Tag: books

Posted on

Book Review – The Magician’s Apprentice by Trudi Canavan.

The Magician's Apprentice (Black Magician, #0.5)The Magician’s Apprentice by Trudi Canavan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Magician’s Apprentice was an Aurealis award winner and tells the story of Tessia, a girl from a village who wants to be a healer like her father, something that is not acceptable within her culture. But a twist of fate sends her on a path to become a magician.

The Cover: I really like this cover. The picture, the fonts, the colours, and the placement of these elements all present it nicely as a fantasy novel.

The Good Stuff: Trudi’s stories are always well constructed, she has good quality cover designs and her books are well copy-edited. She has created a believable fantasy world with starkly different cultures, making good use of the conflicts that arise between them. It is clearly evident that as an author, she knows this world inside and out. The setting is familiar across all of her books (or at least with the ones I have read), which makes it easy to fall straight back into the fantasy world. In this book Trudi has covered topics that are an issue in some modern day cultures and have been prevalent in Western World society, both in the past, and to a lesser extent in current times.

The Bad Stuff: Trudi uses the characters internal thoughts to tell readers how the characters are feeling or where the plot could go. This internal dialogue doesn’t seem to be natural to me and I struggle with this technique as a reader.

On the whole, I never really got hooked into this book the way I have with some of her others. I have read many Trudi Canavan novels in the past, the best in my opinion being The Black Magician Trilogy, but this one just didn’t have the same level of enjoyment for me. I’m only giving this one 2 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

Book Review – The Salvation of Yellow by William J. Grant.

The Salvation of Yellow (NSR: The Silence, #1)The Salvation of Yellow by William J. Grant

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the interests of full disclosure, I would like to note that William J. Grant is a friend of mine. Even so, I believe that this is my unbiased and honest opinion of his book – The Salvation of Yellow.

In The Salvation of Yellow, we follow the story of Kayley, a thief that steals memories from dead-gods’ and sells them on the black market. Her own memories are limited, even those of the ones she has loved. Kayley is forced to take a job she doesn’t want when her fence refuses to trade with her, unless she helps him.

The Cover: I really like this cover, though it speaks more of a mystery to me than a fantasy novel and I feel it may attract the wrong audience for this story.

The Good Stuff: I loved the characters in this story and it is original and creative. I get a manga vibe from it, a sort of Aeon Flux on acid vibe. There are some good, well constructed sentences that give great descriptions of the characters, the world, and what is going on. The story is a little out there, but if you are after something interesting and new that’s a little bit crazy, you will enjoy this book. I would love to see this as a graphic novel.

The Bad Stuff: First up, I had a problem with the names of the Triple Gods of Death – D, Ea and Th. I get the idea behind them, but trying to pronounce the names in my head every time I came across them detracted from my reading experience. I know this won’t bother some people, but for me, it was hard to overcome. I also have to admit that I got lost a couple of times while reading this book. One minute I’m chugging along knowing what’s happening and then POW… I had no idea what was going on! The story seemed to jump for me, whether I just didn’t get it or if some connecting sentence had vanished, I don’t rightly know, but I got a little confused in places.

Overall I enjoyed the story, but it was not an smooth read for me. I didn’t get drawn in and carried away on the undercurrent of words, rather I was tossed around a little when a wave of confusion struck me and dragged me along the surface.

I’m giving this book a mind bending 3 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

Book Review – The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is one of those stories that is loved by many. It is the story of Kvothe, a legend in his own right, hiding out in a small village. But trouble has a way of finding heros.

The Cover: There are a few covers floating around for this title. The one I have is not the one depicted on this post. The cover I have is of a cloaked figure, silhouetted against the light at the end of a tunnel of foliage. I really like the cover art on this book. It has good fantasy fonts and an image that aligns with the genre.

The Good Stuff: This really is a great fantasy story with an array of interesting characters, good and bad alike. A travelling troupe, music, magic, creepy creatures and intrigue are all wrapped up in this novel.

The Bad Stuff: For me, it was the way this book was written that detracted from my enjoyment of what could have been an amazing read. A large chunk of the tale unravels as the main character, Kvothe, narrates his lifestory to a scribe. This didn’t work for me at all.

