I’m a little late with my list this year but I finally managed to pot it. This past year at FBC, we have been a little lean on the reviews than we would like it to be. Our professional lives kept us busier than we wanted and hopefully we’ll be able to turn it around this year. Moving on here are my top picks among all the books, which I did manage to read this year.
As has been the case with previous lists, many of the reviews are from this site and are done by Liviu, Casey, Cindy or me. I have also linked the remaining reviews of books that I enjoyed but could not review over here. The main reasoning for choosing these titles (as always) are the varied milieu of the plots, excellence in prose, characterization and the overall enjoyment they provided. And so without further ado, here are my choices...
TOP TEN NOVELS OF 2014:
As has been the case with previous lists, many of the reviews are from this site and are done by Liviu, Casey, Cindy or me. I have also linked the remaining reviews of books that I enjoyed but could not review over here. The main reasoning for choosing these titles (as always) are the varied milieu of the plots, excellence in prose, characterization and the overall enjoyment they provided. And so without further ado, here are my choices...
TOP TEN NOVELS OF 2014:
1) City Of Stairs by Rob J. Bennett – Rob J. Bennett’s first foray in secondary fantasy turned out to be a colossal winner. Combining a spy story within a world of gods, Rob’s tale of colonialism gives us a stark story about loss, nationality & how history affects the perceptions of people. City Of Stairs was simply a fabulous story that blew away all my expectations.
2) Defenders by Will McIntosh – This was a fascinating SF story about alien invasion in which the author superbly inverted several tropes and gave us a frightening future wherein mankind’s defenders turned out to be something much worse. A riveting story that deserves many more accolades than it has received.
3) Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews – This was the big book event for the Kate Daniels series, six previous volumes have lead to the climatic meeting between father and daughter and it didn’t disappoint. The authors knew the amount of expectations that fans had from this book and yet they made it that much more exciting. Setting up a fascinating end to the first arc, the series is still very much on for further adventures of Kate, Curran and the rest of the amazing cast.
4) Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan – The sequel to last year’s Blood Song was a title that was as highly anticipated as Rothfuss & Lynch’s next titles (if not more). The story builds upon the exciting first chapter in Vaelin’s life and the author further adds three other POVs and makes the story that much more epic. For some this was a disappointment as the story lacked the tight narrative of the first book, but for many others it was as terrific a book as the first but with even more fantastic twists and revelations.
4) Maplecroft by Cherie Priest – I had no clue about the real life legend of Lizzie Borden but kudos to Cherie Priest for blending fact and fiction in a Lovecraftian story wherein the readers are slowly drawn deep into the happenings. With a strong narrative voice as well as a fantastic historical thriller, Cherie Priest simply proves that when it comes to fantastic ideas and their execution, there’s none to match her brilliance.
5) Prince Of Fools by Mark Lawrence – Seems like with every new book, it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore Mark Lawrence’s cynical intelligence. Set in the same world as his debut trilogy, but with a completely new protagonist and geographical settings. Prince Of Fools is simply a book that beguiles with its terrific quotes about the nature of man & beast while providing a fantastic read for those enamored with the darker side of fantasy.
6) Shotgun Arcana by Rod S. Belcher – Rod Belcher continues to impress with his ensemble cast of characters stuck in this weird west town wherein the apocalypse is just sort of a few steps away. The sophomore effort was even more ballistic in almost every department and absolutely demands a sequel book.
7) Unholy War by David Hair – The Moontide quartet is perhaps the most understated fantasy series currently being written. It features a wide, diverse cast of characters spread out over dual continents. Focusing on a clash of civilizations storyline, David Hair offers a tale that encapsulates epic fantasy to its entirety.
8) Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach – Rachel Bach is one of my all time favorites and with this SF-action trilogy; she proved her plotting skills in spades. Mixing a whole lot of twists, along with a tad bit of romance and then garnishing it with action, the trilogy and its narrator Devi Morris were a huge hit. Heaven’s Queen rounded out the story laying bare all the secrets that were hinted and culminating in an absolutely balls to the wall climax.
9) The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler – Django Wexler impressed a lot with his debut and in the sequel volume, he ups the ante by introducing political machinations and spycraft. The characterization has been noteworthy and the world & magic settings were considerably magnified. All in all this series is shaping up to be a superb epic fantasy series.
10) Pretty Little Dead Girls by Mercedes Yardley – This was my first Mercedes Yardley title and this is one quite hard to describe. What it also is a fantastic genre-mixing read that offers a completely different experience. Closest to the darker works of Neil Gaiman along with a solid dash of Terry Pratchett’s oddball comedy, this book is one for the ages.
TOP TEN DEBUTS OF 2014:
2) Defenders by Will McIntosh – This was a fascinating SF story about alien invasion in which the author superbly inverted several tropes and gave us a frightening future wherein mankind’s defenders turned out to be something much worse. A riveting story that deserves many more accolades than it has received.
3) Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews – This was the big book event for the Kate Daniels series, six previous volumes have lead to the climatic meeting between father and daughter and it didn’t disappoint. The authors knew the amount of expectations that fans had from this book and yet they made it that much more exciting. Setting up a fascinating end to the first arc, the series is still very much on for further adventures of Kate, Curran and the rest of the amazing cast.
4) Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan – The sequel to last year’s Blood Song was a title that was as highly anticipated as Rothfuss & Lynch’s next titles (if not more). The story builds upon the exciting first chapter in Vaelin’s life and the author further adds three other POVs and makes the story that much more epic. For some this was a disappointment as the story lacked the tight narrative of the first book, but for many others it was as terrific a book as the first but with even more fantastic twists and revelations.
4) Maplecroft by Cherie Priest – I had no clue about the real life legend of Lizzie Borden but kudos to Cherie Priest for blending fact and fiction in a Lovecraftian story wherein the readers are slowly drawn deep into the happenings. With a strong narrative voice as well as a fantastic historical thriller, Cherie Priest simply proves that when it comes to fantastic ideas and their execution, there’s none to match her brilliance.
5) Prince Of Fools by Mark Lawrence – Seems like with every new book, it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore Mark Lawrence’s cynical intelligence. Set in the same world as his debut trilogy, but with a completely new protagonist and geographical settings. Prince Of Fools is simply a book that beguiles with its terrific quotes about the nature of man & beast while providing a fantastic read for those enamored with the darker side of fantasy.
6) Shotgun Arcana by Rod S. Belcher – Rod Belcher continues to impress with his ensemble cast of characters stuck in this weird west town wherein the apocalypse is just sort of a few steps away. The sophomore effort was even more ballistic in almost every department and absolutely demands a sequel book.
7) Unholy War by David Hair – The Moontide quartet is perhaps the most understated fantasy series currently being written. It features a wide, diverse cast of characters spread out over dual continents. Focusing on a clash of civilizations storyline, David Hair offers a tale that encapsulates epic fantasy to its entirety.
8) Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach – Rachel Bach is one of my all time favorites and with this SF-action trilogy; she proved her plotting skills in spades. Mixing a whole lot of twists, along with a tad bit of romance and then garnishing it with action, the trilogy and its narrator Devi Morris were a huge hit. Heaven’s Queen rounded out the story laying bare all the secrets that were hinted and culminating in an absolutely balls to the wall climax.
9) The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler – Django Wexler impressed a lot with his debut and in the sequel volume, he ups the ante by introducing political machinations and spycraft. The characterization has been noteworthy and the world & magic settings were considerably magnified. All in all this series is shaping up to be a superb epic fantasy series.
10) Pretty Little Dead Girls by Mercedes Yardley – This was my first Mercedes Yardley title and this is one quite hard to describe. What it also is a fantastic genre-mixing read that offers a completely different experience. Closest to the darker works of Neil Gaiman along with a solid dash of Terry Pratchett’s oddball comedy, this book is one for the ages.
TOP TEN DEBUTS OF 2014:
1) The Martian by Andy Weir – This is another self-published book that tore through the charts and soon got picked up by Crown Publishing. I hadn’t read it when it was released nearly 3 years ago but I did pick it up on its re-release and I can’t stress enough how much a delightful page-turner it is. Mixing some solid scientific commentary with some terrific plot twists makes this book the best debut of last year. If you haven’t read it, then buy a copy promptly and thank me later.
2) I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes – This was a thriller debut that was so much more complex than its blurb makes it out to be. Focusing on two different individuals who are at the opposite ends of international law. The story was fleshed out superbly and the characterization top-notch. The end result was a debut that will surely be considered a thriller classic in the future.
3) The Heresy Within by Rob J. Hayes – Okay I cheated with this one, as it was self-published last year and was re-published this year with some changes. This edition is the stronger one and basically is a book that out-Abercrombies the one person who’s considered the gold standard in the grimdark genre.
4) The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld – This was a solid debut and an even solid tearjerker (if you consider its ending). Focusing on a prison and on understanding, the roots of crime, the reality of prison life, the possibility for redemption, and the ability of people to use imagination to rise beyond the purely material to the transcendent. The book is a must read for all readers who love prose.
5) The Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian de Castell – This was a great throwback to the 80s & 90s escapist fantasy. Mixing in a little bit of the musketeers as well as a fun character voice, Sebastian de Castell announced himself successfully as a fantasy writer to be enamored with.
