July '16 Roundup & Ramblings

I was pretty satisfied with this month. No dnf's, which is always nice. Started my audio book adventures and while it was ok and I'll be continuing it with various random books, it is apparent to me that audio and I just don't quite hit it off.

My top reads this month were Talion: Revenant, part of my Project Reread and The New Watch, the latest in the Russian Night Watch series. Talion was a good re-re-re-read but I suspect this will be close to my final read of it. New Watch brought us full circle from new member to mature member and the writing has matured and mellowed.

There were no real stinkers this month, but some pretty Meh reads. Jupiter Theft and Nephilim: Genesis of Evil were both outstanding in their lack lustre'ness and mediocrity.

I am still working my way through Superman: Doomed, and by that I mean I keep thinking about getting back into it and just finishing it off in one fell swoop. I've got 125 books on my kindle so my Priority collection and Reread collection are both taking a place in the regular rotation as I need to get through some of the other books. My Misc collection is the only one that I'm keeping at the front of the queue. Read 8 other books, read a Misc book, rinse and repeat. That collection has grown to over 25, so I really need to work through it and get it under 15, otherwise the books are going to sit in that collection for at least another year.

Hope your July was a good one as well. August will be a slower month for me as I'm going to be helping various family members [some near, some far] move throughout the month. Cheers!

Yotsuba&! #13 (Manga)

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Title: Yotsuba&! #13
Series: Yotsuba&!
Author/Artist: Kiyohiko Azuma
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Slice of Life manga
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback edition

Synopsis:

Yotsuba decides what she wants to be when she grows up. A baker. Or maybe an Udon Noodle maker. Or maybe a housewife. It can be hard to make decisions sometimes.
Then Grandma comes to visit. Yotsuba has been a good girl [well, except for that time with the blue paint] so she knows Grandma is bringing her a souvenir. Grandma brought her kiwi's? That's not what Yotsuba wanted! Sometimes it is hard to have a Grandma.

My Thoughts:

It has been 2 YEARS since the last volume. I have to admit, I was expecting more. This was good, mind you, but it wasn't funny like the previous volumes. The Grandma, while very laid back, was drawn so severely that it kind of detracted from the overall feeling I was hoping to get.

I am wondering if Azuma, the artist, is letting this slide? It kind of felt like the fire had gone out in this volume.

Golden Son (Red Rising #2)

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Title: Golden Son
Series: Red Rising
Author: Pierce Brown
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 466
Format: Kindle Digital Edition

Synopsis:

Darrow has survived and become a leader for a powerful Gold. His future, and his plans for the sons of Ares, seem assured. But Gold culture is hard and cruel. Your wins mean nothing if you lose. And Darrow loses.
At the same time, when he is about to be sold to the highest bidder, he finds out that Ares is dead and that the leaders now want mass Gold murder and give him a radium bomb to take to the auction.
Darrow overcomes all of the above to start a civil war in the Golds culture and avoid the shortsightedness of the new rebel leaders. He is truly a Golden Son on a meteoric rise.
But the Gold saying of Rise so high, in mud you lie always comes true and betrayal always comes from those closest to you.

My Thoughts:  Spoilers Ahead

A great addition to the Red Rising series. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first book but most of that was because of dealing with spaceship battles. I'm much more of the mano-a-mano type of fighting. Guns, lightsabers, swords, whatever, just give me some ground pounders duking it out.

It was interesting to see Darrow struggling with the ethical dilemma of what he was doing. Is he trying to bring down the Golds? Is he trying to make all the colors equal? Is he trying to make people change? What is he supposed to be doing and at what point is something too much to justify it? That type of pressure would have broken me and I would have just set off the radium bomb and said 'to heck with you all'. And speaking of the radium bomb, I think it still has a part to play.

I kept waiting for the betrayal because that is what Gold's do. A continual culling process that lasts a lifetime. So when Darrow was able to actually attack the Sovereign even after having been betrayed by somebody, I figured that was it. I did not see the ending coming. When one of his friends finds out he is actually a Red and betrays him? And Ares truly dies and we see his head in a box? Blindsided. Completely and utterly blindsided.

Really wetted my appetite for the final book to see how he survives and what his goals become with Ares dead. Highly recommended.

