Tag: Grimdark

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Book Review – Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan.

Wrath of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder, #2)Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan thrusts us into a world in turmoil to follow the paths of 3 main characters. Lady Flint, Michel Bravis, and Ben Styke. War rages, vengeance is sought by many, espionage is all around, and there is a race to find an ancient source of power that could make or break civilisations.

The Cover: I really like this cover. It’s simple, yet effective. It aligns well with the story and it fits the genre.

The Good Stuff: Wow! I loved this book. The author knows how to leave each chapter on a cliff hanger. He switches character point of view (POV) at the end of each chapter as we follow the stories of several main characters, but he clearly grounds the reader in the POV character at the start of the new chapter. The characters are strong individuals and I love the gritty feel and conflict in each of them. The story develops well and all comes together nicely at the end.

The Bad Stuff: The only niggle I have is that the author does a little info dump at the introduction of each new character. It would have been brilliant if he had weaved the description in seamlessly, but these seams show, making them a little rough round the edges. Having said this, they are relatively short and once the characters’ descriptions have been introduced it is easy to get lost in the story again.

Overall, while Brian McClellan hasn’t knocked my favourite author from his number 1 spot, this is a great fantasy story and I really enjoyed it. The characters are all unique and interesting in their own way. The little niggles did little to dampen my enjoyment and I will be happy to read more from this author. This one is getting a solid powder-enhanced 5 out of 5 golden bookmarks from me.

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

Amazon.com
Amazon.com.au
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.

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Book Review – She Who Waits by Daniel Polansky

She Who Waits (Low Town, #3)She Who Waits by Daniel Polansky

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She Who Waits by Daniel Polansky follows Warden on a murder investigation in the ghetto known as Low Town. An investigation that turns out to be far more involved that it first appears.

The Cover: The cover is professional and works for the genre. I picked it as a fantasy/dark fantasy title.

The Good Stuff: The writing is competent and there are a few great lines in this title, along with a few twists and turns in the plot. I did enjoy the characters although there were some issues noted in the bad stuff below. I really enjoyed the grittiness of the world setting and the mix of social groups

The Bad Stuff: For me the biggest issue is a personal preference. I really do not enjoy 1st person POV, it puts me on the back foot straight away. Coupled with the story initially coming across as a kind of historical crime novel set in the late 17th or early 18th century, it took a while to get into. At the end of the book I was still a little confused on the time period, but then it is fantasy and I’m happy to accept that it may just be set in its own time period. While I enjoyed the characters, they were introduced with an info dump of description. I also didn’t believe the main character was consistent with his background. I haven’t read the previous books in this series, and it may be explained in those, but Warden grew up on the streets, a pick pocket and spotter, running scams, taking drugs, beating people up. Yet his vocabulary is far superior to what I would expect of someone with his background. I would never expect a character like this to use words such as gregarious, ruminations, or hedonistic, and these are just a few examples.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I came away a little unsatisfied. Probably a combination of my personal preference and a few little niggles with the author’s style. This is a 3.5 star book for me, but as I can only deal in whole numbers, I’m giving it a back-stabbing, dirt stained 4 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

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

Amazon.com
Amazon.com.au
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.

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Do You Like Book Quotes? Here’s one from ‘Blood and Fear’.

Hello Readers,

Here’s another quote is from the fantasy ‘Blood and Fear’. You can grab yourself a free copy of this short story here or from most reputable e-book retailers.

FB Quote 3 B&F

What are your favourite book quotes? Let me know in the comments.

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.

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Do You Like Book Quotes? Here’s one from ‘Blood and Fear’.

Hello Readers,

Today’s quote is from the fantasy ‘Blood and Fear’. If you haven’t read ‘Blood and Fear’, you can grab yourself a free copy of this short story here or from most reputable e-book retailers.

FB Quote 2 B&F

What are your favourite book quotes? Let me know in the comments.

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.

If you liked this post why not share it on social media?

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Do You Like Book Quotes? Here’s one from ‘Blood and Fear’.

Hello Readers,

Today I have a quote from the fantasy tale ‘Blood and Fear’. This short story is available for free here or from most reputable e-book retailers.

FB Quote 1 B&F

What are your favourite book quotes? Let me know in the comments.

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.

If you liked this post why not share it on social media?

