I was Listening to the audiobook version, and sometimes switched to reading the ebook version.
The Justice of the Kings is a dark epic fantasy book wI was Listening to the audiobook version, and sometimes switched to reading the ebook version.
The Justice of the Kings is a dark epic fantasy book with necromancy, magic, and the thrilling investigations that all are concocted in one book. The themes of Common Laws versus Cannon Laws is interesting, there in the book shows how the jury and court are functioning in the world. The motif of Justice is the central concept in the story; some characters are following the rules, some of them may not. This is the inspection of Justice, beneath the ruleless place where judges have the difficult to be achieved. The themes in the story are interesting, seeing how the plots are interlocked with the themes is the motivation to continue the story.
Unfortunately, the themes of the story piqued my curiosity but the plots and characters I felt not as compelling to my expectation. The magic system is a bit hit or miss for me, it has the potentials but what I read in this book, the magic system is not well built up or I felt a sense of wonder to it. Perhaps this is about I have read many fantasy books for that reason. This book is a bit too long to read for me to read, some of the plots or scenes could be edited off.
The Justice of the Kings is a decent fantasy book to read. If you are interested in necromancies, Justices and detective stories that you may like it. Personal rating: 5 out of 10 stars.
P.S: some readers think that Vonvalt had interest of having sex with Helena, I think not. But I think there might have some chemistry between them. Maybe…
Merged review:
I was Listening to the audiobook version, and sometimes switched to reading the ebook version.
The Justice of the Kings is a dark epic fantasy book with necromancy, magic, and the thrilling investigations that all are concocted in one book. The themes of Common Laws versus Cannon Laws is interesting, there in the book shows how the jury and court are functioning in the world. The motif of Justice is the central concept in the story; some characters are following the rules, some of them may not. This is the inspection of Justice, beneath the ruleless place where judges have the difficult to be achieved. The themes in the story are interesting, seeing how the plots are interlocked with the themes is the motivation to continue the story.
Unfortunately, the themes of the story piqued my curiosity but the plots and characters I felt not as compelling to my expectation. The magic system is a bit hit or miss for me, it has the potentials but what I read in this book, the magic system is not well built up or I felt a sense of wonder to it. Perhaps this is about I have read many fantasy books for that reason. This book is a bit too long to read for me to read, some of the plots or scenes could be edited off.
The Justice of the Kings is a decent fantasy book to read. If you are interested in necromancies, Justices and detective stories that you may like it. Personal rating: 5 out of 10 stars.
P.S: some readers think that Vonvalt had interest of having sex with Helena, I think not. But I think there might have some chemistry between them. Maybe…...more
The Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg is a book hardly to be categorized in genres. The way you perceive of the book, the book would be defined. It The Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg is a book hardly to be categorized in genres. The way you perceive of the book, the book would be defined. It is hard to be put down when I was reading It. The atmosphere which Silverberg creates in the story totally suit for the themes of immortality. Would you believe in the manuscript of the book of the Skulls if you are a scientific person? Do you believe there is still the probabilities of achieving an immortal life? Prolonging the longevity of life may be possible, then would you face the consequences of obtaining immortality is other person’s life. Silverberg deftly spins the themes, mixes the unknowable region of sciences and religion. The book reads like a horror book with familiar science fiction structures but telling an enigmatic, subtle story about immortality and humanity. In the end, you readers would define what is the book is about. And it is not an easy assignment to do so.
The story begins with the four college students took the chance of the Easter holidays, going to the Arizona desert; according to the manuscript of the book of the skulls, the secrets of immortality is hidden in the house of Arizona. The rules of obtaining immortality is that there must be. four candidates to participate in the process, the end of the process there would be two candidates live, other Two die. On the way to the Arizona, the four POVs by Ned, Elis, Timothy, Oliver their doubts of the thing they were going to partake. What they believe, they have been through would be the crucial changing to the end of the story.
The book of the Skull is a masterpiece in Science fictions. This is a well constructed, sophisticatedly written book. Very stunning a single premise of the story would be developed to an exhilarating roller Coaster ride- reading experience. I think for some characters, like Olive and Elis their stories have religious symbols. Olive’s childhood story kept me thinking of Garden of Eden. He was shy of the nakedness to the girl seems to be related to The original sin? Reading this book keep me thinking of the metaphors and symbols in the book.
I think I am fond of both Downward to the Earth and The Book of the Skulls. However, I like Downward to the Earth a bit more than the Book of the Skulls. Both books are profoundly excellent to me.
The second Empire could be considered as the conclusion of The Monarchies of God series. The ending of the Merduks with Romanians is concluded in thi The second Empire could be considered as the conclusion of The Monarchies of God series. The ending of the Merduks with Romanians is concluded in this book, the peace was established by the diplomatic policies with Toruńn kingdom. Corfe had become a king, who has witnessed the victory is the price of sacrificing his comrades in the battles with Merduks. The ending specifically accentuates the sorrow victory that which Corfe had brought to the kingdom Toruńn, seeing his ex-wife became Heria, the empress of the Merduks. What an ironical ending of the story!