The Crimson Campaign (Powder Mage #2)

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Title: The Crimson Campaign
Series: Powder Mage
Author: Brian McClellan
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 628
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis: Spoilers Ahead

Tamas is trapped behind enemy lines and must make his way back, all the while dodging the enemy and not knowing of Taniel is alive or not.
Adramat is desperately trying to find his missing wife and son. In the process, he uncovers an elite academy graduate who is wreaking havoc in Adopest. He must rescue one of the former Cabal, the only one powerful enough to face the graduate.
Taniel is on the front lines. But there is a traitor among the generals and that traitor wants Taniel dead. And Kresimir isn't dead.
And now he's not only pissed, but he's probably insane from the bullet in his head.

Good times for everyone.

My Thoughts:

While I enjoyed the first book, it has taken me over 2 years to work up the "oomph" to actually go through the trouble to borrow the next 2. This is flintlock fantasy, and as such, it is grim, dirty and violent. And just like the first book, it is excellently written.

I have to admit, I had a hard time dealing with the 3 different viewpoints of men all having lots of T's, D's and A's in their name. I found myself having to concentrate to make sure I knew who I was reading about.

I'd like to say more, but honestly, the same apathy that I felt after the first book is still in place. I liked the story, the writing was good, but it just didn't do it for me. I suspect that I'll feel the same about the next and final book, no matter how good it is.

Mr Monster (John Cleaver #2)

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Title: Mr Monster
Series: John Cleaver
Author: Dan Wells
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 320
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

John Cleaver can't get over the fact that he killed. He's not horrified, he's fascinated and he wants MORE. He knows this though and is doing everything in his power to stop Mr Monster [his mental disconnect that is his inner psychopath] who wants to bathe in the blood of everyone he knows.
But when another serial killer shows up, following in the footsteps of the demon from the first book, John knows another demon has shown up. So it's ok to unleash Mr Monster. But can John reconcile the fact that other people see him as a hero when he knows he's unleashing Mr Monster?

My Thoughts:

This was just as disturbing as the first book. Wells has done his research and seems to revel in showing the struggle that John is going through in trying to control his killer instincts. I guess what bothers me the most is that John is shown as not having any choice, so far, in the matter. He fights against wanting to kill but it is presented as if it is a futile fight. I'm hoping the next book changes that.

Everyone has Choice. Not necessarily easy choices, or even one time choices, but they have Free Will.

The mind of a psychopath is a sick mind. Those interested in such minds are either trying to help heal those minds, or like this author in writing for profit about it, sick bastards themselves. As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of Dan Wells.

There were just enough touches of humor to keep this from being completely dark and horrible. I've got the 3rd book on my tbr list and I'll read it, but after that, I'll be avoiding anything, no matter the subject, by Wells. I don't want to my mind contaminated by a mind like his.

Nephilim: Genesis of Evil

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Title: Nephilim: Genesis of Evil
Series: -----
Author: Renee Pawlish
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
Pages: 345
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

The Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans, wiped out in the Biblical Flood thousands of years ago, survive as lost spirits, yearning to return to the spirit world.
Every century they have a chance to perform the Great Release in which they possess humans and ascend to a higher plane of existence.
Now a small town in Colorado is the focus and it is up to a small, disparate group of people to stop the Nephilim from wiping out the town.

My Thoughts:

First, this is Christian Horror. Lots of references to the Bible and off handed, sideways references to Grace and Salvation. Done right, it can be alright, although I haven't read any done right yet. Not even Frank Peretti with The Oath or House really did it for me.

However, this was something that needed to be edited by a professional story editor. Not a grammar editor, mind you. The technical aspects of the writing were just fine. But the actual story telling and the characters were lackluster at best. In Horror, you can't just write that something was "terrifying". You need to show how/why it was. Unfortunately Pawlish just doesn't have the writing skills to pull this off. This amounted to a great first draft but that was it. I can't tell someone how TO write "terrifying" but I sure can tell them how NOT TO write it. Don't tell me.
I was told, a lot.
The characters were also "almost there" but really lacked something. They weren't cardboard, but they weren't real people to me either.

It was obvious that Pawlish put a lot of thought into the plot, into the characters, into this book. But her ideas weren't written out well enough. She doesn't have the talent right now to write this book. Maybe in the future? But I'm not sticking around to find out. I really struggled to finish this, so I won't spend any more of my time on her stuff.

There is a bunch I could write on the theological level, but why bother? It won't make or break this book for anyone, trust me.

