Oct 12 2012

Coming Soon: Polterheist by Laura Resnick

Title: Polterheist

Series: Esther Diamond #5

Author: Laura Resnick

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: November 6, 2012 Now Available!

I’ll admit that I haven’t actually read this series yet… I know, ultimate shame. I decided to feature the new one anyway because the series has been on my TBR list for years now. You see, book #1 (Disappearing Nightly) was only just re-released a few months ago (which was due to an odd circumstance involving the publisher). In any case, I will be picking it up soon – reviews to follow!

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 11 2012
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Book Review: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Touch of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy #1

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy; a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why; especially since I should have been the one who died…

The Review:

I came across this series while doing research on Estep’s “Elemental Assasin’s” books, picking it up completely on a whim. Well, $15.00 (for all 3 books) and two hours later, I found myself glued to my chair totally immersed in the story. It took everything I loved about the “House of Night” novels and combined it with well-researched mythology much like in the “Percy Jackson” series. It was an awesome combination that really added up to a fantastic book!

Estep has a great first-person writing style that’s fun to read. While a definite master of her craft, she’s not afraid to throw in a bit of common slang to spice up the story. This also helps readers get to know the main character, making her much more relatable and endearing. While the side characters were well-done, the main character really stole the show. I appreciated her self-depreciating manner and general outlook on life, and found her downright charming.

Overall, it was a great find, and I will definitely be reading the sequel before the month is out!

Recommendations: There is a prequel to this series called “First Frost” and it adds a bit of backstory, but nothing that isn’t covered in the first book. The good news is, if you’re not sure whether or not you’ll like the series, you can download a certain sample ebook FREE from BN.com that allows you to read the entire prequel plus a few chapters of book #1. Be on the lookout for book #4 out December 24th!

By Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

  • “Marked” by P.C. and Kristen Cast
  • “The Lightening Thief” by Rick Riordan
  • “The Glass House” by Rachel Caine
  • “Vampire Academy” by Richelle Mead
  • “Spider’s Bite” by Jennifer Estep
Oct 10 2012
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Coming Soon: Out for Blood by Kristen Painter

Title: Out for Blood

Series: House of Comarre #4

Author: Kristen Painter

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: October 30, 2012 Now Available!

As mentioned in a post for book #1, this is a highly original urban fantasy series. I’m not quite caught up yet, but for those of you who are, the next books is mere weeks away… I, for one, can’t wait to see where Chrysabelle’s story goes next!

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 9 2012

Book Review: Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

Title: Pawn of Prophecy

Author: David Eddings

Series: The Belgariad #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

The Overview: Long ago, the Storyteller claimed, in this first book of THE BELGARIAD, the evil god Torak drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe.

But Garion did not believe in such stories. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved–but did not know…?

The Review:

Another “must-read” series for fantasy buffs, the “Belgariad” is every bit as good as you’ve heard, containing all the elements that make up a top fantasy novel. A simple good vs. evil storyline, diverse and interesting characters, and a young boy swept away in an epic adventure!

All the basic elements are there for greatness, but Eddings takes it one step further by adding one more: culture. During their travels, the characters journey to different areas of the kingdom, and we are introduced to a whole slew of new cultures, mannerisms, and languages. There’s even a complex sign language that was actually one of my favorite elements of the book.

I’m going to say it again: for me, characterization is the most important element. It seems to be the key ingredient in all of the most popular fantasy, and Eddings’ are no exception. A colorful cast of characters come together throughout the series, and I enjoyed reading about all of them – each one has an interesting back-story that makes you want to know more.

Drawbacks: the author sticks to a strict third-person limited narrative, which means that the only way we, as an audience, learn anything is if the main protagonish learns it. I cant help but wonder how much more vibrant and complex the plot could have been had we been allowed into the perspectives of some of the other characters. The flip-side is that the main protagonist is allways in the middle of the action, so that does add an element of excitement to the book.

Overall, it was a great read with a perfectly “epic” feel to it. I will definitely be picking it up again one day when I’m thirsting for a good adventure!

Recommendations: The “Belgariad” is a set of five novels that start us off in this particular world, and I recommend you begin with “Pawn of Prophecy”. The next five books make up the “Malloreon” and you’ll need to start with “Guardians of the West”. There are also a few spinoff novels if you want to know more about certain characters.

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

Oct 8 2012
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Coming Soon: Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima

Title: The Crimson Crown

Series: Seven Realms #4

Author: Cinda Williams Chima

Release Date: October 23, 2012 Now Available!

I read the “The Warrior Heir” a few years ago and really liked it, but never read on because the sequels followed different characters (which, for some reason, was unappealing at the time but now sounds fickle). In any case, the “Seven Realms” has the same protagonists from start to finish, and an interesting plot to boot. As the final book in the series, it is now in my top 10 “books I must read” list… review to follow. :)

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 7 2012
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“Homeland” (Legend of Drizzt #1) by R.A. Salvatore (5/5 stars)

Title: Homeland

Author: R. A. Salvatore

Series: The Dark Elf Trilogy #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Review:

“Homeland’ is not just the first of an amazing trilogy, but is also the beginning of the brilliant “Legend of Drizzt” saga. A well-rounded prequel, it takes you deep into the kingdom of Menzoberranzan where dark elves rule with unabashed cruelty. Among them dwells Drizzt, an anomaly with honor and compassion who yearns for a different life. A tad slow to start, the story soon launches to become one of the most epic fantasy adventures in the genre.

There are a lot of positives to this series: Highly, and I mean HIGHLY memorable characters – I swear they’re practically a religion at this point, some of the most stylized and intricate sword-fighting scenes you’ll ever read, epic world-building, and a unique, mold-shattering storyline – I’ve never read such a fantastic tribute to the dark elf culture.

As good as the characterization is, I find it somewhat lacking in one regard: While there are a plethora of beautiful women, there is a distinct lack of relatable feminine characters, as most of them express male personalities and tendencies. While that works for some women (I realize we’re all wonderfully different creatures), it should not be the standard for all. I believe women warriors can be both feminine and dangerous, just examine Kahlan in the Sword of Truth series, and you’ll know what I mean. In any case, I don’t think that distinction bothered many people, and despite my opinion on it, I still loved ALL the characters and Salvatore remains solidly in my top 10.

Overall, if you want a long-term sustaining series that will take you on epic adventures, involve you in fantastic fight-scenes, and make you fall in love with some of the most brilliant fantasy characters in the genre’s history, then these are the books for you! Still going strong, there are over 25 titles that continue the story, and each one is honestly as good as the last.

Recommendations: Although the “Icewind Dale” trilogy was written first, I strongly recommend you start with “Homeland” in the “Dark Elf” trilogy, as it is first chronologically. Not only will that give the story more of a solid flow, but is also a much stronger representation of Salvatore’s works as the series continues, so if you like it, you’ll probably like the entire saga.

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

  • “Dragons of Autumn Twilight” by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
  • “The Cleric Quintet” by R.A. Salvatore (a spinoff worth reading after book 10 or so)
  • “Magician: Apprentice” by Raymond E. Feist
  • “Wayfarer Redemption” by Sara Douglass
  • “Wizard’s First Rule” by Terry Goodkind