YA Weekend: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Posted on April 12, 2014 Leave a Comment
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Winner’s Trilogy
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (March 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I admit it, I read this book for FORBIDDEN LOVE! Turns out though, it was not exactly the kind I had in mind. I expected a little more chemistry, perhaps? A little bit more of that “it’s you and me against the world”? The Winner’s Curse ended up giving me two lovers who actually spent more than half the book locked in conflict with each other, and so their romance lacked some of that je ne sais quoi which makes forbidden love so scandalous and delicious.
Meet the two star-crossed lovers in question: Kestrel, the seventeen-year-old daughter of a Valorian general, who one day visits a slave auction and spontaneously decides to buy Arin, a native of the Harrani lands her people conquered. Their meeting, however, was no accident. Unbeknownst to Kestrel, Arin is actually a high ranked member of a group of Harrani rebels, planted purposely at the auction to draw her in. As a slave in the Valorian general’s home, Arin would be in a position to gather intelligence and plan his people’s uprising.
What neither of them counted on was that their master and slave relationship would eventually evolve into friendship, deepening into love. But that journey was far from passionate for me; instead, it felt tepid and sometimes even bordered on awkward. It’s tricky creating chemistry when both your characters are torn between their loyalties to each other or their own people, and the story never managed to convince me that there was ever really any trust between Kestrel and Arin. Seeing as The Winner’s Curse is essentially a romance, that’s a pretty vital ingredient to be missing for me.
Okay, so their relationship was not as swoon-worthy as I would have liked, but no matter. The world, the characters and the story soon won me over, and I enjoyed this book a lot. While it is what I would classify as “standard” YA, it still contained plenty of surprises within its pages. I did love the setting, with the flavor of a historical fantasy. A martial civilization like the Valorians which also encourages women in their army fascinates me. If anything, I wish the scope of the story was bigger to encompass more of the events in the wider world. There’s a lot of potential for world building here; because of the narrow focus on Kestrel and Arin, we only get to see a tiny slice of what’s happening.
Forbidden Love just happens to be a trope I can’t resist, but the comments I made above notwithstanding, if you are a fan romance I would still highly recommend The Winner’s Curse. But if it’s excitement or a thrilling adventure you’re looking for, you might want to reconsider. The pacing is a lot more quiet, with a decent chunk of this book dedicated to getting Kestrel and Arin together, and it’s a gradual process not achieved through any wild or fierce means. There’s perhaps a slight pick up in pace in the final handful of chapters, but keep in mind the story itself isn’t about providing a lot of action, it’s about character development and building a relationship. The careful way in which Marie Rutkoski does it is undeniably this book’s crowning glory, and even though the romance itself fell a bit flat for me, I’m sure for many others it will be the most engrossing aspect.
Despite the shaky love story, I really liked this novel, and I’ll no doubt pick up the next book when it comes out. I’m still holding out for an exception forbidden romance to emerge triumphant from this series, and I think it still has a chance, not to mention things end just as the story gets even more interesting.
Book Review: Scourge of the Betrayer by Jeff Salyards
Posted on April 11, 2014 1 Comment
Scourge of the Betrayer by Jeff Salyards
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Bloodsounder’s Arc
Publisher: Night Shade Books (May 1, 2012)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
If you want to see a cool way to tackle dark fantasy, look no further than this novel. It’d been sitting on my shelf for a while, and earlier this month I finally picked it up. It didn’t take more than a few pages for me to realize I was looking at a very special book.
Jeff Salyards’ approach to storytelling gave me a very unique experience. For one thing, I thought I had a pretty good bead on what I like in my fantasy — you know, the things I enjoy and don’t enjoy about the genre, etc. Well, that was before this book came along and turned everything upside down, making me rethink my own preferences.
Example the first: I’d always thought I preferred answers to any mysteries, but Scourge of the Betrayer was a book that provided scant detail about its story right from the start, leaving many questions open even once we were well past the midway point. But guess what? I found myself totally okay with this. More on this in a sec.
