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Month: September 2020

Book Review: The Fell Sword (The Traitor Son Cycle, #2) by Miles Cameron

Book Review: The Fell Sword (The Traitor Son Cycle, #2) by Miles Cameron

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Cover Illustration by: Kerem Beyit

The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: The Traitor Son Cycle (Book #2 of 5)

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Pages: 717 pages (UK paperback)

Published: 30th January 2014 by Gollancz (UK) & 11th March 2014 by Orbit (US)


Now that I’ve finished Fell Sword, it is with heartache that I’m going to admit that this series isn’t for me.

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Book Review: The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn (Kingdom of Grit, #1) by Tyler Whitesides

Book Review: The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn (Kingdom of Grit, #1) by Tyler Whitesides

ARC received from the publisher, Orbit, in exchange for an honest review.

The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

My rating:  4 of 5 stars.

Series: Kingdom of Grit (Book 1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, high fantasy

First published:  15th May 2018 by Orbit (US) & 17th May 2018 by Orbit (UK).

New cover re-release: 20 October 2020 by Orbit (US) & 22nd October 2020 by Orbit (UK).


The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn is a commendable adult fantasy debut, by Tyler Whitesides, that is fun, entertaining and has a unique magic system.

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Book Review: The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3)

Book Review: The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3)


The Waste Lands by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And the award for creepiest train in all of literature goes to…

“Don’t ask me silly questions
I won’t play silly games
I’m just a simple choo choo train
And I’ll always be the same.

I only want to race along
Beneath the bright blue sky
And be a happy choo choo train
Until the day I die.”

Stephen King has had a place among my favorite authors for 3 or 4 years now. But over the span of this book and its predecessor, The Drawing of the Three, he’s edging remarkably close to becoming not just one of my favorite authors, but my hands down favorite. Right now he’s in a three-way tie with Brandon Sanderson and Nora Roberts, but Wizard and Glass might actually change that if it holds a candle to The Waste Lands. I’ve heard that the back half of the Dark Tower series pales a bit in comparison to the first 4 books, so I’m trying to keep my expectations low, but this is shaping up to be my favorite series of all time.

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Book Review: Persepolis Rising (The Expanse, #7) by James S.A. Corey

Book Review: Persepolis Rising (The Expanse, #7) by James S.A. Corey

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Cover Illustration by: Daniel Dociu

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Expanse (Book #7 of 9)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera

Pages: 576 pages (UK paperback)

Published: 7th December 2017 by Orbit (UK) & 5th December 2017 by Orbit (US)


This was another good volume in The Expanse, but I must say that the series is starting to overstay its welcome to me.

“I actually read history. It’s like reading prophecy, you know.”

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Book review: Northern Wrath (The Hanged God Trilogy #1) by Thilde Kold Holdt

Book review: Northern Wrath (The Hanged God Trilogy #1) by Thilde Kold Holdt

I received an ARC of Northern Wrath from the publisher (Rebellion) in exchange for an honest review.

Northern Wrath

Cover illustration by: Larry Rostant

Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holdt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Hanged God trilogy (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Norse Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Published: 29th October 2020 by Rebellion (UK) & 27th Solaris 2020 by Orbit (US)


A promising and ambitious debut.

This book grabbed my attention completely when I saw the gorgeous cover art by Larry Rostant and I immediately added it to my tbr. For all I knew though it could have been about A lost tribe of Norse gummi bears coming back to claim The Lost City of Marshmallow as it was just one of those covers where you don’t really need to ask questions. Stunning in its simplicity and allure.I confess though, I was no less eager upon reading the blurb about vikings, gods and battles and could not resist requesting an ARC of this epic norse fantasy.

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Book Review: Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) by Jim Butcher

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Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #14 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 529 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 29th November 2012 by Orbit (UK) & 27th November 2012 by Roc (US)


Cold Days once again established The Dresden Files as one of the most consistently good series out there.

“I know it’s not thematically in tune with my new job and all, but I find it effective. Build a man a fire and he’s warm for a day,” I say. “But set a man on fire and he’s warm for the rest of his life. Tao of Pratchett. I live by it.”

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Book Review: The Crippled God (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #10) by Steven Erikson

Book Review: The Crippled God (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #10) by Steven Erikson

The Crippled God by Steven Erikson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars.

Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 10 of 10)

Genre: Epic fantasy, grimdark fantasy, fantasy

First published:  March 2011 by Bantam (UK) and Tor (US)


The Crippled God is a breathtaking conclusion to an outstanding series; Malazan Book of the Fallen is a masterpiece of its genre and has affirmed its place as my favourite epic grimdark fantasy series.

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Book Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch

Book Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch

Cover illustration by: Benjamin Carre

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Gentleman Bastard (Book #1 of 7)

Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy, Heist Fantasy

Pages: 544 pages (UK Paperback edition)

Published: 1st June 2006 by Gollancz (UK) & 27th June 2006 by Spectra (US)


The Lies of Locke Lamora is a double fuckdamn for me. First, for postponing reading this book for such a long time. Second, Scott Lynch’s capability to successfully craft such an incredible debut exceeded my expectations.

“There’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated.”

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Book review: A Time of Courage (Of Blood and Bone #3) by John Gwynne

Book review: A Time of Courage (Of Blood and Bone #3) by John Gwynne

A Time of Courage by John Gwynne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Of Blood and Bone (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Published: 2nd April 2020 by Pan Macmillan (UK) & 7th April 2020 by Orbit (US)

ARC provided by the publisher, Pan Macmillan, in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and the quotes included may have changed in the released copy.

A Time of Courage is the glorious and bittersweet conclusion of 140 hundred years (or I should probably say 2000 years) worth of bloody history in the Banished Lands!

I have to admit that I went into this final book with a lot of trepidation, in addition to the positive excitement and anticipation. Could this book really be on the same level as Wrath, the masterpiece that was the conclusion of the previous quartet? Will I love it as much? Would I feel as much joy, and sorrow and satisfaction? Will I stare at the book, blinking away tears and trying to calm my frantic heart as a beloved character met their end? Will my eyes fly through the pages, during a tension-filled battle or duel, to seek the outcome and make sure my heroes survived? The answers were yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. John Gwynne truly outdid himself in this outstanding finale.

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Book Review: The Girl and the Stars (Book of the Ice, #1) by Mark Lawrence

Book Review: The Girl and the Stars (Book of the Ice, #1) by Mark Lawrence

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Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Cover illustration by: Jason Chan

The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Book of the Ice (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy

Pages: 480 pages (UK Hardcover edition)

Published: 30th April 2020 by Harper Voyager (UK) & 21st April 2020 by Ace (US)


Great world-building and prose, but I have mixed feelings on the book.

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