Genre: Epic Fantasy
Subgenre: Magic, kings/knights, quests
Age Appropriate: Teen
Recommended for my sister: Enh. Maybe?
"I count you as my brother." - Reece
Thorgrin is a young 14 year old runt of the litter boy in a small village. He has great aspirations of becoming a knight and joining The Silver, the elite group of soldiers who fight for the King. On Selection Day, his father tries to force him to stay inside, but Thorgrin runs out and yells for his turn to be considered. He's rejected immediately for being to small and scrawny. After running away from town, he stumbles on an older man named Argon. He convinces Thorgrin not to give up, and he begins the walk to the Kingdom to force his way into knight's training. His spunk and skill earn him a grudging place within the recruits, despite the scorn of his brothers and others who'd gotten in the "right way." Still, he impresses others and his young journey to knighthood begins. It all becomes much more complicated when Thor comes up with strange magical powers.
The Sorceror's Ring series is up to 12 books, and the story grows from Thor's younger days to his coming-of-age obstacles, including a budding love affair with the King's daughter, Gwendolyn. The story itself is very reminiscent of King Arthur, including a magical sword stuck in a stone. Each subsequent quest he leaves on includes his closest knightly friends, and a few non-friends who end up being in debt to Thor's heroism. The group journeys throughout the world, both in the safety of their kingdom and the terror of the insecure Empire beyond their borders. The underlying story follows Thor's relationships and what he needs to learn to save his family, his love, his friends and his kingdom.
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I got to book 9 before I stopped. There are another 3 books in the series, but I just don't have the patience to get through them yet. I was pretty excited to begin, even seeing the blatant parallels with King Arthur. I figured it might be fun after taking an entire semester of Arthuriana. I kept waiting for something epic to happen. There were a few journeys here or there with potential, and each one seemed to more closer to a big finish. Unfortunately, I'm on book 9 and I've not been satisfied with anything yet. The further I get, the more tiring the series becomes.
I know that Thor needs to visit his mother. He's been having dreams and visions of her in the Land of the Druids. It's book 9 though and he still hasn't headed that way. It's kinda boring now. I'm hoping that when I do decide to finish the next few books, whenever that might be, the pace picks up or the author decides to wrap it up. Right now, I know that there are 3 more books that have been released in a bundle. So, for now, I'd say not to bother until I can make myself finish them, eventually.
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Oops!: Happy Mother's Day!!!
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Heralds of Valdemar - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: epic fantasy, magic
Age Appropriate: Teens
Recommended for my sister: YES
"Hindsight is ever perfect" - Starwind k'Treva
The Heralds of Valdemar books span over multiple trilogies. While Lackey wrote them in a different order, there is a specific timeline that moves the history along. The first series chronologically is the Last Herald-Mage series featuring Vanyel, a young man who feels separate from his family and is sent to the capital, Haven, to be with his Aunt Savil. His arrival starts the story off with his emotional issues and secrets that lead to great tragedy and discovery of his own mage powers. Through the story the audience learns the special marks of those who are "Chosen" in the kingdom of Valedmar, and is given a good basis for the following story lines.
Throughout all of the trilogies, the main characters are either Heralds or those who become somehow involved with Heralds. IT's the Heralds who are chosen, and to that effect are considered unshakable in their honor and loyalty to their land. The clear designation of a Herald is the presence of their Companion - a magical spirit being in the guise of a horse, who "chooses" their Herald. The tie between Herald and Companion is soul deep and together they will go out and do the hard things done in need of their country. Those "gifts" can range from telepathy - or Mindspeaking - to Firestarting, and in some case the ever mysterious Mage-gift. With the exception of the Mage-gift, all fo the abilities are considered "mind-magic," and the distinction becomes very important as the books go forward.
