Book Review: Your Servants and Your People by David Towsey
Posted on February 17, 2015 15 Comments
Your Servants and Your People by David Towsey
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Walkin’ Trilogy
Publisher: Jo Fletcher (November 6, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
In 2013, Jo Fletcher Books sent me a copy of David Towsey’s Your Brother’s Blood and introduced me to a whole new perspective on the walking dead, and I realized I was looking at something very special. A “zombie-western series with the feels” is how I would describe The Walkin’ books, except I wouldn’t want to lead readers into a false sense of security either! Yes, while Towsey does show a more “human” side to zombies by letting them retain their emotions, intelligence and awareness of everything around them, like most tales that take place in the wild and lawless frontier, these novels possess an air of that steely grimness.
Your Servants and Your People is the sequel to Your Brother’s Blood that takes place seven years later. In that time, many things have changed. The Walkin’, or those who have died and come back, are tolerated in society, if not wholly embraced. In many towns they are still discriminated against and treated as an inferior class, though without the need to eat or sleep, most find work as laborers for the living.
Our protagonist Thomas McDermott on the other hand is a Walkin’ who just wants to be left alone. Since the end of the first book, he has reunited with his very-much-alive wife Sarah and daughter Mary, but there hasn’t yet been a happy ending for the three of them. In fact, the McDermotts are on the move again, looking for a place to settle after being forced to abandon home after home. Seems folks aren’t too accepting of a Walkin’ cohabiting with the living. Now Thomas is leading his family to a more remote part of the country, far away from the judging eyes of society, and escorting the McDermotts are a group of soldiers who are also on their way to the frontier garrison of Fort Wilson.
The series is clearly maturing, with book two differing from its predecessor in several major ways. Firstly, the years have changed the characters, none more so than Mary, who was just a child in Your Brother’s Blood. That little girl has grown into a young woman, and gone is her sweet innocence, which has been replaced by a bitter aloofness. Mary doesn’t say much, but she doesn’t need to for readers to grasp that this is one angry and rebellious teenager. Towsey portrays her character with a quiet intensity; he’s really good when it comes to “showing, not telling” and I love his subtle touch with all his characters.
The scope of the story has also expanded beyond the McDermott family. We branch into two significant threads here, the first one following Thomas, Sarah and Mary’s progress in establishing their homestead, and the second following the group of soldiers who were sent to Fort Wilson. A young man named Bryn is the focus of this second group, and he and comrades go through some awful, unspeakable things while holed up in that lonely outpost, things that I won’t go into detail here but that I will say are worthy of the most chilling of horror stories.
In spite of that, there is a lesser sense of urgency here in Your Servants and Your People as compared to Your Brother’s Blood. The first book’s premise was a lot more intense, following Thomas and Mary as they flee desperately across a forbidding wasteland, trying to keep ahead of a gang of zealots bent on killing them both. In contrast, for most of this book the plot moves at a gentler and steadier pace. Thomas and his family make their way to a new part of the country, stake their claim on a piece of land and begin the slow task of building a house. It’s the classic pioneer’s life story…well, save for the fact that the head of your party is a zombie.
These books have feeling because at their heart they are about love and devotion to family – after all, not even dying could stop Thomas from coming home to Mary, or from providing his wife and daughter a safe place to live. But there are still those who see him as an abomination and will stop at nothing to see him destroyed. I was hoping to finally see the McDermotts settle into their new life, because if anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s them. But as it turns out, the gradual pacing of this book fooled me into thinking that the threat was over, so that the bombshell the author dropped at the end crept up on me when I was least expecting it. Well played, Mr. Towsey.
The Walkin’ series is fresh, richly imagined, and sure to stand out for readers looking for a new twist on a classic genre. Beautiful and haunting, Your Servants and Your People is a sequel that brings back everything that was great about Your Brother’s Blood but at the same time feels different enough for me to see that the series is evolving. David Towsey has a knack for writing very gritty, very real protagonists with depth, and my heart is aching and anxious for the McDermotts now, wondering what will happen to them in the next book. I’m definitely not missing out on the final installment of this trilogy.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Jo Fletcher Books!
