This is classic Action Fantasy involving a large cross section of people in a society struggling against civic corruption. Set in a world equivalent to our late 19th century, it still echoes problems we have today. Authors take note; this story has used the marvelous technique of having an important backstory which is revealed slowly…
Tag: character driven
REVIEW
“Miss Universe” by David M. Jones
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Okay, don’t be fooled by the title; this is true Science Fiction. Don’t think, “Miss Congeniality.” Think “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy,” filled with thousands of alien races and myriads of inconceivable scientific and technical wonders. But, rich in technological and social setting though the story may be, it is the characters that drive the…
REVIEW
“Traitor Son,” Empire of the Stars Book 1 by Melissa J. Cave
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This tale qualifies as Epic Fantasy, but it wastes little ink on the machinations of the mighty. Just enough to demonstrate the pressure that politics exerts on the mere humans who must fit their lives into the mould of their heritage. Because this is really the story about two people who, despite their elevated titles,…
REVIEW
“Nabukko” by K. R. Gadeken
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This is not part of a series, as it is advertised. It is the first episode in a serial. It is a YA Sci-Fi that takes place on an unknown planet, but the focus of the conflict is relationships and the emotions that affect them, which also places it in the Romance category. There is…
REVIEW
“Grace of Empire” by Christie Greenwood
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This book is all about people. Most of the reader’s time is spent inside somebody’s head, being told exactly how and what that person is thinking. In the opening, at least, there is very little action. It is the tale of a 1984-type totalitarian society that masquerades as utopia, and a disparate group of rebels,…
REVIEW
“Circle of Night” by Stephen de Villiers Graaff
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This book illustrates many of the strengths and weaknesses of the Epic Fantasy genre. As expected, a lot of ink is spent on detailed and evocative setting descriptions, and especially in the opening chapters there is a huge and detailed hierarchy of metaphysical beings. The plotline opens with a series of intricately described but unrelated…
REVIEW
“Pentimento Mori” by Valeria Corciolani
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This is very different murder mystery. A story of art dealers and ancient relics, of forgeries and academics. And above all, about people. Each new character is a work of art, described in the articulate detail of an art dealer’s catalogue. And each is an individual par excellence, including one that seems to be a…
REVIEW
“Awakened Horror” by Quill Holland
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Fantasies work on our willingness to suspend our disbelief of fantastic events. Right off the top, this book requires a real stretch. At the end of Book One, a rebellion was successful, but apparently the only way to maintain order was for Raith, the leader of the rebels, to have his mind transferred into the…
REVIEW
“Born to be Naughty” by Hina Nauman
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Okay, this one’s different. A look at the Contents should tip you off. It starts with a Warning, requiring you to prove your eligibility to read the book by taking a “Love for Nature” test. It would be a spoiler, so I’m not going to tell you anything about the test except that this is…
REVIEW
“South of Main Street” – Robert Gately
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All of the action in this novel may take place north of Main Street, but every character – each in his or her own special way – is metaphorically far into the depths of personal poverty and despair. The main strength of this story comes from the characters and their intertwining relationships: beautifully revealed but…