There are wide varieties of characters, with various idiosyncrasies in either tale. Each kingdom has different rules and histories that cause great conflicts, as often is the case between kingdom and monarchs. On top of that, there are magical beasts running feral, magically tainted lands being watched over by some strange people and even a demon or two thrown in for good measure. All in all, if you put them together, the Heralds of Valdemar books are one long epic. There are even a few short-story companion novels available when you can't get enough.
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I love them. I read my first one when I was probably around 10ish. It was the first Herald-Mage Vanyel book and I was completely hooked. I'll admit that I didn't particularly like the Mage Winds trilogy as some of the others, but each trilogy is fairly important for character development. There are a few that might be considered stand-alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. Find the chronology online and read them all. Even the books that may not be set in Valdemar are important. The things you might miss are small, but they gave me a little boost when I noticed them.
I suppose it's hard to do a full review when you're talking about a series as long as this. While I've read them all recently, I remember the first time being pretty strong emotionally. I still feel strongly when I read the Herald-Mages books and the Arrows books. The sads are as important as the happies. The series is highly recommended, especially if you like epic-type series. I think the splits of trilogies probably helps with consumption levels, but I wouldn't be too shocked if you found yourself buying them all right away.
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Moar!: Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill
Subgenre: epic fantasy, magic
Age Appropriate: Teens
Recommended for my sister: YES
"Hindsight is ever perfect" - Starwind k'Treva
The Heralds of Valdemar books span over multiple trilogies. While Lackey wrote them in a different order, there is a specific timeline that moves the history along. The first series chronologically is the Last Herald-Mage series featuring Vanyel, a young man who feels separate from his family and is sent to the capital, Haven, to be with his Aunt Savil. His arrival starts the story off with his emotional issues and secrets that lead to great tragedy and discovery of his own mage powers. Through the story the audience learns the special marks of those who are "Chosen" in the kingdom of Valedmar, and is given a good basis for the following story lines.
Throughout all of the trilogies, the main characters are either Heralds or those who become somehow involved with Heralds. IT's the Heralds who are chosen, and to that effect are considered unshakable in their honor and loyalty to their land. The clear designation of a Herald is the presence of their Companion - a magical spirit being in the guise of a horse, who "chooses" their Herald. The tie between Herald and Companion is soul deep and together they will go out and do the hard things done in need of their country. Those "gifts" can range from telepathy - or Mindspeaking - to Firestarting, and in some case the ever mysterious Mage-gift. With the exception of the Mage-gift, all fo the abilities are considered "mind-magic," and the distinction becomes very important as the books go forward.
There are wide varieties of characters, with various idiosyncrasies in either tale. Each kingdom has different rules and histories that cause great conflicts, as often is the case between kingdom and monarchs. On top of that, there are magical beasts running feral, magically tainted lands being watched over by some strange people and even a demon or two thrown in for good measure. All in all, if you put them together, the Heralds of Valdemar books are one long epic. There are even a few short-story companion novels available when you can't get enough.
-----
I love them. I read my first one when I was probably around 10ish. It was the first Herald-Mage Vanyel book and I was completely hooked. I'll admit that I didn't particularly like the Mage Winds trilogy as some of the others, but each trilogy is fairly important for character development. There are a few that might be considered stand-alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. Find the chronology online and read them all. Even the books that may not be set in Valdemar are important. The things you might miss are small, but they gave me a little boost when I noticed them.
I suppose it's hard to do a full review when you're talking about a series as long as this. While I've read them all recently, I remember the first time being pretty strong emotionally. I still feel strongly when I read the Herald-Mages books and the Arrows books. The sads are as important as the happies. The series is highly recommended, especially if you like epic-type series. I think the splits of trilogies probably helps with consumption levels, but I wouldn't be too shocked if you found yourself buying them all right away.