Example the second: Precious little words were wasted in the telling of this story, which didn’t come as a surprise to me after taking in account the relatively modest page count. I usually assume this means the author won’t be going into too much detail about the world or its characters. Of course, I was wrong with this one. What struck me was the fact that even though Jeff Salyards ever only gave just enough information for the reader to follow along, the world-building never suffered.
There was a good balance, plain and simple. What should have been a frustrating experience instead had me completely riveted. Not unexpectedly, the characters had a lot to do with drawing me in; after all, dark tales such as these tend to feature gritty, nasty personalities that nonetheless exude a certain charm. We have Arkamondos, a young scribe hired on to chronicle the exploits of a rough band of Syldoon warriors led by the formidable Captain Braylar Killcoin. Why Arki is there among this crew, or what the Syldoon are up to in the first place are questions that remain a mystery for quite a while, but the winning characters and the promise that I was going to get better acquainted with this crazy lot were reasons enough to stick around to find out more.
In a way, the players are more important than the plot. The story works well told from Arki’s perspective in the first person, especially since Salyards doesn’t hold anything back with his bold and unflinching style. We are privy to his protagonist’s every thought and emotion, riding along in Arki’s head as he experiences everything from his most awkwardly humiliating moments to the terror and disgust he feels towards the brutal violence of his Syldoon companions. The more ugliness this meek and bookish scribe gets exposed to, the more compelling his character becomes. Arki’s personal growth takes center stage, and his relationships with Braylar and the inscrutible scout woman Lloi go a long way in also enhancing that journey.
The author took a huge gamble when he chose to approach the story this way, but it certainly paid off. The book is a refreshing change from the usual dark fantasy; it’s fast-paced and energetic without sacrificing world building or character development. A lot of reviewers have compared it to The Black Company, and in truth I’d do the same except I honestly felt that Scourge of the Betrayer was a much better book. I liked Glen Cook’s series, but didn’t get into his characters or take to his writing the same way I took to Jeff Salyards’. Scourge hooked me right away, and even though the ending was somewhat abrupt, my overall feelings for the book are extremely positive. I’m glad the release of book two is just around the corner, because I can’t wait to continue Arki’s story.
Cover Lover: Apex Magazine Operation Fourth Story!
Posted on April 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Cover Lover was originally created by our friend and fellow book blogger Jaedia at Once Upon A Time, and since then we’ve adopted it as a feature here to talk about the covers that strike our fancy.
Today I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite covers from Apex Magazine. I’m really excited to be taking part in their drive this month in their Operation Fourth Story! For more information about it, you can also check out this post from the Little Red Reviewer.
Very soon I will be reviewing one of Apex Magazine’s recent issues, but for now check out some of this awesome artwork which has graced their covers in the past. You can see more here, though I these ones are among my faves:
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| Underwater by Julie Dillon, Issue 49 |
There’s just something about underwater scenes that draw me in. Maybe it’s all the blue, oh I love blue. And mermaids too. Look at the gorgeous lighting and the atmosphere it creates in this one.
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| Cover art by Galen Dara, Issue 54 |
From the oceans to the forest, another favorite of mine is this one from issue 54. When looking through these covers, I notice so many of these images exude this creepy yet whimsical vibe that I just love.
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| Cover art by Bruce Holwerda, Issue 53 |
Speaking creepy and whimsy…I really do tend to lean towards the whackier side of things when it comes to art I enjoy. As an artist myself, my style is more realism, so I really admire those who can come up with seriously offbeat ideas.
