Mike (the Paladin)'s bookshelf: fantasy en-US Sat, 25 Jan 2025 20:25:07 -0800 60 Mike (the Paladin)'s bookshelf: fantasy 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Land: Forging (Chaos Seeds, #2)]]> 34234675
"We are life takers and heart breakers," Richter shouted. "Let's go!"

Richter and Sion are at it again! Even more of what you loved in the first book! Leveling, world building, awesome items, and what's that you say? Sure! Why not? What's a little necrophilia between friends!?!

Join your favorite Chaos Seed as he answers the call of adventure and deals with the invaders, greedy dwarves, and a wood elf that keeps telling him he has a pretty mouth!

Welcome back my friends!

Welcome back... to The Land!!!!

]]> 382 Aleron Kong Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction the Father of American LitRPG". As I said before, okay, cool. I don't know where or from whom he got the title but I'm okay with it...the books so far have been pretty good.

Meeting more of the powers villainous and otherwise and learning more about the world of The Land itself you'll be present (sort of) as things speed up, heat up and get somewhat more...involved.

I'll not go into the plot here you should read that and follow the characters for yourself, enjoy. As I noted before this is pure brain candy and is told in a way I prefer in a "litrpg". I'm a little tired of people getting sucked into "game worlds" where they end up in a situation that overwhelms the actual story of "being in a game". So often newer litrpg books in attempting to be deeper or "more relevant" get involved in our gamers interacting with or having to save the "outside' world.

If you're into that it's cool and I've liked some of those but come on. These are books about people inside an RPG/MMORPG ther should always be the game feel at least to some extent. However to each their own, enjoy.]]> 4.32 The Land: Forging (Chaos Seeds, #2)
author: Aleron Kong
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.32
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/12/14
date added: 2025/01/25
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:
Having read the first book in the series you now will have a pretty good idea of SOME OF THE THINGS about The Land, a world concocted by Aleron Kong who claims the title "the Father of American LitRPG". As I said before, okay, cool. I don't know where or from whom he got the title but I'm okay with it...the books so far have been pretty good.

Meeting more of the powers villainous and otherwise and learning more about the world of The Land itself you'll be present (sort of) as things speed up, heat up and get somewhat more...involved.

I'll not go into the plot here you should read that and follow the characters for yourself, enjoy. As I noted before this is pure brain candy and is told in a way I prefer in a "litrpg". I'm a little tired of people getting sucked into "game worlds" where they end up in a situation that overwhelms the actual story of "being in a game". So often newer litrpg books in attempting to be deeper or "more relevant" get involved in our gamers interacting with or having to save the "outside' world.

If you're into that it's cool and I've liked some of those but come on. These are books about people inside an RPG/MMORPG ther should always be the game feel at least to some extent. However to each their own, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)]]> 477732
Luckily, however, he's not alone. Although most people don't believe in magic, the Chicago P.D. has a Special Investigations department, headed by his good friend Karrin Murphy. They deal with the . . . stranger cases. It's down to Karrin that Harry sneaks into Graceland Cemetery to meet a vampire named Mavra. Mavra has evidence that would destroy Karrin's career, and her demands are simple. She wants the Word of Kemmler - and all the power that comes with it. But first, Harry's keen to know what he'd be handing over. Before long he's racing against time, and six necromancers, to get the Word. And to prevent a Halloween that would truly wake the dead.

Magic - it can get a guy killed.]]> 396 Jim Butcher 0451460278 Mike (the Paladin) 5
Things get deeper and nastier and we learn more about Harry and his world.]]> 4.35 2005 Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)
author: Jim Butcher
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/11/24
shelves: favorites, fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
In my openion another "homerun".

Things get deeper and nastier and we learn more about Harry and his world.
]]> <![CDATA[Hawkmoon (Eternal Champion, #3)]]> 60151 502 Michael Moorcock 156504178X Mike (the Paladin) 5
The 5 star here is again based on my personal enjoyment of the
books", Hawkmoon is my favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion. There are books By Mr. Moorcock that (for me) range from 5 stars to 1 star. As I said, my personal favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion character.]]> 3.90 1992 Hawkmoon (Eternal Champion, #3)
author: Michael Moorcock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1992
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/11/19
shelves: fantasy, favorites, epic-fantasy
review:
To say anymore than that it's great and I loved it would require another spoiler warning, so I won't I suppose. I'll just say that some will think that again the writing is a little weaker than in the Elric stories, but I don't think so. It's a bit more abrupt, a bit more plot driven, but it's one of my favorites. It's also still a somewhat "light" page turner (at least in some ways. There is depth, but it doesn't jump out at you)as are most of the Eternal Champion Cycle.

The 5 star here is again based on my personal enjoyment of the
books", Hawkmoon is my favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion. There are books By Mr. Moorcock that (for me) range from 5 stars to 1 star. As I said, my personal favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion character.
]]> The Complete Tales and Poems 132314 Collected here is the ultimate Kindle edition of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe—all of his tales and poems in one convenient, easy-to-use volume at a fantastic price.

Included in Edgar Allan Poe: The Complete Tales and Poems are:

The complete text of all of the tales and poems written by Edgar Allan Poe (over 125 works), each elegantly formatted for ease of use and enjoyment on your Kindle reader.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the poems and tales in this collection.
An individual, active Table of Contents for each section accessible from the Kindle “go to� feature.
Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Kindle’s Text-to-Speech features.
A low, can't-say-no price!
The Complete Tales and Poems
All of Poe's tales, poems, and essays are included—over 125 works. Some of the most notable are:

Tales:
"The Fall of the House of Usher"
"The Masque of the Red Death"
"The Pit and the Pendulum"
"The Premature Burial"
"The Purloined Letter"
"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Poems:
"Annabel Lee"
"The Bells"
"The City in the Sea"
"A Dream Within a Dream"
"To Helen"
"Lenore"
"The Raven"
"Ulalume"
Other Works:
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket—Poe's only complete novel
Collected Essays
Additional Fan Resources
Also included are special features for any Poe enthusiast, including:

A list of films and television series, both directly and indirectly inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
A Reading Guide to fictional works that feature the historical Edgar Allan Poe as a character.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the major poems and short stories in this collection.]]> 1040 Edgar Allan Poe 040405109X Mike (the Paladin) 5
Edgar Allan Poe, a man who carved out the classic short story, the classic detective story all the while telling blood chilling stories that have been copied ever since. I have read that a good deal of the "character assassination" of Poe was exaggerated. We know that he was at least emotionally fragile and was shattered by the loss of his wife. More than that and that he was an extraordinary writer I'm not sure of. BUT if you like horror, try. It all started here. ]]> 4.51 1849 The Complete Tales and Poems
author: Edgar Allan Poe
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.51
book published: 1849
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/11/09
shelves: fantasy, classics, classic-horror
review:
This is sort of a "what more can you say" book, it's Poe. I was introduced to Poe when I was around 11 by a (young) school teacher. I suppose I never looked back and in a way it effected my taste in literature as I still like most types of fantasy reads and enjoy what is usually (somewhat loosely) called "weird" literature.

Edgar Allan Poe, a man who carved out the classic short story, the classic detective story all the while telling blood chilling stories that have been copied ever since. I have read that a good deal of the "character assassination" of Poe was exaggerated. We know that he was at least emotionally fragile and was shattered by the loss of his wife. More than that and that he was an extraordinary writer I'm not sure of. BUT if you like horror, try. It all started here.
]]> <![CDATA[Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, #2)]]> 8223503 332 Lian Hearn 1101217243 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy 4.16 2003 Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, #2)
author: Lian Hearn
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2024/09/26
shelves: fantasy
review:
I read the first in this series and found it mildly entertaining, not a bad read, but not enthralling either. This one didn't do any more to draw me in, as a matter of fact, I find it less compelling and less interesting than the first. Didn't hold my interest. I will go at least one more book.
]]> War in Heaven 218487830 An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found: here

A battle over the most sacred object in Christendom...

In the tiny English village of Fardles, a practitioner of black magic has located the Holy Grail in the sacristy of the local Anglican church. Intent on possessing it so as to amplify his own nefarious powers, he tries to trick its guardian into donating it. When that fails, he resorts to theft.

Thus begins a tug-of-war between powers infernal and celestial, between a magician who would use the Sacred as an instrument of his own will, and an Archdeacon who seeks to protect and preserve what is sacramental and holy.

Along the way, Williams reveals the tug-of-war within us all � the interplay of desire and Desire, the polarity of possession and sacrifice...and the significant gray areas in between.

War in Heaven is the first novel Williams published, and also the most comic. It is everything you’ve come to expect from a Williams novel � suspense, supernatural danger, and a mysticism so real, good, and terrible that nothing can stand against it.]]> 256 Charles Williams 0802812198 Mike (the Paladin) 4
Merged review:

Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?]]> 3.83 War in Heaven
author: Charles Williams
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.83
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/09/04
shelves: fantasy, christian-theology, christian-fiction
review:
Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?

Merged review:

Williams is one of the writers that C. S. Lewis named as an inspiration. He became part of the Inkling group. I have used the word esoteric to refer to him elswhere about another book and I believe it does apply and describe his writing. That being said I highly recommend this book. You will need to think about it and not enter in with your mind in neutral but really, isn't that a good thing?
]]> The Place of the Lion 1732118 206 Charles Williams 0802812228 Mike (the Paladin) 4
I love C.S.Lewis and discovered Williams as he was one of Lewis's favorite writers. Williams' books take a little work to track down (though I have noticed Amazon does have a pretty good selection LOL). On the whole they are worth tracking down however.

The (I suppose) Archetypes encountered here from lion to butterfly carry a spiritual significance, and the story will move you given it's chance. This book can be read on many levels from a type of allegory to a supernatural thriller of sorts. Enjoy. ]]> 3.84 1931 The Place of the Lion
author: Charles Williams
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1931
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/09/02
shelves: fantasy, christian-theology, christian-fiction
review:
This book is very much "its own" thing. I like it and I recommend it. It is one of the most esoteric reads I've experienced in a long time, but it's a great book. You'll need your brain in gear for this one...but it's worth it.

I love C.S.Lewis and discovered Williams as he was one of Lewis's favorite writers. Williams' books take a little work to track down (though I have noticed Amazon does have a pretty good selection LOL). On the whole they are worth tracking down however.

The (I suppose) Archetypes encountered here from lion to butterfly carry a spiritual significance, and the story will move you given it's chance. This book can be read on many levels from a type of allegory to a supernatural thriller of sorts. Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Thousand Names (The Shadow Campaigns, #1)]]> 18186729
Captain Marcus d’Ivoire, commander of one of the Vordanai empire’s colonial garrisons, was resigned to serving out his days in a sleepy, remote outpost. But that was before a rebellion upended his life. And once the powder smoke settled, he was left in charge of a demoralized force clinging tenuously to a small fortress at the edge of the desert.

To flee from her past, Winter Ihernglass masqueraded as a man and enlisted as a ranker in the Vordanai Colonials, hoping only to avoid notice. But when chance sees her promoted to command, she must win the hearts of her men and lead them into battle against impossible odds.

The fates of both these soldiers and all the men they lead depend on the newly arrived Colonel Janus bet Vhalnich, who has been sent by the ailing king to restore order. His military genius seems to know no bounds, and under his command, Marcus and Winter can feel the tide turning. But their allegiance will be tested as they begin to suspect that the enigmatic Janus’s ambitions extend beyond the battlefield and into the realm of the supernatural—a realm with the power to ignite a meteoric rise, reshape the known world, and change the lives of everyone in its path.]]> 23 Django Wexler Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy, military-fantasy
The book opens well with an interesting premise that brings Promise of Blood to mind. We're in a world that smacks of Colonial Britain marching with the troops. Desert tribes are now involved in a purge behind a religious movement. The troops are made up of colonial soldiers who have been in this desert land years, and newly minted recruits arriving with a new commander.

There is the set up, one like many, many books and movies. There are hints here that the magic in this world is real however.

You're going to see familiar characters. There are the slackers and the spit and polish soldiers, there's the brutal sergeant who's sadism is his defining characteristic. There's the woman disguised as a man to be a soldier, the strange officer with a secret. All these are well drawn and complete.

But there we hit the rub that I had to drop stars for. I see this book has a large following so it may not have bugged many readers as it did me. However, I'll post my reason here. Let's call this a heads up about "the middle section" of the book. In building the story and filling out the characters, the plot, the world the book simply begins to drag. Every time I laid it aside I'd take forever getting back to it. it wasn't that i was avoiding it so much as that I wasn't thinking about it. I finished several other books in the same time i was reading this one.

Happily the book does recover it's "pacing" and the final climatic chapters are well done and brought me back into the novel with interest.

I will probably go on with the next installment of the series, but I'm not as enthusiastic as I'd like to be. So with a hopeful 3 star rating we bid adieu to The Thousand Names and live in hope the next book in the series will appeal more.

My recommendation? I'll say try this one for yourself as there is a "spread" of opinion. My take is a solid..."okay" or "not bad". Some notable negatives within some pretty good reading.]]> 3.75 2013 The Thousand Names (The Shadow Campaigns, #1)
author: Django Wexler
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2024/08/06
shelves: fantasy, military-fantasy
review:
I thought at first that I'd be going 4 stars on this book. Then I was convinced I'd be going 2 stars. By the end I was back up to 3.

The book opens well with an interesting premise that brings Promise of Blood to mind. We're in a world that smacks of Colonial Britain marching with the troops. Desert tribes are now involved in a purge behind a religious movement. The troops are made up of colonial soldiers who have been in this desert land years, and newly minted recruits arriving with a new commander.

There is the set up, one like many, many books and movies. There are hints here that the magic in this world is real however.

You're going to see familiar characters. There are the slackers and the spit and polish soldiers, there's the brutal sergeant who's sadism is his defining characteristic. There's the woman disguised as a man to be a soldier, the strange officer with a secret. All these are well drawn and complete.

But there we hit the rub that I had to drop stars for. I see this book has a large following so it may not have bugged many readers as it did me. However, I'll post my reason here. Let's call this a heads up about "the middle section" of the book. In building the story and filling out the characters, the plot, the world the book simply begins to drag. Every time I laid it aside I'd take forever getting back to it. it wasn't that i was avoiding it so much as that I wasn't thinking about it. I finished several other books in the same time i was reading this one.

Happily the book does recover it's "pacing" and the final climatic chapters are well done and brought me back into the novel with interest.

I will probably go on with the next installment of the series, but I'm not as enthusiastic as I'd like to be. So with a hopeful 3 star rating we bid adieu to The Thousand Names and live in hope the next book in the series will appeal more.

My recommendation? I'll say try this one for yourself as there is a "spread" of opinion. My take is a solid..."okay" or "not bad". Some notable negatives within some pretty good reading.
]]> The Visitation 1025344
The national media and the curious all flock to the little town--a great boon for local business but not for Travis Jordan. The burned-out former pastor has been trying to hide his past in Antioch. Now the whole world is headed to his backyard to find the Messiah, and in the process, every spiritual assumption he has ever held will be challenged. The startling secret behind this visitation ultimately pushes one man into a supernatural confrontation that has eternal consequences.

16 hours and 14 minutes]]> 519 Frank E. Peretti 0849911796 Mike (the Paladin) 5 favorites, fantasy
There are some efforts by Peretti that haven't...well, haven't been my cup of tea. I like his attitude and his point of view, but sometimes his storytelling (in my opinion of course) leaves a little to be desired. In this case however I found myself getting involved with the injured minister and the people around him. To say too much about "what I like" will entail spoilers but I will say that the "supernatural" story here meshes well with the life story of the minister. The story of his journey from a personal shattering through the horror that settles on the people around him drew me in and held me. It's well told, sprinkled with just enough humor to leaven it during the horror "type" story.

I like it and while I originally gave it 4 stars upon reflection I'm moving my rating up to 5.


[spoilers removed]



]]> 3.71 1999 The Visitation
author: Frank E. Peretti
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/08/04
shelves: favorites, fantasy
review:
Peretti can run hot and cold but here he's in top form as we follow the twin stories that make up this book. Good drama with just enough humor.

There are some efforts by Peretti that haven't...well, haven't been my cup of tea. I like his attitude and his point of view, but sometimes his storytelling (in my opinion of course) leaves a little to be desired. In this case however I found myself getting involved with the injured minister and the people around him. To say too much about "what I like" will entail spoilers but I will say that the "supernatural" story here meshes well with the life story of the minister. The story of his journey from a personal shattering through the horror that settles on the people around him drew me in and held me. It's well told, sprinkled with just enough humor to leaven it during the horror "type" story.

I like it and while I originally gave it 4 stars upon reflection I'm moving my rating up to 5.


[spoilers removed]




]]> <![CDATA[Just One Damned Thing After Another (The Chronicles of St Mary's, #1)]]> 22009092
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.

Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process. But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.

Follow the catastrophe curve from 11th-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria. For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake....

©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2014 Audible Studios]]> 10 Jodi Taylor Mike (the Paladin) 4
I have always loved history. I suppose this goes back to elementary school when I discovered that history largely consisted of exploration, wars and so on. yes I know the present generation has uncovered and revealed that history is ACTUALLY largely made up of evil, atrocities, enslavement of native peoples (or killing of native peoples) and is largely something to be rewritten or at least ignored.

That of course is why we see so many of the mistakes of past peoples being repeated. Instead of learning from history people either try to rewrite it to make it fit their preconceived ideas...or they have buried their heads in the sand and pretended it doesn't exist. History does not repeat itself...people repeat history.

Now, diatribe aside I was a bit surprised how much I liked this book. having had several unpleasant wakeup calls of late (not least of which was loosing a couple of pints of blood to an internal bleed) I've been spending more time reading, and getting to books that, "I've been meaning to get to". This has included and still includes several long epic fantasies. SO this book was on I picked up to be a sort of light palate cleanser before the next 8oo page tome.

Call me "gobsmaked" I like it, a lot. It's a fun exciting read and for those of us who are "history buffs" it fires the imagination (or at least did mine).

Is it all good? Mostly. There were a couple of false notes "for me" (by the way please don't read the spoiler if you don't want to know a secret of the book before the book reveals it) [spoilers removed]

Another thing for those of you who have read many of my reviews, is there a romance? Yes there is but it doesn't overwhelm the book. It's just another part of the story..in other words the book isn't a romance but there is a bit of a love story in the book.

The book is well told, full of dry humor and I plan to pick up the next. A good story and I can recommend it. Enjoy...I think we might call this (as I have other books) "brain candy".]]> 3.89 2013 Just One Damned Thing After Another (The Chronicles of St Mary's, #1)
author: Jodi Taylor
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/06/10
shelves: action, fantasy, historical-fiction, humor, science-fantasy, science-fiction
review:
You will have noted I assume that I placed this book on, well on several of my shelves.

I have always loved history. I suppose this goes back to elementary school when I discovered that history largely consisted of exploration, wars and so on. yes I know the present generation has uncovered and revealed that history is ACTUALLY largely made up of evil, atrocities, enslavement of native peoples (or killing of native peoples) and is largely something to be rewritten or at least ignored.

That of course is why we see so many of the mistakes of past peoples being repeated. Instead of learning from history people either try to rewrite it to make it fit their preconceived ideas...or they have buried their heads in the sand and pretended it doesn't exist. History does not repeat itself...people repeat history.

Now, diatribe aside I was a bit surprised how much I liked this book. having had several unpleasant wakeup calls of late (not least of which was loosing a couple of pints of blood to an internal bleed) I've been spending more time reading, and getting to books that, "I've been meaning to get to". This has included and still includes several long epic fantasies. SO this book was on I picked up to be a sort of light palate cleanser before the next 8oo page tome.

Call me "gobsmaked" I like it, a lot. It's a fun exciting read and for those of us who are "history buffs" it fires the imagination (or at least did mine).

Is it all good? Mostly. There were a couple of false notes "for me" (by the way please don't read the spoiler if you don't want to know a secret of the book before the book reveals it) [spoilers removed]

Another thing for those of you who have read many of my reviews, is there a romance? Yes there is but it doesn't overwhelm the book. It's just another part of the story..in other words the book isn't a romance but there is a bit of a love story in the book.

The book is well told, full of dry humor and I plan to pick up the next. A good story and I can recommend it. Enjoy...I think we might call this (as I have other books) "brain candy".
]]> <![CDATA[Children of Fire (The Chaos Born)]]> 17721878 0 Drew Karpyshyn 1480525081 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, epic-fantasy
Prophecies of a coming hero to save the world, multiple points of view to tell the story, young person/people called to "destiny" (every time I see that someone has or is called to a "destiny" I think of George Mcfly [Marty's dad in Back to the Future] saying to his future wife, "I'm your density").... Anyway, children of destiny.

The magic system here assumes that all magic apparently comes from Chaos. Seemingly Chaos is the natural state of things but at some point some powerful individuals (who got called gods, but have since died) pulled a world of order together and set protection. There was an assault by Chaos so these "mortal gods" picked a "worthy hero" a "champion" and gave him some powerful artifacts to control Chaos magic and fight the Chaos Spawn and resist the Chaos.

It seems he did...at first but then the Champion (a la Diablo 1) lost control of the artifacts, "joined" Chaos and became the main enemy. The said "mortal gods" defeated him, his the artifacts and locked him away from the world.

But of course they knew this wouldn't hold so there are now prophecies that the "Destroyer" (who used to be the champion) will return. When this happens the new hero to save the world will be born

Of course all this happened before the book opens. As the book opens the birth is about to take place...but we don't get one birth no, we get 4.

So for the first part of the book we bounce around between the stories of 4 infants and how their lives go, what happens to them and so on. For this part of then book you could almost use a program to keep up with which child we're being told about and what's happening to who.

I'm never a big fan of the bounce between characters motif, but it works. here it takes a while to shake itself out and settle in. Once the babies become children the stories start to take shape though i do think the story is still a bit slow for a while. Somewhere around the middle of the book we finally hit our stride and tell an intense and somewhat enthralling read.

The end of the novel is very a much a "run out and get the next volume of the series" ending as we have set up a lot of coming attractions but our characters are all in precarious positions. We also introduce another element to the plot just as the epilogue closes...so, yeah series teaser at the end of the book.

All in all if we had the often mentioned and never happening half star system (and if we got it now I'd have to back through a lot of books and "re'rank them") I might have called this a "high 3.5 out of 5 because it starts so slowly. Still it's a good read and I can recommend it. I plan to pick up the next.

Enjoy.]]> 3.67 2013 Children of Fire (The Chaos Born)
author: Drew Karpyshyn
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/05/04
shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
This book goes down some well trodden fantasy paths. As I've noted over and over this is not necessarily a bad thing but it "needs" to be done right.

Prophecies of a coming hero to save the world, multiple points of view to tell the story, young person/people called to "destiny" (every time I see that someone has or is called to a "destiny" I think of George Mcfly [Marty's dad in Back to the Future] saying to his future wife, "I'm your density").... Anyway, children of destiny.

The magic system here assumes that all magic apparently comes from Chaos. Seemingly Chaos is the natural state of things but at some point some powerful individuals (who got called gods, but have since died) pulled a world of order together and set protection. There was an assault by Chaos so these "mortal gods" picked a "worthy hero" a "champion" and gave him some powerful artifacts to control Chaos magic and fight the Chaos Spawn and resist the Chaos.

It seems he did...at first but then the Champion (a la Diablo 1) lost control of the artifacts, "joined" Chaos and became the main enemy. The said "mortal gods" defeated him, his the artifacts and locked him away from the world.

But of course they knew this wouldn't hold so there are now prophecies that the "Destroyer" (who used to be the champion) will return. When this happens the new hero to save the world will be born

Of course all this happened before the book opens. As the book opens the birth is about to take place...but we don't get one birth no, we get 4.

So for the first part of the book we bounce around between the stories of 4 infants and how their lives go, what happens to them and so on. For this part of then book you could almost use a program to keep up with which child we're being told about and what's happening to who.

I'm never a big fan of the bounce between characters motif, but it works. here it takes a while to shake itself out and settle in. Once the babies become children the stories start to take shape though i do think the story is still a bit slow for a while. Somewhere around the middle of the book we finally hit our stride and tell an intense and somewhat enthralling read.

The end of the novel is very a much a "run out and get the next volume of the series" ending as we have set up a lot of coming attractions but our characters are all in precarious positions. We also introduce another element to the plot just as the epilogue closes...so, yeah series teaser at the end of the book.

All in all if we had the often mentioned and never happening half star system (and if we got it now I'd have to back through a lot of books and "re'rank them") I might have called this a "high 3.5 out of 5 because it starts so slowly. Still it's a good read and I can recommend it. I plan to pick up the next.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Blood for Power 1 (Blood for Power #1)]]> 205718819 One man. One tower apocalypse. One year to escape before everyone dies.

For Lucas, it came as quite a shock when he woke up to find the world had ended. The System had taken over and transformed his apartment building into a 100-floor dungeon tower of traps, monsters, and loot. The residents have just one year to reach the ground floor and escape before the tower self-destructs.

That’s his first problem.

The second is that he slept through the System’s welcome orientation and class selection process, so the System picked a class for him. Lucas is now a Blood Reaver. A class based on speed, ferocity, and striking from the shadows. He’s expected not just to defeat his enemies but to slaughter them and bathe in their blood. Their blood is now his power.

Outraged at being invaded, Lucas vows to grow stronger and take back his world.

He will carve a bloody path to the very pinnacle of power.

Dive into a LitRPG apocalypse story with classes, skills, monster waves, and a progression system full of secrets and possibilities. Perfect for fans of Rogue Ascension, Defiance of the Fall, and The Primal Hunter!

First on Royal Road with over half a million views, now professionally edited and available on Amazon and Audible narrated by Jonathan Waters. Buy a copy or read free with Kindle Unlimited!]]> 536 Scott W. James 1956021450 Mike (the Paladin) 5
Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).

"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.

So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.

Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.

He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.

So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy.
Edit Review]]> 4.21 2024 Blood for Power 1 (Blood for Power #1)
author: Scott W. James
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/02/29
shelves: litrpg, fantasy, rpg-fiction, audio
review:
I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm (trying again) to at least note books I've enjoyed immensely.

Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).

"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.

So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.

Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.

He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.

So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy.
Edit Review
]]> <![CDATA[Blood for Power 2 (Blood for Power #2)]]> 208694481 False pirates are hunting him. Gods want to enslave him. A terrorist just wants to watch it all burn.

Welcome back to The Tower.

After training off-planet with a deceptive god and her vicious cat, Lucas is thrown off balance by how quickly things have changed upon his return. The Tower has merged several floors and become a series of islands among a vast ocean. Danger is everywhere now. Elemental storms, bio-engineered monsters, and creatures from the deep abyss roam the area.

Amongst this chaotic region stands the Golden Door Quest. An open competition offering a grand prize to whoever solves it first. For Lucas and his friends, it could mean a true escape from the Tower. But the journey will be a perilous one fraught with hidden threats. Because while the Tower climbers compete for the prize, gods and other forces scheme in the background for control.

Dive into a LitRPG apocalypse story with classes, skills, monster waves, and a progression system full of secrets and possibilities. Perfect for fans of Rogue Ascension, Defiance of the Fall, and The Primal Hunter!

First on Royal Road with over half a million views, now professionally edited and soon to be available on Amazon and Audible narrated by Jonathan Waters. Buy a copy or read free with Kindle Unlimited!]]> 454 Scott W. James 1956021612 Mike (the Paladin) 5
Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).

"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.

So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.

Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.

He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.

So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy. ]]> 4.16 2024 Blood for Power 2 (Blood for Power #2)
author: Scott W. James
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/02/29
shelves: fantasy, rpg-fiction, litrpg, audio
review:
I haven't been here a lot lately...I know but try to hang in there and don't let your grief overwhelm you. Anyway, trying to be a bit more active I'm (trying again) to at least note books I've enjoyed immensely.

Here we have a light read in the relatively new genre "litrpg". Of course it's not so new as to not have had a glut of mediocre to poor efforts clog our book store shelves and audio book lists (yes, yes I know and the Ebook lists to, sigh. Okay so I've never been able to like Ebooks. I've tried, I just...can't. Enjoy if it's your cup of tea).

"Anywho", I enjoyed this and when I was disappointed that it was the first in a series that has no further entries I was disappointed. That convinced me to go the "full-five" here.