-----
Moar!: Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Kushiel series - Jacqueline Carey
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: sex, gods, intrigue, adventure, pain
Age Appropriate: ADULT
Recommended for my sister: Top 10
"That which yields is not always weak." - fortune teller
Phedre is a young girl sold into comfortable servitude when her parents find themselves desperate. Her mother, formerly of the institution she gives Phedre too, begs them to take her daughter. Her mother was of the Jasmine House of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers - a series of houses with adepts and trainees dedicated to Naamah, the goddess of desire. While Phedre is remanded to the house, she has a flaw that singles out of being able to commit herself. She has a crimson mote in her eye, and the Houses are very particular about physical flaws. Despite her lack of qualifications, she's raised in the house the same as other children in their keeping. Most of those children will go on to become adepts in their chosen houses until they make their marque - a tattoo on their backs signifying their House and that they've completed their indentured service.
After hearing the Story of Elua from a priest, the children are given flowers to pin onto their shirts, and it leads Phedre to learn her first lesson about herself. She pricks her finger with the pin, out of curiosity, and the result is a wash of pain/pleasure that would normally put her in a particular house, if she didn't have that one single flaw. When one of the adepts finds her out, she's told she'll be meeting someone very interested in her. That day she runs away to Night's Doorstep, a poor neighborhood, and meets her one true friend, Hyacinthe. Upon her return, she meets Anafiel Delaunay, and her fate is sealed. She is an anguisette, someone born to accept pain as pleasure, and under the tutelage of Delaunay becomes somewhat more. He makes her into a spy, alongside his other pupil, Alcuin, teaching her how to observe and think, along with her lessons toward becoming an Adept of the Night Court.
This part of her story takes up the first part of the first book. Her education and dedication to Naamah lead her dangerous paths against traitors, slavers and terrible tortures. She bases her survival on one thing, to save her Queen and county from terrible invasion by barbarians. Her companion, a warrior-priest of Cassiel, Joscelin, ends up her only ally on her terrible journey. Their's is a story of pain, pleasure and fortitude in the face of hopelessness.
-----
There are actually 9 books in the Kushiel series world. The first three are completely focused on Phedre's individual life story. Despite the different names and religions created in the world, the location are all based in real countries, which names changed. Her story is terribly, and heartbreaking, and hard to read. Whatever sensuality and sexuality is included, it is far more included for advancing the story than it is for blatant porn. How could there be no sex when the main character is a goddess-dedicated courtesan of sorts? It's not all easy-peasy romance either. Every step of the way there is little typical happiness to be found. It was a struggle emotionally to read the books, but enrapturing to read, nonetheless.
What can I say? It's an amazing series, if you have the stomach for it. Even after reading it for the bajillionth time, it still makes me heartsick. There is a bit of pride and hope in there, on behalf of Phedre and Joscelin. When I first read them, a long time ago, I'll even admit that I was a bit tempted to get her marque as a tattoo. I mean, how cool would that be? I'm glad I didn't but her story made the whole thing something to be proud of, rather than disdained. If you believe you can handle the intricacies, I would most highly recommend this series.
-----
Somewhat less intense: Kate Daniels series
Subgenre: sex, gods, intrigue, adventure, pain
Age Appropriate: ADULT
Recommended for my sister: Top 10
"That which yields is not always weak." - fortune teller
Phedre is a young girl sold into comfortable servitude when her parents find themselves desperate. Her mother, formerly of the institution she gives Phedre too, begs them to take her daughter. Her mother was of the Jasmine House of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers - a series of houses with adepts and trainees dedicated to Naamah, the goddess of desire. While Phedre is remanded to the house, she has a flaw that singles out of being able to commit herself. She has a crimson mote in her eye, and the Houses are very particular about physical flaws. Despite her lack of qualifications, she's raised in the house the same as other children in their keeping. Most of those children will go on to become adepts in their chosen houses until they make their marque - a tattoo on their backs signifying their House and that they've completed their indentured service.