Posted on February 16, 2015 1 Comment
“How many walking the earth know exactly why they breathe and understand exactly what they must do before passing into the afterdeath.”
Acacia: The War with the Mein
by David Anthony Durham
Book Review: The Thorn of Dentonhill by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Posted on February 16, 2015 21 Comments
The Thorn of Dentonhill by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Maradaine
Publisher: DAW (February 3, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Marshall Ryan Maresca introduces us to the world of Maradaine with his new novel The Thorn of Dentonhill, transporting us to a vibrant and diverse city where powerful mages, university students, assassins and street gangs all call home. Our protagonist is Veranix Calbert, a magic student by day and vigilante by night. When the sun goes down, Veranix ventures out into the streets, disrupting the local drug trade in the hopes of bringing down the notorious crime boss Fenmere, the man who killed Veranix’s father and destroyed his mother’s mind.
One night, Veranix intercepts a delivery in progress, absconding with a major shipment worth forty thousand crowns. But instead of finding the mother lode of drugs in the satchel, he finds…a cloak and a coil of rope?! What’s so special about these mundane objects, and what could Fenmere want with them? What follows is a highly entertaining tale of mystery and adventure as we learn more about circumstances behind this botched trade.
There’s also the intriguing details when it comes to Veranix’s double life. The idea of an average everyman moonlighting as a crime-fighter/vigilante certainly isn’t a new one, but the novel feels unique nonetheless, thanks to the author bringing his own fresh twist to the story. For example, it turns out that Veranix isn’t just your typical mage-in-training, and his tragic history and his family ties to the street gangs make him an irresistible hero.
One of the key strengths here are the characters. At times, even the indomitable Veranix is outshined by the supporting cast, with his friend and roommate Delmin standing out as one of my favorites. Another character who ended up growing on me is Veranix’s cousin Colin, street captain of the Rose Street Princes. This also brings me to how much I loved Maresca’s portrayal of the different street gangs, painting most of them as a lovable bunch of guys rather than just your typical two-bit delinquents. Above all else, the Princes are family and united against the “true” bad guys, who are Fenmere and his buddies at the top. It’s really refreshing to see support within a gang rather than the usual power-struggles.
I also love the world Maresca has created. It’s surprisingly rich, featuring a long and complex history and populated by many cultures. Other than a couple of awkward information dumps near the beginning of the novel, most of the world-building is revealed to us organically over the course of the story. In retrospect, I find it quite impressive that the author was able to work in so much information without overwhelming the reader or distracting from the plot.
Maresca brings the whole package, complete and well-constructed. If you’re looking for something fun and adventurous for your next fantasy read, look no further than The Thorn of Dentonhill, an incredible start to a new series, from an author who is clearly on his way to great things. I liked its balance between drama and action, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of world building and character development. I’m looking forward to seeing more!
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to DAW Books!
Graphic Novel Review Bites
Posted on February 15, 2015 6 Comments
The Wicked and The Divine: The Faust Act
Every 90 years, the Pantheon of gods returns, reincarnating in the bodies of young people. They will live, love, hate, and laugh, and then, in two years, they will die. During that time, there is only one rule: they must not harm humanity with their abilities. Lucifer, always the troublemaker, takes issue with this.
The story is told mainly through Laura, a diehard fan of all of the gods, who has seen all of their concerts and performances and simply worships them. When Lucy is charged with the murder of a few humans, Laura is later joined by Cassandra, a journalist with a degree in mythology, who doesn’t believe these gods are anything more than freaks and a lightshow.
I’m not an expert on the different mythological gods, but I’m familiar enough to enjoy this modern take on all of them. For a more detailed exploration of the gods as they appear in this delicious comic, click here.