So, here we go, short comments trying to avoid spoilers. This is another where the world has been "taken over" by some kind of ""system" and we're all caught in a sort of extended game type environment, except of course here dead is dead not a restart.

Our main character some how manages to sleep through the end of the world and the "game tutorial" so he gets saddled (or is it saddled???) with an unusual and seemingly distasteful character class.

He's a "Blood Reaver" (humm my spell check has never seen the word "reaver" before, oh well). Anyway he heals by his enemies bllo and maybe there are even more powers to come...try reading it and see.

So in general I like many of the litrpg books I've read the problem is finding ones that are any good. I've disliked far more than I've liked (the same thing happened to "Urban Fantasy" a few years ago). This one however I can recommend. Enjoy.
]]> The Bad Weather Friend 135415637 Benny is so nice they feel compelled to destroy him, but he has a friend who should scare the hell out of them.

Benny Catspaw’s perpetually sunny disposition is tested when he loses his job, his reputation, his fiancée, and his favorite chair. He’s not paranoid. Someone is out to get him. He just doesn’t know who or why. Then Benny receives an inheritance from an uncle he’s never heard of: a giant crate and a video message. All will be well in time.

How strange—though it’s a blessing, his uncle promises. Stranger yet is what’s inside the crate. He’s a seven-foot-tall self-described “bad weather friend� named Spike whose mission is to help people who are just too good for this world. Spike will take care of it. He’ll find Benny’s enemies. He’ll deal with them. This might be satisfying if Spike wasn’t such a menacing presence with terrifying techniques of intimidation.

In the company of Spike and a fascinated young waitress-cum-PI-in-training named Harper, Benny plunges into a perilous high-speed adventure, the likes of which never would have crossed the mind of a decent guy like him.]]> 374 Dean Koontz 1662500483 Mike (the Paladin) 5 fantasy
Now this one. I think I can be said to love this novel. It isn't overtly deep but has hidden depths. It isn't a lecturing screed but expresses so much common sense wisdom (which is anything but common in this time) and does so with so much feel good humor (both overt and subtle) I must give it 5 stars and recommend it.

So, my advice??? Do yourself a favor and grab this book in whatever form you prefer, sit back (maybe grab a Coke-a-Cola, cup of tea or coffee...whatever) and enjoy.]]> 3.89 2024 The Bad Weather Friend
author: Dean Koontz
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/02/03
shelves: fantasy
review:
Those of you who know me or have followed my reviews know I haven't reviewed a book in probably a couple of years. I have to change that form this one. Dean Koontz has written many (many) books. Some of these are among my favorites others I don't care for at all. His books can even be said to hit multiple genres.

Now this one. I think I can be said to love this novel. It isn't overtly deep but has hidden depths. It isn't a lecturing screed but expresses so much common sense wisdom (which is anything but common in this time) and does so with so much feel good humor (both overt and subtle) I must give it 5 stars and recommend it.

So, my advice??? Do yourself a favor and grab this book in whatever form you prefer, sit back (maybe grab a Coke-a-Cola, cup of tea or coffee...whatever) and enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Black Sun Rising (The Coldfire Trilogy, #1)]]> 1179182 489 C.S. Friedman 0886774853 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
It has an interesting "world system". I don't think the term "magic system works well here as it all has to do with the planet or world on which the action takes place. (To say more would of course entail spoilers). This book might be more accurately called "science fantasy" rather than epic or high fantasy as it's built around the assumption of an earth colony that arrived on this planet and then had to deal with the forces on and of the world of Erna that they were in no way equiped to understand or handle.

I found this book at times to be of the "neither fish nor fowl" variety to some extent. I liked the idea(s) that it's built on and the world building though I'm not sure the introduction to this world and it's specialness was done all that well. It's an attempt to inculcate the needed details into the narrative without doing a lot of plot exposition atop the storyline, plot and dialogue. A good way to do things when it works. here I think it bogged down a bit and often (for a while in the early chapters) had the reader going"okay...now how does that work?" Still it does eventually get roughly laid out and while we still have a lot of nebulous edges and loose ends to the system i assume she means it to be that way. A great deal of the plot is that humans are "still after all this time" trying to understand and learn to work with the plant's forces.

I found that while I got to know the people in this book the only one I really "liked" all that much was the priest Damien. I was never drawn into the "feeling" I think I was supposed to have for the others. This was the third time I'd set out to read this book. It wasn't that I "disliked it" I'd say I really "liked it" (I mean I gave it 4 stars based on my 3.5 liking) but I just never got heavily "involved" in it. On both prior occasions I laid it down and got involved in reading other things and just, never got back to it. that almost happened this time. I'm always into more than one books at a time and , true to what happened before I got into a few others and this one just didn't "cry out to me" to get back to it. I did as we are reading it in a group and as I said, it's "pretty good". I enjoyed much of it...I just can't say it really "drew me in". I could have lived without getting to the books end.

I have the two books following this one on my shelf and I will (hopefully) get to them "before too long". I don't know. I have a huge to be read pile of books, so we'll see. I'm just thankful for the abundance. After all too many books is better than not enough. They are such fragile things.

Okay, not a bad read, well written, enjoyable and interesting (mostly). As I said, 3.5...rounds to a 4. ]]> 3.95 1991 Black Sun Rising (The Coldfire Trilogy, #1)
author: C.S. Friedman
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/12/17
shelves: fantasy
review:
Okay...this is another I'd like to give 3.5 as it's got to be above a 3 but I didn't care for it as much as I have many of the books I've given a 4.

It has an interesting "world system". I don't think the term "magic system works well here as it all has to do with the planet or world on which the action takes place. (To say more would of course entail spoilers). This book might be more accurately called "science fantasy" rather than epic or high fantasy as it's built around the assumption of an earth colony that arrived on this planet and then had to deal with the forces on and of the world of Erna that they were in no way equiped to understand or handle.

I found this book at times to be of the "neither fish nor fowl" variety to some extent. I liked the idea(s) that it's built on and the world building though I'm not sure the introduction to this world and it's specialness was done all that well. It's an attempt to inculcate the needed details into the narrative without doing a lot of plot exposition atop the storyline, plot and dialogue. A good way to do things when it works. here I think it bogged down a bit and often (for a while in the early chapters) had the reader going"okay...now how does that work?" Still it does eventually get roughly laid out and while we still have a lot of nebulous edges and loose ends to the system i assume she means it to be that way. A great deal of the plot is that humans are "still after all this time" trying to understand and learn to work with the plant's forces.

I found that while I got to know the people in this book the only one I really "liked" all that much was the priest Damien. I was never drawn into the "feeling" I think I was supposed to have for the others. This was the third time I'd set out to read this book. It wasn't that I "disliked it" I'd say I really "liked it" (I mean I gave it 4 stars based on my 3.5 liking) but I just never got heavily "involved" in it. On both prior occasions I laid it down and got involved in reading other things and just, never got back to it. that almost happened this time. I'm always into more than one books at a time and , true to what happened before I got into a few others and this one just didn't "cry out to me" to get back to it. I did as we are reading it in a group and as I said, it's "pretty good". I enjoyed much of it...I just can't say it really "drew me in". I could have lived without getting to the books end.

I have the two books following this one on my shelf and I will (hopefully) get to them "before too long". I don't know. I have a huge to be read pile of books, so we'll see. I'm just thankful for the abundance. After all too many books is better than not enough. They are such fragile things.

Okay, not a bad read, well written, enjoyable and interesting (mostly). As I said, 3.5...rounds to a 4.
]]> The Dead House 24488078 Debut author Dawn Kurtagich is dead on in this terrifying psychological thriller!

Over two decades have passed since the fire at Elmbridge High, an inferno that took the lives of five teenagers. Not much was known about the events leading up to the tragedy - only that one student, Carly Johnson, vanished without a trace...


...until a diary is found hidden in the ruins.


But the diary, badly scorched, does not belong to Carly Johnson. It belongs to Kaitlyn Johnson, a girl who shouldn't exist Who was Kaitlyn? Why did she come out only at night? What is her connection to Carly?


The case has been reopened. Police records are being reexamined: psychiatric reports, video footage, text messages, e-mails. And the diary.


The diary that paints a much more sinister version of events than was ever made publicly known.]]> Dawn Kurtagich 1478959835 Mike (the Paladin) 4 horror, fantasy
I won't say a lot directly about "the story" here. The way the book "is" anything might be thought a spoiler by some.

Here we have the mother (or sister) of unreliable narrators. BUT that could be misleading as the book is epistolary, which is also an inadequate description as along with journal entries and notes you have to interpret sound and video recordings... Who can you trust? or is it as the advice our protagonist is given..."trust no one".

The book is (as I've said about neuromas other books) interesting. It's also weird, frightening, frustrating, infuriating and tragic.

There's also a side issue in the book I wonder if the writer meant to include. Is it all simply tied in with the DID ( Dissociative Identity Disorder) of a disturbed even deranged and dangerous young woman or is it really supernatural? Dealing with the doctors, police etc. there is always the assurance that they are firmly in "the know" and the supernatural aspect is simply part of the delusion. It's an interesting side light as you read.

Anyway aside from becoming slightly tedious for a while as the book started I can recomend it and found it thought provoking and (as I said) a bit frustrating. I can recommend this one. ]]> 3.57 2015 The Dead House
author: Dawn Kurtagich
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/11/24
shelves: horror, fantasy
review:
I put this on the horror shelf...but some may disagree.

I won't say a lot directly about "the story" here. The way the book "is" anything might be thought a spoiler by some.

Here we have the mother (or sister) of unreliable narrators. BUT that could be misleading as the book is epistolary, which is also an inadequate description as along with journal entries and notes you have to interpret sound and video recordings... Who can you trust? or is it as the advice our protagonist is given..."trust no one".

The book is (as I've said about neuromas other books) interesting. It's also weird, frightening, frustrating, infuriating and tragic.

There's also a side issue in the book I wonder if the writer meant to include. Is it all simply tied in with the DID ( Dissociative Identity Disorder) of a disturbed even deranged and dangerous young woman or is it really supernatural? Dealing with the doctors, police etc. there is always the assurance that they are firmly in "the know" and the supernatural aspect is simply part of the delusion. It's an interesting side light as you read.

Anyway aside from becoming slightly tedious for a while as the book started I can recomend it and found it thought provoking and (as I said) a bit frustrating. I can recommend this one.
]]> <![CDATA[Something Wicked This Way Comes]]> 1167899 317 Ray Bradbury 0671679600 Mike (the Paladin) 5
There are books that can become or are iconic. While I don't think this one has reached that point with the general reading public I think it might deserve to. It holds a special place in my library and my "reading history". It reached right down and touched something, possibly because I could feel the nostalgia ruffling through the volume and wafting out of the book with each turn of a page. October with it's mixture of melancholy and fun for children, riding on the edge of a dying summer and setting on the cusp of a holiday season leading us into Thanksgiving and then Christmas...the apex of an American kid's yearly dreams. At least it was for my generation, the one before and the one just after.

Is it that way still? Not as much I fear. Will children of the 90s or 2000s or 2010s (2020s and forward) have the same capacity for wonder and fantasy as the children of the 40s, 50s, and 60s or even the 70s and 80s? I guess we'll see.

The traveling carnivals that traveled from town to town and showed up at county fairs of my own youth that set the background for this tale with their mysterious denizens, noisy rides, lights that filled the night while leaving pockets of darkness are almost gone. The barkers and their "side shows", the fixed games of "chance" are passing, a thing of a bygone era. Some of that is probably good...but not all. As you join Jim and Will here and delve into the dark and sinister world of Mr. Cooger, Mr. Dark and the Autumn people I suspect you'll see some corollaries to life, but I can't be sure of that. A lot will depend on your own past...and your own capacity for wonder.]]> 3.86 1962 Something Wicked This Way Comes
author: Ray Bradbury
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1962
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/10/19
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, horror, favorites
review:
One of my favorite "semi-horror" reads. I suppose it could be called "horror" but it doesn't fit neatly into the mold. Like a lot of Bradbury's work the smell of late summer and early fall permeates this volume. The point of view is that of a boy on the brink of manhood as he gets to know more about certain concepts of "good and evil" than he ever really wanted to. I grew up on a farm within walking distance of a small (very small) town and this work hits home with me.

There are books that can become or are iconic. While I don't think this one has reached that point with the general reading public I think it might deserve to. It holds a special place in my library and my "reading history". It reached right down and touched something, possibly because I could feel the nostalgia ruffling through the volume and wafting out of the book with each turn of a page. October with it's mixture of melancholy and fun for children, riding on the edge of a dying summer and setting on the cusp of a holiday season leading us into Thanksgiving and then Christmas...the apex of an American kid's yearly dreams. At least it was for my generation, the one before and the one just after.

Is it that way still? Not as much I fear. Will children of the 90s or 2000s or 2010s (2020s and forward) have the same capacity for wonder and fantasy as the children of the 40s, 50s, and 60s or even the 70s and 80s? I guess we'll see.

The traveling carnivals that traveled from town to town and showed up at county fairs of my own youth that set the background for this tale with their mysterious denizens, noisy rides, lights that filled the night while leaving pockets of darkness are almost gone. The barkers and their "side shows", the fixed games of "chance" are passing, a thing of a bygone era. Some of that is probably good...but not all. As you join Jim and Will here and delve into the dark and sinister world of Mr. Cooger, Mr. Dark and the Autumn people I suspect you'll see some corollaries to life, but I can't be sure of that. A lot will depend on your own past...and your own capacity for wonder.
]]> <![CDATA[After the End of the World (Carter & Lovecraft, #2)]]> 33574101
The Unfolded World is a bitter and unfriendly place for Daniel Carter and Emily Lovecraft. In this world, the Cold War never happened because the Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1941. In this world the Nazi GroĂźdeutschland is the premier superpower, and is not merely tolerated but indulged because, in this world, the Holocaust happened behind the ruins of the Iron Curtain and consumed only Bolsheviks, Communists, and others the West was glad to see gone. In this world, there are monsters, and not all of them are human.

But even in the Unfolded World, there are still bills to pay and jobs to do. Carter finds himself working for the German secret security service to uncover the truth behind a major scientific joint project that is going suspiciously well. The trail takes Lovecraft and him to a distant, abandoned island, and a conspiracy that threatens everything. To fight it, Lovecraft must walk a perilously narrow path between forbidden knowledge and soul-destroying insanity.

Fortunately, she also has a shotgun.]]> 358 Jonathan L. Howard 1250060907 Mike (the Paladin) 4 based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft lets put it on the horror shelf also.

Okay...I'M GOING TO ASSUME YOU HAVE READ BOOK 1 SO THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 IN THIS REVIEW OF BOOKS 2. IF YOU DOUN'T WANT TO READ SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 DON'T READ FURTHER! REPEAT DON'T READ FURTHER!

To be safe: [spoilers removed]

So, liked, can recommend it, enjoy.]]> 3.94 2017 After the End of the World (Carter & Lovecraft, #2)
author: Jonathan L. Howard
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/01/12
date added: 2023/06/14
shelves: to-read, action, fantasy, horror, urban-fantasy
review:
As to the shelves...we would have to call this, "mild horror" but as it's largely based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft lets put it on the horror shelf also.

Okay...I'M GOING TO ASSUME YOU HAVE READ BOOK 1 SO THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 IN THIS REVIEW OF BOOKS 2. IF YOU DOUN'T WANT TO READ SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 DON'T READ FURTHER! REPEAT DON'T READ FURTHER!

To be safe: [spoilers removed]

So, liked, can recommend it, enjoy.
]]> 6 x H: Six Stories 799496 . The Man Who Travelled in Elephants
. "All You Zombies"
. They
. Our Fair City
. "And He Built A Crooked House"]]> 219 Robert A. Heinlein 0515028223 Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy, science-fiction
There are 3 stories here that are overtly fantasy...not as usual as science fiction for Heinlein (see Glory Road). We've also got science fiction and one undisguised political tale.

Another book I read back in the 70s I believe.]]> 3.76 1959 6 x H: Six Stories
author: Robert A. Heinlein
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.76
book published: 1959
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2023/04/24
shelves: fantasy, science-fiction
review:
Sort of weird (remember, "i" before "e" except after "c", weird?) little book with more off beat stories than we're used to from Heinlein.

There are 3 stories here that are overtly fantasy...not as usual as science fiction for Heinlein (see Glory Road). We've also got science fiction and one undisguised political tale.

Another book I read back in the 70s I believe.
]]> <![CDATA[The Call of Cthulhu and Other Stories]]> 3804183 0 H.P. Lovecraft 1906263094 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, horror
If you let Lovecraft into your head you may be in as much trouble as some of his protagonists.

I found the stories as good as ever though not as "invasive" to the head as they once were. If you haven't read Lovecraft (especially if you like psychological horror) he's not to be missed. Grab his collections up.]]> 3.56 1928 The Call of Cthulhu and Other Stories
author: H.P. Lovecraft
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1928
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/05/04
shelves: fantasy, horror
review:
Some years ago (like in the early '70s) I went on a binge reading everything I could get my hands on by Lovecraft. His unique brand of Horror (Cthulhu and otherwise) can really creep one out.

If you let Lovecraft into your head you may be in as much trouble as some of his protagonists.

I found the stories as good as ever though not as "invasive" to the head as they once were. If you haven't read Lovecraft (especially if you like psychological horror) he's not to be missed. Grab his collections up.
]]> Elric of Melniboné 3219872 Elric of Melniboné is a requisite title in the hard fantasy canon, a book no fantasy fan should leave unread. Author Michael Moorcock, already a major player in science fiction, cemented his position in the fantasy pantheon with the five-book Elric saga, of which Elric of Melniboné is the first installment. The book's namesake, the brooding albino emperor of the dying nation of Melniboné, is a sort of Superman for Goths, truly an archetype of the genre.

The youthful Elric is a cynical and melancholy king, heir to a nation whose 100,000-year rule of the world ended less than 500 years hence. More interested in brooding contemplation than holding the throne, Elric is a reluctant ruler, but he also realizes that no other worthy successor exists and the survival of his once-powerful, decadent nation depends on him alone. Elric's nefarious, brutish cousin Yrkoon has no patience for his physically weak kinsman, and he plots constantly to seize Elric's throne, usually over his dead body. Elric of Melniboné follows Yrkoon's scheming, reaching its climax in a battle between Elric and Yrkoon with the demonic runeblades Stormbringer and Mournblade. In this battle, Elric gains control of the soul-stealing Stormbringer, an event that proves pivotal to the Elric saga. --Paul Hughes

]]> 260 Michael Moorcock 097315960X Mike (the Paladin) 5 fantasy, epic-fantasy
This short book serves as a sort of "intro" to the entire Elric saga and we get a look at much of the character Mr. Moorcock was building for Elric (and I'd forgotten how annoying Elric could be).

This (these actually as it applies to the Elric series) is a book I'd recommend for anyone who likes high fantasy or epic fantasy. A good read and this was a well done audio with an intro by Moorcock himself.


(By the way, I've been mispronouncing "Melnibone" for years.)]]> 3.74 1972 Elric of Melniboné
author: Michael Moorcock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1972
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/04/23
shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
I read this one years ago. When I ran across this audio version I picked it up. Having not read any of the Eternal Champion volumes for a long time it sort of "reminded me" how much I liked many of them.

This short book serves as a sort of "intro" to the entire Elric saga and we get a look at much of the character Mr. Moorcock was building for Elric (and I'd forgotten how annoying Elric could be).

This (these actually as it applies to the Elric series) is a book I'd recommend for anyone who likes high fantasy or epic fantasy. A good read and this was a well done audio with an intro by Moorcock himself.


(By the way, I've been mispronouncing "Melnibone" for years.)
]]> Dark Matter 27833673 A mindbending, relentlessly surprising thriller from the author of the bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy.

Jason Dessen is walking home through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie—when his reality shatters.

"Are you happy with your life?"

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.

Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.

Before a man Jason's never met smiles down at him and says, "Welcome back, my friend."

In this world he's woken up to, Jason's life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that's the dream?

And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could've imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.

Dark Matter is a brilliantly plotted tale that is at once sweeping and intimate, mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human--a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we'll go to claim the lives we dream of.]]> 11 Blake Crouch 1101924470 Mike (the Paladin) 4
So what do I tell you without giving a spoiler???? Not much really. Anything I give you is sort of a spoiler so...here's what I'll do. I'll give some info under a spoiler tag and if you want to look it's on your own head.

[spoilers removed]

Okay that's enough to "be going on with" as our cousins across the pond might say. This book/story is really a good one and it tries (it seems to me) to try and split the difference between deeply serious and humorous...and it works. I mean if every time "we all" make a decision there's another universe where "we" went the other way...what does that really mean?

Think about it.

I can recommend this one, enjoy.]]> 3.94 2016 Dark Matter
author: Blake Crouch
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/03/10
shelves: fantasy, science-fantasy, science-fiction, urban-fantasy
review:
Okay, you'll note I put this on several shelves. We have here a time travel/alternate universe story that at least attempts to look at some of the things that most stories that delve into this area sort of gloss over.

So what do I tell you without giving a spoiler???? Not much really. Anything I give you is sort of a spoiler so...here's what I'll do. I'll give some info under a spoiler tag and if you want to look it's on your own head.

[spoilers removed]

Okay that's enough to "be going on with" as our cousins across the pond might say. This book/story is really a good one and it tries (it seems to me) to try and split the difference between deeply serious and humorous...and it works. I mean if every time "we all" make a decision there's another universe where "we" went the other way...what does that really mean?

Think about it.

I can recommend this one, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Devices and Desires (Engineer Trilogy, #1)]]> 926510 Book by Parker, K. J. 548 K.J. Parker 1841492752 Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
What we got here is a somewhat involved story told from multiple points of view. There is a political system with a certain Machiavellian feel. This is buttressed by the somewhat Da Vinci like character of the engineer. The political situation in the book also put me much in mind of the waring Renaissance city states.

This is an interesting book and I suspect I didn't do it justice. I never got truly interested in it. While it drew me in somewhat the very detail left me feeling...well disinterested. There are long dialogues and information dumps. There were letters between two of the characters of the love-letter/non-love-letter variety. You know, love letters where every one is going...this really isn't a love letter.

So bottom line it's a well done well written book. I just never got involved. Will I try to reread it someday? Maybe. It didn't draw me in as I expected it to. Too bad. Maybe you'll like it better.]]> 3.52 2005 Devices and Desires (Engineer Trilogy, #1)
author: K.J. Parker
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2022/02/04
shelves: fantasy
review:
Let me make a suggestion. Pick a time when you can sit down and read quietly for enough time to get involved in this one. I didn't. I chose to take this with me and read it at the laundromat and as I was waiting around doing "other stuff".

What we got here is a somewhat involved story told from multiple points of view. There is a political system with a certain Machiavellian feel. This is buttressed by the somewhat Da Vinci like character of the engineer. The political situation in the book also put me much in mind of the waring Renaissance city states.

This is an interesting book and I suspect I didn't do it justice. I never got truly interested in it. While it drew me in somewhat the very detail left me feeling...well disinterested. There are long dialogues and information dumps. There were letters between two of the characters of the love-letter/non-love-letter variety. You know, love letters where every one is going...this really isn't a love letter.

So bottom line it's a well done well written book. I just never got involved. Will I try to reread it someday? Maybe. It didn't draw me in as I expected it to. Too bad. Maybe you'll like it better.
]]> <![CDATA[Asgard's Fall (Digital Rebirth Chronicles #1)]]> 55979879
But there was something wrong with Asgard’s Fall. The “gods� running the game didn’t act like AIs were supposed to most of the time. And some of the players took things too seriously, like they knew something about the game that Noah didn’t. Forced to rely on skills he abandoned a lifetime ago and new digital abilities that resemble ancient magics more than modern code, Noah has to unravel the mysteries behind Asgard’s Fall. And in doing so, discover an ancient threat that has forced a world long hidden from mankind into the light.]]> 886 Robert Hinshaw Mike (the Paladin) 1 fantasy, rpg-fiction
I got halfway through this one and returned it to Audible, and it's not the reader. The book claims to be "Lit-Rpg", but really it's not. I'll be good and stay away from spoilers but I will say it's long winded and has an internal cosmology that is so loose as to pretty much allow anything. It never really establishes an internal logic and what it does have can be changed at the drop of the proverbial hat.

We moved from Lit-Rpg, to cosmic struggle, to family angst and so on.

Frankly I just got bored. It didn't really seem worth the time (this is a 33+ hour listen. This is usually good news...but not here).

Well, that's it. I can't recommend this one. If you like it I'm happy for you.]]> 4.22 Asgard's Fall (Digital Rebirth Chronicles #1)
author: Robert Hinshaw
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.22
book published:
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2022/01/25
shelves: fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:
Look, I'm sorry. If you like this...book, please enjoy.

I got halfway through this one and returned it to Audible, and it's not the reader. The book claims to be "Lit-Rpg", but really it's not. I'll be good and stay away from spoilers but I will say it's long winded and has an internal cosmology that is so loose as to pretty much allow anything. It never really establishes an internal logic and what it does have can be changed at the drop of the proverbial hat.

We moved from Lit-Rpg, to cosmic struggle, to family angst and so on.

Frankly I just got bored. It didn't really seem worth the time (this is a 33+ hour listen. This is usually good news...but not here).

Well, that's it. I can't recommend this one. If you like it I'm happy for you.
]]> <![CDATA[The Shadow Ryana (Shadow Sister, #1)]]> 16779742
As she completes her training, the Shadow Sisters are under attack. The senior Sister selects Ryana to find out who is killing Sisters and why--because her intuitive approach has proved effective, even though her youth and inexperience makes it unlikely she will survive.

As she travels through the kingdom as a member of a gypsy clan, she finds the only way she can protect the Sisters and hope to discover the underlying plot is through ever more violence and killing. As she proceeds through the provinces, her secret enemies come to call her the Sister of Death and become desperate to find and kill her. But in her fight to protect the Sisterhood and the kingdom, Ryana fears that she has destroyed herself and the only life she ever wanted.]]> 257 C.R. Daems 0988825104 Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy
Some time back I started a book about a group of female assassins who were deadly and efficient. The book started out well and drew me right in. I got very interested. Then the writer introed the male co-protagonist and the entire book crashed and burned. I mean complete emulation. The two were unable to do anything plot wise, only pant, dream, and moon over each other.

This book did not got down that route. It tells an excellent story and easily held my interest. The Shadow Sisters are a good idea (and people who specifically look for what are called "kick ass female" leads will love it). They are set up well, Ryana is not only engaging but fully developed. I like her, I like the idea, I like the plot. That's not why I thought/felt I had to drop a star, the way the book ties up is slightly disappointing (at least to me)/the spoiler is a MAJOR SPOILER so don't read it if you don't want to know how the book ends.

[spoilers removed]

I do like it as I said, I mean I go 4 stars which has to be and excellent book in my case, I am into the second book.. Hopefully I'll let you know what I think soon.

Recommended.]]> 4.04 2013 The Shadow Ryana (Shadow Sister, #1)
author: C.R. Daems
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/01/20
shelves: action, fantasy
review:
This was a close one. I almost dropped in to a 3 star rating due mostly to the...I don't know exactly how to put this... I suppose it could be called the "romance angle". HOWEVER I don't want to mislead. There is very, very little romance in the book however I just didn't think that part of the plot fit in with the character. It just didn't fit who she was.

Some time back I started a book about a group of female assassins who were deadly and efficient. The book started out well and drew me right in. I got very interested. Then the writer introed the male co-protagonist and the entire book crashed and burned. I mean complete emulation. The two were unable to do anything plot wise, only pant, dream, and moon over each other.

This book did not got down that route. It tells an excellent story and easily held my interest. The Shadow Sisters are a good idea (and people who specifically look for what are called "kick ass female" leads will love it). They are set up well, Ryana is not only engaging but fully developed. I like her, I like the idea, I like the plot. That's not why I thought/felt I had to drop a star, the way the book ties up is slightly disappointing (at least to me)/the spoiler is a MAJOR SPOILER so don't read it if you don't want to know how the book ends.

[spoilers removed]

I do like it as I said, I mean I go 4 stars which has to be and excellent book in my case, I am into the second book.. Hopefully I'll let you know what I think soon.

