Tag Archives: fantasy books

Jul 17 2013
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Your Pick for Nik – August’s Nominations!

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It’s been a while since I’ve run this feature, and I miss it. For those of you new to our book club, here’s how it works:

Your Pick for Nik! is a monthly feature where I turn over control of my reading list to you!

Here’s how it works: I will nominate titles from my TBR list and YOU will choose which one gets featured. It can be one you’ve already read and want to discuss, one you want to read but wish to see my feedback on first, or – and this is my favorite part – you can read it along with me!

Depicted below are my 10 nominees for August. Simply vote for your favorites, and let the best book win! At 10:00 am (MST) on Monday the 22nd I will announce the winner. Come the end of August, I will post a thorough review of the chosen title – and hopefully find out what you thought of it as well!

Voting starts today (July 17, 2013) and you’ll have all the way through the weekend to choose your favorites (Remember: YOU CAN VOTE FOR MORE THAN 1).

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Title: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Genre: Teen Science Fiction

The Overview: Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceshipGodspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed‘s scheduled landing, Amy’s cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed. Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense.Godspeed‘s passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir. Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed‘s hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Leviathan Wakes by James Corey

Leviathan Wakes by James Corey

Title: Leviathan Wakes

Author: James Corey

Genre: Science Fiction

The Overview: Humanity has colonized the solar system – Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond – but the stars are still out of our reach. Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, “The Scopuli,” they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for – and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why. Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to “The Scopuli” and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything. Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations – and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet. Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.

13042002Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton

Genre: Teen Paranormal Fantasy

The Overview: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

16101054Title: Sylo

Author: D. J. MacHale

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.

It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.

#8 Beyonders by Brandon Mull

#8 Beyonders by Brandon Mull

Title: Beyonders

Author: Brandon Mull

Genre: Young Reader

The Overview: Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable–until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he’s ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold

Title: The Sharing Knife

Author: Lois McMaster Bujold

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family’s farm. Enroute to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers. The necromancers armed with human bone knives fight “malices”, immortal entities that draw out life, enslaving humans and animals. Dag saves Fawn from a malice – at a devastating cost. Their fates are now bound in a remarkable journey.

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Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright

Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright

Title: Orphans of Chaos

Author: John C. Wright

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: A bunch of smart kids at a boarding school discover that they aren’t human, nor are their teachers. A lot of magic happens.

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1134026Title: Faerie Wars

Author: Herbie Brennan

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Henry Atherton thinks his life is spinning out of control. But nothing prepares him for the invisible portal in old man Fogarty’s backyard . . . and the unexpected stranger who comes through it.
Pyrgus Malvae, crown prince of the Faerie realm, is on the run. Too many people want the rebellious young heir dead: a scheming sorcerer, a powerful demon, the malignant leader of the Faeries of the Night, and maybe even a hidden traitor within his father’s court. Henry and Pyrgus come from very different worlds, but it may be up to Henry to save all of Faerie from being conquered by the Nightside, even if it means crossing over to a magical realm where nothing is ever what it seems . . . and no one can be trusted.

May the best book win! :)

Jul 15 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition (7/16/2013)

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I’m so excited for this top ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) because it gives me the opportunity to introduce you guys to a couple of little-known authors that totally rocked my world. They all have a few things in common: excellent writing, great characters, killer stories, and epic world-building. They all also happen to be high priorities on my reread list. The saddest common factor? I’ve never had a conversation with anybody who’s read more than one of these titles (if any…at least before my recommendations).

So without further ado:

Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition!

#1 Glenda Larke: I’ve devoured everything this woman has ever published, even going so far as to pay astronomical shipping on the Mirage trilogy only available in Australia. If she ever chooses to write anything else, she will get top priority on my reading list. She has the best world-building of any author I’ve ever read; creating settings that are truly stunning.

#2 Jennifer Fallon: I loved everything about these books. It was an excellent story that was frankly better than most of the “popular” authors out there and it makes me sad she didn’t get more attention. I will say though, this is the only trilogy of hers I’ve read so far.

