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Legends II is a good collection overall, and good introductions to a lot of established fantasy worlds. The stories were generally good, with a couple of letdowns.
Homecoming by Robin Hobb was a gripping survival horror story of eldritch yet compelling beauty, well-plotted and satisfying. The Sworn Sword by George Martin, a big reason for my purchase, compellingly depicted the protagonist Dunk's dilemmas and emotions in addition to being a good story of knightly adventure. The Yazoo Queen by Orson Scott Card was a great introduction to the alternate America of Alvin Maker, with a mood and color all its own, very different from the usual fantasy fare. Lord John and the Succubus wasn't strictly fantasy, though I understand the original series is historical fantasy, but the story was a well-written horror mystery nonetheless. The Book of Changes by Robert Silverberg is a nice story of character growth and all the more interesting because it's a story about the process of writing. The H...
Rating:  [4 of 5 Stars!] |
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Every once in a while, you come across a book that has it all. Pajo is one of those books. Set amidst the strange beauty of an ancient kingdom, Pajo is a story of love, sacrifice, magic, adventure, and friendship.
The title character, Pajo, is the last member of a dying race. Covered in fur and stinking of the swamps where he makes his home, he is a wretched creature, tortured by self-loathing and the knowledge that he is something less than human. Though he’s only thirteen years old, Pajo carries a lifetime of burdens on his rounded shoulders. He doesn’t love himself, and he has no reason to love anyone else, but that doesn’t stop him from undertaking a dangerous journey to save the infant prince.
At turns, this book is funny, frightening, thought provoking, and heart warming. It’s a wonderful adventure story. More importantly, it’s a poignant reminder of the true nature of heroism and humanity.
Maria Edwards
President, American Authors Association...
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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There was a time, were there could be up to two hundred times, much faster inside the apprenttice than outside.
Sure said the apprenttice., sure. The master would teach him, but may be he was thinking about himself all the time. He was using the apprentice to see if they could ask, somewhere around that mountain. He was remembering something. He knew that place. Something was inside of him. But at the time of making the deal, who would be there?. or who is going to be responsible?. and there were nobody responsible only a few of them.
-There is a point where the master become the apprentice.
-From the begining, says the master, I am just an apprentice to make a master.
- So I'm already the master says the aprentice.
As soon as you keep on asking that question sincerely and with the same purpose than your brother, who was Puertorican. And he would walk on the streets of San Juan, everybody would see him. Everybody knows what I'm speaking about. He has been there for a long time...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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Finally, a Vampire Novel That Didn’t Have This Reviewer in Tears
by Tony Fonseca
02/05/2007
Veselik, William A. Weep Not for the Vampire. Cinncinnati: Mundania Press, 2006. 183 p.
Anyone who has ever researched Phil Rickman and P. D. Cacek finds out one of the horrifying truths about the publishing world in general, and the horror publishing industry in specific—believe it or not, ageism sometimes rears its ugly head when publishers and their imprints are deciding on whom to take a chance. Apparently, according to some of the demographic research, readers themselves are a good bit to blame. Not only must their heroes (and quite often their monsters, especially when it comes to vampires) be full of youth, but so must their authors.
But then every so often something happens that flies in the face of conventionality and threatens a change. In vampire fiction that something—or someone—may well be a 48 year-old Public Relations Coordinator for a Virginia comm...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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The following review will appear in THE HORROR FICTION REVIEW #16, due out February, 2007. This review by Nick Cato. Please give credit to The Horror Fiction Review if using any quotes from this review.
WEEP NOT FOR THE VAMPIRE by William A. Veselik (2006 Mundania Press / 183 pp. / tp & e-book)
It’s been a while since I’ve read a vampire novel, and I forgot how much fun they can be when done the right way.
Cullen Roark returns home to the Virginia town where he was turned into a vampire; now displeased with his dark existence, he seeks to commit suicide--until he discovers a daughter and a granddaughter he never knew he had--and that another, more vicious vampire is after his newfound family.
This is author Veselik’s debut novel, and as far as vampire stories go, I can’t see any fan of the The Undead being disappointed. Our protagonist’s ability to make others believe he’s someone else gives the tale a nice little edge (especially when he uses this power to mess with ...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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GHOSTS OF ALBION: ACCURSED
Ghosts of Albion: Accursed is the first full length novel in the Ghosts of Albion series by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden. Ghosts of Albion had been a wildly successful animation series appearing on the BBC Cult website, with Benson and Golden writing and Benson directing. While the animations set up the story at large, one does not need to be familiar with them to enjoy this story. The authors take great care to make sure that new readers are clued into the backstory. What one might miss out on is the internal voices you give the characters from the tale; it is difficult to imagine anyone else as the voice of Horatio Nelson other than Anthony Daniels (C-3P0 of Star Wars).
