I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK, in exchange for an honest review.
"Welcome toI received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK, in exchange for an honest review.
"Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue and opulence, murder and betrayal."
As a historian and a huge fan of historical fiction, it was difficult to resist the lure of the first sentence in the blurb of The Medici Heist. And after finishing this swashbuckling page-turning debut I must say the sentence does not lead you astray and I am beyond pleased to have been lured in to read this!
Schneiderhan's debut book is captivating, the story flows smoothly and the author's characters seamlessly blend with the historical figures mentioned. At no point does the reader experience a suspension of disbelief, nor will they pause to wonder if something is historically accurate or if it fits in the historical period. The motley crew of interesting characters that gathered to perform this daring heist worthy of the high-budget Hollywood action flicks (think Ocean's Eleven, but Renaissance Florence) was engrossing to read. All POV characters were equally interesting and at no point did I want to skip someone's chapter or fast forward which is always a wonderful thing when a text has multiple POVs.
The plot was gripping and excellently written. Throughout the planning stages of the heist, all the curveballs, difficulties and the execution of the heist we could see how all characters developed. The plot and character development were seamlessly blended and supported each other. The Medici Heist was a fast-paced page-turner that will satisfy fans of historical fiction and lovers of a good heist + motley crew/found family tropes. It would also make a great beach read or any location read. It's a very fun and enjoyable book and I can't wait to see what other book ideas the author has. ...more
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher, Angry Robot, in exchange for an honest review.
In the stunning sequel to I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher, Angry Robot, in exchange for an honest review.
In the stunning sequel to The Judas Blossom, Stephen Aryan immediately captured the readers' attention and immersed them into the continuation of this epic historical fantasy sprawling 3 continents.
First of all, I would like to stress, that before Aryan dives into the story proper of The Blood Dimmed Tide, he catches the reader up on the events of the previous book with a so-called "Previously on" chapter. This should become the norm with every series, especially if there's a long gap between books because readers might not have time or be unwilling to reread the previous book(s). So kudos for that!
The Blood Dimmed Tide does not suffer from middle book syndrome. Its opening chapter not only introduces the reader to a new(ish) and intriguing (POV) character but also brings new players and challenges to an already complex political situation. The tension is amped up, the stakes are higher, and the risks (and rewards) are greater. The high tension and unexpectedly fast pace continue throughout the book as we switch between POVs. Characters we were introduced to in the previous instalment continue to develop, sometimes in unpredictable and unexpected ways. The introduction of new character POVs, especially various FMCs brings a wonderful and fresh perspective on everyday lives in Persia during the reign of Hulgu Khan, while deepening the story of the organisation(s) we were introduced to in The Judas Blossom.
The Blood Dimmed Tide is a spectacular sequel and most importantly a wondrously thrilling pageturner. The content of this book will keep you glued to the edge of your seat, have you shouting and crying at certain events and most of all have you craving for the next instalment in The Nightingale and the Falcon series....more
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Peachtree Teen, in exchange for aI received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Peachtree Teen, in exchange for an honest review.
In her YA fantasy debut, Lady of Steel and Shadow, Erica Ivy Rodgers wrote a swashbuckling and captivating story inspired by the Three Musketeers. This brisk-paced adventurous novel follows two protagonists (and POV characters) whose stories and fates are intertwined: the feisty Lady Charlotte Sand and the pious but tormented (those things tend to go hand in hand) Captain Luc de Montaigne.
Both Charlotte and Luc are interesting and (more importantly for me) flawed characters and I enjoyed discovering more about them, the world they inhabit and seeing how they develop. Charlotte as a character was particularly interesting to follow. She was not portrayed as this perfectly capable infallible heroine, but (true to her age in the novel) as a young woman who is starting her life journey. Like almost every person her age, she has strong convictions and firm ideas about how the world is supposed to be, she can be impulsive and makes mistakes... This made following her journey relatable and interesting.
Luc's character development was equally intriguing to follow, despite some predictabilities in the themes there which did not bother me. His struggles and anguish regarding his past, faith, choices and actions he made in addition to his attraction to Charlotte were well written and captured the reader's attention.
Regarding the fantasy world and setting the author created, the inspiration from The Musketeers and 17th-century France is there, however, the author brings her ideas and imagination to the story and creates a fascinating world. However, the author chose not to burden the readers with a lot of details about the world, its history or the magic system. Keeping in mind the target audience - younger readers who might just be dipping their toes into the SFF genre, this is not something I would hold against the author.
