by Jane | Sep 26, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon is the first book in a new trilogy, progressing on from the Deed of Paksenarrion series. This book picks up from the previous series, but readers will have no problem starting with this book and becoming immersed in the story.
At the beginning of this book, we learn many changes have taken place. A former duke in Tsaia and leader of mercenaries (Phelan), thought a bastard, has been crowned king in the land of Lyanya, and a new King of Tsaia has also been crowned. Meanwhile, Dorrin, a former captain under Phelan’s command, has become the first female duke, and Phelan’s territory has been given to another former captain, Arcolin.
Many challenges face these new leaders. Most of Dorrin’s family has been accused of treason and the illegal use of magic. Dorrin must get past magical traps in order to rule her dukedom, while being on the lookout for family members who have escaped arrest.
Both kings have many adjustments to make, especially Phelan, who has discovered he is not only royal but half-elf. War is looming in the east and there is treachery throughout the two kingdoms. This book takes us through the leaders’ struggles, as they learn what must be done to keep their kingdoms safe.
Oath of Fealty is a good standalone book, but I am still anxious to read the next in the series. Ms. Moon has created some great characters and intriguing situations. She is definitely a leader in today’s fantasy.
by Jane | Sep 13, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima is the second book in the Seven Realms series, and was no disappointment. Princess Raisa has fled the Fells with Amon, her childhood friend and new commander, and is studying at Oden’s Ford as cadet Rebecca Morley. Meanwhile, the former street lord Han Alister is at Oden’s Ford studying to be a wizard.
Both Han and Raisa are threatened by Micah Bayar and his family, who are also in the wizard school. Raisa can avoid them, but Han must face them since they go to the same school. Han is armed with the amulet he took from Micah, but must still study hard in able to match the Bayars. However, threatened with death, Han must also control his street lord instincts to get rid of them in any way he can.
Although their schools are on opposite sides of the river, Raisa and Han must eventually meet, thus complicating their lives even more. And what of Amon, who Raisa has developed feelings for? Their love is forbidden, but the heart wants what it wants.
I was thoroughly delighted with this book. Chima continues to impress me with her writing. The next book in the series is The Gray Wolf Throne. I can’t wait.
by Jane | Sep 8, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Demon King is the first book in the Seven Realms series, and it is excellent. Author Cinda Williams Chima is quickly becoming my favorite writer of young adult fantasy. In The Demon King, there are two protagonists — one, a former street lord called Han Allister and the other, the princess heir of the Fells, Raisa ana’ Marianna. How unlikely is it that the destinies of two such different people should cross? And yet they do.
Han is trying to make ends meet and help support his mother and sister when he meets a young wizard in the country and appropriates his amulet, an amulet the boy should never have had. When he returns to the city, Han finds himself accused of multiple murders.
Raisa’s biggest concern is her upcoming name day and which of her many suitors she will eventually marry. But two of the boys she likes are unsuitable to marry the princess heir — Amon, a childhood friend, now a soldier in the Queen’s Guard, and Micah Bayar, the young wizard who has just lost and important family amulet. But when Raisa decides to leave the castle in cognito to try and help the poor, that is when her troubles really begin.
I have read The Demon King twice now and enjoyed it both times. If you’re into young adult fantasy at all, read this book. The characters are engaging and the plot is suspenseful. The next book in the series is The Exiled Queen, which I will report on in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, pick up and enjoy The Demon King.
by Jane | Aug 31, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Expiration Day is a new young adult novel by William Campbell Powell. It takes place in the year 2049, when the fertility rate has dropped to a disastrous level. It has dropped so far that couples have started leasing robots called teknoids designed to look, talk, and act like children. They go to school, grow up via upgrades by the corporation Oxted, and provide a child’s love for their parents. The only problem is that they are recalled to the factory by age 18.
Expiration Day is told through the journal of Tania Deeley from age 11 to 17. She goes to school surrounded by girls who may or may not be teknoids, including her best friend. The book takes us through her teen years as she learns more and more about teknoids, Oxted, and life. Although this book could be classified as a dystopian future, where many things are hidden, it is really the story of a girl growing up, dealing with the cruelties of youth, as well as the joys. Mr. Powell takes us on quite a ride as we get to know Tania, rejoice with her, grieve with her, and understand her.
Well worth the read, I suggest you pick up Expiration Day today. I, for one, could not put it down.
by Jane | Aug 25, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Earlier this summer I reported on two genre shows I was enjoying, and mentioned three other shows to be discussed later. Summer is now coming to a close, I would like to report on one of those I did not discuss earlier, The 100. Technically it is not a summer show; I am simply watching the reruns which I did not see during the regular season. Still, I’d like to give my reactions.
The 100 is the story of a world so contaminated that people fled to a space station and have been living there for three generations. But now the resources are running out and the leaders are in a quandary as to what to do. One solution was to send a hundred juvenile delinquents to the surface to see if the Earth is now survivable. (Nice, huh?) This is the story of those 100 kids, plus the people still left on the station.
For various reasons, the space station has lost contact with the people on the surface and are trying to find other ways to solve their problem (none of which are particularly humanitarian). Meanwhile, the people on the surface have their own problems, including some early leadership difficulties, similar to those in The Lord of the Flies, as well as some violent encounters with people already on the surface, people the kids have labelled “grounders”.
At first I had some problems with this series, growing pains, perhaps, and wasn’t sure I was going to continue watching it. But now it has me intrigued. For all their troubles, internal fighting, and indecision about the right course of action, the kids seem to be making it work. The adults, however, are all over the place. I’m surprised they managed to last as long as they have. I would, in fact, be happiest if they never made it to the ground, and the kids reinvented the human race. They’re certainly a lot smarter than their parents.
As for the series, I will definitely be watching the new season when it starts up in the fall. Let the 100 prevail!
by Jane | Aug 2, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Burning Dark by Adam Christopher is a science fiction mystery/thriller set in a faraway space station that is being dismantled. Captain Abraham Idaho (Ida) Cleveland joins the skeleton crew on the verge of his retirement, but is curious as to why he was sent there since his presence isn’t really needed. He’s leaving service a hero, having saved a planet from the giant, aggressive Spiders, but no one on the station believes him, and when he searches, he can find no record of his accomplishments. Mystery compounds mystery as people start to have visions and disappear from the station. The only person who will help him in solving the mystery is a medic by the name of Izanami, who, it turns out, has secrets of her own.
The Burning Dark keeps the reader guessing as to what is the real problem on the Coast City space station. Is it the noncoms who harass Ida, the acting commandant King, the mysterious purple sun they came there to study, or is something else going on? This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I recommend it highly for fans of mystery and science fiction.
