Oh lookie....a collection of The Black Company short stories is coming out in May 2027. Exciting, even though I'm not a fan of short stories. This is extra with at least 4 total new books of The Black Company. I want all the books that have to deal with The Black Company.
And, another great cover too.
The customary plot:
*Garrett is a human detective in the fantastical city of TunFaire. And now he’s getting tangled up in the worst sort of laws...
In-laws.*
Garrett is set to stow his wandering heart with his fiancĂ©e, Strafa Algarda. But for Garrett, even true love comes with its share of headaches—namely, the Algarda family.
Strafa’s family needs Garrett’s unique skills in the worst way. Rumors are spreading that someone is organizing a Tournament of Swords—a brutal contest that magically compels the children of sorcerers to battle until only one is left alive. The winner will absorb the power from those he has killed and thus become a demigod.
Strafa and her family want to protect her daughter, Kevans, from being forced to take part in the lethal contest...and they’ve asked Garrett to find out who is organizing the tournament and nip it in the bud. The only problem is that finding the culprit is most likely impossible. But the Algardas are used to getting what they want....
My review:
This is the final book in the Garrett PI series. We've been through a lot with Garrett.
I'm just past 33% of the book. Garrett is definitely not himself in this book. Walking around in a daze most of the time. It's very uncharacteristic of him.
Garrett spends a lot of the book in a daze. Thinking a lot. This is so unlike the Garrett that readers know.
The ending was odd. Sad. And, really weird. To think that we went through all of that just for the book to end that way. Nothing else explained. Just that weird ending.
I give this book 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. It didn't get less b/c it kept me reading on. It didn't gain the 5th star b/c it had a weird ending with nothing else to follow.
I did enjoy my run of reading all 14, so far, books of the Garrett PI Files. Some were better than others.
First off, the customary plot.
The shark-versus-man classic that inspired
the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie—now in a fiftieth anniversary
edition with an exclusive foreword from the author’s wife, renowned
ocean conservation advocate Wendy Benchley.
A great white
shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a
motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A
heart-pounding novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the
nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic thrillers ever written.
In
addition to Wendy Benchley’s foreword, this edition features bonus
content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the manuscript’s
original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a
letter from Benchley to film producer David Brown with candid feedback
on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble, highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.
After writing Jaws
in the early 1970s, Peter Benchley was actively engaged with scientists
and filmmakers, and over the ensuing decades, joined many expeditions
around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks and shark
behavior. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy
his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and
protection of these magnificent prehistoric apex predators.
My Review:
I recall trying to read this a long time ago, like when I was in Junior High, around grade 7 or so. I never did finish it. I think it was b/c it was in mass market paperback. After all, it was from the school library. So, here I am now, reading it.
First off, it's quite different than the movie. That's fine. Normal in most adaptations.
The characters. Wow are they different than the movie. I really dislike them more in the book. Their attitudes, where they came from, who they know/knew. So, so different. The worst one is Ellen Brody. She's just not a very nice person at all.
The book spends way too many pages/chapters on Ellen Brody. She's not an exciting person at all. I find her neurotic, depressed and trying to regain her youth. Not really a very good wife or person.
Hooper is so so different too. He's not as knowledgeable about sharks in the book, as he is in the movie. He's more at odds with Chief Martin Brody. Defensive, argumentative.
The most exciting part of the book was the last 2-3 chapters when they were actually going after the shark. You were wondering if they ever were going to find it and once they did, if they were going to catch it.
In the final chapter, they caught it. How, I will not say. Did anybody else die? Nope. Not saying that either. Like I mentioned earlier in my review, the book is so so different from the movie.
This is one time that I can honestly say that I liked the movie better. I think it's the way that the characters were portrayed in the book.
The book was ok. I give it 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐⯨ stars. It was good, but not great. I did enjoy it, but didn't like some of the characters.
Here's the customary plot:
Outrageous Pippi Longstocking has no parents around and no rules to follow, so she lives according to her own daredevilish ways. She's been treating her friends Tommy and Annika to wild adventures, too--like buying and eating seventy-two pounds of candy, or sailing off to an island in the middle of a lake to see what it's like to be shipwrecked. But then Pippi's long lost father returns, and she might have to leave Villa Villekulla!