I had high expectations for this novel. I had heard great things from the many fans out there that love this novel, but while I liked the story itself, I struggled with the style it was written in. I’m only giving this one 3 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – Writing Fiction for Dummies by Randy Ingermanson.

Writing Fiction for DummiesWriting Fiction for Dummies by Randy Ingermanson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Writing fiction for dummies is a guide for writers the covers of on pretty much everything you need to know about writing.

The Cover: The cover for this book is the perfect fit. It is clear to the reader that it is a non-fiction title, the fonts and colours work, and the branding aligns with other “for Dummies” titles on the market.

The Good Stuff: This book has a heap of useful information for writers that are beginning their journey. Even intermediate writers will get a lot from this book as it is jam packed with useful information.

The Bad Stuff: There is a fair bit of repetition in this book and you may find yourself frustrated by it or skipping over bits here and there because of it.

On the whole this is a very informative read, it covers off on pretty much everything. If you are just starting out as a writer and looking for a book with info on writing techniques, planning, editing and publishing, this would be a good choice. It gets 4 out of 5 golden bookmarks from me.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks.

The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy, #1)The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Sword of Shannara is an epic fantasy novel about a vale man torn from his normal life and thrown into a quest to retrieve the Sword of Shannara and destroy the Dark Lord to save the world as he knows it.

The Cover: This is a great fantasy cover with all the elements you would expect to see.

The Good Stuff: The storyline is good and would be enjoyable for those who have not read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or those that will not be bothered by the similarities.

The Bad Stuff: This book has some stark similarities to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. There is a Dark Lord, black wraiths, small vale men, elves, a strange wizard that disappears on other errands and a crazy gnome who has a magical item. This really irked me. There is also some repetition, overuse of words and a writing style that tells rather than shows.

In my opinion, this is a good fantasy novel let down by the fact that it is so similar to another authors work and yet, not quite as good. For this reason I’m only giving it 2 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – Better Critiquing for Better Writing by Kelly Hart.

Better Critiquing for Better Writing: Use Writing Feedback to Craft Your Story, Refine Your Message and Become a Better WriterBetter Critiquing for Better Writing: Use Writing Feedback to Craft Your Story, Refine Your Message and Become a Better Writer by Kelly Hart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Better Critiquing for Better Writing by Kelly Hart is a non-fiction title that covers the ins and outs of critiquing.

The Cover: This book has a simple cover that certainly fits with the non-fiction genre. The colours and fonts are clear, and the title states the intention of the content, making it a great fit. My only criticism is that it gives off a slight business feel to me, and while this is not entirely out of place, I would have preferred an image more aligned with writing.

The Good Stuff: At 106 pages, this book is a quick, concise, and informative read. I liked the fact that there is no waffle. The topic of critiquing is covered well, from how to find a critique group that’s right for you, to writing a good critique. There are some handy tips and references, and the information is direct and practical. There are also some good, clear examples of critiques given within the book itself. I see the primary audience as writers that are looking at joining a critique group for the first time. However, this would also be a great asset to someone who is relatively new to critiquing and could also benefit those who want to write book reviews.

The Bad Stuff: There are only some very minor issues here for me. The main thing I would say is that this book is more about critiquing than using critiques to improve your writing (as the title suggests). It does provide details on how to use critiques to improve, but it didn’t feel like this was the main subject of the book. I think a slightly different title with more emphasis on critiquing, than how to use critiques to improve your writing, would have suited better. There are also a couple of interactive and very short ‘check box’ surveys at the beginning of the book which I felt were unnecessary, but this may just come down to my own personal preference. The other thing worth noting here is that being published in 2013 some of the links referred to within the book may not be current, but the same could be said of many books and I do not hold this against the author.

Overall, I’d say this is a good book for beginners to critiquing. It’s well written and easy to understand. There is no unrequired wordage trying to fill the pages and the guiding information that is provided is as relevant today as it would have been in 2013 when the book was published. Putting the minor issues aside and considering the target audience for this title, I’m giving the book 5 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – The High Lord by Trudi Canavan.

The High Lord (Black Magician Trilogy, #3)The High Lord by Trudi Canavan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The High Lord is the third book in Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician Trilogy. It carries on the journey of Sonea as she continues to learn the art of magic. In this final instalment, Sonea and Akkarin have been exiled from Kyralia for the use of Black Magic.

