While entertaining, Kelley Armstrong’s DECEPTIONS suffers from a lack of plot and several extremely aggravating moments. Thankfully Liv and company remain characters worth rooting for, and the series hasn’t lost its potential.
This week’s topic is MAJOR DISCOVERIES:
While often the people of Fantasyland seem stuck in a time warp occasionally a major discovery can shock the land into changes. Be they new lands, new peoples or new technologies fantasyland thrives on having something to jump start the next age.
Erin Lindsey’s THE BLOODBOUND is the perfect beach read for fantasy fans. Combining traditional sword and sorcery with a heavy dose of romance, Lindsey introduces a formidable heroine you can’t help but root for.
While it took me forever and a day to read Scott Lynch’s fantastic debut THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, every moment was a joy. In more than 500 pages, I was never once bored or distracted with the fantastic characters and the mind bending plot.
This week’s topic is FORBIDDEN LOVE:
Because even in Fantasyland parents are not always happy with their children’s choice of partners
MARKED IN FLESH, the fourth book in Anne Bishop’s flawless urban fantasy series The Others, is going to be amazing. If only we didn’t have to wait until Spring of 2016 to read it…
Sylvia Izzo Hunter’s debut novel THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN is a clever and sophisticated historical fantasy that boasts charming characters and a delightful alternate Regency setting. Add in a dash of feminism and romance and what more could a historical fantasy fan ask for?
This week’s topic is NEW BEGINNINGS:
A new leaf, a new life, a complete change of pace for a character in fantasyland is how most stories start. Bad people get a second chance, farm kids leave the farm, or a soldier gets a new post. From there adventure awaits!
Beloved urban fantasy author Chloe Neill introduces us to a quasi-dystopian New Orleans and its supernatural ghetto Devil’s Isle in THE VEIL, the first in a new series. With strong world building and an atmospheric setting, THE VEIL should have been a slam dunk – but unfortunately I thought that its characters and romantic sub-plot fell flat.
July was a great reading month for me! I managed to worm my way out of a reading slump and even read a few five star books.
Rachel Aaron’s ONE GOOD DRAGON DESERVES ANOTHER is witty, fresh, and fun. A sequel that expands on world building, characters, and the series plot makes this one a winner.
This week’s topic is FLYING RIDES:
Because honestly? Horses just got boring. (Thanks to author Anne Leonard for the suggestion).
Kelley Armstrong is getting back to her roots with her Fall 2015 release of her new thriller THE MASKED TRUTH, and I for one could not be happier about it!
SECONDS by Bryan Lee O’Malley is probably one of the most original graphic novels I’ve ever read, at least in terms of plot. But unfortunately, the creativity of this story wasn’t enough to make up for a supremely frustrating protagonist.
This week’s topic is MIDDLE AGE HEROES:
This hero stuff is usually a young person’s game. And, occasionally, a grizzled old veteran can get involved. It is a true rarity for someone to join the good fight for Fantasyland living in that in between ground.
When it comes to YA fantasy, there’s nothing I like more than the ‘trifecta.’ Give me badass ladies kicking ass, using magic, and making out and I will be one happy reader. So imagine my delight when Kelley Armstrong’s EMPIRE OF NIGHT gave me all three!
This week’s trope is EXTREME CLIMATES:
Perhaps the handsome prince lives in a castle surrounded by green countryside and sunny days. The rest of the land is forced to deal with freezing cold, searing heat, and every other extreme climate mother nature can throw at you.
Rating a book can be very difficult sometimes. Obviously we all know that a five star review is amazing and a one star is dismal, but where do the ‘just average’ books fall?
THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST is a beautifully written standalone novel that showcases why Holly Black is considered the queen of YA faerie tales. Encompassing themes of family, love, and being true to yourself, this one is YA at its best.
This week’s trope is Otherworldly Creatures (Tentacles Preferred):
Just for Tiara, this topic explains itself. Creatures not of our world or even our plain of existence, perhaps living in another dimension. Preferably, though not required, with tentacles. Or really anything with tentacles can be considered weird enough to be otherworldly.
SWEEP IN PEACE is the second book in the Innkeeper Chronicles, an online serial by Ilona Andrews following Dina Demille, keeper of a sentient inn and defender of supernatural creatures…with some unusual abilities of her own.
Skinwalker, vampire hunter, and all-around badass Jane Yellowrock is back and better than ever in Faith Hunter’s BLOOD CROSS. You may recall how much I enjoyed the series debut, so it’s with excitement and glee that I say BLOOD CROSS was just as good as its predecessor.
This week’s trope is INDEPENDENCE BATTLES:
The good fight. Casting off the chains of tyranny! No one in fantasyland refuses the call of the good fight. And what fight is more important in fantasyland than FREEDOM?
Nicole Peeler’s urban fantasy novel JINN AND JUICE introduces us to a quirky cast and an unusual supernatural type: a jinni!