Lady of Steel and Straw was a gripping and enjoyable novel that would be a good fit for (younger) readers who are making their foray into the SFF genre. The story and the characters are engrossing enough to keep the readers interested and more. However, by not providing huge amounts of lore the author managed to keep the pace and avoided overburdening the novel and her readers with lore and (other) details that would undeniably be interesting, but perhaps mess up the novel's pace. ...more
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Tor, in exchange for an honest review.
Lost Ark Dreaming is Okungbowa's fI received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Tor, in exchange for an honest review.
Lost Ark Dreaming is Okungbowa's foray into the climate fiction (cli-fi) genre. And what a magnificent entrance this was. In less than 200 pages of the novella, Suyi (like a seasoned griot) masterfully narrates and weaves together intricate and vibrant story threads of, at first glance, unlikely people and places. Skilfully and without a word wasted, he allows the story the story to unfold.
Lost Ark Dreaming is a gripping and thought-provoking narrative; a story that simultaneously urges you to pause, reflect and contemplate on what you've read. But it also forces you to move forward with the story, to listen, to know what will happen next. A superbly balanced dichotomy that reveals Suyi's mastery of his craft.
For me, Lost Ark Dreaming was an unforgettable read; and strangely enough, it was also the first time I wanted to listen to a book in audio format rather than reading it....more
Historical fantasy is among my favourite if not the favourite fantasy subgenre. When Stephen Aryan’s new book was announced I was intrigued not only bHistorical fantasy is among my favourite if not the favourite fantasy subgenre. When Stephen Aryan’s new book was announced I was intrigued not only by the synopsis but also by the author’s choice of setting and period. The Judas Blossom is the 1st instalment in a Persian-inspired fantasy trilogy titled The Nightingale and the Falcon. I was fortunate enough to get an eARC of this book through NetGalley courtesy of Angry Robot Books.
Set in 1260 Persia The Judas Blossom unfurls its fascinatingly poetical and intriguing plot through the points of view of several captivating characters. As I already mentioned, the author’s choice of the historical period and location for the book’s setting intrigued me; mostly because there aren’t many historical fiction or historical fantasy books (that I’m aware of) that are set in this period and region. The 13th century is a tumultuous period around the globe, however, in the location the book’s plot is set in this period is marked by the Mongol invasions of the Islamic world, which began in 1212 with the conquest of eastern Iran. The specific year in which The Judas Blossom is set is characterised simultaneously with the Mongolian expansion further west into the Islamic world (the Levant), but also with disputes over succession in addition to the division and infighting in the Empire.
However, the interested reader does not have to read history or know anything about the historical figures, the region or the period in question to enjoy the book, its characters and its plot. Familiarity with the era, location and historical figures will certainly enhance your enjoyment, but it’s not a requirement. Skilfully and with an exceptional eye for detail, Aryan introduces the reader to the captivating world of 13th-century Persia and beyond. Moreover, the author adeptly achieved a balance between historical accuracy and good storytelling, never sacrificing one for the sake of achieving the other.
To tell the story of The Judas Blossom the author chose (and created) a diverse and distinctive cast of characters: Hulagu Khan (the ruler of the Ilkhanate), his youngest son Temujin, Kokochin (the Blue Princess) – one of Hulagu’s many wives, general Kaivon – a Persian rebel serving in Hulagu’s army (to name just a few key POV characters). The POV characters and how their stories and perspectives are presented to the reader(s) are one of the key ingredients that make this book so magnificently magical. The characters’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures and way of perceiving the world around them is superbly done. The choice of POV characters is not there simply so the reader can have a different perspective, but it also highlights how cultures and states are not monolithic as they can sometimes be perceived.
Character diversity, multiple perspectives and the way the author presents them were among my favourite things in The Judas Blossom. As an illustration, I’ll use Aryan’s portrait of Hulagu Khan (this might be slightly spoiler-y (general spoilers for history, I suppose) so feel free to skip ahead).
“In the shadow of his grandfather, Hulagu, ruler of the Ilkhanate, is determined to create a single empire that covers the entire world. His method? Violence.”
From the blurb itself, it’s clear that Hulagu Khan’s preferred method of dealing with disobedience is violence, which matches what we know about Hulagu from historical sources. However, in this, the ruler of the Ilkhanate is no different than any other ruler (historical or fictional). Hulagu’s brother, Möngke Khan, ordered Hulagu to treat kindly those who submitted to the Mongol rule (bear in mind that “treated kindly” here is a matter of perspective) and to utterly destroy those who did not. Hulagu was vigorous in carrying out the latter part of these orders.