The Cover: I love this cover, the white background gives it a crisp look and the the robed figure holding a staff screams fantasy to me. The font choices work well too bringing the whole thing together in a beautiful cover that represents the book and the genre well.

The Good Stuff: This story carries on the story from the previous 2 books. It is set in a well defined world with colourful cultures and continues to interest with its familiar characters and plot twists. The story flows smoothly and brings the series to a good conclusion.

The Bad Stuff: As with previous Trudi Canavan books, I struggled with the internal monologue and its use to lead the reader. There are some obvious plot twists that could have been presented more subtly.

Overall, this was a great end to the Black Magician series. The bad stuff aside, I did enjoy all three books in the series and so far, have found this title to be my favourite of Trudi’s books both inside and outside of this series. I give this one 4 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – The Novice by Trudi Canavan.

The Novice (Black Magician Trilogy, #2)The Novice by Trudi Canavan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is part 2 of the Black Magician Trilogy and continues the story of Sonea as she develops her skills as a magician.

The Cover: I really like this cover, the image and fonts work together to create a great fantasy cover that comes together with the other books in the series.

The Good Stuff: This is an interesting fantasy story with a world that is well developed. The magic system is established in book 1 and this book builds on that, as well as the characters, adding more dimension to them and the world.

The Bad Stuff: As with the first novel, I was frustrated by the internal monologue. This is a mechanism that is well used by writers to lead (or mislead) the reader. It just seems to be very obvious to me when Trudi uses this technique.

I personally enjoyed this more than the first book in this Trilogy. This series is a good read with a few twists you won’t see coming. I give it 4 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Book Review – The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

The Princess BrideThe Princess Bride by William Goldman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a story of love and adventure. It is the story of a farm boy who falls in love, goes away to make his fortune and gets captured by a pirate, and returns to save his true love from marrying a conniving prince.

The Cover: There are a few editions of this book, the cover on the edition I have depicts a man in black (think Zorro) holding a sword which cuts through the title, replacing the I’s in the words Princess and Bride. I would say it conveys an adventurous story in the fantasy genre. I have no issues with the font types, but some words are in red and do not show up clearly against the red background of the cover.

The Good Stuff: First let me say that I loved the movie and I watched it over and over with my daughters when they were younger. I was pleased to see the movie had been true to the book (mostly anyway). I loved the humour, the characters are just as they were depicted in the movie, the key lines in the movie are word for word from the book, and the Arch dean really was written with a speech impediment. The book generally moves along at a good pace and was mostly an enjoyable story.

The Bad Stuff: Okay, something that didn’t come through to me in the movie was the sexism. If it had, I certainly would not have watched the movie over and over with my daughters. This really irked me about the book. Buttercup is made out to be simple and is shut down, ignored and disregarded by the male characters throughout the pages. I understand this title was first published in the early 70’s, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing. The other issue I had with the book is that I found it very dull and even a little confusing at the start. I almost gave up on it until I got to chapter 4 and that’s where it really turned around for me. However, the constant interjections are not done nearly as well in the book as they were in the movie.

Overall, aside from the very slow start, I enjoyed the story. But if you ask me, this is one instance where the movie is better than the book. I’m only giving this one a sword swishing 3 out of 5 golden bookmarks and that’s bolstered by my fond memories of the movie.

Want to know if you agree with my review? Grab your own copy from these links:

Amazon.com.au
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Kobo

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup

Posted on

Having Déjà Vu? Don’t Worry, You’re Not Going Crazy.

pexels-photo-1130980
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Hello Readers,

If you’re feeling like you’ve seen some of my posts before, don’t worry. I am in the progress of re-posting book reviews from my old wordpress site (so they can all be found in the one place). As some of these reviews were written a long time ago, I have also been making some small changes to them to standardise the format and improve them a little. However, I’m not rewriting them completely and therefore they may seem a little less informative than usual. Sorry about that, but I feel I would need to re-read the books to write more comprehensive reviews… and that would take me forever. I guess what I’m trying to say is they are a little rough around the edges compared to my more recent reviews. Anyway, I hope there are one or two you haven’t already seen and that you get some enjoyment from them (even if it just highlights how much my reviews have improved).

Happy Reading.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Trio Mockup