Recommended.
]]> <![CDATA[Dominion of Blades (Dominion of Blades, #1)]]> 34521681
Jonah wakes to find himself in-game, level one, with no memory of how he arrived and no way to eject. With only two companions, trapped in a world that once hosted millions, Jonah must battle his way across a treacherous landscape, fighting virtual monsters, all-too-real pain, and a very human enemy in a desperate bid to survive.]]> 430 Matt Dinniman Mike (the Paladin) 2
I go 2 instead of one because the story does hold interest at least at times. I suppose I was looking for a lighter read than this. The book is at it's base very heavy with the angst and the personal/interpersonal "struggles" (I suppose that would be the best word) of the protagonist and to a lesser extent the other participants in the "story".

So I like the set up a bit and the "in story" part of the book. However it just leans on my "woe is me" button a bit too much for my taste.

Aside from this there are issues with grammar...I mean (poor usage that) doesn't anyone care that proper use of language is how we communicate. Then atop that I have the audio version and while the reader does a pretty good job (in general) there are egregious mispronunciations....

Well, anyway....long story short (if it's not too late) while I sort of liked the game framing and the plot, over all the book lost my interest.

To each their own I suppose.]]> 4.14 2017 Dominion of Blades (Dominion of Blades, #1)
author: Matt Dinniman
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2017/07/15
date added: 2022/01/11
shelves: fantasy, rpg-fiction, science-fantasy
review:
So....why do I rate this book many others are raving about only 2? Because I just can't really like it.

I go 2 instead of one because the story does hold interest at least at times. I suppose I was looking for a lighter read than this. The book is at it's base very heavy with the angst and the personal/interpersonal "struggles" (I suppose that would be the best word) of the protagonist and to a lesser extent the other participants in the "story".

So I like the set up a bit and the "in story" part of the book. However it just leans on my "woe is me" button a bit too much for my taste.

Aside from this there are issues with grammar...I mean (poor usage that) doesn't anyone care that proper use of language is how we communicate. Then atop that I have the audio version and while the reader does a pretty good job (in general) there are egregious mispronunciations....

Well, anyway....long story short (if it's not too late) while I sort of liked the game framing and the plot, over all the book lost my interest.

To each their own I suppose.
]]> Mindwar (Mindwar, #1) 18850680
Rick's high school football team couldn't be stopped when he was leading them as their quarterback. He was going to Syracuse on a scholarship. But then his dad abandoned them and a terrible accident left him crippled.

Certain his old life is completely lost, Rick spends months hiding away in his room playing video games. He achieves the highest scores on so many games that he's approached by a government agency who claims to be trying to thwart a cyber attack on America that would destroy the technological infrastructure of the entire country. The agents say that the quick-thinking of a quarterback coupled with Nick's gaming experience make him perfect for this assignment. The problem is that there are no extra lives and this isn't just a game . . . but Rick doesn't have many other options at the moment.

Entering "The Realm" gives Rick the one thing he thought he'd never have again: a body that's as fast and as strong as he ever was before the accident. But the more time he spends in The Realm, the more questions he has. What secrets are these agents keeping from him? What really happened to his father? How many others have gone into The Realm already . . . and failed? And perhaps most important, is he the hero they think he is?]]> 336 Andrew Klavan 1401688926 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy, ya-fantasy, youth
I have nothing against him of course and wish him well. However, he reads this in such a monotone (which is a bit ironic as the main character [Rick] has a real problem with his handler/bodyguard as she is so deadpan and emotionless). I put this book down at one point and simply forgot about it, but decided I should at least finish it.

See I bought it and knowing I liked the author put off starting it for a year or so. That means I can't return it to Audible, bummer.

Anyway, very young story (another kid secret agent only this time he's in a sort of virtual reality setting), a monotone reader and somewhat stock characters overall.

My opinion throughout of course.

Maybe you'll like it better but I can't go more than 2 stars. It gets more than one as it did sort of wake-up and look around for a few minutes now and then before dropping back off to sleep.]]> 3.75 2014 Mindwar (Mindwar, #1)
author: Andrew Klavan
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2022/01/09
shelves: fantasy, ya-fantasy, youth
review:
This book may (in it's print form) be a bit better than my rating here. This is for the Audible version and frankly the reader is the problem.

I have nothing against him of course and wish him well. However, he reads this in such a monotone (which is a bit ironic as the main character [Rick] has a real problem with his handler/bodyguard as she is so deadpan and emotionless). I put this book down at one point and simply forgot about it, but decided I should at least finish it.

See I bought it and knowing I liked the author put off starting it for a year or so. That means I can't return it to Audible, bummer.

Anyway, very young story (another kid secret agent only this time he's in a sort of virtual reality setting), a monotone reader and somewhat stock characters overall.

My opinion throughout of course.

Maybe you'll like it better but I can't go more than 2 stars. It gets more than one as it did sort of wake-up and look around for a few minutes now and then before dropping back off to sleep.
]]> <![CDATA[The Undying Wizard (Frostborn, #3)]]> 20694319
For if he does not find a way to stop them, the Frostborn shall entomb the world in ice forever.

MORIGNA is the cunninng Witch of the Hills, feared and mistrusted by the townsmen of Moraime. Yet darker things stir in the hills.

A trap that might devour both her and the Gray Knight...]]> 360 Jonathan Moeller Mike (the Paladin) 4
Life can be so, tedious.

Just as long as the BOOK doesn't get tedious.

Sidetracked into another side quest (that of course ties into our main quest) we get another story and another volume to our developing thread. While the story, plot and action do hold up here this volume felt a little more stretched than the first 2 (which I actually read first some time ago) but it's not bad. I plan to move on to the next after I finish an Andrew Klavan book I've started (sadly it's an audio with...an unfortunate...reader) and the second in the Instrument of Omens series.

Hang in there this is a good read and I hold out hope we'll escape the Wheel of Time trap. There are however something like 14 volumes in this series already so, guess I'll see. Anyway, good read and I can recommend it. Enjoy.]]> 4.08 2014 The Undying Wizard (Frostborn, #3)
author: Jonathan Moeller
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/01/09
shelves: to-read, epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
The story continues here [spoilers removed] as Ridmark continues on to the ruined citadel of Urd Morlemoch... but you know how things go. You take a road trip and everybody suddenly needs to go to the restroom, somebody wants to stop and see some road-side attraction (the worlds biggest jack rabbit or something), an innocent is being attacked by undead and you HAVE to intervene...the town where you stop for supplies is not only in danger from he same undead but completely distrusts you and your party.

Life can be so, tedious.

Just as long as the BOOK doesn't get tedious.

Sidetracked into another side quest (that of course ties into our main quest) we get another story and another volume to our developing thread. While the story, plot and action do hold up here this volume felt a little more stretched than the first 2 (which I actually read first some time ago) but it's not bad. I plan to move on to the next after I finish an Andrew Klavan book I've started (sadly it's an audio with...an unfortunate...reader) and the second in the Instrument of Omens series.

Hang in there this is a good read and I hold out hope we'll escape the Wheel of Time trap. There are however something like 14 volumes in this series already so, guess I'll see. Anyway, good read and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Blood of the Innocent (ONSET, #3)]]> 35832660 306 Glynn Stewart Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, urban-fantasy
So now we get to debate the meaning of, "innocence" and what it means to be innocent. We also get the biggest single "battle" yet.

Yep, get ready for your your room to smell of gunpowder and blood...and enjoy, if that's the word for all this violence????]]> 4.36 2017 Blood of the Innocent (ONSET, #3)
author: Glynn Stewart
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/12/31
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
This one dragged a little bit in a few places but not badly. I like it also and stayed with a 4 star rating. As noted, good brain candy. There is still a lot of action and gallons of blood with huge explosions and lots of carnage.

So now we get to debate the meaning of, "innocence" and what it means to be innocent. We also get the biggest single "battle" yet.

Yep, get ready for your your room to smell of gunpowder and blood...and enjoy, if that's the word for all this violence????
]]> My Enemy's Enemy (ONSET, #2) 33543870 306 Glynn Stewart Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, urban-fantasy
In this volume our look at the Vampires gets a bit more, detailed. This of course is in the aftermath of the "situation" with the Black Sun.

Will all be well? Will one group of vampires turn on another? Can vampires ever be trusted...do the sparkle????

Read and see if I say that would be telling.

Enjoy.]]> 4.32 2016 My Enemy's Enemy (ONSET, #2)
author: Glynn Stewart
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/12/31
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
One of the problems with reading a series of books back to back is that the series tends to run together as on long novel...which of course it is.

In this volume our look at the Vampires gets a bit more, detailed. This of course is in the aftermath of the "situation" with the Black Sun.

Will all be well? Will one group of vampires turn on another? Can vampires ever be trusted...do the sparkle????

Read and see if I say that would be telling.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[To Serve and Protect (ONSET, #1)]]> 33176217 This is an alternate cover edition of ASIN B01MXSN5IA

A small town cop with an unexpected gift
A shadowy government agency on the side of justice
A call no good man could turn away

When vampires attack David White’s small town, only luck, firepower, and the intervention of an elite government task force save his life. The aftermath of the attack leaves him in the middle of the world’s biggest secret: the existence of government agencies that regulate the supernatural.

They insist that David’s “luck� is actually a supernatural gift, and he’s immediately recruited into ONSET, the most shadowy part of America’s thin blue line of police protectors.

Questioning both his gifts and the agency he now serves, David is drawn into an escalating battle that threatens all of humanity. If he isn’t what ONSET thinks he is, the entire world may pay the price.
]]> 366 Glynn Stewart Mike (the Paladin) 5 fantasy, urban-fantasy
No long review. Good, enjoyable, sometimes corny and I can recommend it. Enjoy. ]]> 4.24 2019 To Serve and Protect (ONSET, #1)
author: Glynn Stewart
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/12/31
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
I know, brain candy and a new version of let's do a version of folklore creatures. However this one is still a good read and I really enjoyed it. Our hero has been a police officer (cop, yes he uses the word, no disrespect here) who finds himself...well drawn into a world where everything from vampires to dragons are real.

No long review. Good, enjoyable, sometimes corny and I can recommend it. Enjoy.
]]> The Sword and Shield 53350118 237 Emma Khoury Mike (the Paladin) 5 fantasy
The characters here drew me into this somewhat "different" take on a fantasy world. Our "hero" (semi-antihero) lives in the obligatory rundown slum section of our semi-European style fantasy city. However he's okay with it. He keeps his place up and doesn't sneer at nor look down on his neighbors. As a matter of fact he sees them as his friends and as under his protection (from other denizens of the area or outsiders). He loves animals. Before the book begins he'd adopted a female kitten. Now a cat she rules the house (as any cat person will know the dominate female can) plus he's "adopted" many more cats that need a home.

He notes that he also likes dogs but cats are more self-sufficient when he needs to be gone for extended times.

Ezra (Toth) is an assassin without par. I get the idea that most targets if they know he's coming for them simply give up. However in a twist he's also a bodyguard par excellence. (Thus the title Sword AND Shield). As the book opens this is a bit of a bother for him as he's just getting back from a arduous job and he's called to protect...well a VIP also " par excellence".

With just enough action (never flags but doesn't ever seem forced) and satisfying plot and characters I can recommend this one and hope to see more from the writer.

Recommended, enjoy.]]> 4.13 2020 The Sword and Shield
author: Emma Khoury
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/12/27
shelves: fantasy
review:
I had to "stop and consider" before I went the entire 5 stars on this book. At first I thought, "well another fantasy". I even thought it was going to be a little slow (after the initial intro). However...that changed.

The characters here drew me into this somewhat "different" take on a fantasy world. Our "hero" (semi-antihero) lives in the obligatory rundown slum section of our semi-European style fantasy city. However he's okay with it. He keeps his place up and doesn't sneer at nor look down on his neighbors. As a matter of fact he sees them as his friends and as under his protection (from other denizens of the area or outsiders). He loves animals. Before the book begins he'd adopted a female kitten. Now a cat she rules the house (as any cat person will know the dominate female can) plus he's "adopted" many more cats that need a home.

He notes that he also likes dogs but cats are more self-sufficient when he needs to be gone for extended times.

Ezra (Toth) is an assassin without par. I get the idea that most targets if they know he's coming for them simply give up. However in a twist he's also a bodyguard par excellence. (Thus the title Sword AND Shield). As the book opens this is a bit of a bother for him as he's just getting back from a arduous job and he's called to protect...well a VIP also " par excellence".

With just enough action (never flags but doesn't ever seem forced) and satisfying plot and characters I can recommend this one and hope to see more from the writer.

Recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Darkblade Outcast (Hero of Darkness #2)]]> 40594501
The Hunter has fled his home and the suffering left in his wake. Hoping to cleanse the stain of blood on his hands, he aids travelers beset by bandits only to discover those he saved are warrior clerics on a holy mission to kill him.
Left for dead, he must hunt down the priests to reclaim his stolen birthright and silence the relentless whispers in his mind that hunger for blood and death.
From feared assassin to wretched outcast, the Hunter journeys toward the truth about his forgotten past and the demons he pledged to hunt. But will his discoveries be his salvation, or will they cost him his sanity and even his life?

If you love Night Angel, Dexter, or the Punisher, dive into this fast-paced fantasy epic and steel yourself for a glimpse into the mind of a half-demon assassin!]]> 407 Andy Peloquin 1981049495 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
I read the first book, liked it and went on to the next. This one while great and holding my interest didn't "stick with me" so well. I had to do some rereading as I got ready for the 3rd in the series. Thus the drop to 4 stars instead of 5. That said however I quickly fell back into the story and "got it all back".

While as is so often the case in the last few years the writer gives us his own take on many traditional fantasy staples that doesn't take away from the book (for example just because he uses the word "demon" you need to follow the story to see what he means by that word). The story here picks up as the last book ended and we follow The Hunter on in his quest. Personally while I'm not a huge fan of overly dark books (I struggle with a certain amount of depression) this book is one I can heartily recommend (and do). As the plot and the character(s) develop we get more drawn in.

So, yes good book I can recommend, enjoy (if "enjoy" is the right word for this somewhat blood soaked dark world).]]> 4.12 2016 Darkblade Outcast (Hero of Darkness #2)
author: Andy Peloquin
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/12/27
shelves: fantasy
review:
This is what I suppose must be called a "dark fantasy". There is the impending feeling of doom all around it and in it. That said there is also the thread of hope that comes from a protagonist who/that struggles against his or her preordained doom.

I read the first book, liked it and went on to the next. This one while great and holding my interest didn't "stick with me" so well. I had to do some rereading as I got ready for the 3rd in the series. Thus the drop to 4 stars instead of 5. That said however I quickly fell back into the story and "got it all back".

While as is so often the case in the last few years the writer gives us his own take on many traditional fantasy staples that doesn't take away from the book (for example just because he uses the word "demon" you need to follow the story to see what he means by that word). The story here picks up as the last book ended and we follow The Hunter on in his quest. Personally while I'm not a huge fan of overly dark books (I struggle with a certain amount of depression) this book is one I can heartily recommend (and do). As the plot and the character(s) develop we get more drawn in.

So, yes good book I can recommend, enjoy (if "enjoy" is the right word for this somewhat blood soaked dark world).
]]> <![CDATA[Hideous Beauty (Volume 1) (Kingdom Wars)]]> 55889731
Every day they slip across our borders to infiltrate our government, our schools, our neighborhoods. Homeland security can’t stop them. The armed forces are no threat to them. Powerful and unseen, they cannot be stopped..Ěýand they have been doing this for millennia.Ěý

On what should have been the best day of his life, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Grant Austin learns of a plan to assassinate the president of the United States. Every attempt to sound the alarm is thwarted, and Grant soon finds himself at the center of an even greater battle that predates time as he stands alone against ancient powers and unspeakable evil—evil that can only be described as aĚýhideous beauty.Ěý]]> 0 Jack Cavanaugh 1640915850 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy
First as a general review, if you are non-Christian, unchristian, non-religious etc. what you will find here is a slightly mediocre fantasy. The book is not really badly written but it isn't really well written either. It often cones across as a slightly extended outline but then shifts to a repetitive and somewhat strained story. The protagonist comes across as a jerk and sadly he never seems to put it together that he comes across as a jerk. He's not only a jerk but sometimes he's an idiotic jerk. Whenever he can say or do something...anything to make a situation worse, that's what he says or does. And I mean always, he never learns.

Still the story is a story and it has an interest factor. i believe that for those listed above (non-religious simply seeking a fantasy) it will draw you in at least a bit and hold your interest.

Now...I will try to avoid any overt spoilers so I don't need to hide any of this.

I finished this last night and had I reviewed it then this would have been a far more negative review.

I am (as many of my regular reads here know) a Christian. I think I've shown that I can read fiction from other belief systems without a problem. I can read Christian fiction or nonfiction without it being a problem when we have theological differences. The problem here is the story in the book completely mispresents much of what the Bible teaches about God.

The novel is part of a fiction sub-genre we've seen a lot of lately. I'd call it Angel Fiction. The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about Holy Angels except that they love God and are fellow servants with His people. Much of Angel Fiction takes the existence of angels and sort of runs with it. Another thing the Bible (or Apocrypha) never refers to "Fallen Angels" (those Angels who followed Lucifer/Satan into rebellion against God) as "Angels" after they rebelled. They are Demons. Here they are referred to as "Angels" and "demons" are the gargoyle like souls of dead " Nephilim" (I'll discuss "Nephilim" in a moment). He refers to Holy Angels and fallen angels interchangeably at one point picturing them sort of hobnobbing together and catching up since they don't see each other often anymore except in battle. One of the (supposedly) Holy Angels observes that "Lucifer still looks good".

The amount of misinformation here about the Bible and amount of what would almost have to be called heresy if someone takes it as seriously about God is staggering. There is a point near the end where he slightly softens the picture he's painted of God but just barely.

Now the "Nephilim". In Genesis 6 (the first book in the Bible) there is a short passage that simply says that the sons of God had children by the daughters of men. It is observed that among these were heroes of the day and the Giants. There is a debate as this is one of those passages that is something mentioned in passing that isn't part of the Bible's main story. I get it though. It's so intriguing people wonder about it.

Another example of that in the New Testament seems to indicate that at some point Jesus spoke to the "souls" in "prison" or in "Hell", but that's all it says. No details.

There are several theories about the Genesis verse. Many theologians think it refers to the sons from the line of Seth (Adam and Eve's third son) marrying into another bloodline of humans who don't worship God but worship false gods.

This novel however follows an alternate theory. This theory assumes that fallen angels took on flesh and mated with human women producing the Nephilim. These are interrupted in this novel to be "half or quarter or whatever" angel.

The problem (for me anyway) is that the book assumes that God has condemned the offspring (children) of such unions automatically to hell (or Hell). This paints a pretty dim picture of God (especially since in 2 Peter the Bible says that "God is not willing that any should perish"). Thus I do not include this on my Christian fiction shelf, it sort of flies in the face of Christian teaching...

Also just a note, you can barely tell the difference in the fallen and Holy Angels. According to this novel when not "killing each other" (yes he pictures the Angels dying in battle, again maybe check scripture). they're sort of willing to hob-nob with each other and catchup on "things". One of the pictured "Holy Angels" actually observes that, "Lucifer looks good"....

Oh well, I finished it hoping he'd sort of make all that turn out to be some sort of "misunderstanding. He did sort of change the picture of God late in the book, but not much.

Will I follow it up to see how things get handled? Frankly I don't know. My opinion, not great and much of the "religious" part can be almost offensive and the Theological part is just flat wrong. Up to you can't recommend.


***Just a note FYI, I have returned the book to Audible and don't plan to follow the series.***]]> 3.50 Hideous Beauty (Volume 1) (Kingdom Wars)
author: Jack Cavanaugh
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2021/12/27
shelves: fantasy
review:
First I wish to point out I did not put this under Christian fiction of any type. I will clarify why in the review.

First as a general review, if you are non-Christian, unchristian, non-religious etc. what you will find here is a slightly mediocre fantasy. The book is not really badly written but it isn't really well written either. It often cones across as a slightly extended outline but then shifts to a repetitive and somewhat strained story. The protagonist comes across as a jerk and sadly he never seems to put it together that he comes across as a jerk. He's not only a jerk but sometimes he's an idiotic jerk. Whenever he can say or do something...anything to make a situation worse, that's what he says or does. And I mean always, he never learns.

Still the story is a story and it has an interest factor. i believe that for those listed above (non-religious simply seeking a fantasy) it will draw you in at least a bit and hold your interest.

Now...I will try to avoid any overt spoilers so I don't need to hide any of this.

I finished this last night and had I reviewed it then this would have been a far more negative review.

I am (as many of my regular reads here know) a Christian. I think I've shown that I can read fiction from other belief systems without a problem. I can read Christian fiction or nonfiction without it being a problem when we have theological differences. The problem here is the story in the book completely mispresents much of what the Bible teaches about God.

The novel is part of a fiction sub-genre we've seen a lot of lately. I'd call it Angel Fiction. The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about Holy Angels except that they love God and are fellow servants with His people. Much of Angel Fiction takes the existence of angels and sort of runs with it. Another thing the Bible (or Apocrypha) never refers to "Fallen Angels" (those Angels who followed Lucifer/Satan into rebellion against God) as "Angels" after they rebelled. They are Demons. Here they are referred to as "Angels" and "demons" are the gargoyle like souls of dead " Nephilim" (I'll discuss "Nephilim" in a moment). He refers to Holy Angels and fallen angels interchangeably at one point picturing them sort of hobnobbing together and catching up since they don't see each other often anymore except in battle. One of the (supposedly) Holy Angels observes that "Lucifer still looks good".

The amount of misinformation here about the Bible and amount of what would almost have to be called heresy if someone takes it as seriously about God is staggering. There is a point near the end where he slightly softens the picture he's painted of God but just barely.

Now the "Nephilim". In Genesis 6 (the first book in the Bible) there is a short passage that simply says that the sons of God had children by the daughters of men. It is observed that among these were heroes of the day and the Giants. There is a debate as this is one of those passages that is something mentioned in passing that isn't part of the Bible's main story. I get it though. It's so intriguing people wonder about it.

Another example of that in the New Testament seems to indicate that at some point Jesus spoke to the "souls" in "prison" or in "Hell", but that's all it says. No details.

There are several theories about the Genesis verse. Many theologians think it refers to the sons from the line of Seth (Adam and Eve's third son) marrying into another bloodline of humans who don't worship God but worship false gods.

This novel however follows an alternate theory. This theory assumes that fallen angels took on flesh and mated with human women producing the Nephilim. These are interrupted in this novel to be "half or quarter or whatever" angel.

The problem (for me anyway) is that the book assumes that God has condemned the offspring (children) of such unions automatically to hell (or Hell). This paints a pretty dim picture of God (especially since in 2 Peter the Bible says that "God is not willing that any should perish"). Thus I do not include this on my Christian fiction shelf, it sort of flies in the face of Christian teaching...

Also just a note, you can barely tell the difference in the fallen and Holy Angels. According to this novel when not "killing each other" (yes he pictures the Angels dying in battle, again maybe check scripture). they're sort of willing to hob-nob with each other and catchup on "things". One of the pictured "Holy Angels" actually observes that, "Lucifer looks good"....

Oh well, I finished it hoping he'd sort of make all that turn out to be some sort of "misunderstanding. He did sort of change the picture of God late in the book, but not much.

Will I follow it up to see how things get handled? Frankly I don't know. My opinion, not great and much of the "religious" part can be almost offensive and the Theological part is just flat wrong. Up to you can't recommend.


***Just a note FYI, I have returned the book to Audible and don't plan to follow the series.***
]]> Dawn of War (Blood War, #1) 12396537 262 Tim Marquitz Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
Now after giving it some time I've found a good serviceable fantasy. Not the best and you have seen a lot of the plot points and characters before but that is true of most books if you think about it. With a star-crossed love having set much of the story in motion (had our protagonist not been banished he'd never have been where he needed to be) we follow our characters into an (almost) hopeless war their doom possibly caused by a proud but inept leader...

So okay, not a great narrator for the audio version but at least listenable I'll go 3 stars and maybe follow the series.

See what you think.]]> 3.54 2011 Dawn of War (Blood War, #1)
author: Tim Marquitz
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/12/25
shelves: fantasy
review:
This is an example (about me anyway) that when you start a book may effect how you like it. I started this before and ditched it.

Now after giving it some time I've found a good serviceable fantasy. Not the best and you have seen a lot of the plot points and characters before but that is true of most books if you think about it. With a star-crossed love having set much of the story in motion (had our protagonist not been banished he'd never have been where he needed to be) we follow our characters into an (almost) hopeless war their doom possibly caused by a proud but inept leader...

So okay, not a great narrator for the audio version but at least listenable I'll go 3 stars and maybe follow the series.

See what you think.
]]> <![CDATA[House of Assassins (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, #2)]]> 40538895 LARRY CORREIA'S BEST-SELLING EPIC FANTASY SERIES, SAGA OF THE FORGOTTEN WARRIOR, CONTINUES.

Ashok Vidal was once a member of the highest caste in all of Lok. As a Protector, he devoted his life to upholding the Law, rooting out those who still practiced the old ways and delivering swift justice with his ancestor blade Angruvadal. None was more merciless than he in stamping out the lingering belief in gods and demons among the casteless. His brutality was legendary and celebrated.

But soon Ashok learned that his life to that point had been a lie. He himself, senior member of the Protector Order, was casteless. He had been nothing more than an unwitting pawn in a political game. His world turned upside down and finding himself on the wrong side of the Law, he began a campaign of rebellion, war, and destruction unlike any Lok had ever seen.

Thera had been first daughter of Vane. A member of the Warrior Order, she had spent her life training for combat. Until a strange sight in the heavens appeared one day. Thera was struck by lighting and from that day forward she heard the Voice. A reluctant prophet with the power to see into the future, she fought alongside Ashok Vadal and his company of men known as the Sons of the Black Sword until a shapeshifting wizard with designs on her powers of precognitionĚýspiritedĚýher away. He holds her prisoner in the House of Assassins.

Ashok Vadal and the Sons of the Black Sword march to rescue Thera. With his sword Angruvadal, Ashok was unstoppable. But Angruvadal is gone, shattered to pieces on the demon possessed husk of a warrior. Now, Ashok must fight without the aid of the magic blade for the first time. Thera’s life depends on it.

But there is much more at risk in the continent of Lok. Strange forces are working behind the scenes. Ashok Vadal and the Sons of the Black Sword are caught up in a game they do not fully understand, with powerful forces allied against them.

Ashok no longer knows what to believe. He is beginning to think perhaps the gods really do exist.

If so, he’s warned them to stay out of his way.

They would do well to listen.]]> 408 Larry Correia 1481483765 Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy
I won't go into a lot of detail. The story continues, the characters develop (well). Mr. Correia is (pretty much) a reliably good story teller so I usually expect a good experience going into his books.

This one got a bit more...disjointed, I guess would be the word than the first in the series but it's still an excellent read.

Enjoy.]]> 4.29 2019 House of Assassins (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, #2)
author: Larry Correia
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/12/12
shelves: action, fantasy
review:
I actually read this some time ago but simply forgot to review it.

I won't go into a lot of detail. The story continues, the characters develop (well). Mr. Correia is (pretty much) a reliably good story teller so I usually expect a good experience going into his books.

This one got a bit more...disjointed, I guess would be the word than the first in the series but it's still an excellent read.

Enjoy.
]]> The Barrow: Library Edition 22126990 0 Mark Smylie 1494532751 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy
Of late "gritty" and "dark" fantasy has become all the "rage". So the shelves are now running over with books that have covers in shades of gray, dark brown and ochre red. They often have one or more characters in worn leathers with savage looking swords and maybe some magic user types.

This is one of those and like a few other books I've picked up lately when you open the book it all but screams "I'M DARK! I'M GRITTY! I'M PERVERSE! I DEAL WITH NASTY YUCKY STUFF!" At every chance we get descriptions dirt, dung, blood (and bloody dung) and also phallic symbols. The book is full of phallic symbols. The characters wear armored codpieces with large "phalluses" (phallusi???) on the front.

Just be ready, Mark Smylie really wants you to get how dark, gritty and perverse the book is.

It's odd then that he takes sooooo looonnnggg to move from all this introduction into the actual plot and story. This is another where, by the time we got "on the quest" I was so bored it was hard to care.

