Tag Archives: Magic

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

American Literature March 18, 2011 Superfast Reader

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…

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

American Literature February 4, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

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.

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

American Literature December 29, 2010 Superfast Reader

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.

The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold

American Literature October 4, 2010 Superfast Reader

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…

Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

American Literature September 23, 2010 Superfast Reader

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…

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

American Literature September 17, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

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…

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

American Literature August 25, 2010 Superfast Reader

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…

Wolf’s Brother by Megan Lindholm

American Literature June 20, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: As a group of reindeer herdspeople approach their summer grounds, simmering tensions and unspoken accusations bubble up with murderous results. Review: Wolf’s Brother is the completion of the story begun in The Reindeer People, and I was more than satisfied with the resolution. While the book’s setting recalls Clan of the Cave Bear, the story itself focuses around what could be considered a murder mystery, and the genre-blending is what really kept me turning pages. Megan Lindholm brings the action to a thrilling climax…

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