Synopsis

From a debut voice comes a genre-breaking blend of apocalyptic sci-fi and epic fantasy about a scattered group of unlikely heroes traveling across their broken mechanical planet to stave off eternal darkness. A tightly-coiled puzzle of a thrill ride, The Failures launches The Wanderlands trilogy

Welcome to the Wanderlands.
A vast machine made for reasons unknown, the Wanderlands was broken long ago. First went the sky, splintering and cracking, and then very slowly, the whole machine—the whole world—began to go dark.

Meet the Failures.
Following the summons of a strange dream, a scattering of adventurers, degenerates, and children find themselves drawn toward the same place: the vast underground Keep. They will discover there that they have been called for a purpose—and that purpose could be the destruction of everything they love.

The end is nigh.
For below the Keep, imprisoned in the greatest cage ever built by magicians and gods, lies the buried Giant. It is the most powerful of its kind, and its purpose is the annihilation of all civilization. But any kind of power, no matter how terrible, is precious in the dimming Wanderlands, and those that crave it are making their moves.

All machines can be broken, and the final cracks are spreading. It will take only the careless actions of two cheerful monsters to tip the Wanderlands towards an endless dark…or help it find its way back to the light.

Review

“The Failures” is an exceptionally ambitious novel and debut novel at that! Liar swings for the fences and knocks it out of the park. This book can be categorized as epic fantasy, science fiction, post apocalyptic, grimdark, steampunk, and more. Liar does not hold your hand but instead fully immerses you into the fascinating world of The Wanderlands, where darkness reigns supreme inside of a mountain civilization. You will encounter unique magic, giants (who can either save or destroy the world depending on who you ask), portals, magical artifacts, automata, and much more.

The story follows multiple POV characters across different time periods, creating a complex puzzle of timelines and narratives that come together through thrilling “a-ha moments.” It is brilliantly executed. The novel explores themes such as identity, friendship, and power.

As you read, you’ll find answers to your many questions, only for new ones to arise. The world’s history is expansive and deeply intriguing, leaving you eager to learn more. The author masterfully balances providing answers while setting up future installments in this exciting new series.

This is truly a remarkable debut novel. Liar meticulously crafts a complex and epic tale. The best part is that this is just the beginning. I can’t wait for book two and until then “The Failures” will be living rent free in my head.

Synopsis

Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infested forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, manages to save Ex him from a brutal ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.

Feeling responsible for Arinya’s safety, Ex vows to help her return home. But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect and sanctuary of his guild, but also the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

The Last Phi Hunter is a mythic dark fantasy, equal parts smart, exhilarating, and delightfully fun.

Review

I would like to thank Angry Robot Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy!

“The Last Phi Hunter” is a fantastic debut novel from author Salinee Goldenberg. Coming into this novel, I did not have much knowledge on Thai folklore however that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book whatsoever. Goldenberg paints the world so vividly that I felt I could see the demons myself! Her writing just oozes magic and you feel like you are right there beside the main character, Ex, the entire journey. The world and different magical aspects of it are described lusciously. It really made me want to book a flight to Thailand immediately! The fight scenes are extremely well done and do not hold back. The mythology was fascinating and it left me wanting even more! In conclusion, “The Last Phi Hunter” is a captivating and impressive debut novel that immerses readers in a richly detailed world of Thai folklore, weaving a spellbinding tale of magic, adventure, and love that will leave you eager for more.

Gogmagog by Jeff Noon & Steve Beard – 2/13/2024 – Angry Robot

From the highly celebrated and award-winning authors Jeff Noon and Steve Beard comes Gogmagog, the first book in adventurous duology, perfect for fans of Mervyn Peake.

Gogmagog tells the story of an epic journey through the sixty-mile long ghost of a dragon. We travel by boat, a rickety steam launch captained by Cady Meade, a veteran taxi pilot on the river Nysis. In her heyday she carried people and goods from the thriving seaports of the estuary into Ludwich, the capital city. But that was years ago. Now she’s drunk, holed up in a rundown seaside resort, telling her bawdy tales for shots of rum. All that’s about to change, when two strangers seek her out, asking for transport, one of whom – a young girl – is very ill, and in great danger. The other, an artificial being of singular character, has secrets hidden inside his crystal skull. And so begins the voyage of the Juniper. 

The Nysis is unlike any other river. Mysteries unfold with each port of call. Not many can navigate these channels, not many know of its whirlpools and sandbanks, and of the ravenous creatures that lurk beneath the surface. Cady used to have the necessary knowledge, and the powers of spectral navigation. But her glory days are well behind her now.

This might well be her final journey.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown – 2/13/24 – William Morrow

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.  