6) Damoren by Seth Skorkowsky – This book was another fantastic debut from Ragnarok Publications and it focused on the concept of magical weapons and its wielders. Damoren is the special gun that has been fighting evil since it was forged, Seth Skorkowsky managed to construct a fun but intriguing tale and world mythos that made the UF & thriller fan in me salivate for more. A thriller in UF clothing, Damoren heralds Seth’s arrival rather convincingly.
7) The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley – Brian Staveley mixed quite a lot of fantasy tropes in his debut story and then gave them his own interpretations to make the story fantastic. The best part of the story is all the world-building and cool things that are hinted at and showcased partly. I can’t wait to dig into the sequel to see where he takes the story.
8) Fluency by Jennifer F. Wells – This was a book I discovered thanks to the ever-awesome Rachel Aaron. A throwback to alien contact stories previously, Jennifer F. Wells gives a wholesome heroine to root for, as well as a story that has many tropes we love. What made this book such an enjoyable read was the superb mix of characterization, plot twists & cool SF. All in all, this is a story for those who want to read SF with a solid amount of fun associated with it.
9) Frostborn by Lou Anders – Lou Anders is a name that is already well known to many fantasy fans. He had established Pyr books and has been a very successful editor. With this book, he makes the switch to the other side of the writing craft. His debut focusing on Norse mythology and two young kids completely won me over with its charm, buddy travel adventure trope and the gorgeous world set within. Lou Anders has a written a fun story that is sure to be hit among younger readers and those elder readers with a younger heart. Very highly recommended & I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.
10) Moth And Spark by Anne Leonard – This debut book manages to mix dragons with certain lovable aspects of Pride and Prejudice. Anne Leonard’s debut mixes fantasy, action, romance and a whole host of characters and she manages to pull it off with a few bumps along the road. I enjoyed this debut which had intriguing protagonist couple (in-the-making) and of course dragons.
NEW AUTHORS TO LOOK OUT FOR -
Last year, I thought these five folks managed to make a distinct impression with their writing skills and I’ll be waiting for their next books with lots of interest:
- Will McIntosh
- Mercedes M. Yardley
- Andy Weir
- Jennifer Foehner Wells
- Lou Anders
2) I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes – This was a thriller debut that was so much more complex than its blurb makes it out to be. Focusing on two different individuals who are at the opposite ends of international law. The story was fleshed out superbly and the characterization top-notch. The end result was a debut that will surely be considered a thriller classic in the future.
3) The Heresy Within by Rob J. Hayes – Okay I cheated with this one, as it was self-published last year and was re-published this year with some changes. This edition is the stronger one and basically is a book that out-Abercrombies the one person who’s considered the gold standard in the grimdark genre.
4) The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld – This was a solid debut and an even solid tearjerker (if you consider its ending). Focusing on a prison and on understanding, the roots of crime, the reality of prison life, the possibility for redemption, and the ability of people to use imagination to rise beyond the purely material to the transcendent. The book is a must read for all readers who love prose.
5) The Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian de Castell – This was a great throwback to the 80s & 90s escapist fantasy. Mixing in a little bit of the musketeers as well as a fun character voice, Sebastian de Castell announced himself successfully as a fantasy writer to be enamored with.
6) Damoren by Seth Skorkowsky – This book was another fantastic debut from Ragnarok Publications and it focused on the concept of magical weapons and its wielders. Damoren is the special gun that has been fighting evil since it was forged, Seth Skorkowsky managed to construct a fun but intriguing tale and world mythos that made the UF & thriller fan in me salivate for more. A thriller in UF clothing, Damoren heralds Seth’s arrival rather convincingly.
7) The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley – Brian Staveley mixed quite a lot of fantasy tropes in his debut story and then gave them his own interpretations to make the story fantastic. The best part of the story is all the world-building and cool things that are hinted at and showcased partly. I can’t wait to dig into the sequel to see where he takes the story.
8) Fluency by Jennifer F. Wells – This was a book I discovered thanks to the ever-awesome Rachel Aaron. A throwback to alien contact stories previously, Jennifer F. Wells gives a wholesome heroine to root for, as well as a story that has many tropes we love. What made this book such an enjoyable read was the superb mix of characterization, plot twists & cool SF. All in all, this is a story for those who want to read SF with a solid amount of fun associated with it.
9) Frostborn by Lou Anders – Lou Anders is a name that is already well known to many fantasy fans. He had established Pyr books and has been a very successful editor. With this book, he makes the switch to the other side of the writing craft. His debut focusing on Norse mythology and two young kids completely won me over with its charm, buddy travel adventure trope and the gorgeous world set within. Lou Anders has a written a fun story that is sure to be hit among younger readers and those elder readers with a younger heart. Very highly recommended & I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.
10) Moth And Spark by Anne Leonard – This debut book manages to mix dragons with certain lovable aspects of Pride and Prejudice. Anne Leonard’s debut mixes fantasy, action, romance and a whole host of characters and she manages to pull it off with a few bumps along the road. I enjoyed this debut which had intriguing protagonist couple (in-the-making) and of course dragons.
