Archive for the ‘Fantasy’ Category

Interview: James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell – Innocent Blood

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

Today, Rhodes Review is pleased to welcome James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell, co-authors of Innocent Blood on sale now at bookstores near you.

James Rollins is the New York Times bestselling author of thrillers translated into forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the “top crowd pleasers” (New York Times) and one of the “hottest summer reads” (People magazine).

Acclaimed for his originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets—and he does it all at breakneck speed. Find James Rollins on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, and at www.jamesrollins.com.

Rebecca Cantrell’s Hannah Vogel mystery novels have won the Bruce Alexander and Macavity awards and have been nominated for the Barry and RT Reviewers Choice awards; her critically acclaimed novel, iDrakula, was nominated for the APPY award and listed on Booklist’s Top 10 Horror Fiction for Youth.

She and her husband and son just left Hawaii’s sunny shores for adventures in Berlin. Find Rebecca Cantrell on Facebook, and Twitter, and at www.rebeccacantrell.com.

Rhodes Review: Have you ever been surprised by a controversy among fans or reviewers – for example, you created a character without thinking too much about what people would think of him, and found some readers loved him and some hated him?

Rebecca: All the time. Every reader brings something different to the book, so you never know! For INNOCENT BLOOD, I predict that we’ll get very mixed reactions to Elizabeth Bathory.

Jim: I personally loved the resurrected Elizabeth Bathory, but that’s just that twisted side to me. But, yes, sometimes I’m caught off guard by people’s reactions. Someone once told me they cried when I killed off the villain of my novel, Sandstorm. I wasn’t expecting that reaction.

Rhodes Review: Have you ever written anything that you thought would be controversial and found it wasn’t?

Rebecca: I thought that vampires living only off transubstantiated wine would be more controversial than it was. There were definitely some readers who had strong reactions, but most readers just went with it.

James: We were definitely battening down the hatches for some negative reaction to vampire priests, but I think we showed enough reverence and respect in general for the Catholic Church to temper elements that some might consider blasphemous.

Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Jim: I must have a Rockstar energy drink before I start my workday (and I believe that company owes me shares for the number of times I’ve plugged them).

Rebecca: I wrote the scariest parts of The Blood Gospel at the beach in the sunshine. I wrote another book on the subway.

Rhodes Review: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Rebecca: Read. Read. Write. Every day. And have fun.

Jim: Exactly. With the caveat that you should write from a place of passion. If you’re bored with the subject matter, it will come through.

Rhodes Review: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your books?

Rebecca: How well some of the history of the Catholic Church maps to the world of the Sanguinists—wine turning into the blood of Christ, monks wearing hoods that cover their faces from sunlight, the requirements that monks be celibate, etc.

Jim: It was rather disturbing that the more we compared the tropes of the Catholic Church to the mythology of vampires, the more we uncovered…and are still discovering.

Rhodes Review: What do you think makes a good story?

Jim: Pairing up characters who a reader cares deeply about with a plot that raises the stakes throughout the novel.

Rebecca: Vivid characters in interesting worlds solving hard problems in unexpected ways. Plus: FUN!

Rhodes Review: What was your favorite part of Innocent Blood?

Jim: In this novel, we introduce a relatively young vampire-priest named Christian. He’s the young buck tossed amidst his centuries’ old colleagues. I loved the dynamic of his humanity still shining through—along with his humor.

Rebecca: All of the scenes with Elizabeth Bathory. She was a fascinating character to follow around—strong, independent, ruthless, but also very complicated.

Rhodes Review: What was the hardest part to write in Innocent Blood?

Rebecca: The scenes where Elizabeth is badly burned and Rhun tends to her. My father was badly burned when I was five, and those scenes gave me nightmares.

Jim: I think it was the climax of the novel, where the fate of a young boy hung in the balance. We were back and forth on his final fate.

Rhodes Review: What do you wish was different about Innocent Blood?

Rebecca: I could edit on parts forever, but overall I’m pretty happy with it.

Jim: I love doorstopper novels. If the market would allow us for that book to be 200 pages longer—to fill in more details, more background, more action—I would be thrilled. But perhaps a leaner and tighter story is best in the end anyway. Maybe down the line, Rebecca and I will write some compendium about this complicated, darkly beautiful world.

Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite authors/books?

Jim: Michael Crichton still holds a place close to my heart, and I was sorry we lost him so young. I used his novel, Jurassic Park, as a template for “How to Write a Novel” when I was working on my first thriller, Subterranean.

Rebecca: This year I loved the Justin Kronin vampire series: The Passage and The Twelve. Right now I’m working my way through the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series—I love the characters and the fact that it’s always sunny in Botswana.

Rhodes Review: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Rebecca: The living one. Dead people take away my appetite. 

Jim: And zombies are not great conversationalists. If I have to pick one person, it would be Mark Twain. If nothing else, there would be good whiskey and lots of hilarious anecdotes.

Rhodes Review: Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?

