Novella Review: A Gentleman and a Scholar by Rebecca Diem
Posted on October 7, 2016 4 Comments
A Gentleman and a Scholar by Rebecca Diem
Genre: Steampunk, Pirates
Series: Tales of the Captain Duke #3
Publisher: Woolf Like Me Publishing (September 1, 2016)
Author Info: www.rebeccadiem.com
The Captain Duke and his crew are slowly trying to piece together their lives, their livelihood, and the mystery surrounding the gunpowder and the mutiny that cost them their home of Haven in the previous book. Our hero, the Captain Duke, struggles to keep it together as he watches his best friend and mentor, Trick, wallow in the depression brought on by a lost limb, while our heroine, Clara, tries to balance her duties to the crew with her feelings for the enigmatic captain. But they both must adapt and focus on the future in order to unravel the threat against them and their life.
When I reviewed the first two books in this series, I spoke about family. The kind that goes beyond blood. That is the heart of Diem’s story. In spite of those that betrayed them and the shaken trust that has left behind, Diem’s endearing cast of characters remain loyal to each other and to their way of life. This sense family and belonging is further solidified through Trick’s tragedy and the way the story and characters desperately circle around his hope for recovery. The hunt for the perpetrators of the mutiny and the Tradist conspiracy are a tantalizing mystery that keeps the book moving forward in the background, but even the gently teased romance between Clara and the Captain takes a back seat to Trick’s well-being and the effect his recovery has on the entire crew — as well as to me, the reader, since I’ve come to care as much about this crew as Clara since she first stowed away with them. Trick’s recovery is in the hands of Clara’s actual family — as in, her brother, who works with a famous professor who has never let her disability stop her from living her life to its fullest.
Despite the short length, Diem skillfully balances the major elements of the story — the conspiracy and Trick’s recovery — without ever losing the rhythm of the tale, or its charm as we get to see some of the characters in a different. Most notably, the mysterious Captain Duke himself.
And just when things seem to start coming together, Diem drops one of the most shocking cliffhangers I’ve had to deal with in a while. And now I am impatiently awaiting the next book….
Graphic Novel Review Bites: Kabuki, Lady Killer, The Beauty
Posted on October 6, 2016 6 Comments
Kabuki Library Volume 3
I’ve been a fan of David Mack since a very intuitive comic book pusher (I say this with love, but frankly, this guy had me figured out and knew exactly what he could get me to buy) suggested I read Circle of Blood, the story of a government assassin in a future noir-Japan, escaping the bonds and corruption of her masters. Kabuki’s story is one of constant transformation and self exploration that is now being collected into four gorgeous hardcover volumes by Dark Horse comics. As much as I love the stories themselves, these volumes are a literal treasure trove that allows the reader into Mack’s mind. I’ve always been curious about his artistic process, so poring over the letters, notes, sketches, and other additional tidbits is such an amazing opportunity–as was the opportunity to chat with Mack himself to pick his brain.
Volume 3 of this series collects The Alchemy. Kabuki has escaped the asylum with the help of a not-so-imaginary friend, Akemi. As she seeks to reinvent herself, following the path laid out by Akemi, Kabuki discovers that she is not alone. Akemi has helped many people on their journeys of self-discovery and the result is a network that connects across the world. Akemi seems to have some sort of revolution in mind, and Kabuki is meant to play a major part in it.
The intrigue of Akemi’s plans hover over the story, but the focus remains on Kabuki’s exploration of self. When Mack appears within the pages of his own book, it becomes evident that Kabuki’s story of becoming is also the very personal story of Mack himself.
I love comic artists that take the medium far outside the panel. David Mack is at the top of my list. Every single page in this library is a work of art. Sadly, I do not have room on my walls for every single page…
Lady Killer
Dark Horse comics describes Lady Killer as “Betty Draper meets Hannibal!” but that description is a bit off. The book definitely has that Mad Men appeal of early ’60s domestic bliss, but Josie Schuller is a bit more into the blood spatter of a serial killer like Dexter, than she is the neat and ordered psychosis of Hannibal. In fact, she isn’t a serial killer at all. She’s a hired assassin who’s very good at getting the job done (albeit it in a very messy and impractical manner, partially because she prefers a more hands on approach), all while maintaining a neat and tidy household and happy children for her husband to come home to at the end of the day. All in a days work for a mother.