The Revenge of the Baby-Sat (Calvin and Hobbes #5)

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Title: The Revenge of the Baby-Sat
Series: Calvin and Hobbes
Author/Artist: Bill Watterson
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Comics
Pages: 128
Format: Digital Scan

My Thoughts:

The 5th collection by Watterson. There aren't even themes tying the comics together, so you can't really "review" these books. Each strip is individual and stands on its own.

The New Watch (Night Watch #5)

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Title: The New Watch
Series: Night Watch
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 420
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Prophets and Tigers and Daughters, Oh My!
So it seem that the Twilight is an intelligent being and it does what it needs to to protect itself. The Mirrors are one such manifestation.
Tigers, a being that hunts down prophets, is another. At first blush it appears that Tigers want to prevent prophecies from being heard, hence, come into being. Come to find out, they are a goad to the prophets, making sure they DO prophesy and hence bringing about chaos, which the Twilight feeds on.
At the same time, Anton realizes WHY his daughter was brought into being. Anton must make a choice which will affect his daughter and all the Others that are and ever might be.

My Thoughts:

I think this was the best Night Watch book to date. Anton has come full circle, where he is now the mature Other who understands the whys and wherefores. In the first book he was the young new Other who wanted to change the world with magic. He has to deal with a situation where he has to explain the "facts of life" to a young Other who just wants to make everyone "good". Ahhh, the irony. It really allowed Lukyanenko to show off his writing chops.

The manipulation by both Zabulon and Gesar in the creation of Anton's daughter left me breathless. To have foreseen the threat posed by an intelligent Twilight and to have so cold heartedly mucked about with peoples' live and destinies was both awesome and scary.

It is hinted that Gesar will soon be getting bored in Russia and moving on. It would seem that Anton is the logical successor should this happen.

I started this Night Watch series almost a year ago. I have enjoyed each one and while I don't know if there will be any more, I certainly hope so. This is Urban Fantasy that I enjoy and can recommend. The style definitely won't appeal to everyone, but I like the Russian soul, as it is the same whether old or new.

Drysine Legacy (The Spiral Wars #2)

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Title: Drysine Legacy
Series: The Spiral Wars
Author: Joel Shepherd
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 471
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

The Federation starship Phoenix and her crew are on the run. But not on the run from just the Federation it seems. Various alien species are attacking them, for various reasons. Add in the apparent rise of an ancient machine race, and the discovery of their ancient foe on board the Phoenix and it is apparent that Erik Debogande and the rest of the crew are onto something much bigger than they ever thought.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this just as much as the previous book. Having to face a choice of resurrecting a monster machine race to fight another monster machine race is just "ugh". Possible subjugation of all biological life or certain subjugation.

The action was awesome. The huge battle at the end between the various Hacksaw forces with the Phoenix kind of dodging between was spectacular. Space Marines [always my favorite] versus horrible alien killing machines that ruled the Universe millennia ago.

I thought that this book wrapped up the series. All major issues were taken care of and while the whole "genocidal machine killers" wasn't, that aspect was big enough to have its own trilogy or even a series. When looking at the authors website though, it appears that this will be a trilogy. Not sure what the 3rd book will be about and still be a wrapping up point. Oh well, something to look forward to once it actually gets written.

I've enjoyed these 2 books enough that I'll be hunting down others by Shepherd and giving them a go.

The Paradise War (Song of Albion #1)

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Title: The Paradise War
Series: Song of Albion
Author/Narrator: Stephen Lawhead, Stuart Langston
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars


Genre: Fantasy
Minutes: 795
Format: Audible audio edition

Synopsis:

Lewis and Simon, 2 graduate students at Oxford, stumble upon a portal to another world. Simon goes through and Lewis stays behind. Upon investigation, Lewis finds out that the veil between the worlds is thinning and that passage between and our presence over there, could irreparably damage both worlds.
So Lewis crosses over to rescue Simon and to save both worlds.
Only to discover that the other world is everything our world is but bigger, brighter, better. Lewis is seduced into staying and becomes a warrior. Upon his finishing Warrior School, bad things begin to happen and it appears that it is up to him to set things right.
But how does one fight against the lord of the underworld, his undead and demonic forces while your allies are filled with jealously, greed and self?
And when betrayal of the ultimate kind happens, Lewis realizes that he and Simon MUST go back to their own world.

My Thoughts:

Read and bought these as they came out in the 90's. Re-read them in 2000 and then they've sat on my shelf, looking awesome. I thought about using these in my Project Re-read, but I have been wanting to explore the "Audio" side of books and figured that this trilogy would be a good experiment for that.