Sadly, Heria is not a well-developed character as the other characters like Corfe. For me she is clearly a plot device or for darkening the story even the ending is Corfe and his armies had saved the kingdom. Like Heria, Alberc since the ending of The Iron Wars, he becomes the tools of the plot developments. It’s not unconvincing to see Albrec’s motivation to spread the truth of the religions, but still is easily to see how he play the role in The Second Empire.
There is still one story arc isn’t solved in The Second Empire, which is about the western continent. However, it could be considered a good ending without the fifth book. I think I will go on reading the fifth book, The Ship From the West. ...more
The Iron Wars is the continuation of the upstart Corfe’s battles with Merduk armies, the return of Hawkwood and the only remained two companions, the The Iron Wars is the continuation of the upstart Corfe’s battles with Merduk armies, the return of Hawkwood and the only remained two companions, the two abbeys who was carrying the original book of the saint, and was found by the Fimbrions who had got the order to going back to Omank.
Basically, the story focuses on the battles between Torunna and Merduks. Corfe and the Queen, Ordelia teemed together to defending the Murduk’s troops by swiftly striking the one part of the Merduk stations. Alrbec and his friend went to see the Pontiff and convince him that the script is the truth of the two religions are the same. Hawkwood and his companions had returned to Ramanion with brooding mood of the occupied western continent.
The pacing of the story is fast, some characters in The Iron Wars becomes unnoticeable that unlike in the previous two books; Aberlyon is being unconscious throughout the whole book. Galafion the wizard was trying to communicate with his apprentice, Bardolion, instead he got unexpected help from a powerful magic and lost consciousness. Many things happen in The Iron Wars and the battlefield scenes and the politicking are interesting. Sometimes I felt that some parts of the story are too convenient to be set up for the later plot developments. Overall, this book is a good military fantasy to read. ...more
The First two books of The Monarchies of Gods are underrated. It’s an epic military fantasy with big scales of battles, political intrigues, the colliThe First two books of The Monarchies of Gods are underrated. It’s an epic military fantasy with big scales of battles, political intrigues, the collision of religions from the both side of the continents, seafaring adventures and werewolves! The story combines those elements in average 350+pages per books in a series; compare to other epic fantasy books, the writing is pretty concise to read! Many fantasy books would be written in 500+ pages book that wasting pages to describe the irrelevant plots. So far the two books, which is the first half of TMoG are great that straight get in what was happening in the story, without painstaking details or aimless plot developments. Seldom fantasy writers are capable to do that in epic fantasies. Furthermore, Paul Kearney is good at writing battle scenes, the first book of the series, Hawkwood's Voyage has some exhilarating battles with gun powers, sword fights, military maneuvers. However, this books is more focused on the internal conflict of the five kingdoms, the heretic king was facing the traitors and the church’s pressures after he was excommunicated from the church. Hawkwood and his crews had found the western continent which he was looking for but it is just a premonition of discovery the more sinister enemy on the continent, that would be the villains in the later books of the series.
There has some interesting themes in The Heretic King. The two Abbeys have discovered the truth of the church religion which its original source has the influences on the prophet, the threats from the east continent which its religion is originally from the same root. The western continent had been influencing by the wizard who was escaping from proniff the bishop’s persecution, he brought other people with him and became the god in the barbaric country.
I think I probably will continue finishing the series. The series is not as complex as Malazan or Cosmere or TGoT series by Martin but it is more concise in a big scales of the conflicts with religion, monarchies. However, it is not a character driven story from my perspectives, if you want to have a character driven fantasy book to read, then you should look for somewhere else....more
Waylander by David Gemmell is a classic heroic fantasy book. As David Gemmell’s Legend, The King Beyond The Gate, Waylander shares the same vein of heWaylander by David Gemmell is a classic heroic fantasy book. As David Gemmell’s Legend, The King Beyond The Gate, Waylander shares the same vein of heroic story in that two books; battlefield scenes, besieges, the reluctant heroes were needed in the desperate time, heroes’s deed are more important in defending enemies than its dark past. Gemmell is apt at writing heroes and how they dealt with their inner and outward conflicts in dire circumstances. His heroes have scars, those scars are left on their skin but that isn’t dull their heroic spirit to moralize other people around them.
The writing is concise and straightforward to the point of the story developments. The characters are vivid, admirable of even though they aren’t perfect in their own stories. It was good for me to pick up Waylander because I wanted a more simple writing style of story to read, Waylander is a good choice.