While the idea of a housewife who hides her career as an hitperson from everyone but her employer makes perfect sense, sometimes the comic takes liberties with the execution, demanding that you fill in the blanks that take her from brutally messy kills to home in time to cook dinner. While a more detail-oriented person might get hung up on the transitions, I can appreciate the juxtaposition of dichotomy of Josie’s life. Every time I might have stopped to demand how she got herself out of a particular mess, the next panel pulled my attention away from such pesky ruminations. The fast pace, charming art and sharp dialogue make up for the details that are skipped over in order to keep the plot moving.
The Beauty, Vol. 1
The Beauty is the STD that everyone wants–until they don’t, because a beautiful face and youthful body are all fun and games until someone loses their head. As in, their head explodes. This is what is happening to people who have been infected with The Beauty virus. Anti-beauty terrorists are trying to get the truth out there, but the corrupt government official and the pharmaceutical company that stand to make millions from treatments rather than the cure aren’t too fond of that idea.
A very interesting concept, but from there, the story doesn’t really go where it could and should. The main characters are infected detectives notScully and notMulder, who realize that they are fighting for their lives as more and more The Beauty victims blow up. Every time they get close to the truth, something inconvenient gets in their way, starting with terrorists and moving on to an over the top pyscho murderer whose purpose is to add horrific scenes of violence when nothing else interesting is happening, I guess. The dialogue is not particularly inspired and the characters are forgettable, which is unfortunate since, again, the concept seems so good. Oh well.
Waiting on Wednesday 10/05/16
Posted on October 5, 2016 17 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Soleri by Michael Johnston (June 13, 2017 by Tor Books)
It might still be a tad too early to get excited about a book coming out next summer, but I can’t help it; historical epic fantasy sounds right up my alley, especially when it features a story and world inspired by Ancient Egypt.
“The first in a new epic fantasy series inspired by ancient Egyptian history and King Lear
The ruling family of the Soleri Empire has been in power longer than even the calendars that stretch back 2,826 years. Those records tell a history of conquest and domination by a people descended from gods, older than anything in the known world. No living person has seen them for centuries, yet their grip on their four subjugate kingdoms remains tighter than ever.
On the day of the annual eclipse, the Harkan king, Arko-Hark Wadi, sets off on a hunt and shirks his duty rather than bow to the emperor. Ren, his son and heir, is a prisoner in the capital, while his daughters struggle against their own chains. Merit, the eldest, has found a way to stand against imperial law and marry the man she desires, but needs her sister’s help, and Kepi has her own ideas.
Meanwhile, Sarra Amunet, Mother Priestess of the sun god’s cult, holds the keys to the end of an empire and a past betrayal that could shatter her family.
Detailed and historical, vast in scope and intricate in conception, Soleri bristles with primal magic and unexpected violence. It is a world of ancient and elaborate rites, of unseen power and kingdoms ravaged by war, where victory comes with a price, and every truth conceals a deeper secret.”
Book Review: The Rift Uprising by Amy S. Foster
Posted on October 4, 2016 11 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Rift Uprising by Amy S. Foster
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Series: Book 1 of The Rift Uprising Trilogy
Publisher: Harper Voyager (October 4, 2016)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
The first thing you should know about The Rift Uprising is that while it may be published under adult sci-fi and fantasy imprint Harper Voyager, it is patently, most assuredly, a Young Adult novel. Thinking there would be at least some crossover appeal, I did have to go through a brief adjustment period to alter my expectations, because I believe target audience matters. Indeed, once I donned my “YA reader” hat, I found this one easier to enjoy, and I think it has quite a lot of potential for fans of YA.
The story takes place in 2020, following the life of a seventeen-year-old girl named Ryn Whittaker, who is a Citadel—an elite super-soldier created by a secret military program in response to more than a dozen mysterious rifts opening around the world back in the mid-2000s. These rifts turned out to be portals to alternate Earths, and when it became clear that scientists were unable to close or control what came out of them, governments around the world decided to cover the whole thing up in a massive, coordinated global conspiracy.
An important development that came out of this though, was the arrival of a more advanced humanoid race from a parallel world who gave humanity the technology to protect themselves and guard the rifts. This technology involved implanting individuals with a cybernetic chip that would enhance their physical and mental abilities, turning them into powerful fighting machines. Problem was, adults didn’t do well on the implants; every single one who was a part of the initial experiment died. So instead, the government decided to put this technology in seven-year-olds (because somehow, the scientists were able to determine that young, still-developing brains were more resistant to the chip’s fatal effects) without the children’s OR their parents’ knowledge and consent. These kids would eventually become the Citadels, once their implants get activated when they turn fourteen.
