As a long time reader of fantasy fiction I am often looking for someone to do something a little bit different, to stir the pot a little. With this fantasy/whodunnit RJ Barker has done just that.
Throw in a protagonist with a disability (but not a disability that is dwelt on overly long) and a well realised locale and you have something a bit special.
Our hero is Girton Clubfoot, a trainee assassin who, with his master Merela Karn we first meet sneaking into Castle Maniyadoc through the sewage gate. Inevitably they are caught but it turns out they are there for a reason - somebody has murder in mind and our assassins are to find out who.
The story is very character driven and, thankfully, Barker does a great job here. I cared about Girton and an event later on in the story, which could have gone either way for his future development was handled really well. Sometimes young characters can be a tad annoying, all full of angst and hormones but not so much here.
The story is interspersed with flashbacks that fill in Girton and Karn's backstory, which again works well as we see that Karn is not what might often be expected.
So, did I enjoy this? I don't think there's any real doubt about that is there?
A cross between Robin Hobb's Farseer novels and tv's Merlin this is a fine start to a series I eagerly await more of. A very strong debut in a year of strong debuts - 5/5*
Sunday, 24 September 2017
Tuesday, 19 September 2017
Bank Holiday All-Dayer (A Short Story) by Andrew David Barker
It is the summer of 1996 and Anthony Parker is on an all day Bank Holiday bender, a session fuelled by alcohol, drugs and girls. As the tag-line says, things are bout to get messy.
I very much enjoyed Barker's earlier stories (The Electric, Dead Leaves) so I was looking forward to this. I wasn't disappointed.
Parker, the lead character of this story isn't a particularly likable person but he tells an interesting story. Other than going from pub to pub, drinking Red Stripe, dropping tabs and a random sexual encounter in the pub toilets not a lot happens. But what the author does do is give a more or less perfect snapshot of the time. I remember 1996 well and Bank Holiday All-Dayer absolutely nails it.
Another plus is the 'soundtrack'. As Porter goes through his parade of excesses there is an accompaniment of music mentioned either in tunes played by bands in the pub or tracks on the Jukebox, tunes that take you back to the crazy, hazy summer of 96 - and every one is a corker. A well curated choice indeed.
The minus side - at only 32 pages it is over too soon (although, paradoxically, it is just the right length). I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters, but that has always been the case with Andrew David Barker's books.
A very enjoyable 4/5* read
I very much enjoyed Barker's earlier stories (The Electric, Dead Leaves) so I was looking forward to this. I wasn't disappointed.
Parker, the lead character of this story isn't a particularly likable person but he tells an interesting story. Other than going from pub to pub, drinking Red Stripe, dropping tabs and a random sexual encounter in the pub toilets not a lot happens. But what the author does do is give a more or less perfect snapshot of the time. I remember 1996 well and Bank Holiday All-Dayer absolutely nails it.
Another plus is the 'soundtrack'. As Porter goes through his parade of excesses there is an accompaniment of music mentioned either in tunes played by bands in the pub or tracks on the Jukebox, tunes that take you back to the crazy, hazy summer of 96 - and every one is a corker. A well curated choice indeed.
The minus side - at only 32 pages it is over too soon (although, paradoxically, it is just the right length). I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters, but that has always been the case with Andrew David Barker's books.
A very enjoyable 4/5* read
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
The Real-Town Murders by Adam Roberts - A Review
I'll admit that this was a strange one.
The early parts of the book hooked me in - our 'hero' Alma is set the task of solving an impossible murder when a body is found in the boot of a car in a fully automated car making factory. Add to this a near future setting where the majority of the population is constantly online, addicted to Shine (basically a full online existence) and you have a gripping tale to keep your brain busy.
Alma has a problem though, her partner is I'll and has to be treated every 4hrs or she will die - and only Alma can administer the treatment. This is where things nearly came unstuck for me as it seemed every 4 hours Alma would administer the treatment then get in a 'scrape' that meant she would not be able to save her partner but, thanks to epic derring-do gets back by the skin of her teeth. I nearly gave up at this point but thankfully didn't as the second half of the book really cranked things up a gear and made for a thrilling end.
The story felt both futuristic and black and white era cinema-ish with a strong Hitchcock vibe.
4/5* Recommended
The early parts of the book hooked me in - our 'hero' Alma is set the task of solving an impossible murder when a body is found in the boot of a car in a fully automated car making factory. Add to this a near future setting where the majority of the population is constantly online, addicted to Shine (basically a full online existence) and you have a gripping tale to keep your brain busy.
Alma has a problem though, her partner is I'll and has to be treated every 4hrs or she will die - and only Alma can administer the treatment. This is where things nearly came unstuck for me as it seemed every 4 hours Alma would administer the treatment then get in a 'scrape' that meant she would not be able to save her partner but, thanks to epic derring-do gets back by the skin of her teeth. I nearly gave up at this point but thankfully didn't as the second half of the book really cranked things up a gear and made for a thrilling end.
The story felt both futuristic and black and white era cinema-ish with a strong Hitchcock vibe.