Rebecca: So far, none of them. Ask me at the end of the tour, and I might have an answer.

Jim: It’s “Where do you get your Ideas from?” I dislike this question, because I don’t really know for sure, and I’m afraid if you make me look too closely at the process, that font of ideas will dry up to dust.

Rhodes Review: How do the two of you collaborate living in two different countries?

Rebecca: Lots of email, and Skyping early in Jim’s day and late in mine.

Jim: I talk a lot by waving my hands, so video conferencing via Skype is a great asset.

Rhodes Review: How do you get it to read as one author?

Rebecca: Relentless editing.

Jim: And then more editing.

Rhodes Review: Will the series continue after the third one or will there be another series?

Jim: Rebecca and I have an entire second trilogy vaguely mapped out. It will depend greatly on how well the books are received.

Rebecca: And that we’re not burned at the stake by the end of the first trilogy.

Rhodes Review: Where do you get the ideas? Do you do a storyboard first together or separately?

Jim: See! I knew that was coming. I am going to sit quietly in the corner with my hands over my ears and let Rebecca answer that.

Rebecca: For INNOCENT BLOOD, we did an outline together via Skype, and relied on the World Bible that we created when we were writing THE BLOOD GOSPEL. And we’re always firing off emails to each other when we come up with new ideas. Would it be cool if… kind of stuff.

We’d like to thank Mr. Rollins and Ms. Cantrell for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers.

Blog Tour: The Twins of Devonshrie and the Curse of the Widow – Dan O’Brien

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Welcome to the fourth day of The Twins of Devonshire and the Curse of the Widow blog tour. It will run until August 17th and will feature excerpts and new author interviews each day. But first, here is the obligatory blurb about the novel to settle you into this strange world:

A plague has covered the land, a single word on the lips of the frightened masses: the Widow. Washing a wave of terror over the countryside and then disappearing like a thief in the night, the Widow holds a kingdom in the palm of her hand. The eyes of Chaos have settled on Prima Terra and heroes must rise. Xeno Lobo, enigmatic and cryptic, hunts the Widow, seeking an object taken from him years before. Will he be able to stem the tide of violence and horror that sweeps the land?

A few questions for the author:

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

Quite often actually. I am a practitioner of Wing Chun and an avid fitness enthusiast, so I am always cognizant of the sound and intensity of my breathing. I think that we become accustomed to the regulatory nature of our lives that we lose touch with basic bodily function. There is also a practical component to not paying attention to autonomic processes all the time. If we had to monitor our own breathing every second of every day, we would find we had time for little else.

What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

I love writing and being a part of the process for other writers. All of my recent actions are toward this end. I am very fortunate to be involved in the very things that I love. Also, I love spending time with my wife and recently returned from a trip to the coast that was a wonderful change of pace.

In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?

I have a very precise memory that I hope holds up to the test of time. The minutia of the day will no doubt disappear, but the important moments will linger.

Here be an excerpt for your enjoyment:

The castle was an oddity in the poor country. Wicker shacks and weathered woods that held the measly buildings together were a drastic contrast to the smooth, carved architecture of the castle upon the hillside. The providence of Me’lein was the most populated region this close to the western shores––it had fallen under threat since the coming of the Widow.

The path leading to the castle had been plowed in the early hours of the morning; several feet of snow had fallen during the night. No tracks had yet graced the way. The main bay doors were guarded by a pair of dark-garbed soldiers, their steel armor reflecting neither soul nor compassion. Pikes––gripped tightly––rose far above them; their other hand brandished a shield with the crest of Me’lein emblazoned across its center: the essence of a dragon king drifting lazily into the mist.

Past them was a hall that extended deep into the darkness––scores of doorways and spiral staircases on either side. The hallway narrowed toward its completion, the intricate stone walls ending in a wooden door at its center.

The same crest depicted all about the mighty castle was emblazoned here as well. The door opened inward. Within was a grand hall far taller than any manner of dragon, and darker than the depths of underworld. But, it was lit brightly by thousands of carefully-placed candles; at the center of the room was a brilliant white throne. The rests, the back, and even the cushions were bleached whiter than anything should naturally be.

The man who sat upon it was clouded in shadow. His gaze was that of a shroud. Bearded chin rested on closed fist, royal robes covering his sinewy flesh. His face was contorted into a frown and black eyes looked far into the distance, past the guests who shuffled about the room. The congregation was a mix of all the people of Me’lein. They were the poor and the rich, the beautiful and the desperate.

The crowd parted as a tall man approached the throne. His light purple hat extended far above his head and his moustache extended down the sides of his face, past his mouth like drooping lines. He knelt before the man upon the throne, his head bowed and his right arm across his bended knee.

“Rise, Gaition. What news do you bring my humble court?” rumbled the man, his head rising from his fist and leaning against the marble back of the throne.

