Showing posts with label Best of 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best of 2019. Show all posts
2019 Favorites
Evan Winter’s Rage of Dragons. This book was
previously self-published to great success, but Orbit picked it up and in 2019
launched it to even greater success. It’s billed as “Game of Thrones Meets
Gladiator”, which is all I needed to know. Aside from the intriguing premise, the
book delivered on all of the elements that a really great epic fantasy does,
including giving us a promise of much more to come.
Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko’s A Mark of Kings.
If you’ve read my Benjamin Ashwood series, you know I’m a sucker for a great
coming of age, young boy goes on an adventure to become a young man story.
Bryce and Luke nail everything I love about those tales, and they do it in a
way that feels really fresh and unusual. It gave me the same feeling that
fantasy did when I grew up reading it, but AMoK avoids simply re-walking
that same ground. Bonus points, audiobook narration by Nick Podehl.
Alec Hutson’s The Shadow King, Book 3 in the Raveling
series. I really enjoyed the first book in this trilogy when it came out in
2016 because it introduced us to an exciting new world with boundless
potential. I felt the epic span of Alec’s story was on par with the greats in
our genre. Shadow King brings the tale to a satisfying conclusion, giving the
payoffs we stayed three books for. This is the fantasy I want to write!
Carnival Row and The Witcher, the shows. All
freaking year everyone was talking about “the next Game of Thrones”, and while
it never came, I think we got something better. That kind of breakout hit only
happens every few years. We needed something to click so that companies would
keep bringing more fantasy to the screen. We needed to prove the genre could be
successful without it being a smash hit. Carnival Row, and the upcoming Witcher
series both already have second season orders. They’ve proven there is more
appetite for good fantasy. They might be base hits instead of home runs, but
sometimes that’s what you need to win championships!
Traditional publishing finally is getting its mojo back. I spent the last few years reading self-published books. I just wasn’t interested in much of what the Big 5 were putting out there. This year was different. Some of the old workhorses had releases; Joe Abercrombie, Brent Weeks, Leigh Bardugo, Mark Lawrence, Michael J Sullivan, and others. The publishers took risks, and for the first time in years, they seemed to pay off; Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree, Alix Harrow’s Ten Thousand Doors of January, Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth, Marlon James’ Black Leopard Red Wolf, and more. They also started dipping methodically into the self-pub pool to find some of their next authors. Everyone has known this would happen, a sort of farm league approach, but we didn’t know if they’d get it right. I mentioned Evan Winter already, but I was also excited for; Duncan M Hamilton’s Dragonslayer, Kel Kade’s Fate of the Fallen, and more. I’ll go as far to say 2019 was the best year for debut/new to the genre releases in at least five years.
Hans Rosling’s Factfulness and Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment
Now. So, yeah, not fantasy, and published in 2018 instead of 2019, but this
was the year I read them both! These books have to do with the way people
perceive and understand the world. Interesting material for an author, and
important concepts for anyone given the divisive political climates we live in.
Both of them permanently changed the way I view the world, and how often can
you say that about a book?
Looking Ahead to 2020
The sequels. I claimed 2019 was the best year in the last
five for new faces, which means we’ve got a lot of exciting follow-ups coming.
I’m really excited to see what these authors can do now that they’ve gotten
their feet wet.
Phil Tucker has an unnamed epic fantasy series that will
arrive in 2020. I really loved his Chronicles of the Black Gate, and
I’ve been keeping up with him as he bounces around a little. I expect when he
returns to the genre he does best, he’s going to come back with a bang.
The Kings. Sanderson has the pre-order up for Stormlight 4,
there are rumors that George R.R. Martin will get a book out, though I’m
suspicious since there is no official word. There are less credible rumors that
Patrick Rothfuss is getting close. In the self-pub space, Jonathan Renshaw is
working on his sequel again. I wouldn’t bet a lot of money they’re all getting
books out next year, but I think they might make significant progress. These
authors get a lot of flack from fans for long periods between releases, but I’m
still on board. I want to see what they’ve got in the works.