4/5* Recommended
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Early thoughts on Jay Kristoff's Nevernight
Jay Kristoff's Nevernight has been on my radar since I first saw it. I have got a copy of the second in the series, Godsgrave, coming for review so, time to get on with it.
Now, I've only read the first few pages and normally wouldn't blog until the book was finished but circumstances here are, I guess, a bit different. What I'm wanting to say is something that needs saying while it is still fresh in my mind.
Now, as most of you will know I read a lot. I've read many authors, both 'new' and 'new to me' that have made me take notice that this could be something special. I think Jay Kristoff may have surpassed them all.
The first chapter here tells two stories side by side, one of a sexual tryst, one of a murder. The thing is, the way the two different storylines are written, although being very different, they are practically identical. The way Mr Kristoff uses his words is so clever I really feel appreciative I have the chance to read it. I sat, coffee cup in one hand, book in the other and read, then reread. Mind ever so slightly blown.
Will the rest of Nevernight continue in this vein? I don't know, but I'll tell you something - I'm looking forward to finding out. I'll post my review here when I'm done but, until then I'm going to lose myself in the words of Nevernight
Now, I've only read the first few pages and normally wouldn't blog until the book was finished but circumstances here are, I guess, a bit different. What I'm wanting to say is something that needs saying while it is still fresh in my mind.
Now, as most of you will know I read a lot. I've read many authors, both 'new' and 'new to me' that have made me take notice that this could be something special. I think Jay Kristoff may have surpassed them all.
The first chapter here tells two stories side by side, one of a sexual tryst, one of a murder. The thing is, the way the two different storylines are written, although being very different, they are practically identical. The way Mr Kristoff uses his words is so clever I really feel appreciative I have the chance to read it. I sat, coffee cup in one hand, book in the other and read, then reread. Mind ever so slightly blown.
Will the rest of Nevernight continue in this vein? I don't know, but I'll tell you something - I'm looking forward to finding out. I'll post my review here when I'm done but, until then I'm going to lose myself in the words of Nevernight
Saturday, 15 July 2017
Results of this year's Gemmell Awards
From Alex Davis at Edge-Lit 6
2017 DAVID GEMMELL AWARDS FOR FANTASY WINNERS ANNOUNCED Tonight, at a prestigious prizegiving ceremony at Derby's Edge-Lit 6 event, the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy were presented to acknowledge the very best epic fantasy titles published through 2016, as voted for by the reading public. With a past roll of honour of popular and acclaimed award winners, tonight added even more great names to that elite list. The Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel was claimed by Gav Thorpe's Warbeast, published by Black Library. Part seven of the multi-author Realmgate Wars series, the title was initially published in an attractive hardback in 2016 and is the latest in a number of well-reviewed titles for this prolific New York Times bestselling author. Warbeast saw off stern competition from John Gwynne's Wrath, Jay Kristoff's Nevernight, Mark Lawrence's The Wheel of Osheim and Brandon Sanderson's The Bands of Mourning. The Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut was won by Megan E O'Keefe with Steal the Sky, published by Angry Robot Books. The first title in The Scorched Continent first saw publication in early 2016, and has already been followed by the second and third parts of the series, Break The Chains and Inherit the Flame. Megan's book won ahead of an exciting array of debut fantasy writing talent in Mark De Jager, Christopher Husberg, Adrian Selby and Jon Skovron.
The Ravenheart Award for Best Fantasy Cover Art was won by Alessandro Baldasseroni for his work on Josh Reynolds' Black Rift, published by Black Library. Part of the Warhammer: Age of Sigmar series, Baldasseroni's work saw off artwork from previous 2-time winner Jason Chan (for Mark Lawrence's The Wheel of Osheim) and past award winner Sam Green (for Brandon Sanderson's Bands of Mourning) as well as artworks from Paul Young (for John Gwynne's Wrath) and Kerby Rosanes (for Jay Kristoff's Nevernight). Awards chair Stan Nicholls said: 'This year's Gemmell Awards shortlists once again represented the great range of fantasy fiction published in the past year, and the results continue to be exciting and unpredictable. I'd like to offer a hearty congratulations to all this year's winners for their superb books and artwork, as well as the publishers involved in making these great titles happen.' The Gemmell Awards will return in 2018, and will be celebrating their tenth anniversary next year. For more information, visit http://www.gemmellawards.com/
2017 DAVID GEMMELL AWARDS FOR FANTASY WINNERS ANNOUNCED Tonight, at a prestigious prizegiving ceremony at Derby's Edge-Lit 6 event, the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy were presented to acknowledge the very best epic fantasy titles published through 2016, as voted for by the reading public. With a past roll of honour of popular and acclaimed award winners, tonight added even more great names to that elite list. The Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel was claimed by Gav Thorpe's Warbeast, published by Black Library. Part seven of the multi-author Realmgate Wars series, the title was initially published in an attractive hardback in 2016 and is the latest in a number of well-reviewed titles for this prolific New York Times bestselling author. Warbeast saw off stern competition from John Gwynne's Wrath, Jay Kristoff's Nevernight, Mark Lawrence's The Wheel of Osheim and Brandon Sanderson's The Bands of Mourning. The Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut was won by Megan E O'Keefe with Steal the Sky, published by Angry Robot Books. The first title in The Scorched Continent first saw publication in early 2016, and has already been followed by the second and third parts of the series, Break The Chains and Inherit the Flame. Megan's book won ahead of an exciting array of debut fantasy writing talent in Mark De Jager, Christopher Husberg, Adrian Selby and Jon Skovron.