At the same time, Hulagu’s reign was tolerant of diversity (which Aryan highlights in his work) and tolerance to different religions and religious practices was not always so common during this period in Europe. And it is in this case, the portrait of Hulagu Khan (among other things), that the author’s craft truly shines. Although Hulagu is not a person (or in this case a character) the reader will like or love, through Hulagu’s point of view Aryan manages not only to show the readers Hulagu’s perspective and how his mind works but also manages to craft Hulagu’s story in such a way that the readers can understand why he chose to do things a certain way. The readers will not necessarily empathise with Hulagu, or approve/like/tolerate his actions (he’s not a very nice man), however, they will understand why this is so and it will make sense.
As I mentioned several times throughout the text, characters, their portraits and their perspectives are one of the highlights of The Judas Blossom. Aryan’s mastery is shown in the creation of these complex and compelling characters, through whose points of view he tells the story, not just about life in 13th century Persia, but the story about families (both the ones you are born into and the ones you find), friendships, love, sacrifice, diversity of cultures, patriotism, rebellions, oppression, war, conquest, complex political situations etc. He deftly navigates through all these themes and simultaneously enchants the reader with spellbinding storytelling.
I mentioned at the start that The Judas Blossom is a historical fantasy, but so far I haven’t touched upon the fantastical elements in the book. And that is because, compared to the historical part of the story, in this instalment, the fantasy elements are minimal and subtle. If you are familiar with the works of Guy Gavriel Kay, Stephen Aryan’s The Judas Blossom is in a similar vein. However, the subtlety of this book’s magical/fantastical elements should not deter you from reading it – it’s a bewitching story and I cannot wait for the next instalment in this entrancing series.
If you’ve reached the end of this rather rambly review, first of all, congratulations and thank you for reading this far. I believe it was abundantly clear that I was very eager to read The Judas Blossom (historical fantasy being my favourite genre and all) and that I’ve also enjoyed it so much that I’ve purchased a stunning special edition created by The Broken Binding in collaboration with Angry Robot Books. To sum up, I would recommend The Judas Blossom to everyone who likes the following:
- historical fantasy - multiple perspectives - complex, diverse and extremely well-developed characters - intricate and interwoven interpersonal relationships - captivating and epic storytelling - found family - political intrigues - Persian and Mongolian cultures...more
Dark Water Daughter by H. M. Long is among my most anticipated book releases for this summer. This bewitching swashbuckling flintlock fantasy adventurDark Water Daughter by H. M. Long is among my most anticipated book releases for this summer. This bewitching swashbuckling flintlock fantasy adventure on the high seas caught my attention when I first read the synopsis. I was lucky to receive an eARC of the book through Edelweiss+, courtesy of Titan Books. To say I devoured this book in 2 days back in May would be an apt description of my reading process. The reviewing part took longer because I wanted to give the author and her amazing book a more coherent review it deserved for making me feel all the feels.
Dark Water Daughter is the first instalment in The Winter Seas series and the sequel (which I’m dying to get my hands on) should be out in 2024. The fantastical world that Long created is beautiful but unforgiving, cold and moody, with ancient dark forests that are filled with spectral creatures. The Winter Sea is glacial with harsh winds that make sailing and navigation difficult. This world is vast, enthralling, brimming with magic, mystery and potential. The world-building is phenomenally done. Instead of explaining the history of this world, its lore, unknown terms and fantastical creatures that the author created in text or through the characters’ thoughts or dialogue, Long decided to insert quotes and extracts from in-world encyclopedias and history books. Not only does this world-building choice gives the reader much-needed information about the lands surrounding the Winter Sea, but also makes the world richer, tangible and tantalising. For the reader is intrigued by the snippets from these in-world books and made to wonder what other delightful pearls of wisdom and crumbs of knowledge are hidden in them and when they will be revealed to us. If they ever will be.
Despite being inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Sails and other swashbuckling naval adventures, Dark Water Daughter does not romanticise pirates or life aboard a (pirate) ship. Nor does it minimise the dangers of sailing on the tempestuous (icy) high seas. This doesn’t diminish the action and adventure, but raises the stakes and contributes to the already excellent world-building and character development.
