Audiobook Review: The Sword of Midras by Tracy Hickman and Richard Garriott
Posted on July 31, 2016 13 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Sword of Midras by Tracy Hickman and Richard Garriott
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Media Tie-In
Series: Book 1 of Shroud of the Avatar
Publisher: Audible Studios (Audiobook: July 12, 2016) | Tor (Hardcover: June 21, 2016)
Length: Audiobook: 8 hrs and 43 mins | Hardcover: 336 pages
Author Information: Tracy Hickman | Richard Garriott
Narrator: Derek Perkins
Developed by Portalarium and directed by video game legend Richard Garriott, Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues is a game I’ve been following since it was publicly announced in 2013. In the spring of that same year, the project was also funded on Kickstarter, raising nearly $2 million. While the official launch date is still to come in late 2016, as a backer I’ve been able to dabble in early access, and so far I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen. So impressed, that I immediately added The Sword of Midras to my reading list.
(Note: This book is also sometimes known as Blade of the Avatar, which was included in serial format as a pledge reward at some backer levels, but they are not exactly the same as far as I know. The Sword of Midras is an “updated” version that contains some extra content—at least four extra chapters.)
If you want to find out more about the world in which Shroud of the Avatar takes place, then The Sword of Midras is a great place to start. Being relatively new to the game lore myself, I enjoyed learning more about the setting of New Britannia and the people who make it their home. This novel takes place approximately two hundred years before the game. It provides some history, introducing readers to a world that died during a catastrophic event known as the Fall. For a long time, those who survived managed to carve out a living for themselves in a land left wild and chaotic after the departure of powerful beings known as the Avatars. Then, the Obsidians came. Their armies subjugated the people using dark magic, and claimed that in doing so they brought law and order to the world.
The story follows a captain in the Obsidian Army named Aren Bennis. One day, while reconnoitering with a scout named Syenna, the two of them stumble upon a mysterious sword in an ancient ruin. Against the warnings of Syenna, who believes the sword could be cursed, Aren picks up the weapon anyway and is staggered to discover its magical properties—and the fact that he is the only one who can wield it. Unfortunately for him, there are plenty who have theories about the sword’s origins, but even more who want to use it for their own gain. And as the only person who can hold the blade without experiencing the negative effects, Aren finds himself caught in the middle of many conflicting agendas.
If you’re not acquainted with the world and the history from the game, that shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying this book. It might, however, make this story seem somewhat sparse and conventional compared to other high fantasy novels. I’m guessing Shroud of the Avatar fans and lore buffs are the ones who will probably get the most out of this one, and it’s also rather light and reads very quickly. In other words, nothing really sets The Sword of Midras above other tie-ins of its type, so adjust expectations accordingly.
That said though, the authors do a great up keeping up an energetic pace, and I thought both plot and characters were very interesting. The book also sets up the historical context nicely, featuring some places that will be familiar to players of the game. I enjoyed the character of Aren, whom we spend the most time with in this story. He starts off as your typical Obsidian army officer, but gradually, the mysterious powers of the sword changes him, and makes him contemplate other points of view. A strong supporting cast also provides plenty of opportunities for fascinating relationships to develop.
Audiobook Comments: I was also fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to listen to the audio edition of The Sword of Midras. Narrator Derek Perkins is new to me, but I knew right from the start that his voice would be a good fit. His reading made it easy to get into the story, even the slower sections that involve more descriptive detail (and there are plenty examples of this, especially when characters arrive at new places.) His dialogue is also animated and distinguishable, with emotion in all the right places, and I really have no complaints with overall his performance. Overall, this audiobook is one I would recommend, especially if you prefer this format for your lighter reads.
From what I hear, The Sword of Midras is only the first of a planned trilogy. I’m definitely open to checking out the next two books, and hopefully by then the game would be in full swing too, because I really enjoy spending time in this world!
Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on July 30, 2016 44 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.
Received for Review
The mailbox saw a varied mix of titles from a lot of different publishers this week, and I’d like to thank them all for the following review copies received. For more details and full descriptions of the books, be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages!
Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier – Aaaaand we’re kicking things off with my number one anticipated book of 2016! This was a surprise arrival, but very welcome. When I opened the package and saw what was inside, I literally let out a whoop. If you haven’t checked out the Blackthorn & Grim series yet, there’s still time to catch up with the first two books before this third installment releases this fall. My thanks to Roc for the ARC.
The Last One by Alexandra Oliva – This debut dystopian thriller only recently found itself onto my radar, but I’ve heard some excellent things. It’s about a survival TV reality show that takes place right before an apocalyptic event, and with the contestants cut off from the world they have no idea what’s real or just part of the game. Sounds intriguing! When the good folks at Ballantine contacted me about reviewing this novel, I was already fully on board to give it a try.
The Hike by Drew Magary – I have this weakness where I can never say no to a book related to video gaming, no matter how tenuous the connection. This one was described to me as a fantasy saga weaving in elements from folk tales and video games, and I’m really looking forward to see how that will work out. Thank you Viking Books for the invitation to review this.
Curioddity by Paul Jenkins – I’ve had my eye on this book for a while, but it wasn’t until I received an email from the publicist about it that I realized the author was THE Paul Jenkins, as in the comic book writer (of Hellblazer, Witchblade, Wolverine: Origin, etc. fame.) I didn’t know he wrote a book! With thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to check out Jenkins’ debut prose novel!