The story is followed after Waylander who has assassinated the king. he has saved the priest, Dardalion, their path were intertwined since then. Waylander met the old man, Orien and he accept the quest of retrieving the legendary armor by him. After that, the story is divided into three parts: Waylander’s quest, Dardalion and the thirty’s defending the fortress and Durmast and Danyal’s story.
In the end, Durmast who was a notorious criminal has saved Waylander, and help retrieving the armor, with Dardalion’s help the fortress and the armor quest were successfully completed. The enemy king and his sorcerers were killed.
The story tells us whenever we can redeem ourselves as if it seems impossible. The book Waylander has done some twist of the chosen one trope. Durmast was the grey character seems not like a hero at all, but after he take the armor, he started to believe he may be the chosen one and redeemed himself. I think Waylander has many similar elements I have seen in the previous two book of Drenai series. The format of the story are from the same model in Drenai books, it is not novel and it is a bit shame. However, it is still a good story to read and a bit surprised for me to finish the story in a good way.
PS: So Far I have read three books from Drenai series. It is hard to pin down which book I like the most in the three books; I like some parts of the books better than the others. Personal rating: 8 stars for Waylander...more
The Drawing of the Dark by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy book, weaved with King Author’s mysteries and the battle with Turks. Magics3.5 stars.
The Drawing of the Dark by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy book, weaved with King Author’s mysteries and the battle with Turks. Magics and gargoyles like creatures that make the story enigmatic to read. Zimmerman Inn’s brewery in Vienna is the place where the enemy wanted to take over owing to its dark secrets of the imbued essence of the ghost Fin Mac Cool. This pseudo-historical fantasy is full of mysteries and its seemingly parallel historical elements in the story that makes the story intricate. This is the part of the book I like the most, for me its battlefields and duel scenes aren’t as compelling as the make up details of mythologies in the story. The plots in the second part somehow aren’t as interesting as the first half part of the story; it becomes more predictable and concludes the story not as good as the premise of the story. It’s interesting to see the history events are mixed up in 1529. I like the ideas of the story that concocts multiple elements such as Vikings and its mythology, King author’s myths, Turkey empire versus the Vienna the western countries. However, like Viking and Merlin parts which they aren’t developed well, I am able to see the conveniency in plots. It is a shame not to develop them further after introducing Duffy the reluctant hero who was actually the reincarnated of King Author, the parts of the story became less interesting.
Aurelianus who was Duffy’s employer but he was actually Merlin, his part might be the most disappointing to me. His battle with the Turkish wizard and finding the secrets of Duffy and the enemy that doesn’t bring a climax to the end of the story or foreshadow the story in a good way.
In a nut shell, it is still a book worth to read but definitely not for everyone; Its historical details and pseudo histories mix mythologies would confuse readers at some points....more
The House on the Borderland is a cosmic horror fantasy book which was publish in 1908; It was published about 100 years ago, so that the writing isn’tThe House on the Borderland is a cosmic horror fantasy book which was publish in 1908; It was published about 100 years ago, so that the writing isn’t as archaic as I thought that I felt stunned at the time of reading it. William Hope Hodgkin is good at creating visual images of horrors, his writing deliberately conveys the unknown horrors of universe, after humans witnessed the unexplained phenomenon and its horrendous animosity from the cosmos, the ineradicable absurdity of craziness would drive a person into madness. Doesn’t it sound like H.P Lovecraft’s horrors? I think you can find Lovecraft’s review of The House on the Borderland on internet. It seems the book had some influences on Lovecraft. Both the writers intentionally deliver the horrifying side of the unknown universes.
The story is about a pair of travelers visit a rural village, they found the villagers were unfriendly attitudes toward them. A few days later, they found the ancient tower，initially they thought it was a relic until they found the journey in the deserted building. The story is narrated by an old man whose experience of encountering swine creatures and his soul had left his body several times while he drifted off. The things he have seen about the alien planets and the two suns, swine creatures etc that he wasn’t certain which his memory was reliable or not. Pepper the dog, and the remains of his body seemed was the only evidence that his house was breached by the swine creatures.
The end of the story reveals that the derelict tower which the two travelers found out was the journeyer’s house, but the questions of the house seem to have many unsolved answers to them and to readers. Are swine creatures real? Why are the two Suns have malice faces, are the journeyed was sent to far millions years later future ?
The house on the borderland is an atmospheric read to cosmic horror lovers and to the readers who want to try one of influence books on horror and fantasy genres....more
Between 3.5 to 3.75 stars. The ending is quite good for me but the rest parts of the story are not quite good to be a 4 stars read.
Orcomonics by ZacBetween 3.5 to 3.75 stars. The ending is quite good for me but the rest parts of the story are not quite good to be a 4 stars read.