Sentient robots. The story’s been done countless times before. So what makes this one so special?
Tecnically, nothing. It’s about a man named Alex who’s recently gone through a bad break up, has a mundane life, and figures things are going to stay that way, until his grandmother gifts him with a shiny new android companion. After the tragic artificial intelligence uprising that resulted in a massacre, A.I.s are a big no-no. But, while Alex initially doesn’t want to keep Ada, because it’s weird, he changes his mind, but finds that her lack of a personality leaves him wanting more. But what will it mean if he illegally unlocks Ada’s A.I. and lets her truly experience what it means to be a real person?
Alex’s struggles are the focus of this first volume of the series. It is a slow story, but a deep one that digs into questions about sentiences, humanity, and responsibility. The threat of violent backlash looms, but, more important is writer Jonathan Luna’s quiet exploration of what it means to be lonely. By taking the time to tell this story, it gives the reader the time to ask the simple question: What would I do in Alex’s place…?
This is a gritty and violent story about a young girl who claws her way to the top of the food chain within her gang-infested L.A. neighbourhoods. And when she gathers all of the gangs under her command, she turns their disenfranchised rage on their oppressors. This isn’t simply about gang warfare. Because Destiny is, as the title implies, a genius. And her strategy goes well beyond the bullets on the streets.
This book pulls zero punches. It doesn’t pander to any one side. Instead, it points out the simple fact: humans, like all animals, will do whatever it takes to survive. And if you keep beating an animal into a corner, it will eventually fight back.
Destiny is a cold and calculating commander, but she is not immune to emotions that Bernardin lets sneak in with obvious, and less obvious moments. But what really impressed me was the final page, filled with panels that promise a truly intriguing future for Destiny, and ask the question, was this her move all along?
Book Review: Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno
Posted on February 14, 2015 4 Comments
Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno
Genre: Science Fiction, Media Tie-In
Series: Star Wars Universe
Publisher: Del Rey (November 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve been a great admirer of James Luceno’s Star Wars work in the past, especially his book Darth Plagueis about the eponymous Sith Lord who was the master of Darth Sidious. Having experienced Luceno’s approach to writing Star Wars villains and the credit he does them, I didn’t hesitate to add Tarkin to my reading list with high hopes for the author’s insight into the formidable Grand Moff.
Even if you’re only passing familiar with the films, you’ve probably heard of the name Tarkin. Introduced as the primary antagonist in the first original Star Wars movie, you may recall he’s the evil bastard who threatens Princess Leia with the destruction of her home planet Alderaan if she doesn’t give up the location of the rebel base, and then turns around and blows it up anyway when she gives him a name. But he’s also a soldier and a politician. A scion of a great house. A former Republic proponent and friend of the Jedi. This novel explores all this and more as we delve deeper into this notorious character’s background and history.
In the wake of Palpatine’s rise to power, rebels and freedom fighters continue to be a bane to the empire. As a trusted advisor to his emperor, Tarkin is tasked along with the fearsome and mysterious Darth Vader to squirrel out pockets of the insurgency and extinguish the spark of rebellion before it has a chance to catch.
As expected, Luceno’s work here is solid. If I have any criticisms at all with this novel – and I do have a few – it would have absolutely nothing to do with his writing or storytelling. Quite simply, the author does a thoroughly impressive job pulling together the past and present in order to paint a comprehensive picture of Wilhuff Tarkin. The story is deftly told using a combination of flashbacks and memories woven into the narrative that tells us what’s currently happening. Considering the way we go back and forth throughout the course of the story, I’m somewhat surprised that the pacing did not suffer.