Seoul Survivors by Naomi Foyle – A surprise arrival, with thanks to Jo Fletcher Books and Quercus USA. I actually read this book a few years ago when it was first published in the UK. Glad to see it’s finally coming to the US! The impending destruction of earth by a killer asteroid provides the backdrop for the story, which takes place in South Korea. Recommended if you like dark and twisted gritty sci-fi mystery thrillers, but not for the faint for heart!
Vicarious by Paula Stokes – Courtesy of Tor Teen, which seems to be coming out with a lot of good stuff this year, and I was pretty intrigued when this book landed on my doorstep. It’s about two sisters who grew up in a Korean orphanage before being trafficked into the US, and now they work as digital stunt girls so that their neural impulses can be recorded and used to allow others to live their thrilling experiences vicariously.
Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone – The latest in Gladstone’s The Craft Sequence is here! This series has one of the most amazing fantasy worlds I’ve ever encountered, and I can’t wait to see what this fifth installment has in store. I really need to read it soon! With thanks to Tor Books for the finished copy.
Willful Child: Wrath of Betty by Steven Erikson – Also from Tor, I received this surprise ARC of book two in the Willful Child series, Steven Erikson’s riff on the Star Trek original series. I’ve actually read the first book, which I found to be cheesy, offbeat, and insolent–but I loved it. As far as parodies go, it was pretty funny, and I’m excited to dive into the sequel for some light, fun reading.
Congress of Secrets by Stephanie Burgis – I really enjoyed Burgis’ Masks and Shadows earlier this year, and I’m really glad to see she’ll have another historical fantasy novel out later in the fall. And check out that gorgeous cover! I think it’s one of my favorites of 2016. Much love and thanks to Pyr Books for the ARC!
Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter – I confess I’ve never read anything by Faith Hunter, which thankfully is about to change! This book spins off from her Jane Yellowrock books, but it’s also the start of an all new series starring a protagonist who was a side character who was first introduced in a Jane Yellowrock tale so it should be easy to just jump right in. Thank you, Roc Books.
The Reanimatrix by Pete Rawlik – Is 2016 like the year of Lovecraftian horror or Lovecraft-inspired novels or what? Featuring a mashup of Lovecraft and pulp mystery noir fiction, this one looks like so much fun. I’m really excited to read it, with thanks to Night Shade Books for the ARC!
We Eat Our Own by Kea Wilson – Okay, this could either turn out really well or be a major disaster, but when I saw a review described this book as literary horror à la “Cannibal Holocaust meets Heart of Darkness”, my curiosity was piqued, so I went ahead and requested it from NetGalley. We’ll see how it goes! With thanks to Scriber.
The Reader by Traci Chee – I’m so wary of hyped YA these days, but I thought this one was definitely worth chancing it if for nothing else because “books about books” happens to be one of my favorite tropes. I was really excited to score an eARC from First to Read.
Star Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig – My goal to read and review all the adult novels in the new Star Wars canon continues! Many thanks to Del Rey for providing me with a review copy!
Bite by K.S. Merbeth and The Dragon Lords: Fool’s Gold by Jon Hollins – Audiobooks, with thanks to Hachette Audio. I have more time to “read” via audio these days, so I was really grateful to be offered these books. I actually just started The Dragon Lords: Fool’s Gold and the humor seems to be working much better for me in this format, so I’m glad I opted to listen to it. By the time this post goes live I should be finished with the book, and so I can dive right into Bite.
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire – Also thanks to Tor.com for sending me this e-galley. I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about McGuire’s first novella with with them, and it’s awesome to hear they’ll be publishing another one by her soon next year.
Books Won
It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the books I’ve purchased or won lately, because in truth, I haven’t been buying much or entering giveaways these days (let’s face it, it’s not like I’ve lacked in things to read.) But here are a few I got from lucky wins earlier in the year, including And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich from a publisher newsletter, The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski (glad I caught up with the series this year!) from The Reading Room, and The Destructives by Matthew de Abaitua from My Bookish Ways (so sad when they shut down).
Reviews
Here’s a quick roundup of my reviews since the last update. A lot of 3.5s to 4s this time around, but Dark Matter is rocking it out at the top with the first 5 star rating I’ve given out in two months. Have you read it yet?
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (5 of 5 stars)
The Shattered Lens by Brandon Sanderson (4 of 5 stars)
The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan (4 of 5 stars)
False Hearts by Laura Lam (4 of 5 stars)
The Unnoticeables by Robert Brockway (4 of 5 stars)
Imprudence by Gail Carriger (3.5 of 5 stars)
Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine (3.5 of 5 stars)
Red Right Hand by Levi Black (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone (3.5 of 5 stars)
Any Other Name by Emma Newman (3.5 of 5 stars)
Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay (3 of 5 stars)
Roundup Highlights:
Author Spotlights
Big thanks to Levi Black for stopping by The BiblioSanctum for an interview last week!
Interview with Levi Black, Author of Red Right Hand
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
I had family visiting for the last few weeks, so I mostly only had time to listen to audiobooks on the long drives to and from day trips to the beach, etc. I did manage to pad my reading tally with a couple of novellas and shorter books though (heh!) plus one Read-Along book that wrapped up this month. Here are some of the reviews you’ll be seeing at the BiblioSanctum soon, minus those that are already up.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? Nothing makes me happier than sharing my love for books, so let me know what you plan on checking out. I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Until next time, see you next Roundup!