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Do You Like Book Quotes? Here’s one from ‘Blood Rage’.

Hello Readers,

Today brings another quote from the fantasy novel ‘Blood Rage’, I hope you like it.

FB Quote 2 BR

What are your favourite book quotes? Let me know in the comments.

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.

If you liked this post why not share it on social media?

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Do you like book quotes? Here’s one of mine.

Hello Readers,

Today I’m sharing a quote from ‘Blood Rage’, I hope you like it.

FB Quote 1 BR

What are your favourite book quotes? Let me know in the comments.

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.

If you liked this post why not share it on social media?

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Book Review – Half a King by Joe Abercrombie.

Half a King (Shattered Sea, #1)Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Half a King is the story of a boy with his life planned out, suddenly forced to become a king, only to thrown from grace to the depths of depravity where he strives to take back his life and his rightful place among his people. More so, it is a story of greed and betrayal, friendship and loyalty, but most of all… Vengeance.

The Cover: I like the cover for this book. It is clearly a fantasy novel with both picture and font lending themselves to the genre.

The Good Stuff: I have been trying to read a wider variety of authors over the last year, but I was only a few pages into this story when I thought to myself – ‘Damn, I’ve missed the quality of Joe’s writing’. This is another great book by what I must say is without doubt my favourite author. This title has the same amazing character development, great description, and everything else I love about Joe’s work. Maybe not as gory or bloodthirsty as his First Law Trilogy, and certainly less coarse, making it more suitable for a broader audience. I am a big fan and with quality writing such as this, who wouldn’t be?

The Bad Stuff: (Insert the sound of Crickets chirping here).

Overall, this is a great fantasy novel with all the elements I love – good world building, great characters, and a solid story line with twists and turns you will… and won’t, see coming. I’m giving this one a whip lashing 5 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

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

amazon.com
amazon.com.au
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.

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Book Review – Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie.

Last Argument of Kings (The First Law, #3)Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last Argument of Kings is the third book in the First Law Trilogy and continues the story of some familiar characters, while introducing some new ones too.

The Cover: As far as Joe’s covers go, this is one of the better ones. I do feel it is a little plain and could have been so much better, but at least it conveys the tone of the story and I get a feel for the genre.

The Good Stuff: In true Abercrombie style, the tale is tough and gritty. It gives glimpses into the true nature of human beings through a variety of interesting characters. In this book we get to see a lot more of Logen Nine fingers and his darker side – ‘The Bloody Nine’. I loved every minute of this book. Once again Abercrombie has come to the party. No, actually he has brought the party to your house, along with an entourage of characters that are beautiful and yet so individually ugly, you’ll love and hate them all at the same time. And they’re going to turn your place upside down before they leave. If you haven’t read any of Joe Abercrombie’s work yet, I have one question for you – what are you waiting for?

The Bad Stuff: Come on, it’s Joe! Okay, if I have to say something it is that the ending does not bring the story to an close. It leaves it open and keeps you yearning for more. Damn it.

This one is definitely worth 5 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

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

amazon.com
amazon.com.au
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.

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Book Review – The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie.

The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1)

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Blade Itself is a fantasy novel about … well, a host of characters and the parts they play in this tale of feuds, conspiracies, and wars. Set in a vicious world with well-established cultures and classes, magic and science, superstitions and beliefs.

The Cover: I do get the feeling that this is a fantasy novel. The blood splatter suggests there will be some violence. It’s quite plain and doesn’t really grab me.

The good stuff: This book has a full cast of characters from Logen Ninefingers, Bayaz and Jezal Dan Luthar, to Major Collem West, Sand dan Glokta, and Ferro. Their paths woven seamlessly into the story in a world where life is neither fun nor fair. The characters own their individual personalities, their individual traits and their individual problems, while war broods all around. Abercrombie weaves a tale of respected men who lie and scheme, barbarians who have honour and respect and strong women who kick some serious arse.

The Bad Stuff: The only bad thing about this book is it comes to an end and leaves you wanting more.

In my opinion, this is a superbly written fantasy novel with a mix of aristocratic society and down-in-the-gutter, bang-to-rights hard men. This action packed novel packs a punch and deserves a place on the shelf of any true fantasy fan. I’m giving it 5 out of 5 golden bookmarks.

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

amazon.com
amazon.com.au
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.

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