“My lord, I bring a traveler. This man says he has killed the Widow’s beast, the Nighen. The destroyer of our lands,” responded Gaition. His light green eyes harbored both deceit and fear. Hands grasped one another, twisting against each other nervously. The king leaned back in his throne and closed his eyes. His throat exposed for a moment, the crest about his neck visible as he paused.

“Let him in,” returned the king, departing from his thoughts and staring ahead.

“As you wish, Lord Verifal. He waits as we speak.” Gaition bowed and turned from the king, his light blue robes swishing across the polished floor. His movements were more a scurry than anything else. Gaition gripped the iron ring that held the door in place and pulled it forward, revealing the shadowed hallway and the solitary figure of the hooded man.

He walked forward, his brown hair hidden beneath the robes once again. In his left hand, he gripped a cloth bag drawn tight with a string. As he walked through the congregation, some members grasped their noses, others covered their mouths. And some even became ill as the man walked past.

It was considered disrespectful to allow your hair to grow longer than that of a king. Verifal’s coal black hair rested around his shoulders, far shorter than that of the wary stranger who had graced the hall. The stench that emanated from the cloth bag reached Verifal’s nostrils and he rose quickly, pointing a finger at the approaching man.

“What manner of devilry do you bring upon my doors?” roared the enraged Verifal, as he stepped down from his throne to intercede in the robed man’s way.

The man stopped in his tracks. Reaching his hand into the bag, he produced the mangled head of the creature he had bested. “The Nighen.”

“You have defeated the Nighen?” queried Gaition, astonished. His thin face was drawn bloodless, and his hand covered his mouth at the putrid smell.

The king looked from Gaition to the hooded stranger who stood before him brandishing the head of the Nighen. “How did you defeat the Nighen?”

“Steel: the blade can defeat even the greatest creatures of the shadow,” replied the hooded man, tossing the putrid head to the bewildered Gaition. Wiping his hands along his cloak, he pulled the hood completely from his face. Gaition let out a panicked scream as he caught the head, and then dropped it unceremoniously upon witnessing the horrid image of the deceased demon.

“Are you a hero of Me’lein?” queried Verifal, regaining his composure and sitting back upon his throne.

The hooded man looked from side to side and then moved forward, closer to the throne. He coughed lightly into his hand. “I am from a place far from here. But I have heard of the Widow who plagues Telen, especially the providence of Me’lein. I came to aid you in your peril, for a price,” returned the warrior.

“A man in pursuit of wealth, I suppose it matters not. You have destroyed a powerful monster that has ravaged the people of Me’lein for many moons, and would have for many more without your intervention. What is your price?”

“I do not desire your money, King Verifal, but rather a trinket stolen by the Widow. I have come to kill her,” returned the hooded warrior. Laughter echoed in the crowd and was silenced quickly by Verifal.

“That is a tall order for a man who looks more the part of a beggar than a warrior,” called a voice from behind the hooded warrior. A man approached the throne, his armor tarnished silver and his head hidden beneath a steely skull cap.

A sheath at his side supported a grand broadsword almost as tall as the man himself. His dark brown eyes were hidden beneath the confines of the skull cap, and his size was obscured by his armor. But as he neared the hooded warrior, the size difference was evident.

The knight was certainly the larger man.

“Captain Uthen, this man deserves respect for destroying the Nighen,” commented the king as he rose from his throne once again.

Uthen placed his hands on his hips and towered over the warrior. The captain moved one of his hands over the hilt of his broadsword.

“I can see we have a problem here. Let me make it simple for you. You will lose that arm before you can even draw that sword,” cautioned the hooded warrior.

Uthen’s face darkened and his lip curled in anger, the grip on his sword tightening. The ripples of his glove made an abrasive sound.

“You might watch your tongue…”

Before the man could finish, the hooded warrior’s blade was in his hands and he had cut the sheath from Uthen’s side. Returning the blade to his back, a smirk was planted firmly on his face. Uthen glared at his fallen sword. Bending to retrieve it, he noticed the astonished glances of the gathered townspeople and the bewildered face of Gaition in the corner. He rose and met the warrior’s eyes, but did not speak.

His gaze went immediately to his king.

“Most impressive, warrior. You must pardon the brashness of Captain Uthen. Many have come before the court and announced such things. Some have turned to evil upon witnessing the power of the Widow,” spoke Verifal.

“I can understand such things, but I am here for that one reason and that reason alone. This beast was merely in the way, a spawn of the Towers of Darkness. Your captain…” replied the warrior, but was interrupted by Uthen.

“Pardon my inability to control my tongue. I have witnessed the horrors of the Widow first hand and know that she can turn a great man into nothing, no matter his skill with a blade. Please accept my apologies,” spoke Uthen, extending his hand to the warrior.

The warrior gripped it loosely and then let go.

“Apology accepted.”

Lord Verifal sighed with relief and sank into his throne. “With that aside, I feel that introductions are necessary, mysterious warrior. You have us at a bit of a loss. You know who we are. But we know nothing of you, not even your name.”