Audiobook Review Bites
Posted on July 29, 2016 14 Comments
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Malazan Book of the Fallen #2
Publisher: Tor (February 1, 2005)
Tiara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
In the deserts of Raraku, a rebelling is brewing led by a seer known as Sha’ik. These rebels hope to usher in the Whirlwind, a phenomena said to be the rage of the Whirldwind Goddess. Others call it an apocalypse. Rebellion ruptures across the lands, sweeping it with violence as key players try to get a handle on the situation in the only ways they know how. Some of the seeds from the first book begin to blossom in this installment. Gardens of the Moon explored the political maneuverings leading up to this rebellion while Deadhouse Gates is a demonstration in savagery caused by this rebellion, punctuated by the harrowing journey of 30,000 refugees and the Malaz 7th Army across a war torn continent in a section titled “Chain of Dogs.” There is nothing small scale about this story; there is nothing small about the difficulties it presents for these people. This continues to be a story that asks its readers to look at the broader picture.
As with Gardens of the Moon, readers are thrust back in this world at the thick of things. Unlike Gardens of the Moon, we are faced with the full force of the brutality that comes with rebellion and war. It’s a hard story to cut your teeth on with the excess of violence. No one is spared the brutality of this war. Villains don’t always get what’s coming to them, and heroes don’t always get to swoop in and save the day. Only a few familiar faces show up in this journey through the Malazan Empire, allowing us a little more time to become familiar with these characters, but Erikson throws a slew of new characters in the mix for our consideration as well.
This story is complex, with such a sprawling narrative. I’m really amazed at how well Erikson was able to keep these first two books from spiraling into a mess. You can definitely see the dedication he has to the world and these characters. Granted, I think that this could’ve been much shorter than it was, but still, this narrative holds. It does take a bit of time for this to build up its plot, but it has much more of a focus than Gardens of the Moon. It’s well worth wading through a bit of narrative building if you can stomach all the atrocities this throws at you. However, by the time you finish this book, you just might feel like you’ve fought a war yourself.
Narrator: Ralph Lister | Length: 34 hrs and 5 mins | Audiobook Publisher: Brilliance Audio (February 22, 2013) | Whispersync Ready: Yes (As of this posting)
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Genre: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Erotica
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #1
Publisher: Penguin (September 6, 2005)
Tiara’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
After seven long years of this book being on my TBR pile, this book gets to make its home on my read list, but first a description courtesy of Goodreads.
| In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams. |
I have a bit of mixed feelings about Dark Lover. This felt like such a guilty pleasure read with its supernatural alpha males and the women who love them. There are barrels of romance, action, and steamy encounters to be had, which appeals wholly to that side of me that is unapologetic smut trash. This is one of those books that manages to engage me and keep me interested in the story even when there are so many separate parts that I’m not sure I like much. I try to take stories like these at face value and enjoy them on that base level that they appeal to. However, I have concerns.
The slang and hip-hop references felt so forced, and I’m sure the narration, which was very bland, did nothing to make me feel that it wasn’t. I have nothing at all against authors using pop references, but I find it hard to take a bunch of centuries old vampires talking like they walked off the set of Jersey Shore seriously. This comes completes with sophomoric spellings of their names–Rhage, Zsadist, Vishous, Tohrment. Pulling pop references off well requires a certain timing and strategic usage to make it feel authentic. This book did not have that. It doesn’t matter that this was written in 2005. This would’ve felt silly even then.
Also, this book has too many instances of all this information and intense emotion being dumped on the readers without any real buildup. The women troubled me a bit as most of the ones featured didn’t feel really integral to the story for more than what they could provide in terms of sex and vulnerability to uplift and redeem the male characters. I had to make my peace with these things very early in this book, and I feel like I can move forward in this series with a lower bar. And to be fair to this book, firsts in a series can often be a bit shaky as an author tries to establish their world and characters.
Narrator: Jim Frangione | Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins | Audiobook Publisher: Recorded Books (January 22, 2009) | Whispersync Ready: No (As of this posting)
Backlist Burndown: The Unnoticeables by Robert Brockway
Posted on July 29, 2016 15 Comments
As book bloggers, sometimes we get so caught up reading review titles and new releases that we end up missing out on a lot previously published books. As a result, one of my goals this year is to take more time to catch up with my backlist, especially in my personal reading pile. And it seems I’m not the only one. Backlist Burndown is a new meme started by Lisa of Tenacious Reader. Every last Friday of the month, she’ll be posting a review of a backlist book and is inviting anyone interested to do the same. Of course, you can also review backlist books any day you want, as often you want, but be sure to watch for her post at the end of the month to link up!
This month, I’m reviewing…
The Unnoticeables by Robert Brockway
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Series: Book 1 of The Vicious Circuit
Publisher: Tor (July 7, 2015)
Length: 288 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
What does a scraggly 1970s punk rocker in New York City have in common with a down-on-luck Hollywood stuntwoman in 2013? In this earthy mind-bending tale that spans time and geography, Robert Brockway takes readers on a strange, scary trip through the dark and twisted underbelly of the paranormal.
The Unnoticeables follows three different points of view. In 1977, Carey is a blithe young punk content with simply hanging out with his friends. But life suddenly gets weird. Disturbing rumors of “Tar Men” in the sewers are being whispered around the Manhattan punk scene, and then these strange kids with unnoticeable, forgettable features start cropping up all over the place. All he wants to do is drink and chase girls, but as the threat looms closer and his friends start disappearing or dying, Carey knows the only way to stop the madness is to bring the battle to the monsters.