This is what happened to Ryn, who has been living a double life for the last three years, ever since she found out what was done to her. At home she has to pretend to be a normal teenager in front of her family, who are blissfully unaware of the truth behind rifts and Citadels, and think that their daughter is part of a gifted government school program. In reality, Ryn patrols a nearby rift, either putting down enemies that come through or helping relocate non-hostile otherworld entities called “Immigrants” to one of the many sprawling internment camps around the world (which are also covered up by their respective governments, of course).
I’ve gone into the specifics of the premise because I feel so much of the Rift conspiracy doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. A large, widespread plot involving thousands upon thousands of people in more than a dozen countries, hiding the fact that they’ve been experimenting on hundreds of children (and praying that their parents are all idiots and won’t notice) while stashing countless hordes of interdimensional aliens in gigantic compounds located in thickly settled areas around the globe? I find it a little too farfetched and hard to believe that the world has been kept in the dark for so long, especially in this age of satellites and air travel, hungry media outlets and wary whistleblowers, class-action lawsuits and social media. In some ways, reading this book reminded me of how I felt while reading Divergent—that is, the setup is really cool, but a lot of the explanations are either iffy or require lots of logical leaps. If you don’t mind rolling with the punches though, or if you are reading this for the story and not the world-building, then this won’t be an issue.
Also to keep in mind is the fact that, as with most YA novels, there are certain tropes to watch for. There’s a romance, which I’m tempted to label instalove, because from the moment a boy named Ezra walks through the rift into Ryn’s world, she becomes utterly smitten with him. However, because all Citadels are conditioned to fly into a berserker rage the moment they make skin-on-skin contact with the object of their affection or anyone they feel even remotely attracted to (which is weird, because if you could condition any kind response into the Citadels, wouldn’t it make more sense to make them, say, violently ill at the thought of sex, instead of just plain violent? Less chance of putting your own soldiers or any number of innocent bystanders in the hospital and creating a media incident, if you’re inclined to keep the lid on a massive conspiracy, right?) Ryn and Ezra find themselves in the unenviable position of not being able to physically express their love for each other.
I wish I could say that Ryn’s motivation to blow the conspiracy wide open was driven by more noble reasons, like a desire to free herself and her fellow Citadels from the government’s yoke, or to save the Immigrants by helping them return to their home worlds. But the truth is, Ryn was mostly thinking about sex when she started on her mission to find out the truth about her implant, and the reason why she kept on fighting was because she was desperate to get laid. It’s admittedly a selfish and somewhat flimsy rationale, and therein lies another big reason why I saw this book as more YA than adult—mainly because I think an adult audience might be less patient with Ryn, who for the bulk of the book was a walking ball of angsty hormones with only one thing on her mind.
What I really loved though, was the mystery behind the rifts. Whatever may drive them, Ryn and Ezra make a great team uncovering the truth together, with him using his brains and her using her muscle. I enjoyed the suspense as it was gradually revealed how the portals work, and why the government might be going to such lengths to hide them from the world. I also liked the idea that anything at all can come out of the rifts, and I got the feeling the author had a bit of fun with that. Descriptions of the Village, where Immigrants from alternate worlds are relocated, were also amazing to behold. Imagine a neighborhood made up of a hodgepodge of different habitats and buildings to accommodate all manner of interdimensional beings. There’s even a menagerie to house all the otherworldly animals and creatures that come through.
All told, if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining sci-fi YA novel to spend a rainy afternoon with, The Rift Uprising might be exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you have a fondness for romance-driven stories. The world-building isn’t too deep and the adolescent characters might be motivated by their very adolescent yearnings, but nevertheless this book is a superfast read and its quick pacing also means never a dull moment.
Book Review: The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
Posted on October 3, 2016 26 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Orbit (September 13, 2016)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
If you asked me what horror novels I’ve read recently that are 1) creepy, 2) fun to read, and 3) highly addictive, right away I could probably name a few of my favorites including M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts as well as Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts. Now I’m happy to have another title to add to my best-of list, and this amazing book’s name is The Last Days of Jack Sparks.