“Xeno Lobo. I am hunter from a faraway land,” replied Xeno, his eyes roaming the gathered masses. Their attention had already returned to their idle, individual conversations that had enraptured them before his entrance.

“What is this trinket you seek?” queried Uthen.

“That is my affair and will stay as such,” snapped Xeno. Uthen nodded, not wanting to provoke the man who had so easily disarmed him.

The king saw the tension and broke into the conversation. “When do you plan on leaving for the Tower at Sel’verene?”

“Tonight, by the light of the moon,” returned Xeno.

“But the Widow’s were-beast hunts in the night,” spoke Uthen.

“Karian’s playthings are no concern of mine,” replied Xeno dismissively.

“Karian?” queried the king.

“Who is Karian, Master Hunter?” asked Uthen.

“The Widow, the master of the Tower of Darkness at Sel’verene,” replied Xeno, his attention brought back to the conversation after realizing his words.

“You know the Widow by name?” asked Uthen.

“I am afraid so,” replied Xeno uncomfortably.

“This is why you go to Sel’verene?”

“In a way, but she had taken something from me the last time we met. I am going to retrieve it at any cost,” replied Xeno as he moved away from the throne and paced the small area in front of the royal seat.

“Last time,” whispered Uthen to himself.

“We are in your debt for killing the Nighen. If the Widow has truly taken something from you, then we would be honored to help you defeat her,” replied Verifal graciously.

The townspeople whispered among themselves.

Xeno looked at the boastful king and pondered for a moment. “How could you possibly aid me in my quest?” queried Xeno, and then continued. “No army can enter the windy paths that lead to the Tower, and there is no weapon that I can use better than my own. No magical artifact or incantation will suffice to defeat Karian, the Widow.”

“Then what can we lend you? We wish to help you,” pressed the king.

The presence of the dark lord Chaos flooded the land in shadow. The appearance of the Widow was another test of humanity, to see if they could truly outlast the dark tides of malevolence.

Xeno parried the question and looked around at the apprehensive gazes of the court of Me’lein. “What of Chaos? Surely his coming far outweighs my journey?”

“The Widow is a part of the evil that is Chaos, and all must be cleansed in order to restore peace across the land. Allies must be chosen and lines draw in the sands of war,” replied Uthen with his grand arms across his chest.

“Indeed,” returned Xeno with equal dissatisfaction at the options. “So be it then. Let me reside in Me’lein for the duration of the night, and then in the morning provide me with a fresh mount and supplies. This is how you may aid me.”

“Very well,” replied Verifal with a grand sweep of his hand as he rose from his throne. “Your request is granted. Gaition, prepare the guest chambers for Master Warrior Xeno.”

Gaition bowed and exited the chamber in haste, a spiteful glare upon his features as he pushed past the congregation of citizens. Uthen nodded to Xeno as the chatter and conversation of the antechamber was restored. The vagrant warrior melted back into the surroundings, awaiting his journey to the north.

Bio: A psychologist, author, editor, philosopher, martial artist, and skeptic, he has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Path of the Fallen, The Portent, and Cerulean Dreams. Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com. He recently started a consultation business. You can find more information about it here: http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/.

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Review: Dark Legacy of Shannara: Witch Wraith – Terry Brooks

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (July 16, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345523539
ISBN-13: 978-978-0345523532
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Arlingant Elessedil – Elf Chosen, picked by the Ellcrys to carry her seed.
Aphenglow Elessedil – Elf Druid.
Redden Ohmsford – One half of a set of twins with the power of the Wishsong.
Railing Ohmsford – The other twin.

Synopsis:

The Dark Legacy of Shannara comes to its exciting conclusion in the third novel by Terry Brooks. Arlingfant Ellesedil and her sister Aphenglow are on a quest to quicken the Ellcrys seed. Railing Ohmsford is on his own quest to find Grianne Ohmsford. Redden Ohmsford is being held prisoner by the Straken Lord while Oriantha and Tesla Dart try to come up with a plan to free him. Will the heros succeed before the evil from the forbidding is released on the world. Find out on July 16th, when Witch Wraith comes to a bookstore near you.

Review

I really loved this book, but I might be a bit biased. I’ve loved Terry Brooks writing since I first picked up Sword of Shannara at the urge of a family friend. From that time I was hooked. While I was uncertain about this particular trilogy at first, when the story got into it’s full swing, I couldn’t wait for the next entry. I think part of my reluctance was that many of the storylines seemed at first they were going to be mere repeats of former stories. I wondered if maybe Mr. Brooks had ran out of storylines. Then I realized the theme overall was history repeats itself.

While two different characters may face many of the same challenges, they arrive at their solutions or conclusions in different manners. While the Ellcrys seed featured prominently in past stories, it was how Arlingfant dealth with her duty, and all the events surrounding them that brought the fresh perspective to the story.

The action, pacing, and character development were very well crafted. I truly felt for these characters, and as often happens, when some of them died, I missed them and what their potential could have been, not to mention what their passing meant to the other characters.