Look, if you want try this. I see a lot of people like it. For me a fantasy about a quest into a Barrow to search for a long lost magic sword ought to start at a run and never slow down. This one opens with the "traditional" action scene to draw the reader in and then wanders around trying to get us familiar with the world.

So, decide for yourself. I don't think I'll be following the series.]]> 2.60 2014 The Barrow: Library Edition
author: Mark Smylie
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 2.60
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2021/11/12
shelves: fantasy
review:
Well, this isn't too bad. It's going to be sort of a been there, done that got the t-shirt for some of you, it was for me.

Of late "gritty" and "dark" fantasy has become all the "rage". So the shelves are now running over with books that have covers in shades of gray, dark brown and ochre red. They often have one or more characters in worn leathers with savage looking swords and maybe some magic user types.

This is one of those and like a few other books I've picked up lately when you open the book it all but screams "I'M DARK! I'M GRITTY! I'M PERVERSE! I DEAL WITH NASTY YUCKY STUFF!" At every chance we get descriptions dirt, dung, blood (and bloody dung) and also phallic symbols. The book is full of phallic symbols. The characters wear armored codpieces with large "phalluses" (phallusi???) on the front.

Just be ready, Mark Smylie really wants you to get how dark, gritty and perverse the book is.

It's odd then that he takes sooooo looonnnggg to move from all this introduction into the actual plot and story. This is another where, by the time we got "on the quest" I was so bored it was hard to care.

Look, if you want try this. I see a lot of people like it. For me a fantasy about a quest into a Barrow to search for a long lost magic sword ought to start at a run and never slow down. This one opens with the "traditional" action scene to draw the reader in and then wanders around trying to get us familiar with the world.

So, decide for yourself. I don't think I'll be following the series.
]]> <![CDATA[The King's Henchmen (The Henchmen Chronicles, #1)]]> 43481575 A washed-up pro athlete is transformed into the deadliest warrior in the world.Ěý

Still reeling from the tragic events that threw his life into turmoil, Abraham JenkinsĚýnow rides the lonely roads as a delivery man.ĚýUntil one day fate intervenesâ€�

Abraham is suddenly catapulted into aĚýbizarreĚýfantasy world unlikeĚýanythingĚýhe's ever imagined. A world of assassins, monsters, and brutal lords. To survive, he must lead a notoriousĚýgroup known as the King's Henchmen on a do or die mission.Ěý

Surrounded by henchmen who don't trustĚýhim, and a ruthless king’s death sentence hanging over his head, Abraham must do whatever it takes to liveĚýlong enough to save a kingdom in chaos and figure out how to return home. Because even a humdrum life on the road beats braving a bloody kingdom in chaos.

This one-of-a-kind gritty fantasy adventure series offers everything from the classic Chronicles of Thomas Covenant to the savage world of Robert E. Howard’s Conan.Ěý

Scroll up and Grab your Copy Today! Free on Kindle Unlimited!Ěý

More about Craig and his Ěý

Craig Halloran is a #1 Bestselling Amazon Author in the following genres and

Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Dragons, Coming of Age, Werewolves & Shifters, Dark Fantasy and Collections & Anthologies. He is a KDP All-Star and Top 100 Amazon author as well.Ěý

The Darkslayer, Series 1 (6 books)

The Darkslayer, Series 2: Bish and Bone (10 books)

The Odyssey of Nath Dragon, The Chronicles of Dragon Prequel Series (5 Books)

The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 1 (10 Books)

The Chronicles of Dragon, Series 2, Tail of the Dragon (10 Books)

The Supernatural Bounty Hunter Files (10 Books)

The Clash of Heroes (3 Books)

Zombie Impact (3 Books)

The Gamma Earth Cycle (3 Books)

The Red Citadel and the Sorcerer’s Power (5 books in 1)

Learn more about Craig and his works Ěý

Sign up for his newsletter and get free books!ĚýYay!

]]> 324 Craig Halloran 1946218448 Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy, epic-fantasy
We are treading ground that has become a bit familiar recently as we have a story here of a 21st century "Earther" who finds himself in a fantasy world. If I go much into any of the "happenings" here it will entail spoilers so I'll simply give a few, remarks.

I only go 3 stars here as while the book has some good points there are also a few negatives. Thus while I have started the 2nd book these will most likely never hit my favorites shelf.

The story here is okay, pretty good brain candy even if you have met some of the characters elsewhere under different names... AND even if there are times our protagonist (Abraham Jenkins termed a "washed up pro pitcher) seems too thick to live. I don't get that. There is a difference in being ignorant of the world and simply....well stupid. Happily isn't that way a;; the time.

The book has some pretty well written action scenes (okay A LOT of action scenes). The story as (as I said before) okay. I enjoyed it, mostly. Try it for yourself if you like action fantasy. It gets a solid, not bad.]]> 3.89 The King's Henchmen (The Henchmen Chronicles, #1)
author: Craig Halloran
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published:
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/11/11
shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
I was a bit slow about adding this to my "Epic Fantasy" shelf. It is setting up a longer story and it is concerning the fate of a world. Still...it's not got what I would call an "epic feel". I guess we'll see.

We are treading ground that has become a bit familiar recently as we have a story here of a 21st century "Earther" who finds himself in a fantasy world. If I go much into any of the "happenings" here it will entail spoilers so I'll simply give a few, remarks.

I only go 3 stars here as while the book has some good points there are also a few negatives. Thus while I have started the 2nd book these will most likely never hit my favorites shelf.

The story here is okay, pretty good brain candy even if you have met some of the characters elsewhere under different names... AND even if there are times our protagonist (Abraham Jenkins termed a "washed up pro pitcher) seems too thick to live. I don't get that. There is a difference in being ignorant of the world and simply....well stupid. Happily isn't that way a;; the time.

The book has some pretty well written action scenes (okay A LOT of action scenes). The story as (as I said before) okay. I enjoyed it, mostly. Try it for yourself if you like action fantasy. It gets a solid, not bad.
]]> The Scourge 30227838 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen!

FORMAT: 8 CDs, UnabridgedAs a lethal plague sweeps through the land, Ani Mells is shocked when she is unexpectedly captured by the governor's wardens and forced to submit to a test for the deadly Scourge. She is even more surprised when the test results come back positive, and she is sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned refuge - and quarantine colony -- for the ill. The Scourge's victims, Ani now among them, can only expect to live out short, painful lives there. However, Ani quickly discovers that she doesn't know the whole truth about the Scourge or the Colony. She's been caught in a devious plot, and, with the help of her best friend, Weevil, Ani means to uncover just what is actually going on.But will she and Weevil survive long enough to do so?The Scourge is an explosively thrilling tale of adventure and intrigue, courage and heart from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen.]]> 2 Jennifer A. Nielsen 1338050931 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
I won't say that I was enthralled by every word of this as some readers have and I did get a bit..."get on with it" a few times with the story telling but on the whole this is an excellent read, a bit young maybe but still good.

I won't say much more (I've already given you the gist if you choose to read the spoiler above). But the story is an idealistic one and a good read. i can recommend it.

Enjoy.]]> 3.83 2016 The Scourge
author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/11/09
shelves: fantasy
review:
Well it's a good book but come on. [spoilers removed]

I won't say that I was enthralled by every word of this as some readers have and I did get a bit..."get on with it" a few times with the story telling but on the whole this is an excellent read, a bit young maybe but still good.

I won't say much more (I've already given you the gist if you choose to read the spoiler above). But the story is an idealistic one and a good read. i can recommend it.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Sword of Truth (The Godling Chronicles, #1)]]> 15804084
Only one thing stands between the darkness and the light. Gewey Stedding. Only he has the power to stand against the oncoming storm.

Only he can mend the world. But only if he can discover his power�.]]> 360 Brian D. Anderson 1479104345 Mike (the Paladin) 3 epic-fantasy, fantasy
I mean first of all the hero's name...I mean "Gewey"(?). I know it's supposed to be pronounced "Gu-ewey" with the "GU" sound but every time I see it I think "Gooey". In my head I'm saying, "our hero gooey" or "our gooey hero". I can't help it I make jokes as I read the book.

Then the way he's written. I mean the author goes to great lengths to tell us he's 17 years old, one year away from "manhood" at 18 in this society. Yet he often acts and sounds like a 12 year old...and occasionally like a 6 year old.

"Shut up and stop asking questions while this guy is trying to kill us!"
"Why? I was just wondering where we're going after the fight."

I wanted to pull my hair out...or maybe his. Good grief he's a young 17.

Then there's the unnecessary, strained, silly love triangle...never mind, just live through it.

The book is o0kay. I mean it hits all the epic fantasy clichés. Young hero who doesn't know he's fated for "great things". Old magical teacher/mentor, elf companion, half-elf companion...etc., etc., etc.

Oh...by the way. The great evil, the dark overlord...the terrible villain is called (are you ready?)...DA,DA,DA, THE DARK KNIGHT. I kept thinking Batman had gone really bad.

Anyway, despite all my fun here the book is a good reliable epic fantasy read and I'm on to the next volume in the series. No real problems with it just minor stuff. On the whole I like it and recommend you try it.

Enjoy.]]> 3.82 2011 The Sword of Truth (The Godling Chronicles, #1)
author: Brian D. Anderson
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/11/04
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
I really liked this book in some ways so don't take some of the things I'll say below as my saying "don't read it". It's actually a good read...but it's a bit...well flawed.

I mean first of all the hero's name...I mean "Gewey"(?). I know it's supposed to be pronounced "Gu-ewey" with the "GU" sound but every time I see it I think "Gooey". In my head I'm saying, "our hero gooey" or "our gooey hero". I can't help it I make jokes as I read the book.

Then the way he's written. I mean the author goes to great lengths to tell us he's 17 years old, one year away from "manhood" at 18 in this society. Yet he often acts and sounds like a 12 year old...and occasionally like a 6 year old.

"Shut up and stop asking questions while this guy is trying to kill us!"
"Why? I was just wondering where we're going after the fight."

I wanted to pull my hair out...or maybe his. Good grief he's a young 17.

Then there's the unnecessary, strained, silly love triangle...never mind, just live through it.

The book is o0kay. I mean it hits all the epic fantasy clichés. Young hero who doesn't know he's fated for "great things". Old magical teacher/mentor, elf companion, half-elf companion...etc., etc., etc.

Oh...by the way. The great evil, the dark overlord...the terrible villain is called (are you ready?)...DA,DA,DA, THE DARK KNIGHT. I kept thinking Batman had gone really bad.

Anyway, despite all my fun here the book is a good reliable epic fantasy read and I'm on to the next volume in the series. No real problems with it just minor stuff. On the whole I like it and recommend you try it.

Enjoy.
]]> Winter (Winter #1) 11517874
Goths aren't all the same, you know. Some are Christians.
...Christians to whom God sends visions.

Students at her university are being attacked, and Winter knows there's more than flesh and blood at work.

Her gift means she's the only one who can stop it - but at what price?]]> 334 Keven Newsome 0987653105 Mike (the Paladin) 3
I would almost have gone 4 stars on this one but for on huge flaw which was the death of the 4th star. You will have seen me mention this before. Characters need to develop with the story and while on the whole Winter does develop, she goes on far too long making the same error time after time after time...and the last most disastrous time there is just no reason for it. I was beating my head against the walls and yelling at this YA book!

So, readable and pretty interesting, a bit too young for some of the content. I'd read it first before handing it to a reader much under 12, but I think for most adults and "YAs" (young adults) who are mature enough it should be "okay".

Now what else do I have to say?

Well first I read a couple of reviews where the "reviewers" were ranting that this wasn't a horror or urban fantasy book but Christian fiction, as if it had been "hidden" and they'd been suckered in. The book says up front what it's about and that it's from a Christian point of view so...know that going in if somehow you missed it.

By the way in the novel God speaks to and guides our young protagonist in a very fictional way. If the writer had done the same thing but said that "Ra" or "Odin" or "Cthulhu" had been talking to her they'd have been fine with it. It's only that the book is told from a Christian point of view that ticked certain people off.

I will say as I always do that while I don't think there's anything here to offend Christians DON'T get your theology from a novel. The story makes it's/a point but the depiction of our young prophet (or prophetess as she sometimes calls herself) is meant to picture real current prophetic relations with God (of course if God decides to change that it'll be His timing). Anyway read for the story and for the general message/life lesson.

As I said the book reads very young yet it deals with some very violent subject matter and has some potentially disturbing scenes for younger readers. The teenage angst is also dragged out way too much (in my opinion of course) that could have been done better. But while it annoyed me, teenage girls (for example) might really enjoy those parts...

So, again not bad to pretty good. Enjoy.]]> 4.12 2011 Winter (Winter #1)
author: Keven Newsome
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/11/01
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, ya-fantasy
review:
I have some things I want to say about the content of this book, but first for those simply interested in it as a novel we'll talk about that. The book is pretty good as a novel, an interesting read. There are no glaring errors in the actual writing and the characters while coming across as very, very young for college students are also pretty well written.

I would almost have gone 4 stars on this one but for on huge flaw which was the death of the 4th star. You will have seen me mention this before. Characters need to develop with the story and while on the whole Winter does develop, she goes on far too long making the same error time after time after time...and the last most disastrous time there is just no reason for it. I was beating my head against the walls and yelling at this YA book!

So, readable and pretty interesting, a bit too young for some of the content. I'd read it first before handing it to a reader much under 12, but I think for most adults and "YAs" (young adults) who are mature enough it should be "okay".

Now what else do I have to say?

Well first I read a couple of reviews where the "reviewers" were ranting that this wasn't a horror or urban fantasy book but Christian fiction, as if it had been "hidden" and they'd been suckered in. The book says up front what it's about and that it's from a Christian point of view so...know that going in if somehow you missed it.

By the way in the novel God speaks to and guides our young protagonist in a very fictional way. If the writer had done the same thing but said that "Ra" or "Odin" or "Cthulhu" had been talking to her they'd have been fine with it. It's only that the book is told from a Christian point of view that ticked certain people off.

I will say as I always do that while I don't think there's anything here to offend Christians DON'T get your theology from a novel. The story makes it's/a point but the depiction of our young prophet (or prophetess as she sometimes calls herself) is meant to picture real current prophetic relations with God (of course if God decides to change that it'll be His timing). Anyway read for the story and for the general message/life lesson.

As I said the book reads very young yet it deals with some very violent subject matter and has some potentially disturbing scenes for younger readers. The teenage angst is also dragged out way too much (in my opinion of course) that could have been done better. But while it annoyed me, teenage girls (for example) might really enjoy those parts...

So, again not bad to pretty good. Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Infernals (Samuel Johnson, #2)]]> 11165590 From New York Times bestselling author John Connolly, a wonderfully strange and brilliant novel about a boy and his dog and their journey to escape the fires of hell.

“Roald Dahl meets Harry Potter�* in this wonderfully strange and brilliant novel about a boy, his dog, and their struggle to escape the wrath of demons.

Young Samuel Johnson is in trouble. Not only is his eyesight so poor that he mistakenly asks out a letter box on a date but an angry demon wants revenge for Samuel’s part in foiling the invasion of Earth by the forces of evil. When Samuel and his faithful dachshund, Boswell, are pulled through a portal into the dark realm, home of the Infernals, it gets its chance.

Catching Samuel won’t be easy, for the Infernals have not reckoned on the bravery and cleverness of a boy and his dog; a hapless demon’s loyalty to the duo; or the presence of two clueless policemen and an unlucky, if cheerfully optimistic, ice-cream man.

Most of all, no one has planned on the intervention of an unexpected band of little men who also have recently found themselves in the underworld. If you thought demons were frightening, just wait until you meet Mr. Merryweather’s Elves. . . .

*My Shelf Confessions]]> 309 John Connolly 145164308X Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
Okay that said, this is a humorous book. I don't think I appreciated as much as I should have as I was a bit depressed. There are some very funny sections here. (As in the first book, the footnotes are among the funniest parts).

So, follow up to the attempted invasion of earth from Hell when a Gate to hell was opened and only a little boy and his dog could save the world.

See the demon he foiled is a bit, put out at him for ruining "her" plans and has decided to drag him ("and his little dog to") to Hell.

Of course she manages to snag a few other victims also.

So, enjoyable, funny...pretty good book.]]> 3.89 2011 The Infernals (Samuel Johnson, #2)
author: John Connolly
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/10/19
shelves: fantasy
review:
I know these are considered YA but I really have reservations about giving these to a very young person. As I often do I suggest that parents read this first. Then they can decide if the8ir "youth" is mature enough for the book.

Okay that said, this is a humorous book. I don't think I appreciated as much as I should have as I was a bit depressed. There are some very funny sections here. (As in the first book, the footnotes are among the funniest parts).

So, follow up to the attempted invasion of earth from Hell when a Gate to hell was opened and only a little boy and his dog could save the world.

See the demon he foiled is a bit, put out at him for ruining "her" plans and has decided to drag him ("and his little dog to") to Hell.

Of course she manages to snag a few other victims also.

So, enjoyable, funny...pretty good book.
]]> <![CDATA[The Wolf's Call (Raven's Blade, #1)]]> 41021418
PEACE NEVER LASTS

Vaelin Al Sorna is a living legend, his name known across the Realm. It was his leadership that overthrew empires, his blade that won hard-fought battles - and his sacrifice that defeated an evil more terrifying than anything the world had ever seen. Yet he cast aside his earned glory for a quiet life in the Realm's northern reaches.

Now whispers have come from across the sea of an army called the Steel Horde, led by a man who believes himself a god. Vaelin has no wish to fight another war, but when he learns that Sherin, the woman he lost long ago, has fallen into the Horde's grasp, he resolves to confront this powerful new threat.

To this end, Vaelin travels to the realms of the Merchant Kings, a land ruled by honour and intrigue. There, as the drums of war thunder across kingdoms riven by conflict, Vaelin learns a terrible truth: that there are some battles that even he cannot hope to win]]> 432 Anthony Ryan 0451492536 Mike (the Paladin) 4 epic-fantasy, fantasy Blood Song ) was/is one of the best fantasy novels I've read. The second in that series continues the story and while not as good as the first holds up well. Then there was the third in that trilogy and I found it...well to say the least a disappointment. I don't know what happened but it came across (to me of course) as confused and disjointed. It was like (I thought) as if Mr. Ryan lost his story line somewhere.

Well, I had to tell you that to tell you this.

Here in a new series the story continues. We pick up about the point where we left off.

This is a good read, that said it has some (in my humble opinion of course) some flaws. The book begins with the point of view of a seer and then changes later it drops back and so on. This of course is not an unusual way to relate a tale. Here however the book seems to drag badly along the way.

There is a feeling of, stretching in the story. I've said about other books and I'll say here, I recalled Bilbo Baggins' comment that he; "felt like butter spread over too much bread." I got that feeling here a few times.

Now, that said once the book found it's feet so to speak it tells an enthralling story and I can over all highly recommend it. I do look forward to the next and hold out hope for it to be as good.

So, recommended, enjoy.]]> 4.26 2019 The Wolf's Call (Raven's Blade, #1)
author: Anthony Ryan
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/10/08
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
The first book about Vaelin Al Sorna ( Blood Song ) was/is one of the best fantasy novels I've read. The second in that series continues the story and while not as good as the first holds up well. Then there was the third in that trilogy and I found it...well to say the least a disappointment. I don't know what happened but it came across (to me of course) as confused and disjointed. It was like (I thought) as if Mr. Ryan lost his story line somewhere.

Well, I had to tell you that to tell you this.

Here in a new series the story continues. We pick up about the point where we left off.

This is a good read, that said it has some (in my humble opinion of course) some flaws. The book begins with the point of view of a seer and then changes later it drops back and so on. This of course is not an unusual way to relate a tale. Here however the book seems to drag badly along the way.

There is a feeling of, stretching in the story. I've said about other books and I'll say here, I recalled Bilbo Baggins' comment that he; "felt like butter spread over too much bread." I got that feeling here a few times.

Now, that said once the book found it's feet so to speak it tells an enthralling story and I can over all highly recommend it. I do look forward to the next and hold out hope for it to be as good.

So, recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2)]]> 56377548
The ratings and views are off the chart. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. For Carl and Donut, it's anything but a game.]]> 364 Matt Dinniman Mike (the Paladin) 5
The suspense and adventure continues...as does the somewhat kinky AI's interest in Carl's feet... pardon my shiver.

Anyway, do you like circuses? When you were young did you ever dream of running away and joining the circus? Yeah, well prepare to be disillusioned, badly.

And remember even cute things can kill you.

Oh, and the Crawler numbers just keep going down.

Yeah, I still like these. Really, recommended, enjoy.]]> 4.55 2021 Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2)
author: Matt Dinniman
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/10/05
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, rpg-fiction, thriller
review:
Carl and Donut are still with us! Will they survive? Will they Level up? Will there intergalactic TV appearances continue to draw huge numbers???

The suspense and adventure continues...as does the somewhat kinky AI's interest in Carl's feet... pardon my shiver.

Anyway, do you like circuses? When you were young did you ever dream of running away and joining the circus? Yeah, well prepare to be disillusioned, badly.

And remember even cute things can kill you.

Oh, and the Crawler numbers just keep going down.

Yeah, I still like these. Really, recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1)]]> 54659324 An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.


The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.�]]> 446 Matt Dinniman Mike (the Paladin) 5
Just a message to Matt (Dinniman). I listened to the epilogue on book 3 and just wanted to draw your attention to the rating... See, not 1 star and an insult! As a matter of fact, I love these books and at least through #3 I highly recommend them. I'll say a bit more later but from some...comments made after the body of book 3 it seemed MD may have had some bad experiences with reviewers and I wanted to reassure him and hopefully buck him up. So far the only negative I have is that there are so far only 3 to read.

Go man, I'm almost 70 I may not have that many years of reading left!

Oh, and my cats love the books too.

Now, to the review. As I noted under a different (and much more serious book) I was in a reading funk. I got this and another novel from Audible. At the time I wasn't finding anything that interested me at all. Nothing drew me in. Worse, I'm not a TV person...

Anyway This book is, dare I say it(?) Great. I mean I have to call it a light read. But then I'm not sure if calling a book that opens with the complete devastation of human civilization and the death of most of humanity light. Then again, you know, we didn't know most of those people and of course all of us (the readers) believe we'd be among the survivors (else how can we vicariously participate in the book's story) so well... I mean I think Joe Stalin was probably one of the worst if not the worst villain ever to walk the Earth and as he said "one death is a tragedy a million is a statistic." What a madcap, that Stalin was a million laughs,

Anyway yeah, the Earth pretty much gets flattened as EVERYTHING, buildings, structurers, vehicles, etc. gets sucked under the Earth's surface and a loud announcer...well announces that the people who happened to be outside and didn't get squished they have a certain amount of time to "duck into" the nearest Dungeon entrance or be left on the barren (winter) surface.

Of course it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer down under but our heroes are in the Northern so...you know.

This book is told with adventure, action and laugh out loud moments. Do I tell you more? Do I mention how Princess Donut gains her... no that would be telling.

Look, just read it, or listen to it. The audible version is also great.

Yep I recommend it, enjoy.]]> 4.57 2020 Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1)
author: Matt Dinniman
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/10/04
shelves: action, fantasy, epic-fantasy, humor, rpg-fiction
review:
Okay, full disclosure here. I've already finished book 3 in this series...in audio.

Just a message to Matt (Dinniman). I listened to the epilogue on book 3 and just wanted to draw your attention to the rating... See, not 1 star and an insult! As a matter of fact, I love these books and at least through #3 I highly recommend them. I'll say a bit more later but from some...comments made after the body of book 3 it seemed MD may have had some bad experiences with reviewers and I wanted to reassure him and hopefully buck him up. So far the only negative I have is that there are so far only 3 to read.

Go man, I'm almost 70 I may not have that many years of reading left!

Oh, and my cats love the books too.

Now, to the review. As I noted under a different (and much more serious book) I was in a reading funk. I got this and another novel from Audible. At the time I wasn't finding anything that interested me at all. Nothing drew me in. Worse, I'm not a TV person...

Anyway This book is, dare I say it(?) Great. I mean I have to call it a light read. But then I'm not sure if calling a book that opens with the complete devastation of human civilization and the death of most of humanity light. Then again, you know, we didn't know most of those people and of course all of us (the readers) believe we'd be among the survivors (else how can we vicariously participate in the book's story) so well... I mean I think Joe Stalin was probably one of the worst if not the worst villain ever to walk the Earth and as he said "one death is a tragedy a million is a statistic." What a madcap, that Stalin was a million laughs,

Anyway yeah, the Earth pretty much gets flattened as EVERYTHING, buildings, structurers, vehicles, etc. gets sucked under the Earth's surface and a loud announcer...well announces that the people who happened to be outside and didn't get squished they have a certain amount of time to "duck into" the nearest Dungeon entrance or be left on the barren (winter) surface.

Of course it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer down under but our heroes are in the Northern so...you know.

This book is told with adventure, action and laugh out loud moments. Do I tell you more? Do I mention how Princess Donut gains her... no that would be telling.

Look, just read it, or listen to it. The audible version is also great.

Yep I recommend it, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Darkblade Assassin (Hero of Darkness #1)]]> 40594502
2017 Readers' Award Finalist
2016 RONE Awards Finalist

The best assassin in the world doesn’t come cheap. Betraying him will cost your soul.

The Hunter is a name feared by all in Voramis. He is an outcast, driven by a cursed dagger with an unquenchable thirst for blood and death.
Yet he follows one simple code: kill those who truly deserve to die. His creed is put to the test when, deceived by a shadowy employer, he unknowingly slaughters an innocent man.
With the most powerful criminal organization in the city after his head, the Hunter must fight for his life and find a way to atone for his mistake. When his enemies harm the people under his protection, it will take much more than an army of criminals to stand in the way of his revenge.

If you love anti-heroes like the Punisher or Dexter in a breathtaking fantasy realm, then immerse yourself in Hero of Darkness today! Andy Peloquin delivers an epic tale of one man’s struggle to survive in a world of magic, blood, and death.]]> 361 Andy Peloquin 1980852146 Mike (the Paladin) 5 action, fantasy, epic-fantasy
This one is a bit of a unique story (as I've said before I don't think there are many if any truly unique stories now after a few thousand years of oral and written stories). Our "hero" (antihero???) is an assassin, a killer par excellence. His name, The Hunter is feared throughout his city and it's environs. He wields a dagger with a glowing bloody gem in it's hilt that seems to drain the soul from "it's" victims (a'la Stormbringer or Mournblade). When he kills with Soul Hunger it passes strength and power on to him...

Oh and by the way he has no memory from more than forty or fifty years ago, though he seems quite young....and of course he's half demon.

The book is a read that draws the reader in. We get involved in The Hunter's life and suffer with him (and boy does he suffer) and join him as he decides where to stand in the good vs. evil battle going on and the planned NEW demon invasion. We join him in finding the shocking revelations about the gods (yeah none of that is really new but it's sort of put together in a different way)...

Anyway, interesting read and a relief for me as I couldn't find anything that interested me. This is one of 2 books that broke my funk (the other much different from this one) and I can recommend it. I'd say "enjoy" but there's an awful lot of bloodshed, suffering and angst here so if you enjoy it that could mean you need therapy or something I suppose. Anyway (I seem to be saying that a lot) well written book I recommend it. ]]> 3.71 2015 Darkblade Assassin (Hero of Darkness #1)
author: Andy Peloquin
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/10/02
shelves: action, fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
I like this one. I was in a reading funk. I suppose many of you who read a lot know what I mean there. Sometimes you read a lot of things in a row and suddenly nothing draws you in. You simply can't find anything that interests you.

This one is a bit of a unique story (as I've said before I don't think there are many if any truly unique stories now after a few thousand years of oral and written stories). Our "hero" (antihero???) is an assassin, a killer par excellence. His name, The Hunter is feared throughout his city and it's environs. He wields a dagger with a glowing bloody gem in it's hilt that seems to drain the soul from "it's" victims (a'la Stormbringer or Mournblade). When he kills with Soul Hunger it passes strength and power on to him...

Oh and by the way he has no memory from more than forty or fifty years ago, though he seems quite young....and of course he's half demon.

