Gods and Dragons is book 3 and the final release in Kevin J. Anderson’s epic fantasy series Wake the Dragon (my reviews of the first two books can be found at the following links: Spine of the Dragon, Vengewar). While those reviews were short of glowing, I felt the need to continue with the series because I thought there was potential for a great ending. I wanted to see the storylines play out, hopeful for a fantastic finish; and, while I would not necessarily describe it as “fantastic”, it ended up being pretty good.
Sword and Sorcery
The Blood of the Spear (The Eye of Eternity #1) by Mark Timmony
Synopsis Two brothers. One prophecy. A world on the edge of destruction. Living in the dangerous Borderland Wilds, Kaiel and Darien have supported each other and looked after their fragile mother for as long as they can remember. Honing his skills to protect his home, Kaiel has trained to become a Daemon Hunter while Darien […]
Review: The Coward by Stephen Aryan
Synopsis The Coward, by Stephen Aryan, is an adventure that takes place a decade after the world was saved from the Ice Lich thanks to the young hero Kell Krissia who returned alone after all the other heroes perished alone the way. Understandably so, that’s not the kind of life Kell wants to be a […]
Review: Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill
Synopsis Born in fire. Tempered in blood. Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from […]
Review: Servant Mage (#1) by Kate Elliot
Fellian is a Lamplighter, able to provide illumination through magic. A group of rebel Monarchists free her from indentured servitude and take her on a journey to rescue trapped compatriots from an underground complex of mines. Along the way they get caught up in a conspiracy to kill the latest royal child and wipe out […]
Review: Paladin Unbound by Jeffrey Speight
Synopsis Paladins were at one time a feared holy warrior in Evelium. Trained by the church and dedicated to the gods, they protected the world from evil. However, their power was so great it scared the rulers of their day and the church was forbidden from training any more Paladins. Hundred of years later the […]
Review: The Pariah (The Covenant of Steel #1) by Anthony Ryan
The Pariah is the opening act in The Covenant of Steel series and what an opening it is! We follow Alwyn Scribe in first person, as he shares with the reader his tale through the benefit of hindsight. I’ve grown really fond of this type of narrator over the years because, especially if the attitude is right, it makes for some really fun reading, rife with asides and commentary that add a certain dimension to the story that, be it because of ominous foreshadowing or amusing snark, sass, or dry humor, regularly gives you a solid chuckle. The Pariah had all of that and more.
Review: Shackled Fates (The Hanged God #2) by Thilde Kold Holdt
The way The Fates were incorporated into the ending had goosebumps rising on my skin. That ending is definitely one of the most memorable ones I’ve read all year!
Review: The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne
Gwynne has seriously delivered in this epic beardy saga. All three of his protagonists would warrant their own separate story, so their three spectacular narratives entwine into a true behemoth of a book.
Review: Master of Sorrows (The Silent Gods #1) by Justin T Call
Master of Sorrows is a slow, but methodical build to a whirlwind of a climax. Read this book!
Review: The Hood (Anti-Matter of Britain Quartet #2) by Lavie Tidhar
The Hood delivers myth and magic with a splatter of sweary violence and comedy in all the right places in what is one of the most unique and masterful reads of 2021.
Review: The Darkest Dusk (Onyxborn Chronicles #2) by D.W. Ross
The Darkest Dusk is the second installment in D.W. Ross’ Onyxborn Chronicles series and the follow up to Cold from the North (which I reviewed earlier this year: review link). In the first book, I noted liking the plot, characters, and setting, but wanting more climactic events along the way to the end. In book 2, I think Ross did a nice of job sticking with what worked in the first book and expanding on those things while doing a better job with the narrative ups and downs.