Novel Notions

Book Review: Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, by Ruth Emmie Lang

October 5, 2020 Celeste Comments 2 comments

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t remember the last time I was so utterly charmed and delighted by a story. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance reads like a middle grade novel for adults, and I need more books like this one in my life. There is a wholesome, wonderful innocence to the story that won me over immediately. I’ve never been a fan of the word “precious,” but that term perfectly describes Lang’s debut novel. …

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Book Review: Uncrowned (Cradle, #7) by Will Wight

October 5, 2020 TS Chan Comments 0 Comment

Uncrowned by Will Wight

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Cradle (Book #7 of 12)

Genre: Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Xianxia

Published: 26th September 2019 by Hidden Gnome Publishing (Indie)

The Cradle series has been relentlessly fun and tremendously addictive, and Uncrowned might be its best yet if not for the rather abrupt ending.
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Book Review: Insomnia, by Stephen King

October 3, 2020 Celeste Comments 0 Comment

Insomnia by Stephen King
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This isn’t my favorite King novel I’ve ever read, but it was a fun, very interesting ride. If you’re planning on a journey to King’s Dark Tower, this one is absolutely essential. Not only are the concepts of ka and ka-tet integral to the plot of the novel, the Tower itself makes brief appearances. And while I didn’t look it up for fear of having important future plot points spoiled for myself, I’m almost positive that two important new characters in the main series were introduced in this book.
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Book Review: The Fires of Vengeance (The Burning, #2) by Evan Winter

October 2, 2020 Eon Comments 0 Comment

Cover illustration by: Karla Ortiz

The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Burning quartet (Book #2 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Military Fantasy,

Published: 12^th November 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 10th November 2020 by Orbit (US

This review is spoiler free.

The Fires of Vengeance melts expectations; burning even hotter than the Rage of Dragons and blazing a trail for Evan Winter to join an elite group at the top of the fantasy pile.

I absolutely loved Evan Winter’s first contribution to the fantasy genre, and ever since I finished the Rage of Dragons I had been counting the months to the sequel’s release and holding on to the hope of maybe even getting a chance to read it earlier. When I was offered an ARC, I jumped at the chance to read more about Tau and his journey on the path of vengeance and immediately made space in my schedule.

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

September 30, 2020 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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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

September 29, 2020 TS Chan Comments 0 Comment

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)

September 28, 2020 Celeste Comments 1 comment

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

September 28, 2020 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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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

September 25, 2020 Eon Comments 0 Comment

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: 29^th 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

September 24, 2020 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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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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