I enjoyed this just as much as I did almost 25 years ago. The story, the action, the magic were all still there. I listened to this on my drive to and from work and there were several times where, once I got home, that I just left my bluetooth connected and kept it playing from my phone until I forced myself to stop. If I had been reading this, I suspect it would have been demolished in a day or 3 at most.  I did notice how whiny Lewis was and that he was pretty much a wish-fulfillment of Lawhead's.

As for Audio. I found that it took very little to distract me while listening and that I would then miss some of the book. I tried to go into a grocery store on my way home once and I ended up just stopping the book because I couldn't pay attention.  It also took me quite a while to get used to the narrator. I didn't really like him but by the end I had gotten to the point where he didn't bother me. I think he does the next 2 books as well, so it is just as well that I'm resigned to him.

Sackett's Land (Sacketts #1)

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Title: Sackett's Land
Series: Sacketts
Author: Louis L'amour
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 208
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Barnabas Sackett, fen-man of England, crosses some of the wrong people. In the process of sorting it all out, he makes a trip or two to the New World and falls in love with it. He determines that he will return there and raise a family worthy of conquering the land.

My Thoughts:

Instead of a western, which the series title "The Sacketts" would leave you to believe, this is a prequel.  Definitely more in the vein of The Walking Drum than of anything else. Very England centric.

Anyone who reads, or has read, L'amour, knows that stereotypes abound. It is the basis for his writing and the style that he uses. His stories are Big and hence are filled with Big men, villains, adventures, etc. It is not something you want a lot of all at once, which is why his stories are usually under the 200page mark.

I enjoyed this. Haven't read a L'amour since '11 so it was ok. My library has the whole Sackett series, all 17 books and while I'm a bit confused as to the order of a couple of them [several different places list one or two books differently] I don't think it will really make a difference. Adding these to my reading rotation and will read one every month or 2. I'm hoping that will be enough time between them so I don't get sick of them and quit the series.
`

Unholy (The Haunted Lands #3) (Forgotten Realms)

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Title: Unholy
Series: The Haunted Lands
Author: Richard Byers
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 342
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

100 years have passed since the last book. Szass Tam has completed his domination of Thay with the building of multiple fortresses, which turn out to be the keystone for a massive magical spell. A spell that will unmake the Universe and potentially remake it, with Tsazz Tam as the new head honcho god. Theoretically.
So the gryphon rider and undead bard from the previous books set out to stop him, with the help of the former Zulkirs of Thay.
Throw in Tam's insane but powerful top lieutenant who wants only the first part of the spell to succeed and you wind up with a pretty fantastic story.

My Thoughts:

Sometimes Forgotten Realms books really stink. The plot is as pulpy and the characters as wooden as the paper they are printed on. But sometimes you run across some that are really a good story that keep you coming back for more. This book, and trilogy, have been one of the good ones.

The plan behind the plan, that was hinted at in the previous book, comes to full light here. Tam's deal with Bane makes sense. Why worry about your soul in 1000 years if you're going to remake the universe with you at the head? You can just unmake the god that you made the deal with and negate it's consequences.

Just like in the previous 2 books, the "heroes" are the underdogs and Tam is a pretty sympathetic antagonist. The bard and mercenary [and for the life of me, I can't remember WHY the mercenary is so long-lived] and their little ghost friend all finish their fight, but it ends up being against their former ally turned Szass Tam lieutenant instead of Tam himself. All part of making Tam the "not really the bad guy" bad guy.

Because I've enjoyed the majority of Byer's work in the Forgotten Realms universe, I'm thinking I'll go track down the rest of his stuff and put it into my tbr pile instead of just some random FF trilogy/series like I have been doing. We'll see if he can continue to entertain.

The Trials (The Red #2)

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Title: The Trials
Series: The Red
Author: Linda Nagata
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 480
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Shelley and his crew are on trial for their actions in the previous book. As is Sheridan in a world court.
Once the trial resolves, Shelley becomes involved with his former handler and they are both recruited to a extra-Constitutional private army that is intent on making the United States and the world a better place.
Shelley is kidnapped by a group that is trying to use the Red for their own ends. Shelley is rescued but reveals that a Dragon has a nuke up in space. Now it is up to him and his allies to recover the nuke and bring the Dragon to justice.
The book ends with Shelley being recruited by yet another group, this time one with direct ties to the Red and that is below the radar of everybody.

