Terry Madden
The battle for control of the Five Quarters continues as an ancient god-king stirs in his stony tomb, and Aunt Merryn's secrets begin to surface. Book two in the Three Wells of the Sea series.
Tim Powers says, “Terry Madden's stories are always vivid and compelling.”
This book had me laughing all the way. The gorgeous artwork and witty travelogue are priceless. A must-read if you are going to Iceland. . . And if you're not.
A tender and beautiful addition to the elven fantasy genre. The richness of the elven world juxtaposed against the social mores and prejudices of the human world is well done and compelling. Colter's world-building is astounding. You will be immersed in a rich world where the mists separate mortals from immortals.
I loved the information on the Danish invasion of England. Loved learning how the Danes vs. the Saxons thought and fought. Characters well-drawn. I would just say some of the fight scenes could have been trimmed, but still fascinating. Looking forward to the next two in the set.
This novel offers a fascinating look at what might happen in a distant future shaped by genetically engineered crops and animals. Set in a future Bankok where one of the last pure Seed Banks still exists, this is a story of corporate greed, the societal definition of what it means to be human, and the hope that can be fanned to a flame in the soul of a “new person.” The writing is stunning, the characters fully-formed and the setting captivating.
Prepare for a page-turning romp through the forgotten world of Newton's alchemy research. With the historical suspense of a Dan Brown novel and the lovable magic of J.K. Rowling, Steve Ruskin draws on history and imagination alike to weave a delightful tale linking a forensic writing expert to a newly discovered manuscript written in the hand of Isaac Newton, and encrypted in the language of the angels.
Ruskin deftly brings Isaac Newton to the center of some of the great tragedies of the 17th century and exposes his lesser-known dabblings in the occult. But Newton's magic reaches far into the future and into the hands of those bent on using it for evil.
Ruskin's writing will transport you to London and Cambridge and take you on a trip into the past.
This debut novel takes you on a deep dive into the meaning of consciousness and reality. As our hero, Rex, struggles with the “glow” that commands his subconscious mind, we discover a nefarious underworld of pirated, mind-altering drugs and those who would kill to sap the drug from their victims. This novel has the cerebral wow-factor of a P.K. Dick novel with the pacing and action of Richard Morgan's “Altered Carbon.” The writing is spectacularly immersive, especially when we are in Rex's point of view. A stellar and moving debut by a writer to watch.
Beyond description. Deeply satisfying in a mythic way. Brilliant writing. On my favs shelf now.
It's hard to believe that people like Black Elk lived through a span of history that so thoroughly crushed a way of life. He lived from the time of Lakota independence, with bison enough for all and the freedom to travel the land wherever they wished, to the horror of Wounded Knee and the end of a way of life. His story is a microcosm of native destiny. Very powerful reading.
Carrie's skill with worldbuiding is incredible. Sensory details bring this land to life and her feisty heroine is one to follow into future novels. The magic is inventive and vivid. Great YA read.
Erica Satifka, a British Fantasy Award nominee, has produced a laugh-out-loud romp through the life of a schizophrenic who is battling unseen evil from her Walmart-like workplace. This is entertainment at its best with a touch of social commentary that fills out its five stars. I highly recommend it.
Classic Tim Powers
A great romp through purgatory and the yearning for vengeance that keeps it spinning. This is a novella, for those anticipating a full novel.
Very enjoyable story. This is the first of Sullivan's books I've read and I was impressed with his worldbuilding. I've learned a few lessons from his prose. I listened on Audible, and the narrator was excellent. Highly recommend.
This does not read as dry history, but as an emotionally moving narrative of the lives of the major players of the Terror. In my research of the revolution, this book paints the most vivid picture of the world and the minds of its actors. Loomis was an amazing writer.
I am in love with Andrew Miller's writing. I could not stop listening (Audible). It is a lesson for me in how to write a character-driven novel and steep the reader in the world itself.
This book was a complete surprise. Written in 1952, Simak's view of the evolution of humanity and what is left behind seems very prescient. His references to AI and virtual reality, the downloading of minds into other creatures, all seem achievable within another generation. His use of robots as the steady overseer of man's creation, and ultimately a creator in its own right, hit me squarely in my SF-lover's core. Highly recommend.
This is a stunning alloy of myth, chaos theory, the tarot, and Las Vegas history. If you loved American Gods, I think you'll love this even more. Imagery that will imprint on your soul's retina and you'll start to see signs in the blowing of leaves. This goes on my favorites shelf.
As always, I enjoy a trip to Earthsea. I loved the theme of this novel and am going to start Le Guin's Hainish series. Her writing always makes me feel good.