On the Horizon for AC Cobble
At the moment, I’m finishing up the first draft for Spirit:The Cartographer Book 3. This series is a Sherlock Holmes, Epic Fantasy
mash-up, and it’s been a ton of fun to write. I’ve really enjoyed adding in
layers of mystery, and I don’t drop the final curtain until this last book. I
can’t wait to see what people think! I’ve been sharing a June 1st
release, but I’m trying to speed that up. Bonus points, Simon Vance is
narrating the audiobook, and his work on this series has been amazing.
After I finish up the Cartographer, I’m going to move
into a new series. This one will have a classic fantasy feel, similar to my Benjamin
Ashwood series or Michael J Sullivan’s work. There will be a ranger
character who gets saddled with three mischievous teens. Responsible for
managing the wilderness at the edge of an empire, he’ll be pressured into
taking the three back to their homes. Their journey will lead the ranger into
the heart of a deep, dangerous conspiracy.
About the Author
AC Cobble is the author of the fantasy
adventure Benjamin Ashwood series and the gaslamp fantasy mystery, The
Cartographer series. AC resides in the Houston, Texas area with his
wife, their three children, and his wife’s dog. Outside of time for family and
writing, he’d rather be traveling. For updates on his writing, a peek at the
artwork for his series, and free short stories and novellas, you can go to: www.accobble.com.
12:00 AM | 
Posted by
David Stewart |
Labels:
2019 Favorites
As my first year with Fantasy Book Critic comes to a close, I find it's the perfect time to sit back and reflect on what a wonderful year it has been. There was a lot of reading...I mean A LOT of reading, and when asked to round up my favorites, I actually had a really tough time narrowing it down. I'd love to give you all a "Top 20", but I'll do my best to follow the trend! Here goes.
Smoke and Stone by Michael R. Fletcher – Ever since I took a peek behind the cover of Beyond Redemption, I've been a huge fan of Fletcher's, and I'll pretty much read anything he writes. Upon reading the blurb for Smoke and Stone, I knew I needed this story in my life - and I devoured it. So raw and tragic, original and immersive, beautiful and repulsive, I literally loved everything about this book. My only complaint is that I immediately needed more, and I'm still waiting...impatiently.
Already Comes Darkness by T L Greylock – Ho. Ly. Sh*t. What a remarkable conclusion to an incredible series! Greylock knows how to weave a tale that makes you feel as though you're experiencing something that has been passed down through the ages and withstood the test of time. Poetic prose, vivid worldbuilding, impeccable characterization, this is a Norse-inspired masterpiece, flawless in every sense of the word. I wish I could read this entire saga for the first time all over again.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon – This book fractured me into a million pieces. A fantastical interpretation of the savage effects of the African Slave Trade, of a people losing their history, and of a single individual forced to bear the burden of generations of pain. Achingly beautiful with precious moments of silent reflection, it's simply gorgeous. And it made me cry...at least three times.
Priest of Bones / Priest of Lies by Peter McLean – Yes, yes, yes! Tomas Piety, I love you, you glorious bastard. I arrived a tad late to the War for the Rose Throne party, but I ADORE this series to pieces. Strong characters forced to face their own inner demons, deceit and treachery, street gangs and secret undercover agents, magic and explosions and harsh justice! Oh, and Tomas Piety - did I mention him already?
The Court of Broken Knives by Anna Smith Spark – You know when you read that one special something and you're just left speechless? Yeah, that's this book. Poetic and beautifully lyrical, hyper-violent and melancholic, it's one of the most stunning and devastating books I've ever read. Confession time: This was the second time I've read this book, and after a not-so-great initial impression, it finally clicked. It's peerless in the world of modern fantasy.
I strangely didn't get to play many games this year - yes, I did my yearly playthrough of some Skyrim (which I've put an obscene amount of hours into since 2011), and picked up a bit of Fallout 4 loaded with mods to simply build some settlements. New games...not so much.
Borderlands 3 – These games are INSANE. Just the epitome of chaos, and I don't think I could possibly love them any more. It's imperative to play co-op for this one, so there were weekends aplenty where my husband and I would split-screen this bad boy and cackle at the complete absurdity of everything we encountered.
