Waiting on Wednesday 01/07/15
Posted on January 7, 2015 14 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:
Queen of Fire by Anthony Ryan: July 7, 2015 (Ace)
2015 looks to be a great year for epic fantasy readers, not least because we’ll be seeing some hopefully stunning conclusions to a lot of the big series out there. I’m not about to miss out on the third and final book of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy! Looking forward to see how it all plays out for Vaelin al Sorna.
“In the thrilling conclusion to the “deftly and originally executed” (Booklist) New York Times bestselling trilogy, Vaelin Al Sorna must help his Queen reclaim her Realm. Only his enemy has a dangerous new collaborator, one with powers darker than Vaelin has ever encountered…
“The Ally is there, but only ever as a shadow, unexplained catastrophe or murder committed at the behest of a dark vengeful spirit. Sorting truth from myth is often a fruitless task.”
After fighting back from the brink of death, Queen Lyrna is determined to repel the invading Volarian army and regain the independence of the Unified Realm. Except, to accomplish her goals, she must do more than rally her loyal supporters. She must align herself with forces she once found repugnant—those who possess the strange and varied gifts of the Dark—and take the war to her enemy’s doorstep.
Victory rests on the shoulders of Vaelin Al Sorna, now named Battle Lord of the Realm. However, his path is riddled with difficulties. For the Volarian enemy has a new weapon on their side, one that Vaelin must destroy if the Realm is to prevail—a mysterious Ally with the ability to grant unnaturally long life to her servants. And defeating one who cannot be killed is a nearly impossible feat, especially when Vaelin’s blood-song, the mystical power which has made him the epic fighter he is, has gone ominously silent…”
Book Review: The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley
Posted on January 6, 2015 21 Comments
The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne
Publisher: Tor (January 13, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
You can always tell when I really like a book by how fast I devour it. I gave myself plenty of time to read Brian Staveley’s The Providence of Fire, anticipating it would take me at least a week or more to finish this huge honking tome of a novel, but it turned out I made short work of it, chomping through 600+ pages of this in a little more than three days.
I just loved this book, couldn’t put it down. This incredible sequel to The Emperor’s Blades was everything I hoped for – bigger and better in every way. In fact, I went back to my review of the first book and practically everything I had an issue with there was amended in this second installment. As a reader, you just can’t ask for more than that.
The Providence of Fire picks up where The Emperor’s Blades left off, following the diverging paths of the slain Emperor Sanlitun’s three surviving children. After spending many years training with the empire’s elite Kettral forces, youngest brother Valyn is in the position to safeguard his older brother Kaden’s succession to the Unhewn Throne – though now he and his wing members are labeled renegades and traitors. Kaden himself has his own destiny to follow. He has spent the last eight years sequestered in a remote monastery in the mountains, learning the mysteries of the monks who live there. With the help of his mentor Tan, Kaden is now ready to use all that knowledge to uncover the truth of those behind Sanlitun’s murder, but being his father’s rightful heir makes him the target of those who want to overthrow the Malkeenian line.
However, oldest sister Adare, whom as you may recall spent most of the last book languishing in the capital being manipulated and treated with disdain by palace flunkies, is probably the one to see the greatest change to her character and storyline out of all of them. Having learned the identity of her father’s assassin, Adare formulates a plan to escape the city in the hopes of removing herself from the enemy’s grasp. Not knowing what has become of her brothers, she is also determined to find allies to secure the throne and keep Sanlitun’s killer from ever taking it.
Adare was my absolute favorite in this book, and I enjoyed her chapters the most. This young woman who has spent her whole life within the walls of the Dawn Palace is not as helpless as you would think she’d be. She may be ignorant of much of the world, but her quick thinking allows her to get quite far in her quest, and I always love to see a female character with brains and ambition. I also have to say, she has the most entertaining companions – just wait until you meet Lehav, Oshi, and the indomitable Nira. In this sequel, Adare is a far cry from who she was back in The Emperor’s Blades, and as one of my biggest criticism in that book was the underrepresentation of her character, I am happy and amazed at how far she has come now. I like Adare’s character very much, not only because I think she’s the strongest and most level-headed of Sanlitun’s children, but also because I had a feeling deep down that Staveley would have great things in store for her. I’m thrilled to see she’s finally getting her moment in the spotlight.