From the Hans Christian Andersen Medal-winning author of the classic Pippi Longstocking, this is another rollicking adventure that's sure to please fans of the freckled, fun-loving little girl.
"Lovers of Pippi Longstocking will welcome this rollicking tale of a topsy-turvy world in which Pippi and her next-door neighbors put into practice some ideas about good times." - School Library Journal
My Review:
This is a reread of the books that I read as a kid. I always liked reading the Pippi Longstocking books. They're a quick fun read.
Rereading this book makes me happy. It's such a fun read. I enjoyed it yet again.
What's not to love about Pippi Longstocking? She's a fun loving kid.
I've always enjoyed reading the Pippi Longstocking books and this one is no different. Pippi, along with Tommy and Annika always have such fun and adventures.
As always, this is a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ book. Remember, it's always fun to revisit the books you enjoyed as a kid. It's allowed.
To start off with, the customary plot:
Visit a world where sorcery intertwines with
science by multiple Hugo nominee Adrian Tchaikovsky in this
highly-anticipated sequel to his hugely popular Elder Race.
On
a planet where stories govern identity, where science and magic are a
merely point of view, a fallen princess, a reluctant wizard, and a
precocious child must unravel the past to shape the future.
Betrayal, ancient myths, and the clash of worlds converge in this spellbinding tale of courage, friendship, and self-discovery.
A profound exploration of identity, memory, and discovery from one of science fiction’s most compelling voices.
My Review:
I got an eARC from Netgalley. This will be my third attempt at reading something by this author. I did read Elder Race.
I'm not sure I'm feeling this book or not. I have noticed that it's not quite holding my attention. I will finish it, as it's a very short book.
The story moved, but not entirely quick. Things did get figured out by the end.
We have a few new characters in this book. Each one important to the story and how it ends.
The story picked up pace at the 70% mark. It held my attention a lot more. I actually enjoyed the last 30% more than what I did the rest of the book. I'm guessing that the slower pace was not my thing.
The ending was a bit of a surprise that I did not expect to happen. Was it a satisfying ending? Yes. The way this story was, the ending was good.
Does it leave room for another book? Yes, but if there isn't that's fine too.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars. Why? Only because it didn't hold my attention for most of the book.
First, here's the usual plot:
From the New York Times bestselling author of A
Little Hatred comes a stunning fantasy novel that finds the world in an
unstoppable revolution where heroes have nothing left to lose as
darkness and destruction overtake everything.
Chaos. Fury. Destruction. The Great Change is upon us . . .
Some
say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that
belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and
Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced
the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds.
With
nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero
for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from
profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption.
Orso will find that when the world is turned upside down, no one is lower than a monarch.
And
in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out
of allies . . . while Black Calder gathers his forces and plots his
vengeance.
The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been
torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the
Weaver's ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together . . .
My review:
This book picks up right where the 2nd book ends. Right away we find out what happens to Leo dan Brock. Savine is still very pregnant at the beginning too.
This book is non-stop action. You just have to keep reading to find out what happens with all of our characters.
At the halfway point in the book, there's a battle in the North. Not going to say how that goes. You need to read for yourself. It was a bloody battle. Lots of twists.
When you reach up to Part IV, boy oh boy, does it get intense. The pace picks up even more than it was at the beginning. Some of our character's lives are at stake. Will they make it? Keep reading...
Oh the huge surprises later on. Some people who were not who we thought they were and some were more involved that what we figured. Surprise! We also find out who was behind The Great Change, that was part of this entire series. Again...Surprise! I didn't think this person was the instigator of the entire thing, as well as the person known as The Weaver.
All loose ends were tied up, by the end. We learn what happened to our characters, at least those that did survive to reach the end.
The ending itself seemed like that there could be an opening left for another series of books. It would be nice to see what will become of these characters. If not, the ending is perfect too.
I've really enjoyed this series, this world and all of the characters. I give this book, 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was well worth the read.
As always, the covers are great.