Elder Scrolls Online – I'm not a fan of MMOs, but I am a lover of all things Elder Scrolls. I tried my best to not give in to this one, as I knew both my schedule and wallet would thank me for my resistance. Buuuut, I just couldn't say no anymore, and finally picked this up during December. And it's wonderful. Truly wonderful.
The Witcher – I know there have been a lot of mixed reactions to this adaptation, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have an unhealthy obsession with The Witcher (books and games), and this was my most anticipated ANYTHING of 2019. Seeing the short stories from The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny come to life was an amazing experience - the Three Jackdaws episode was absolutely breathtaking. On the downside, I cannot get "Toss a Coin" out of my head whatsoever.
Russian Doll – Excellent concept, excellent execution, this show was incredible. It began with a little bit of dark humor, then hit you with an unexpected emotion bomb towards the end, and wow! This was one that definitely surpassed my expectations.
What We Do In The Shadows – Utterly ridiculous in the most hilarious of ways. I don't know why I loved this one, but I did. I still walk around my house calling out with a sing-song "Guilleeermooooo". I can't wait for more.
Books
Smoke and Stone by Michael R. Fletcher – Ever since I took a peek behind the cover of Beyond Redemption, I've been a huge fan of Fletcher's, and I'll pretty much read anything he writes. Upon reading the blurb for Smoke and Stone, I knew I needed this story in my life - and I devoured it. So raw and tragic, original and immersive, beautiful and repulsive, I literally loved everything about this book. My only complaint is that I immediately needed more, and I'm still waiting...impatiently.
Already Comes Darkness by T L Greylock – Ho. Ly. Sh*t. What a remarkable conclusion to an incredible series! Greylock knows how to weave a tale that makes you feel as though you're experiencing something that has been passed down through the ages and withstood the test of time. Poetic prose, vivid worldbuilding, impeccable characterization, this is a Norse-inspired masterpiece, flawless in every sense of the word. I wish I could read this entire saga for the first time all over again.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon – This book fractured me into a million pieces. A fantastical interpretation of the savage effects of the African Slave Trade, of a people losing their history, and of a single individual forced to bear the burden of generations of pain. Achingly beautiful with precious moments of silent reflection, it's simply gorgeous. And it made me cry...at least three times.
Priest of Bones / Priest of Lies by Peter McLean – Yes, yes, yes! Tomas Piety, I love you, you glorious bastard. I arrived a tad late to the War for the Rose Throne party, but I ADORE this series to pieces. Strong characters forced to face their own inner demons, deceit and treachery, street gangs and secret undercover agents, magic and explosions and harsh justice! Oh, and Tomas Piety - did I mention him already?
The Court of Broken Knives by Anna Smith Spark – You know when you read that one special something and you're just left speechless? Yeah, that's this book. Poetic and beautifully lyrical, hyper-violent and melancholic, it's one of the most stunning and devastating books I've ever read. Confession time: This was the second time I've read this book, and after a not-so-great initial impression, it finally clicked. It's peerless in the world of modern fantasy.
Games
Borderlands 3 – These games are INSANE. Just the epitome of chaos, and I don't think I could possibly love them any more. It's imperative to play co-op for this one, so there were weekends aplenty where my husband and I would split-screen this bad boy and cackle at the complete absurdity of everything we encountered.
Elder Scrolls Online – I'm not a fan of MMOs, but I am a lover of all things Elder Scrolls. I tried my best to not give in to this one, as I knew both my schedule and wallet would thank me for my resistance. Buuuut, I just couldn't say no anymore, and finally picked this up during December. And it's wonderful. Truly wonderful.
TV Shows
Russian Doll – Excellent concept, excellent execution, this show was incredible. It began with a little bit of dark humor, then hit you with an unexpected emotion bomb towards the end, and wow! This was one that definitely surpassed my expectations.
What We Do In The Shadows – Utterly ridiculous in the most hilarious of ways. I don't know why I loved this one, but I did. I still walk around my house calling out with a sing-song "Guilleeermooooo". I can't wait for more.
Looking Forward to in 2020
Ok, I definitely wrote more than I wanted to above, so I'll keep this section short.