Instead, most of my problems with this book lies with the character. Let’s face it, despite being one of the most ruthless and cold-blooded villains in Star Wars history who even holds “Darth Vader’s leash”, you’re just not as sexy or high on the popularity food chain if you aren’t swinging a lightsaber or wielding the force. Luceno had his work cut out for him making Tarkin a more interesting and appealing character, and I don’t know if he quite manages. We all know Tarkin’s an evil bastard. And after this book, he’s still an evil bastard. Sure, there are some great insights into his past here, such as how his experience playing “Survivor” in the Carrion honed his future skills as a cunning soldier and military strategist. But what does that tell me about the man inside? Everything we learn about him merely scratches the surface while the core of his personality remains aloof. There’s scant little dynamic in his character and I felt like an observer kept at arm’s length.
However, we do gain more understanding into Tarkin’s relationship with both the Emperor and Darth Vader. These were the three who controlled the galaxy by sowing fear after the Clone Wars, and long has it been speculated that Palpatine partnered up the other two on purpose so that they could benefit from each other’s skills. The story in this book showed how that plan ultimately created one of the most fearsome teams that ever existed. In a way, the plot here played out almost like a twisted buddy movie, with the added irony that Tarkin and the Jedi Anakin Skywalker used to be friendly and worked quite closely together. It’s the little moments, like when Tarkin regards Darth Vader and starts surmising his true identity that are probably more rewarding than anything else.
This book was actually quite enjoyable, even if it probably won’t rank up there with my favorite Star Wars novels. It doesn’t stand out, though not for want of trying. Luceno did a great job on the writing front, and was probably only held back by the limitations that are inherent in Tarkin’s character himself.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Del Rey Books!
Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Book Haul, Backlist, What I’ve Read
Posted on February 14, 2015 36 Comments
Now that I’m caring for a newborn 24/7, I’ve learned pretty quickly to do everything with only one hand…everything except holding a heavy hardcover while trying to flip pages at the same time! I’ve relied a little more on eARCs in recent weeks as a result.
Received for Review:
The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett – From NetGalley. I was really glad to get a copy of this and started reading it almost right away, which isn’t something I usually do when a book’s release date is still a ways off. But then I desperately wanted to find out what happened after the end of the previous book and got hooked in as a result…
The Novice by Taran Matharu – From NetGalley. A Young Adult title that caught my eye and shows great promise. I sure hope it turns out better than the last time I took a chance on a YA novel that caught my interest on NG.
The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon – Audiobook, with thanks to Audible Studios. Ever since I read The Bone Season I’ve been curious about the sequel.
The Revolution Trade by Charles Stross – Review copy, with thanks to Tor. This is the third omnibus in the reprint of Charles Stross’s The Merchant Princes series, which reminds me once again I need to get on reading the other two.
Hexed: The Sisters of Witchdown by Michael Alan Nelson – Physical ARC, with thanks to Pyr. I’m so grateful to the publisher for sending me this book because it’s been on my wishlist for a while and I’m really excited to check it out!
Purchased:
Fool’s Errand by Robin Hobb – Audiobook. This was an Audible daily deal that I couldn’t resist. I haven’t finished the Farseer Trilogy yet, with still one last book to go, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have the first book of the Tawny Man series on hand. After all, I do have plans to read all the Fitz books…some day.
Back to the Backlist:
On tap from the backlist bar this week:
California Bones by Greg Van Eekhout – Personal library. I’m finally putting my money where my mouth is! After saying for months that I will read this book, I’m gonna be making it happen this week. For anyone curious, this book has been on my TBR since November 4, 2013 according to Goodreads, so it definitely qualifies for my backlist challenge.
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update:
I’ve been very productive! Keep an eye out for my reviews of these books in the coming weeks.
Panels: Genius
Posted on February 13, 2015 Leave a Comment
Destiny discovers an outlet for her brilliant mind in Genius from Image Comics
Book Review: Deadly Spells by Jaye Wells
Posted on February 13, 2015 11 Comments
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 3 of Prospero’s War
Publisher: Orbit (February 10, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ever since the release of Dirty Magic a year ago, I’ve been hearing such great things the Prospero’s War series, which is why over the holiday season I decided to take the plunge and binge read the first and second books. And that’s the story of how I got hooked into yet another urban fantasy series, as well as my first introduction to the work of Jaye Wells.