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| Mistaken Identity by Ken Wong, Issue 46 |
While most of the subjects in these covers are fantastical in nature, I am amazed by the range and variety of styles and tones. I love the color contrasts in this, and the title of the artwork makes me wonder…
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| Surface by Julie Dillon, Issue 40 |
And finally, I just have to share this one. I hadn’t even heard of Apex Magazine before Andrea’s Apex blog tour back in February. This image was used in a lot of the postings and so I’m afraid it will always be forever associated with the magazine in my mind. Not that it’s a bad thing at all! It’s a stunning piece, and so evocative. The covers that so often catch my attention are the ones that make me think, “Just what the hell is going on here?!” and this one definitely fits the bill. It’s also one of my absolute favorites. The artist Julie Dillon has done some amazing work for Apex, and there’s actually an interview with her in the March issue. Check it out!
Book Review: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
Posted on April 10, 2014 6 Comments
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
Original Polish Title: Ostatnie życzenie (translated by Danusia Stok)
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Gaming
Series: The Witcher
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Original Publication Date: January 2007
Related: www.thewitcher.com
Author Info: www.sapkowski.pl
The Last Wish is a collection of short stories that introduces Geralt of Rivia, better known – particularly to gamers like me – as The Witcher. I’m just a few chapters into the first Witcher game, slowly preparing myself for the upcoming release of The Wyld Hunt, but through my limited play and my vicarious play through my friend, I have a pretty solid feel for the game in general, and for the character and his world, specifically.
A witcher is a man taken from childhood into the service of this group and forced to undergo all sorts of dangerous alchemical trials that leave the man not quite human. The result is a lethal, seemingly cold-blooded killer whose purpose is to hunt the monsters of the world. Only, there are not many monsters left now, leaving few options for a witcher to earn his keep, and resulting in a reputation as little more than a cold-hearted mercenary for hire.
Players will recognize the first story from the opening scene of the game, which features Geralt fighting off a deadly striga. The game has perfectly captured Geralt’s skill, his balletic grace, and his determination, as well as other elements such as his use of alchemy. But what the game misses is Geralt himself. Not that the game character is not interesting, but by the nature of the game system, where the player works with a Geralt who has lost his memories and must choose various options as the game progresses, the gamer misses out on the things that make Geralt a really, *really* interesting character. He is a man of few words – but only in certain situations where he deems the words unnecessary. He will deliver messages by the blade, but he is not a man without morals. In fact, his personal moral code is often called into question as he deals with lesser and greater evils – many of which are not actual monsters, but human beings.
It’s also very interesting to note that several stories are actually intriguingly re-imagined fairy tales. Sapkowski skillfully writes them to bare little similarity to their original or Disney versions at first, allowing the details to slowly fall into place for the reader. My absolute favourite was the Snow White retelling.
Some of my other favourite stories are the ones where Sapkowski simply allows Geralt to talk, which he tends to do only with people (or his trusty horse, Roach) who can’t respond. Sapkowski lets Geralt express doubt, to question himself, and to just vent. He also has many acquaintances, each of whom reveal a little something about a man who initially seems to be a loner. It becomes apparent through his actions and his relationships, that there is a significant amount of depth to the character.
One thing the game most certainly takes liberties on is sex. Geralt is able to sleep with just about any woman, with the added bonus of collecting trading cards for each bedding. This Pokemon approach to sex and romance is very far from the book’s Geralt. The witcher most certainly has a healthy appreciation for the female form, but any moments where he has relations with a woman are all tastefully (and even amusingly) done.
The book is translated from its original Polish, but I don’t believed it suffered at all in the process.
Book Review: Irenicon by Aidan Harte
Posted on April 9, 2014 Leave a Comment
Nevertheless, the author did an incredible job providing a vivid backdrop for all the action and the emotion, deftly filling in the spaces with historical and cultural context. Harte has a very interesting biography, and no doubt his experiences in writing, art, and the media have given him a unique perspective with which to approach this trilogy. This first book is full of unexpected surprises, and how cruel is the last line, leaving me speculating! Distinctive and a little unconventional, this debut is a little tough to pin down, but I can also understand all the praise for it. I look forward to seeing how the writing evolves, along with how things will play out in the next book.