Here's the customary plot:
Doppelgängers, corporate intrigue, heartbreak, betrayal, and the harsh permanence of the border: Sublimation is a thrilling and provocative debut for fans of Severance that asks what you'd sacrifice for a different life from award-winning author Isabel J. Kim.
The border cuts you in two.
When you immigrate, you leave a copy of yourself behind, an
instance. One person enters their new country; the other stays trapped
at home.
Some instances keep in touch, call each other daily,
keep their lives and minds in sync in the hopes of reintegrating and
resuming a life as one person. Others, like Soyoung Rose Kang, leave
home at ten years old and never speak to their other selves again. Rose,
in America, never imagined going back to Korea until her grandfather
died and her Korean instance called her home for the funeral.
She doesn’t know that Soyoung plans to steal her body and her life.
How far would you go to live the choice you didn’t make?
My review:
This is an eARC that I was approved for from Netgalley.
I have never read anything that was in the genre of Speculative fiction. So, all this is new to me. This is a good thing to read a slightly different genre.
With my first sit down to read this book, I ended up reading to 19%. So far, it was holding my attention. The concept was pretty good.
This book is a bit weird. Not in a bad way. Just weird. It's still holding my attention at the 56% mark. Now, I'm at the point that I want to know what happens with the characters.
There's a little bit of mystery in this book. That's a reason why to keep reading. You want to know what will or will not happen.
After 80%, the story really picked up and got more of a faster pace. You really wanted to know what and how things were going to happen. The ending was a nice surprise. I didn't see that happening.
Now, this world was well thought out. The way that people split or instanced was well done. The characters were well thought out too. You felt like you knew them personally.
If this book was a standalone or if there's a part 2, I'd definitely want to read it. If it remains a standalone, that's fine too, as the ending was satisfying.
I'll give this book a solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. The only reason why I didn't give it 5, was because of the little bit of extra story in each chapter. I understand why it was given. It gave you some explanation as to why this world had instancing.
All in all, I do recommend you to read this book. I really did enjoy it.
First up, the customary plot:
In this blistering science fiction epic,
international bestselling author Richard Swan presents a thrilling tale
of survival and an eviscerating examination of totalitarianism.
THE INFINITE STATE
begins at a flashpoint in the lives of a widowed party member, a
disgraced investigator, and a hypersled pilot—entangled in a plot to
escape the suffocating authority of a fascist state.
WHO GIVES YOU LIFE?
PATER AETERNUS.
Katherine
Fuller’s husband is dead. As an esteemed member of Pater
Aeternus—governing party of the fascist, galaxy-spanning Decurion
Empire—he has left behind an estate of immeasurable wealth. And
Katherine is going to inherit it.
WHO GIVES YOU PURPOSE?
PATER AETERNUS.
Life
under the Eternal Father is rigidly stratified, surveilled, and
controlled—each new day to be endured, not lived. But with Katherine’s
newfound fortune, she is presented with a rare and dangerous
opportunity: purchase a virgin world, and create a better, fairer
society.
WHO GIVES YOU JOY?
PATER AETERNUS.
But
the Empire cannot allow its wayward daughter to succeed. And as
Katherine works in secret, recruiting allies she's not even sure she can
trust, she will discover exactly how far Pater Aeternus is willing to
go to stop her. Because Katherine is going to create something nobody
has seen for many years.
A democracy.
My review:
This is an ARC that I received from NetGalley.
At only 15% in, this book is giving me serious George Orwell's 1984 vibes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. 🤔
I'm not a fan of the Dystopian type of science fiction. But...this book is keeping me wanting to know what will happen to each of the main characters.
The story itself is quite fast paced. Not much of a slowdown at all. The world building is very good. The characters well developed.
In Part II of the book, you get all of the main characters getting together in one place. How and why this happens gets explained as you continue. You find out that some of these characters were not exactly what they appeared to be when you first meet them.
The action picks up even more, once you hit about the 75% to 85% place in the story. And boy does it ever surprise you.
The one thing that I did not enjoy was the change of POV in mid chapter in the second half of the book. That has got to be one of my biggest peeves. Other than that, I did enjoy this book.