Meet protagonist Kate Prospero, former scion of a dirty magic coven who has turned her back on her old life in order to start clean. Now a beat cop on loan to the Magical Enforcement Agency, Kate is hoping to shed the prejudices of her notorious family name by helping her new team members investigate magic-related crimes in the rust belt city of Babylon, while also trying to raise her younger brother by herself.
Deadly Spells begins with the murder of a leader of a dirty magic coven leader, lighting a spark which could set off a chain of events leading to an all-out turf war if Kate and the MEA task force can’t track down the killer first.
For a series that’s already three books in, it is not surprising that it’s had its ups and downs. I’ve come this far though, so obviously I’m still enjoying the hell out of it. I like my urban fantasy fast-paced and entertaining, and Prospero’s War delivers. Wells has created and built a whole world around a relatively simple concept involving “clean” versus “dirty” magic. Those individuals who are magically adept can “cook” potions, creating all sorts of concoctions with a variety of uses. Clean potions are made, sold, and used legally, whereas dirty potions are cooked and distributed by cartel-like organizations on the streets for the less law-abiding citizenry. Like I said, it’s a simple and straightforward concept, yet its potential for interesting cases is virtually limitless.
Kate is also a complex but sometimes exasperating character. Our heroine has gone through a lot in the last two books, so understandably her emotions are a whirlwind of confusion and guilt by this point. But while some characters carry their burdens with grace, unfortunately that’s just not Kate. She’s the kind of person who gets into a lot of trouble due to her own stupid decisions, but dare to point that out to her and she’ll chew your face off. There’s only so much I can take of a character’s crap, and admittedly she came dangerously close to that line in the last book. Thankfully, now that she’s made her peace with magic, her attitude has vastly improved. While at times she is still a bully and a condescending self-righteous hypocrite, at least she did not try my patience as much in this book (though making stupid decisions due to impulsiveness and her own negligence is sadly still a pattern).
However, on the whole I’m enjoying where the main series arc is headed as well as the development of the relationships between various characters. Kate’s situation of raising her teenaged brother Danny is perhaps a bit clichéd, but wrangling a broody and defiant sixteen year old always makes for some stories in every book. I’d also hoped that Kate would finally stop wasting her time with John Volos and that Wells would stop teasing that pairing as a possible romance since that doozy appears to be hitting a brick wall no matter how you look at it. Again, there seems to be progress in this area, as well as certain developments in Kate’s love life that should make Drew Morales fans very happy. Finally, Kate’s pretty clueless, but still I can’t help but be curious about where future stories in this series will go now that she’s been hit with some huge revelations about her past life.
Urban fantasy readers, you can’t go wrong with the Prospero’s War series. It sounds like there may be more books after Deadly Spells, though I can’t seem to find any sources to confirm at this time of writing. I sure hope so though, as this series is just starting to get off the ground. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it has a bite. Sure, the protagonist isn’t perfect, but then who is? There are themes in these books that will make those with more delicate sensibilities squirm, but if you like a slightly more twisted vibe to your UF then you’re golden.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Orbit Books!
Book Review: Unbreakable by W.C. Bauers
Posted on February 12, 2015 16 Comments
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Tor (January 13, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Every once in a while I’ll get this hankering for some military sci-fi, so Unbreakable couldn’t have come along at a better time. Teasing the prospect of large scale ship-to-ship battles and space marines in mech suits, W.C. Bauers’ debut also features a kick-ass female lead who’ll prove to be the bane of space pirates and the Republic’s enemies everywhere.
Meet Promise T. Paen (yep, that’s her real name), the novel’s protagonist who hails from an outer rim colonial planet called Montana caught between the Republic of Aligned Worlds and the Lusitanian Empire. Montana is also a hotbed for pirates, and when Promise witnesses her father killed in a raid, the young orphan decides to enlist in the RAW Marine Corps and leave her old life behind forever.