#3 Elizabeth Haydon: I admit the first hundred pages of the first book is a little difficult to get into. Some truly remarkable things happen in a rather confusing manner that only makes sense as you keep reading. Clear as mud? Aside from that, Haydon gave me brilliant characters, exceptional races and cultures, and dragons. I have actually reread these, and like them just as much the second time.

#4 Juliet E. McKenna: I am flabbergasted that this series is not more popular. It has all the elements I’ve come to expect from an epic fantasy adventure and yet barely anybody has heard of her. It’s a shame because the only difference between McKenna and highly successful fantasy authors is… Nothing. I love these books.

#5 Julie E. Czerneda: This author dazzles me with her creativity and great characters. Despite how much I love #6 on my list, this author is my all time favorite science fiction writer. Her stories are burned into my brain and I can’t wait for the chance to experience them again.

#6 Ann Aguirre: sort of a mix between a science fiction and an urban fantasy, this author really gets how to create great relationships between humans and other interplanetary characters. These books make me excited to talk about them and are easily some of the ones I recommend the most.

#7 Daniel Abraham: this is a new (relatively) fantasy author who is starting to gain a little bit of momentum for himself. He is actually the first author on my list who I recommend towards fantasy buffs who have read “everything” already and are looking for the next great thing.

#8 T.A. Pratt: this guy is not only one of my top urban fantasy authors, but he happens to be one of my favorite writers. I look up to him for his talent and dedication and hope to one day have the opportunity to pick his brain. His stories are as entertaining as they are unique.

#9 Lawrence Watt-Evans: I have never read a piece of work from this author that I didn’t absolutely love. His dragons series is my favorite on the market and inspired me enough to hunt them out in hardcover. I own everything he’s ever written and it’s all fantastic!

#10 Rachel Aaron: this woman is amazing! There is not a single thing I did not like about her books and in fact plan to go back and reread them to improve my own craft. She adds an element of wonder to adult fantasy that makes you feel like a kid again. Some authors try to do this, but they come off more whimsical and ridiculous rather than brilliant like Aaron.

You may have noticed that I don’t have any teen books on this list. It turns out that I can name at least a dozen people who enjoyed all my favorites, so comparatively they are already gaining tons of recognition, know?

Anyway, which titles made your list? I’d love to hear if someone has read more than one of the books on my list. :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 12 2013
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Coming Soon: The Companions by R.A. Salvatore

9780786963713_p0_v3_s260x420Title: The Companions

Author: R.A. Salvatore

Series: The Sundering #1

Genre: Role Playing Fantasy

Release Date: August 6, 2013

The Overview: This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore’s beloved fantasy saga, The Companionsmoves Salvatore’s signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt’s fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life—the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin.

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Nik’s Notes:

Those of you familiar with the Forgotten Realms empire are probably aware of the dozens of spinoff novels spawned by the highly successful Drizzt books of R.A. Salvatore. His latest novel, The Companions, is the beginning of a new such spinoff. This means the next three book in the series are written by different authors, and are essentially stand-alones. This first book is the only one containing the “companions” that we have all come to know and love, so I’m not totally sure it’s one I want to read, but I’ll probably break down and pick it up anyway out of nostalgia.

Here’s a look at the next three books in the series and their release dates:

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 8 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Best/Worst Book to Movie Adaptations (7/8/2013)

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This is a weekly feature by The Broke and the Bookish. I have come across some really excellent book bloggers by participating in this feature, which is why it’s one of my favorites. This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Best/Worst Book to Movie Adaptations

Although there have been quite a few adaptations that didn’t work for me, I decided it would be more fun to focus on my favorite ones this week.

 For me, the Lord of the Rings was not only the best book to movie adaptation, it was the best movie ever. It’s my all-time favorite, and nothing has come close since… except for maybe The Hobbit.