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors. 

Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.

Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.

Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there. 

But there are those willing to kill to obtain those secrets. And a dark force—in the form of a shadowy, sadistic woman—is at the very top of that list.

Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang, Translated by Ken Liu – 3/12/24 – Saga Press

From the Hugo Award­–winning author of Folding Beijing comes a gripping science fiction thriller in which three unlikely allies attempt a desperate mission of first contact with a mysterious alien race before more militaristic minds can take matters into their own hands.

In a future where the world is roughly divided into two factions, the Pacific League of Nations and the Atlantic Division of Nations, tensions are high as each side waits for the other to make a move. But neither side is prepared for a powerful third party that has apparently been an influential presence on Earth for thousands of years—and just might be making a reappearance very soon.

With the realization that a highly intelligent alien race has been trying to send them messages, three rising scientists within the Pacific League of Nations form an uneasy alliance. Fueled by a curiosity to have their questions answered and a fear that other factions within their rival Atlantic Division of Nations would opt for a more aggressive and potentially disastrous military response, the three race to secure first contact with this extraterrestrial life they aren’t quite convinced is a threat.

Bolstered by recent evidence of alien visitations in the distant past, the three scientific minds must solve puzzles rooted within human antiquity, face off with their personal demons, and discover truths of the universe.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell – 4/2/24 – DAW

Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance—from the perspective of the monster—by Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell

Shesheshen has made a mistake fatal to all monsters: she’s fallen in love.
 
Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.  
 
However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she’s found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don’t think about love that way.
 
Shesheshen hates keeping her identity secret from Homily, but just as she’s about to confess, Homily reveals why she’s in the area: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?
 
Eating her girlfriend isn’t an option. Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, but to give herself and Homily a chance at happiness, she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As the hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, Shesheshen must unearth the truth quickly, or soon both of their lives will be at risk.

And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with, rather than in, the love of her life.

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg – 4/9/24 – Angry Robot

Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infested forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, manages to save Ex him from a brutal ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.
 
Feeling responsible for Arinya’s safety, Ex vows to help her return home. But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect and sanctuary of his guild, but also the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

The Last Phi Hunter is a mythic dark fantasy, equal parts smart, exhilarating, and delightfully fun.

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes – 4/9/24 – Tor Nightfire

A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she’s assigned to a small exploration crew, she’s eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer’s hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by…and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan – 5/7/24 – Tor Books

Set in a city of traders and thieves, monsters and murderers, this fast-paced epic fantasy debut is a must-read for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Nicholas Eames, and Scott Lynch.

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and—thanks to a duel that ended badly—the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.

For in Saphrona, everything has a price—and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks – 6/18/24 – Flatiron Books

For fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library, a stunning historical fantasy novel set on a grand express train, about a group of passengers on a dangerous journey across a magical landscape

It is said there is a price that every passenger must pay. A price beyond the cost of a ticket.

There is only one way to travel across the Wastelands: on the Trans-Siberian Express, a train as famous for its luxury as for its danger. The train is never short of passengers, eager to catch sight of Wastelands creatures more miraculous and terrifying than anything they could imagine. But on the train’s last journey, something went horribly wrong, though no one seems to remember what exactly happened. Not even Zhang Weiwei, who has spent her life onboard and thought she knew all of the train’s secrets.

Now, the train is about to embark again, with a new set of passengers. Among them are Marya Petrovna, a grieving woman with a borrowed name; Henry Grey, a disgraced naturalist looking for redemption; and Elena, a beguiling stowaway with a powerful connection to the Wastelands itself. Weiwei knows she should report Elena, but she can’t help but be drawn to her. As the girls begin a forbidden friendship, there are warning signs that the rules of the Wastelands are changing and the train might once again be imperiled. Can the passengers trust each other, as the wildness outside threatens to consume them all?

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi – 7/9/24 – Knopf

From the New York Times best-selling author of The WindUp Girl and The Water Knife comes a sweeping literary fantasy about the young scion from a ruling-class family who faces rebellion as he ascends to power.

“You must be as sharp as a stilettotore’s dagger and as subtle as a fish beneath the waters. This is what it is to be Navolese, this is what it is to be di Regulai.”

In Navola, a bustling city-state dominated by a handful of influential families, business is power, and power is everything. For generations, the di Regulai family—merchant bankers with a vast empire—has nurtured tendrils that stretch to the farthest reaches of the known world. And though they claim not to be political, their staggering wealth has bought cities and toppled kingdoms. Soon, Davico di Regulai will be expected to take the reins of power from his father and demonstrate his mastery of the games of Navolese diplomacy: knowing who to trust and who to doubt, and how to read what lies hidden behind a smile. But in Navola, strange and ancient undercurrents lurk behind the gilt and grandeur—like the fossilized dragon eye in the family’s possession, a potent symbol of their raw power and a talisman that seems to be summoning Davico to act.