Orcomonics by Zachary Pike is a satire of capitalism fantasy book, and this is the main reason piqued my curiosity of reading it. This is quite fun for me, especially the recruiting the seven heroes part and in the middle of their quest are entertaining to read. The story realistically elaborates if the familiar medieval fantasy world turns out to be a world is controlling by the company which exploits resources from the fantasy world where monsters’s hoards are values; establish the quest system to select those treasures. Not so fun for heroes in the quests because they are pawns on the board game, a horrendous crime to the monsters or other dwellers who don’t have the citizenship and would be killed by heroes for the hoards. The meanings beneath the surface of the story aren’t humor at all, instead those meanings which are related to capitalism are wrapped in heroic Journeys. However, the story is fun to read and Gorm play a suitable reluctant hero. The Magic systems and the world building would be extended in the later installments of the series. The character’s developments are fun to read, especially Gorm the dwarf was the most plot driven and the funniest character in the book.
When you save the Goblin by a good deed, it means you will have a long term trouble awaiting for you. Gorm the dwarf was failed in the previous mission so that he was going to be retired, then he met a goblin, for the sake of the empathy, he has saved the goblin from the plundered village and brought him to the big city Andarun to have the goblin’s citizenship paper. But he was escorted by the city guards and brought to the hero guild, in there he faced two choices, to be punished by violating the law of bring a shadowkin to the city or join the quest. He and his square Goblin and other heroes set off to find the Elven Marbles and bring them to the rightous owner.
From the beginning, Gorm saved the Goblin which is the obvious clue of what will the story develop; without a doubt Form’s good deed forged the Ill-fated quest to the Orc village. The quest is a sham, it all for undercover what the king actually wanted. Use heroes as his tools to have the right eliminating the Orc villages. Here the author shatters the quest trope and intricately develops the relationship between Gorm and the Goblin. Other characters’s relationships for me are just fun to read. But the ending Gorm witnessed what he and his team brought doom to the Orc village and starting fight against the system. Goblin as the non-heroic gene character with his innocence and the relationship with Gorm make the ending so strong. It’s not a complicated fantasy book but with some brooding questions about Capitalism and what is to be a hero? Overall, this is a good and fun fantasy book to read....more
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson is a comical science fiction for adults. Callaham’s bar is at the end oA surprising 4.25 stars read.
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson is a comical science fiction for adults. Callaham’s bar is at the end of time and space where his customers are from everywhere in the galaxy. Time travelers, aliens, murders etc. The story is light on tone but heavy on the themes; those characters who told their stories that have burdens or regrets in their life. They wanted to share their stories with others in order to get secrets or stories out of their chest. Callahan the bartender always play a role of a listener and advisor to his customers who want to tell their stories. I wanted a light read and found the book is a short story collection with humors; although I didn’t expect that the themes are quite heavy such as the two time travelers’s stories. The one who is from the future and he lost everything in his life. He was exiled from the future and went to the saloon, the ending is quite fun to see the time traveler’s gun isn’t loaded but he didn’t know. Another one who is from the past is inherited the telepathic power from his family with his brother. They both have been dealing with the hereditary aptitude when their power appeared in life. After Callahan gave him the advise of contacting with his brother and learn how to coexist the powers together. Both the stories have heavy themes and the characters has been dealing with their own issues as their fights with enemies.
I like how the stories were being told and the funny dialogues in each stories. Each stories has different themes that characters introduce stories within. Most stories have merry ending, except Unnatural Causes that is one of my favorite stories in the book. The character who was convicted the crime then later he served in the military service in Vietnam, after what he has witnessed what was the war in Vietnam, he was changed and after he came back to life he was hard to fit in the society; so that he went to Callahan’s bar to consult a cure to his PTSD.
Raksha the green fur alien who revealed the most hideous truth about how Krundai has been manipulating humans by propagandas, technology developments etc. Raksha think Krundai don’t like violences instead training the animals which were going to be butchered by themself. It reminded me of Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy book 2, in the end of universe’s restaurant, the cow introduced its body to the consumers. When I knew Raksha is Adolf Hitler, I was laughing. Because numerous science fictions have used Hitler as a character for satire. I think if Hitler knew he would be used as a character in many science fictions, he might be aghast about that. The Iron Dream also uses Hitler as a representation of satire of the history. It is quite funny that Hitler is a prominent figure in Science fictions.
Unnatural Courses is the most darkest story in the book, but From Callaghan’s POV most people or aliens have their chances to be saved or redeemed. The bar is like a self- half group for those traumatized customers to telling their stories to others and finding the solutions to the problems.
it is an unexpectedly fun read that mixing social issues and political satire in an extremely fun and dismal world. There in Callahan’s bar is always a place to rest and replenish energy to face next day. ...more
3.5 stars. The Left Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix is an urban fantasy mixes with British mythologies and magics which is set in London. 3.5 stars. The Left Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix is an urban fantasy mixes with British mythologies and magics which is set in London. This book contains several things about London, it culture, people, mysteries and the most important, books. A would be a nostalgic read for those people who has visited London. Garth Nix said in the acknowledgment that he has revisited London several times, also his family has been living there for quite a while, and thus he knows about London and the people here. The ideas of the book about the left handed booksellers which is from the once touring his book Goldenhand in London. And he found out the day the booksellers in the bookshop whom they’re all left handed; so that it gave him the ideas of the book.
