Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Fantasy Page 3 of 5

Book Review: Mistress of Masks

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On August 18, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Mistress of Masks (Catalysts of Chaos #1)Mistress of Masks by C. Greenwood
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to go to Goodreads)

Honestly, I was struggling for a while to write a review since I finished Mistress of Masks. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the book, I just didn’t know what to say because I’ve been reading several fantasy novels lately. In fact the fantasy novel I finished just before this book was written by the same author. So there isn’t more I can say that I haven’t already said.

Obviously I enjoy her work so far since I jumped right into another book and I will be reading Betrayer of Blood next. The read feels connected quicker with Eydis, Geveral and even Orrick than I did with the protagonists in Magic of Thieves. Keep in mind the Dimmingwood books are a much longer series than Catalysts of Chaos, and I intend to read both series in their entirety. Eydis’ powers are more intriguing than Ilan’s, although the elusiveness of Ilan’s powers also makes for a compelling reason to continue reading. In fact I can even see some parallels between Geveral and Ilan. My suggestion would be to read both books to better understand what I mean.

Mistress of Masks is a good, old fashioned fantasy novel, much like the others I have read. Greenwood is in good company when you consider the fact that the other fantasy authors I have read are Christine Golden, R. A. Salvatore, etc. If you are not receiving her newsletters, I would strongly encourage you to sign up; I’m glad I signed up for her newsletter so I will continue to receive opportunities to read ARC copies of her books and learn more about the plans she has for future novels.

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diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

Book Review: Magic of Thieves

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On July 17, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Magic of Thieves (Legends of Dimmingwood, #1)Magic of Thieves by C. Greenwood
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

I really enjoy reading random fantasy books by authors that are either up and coming or I’m not extremely familiar with. C Greenwood has been writing books for, what appears to be, 4 years. Magic of Thieves was her first book published back in 2012.  I started following C Greenwood on Twitter and I signed up for her newsletter which is how I acquired a copy of her book.

I’ll admit that it took me a couple of chapters to get into the book. I should make an effort to read the brief description of books just so I have an idea of where the story might take me. The more I learned about Ilan as she adapted to her life with The Hand and his band of thieves the more I became intrigued by the destiny that awaits her. I have to admit that I think my favorite flavor of fantasy characters is sorcery.

Once I reached the end of Magic of Thieves I had decided that the Legends of Dimmingwood would be making it into my book budget. If you are interested in a great story, this book is a quick read. As of the time of this review it is available for free as a Kindle ebook on Amazon.

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diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Lady Midnight

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On June 24, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1)Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
My rating: [rating=3]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

So with Jace and Clary’s story done, Clare takes us a new direction. We are now following Emma and Julian, whom we met at the end of the previous series. The book takes place 5 years after Clary and Jace defeat Sebastian and his twisted army. In fact this is the first book in a new series of books Clare is writing which does have Emma and Julian as the main protagonists.

It’s strange, reading a book that is only a few years after the end of a previous series and the main story has new character’s as the focus. As I’m writing this I’m trying to think of anything else I have read has followed a similar pattern. The closest thing I can think of is Shadow of the Hegemon which, coincidentally, I just finished reading as well.

Thus far, I enjoyed Mortal Instruments more. I felt more vested in the future of the characters. Despite the fact that I’m not really much into romance novels, I did find myself rooting for Jace and Clary, as it were. In fact I was even rooting for Simon and Isabella (who doesn’t root for the nerdy underdog??) The barrier to Emma and Julian’s love seems too political and less organic. I kind of get an idea of where Clare might be taking the story and how it will likely be resolved. My current expectation is a far less dramatic resolution.

The antagonist, however, was interesting and I really enjoyed the fact that they even incorporated some of the details from the Shadowhunter Academy books. My interest as to how the story will continue is piqued but I’m not clawing at Cassandra Clare’s blog page screaming “GIVE ME BOOK TWO!” Although we will likely see book two before we see book 6 of Game of Thrones.