The book is a read that draws the reader in. We get involved in The Hunter's life and suffer with him (and boy does he suffer) and join him as he decides where to stand in the good vs. evil battle going on and the planned NEW demon invasion. We join him in finding the shocking revelations about the gods (yeah none of that is really new but it's sort of put together in a different way)...

Anyway, interesting read and a relief for me as I couldn't find anything that interested me. This is one of 2 books that broke my funk (the other much different from this one) and I can recommend it. I'd say "enjoy" but there's an awful lot of bloodshed, suffering and angst here so if you enjoy it that could mean you need therapy or something I suppose. Anyway (I seem to be saying that a lot) well written book I recommend it.
]]> <![CDATA[Master of Sorrows (The Silent Gods, #1)]]> 39308821
But what if the boy hero and the malevolent, threatening taint were one and the same?

What if the boy slowly came to realize he was the reincarnation of an evil god? Would he save the world . . . or destroy it?

Among the Academy's warrior-thieves, Annev de Breth is an outlier. Unlike his classmates who were stolen as infants from the capital city, Annev was born in the small village of Chaenbalu, was believed to be executed, and then unknowingly raised by his parents' killers.

Seventeen years later, Annev struggles with the burdens of a forbidden magic, a forgotten heritage, and a secret deformity. When he is subsequently caught between the warring ideologies of his priestly mentor and the Academy's masters, he must choose between forfeiting his promising future at the Academy or betraying his closest friends. Each decision leads to a deeper dilemma, until Annev finds himself pressed into a quest he does not wish to fulfil.

Will he finally embrace the doctrine of his tutors, murder a stranger, and abandon his mentor? Or will he accept the more difficult truth of who he is . . . and the darker truth of what he may become . . .]]> 448 Justin Call Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy
I got this from Audible. It was/is in their Audible Plus catalog, which means I got it free. I'm glad I didn't buy it/use a credit on it.

The biggest problem here is simply this. We have an almost 20 hour long read that has about a 10 hour story to tell. Aside from that there are just so many times our protagonist (Annev) comes across as, well...stupid. So many times (as I was listening) I said out loud, "you're an idiot"!

Oh well, not one I'll follow up (even though it ends with a cliff-hanger). I jus didn't care any more by the time it was over...

Decide for yourself.]]> 3.82 2019 Master of Sorrows (The Silent Gods, #1)
author: Justin Call
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2021/09/26
shelves: fantasy
review:
This book could have been (in my opinion of course) much better. There were times I thought this would be at least a 3 star book, but when I'm just glad to get to the end...yeah, 2 stars is about it.

I got this from Audible. It was/is in their Audible Plus catalog, which means I got it free. I'm glad I didn't buy it/use a credit on it.

The biggest problem here is simply this. We have an almost 20 hour long read that has about a 10 hour story to tell. Aside from that there are just so many times our protagonist (Annev) comes across as, well...stupid. So many times (as I was listening) I said out loud, "you're an idiot"!

Oh well, not one I'll follow up (even though it ends with a cliff-hanger). I jus didn't care any more by the time it was over...

Decide for yourself.
]]> <![CDATA[Prophecy of the Heir (Chronicles of Time #1)]]> 15720807
Ex-goth turned apologist, JC left home at 17 convinced by her father (a pastor) that God couldn't look at her, let alone hear her prayers. Needless to say, she didn't bother reading the Bible, until one day she accidently discovered the God of love in the pages of the Old Testament. Hoping to reach others who had been turned off by Christianity, she spent 10 years researching and writing Prophecy of the Heir -- a suspenseful, action-packed, battle-ridden love story, which is how JC now views the Bible.]]> 553 J.C. Lamont 0692264752 Mike (the Paladin) 5
First, yes this is a Christian Fantasy. I think some may if you wish simply read it as a fantasy/epic fantasy but if you are at all familiar with the Bible you will at least be aware of what goes on here.

The book is quite simply the story of the Bible (through the Old Testament here). In a fictional story drawing on the Bible and the Apocrypha. I'll say what I always say about books like this:

DON'T GET YOUR THEOLOGY FROM NOVELS.

Now, that said this novel is/can be very thought provoking as well as absorbing. I don't in any way think that this actually reflects things that the Holy Angels did but it does give us some (I think valuable) insights into what it must have been and be like to deal with a third of your brethren rebelling against the Holy God whom you love and serve. To see friends turn and learn to hate. Then also to watch and deal with the unfolding plan of God...

Well you get it I suppose. I love the book. Know going in it helps if you are familiar with the Bible. If you are non-religious you may try it as I said it is a fantasy/epic fantasy see what you think. I do think Christian fantasy lovers (no matter your denomination) may really love it and also find it (as I've already said) thought provoking...

And also encouraging, uplifting and rewarding.

Yes, recommended.

By the way, I wait somewhat breathlessly for MS. Lamont's next book on the New Testament Covenant of Blood. I missed the limited release of the "part 1" but I'd rather wait until the entire novel is published. By the way MS. Lamont, God willing I turn 70 next March. Please don't take too long. LOL.]]> 4.51 2012 Prophecy of the Heir (Chronicles of Time #1)
author: J.C. Lamont
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/09/21
shelves: action, christian-fantasy, fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
This could turn out to be a long(er) review so I'll try to keep control. First, yes I love(d) this book, plan to keep it on my shelves (my severely restricted in space shelves since we moved here). I recommend it. I'll try to give you enough to see what the book is and what it's about.

First, yes this is a Christian Fantasy. I think some may if you wish simply read it as a fantasy/epic fantasy but if you are at all familiar with the Bible you will at least be aware of what goes on here.

The book is quite simply the story of the Bible (through the Old Testament here). In a fictional story drawing on the Bible and the Apocrypha. I'll say what I always say about books like this:

DON'T GET YOUR THEOLOGY FROM NOVELS.

Now, that said this novel is/can be very thought provoking as well as absorbing. I don't in any way think that this actually reflects things that the Holy Angels did but it does give us some (I think valuable) insights into what it must have been and be like to deal with a third of your brethren rebelling against the Holy God whom you love and serve. To see friends turn and learn to hate. Then also to watch and deal with the unfolding plan of God...

Well you get it I suppose. I love the book. Know going in it helps if you are familiar with the Bible. If you are non-religious you may try it as I said it is a fantasy/epic fantasy see what you think. I do think Christian fantasy lovers (no matter your denomination) may really love it and also find it (as I've already said) thought provoking...

And also encouraging, uplifting and rewarding.

Yes, recommended.

By the way, I wait somewhat breathlessly for MS. Lamont's next book on the New Testament Covenant of Blood. I missed the limited release of the "part 1" but I'd rather wait until the entire novel is published. By the way MS. Lamont, God willing I turn 70 next March. Please don't take too long. LOL.
]]> <![CDATA[Witchling (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon, #1)]]> 793298 We're the D'Artigo Sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we're savvy--and sexy--operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she's stressed. Menolly's a vampire who's still trying to get the hang of being undead. And me? I'm Camille--a wicked-good witch. Except my magic is as unpredictable as the weather, which my enemies are about to find out the hard way...

At the Wayfarer Inn, a portal to Otherworld and the local hangout for humans and beasties alike, our fellow operative, Jocko, has been murdered. Every clue points to Shadow Wing, the soul-munching, badass leader of the Subterranean Realms. He's made it clear that he aims to raze humankind to the ground, turning both Earth and Otherworld into his private playground. Our assignment: keep Shadow Wing and his minions from creeping into Earth via the Wayfarer. The demons figure they're in like Flynn. After all, with only my bumbling sisters and me standing in the way, how can they miss? But we've got a secret for them: Faulty wiring or not, nobody kicks ass like the D'Artigo girls. . .]]> 276 Yasmine Galenorn 0425212548 Mike (the Paladin) 1 fantasy
For me however three words sum up my reaction to this book:

OH-GOOD-GRIEF. I had a little trouble getting words out however as I was fighting my gag reflex.

Yes it's another in a long line of books I hoped to like that I had hopes for and found to be, well for readers other than myself. There is an odd childish tone to the writing here with a strange attitude in our teller. She wants to be very sure that we know she's not a full blood human. Apparently there's a very racist attitude against full blood humans, even by our protagonists....

Our protagonists? Half human/half fairy....one who seems to unintentionally change shape under stress and another who is...are you ready? Think you'll be surprised? Think you'll see it coming? Hang on now...get ready...she is a....VAMPIRE! Yes a vampire.

Never saw that coming did you. I mean it's not like we're tripping over vampires in every other YA, urban fantasy, paranormal romance out there. Just what we need. Another sympathetic, friendly romantic vampire!!!!

At least so far as I saw she doesn't sparkle...I don't know about spreading fairy dust or anything.

Oh and romance? Well...we did get deep kisses...pelvic grinding and "feelings she hadn't had since...."

Well you get the idea. I got maybe half way through before I needed a double shot of insulin to counteract sweetness overload and cast the book aside.

And please don't tell me because I didn't finish this piece of tripe that I shouldn't or can't rate it. It's a one star experience for me....that's WHY I didn't finish it.

So, as I said some like this and I assume the series that follows it...and that's cool. We can't all like the same books. It's a matter of taste and this isn't to mine. If you like it, I'm very happy for you, enjoy.

And I do mean that. If you like the book, I'm happy for you, enjoy.

As for me? Can't recommend it and see it only possibly useful as compost.]]> 3.67 2006 Witchling (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon, #1)
author: Yasmine Galenorn
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2006
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2021/09/17
shelves: fantasy
review:
I know a lot of readers like this book. I know some of my friends like this book. believe me, I'm happy for you. It's always nice when you find something you like, grape soda, licorice, chocolate gummy bears, okra.....haggis. Really enjoy.

For me however three words sum up my reaction to this book:

OH-GOOD-GRIEF. I had a little trouble getting words out however as I was fighting my gag reflex.

Yes it's another in a long line of books I hoped to like that I had hopes for and found to be, well for readers other than myself. There is an odd childish tone to the writing here with a strange attitude in our teller. She wants to be very sure that we know she's not a full blood human. Apparently there's a very racist attitude against full blood humans, even by our protagonists....

Our protagonists? Half human/half fairy....one who seems to unintentionally change shape under stress and another who is...are you ready? Think you'll be surprised? Think you'll see it coming? Hang on now...get ready...she is a....VAMPIRE! Yes a vampire.

Never saw that coming did you. I mean it's not like we're tripping over vampires in every other YA, urban fantasy, paranormal romance out there. Just what we need. Another sympathetic, friendly romantic vampire!!!!

At least so far as I saw she doesn't sparkle...I don't know about spreading fairy dust or anything.

Oh and romance? Well...we did get deep kisses...pelvic grinding and "feelings she hadn't had since...."

Well you get the idea. I got maybe half way through before I needed a double shot of insulin to counteract sweetness overload and cast the book aside.

And please don't tell me because I didn't finish this piece of tripe that I shouldn't or can't rate it. It's a one star experience for me....that's WHY I didn't finish it.

So, as I said some like this and I assume the series that follows it...and that's cool. We can't all like the same books. It's a matter of taste and this isn't to mine. If you like it, I'm very happy for you, enjoy.

And I do mean that. If you like the book, I'm happy for you, enjoy.

As for me? Can't recommend it and see it only possibly useful as compost.
]]> <![CDATA[The Bull and the Spear (Corum, #4)]]> 1460912 159 Michael Moorcock 042502508X Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, epic-fantasy
Corum not being human has had to face the fact that he outlives any mortal he may love. Now again faced with a danger with which he must deal he feels very alone, and is very vulnerable. These are much darker than the first trilogy (as I said) and the fact that I go 4 stars says something. They are well written and will (I believe) draw you in. The Irish flavor and melancholy are very evident here and the word "enjoy" might not apply, but they're well done.]]> 3.89 1973 The Bull and the Spear (Corum, #4)
author: Michael Moorcock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1973
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/09/15
shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
This trilogy is a much darker trilogy that the first (and that's saying something) In these if you're familiar with Irish folklore I think you'll recognize a retelling of the Nuada or Silver Arm or Silver Hand, (King of the Tuatha DĂ© Danann) legend.

Corum not being human has had to face the fact that he outlives any mortal he may love. Now again faced with a danger with which he must deal he feels very alone, and is very vulnerable. These are much darker than the first trilogy (as I said) and the fact that I go 4 stars says something. They are well written and will (I believe) draw you in. The Irish flavor and melancholy are very evident here and the word "enjoy" might not apply, but they're well done.
]]> <![CDATA[Life and Limb (Blood & Bone, #1)]]> 44311278 A biker and a cowboy must stop the apocalypse in the first book of the Blood and Bones western urban fantasy series.

â€The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.â€� â€�Baudelaire

He is, after all, the master of lies.
But is it lies when a man comes calling and says the End of Days is nearing? That you must do everything within your power to stop it? Even when you have no powers. You are, after all, just a human.

Or do you have no powers? Are you just a human? And what the hell are you supposed to do about preventing hell-on-earth when you’re fresh out of prison, a biker ex-con who can’t even vote?

But the man who bears the message, the mission, is not a stranger shouting on a street corner while hoisting a sign promising death and damnation. He is someone you’ve known since boyhood, someone you trust implicitly. Someone who has never, ever lied to you. He's Grandaddy.

But who is he really? And who are you? Are you truly a weapon meant to be wielded against the devil’s return? Against the End Times. The End of Days. Apocalypse and Armageddon.

Demons, Grandaddy says, are now loosed upon the earth in the first spasms of a most unholy war. Demons inhabit and make real the beasts and characters of fiction, folklore, fairytales. Gods and goddesses walk the earth. The minotaur. Murderers. A horseman without his head. Myth becomes reality. Legends—and lies—are truths.

And maybe the man you’ve always trusted isn’t entirely human.]]> 310 Jennifer Roberson 0756415403 Mike (the Paladin) 3
Anyway, the sulfur and the molasses...well for me there's only a little bit of molasses, just enough to give it a 3 rather than a 2. So, if you are non-religious, irreligious, an atheist, and/or possibly an agnostic what bothers me will probably not bother you. If however you hold any actual belief...well, we'll talk about it.

If you can read this as just a story (as I try to) you'll find an okay tale. This is however one of those novels where all belief systems are more of less dumped together. If you're a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Christian, a worshipper of the Gods of ancient Egypt, or Rome, or Greece or Scandinavia...or what or where ever then you're on the side of the good angles (and we do see angels, of both camps). Now I've read books like this before and I (as I said going in)sigh and just read it as a fantasy. But here it gets a little...well, blasphemous. Our holy warriors cheerfully use God's and Jesus' name in oaths along with His title (Christ).

So anyway if this doesn't bother you, cool. I give the story 3 but don't know if I'll follow it up. This is for me of course. As I said if it doesn't bother you cool.]]> 3.53 2019 Life and Limb (Blood & Bone, #1)
author: Jennifer Roberson
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/31
date added: 2021/08/31
shelves: thriller, fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
Well...sigh. I've read 1 other book by Jennifer Roberson (one of the Tiger and Del books). It is totally different from this one, but I can see the style I think...maybe.

Anyway, the sulfur and the molasses...well for me there's only a little bit of molasses, just enough to give it a 3 rather than a 2. So, if you are non-religious, irreligious, an atheist, and/or possibly an agnostic what bothers me will probably not bother you. If however you hold any actual belief...well, we'll talk about it.

If you can read this as just a story (as I try to) you'll find an okay tale. This is however one of those novels where all belief systems are more of less dumped together. If you're a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Christian, a worshipper of the Gods of ancient Egypt, or Rome, or Greece or Scandinavia...or what or where ever then you're on the side of the good angles (and we do see angels, of both camps). Now I've read books like this before and I (as I said going in)sigh and just read it as a fantasy. But here it gets a little...well, blasphemous. Our holy warriors cheerfully use God's and Jesus' name in oaths along with His title (Christ).

So anyway if this doesn't bother you, cool. I give the story 3 but don't know if I'll follow it up. This is for me of course. As I said if it doesn't bother you cool.
]]> Miserere: An Autumn Tale 10193060 The Night Shade Books edition of Miserere is not the same as the JABberwocky edition. If you're reading the NSB print edition or listening to the NSB audiobook, those are the 1st edition and they bear very little resemblance to the new JABberwocky edition.

Exiled exorcist Lucian Negru deserted his lover in Hell in exchange for saving his sister Catarina's soul, but Catarina doesn't want salvation. She wants Lucian to help her fulfill her dark covenant with the Fallen Angels by using his power to open the Hell Gates. Catarina intends to lead the Fallen's hordes out of Hell and into the parallel dimension of Woerld, Heaven's frontline of defense between Earth and Hell. When Lucian refuses to help his sister, she imprisons and cripples him, but Lucian learns that Rachael, the lover he betrayed and abandoned in Hell, is dying from a demonic possession. Determined to rescue Rachael from the demon he unleashed on her soul, Lucian flees his sister, but Catarina's wrath isn't so easy to escape!
]]> 280 T. Frohock 1597802891 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy 3.80 Miserere: An Autumn Tale
author: T. Frohock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/09/06
date added: 2021/08/25
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, #1)]]> 545761
Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete as a gladiator. When the oppressed masses rally around his success, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever though possible--to serve a purpose he never imagined.

Set in a world of swords and cloaks, of glittering palaces and mystical temples, of galley ships and ancient mist-bound cities, The Light of Eidon is the first volume of an epic series, LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN-KING.]]> 432 Karen Hancock 0764227947 Mike (the Paladin) 4
To my Roman Catholic friends this book is set in a fantasy world. There is a fantasy version of the "Protestant Reformation" here and the large religion that seems to stand in the place of Rome is overtly controlled by an evil overlord. If this will bother you you may want to sidestep this one. This is not a place for theological discussion. I do have some fairly major disagreements with Roman belief however I have many close friends who are Catholic and I do NOT say they don't belong to Christ. There are many disagreements among all denominations and the Inquisition is in the past. Yes the Reformation was a response to problems in the Papacy and so on but we have stopped killing each other and seek now to find commonality in Christ.

Anyway I thought I should make that known.

Back to the book, as noted I found it enthralling, well plotted with good characters. I have already ordered the next "books" from Abebooks. I can recommend this one.

We follow our protagonist through his coming realization that he's lived his entire life in great error and has to deal with his own doubt of all things. The action is there and the book never slows down with the story being well balanced the action and the story telling complimenting each other and never losing out one to the other.

By the way, one other thing. The cover art almost caused me to pass this one by also. Don't let it put you off...this is a good book with unfortunate cover art. Why? Search me. Maybe the same people who do the covers for Christian Romances did the cover.

Please...change the cover art, you'll find more of your audience.

Recommended, enjoy.]]> 3.96 2003 The Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, #1)
author: Karen Hancock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 2021/05/25
date added: 2021/08/16
shelves: action, christian-fantasy, christian-fiction, epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
Okay the rating tells you I liked this book. it is very well written (and being a Christian it pains me to admit that often "Christian fiction" isn't quite up to the quality of it's counterparts). So I like it, it's a good story...now please read on a little bit before you move on.

To my Roman Catholic friends this book is set in a fantasy world. There is a fantasy version of the "Protestant Reformation" here and the large religion that seems to stand in the place of Rome is overtly controlled by an evil overlord. If this will bother you you may want to sidestep this one. This is not a place for theological discussion. I do have some fairly major disagreements with Roman belief however I have many close friends who are Catholic and I do NOT say they don't belong to Christ. There are many disagreements among all denominations and the Inquisition is in the past. Yes the Reformation was a response to problems in the Papacy and so on but we have stopped killing each other and seek now to find commonality in Christ.

Anyway I thought I should make that known.

Back to the book, as noted I found it enthralling, well plotted with good characters. I have already ordered the next "books" from Abebooks. I can recommend this one.

We follow our protagonist through his coming realization that he's lived his entire life in great error and has to deal with his own doubt of all things. The action is there and the book never slows down with the story being well balanced the action and the story telling complimenting each other and never losing out one to the other.

By the way, one other thing. The cover art almost caused me to pass this one by also. Don't let it put you off...this is a good book with unfortunate cover art. Why? Search me. Maybe the same people who do the covers for Christian Romances did the cover.

Please...change the cover art, you'll find more of your audience.

Recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Arrows of the Queen (Heralds of Valdemar, #1)]]> 13986 Follows the adventures of Talia as she trains to become a Herald of Valdemar in the first book in the classic epic fantasy Arrows trilogy

Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen's own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense.

But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason that could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queen's heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen's own foes.]]> 320 Mercedes Lackey 0886773784 Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
So you get the picture. The young protagonist who's had a hard to miserable childhood/youth and then gets called away to be a hero/heroine. Still (my sense of humor aside) it's a well written book and the young protagonist is appealing and complete. I got to know her, to like her (in spite of a few personality quirks that can annoy, and those were I believe deliberate). The book tells a "pretty good" story and draws you in.

So why drop it to a 3? Well it's pretty obviously the "first in a series" and reads like/"feels" like a long first chapter. It seems to me mostly a set up for the next/rest of the book/s (and I have the paperback of the next here. I just need to make time to get to it.

So a good book a readable book. It has the good world building (but then Ms. Lackey has spent a lot of time and ink in this world already) and a good system of "magic" (though they'd correct you for calling it magic I suppose.

And who doesn't love horses?

Don't tell me if it's you.

Recommended, a good read I hope the series holds up.]]> 4.13 1987 Arrows of the Queen (Heralds of Valdemar, #1)
author: Mercedes Lackey
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1987
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/08/07
shelves: fantasy
review:
Actually this book is better than a 3...but it's not really a 4. It's a well written book about a, are you ready? Young hero who's miserable, abused and unappreciated at home, until duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, DAAAAA, one of the chosen. Yes gasp she's to be a Herald!!!!!!

So you get the picture. The young protagonist who's had a hard to miserable childhood/youth and then gets called away to be a hero/heroine. Still (my sense of humor aside) it's a well written book and the young protagonist is appealing and complete. I got to know her, to like her (in spite of a few personality quirks that can annoy, and those were I believe deliberate). The book tells a "pretty good" story and draws you in.

So why drop it to a 3? Well it's pretty obviously the "first in a series" and reads like/"feels" like a long first chapter. It seems to me mostly a set up for the next/rest of the book/s (and I have the paperback of the next here. I just need to make time to get to it.

So a good book a readable book. It has the good world building (but then Ms. Lackey has spent a lot of time and ink in this world already) and a good system of "magic" (though they'd correct you for calling it magic I suppose.

And who doesn't love horses?

Don't tell me if it's you.

Recommended, a good read I hope the series holds up.
]]> The Hour of the Dragon 421157 Weird Tales, the famous pulp magazine, Hour of the Dragon is the only novel by Howard featuring his greatest creation, Conan the barbarian. This powerful novel of violent adventure has spawned many imitations in the genre over the years, including a series of best-selling paperbacks which, in imitation of Howard, continued the adventures of Conan.

Conan is at the pinnacle of his career in this story, having roamed the imaginary prehistoric world of Hyborea and, with native cunning and sheer force, fought his way to the throne of Aquilonia. He is the archetype of the invincible warrior: tough, fearless and incredibly strong.

As the novel opens, King Conan is captured by the magic of the evil sorcerer Xaltotun, whom Conan's enemies have raised from the dead, after three thousand years, for the express purpose of removing Conan from the throne. Conan's armies are so unprepared to battle Xaltotun's sorcery that they are routed on the battlefield and Aquilonia is conquered.

Conan is secretly released from prison by a slave girl who loves him, and he fights his way out of the dungeon catacombs to freedom, defeating a giant murderous ape who blocks his way. In the course of his escape, he overhears a secret meeting and learns that the source of Xaltotun's power is a mysterious jewel, the Heart of Ahriman, which Xaltotun's allies have stolen from him to insure their control over him.

Conan resolves to track the jewel across the barbaric landscape of Hyboria, destroy Xaltotun and regain his kingdom.]]> 296 Robert E. Howard 0399120963 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy 4.10 1933 The Hour of the Dragon
author: Robert E. Howard
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1933
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/07/30
shelves: fantasy
review:
A Howard collection...one volume from 1977. I incorrectly refered to these '77 books as novels. They are one volume Naratives. But still good if you can find them.
]]> <![CDATA[Demon Driven (Demon Accords, #2)]]> 28093101
From South of the border, North of the city, inside the NYPD and from the Federal Government. But the hardest fight Chris will face is with himself. Sometimes the demon inside is the most dangerous!]]> 10 John Conroe Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
Still a good read I can again recommend you try it. I think most Urban Fantasy fans will like it.]]> 3.99 2010 Demon Driven (Demon Accords, #2)
author: John Conroe
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/07/24
shelves: fantasy
review:
Things still moving here. The relationship between our unlikely "soulmates" (if that word applies) continues. The Mother-in-Law relationship still there but settling in while there is still concern that "he and she aren't right for each other. Okay we can wait for love to conquer all...including giant bearlike creature.

Still a good read I can again recommend you try it. I think most Urban Fantasy fans will like it.
]]> <![CDATA[God Touched (Demon Accords, #1)]]> 8722254 This an alternate cover for B003G2ZCW0

Chris Gordon is a rookie with the NYPD - one with a secret. In his spare time Chris is an exorcist without equal with a gift from God.

But when he saves a beautiful girl from a demonic attack, he discovers there is more to fear than just demons. Finding himself surrounded by vampires, were weasels, and facing a giant short-faced bear, Chris struggles to stay alive, all while protecting his deadly new girlfriend. And then there's her over protective vampire mother!]]> 408 John Conroe Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy
We get here another different take on the Vampire. Any of you who have read many of my reviews know that I'm not big on vampires that/who are not the basic walking corpse of the Slavic (Transylvanian) folklore. I especially dislike romantic vampires. (I read the first 4 Cal Leandros books. His older brother has a vampire girlfriend, I always wondered what happened if they were sleeping together and she woke up a bit...peckish?)

Well any way here we have a protagonist who is faced with a total shift in the way he looks at things while falling in love a "girl" who is basically a vamp princess who's mother could eat you. Go figure.

As I said, pretty good read I can recommend you try it if you like Urban Fantasy. The romance doesn't overwhelm the book. In other words the romance is there as part of the story not the whole story. So...

Enjoy.]]> 4.19 2010 God Touched (Demon Accords, #1)
author: John Conroe
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2021/07/24
date added: 2021/07/24
shelves: fantasy
review:
Well...okay. This is a pretty good read. I would say 3.5. I only refrain from going 4 stars as it isn't quite as "good" (my opinion of course) as others I've given a 4 star rating.

We get here another different take on the Vampire. Any of you who have read many of my reviews know that I'm not big on vampires that/who are not the basic walking corpse of the Slavic (Transylvanian) folklore. I especially dislike romantic vampires. (I read the first 4 Cal Leandros books. His older brother has a vampire girlfriend, I always wondered what happened if they were sleeping together and she woke up a bit...peckish?)

Well any way here we have a protagonist who is faced with a total shift in the way he looks at things while falling in love a "girl" who is basically a vamp princess who's mother could eat you. Go figure.

As I said, pretty good read I can recommend you try it if you like Urban Fantasy. The romance doesn't overwhelm the book. In other words the romance is there as part of the story not the whole story. So...

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Watcher's Test (Life in Exile, #1)]]> 52991660
Dave has been wandering through life for a long time. His day job bores him and he never seems to be able to meet his family's expectations. The only escape he's ever had is his love of MMORPG's.

But when he becomes the subject of a test without even knowing it, he's portaled into a game-world called Eloria with no way out. It's a frequent daydream of his, however, in none of those dreams did his wife and daughter ever accompany him.

Now, Dave must balance protecting his family with exploring his dream... oh, and trying to stay alive. Monstrous beasts roam Eloria, worst of all, an undead army led by the vile Death Knight.

He'll have to adapt fast and learn to cooperate if he hopes to make a new home for his family. And just maybe, along the way, he'll find out why they're living a life in exile.

Experience the epic first installment of a LitRPG saga perfect for fans of C.M Carney, Blaise Corvin, and Charles Dean.]]> 658 Sean Oswald Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, rpg-fiction, action "Maxwell Smart" every time he does something "magnificent" I almost break up...this is for those who remember Get Smart (the TV series not so much the movie).

**

A while back (not sure when I read the first) I "found" books that are usually called "litrpg". These are books that place people into situations where Role Playing Games suddenly (somehow) become their reality.