If you are a fantasy fan, then you should definitely grab the Dark Legacy of Shannara Trilogy. You will definitey need to read the first two before you dive into this one, but luckily this time around all three were released within a one year time span. In all prior novels, I’d often have to wait a year between stories, so this time around it was quite a joy to be able to read the whole story in a year.

For age, I’d say teens or older due to some dark imagery and violence. But it’s one I’d definitely recommend you pick up and read and if you do, stop back by and tell us what you thought.

About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the Dark Legacy of Shannara adventure Wards of Faerie; the Legends of Shannara novels Bearers of the Black Staff and The Measure of the Magic; the Genesis of Shannara trilogy: Armageddon’s Children, The Elves of Cintra, and The Gypsy Morph; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars:® Episode I The Phantom Menace.™

His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Review: Dark Legacy of Shannara: Bloodfire Quest – Terry Brooks

Thursday, June 6th, 2013
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Del Rey; Har/Pstr edition (March 12, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345523504
ISBN-13: 978-0345523501
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Arlingant Elessedil – Elf Chosen, picked by the Ellcrys to carry her seed.
Aphenglow Elessedil – Elf Druid.
Redden Ohmsford – One half of a set of twins with the power of the Wishsong.
Railing Ohmsford – The other twin.

Synopsis:

The quests set up in the previous novel Wards of Faeries are continued as Arlington Elessedil must make a fateful decision on whether or not to follow through on her commitment to the Ellcrys and carry it’s seed, then becoming the new Ellcrys. In the Forbidden, the Ard Rhys and Redden Ohmsford are still out to find their way out. Aphenglow is continuing the search for the missing Elfstones.

Review

In the previous novel, Wards of Faerie, I was a bit disappointed that Mr. Brooks was rehashing what seemed like previous storylines. I was completely off base. While the stories are similar, I can see that he’s showing the repetition of history, and in this one, the Chosen one struggles with that responsibility which provides a fresh perspective on it.

We see some familiar areas from the previous novels, and Witness the fates of some of the major characters. Overall, as a huge fan of Terry Brooks, I found this book totally fulfilling and satisfying, and eagerly anticipate it’s followup Witch Wraith due out July 16th.

The characters were beautifully written and I found truly caring for them, and about what they were going through. The thing that really draws me into these books is after 30 years of reading them, each time I pick one up, it feels a little like going home again.

I’d recommend it for any fantasy fans but you might want to read Wards of Faeries first, or even The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series to bring you up to date. For age appropriateness, I’d say teens and young adults due to violent and sometimes dark situations. It’s highly recommended though, and if you decide to read it, be sure to drop back by and let us know what you thought.

About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the Dark Legacy of Shannara adventure Wards of Faerie; the Legends of Shannara novels Bearers of the Black Staff and The Measure of the Magic; the Genesis of Shannara trilogy: Armageddon’s Children, The Elves of Cintra, and The Gypsy Morph; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars:® Episode I The Phantom Menace.™

His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Richard at Random House for a review copy of this audiobook. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Review: Darkness of Day – R. J. Terrell

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013
E-Book – 302 Pages
Publisher: Tal Publishing (January 28, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13: 978-
Order e-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Jelani – A young Software/Game tester
Daniel – His best Friend
Saaya – A special breed of Vampire
Kafeel – Brother to Saaya

Synopsis:

Jelani is back, and is feeling rather weird. Something has happened since we last saw him, and now he’s forced to adjust to a new “life”. Meanwhile, he, Daniel, Wen, and Alysha are still in danger from a Hunter Vampire.

Review:

Mr. Terrell’s writing continues to grow stronger with each outing. In this his combat scenes of which there are many are breathtaking. I could visualize the action taking place on the screen. The characters are showing growth, particularly in the character of Jelani who is facing major life changes.

The plot is intricately woven and keeps me wondering what is going to happen in the end, and it’s an ending I both anticipate and will regret when it occurs. Mr. Terrell left plenty of cliffhangers in the story to make one want to pick up the next, and I can hardly wait to find out how they are resolved.

If you are a fan of paranormal fiction, vampires, and just fantasy stories in general, give Mr. Terrell’s series a try, I think you’ll like it. If you do, be sure to stop by and tell us what you thought.

About the Author:

R. J. Terrell was instantly a lover of fantasy the day he opened R. A. Salvatore’s: The Crystal Shard. Years (and many devoured books) later he decided to put pen to paper for his first novel. After a bout with aching carpals, he decided to try the keyboard instead, and the words began to flow. When not writing, he enjoys reading, videogames, and long walks with his wife around Stanley Park in Vancouver BC.

Connect with me at:

R J Terrell on Facebook

RJTerrell on Twitter

R. J. Terrell on Goodreads

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to the Author for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Classic Corner Review: The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

Thursday, October 18th, 2012
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Mariner Books; Mti edition (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547844972
ISBN-13: 978-0547844978
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Bilbo Baggins – A Hobbit.
Gandalf – A Wizard.