All in all, this was a very good book. A solid 4 stars (****). It probably would have been 5 stars (*****), if it didn't have the mid chapter POV change.
This is definitely a book/series that I will want to continue to read. I must know what happens next to these characters.
Here's the cover:
Here's the customary plot:
A MARRIAGE. A DISAPPEARANCE. A STORY NO ONE WILL BELIEVE.
Nineteen years ago, Vanessa Rizzo’s fiancĂ© vanished without warning—no goodbye, no explanation, no trace. She built a new life on top of that unanswered a marriage, two teenage sons, a polished Upper East Side world that finally feels safe.
Then she sees him on a Manhattan street.
Days later, her husband disappears.
Suddenly the life Vanessa fought to protect is under investigation—by the police, by her neighbors, by the people who think they know her best. The past she buried has begun to move inside the present, and every answer leads to a more terrifying
How many times can one woman lose the man she loves?
Propulsive, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down, VANESSA’S MEN is a novel about marriage, memory, and the moment an ordinary life turns dangerous.
For fans of Harlan Coben, Lisa Jewell, and Megan Abbott.
From the international bestselling author of Panic Attack and Too Far
“Jason Starr is hypnotically good. Some of the best new writing there is.” — Lee Child
My review:
I found this book to be unputdownable, and yes, it's a new word by me.
Like I said, un-put-downable. I usually am not a fan of the psychological thriller, but this book was amazing.
It's fast paced. Rarely slowed down. You get all the feels for the main character, Vanessa.
At the 75% (3/4) mark of the book....Twist! Didn't see that coming.
That twist changed things. It kept me reading until I was finished. Did we get things figured out? Yes. Yes we did. Am I going to say what that was? Nope. Read the book. Any word to help you think what it could be? Karma. Karma is a real bitch!
You're going to love that ending. It was so satisfying. I truly enjoyed this book. I'll give it 5 stars *****. It's definitely a 5 star book.
Thanks to the author, Jason Starr for giving me the opportunity to read & review this book. I recommend it, especially if you're a fan of the Psychological Thriller. Even if you're not a fan.
Here is the customary plot:
For a Godless like Azreal the Wretched, peace might be a more profitable time, but it’s no less bloody…
A
decade into the armistice with Inath, the North, once united against
invasion, finds itself a divided kingdom. Azreal – an infamous mage of
the Northern military – operates in his native land as a contract
killer, employed to hunt traitors by a king who is squabbling against
his would-be usurpers.
But when the completion of his latest
bounty unveils a foreign plot to dethrone the North altogether, Azreal
is the only one who can cross the border and respond in kind…
Or
he would have been, until betrayal at the final moment resulted in his
killing of the wrong man and capture by those that he’s spent half his
life fighting.
Now, imprisoned and awaiting his execution for the
murder of an Inathian crown prince, Azreal finds himself across the
interrogation table from Anamira Lestrade. A career criminal
investigator, Ana is tasked with extracting the truth behind the
assassination or dying in failure – linking the two through one last
story that could stave off both their gruesome ends.
Possessed of
few friends, countless enemies, magic blades that feast on his
emotions, and the haunting rumors of how he won his name, Azreal the
Wretched’s narrative pits him against traitorous conspiracy, brutal
magical feuds, and broken promises of love. And if there is any hope of
making it out alive at its end, he’ll need to conquer the price it cost
him to paint the tale
Fear.
My review:
This is the first book for me to read by this author, as it's his debut novel.
The book started off with a bang. We learn currently where the main character is, and why he's there. In the 2nd chapter, we get a bit of a backstory as to how he got to where he is. The story goes back and forth from present day, to what happened. The backstory is interesting. You definitely get to learn about the main character.
We learn that this world has magic. In this world, the ones who use magic are called mages, Godless. We also learn that with using magic, it comes with a price, and that depends on what the mages specialty is.
Our main character is Azreal the Wretched. He gets his name for the type of magic he wields, and the name of his weapons. He's a crass, smart-mouthed, dangerous mage. He's also has a sense of humour, which helps you to sort of like him.
