The Skin Map is the first book in Stephen Lawhead’s new Bright Empires series, which he describes as “the most challenging work I’ve ever undertaken.” Lawhead is the author of such excellent fantasy series as the Pendragon Cycle and the King Raven Trilogy, so he certainly has the pedigree to take on a work of the scope that he describes on his website as the future of science fiction and fantasy. Unfortunately, one is left not only wondering what is […]
Review of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Howl’s Moving Castle is a young adult fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones, perhaps one of the best known authors writing fantasy and science fiction with over 30 books published. This particular work of hers is a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and an ALA Best of the Best in YA. It has two loosely connected sequels, Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways. These two books both have different main characters than the […]
The Sea Thy Mistress, released in hardcover and as an e-book the beginning of this month, is the conclusion to Elizabeth Bear’s Edda of Burdens trilogy. It is a direct sequel to All the Windwracked Stars, the first book in this series. By the Mountain Bound, the second book, is actually a prequel that covers events leading up to the beginning of the first published installment. In spite of the fact that The Sea Thy Mistress is the second part […]
This is not exactly a review (thus the lack of the word “review” in the title). Since I didn’t actually finish the book, I can write about my impressions, but I can’t really write a review of the entire novel. I tried to decide for a while whether or not to write about it even though I didn’t complete it and decided to go ahead. When I see other people talk about books they didn’t finish, I find it useful […]
Review of The Folding Knife by K. J. Parker
The Folding Knife is a stand alone novel by K. J. Parker, although it is supposed to be set in the same world as some of the author’s other works. K. J. Parker has also written the Engineer trilogy, the Fencer trilogy, the Scavenger trilogy, The Company, and The Hammer (which just came out earlier this month). He/she is also known for his/her mysterious identity, as there is very little information about the author and speculation on just who he/she […]
Review of The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente
The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente is the first volume in A Dirge for Prester John. The books in this trilogy will be coming out about a year apart with the second volume, The Folded World, available in November 2011 and the third volume, The Spindle of Necessity, available in November 2012. This trilogy is based on the legends about Prester John, a priest rumored to rule over a paradise in India containing wonders such as a […]