The Ravenheart Award for Best Fantasy Cover Art was won by Alessandro Baldasseroni for his work on Josh Reynolds' Black Rift, published by Black Library. Part of the Warhammer: Age of Sigmar series, Baldasseroni's work saw off artwork from previous 2-time winner Jason Chan (for Mark Lawrence's The Wheel of Osheim) and past award winner Sam Green (for Brandon Sanderson's Bands of Mourning) as well as artworks from Paul Young (for John Gwynne's Wrath) and Kerby Rosanes (for Jay Kristoff's Nevernight). Awards chair Stan Nicholls said: 'This year's Gemmell Awards shortlists once again represented the great range of fantasy fiction published in the past year, and the results continue to be exciting and unpredictable. I'd like to offer a hearty congratulations to all this year's winners for their superb books and artwork, as well as the publishers involved in making these great titles happen.' The Gemmell Awards will return in 2018, and will be celebrating their tenth anniversary next year. For more information, visit http://www.gemmellawards.com/
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
The Fourth Monkey by J D Barker
Most people, I guess, know of The Three Monkeys (sometimes The Three Wise Monkeys) - See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil. This serial killer novel introduces us to the concept of The Fourth Monkey - Do No Evil.
For a while now the murderer known as The Fourth Monkey Killer (4MK) has been punishing various people in Chicago for perceived 'evil-doing' by kidnapping their daughters and sending the 'accused' bits of them back in a small white box. First they receive an ear (Hear No Evil), then eyes (See No Evil) and finally the tongue (Speak). The next day the body of the kidnapped and now mutilated daughter is found in the city.
Where this novel differs from your usual serial killer tale is that as the story opens our murderer has just stepped in front of a bus on his way to post his latest little white box. All else he has on him is a few cents, a laundry ticket and a diary.
From the off the race is on to find and rescue the latest victim who is already minus an ear. Inserted into the story though is the diary which tells of 4MK as a child and gives clues to how he got to where he is. And to be fair it's no surprise he ended up a psychopathic murderer when you look at his family.
Leading the search for the victim (and also studying the diary) is Detective Sam Porter who has been on the 4MK case from day 1. Sam is an interesting character and the realisation bombshell that dropped on me halfway through the book is why I am not discussing him more here (Spoilers!)
All in all, this was an enjoyable read with plenty of twists, turns and WTF moments that had me guessing for a lot of the book and a reveal I never saw coming.
Highly recommended - 4.5/5*
For a while now the murderer known as The Fourth Monkey Killer (4MK) has been punishing various people in Chicago for perceived 'evil-doing' by kidnapping their daughters and sending the 'accused' bits of them back in a small white box. First they receive an ear (Hear No Evil), then eyes (See No Evil) and finally the tongue (Speak). The next day the body of the kidnapped and now mutilated daughter is found in the city.
Where this novel differs from your usual serial killer tale is that as the story opens our murderer has just stepped in front of a bus on his way to post his latest little white box. All else he has on him is a few cents, a laundry ticket and a diary.
From the off the race is on to find and rescue the latest victim who is already minus an ear. Inserted into the story though is the diary which tells of 4MK as a child and gives clues to how he got to where he is. And to be fair it's no surprise he ended up a psychopathic murderer when you look at his family.
Leading the search for the victim (and also studying the diary) is Detective Sam Porter who has been on the 4MK case from day 1. Sam is an interesting character and the realisation bombshell that dropped on me halfway through the book is why I am not discussing him more here (Spoilers!)
All in all, this was an enjoyable read with plenty of twists, turns and WTF moments that had me guessing for a lot of the book and a reveal I never saw coming.
Highly recommended - 4.5/5*
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Fallen Angel by Matthew Blakstad
Sean is a computer genius, Jon is an artistic 'man of the moment' and together they are in more than a bit of bother.
Told in flashback between the mid 1990s and the 2000 Dot Com Crash this E-novella is good fun (if a little 'tech confusing' at times). It is 'book zero' in Blakstad's Martingale Cycle and I've had my eye on 'book 1', Sockpuppet, since it came out last year and Fallen Angel has just pushed it further up my tbr pile.
Matthew Blakstad is certainly one to keep an eye on
4/5 stars
Told in flashback between the mid 1990s and the 2000 Dot Com Crash this E-novella is good fun (if a little 'tech confusing' at times). It is 'book zero' in Blakstad's Martingale Cycle and I've had my eye on 'book 1', Sockpuppet, since it came out last year and Fallen Angel has just pushed it further up my tbr pile.
Matthew Blakstad is certainly one to keep an eye on
4/5 stars
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