As the first line in the novel’s blurb states, its protagonist Jack Sparks died while writing this book. What we’re reading now is the manuscript of his gonzo style exposé of the supernatural that he was working on right before his mysterious death, which drew plenty of attention due to the eponymous writer’s cult fame and active presence on social media. Jack Sparks was one to throw himself wholly into his research, as witnesses to his cocaine addiction after his last book Jack Sparks on Drugs can attest. Jack Sparks and the Supernatural was meant to be his comeback tour de force, reminding his fans that he still has what it takes.
Jack, however, makes no pretense at objectivity. He doesn’t put much stock in ghosts, demons, or anything of the supernatural, and makes no effort to hide his skepticism or contempt while sitting in on an exorcism in rural Italy on Halloween, laughing and tweeting out snarky remarks the whole time. But everything unravels for him after that trip though, starting with a disturbing video appearing on his YouTube channel that he doesn’t remember uploading. Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, Jack becomes obsessed with the occult and plunges deeper into his investigation, embarking on this harrowing journey that will eventually kill him.
At its heart, The Last Days of Jack Spark is a ghost story, but what amazed me was its refreshingly original premise and structure. We’re told that our protagonist’s last book is published posthumously, with much of the work undertaken by his brother Alistair who pulled together all of Jack’s research and rough drafts. The final book is also supplemented with notes, reports, and transcripts of interviews conducted with people Jack had contact with in his final days.
This additional content also reveals much about our protagonist: that he’s a bit of an asshole. Not that readers couldn’t already tell that from Jack’s own pompous, overblown narrative. Armed with a cutting sense of humor, he’s often flippant with the people he works with and disrespectful of their beliefs. He’s also a narcissist who frequently plays up his own importance in his writing, twisting the situation to make himself look good. Not surprisingly, this makes Jack one hell of an unreliable narrator. And yet, while the differing accounts give us multiple versions of a single event, we have to ask ourselves who we can trust. Most of the other characters have plenty at stake as well. Perhaps they too are out to protect themselves, like Alistair who has good reason to discredit his brother’s scathing accusations of him, or other supernatural experts who have their professional reputations on the line.
What really happened to Jack Sparks? The story will keep you guessing, with plenty of mind-bending twists and shocking revelations along the way. As the horrors begin to take their toll, Jack’s mind becomes more and more unstable, which really starts to come through in his voice. When the impossible occurs, we can’t help but wonder whether it’s real or just a result of Jack’s deteriorating sanity. In a way, that’s almost beside the point; what’s important is how effectively author Jason Arnopp has created terror out of that uncertainty. Tensions rise to a crescendo as we approach the story’s climax, where Arnopp springs on us the most brilliant surprise of all. This book featured one of the best conclusions I’ve ever read. Though we all knew Jack Sparks was going to die, the ending still managed to catch me off guard. It was horrifying, clever, and just perfect.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks is a book every horror fan should read. For two days my life was entirely consumed by this this gripping page-turner. Even now that I’m finished the book, I still can’t stop thinking or talking about it. Seriously, if you’re looking for some spine-tingling entertainment, especially for the Halloween season, run don’t walk to your bookstore and check this one out right the hell now.
Novella Review: Of Sand and Malice Made by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Posted on October 2, 2016 10 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Of Sand and Malice Made by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 0.5 of The Song of the Shattered Sands
Publisher: DAW (September 6, 2016)
Length: 240 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
In my review of Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley P. Beaulieu, I called the book’s main character one of the best female protagonists I have encountered in years. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I learned later that there was also a prequel novella in the works, and that Çeda will once again be the focus of this tale.
And so I read Of Sand and Malice Made, despite my usual disinclination to pick up novellas and short-form fiction, because that’s just how much I adore Çeda. The book opens with an introduction to her as a young teen, but already she has made a name for herself as the indomitable White Wolf in the fighting pits of Sharakhai. Around this time, Çeda also begins her smuggling work for Osman, running contraband for him to earn some extra wages. Life goes on, until one day a problem with a previous delivery comes back to haunt her, landing her in hot water with a wealthy client.
However, there’s more than meets the eye about this client, as she turns out to be the ehrekh known as Rümayesh, a malicious magical creature made long ago by the god of chaos. The ehrekh likes to toy with its victims, possessing their bodies and forcing them to do its bidding. And unfortunately, this demon has fixated her attentions on Çeda, targeting our unsuspecting protagonist with her nasty minions and dark magic. Now it’s clear that Rümayesh is out to take away everything Çeda has ever cared for, including her friends, her secret identity, and her very soul.