Running in tandem with Carey’s storyline is another that takes place in 2013, which follows a struggling stuntwoman named Kaitlyn trying to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. One night at a Hollywood party, she meets a former teen heartthrob named Marco, who was her childhood celebrity crush back in the day when he was still the star of her favorite family sitcom. But when Kaitlyn finds herself alone with Marco in his car later that night, he turns into an inhuman creature and attacks her. Shaken, Kaitlyn barely escapes with her life, but then finds out that her best friend has gone missing after she was last seen at the same party.
The third point of view is much less defined. Interspersed throughout the novel are brief chapters from the perspective of an unidentified character, speaking about their own transformation. The purpose of these chapters will be unclear at first, but as events unfold this person will start providing a lot more context into what’s happening. Furthermore, as connections between Carey and Kaitlyn’s threads start to form, this mystery person will also help us understand and bridge the gap between the present and the past, showing how everything is related.
There’s a lot to love about The Unnoticeables. At first, it’s easy to mistake this one as quirky urban fantasy, with its portrayal of Carey and his group of burned out vagabond 70s punk pals, not to mention the bizarre, almost parodic picture of present day Hollywood through Kaitlyn’s eyes. But as the plot moves forward, the narrative ultimately slips into horror territory, becoming progressively darker and grimmer. The novel’s modest page count belies its heavier, more nihilistic themes and it is certainly not all sunshine and unicorns as more and more we are exposed to the increasingly graphic and gruesome violence in both Carey and Kaitlyn’s storylines.
And speaking of our protagonists, they were marvelous. I especially enjoyed Kaitlyn and her audacity and spirit. I loved her line about not having too many marketable skills, but hey, if you want to know how to jump out of a moving car going at fifty miles an hour, or need someone to fall down a flight of steps without breaking her neck, be sure to give her a call! Then there’s Carey, bringing a fascinating slice of the 70s youth subculture to life with his full-on Johnny Rotten-type persona. A novel starring a kickass stuntwoman and a punk rocker as its two protagonists? Nope, things don’t get much cooler than that.
Carey and Kaitlyn don’t know each other at the start of the book, but of course the best part was finding out how the two of them get together and team up. We alternate between his story and her story, going back and forth between 1977 and 2013, until they meet in Kaitlyn’s time. Carey, now much older, is a vagrant who collects cans in her neighborhood, but his own run-in with the Angels, Tar Men, and the Empty Ones more than thirty years ago makes him a formidable ally for Kaitlyn in her quest to save her friend. I had my doubts about the structure when I first started, but those were dashed as soon as the story picked up, and I saw what the author was trying to do. Let’s face it; so many things could have gone wrong with this format, with the potential to wreak absolute havoc on the story’s overall coherency and pacing, but I was surprised and impressed at how well it worked in the end, with Brockway nailing it without missing a beat.
I’m really looking forward to more of his writing. The Unnoticeables is a great start to a new series, and I’m very pleased that I got to read this just in time to dive into the sequel, The Empty Ones.
Book Review: Any Other Name by Emma Newman
Posted on July 28, 2016 11 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Split Worlds
Publisher: Diversion Books (August 2, 2016)
Length: 344 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Any Other Name is the second book of Emma Newman’s The Split Worlds series, and things are certainly getting very interesting. I read this one as part of the SF/F Read Along group, and as you can imagine, the last month has been filled with much intense and spirited discussion over the characters’ outrageous actions and other unexpected surprises in the story.
While I’ll be keeping plot details to a minimum without going into anything beyond the publisher’s description to keep this review spoiler-free, bear in mind that this novel builds upon the events of the previous one and can’t really be read as a standalone. Back in Between Two Thorns, readers got to meet Catherine Papaver, a young woman who was living in double life in Mundanus while trying to escape the old-fashioned society of the Nether. Any Other Name sees Cathy back in her home world after being dragged back by her family, and against her wishes she is quickly married off to William of house Iris.
Will himself is also tasked with an impossible mission. His patron fae lord has demanded of him the Londinium throne, leaving the newly-wed couple no choice but to move to London’s mirror city in the Nether. Cathy reluctantly tries to integrate herself into their new social circles, while Will sets about finding allies to support his bid for dukedom. As much as he wants to be a good husband to Cathy though, certain desires and other dark temptations seek to draw him onto a different path. Meanwhile, Max the Arbiter continues to investigate the Agency in an attempt to uncover the mysterious circumstances behind the Bath Chapter incident, and Sam also seeks out magical help to figure out what’s wrong with his wife Leanne.
I liked this book, probably just as much, if not more, than its predecessor. While I’m not completely blown away by this series yet, I think we’re gradually getting there, with layers upon layers being built up in the story. In my review of the first book, I commented on the disjointedness of the plot as well as the imbalance the character POVs. Thankfully, these aspects are much improved in the sequel, even though there are still many threads that need to be addressed. I still think there’s way too much going on here all at once, but on the whole this book answered a lot of the questions I had after finishing Between Two Thorns, so I was pleased.
This sequel was a lot easier to read too, now that I have a better understanding of the world. The story was less hampered by the details, which allowed me to settle back and simply let myself be swept away by its events. I gained a deeper appreciation for this relationship between the realms of Exilium, Mundanus, and the in-between world of the Nether. Furthermore, groups like the Arbiters or the Agency who have the ability to affect more than one of these places add an intriguing dynamic to the situation. Max got his chance to play a bigger role again in this volume, allying with Cathy to investigate the dastardly Agency and even briefly teaming up with Sam to see what’s going on with Leanne. This latter plot development was perhaps my favorite part of the novel, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how thoroughly I’ve enjoyed this thread of mystery.
