Tag Archives: Magic

Fool’s Errand by Robin Hobb (The Tawny Man)

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Synopsis:
Bastard assassin Fitz is brought out of hiding by King Shrewd’s fool, now living as haughty Lord Golden, in order to find missing Prince Dutiful, believed to have been seduced by a group of outlaws practicing an extreme form of beast magic.

Review:
Fool’s Errand picks up about 15 years after the end of the Farseer Trilogy, with the events of the Liveship Traders books happening in between.

I remember thinking that this series was much weirder than the relatively straightforward Farseer epic. I’m also hoping that certain of her prose tics that bug me won’t stand out so much since I’m reading, not listening. So far I’m pleased by her active plotting and how she’s developing the magic she invented in the first books. I don’t remember many details about where the story goes, so I’m excited to keep going.

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Kings of the North by Elizabeth Moon (The Deed of Paksenarrion)

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Synopsis:
A continuation of the story of Kieri Phelan, the newly crowned half-elven king at odds with his elven grandmother, and Dorrin, the female Duke of Verrakai, seeking to use her power to pursue vengeance against her family of evil mage lords.

Review:
I had trouble getting through Kings of the North. It felt like a lot of exposition and water-treading. I love these characters and have been enthralled by the series to date, but just didn’t really enjoy this installment. But will definitely give the next one a try. Elizabeth Moon is so talented a world builder and storyteller that I won’t hold this experience against her at all.

Wise Man’s Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 2)

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Synopsis:
Kvothe the Bloodless continues his tale, which encompasses the furtherance of his studies of the arcane at the University, a quest to hunt bandits for the richest man in the land, a detour into Fae, training among a tribe of elite fighters who do most of their talking with their hands, and continued revelations about the demonic Chandrian.

Review:
Wise Man’s Fear was over way too soon, despite it’s length–and that’s the sign of a truly great read, in my book. I had a blast returning to Kvothe’s world, where sympathy means magic not counseling, with fierce men and fiercer women, full of poetry and tragedy and blood. I was pleased to see the further development of Kvothe’s relationship with Denna the courtesan, and to see him make the transition from boy to man (if you catch my meaning).

The book is suspenseful and gripping, but of course you know all this if you read The Name of the Wind. Rothfuss is the real deal and I’ve got high hopes for his ability to resolve this story in a more than satisfying way.

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The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1)

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Synopsis:
The early rise of the mage who who became the Kingkiller and who now owns a humble tavern.

Review:
This my second time reading The Name of the Wind, in anticipation of the upcoming release of Wise Man’s Fear. I’m very very very very exciting. The book mostly held up well on a second reading. I was surprised at how fresh it seemed to me, a testament to the depth of Rothfuss’s vision.

You can read my original review here.

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Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott (Book Two of the Crossroads)

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Synopsis:
The Hundred swirls with intrigue, magic, and war as long-gone Guardians awaken and the eagle-riding reeves join with fierce outlanders to make war against a sorcerous foe, while an avenging demon casts new light on the accepted practice of slavery.

Review:
Shadow Gate was a good second book. It told an exciting, thrilling story while laying the groundwork for a big conclusion. Not much more to say until I read the finale, up next.

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The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold

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Synopsis:
Infected with the spirit of a wolf, an otherwise ordinary man finds himself at the center of a kingmaking conspiracy that requires him to become a shaman or lose his soul forever.

Review:
The Hallowed Hunt is Lois McMaster Bujold’s third novel set in a world ruled by five capricious and demanding gods. As in the other two books, Bujold melds epic fantasy with a forensic plot and more than a trace of magery for an utterly suspenseful and compelling read. This one also has a superb love story. As usual the characters are deftly drawn and the prose lovely.

This was the first book I read on my new Kindle. I love it love it love it!

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Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

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Synopsis:
When Peter Pan and his Lost Boys descend on a chic Manhattan boarding school, a brother and sister become embroiled in his plan to reclaim 5 ancient mummies who hold the secret to eternal life.

Review:
In the interest of full disclosure, I sometimes work with Daniel Nayeri, and have even had him and his lovely wife over to my house for dinner. So please don’t expect anything resembling objectivity. I’m a big fan of Daniel and his sister Dina’s unique brand of classic retellings, and I’d love for everyone to buy Another Pan.

Another Pan is an intriguing mash up of Peter Pan and ancient Egyptian mythology, all set in a deliciously snooty boarding school. It’s not as tidy as some other YA retellings I’ve read, and I like that about it. The Nayeri siblings are ambitious storytellers with a high regard for the intelligence of their readers. They’re also damn good writers. (Yes, I’m a bit jealous.)

Many thanks to Candlewick for the review copy.

Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold (The Sharing Knife, Book 4)

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Synopsis:
As Dag hones and refines his groundsetting skills, his farmer wife Fawn aches for a home of her own, and when they are forced to travel across malice-infested territories, their marriage is tested and their lives in jeopardy.

Review:
While I completely admire and love Bujold’s worldbuilding, character skills, and prose stylings, I was underwhelmed by the conclusion of this series. Possession has a ruminative tone that was disappointing after the epic promise of the first books, and I felt like the malice threat ended up being underdeveloped and underplayed. However, I do think highly of this series and the books are headed off to my BFF, rather than the thrift store. I think I might appreciate the series more if I could talk with someone about them.

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Passage by Lois McMaster Bujold (The Sharing Knife, Book 3)

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Synopsis:
Having awakened new, untold powers, Lakewalker Dag and his farmer wife Fawn embark down a river journey that will bring them into contact with dangers both human and not.

Review:
So far, Passage has been the least successful of the books in this series. While I enjoyed the texture and the details, I did feel like I was just treading water until the big conclusion. I do continue to be impressed by Bujold’s command of dialogue and characterization, and I like where the story is going.

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Legacy by Lois McMaster Bujold (The Sharing Knife, Book 2)

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Synopsis:
Wedded against custom, magical Lakewalker Dag and his farmer bride Fawn return to Dag’s family home, where they face rejection and ostracism, but when Dag is called out on patrol to battle the most fearsome malice he’s ever seen, they learn that their bond is more than just one of love and may change the world they know.

Review:
If Legacy weren’t such a strong book I totally would’ve put it down the second my copy of Mockingjay showed up, but Lois McMaster Bujold is such a good storyteller that not even the fate of Katniss Everdeen could tear me away.

I really loved the prosaic details about camp life, and watching Fawn learn a new culture. The Lakewalker society is very well detailed. The love story deepens in a wonderful way, and Bujold gives tantalizing hints about the story’s mythology that I hope will be expanded upon on Book Three.

But I can wait no longer, so Fawn and Dag will have to wait! Am hoping I can exercise a modicum of restraint and not stay up all night reading Mockingjay. But if I do, I’m doubly hoping that my newborn stays asleep so I can finish it!