NEW AUTHORS TO LOOK OUT FOR -
Last year, I thought these five folks managed to make a distinct impression with their writing skills and I’ll be waiting for their next books with lots of interest:
- Will McIntosh
- Mercedes M. Yardley
- Andy Weir
- Jennifer Foehner Wells
- Lou Anders
12:00 AM | 
Posted by
The Reader |
While I keep a continually updated list of wanted books on Goodreads, I thought about presenting my top five expected novels of the first half of 2015. In the later part of the year there are some hugely anticipated releases like the next Safehold book by David Weber (Hell's Foundations Quiver), the new announced novel from Kate Morton, a possible new book from KJ Parker (Savages, announced a while ago though nothing heard since), new books from Christian Cameron (Salamis, Tom Swan 10-12, maybe more), Serge Brussolo's sequel to Frontiere Barbare - Anges de Fer, Paradis d'Acier, but for now I will limit myself to books that have clear publication dates until June 2015.
The five choices below comprise two sf novels from favorite authors Neal Stephenson and Neal Asher, where after some books which did not interest me that much (Reamde and The Owner trilogy respectively), I expect a return to what put these authors on my asap list.
Then two literary novels with sff overtones, one from Sarah Hall who has been a must since her awesome How to Paint a Dead Man and then the debut novel from Laura van den Berg which seems quite interesting, while I really enjoyed the several short stories I've read from her. I will also note that an excerpt from Sarah Hall's upcoming The Wolf Border has appeared in the Granta 123: Best of Young British Novelists 4, excerpt that made me want the novel asap.
Finally, the one must fantasy for me in the next several months is the new novel from LE Modesitt, as I loved the 8 Imager books to date quite a lot and their universe has become one of my all time favorite fantasy setting.
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When the moon blows up,
the earth’s atmosphere is predicted to go through changes that will
eventually lead to a Hard Rain, a meteorite storm that could last for
thousands of years, rendering the earth’s surface uninhabitable. In
preparation, the nations of the earth send an ark of humans to an
International Space Station. But the Station isn’t immune to the
galactic catastrophe and many of its people are lost, mostly men. When
stability is reached, only seven humans remain, all of them women.
Jump
forward thirty thousand years. Two peoples exist: those who survived on
Earth, living rustic, primitive lives; and those who derived from the
Seven Eves of the space station, affluent, sophisticated, organized
sects looking to colonize the surface of earth. Stephenson’s next novel
is an epic potboiler, with political and military intrigue, and plenty
to say about evolution, genetic engineering, and civilization as we know
it.
***************************************************************************
For almost a decade
Rachel Caine has turned her back on home, kept distant by family
disputes and her work monitoring wolves on an Idaho reservation. But
now, summoned by the eccentric Earl of Annerdale and his controversial
scheme to reintroduce the Grey Wolf to the English countryside, she is
back in the peat and wet light of the Lake District.
The earl's project
harks back to an ancient idyll of untamed British wilderness - though
Rachel must contend with modern-day concessions to health and safety,
public outrage and political gain - and the return of the Grey after
hundreds of years coincides with her own regeneration: impending
motherhood, and reconciliation with her estranged family.
The Wolf
Border investigates the fundamental nature of wilderness and wildness,
both animal and human. It seeks to understand the most obsessive aspects
of humanity: sex, love, and conflict; the desire to find answers to the
question of our existence; those complex systems that govern the most
superior creature on earth.
***************************************************************************
Four centuries after its
founding, Solidar’s Collegium of Imagers is in decline, the exploits of
its founder, the legendary Quaeryt, largely forgotten. The Collegium is
so lacking in leadership that the dying Maitre must summon Alastar, an
obscure but talented senior imager from Westisle far to the south who
has little knowledge of politics in the capital, as his successor. When
Alastar arrives in L’Excelsis and becomes the new Maitre, he finds
disarray and lack of discipline within the Collegium, and the ruler of
Solidar so hated by the High Holders that they openly refer to him as
being mad.
To make matters worse, neither Rex Ryen, ridiculed as Rex Dafou, nor the High Holders have any respect for the Collegium, and Alastar finds himself in the middle of a power struggle, with Ryen demanding that the Collegium remove the strongest High Holders and the military leadership in turn plotting to topple Ryen and destroy the Collegium. At the same time, Ryen is demanding the High Holders pay a massive increase in taxes while he initiates a grandiose building project. And all that, Alastar discovers, is only a fraction of the problems he and the Collegium face.