The other gripe I had about the first book was that for an epic fantasy, the story just didn’t feel quite big enough. Kaden’s everyday life seemed to revolve being beaten silly by the monks, and for Valyn it was being beaten silly by his trainers and other rival wings. Adare hardly appeared at all. Well, no problems with any of that here. Whereas in The Emperor’s Blades our settings were mostly restricted to the mountain monastery for Kaden, the Kettral training island for Valyn, and the Dawn Palace for Adare, The Providence of Fire opens the world right up as all three royal siblings travel far and wide on their quests. And rather than dealing with their immediate personal problems, the conflicts they face in this novel are far more urgent and significant as well, with far-reaching consequences for the whole empire and not just our three main protagonists.
With a major war against a new threat on the horizon, the siblings’ roles in it make for a much more dynamic, fast-paced and action-filled plot. It is also worth noting that Staveley adds another point-of-view character partway through the novel, giving us insight into the motivations and actions of Gwenna, the demolitions specialist in Valyn’s wing. With the boys sent off on a wild goose chase and Valyn losing control of his team, it is up to the female Kettrals (and a Skullsworn assassin who is practically an honorary member) to take care of things. Though Gwenna’s chapters came in later in the second half of the novel, they were one of the highlights of this book for me and there were some very memorable scenes in them.
I’m now more intrigued than ever about where this series will go. I admit the plot became more addicting when Adare, Kaden and Valyn were all unaware of the fates of the others, so each sibling had to act on their own using what information they had available. As a result, Adare, Kaden and Valyn now each have their own individual goals. None of them are all that noble or perfect when it comes to making the tough decisions; I found myself dismayed as often as I was proud of some of their choices, but that is to be expected given the circumstances. I’m actually glad that they each have their strengths and shortcomings.
As such, the relationship between the three siblings also fascinates me. Sanlitun was no doubt a great emperor and a wise leader, setting his children off on very different paths for them to experience new things and widen their worldview. But doing so also left huge gaps in their knowledge. Adare knows very little about the outside world but understands politics and the ways of the palace, and yet she was never meant to sit upon the Unhewn Throne. Kaden’s eight years in isolation with the monks taught him the specialized mystical abilities that every emperor needs to know, but that also left him woefully ignorant of the ways of his future empire, including the laws of the land and cultures of his people – that and he has no idea at all how to fight and protect himself. In contrast, Valyn’s time with the Kettral taught him how to fight, survive, and form battle strategies, but unfortunately not much else. When it comes to what makes a great leader, it seems that each sibling has only a piece of the whole. But their years spent away from each other doing their different things also made them drift apart, leading to mistrust and suspicion. Whether they will end up working together or be divided remains to be seen, and that’s one of the main things I’m looking forward to finding out in the future of this series.
While The Emperor’s Blades was a pretty good book, like I said, everything about The Providence of Fire just feels even bigger, deeper and more improved. It’s almost like Brian Staveley took the doors to the series and flung them wide open, vastly expanding upon the world, the story and all the characters. In my review of the first book, I summed it up by saying that it was a promising start and in the sequel I would like a deeper look into the history and magic of the Annurian Empire, as well as a larger role for Adare. Well, you can bet I got everything I wanted and more in The Providence of Fire. The fate of the empire hangs in the balance, not to mention the futures of Adare, Kaden, and especially Valyn. Once again, the author ties everything up while teasing a lot more to come in the next installment, except now I’m even more excited for the next book.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tor Books!
Book Review and GIVEAWAY! Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older
Posted on January 5, 2015 19 Comments
GIVEAWAY!
*** This giveaway is now over, thanks to everyone who entered! ***
Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Bone Street Rumba
Publisher: Roc (January 6, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
It feels like just the other day I was expressing my desire for more ghosts in urban fantasy, and then onto my lap drops Half-Resurrection Blues. There’s a twist to it, though. Protagonist Carlos Delacruz isn’t exactly a ghost. Instead, he’s an “inbetweener”, which is exactly what it sounds like – someone not quite alive and also not quite dead. As such, he is one of the New York Council of the Dead’s most special and valuable agents, someone who can interact with the living in the corporeal world as well as the ghosts in the realm of the dead.