As tensions rise and the events unfold, Davico will be tested to his limits. His fate depends on the eldritch dragon relic and on what lies buried in the heart of his adopted sister, Celia di Balcosi, whose own family was destroyed by Nalova’s twisted politics. With echoes of Renaissance Italy, The Godfather, and Game of Thrones, Navola is a stunning feat of world-building and a mesmerizing depiction of drive and will.

The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey – 8/6/24 – Orbit

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself.How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end.

The Carryx – part empire, part hive – have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy.  Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin.  

Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team.  Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them.

They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure.  Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand – and manipulate – the Carryx themselves.

With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers.

Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination.  He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people.

This is where his story begins.

Synopsis

A small-time criminal. A has-been rock star. A shadowy government agency. And a severed hand whose dark powers threaten to destroy them all.

“A modern-meets-classic horror story that keeps the stakes high until the very last sentence.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“The unsettling darkness of Joe Hill meets the cryptic mystery of The X-Files.”—Delilah S. Dawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Violence

When leg-breaker Hutch Holtz rolls up to a rundown apartment complex in Portland, Oregon, to collect overdue drug money, a severed hand is the last thing he expects to find stashed in the client’s refrigerator. Hutch quickly realizes that the hand induces uncontrollable madness: Anyone in its proximity is overcome with a boundless compulsion for violence. Within hours, catastrophic forces are set into motion: Dark-op government agents who have been desperately hunting for the hand are on Hutch’s tail, more of the city’s residents fall under its brutal influence, and suddenly all of Portland stands at the precipice of disaster. . . .

But it’s all the same for Katherine Moriarty, a singer whose sudden fame and precipitous downfall were followed by the mysterious death of her estranged husband—suicide, allegedly. Her trauma has made her agoraphobic, shackled within the confines of her apartment. Her son, Nick, has moved home to care for her, quietly making his living working for Hutch’s boss.

When Hutch calls Nick in distress, looking for someone else to take the hand, Katherine and Nick are plunged into a global struggle that will decimate the walls of the carefully arranged life they’ve built. Mother and son must evade both crazed, bloodthirsty masses and deceitful government agents while exorcising family secrets that have risen from the dead—secrets, they soon discover, that might hold the very key to humanity’s survival.

Can you resist the hand? Find an excerpt from the next Fever House novel at the end of the book.

Review

“Fever House” is full pedal to metal on the highway to hell! Keith Rosson does not hold back! This novel took me on a thrilling ride as it careened out of control, blending an eclectic array of genres into a harmonious chaos. It’s a gripping concoction of crime noir infused with zombies, shadowy government agencies, a punk rock band, and occult elements that I do not want to spoil!

This book does not shy away from brutality, violence, and gore; it revels in it. I genuinely felt like no character was safe and I personally love when a book makes me feel that way. The stakes are high and there is no room for error. What truly captivated me was the rich mythology and history of the “remnants,” epitomized by the haunting and awesome image of the severed hand gracing the book’s striking cover. In this world, it seems devils and angels walk among us. It is not fully explained but I found out this is just book one!

Beyond the violence, gore, and terror, the novel delves into the deeply human aspects of its characters and their past. With multiple distinct points of view, each character possesses a unique voice that is instantly recognizable even without reading the chapter titles. They all carry their burdens from the past, their personal demons coming to the forefront as the present unfolds. This added layer of emotional depth to go along with the chaotic narrative made it a multidimensional rollercoaster well worth the price of admission.

Overall, I certainly recommend checking out “Fever House”. My only complaint is that it ends just as it seems to be getting to the best part! However, a second novel is coming next year and it is already one of my most anticipated reads of 2024.

Synopsis

Clifford Island. When Willow Stone finds these words written on the floor of her deceased son’s bedroom, she’s perplexed. She’s never heard of it before, but soon learns it’s a tiny island off Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula, 200 miles from Willow’s home. Why would her son write this on his floor? Determined to find answers, Willow sets out for the island.
 
After a few days on Clifford, Willow realizes: This place is not normal. Everyone seems to be stuck in a particular day in 1994: They wear outdated clothing, avoid modern technology, and, perhaps most mystifyingly, watch the OJ Simpson car chase every evening. When she asks questions, people are evasive, but she learns one thing: Close your curtains at night.
 
High schooler Lily Becker has lived on Clifford her entire life, and she is sick of the island’s twisted mythology and adhering to the rules. She’s been to the mainland, and everyone is normal there, so why is Clifford so weird? Lily is determined to prove that the islanders’ beliefs are a sham. But are they?
 