That said, certain aspects of this novel were…problematic. I remain torn on a couple of our main characters, since one moment they would be turning me off, but the next they could be redeeming themselves. I don’t often flip-flop so much on my feelings for characters, but I definitely sense a “soap opera” quality to some of their dramatics. Still, Cathy is actually a much stronger person in my eyes this time, thinking things through instead of just digging in her heels. Plus, she is starting to see beyond her own predicament, perhaps reaching out to help others as well. Sam steps up too, trying to do some good in his own bumbling way, and I found myself rooting for his cause. In contrast, Max shows us what it means to be literally soulless, having no qualms about resorting to unsavory means to get the information he needs. And Will…oh Will. Pretty much every other thing he did made me angry. It’s a good thing I’m keeping this review sans spoilers so I won’t have to go into details, or else we’d be here forever.
I will say this about The Split Worlds series, though: it’s incredibly addictive. I’m officially hooked, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next, especially after the way this book ended. I don’t know what Emma Newman has in store for us, but it’s clear none of her characters are going to come out of this clean and unscathed. Now onward to All Is Fair!
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Between Two Thorns (Book 1)
Book Review: Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay
Posted on July 27, 2016 22 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: William Morrow (June 21, 2016)
Length: 327 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of reading Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts, which promptly landed him on my “I must read more of this author!” list. So when I found out about his new book Disappearance at Devil’s Rock, I simply couldn’t resist checking it out.
Now that I’m finished reading though, I feel torn. Don’t get me wrong; I didn’t think the book was bad, but I also definitely didn’t think it was as good as A Head Full of Ghosts, not even close. Yes, it’s entirely possible that my expectations were way too high going into this, but there were also some pacing problems and other issues I couldn’t ignore, not to mention I also didn’t enjoy the premise as much, which I’m sure played into my overall tepid feelings for this novel.
The book opens with a moment all parents dread. Elizabeth Sanderson, the story’s protagonist, receives a phone call in the middle of the night telling her that her thirteen-year-old son is missing. The caller is her son Tommy’s friend, Josh, who tells her that the two boys and another friend Luis have all been in the woods of Borderland State Park. The three of them had stolen some beer from their parents and had snuck out to do some drinking, Josh says, just hanging out at landmark nicknamed the Devil’s Rock, when Tommy suddenly ran into the trees. This was hours ago, and no one has seen him since.
The next few days are a nightmare for Elizabeth and her daughter Kate as they wait for news. The townspeople are searching the woods tirelessly, police have been called in to investigate, and the media is giving the case national attention. But still, no sign of Tommy. Stressed with worry and grief, Elizabeth starts to think she’s seeing things that aren’t there. That first night, she could have sworn she saw a shadow of Tommy visiting her as a ghost, but believing that also makes her feel terrible because she doesn’t want to give up hope her son is still alive. Then there are the mysterious pages from Tommy’s diary, inexplicably appearing in places for Elizabeth to find. The journal entries reveal a complicated young man who has become increasingly troubled by the loss of his father, Elizabeth’s ex-husband who abandoned his family years ago and died in a drunk-driving accident. Tommy also writes about his experiences in the days leading up to his disappearance, which sheds light on the testimonies of his friends Josh and Luis, indicating that the two boys might not be as forthcoming as they claim. Will these diary pages ultimately lead to the truth behind Tommy’s disappearance?
Like A Head Full of Ghosts, there’s an air of ambiguity that shrouds the story. Paul Tremblay gives just enough to blur the lines between the mundane and the paranormal, keeping readers wondering if there’s more than meets the eye. The book is like a puzzle, providing us with pieces of the narrative from Elizabeth, Kate, Josh, Luis, as well as Allison, the lead investigator on Tommy’s case. Then there are the diary entries from Tommy, words straight from the missing teen himself. Sometimes the different angles reveal answers, helping us fill in the gaps. At other times, they reveal inconsistencies, which is how we later find out some characters aren’t being as truthful as they claim.
I’m aware this style of storytelling usually relies on slower, more methodical pacing. Still, the plodding speed at which this book began was almost unbearable. At one point, I wondered how much of the boys’ shenanigans and their back-and-forth teenage jargon I would have to take before the story would finally get moving. After the initial report that Tommy is missing, the book slows to a crawl and doesn’t pick up again until later, and even then it’s a very gradual escalation without an immediate hook or much suspense.
As I said, I also didn’t enjoy the premise as much. A Head Full of Ghosts was definitely more my bag when it comes to horror, more so than Disappearance at Devil’s Rock which was less “horrific” in the traditional sense. I was unsettled by the story in that I sympathized with Elizabeth’s gut-wrenching sorrow of being a mom with a missing child, but if I was terrified at all, it was more at the idea that one day I’ll be a parent to teenagers, and it scares the hell out of me to read about the kinds of things kids can get up to these days. That left me neither here nor there with this book; it didn’t creep me out the way I would expect from a horror novel, but it was also too slow for me to see it as a true thriller.