OMG! This book just didn't slow down. So much action. So much blood. The climax....the ending... The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm not really of fan of those. In this case, it just makes me want to read the next book in the series, and the rest of the series.
Why, you ask? Let me tell you.
The world building is great. You can just picture in your mind at how this world looks. Dirty, grungy in the North. The South, clean, the people full of themselves. Perfect opposites.
The characters are well developed and thought out. You find yourself easily liking the main character, Azreal, even though he's not a very good person. Even the secondary characters are well done. You feel like you've known them for awhile.
This is a 5 star book (*****). It has a great plot, the story doesn't drag, and the build up to that ending. What a rush.
It's definitely a book worth reading, as well as to continue the rest of the series.
The cover is also great.
Thank you for letting me read an ARC of this book. I truly enjoyed it. Congrats on a terrific debut novel. đź‘Ź
A Time of Courage is book 3 in the Of Blood and Bone series by John Gwynne. It's the final book that's set in The Banished Lands.
Customary plot:
Heroes shall rise and fall, the earth shall be stained red, and the fate of the Banished Lands will be decided once and for all in A Time of Courage, the final book in acclaimed fantasy author John Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone trilogy.
This year, I read 16 books. My goodreads challenge/goal was 12, so I did really well. I used to read a lot more, but stuff happens, and my reading count is less. Any reading is good, right?
With this year's read books, I only had one that was DNF (did not finish). That's not too bad. Sometimes, I get more than one. It depends on what I'm reading at the time, and if I'm enjoying it or not.
I read all genres, except romance. Can't stand that crap. My favourite genre is fantasy. Dark, epic fantasy.
My goodreads reading challenge for 2026 will again be 12 books. I set the bar low mostly because I'm reading good meaty books that are well over 300 pages. Some as big as 800+.
Now, you'll find some of my reviews on older blog posts, but not all. I didn't write posts on all of them, only the ones that I was doing strictly for review purposes. Now, all my reviews will be done via a blog post book review & posted to goodreads.
Anyways, here's the link to my year in books.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2025
Here's the list:
Assassin by Andy Peloquin
A Strip for Murder by Max Allan Collins
Full Moon by Jim Butcher
Planetside by Michael Mammay
The Silverblood Promise by James Logan
The Case of the Careless Kitten by Erle Stanley Gardner
The Winter Man by Robert Firlotte
Protector by Andy Peloquin
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Blood of the Old Kings by Sung Il Kim
Blood for the Undying Throne by Sung Il Kim
Lies Weeping by Glen Cook
Seduction of the Innocent by Max Allan Collins
The Blackfire Blade by James Logan
Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson
Supermax: The Max and Angela Trilogy by Ken Bruen, Jason Starr
What's next for my next read? I'm not sure yet. Still thinking on it.
Keep a watch out for all of my future reviews.
Later
Here's what the book is about:
Three books in one, Supermax is a pitch-black
crime comedy from two of the hottest thriller writers on either side of
the Atlantic. These newly collected cult novels are a bloody, bawdy
odyssey of drug dealing, adultery, and murder for fans of Elmore
Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, and Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho.
THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS CRIME STORY EVER TOLD...
IN A SINGLE VOLUME FOR THE FIRST TIME!
When
a small-time businessman who’s a legend in his own mind (that would be
Max) hatches a plan with his sexpot secretary (that’s Angela) to murder
his wife and live happily ever after, you might think everything would
go smoothly – but Max and Angela are in for the ride of their lives, as
an escalating series of bad decisions and worse luck plunges them into a
tsunami of crime and depravity featuring IRA hitmen, an aspiring serial
killer, a wheelchair-bound blackmailer, trigger-happy drug dealers, and
the warring factions in one of the world’s deadliest prisons.
My review:
Bust - Max & Angela 1
Well...apparently I've read book 1 last year in September 2024. The odd thing, for me, is I don't remember it.
My review then:
This was a good book. A few twists & turns. An enjoyable read.
I will give it a more thorough review.
It's still a good book. With quite a few twists and turns. Karma came for Max. How it reached that point, is what you have to find out by reading.
