Book Review: "The Telling" by Ursula Le Guin

(Hainish Cycle)

My Rating: 

Why? Le Guin writes brilliant science fiction books with amazing world building and character development. The Telling is no exception. The plight of the Akan people is extremely compelling. (Especially for us book lovers!)

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Plot Tease

Once a culturally rich world, the planet Aka has been utterly transformed by technology. Records of the past have been destroyed, and citizens are strictly monitored. But an official observer from Earth will discover a group of outcasts who still practice its lost religion - The Telling. Intrigued by their beliefs, she joins them on a sacred pilgrimage into the mountains...and into the dangerous terrain of her own heart, mind, and soul.

Full Book Review

Let me just tell you straight off: Le Guin is the queen of character driven science fiction books. The amount of world building and details she puts in just to develop the character is crazy, and I love it. I'm sure you will too!

Aka has a really intriguing history—because when Sutty arrives, it is essentially a blank slate. While the galatic "ambassadors" from the Ekumen were studying old texts in preparation for the visit to Aka, the Akan government was destroying all records and wiping out their old culture. The world Sutty travels to has completely changed. Everything is mechanized and carefully controlled, and religion in any classical sense is illegal. So, what kind of characters survive in this setting?

Book Review: "John Dies at the End" by David Wong

(John Dies at the End #1)

My Rating: 

Why? John Dies is a crazy fantasy horror book that will entertain you immensely, with a mostly serious plot veiled by humor. 

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Plot Tease

My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. It's too late. You touched the book. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Why? You just have to trust me.

The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.

Full Book Review

John Dies at the End is a really unique fantasy horror book. By unique I mean hilarious, sometimes vulgar, definitely crazy and with strange collection of characters that all come together in an awesome way. This book was written by an Internet geek, and if you're familiar with the culture you'll appreciate it even more. However, viewer discretion is definitely advised for this book. 

It would be apropos to begin this book review with John, who I'm sure you are already concerned for having read the title. John is bats in the belfry, if you take my meaning. As the best friend of the narrator character David, John is almost always responsible for the trouble this pair face. He is overly impulsive, and a counter-balance to David's seriousness (running headlong at a pack of demon-creatures screaming like an urban cowboy, impulsive). The way he drives David crazy results in a lot of hilarious, line by line conversations that really show you these characters.

Book Review: "Royal Assassin" by Robin Hobb

(Farseer #2)

My Rating: 

Why? Robin Hobb's book shows a depth of character and realism that fantasy books don't usually have, while telling a classic story that will pull you in!

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Plot Tease

Young Fitz has just survived his first perilous mission as an assassin. But the cost has been high, and a brush with death has left him little more than a cripple. But love and events of terrible urgency soon draw him back to the court of the Six Duchies. Meanwhile, the terrible Red-Ship Raiders have renewed their vicious attacks on the coast. The kingdom is also under attack from within, as plotting and treachery threaten the throne of the ailing King Shrewd. In this time of great danger, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands - and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice. 

Full Book Review

Somehow, Robin Hobb manages to write books different from all other fantasy books (Disclaimer: ...that I have read to date!). Fitz is one character in a cast of many who are all incredibly detailed and constantly developing. This entire series so far is on my top fantasy books list, for sure. 

At the end of the last novel, Fitz was barely hanging on to life. When you open Royal Assassin, you'll find a character that is about to become a man. His sense of responsibility is on the verge of collapse at first, but his relationships at home are threatened and he finds his footing. Fitz finally finds a real sense of maturity, despite all his personal failings.

Book Review: "Exile" by R. A. Salvatore

(Legend of Drizzt #2)
My Rating: 

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Plot Tease

Hostile in ways that a surface-dweller could never know, the tunnel-mazes of the Underdark challenge all who tread there. Among these is Drizzt Do'Urden and his magical cat, Guenhwyvar. Exiled from his drow homeland, Drizzt must fight for a new home in the boundless labyrinth. Meanwhile, he must watch for signs of pursuit - for the dark elves are not a forgiving race.

Book Review

Exile is a great continuation of the Drizzt saga. But I admit that it barely made the four star mark for me.

I still love Drizzt. To recap a little bit, he's a Drow (dark elf) that left his evil race in Menzoberranzan at the end of the last book. His personality seeks naturally towards good, and so is plain incompatible with the live he would have had to live with the Drow. We cheered when Drizzt left (even as we were mourning Zak), but then he got to the heart of the Underdark.

And something really annoying happened:

Book Review: "Assassin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb

(Farseer #1)
My Rating: 

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Plot Tease

Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court. He is an outcast to all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who had him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill - a mind-bending talent - and the darker knowledge of a child raised with hounds and rejected by his family.

Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And although some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Book Review

If you haven't read Robin Hobb before, let me just tell you right now that you need to read this book. Assassin's Apprentice is the beginning of something big in fantasy. This book and these characters have a realistic edge to them, even amid the magic, that is incredibly enthralling. I don't even know how to pin it down for you. It just feels different.

To be totally blunt, this series has become my standard. I compare all other fantasy books to these ones. It's because of the characters. 

Book Review: "A Clash of Kings" by George R. R. Martin

(A Song of Ice and Fire #2)
My Rating: 

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Plot Tease

A comet the color of blood cuts across the sky. The two great leaders who enforced the peace are dead, victims of treachery. Now, across the realms, chaos reigns. Six factions war for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne.

Brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. A princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest hearts.

FAIR WARNING: This book is not for children. 17+ recommended. The series is on HBO for a reason. 

Book Review

If you want more Game of Thrones, this book will not disappoint. It really feels like Martin just continues to take everything to the next level in this book, adding classical fantasy elements like magic, dragons and the undead to his already expansive world. It would be crazy to try and talk about all the amazing characters in the book - because you'd better believe he keeps the old ones and adds even more. So, instead I'm going to focus on a few that I feel are really great in Clash of Kings, and how they are developing.

Daenerys Targaryen is unique because she is somewhat separated from all the intrigue surrounding the Iron Throne, even though she is a major part of it. The more you read, the more you love her. Martin is definitely not afraid to showcase strong women. While she was still growing up in the first book, Clash of Kings has her walking out of fire as the Mother of Dragons.