To make matters worse, neither Rex Ryen, ridiculed as Rex Dafou, nor the High Holders have any respect for the Collegium, and Alastar finds himself in the middle of a power struggle, with Ryen demanding that the Collegium remove the strongest High Holders and the military leadership in turn plotting to topple Ryen and destroy the Collegium. At the same time, Ryen is demanding the High Holders pay a massive increase in taxes while he initiates a grandiose building project. And all that, Alastar discovers, is only a fraction of the problems he and the Collegium face.
***************************************************************************
After two acclaimed story collections, Laura van den Berg brings us Find Me,
her highly anticipated debut novel—a gripping, imaginative, darkly
funny tale of a young woman struggling to find her place in the world.
Joy has no one. She spends her days working the graveyard shift at a grocery store outside Boston and nursing an addiction to cough syrup, an attempt to suppress her troubled past. But when a sickness that begins with memory loss and ends with death sweeps the country, Joy, for the first time in her life, seems to have an advantage: she is immune. When Joy’s immunity gains her admittance to a hospital in rural Kansas, she sees a chance to escape her bleak existence. There she submits to peculiar treatments and follows seemingly arbitrary rules, forming cautious bonds with other patients—including her roommate, whom she turns to in the night for comfort, and twin boys who are digging a secret tunnel.
As winter descends, the hospital’s fragile order breaks down and Joy breaks free, embarking on a journey from Kansas to Florida, where she believes she can find her birth mother, the woman who abandoned her as a child. On the road in a devastated America, she encounters mysterious companions, cities turned strange, and one very eerie house. As Joy closes in on Florida, she must confront her own damaged memory and the secrets she has been keeping from herself.
Joy has no one. She spends her days working the graveyard shift at a grocery store outside Boston and nursing an addiction to cough syrup, an attempt to suppress her troubled past. But when a sickness that begins with memory loss and ends with death sweeps the country, Joy, for the first time in her life, seems to have an advantage: she is immune. When Joy’s immunity gains her admittance to a hospital in rural Kansas, she sees a chance to escape her bleak existence. There she submits to peculiar treatments and follows seemingly arbitrary rules, forming cautious bonds with other patients—including her roommate, whom she turns to in the night for comfort, and twin boys who are digging a secret tunnel.
As winter descends, the hospital’s fragile order breaks down and Joy breaks free, embarking on a journey from Kansas to Florida, where she believes she can find her birth mother, the woman who abandoned her as a child. On the road in a devastated America, she encounters mysterious companions, cities turned strange, and one very eerie house. As Joy closes in on Florida, she must confront her own damaged memory and the secrets she has been keeping from herself.
***************************************************************************
Thorvald Spear wakes in a hospital to find he's been brought back from the dead. What's more, he died in a human vs. alien war that ended a century ago. Spear had been trapped on a world surrounded by hostile Prador forces, but Penny Royal, the AI inside the rescue ship sent to provide backup, turned rogue, annihilating friendly forces in a frenzy of destruction and killing Spear. One hundred years later the AI is still on the loose, and Spear vows for revenge at any cost.
Isobel Satomi ran a successful crime syndicate, but after competitors attacked she needed power and protection. Negotiating with Penny Royal, she got more than she bargained for: Turning part-AI herself gave Isobel frightening power, but the upgrades hid a horrifying secret, and the dark AI triggered a transformation that has been turning her into something far from human…
Spear hires Isobel to track Penny Royal across worlds to its last known whereabouts. But he cheats her in the process and quickly finds himself in her cross-hairs. As Isobel continues to evolve into a monstrous predator, it’s clear her rage will eventually win out over reason. Will Spear finish his hunt before he himself becomes the hunted?
Dark Intelligence is the explosive first novel in a brand new trilogy from military SF master Neal Asher and a new chapter in his epic Polity Universe.
While I keep extensive and continually updated lists of books on Goodreads including a list of top 25 books of 2014 as well as the corresponding lists of 2014 releases read and the books read in 2014, I thought of presenting a list with my favorite reads of 2014 as well as a few less so.
***************************************************************************
Favorite Fantasy of 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite SF of 2014:
Favorite Literary SFF of 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Literary Novel of 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Historical Fiction of 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Recent (2008-2013) Book First Read in 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Older (pre-2007) Book First Read in 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Non-English Language Book First Read in 2014:
***************************************************************************
Favorite Reread of 2014:
***************************************************************************
Worst Read 0f 2014:
Most Disappointing Novel of 2014
***************************************************************************
Overall:
Favorite Read of 2014:
Favorite Book of 2014:
Monday, December 22, 2014
News: Ragnarok Publications acquires Angelic Knight Press as their horror imprint
Ragnarok Publications are a small press that have been releasing some high quality books. Helmed by J. M. Martin & Tim Marquitz, Ragnarok has been instrumental in unearthing terrific debuts by Seth Skorkowsky, Rob J. Hayes and Kenny Soward while also putting out wonderfully odd gems like Pretty Little Dead Girls by Mercedes M. Yardley.