That is why I think so much will depend on the kind of horror novel you prefer, and personally speaking this one just didn’t work as well for me—certainly not as well as A Head Full of Ghosts, which I found genuinely clever and creepy at the same time. I also thought that one was a much better book, in terms of writing and construction. Given my high hopes for Disappearance at Devil’s Rock, perhaps it was inevitable that I would be let down, but I suspect I’m in the minority on my feelings for this book. So if the premise sounds like something you’ll enjoy, I strongly urge you to give it a try.
Waiting on Wednesday 07/27/16
Posted on July 27, 2016 12 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
Everfair by Nisi Shawl (September 6, 2016 by Tor)
This book has been on my radar for a while, but a fascinating conversation I had about it recently has put it squarely on my must-read list. Featuring alternate history, steampunk, and diverse characters, Everfair has everything to make it an intriguing, tantalizing read.
“Everfair is a wonderful Neo-Victorian alternate history novel that explores the question of what might have come of Belgium’s disastrous colonization of the Congo if the native populations had learned about steam technology a bit earlier. Fabian Socialists from Great Britian join forces with African-American missionaries to purchase land from the Belgian Congo’s “owner,” King Leopold II. This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.
Shawl’s speculative masterpiece manages to turn one of the worst human rights disasters on record into a marvelous and exciting exploration of the possibilities inherent in a turn of history. Everfair is told from a multiplicity of voices: Africans, Europeans, East Asians, and African Americans in complex relationships with one another, in a compelling range of voices that have historically been silenced. Everfair is not only a beautiful book but an educational and inspiring one that will give the reader new insight into an often ignored period of history.”
An Interview with Levi Black, Author of Red Right Hand
Posted on July 26, 2016 7 Comments
In case you missed it, last week I reviewed the wonderfully dark and twisted Red Right Hand, a scintillating novel of Lovecraftian terror. Today I am beyond thrilled to bring you this interview with no other than the author himself, Levi Black! Levi was kind enough to stop by and talk about his book, his writing, the things that scares him, and so much more. His novel published by Tor Books is available in stores today. It is one wild nightmarish ride and I hope you’ll check it out! For now though, please enjoy our Q&A!
Hi, Levi! Welcome to the BiblioSanctum, and thank you so much for joining us today.
Glad to be here. You’ve got a nice place.
Congratulations on the release of your novel Red Right Hand! Can you kick us off by telling us what it’s about?
Thank you. It’s about human endurance in the face of overwhelming evil. It’s about the ability of one person to overcome both their personal demons and the demons that howl in the outer abyss. It’s about 304 pages. It’s about elder gods and chaos and evil and knives, but mostly, it’s a love story.
I understand that the book was greatly inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. What motivated you to explore the Lovecraftian mythos? Why do you think writers (and readers) are drawn to the dark worlds of HPL?
I think Lovecraft was a man who had a unique outlook on horror. He had a lot of problems, things that today would have sent him into therapy, and these informed his concept of a loose pantheon of creatures so alien that aren’t even evil, per se, just evil from our perspective. The best thing he ever did was opening his creations up to be used and expanded upon by other writers. That has continued into today.
I liked the concept of Lovecraftian entities in an urban fantasy setting. RED RIGHT HAND is laden with horror, but at the end of the day it is an urban fantasy.
It’s a horror book masquerading as an urban fantasy.
Let’s talk about your protagonist Charlie Tristan Moore, a young woman who has gone through some terrible, traumatic experiences. What were some of challenges you faced when writing her character?
Well, Charlie was the reason to write this. She was at the forefront of everything when this was spinning in my brain. Her story is the why of RED RIGHT HAND. She was a challenge though, because I have never been a 24 year old woman and I have never gone through the things she did. Unfortunately I have known far too many women who have and they were the reason I worked so hard to make Charlie authentic. I hope I did a good job for their sake.
What scares you? Do you find that you incorporate the things you fear into your writing?
I only fear two things.
Heights, which is pretty easy to overcome. I stay off high shit. Boom, problem solved.
My second, and more prevalent, fear is oblivion.
The scariest thought to me is that when we die we simply cease to exist. Poof, no more thoughts or experiences, nothing. I’d rather suffer a thousand hells than go to oblivion. Of course this fear is much harder to avoid. It’s pervasive and leads to a lot of: nanananananananananan fingers-in-ears-I’m-not-listening type reactions. I don’t know that it insinuated itself into this story, but it does show up in my writing sometimes.
What was your first introduction to the horror genre? What are your favorite horror films and books?
A book about the Frankenstein movie from Universal Studios that was in my elementary school library. Or horror comics. Or the John Saul books my mom left laying around for curious eyes to read too young. Or Saturday afternoon monster movie features on the local TV station.
Hell, it seems like horror has almost always been in my life in some form.
How do you like being a writer and being involved in the publishing industry?
Love it. I love being a writer. It’s very cool to be like: “I do write. Here’s my book.” and hand them a hardcover as nice as RED RIGHT HAND.
What are your other creative outlets besides writing? Do you have any hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I am a tattoo artist and have been for two decades now. I also paint occasionally and do photography when I have time. Hobbies are almost my whole life. I make my pursuit of entertainment into a lifestyle. Reading books and comic books, collecting toys, just about anything I do could be a hobby but is just part of my life.
Is there a sequel planned for Red Right Hand? And are there any other projects you’re working on right now or have planned for the near future, either writing or non-writing related, that you’d like to tell readers about?
There are two books slated to follow RED RIGHT HAND. Book two is tentatively titled BLOODTHIRSTY GODS but may change. Book three is DEICIDE and that won’t change.