After hearing the Story of Elua from a priest, the children are given flowers to pin onto their shirts, and it leads Phedre to learn her first lesson about herself. She pricks her finger with the pin, out of curiosity, and the result is a wash of pain/pleasure that would normally put her in a particular house, if she didn't have that one single flaw. When one of the adepts finds her out, she's told she'll be meeting someone very interested in her. That day she runs away to Night's Doorstep, a poor neighborhood, and meets her one true friend, Hyacinthe. Upon her return, she meets Anafiel Delaunay, and her fate is sealed. She is an anguisette, someone born to accept pain as pleasure, and under the tutelage of Delaunay becomes somewhat more. He makes her into a spy, alongside his other pupil, Alcuin, teaching her how to observe and think, along with her lessons toward becoming an Adept of the Night Court.
This part of her story takes up the first part of the first book. Her education and dedication to Naamah lead her dangerous paths against traitors, slavers and terrible tortures. She bases her survival on one thing, to save her Queen and county from terrible invasion by barbarians. Her companion, a warrior-priest of Cassiel, Joscelin, ends up her only ally on her terrible journey. Their's is a story of pain, pleasure and fortitude in the face of hopelessness.
-----
There are actually 9 books in the Kushiel series world. The first three are completely focused on Phedre's individual life story. Despite the different names and religions created in the world, the location are all based in real countries, which names changed. Her story is terribly, and heartbreaking, and hard to read. Whatever sensuality and sexuality is included, it is far more included for advancing the story than it is for blatant porn. How could there be no sex when the main character is a goddess-dedicated courtesan of sorts? It's not all easy-peasy romance either. Every step of the way there is little typical happiness to be found. It was a struggle emotionally to read the books, but enrapturing to read, nonetheless.
What can I say? It's an amazing series, if you have the stomach for it. Even after reading it for the bajillionth time, it still makes me heartsick. There is a bit of pride and hope in there, on behalf of Phedre and Joscelin. When I first read them, a long time ago, I'll even admit that I was a bit tempted to get her marque as a tattoo. I mean, how cool would that be? I'm glad I didn't but her story made the whole thing something to be proud of, rather than disdained. If you believe you can handle the intricacies, I would most highly recommend this series.
-----
Somewhat less intense: Kate Daniels series
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Riley Jenson series - Keri Arthur
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Subgenre: werewolves, shifters, vampires
Age Appropriate: Older Teen
Recommended for my sister: Sure, why not?
"I'm not that bad of a driver." - Riley
Riley Jenson is a werewolf in Australia working as a liaison for the Directorate of Other Races. Essentially, they are the pseudo-cops of those that aren't human in the country. Jack, Riley's boss, however wants her on the guardian team, a team of supernaturals who work more like enforcers and killers than anything else. Her twin brother, Rhoan, is already involved and wants her to have nothing to do with guardians. That catch is that Riley has similar traits to her dear brother. Both are dhampir, a mix of werewolf and vampire, that came about by a bizarre circumstance and timing between their mother in werwolf bloodlust and a newly risen vampire. Riley is much more inclined to the werewolf side of things, including her need to sate the moon fever that happens with all werewolves. During certain times of the month all werewolves find themselves stuck in a need for sexual contact that can alienate them from others. They all seem to have a pretty good time of it, though.
Riley really becomes involved when a certain set of circumstances put her in the control of evil villain-types interested in testing supernaturals for a variety of nefarious reasons. In the process, she ends up stuck with Quinn O'Connor, an illustrious vampire who has befriended her brother and seems involved with things going on. Each situation in each book involves Riley's strong will and usual need for rescue (and doing rescuing!) of her close friends. Her werewolf heritage seems to be the biggest obstacle, both in the scary situations and her love lives. Adding her mixed vampire heritage, and some interesting effects of those nefarious villains, Riley and her team are up to their eyeballs in strange plots.
-----
I liked it. It was, at minimum, interesting to read a set of novels that aren't set in a familiar US city. Most books that I read, at least in Urban Fantasy, are set in some central urban center. I wasn't particularly moved to start looking up a map of Australia, but it would be an interesting research subject to figure out where all of these things are happening. Other than that, this series has all of the typical elements of traditional Urban Fantasy. As per usual in the books I read, it has a female protagonist, some sort of supernatural element(s) and a bunch of friends and family there to pull each other out of dire situations. One of the things I do appreciate is that the series ends. It takes a lot for an author to pull off a good continuing series. Keri Arthur has a spin-off series or two, but they're far enough apart that their pretty great stand-alones.