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diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

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On March 22, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption, #1)Empire by Michael R. Hicks
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

Empire is a classic example of trying out a book that I haven’t heard of before, written by an author I haven’t read before and enjoying every page. Fantasy books can often be a hit or miss but I think Empire is a definite hit. I follow Michael R. Hicks on Twitter and happened to notice he had a newsletter which I signed up for and that ultimately lead me to three free ebook downloads. Empire was one of those books.

Earth is all but destroyed. The humans are at war with an alien race of female warriors. Reza Gard survives an attack on his family, is transported to a planet for orphan children where he begins to emerge as a born leader and warrior. Then he is abducted by the same aliens that killed his family. Now he is on their home planet, where they are training him for combat, but to what end?

When you reach the end of this book you will be hooked. You will want to read more because you need to know the answers to all the questions in your mind.

The three free downloads were the first books of three of his trilogies. It was a great marketing idea because, after reading Empire, I will be picking up the two remaining books in this series. I will also, eventually pick up the other books as well (I only have so much money budgeted for books). He also just published a new book, Vulcan’s Fury: The Dark Lands, which is already getting 5 stars on Goodreads and Amazon. I think Michael R. Hicks will be another author that will be on my “read more” list.

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Armada by Ernest Cline

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On February 9, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Armada by Ernest ClineArmada by Ernest Cline
My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads.)

Another great, nerd-filled classic by the Ohio native. As most fans of Ready Player One, I was very excited when I heard about Armada. He does succeed, again, in stirring those nostalgic nerdy memories from my childhood with various references to games and movies I played/watched growing up. I will admit, however, perhaps the references were a little too prolific, especially at the beginning of the book, but I could tell Ernest Cline was writing a book that was fulfilling a childhood fantasy. The same childhood fantasy all of us had playing video games in the 90s and watching Star Wars and The Last Starfighter.

Despite the abundant movie references, and the teasing at the end which lead me to believe there would be a sequel, I still gave this book 5 Stars. Ender’s Game is one of my all time favorite books and Armada felt like a combination of Ender’s Game and The Last Starfighter and turned out to be an excellent juxtaposition.

When Zack learns what he is destined to do, the book becomes impossible to put down. I found myself sneaking in a page or two when the toddler and the wife were distracted; or I went an extra minute on the stationary bike just to keep reading. In fact there were a couple of nights where I was reading until 1 in the morning, allotting me only 4 hours of sleep for the night. There are, literally, only a handful of books where that has happened to me in the past.

Thank you, Ernest Cline, for another epic nerd-themed book. Thank you for taking me back, once again, to my childhood days and the games and movies of the 80’s and 90’s, and I’m looking forward to the next great novel!

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The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Winter

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On January 18, 2016

In Book Review, Fantasy

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4)Winter by Marissa Meyer
My rating:[rating=5]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads.)

In my reviews of the previous books I think I’ve mentioned how cleverly written all the books for the Lunar Chronicles are and Winter was just as good. When you have a long series of books (i.e. more than three) sometimes characters and plots can get lost and thus when you finish off the series sometimes you feel there are still some things left unanswered. I do not feel that was the case with Winter. I think Meyer did a perfect job ending the book just right. In fact I think she could continue the story if she wanted to, or perhaps some spin-off books? *hint**hint*

I want to warn you know that I am going to talk about a spoiler so if you haven’t read Winter yet then I would definitely stop reading right now. If you do stop, I do want to leave you with my recommendation that you definitely read this book, of course if you have started reading the Lunar Chronicles, I don’t know why you wouldn’t read the last book.

***spoiler alert*** The one thing I kind of wish was different about the end of the book was Levana’s death. It was dramatic in that as she’s stabbing Cinder in the chest with the knife, Cinder simply shoots her through the head. I can kind of see that as a Hollywood ending but considering all the emphasis on the Lunar gift and how Cinder could be more powerful than Levana, I was hoping to see Cinder destroy Levana’s mind not only as retribution for all the people she’s killed but for causing Winter’s Lunar sickness.

If Meyer were to consider a spin-off book or series, I think creating some adventures with Thorne and Cress could be interesting and perhaps even an opportunity to incorporate some more nostalgic fairy tale characters.

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