The story is about Susan the girl one day visited her uncle, then Merlin the intruder who killed her uncle, later on he revealed the truths about the old world and magicians of booksellers to her. Since then Susan was one feet step in the magic world. More over she soon would discover that she inherited the tremendous power and her father wasn’t dead at all. All the kidnappings, magic fights and her unknown identity that leaded her father. Merlin, Vivian and Susan the trio are the protagonists in the story and they have been building up a stalwart friendship with each other and fight the ancient lord who wanted to take over Susan father’s power.
There has some settings which reminded me of the mythologies I have read from other fantasy books. The setting, Cauldron-born would enhance power on the magic users for sacrificing other people is almost the same as the Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander; it is from Welsh’s mythology. The ending of defeating the enemy is by using the Cauldron but with the stratagem to reverse the effect.
Mostly of time the trio were on the run from the pursuit, the investigation of the case which they were muddle in after Merlin decided to seek out who was trying to abduct Susan. Since then the story is involved multiple forces and it a bit distracts the story progress. The control plot is branched with many details of the affairs with the booksellers but are not very related to the plot.
Merlin and Vivian are from the clan of the magic users. The left and right handed booksellers are the family business. The left is the battle magicians , the right is standard magicians. This is why the protagonists Merlin and Vivian are the left and the right magician.
I think Garth Nix has many good ideas that are used in his books. But I think the plots are not as enticing as in the old kingdom’s books. The motifs in the book are formulaic that not as innovative as the motifs in the old kingdom series. Overall, it is still worth the read and a nostalgic read for me because I have been to London once when I was staying in UK I had visited London several times. Reading this book reminded me of staying in UK. This book is a dark adventurous story mostly set in London, where malevolent ancient lords and creatures luring in the hidden areas; the trio have helped to unravel the veil of the mysterious world to us readers about the unknown side of London. ...more
Sadly a 4.25 stars read. The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia is her third novel; this book is about a girl automaton, mechanics, chemists and gar Sadly a 4.25 stars read. The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia is her third novel; this book is about a girl automaton, mechanics, chemists and gargoyles. Sound interesting to me when I was looking up of robots and artificial intelligence in science fiction sub genres. After read it, I think it is more a fantasy book instead the protagonist is a robot. I didn’t know about Ekaterina Sedia before, but this book has some beautiful descriptions about the world where people, machines and magic creatures coexist together; about the souls which were absorbed by the soul-smoker. The subterranean world where rebels were hiding from the mechanics. I think the author has potential of building an immersive secondary world. However, even though I really like the protagonist Mattie when she was exploring the unknown territories in the city Ayona, I still found the plots are too convenient to explain the circumstances and how Mattie and other characters solve the problems. This book truly is an atmospheric to me but the explanations of the plots and the development of the plots, how the magic works are not convincing. The themes in the book could be more entranced with the plot developments, but it didn’t, a shame.
The writing is sublime, it enhances the ambiance of the histories from the past of the city Ayona; were told from the gargoyles’s POV. It is intriguing to read Mattie’s thoughts on souls, as she is a robot, her experiences of life and perspectives aren’t the same as humans. I think the writing adds some gothic vibe to the steampunk/ gas lamp world.
The story is about Mattie as an automaton, she has been living as an alchemist. She has been serving her master Loharri since she was created by him. As the conflicts between easterners and mechanics. She was struggling with her duty to her master and her friendship with her friends. Loharri has been holding her key to control Mattie. She desperately wanted to be emancipated from her master’s ownership. When she was planing to get the key, meanwhile the gargoyles was looking for her help. Eventually the war between Mechanics and easterners inevitably leaded to the fate of the city.