Slide - Max & Angela 2
Max & Angela are no longer together in this book. Both are living their own lives, and making more of a mess of them. Max is still in New York, but no longer runs this Networking Company, which had folded at the end of book 1. Angela is in Ireland, where she meets up with the killer, nicknamed, Slide.
Things don't work out very well for both Max & Angela. I guess that's what happens when you get in with the wrong crowd. Needless to say that everything catches up with Max. Not so much for Angela. Again.
The Max - Max & Angela 3
Well...things have changed for both Max and Angela. Again. Yet, some things stay the same. Or do they? Things aren't going so well for Max and Angela. In fact, one could say that things are going bad for both of them.
Full three book review:
Well...I've never read a book that had every character living in a fantasy world inside their own heads. Every character was like that. Delusional.
Do both Max and Angela get what's coming to them? Yes and no.
The book has a lot of action. It doesn't really slow down. Once you get past the fact that they're all a bit delusional, it becomes a fun read. The ending was satisfying. Although, I do wish it ended a bit different for Max. Not going to say what happens to either of them.
Thanks to Charles Ardai from Hard Case Crime for sending me a PDF copy to review. I did enjoy this book. I give it a solid 4 stars.
The plot:
Johnny is a courier. He carries other people's
memories, millions of them, downloaded into his brain... Working out of
Beijing, he is hired to carry a package to the States. The hundreds of
gigabytes stashed in his head are far beyond his capacity, but as long
as he gets downloaded quickly they won't do him any permanent harm...
But
headaches are the least of Johnny's problems. The Americans aren't the
only ones who want the data. The Yakuza are after Johnny too. Not all of
him, though. All they need is his cryogenically frozen head...
In Johnny Mnemonic,
the science-fiction guru of our age brings his acid-drenched tale of
the near future to the screen for the first time. Containing William
Gibson's original short story, his full script and exclusive stills from
the film, this classic of the cyberpunk era expresses the unique vision
of the author who was the first to see his way into tomorrow...
My review:
This was a very quick read. Only 11 pages in my eBook reading app. It was quick. Very very different from the movie. The movie barely touched what was in the book. You still have the character of Johnny, but he changes his name, for his safety sake. I do believe that he does this in the movie too.
The story itself was basic. There were different characters from the movie. It was enjoyable. The ending was different, also the dolphin's role.
I enjoyed it. It gets 3.5 stars from me.
Here's the plot:
The hotly anticipated sequel to The Silverblood Promise continues the incredible new epic fantasy series perfect for fans of Scott Lynch.
Winter
has come early to Korslakov, City of Spires, and Lukan Gardova has
arrived with it. Most visitors to this famous city of artifice seek
technological marvels, or alchemical ingenuity. Lukan only desires the
unknown legacy his father has left for him, in the vaults of the
Blackfire Bank.
But when Lukan's key to the vault is stolen by a
mysterious thief known as the Rook, he and his friends race to win it
back—and find themselves trapped in a web of murder and deceit. In
desperation, Lukan requests the help of Lady Marni Volkova, scion to
Korslakov's most powerful family.
Yet Lady Marni has secrets of
her own. Worse, she has plans for Lukan and his friends. Plans that
involve a journey into Korslakov's dark past, in search of a long-lost
alchemical formula that could prove to be the city's greatest discovery .
. . or its destruction.
"A fast-paced carnival of setbacks and
skullduggery that reminds me of... me! Charming from the first twist to
the last."—Scott Lynch on The Silverblood Promise
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
I got the eARC from Netgalley.
Here's my review:
The first thing that I liked, was the fact that it had an update on what went on in The Silverblood Promise. It was a good refresher before the start of the story.
The story starts off basically where book 1, The Silverblood Promise left off. We see our 3 main characters, Lukan, Ashra & Flea on their way to their next adventure. And, what an adventure they had. There was a lot of action. We got to meet some new people, which also became new friends for our trio.
A lot has happened in this book. And, there were a few surprises along the way. A great climax was had, as well as a satisfying ending.
Now, that ending...bloody hells! That was a surprise. The worst of it all was that it ended with a little bit of a cliffhanger. Man, I dislike those.