Ash and Bone by Michael R. Fletcher - Book Two of City of Sacrifice, continuation of the book listed above. I need it.
Paternus: War of Gods by Dyrk Ashton - In all honesty, I didn't know I'd enjoy Urban Fantasy until I picked up Paternus a few years ago. I'm excited to see what the conclusion holds.
Twilight of the Gods by Scott Oden - I'm a sucker for all things Norse, and I absolutely loved A Gathering of Ravens. I'm looking forward to what Oden has in store for us with this one.
#nocabal
The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana - So, the title caught my attention, the blurb drew me in, and the charming author sealed the deal. Folklore, mystery, and an ancient evil...uh, yes, please.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas - I'll shamelessly admit I really enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the blurb for this one sounds pretty great. Fingers crossed it's as lovely as I hope.
Cyberpunk 2077 - I've been waiting for this game ever since the cinematic teaser premiered in 2013. It's a real thing now, and I CANNOT WAIT [she screamed into the void].
Ghost of Tsushima - Oh my, this game is gorgeous. Samurai and the Mongol Invasion, I have a feeling this game is going to break me.
Last of Us Part II - 'Nuff said.
I kind of go with the flow when it comes to shows, so I don't really have a list here. BUT...Cursed is looking to be pretty good. I'll take an Arthurian origin story for Lady of the Lake any day.
Books
Paternus: War of Gods by Dyrk Ashton - In all honesty, I didn't know I'd enjoy Urban Fantasy until I picked up Paternus a few years ago. I'm excited to see what the conclusion holds.
Twilight of the Gods by Scott Oden - I'm a sucker for all things Norse, and I absolutely loved A Gathering of Ravens. I'm looking forward to what Oden has in store for us with this one.
#nocabal
The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana - So, the title caught my attention, the blurb drew me in, and the charming author sealed the deal. Folklore, mystery, and an ancient evil...uh, yes, please.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas - I'll shamelessly admit I really enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the blurb for this one sounds pretty great. Fingers crossed it's as lovely as I hope.
Games
Ghost of Tsushima - Oh my, this game is gorgeous. Samurai and the Mongol Invasion, I have a feeling this game is going to break me.
Last of Us Part II - 'Nuff said.
TV Shows
I kind of go with the flow when it comes to shows, so I don't really have a list here. BUT...Cursed is looking to be pretty good. I'll take an Arthurian origin story for Lady of the Lake any day.
I love Top Ten lists! Not that there's anything wrong with Top Five or Top Twenty lists. It's just that with ten places I can highlight a lot of books without feeling that I omit true gems.
Favourites of 2019
This year has been a whirlwind of work and words for me, what with two book releases and writing a multitude of short stories. So, I will stamp a ginormous, neon disclaimer on this recap that my favourites come from a smaller pool than I would have liked. However, even though I’m firmly behind the curve, I have been treated to some excellent delights in 2019.
First, let us talk books. 2019 was a stellar year for fantasy. The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft hit added another brilliant instalment to Senlin’s journey. It’s been soul-warming to watch Josiah climb his own tower of success. Neil Gaiman’s entertaining and informative Norse Mythology was devoured in chunks throughout the year. I also had the pleasure of finally meeting the Kings of the Wyld, and Bloody Rose, too. A Little Hatred bathed me in darkness and classic Joe Abercrombie wit. And what a fantastic year for my fellow indie authors as well. I’ve recently (and finally!) managed to dive into Seraphina’s Lament by Sarah Chorn and Never Die by Rob J. Hayes, and found their voices fresh, original and effortless in the way they transported me to other worlds.
As a ravenous cinephile, this year has been a treat for film. Avengers: Endgame and Joker I must have seen a dozen times at the cinema. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood was also a firm favourite of 2019 and well worth investigating. As for TV, all I’m going to say is The Golden Compass and The Mandalorian. Perfect.
Look ahead to 2020
Is it me, or does 2020 sound far too futuristic? In any case, aside from looking forward to my first hoverboard, there’s a torrent of media I’m looking forward to in 2020. I have a mountainous TBR pile to conquer, and there are a lot of amazing books I need to catch up before adding more. Notably, Blood of Heirs by Alicia Wanstall-Burke, ML Wang’s Sword of Kaigen, and Wrath of Gods, Dyrk Ashton’s fantastic sequel to Paternus: Rise of Gods.
