Tag Archives: book review

Oct 13 2012
Image

Book Review: First Truth by Dawn Cook

Title: First Truth

Author: Dawn Cook

Series: Truth #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Alissa doesn’t believe in magic. Her father’s stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Maters, are just that―stories. But her mother insists that Alissa has inherited her father’s magical ability, and so she must go to the Hold―the only place her talents can be trained. 

On her way, she crosses paths with Strell, a wandering musician from the plains. And though Alissa is not sure she can trust a plainsman, Strell has something she needs―one of her father’s old maps. Travelling together, they can reach the Hold before the snow sets in. But they don’t know that the Hold is nearly empty. Something is very wrong and someone believes that Alissa and Strell knows about a book called First Truth.

The Review:

As a whole, this series is one of my absolute favorites, despite the fact that nothing particularly “epic” happens throughout. Although the pacing of the story can sometimes be rather slow, I was so smitten with the characters that it didn’t bother me. While most fantasy novels tend to be more event or world-building driven, this book was all about highlighting the characters. For any of you who have read Kim Harrison’s (Dawn Cook’s alias) Rachel Morgan series, you know that she is exceptionally talented at creating characters we care about. On top of that, she really knows how to tell a compelling love story, which was actually my favorite element to this series. There’s just something magical about it that keeps me coming back to reread it over and over again. What’s more, the plot gets increasingly more interesting as the series progresses, creating a great momentum for the end of the story – so much so that I was up all night the first time I read it.

Overall, its incredibly charming. If you’re in the mood for a character-based, magic-filled, sweet love story, this is the book for you!

Recommendations: The cover I’ve featured is from the original publication. The covers they’re marketing the series with now are incredibly cheesy and do nothing to represent the story… don’t let them deter you from giving it a try!

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

  • “The Aware” by Glenda Larke
  • “The Heart of Myrial” by Maggie Furey
  • “The Magician’s Guild” by Trudi Canavan
  • “Dragon Bones” by Patricia Briggs
  • “Sorcery Rising” by Jude Fisher
Oct 11 2012
Image

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 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 7 2012
Image

“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
Oct 5 2012

Book Review: Sword-Dancer/Sword-Singer by Jennifer Roberson (4/5 stars)

Title: Sword-Dancer/Sword-Singer

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Tiger and Del #1 & 2

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: He was Tiger, born of the desert winds, raised as a slave and winning his freedom by weaving a special kind of magic with a warrior’s skill. She was Del, born of ice and storm, trained by the greatest of Northern sword masters. Together, they discover a kinship and friendship that grows to love while facing dangers of both sword and sorcery.

The  Review:

It’s been several years since I first read Tiger and Del, and I still remember them with fondness. Roberson has a strong first-person narrative not often seen in fantasy novels. It’s a unique blend of characterization and culture-building that really helps get you into the story. The character-development was really successful, and arguably the best element of the series. The protagonists are incredibly engaging and I think a lot of the appeal comes from stereotypical manners expressed in constant opposition to one another; a sort of man vs woman relationship that was surprisingly charming and oftentimes downright hilarious. It wasn’t just the main characters that were great, as Roberson even manages to give the horse a memorable personality.

As much as I enjoyed it, there was a weakness. Apparently, the author wrote the manuscript for the first book in about a week… and you can sort of tell. That’s just simply not enough time to develop a complex plot, so the storyline is fairly straight-forward. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, because I found some of her other works to be a bit long-winded. A shortened writing schedule means she really had to play to her strengths and jump right into the main plot. As the series progresses, it gets a little more dynamic, but not by much.

Overall, all six books have their own appeal, and I found my excitement for the story as a whole grew with each one. While it’s not the best from a craft standpoint, it was definitely one of the most fun to read. I laughed, I cried, I loved every minute!

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

Oct 3 2012

Book Review: Grave Mercy by: Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Series: His Fair Assassin

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

The Review:

Aside from the striking cover and catching tagline, it was the basic premise of the book that first grabbed my attention: Lucky to escape from a brutal life, Ismae finds herself in the convent of St. Mortian, where she trains to become a handmaiden of death. Along the way, she learns the skills of an assassin, the art of seduction, and the finer points of intrigue. Chosen for her first assignment, Ismae is eager to fulfill her vows to the God of Death, but soon finds herself in way over her head.

“Grave Mercy” had my attention right from the start. At times, it was a little more dark and risque than most teen novels, but still tasteful enough to be appropriate for its target audience. I actually really liked the extra edge, and thought the dynamic of an assassin/seductress made for a fascinating read. Add that to the fact that she is young, inexperience, and practically terrified of men, then throw in a romantic interest on top of it, and you have yourself an incredibly entertaining story. The author is a major history buff, and she does a great job incorporating her knowledge of the time period into the story. Her background comes out in her descriptions and world-building, really bringing the story to life.

Overall, I think this was a strong debut for LaFevers, and I look forward to the next book in the series… I might even read it right away.

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

  • “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore
  • “Vampire Academy” by Richelle Mead
  • “Song of the Lioness” Quartet by Tamora Pierce
  • “Warrior Heir” by Cinda Williams Chima
  • “Matched” by Ally Condie