The first few I read were all good but then as they became more...common, as reads the mediocre became, shall we say, more common. I sort of burned out on them.

This one sounded pretty good so I picked it up.

At first I was sort of okay with it but not blown away. However it did pick up and became an excellent read. The story follows the events of a family which has been teleported into a world that woks on some game type rules. However (again) here death is real and you don't simply respawn.

So again, good read. I've picked up and started the next so, recommended.

Enjoy. ]]> 4.01 2020 Watcher's Test (Life in Exile, #1)
author: Sean Oswald
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/07/22
date added: 2021/07/22
shelves: fantasy, rpg-fiction, action
review:
I haven't finished this yet but I'm enjoying it. There's one thing, one of the main characters is named "Maxwell Smart" every time he does something "magnificent" I almost break up...this is for those who remember Get Smart (the TV series not so much the movie).

**

A while back (not sure when I read the first) I "found" books that are usually called "litrpg". These are books that place people into situations where Role Playing Games suddenly (somehow) become their reality.

The first few I read were all good but then as they became more...common, as reads the mediocre became, shall we say, more common. I sort of burned out on them.

This one sounded pretty good so I picked it up.

At first I was sort of okay with it but not blown away. However it did pick up and became an excellent read. The story follows the events of a family which has been teleported into a world that woks on some game type rules. However (again) here death is real and you don't simply respawn.

So again, good read. I've picked up and started the next so, recommended.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)]]> 7265901
The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Who do they think should pay for the unrest?

Katniss Everdeen.

The final book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins will have hearts racing, pages turning, and everyone talking about one of the biggest and most talked-about books and authors in recent publishing history!]]> 10 Suzanne Collins 0545101425 Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy, rereading
To each of course and I'd say try it yourself and see how you feel/what you think.


Some spoilers in review as I do discuss some things about the conclusion of the book.

*** Spoilers in Review below ***

[spoilers removed]

I found this an unsatisfying book and conclusion to what had been up to now a pretty good trilogy and if my children were still young I'd definitely discuss this one with them to see what they took away from it. Not my cup of tea, and puts my retention of the other two in my collection in question...I regret the money spent on this book and the time invested in it, a bad sign. The first book is a very good read, the second is pretty good, but this, the end volume is very, very weak. My opinion of course.

Update: Sadly this volume ruined the entire set for me. I sold all 3.]]> 3.89 2010 Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/07/21
shelves: fantasy, rereading
review:
Below is my original review. I'm leaving it as it's still essentially how I feel still. I have however decided that the overall story of the book rates a higher rating than I originally gave (you'll see below). The biggest problem for me was that Katniss seemed to grow some throughout the first and the second book, yet slid back and forth/up and down throughout this. I just didn't think it was still Katniss in some ways.

To each of course and I'd say try it yourself and see how you feel/what you think.


Some spoilers in review as I do discuss some things about the conclusion of the book.

*** Spoilers in Review below ***

[spoilers removed]

I found this an unsatisfying book and conclusion to what had been up to now a pretty good trilogy and if my children were still young I'd definitely discuss this one with them to see what they took away from it. Not my cup of tea, and puts my retention of the other two in my collection in question...I regret the money spent on this book and the time invested in it, a bad sign. The first book is a very good read, the second is pretty good, but this, the end volume is very, very weak. My opinion of course.

Update: Sadly this volume ruined the entire set for me. I sold all 3.
]]> <![CDATA[Crusade (The Paladin Trilogy #3)]]> 37956937 768 Daniel M. Ford 1939650755 Mike (the Paladin) 5
This trilogy sets up a story of a goddess who has been asleep for long years and finally awakes to help the poor and downtrodden of the world. To do this she calls a fallen knight who has come to realize the folly of the "knightly love of war" and the cost it draws from the "common folk".

I'm a Christian but I'd say to you who may be bothered by the idea of a fantasy god or goddess that this is...a fantasy, just a story... it can be used to tell a story.

I won't go over the climax of this series/trilogy. I will recommend it, highly.

Enjoy...oh and do start at book 1 Ordination Ordination (The Paladin Trilogy, #1) by Daniel M. Ford you'll be glad you did. Well if your taste runs like mine, LOL. I haven't found a lot of novels that handle the paladin character well. This one does pretty well.

Again, enjoy.]]> 4.24 2018 Crusade (The Paladin Trilogy #3)
author: Daniel M. Ford
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/07/20
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, military-fantasy
review:
I may have mentioned before, I have always liked the idea of the Paladin...the classic Paladin. The warrior of God, of good is an ideal. Sadly most of the time someone pulls out the character they use him/her as either a buffoon, a parody of the character or worse as a tyrant. Only a few books (I have found) do anything like a good job with the ideal of the character.

This trilogy sets up a story of a goddess who has been asleep for long years and finally awakes to help the poor and downtrodden of the world. To do this she calls a fallen knight who has come to realize the folly of the "knightly love of war" and the cost it draws from the "common folk".

I'm a Christian but I'd say to you who may be bothered by the idea of a fantasy god or goddess that this is...a fantasy, just a story... it can be used to tell a story.

I won't go over the climax of this series/trilogy. I will recommend it, highly.

Enjoy...oh and do start at book 1 Ordination Ordination (The Paladin Trilogy, #1) by Daniel M. Ford you'll be glad you did. Well if your taste runs like mine, LOL. I haven't found a lot of novels that handle the paladin character well. This one does pretty well.

Again, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Stillbright (The Paladin Trilogy #2)]]> 32713811 562 Daniel M. Ford 1939650585 Mike (the Paladin) 5
This series is (for me) an absorbing tale. The character of the paladin is very well done here as is the relationship with his co-protagonists. We get here the story not only of the growth of a paladin but the growth of the a new church (this is a pretty typical fantasy world with multiple religions). Here we meet a goddess who unlike all the other deities in this world actually cares about "her" people or "all the people". She cares for the weak and poor as well as the powerful and rich (the ones the other deities are interested in). It seems that for some reason she had been lulled to sleep sometime in the past and had been completely forgotten (why was she asleep for a few thousand years? Well we haven't found out anything about that yet...will we??? Don't know, but I tend to doubt it. All stories need some kind of hook. Here its the New/long lost deity).

So, again I like the book, I recommend the book...but of course I recommend you read them in order.

Enjoy.]]> 4.22 2017 Stillbright (The Paladin Trilogy #2)
author: Daniel M. Ford
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2019/11/25
date added: 2021/07/20
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, military-fantasy
review:
So...yep, in my opinion the quality holds up here.

This series is (for me) an absorbing tale. The character of the paladin is very well done here as is the relationship with his co-protagonists. We get here the story not only of the growth of a paladin but the growth of the a new church (this is a pretty typical fantasy world with multiple religions). Here we meet a goddess who unlike all the other deities in this world actually cares about "her" people or "all the people". She cares for the weak and poor as well as the powerful and rich (the ones the other deities are interested in). It seems that for some reason she had been lulled to sleep sometime in the past and had been completely forgotten (why was she asleep for a few thousand years? Well we haven't found out anything about that yet...will we??? Don't know, but I tend to doubt it. All stories need some kind of hook. Here its the New/long lost deity).

So, again I like the book, I recommend the book...but of course I recommend you read them in order.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Ordination (The Paladin Trilogy #1)]]> 27181511 486 Daniel M. Ford 1939650348 Mike (the Paladin) 5
I have found that more often than not the paladin character is either handled badly or (as more often happens) the character is caricatured. The paladin is treated as a buffoon, a charlatan or simply a fraud. But not so here.

I'd say this is the 2nd best paladin book I've come across.

For a while in reading this one I thought we'd face the bogging down problem I've seen so often in epic fantasy reads. No that didn't really happen. We meet our protagonist, and move the story along. Who is he...who was he? All this and more is important but we get it in dollops within the story instead of "info-dumps".

Our hero here when he meets "his" goddess (yes it's a goddess if that makes a difference [and I'm a Christian pastor. It didn't bother me...remember people, it's just a story]) we begin to see the advanced development of a paladin built on who Allystaire is and was.

The paladin in literature, myth, history and gaming can cover quite a wide span. The paladin here is much more the traditional picture those who's idea of a paladin comes from some form of gaming background would expect.

I won't go any further lest I include a spoiler. I like this one, I've finished the second ( Stillbright ) and have the third waiting for when I finish a couple of other books (I'm into a library book right now and need to finish it so it can go back).

So, highly recommended, I like it...enjoy.]]> 3.93 2016 Ordination (The Paladin Trilogy #1)
author: Daniel M. Ford
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2019/11/25
date added: 2021/07/20
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, favorites, military-fantasy
review:
You may have noticed my screen name??? That may tell you that the "Paladin" is one of my favorite fantasy characters. I began playing D&D in 1978 (yes I'm a card carrying "proto-nerd"). I'd always loved fantasy lit. Even in the army when I was in places that reading matter was as valuable as gold and mostly I saw westerns and action adventure I got fantasy when I could (and passed it along as everyone did books. I wonder sometimes if I created some fantasy fans among people who'd never have picked it up if they hadn't "just wanted something to read" to take their minds off the current situation).

I have found that more often than not the paladin character is either handled badly or (as more often happens) the character is caricatured. The paladin is treated as a buffoon, a charlatan or simply a fraud. But not so here.

I'd say this is the 2nd best paladin book I've come across.

For a while in reading this one I thought we'd face the bogging down problem I've seen so often in epic fantasy reads. No that didn't really happen. We meet our protagonist, and move the story along. Who is he...who was he? All this and more is important but we get it in dollops within the story instead of "info-dumps".

Our hero here when he meets "his" goddess (yes it's a goddess if that makes a difference [and I'm a Christian pastor. It didn't bother me...remember people, it's just a story]) we begin to see the advanced development of a paladin built on who Allystaire is and was.

The paladin in literature, myth, history and gaming can cover quite a wide span. The paladin here is much more the traditional picture those who's idea of a paladin comes from some form of gaming background would expect.

I won't go any further lest I include a spoiler. I like this one, I've finished the second ( Stillbright ) and have the third waiting for when I finish a couple of other books (I'm into a library book right now and need to finish it so it can go back).

So, highly recommended, I like it...enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Invasion of the Body Snatchers]]> 127515 224 Jack Finney 0684852586 Mike (the Paladin) 5 fantasy, favorites, horror
Oh, and if you see a movie based on this book, see the 1956 (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) avoid the later one with Donald Southerland (Like you would life stealing alien pods).]]> 3.91 1955 Invasion of the Body Snatchers
author: Jack Finney
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1955
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/07/12
shelves: fantasy, favorites, horror
review:
Another great read from SF's past. I love this book (and admit part of that may be that it's from my youth and part of the reason I love SF today.)I'd say this one is not to be missed.

Oh, and if you see a movie based on this book, see the 1956 (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) avoid the later one with Donald Southerland (Like you would life stealing alien pods).
]]> <![CDATA[A Knight of the Word (Word & Void, #2)]]> 420496 Then, after decades of service to the Word, an unspeakable act of violence shatters John Ross's weary faith. Haunted by guilt, he turns his back on his dread gift, settling down to build a normal life, untroubled by demons and nightmares.
But a fallen Knight makes a tempting prize for the Void, which could bend the Knight's magic to its own evil ends. And once the demons on Ross's trail track him to Seattle, neither he nor anyone close to him will be safe. His only hope is Nest Freemark, a college student who wields an extraordinary magic all her own. Five years earlier, Ross had aided Nest when the future of humanity rested upon her choice between Word and Void. Now Nest must return the favor. She must restore Ross's faith, or his life - and hers - will be forfeit...]]> 386 Terry Brooks 0345424646 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy 4.05 1998 A Knight of the Word (Word & Void, #2)
author: Terry Brooks
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1998
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2021/07/11
shelves: fantasy
review:
I don't really know what to say here. I put off reviewing this one for some time. It is a good idea, and I read the trilogy (though in my opinion it falls apart badly when he tried to "meld" it with his other series). I just kept having the "it could have been so much better or so much more" reaction throughout the entire book. I almost gave it a 3 star rating which for me would be a "very readable" rating, but finally went down to 2, mostly on disappointment.
]]> Last Call (Fault Lines, #1) 209690 Last Call is a masterpiece of magic realism from critically acclaimed author Tim Powers.

Set in the gritty, dazzling underworld known as Las Vegas, Last Call tells the story of a one-eyed professional gambler who discovers that he was not the big winner in a long-ago poker game . . . and now must play for the highest stakes ever as he searches for a way to win back his soul.]]> 544 Tim Powers 038072846X Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
Here Powers (again) takes several different folklore, supernatural belief, superstition...and just plain weird stuff, and molded it together into a good story. Using some of the actual history of the Tarot Deck and adding a good deal of imaginary lore with some other ingredients Mr.Powers has whipped up a good yarn. I like it, I ordered the rest of the series.

I can recommend this one, at least to some of you. Who among you will like it and who will not...well is anybody's guess.

:)

Enjoy...and be careful about which card games you play and definitely know what you're wagering.]]> 4.08 1992 Last Call (Fault Lines, #1)
author: Tim Powers
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/07/08
shelves: fantasy
review:
Again, if I keep reading Tim Powers I'll have to start a "Weird Fantasy" shelf. AND again I won't say too much about the story as anything could give a "sort-of-spoiler".

Here Powers (again) takes several different folklore, supernatural belief, superstition...and just plain weird stuff, and molded it together into a good story. Using some of the actual history of the Tarot Deck and adding a good deal of imaginary lore with some other ingredients Mr.Powers has whipped up a good yarn. I like it, I ordered the rest of the series.

I can recommend this one, at least to some of you. Who among you will like it and who will not...well is anybody's guess.

:)

Enjoy...and be careful about which card games you play and definitely know what you're wagering.
]]> Declare 12778635 0 Tim Powers 1441757163 Mike (the Paladin) 3
I went 3 stars on it, that may be a little low, but as I've often mentioned we don't have Half stars. The first half or so of the book is very much John le Carré-esk. We have a "retired (he hopes) English spy from WW2 called back into service (mysteriously) and put in a position (again) where he'll be expected to (basically) give up his life, become a fugitive and be thought a traitor...for his country.

From there we launch into a series of flashbacks interspersed with jumps back to the "present" (the 1960s). The supernatural aspect of the book is there but for a very long time it's simply hinted at. There are veiled references and just a few odd things. It does of course show up for the books climax.

The does something that bugs me a little, though I'm sure it won't bother a lot of readers. It takes a somewhat obscure Bible verse and begins to build it's plot there. The book takes some very misunderstood Biblical texts, some ideas from Islam, a bit from Judaism and then some folklore mixes them all together and comes up with an alternate explanation for some actual historical events...

And if I tell you any more it will be a spoiler so sort of decide for yourself. I'd say the story isn't bad though with fairly dry passages. I like Powers, though he can't be said to be one of my favorites. As noted, maybe try it yourself. For me no more than "okay", but I'm sure some will like better.]]> 3.95 2000 Declare
author: Tim Powers
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2021/07/07
shelves: alternate-history, conspiracy, fantasy, horror
review:
This is another that makes me think I need a "Weird Fiction" shelf. I saw this described as " le Carré meets Lovecraft". Well, that could be misleading. I have to assume whoever wrote that never read Lovecraft.

I went 3 stars on it, that may be a little low, but as I've often mentioned we don't have Half stars. The first half or so of the book is very much John le Carré-esk. We have a "retired (he hopes) English spy from WW2 called back into service (mysteriously) and put in a position (again) where he'll be expected to (basically) give up his life, become a fugitive and be thought a traitor...for his country.

From there we launch into a series of flashbacks interspersed with jumps back to the "present" (the 1960s). The supernatural aspect of the book is there but for a very long time it's simply hinted at. There are veiled references and just a few odd things. It does of course show up for the books climax.

The does something that bugs me a little, though I'm sure it won't bother a lot of readers. It takes a somewhat obscure Bible verse and begins to build it's plot there. The book takes some very misunderstood Biblical texts, some ideas from Islam, a bit from Judaism and then some folklore mixes them all together and comes up with an alternate explanation for some actual historical events...

And if I tell you any more it will be a spoiler so sort of decide for yourself. I'd say the story isn't bad though with fairly dry passages. I like Powers, though he can't be said to be one of my favorites. As noted, maybe try it yourself. For me no more than "okay", but I'm sure some will like better.
]]> <![CDATA[The Eternal Champion (Erekosë, #1)]]> 1826082 188 Michael Moorcock 0425095622 Mike (the Paladin) 5
Here is the book in which we are introduced to The Eternal Champion, John or Johnathan Daker who is apparently a man of our world and possibly the single incarnation who remembers all the others as dreams...is he Moorcock??? That's up to the reader.

Jonathan becomes Erekosë. As is fairly common in the "lives" of the Eternal Champion the tale of Erekosë is a poignant one fraught with pain (both emotional and physical) where he's forced to make almost impossible choices and suffer betrayal and horrible loss. He must choose what actions to take and then live with those choices.

The book is short (especially by today's standards). I place it on my epic fantasy shelf as it's part of a large sprawling story that spans time and space. It can also be called high fantasy as these stories take place amidst the trappings of very magical worlds and lands.

Some put them on their Sword and Sorcery shelves or lists. I don't as that brings to mind the tales of Conan or Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. These tales tend to (on the whole) have a bit more depth when taken as a single story. Of course many will disagree and that's fine.

I can recommend this book and "most" (though not all) of the Eternal Champion novels.

By the way, I couldn't find a picture of the edition I read with the great Frank Frazetta cover.

Enjoy.]]> 3.86 1970 The Eternal Champion (Erekosë, #1)
author: Michael Moorcock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1970
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/06/18
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, favorites, military-fantasy
review:
I read this many years ago (in the 1970s). When I discovered Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion "Cycle" I set out to find them all. While there are a few of the stand alone books (and one series) that are loosely tied to the series the "core books" are some of my all time favorites.

Here is the book in which we are introduced to The Eternal Champion, John or Johnathan Daker who is apparently a man of our world and possibly the single incarnation who remembers all the others as dreams...is he Moorcock??? That's up to the reader.

Jonathan becomes Erekosë. As is fairly common in the "lives" of the Eternal Champion the tale of Erekosë is a poignant one fraught with pain (both emotional and physical) where he's forced to make almost impossible choices and suffer betrayal and horrible loss. He must choose what actions to take and then live with those choices.

The book is short (especially by today's standards). I place it on my epic fantasy shelf as it's part of a large sprawling story that spans time and space. It can also be called high fantasy as these stories take place amidst the trappings of very magical worlds and lands.

Some put them on their Sword and Sorcery shelves or lists. I don't as that brings to mind the tales of Conan or Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. These tales tend to (on the whole) have a bit more depth when taken as a single story. Of course many will disagree and that's fine.

I can recommend this book and "most" (though not all) of the Eternal Champion novels.

By the way, I couldn't find a picture of the edition I read with the great Frank Frazetta cover.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel, #1)]]> 57571238 Stephen’s god died on the longest day of the year�

Three years later, Stephen is a broken paladin, living only for the chance to be useful before he dies. But all that changes when he encounters a fugitive named Grace in an alley and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now the pair must navigate a web of treachery, beset on all sides by spies and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind�

From the Hugo and Nebula Award winning author of Swordheart and The Twisted Ones comes a saga of murder, magic, and love on the far side of despair.]]> 13 T. Kingfisher 1705297722 Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy
This is the first book I ever read by Ms. Kingfisher (a pen name). Getting into it my first impression was it was going to primarily be a romance. I'm not a fan of romance fiction. I can handle a romance as part of a story but I don't care for it as a main stay.

However the novel got more balanced (in my opinion of course) in telling the story of the paladins of a deity who has apparently died. These paladins had as a "gift" that they went into a red haze of battle (in other words they are berserkers). Their deity would "at the appropriate time" pull them out of this "red haze". Now if they went into it, well there was no one to pull them out.

Not good.

Anyway, try it I think you'll enjoy it...other than the fact that it ends and has a sequel coming. Anyway, recommended.]]> 4.01 2020 Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel, #1)
author: T. Kingfisher
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/06/11
shelves: action, fantasy
review:
At first I wasn't really sure I'd like this book or even finish it.

This is the first book I ever read by Ms. Kingfisher (a pen name). Getting into it my first impression was it was going to primarily be a romance. I'm not a fan of romance fiction. I can handle a romance as part of a story but I don't care for it as a main stay.

However the novel got more balanced (in my opinion of course) in telling the story of the paladins of a deity who has apparently died. These paladins had as a "gift" that they went into a red haze of battle (in other words they are berserkers). Their deity would "at the appropriate time" pull them out of this "red haze". Now if they went into it, well there was no one to pull them out.

Not good.

Anyway, try it I think you'll enjoy it...other than the fact that it ends and has a sequel coming. Anyway, recommended.
]]> <![CDATA[The Knights of the Cornerstone]]> 2878713
An exquisite novel of fantasy from a "true one-of-a-kind original." (Neil Gaiman)]]> 294 James P. Blaylock 0441016537 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
Anyway, pretty good read. Our willingly and willfully ne'er-do-well protagonist is drawn into a long term spiritual battle with physical overtones or possibly a physical battle with spiritual overtones that he is ill prepared to believe in much less participate in...err. I mean in which to participate.

So as we travel with him up (and down) his road of discovery, belief and understanding the plot thickens constantly (you know like gravy or Jell-O). Christian Relics, greed, hunger for power and so on will keep you enthralled, or at least mildly interested right up to the end of the book.

Really.

Recommended, enjoy.]]> 3.34 2008 The Knights of the Cornerstone
author: James P. Blaylock
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.34
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2021/06/10
date added: 2021/06/10
shelves: fantasy
review:
I suppose I could have put this on my Christian Fiction shelf, though I'm not totally sure. So going with my "play it safe" mode I simply put it on my "read" shelf and my "Fantasy" shelf. I've read several books by Mr. Blaylock and while they are all a little on the, esoteric, side and he may be an acquired taste (you'll have to decide that for yourself) I like his work, overall. You know.

Anyway, pretty good read. Our willingly and willfully ne'er-do-well protagonist is drawn into a long term spiritual battle with physical overtones or possibly a physical battle with spiritual overtones that he is ill prepared to believe in much less participate in...err. I mean in which to participate.

So as we travel with him up (and down) his road of discovery, belief and understanding the plot thickens constantly (you know like gravy or Jell-O). Christian Relics, greed, hunger for power and so on will keep you enthralled, or at least mildly interested right up to the end of the book.

Really.

Recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Dungeon Madness (The Divine Dungeon, #2)]]> 34327194 An alternate cover edition for ASIN B01N4UQA28.

Both Cal and Dale have become stronger, each in spite of the other.

The dungeon - Cal - knows exactly how much their strength has increased, and is working hard to become exponentially more powerful. His schemes are becoming more complex, and his dungeon - his body - more deadly.

Dale has a nasty surprise waiting for him as he works to thwart the plans of the devious dungeon. You see, he is hearing a voice in his head that tries to distract him in critical moments, and so must fight his mind as he fights deadly creatures.

Unbeknownst to both, they are in for the fight of their lives as madness threatens the land...]]> 343 Dakota Krout Mike (the Paladin) 3 fantasy, rpg-fiction
So, fun book, sentient dungeon, which explains how dungeons respawn their monsters and how monsters live behind closed doors for years just to be there to eat your character when he or she walks in...

Enjoy.]]> 4.28 2017 Dungeon Madness (The Divine Dungeon, #2)
author: Dakota Krout
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2019/09/02
date added: 2021/06/10
shelves: fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:
Enjoyable book but I wasn't as drawn in as with the first. It may be that I'm reaching a saturation point with some of "lit-rpg" books and need to take a break.

So, fun book, sentient dungeon, which explains how dungeons respawn their monsters and how monsters live behind closed doors for years just to be there to eat your character when he or she walks in...

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Dungeon Mauling (The Good Guys, #3)]]> 48548885
Just when Montana thought he had life in Vuldranni figured out, the rug is pulled out from under him. He's alone once again, but now he's in the crosshairs of the man who would be emperor, and a whole host of people are counting on Montana to provide a safe haven for them.

Montana has one hope of actually completing his quest of forming a dukedom: he needs to bust Nikolai out of prison.

A prison that no one has ever escaped from alive.

A prison whose only exit is little more than rumor and probably doesn't even exist - through a sentient dungeon, hell-bent on causing torture, inflicting pain, and extracting the ultimate price: life.

Montana and his hirĂ°men are down to their last chance. So they get themselves arrested and enter Osterstadt prison. Can the Good Guys do good by going bad?]]> 9 Eric Ugland Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction 3.83 2018 Dungeon Mauling (The Good Guys, #3)
author: Eric Ugland
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2021/06/09
date added: 2021/06/09
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:

]]> The Twisted Ones 42527596 When a young woman clears out her deceased grandmother’s home in rural North Carolina, she finds long-hidden secrets about a strange colony of beings in the woods.

When Mouse’s dad asks her to clean out her dead grandmother's house, she says yes. After all, how bad could it be?

Answer: pretty bad. Grandma was a hoarder, and her house is stuffed with useless rubbish. That would be horrific enough, but there’s more—Mouse stumbles across her step-grandfather’s journal, which at first seems to be filled with nonsensical rants…until Mouse encounters some of the terrifying things he described for herself.

Alone in the woods with her dog, Mouse finds herself face to face with a series of impossible terrors—because sometimes the things that go bump in the night are real, and they’re looking for you. And if she doesn’t face them head on, she might not survive to tell the tale.

From Hugo Award–winning author Ursula Vernon, writing as T. Kingfisher.]]> 385 T. Kingfisher 1534429573 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, horror
I originally picked this up based on it's synopsis and found it to be by Ms. Kingfisher after I tracked it down. I went ahead and got it from the library as I'd eventually warmed to the first novel I'd read by her.

Glad I did.

If you are a fan of classic horror as you get into this book some of the story points may begin to well, ring bells. There is a reason for that. Arthur Machen is one of the best known of the...I suppose you'd call them...parents of today's horror. H.P. Lovecraft was influenced by him as was Rebert E. Howard. Stephen King has been quoted as saying his story The Great God Pan is the greatest short story ever written.

Well this story/novel takes up a sort of "what if" from his story The White People. What if it wasn't, "just a story".

Now I won't say it's light, no horror can really be light. However it is related by a narrator who shows some humor (as well as a certain amount of "double standard thinking" however I suspect that is as planned). I must say I do agree with her attitude of ALWAYS throwing herself between her dog and danger.

(yes, and I don't care if some may call it a spoiler...the dog lives)

Okay so I like this one and I can recommend it. It will make me far more willing to try more of the writer's work.

Enjoy. ]]> 3.60 2019 The Twisted Ones
author: T. Kingfisher
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/06/09
shelves: fantasy, horror
review:
This is the second book I've read by Ms. Kingfisher. The first struck me as having a bit more "romance" content Than I generally prefer...but it was a good read.

I originally picked this up based on it's synopsis and found it to be by Ms. Kingfisher after I tracked it down. I went ahead and got it from the library as I'd eventually warmed to the first novel I'd read by her.

Glad I did.

If you are a fan of classic horror as you get into this book some of the story points may begin to well, ring bells. There is a reason for that. Arthur Machen is one of the best known of the...I suppose you'd call them...parents of today's horror. H.P. Lovecraft was influenced by him as was Rebert E. Howard. Stephen King has been quoted as saying his story The Great God Pan is the greatest short story ever written.

Well this story/novel takes up a sort of "what if" from his story The White People. What if it wasn't, "just a story".

Now I won't say it's light, no horror can really be light. However it is related by a narrator who shows some humor (as well as a certain amount of "double standard thinking" however I suspect that is as planned). I must say I do agree with her attitude of ALWAYS throwing herself between her dog and danger.

(yes, and I don't care if some may call it a spoiler...the dog lives)

Okay so I like this one and I can recommend it. It will make me far more willing to try more of the writer's work.

Enjoy.
]]> The Postman 255828 This is the story of a lie that became the most powerful kind of truth.

A timeless novel as urgently compelling as Warday or Alas, Babylon, David Brin's The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of America through the power of a dream, from a modern master of science fiction.

He was a survivor—a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war.ĚýFate touches him one chill winter's day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold.ĚýThe old, worn uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.]]> 274 David Brin 1568655002 Mike (the Paladin) 5
I stumbled on this book some years ago and frankly was surprised at how much I liked it. There are a lot of post apocalyptic books out there. They run the proverbial gamut from excellent to unreadable. This is actually not only a good one, but one of the best.