As for upcoming releases that have caught my eye, Scott Lynch is back with the Thorn of Emberlain, which I will most likely inhale, Age of Death by Michael J. Sullivan is out in January, and Shadow Saint by Gareth Hanrahan is also calling to me with its gilded cover art. Another book that’s beguiled me, and one I’ll be watching closely, is the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which sounds delightfully whimsical.
On the horizon for Ben Galley
With a good chunk of this year spent redefining my brand and my business, 2020 will be all about building on that new foundation, and ascending to the next level of my career as a fantasy author. 10 years and 13 titles have passed since I first published, so 2020 marks not only a milestone but a new era for me.
I’m currently working on a sequel series to my debut Emaneska Series. The Scalussen Chronicles will consist of The Forever King, Heavy Lies The Crown, and To Kill A God. I made substantial progress this year and am hoping for a 2020 release. Next year will also see the reveal of Dread Rising, an entirely new, interactive project that I’ve worked on for three years now, and the launch of a cooperative deck-building tabletop game I’ve been writing for this year, entitled Veil of Ruin.
About the author
Ben Galley is an author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Victoria, Canada. Since publishing his debut Emaneska Series, Ben has released a range of epic and dark fantasy novels, including the award-winning weird western Bloodrush and standalone novel The Heart of Stone. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Chasing Graves Trilogy.
Ben enjoys exploring the Canadian wilds and sipping Scotch single malts, and will forever and always play a dark elf in The Elder Scrolls. One day he hopes to live in an epic treehouse in the mountains.
Ben can be found on Twitter or vlogging on YouTube @BenGalley, or loitering on Facebook and Instagram @BenGalleyAuthor. You can also get a free ebook copy of his epic fantasy The Written at www.bengalley.com.
2019 FAVORITES:
I didn’t read nearly as many books as I
wanted to this year, but there were a number of gems in what I did read. What
follows is a list of my favorites (not in any particular order), with what is
absolutely not an attempt to give a summary or blurb of the book, rather, my
emotional knee-jerk reaction to why I enjoyed it so much.
1.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang. This book made me sob. I don’t mean a little
misty-eyed, I mean I was bawling through most of the last half of the book. I’d
stop crying and then start all over again at something else. It was all good,
though, all good, we’re all good here. It’s just one of those books you don’t
forget.
2.
Cradle Series by Will Wight. Yes, every last freakin’ one of them that’s
currently available, starting with Unsouled and ending with Uncrowned.
These books are like book crack. Or mozzarella cheese sticks. Or maybe
Pringles. Once you pop, you can’t stop? At any rate, they’re fun, fast-paced,
and easy to binge-read.
3.
Fortune’s Fool by Angela Boord. I mean, there’s a woman with a metal arm. A tragic
past. A tantalizing mystery. Superb world-building. And the ever-looming
question: ARE THESE TWO EVER GOING TO GET TOGETHER!? If you can make me bite my
nails over that question, I’m probably sold.
4.
Hero Forged by Josh Erikson. Boom bang fun. I don’t even know what that means,
but there were fantastical creatures running around a city and a talking insect
dude and out-of-control gods and magic flying everyone…and I really need to
read the sequel.
5.
The Gods of Men by Barbara Kloss. Remember that question in capitals above? Yep.
That is all. Actually, that’s not all—there were really good characters, an
interesting world, and an intriguing plot too. But, I mean, we all know why I’m
waiting eagerly for the sequel.
UPCOMING IN 2020
I’ve got a bazillion books on my TBR for
2020, and if I get to read half of them, I will count
that as a success, so who’s to say what I might read next… But Brandon
Sanderson’s Stormlight 4 will certainly be one of them!
(*internal screaming*) In TV, I’m also looking forward to Picard, The
Witcher, and getting to The Dragon Prince season 3 at some point.