Waiting on Wednesday 04/09/14
Posted on April 9, 2014 Leave a Comment
“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!
I hope this one will blow me away like Will McIntosh’s Love Minus Eighty did. Looks promising, as i it looks like we once again return to social issues in science fiction, this time with story involving telepathic aliens and invasion.
“When Earth is invaded by telepathic aliens, humanity responds by creating the defenders. They are the perfect warriors–seventeen feet tall, knowing and loving nothing but war, their minds closed to the aliens. The question is, what do you do with millions of genetically-engineered warriors once the war is won?
A novel of power, alliances, violence, redemption, sacrifice, and yearning for connection, DEFENDERS presents a revolutionary story of invasion, occupation, and resistance.”
Book Review: The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler
Posted on April 8, 2014 3 Comments
The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Forbidden Library
Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books (April 15, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m a big fan of Django Wexler’s work. His adult epic fantasy The Thousand Names blew me away last year, putting him on my favorite author radar so I’ve been keeping an eye out for more from him ever since. This past year I’ve also read the first book of his new novella series John Golden, gone back to read one of his older published novels from a small press, and of course this one, The Forbidden Library, his upcoming middle-grade title.
Anyway, I think it’s official: Wexler excels at pretty much any genre he tries his hand at. I was initially curious and maybe a little skeptical as to how he would handle a children’s novel, but this book was truly excellent. The author shows his talent and versatility in The Forbidden Library, creating original worlds filled with all kinds of interesting creatures, bringing them to life with such rich and detailed descriptions. I have no doubt adult readers will be enchanted by the wonderful creativity and imagination found in here as well.
The story itself is fantastic, and as an avid bibliophile it’s hard for me to resist anything to do with libraries or reading about the wonderful books that take us to faraway places. As you’ll see, the metaphor of books as portals to new worlds is actually quite literal in this case. The plot follows main protagonist Alice, a young girl who discovers she has a very special power. Called “Readers”, people like Alice possess the ability to enter the worlds of certain books, which might seem great at first, until you realize these books serve as prisons to nasty creatures and the only way out again is if the Reader can defeat them.
However, if a Reader is successful in defeating and binding a creature, he or she will escape and also have access to its abilities. I thought this was a very sophisticated and inventive idea to explain how people like Alice derive their magical powers. Their spells are achieved by calling upon the creatures they control to channel it for them, and presumably a Reader can grow more powerful by defeating more creatures in “prison books” and taking control of their abilities.
The plot also had enough mystery to keep me constantly guessing; I could never be sure what everybody’s motives were. I felt for Alice and her predicament of being suddenly thrust into a strange environment where she couldn’t trust anyone, though she was far from helpless and I’m sure she had no need for anyone’s sympathy. Courageous and headstrong, Alice is a good role model for young readers, being a take-charge kind of girl who doesn’t take obstacles or setbacks lying down.
In some ways, The Forbidden Library was more complex than I would have expected from a middle-grade novel. While it had its fair share of levity (Ashes the talking cat will be a joy to many, for example — and not just to cat-lovers!), it also had its moments of darkness. Sometimes it’s both light and dark at once, as evidenced by the “Swarmers”, Alice’s horde of bizarre bird-like creatures that have the physical appearance and consistency of a rubber ball with legs. I confess, reading this made me want an army of Swarmers of my own — in spite of the fact they’re essentially a black mass of razor-sharp pecking beaks and I’d probably lose an eye. Like I said, the magical creatures found in this book and the sheer imagination behind them are a pure delight.
It’s moments like that which make me feel this is a book both kids and adults can enjoy. It certainly has that wide appeal! I’ve been trying to read a lot more children’s books/middle-grade books lately, taking note of my favorite titles to share with my daughter one day (who’s still a bit too young now, but it’s never too early to start her library!) Without a doubt, The Forbidden Library will be one of them.