Five weeks after Willow arrives on the island, she disappears. Willow’s brother, Harper, comes to Clifford searching for his sister, and when he learns the truth—that this island is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined—he is determined to blow the whole thing open.
 
If he can get out alive….

Review

“Dead Eleven” is a captivating debut novel from author Jimmy Juliano. Juliano has had several stories go viral on the “NoSleep” Reddit forum. It’s a slow burn but never boring. A page turner! Juliano draws you into a mysterious island stuck in the 1990s, evoking an eerie sense of nostalgia and an unsettling “cult vibe”. You always want to find out what is actually going on here. Folks are watching the OJ Simpson car chase every evening, listening to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on the Edge” on repeat, wearing 90’s attire, and more. This novel reminded me in some regard to the amazing Netflix miniseries, “Midnight Mass” by Mike Flanagan.

There are multiple points of view in this novel. It was very enjoyable to piece everything together as you went along. Some of the chapters are presented as “found footage”. You will read letters, text conversations, interviews, and articles. I found that fascinating to read!

This is not a horror novel that will scare you with just gore. There are a lot of fun nostalgic 90’s moments but truly this is an emotional story about grief and loss. It is extremely effective in that regard. I really felt for the characters. The feeling of grief is something we all have felt in our lives, it’s something we all can relate to. Amidst the chilling array of monsters and demons, the truest terror lies in the raw, haunting grip of human grief.

Juliano skillfully weaves a story that is not just a horror novel, but a poignant exploration of grief and loss, reminding us of the sometimes inescapable and consuming nature of human sorrow.

Synopsis

Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, this thrilling fantasy launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons, and bloodthirsty vengeance.​

“The Sword Defiant is a treat for all fantasy fans . . . . It’s an absolute blast.” ― Justin Lee Anderson, author of The Lost War

Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord’s cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part.

Now, when Aelfric – keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker – learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday’s eager heroes are today’s weary leaders – and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves.

If there’s one thing Aelfric knows, it’s slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends.

“In the tradition of Tolkien and Eddings, with a richly detailed narrative, well-drawn characters, epic battles, and political and religious intrigues, Hanrahan’s outstanding first outing in the Lands of the Firstborn series will thrill fantasy readers—who will anxiously await the next book.” ― Booklist (starred review)

“This novel has the potential to become a fan-favorite among those who appreciate vast and eloquent epic fantasy. Readers will enjoy the unique twists, absorbing intrigue, and endearing characters.” ― Library Journal

“I will buy any novel that Gareth Hanrahan ever writes.” ― The Fantasy Inn

Review

This is a very solid first entry into a new fantasy series by author Gareth Hanrahan. I thoroughly enjoyed the quest this book set me on! The story kind of reminded me of “Lord of the Rings” meets “Dungeons & Dragons”. It is fairly traditional fantasy story in the sense of the set up like Lord of the Rings. You have a fellowship, elves, dwarves, the hero knight, orcs, evil beings, etc. However, the twist I loved that this book explored was what happened after our fellowship of heroes defeated evil 20 years ago. It was not just “they lived happily ever after”. This book starts to explore that question and it really intrigued me.

First off, the world building is fantastic. From your mundane farmlands to the whimsical land of the elves, to the dark city of Necrad engulfed by “necromiasma”. I found it all very intriguing and felt like I was transported to this fantasy world. I cannot wait to explore more of this land in future books.

I would say that this story is more character based than plot based. There is absolutely a plot, but the characters are fantastic. That is what makes this book so good to me. You start to learn about this fellowship that defeated evil years ago. They are all very different, have different personalities, have different backgrounds but were a tight knit group of friends in the triumph. They formed friendships and bonds after going through all that adversity together. However, when a new threat seems to arise years later, things are not the same. One may think to just get the band back together and run it back! Problem solved. No, life is more complicated than that. That is what really worked for me. It was my main takeaway from this book. Over the years, life experiences happen, people change, grow further apart, and perspectives shift. Our main character, Alf, is learning this throughout the novel. It is a struggle he is constantly facing, something he is having a hard time coming to terms with. The character felt so real. I could feel his internal struggle, his sense of feeling lost and conflicted. It was very well done.

Overall, I recommend “The Sword Defiant”. It is a promising start to a new fantasy series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here! The world building is great, but I am very intrigued to see the journey all of these characters take. The themes of aging friendships and family will keep me coming back for more! Oh and yeah there is a talking sword, Spellbreaker, and it’s awesome!