No spoilers, but we pick up some years after "the collapse" when the infrastructure of the country has ceased to exist. Our hero spots a scam that will help him survive but....he always wonders about the bigger questions of life and of survival. One of the main questions he confronts (constantly) is, who will accept responsibility? Society has destroyed itself. Humans may or may not survive. Life itself may not survive in the forms it has been known, that itself is still in the balance. The question of responsibility goes deeper than the momentary events that triggered the collapse, much deeper? Who will take responsibility? Go on from there.

I've read other books by David Brin, some I've liked some...not so much. But this is one of those times when I think a writer hits the top of his game. Character driven AND plot driven this book, this story and this character stay with you...they have with me.

My highest recommendation.

By the way, this is another book that is the victim of an unfortunate movie attempt. Now while I think the people behind the movie may have "wanted" to do the book justice and may even have been moved by it, they just failed to capture the heart of this one. As I said, I don't hand out a lot of 5 star ratings. This is one of the books I've loaned, given away, and recommended widely. I like it, I try to always have a copy on my shelves, and I recommend it.

]]> 3.77 1985 The Postman
author: David Brin
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1985
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/06/07
shelves: favorites, fantasy, science-fiction, post-apocalyptic-dystopian
review:
One of my all time favorite books, no question. I don't give out many 5 star ratings. Here I give it enthusiastically.

I stumbled on this book some years ago and frankly was surprised at how much I liked it. There are a lot of post apocalyptic books out there. They run the proverbial gamut from excellent to unreadable. This is actually not only a good one, but one of the best.

No spoilers, but we pick up some years after "the collapse" when the infrastructure of the country has ceased to exist. Our hero spots a scam that will help him survive but....he always wonders about the bigger questions of life and of survival. One of the main questions he confronts (constantly) is, who will accept responsibility? Society has destroyed itself. Humans may or may not survive. Life itself may not survive in the forms it has been known, that itself is still in the balance. The question of responsibility goes deeper than the momentary events that triggered the collapse, much deeper? Who will take responsibility? Go on from there.

I've read other books by David Brin, some I've liked some...not so much. But this is one of those times when I think a writer hits the top of his game. Character driven AND plot driven this book, this story and this character stay with you...they have with me.

My highest recommendation.

By the way, this is another book that is the victim of an unfortunate movie attempt. Now while I think the people behind the movie may have "wanted" to do the book justice and may even have been moved by it, they just failed to capture the heart of this one. As I said, I don't hand out a lot of 5 star ratings. This is one of the books I've loaned, given away, and recommended widely. I like it, I try to always have a copy on my shelves, and I recommend it.


]]> Awakened (Paragons #1) 55380075
WHEN DARK PORTALS OPEN, HEROES WILL AWAKEN

Chicago journalist Israel Trent and hard-lived Erin Simms awake in a modern day dungeon and are thrust into a world of shadowy government agencies, secret societies, hidden history, and fringe sciences so far beyond understanding they might as well be magic. To survive in this secret world, they must face down a powerful doomsday cult intent on opening a gateway for their alien masters while simultaneously coming to grips with the unearthly power locked deep within their own DNA. They must learn what it means to be Awakened.

Awakened is the first Book in The Paragons Trilogy and tells the story of two unlikely friends who suddenly inherit the potential to change the course of human history. It’s a fast paced thriller that pits flawed but powerful human beings against otherworldly monsters and the dark cult that worships them. If you enjoy over the top action and memorable characters, you’ll love Awakened.]]> 1 C. Steven Manley Mike (the Paladin) 3
It's pretty good, holds the interest but of course pure brain candy.]]> 3.40 2015 Awakened (Paragons #1)
author: C. Steven Manley
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2021/06/01
date added: 2021/06/01
shelves: action, fantasy, horror, thriller
review:
I read this a while back and completely forgot it so...3 stars max, sorry. Won't belabor this one. Not a bad book. I've seen the idea sort of done before though not exactly.

It's pretty good, holds the interest but of course pure brain candy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Silver Sorceress (The Raveling, #2)]]> 42097542
Following the deadly assault on the Scholia by the kith’ketan, Keilan and Nel pursue the paladin Senacus south, hoping to catch him before he can vanish into the Gilded Cities. Nel desires vengeance for the death of her lover, while Keilan hopes to find answers about the immortal sorcerers who sought to challenge the Crimson Queen . . .

In the Empire of Swords and Flowers a young woman is called upon to avenge her father’s death and return honor to her family . . .

And after a millennia-long imprisonment, the monstrous Chosen are again free to work their dark will upon the world of man . . .
]]> 504 Alec Hutson 099822765X Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, epic-fantasy, fantasy
As our "heroes" try to take the prophecy they received from the Oracle and act upon it to avert the next cataclysm they are faced with the question, will they actually bring about the prophecy by trying to avert it?

As the strings of plot flail out the story does hold together and while the book's ending is more like just a typical cliffhanger...the next book is out.

And I've gone right to it.

Enjoy.]]> 4.18 2019 The Silver Sorceress (The Raveling, #2)
author: Alec Hutson
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2021/05/25
date added: 2021/05/25
shelves: action, epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
Well...okay. We pick up here at the moment we left book 1 however we also jump across the fantasy world and pick up a new plot string and an additional "main" character. As we learn more about the Raveling (and indeed what the Raveling is) things seem to spiral out of control (at least a bit). We have now introduced an Asian flavored part to the story...and actually done it pretty well.

As our "heroes" try to take the prophecy they received from the Oracle and act upon it to avert the next cataclysm they are faced with the question, will they actually bring about the prophecy by trying to avert it?

As the strings of plot flail out the story does hold together and while the book's ending is more like just a typical cliffhanger...the next book is out.

And I've gone right to it.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Crimson Queen (The Raveling, #1)]]> 33237983 2016 Ink and Insights Competition - Judges' Favorite
2017 Reader's Favorite Award for Epic Fantasy
2nd place in the 2017 SPFBO

Long ago the world fell into twilight, when the great empires of old consumed each other in sorcerous cataclysms. In the south the Star Towers fell, swallowed by the sea, while the black glaciers descended upon the northern holdfasts, entombing the cities of Min-Ceruth in ice and sorcery. Then from the ancient empire of Menekar the paladins of Ama came, putting every surviving sorcerer to the sword and cleansing their taint from the land for the radiant glory of their lord.

The pulse of magic slowed, fading like the heartbeat of a dying man.

But after a thousand years it has begun to quicken again.

In a small fishing village a boy with strange powers comes of age...

A young queen rises in the west, fanning the long-smoldering embers of magic into a blaze once more...

Something of great importance is stolen - or freed - from the mysterious Empire of Swords and Flowers...

And the immortals who survived the ancient cataclysms bestir themselves, casting about for why the world is suddenly changing...]]> 419 Alec Hutson 0998227609 Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, epic-fantasy, fantasy
I go only 4 stars here as the beginning of the book struck me as a bit disjointed and took just a bit to draw me in. It was a bit touch and go at first whether I'd stay with it. However it does "pull together" and is well done. At first the switches between character arcs is a bit muddy. That straightens out however as if it took a little for the writer to "find his feet."

I will say one other negative thing here but it's only about the Audio version I have. The reader is good...but for some reason does atrocious accents.

The book's story picks up 1000 years after a great cataclysm that killed millions. I seems to have been caused by two great sorcerous powers that had held each other at bay with a sort of MAD (mutually assured destruction) type balance...until someone "pressed the button". The world now is one where sorcery is found in many places while one "religion" has made it it's mission to wipe out all sorcerers and sorceresses. They send out "paladins" to kill them.

We find fairly early on that these "paladins" are not "Paladins" (this is not a spoiler as it shows up pretty quickly.

By the way this bugs me as I like the classic paladin character and it so seldom actually shows up. Mostly when people use a paladin he or she turns out to be evil, a caricature of the class or simply a buffoon.

Anyway, this is a good read and drew me in quickly after it found it's feet. I can pretty much recommend it. Enjoy. ]]> 4.10 2016 The Crimson Queen (The Raveling, #1)
author: Alec Hutson
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2021/05/25
date added: 2021/05/25
shelves: action, epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
I liked this one and have started the second.

I go only 4 stars here as the beginning of the book struck me as a bit disjointed and took just a bit to draw me in. It was a bit touch and go at first whether I'd stay with it. However it does "pull together" and is well done. At first the switches between character arcs is a bit muddy. That straightens out however as if it took a little for the writer to "find his feet."

I will say one other negative thing here but it's only about the Audio version I have. The reader is good...but for some reason does atrocious accents.

The book's story picks up 1000 years after a great cataclysm that killed millions. I seems to have been caused by two great sorcerous powers that had held each other at bay with a sort of MAD (mutually assured destruction) type balance...until someone "pressed the button". The world now is one where sorcery is found in many places while one "religion" has made it it's mission to wipe out all sorcerers and sorceresses. They send out "paladins" to kill them.

We find fairly early on that these "paladins" are not "Paladins" (this is not a spoiler as it shows up pretty quickly.

By the way this bugs me as I like the classic paladin character and it so seldom actually shows up. Mostly when people use a paladin he or she turns out to be evil, a caricature of the class or simply a buffoon.

Anyway, this is a good read and drew me in quickly after it found it's feet. I can pretty much recommend it. Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)]]> 50548197
A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) � until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets.

There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate� or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere.

El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students.]]> 320 Naomi Novik 0593128486 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
See if "you" are born with a magical gift (this would mean usually but not always to wizardly parents) then "the monsters" will want to eat you. As a matter of fact your parents need to be very vigilant for you not to get eaten. Of course this doesn't become a problem until you're maybe 9+ years of age. Before that you just don't have enough magic to make you tasty and nutritious enough for them. You know they need your magic. They don't bother to eat nonmagical kids.

By the way, if you're a magical kid born to normal parents you're...well you're pretty much sure to get eaten.

Anyway this being a less than desirable condition way back in the past a famous wizard came up with the idea that a school could be built where the monsters would have more trouble getting to the kids...

This did not exactly work out as planned. The school is pretty much magically automated, there are NO teachers. Not only no teachers, but no custodians, no care takers...no adults at all. The kids who have inborn magic at the right age are simply magically swept up and teleported to the school...well the top ones. the school can only take so many kids. If you're not magical enough, well you take your chances with the monsters the old fashioned way.

Anyway the school set up to seal out the monsters turned out to be very, leaky, the defenses very porous and the systems designed to wipe out (magically burn) the monsters occasionally, tend to break down. That's true especially in the graduation hall. So throughout the year the school tends to fill up with monsters that lurk, well everywhere. Going into a room or down a hall alone is not recommended. The kids tend to have a mortality rate of around 50%. And graduation is really bad as the graduation hall fills up with very hungry monsters and graduation amounts to fighting your way out of the school.

So basically survivors graduate and it's sometimes (often) advantageous to throw you sister and brother students to said monsters...

Anyway, there's more to it than that but you get the idea. pretty good read I can recommend it.
Enjoy.]]> 3.93 2020 A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)
author: Naomi Novik
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/04/28
shelves: fantasy
review:
This is an...I'm sorry I know I say this a lot...interesting book. Set up here is a (another?) magical school book. Only, with a twist.

See if "you" are born with a magical gift (this would mean usually but not always to wizardly parents) then "the monsters" will want to eat you. As a matter of fact your parents need to be very vigilant for you not to get eaten. Of course this doesn't become a problem until you're maybe 9+ years of age. Before that you just don't have enough magic to make you tasty and nutritious enough for them. You know they need your magic. They don't bother to eat nonmagical kids.

By the way, if you're a magical kid born to normal parents you're...well you're pretty much sure to get eaten.

Anyway this being a less than desirable condition way back in the past a famous wizard came up with the idea that a school could be built where the monsters would have more trouble getting to the kids...

This did not exactly work out as planned. The school is pretty much magically automated, there are NO teachers. Not only no teachers, but no custodians, no care takers...no adults at all. The kids who have inborn magic at the right age are simply magically swept up and teleported to the school...well the top ones. the school can only take so many kids. If you're not magical enough, well you take your chances with the monsters the old fashioned way.

Anyway the school set up to seal out the monsters turned out to be very, leaky, the defenses very porous and the systems designed to wipe out (magically burn) the monsters occasionally, tend to break down. That's true especially in the graduation hall. So throughout the year the school tends to fill up with monsters that lurk, well everywhere. Going into a room or down a hall alone is not recommended. The kids tend to have a mortality rate of around 50%. And graduation is really bad as the graduation hall fills up with very hungry monsters and graduation amounts to fighting your way out of the school.

So basically survivors graduate and it's sometimes (often) advantageous to throw you sister and brother students to said monsters...

Anyway, there's more to it than that but you get the idea. pretty good read I can recommend it.
Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[White Night (The Dresden Files, #9)]]> 10250471
A series of apparent suicides rings alarm bells with the police, and Harry is hired. At the first crime scene he hits pay dirt, discovering an unmistakable magical taint. There's also a message especially for him, and it ain't pretty. The 'killings' will continue if Harry can't halt his tormentor, but the evidence implicates his half-brother, which just doesn't add up. Unfortunately Harry's digging around attracts some powerful vampires with a stake in the result. Soon, whichever way he turns, Harry will find himself outnumbered, outclassed and dangerously susceptible to temptation. And if he screws up, his friends will die.

Magic - it can get a guy killed.]]> 419 Jim Butcher 0356500357 Mike (the Paladin) 4 4.25 2007 White Night (The Dresden Files, #9)
author: Jim Butcher
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/04/21
shelves: favorites, fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
We're going to get to know Harry's half brother more in this one, espically since Harry has to prove he's not involved in murder.
]]> <![CDATA[Kings of Morning (The Macht, #3)]]> 10062696 439 Paul Kearney 1907519386 Mike (the Paladin) 1 fantasy, didn-t-finish Maybe others will love this book.

The first book of this series is one of the best books I've ever read, bar none. It's great. The second is okay but weaker. This one lost me almost right away and it never drew me in...at all.

Can't recommend it. Maybe I didn't hang in long enough but for me it was just another "oh good grief" slog. Maybe see for yourself.]]> 3.99 2012 Kings of Morning (The Macht, #3)
author: Paul Kearney
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2012
rating: 1
read at: 2020/09/24
date added: 2021/04/15
shelves: fantasy, didn-t-finish
review:
Look, I don't know what happened here. I've seen this before. And I must admit at first it could be me.
Maybe others will love this book.

The first book of this series is one of the best books I've ever read, bar none. It's great. The second is okay but weaker. This one lost me almost right away and it never drew me in...at all.

Can't recommend it. Maybe I didn't hang in long enough but for me it was just another "oh good grief" slog. Maybe see for yourself.
]]> The Guns of Avalon 1393061 180 Roger Zelazny 0385085060 Mike (the Paladin) 5 Nine Princes in Amber. )Also, this book ends in a somewhat "cliffhangerish" way and it was years before I got the next volume...

Happily for you, the entire series is there waiting for you. Enjoy.

They are also available in audio now.]]> 3.88 1972 The Guns of Avalon
author: Roger Zelazny
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.88
book published: 1972
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/04/15
shelves: favorites, fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
This was the first volume of this series I read. The Amber series...one of fantasy's best. I stumbled on this not knowing it was a series. Then It was years before I found the first volume (Nine Princes in Amber. )Also, this book ends in a somewhat "cliffhangerish" way and it was years before I got the next volume...

Happily for you, the entire series is there waiting for you. Enjoy.

They are also available in audio now.
]]> <![CDATA[Red Knight Falling (Harmony Black, #2)]]> 30058575
They’d always heard the Red Knight was an urban legend: in 1954, three years before Sputnik launched, a mysterious satellite was sighted circling Earth, though no power on the planet had such technology.

But the Red Knight is real, and what’s more, it’s inextricably linked to a supernatural force no one yet understands. Like a moth to a flame, this dark presence collides annually with the airborne satellite. Except this year the Red Knight is on course to crash-land…in Oregon.

Vigilant Lock sets out to find the crash site and secure the remnants before the mysterious power is drawn to Earth. But they soon discover the mission is far from straightforward—and they aren’t the only ones tracking the Red Knight. To stop a deadly occult threat, Harmony and her team must use all their resources: technology and sorcery, science and magic. Fortunately, Harmony has only begun to discover her growing power.

Listening Length: 10 hours and 25 minutes]]> 11 Craig Schaefer Mike (the Paladin) 4
Of course we start in a situation where...wait a second, that would be a spoiler. Okay hold on.

[spoilers removed]

Anyway thus there is a plausible reason for the disjointedness of the storytelling. Like me you'll just have to live with it.

So, not bad, not great but a good read overall. I'll plan to follow up the series, just not right now. I need a break I think. By the way watch out for Jesse, she's nice and reliable and a good alley but tends to go feral...

Enjoy.]]> 3.73 2016 Red Knight Falling (Harmony Black, #2)
author: Craig Schaefer
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/03/19
shelves: action, fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
Well, I went 4 stars but let's call this one 3.5. The Harmony Black series continues. This is the 2nd in the series and (of course) the second I've read. I must say it's not quite as good as the first. The story is still interesting, the characters fairly well drawn and so on. However the plot here gets a bit disjointed.

Of course we start in a situation where...wait a second, that would be a spoiler. Okay hold on.

[spoilers removed]

Anyway thus there is a plausible reason for the disjointedness of the storytelling. Like me you'll just have to live with it.

So, not bad, not great but a good read overall. I'll plan to follow up the series, just not right now. I need a break I think. By the way watch out for Jesse, she's nice and reliable and a good alley but tends to go feral...

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Dukes and Ladders (The Good Guys, #5)]]> 43892997 340 Eric Ugland Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction 4.40 2019 Dukes and Ladders (The Good Guys, #5)
author: Eric Ugland
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/03/19
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Four: The Loot (The Good Guys, #4)]]> 43237114
Well, and some lumber. And nails and whatnot. And enough food to get through the winter. And probably some more gold.

All Montana needs before he can leave Osterstadt are some friends, some building materials, food, and money.

But he did promise to retrieve some magic texts from a cemetery for Emmeline. And he really should try to help the lost little boy who keeps following him around. And all the undead in that basement crypt aren’t going to re-kill themselves.

Maybe Montana’s taken on a few too many side quests.]]> 276 Eric Ugland Mike (the Paladin) 0 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction 4.40 2019 Four: The Loot (The Good Guys, #4)
author: Eric Ugland
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2021/03/19
date added: 2021/03/19
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow (The Good Guys, #2)]]> 42142215

Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow is a heart-pounding adventure through uncharted territory. Montana and the party must cross WarWaters, a lake that offers everything but a pleasure cruise, and then race through a dense, forbidden forest full of hungry beasts, unfriendly races, and a few cocky nobles. If you’re ready for an epic quest full of hellbeasts, ghost royals, and wyrm guts, this is the book for you.


Dive into The Good Guys book 2 today!]]> 254 Eric Ugland Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction 4.31 2018 Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow (The Good Guys, #2)
author: Eric Ugland
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/03/19
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[One More Last Time (The Good Guys, #1)]]> 48548842 Er dachte, es sei das Ende, und seine Waffe war bereit, um dies sicherzustellen.

Aber ein merkwürdiges Angebot seines einzigen Freundes kommt in buchstäblich letzter Sekunde. Die Neugier holt ihn ein, und er findet sich in iNcarn8 wieder, ein Spiel, das behauptet, ein ganz neues Leben zu sein. Als Montana, der überlebensgroße Krieger, hat er nun noch ein letztes Mal Gelegenheit, sein Leben in Ordnung zu bringen.]]> 8 Eric Ugland Mike (the Paladin) 4 action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
Pretty good litrpg. This is a genre which was a really good idea that (as tends to happen) a few good ones caught on and made a splash. Then dozens to hundreds of mediocre to loathsome works showed up in it. Too bad.

This one is one of the readable and pretty good ones. ]]> 3.74 2018 One More Last Time (The Good Guys, #1)
author: Eric Ugland
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/03/19
shelves: action, fantasy, rpg-fiction
review:
Sorry guys...I read this years ago and forgot to rate/review it. Thus I started it again and realized (as noted) I'd read it.

Pretty good litrpg. This is a genre which was a really good idea that (as tends to happen) a few good ones caught on and made a splash. Then dozens to hundreds of mediocre to loathsome works showed up in it. Too bad.

This one is one of the readable and pretty good ones.
]]> Immortal (Immortal, #1) 13459072 “I don’t know how old I am.My earliest memory is something along the lines of fire good, ice bad, so I think I predate written history, but I don’t know by how much. I like to brag that I’ve been there from the beginning, and while this may very well be true, I generally just say it to pick up girls.�

--Adam the Immortal

Surviving sixty thousand years takes cunning and more than a little luck. But in the twenty-first century, Adam confronts new dangers—someone has found out what he is, a demon is after him, and he has run out of places to hide.Worst of all, he has had entirely too much to drink.

Immortal is a first person confessional penned by a man who is immortal, but not invincible. In an artful blending of sci-fi, adventure, fantasy, and humor, IMMORTAL introduces us to a world with vampires, demons and other “magical� creatures, yet a world without actual magic.

At the center of the book is Adam.

“I have been in quite a few tight situations in my long life. One of the first things I learned was if there is going to be a mob panic, don’t be standing between the mob and wherever it is they all want to go. The second thing I learned was, don’t try to run through fire.�

--Adam the Immortal

Adam is a sixty thousand year old man. (Approximately.) He doesn’t age or get sick, but is otherwise entirely capable of being killed.His survival has hinged on an innate ability to adapt, his wits, and a fairly large dollop of luck.He makes for an excellent guide through history . . . when he’s sober.

Immortal is a contemporary fantasy for non-fantasy readers and fantasy enthusiasts alike.]]> 279 Gene Doucette 1612130992 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, urban-fantasy
Adam is immortal, he just doesn't age or die. Oh he can get hurt, he believes that (in spite of his rapid healing ability) he can be killed...though up to now that hasn't happened. He's very, very old. He wonders if he's been around from the beginning though as he tells us himself, he only claims to have been around from the beginning to pick up women. Of course Adam is only the name he's currently using. He's pretty sure his first name was something like "Urg". His earliest thoughts are (he thinks) like "ice bad fire good".

I got this in the audio version and must admit for about the first 40 minuets of the book my thoughts were...blah. I was almost convinced that I'd be laying the book aside, I was in a few words, just plain bored.

Then something happened. I found myself interested in the story. The problem was (and is) that we have a triple layered story going here. First our "hero" is relating what's going on in his present, then in flashback he's telling us how he got there...and third in a series of memories we get a view of his background, the world we're operating in, and some of the creatures in it. So, like the previous sentence the early part of the story tends to, "run-on".

Still hang in there for once you manage to forge your way through some of the morass like early set up the book is a good read.

Let me add this caveat, to some this won't matter at all but I want those who may be bothered to know. Our protagonist is pretty much an across the board "insulter of Theists". I'll give him this, he insults not only Christians and Jews, but actually brings in the Islam faith. Most writers who choose to insult religious belief stick with Christians and Jews.

Still, I survived it. Just take it as "it's a story" and go on. The novel is pretty well written and I think most will like it. I'd say give it a shot and see what you think.]]> 3.97 2010 Immortal (Immortal, #1)
author: Gene Doucette
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/03/14
shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy
review:
Odd interesting book. I found (a few years ago) that I like good Urban Fantasy, thus I'm always looking for new "good" Urban Fantasy. This one was suggested on the books like Harry Dresden thread.When I started this novel and began to get acquainted with our erstwhile protagonist the book ran hot and cold for me.

Adam is immortal, he just doesn't age or die. Oh he can get hurt, he believes that (in spite of his rapid healing ability) he can be killed...though up to now that hasn't happened. He's very, very old. He wonders if he's been around from the beginning though as he tells us himself, he only claims to have been around from the beginning to pick up women. Of course Adam is only the name he's currently using. He's pretty sure his first name was something like "Urg". His earliest thoughts are (he thinks) like "ice bad fire good".

I got this in the audio version and must admit for about the first 40 minuets of the book my thoughts were...blah. I was almost convinced that I'd be laying the book aside, I was in a few words, just plain bored.

Then something happened. I found myself interested in the story. The problem was (and is) that we have a triple layered story going here. First our "hero" is relating what's going on in his present, then in flashback he's telling us how he got there...and third in a series of memories we get a view of his background, the world we're operating in, and some of the creatures in it. So, like the previous sentence the early part of the story tends to, "run-on".

Still hang in there for once you manage to forge your way through some of the morass like early set up the book is a good read.

Let me add this caveat, to some this won't matter at all but I want those who may be bothered to know. Our protagonist is pretty much an across the board "insulter of Theists". I'll give him this, he insults not only Christians and Jews, but actually brings in the Islam faith. Most writers who choose to insult religious belief stick with Christians and Jews.

Still, I survived it. Just take it as "it's a story" and go on. The novel is pretty well written and I think most will like it. I'd say give it a shot and see what you think.
]]> <![CDATA[Ruin (The Faithful and the Fallen, #3)]]> 36624614 28 John Gwynne Mike (the Paladin) 4 epic-fantasy, fantasy
This is the third in the, "The Faithful and the Fallen" series. This series has spawned some varied responses here in the reviews. Some like it, some actively dislike it. You are treading some fairly familiar "epic fantasy" ground here but you'll get a couple of fairly original twists, This volume has some noticeable emotional ups and downs and as far as the ending goes, well...can you say "cliffhanger"?

Anyway pretty good read with (what I think is) a single flaw. The book drags out a bit. Now I suppose some won't agree with me (we all have our own tastes). There is to my mind just a bit too much "verbiage" here. I think a good editor (and I mean no insult here I don't know if an editor was involved or not) may have improved the book somewhat. It just managed to run on to the point of tediousness a few times.

My opinion of course.

But I can recommend this series and the slight tendency to "run on a bit" doesn't "Ruin" it (get it??? Ruin it???? Oh well).

Enjoy. ]]> 4.21 2015 Ruin (The Faithful and the Fallen, #3)
author: John Gwynne
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/02/23
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
I like this series. I say that and I'd like to point to the 4 star rating now...as I will be saying one negative thing about the book.

This is the third in the, "The Faithful and the Fallen" series. This series has spawned some varied responses here in the reviews. Some like it, some actively dislike it. You are treading some fairly familiar "epic fantasy" ground here but you'll get a couple of fairly original twists, This volume has some noticeable emotional ups and downs and as far as the ending goes, well...can you say "cliffhanger"?

Anyway pretty good read with (what I think is) a single flaw. The book drags out a bit. Now I suppose some won't agree with me (we all have our own tastes). There is to my mind just a bit too much "verbiage" here. I think a good editor (and I mean no insult here I don't know if an editor was involved or not) may have improved the book somewhat. It just managed to run on to the point of tediousness a few times.

My opinion of course.

But I can recommend this series and the slight tendency to "run on a bit" doesn't "Ruin" it (get it??? Ruin it???? Oh well).

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[A Testament of Steel (Instrument of Omens, #1)]]> 53319636
Cinder Shade’s life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is a driving imperative—to protect those who can’t defend themselves and become a warrior worthy of the name.

He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are made evident and the language of steel is made clear. When he earns a place at a prestigious elven warrior academy, Cinder fights to enhance his knowledge and perhaps even humble the proud elves who believe no human is their equal.

His hard-earned skills are put to the test when strange rumblings emanate from deep in the Dagger Mountains. Monsters out of myth emerge. And so does something far worse . . .

An ancient god. The world believes this deity long dead, but he is very much alive. And he remembers his enemies all too well. Even if they don’t remember themselves.]]> 562 Davis Ashura Mike (the Paladin) 5 epic-fantasy, fantasy, action
NONE OF THAT MATTERS.

The book is just done so well it flows together and holds the reader. My only complaint is that it's the first in a series, was only released this week and I don't know how long the wait for the next volume will be.

I'm 68 Mr. Ashura so you know, don't take too long, okay?

I saw this on Audible, thought it sounded interesting and...well it is.

I've noted before that actually, after 10,000 or so years of story telling there are/can be few really new plots. The key is to remix the ones we have well. This is a great read. As noted I got it from Audible. Between Davis Ashura and Nick Podehl we have a real winner here. It's so good I tracked down a prior series by the author and plan to start it. So, yeah recommended.