My Thoughts:

As with the first book, this was just good. I am thoroughly enjoying James Shelley as a main character. The poor guy has to figure out if he's Special, a Tool or a special tool. Either way, it sure messes with his head.

I did find it rather sad that at the end he had to pretend that he'd died. That must have ripped up his girlfriend pretty bad. And for him to do that, knowing what it would do to her [as he watched his previous girlfriend get blown up], seems pretty harsh.  A relationship is the dynamic between 2 people, not the actions of just one of them.

I think my favorite part of the book was when he was kidnapped and being used. It was obvious that the group leader thought she had the Red all figured out and so to see her arrogance turned on its head and her ideas filled with a hail of bullets, was rather satisfying.

I have enjoyed these books enough that I'd consider buying them in hardcover. However, I think a re-read in a couple of years would be a wise decision before that. If I enjoy this as much then as I did now, then yes, it'll definitely go on the buy-list.

The Jupiter Theft

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Title: The Jupiter Theft
Series: -----
Author: Donald Moffitt
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 339
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Humanity has expanded to Mars but at the cost of a totalitarian regime back on Earth. A scientist discovers a mass moving towards our solar system and it turns out to be aliens, who are taking mass from Jupiter to power their ships as they hop around the galaxy.
A group of scientists, and some "Security" are tasked with finding out as much as possible about the aliens and so they take some nukes along with them. Stuff happens and a couple of people survive and humanity gets a new planet and some tech.
The End.

My Thoughts:

This was boring. Yes, at the end a lot happens, but it felt like I'd been traveling 100 miles at 25mph and then for the last 100 yards the driver floored it and accelerated to 60mph.  Books like this are why I've become more of a fantasy guy over the years.

If you enjoy having numbers and "science" thrown your way like heavy brick walls, then you might like this book. I didn't hate it, but I did end up creating a "Boring" shelf because that was my main impression by the end of the book.

And the hippy culture that permeates the future? That is what happens when you extrapolate the future from the present and don't even try to think through what changes "might" happen. Come on, Free Love and Joints for everyone? On a spaceship? I think the author was just writing his wish fulfillment of grabbing some tail while high.

Good or bad, this book did not entice me to read any more by Moffitt. Back to the dust heaps of anonymity for him!
 

The Lonely Dead (Straw Men #2)

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Title: The Lonely Dead
Series: Straw Men
Author: Michael Marshall
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 339
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Ward and the other people from the previous book return. Trying to hunt down Ward's twin, Paul, they are getting nowhere. Until the Straw Men decide that Paul is too out of control for even their tastes. Then they allow the 3 just enough clues to hopefully put Paul down but with enough leeway that Paul can return the favor to the trio.
Paul's gone off the rails, convinced that bigfoot is really magical Neanderthals and that if he can kill one, he can propitiate whatever imaginary dark gods exist for the Straw Men.

My Thoughts:

In the previous book, we were let into the mind of a killer. This time around we just watch the author clown around. Telepathic neanderthals that can twist your mind into seeing magical elves or unicorns or bigfoot. Come on.

I like fantasy. But I didn't realize that this was fantasy. The hopeless existential nothingness was still there but the ridiculousness of the overall idea just kept me from feeling it. Which is good, I guess? Probably not the author's intent though.

I've got the final book available to me and I'll be reading it. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if Paul the insane serial killer who makes even the Straw Men afraid, turns out to be Lucky the Leprechaun, complete with a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal.
 

The Last of the Sky Pirates (Rook #1) (The Edge Chronicles #5)

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Title: The Last of the Sky Pirates
Series: The Edge Chronicles
Author: Chris Riddell & Paul Stewart
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Children's SFF
Pages: 386
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

50 years after Twig sailed off to find his shipmates, things have changed on the Edge. Shrykes and Guardians of the Night control the city and the glades. Stone Rot has destroyed all flying ships. The Librarians now hide in the sewers, sending out their best and brightest to make new discoveries in the Deep Forest.
Now Rook must make the journey to the Free Glades where he will learn how to survive the Deep Forest.
Along the way, he will learn skills, make friends, meet Legends and find that only those close to you can truly betray you.

My Thoughts:

I was very glad that this was not another Quint book. Being a continuation of the story from Twig's time is good. At the same time, when Rook meets Twig and hears his story, it is SAD. All the potential Good is spent on an unfulfilled search by Twig. He never got back to Riverrise, never got back to his shipmates, never got back to the Stonespeaker Girl.