This is what they announced a week ago:
Ragnarok Publications have acquired a new horror imprint, Angelic Knight Press (AKP). This acquisition will mark a new chapter in the evolution of the company’s structure, and Ragnarok founders J.M. Martin and Tim Marquitz couldn’t be more pleased to join forces with the talented people behind AKP.
Stacey Turner will be joining Ragnarok as the Managing Editor of the imprint, along with Danielle Day who will assist in the day-to-day operations. A select few Angelic Knight titles will transition over to Ragnarok, to include Kirk Dougal’s Dreams of Ivory and Gold, Aaron Gudmunson’s Snowglobe, Death’s Kiss by Kim Williams-Justesen, and a handful of anthologies including Lincoln Crisler’s That Hoodoo, Voodoo That You Do, Demon Rum edited by Stacey Turner and Clint Collins, No Place Like Home, and Fairly Wicked Tales.
Alongside these great books, AKP’s first releases of 2015 will be Tuskers by Duncan McGeary and the fabulous foursome of Stacey Turner, Mercedes M. Yardley, C.W. LaSart, and Allison M. Dickson with Grimm Mistresses, a sordid collection of fairy tales gone horribly awry.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Stacey and Danielle again, having partnered with them on several projects,” says Ragnarok’s Editor-in-Chief, Tim Marquitz. “They’re fabulous people with a ton of experience and talent, whose addition to Ragnarok is a great boon for us.”
“I’m excited about this move for Angelic Knight,” says Managing Editor, Stacey Turner. “Ragnarok is every bit as committed to putting out quality work — both the author’s and the publisher’s — as we are, so the union is natural. I can’t wait to start reissuing some of our catalog through Ragnarok and finding new books to bring to our readers.”
For Ragnarok, this is really a significant step and I'm excited to see the books they will come out with next. Checkout the covers below for their three upcoming titles:
This is what they announced a week ago:
Ragnarok Publications have acquired a new horror imprint, Angelic Knight Press (AKP). This acquisition will mark a new chapter in the evolution of the company’s structure, and Ragnarok founders J.M. Martin and Tim Marquitz couldn’t be more pleased to join forces with the talented people behind AKP.
Stacey Turner will be joining Ragnarok as the Managing Editor of the imprint, along with Danielle Day who will assist in the day-to-day operations. A select few Angelic Knight titles will transition over to Ragnarok, to include Kirk Dougal’s Dreams of Ivory and Gold, Aaron Gudmunson’s Snowglobe, Death’s Kiss by Kim Williams-Justesen, and a handful of anthologies including Lincoln Crisler’s That Hoodoo, Voodoo That You Do, Demon Rum edited by Stacey Turner and Clint Collins, No Place Like Home, and Fairly Wicked Tales.
Alongside these great books, AKP’s first releases of 2015 will be Tuskers by Duncan McGeary and the fabulous foursome of Stacey Turner, Mercedes M. Yardley, C.W. LaSart, and Allison M. Dickson with Grimm Mistresses, a sordid collection of fairy tales gone horribly awry.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Stacey and Danielle again, having partnered with them on several projects,” says Ragnarok’s Editor-in-Chief, Tim Marquitz. “They’re fabulous people with a ton of experience and talent, whose addition to Ragnarok is a great boon for us.”
“I’m excited about this move for Angelic Knight,” says Managing Editor, Stacey Turner. “Ragnarok is every bit as committed to putting out quality work — both the author’s and the publisher’s — as we are, so the union is natural. I can’t wait to start reissuing some of our catalog through Ragnarok and finding new books to bring to our readers.”
For Ragnarok, this is really a significant step and I'm excited to see the books they will come out with next. Checkout the covers below for their three upcoming titles:
Monday, December 8, 2014
"Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life" by P.J. Hoover (Reviewed by Cindy Hannikman)
Visit P.J. Hoover's Official Website Here
OVERVIEW: Tut: The
Story of My Immortal Life is a funny, fast-paced novel for young readers by
P.J. Hoover which chronicles the mischievous adventures of King Tut, now an
immortal eighth-grader living in Washington, D.C..
You’d think it would be great being an Egyptian demigod, but if King Tut has to sit through eighth grade one more time, he’ll mummify himself.
Granted the gift of immortality by the gods—or is it a curse?—Tut has been stuck in middle school for ages. Even worse, evil General Horemheb, the man who killed Tut’s father and whom Tut imprisoned in a tomb for three thousand years, is out and after him. The general is in league with the Cult of Set, a bunch of guys who worship one of the scariest gods of the Egyptian pantheon—Set, the god of Chaos.
The General and the Cult of Set have plans for Tut… and if Tut doesn’t find a way to keep out of their clutches, he’ll never make it to the afterworld alive.