I think some thing like Sebastian as the new member of mechanics also is Mattie’s lover. This part is like the plot design for helping the lower race in the city, it doesn’t have any romantic elements to the story, and it isn’t developed well at all. gargoyles’s POVs are interesting but, it is too obtrusive to see they always provide clues to the plot developments. If you don’t focus on the plots instead of the world. You may find it is much more pleasant to read. Mattie is a tragic figure in the story, almost all people treat her just like a machine, even she show her high intelligence. As she isn’t a citizen at all just a forever servant of the city. Maybe this is a new type of racism but isn’t toward to human but to automatons. ...more
Lilith by George MacDonald is a fantasy book about Christine, self-awareness and about the self existential in universe. I think this is a book requirLilith by George MacDonald is a fantasy book about Christine, self-awareness and about the self existential in universe. I think this is a book requires doing homework before reading it: it published in 1895 so that the writing style is more archaic than some masterpiece like LoTR, Conan, it even published before Lord Dunsany’s The King of Elfland's Daughter! And the story is full of metaphors and religious contents, hence readers might not understand what the story is about. Usually I read fantasy between 1900s-2000s+ so I found this is quite a unique reading experience to me that to read a book was published in late nineteenth century. Before reading Lilith by George MacDonald, I also read Phantastes, which is his earlier published book. It is more difficult to read than Lilith. The proses are not very clear of its meanings The protagonist’s experience is dreamlike, not the kind of fervent dream instead the dreams you would feel pleasant before awake. Both his two books Lilith and Phantastes are highly imaginative. Especially Phantastes has some extraordinary and outlandish descriptions about fairies and fictional creatures. MacDonald’s writing perfectly depicts a surreal dream landscapes where enchanted forest and rivers are parts of nature. If you just want to have a unique reading experience in fantasies without diving too deep into the meanings then MacDonald’s fantasy books have those kind of fantasies to readers that you can just immerse yourself in these vividly colorful world.
The story is about a young man who found out a mirror which reflect the scene that is not real to him, then he realized that he soon would have extraordinary experiences with the raven, the dead lady, the little ones and other creatures some of which are malice, some of them aren’t. The story is Christine-oriented and thus the plots eventually lead the protagonist to the spiritually religious experience. The identity of the raven from the beginning of the story, it is like a guardian but later the protagonist found out that he was a predecessor of the library, further in the story, his identity is Adam who is the figure in Bible. Like the protagonist said to raven, the world he has encountered that doesn’t seem to make sense to him, he didn’t know the world even after the raven explained to him. The seven dimension world that many time make the protagonist lost, wandering in the unknown world with bizarre things were happening around him. Till the middle of the book, the plot have more clear explanations of what was the world the protagonist was exploring. The little ones are the small children who never grow up, they are afraid of the big giants and don’t want to be like them, but some of them eventually would grew into the big giants. It clearly has some religious meanings, the story explains that those children (like us) without the guidance of Christine that would deteriorate into the evil beings. The protagonist was being guiding by the good ones, (like the raven) so the protagonist was also a good person in the story. After he left the wood, he went to the desert, and met a figure who is familiar with the raven’s wife. And he went to the palace and knew his destiny was to defeat the evil but he was still unknown to him. Save the woman who was cold at first. He has met some undead characters that started questioning him was he dead? And eventually he met Lilith the evil one and help to defeat her, but the princess Lona was dead and he sent Lilith to The catacomb and Lilith decided to dead. In the end of the story he and Lona was going to the celestial heaven but he was awake in his library.
The story is heaven on Christian themes of good and evil and the doctrines of Christianity. The experience for the protagonist is the most peculiar in the story. Many times he was convinced he entered the world is not real to him and didn’t know the way to go back to his library. The existential question of which life is the real life to him that was bothering him at first. Until he realized that the comprehension of the good life in following the principles that is the real life for him. dream or not dream is not the understanding of real world exist, is the spiritual experience of underStanding what is the good life he wants to have even it is the dead realm to him. Some themes are about death and afterlife in the story that the experience the protagonist was having accentuate the surreal feeling to me. I think the book conveys the concept that if you behave bad, you wouldn’t have the chance to experience the good life even after you’re dead.
Overall, it is a captivating story where the world is full of myths and Christian themes. If you just want to have a peculiar reading experience, Lilith might be the one....more
Orca is the seventh installment of Vlad Taltos series. I think I am growing on liking the series. This series has some compelling elements, I am not Orca is the seventh installment of Vlad Taltos series. I think I am growing on liking the series. This series has some compelling elements, I am not sure why, perhaps because the witty dialogues of Vlad, the interesting settings in the story but don’t outshine the plots. The challenges of which Vlad has encountered that aren’t solved by powerful artifacts or Vlad’s witchcraft or psychic abilities. He need to figure out what was happening all the time, and facing assassinations and conspiracies; it means that mostly he was overpowered in the dire circumstances. It is good to see how Vlad solved the mysteries and outwitted his enemies. Moreover, Steven Brust not only build up the tensions of conflict s in the story, also he inserts some serious subjects about politic corruptions, how banks work on interests etc and mix them together with the ancient histories of the empire.
The story of Orca is Vlad was trying to help recuperate Savn from the illness. He want to the Northport , there he found a Orca lady and asked her help; for the exchange, she wanted Vlad found out a solution of keeping her property the blue cottage from evicted by the government. Therefore, Vlad hired an assistance whose name is Kiera. Together they knew the truth of the case is not that simple. It was involved many people in the town and the empire was trying to cover the fact of the swindle by the banks. In the end, you may find out Vlad’s assistance was in disguise, her identity is much intimidating than it appears to be.