Synopsis

One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time

Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. Hailed as one of the best books of 2015 by NPR.

Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods. Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions—two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice.

Fans of intrigue, intimate plots, and action will find a new series to embrace in the Dandelion Dynasty.

Review

The “Grace of Kings” is the first of four books in “The Dandelion Dynasty” series by author Ken Liu. I thoroughly enjoyed this one! It is unlike any other book I have read. Events happen at breakneck speed in this. Typically, an author will mention a plan/idea and you will see it play out across several chapters. In the Grace of Kings, a plan will be mentioned and then on the very next page you will see that plan unfold. This reads more like a history book. A retelling of events. There is not a great amount of dialogue. It “tells” more than it “shows”. In a little over 600 pages it zooms through many years, rises and falls of power, political schemes, battles, and more. None of this is a bad thing, it is just different! It was very refreshing to read something with this style. 

There are many events in this book that just flat out shocked me. Ken Liu does not hold back! It was big event after big event after big event. Characters that I thought I would be reading about for pages to come, gone! There are exhilarating battles, mischievous political machinations, and somber heartbreaks. What also fascinated me is the difference between our two main characters, Kuni and Mata. The difference of philosophies, perspectives, and leadership I found to be very thought provoking. I could see and understand where each was coming from. 

So much occurs in this book. It is definitely a novel that is more focused on plot and advancing the story rather than characters. That is not a bad thing! It works here. This book almost feels like a massive prologue to an epic series to come. The reader now knows all the background history and years worth of events that has laid fantastic groundwork. I am looking forward to reading the second book of this series!

Overall, “The Grace of Kings” is a fantastic book one of a series with a pace so relentless that sometimes you forget to breathe. 

Synopsis

Combining the wonder of The Midnight Library , the inventiveness of Ready Player One, and the artistry of Cloud Atlas, this novel by the bestselling author of The Oracle Year and Anyone explores the way we’re all connected—and what can happen when we lose our capacity for joy.   

A few years from now, in a world similar to ours, there exists a sort of “depression plague” that people refer to simply as “The Grey.” No one can predict whom it will afflict, or how, but once infected, there’s no coming back.  

A young Hong Kong based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out. 

From its opening heart-stopping scene in the present day at the Louvre in Paris, through the earthly meetings between Lily and her loved ones past and present, to a shocking and satisfying conclusion in a truly enchanted forest, Charles Soule has channeled history, science and drama to create a story for the ages—a story of hope and love and possibility. This is a novel you will not soon forget.

Review

The Endless Vessel is a science fiction book set in the near future and also has another timeline set in the 1700s. The near future world is being infected by a disease called “The Grey”. Once someone is infected with “The Grey” they essentially lose all desire and passion to live life. This book can be scary at times because it does present issues that do not seem entirely too far fetched. The science fiction aspects were very unique and opened up my mind. It was very contemplative.

Overall, I liked this novel. I did have some issues with the pacing. The middle of the book felt like a bit of a slog. However, I loved the message, the idea, and the themes of this story. It’s an intricate story that deals with some modern day challenges that we face. The book is never preachy but it deals with things like depression, mental illness/health, loneliness, climate change, reliance on technology, and erasing history. It’s truly a story about what it means to be human. Connectedness, love, friendship, the bonds we make. We as humans, all have emotions, fears, and demons. However, we can get through it all together. Relationships and bonds make us stronger. We grow. We persevere.

Synopsis

At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.

Review

10/10. Recency bias? No, just an instant classic. Immediately one of my favorite books I have ever read.

Wow. Wow. Wow….. I am still gathering myself here after just finishing “The Will of the Many” by James Islington. Book 1 in a new series, “Hierarchy”. This book has it all. It completely engulfed me in its world. The characters feel so real like I personally know them. The story is emotional, riveting and contemplative. The pacing is great, every chapter felt like it ended on a cliffhanger. There are constant twists and turns (those last two chapters in the epilogue…speechless!). There is friendship, betrayal, magic, politics, greed, philosophy, reflecting and embracing your past/roots, retribution, love, fortitude, family, trust, and mystery to just name a few. The main character has such an emotional journey throughout this 600+ page book, it really resonated with me.

The crazy thing is that this is just the beginning. It is a meticulously plotted and layered story. As you peel back more and more of the layers the brain just explodes even more. Some questions are answered but greater questions arise. It is like a snowball rolling down a mountain side. What is actually happening? What is the truth? Who is trustworthy? I can go on for days and will be thinking about this for a long time. I need “The Strength of the Few” ASAP. Do yourself a favor and read “The Will of the Many”. Jump along for the ride of the “Hierarchy” series. I suspect it has a chance to be an all-time great.