I have a comic book project with artist Neil Vokes from American Mythology comics that hits this fall called SHADOWS OVER WHITECHAPEL that I’m really proud of. It’s going to be awesome and hopefully will lead to more comic book work.
It’s been great talking with you, Levi! Can you please leave readers with three things that they may be surprised to learn about you?
- I’m a terrible friend. Yes, I seem like I might not be, but I am. You can rely on me for the big things, the hard things, but the day to day….I just kind of suck at that.
- I think Taylor Swift’s SHAKE IT OFF is a perfect video and song. It makes me happy every time I hear it.
- Bunnies are my favorite animals. They are delicious.
Thank you so much again for dropping by! Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Leviblackwrites.wordpress.com
Levi Black is the author of Red Right Hand (on sale July 26th from Tor Books). He lives in Metro Atlanta with his wife and an array of toys, books, records, and comics. He’s been weird his whole life and is almost as scary as he looks.
Week 4: All is Fair Read-Along
Posted on July 25, 2016 6 Comments
Our read-along of The Split Worlds series continues, and this month we’re diving into the third book All Is Fair! If you’re interested in joining this Read-Along, visit the SF/F Read-Along group for more information and to join the discussion.
With thanks to Coolcurry for the read-along banner!
Caught in the insidious designs of powerful puppet-masters and playing a life-or-death game for control, Cathy and her comrades face their greatest challenge yet: changing the balance of power in the Split Worlds.
Now at the heart of the Londinium Court, deceit and murder track Will’s steps as he assumes his new role as Duke. Faced with threats to his throne and his life, the consequences of his bloody actions are already coming back to haunt him…
Meanwhile, Cathy, wrestling with the constraints of the Agency and Dame Iris, comes to terms with her new status in Fae-touched society and seeks others who feel just as restricted by its outdated social rules. As Max works with Cathy to uncover the horrors that underpin Fae-touched society, he bears witness as the final blow is struck against the last Sorcerers in Albion…
Week 1: Monday 4th July, Chapters 1-6, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Monday 11th July, Chapters 7-14, hosted by Hisham El-Far
Week 3: Monday 18th July, Chapters 15-22, hosted by The Illustrated Page
Week 4: Monday 25th July, Chapters 23-End, hosted by x + 1
1. Apparently women can’t be Arbiters or Sorcerers. Is this another sign of Nether sexism, or do you think there may be other mysteries at play here? What do you think Rupert will do about it?
Mogsy: Somehow I am not surprised to find out that the Sorcerers and Arbiters also subscribe to some form of patriarchy. I suppose that makes Rupert a bit of a hypocrite, claiming to be so enlightened the progressive, but after all these centuries, do I see him doing anything to try to change the status quo? Ekstrand, for all his mental instability, at least has a woman in a high-ranking position on his staff. Speaking of which, when we got to the part where they revealed the real killer was a woman, I had this sudden moment of panic in which I thought Petra might have been the one behind everything. Thank goodness that didn’t turn out to be the case.
2. Were you surprised at Max’s choice? What about his deliberate reaching for his emotions? What do you think the future holds for him and the Gargoyle?
Mogsy: I think I’d known for a long time that Ekstrand’s days were numbered, so in light of that, I guess I wasn’t too surprised that Max and the gargoyle chose the way they did. I was probably more surprised at Max’s deliberate reaching for his emotions, since I didn’t know that was even possible for him to do. Regardless, that moment of catharsis was a long time coming. I had this thought that perhaps the two of them and Petra can join up with Rupert, and then Rupert can put his money where his mouth is and train Petra as a Sorcerer to head up Ekstrand’s old branch. Wishful thinking maybe, but how cool would that be?
3. Cathy has had sweeping success in beginning her rebellion. How do you think Londinium – and the Agency – and the Fae – will respond?
Mogsy: With extreme prejudice, in all senses of the term. Once Cathy brings these issues to the forefront, no longer will the rebellion be something whispered in backrooms and shadows; I think it will be all out war.
4. Will has finally become an ally. Do you think he’s strong enough to stick to it? Do his secrets make him vulnerable?
Mogsy: Will is weak. Just when I thought he’d finally come around, I watched his epic failure as he just stood by cowering and watched Margritte take the full brunt of his brother’s verbal and physical abuse. Sure, he tells Cathy she has his full support now, and then later proves it by rescuing Margritte. But what that means is I’ll trust him to be an ally…right up until things get hard.
As for his secrets, he still hasn’t come clean to Cathy about a lot of things (there was a moment where I thought he would, but he didn’t). They don’t have to make him vulnerable, but it’s obvious that the longer he keeps them, the worst it’ll be for him when they are finally revealed.
5. Sam assumes the mantle of Lord Iron – what do you think of his intentions to pick up Leanne’s mission as well? Do you think he will find his deeds tainted just as Amir’s were? What do you make of his reflection that he’s found a way to look at the past such that it’s nobody’s fault?
Mogsy: I wish Sam the best. He’s been using his newfound status for good so far, but I just hope this won’t be a slippery slope in which too much power leads to corruption (who knows if that’s what happened to his predecessor?) I think he has good intentions, but he really needs to temper this messiah complex of his where he feels he has to save everyone, or change the world in a day. Start at the beginning, Sam. Learn the ropes. One day, he may fulfill Leanne’s vision yet.