Of Sand and Malice Made is structured so that its three distinct parts form a larger narrative detailing Çeda’s encounter with Rümayesh, and even includes some gorgeous illustrations between each section. For a book that’s already on the shorter side though, I wasn’t quite sold on this format which further breaks the story down into even smaller parts, and I think any issues I had with pacing stems from this issue. Still, I liked how each section had its own unique feel, and because of this style we also got to see several sides of Çeda. Taken as a whole, this book does a pretty decent job showing us who she is and, more importantly, what makes her tick.
This novella also serves as a good introduction to the magic-steeped world of the series, showcasing the wonders of the magnificent desert city of Sharakhai. The world-building blew me away when I read Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, and it felt great returning to this setting for another adventure, one that explored a darker and more mythological side of the lore. The story itself is satisfying, and manages to pack a whole lot of action, intrigue, and emotion in this small package.
Still, I can’t stay this one hit me on the same level as the novel, but then again, that was to be expected. Obviously, it would not be fair to compare the content of a novella to what you can get from a full-length 600 page novel like Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, but if you want to start your journey with The Song of the Shattered Sands series, this could be the perfect jumping-off point to get your feet wet. And if you like what you see, do consider picking up the full novel; Twelve Kings was a masterpiece in epic fantasy world-craft and characterization, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should do it as soon as possible. Now I’m waiting on pins and needles for the sequel, and even though Of Sand and Malice Made wasn’t that book, reading it sure sated my hunger a little and made the wait slightly easier to bear.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (Book 1)
3rd Quarter Audiobook Challenge Update
Posted on October 1, 2016 8 Comments
It’s been another busy three months since our last update. Here are our most recent listens.
1st Quarter Audiobook Challenge Update
2nd Quarter Audiobook Challeng Update
Reading Challenge Details:
- Runs January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016. You can join at any time.
- The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015.
- Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
- ANY genres count.
- Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
- You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Booklikes, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
- If you’re a blogger grab the button (on the sidebar) and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.
Levels:
- Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
- Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
- Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
- Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
- Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
- My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30-50
- Marathoner (Look Ma no hands) 50+
Summer is a great time for audiobooks since it means I spend more time walking, which is when I do most of my audiobook listening. I walk to and from work everyday, enjoying the scenery, catching Pokémon, and listening to my latest reads from the library of Audible. I’ve made it to my long goal of My Precious with 39 audiobooks — but the year’s not over yet! Maybe I’ll make it to Marathoner after all!
I’m so close! I’m aiming for Marathoner, and at the time of this posting my total tally is 45 audiobooks so far for the year. At this point, I think it’s safe to say I’ll make my goal, as there are still plenty more books on my audio-wishlist for the rest of the year.
I actually haven’t had as much time as I’d hope these last three months for speculative literature, but I have listened to quite a few books for work and a couple because of general interest. I’ve beat all my goals, so I am hoping to finish strong on the speculative front by the end of the year.
#SPFBO Book Review: Transition by Olivia Rising
Posted on September 30, 2016 2 Comments
After selecting our shortlist, the Bibliosanctum team is taking a closer look at our potential finalists. We are busy reading the six books left on our original list of thirty and then each of us will review two of them. Stay tuned for our follow-up discussion on all of our picks to see who we choose to go on to the next round!
TransitionReviewer: Tiara
Genre: Superheroes, Urban Fantasy
Series: Anathema #1
Publisher: Olivia Rising (May 7, 2016)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website
Transition revolves around two girls–Christina Chung, an outcast, and Sarina Baumann, a recovering drug addict–who gain powers during an event called The Pulse. During that even, the Earth’s electromagnetic field shifted briefly causing a worldwide blackout while wiping out one minute of everyone’s memory. As a result of this event, some people developed powers beyond their wildest dreams.Sabrina and Christina find their lives becoming considerably more complicated when the rogue hero Radiant enters their lives.
I’m a huge superhero fan. I love superhero themed comics, movies, shows, whatever. I’ll consume superhero stories in whatever format I can get my hands on. I love superhero origins stories, people discovering their true potential to become heroes (or villains), and their path to greatness (or infamy). I enjoyed the origin story that Rising is telling with Christina and Sabina. I preferred Christina’s story over Sarina’s. Christina just seemed the more compelling of the two, but both characters add an interesting angle to the story. While the story itself is familiar since many hero stories start with some type of huge event that gives ordinary people powers, Rising’s storytelling and worldbuilding was excellent. You can tell that she put plenty of thought into this story.