You’d think it would be great being an Egyptian demigod, but if King Tut has to sit through eighth grade one more time, he’ll mummify himself.
Granted the gift of immortality by the gods—or is it a curse?—Tut has been stuck in middle school for ages. Even worse, evil General Horemheb, the man who killed Tut’s father and whom Tut imprisoned in a tomb for three thousand years, is out and after him. The general is in league with the Cult of Set, a bunch of guys who worship one of the scariest gods of the Egyptian pantheon—Set, the god of Chaos.
The General and the Cult of Set have plans for Tut… and if Tut doesn’t find a way to keep out of their clutches, he’ll never make it to the afterworld alive.
FORMAT: Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life is the first book
in what is presumed to be a series. The story is mostly wrapped up in this
novel, but there are elements that carry over into the other books.
It is a children's/YA novel that has action, adventure, and
romance. It is based off of Egyptian mythology. It stands at 320 pages and was
published by Starscape/Tor/Macmillan on September 16, 2014.
ANALYSIS: Percy Jackson, you have been warned. A new
competitor has just entered the teen lit arena and he is sure to win over the
hearts of teens and adults alike. Tut is sure to be a hit.
Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life follows the journey of
King Tut. Readers are first introduced to him in Ancient Egypt. Tut's life is
in jeopardy. He is running from his uncle, who is responsible for the murder of
Tut's family and is now out to get Tut.
In his run in with his uncle, Tut is stabbed and about to
die. In a last ditch attempt to live, he casts a spell that leads him to
immortality. Unfortunately, it came with a price. Tut is doomed to spend the
rest of his life as a 14 year old who must keep attending eighth grade over and
over and over again.
The novel continues with Tut in present-day Washington D.C.
where Tut is attending eighth grade all over again and living with his brother-like
guardian Gil and Horus. Tut discovers that his uncle may not be dead (as he has
found immortality too) and he is ready to get his revenge. This sparks a search
for a knife that will help Tut kill his uncle.
Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life is everything that makes
a great novel. It is fast paced, action packed, and is rather unique in its
concept. Sure, Percy Jackson brought the well-known Gods to life, but this
brings the often overlooked Egyptian gods to life.
Hoover does an amazing job of not info dumping, but
incorporating the god's backstory into the novel. It might not be the most
in-depth look at the Egyptian gods, but it is enough to spark people's interest
which I hope will encourage them to read on their own.
One of the things I really liked was the way Hoover
incorporated a parental figure into the story. When I read the blurb for this
novel, I couldn't figure out how a 14 year old could just wander through life
with no one questioning it. It appears it can be done when an older individual
takes that 14 year old under their wing and acts like a parental figure.
Gil, the parental/brother-like figure, in the story wasn't
just placed there as a wall decoration. He was developed, had emotions, and
really played a role in the novel. Many times YA/children's novels tend to have
adult/parental figures take a back seat, but not in this one.
Gil isn't the only character that is extremely developed.
Hoover does an amazing job of quickly developing characters and making them relatable
for the readers. The mortal characters were average, every day children that
almost any reader could relate to instantly. Tut was likeable and funny. He was
mature at times due to being alive so long, but there were times when he acted
just like he was supposed to – a 14 year old boy.
A favorite part of mine was the shabtis that follow Tut
around. They were responsible for helping keep the house clean, but also helped
Tut out a lot with homework and other day-to-day chores. I just loved the
interactions Tut had with them. It added a nice, humorous touch to the story
without ruining to the tone of the book.
Overall, Hoover did an amazing job. Tut: The Story of My
Immortal Life is an amazing start to a promising series. Hoover shows that it
is possible to create a detailed, likeable story in approximately 300 pages. It
will be interesting to see where this series is taken, what happens with the
characters, and what is in store for Tut. I know I'll be waiting.
Official Author Website
Order “Nice Dragons Finish Last” HERE
Read the first three chapters HERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Nice Dragons Finish Last"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "The Spirit Thief"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit Rebellion”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit Eater” & “Spirit’s Oath”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit War”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Spirit's End"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Fortune's Pawn"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Honor's Knight"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Heaven's Queen"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's Interview with Rachel Aaron
Read Eli Monpress series completion interview with Rachel Aaron
Read Fantasy Book Critic's Interview with Rachel Bach
Order “Nice Dragons Finish Last” HERE
Read the first three chapters HERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Nice Dragons Finish Last"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "The Spirit Thief"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit Rebellion”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit Eater” & “Spirit’s Oath”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of “The Spirit War”
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Spirit's End"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Fortune's Pawn"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Honor's Knight"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Heaven's Queen"
Read Fantasy Book Critic's Interview with Rachel Aaron
Read Eli Monpress series completion interview with Rachel Aaron
Read Fantasy Book Critic's Interview with Rachel Bach
Nice Dragons Finish Last is Rachel Aaron's self-published debut. I reviewed it earlier this year and as you can read, I was completely bowled over by it. So I was even more pleased when I heard that Nice Dragons Finish Last was recently put out as an audiobook by Audible.