The series adds a little bit of sci-fi to the urban fantasy with the addition of high tech gadgets - like nanowires to protect from psychic in invasion and voice-moluators that are inserted into the mouth (ow!). It certainly adds a little something extra, and pushes a little bit of "this could happen" vibe.
The books are also pretty down the middle on adult content. A good portion of it is what I refer to as "and then the next day!" sex. Basically, they kiss passionately or something to the effect and the chapter ends. Not all of it, but a good amount is in this category. I was also a little sad about the lack of swords, but that's my own personal thing. For some reason, I'm more interested in swords than guns. Whatever makes you happy, I suppose. So yeah, go ahead and read it. It's pretty good fluffiness without being boring.
-----
Wildly different: Kushiel series
Subgenre: werewolves, shifters, vampires
Age Appropriate: Older Teen
Recommended for my sister: Sure, why not?
"I'm not that bad of a driver." - Riley
Riley Jenson is a werewolf in Australia working as a liaison for the Directorate of Other Races. Essentially, they are the pseudo-cops of those that aren't human in the country. Jack, Riley's boss, however wants her on the guardian team, a team of supernaturals who work more like enforcers and killers than anything else. Her twin brother, Rhoan, is already involved and wants her to have nothing to do with guardians. That catch is that Riley has similar traits to her dear brother. Both are dhampir, a mix of werewolf and vampire, that came about by a bizarre circumstance and timing between their mother in werwolf bloodlust and a newly risen vampire. Riley is much more inclined to the werewolf side of things, including her need to sate the moon fever that happens with all werewolves. During certain times of the month all werewolves find themselves stuck in a need for sexual contact that can alienate them from others. They all seem to have a pretty good time of it, though.
Riley really becomes involved when a certain set of circumstances put her in the control of evil villain-types interested in testing supernaturals for a variety of nefarious reasons. In the process, she ends up stuck with Quinn O'Connor, an illustrious vampire who has befriended her brother and seems involved with things going on. Each situation in each book involves Riley's strong will and usual need for rescue (and doing rescuing!) of her close friends. Her werewolf heritage seems to be the biggest obstacle, both in the scary situations and her love lives. Adding her mixed vampire heritage, and some interesting effects of those nefarious villains, Riley and her team are up to their eyeballs in strange plots.
-----
I liked it. It was, at minimum, interesting to read a set of novels that aren't set in a familiar US city. Most books that I read, at least in Urban Fantasy, are set in some central urban center. I wasn't particularly moved to start looking up a map of Australia, but it would be an interesting research subject to figure out where all of these things are happening. Other than that, this series has all of the typical elements of traditional Urban Fantasy. As per usual in the books I read, it has a female protagonist, some sort of supernatural element(s) and a bunch of friends and family there to pull each other out of dire situations. One of the things I do appreciate is that the series ends. It takes a lot for an author to pull off a good continuing series. Keri Arthur has a spin-off series or two, but they're far enough apart that their pretty great stand-alones.
The series adds a little bit of sci-fi to the urban fantasy with the addition of high tech gadgets - like nanowires to protect from psychic in invasion and voice-moluators that are inserted into the mouth (ow!). It certainly adds a little something extra, and pushes a little bit of "this could happen" vibe.
The books are also pretty down the middle on adult content. A good portion of it is what I refer to as "and then the next day!" sex. Basically, they kiss passionately or something to the effect and the chapter ends. Not all of it, but a good amount is in this category. I was also a little sad about the lack of swords, but that's my own personal thing. For some reason, I'm more interested in swords than guns. Whatever makes you happy, I suppose. So yeah, go ahead and read it. It's pretty good fluffiness without being boring.
-----
Wildly different: Kushiel series
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