Carlos has no idea how he came to be the way he is, nor does he remember his past or how he died. Until recently though, he thought he was alone. But since New Year’s Eve, he has encountered three other inbetweeners, one of whom is a particularly nasty sorcerer. Meanwhile, NYCOD is freaking out because the city is being overrun with “ngks”, imp-like creatures that pose a dire threat to spirits and undead. Somehow all of this has to be connected. It’s up to Carlos to maintain the delicate balance between the mortal world and the Underworld, and put a stop to a nefarious plot to breach the Entrada that protects us all.
I only learned after I finished reading the book that this wasn’t Carlos Delacruz’s first appearance. A bit of research led me to discover Daniel José Older’s anthology called Salsa Nocturna which features the NYCOD and also our main guy Carlos in a lot of the short stories. Reading this collection isn’t a prerequisite by any means, but knowing that Half-Resurrection Blues is part of a greater world that existed before this made a lot of sense. The story drops you right into the thick of things; few words are wasted when it comes to the rich portrayal of this fully-formed version of New York City, inhabited by a diverse population made up of both the living and dead alike. Nevertheless, the book is written in a way that makes it easy for the average reader to pick up the overall premise and atmosphere, allowing one to jump straight into the plot.
I love the story and I love the characters, but it is Older’s writing that takes the cake. This is my first experience with his work, and his style is definitely not something I would have expected to find in an urban fantasy novel. He makes an art of the genre, infusing his prose with so much beauty and intensity. The voice of main character Carlos Delacruz is rooted in the urban fantasy tradition, suiting the story perfectly, but every once in a while you will come across some sections in the narrative that are just…damn. Some sections are just downright poetic, so fine and elegant that it will take your breath away, leaving you at a loss for words.
Likewise there is nothing simple or superficial about the story. There’s a bit of everything thrown into this mix – some mystery with a tinge of classic noir especially when we delve deep into Carlos’ mind; a dash of humor when we learn that even ghosts and creatures of the otherworld have their little quirks and eccentricities; a strong undercurrent of horror because at its heart this is a novel about living and dying; and last but not least, we have love and passion handled in a way that is at once candid but also full of soul and quite insightful.
Half-Resurrection Blues is the first book of a series called Bone Street Rumba, and it’s probably safe to say I’ve never encountered an urban fantasy quite like this. Infused with the fierce and primal rhythm of a party while bringing together a combination of traditions, I believed the series is rather aptly named. All this makes the book a fun and entertaining read, but it’s also very thought-provoking when you peel back the layers.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Roc Books!
* * *
HALF-RESURRECTION BLUES GIVEAWAY
Ah finally, the details of the giveaway! The publisher has very generously offered The BiblioSanctum an opportunity to host a giveaway for one print copy of Half-Resurrection Blues. With apologies to international readers, this giveaway is US only. To enter, all you have to do is send an email to bibliosanctum@gmail.com with your Name and valid Mailing Address using the subject line “HALF-RESURRECTION BLUES” by 11:59pm Eastern time on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.
Only one entry per household, please. The winner will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and then be notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends all entry emails will be deleted.
So what are you waiting for? Enter to win! Good luck!
Book Review: Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Posted on January 4, 2015 7 Comments
The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Witches of Echo Park
Publisher: Ace (January 6, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Witches of Echo Park is an interesting but strange and shifting book. At first glance, I thought I would be going into your usual urban fantasy about witch covens and magic, but the experience turned out to be much more literary, with the novel quite formally and artistically written.
The story follows the lives of a group of witches in the Los Angeles area. At the center of the plot is Lyse MacAllister, who jumps on the next plane to California the moment she learns the devastating news that her great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, is dying. Lyse hopes to convince her great-aunt to seek a second or even a third medical opinion. What she doesn’t realize is that Eleanora has something to tell her too, a great secret that could change her life forever.