But this was Rook's story. However, you can see the similarity between Rook now and Twig then. It doesn't bode well for Rook's future. As a children's story however, it works well. It makes the child the hero and the adult the sad figure that bad things happen to.

I am done with this series though. It is meant for children and what a child will pass over or not even notice, bugs the heck out of me. I don't want to read this into the ground. Part ways while we're still on speaking terms, so to speak.

Return to Vietnam (The Executioner #43)

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Title: Return to Vietnam
Series: The Executioner
Author: Don Pendleton
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Action/Adventure
Pages: 182
Format: Kindle digital scan

Synopsis:

Mack must go back to Vietnam to save a former friend, who has been captured by the bad guys. Said friend is a storehouse of knowledge about local resistance and has info on more POW's that don't officially exist.

My Thoughts:

This book's time frame was approximately 5hrs. In that time, Mack meets a beautiful, strong and courageous Hottie, faces down a youth who destroys his radio transmitter, turns said youth into a leader, rescues his friends from a Max Security Prison, kills a general who is also a major drug dealer and kills about 11,000 Viet communist soldiers.

Just a day in the life of the Executioner.

I can see why teen's would read this. But after the next one, I'm done. I am finding that I do need some actual plot, not just mindless action and brain splatter. I am surprised as anyone about that.

Talion: Revenant (Project Reread #7)

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Title: Talion: Revenant
Series: -----
Author: Michael Stackpole
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 467
Format: Kindle digital edition

Project Reread:

I am attempting to reread 10+ books in 2016 that I have rated highly in the past. I am not attempting to second guess or denigrate my younger self in any way but am wanting to compare how my tastes have changed and possibly matured. I am certainly much more widely read now [both in the good and bad quality sadly] than then.
I will hopefully be going into the reasons for any differences of opinions between then and now. If there is no difference of opinion, then it was a hellfire'd fine book!
Links may link to either Booklikes or Blogspot, depending on when the original review was.

Synopsis:

Young Nolan survives an attack that kills off the rest of his family. He proceeds, on foot and alone, to Talianna, the city of the Talions to join. Talions are the impartial Law Enforcers of the nations of the Shattered Empire.
Years later Nolan, now a Talion Justice, with mystical abilities, is called upon to protect the King of Hamis, who was the king that ordered the attacks on Nolan's family all those years ago.
Now Nolan must protect a man he hates, from a magical creature that can't be killed, all the while aware that there is a traitor among the Talions.

My Thoughts:

This book was originally published in 1997. I read it then, then again before 2000, then in 2001 and again in 2006. Each time I enjoyed it. My start this time was a little rough and I was worried.

The writing started off clunky with a lot of "he did X, she said X, they ate X" kind of declaration statements. Had me thinking I was going to have to downgrade this to a 3 star. Thankfully, things took off. The writing smoothed out and the story, once again, enveloped me. I think that if I was reading this for the first time now, I'd probably give it a "meh" rating. However, my enjoyment is still as much as the previous times and that is why the rating is staying up high.

Stackpole excells at writing standalone stories and this is a great example. He has an idea, he has just enough "oomph" to get it out and then that is it. While there are lots of threads left open that "could" make for more stories, I wouldn't want a sequel to this. Sadly, Stackpole seems to have gotten out of the writing game in recent years and those projects that he has undertaken seem to have been abandoned. His Crown Colonies books are the prime example. His skill had grown in those books but that "oomph" wasn't there and the series was abandoned after the second book, on a cliffhanger.

On a side note, I find that I don't like this cover, black and white skull, at all. Give me the other original cover which just screams "Fantasy".

   


This review has been more about Stackpole than Talion, but Talion has been the vehicle by which I've traveled Stackpole's career.

June '16 Roundup & Ramblings

19 books this month. However, 3 of them were Abandoned, so really, that made things a bit less hectic. Unfortunately, 2 of the 3 I had been really looking forward to, so it wasn't a good "Abandoned".

Unlike last month, where the future of booklikes and everything else seemed to be up in the air, this month was Solid.

I had my 2500th Review. I imported all my reviews from Leafmarks into Calibre, so I now have my reviews in an offline program. I read Venetia as a challenge and enjoyed the group read updates.

The only 5 Star book this month, and deservedly so, was:

1)  The Complete Stories Vol 1 by Isaac Asimov

The other end of the spectrum had:

1) Blowback by Brad Thor. Nothing nice to say about this book. Nothing.


Overall, I count this month a win on the ledger. Let's hope July reads strong.