Synopsis:

A hobbit is surprised one day by the visit of the Wizard Gandalf. Unbeknownst to the Hobbit, when the wizard leaves, he marks the door with a symbol. This symbol brings not 1, not 5, but 13 Dwarves to Bilbo’s door. Their purpose, travel to the west to a mountain, destroy the dragon Smaug and retrieve the dwarven treasure he has horded. Sounds simple enough, unless you’re a hobbit.

Review

This along with The Lord of the Rings is the grandfather of modern Fantasy. The characters, or at least the character of Bilbo, are well developed. I can’t say the characters of the 13 dwarves are as developed, their main distinguishing feature is either their weight, or the color of their hoods. As for Bilbo and the other supporting characters, they are well designed, and the reader tends to care what happens to them. You can feel Bilbo’s nervousness and cheer him on during his acts of bravery.

The story is broken into two main parts. One adventure is the discovery of the magic ring, what will turn out to be a catalyst for The Lord of the Rings series to follow. The other adventure is to actually infiltrate the dragon’s lair and discover the treaure.

For fans of Fantasy, this novel is required reading. If you haven’t read fantasy novels though, you might not want to start with this one. Tolkien has a tendency for the average reader to be hard to understand, and this sometimes leads people to give up rather than attempt to finish his novels. His style is probably close to Shakespeare in the use of language, and poetic prose. For this reason, it seems to be an acquired taste.

I’d suggest you get a copy of it, and give it a shot. Definitely read this before attempting to read Lord of the Rings which is a quite hefty story. I think the age appropriateness is good for teens and adults. There is some violence and scary situations which wouldn’t be good for most young readers.

Give it a shot, and be sure to drop back by and let us know what you thought. If I recall the first part comes out as a movie in December, so you can familiarize yourself with the events before you see it brought live on the big screen.

About the Author

Born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, J.R.R. Tolkien settled in England as a child, going on to study at Exeter College. While teaching at Oxford University, he published the popular fantasy novels The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The works have had a devoted international fan base and been adapted into award-winning blockbuster films. Tolkien died in 1973 at 81.

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Review: The Princess Bride – William Goldman

Thursday, October 4th, 2012
Hardcover: 456 pages
Publisher: Perfection Learning (October 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0756987903
ISBN-13: 978-0756987909
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Buttercup – A princess in love, but marrying another man.
Wesley – The young love of Princess Buttercup.
Inigo Montoya – A Young Spanish man set on avenging the murder of his father.
Fezzik – A Large Brutish Man with a love for rhymes.
Prince Humperdinck – Soon to be King, is determined to marry Buttercup at all costs.

Synopsis:

Young Wesley is a farmhand working for Buttercup’s family. They are in love, but she is determined to have better in life. Wesley goes off to make a name for himself and is killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Buttercup, heartbroken, agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck. When time draws near for their wedding however, Buttercup is kidnapped by 3 thieves, who in turn are being followed by a mysterious man in black. What is the agenda of the man in black? Will Buttercup ever find the love she seeks? Will Inigo Montoya achieve his revenge? To find out, read The Princess Bride.

Review

Okay, I realize this is an old book, and pretty much everyone and their cousin has seen The Princess Bride. This year however marks the 25th anniversary of the movie, and I figured what could be better than to offer my readers a review of the book. Everything you love about the movie, down to the quotes people like to repeat, are featured here. The story seems changed slightly. In the printed version, it’s based around the idea of an old fairy tale by S. Morgenstern that the author is writing as an abridged version. Scenes are often interrupted by either Mr. Morgenstern or the author Mr. Goldman. I found this to be a bit distracting at times and to pull me out of the story. I think it would have been much tighter without it.

That being said though, I found it, just like the movie version to be a delightful fantasy with humor, vivid characters, and action and adventure. There is little to not like. I’d definitely rate it PG-13 for mild violence and themes, but for lighthearted adventure you can’t go wrong. If you haven’t read the book, or watched the movie, what are you waiting for. Grab a copy of either one, and stop back by to let us know what you thought of The Princess Bride.

About the Author

William Goldman has been writing books and movies for more than forty years. He has won two Academy Awards (for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men), and three Lifetime Achievement Awards in screenwriting.

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Review: Dark Legacy of Shannara: Wards of Faerie – Terry Brooks

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
Hardcover: 384 pages
Del Rey; First Edition edition (August 21, 2012)
English
ISBN-10: 0345523474
ISBN-13: 978-0345523471
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
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Characters:

Aphenglow Elessedil – Young female elf/druid.
Khyber Elessedil – Ard Rhys of the Druid Order
Arlingfant Elessedil – Chosen, Sister to Aphenglow

Synopsis:

Aphenglow Elessedil was given the task of going through druid archives to discover missing magic. Through her endevors, the diary of a young girl is found. The diary details the young girls affair with a dark elf and how she had stolen from her protection all of the elfstones. A group of Druids, led by the re-awakened Ard Rhys take on the task of finding these missing Elfstones.