Let’s talk about a few not so great things about this book. I liked this, but it is very much a New Adult story, which may be a bit of a turn-off for some readers. It does fall into some of the Young Adult/New Adult trappings that can make adult readers roll their eyes such as Christina’s whole preferring guy friends to girl friends because girls are petty. However, she seems to be just as petty as the girls she dislikes so much. The story could’ve been knit together a bit better than it was. Some sections of this story just seem to go on a tangent that didn’t feel like it connected to the rest of the story. Parts of this story could also feel a little slow and may tempt readers to skip a few pages until they get to the good stuff.
I think this is a good starting point for the story that she wants to tell. It’s more of a slow burn as you learn about the characters, their powers, and this world they’re in. Despite some hiccups with the narrative, Rising has created a world that might be worth following into another book.
Novella Reviews: Penric’s Demon + Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold
Posted on September 30, 2016 21 Comments
Review copies were provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Penric’s Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: World of the Five Gods novella
Publisher: Subterranean Press (May 2016)
Length: 184 pages
Author Information: Website
It’s always a pleasure to return to Lois McMaster Bujold’s World of the Five Gods, which is also the setting of her books like The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls—two of my favorite novels of all time. There’s just so much to love about this world, not least of all the phenomenal world-building featuring some of the richest lore and history I’ve ever encountered in the fantasy genre. One thing of note is the major role that religion plays in this universe. Fate and free will are often recurring themes in the stories set in this world, as well as the question of divine intervention.
The novella Penric’s Demon is a good example of this, following the misadventures of a hapless mortal caught up in the drama of the gods. Lord Penric, our protagonist, is on his way to his own wedding when he suddenly chances upon a halted traveling party on the road. An elderly woman had fallen ill, and like good citizen, Penric decides to lend a hand.
Turns out though, the woman is a Temple divine pledged to The Bastard, one of the five gods in the Quintarian theology, the others being the Mother of Summer, Father of Winter, Son of Autumn, and the Daughter of Spring. As you can imagine, The Bastard is often regarded as the odd one out; His is the domain of all disasters out of season, and though his presence is accepted as a requirement for balance, in some religions he’s even considered to be a demon.
And speaking of demons, the old lady also ends up being a Learned Sorceress—one of those rare individuals who carry within them a sentient spirit with the ability to grant their hosts special powers. These spirits are referred to as “demons” despite them not being inherently evil, though sometimes they can be mischievous and hard to control. The divine ultimately succumbs to her illness and dies in Penric’s arms, but not before bequeathing him her demon, an act that changes the young lord’s life forever.
I admit, my feelings can be real fickle when it comes to novellas. I often find myself disappointed with them because I feel the short format is too limiting, and not enough time is given to the development of the story or characters. However, this one was an absolute pleasure to read. Bujold is a master when it comes to characterization and world-building, and these duo strengths really made this book stand out.
Not only does it offer a closer look at the lore of this world, I also greatly enjoyed the interplay between Penric and Desdemona, the name he decides to give to his new demon. Penric himself is a fantastic protagonist, a kind-hearted and considerate man who realizes he has been given a sacred gift. He also knows he is lucky not to have been destroyed by the entity now riding in his body, because not everyone has what it takes to host a demon. Despite being in way over his head, Penric still tries to do the right thing, striving to learn how to control his powers. His status as an outsider also gives him a unique point of view. For example, even after being with almost two dozen hosts, Desdemona remarks how not a single one of them had thought to give her a name until Penric came along. Their early days together are a source of constant humor and unexpected surprises. The story completely sucked me in, and the ending left me smiling and feeling excited for the next adventure.
Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: World of the Five Gods novella
Publisher: Subterranean Press (February 2017)
Length: 200 pages
Author Information: Website
Penric and the Shaman is another bite-sized adventure starring Lord Penric and Desdemona, though four years have passed since that fateful day the two “met” on the road. Our eponymous protagonist has become a full-fledged sorcerer and a divine of the Bastard’s Order, having earned his braids. Now working in the court of the Princess-Archdivine, Penric is content with as a temple scholar spending his days poring over books and scrolls.