ON THE HORIZON FOR CAROL A. PARK
First up in the first half of 2020 is A
World Broken, which is the start of a new epic fantasy series, The
Chronicles of the Lady Sar. This one tells the story of how one world’s
primordial “Golden Age” came to an end—through the eyes and personal struggles
of characters who will one day become legends. Next will be the final book in The
Heretic Gods trilogy, titled Bloodmaster. I’m not sure yet when this
one will be out. I was originally shooting for the end of 2020, but it seems
more likely now that it will be out in 2021 sometime. I’ve also got some plans
for starting a vlog early next year exploring what it’s like to be an
independent author, so we’ll see where that goes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol A. Park is the author of The
Heretic Gods trilogy and the upcoming series The Chronicles of the Lady
Sar. She lives in the Lancaster, PA area with her husband and two
young and active boys–which is another way of saying, “adorable vampires.” She
loves reading (duh), writing fantasy novels (double-duh), music, movies, and
other perfectly normal things like parsing Hebrew verbs and teaching herself
new dead languages. She has two master's degrees in the areas of ancient near
eastern studies and languages.
2019 Favorites
I honestly don’t know how other authors get
time to read, and personally only manage a half hour or so before bed on the
good days. In terms of books I really enjoyed, there’s Alec Hutson’s The Shadow
King, which concluded his Ravening series on a high note.
Rob J. Hayes’ Never Die was also a
highlight, which is probably why it’s doing so well in this year’s SPFBO.
Unfortunately (or not), I find myself
watching TV whenever I have a spare second, so here are some shows that really
stuck out to me this year:
She-Ra: Everyone’s all gaga over The Dragon Prince, which is just sort of run of the mill to me, but this show is a gem. Especially the third season, which gets really dark and really weird. There’s generally a dichotomy between “girl and boys” shows, and this one really blurs the line such that I think both can enjoy it. I sure wish shows this good were around when I was a kid.
She-Ra: Everyone’s all gaga over The Dragon Prince, which is just sort of run of the mill to me, but this show is a gem. Especially the third season, which gets really dark and really weird. There’s generally a dichotomy between “girl and boys” shows, and this one really blurs the line such that I think both can enjoy it. I sure wish shows this good were around when I was a kid.
Carnival Row: Another show that got released in the shadow of another in the form of The Dark Crystal, but I’ve been rooting for this one ever since it showed up a decade ago as a script being passed around Hollywood that everyone swore would never get made. A fairy immigration story with a Lovecraftian murder mystery and maybe some werewolves thrown in? Sign me up.
Sound & Fury: Sturgill Simpson’s fourth album is a doozy, what with an accompanying anime release on Netflix. It can best be described as a post-apocalypse-samurai-Western that’s also a country concept album, but really it’s a love letter to late night 90s MTV, what with all the weirdness that includes a line dancing scene in the middle of a mecha battle. So much crazy genre mashups had me hooked 100%.
Looking ahead to 2020
I’m in the middle of a move so can’t think
past the next week, let alone into a new decade. So what it might entail has me
stumped. Let’s just say I’m looking for more fantasy to push the boundaries as
to what’s popular and acceptable. We’re a genre based upon exploring impossible
worlds, so here’s to hoping they get a lot more impossible and weirder as the
decade opens up.
On the Horizon for M.D. Presley
Personally, I plan to finish up Sol’s
Harvest by releasing The Shattered Sphere in the first half of the year. Then
I’m on to a long-gestating non-fiction project examining worldbuilding in the
fantasy genre. It’s such an important aspect in assessing success in the
fantasy genre, yet we have no unified definition of what it is. I hope to
change that by the end of the year. Or at least make an attempt…
About the Author
Never passing up the opportunity to speak
about himself in the third person, M.D. Presley is not nearly as clever as he
thinks he is. Born and raised in Texas, he spent several years on the East
Coast and now waits for the West Coast to shake him loose. His favorite words
include defenestrate, callipygian, and Algonquin. The fact that monosyllabic is
such a long word keeps him up at night.