The wild, cold and harsh world of the Winter Sea creates the perfect backdrop for Long’s multifaceted characters and the relationships that form between them on the voyage and adventure they have embarked on. Although the story is told through the point(s) of view of the two main characters, Mary Firth (the Stormsinger) and Samuel Rosser (a naval officer aboard the Heart), the readers perceive the world and other characters through their perspectives, this does not mean that other characters are flat or undeveloped. The characters of Dark Water Daughter are superbly written and delightfully human. They are imperfect, flawed and passionate and frequently provoke a strong emotional response from the reader. Long carefully navigates through the story and artfully balances the world-building and character development of each character, not just the main POV ones.
By strategically controlling the pace of the book, and by skilful mixing and dosing action sequences with character development scenes and lore information the author managed to write a perfect book (in my humble opinion). She gave her characters enough time and space to develop and grow, while simultaneously maintaining the right pace throughout the book and most importantly keeping her readers immersed in the story itself. With Dark Water Daughter Long successfully created a perfect and engrossing read, perfect for summer or any other season.
If it wasn’t abundantly clear from my gushing review above I adore Dark Water Daughter. It is a 5-star read and in fact, it was one of the best books I’ve read in the first half of 2023! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone who likes the following:
• swashbuckling flintlock/gunpowder fantasy • fantasy inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy • tempestuous, icy seas surrounded by old, dark & mysterious forests • complex and well-developed characters • phenomenal world-building • nautical adventures on the turbulent high-seas • the slowest of the slow burns • a mesmerising read that will be extremely difficult to put down...more
I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of Apex Book Company.
Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance and Other Stories by Tobias SI received an ARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of Apex Book Company.
Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance and Other Stories by Tobias S. Buckell is his 7th short fiction collection. It consists of 15 science fiction stories, some previously published in various anthologies, while others were previously available through the author’s Patreon.
I first learned of Tobias’ work through LeVar Burton Reads podcast, where I listened to LeVar narrate 2 of Tobias’ short stories: “Shoggoths in Traffic” (published in the short fiction collection Shoggoths in Traffic and Other Stories) and “The Galactic Tourist Industrial Complex” that was first published in 2019 in New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color and is reprinted here.
Tobias S. Buckell is a prolific author, but (in my opinion) short fiction is where he excels. Short stories are notoriously tricky to write, however, Tobias successfully mastered this art and manages to present rich and tantalising stories, that are simultaneously completed and yet brimming with potential to become something more if the opportunity arises. Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean (where he was born and raised) and the Western African traditions Tobias S. Buckell brings new perspectives and breaths new life into classic science fiction themes (as can be seen in “Pale Blue Memories”, “Chi’s Cargo” and “By The Warmth of Their Calculus”). His focus on generational stories (“Destination Day Blues”, “The Longest Distance”, “Five Point Three Milligrams” to name a few) gives the reader a galactic adventure that turns into an intimate exploration of humanity.
Although the stories collected in Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance are science fiction, through the genre of science fiction Tobias S. Buckell (like many authors before him) explores not only the issues that trouble humanity today, but also the issues that we could face in distant future(s). The stories in this collection are diverse, wondrous, memorable, superbly written and most importantly enjoyable to read. I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to check out Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance along with Tobias’ other short stories collection.
Side note: This collection fills prompt no. 9 (HARD MODE) of the r/Fantasy 2023 Book Bingo Challenge....more
I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of Angry Robot Books.
The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna is a feminist retelling of the ArthI received an ARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of Angry Robot Books.
The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna is a feminist retelling of the Arthurian legends. It follows the intertwined stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere as they fight to control their own destinies in a male-dominated world of sub-Roman Britain.
McKenna’s choice to (re)tell the Arthurian legend through the character of Nimue and focus on the characters of women is as intriguing as it is refreshing. By choosing to focus on the lives of Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere and centre the story on them, instead of the usual (male) suspects (Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table, etc.), McKenna does not only brings a new perspective into the familiar Arthurian mythos but also breaths a new life into them.
However, despite the interesting new perspective McKenna brings to the Arthurian legend, the story itself is not the star of the show. Her version(s) of the characters are. The author’s skill is shown in their portrait, character development, actions, and interactions with others. A good example of that are the characters of Nimue and Merlin; McKenna masterfully compares and contrasts the two characters through their thoughts, desires, intentions, actions, and position in society. As an older man in a position of power (compared to Nimue), Merlin has more options available to him and can openly use his magic without (much) censure. Nimue, on the other hand, is not; and the limits imposed on her by society and her social position determine her actions and approach to various events.