Book Review: The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan
Posted on April 7, 2014 3 Comments
The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Memoir by Lady Trent
Publisher: Tor (March 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
As someone who loves the natural sciences and is fascinated with the study of animal behavior, I remember being thrilled to discover the exquisiteness of Marie Brennan’s A Natural History of Dragons. I’d been skeptical when I first picked it up, though. Written in the form of a memoir by the protagonist Lady Trent, I still recall wondering to myself how interesting could this book possibly be if it’s just going to be nothing more than a fictional old lady waxing nostalgic about a life of studying and research? But hey, dragons!
Needless to say, the book took me by surprise. By the last page, I was completely in love with the character of Isabella Camherst before she became the venerable Lady Trent. The unique and convincing narrative style added so much to the story, and I could feel her passion for dragons in every single word. I practically did a dance when I found out that a second novel was in the works, called The Tropic of Serpents which would chronicle the next chapter of Isabella’s pursuit of draconic knowledge by focusing on her time in the swampy jungles of war-torn Eriga.
“I set to work making a place for myself in Society, even if it was not the place Society intended for me.” ~pg. 328
Like the first book, The Tropic of Serpents is a tale of adventure, but it also explores the role of women in a society where the world of academia is still almost exclusively male. Isabella bucks social conventions to pursue her dream of studying dragons, while dealing with criticism as well as her own guilt for putting her research ahead of her family. There is a fine balance of emotional gravity to go along with the action and adventure in these books, something I relished. The narration also has an honest quality to it that’s really grown on me, suggestive of a “bare all” attitude from someone who knows she has contributed much to the field and is too old now in any case to give a crap about what anyone might think of her. Very refreshing!
Despite their similarities, there are a lot of differences between the two novels as well. Given that they are written in the form of a memoir, the many changes that occur over the course of this book lend a great deal of realism to Isabella’s character. After all, the aspects of one’s life do not remain static over time. Accordingly, we see growth in the character in terms of her personality, but also in her relationships with her companions and even in her scientific knowledge.
Which probably makes this a good time for me to bring up that I feel these books are about more than just dragons. The story is about Isabella’s life. It’s about her love of dragons and science. It’s also about the world she lives in, including its peoples, cultures, and politics. To tell the truth, the sequel is conspicuously light when it comes to any dragon action. There’s quite a bit of set up leading to Isabella’s expedition into the jungle known as the Green Hell, and once there, the record of the time she spends among the native Moulish people made sections of this novel read more like an ethnography. Of course, I was an Anthropology major so I ate this all up, but I also have to echo the thoughts of many others and agree that the first book featured a greater emphasis on dragons, while this one dabbled more in the history and politics of the setting.
Nevertheless, I am having a lot of fun with this series. There are details hinting at so much more to come in Lady Trent’s long and accomplished life and I hope to read about all her adventures. Anyone who has a deep passion or commitment to a calling will find a kindred spirit in the main character; it’s truly wonderful to find a strong female protagonist with such powerful conviction and presence.
Book Review: Sunstone by Freya Robertson
Posted on April 6, 2014 Leave a Comment
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: The Elemental Wars #2
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Publication Date: March 2014
Wendy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
As always, Robertson’s world and character building is incredible. Anguis continues to enthrall me with its beauty and its many realms and unique people.
The events that occurred in the previous book, Heartwood, resulted in significant losses, but also in a greater understanding of the mysterious Arbor, the great tree that is the centre of the world of Anguis. Saving the Arbor brought the rival factions of Anguis together to serve and protect the tree and for a time, there was peace.
But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Now, 22 years after the Dark Water Lords rose up against the Arbor a new threat looms and heroes across time must do their part to stop the Incendi from razing the world with fire.
Readers of Heartwood will recognize many characters, including Procella, the noble military woman and former Dux and protector of the Arbor. Sadly, her husband, Chonrad, responds to a summons from the Arbor which brings about his death shortly before the book begins. But this story belongs to Procella and their three children, Orsin, Jolen and Horada, who each have their own roles to play in the events. We are introduced to several other new characters, including a young prince who is escorted to the Arbor as the Selected sacrifice, and a group of rebels seeking escape from their underground captivity.