Promise is happy enough killing lots and lots of pirates in the RAW-MC, but when Montana’s capital and spaceport comes under attack by the marauders, she finds herself ordered back home to head up the counterstrike. After neutralizing the threat, Promise is promoted and, to her chagrin, showered with accolades and labeled a local hero by Montana’s vivacious president Anne Buckmeister. However, quietly watching behind the scenes are the Lusitanians, who decide to take advantage of the weakened Marine forces to launch their own attack to seize the planet.
Happily, despite being filled to the brim with plenty of detailed and sometimes very graphic battle scenes, Unbreakable isn’t all just violent action and no substance. There’s depth to Bauer’s world and characters, achieved through occasional breathers in the narrative. Some of these little breaks ended up being lulls in the story that I had to struggle to push through, but for the most part there are far more ups than downs.
Sci-fi tech and weapon enthusiasts for one will no doubt geek out over descriptions of the RAW-MC’s impressive arsenal. Some of these sections can be lengthy, and yet I didn’t see them as overly obtrusive. The ins-and-outs of pulse guns and armor suits are as much a part of Promise’s life as everything else, not to mention it’s the little details like that which serve to bring a level of authenticity to this futuristic version of the Corps. There’s also room for levity in the form of social gatherings with Montana’s colonists, outlining the quirks of this backwater planet’s culture. And on the other side of the coin, there are the quiet and heart-wrenching moments of grief as Promise and her company honor their fallen. I honestly thought I’d be getting nothing but gung-ho soldiers and their nifty military toys, but there’s actually a lot more feeling here than I was expecting.
When it comes to characters we don’t get too much insight into anyone else in the story, but that’s because Promise takes center stage and she’s also the most developed. I wasn’t initially all that impressed by her, but what eventually won me over was the fantastic dialogue, which ended up being my favorite aspect of Unbreakable. I learned a lot about Promise and those around her — especially her comrades and President Buckmeister — through their passionate and snappy conversations.
Perhaps the only major criticism I have is the matter pertaining to the main character’s mother, who now and then appears in front of Promise as a specter that only she can see, or speaks to her as a voice in her head. Whether Sandra Paen is a true ghost or just a hallucination of her daughter’s, that’s never really explained or made clear. The publisher’s description in the novel’s synopsis of Promise being “persistently haunted” makes this particular plot point sound more mysterious and significant than it really is, and I’m a little disappointed that it wasn’t explored further.
Still, Unbreakable was a book that intrigued and entertained me. All told, I believe this is a rousing military sci-fi debut that will make fans of the genre quite happy.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tor Books!
Tough Traveling: True Love
Posted on February 12, 2015 26 Comments
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan of Review Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information.
This week’s tour topic is: To Blave
“Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world. Except for a nice MLT, a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe. They’re so perky, I love that. But that’s not what he said! He distinctly said “to blave.” (Thanks to Wendy again. Let’s find those examples of True Love!)
Wendy’s Picks:
An easy one this week, since one of the choices is right there in the topic. 😉
The Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind
One of my favourite storybook romances. As a Confessor, Kahlan’s powers prevent her from giving in to her desires, lest she lose control and confess her lover. Richard might not understand this, but he respects it, and never once pressures her. Throughout their adventure, their love blooms through mutual respect and dedication to their cause.
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tokien
As always, LOTR has a place on the tour. Aragorn and Arwen’s love is so 4real that the bard’s will sing of it forever. Not even distance, time, nor immortality could keep them apart.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
“So there was love, once. More than love. And now there is more than hate. Mortals have no words for what we gods feel. Gods have no words for such things. But love like that doesn’t just disappear, does it? No matter how powerful the hate, there is always love left, underneath. Horrible, isn’t it?”