His flintlock fantasy series Sol’s Harvest
can be found on Amazon and should (hopefully) conclude this year. mybook.to/TWR
Best of
2019
My avalanche of deadlines has not made this a very good reading year, so not all my favourite books I read in 2019 were released this year, and I have quite a few on my TBR that I didn’t get to yet *sob*
Black Wolves by Kate Elliott – This was the first book a read this year and it totally knocked me out. It is an absolute masterpiece of worldbuilding and character creation and it was impossible to put down. Except on more than a few occasions when I had to put it down for a moment and pace around the house because it was so intense to read. I loved absolutely everything about it and it will take a lot to knock this off my favourite ever SFF book pedestal.
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – not SFF, but SUCH an amazing book, I had quite the hangover after reading this. An alternative history romance set in a world where the 2016 US election went very differently, and the first son of the US and a prince of England get together. And wow are they snarky at each other. The banter was as amazing as the supportive found family aspects and all the wonderful secondary characters. Even if romance isn’t usually your genre, this is a very special and joyous book and well worth the read.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – I don’t read all that much sci-fi generally, but my friends had shouted about this book so often and told me it was like the book equivalent of a hug so I had to read it and it was exactly that. This book is amazing. It is a journey but also a slice of life look at a world beyond our own, an examination of the different ways a society can function that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. I plan to read the rest of the series, but I’ve been saving them for when I am desperately in need of another book hug.
The River of London Series by Ben Aaronovitch – I picked the first book of this up last year, actually, to buddy read with my mum, but I read all the rest this year. Oops. I was only going to read one more and then that became just another one and another one and now I’ve read them all and they were wonderful but I’m sad I have none left. They are great, magical adventures, but what I really love is how much of a love letter to London they are. I’m no Londoner, but the details of the city and the police force are fascinating, not to mention the care put into the history and the characters. Absolutely cannot recommend these highly enough.
Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes – This book is almost impossible to categorise. A yellow stuffed triceratops detective protagonist solving mysteries in the underbelly of the imagination. It is both a heartwarming book and yet also heartbreaking as it deals with some dark concepts, but in a wonderful, thoughtful way. A book where it’s standard practice for characters to check in with each other and ask for pronouns is also a rare treat.
Books sitting on my pile that I haven’t been able to get to because of deadlines but of which I have heard many amazing things and cannot wait to read: Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri, The Bone Ships by RJ Barker, The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow, and Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. I’m hoping to fit them all into the holiday period, for an excellent few weeks of reading.
Looking ahead to 2020
In 2020 I am really looking forward to Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott, her gender-switched Alexander the Great in space novel I’ve been looking forward to since I heard it existed. Also Hollow Empire, the sequel to Sam Hawke’s great City of Lies is slated for late 2020. Ooooh and The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal! I’m super keen to read more of the Lady Astronauts, or listen, rather, as they’ve been one of the few series I listen to rather than read as her narration is wonderful.
On The Horizon for Devin Madson
I’m still not able to give specific dates and details of what’s going on with me in 2020, but it is shaping up to be a big and exciting year, so keep an eye out for announcements when they come.
Author
Devin Madson is an Aurealis Award-winning fantasy author from Australia. After some sucky teenage years, she gave up reality and is now a dual-wielding rogue who works through every tiny side-quest and always ends up too over-powered for the final boss. Anything but zen, Devin subsists on tea and chocolate and so much fried zucchini she ought to have turned into one by now. Her fantasy novels come in all shades of grey and are populated with characters of questionable morals and a liking for witty banter.
2019 Favorites
Oh gosh, I am going to be so bad at this. I should probably point out that I live in a little bubble and only tend to see what passes straight in front of, me. That said, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Ruin was an astounding book. I was truly lost in it in a way that doesn’t happen very often. Though Tade Thompson did it too with his Rosewater books. In other media I thought Russian Doll was astounding, and the sitcom Ghosts on the BBC was really gentle and lovely while being very funny. Also on the BBC was Giri/Haji which knocked me for six. Really clever storytelling and use of visuals, and I love the way it stepped outside what people would think of what a crime drama would, or should, do. It was also really generous to its characters, they were all very human and flawed and likeable. And it’s last episode was truly astounding.