Enjoy]]> 4.41 2020 A Testament of Steel (Instrument of Omens, #1)
author: Davis Ashura
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/01/27
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy, action
review:
You will have noted I went 5 stars on this book. The interesting thing is that I could describe it in a way that might make it sound sort of mediocre. I mean it hits a lot of the epic fantasy marks, there are Elves, humans, dwarves, other fantasy races. The Elves think of themselves as superior. There are what would be called "fantasy tropes" (I hate the word trope. It seemed to get badly overused for a while but, you know they are tropes). There is heavy foreshadowing, plot points you will spot and have seen before...and more. Some inside jokes to. But you know what?

NONE OF THAT MATTERS.

The book is just done so well it flows together and holds the reader. My only complaint is that it's the first in a series, was only released this week and I don't know how long the wait for the next volume will be.

I'm 68 Mr. Ashura so you know, don't take too long, okay?

I saw this on Audible, thought it sounded interesting and...well it is.

I've noted before that actually, after 10,000 or so years of story telling there are/can be few really new plots. The key is to remix the ones we have well. This is a great read. As noted I got it from Audible. Between Davis Ashura and Nick Podehl we have a real winner here. It's so good I tracked down a prior series by the author and plan to start it. So, yeah recommended.

Enjoy
]]> The Changeling 37511033 One man’s thrilling journey through an enchanted world to find his wife, who has disappeared after seemingly committing an unforgiveable act of violence, from the award-winning author of the The Devil in Silver and Big Machine.

Apollo Kagwa has had strange dreams that have haunted him since childhood. An antiquarian book dealer with a business called Improbabilia, he is just beginning to settle into his new life as a committed and involved father, unlike his own father who abandoned him, when his wife Emma begins acting strange. Disconnected and uninterested in their new baby boy, Emma at first seems to be exhibiting all the signs of post-partum depression, but it quickly becomes clear that her troubles go far beyond that. Before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act—beyond any parent’s comprehension—and vanishes, seemingly into thin air. Thus begins Apollo’s odyssey through a world he only thought he understood to find a wife and child who are nothing like he’d imagined. His quest begins when he meets a mysterious stranger who claims to have information about Emma’s whereabouts. Apollo then begins a journey that takes him to a forgotten island in the East River of New York City, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest in Queens where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever. This dizzying tale is ultimately a story about family and the unfathomable secrets of the people we love.]]> 15 Victor LaValle Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy
The book is in a very real way a fairy tale. I mean it pretty much fills in all the blanksBY THE WAY, THE FOLLOWING IS A REAL SPOILER ABOUT THE END OF THE BOOK SO DON"T READ IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW. [spoilers removed]

The problem for me is that it took so long wandering around in it's own "wonder" that I simply lost interest.

That is the bottom line for the 2 star rating. I simply came to a point where I didn't really care about the book any more. I just wanted it to get on with the story.

I tend to be a fan of plot driven books.

However all that said I'm sure some readers will love every word so I'd say try this one yourself. If you find that in the past you've agreed with me on books that are slow or begin slowly...well you know what I think here. On the other hand if you've found that you disagree and think I don't appreciate the wonder of the storytelling, then manybe this one's for you.

I'd say maybe try it yourself. As for me...I'm not the target audience here.]]> 3.80 2017 The Changeling
author: Victor LaValle
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2018/08/07
date added: 2021/01/20
shelves: fantasy
review:
This book will not be for everybody...it wasn't for me.

The book is in a very real way a fairy tale. I mean it pretty much fills in all the blanksBY THE WAY, THE FOLLOWING IS A REAL SPOILER ABOUT THE END OF THE BOOK SO DON"T READ IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW. [spoilers removed]

The problem for me is that it took so long wandering around in it's own "wonder" that I simply lost interest.

That is the bottom line for the 2 star rating. I simply came to a point where I didn't really care about the book any more. I just wanted it to get on with the story.

I tend to be a fan of plot driven books.

However all that said I'm sure some readers will love every word so I'd say try this one yourself. If you find that in the past you've agreed with me on books that are slow or begin slowly...well you know what I think here. On the other hand if you've found that you disagree and think I don't appreciate the wonder of the storytelling, then manybe this one's for you.

I'd say maybe try it yourself. As for me...I'm not the target audience here.
]]> <![CDATA[Valour (The Faithful and the Fallen, #2)]]> 36624723 Left for dead - her kin have fled, and her country is overrun with enemies - Cywen fights to survive. But any chance of escape is futile once Nathair and his disquieting advisor, Calidus, realize who she is. They have no intention of letting such a prize slip from their grasp. For she may be their one chance at killing the biggest threat to their power.
Meanwhile the young warrior Corban flees from his conquered homeland with his exiled companions, heading for the only place that may offer them sanctuary. But to get there they must travel through Cambren, avoiding warbands, giants, and the vicious wolven of the mountains. And all the while Corban struggles to become the man everyone believes him to be - the Bright Star and saviour of the Banished Lands.
Embroiled in struggles for power and survival, the mortal world is unaware of the greatest threat of all. In the Otherworld dark forces scheme to bring a host of the Fallen into the world of flesh to end the war with the Faithful once and for all.
©2014 John Gwynne (P)2015 Audible, Ltd]]> 24 John Gwynne Mike (the Paladin) 4
This series deals with deception, betrayal (lots of betrayals) and a god war. There are politics with lots and lots of treachery. I am assuming you have read the first book if you are looking at this review so... we are picking up at the end of that book and action continues. There is a period (a fairly long period) where we (again IMHO) bog down badly with introspective monologues and a lot of travel log type story telling. Don't worry it will still hold your attention it's just a little frustrating as we really don't need all that verbiage to get the story or the characters. We're telling the story "in general" from 3 points of view. Then we suddenly expand to...well to a lot of view points. Yep. A lot.

Still, now that I've said that this is still an excellent read and I can still recommend it. Following [spoilers removed]

So, as noted I can recommend this one and after I finish a few other fantasies I have waiting (maybe in January) I plan to get the third started.

Enjoy.]]> 4.36 2014 Valour (The Faithful and the Fallen, #2)
author: John Gwynne
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2020/11/11
date added: 2020/11/11
shelves: action, epic-fantasy, fantasy, military-fantasy
review:
Well, let me say first that here is an excellent epic fantasy. This is the second book in the series and I have dropped this volume to 4 stars (still excellent). I think/feel I have to do this as the writer (sorry Mr. Gwynne) "in my humble opinion" slowed the story up significantly in the center section of the novel.

This series deals with deception, betrayal (lots of betrayals) and a god war. There are politics with lots and lots of treachery. I am assuming you have read the first book if you are looking at this review so... we are picking up at the end of that book and action continues. There is a period (a fairly long period) where we (again IMHO) bog down badly with introspective monologues and a lot of travel log type story telling. Don't worry it will still hold your attention it's just a little frustrating as we really don't need all that verbiage to get the story or the characters. We're telling the story "in general" from 3 points of view. Then we suddenly expand to...well to a lot of view points. Yep. A lot.

Still, now that I've said that this is still an excellent read and I can still recommend it. Following [spoilers removed]

So, as noted I can recommend this one and after I finish a few other fantasies I have waiting (maybe in January) I plan to get the third started.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Diamantine (Weapons and Wielders, #2)]]> 50379982 498 Andrew Rowe Mike (the Paladin) 4 epic-fantasy, fantasy
The novel itself is related as our protagonist relating a story of past events but as things are still unfolding. The book opens with Keras (Selyrian) , our hero (so to speak...he hates to be called a hero) on a train (yes I said a train) relating the tale when there is an attack (of sorts) on the train. Once that is handled, he goes on picking up the story from where we left off in the first book.

The story telling here is vivid and the tale interesting it draws us back in right away. However, as the book rolls on, there is a period (a sadly long period) in "center section" of the novel where the (for me) goes rather flat.

See, we've gone to a giant tournament where thousands (literally) of the best warriors in many lands have congregated to compete for, prizes, money, fame, magical items and finally to win the right to fight the wielder of one of the (other) Sacred Swords [Diamantine] (possibly to become that sword's new wielder).

So we launch off into the tourney, and at first it's interesting. The different types pf challenges, points, prizes and so on. BUT then it simply becomes a long series o9f tests, battles and so on. One part of the plot involves Keras gathering information by watching other participants at/in their events through memory crystals.

Finally however this gets wound up and the central plot recovers from it's coma and we get back to being rather enthralling story wise. No biggy.

There is however something that (seems to me anyway) to possibly threaten how this book will go.

Have you ever played D&D or any other live RPG? There is a thing that can happen in a game where the gamemaster, referee, Dungeon Master or whoever allows the players to become so over powered that the game loses all semblance of balance.

The warriors in the tournament are all so powerful that they make most heroic characters pale in comparison.. Heck, the Hulk, Thor and Superman would get their butts kicked by this bunch. Just be ready for that as they hurl all types of magic around, teleport from place to place, cut the air and strike foes from across the arena and carry multiple magic weapons...each.

Yeah, these folks are BADASS...

But as noted still an excellent read, but read it for fun. Lord of the Rinds or The Broken Sword this ain't. ]]> 4.42 2020 Diamantine (Weapons and Wielders, #2)
author: Andrew Rowe
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2020/11/01
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
I am going to drop down to a 4 star rating here...why? Well let me say first that I do go 4 stars. For me that puts this "way up there" on my list of books as I try not to be too free with the 5 star rating. The first book in the series was excellent. It's first rate brain-candy with high adventure, action, humor, good characters and the foundation of a good plot line (or possibly "lines"). We still have all that here, but a couple of caveats.

The novel itself is related as our protagonist relating a story of past events but as things are still unfolding. The book opens with Keras (Selyrian) , our hero (so to speak...he hates to be called a hero) on a train (yes I said a train) relating the tale when there is an attack (of sorts) on the train. Once that is handled, he goes on picking up the story from where we left off in the first book.

The story telling here is vivid and the tale interesting it draws us back in right away. However, as the book rolls on, there is a period (a sadly long period) in "center section" of the novel where the (for me) goes rather flat.

See, we've gone to a giant tournament where thousands (literally) of the best warriors in many lands have congregated to compete for, prizes, money, fame, magical items and finally to win the right to fight the wielder of one of the (other) Sacred Swords [Diamantine] (possibly to become that sword's new wielder).

So we launch off into the tourney, and at first it's interesting. The different types pf challenges, points, prizes and so on. BUT then it simply becomes a long series o9f tests, battles and so on. One part of the plot involves Keras gathering information by watching other participants at/in their events through memory crystals.

Finally however this gets wound up and the central plot recovers from it's coma and we get back to being rather enthralling story wise. No biggy.

There is however something that (seems to me anyway) to possibly threaten how this book will go.

Have you ever played D&D or any other live RPG? There is a thing that can happen in a game where the gamemaster, referee, Dungeon Master or whoever allows the players to become so over powered that the game loses all semblance of balance.

The warriors in the tournament are all so powerful that they make most heroic characters pale in comparison.. Heck, the Hulk, Thor and Superman would get their butts kicked by this bunch. Just be ready for that as they hurl all types of magic around, teleport from place to place, cut the air and strike foes from across the arena and carry multiple magic weapons...each.

Yeah, these folks are BADASS...

But as noted still an excellent read, but read it for fun. Lord of the Rinds or The Broken Sword this ain't.
]]> Nemesis (Indigo #1) 172219 THE TOWER OF REGRETS

You who sit at my side by the fire;
you whose restless ghosts walk in the shadows of
my dreams; you children yet unborn:
If you would see your people live and prosper, then
let these ancient stones lie in solitude.
For this is the burden that the Earth our Mother
has set upon us all, and this is the trust
she places in our hearts. We must not fail her.

Anghara is daughter to a king. In all the world there is but one thing denied her—the secret of the Tower. Tormented, she must seek its truth.

And her discovery will remake the world.

(from the back cover)]]> 294 Louise Cooper 0812534018 Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy, epic-fantasy
Recently I had an emergency hospital stay and it sort of gave me a reality check, so I'm reading more books.

Yeah, I know.

Okay, first book finished and I have the second out and ready, beside the recliner with a bookmark waiting. This one is a good read.

I don't really know what I thought back when I bought these but what we have is a far ranging fantasy tale beginning with the end of the world and the establishment of a new world. Humans had abused the Earth. This is a book where the Earth is viewed as "Mother" and by unleashing all these evils ("we" as humans unleashed them) we were destroying the Earth. So...Hell to pay. Literally. Only one man is saved (there must have been a few humans alive outside the Tower he was told to build otherwise I don't see how he went about repopulating...men can't do that. It requires a mommy and a daddy. If you need more explanation I'm sure you can find it elsewhere.) he is called "The Man of the Isles". The book opens with a tale that apparently has become a bardic lay which told the cautionary tale. For as the Man of the Isles left the Tower he'd been told to build the "Shining Creature" who'd instructed him in the Tower's construction and told him to shut himself inside until the world ended. Now he was warned that no one must ever open the Tower again...never. So he bared the door and went away.

Milina pass and Pandora... I mean Princess Anghara is born.

Guess what happens from there.

Anyway, no spoilers but it's a good book and well worth the read. It may become a bit long winded in a few places but on the whole it's a good story. Princess Anghara is being developed well and the plot while still shaping up seems like it going to be a good series...I hope.

Try it and see what you think.

Well if you can find it. As noted I've had these a while.]]> 3.81 1988 Nemesis (Indigo #1)
author: Louise Cooper
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1988
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2020/11/01
shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
This series of books was published between '89 and '94. I have literally had the entire set of paperbacks on my shelves for a decade or two. I've held on to them through every move and every purge saying I'd get to them...sometime. I mean I had them on the shelves and there are just, so many other books to read.

Recently I had an emergency hospital stay and it sort of gave me a reality check, so I'm reading more books.

Yeah, I know.

Okay, first book finished and I have the second out and ready, beside the recliner with a bookmark waiting. This one is a good read.

I don't really know what I thought back when I bought these but what we have is a far ranging fantasy tale beginning with the end of the world and the establishment of a new world. Humans had abused the Earth. This is a book where the Earth is viewed as "Mother" and by unleashing all these evils ("we" as humans unleashed them) we were destroying the Earth. So...Hell to pay. Literally. Only one man is saved (there must have been a few humans alive outside the Tower he was told to build otherwise I don't see how he went about repopulating...men can't do that. It requires a mommy and a daddy. If you need more explanation I'm sure you can find it elsewhere.) he is called "The Man of the Isles". The book opens with a tale that apparently has become a bardic lay which told the cautionary tale. For as the Man of the Isles left the Tower he'd been told to build the "Shining Creature" who'd instructed him in the Tower's construction and told him to shut himself inside until the world ended. Now he was warned that no one must ever open the Tower again...never. So he bared the door and went away.

Milina pass and Pandora... I mean Princess Anghara is born.

Guess what happens from there.

Anyway, no spoilers but it's a good book and well worth the read. It may become a bit long winded in a few places but on the whole it's a good story. Princess Anghara is being developed well and the plot while still shaping up seems like it going to be a good series...I hope.

Try it and see what you think.

Well if you can find it. As noted I've had these a while.
]]> <![CDATA[Six Sacred Swords (Weapons and Wielders, #1)]]> 46136303
Keras Selyrian is already well on the way to cutting his name into the annals of legend. He's fought false divinities, thieving sorcerers, and corrupt demigods - and left them defeated in his wake.

But he's a long way from home, and Kaldwyn offers a different brand of danger than he's used to. He's already got a sword of unfathomable power, but it's damaged and leaking world-annihilating mana, so he's in the market for a new one. Possibly six. The more the better, really.

The Six Sacred Swords are Kaldwyn's most famous artifacts, forged as the only means to defeat the god beasts. Each sword must be earned by a worthy champion, and no single person has ever managed to collect them all.

Not yet, at least. Keras is just getting started.

Six Sacred Swords is a lighthearted fantasy adventure inspired by Japanese game series like The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Fire Emblem. It takes place in the same universe as the Arcane Ascension novels, but years earlier and with a different protagonist. While the books are interconnected, they can be listened to on their own in any order.

For appendices with further details on the magic and characters, please download the supplementary PDF.]]> 11 Andrew Rowe Mike (the Paladin) 5 action, fantasy
You know humor often falls flat when paired with action adventure. We've all seen comedy action movies' and some are great. Sadly for every good one there are probably a few dozen that fail. The same can be true for novels. Here it works well.

Our "hero" is relating the story of his quest(s) to a group of...younger fighters. The death defying deeds along with the ability to show a protagonist who keeps his wry wit is great.

If the book has a flaw it could be that sometimes our hero comes across as almost too competent. But it never really goes over the top and the book keeps you involved, excited and laughing.

I just started the next one.

Recommended, enjoy. ]]> 4.25 2019 Six Sacred Swords (Weapons and Wielders, #1)
author: Andrew Rowe
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2020/10/30
shelves: action, fantasy
review:
I considered long on my rating here. A 5 is the best I can go and there are (of course) many books I'd have to rate above this one...but not a lot. I've actually gone through this one twice already. This one I'd have to describe as, well as fun.

You know humor often falls flat when paired with action adventure. We've all seen comedy action movies' and some are great. Sadly for every good one there are probably a few dozen that fail. The same can be true for novels. Here it works well.

Our "hero" is relating the story of his quest(s) to a group of...younger fighters. The death defying deeds along with the ability to show a protagonist who keeps his wry wit is great.

If the book has a flaw it could be that sometimes our hero comes across as almost too competent. But it never really goes over the top and the book keeps you involved, excited and laughing.

I just started the next one.

Recommended, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[Hangman's Gate (War of the Archons, #2)]]> 45719967 The highly anticipated sequel to A DEMON IN SILVER , HANGMAN'S GATE continues the epic saga of the War of the Archons

After uniting the bandit clans, the Iron Tusk has swept into Shengen and taken control of the empire. With an army behind him, he marches along the Skull Road, ready to lay waste to the lands in the west. The mountain fortress of Dunrun and its rag-tag defenders are all that stand in his way.

With their country besieged on all sides, troubling rumours of a priestess amassing power in the north, and unnatural alliances to the south, no help is coming. Alone, they must hold back the inhuman powers of the Iron Tusk, or see life as they know it come to an end.

The old gods have returned...]]> 400 Richard S. Ford Mike (the Paladin) 5 action, epic-fantasy, fantasy A Demon in Silver) so please read that for the introductory remarks as I really don't want to type them again, LOL.

Look this is an excellent series. Both books get a 5 star rating for me and recommend them highly...

Again my only regret is that the 3rd book isn't due out till Jan.

Enjoy.]]> 3.84 2019 Hangman's Gate (War of the Archons, #2)
author: Richard S. Ford
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2020/10/28
shelves: action, epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
I just wrote a longer review of the first book in this series (A Demon in Silver) so please read that for the introductory remarks as I really don't want to type them again, LOL.

Look this is an excellent series. Both books get a 5 star rating for me and recommend them highly...

Again my only regret is that the 3rd book isn't due out till Jan.

Enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[A Demon in Silver (War of the Archons, #1)]]> 35958480 400 Richard S. Ford Mike (the Paladin) 5 action, fantasy, epic-fantasy
I have been a member at Audible for some time now. I discovered in college that I'm what is known as an audio learner. That is I retain things I've heard very well. If my profs would cover the material in a lecture and I took notes I seldom had to even go over the notes again. So I read well visually and also audibly. AND as it turns out I really enjoy audio books. I found that out when my late wife became so ill she couldn't read anymore and I began to search out "Books on Tape" for her. Once I got them from the library I usually took them to work when she'd finished them and listened in my vehicle. Thus I became hooked.

Once I got involved in Audible I found I was not only using all my credits but was buying extra credits...that was when I had the "Gold" membership...so I upgraded to the "Platinum" membership. I use all those credits, plus more also. And now, great news, Audible upgraded me (and others) to Platinum plus which includes A LOT of free books.

This was a free book. I don't know how long I'd have gone before I picked it up, but I must thank whoever put this on the Platinum+ list. This is a great read. My only complaint is that now that I have finished the second book also I have to wait until Jan. for the third book.

Here we have a story that takes place in (at least) 2 worlds. The cosmology of the book is a bit muddy but not objectionable. I can recommend this for plot, characters, and simply good story telling. I stumbled on it when I'd been in a reading desert so to speak. Nothing had drawn me in for a while.

If you like an well plotted, action packed story of epic scope, I recommend this one.

Enjoy. ]]> 3.44 2018 A Demon in Silver (War of the Archons, #1)
author: Richard S. Ford
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2020/10/28
shelves: action, fantasy, epic-fantasy
review:
I couldn't decide whether to put this on my "Epic Fantasy" shelf or not. I finally did as the story is "epic" in scope.

I have been a member at Audible for some time now. I discovered in college that I'm what is known as an audio learner. That is I retain things I've heard very well. If my profs would cover the material in a lecture and I took notes I seldom had to even go over the notes again. So I read well visually and also audibly. AND as it turns out I really enjoy audio books. I found that out when my late wife became so ill she couldn't read anymore and I began to search out "Books on Tape" for her. Once I got them from the library I usually took them to work when she'd finished them and listened in my vehicle. Thus I became hooked.

Once I got involved in Audible I found I was not only using all my credits but was buying extra credits...that was when I had the "Gold" membership...so I upgraded to the "Platinum" membership. I use all those credits, plus more also. And now, great news, Audible upgraded me (and others) to Platinum plus which includes A LOT of free books.

This was a free book. I don't know how long I'd have gone before I picked it up, but I must thank whoever put this on the Platinum+ list. This is a great read. My only complaint is that now that I have finished the second book also I have to wait until Jan. for the third book.

Here we have a story that takes place in (at least) 2 worlds. The cosmology of the book is a bit muddy but not objectionable. I can recommend this for plot, characters, and simply good story telling. I stumbled on it when I'd been in a reading desert so to speak. Nothing had drawn me in for a while.

If you like an well plotted, action packed story of epic scope, I recommend this one.

Enjoy.
]]> The Institute 43798285
In this most sinister of institutions, the director, Mrs. Sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. There are no scruples here. If you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. If you don’t, punishment is brutal. As each new victim disappears to Back Half, Luke becomes more and more desperate to get out and get help. But no one has ever escaped from the Institute.

As psychically terrifying as Firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of It, The Institute is Stephen King's gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good versus evil in a world where the good guys don't always win.
--front flap]]> 561 Stephen King Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
One of my "hot button" issues is child abuse. I am a Christian and while I know all sins are forgiven and I must not judge others I would have a tough job not calling for the death penalty for those who abuse children...and worse for child molesters.

This book I very readable and draws one in quickly. It wasn't want I expected going in but that didn't make it any less an excellent book. Mr. King is a talented writer and even in the books he has written that I didn't like the cause was never his talent or writing ability.

We do get the trademark King angst here and along with it's requisite stress and dread. The characters are filled out and complete. While this is not a book I will return to or will ever be near my favorites list I can recommend it.
]]> 4.17 2019 The Institute
author: Stephen King
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2020/10/27
shelves: fantasy
review:
A little bit of a genre bender I suppose, I didn't put it on my horror shelf though I suppose some might.

One of my "hot button" issues is child abuse. I am a Christian and while I know all sins are forgiven and I must not judge others I would have a tough job not calling for the death penalty for those who abuse children...and worse for child molesters.

This book I very readable and draws one in quickly. It wasn't want I expected going in but that didn't make it any less an excellent book. Mr. King is a talented writer and even in the books he has written that I didn't like the cause was never his talent or writing ability.

We do get the trademark King angst here and along with it's requisite stress and dread. The characters are filled out and complete. While this is not a book I will return to or will ever be near my favorites list I can recommend it.

]]> <![CDATA[Shadow Moon (Chronicles of the Shadow War, #1)]]> 160859 Shadow Moon, first in the Chronicles of the Shadow War.

The genius of Star Wars creator George Lucas and the vision of Chris Claremont, the author of the phenomenally bestselling The Uncanny X-Men adventures, merge in what must be the fantasy event of the year.

In Shadow Moon, war and chaos have gripped the land of Tir Asleen. An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a savior princess who will ascend to the throne when the time is right.ĚýĚýBut first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face forces of unimaginable malevolence and dangerous, forbidden rites of necromancy to bring back a powerful warrior from soulless sleep.
]]> 452 George Lucas 0553572857 Mike (the Paladin) 1 fantasy
It's just...bad.

Sorry.]]> 3.29 1995 Shadow Moon (Chronicles of the Shadow War, #1)
author: George Lucas
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.29
book published: 1995
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2020/10/26
shelves: fantasy
review:
I tried to read this, I really did...but it was just....well I put it down. I read the synopsis, I liked Willow and like the idea of a continuation. I really, really wanted to like it. But I just could not get interested in the book.

It's just...bad.

Sorry.
]]> <![CDATA[Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses, #1)]]> 1450913
Nominated for the 2005 Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award for Best Epic Fantasy.]]> 440 Sharon Shinn 0441012469 Mike (the Paladin) 2 fantasy
The book revolves around a certain religious order of goddess worshipers, a persecuted group (population) of mystics, and a (sort of) traditional adventuring group with representatives of each group.

Anyway, I just kept drifting away as I read it, forcing my mind back to the story. I just wasn't involved with the characters (and with the persecution motif you'd think I would have). If you like it, enjoy, it's just not for me.]]> 4.17 2005 Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses, #1)
author: Sharon Shinn
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2005
rating: 2
read at: 2009/12/26
date added: 2020/10/20
shelves: fantasy
review:
This book was recommended on lists of people here who have recommended other books I liked. Unfortunately I lost interest by maybe 60 pages in and I just didn't get it back. It may simply be me and that this isn't the type of book I care for, or that I'm looking for right now.

The book revolves around a certain religious order of goddess worshipers, a persecuted group (population) of mystics, and a (sort of) traditional adventuring group with representatives of each group.

Anyway, I just kept drifting away as I read it, forcing my mind back to the story. I just wasn't involved with the characters (and with the persecution motif you'd think I would have). If you like it, enjoy, it's just not for me.
]]> <![CDATA[Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards, #1)]]> 36137560
In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.]]> 480 Jennifer Estep 006279762X Mike (the Paladin) 4 fantasy
We start out with our protagonist having a tolerable life but with the problems one who's a minor royal in a world of major royals must expect... you know, betrayal, abuse, mistreatment at the hands of, well a lot of people. However there's always the cook and kitchen folk along with the other minor royals, teachers servants and so on.

Well till all H*LL breaks loose and you face certain death.

Of course without this we wouldn't have a novel so, you know, just the way it is. I have the second book on my wish list, want to get to it. Of course I'm 68 now so I maybe better get a move-on.

Anyway, liked it, recommend it, enjoy.]]> 3.96 2018 Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards, #1)
author: Jennifer Estep
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2020/10/16
shelves: fantasy
review:
Good book. This is another I tried on the advice of someone else.

We start out with our protagonist having a tolerable life but with the problems one who's a minor royal in a world of major royals must expect... you know, betrayal, abuse, mistreatment at the hands of, well a lot of people. However there's always the cook and kitchen folk along with the other minor royals, teachers servants and so on.

Well till all H*LL breaks loose and you face certain death.

Of course without this we wouldn't have a novel so, you know, just the way it is. I have the second book on my wish list, want to get to it. Of course I'm 68 now so I maybe better get a move-on.

Anyway, liked it, recommend it, enjoy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)]]> 36444163 A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s 20th century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

(Length: 18 hours, 57 minutes)]]> 19 R.F. Kuang Mike (the Paladin) 3 epic-fantasy, fantasy
If you look at what is supposed to have inspired this book and know anything about history at all you'll realize it actually heavy handed propaganda. That aside the book isn't too bad if you just go for the story.]]> 3.88 2018 The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)
author: R.F. Kuang
name: Mike (the Paladin)
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/09/24
date added: 2020/09/24
shelves: epic-fantasy, fantasy
review:
Not too bad opening to a new series. Poor girl called to destiny, gets out of horrid situation to position in Sinegard Academy where no one thought she could possibly be accepted.

If you look at what is supposed to have inspired this book and know anything about history at all you'll realize it actually heavy handed propaganda. That aside the book isn't too bad if you just go for the story.
]]>