by Jane | Mar 4, 2017 | Write Here Write Now
A big fan of the Sword of Truth series, I was thrilled to find a new book by Terry Goodkind set in the same universe. Death’s Mistress, the first book in The Nicci Chronicles, follows sorceress Nicci, once known as Death’s Mistress, on a mission to the Old World for Richard Rahl, accompanied by the old wizard Nathan Rahl. These two have been sent by Richard to spread the word that, as Lord Rahl, Richard rules both the New World and Old World, and that the inhabitants have nothing more to fear of oppression.
At the beginning of that journey, they encounter a witch woman, who tells them that they must travel to Kol Adair where the wizard will be made whole again and that the “Sorceress must save the world.” Though doubtful, the two set out and soon determine that the witch woman’s words are true. They are joined along the way by an unlikely companion, Bannon, a young man naïve in the ways of the world. But he learns much through the tutelage of Nicci and Nathan.
If you’re not familiar with the eleven Sword of Truth books, the two prequels, or the four “Richard and Kahlan Novels”, I think you’re in for a treat. Terry Goodkind is an excellent writer who knows how to create a world and fill it with interesting, engaging characters. To fans of Goodkind who haven’t read one of his books for a while, you won’t be disappointed. I’ll admit that I miss Richard and his wife Kahlan, but Goodkind has woven an interesting tale around Nicci and Nathan, showing new sides of these characters. You won’t want to miss this one.
by Jane | Feb 25, 2017 | Write Here Write Now
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth is told through the eyes of two main characters, Akos and Cyra. These two teens live on a world with two adversarial nation-states: Thuvhe and Shotet, and are on opposite sides of the conflict. Tuvhe, Akos’s land, is peaceful, but the Shotets are known for their brutality. Confounding these political issues is a force known as the current, which has a great influence on people of this world. It provides a different power to each person when he or she comes of age, but also gives oracles, one of whom is Akos’ mother, the gift of prophesy. But don’t overestimate this gift; prophesies are fluid and there can be different paths. The only thing which cannot change is the future of a person who is “fated.” Akos and Cyra are two of these people.
Near the beginning of the book, Akos and his brother are kidnapped and taken to Shotet’s cruel, dictatorial ruler Ryzek, who wants to use them because of their fates. Cyra is Ryzek’s sister, but unlike him, she is kind and hates hurting people. Unfortunately, her current power is pain, and she can inflict pain on another person with just a touch. Ryzek knows this and forces her to torture his enemies.
Cyra and Akos are thrown together because his power is to interrupt the current, so he can relieve her of her own constant pain. However, as they get to know each other, a friendship develops which could alter the political structure of the world in which they live.
Carve the Mark is a very engaging book with a satisfying ending. There is no mention as to whether it is the beginning of a series, but there are questions left unanswered, so there is definitely room for a second book. Though there are a lot of characters, they are easy to keep track of, and Akos and Cyra show a great deal of growth. Veronica Roth does an amazing job creating a new world with sympathetic characters. I hope to see more of them.
by Jane | Feb 17, 2017 | Write Here Write Now
Death Marked by Leah Cypess is the sequel to Death Sworn, which I reported on earlier, and looks to be the last book in the series. In this book , Ileni, who was charged with training assassins in Death Sworn, is now at the Imperial Academy of Sorcery. The Academy is a school of the Empire she was raised to hate, and she is separated from Sorin, her assassin lover, who believes she is there as a spy to bring down the Empire. The lead teacher at the Academy is trying to recruit her for their side, and although Ileni meets people at the Academy she likes, her instincts about the evil of the Empire do not prove unfounded.
Death Marked is a book of internal conflict. Ileni is torn among three groups: the Renegi village in which she was born, made up of a group of people expelled from the Empire; the assassins she spent a year training; and the imperial sorcerers, with whom she is now training.
A fine follow-up to Death Sworn, Death Marked follows Ileni while she makes a very difficult choice of loyalties — all the groups she’s been associated with have good points and bad. What should she do? If you enjoyed Death Sworn, pick up Death Marked. I’m just sorry there’s not a third book.
by Jane | Feb 12, 2017 | Write Here Write Now
The Mercy Journals by Claudia Casper is an apocalypse novel told through the journal of Allen Quincy. The downfall of society as we know it has been brought on by World War III and out-of-control climate change. Millions have died, nation states have fallen, and times are hard. Though there is some semblance of civilization, it’s as though it’s in its infancy. Allen lives alone with only his forbidden goldfish for company, and holds down a job in restricted item enforcement when he isn’t drunk or high.
Things are pretty much the same day to day for him until he meets a woman, then lost family members begin to show up. Therein lies the story. It is a tale of a man lost, a man who wants to do the right thing, if he can only figure out what that is, and the journey he must go through.
With more of a literary than genre feel, The Mercy Journals is a short book for your soul. Take a peek.
by Jane | Feb 3, 2017 | Write Here Write Now
I didn’t know what to expect when I started watching Netflix’s The OA. It was described by Netflix as follows: “Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission.” It sounded genre, so I started watching. The first episode was intriguing, but didn’t really grab me. I wasn’t even sure it was genre — it seemed like the story of a woman who had been abducted (and not by aliens), and the only ability she seemed to have was calming a vicious dog.
Things got interesting, however, when she gathered a group of five misfits from the local high school and started telling them her story. But not just to get things off her chest — to involve them in a mystical project to find the other people who were held captive with her.
The lead character Prairie (also known as the OA) is fascinating, the lead villain chilling, and the five misfits round out the cast with their own stories in the mist of what is happening. Once you get into it, you won’t want to stop. I binge-watched the last four episodes in a single sitting. I can’t wait for the next season to come out. An amazing show!