I love music but I seem to have spent this year looking back musically. Though I enjoyed Marereidt by Myrkur but was a bit let down by Tool’s new outing. Cult of Luna continue to put out really interesting noisy music and I like My Name is Calla’s last record, but only discovered them when they had split up.
God of War surprised me on the PS4, some of the best storytelling I’ve ever seen in a game and one of the few recent games I’ve actually finished. I should probably go back to Red Dead Redemption 2 but when time is limited I’m not sure I have the patience for it.
God of War surprised me on the PS4, some of the best storytelling I’ve ever seen in a game and one of the few recent games I’ve actually finished. I should probably go back to Red Dead Redemption 2 but when time is limited I’m not sure I have the patience for it.
Looking Forward to in 2020
Ah, here’s where I’m lost. I have no idea what’s coming. I kind of like that though. I’d rather be surprised by something I wasn’t expecting than let down by something I’ve really been looking forward to. I just tend to amble forward in life until I bump into something that fills me with joy. It happens more often that you would think.
On the Horizon for RJ Barker
Two more books in the Tide Child series that started with The Bone Ships. I’ve been really surprised and amazed by how well it’s been received, cos I thought I’d just written something very odd but there’s a real passion out there for fantasy that steps out of the more familiar medieval England mould, which has been lovely. Next year I hope to start on something entirely new as well, I’m well on with the third Tide Child book now. Maybe write something in a different genre, cos I like to do different things.
About the Author
OFFICIAL AUTHOR WEBSITE
RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and a collection of questionable taxidermy, odd art, scary music and more books than they have room for. He grew up reading whatever he could get his hands on, and has always been 'that one with the book in his pocket'. Having played in a rock band before deciding he was a rubbish musician, RJ returned to his first love, fiction, to find he is rather better at that. As well as his debut epic fantasy novel, AGE OF ASSASSINS, RJ has written short stories and historical scripts which have been performed across the country. He has the sort of flowing locks any cavalier would be proud of.
RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and a collection of questionable taxidermy, odd art, scary music and more books than they have room for. He grew up reading whatever he could get his hands on, and has always been 'that one with the book in his pocket'. Having played in a rock band before deciding he was a rubbish musician, RJ returned to his first love, fiction, to find he is rather better at that. As well as his debut epic fantasy novel, AGE OF ASSASSINS, RJ has written short stories and historical scripts which have been performed across the country. He has the sort of flowing locks any cavalier would be proud of.
Some favourites from the past year:
Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert McFarlane is technically non-fiction, but it delves into a
variety of underground realms across millions of years. Fascinating and
inspiring stuff.
The Future Starts Here: Adventures in
the 21st Century, by the always-fascinating
John Higgs, is also technically non-fiction, but it kicks off by asking why our
fiction has stopped imagining the near future as anything other than a
catastrophe, and then proceeds to explore ways to imagine a better tomorrow.
Another benefit of being published: a flood
of free books from fellow authors in the Orbit stable. The Hod King (Josiah
Bancroft) for its stunning prose and characterisation, the
artistry and lyricism of The Ten Thousand Doors of January (Alix Harrow)
and the world-building of The Bone Ships (RJ Barker) was my
particular picks.
And of the books I actually had to pay for,
I’ll also mention Rebecca Kuang’s Poppy War, Peter McClean’s Priest
of Bones and Tim Clare’s vertiginous portal fantasy The Ice House.
Looking Ahead To 2020
On The Horizon for Gareth Hanrahan
My second Black Iron Legacy book, The
Shadow Saint, will be out in early 2020, and I’m in the middle of writing
the still-untitled third book in the not-a-trilogy series. The Shadow Saint involves
war, election meddling, crazed tyrannical gods and dying empires, so it nearly
counts as topical. I’ll also have some short fiction coming out from Black
Library, and hope to get a non-Black Iron Legacy book finished, too.
With my tabletop gaming hat on, 2020 should
see the release of The Borellus Connection (spies vs the Cthulhu Mythos
in the 1960s in the Delta Green setting), Dragons of the Pyre (a
fantasy campaign for the 13th Age game) and Errantries of
the King (Gondor adventures for The One Ring).
Oh, and maybe Moria,
if the publishing gods smile upon me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