I will definitely have to read the next book in this series to see what happens next.
It's an excellent read. I'm sure those who read it will think so too.
It has a great cover too. Read this book, if you've read The Silverblood Promise.
Here's the usual, what the book is about.
It's 1954, and a rabble-rousing social critic
has declared war on comic books - especially the scary, gory, bloody
sort published by the bad boys of the industry, EF Comics. But on the
way to a Senate hearing on whether these depraved publications should be
banned, the would-be censor meets a violent end of his own - leaving
his opponents in hot water.
Can Jack Starr, private eye to the
funny-book industry, and his beautiful boss Maggie unravel the secret of
Dr. Frederick's gruesome demise? Or will the crackdown come, falling
like an executioner's axe...?
My review:
I really enjoy the books published by Hard Case Crime. They're quite enjoyable. Some, more than others. Some, are also quite dated, as they were published in the 1950's.
This is book 3 in the Jack & Maggie Starr series.
This is your basic crime book. Things are great in the beginning, then after awhile, something happens and you get a murder. The main character, Jack Starr investigates. He gets the crap beaten out of him. He, along with his step mom, Maggie Starr, come up with an idea to get the murderer.
The story is nicely paced. Not too slow. The characters are well written. It all takes place in the late 1940's to early 1950's.
In the end, the killer is found out. Loose ends get tied up, and the story then ends.
I enjoy these books. This one gets 4 ****. It has a good cover too. All of the Hard Case Crime books do. If you enjoy this type of story, read the three Jack & Maggie Starr books.
Here's the usual plot of the book.
From Glen Cook, the godfather of Grimdark himself, Lies Weeping is the first book in a brand new arc of his groundbreaking Chronicles of the Black Company―an epic fantasy series, with millions of copies in print.
The
Black Company has retreated across the plain of glittering stone,
toward a shadow gate that would let them trade the dangers of the plain
for the questionable safety of the Company’s one-time haven in Hsien, a
region in the world called the Land of Unknown Shadows.
In Hsien,
the company returns to their former base, An Abode of Ravens, where the
Lady ages backwards in a return to force, shaking off the thrall, one
breath at a time. Meanwhile, Croaker, ascended to godlike status as the
Steadfast Guardian, has been left behind in the Nameless Fortress.
In
their adopted father’s stead, Arkana and Shukrat have taken up the role
of annalist for the Black Company. At first, life in Hsien appears
quiet, even boring, but it is quickly apparent that strange goings on
are more than what they seem, and it's up to them to discover the truth
hidden in the shadows of this strange land.
“With the Black Company series Glen Cook single-handedly changed the face of fantasy.”―New York Times bestselling author Steven Erikson
Chronicles of The Black Company
The Black Company (The First Chronicle)
Shadows Linger (The Second Chronicle)
The White Rose (The Third Chronicle)
The Silver Spike
Shadow Games (The First Book of the South)
Dreams of Steel (The Second Book of the South)
Bleak Seasons (Book One of Glittering Stone)
She Is the Darkness (Book Two of Glittering Stone)
Water Sleeps (Book Three of Glittering Stone)
Soldiers Live (Book Four of Glittering Stone)
Port of Shadows
Lies Weeping (Book One of A Pitiless Rain)
Omnibus editions:
Chronicles of the Black Company
(comprising The Black Company, Shadows Linger, and The White Rose)
The Books of the South
(comprising Shadow Games, Dreams of Steel, and The Silver Spike)
Return of the Black Company
(comprising Bleak Seasons and She Is the Darkness)
The Many Deaths of the Black Company
(comprising Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live)
Here is my review.
This is one book that I have been waiting for, since I heard about it a few years ago. I'm a huge fan of The Black Company, as it was the first fantasy series that I had read.
I got an ebook ARC from Netgalley, but am waiting for my physical hard cover book to arrive.
This book was really interesting, even if not much really happened. It basically was an update with what The Black Company has been up to, which isn't a lot, since Soldiers Live.
The book still uses the analyst to tell the story. This time, it is Shukrat and Arkana, taking over from Croaker.
