s needs, while Raithe pines from afar, resenting Nyphron for the amount of time the Fhrey leader gets to spend with her. Meanwhile, Bryn is hard at work on her project, a written account of the history of the world, though she also manages to find enough time to pursue her own romance with Tesh. The young Dureyan survivor has grown from a scrawny boy to a fierce warrior, even earning himself the name “Techylor” from the Fhrey, which means “swift of hand” (but for those who’ve followed Riyria, it also means so much more).

These are just a few examples of why I think readers of Sullivan’s first series will get a get a much greater kick out of these books, because they show us the truth of many of the legends surrounding this world. While it is also fine to start with The Legends of the First Empire, the stories of the characters here will probably have less impact. Most of the names here have entered into myth by the time of Hadrian and Royce, and it’s fascinating to see how much of the real history has survived and which parts have been bastardized or misinterpreted.

But all in all, Age of War can be considered a pretty tame sequel up until the second half, when the plot starts ramping up towards the war. Since most of this book is a prelude to one huge battle, it does start somewhat slow, with a lot of diversions and choreographing, but once the players are all in place and the action is ready to begin, what we get is an intense drive to the finish. There were some pretty significant developments, including a couple of earth-shattering deaths, so I highly recommend preparing your emotions and bracing yourself for some painful twists before heading into this one.

In sum, Age of War is another solid sequel to what is shaping up to be a great series. With three more books to go, I’m sure the best is yet to come, but Sullivan is doing an impressive job keeping up the momentum and excitement through the series’ middle stages, managing to skirt a common problem with a lot of epic fantasy. I’m looking forward to the next volume.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Age of Myth (Book 1)
Review of Age of Swords (Book 2)

Waiting on Wednesday 08/15/18

Posted on August 15, 2018 24 Comments

Mogsy’s Pick

Atlas Alone by Emma Newman (April 16, 2019 by Ace Books)

I was so excited to find out Before Mars would not be the final book in the Planetfall series. There is at least one more, in Atlas Alone, and like the previous books, the cover is extraordinarily pretty. The protagonist is a gamer too, which is a hook I just can’t resist. Some hints of Ender’s Game in this one, perhaps?

“Hugo Award winner Emma Newman returns to the captivating Planetfall universe with a novel about vengeance, and a woman deciding if she can become a murderer to save the future of humanity.

Six months after she left Earth, Dee is struggling to manage her rage toward the people who ordered the nuclear strike that destroyed the world. She’s trying to find those responsible, and to understand why the ship is keeping everyone divided into small groups, but she’s not getting very far alone.

A dedicated gamer, she throws herself into mersives to escape and is approached by a designer who asks her to play test his new game. It isn’t like any game she’s played before. Then a character she kills in the climax of the game turns out to bear a striking resemblance to a man who dies suddenly in the real world at exactly the same time. A man she discovers was one of those responsible for the death of millions on Earth.

Disturbed, but thinking it must be a coincidence, Dee pulls back from gaming and continues the hunt for information. But when she finds out the true plans for the future colony, she realizes that to save what is left of humanity, she may have to do something that risks losing her own.”

Book Review: Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach

Posted on August 14, 2018 27 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Doubleday (August 7, 2018)

Length: 400 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Is there anything more heart-wrenching than a tale about a child gone missing? For protagonist Ben, there is no deeper anguish. Five years ago, his little brother Eric disappeared from a grocery store while Ben was supposed to be taking care of him. A moment of distraction was all it took. One second, the three-year-old was there, and the next, he was gone. Search teams scoured the area and the police also looked into all suspects that could have taken the little boy, but nothing ever came of any of the investigations. Soon, Eric’s photo joined the dozens of other children on the missing persons bulletin board, where their faces gaze back faded and forgotten.

But Ben has never stopped looking. He is now twenty, and the years since Eric’s disappearance have not been kind to him or his family. His stepmother has retreated into herself and his dad’s job is no longer enough to pay the bills. Ben desperately needs work, but in a cruel twist of fate, the only place that would hire him is the very supermarket where Eric went missing. Working the nightshift as a stock person, Ben quickly learns the ropes from his new buddies Marty and Frank, and as hard as it is being back in a place with so many painful memories, for a while there, things didn’t actually seem so bad.

Unfortunately, that calm doesn’t last. After a couple weeks, Ben can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong with the store, the people there, and the entire town. A disturbing find in the lost-and-found bin suddenly reignites his search for Eric, leading to another flurry of printed flyers and house-to-house calls. There’s no one left that Ben feels he can rely upon or trust—not his parents, not his colleagues, and most definitely not the police detective James Duchaine, the man who was put in charge of Eric’s case.

I was kind of torn on my feels for this book. For days, I wavered between rating it 3 or 4 stars before settling on something in the middle. There were certain things I really liked about it, but there were also areas that I felt were weak or fell short of my expectations.

First, the positives: there were moments in Bad Man that were truly terrifying. You don’t even have to look too far beyond reality to find the horror either; hundreds of kids go missing each year, and I can’t even imagine what an awful, desperate, and helpless ordeal it is for the parents and loved ones. This novel opens on the worst day of Ben’s life—the day he lost his beloved little brother. As a mother of a three-year-old, reading this entire sequence made my skin cold and my stomach feel hollow. Ben’s panic and guilt tore at my heart. His pain and fear became mine, and I felt like crying.

For better or worse though, I didn’t find the rest of the book to be so harrowing or intense, though the story still contained its fair share of emotionally traumatizing moments. In many ways, Bad Man is more mystery than horror. Dathan Auerbach handles suspense well, keeping the reader guessing even when not a lot is happening on the page. Most of his characters are there as suspects, their secrets revealed to us slowly as their backstories are told in dribs and drabs. Ben himself is an enigma that we are warned not to fully trust. Grief touches people in different ways, and the uncertainties surrounding our protagonist’s memories is a source of much tension and conflict.

Unfortunately, this compelling atmosphere was not always present. There were times when the author dropped the ball, particularly in sections where the plot meandered and dragged. Certain threads were also picked up but never carried through and I wasn’t always sure if these were supposed to be red herrings or just Auerbach trying out different twists that he didn’t quite know how to pull off. Because this is his debut novel, I’m sort of leaning towards the latter. There are definitely pacing issues, and I didn’t think the novel as a whole had to be so long. The rambling, convoluted jumble that was the ending probably could have used some polish too, for I got the sense that the author might have forgotten to tie up a few loose ends.

Overall, I liked Bad Man, but as a horror/mystery novel, there were things that could have been done better. Author Dathan Auerbach has already found much success with Penpal, a series of interconnected short stories posted to Reddit, but I think he’s probably discovered that a full-length novel requires a whole different level and process of planning and writing. If this debut is any indication though, I believe he’s on the right track, and I look forward to see what he does next.