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
Elua’s precept is to “love as thou wilt,” but sometimes, one’s will is not what determines whom one will love. Joscelin did not intend to fall in love with the courtesan Phèdre nó Delaunay. In fact, much about her was anathema to him and the order he represented. But though their love went on to become the backbone of the series, there was a deeper love still, that first set them on their path, as Anafiel Delaunay sought to keep a promise that endured well beyond death.
The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord
For me, the best romance books are the ones that you don’t realize are romances. That happened with The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord where, coincidentally, the lead character, Grace Delarua, didn’t realize it either.
Some romances seem to be anything but, which is most certainly the case with Doro and Anyanwu, immortal beings whose relationship vacillates between love and hate, abuse and affection.
Mogsy’s Picks:
After browsing through the list of books I’ve read and picking out my choices for this week’s theme, I realized that almost all the romances I decided to feature here involve the lovers overcoming great obstacles to be with each other. That’s true love to me.
Kushiel’s Scion by Jacqueline Carey
The love between Joscelin and Phèdre may be one for the ages, but we mustn’t forget the epic romance between Imriel and Sidonie in the follow-up trilogy. The two did not mean to fall for each other either. In fact he initially found her insufferably arrogant, and she didn’t trust him — Imriel being the son of the greatest villainess Terre D’Ange has ever seen. But by the third book, it’s clear nothing can come between the two of them. Imriel will go through anything to return to Sidonie’s side.
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
After her brothers are turned to swans by an evil sorceress, Sorcha retreats into the woods to work on her quest to save them. However, a terrible incident leads her to flee her hiding place and she ends up being saved by Red and his men, Britons who her people are at war with. But not even war or a magical curse could keep them from falling in love.
Flight of the Golden Harpy by Susan Klaus
A golden male harpy saved Kari’s life when she was a child and she’s been fascinated with the creatures ever since. She became obsessed in particular with her special golden named Shail, to the point where her father felt the need to send her off-world for ten years in the hopes that she would forget all about the half-man-half-bird. Of course, the plan backfires and Kari comes home feeling more in love with Shail than ever.
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Cat is five years old when she first meets Finn, the android her father brings home to be her tutor. But as Cat grows, she discovers Finn is different from other androids. With every year that passes Cat begins to see Finn as someone more than just a teacher and a friend, and their relationship becomes increasingly complicated. After all, she’s a human and he’s a robot. On top of it all, that’s not a pairing society would accept.
Love Minus Eighty by Will McIntosh
In this futuristic dystopian novel, hundreds of dead women are cryogenically frozen in dating farms, hoping that one day some rich man will like her enough to pay millions for her revivification before whisking her home to be his wife. This is what happens to the jogger Rob accidentally kills while driving. Full of guilt, Rob visits her to ask for forgiveness, but ends up falling for her instead. Since “waking” a dead woman up even for a few minutes to talk costs a lot of money, Rob has to sell everything he owns just to afford to keep seeing her, but it’s still no where near enough to pay for her full revivification.
Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold
Fawn Bluefield is an eighteen-year-old farm girl who runs away from home only to be kidnapped by a Malice, an inhuman magical creature that sucks life out of everything around them. Dag is a jaded and middle-aged Lakewalker, a soldier-sorcerer whose life’s work involves hunting down and killing these Malices, keeping the land safe for all. Dag ends up saving Fawn’s life and before long they fall in love and have plans to marry. But the two come from such different backgrounds, and especially with Lakewalker culture being so insular, will their families agree to the match?
The Outlander series needs no introduction, I’m sure. This first book is practically a classic by now, though I actually have not read any of the sequels beyond it. We’re introduced to Claire Randall, a former combat nurse home from WWII. Reunited with her husband, the two go on a second honeymoon to Scotland in order to get reacquainted. One day Claire stumbles upon a time portal in an ancient standing stone circle and ends up back in 1743 where she meets and falls in love with the handsome young Scots warrior named Jamie Fraser. Stuck in the past, Claire becomes torn between desire for Jamie and her loyalty to the husband she left behind…two hundred years in her future.
The BiblioSanctum 