To her shock, Lyse discovers that magic is real, that there’s a reason why the house she grew up in has felt strange to her ever since she was a child. Eleanora isn’t just a kindly old distant relative who took her in after her parents died; in truth, her great-aunt is the leader of the Echo Park witches – though the women much prefer the term blood sisters. And now that Eleanora is ready to pass on to the next life, she wants Lyse to take her place as head of the coven.
As I was saying, The Witches of Echo Park does not read like the typical book you would pull off the shelf in the Urban Fantasy or Paranormal aisle. If you’re expecting the kick-ass Buffy-style heroine or the non-stop action and snarky humor, you won’t really find it here. The style isn’t very light, either. Instead, the story within these pages is more comparable to a family drama, which unfolds gradually through the perspectives of six women, all members of the Echo Park coven. Besides Lyse and Eleanora, there is the indomitable Arrabelle, resident herbalist; the fun-loving Devandra; Daniela the seer who is more than meets the eye; and last but not least, the silent and perceptive Lizbeth.
Still, I was not prepared for how restrained the pacing was. Eleanora’s plan to tell Lyse the truth about herself and what she wants for her grand-niece’s future – a plot point that I initially took for a set-up for the bigger picture, simply an introduction and no more – actually turned out to be the bulk of the story, not resolving itself until nearly the halfway mark. Everything given to us up to this point seems to be a mix of character history and background information, told mostly through visions and memories. That’s not to say that all of it was filler, as there’s a good reason the author included all these narratives. However, I can’t deny there were also quite a few times where I found myself questioning where the book was going, because it does take its time establishing a direction.
Simply put, the not-quite-300 pages of this novel felt like one long introduction. That’s not always a bad thing, and in truth, so many series do this nowadays that I don’t even bat an eye anymore. I only regret that this book did not have a more substantial plot, though I have to applaud Amber Benson for ultimately pulling together a main conflict. By the end, most of the mystery is explained, we have several threats identified and a few villains named. But if you would allow me a few moments to chide, I do believe that many of these elements should have made themselves clear by the first third of a novel, not late in the second half. That’s probably my biggest issue with the story, but at least now I have a better understanding of where things are headed.
Just a couple more observations and minor issues before I head off: I found myself liking a lot of the characters in here; a couple of them are especially memorable, like Arrabelle and Lizbeth. I had hoped for a stronger connection to Lyse though, since she’s closest to being the main protagonist. In truth, I actually found her a bit shallow and impetuous. She can be put off by and act brusquely towards an awkward but harmless mute teenage girl, but then is totally all right with flirting and practically throwing herself at a total stranger simply because he is handsome and has cool tattoos. And on that note, there’s also a small romantic side plot here that nonetheless came across slightly rushed and out of place. I was taken aback by a graphic sex scene (it should be noted that it was in the context of a dream), not because that’s something that would bother me, but because it just felt like it came out of nowhere.
In sum, this book is a decent start if you look at it as an introduction, just a taste of something much bigger to come. I didn’t know anything about it before I picked it up, aside from the author’s background in TV and film. Though it didn’t turn out to be the light and peppy read I’d expected, it was fascinating and enjoyable in its own way. I’d like to know what the next book will bring. Something tells me it will be much more focused and fast-paced now that the foundation of the series has been laid down and completed.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Ace Books!
WITCHES OF ECHO PARK BY AMBER BENSON IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE.COM. Click below to hear a sample, narrated by author Amber Benson herself! With thanks to Audible Studios.
Sunday Musings: Resolutions
Posted on January 4, 2015 8 Comments
My 2015 New Years resolution is to read! I know, I know, this is a shocking twist on my usual resolutions, but what can you do.
This year I am challenging myself to read 100 books and comics. I don’t know what Worlds Without End has in store for us this year, but in the mean time, I will continue with last year’s Roll-Your-Own-Reading challenge, in hopes of completing my lovely checker board.
I will continue to work on that pile of books beside my bed (and on my eReaders), many of which are in the above collection. First out of the gates will be the final book in N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy. These books have been such an emotional ride for me that it’s literally taken me a year to recover from each one before starting the next. It’s time to take the final plunge.
