Tag Archives: Fantasy

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson (Wingfeather)

On Reading 5 Comments

Synopsis: Book two in the fantastical journey of the children who are the Lost Jewels of Anniera, a kingdom of legend, as they flee for their lives from those who would see them defeated. Review: As the name might suggest, North! Or Be Eaten is a whimsical adventure filled with inventive language and fantastical creatures. I was really impressed by Andrew Peterson‘s skill in surprising me on every page. The book is quite wholesome, but also has a delightful edginess–not in terms of being overly…

Read More »

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

American Literature

Synopsis: Given the power to summon fire, a young girl finds herself torn between duty to her country and her fears that she will be consumed by magic. Review: Enna Burning is a sequel of sorts to The Goose Girl, but as far as I know it is not based on a fairy tale. Enna is goose girl Isi’s confidante, and her adventure begins when her brother Leifert shows up with a mysterious vellum that has granted him the ability to summon fire. But his…

Read More »

The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: A tarboy on a magnificent sailing vessel finds himself at the center of a conspiracy to start a war by magical means, and his friendship with a betrothed young Lady might be the beginnings of a plot to defeat an evil mage. Review: I’ve mentioned a million times how much I hate summarizing epic fantasy in one sentence. You need a little more backstory to really get what a story is about. But rules is rules, sez I, and one sentence synopses is my…

Read More »

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

American Literature 6 Comments

Synopsis: A princess who can talk to animals sent to marry a foreign prince is replaced by her lady-in-waiting in a nefarious plot, and ends up caring for geese while she figures out a plan. Review: The Goose Girl was simply wonderful. Shannon Hale’s writing is poetic, subtle, and complex, and she really knows how to spin a good yarn. You won’t find any feisty foot-stamping redheads or skinnily sinister villains or gushily girly love interests. Ani’s lady-in-waiting Selia used the fact that Ani was…

Read More »

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

American Literature 5 Comments

This is a guest post by Superfast Toddlers awesome babysitter Namiko, a teenage girl who loves loves loves to read. She reminds me a lot of myself at her age, and we swap books back and forth. Synopsis: When Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is told to leave the only home she has known, the Théâtre Illuminata, she is given one chance to prove that she is a valuable member of the company. Review: I re-read a lot. It’s just the way I am, but I don’t…

Read More »

The Dragon of Trelian–A Wing of Dragons

American Literature 6 Comments

Today is Day 3 of the blog tour for The Dragon of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. My husband is not an aficionado of fantasy literature. He’s fond of saying, “How do you write a book about a dragon, anyway? Is it like, ‘There was this dragon?’” My poor impoverished dear. Anyway, I love books with dragons. Here are some links to a few other dragon-featuring books I’ve reviewed. For even more, check out the dragons tag. George RR Martin’s Dreamsongs…

Read More »

Wings of Wrath by CS Friedman (The Magister Trilogy)

American Literature

Synopsis: With the return of the monstrous Souleaters, the inheritors of a lineage of Protectors must go to war. Review: I was only “eh” on Feast of Souls, book 1 in CS Friedman’s Magister Trilogy. Wings of Wrath, book 2, left me kind of cold as well. I really had to motivate to finish it, and I’m not sure if I’ll care to pick up book 3 when it comes out. I just did not connect emotionally with any of these characters. Everyone is so…

Read More »

Past Imperative by Dave Duncan (The Great Game)

Canadian Literature 5 Comments

Synopsis: An upper class young man on trial for murder in WWI England finds his destiny entwined with a girl on the road with a traveling troupe of actors in an alternate vaguely medieval world ruled by capricious and contentious gods. Review: I really enjoy Dave Duncan’s writing–he’s imaginative and not afraid of getting a little literary, and always comes up with great characters. Past Imperative (Round One of the Great Game) was a welcome departure from the usual epic fantasy in that half of…

Read More »

The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett

On Reading 2 Comments

Synopsis: Jane Austen manners + Bronte sisters gothica + magic = too much pastiche and not enough depth. Review: I loved the concept of The Magicians and Mrs. Quent, but I just could not remain interested in this book. The writing was lazy, oscillating between high-minded prose awkwardly imitating Austen or George Eliot, and sloppy grammar and anachronisms that brought the whole thing crashing down. Story-wise, I couldn’t focus on tracking the development of the mythology and presentation of the core story elements for the…

Read More »

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

American Literature

Synopsis: Falsely imprisoned for regicide, Prince Peter plots his escape, determined to defeat the wizard who framed him. Review: As far as I can recall, The Eyes of the Dragon marks Stephen King’s sole foray into fantasy, apart from his Dark Tower series (which I adore). It’s a shame, because he writes masterfully in the genre. I’ve read The Eyes of the Dragon six or seven times now, and never fail to be sucked in by its simplicity and moral depth. King’s excellent characterizations imbue…

Read More »