Fans of Christopher Golden, and in particular his “Shadow Saga” books are in for a treat. The same deft writing and tight plotting is here. Yes there are twists and turns and they are delightful ones. There is something else as well. Fans of Amber Benson will be pleased to...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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GHOSTS OF ALBION: WITCHERY
“Witchery” is the second novel from Amber Benson (fan favorite “Tara Maclay” from Buffy) and Christopher Golden, in the “Ghosts of Albion” animated series that began on the BBC’s website. Like the first novel “Accursed”, “Witchery” takes the story to levels that were not possible on the BBC, not just in terms of what could be done technically, but storywise as well. The story is darker, more dangerous and steeped in Victorian era sensuality. The story continues the exploits of the Swift Siblings, Tamara and William, the newly anointed “Protectors of Albion”, the protectors of England’s magical soul. Back for more adventures are the epynonymous “Ghosts of Albion” Queen Bodicea, Lord Horatio Nelson, and Lord Byron who defend Albion even after their own deaths. Also returning are their allies, both human and otherwise. The Swifts must return to Cornwall when they learn that young girls, both human and faerie, are disappearing ...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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A good old-fashioned romp, replete with gorgeous imagery and colorful characters. Quite a bit of fun if not terribly deep--a quick and enjoyable read. I was also a little surprised to find how much the Disney production of Aladdin owed to the Thief of Bagdad: I half expected Aladdin to appear in the filmography at the end of the book!
Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!] |
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Fantastic Conclusion to a great series! Pratt really wrapped it up well and there were a few unexpected twists rolled in too.
Such as:
What happened to Serena after the Willimet incident.
Korgan, Perrilin, even Miko had a destiny to fulfill. Awesone.
The last several chapters left me breathless. I don't want to spoil it or anything but James met his destiny head on.
On yeah, the ending left you feeling good and was upbeat.
The Morcyth Saga was one of the best series I've read in a long time!!...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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War!!!
What's a fantasy without the clash of swords and magic? Pratt gives us that in Shades of the Past. James kicks butt as he worked to drive the Empire from Madoc. But it isn't a head on frontal assault that he's working on, rather he pushes into Madoc and forces them to pull their armies back to deal with him. Which in turn allows the soldiers of Madoc and the Alliance to push them out.
This was the best of the series so far. The magical battles, the intrigue, oh man what a story! James faces all challenges and survives by the skin of his teeth. The way he overcomes what's thrown at him is brilliant, especially when...sorry, almost ruined it there.
Great series. I'm very glad that my friend convinced me to read it. From what the author said on his website, there's only one more to go. Can't wait!...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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Here in the fifth book, Pratt begins to bring it together. The action picked up again after the fourth book and we see new and innovative uses James puts magic to.
Not only does he continue to grow in power and adeptness, but he in book four he had learned how to harness and store magical energies which saves his butt in a couple different situations.
One of my favorite scenes was when James was held captive on the boat. Drugged and captive, he still manages to toast most of the crew and send the ship to the bottom of the sea.
And the ending, it took me totally by surprise, I'll not spoil anything but it was most satisfying the way Pratt wrapped it up.
Only two books more to go and I can't wait!!
On a side note, for whatever reason you can't get the fourth book through this website, I had to go to the author's website to get it at morcythsaga.com....
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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Some say that as a series progresses, the author begins to lose his edge. Not here. Pratt kept the action coming.
My favorite place was the old complex in the middle of the swamps. There James and those with him were trapped by some magical means. He had to really stretch his mind to figure his way out of there.
The premise is that James and Jiron, after successfully rescuing Miko are now trying to get back to the relative safety of Cardri. Pratt introduces us here, in part, to the Priesthood of Dmon-Li. Primarily through the warrior priest Abula-Mazki who was sent to bring James back to his master.
From the skull pyramids to the locked tower in an enemy controlled Keep, the story flows steadily towards the climactic end. And the ending took me completely by surprise let me tell you. There you also discover why the book is named the way it is....
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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If you like fighting, magic and mayhem, you will like Fires of Prophecy. James, along with a couple new found friends, work their way through the Empire as they hunt for his friend Miko who was taken slave by the Empire.
Here James comes into more of his power as he learns how better to control the magic. There's one point in the book where he learns that using magic can have serious repercussions that at first are not evident.
The way Pratt writes this series, it grabs you and doesn't let you go. Be warned, there are spelling errors and grammatical nuances that you won't find in the average novel. But to me that was just part of his 'style'.
The ending was nonstop action culminating in massive destruction. Also, just like in the first book, there isn't much slow time, always something of interest going on.
This is truely one of the best works of fantasy that I have come across in some time....
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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I found the Unsuspecting Mage to be a refreshingly different book. The author seemed to really work to make you feel like you were with the main character, James.
Here's some of what I thought was so great about this novel:
1- It followed James through his entire adventure. It doesn't have a plethora of other plot lines, instead, you are with James throughout. This made it feel as if you were going along with him and what happened to him tended to be more of a surprise.
2- There are lots of battles, magic, and secret passages. They magic was quite realistic and I could imagine myself doing some of the same things he did while learning to work it.
3- The story doesn't waste any time in background storylines. At the end of the first chapter, he's there. In the second he's fighting for his life and it just gets more interesting as it goes on.
Just a few points that I thought I would share with you. This is a really good epic fantasy adventure and for the price you can't bea...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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This book wasn't very long but it didn't have to be. The characters were well crafted. There was a lot going on with each one. You really feel for them. The overall story was creepy enough for me. There was a lot of distorted imagery described throughout.
Good scary read.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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