Yes, Twilight is on my list. I liked everything but Robert Pattinson. Get off my case.

The book “On Stranger Tides” actually follows the third movie the closest as far as story is concerned, but I liked the latest one better, so it counts.

I realize Vampire Diaries is a television show, but it happens to be my favorite so I hope you’ll let it slide.

There you have it! What movies ended up on your list?

Jul 1 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top 10 Most Intimidating Books (7/1/2013)

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Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this is a weekly feature that has quickly become one of my favorites. I love reminiscing about books I’ve read and I love talking about them even more. This week’s topic is a little more forward-looking:

Top 10 Most Intimidating Books

 (Gosh, just looking at these covers makes me cringe)

#1: The Lord of the Rings – I love the movies passion – they are my all-time favorites – and I wanted nothing more than to read the books that inspired them… I made it through the Fellowship (barely) but decided to stop reading because I was basically just going through the motions. My eyes were scanning the pages, but my attention was just not there. I have read a lot of dry fantasies over the years but this one takes the cake. If it hadn’t been for the epic action-packed movies, I might have been able to get into them more. I think I’ll stick with Viggo Mortensen on this one…

#2: The Book Thief – I have yet to talk to someone who’s read this who didn’t absolutely love it. To me, it looks boring. Now, I’m sure it’s an exceptional book and rewarding to anybody who picks it up, but everything from the cover to the summary puts me off.

#3 The Lord of Chaos – I’ve read the first in this series and am in no hurry to continue on. Everybody I’ve talked to about this series says it “gets boring between books 6 – 10” so I just need to “ride it out” because he “gets better” and “it’s worth it.” That’s like three or four thousand pages of “hang in there.” Does this sound appealing to anybody else? And you know what the stupid thing is? I’ll probably read them, anyway.

#4: Touched by Venom – for some reason, I’ve had these books on my shelf for at least ten years but have yet to open one. The longer I wait, the more afraid I am that they won’t be as good as I hope they’ll be.

#5: Hominids – I find the concept of this series highly fascinating. It explores an alternate reality where Neanderthal, rather than humans, inherited the world. I’ve tried to pick it up a couple of times, but it’s so darned scientific and cerebral that he loses me. I love learning things from books, but there’s a point where story needs to be just as important as the concept.

#6: The Dark Moom – I bought these books (at a rather expensive price) over ten years ago. They’ve been collecting dust on my shelf ever since. I have no idea what they are about and am a little afraid to find out – what if I invested all that money and space for nothing? Book hoarder problems 101.

#7: Beautiful Creatures – I bought the big expensive boxed set of these books after seeing a preview for the movie. I don’t even know if I’m going to like them, but they were pretty. That kind of attitude always gets me into trouble.

#8: Way of Kings – People rave about this book. I can’t imagine not liking it after all the incredible endorsements I’ve gotten for it, but the fear is still there. This is one of the few that actually intimidates me because of its size (I’ve been reading teen to long).

#9: Aurian – I actually swallowed my fear and am currently reading this one. This author’s other series (beginning with The Heart of Myrial) was my favorite for several years. I find this one intimidating because it’s only available as a mass-market paperback and holy snot-balls is the writing tiny!  It literally hurts my face to read, but so far the story is pretty good… please expect my review sometime in 2014.

#10: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – I’m really afraid I’m not going to like this series. You see, I’m positively NOT a fan of “punchy” humor in books (such as Piers Anthony and Terry Pratchett). As Adams is sometimes held in that same category, I fear the worst. Also, I think my husband might actually divorce me if I don’t like these books.

There you have it! Does anybody else find these as intimidating as I do?

Jul 1 2013
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Out This Month – Noteworthy Releases July 2013

rrrThis is a sad book release month for me. Although most are from exceptional authors, I’m too far behind in their respective series for these releases to excited me. The only one I’m super eager to read is the next Mythos Academy novel by Jennifer Estep. The good news? July can now be devoted to my TBR pile (woot!).

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Which one are you excited for?