A BiblioSanctum Co-Review: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Posted on July 25, 2016 24 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Crown (July 26, 2016)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
If nothing else, this novel gets high marks from me because of how unbelievably addictive it was. On a week night, with an early wake up time the next day, I was still reading with my heart pounding in my chest at 2am refusing to quit this puppy until I was finished. Even though I’ve known about the author’s Wayward Pines series years now, I’ve never read it nor have I watched the TV show based on it. But if those books are anything like Dark Matter, I just might have to go check them out now because Mr. Crouch has a new fan.
But first, how to describe Dark Matter? This is definitely one of those “the less you know going in, the better” kind of novels. It’s enough to say that I was hooked from the first page, and the story’s premise was both intriguing and a punch in the gut. Imagine yourself in protagonist Jason Dessen’s shoes. It’s family night. Jason’s heading out to see a friend, then to pick up some ice cream from the store for his wife and son. All of a sudden, a masked man comes out of nowhere, brandishing a gun and threatening to kill Jason unless he does exactly as he’s told. The abductor makes him take them to an isolated area, then knocks him out by injecting him with some kind of drug. The next thing Jason knows he’s waking up strapped to a gurney, in a sterile room, surrounded by people he’s never met. And it’s the weirdest thing, but all these strangers seem to have been expecting him.
Then Jason returns to his house and discovers everything about it is different. He was never married to his wife. They never had a son. He’s not a college professor, but an award winning physicist responsible for the biggest scientific breakthrough the world has ever known. Years ago, before he met his wife and became a dad, this was the life Jason always dreamed of, but now, alone in a world he doesn’t recognize, all he wants is his family back.
This story was both thrilling and terrifying. Its premise reminded me so much of a recurring nightmare I still have sometimes, in which find myself waking up in the crappy old apartment I had in college and learn that the last six or seven years never happened. The thought that my husband, my kids, my whole life since getting married could be all a dream is the most devastating feeling I could ever imagine, and I’m always filled with a breathless kind of relief when I wake up for real and get all my senses back. It’s probably no surprise then, that I felt an immediate connection to the main protagonist Jason Dessen. The opening scenario in this book really struck a chord with my deepest fears, and I found myself unable to tear my eyes away, wondering what might have happened to Jason, and hoping against hope that he will find the answers he seeks.
Of course, we eventually find out the truth. But since it’ll be difficult to discuss this book further without spoiling, I’m just going to describe my experience with the rest of the story in the broadest of terms. The pacing was great, and other than just a slight slowdown in the middle, Dark Matter was pretty much perfect in its execution. Even in his darkest moments, Jason was a protagonist I found I could root for, because Crouch made it easy for me to sympathize with the character’s desperation and anguish. The best part of the book was probably the last section, with its incredible mind-bending twist. I know it’s a bit of a cliché to call a book “unputdownable”, but in this case, I really can’t think of a better way to describe the ending. Not even the late hour or the unpleasant prospect of spending the next day as a sleep-deprived zombie could stop me from devouring the last few chapters.
It’s been a long time since a book has filled me so much excitement, or that amazing feeling of “Just one more page, just one more I swear…” This was simply fantastic. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, exhilarating read for the summer, look no further than Dark Matter, a flawless blend of science fiction, mystery, and thrilling suspense.
Tiara’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Crown (July 26, 2016)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
It’s hard to describe Dark Matter without feeling like I’m giving away too much of the story because much of the enjoyment comes from walking into this story blind. Jason Dessen is an average man, living an average life with his wife and son. Part of him wonders what his life would’ve been like if he’d pursued scientific greatness rather than settling down and becoming a professor at a local college. Everyone has moments where they wonder what their life would’ve been like if they’d chosen a different path, but so few find their lives upended with a simple question that leads them through a harrowing journey that causes them to self-reflect as they try to regain what they love.
I don’t know what I expected when I went into this book, but it surely wasn’t that. It never ceases to amaze me when a book leaves me completely thrown by the story. This book wastes little time getting to the meat of the story. You’re introduced to Jason and his family. When Jason is confronted by the man in the mask, I told myself that I could see where this was headed, but it managed to go places that I didn’t really see coming. That turned it into such a thrilling journey. While I won’t say this had a ton of character development, the story still allows you to come to know these characters and care about their story.
As a huge sci-fi fan, I love when authors play with alternate universes. Science fiction can be daunting for some, especially as it starts to descend more into the science-y part. This story hinges on the scientific concept of Schrödinger’s cat, but it doesn’t require that you’re familiar with the concept to understand this story. This book can be enjoyed by the average person without much fear that the science portions will go over their heads. I think this book will give people more “down the rabbit hole” vibes than super science vibes because of all the turns that it takes. Just when you think you have this story all figured out, it spins you around again.
Another thing that I loved about this one is how much it made me think of Le Guin’s The Lathe of Heaven, and I don’t mean that to be condescending to this novel. What I mean is Crouch presented this science-y story that centers around very human emotions such as love. I’m always impressed when writers remember such emotions and how they’d influence/complicate the scenarios presented even if you have the most logical people in the world starring in your story. This is part of what kept me into this story because Jason has an established life and I was dying to know how these events would change his average life. This story is about possibilities and the endless amounts of them that can exist in the universe and how one thing can change your whole world.
Like Mogsy, I haven’t read Wayward Pines even though I do have the books and keep promising myself that I will read the books soon. In fact, this is the first book I’ve read by Blake Crouch, and it was a wonderful, exciting journey that had me hanging on for dear life. If this is the kind of thrill that I can expect from his stories, I’ll definitely bump Wayward Pines closer to the top of my list.
The BiblioSanctum 