Review

This had everything I’ve grown to love in a Terry Brooks book. There’s at times three different plots going on, and true Brooks fashion, by the end of the book, you are left with three cliffhangers. That can also be the one issue, because in most cases, it’s another year before the next installment comes out. However, this time readers are in for a bit of an easier time. The word is that each book is going to be released 6 months apart, which would put the next book in this series out in February.

I loved the characters, I love the familiar setting. Each time I read one I find myself feeling like I’m journeying back home in a sense. The sense of wonder is there about when specific characters or will appear such as Ohmsfords or Leahs, or how those appearances will manifest. Diving back into these books is indeed like going to a family reunion.

I found myself actually smiling when certain events occurred, or when I discovered what certain symbol meant such as the one on the front cover. The book was just really fun to read.

If there was one drawback, it would be in wondering whether Mr. Brooks has outused his bag of tricks. There are some events that occur in the book that seem to be a rehash, and perhaps it will be an example of the same story told differently. That is my hope.

I definitely recommend this book to his fans. If you are just wanting to Jump into Mr. Brooks books, you could do so with this entry, though a lot of history and storylines might be spoiled.

The audio book for this was provided to me by Random House. The speaker was a british woman with a very engaging accent. Listening to her read the book was a true delight, and the even attempted to alter her voice for the various character parts.

Whether you go for the audio, printed, or e-book version, I think if you love Fantasy, you’ll enjoy this story. Pick it up, and be sure to drop back by and let us know what you think.

About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the Dark Legacy of Shannara adventure Wards of Faerie; the Legends of Shannara novels Bearers of the Black Staff and The Measure of the Magic; the Genesis of Shannara trilogy: Armageddon’s Children, The Elves of Cintra, and The Gypsy Morph; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars:® Episode I The Phantom Menace.™

His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

Biography

“I found my way to fantasy/adventure. When I got there, I knew I’d found a home,” said Terence Dean Brooks, creator of the blockbuster, New York Times bestselling Shannara, Landover, and Word & Void series. Not only is Brooks at home in the highly competitive realm of fantasy literature, many would call him the genre’s modern-day patriarch – Tolkien’s successor. While that title is debatable, Brooks is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most prolific and successful authors of otherworld (and our world) fantasy. Few writers in any genre can boast a more entertaining collection of work – and a more ravenous and loyal fan base — than can Terry Brooks.

The most rewarding aspect to writing for Brooks is “when someone who never read a book reads [one of mine] and says that the experience changed everything and got them reading.” Because of his very engaging, quick-flowing writing style, countless numbers of young people have been introduced to the wonderful world of reading through Brooks’s adventures. The miraculous thing, however, is that these same fans – whether they’re now 20, 30, or 40 years old – still devour each new release like a starving man would a steak dinner. Credit Brooks’s boundless imagination, endearing characters, fresh storylines and underlying complexities for keeping his older, more discerning audience hooked.

Brooks began writing when he was just ten years old, but he did not discover fantasy until much later. As a high school student he jumped from writing science fiction to westerns to adventure to nonfiction, unable to settle on one form. That changed when, at the age of 21, Brooks was introduced to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien provided Brooks with a forum “that would allow him to release onto paper his own ideas about life, love, and the wonder that fills his world,” according to his web site.

In 1977, after six trying years, Brooks published novel his first novel, The Sword of Shannara. And quickly it gave him – and his publisher (the newly created Ballantine imprint, Del Rey) – quite a thrill; the fantasy adventure featuring the young Halfling, Shea Ohmsford; the mysterious wizard Allanon; Flick, the trusty companion; and the demonic Warlock Lord, was not only well received — it was a smash, spending over five months on The New York Times bestseller list. In 1982 Brooks released the follow-up, The Elfstones of Shannara (which Brooks says may be his favorite), to equal success. He closed out the initial trilogy in 1985 with The Wishsong of Shannara, and has since completed two more Shannara sets, The Heritage of Shannara books and the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara books.

As fans of Brooks know, the man doesn’t like to stay put. “I lived in Illinois for the first 42 years of my life, and I told myself when I left in 1986 that I would never live any one place again,” Brooks said. He now spends his time between his homes in Seattle and Hawaii; he and his wife also spend a great deal of time on the road each year connecting with the fans. These same nomadic tendencies are also apparent in his writing. Instead of staying comfortably within his proven, bestselling Shannara series, Terry frequently takes chances, steps outside, and tries something new. His marvelous Landover and Word & Void series are the results. While both are vastly different from Shannara, they are equally compelling. Word & Void – a contemporary, dark urban fantasy series set in a fantasy-touched Illinois – is quite possibly Brooks’s most acclaimed series. The Rocky Mountain News called the series’ first two books (Running with the Demon and The Knight of the Word “two of the finest science fiction/fantasy novels of the 20th century.”