I’m also going to try to be more focused with my writing this year. Step one is to find a distraction free writing space!
What are your resolutions for 2015?
Lootz: Mogsy’s Book Haul
Posted on January 3, 2015 31 Comments
This first book haul post of the new year is also going to be a short one given how we’ve all been in holiday mode for the last couple weeks, but nonetheless some fantastic looking new arrivals have showed up in the mail recently and I’m excited to feature them:
Foxglove Summer – I dropped everything to read this book the moment it arrived. You may have already seen the five-star review I posted of it yesterday, but in case you missed it, YEAH I LOVED IT. My thanks to Penguin for sending me a review copy.
Originator – I own several of the books in the Cassandra Kresnov series and have reviewed one in the past, and I was recently informed that Originator is going to be the final installment! Big thanks to Pyr Books for sending this one to me and making sure that I will not be missing the grand finale!
A Crown for Cold Silver – Not two days after I jumped on the digital ARC Orbit sent me for this book, to my great surprise I found an actual physical copy waiting on my doorstep as well. Not that I mind, since I do enjoy the feel of a paper book in my hands and I get a kick out of the tagline on that cover. Seriously, Orbit Books, you guys spoil me silly and I love you for it.
Prudence – And speaking of Orbit spoiling me silly, they also surprised me completely with this ARC showing up in the mail a couple days before Christmas. I’ve only read one book by Gail Carriger and that would be Soulless, the first book of her Parasol Protectorate, but I’m more than happy and willing to start a new chapter in this world with Alexia Tarabotti’s daughter, all grown up and ready to star in her own series.
Back to the Backlist
I don’t have too many bookish resolutions for the new year, but there is one big one I intend to work on: to take more time to catch up with previously published books, especially in my personal reading pile. This works well with my other resolution: to be more prudent when it comes to making and accepting review copy requests. For most of 2014 I found myself struggling to catch up with the review pile — and as you know, I make the effort to read every review copy that comes my way and I don’t DNF. Anyway, I’m hoping not to overwhelm myself again in 2015.
So I think going back to the backlist will be a good thing. I’ll still be reading a lot, and hopefully with less pressure. There are a lot of older releases I’m interested in that I couldn’t find the time to check out, not to mention a lot of series to catch up on. I can’t promise everything I read in this new feature will get reviewed, since it really depends on the blog schedule, the time I have available, and whether or not I even have anything to say about the book. But if nothing else, I figure this will be the perfect chance to feature some titles that didn’t make it into my past Book Haul posts, either because I borrowed them from the library, or because I picked them up randomly and simply forgot.
Okay, enough of my babbling. On tap this week from the backlist bar is:
Two Serpents Rise and Cursed Moon – Admittedly, I have ulterior motives for reading these, since I have the third installments for-review when it comes to both these series. Like I said, I make an effort to read every review book that comes my way, even the unsolicited titles (also knowing full well it could be a Sisyphean task…but I can still try). Obviously I can’t get to Full Fathom Five (Craft Sequence #3) or Deadly Spells (Prospero’s War #3) if I don’t catch up first! And let’s face it, there’s so much good stuff being said about both these series, I should be catching up regardless of any circumstances.
Book Review: Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
Posted on January 2, 2015 23 Comments
Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 5 of Peter Grant
Publisher: DAW (US: January 6, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are only a few urban fantasy series I would drop everything for, and this is one of them. So when Foxglove Summer arrived on my doorstep, I did exactly that – every other book that was on my plate got put on hold while I set forth to devour this one. Move over, “The Boy Who Lived”, for when it comes to my favorite British wizard, his name is Peter Grant.
Foxglove Summer may the fifth installment of the series, but it’s still going strong. While I hardly ever recommend starting in the middle of a series, I suppose if you’ve been mighty curious about these books, this could possibly be a decent place to jump on board, it being book five notwithstanding. Here, author Ben Aaronovitch gives our protagonist a little break from his long-term struggle with his arch nemesis the Faceless Man, sending Peter out of London into the rural countryside to investigate the possibility of magic involvement in the disappearance of two young girls.