Overall, Orca id a good story with enough information and the interactions with each main characters. The investigation is intriguing to read, it also is involved in empire’s long histories with Jheregs. This book reveals more dark facts of banks, bankers and the empire. Maybe Orca is the well structured book in Vlad Taltos series so far.
3.75 stars. Mostly listened to the audiobook. Athyra by Steven Brust is the sixth book of Vlad Taltos series. I think the series starts having diffe 3.75 stars. Mostly listened to the audiobook. Athyra by Steven Brust is the sixth book of Vlad Taltos series. I think the series starts having different POVs characters in Athyra. The main character, Savn is the main narrator in Athyra; from his POV, we see Vlad’s actions and personalities from different angle of the story telling which is quite interesting. Savn is a child so that he was learning the thing which Vlad’ve known and how the witchcraft works. The concept, Necromancer is introduced in this book that which the central plot is around it; his Lordship is the necromancer the villain in the story that makes the Story more scary to read( not very scary though). I think Vlad had enlightened Savn about what is more important not just to believe things also tests it several times, then to understand them. Vlad’s saying has courage’s Savn to take the action and confronting his lordship. I was wondering Vlad is the Philosopher or a scientist in the book?
After Vlad killed the prominent members of the house, he was on the run. He was escaping the searching, so that he was settling in the remote village to be invisible from the pursers. He met the the boy Savn and taught him about witchcraft. Soon Savn figured out what is the connection the death of Rein with Vlad. Vlad was being the teacher when his existence was not very welcome in the village as he is an easterner. After he was almost injured by the Lordship’s assassins, Savn saved him. During Vlad’s recuperation , Savn knew that Vlad has enchanted his parents not to object him to teach Savn witchcraft. Savn eventually confronted his Lordship and knew that he is a necromancer with Jehred assassin has been assisting him. In the end of the story he was in a comma and Vlad wanted to cure him and bring him to the outside world of his village.
Athyra is a fun book to read, there has less action as in the previous book, Phoenix. Just in the parts of middle and end. Vlad’s conversations with Savn are full of philosophical thinkings. Overall, it’s still good to read and Brust explores the world more than the previous books. I think as Savn joined Vlad’s team that would make the plots being more diverse in the later books of the series. Brust also wrote the female jhereg’s POV, from her POV to observe how she thought of Vlad the provider and Savn which is quite interesting....more
Phoenix by Steven Brust is the fifth book in Vlad Taltos series. This book is a witty, adventurous S&S and consists of assassins, sorceries, teleport Phoenix by Steven Brust is the fifth book in Vlad Taltos series. This book is a witty, adventurous S&S and consists of assassins, sorceries, teleportation, resurrection etc; those fictionally humanoid races all live under the rule of dragaeran empire. Our protagonist Also the narrator, Vlad who is a human was the low classic in the empire. But he has made many powerful friends in his life, the previous four books are his relationships with his old friends. It’s not exceptional that he also made friends this time. Aibynn Is his new friend he has made on the mission which is an assassination of the prestige governor on isle Greenaere. Aibynn is an interesting character who talk about gods, philosophy to Vlad, also he play drums, who is a nomad musician. It’s interesting that he was inadvertently intertwined with Vlad’s mission and brought out of the prison and became friend with Vlad. He chose to stay In foreign land mainly because the environment is good for play drums; there even brside shoreline the weather is still dry, quite unusual to my knowledge of weather.
The story explains some early settings in the previous books. This book has some interesting settings like teleportation, the floating black castle, it is good to remind me of the previous settings , as sometimes I forgot the settings and it might be related to the plots. This time the story more focuses on the rebellion of easterners. Vlad’s wife Cawti was considered the leader of the group. It’s interesting that Vlad mentioned that his role is totally opposite to Cawti’d role. He is a destroyer, on the other hand, his wife is a fixer who fix the problems of the empire. Vlad’s experiences with the empire and its people make him unforgivable of what the empire has treated to his people or other lower ranks of races. He pragmatically live with hatred. Like his grandfather said to him, life is normal living with hatred, but being controlled by hatred is foolish.
Phoenix is a fast read and the pacing is good, I can see the dialogues are witty and humorous, and there in the story has several mysteries about Vlad’s world that make me want to know more. Although sometimes the plots are confusing to me, and using the similar formulas in the previous books. The story is not action heavy as I expected it would be. Most of the plots are maneuvers not many swagsbuckling scenes. Overall, Vlad Taltos is an underrated fantasy series with philosophy and S&S vibe to it. I hope the later installments of the series are still as good as the previous ones....more
4.5 stars. I Was Listening to the audiobook and reading ebook at the same time.