We meet a few new characters, along with a few of our original ones, Lady, Suvrin, Tobo, The Howler, Croaker who is now The Steadfast Guardian, as well as Sukrat and Arkana.
The ending is a cliffhanger! Oh how I dislike those. Now, I need to wait until sometimes in 2026 to get the next part of the story.
It was enjoyable, as there were times that I could not put it down. I may reread it, once I get my physical hard cover and before the next installment comes out.
The cover is great too. It almost gives a YA feel, but yet it's not. Which I am grateful for.
Here's the usual summary of what the book is about.
The Empire scorns all invisible gods.
The Empire kills all visible ones.
The
Empire continues to enforce its rule with war machines that destroy
even gods and monsters, leaving the conquered with nothing to worship or
fear except the might of the Empire. But desperate odds such as these
can inspire resistance.
Last seen rallying under Loran's banner,
Emere survives an assassination attempt that will lead him to uncover
sinister plots at the very heart of the Empire.
Arienne has
crossed the continent to learn more about the Star of Mersia, the famed
weapon that wiped Mersia from the map. But when she arrives in the
lifeless land, Arienne finds much more than ruins.
When Yuma
meets an emissary from the Empire, she realizes that they might just
have the power to overthrow Mersia's ruthless Grim King Eldred ― but is
there a cost to aligning with the Empire?
All must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to fight tyranny.
Blood for the Undying Throne is the action-packed sequel to Blood of the Old Kings,
an epic fantasy adventure where the corpses of sorcerers power an
empire, from award-winning Korean author Sung-il Kim and translated by
the world-renowned Anton Hur.
This is an ARC that I received from Netgalley for the purpose of reviewing.
Now, here is my review.
I'm finding this one not as good as book 1, Blood of the Old Kings. This book is a bit slower in pace, as well as it goes back & forth to past and present. I'm really not a huge fan of that.
What this book does do, in that back story, is give you an idea of whom the Grim King Eldred, Lysandros, Tychon and who his mother was. That part got more interesting as the story went on.
How things ended was ok. Some of the characters new and old had an ending. Some, we're not too sure of.
The story itself was enjoyable. Even if it did move slower than Blood of the Old Kings.
The cover is just as wonderful as book 1's cover. Love the purple. To me, it represents the sorcery that's in this book.
First off, here's the customary summary of what the book is about.
Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic
adventure in which three strangers journey through a vast Empire that
uses the power of dead wizards to conquer and subdue, from award-winning
author Sung-il Kim and translated by the highly-acclaimed Anton Hur.
Powered
by the corpses of sorcerers, the Empire has conquered the world. It
claims to have brought peace and stability to its conquered lands, but
some see that peace for what it is—a lie—and will give everything in the
fight against it.
Loran is desperate for revenge after the
Empire killed her family, so much so that the swordswoman climbs the
volcano where the legends say an ancient dragon slumbers and leaps in.
She finds that the legends are true, and Loran leaves the mountain with a
sword made of dragon’s fang and a great purpose before her.
Cain
arrived in the Imperial Capital lost and orphaned, and it’s only thanks
to the kindness of a stranger-turned-mentor that he survived on the
city’s streets. When his friend is found murdered, he will leave no
stone unturned to find those responsible, even if it means starting a
war.
Arienne’s future has never been in question—born a sorcerer,
she’ll be a Power Generator for the Empire upon her death. But when she
starts to hear the voice of a powerful necromancer in her head, she
realizes the only thing more terrifying than dying for the Empire is
never getting to truly live in the first place.
When peace is a
lie, there is power in truth—and as Loran, Cain, and Arienne hunt for
answers in their own lives, any one of their small rebellions could be
the stone that brings the Empire toppling down.
Now, here's my review:
This is an incredible book. The world building, characters and pacing of the story. I really enjoyed reading this. I haven't really read anything with dragons in it, so this is my first.
The story really doesn't surround the dragon part, which is fine. It's more of a symbol, but yet it's not. There is a dragon in it. We do get to read about it.
There is also magic. Sort of. And sorcerers. Sort of. They're just different that what we've read in other books about them.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I shall continue reading the rest in the series.
The cover. it's stunning.