We could all use a little breather sometimes, and this served as a nice rest from the hustle and bustle of the city. But of course, it’s never a vacation for Police Constable Grant, a Londoner to the core and who now finds himself way out of his element. He is thrown into the case, working with the cordial yet skeptical local police who have no idea what to make of Peter’s area of expertise, namely all things supernatural and thaumaturgical – a perfectly reasonable response, if you can imagine what it would be like if Mulder and Scully suddenly showed up at your precinct going on about formae and vestigia. But time’s a-ticking, and the desperation grows with each day that goes by with still no trace of the two missing girls. It’s time to try anything and everything Peter can think of, including bringing in his friend Beverley Brook, a genius loci of the rivers.
Out of all the books so far, I feel this one has reads the most like a police procedural and also has the strongest self-contained and cohesive mystery plot yet. A lot of urban fantasies sell themselves as mysteries, but this one actually feels like a mystery, with subtle clues dropped along the course of the investigation that the attentive reader might pick up and use later on to put together the pieces. The story is also light on the magical elements in the beginning, but rest assured no Peter Grant adventure ends without a whole lot of weird stuff going on by the time it’s finished. What sort of weird stuff, you ask? Try a couple of invisible and pissed off carnivorous unicorns on for size.
Why do I love these novels so? Namely because they feel so different from my usual urban fantasy fare. I’ve seen the series described as “very British” in terms of the writing, and definitely when it comes to the humor as well. Indeed, Peter’s most hilarious lines are often laced with strong undertones of sarcasm and self-deprecation, and delivered with the kind of subtlety that contrasts greatly with the in-your-face type of snark that I’m so used to in my mostly American UF heroes and heroines. Oh, but how Peter Grant makes me laugh and laugh and laugh. Reading these books in public is a risk, because I never know when something Aaronovitch writes will make me guffaw out loud, drawing stares from strangers around me who all then think I’ve gone nuts.
It’s hard to believe, considering how much I adored the first and second books in the series, but Foxglove Summer may be my favorite Peter Grant novel so far. It’s true that it’s a bit of a departure from the previous books. For one thing, the city of London has been as much of a character as the people living in it, but now we have a story that takes place almost entirely in a small village in the outskirts. And yet, the beautiful descriptions of the English countryside more than make up for it, not to mention the fascinating information on the geography and history of Herefordshire. Also noticeably absent are the usual supporting characters, including the Rivers (with the exception of Beverley) and most glaringly of all, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the mentor and supervisor of Peter Grant – and also my favorite character after Peter. Still, I was more than willing to overlook this, given how tightly the story was told. These days, a lot of urban fantasies are so overwhelming with the sheer amount of things going on in them, it’s nice just to sit back and enjoy a straight-up mystery with a highly focused plot and a clear direction.
I look forward to when we’ll get back to the larger story arc following the Faceless Man, especially after the giant bombshell dropped on us at the end of the last book, Broken Homes. Still, for a brief respite, I couldn’t be happier with the way Foxglove Summer turned out. I sense the events of this book will have some lasting repercussions, possibly extending into the next book since things ended pretty abruptly here with a couple of minor loose ends still unresolved. On the whole, however, this book is a great example of how a series and its main character can grow while still retaining everything that makes the previous novels so great. An extraordinary fun ride that’s not to be missed.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to DAW Books!
Tough Traveling: Holidays
Posted on January 1, 2015 14 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: Holidays
Never too late to celebrate … holidays! Because fantasy festivals and feasts are always fun. Thanks to Wendy for the suggestion! And feel free to blame her if this proves to be as hard as it sounds.
Wendy’s Picks
I confess that I must have been drunk on holiday spirit when I suggested this theme to Nathan, since I didn’t actually have any ideas for it at the time. But now, as you can see by my list, I got this holiday business covered. And I can proudly use the words “like a boss” as I gallop off into the sunset.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Nothing says celebration like starving children killing each other for a chance at feeding their colony for a year while the well-to-do people of the Capitol watch and cheer them on!
Well this is cheating a bit isn’t it, since Harry Potter happens to live in our universe and celebrates holidays like Christmas along with us, complete with ugly sweaters and everything.