Good To Know

When The Sword of Shannara hit The New York Times bestseller list, Brooks became the first modern fantasy author to achieve that pinnacle.

The Sword of Shannara was also the first work of fiction to ever hit The New York Times trade paperback bestseller list. Thanks to a faithful and growing fan base, the books continue to reach the list.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was not Terry’s first novelization. He also novelized Steven Spielberg’s 1991 movie, Hook.

Brooks’s The Phantom Menace novelization is also not his only connection to George Lucas. Both The Sword of Shannara and the original Star Wars novel, A New Hope, were edited by Judy Lynn del Rey and published in the same year (1977) to blockbuster success.

The Sword of Shannara was initially turned down by DAW Books. Instead, DAW sent Terry to Lester del Rey, who recognized Terry’s blockbuster potential and bought it. And the rest, they say, is history.

Brooks’s influences include: J.R.R. Tolkien, Alexander Dumas, James Fenimore Cooper, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Mallory’s Morte d’Arthur.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Richard at Random House for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Review: Measure of the Magic – Terry Brooks

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (August 23, 2011)
English
ISBN-10: ISBN-10: 0345484207
ISBN-13: 978-ISBN-13: 978-0345484208
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
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Characters:

Phryne Amarantyne – Elven Princess
Panterra Xu – Human Tracker

Synopsis:

Sider Ament is Dead. Panterra Xu finds himself as the new Bearer of the Black Staff and must learn his new powers. The Troll Army is marching towards their world bent on conquest. Not only is all this happening, but a Demon is on the loose and he’s determined that he alone will survive.

Review

As the followup to The Bearer of the Black Staff, I found this to be a compelling story. We finally get to see the powers of magic returning to the world we’ve known. We see young Panterra come to grips with his new powers, and how the acceptance of those will forever change his life.

We’ve managed to come full circle now from the world as we know it introduced in Running with the Demon, to the beginnings of the world we first learned about 35 years ago in the Sword of Shannara.

The characters are strong, the action is packed, and unfortunately as sometimes happens, some of those characters we love will not survive the evil that is unleashed.

If you’re a Terry Brooks fan, you definitely want to read this. If your a fan of Shannara, or a fan of Fantasy novels, I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Due to content and some of the darker events I’d say it’s geared towards older teens and adults. Mr. Brooks returns to the world of Shannara later this month with the release of Faerie Ward.

About the Author

Terry Brooks is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including the Genesis of Shannara novels Armageddon’s Children and The Elves of Cintra; The Sword of Shannara; the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara trilogy: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr; the High Druid of Shannara trilogy: Jarka Ruus, Tanequil, and Straken; the nonfiction book Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life; and the novel based upon the screenplay and story by George Lucas, Star Wars(R): Episode I The Phantom Menace.(tm) His novels Running with the Demon and A Knight of the Word were selected by the Rocky Mountain News as two of the best science fiction/fantasy novels of the twentieth century. The author was a practicing attorney for many years but now writes full-time. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

*Disclaimer* You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Review: Bearers of the Black Staff: Terry Brooks

Thursday, July 26th, 2012
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (August 24, 2010)
English
ISBN-10: 0345484177
ISBN-13: 978-0345484178
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Characters:

Phryne Amarantyne – Elven Princess
Panterra Xu – Human Tracker
Sider Ament – Knight of the Word

Synopsis:

It’s been 500 Years since The Children of the Hawk were led into the new world. The barrier that once protected it is now breaking down. Creatures from the old world are getting through and bent on destruction. Panterra and Prue, two human trackers, find this out when the bodies of two other trackers are found near the barrier.

They find that the killers of their friends were two creatures they’d never encountered before. Meeting Sider Ament, someone they’d heard rumors of from childhood, they are told about the border breaking down, and given the task to warn the people. However, that task isn’t as easy as it seems.

Review:

I’m a big Terry Brooks fan. I have to run out each time a new book is released and purchase a copy. This was no exception. Like most of his books though, it’s not a complete series. That being said, it sometimes leaves you wanting more. I did want more after the story. There was a big buildup, and now I have to wait until the next book to find out how things are resolved. However, I can’t complain about that. I had it happen in a previous book, the character felt something grab his hand, and then I didn’t find out until a year later what happened. So Cliffhangers are pretty much a staple for Mr. Brooks.

There was a lot you expect from the Fantasy genre such as this. There were betrayals, those who didn’t appear to be what they seem, those who refuse to believe there’s a problem, etc. A lot of obstacles for the chacters to overcome. There are also a lot of relationship development with the characters. That is one of my favorite aspects. I feel the closeness of these characters, and can feel the genuine caring between them.

If you like Fantasy and have read all of Mr. Brook’s other Shannara novels, I think you’d enjoy this one. If you haven’t read any of his books before, I’d suggest starting with either Sword of Shannara or Running with the Demon and building up to this book. Otherwise you might be left feelin a bit flat.

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