For those interested to hear a sample, you can check out a 30-min sample over here.
For those interested to hear a sample, you can check out a 30-min sample over here.
Also Rachel recently posted some news about the sequel One Good Dragon Deserves Another. The book is taking a bit longer to write for plot reasons and instead of being released around this time of the year. It will be released sometime in the first third of 2015. Hopefully Rachel will provide us with a blurb and some more details, but until then feast your eyes on this amazing cover prototype (see above). It's by Anna Steinbauer, the same artist who did the gorgeous cover for its predecessor.
Visit Kate Milford's Official Website Here
OVERVIEW: A rambling
old inn, a strange map, an attic packed with treasures, squabbling guests,
theft, friendship, and an unusual haunting mark this smart middle grade mystery
in the tradition of the Mysterious Benedict Society books and Blue Balliet's
Chasing Vermeer series.
It's wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler's inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo's home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook's daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House-and themselves.
It's wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler's inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo's home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook's daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House-and themselves.
FORMAT: Greenglass
House is a stand-alone children's novel. It is a mystery with some
supernatural elements thrown in. It stands at 384 pages and was published
August 26, 2014 by Clarion Books.
ANALYSIS: When I was in middle school, one of my favorite
books was The Westing Game. I can't
really tell you what caused me to become obsessed with it, but I must have read
that book a half dozen times in the span of a year. And when our class read it
as a group, I was thrilled.
While many children's books over the years have tried to
match the excitement and mystery that The
Westing Game had, they did not come close. That was until Greenglass House came along.
Greenglass House tells
the story of a very old smugglers inn that just happens to be Milo's home. The
novel starts as Milo and his family are preparing for a nice Christmas break
together as a family, as traditionally no guests come to the inn.
Unfortunately, plans go astray when a mysterious guest arrives and requests to
stay at the inn. And that individual isn't the only one who makes a surprise
visit to the inn. Several other odd, yet loveable guests arrive too.
It quickly becomes apparent that these mysterious guests,
while seemingly random, are not so random. All the guests appear to know each
other, but are reluctant to step forward and share their connection. This leads
to a fun mystery that Milo and his new friend, Meddy, work to solve.
There are numerous aspects of Greenglass House that I loved and there were some aspects that I
couldn't stand. I'll start with the good.
I love that Greenglass
House is essentially a winter book. Kate Milford does a wonderful job of
creating a snowy, wintery wonderland. It isn't magical, but it is so realistic
that I honestly expected to put down the book and have my entire yard filled
with snow – I read the book in October, so snow in October was a long shot!
The winter setting isn't the only thing that comes to life –
the entire Greenglass House inn comes to life. Again, Milford does a
magnificent job of creating an inn, describing it in realistic terms, and just
making readers feel as if they are actually right inside that inn.
Another aspect that is truly amazing about Greenglass House
is how everything is wrapped up so nice and neatly by the end of the novel.
Within the first few chapters, there seemed to be so much going on and it was
hard to see how it was all connected or could be connected. When I finished the
book, it all came together and I was extremely happy with how it all turned
out.
Unfortunately, for everything that is good with this book,
there is something that wasn't so great. First, the pacing of the book. Greenglass House moves at a painfully
slow pace. There is very little action or even surprise elements. It is mostly
just people chugging along, introducing themselves, and wandering around. If
you can deal with the slow pacing, the book is great, but I struggled with the
novel and almost gave up at the halfway point.
Another aspect of the novel that I wasn't a huge fan of was
the whole roleplaying aspect. Milo and Meddy start playing a roleplaying game
that is similar to Dungeons and Dragons – only with a different name. I felt
this whole aspect of the book was being played out for the nostalgic value it
held to the author and not because it added to the book.
The roleplaying takes up a lot of the book. The characters
spend a lot of time explaining the game, talking about the fictional characters
in the game, creating characters, and just playing the game. While this does
play a small role in the novel, I found the huge focus on this part really
slowed the novel down. For a faced paced novel, this would have worked, but the
novel was already so slow that it hurt it.
Finally, while Greenglass
House is a nice read, I honestly think it is one of those books that are
intended more for adults than children. The writing is certainly at a level a
middle school child could read and understand, but I think the structure of the
book, the slower pace, and rather adult issues that many of the characters are
facing (lost love, a love triangle, possibility of smuggling illegal goods) really make it more of an adult book.
Overall, I enjoyed Greenglass
House. It didn’t come close to The
Westing Game but it sure tried. If you can stand the slower pace and are up
to a challenge, this is a good book. It is definitely one of the stronger books
of 2014.
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