As always, Robertson’s world and character building is incredible. Anguis continues to enthrall me with its beauty and its many realms and unique people. It is also interesting to see how Anguis differs as the separate time lines flow together. It still amazes me how Robertson can manage so many characters and their respective quests, without losing the depth and purpose of either.
Unlike the previous book, the undertaking of the three major quests is a much more organic process. Robertson’s video game – particularly (MMO)RPG – influence was far more evident in Heartwood, and proved a detriment to the storytelling when it came to the parcelling out of details and quests. I didn’t find that to be an issue in Sunstone, and particularly liked the implication of the Arbor’s sentience and manipulation of events (without it being an elaborate case of the tree orchestrating everything like Littlefinger). With the realm of Anguis and the Arbor mostly established, there is less need for the excessive detail Robertson provided previously. That said, Sunstone still suffers from an excess of tell over show, with the reader not being permitted to discern things on their own, or inner monologues that go on a bit too long. This makes the book a bit more pedantic than I’d like, though not enough for me to dislike the series over all. I am still very much intrigued by the Elemental Wars and am looking forward to what mysteries the Arbor will reveal next.
With thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mogsy’s Book Haul
Posted on April 6, 2014 Leave a Comment
Operation Shield – it was a great fortnight for books! Kicking of the list is Operation Shield from Pyr, the newest Cassandra Kresnov novel. I read the previous book 23 Years on Fire last year when it came to me unsolicited and that was how I discovered this wonderful series (and even though it was book #4 I was able to enjoy it without having to catch up with the ones that came before, double score!) so I’m looking forward to continue.
The Tropic of Serpents – I am loving these Lady Trent books because they have everything that makes an awesome series: an intelligent and strong female protagonist with true conviction, the passion for science and natural history, and of course dragons! I’ve been admiring the beautiful illustrations in all their glory in this hard copy, my deepest gratitude to Tor Books. Be sure to keep an eye out for my review, which should be coming right up.
The Goblin Emperor – this arrived from Tor last week as well, and I thought it was great! Be sure to see more of my thoughts in my recent review.
The Oversight – this ARC arrived unexpectedly from Orbit, and boy am I glad. At the time of this writing, I am just over three-quarters of the way through this book and I’m enjoying the hell out of it! I’ve been chasing my next five star read for a while now, and don’t want to jinx anything but this might be it.
Hollow World – until now I’ve only had the copies of this book from Michael J. Sullivan’s Kickstarter campaign. The book was released by publisher Tachyon last week though, several weeks ahead of the official date. This was such a wonderful book and I’ve been dying to share my thoughts on it for so long, and at long last my review finally went up this week. The coolest thing? I was thrilled to see I got blurbed in this print edition!
The Crimson Campaign – it was a great week for the digital pile as well, kicking off with an eARC of book two of The Power Mage trilogy by Brian McClellan.
The Three – OMG OMG OMG I couldn’t believe it when I won an e-copy of this from a giveaway held by Little Brown. I’m positively itching to dig right in.
Soulwoven – this is another book that first began life as a Kickstarter campaign. I received an e-copy for review this week from author Jeff Seymour, who apparently was quite a fan of MMO games as well! Hooray for gamer writers!
Gemsigns – a copy of this book that was supposed to arrive with my print edition of the sequel Binary still hasn’t turned up yet, and I fear it may be lost (it’s so heartbreaking when that happens) but Jo Fletcher Books has kindly helped out by providing me with a digital copy for now and I couldn’t be more grateful!
Damoren – I always get excited whenever I get a new book to review from Ragnarok Publications. They are still new but already they’ve put out so many good titles I’ve enjoyed, and this debut from Seth Skorkowsky had me at “Exorcise” and “Demons”.
The BiblioSanctum 