Who is the master of the dreams? The Dream master or someone else?
Th4.5 stars. I Was Listening to the audiobook and reading ebook at the same time.
Who is the master of the dreams? The Dream master or someone else?
The premise of the story is compelling to take a peak of the introduction of the book. After I decided to read a few chapters then I immediately was enamored with the concepts of the story. People were living in a world which has advance technologies, the protagonist, Render who is a practitioner of operating Neuroparticipant Therapy. His innovative therapy is to use the devices to enter patients’s dreams and probe the unconscious area of brain. One day he met a women and she suggested that learning the methods of the therapy due to the cause of her innate blindness. After they started cooperating the treatment, the notion of being afraid of the dark side of his treatments of dreams became stronger within the therapy. He eventually will found out that the woman Eileen was being manipulative since the treatment has started. She would take over the dominance in the dream realms.
The concepts about dreams and how the dram specialist probes the unknown territory of consciousness and subconsciousness are interesting. It is might be one of the innovative fantasy/Sci Fi book I have read so far. Talking dogs are one of the highlights in the book. Render’s son went to the museum and having the conversation with the colonel which is interesting. The writing is superb that seems not like Zelazny’s other books that I have read; Fabulous descriptions of dreams, mythos are the strong point of this book.
This novel was a novella length before it was edited to the novel length, so that is not very novel like to read, some parts of the story seems a bit jarring to read. It would be consider a new weave novel so that it feels like reading the experimental of the novel concepts of the dream therapies. If you want a modern style plots to read you wouldn’t find it here.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is his newly released fantasy book in 2024, which it has mysteries that are set in a secondary world; where The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is his newly released fantasy book in 2024, which it has mysteries that are set in a secondary world; where Leviathans were the impending threat to Khanum empire, the contagion was contagiously lethal disease pervasive by spores, engravers who have the knack to recall things from their memory. Twitches are monstrous killing machines who have ability to react adroitly in battles. The story is detective-oriented that aims to solving mysteries in the fantasy world; the book still has the similar strangeness as the Divine City Trilogy that I am interested in which the unique world building that I scarcely have seen in fantasies. Although it’s less bizarre than The Divine City trilogy ( except Leviathans ). Perhaps because the story is focus on the mystery being solved, and prevent murders from spreading the contagions; and thus I felt less surprised by the world not as the first time I read City of Stairs. But it’s still the outstanding fantasy book without a doubt. Robert Jackson Bennett is the author who is able to craft a unique world with appealing characters and plots. The theme in the story is about corruption and justice. And some clans are on the pinnacle hierarchy of the empire such as Haze family who just make sure the profits are stable; even the profit is from the tragedy of the canton, Oypat where has happened the tremendous contagion and caused numerous calamities to the people.
The writing is easy to follow the story, and I am fond of some descriptions, such as the dappleglass grew from the infectors, Leviathan’s gigantic skeleton lay on the ground as colossal as a hill, and it’s the original source of magic comes from. The pacing is good without slowing down the story.
The Tainted Cup is the first book of Shadow of the Leviathan Series. It has potentials to be an exceptional fantasy series. Din and Ana are the mentor and apprentice which their relationship is like Watson and Holmes. most of time, I followed Don’s POV and it seems like I saw things but without enough details of the things I saw so there is always the myths from Din’s POV. On the other hand, Ana is the unreliable character. She knew what Din has seen in the crime scenes during the investigations, but she withhold the info which she knows and sometimes she lied or untold the truths to Din and other characters. It’s an interesting reading experience, I think this is the formulaic being used in solving mysteries.
Summary the plot: Din was Ana’s apprentice who associated Ana’s investigations. His job is collecting evidences to Ana, doing field works. At first time Din was investigating the commander’s death, after he found out the murder, he realized that the contagion was not the usual one, it was designed to fit in the assassination. Sooner after Din and Ana solved Blas’s death. Vashta the officer came to find Din and Ana and enquired them to investigate the ten engineers who died before the breach. In Talagary, Din was seeking for Jolgalgan the survival engineer, and found out the huge amount of coins and a reagent key and a vial inside the chest. It leaded Din to the rendezvous of the ten engineers; At the meantime, Kaygi Haza asked of the investigation of her father’s death. Eventually Din and Ana discovered the dark secrets of Haza family and who caused the havoc on Talagray.
I think I like City of Stairs more than The Tainted Cup, maybe I had very high expectation on The Tainted Cup. However, I think every fantasy books are written by Robert Jackson Bennett would be decent enough to enjoy reading them. Robert Jackson Bennett is one of my favorite modern fantasy writers of all time....more
Fantasy boy
>
Books:
2024-fantasy-read-in-english
(65)
Loading...