Interestingly enough, although the Arthurian mythos contains a wealth of morally reprehensible (male) characters (Uther Pendragon being one such example) McKenna never (ab)uses their vile behaviour nor does she bash these male characters to show her female protagonist in a better, more sympathetic light. All of her characters are human, imperfect, and imbued with virtues and flaws. Some of them are repulsive, their actions irredeemable and the readers will most likely despise them. The majority of them are in the morally grey territory and the readers’ sympathy will depend on the reader themselves. All are well-written, nuanced characters that enrich this retelling.
The Cleaving is a wonderful, masterfully written novel that gives a new perspective to a familiar legend. Readers, regardless of their level of familiarity with Arthurian mythos, will most certainly enjoy the beautiful prose and excellently crafted characters. The Cleaving is a resplendent book and certainly, a must-read for all mythology lovers....more
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is Angie Thomas' (The Hate U Give, On The ComeI received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is Angie Thomas' (The Hate U Give, On The Come Up) middle-grade debut. It's the first book in a new contemporary fantasy series that draws inspiration from African American history and folklore.
The Manifestor Prophecy follows Nic Blake, the story's main character and narrator, a Remarkable in an Unremarkable world. Nic's greatest wish is to be a powerful Manifestor, like her father. However, before she gets the chance to convince her dad to teach her about the Gift, a series of terrifying events and shocking revelations launch Nic and her friends on a quest to find a powerful magical item.
The Manifestor Prophecy is a remarkable (pun intended), superbly written book with a wonderfully nuanced, diverse, and developed cast of characters. The book celebrates African American culture, history, and heritage while exploring complex themes and interpersonal relationships in an approachable manner. The book's brisk pace never hinders the exploration of complex themes (injustice, racism, representation, interpersonal relationships) Thomas chose to cover or character development.
"Accurate representation matters when it comes to real folks."
The astonishing cast of characters portrayed in The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the book's highlights that show Thomas' writing skills. Each character is nuanced and multi-dimensional. Even the characters who are (supposed to be) antagonists are well-developed, and their (back)story is layered enough to make the reader think about them and the choices that led them to that path. Character development will encourage questions from middle-grade readers and will be a topic of discussion.
Representation is another important aspect; Nic, Alex, and JP are wonderful, charming, and relatable characters, and it's such a joy to see POC characters that middle-graders (and other readers) can see themselves in and relate to. I am sure these characters, but especially Nic, will become fan favourites.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a magnificent read. It's one of those important, but approachable books I could endlessly reread, analyze and write essays about. In addition, it is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it and getting a copy for any person in your life....more
"But maybe some wear is worth keeping. It shows our journey - everything we experienced to this very moment. And it's worth remembering, even the part
"But maybe some wear is worth keeping. It shows our journey - everything we experienced to this very moment. And it's worth remembering, even the parts that were hard.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
3,5 ⭐
Please Return to the Land of Luxury is a debut middle-grade fantasy novel by Jon Tilton. The book focuses on 3 children (Jane and her friends Rodney and Timothy) who live on an island filled with trash. The island is not just a gigantic junkyard for the Land of Luxury, but it is simultaneously our protagonists' home and jail - for the island is guarded by robots who are preventing any chance of escape.
The story and the protagonists' adventure begin when the children find a doll in a heap of trash. The doll's excellent condition and the tag "Please return to Gloria Tatcher" attached to it, set it apart from the rest of the items that usually end up in the junkyard. Jane's desire to return the toy to the rightful owner kickstarts this fun, fast-paced page-turning adventure.
The central themes that the book explores are the bonds of friendship and (found) family. In addition, it also focuses on environmental themes, class issues and inequality. The story and the characters are interesting, and I believe the intended audience will quickly connect and relate to them.
However, the complexity of the themes that the author chose to cover clashed with the book's brisk pace and its length; or to be more precise its shortness. The space for character development is minimal and because of it, many characters feel underdeveloped. The shortness also affected the story and exploration of some of the main themes of the book. In a few instances, there were sudden cuts or endings of action(s), only for everything to be quickly resolved or wrapped up in the next paragraph or chapter.
If the book had an extra 50 pages, the issues I mentioned above, could have been sorted. The characters would have had more space to develop and grow, and the plot wouldn't have sudden cuts or rapid resolutions in a paragraph. Nevertheless, Please Return to the Land of Luxury was an enjoyable read that will encourage discussion about the themes the book chose to focus on. I would recommend this book not just to a middle-grade audience (for which the book is intended), but also to everyone who likes (or needs) a faster-paced middle-grade read....more
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