However, the peace is broken one day when a Locator of the Father’s Order named Oswyl shows up, hot on the trail of a murder suspect. The wanted man is also purported to be a shaman who has stolen the soul of his slain victim, preventing the dead man’s ghost from being claimed by one of the five gods. After appealing to the Princess-Archdivine for the services of a sorcerer, Oswyl gets assigned Penric, and together with a small group of guards they travel into the mountains in search of the fugitive.
As we soon discover though, nothing is as it seems. This book is told from the points-of-view of three characters: Penric, Oswyl, and Inglis. This last perspective is from the titular shaman himself, the alleged murderer who actually turns out to be a lot more than he appears. When we first meet him early on in the story, his desperation feels different from what you would expect from a truly guilty man.
The three threads here provide a larger picture than what we got from the first novella, which mainly focused on the developing relationship between Penric and Desdemona. This does mean the demon has a smaller role, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed by her diminished presence. As usual though, Bujold’s characters are her forte, and this book is stronger because of the fascinating dynamics resulting from the increased number of POVs. Penric’s cheeriness, for example, was nicely juxtaposed by Oswyl’s dour and mirthless demeanor. Pen can’t help being the happy-go-lucky nice guy that he is, and half the fun was watching how easily he could push the Locator’s buttons.
Even more groundbreaking were the revelations presented here about shamans and sorcerers, implying strongly that Inglis’ powers may be the flip side of the same coin to Penric’s. We’re also reminded that Penric is more than just a sorcerer; he’s also a divine, and now he’s about to go up against a challenge that will take all his learned skills and abilities. As a sequel, Penric and the Shaman does a first-rate job growing our protagonist and expanding upon his unique role.
Bottom line, this series is a must-read for fans of Bujold’s fantasy, and the best part is, you can even read these two books by themselves, completely separate from the Chalion series. If you’re curious about the World of the Five Gods, this could also be a fine place to start. These charming little novellas feature everything I love about the author’s writing, and don’t underestimate their short length because these compact tales can still pack a lot of punch.
#SPFBO Book Review: The Dragon’s Blade: The Reborn King by Michael R. Miller
Posted on September 29, 2016 5 Comments
After selecting our shortlist, the Bibliosanctum team is taking a closer look at our potential finalists. We are busy reading the six books left on our original list of thirty and then each of us will review two of them. Stay tuned for our follow-up discussion on all of our picks to see who we choose to go on to the next round!
The Dragon’s Blade: The Reborn King by Michael R. Miller
Reviewer: Tiara
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Dragons
Publisher: Acorn Independent Press (November 10, 2015)
Length: 407 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
In this debut novel by Michael R. Miller, dragons no longer rule the skies, but have become more humanoid in appearance and walk the lands. Four races roam the land–humans, dragons, demons, and fairies. However, the demons are a thorn in the side of the other races and seem almost unstoppable in nature. Prince Darnuir, the reborn dragon king, knows that the only hope of survival for his people and the other races is to form a unified front against the demons. But how does one accomplish such a huge goal when all the odds seem against you and you’re beginning life anew?
To be honest, when I first started this book, I didn’t know if I was going to like it much. It wasn’t that I hated it, but it took a few–quite a few–pages to really stroke my interest from more than a intrigued, raised eyebrow. When the story did hit it’s stride, though, I found myself invested in the story of these people and their conflict. There are so many threads that this story follows that can keep a reader enthralled by this story. This story is very character-driven. There’s plenty of well-paced action to be found in these pages, but the heart of this story lies in Darnuir and the various people pulled into this journey.
Despite the page count, this is a fast, fun story that doesn’t spend too much dawdling. You follow various characters both “good” and “bad” as they try to navigate the circumstances they find themselves in. The world and its lore is very detailed and did an excellent job of satisfying that part of me that enjoys when a world truly feels like it fits the characters and the tone of the novel. When an author is thoughtful about a world and its mythos, I can’t help but get lost in it. This novel is no exception.
With that being said, this might come off a little tedious to some readers, and if you’re like me and can get a bit impatient with romance in fantasy novels, you may not care much for the romantic interludes in this book. (However, I will say that I didn’t feel like the romance diminished the story in any capacity, but your mileage may vary.) There are parts of this book that can be a little predictable at points, but that doesn’t take away from this being a mostly fun read.
This story is the beginning of a series, and Miller certainly does an excellent job in baiting readers with just enough of the story to keep them hanging on for the next book.
The BiblioSanctum 