During the Festival of Lies, the truth is, well, not true, and everything is backwards. This makes it rather difficult for our young protagonist, Goldie, to rescue kidnapped children.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
There are Seven Days of Mourning during the Winter Pageant that commerate the story of how Tehlu sent the demon Encanis to oblivion by sacrificing his own mortal body. During the festival, citizens wear the black masks of demons and cause mayhem throughout the city, until the seventh day, when the citizen chosen to be Tehlu catches Encanis himself, thus signifying the start of the new year.
The Night of the Summer Stars approaches, but Lawrence, the gatekeeper, refuses to open the gates for fear of unleashing the great darkness that has haunted his dreams. But crossing back into the Spiral is the only opportunity for the fae on earth to reconnect with their birthplace, and for their children to be initiated into their powers. Is Lawrence betraying his people? Or protecting them from something far worse than the loss of their way of life?
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
The coronation of a new Arameri leader is a big thing. Especially when it involves gods and murder and sacrifice. But the night before? Party time!
Mogsy’s Picks
Wendy’s got this week handled like a boss, all right! I’ve only got a few more to add.
Kushiel’s Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey
Who can forget The Longest Night, the major holiday of Terre d’Ange? Hardly a book goes by without at least a mention of this day, celebrated on the winter solstice each year. D’Angelines typically celebrate by holding extravagant masked balls along with a reenactment of the Sun Prince driving away the old Winter Queen, tapping her with his spear so that she lifts away her rags and reappears as a young woman.
Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan
Wintertide is the main holiday in the world of this series, held in midwinter and most commonly celebrated with feasts and jousts in the big cities. A whole book in this series actually takes place over the celebrations of Wintertide, and it is even the title (included in the Heir of Novron omnibus).
House of the Rising Sun by Kristen Painter
There’s always a party going on in New Orleans, and Nokturnos is a boisterous night of festivities where the Fae all let loose and have fun. In the second book, we find out they also have an annual event called the Mardi Gras Exemplar Ball, a masque which is by far the most lavish and important supernatural event of the year.
2015 Audiobook Challenge
Posted on December 31, 2014 10 Comments
The Audiobook Challenge is back for the third year, brought to you by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens! As you know, I’m a big fan of audiobooks. Whether I’m gaming, enjoying some arts and crafts, or doing chores around the house, having an audiobook to listen to makes the time spent all the more richer. This will be my first time participating in this challenge, and whether you’re an audiobook enthusiast or someone new to the format, I encourage you to sign up and participate if this sounds interesting to you. More information can be found in the links to the blogs above.
The challenge details are as follows:
- Runs January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015. You can join at anytime.The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014.
- 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, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc. – I’ve created a Goodreads Group for the challenge, feel free to join.
- If you’re a blogger grab the button 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+
If you saw my stats for this year, you would have seen that audiobooks make up a bulk of my reading, so I’m going to aim high this year and go for Marathoner Level. Wish me luck! Have a Happy New Year, everyone!
Waiting on Wednesday 12/31/14
Posted on December 31, 2014 8 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:
Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow: June 23, 2015 (Orbit)
I’ve not had the pleasure of reading Lilith Saintcrow yet, but when I came across this book while browsing, something told me it might be a good place to start. A new dark and twisted urban fantasy series called Gallow and Ragged, taking place in a world where the fae “inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks”? I have no idea what a story like this will entail, but I’m guessing it’ll be preeeetty interesting…
“New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow returns to dark fantasy with a new series where the fairy world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks.
Jeremy Gallow is just another construction worker, and that’s the way he likes it. He’s left his past behind, but some things cannot be erased. Like the tattoos on his arms that transform into a weapon, or that he was once closer to the Queen of Summer than any half-human should be. Now the half-sidhe all in Summer once feared is dragged back into the world of enchantment, danger, and fickle fae—by a woman who looks uncannily like his dead wife. Her name is Robin, and her secrets are more than enough to get them both killed. A plague has come, the fullborn-fae are dying, and the dark answer to Summer’s Court is breaking loose.
Be afraid, for Unwinter is riding…”
The BiblioSanctum 