Thursday 23 January 2014

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEW: Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman, Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman: Rearguard, The Foreworld Saga: Tyr's Hammer, What Happens in Dubai - Mike Tinker Pearce and Linda Pearce

Release Date: 26/02/13
Publisher:  47 North

SYNOPSIS:

Engvyr’s father gave up on the miner’s life to move the family back to their ancestral home in the far north. But the journey is fraught with perils the young dwarf has never imagined, and when tragedy casts him in the role of hero, well, what’s a dwarf to do?

The events of that fateful journey have shaped and ruled his life, but now Engvyr wants nothing more than to make a place for himself, perhaps settle down and raise a family. But when a new enemy rises in the North he finds himself at the center of the conflict, with not merely the freedom of his people but the fate of all of humanity hanging in the balance… and the habit of heroism is a hard one to break.

In Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman magic, science and technology work hand-in-hand to create a new kind of fantasy world, where the character, life and relationships of an ordinary dwarf can steer the course of history and save a world.


REVIEW:

I love a cracking fantasy story and having enjoyed another 47 North author prior to this, I was more than happy to give a second a go and to be honest I was pleased I did. Here in the first of two tales featuring a cracking lead hero, is a tale that gives a reader an adventure of a lifetime (our principle heroes) and one that has a whole host of emotional context within.

The prose is sharp, has great twists and when added to a Dwarven love of gunpowder all round gives the reader a cracking story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned. Add to this a voice that the reader will love to spend time around as well as a wonderfully developed protagonist and I can’t wait to start part two.



Release Date: 19/09/13
Publisher:  47 North

SYNOPSIS:

Engvyr Gunnarson is an expert marksman and a soldier in one of the dwarves' elite rifle regiments. He is sworn to preserve king and country, but when a rescue mission goes awry he and his companions must face impossible odds to delay their pursuers... and perhaps pay the ultimate price for their heroism!


REVIEW:

I love spending time with the stunty ones and having loved the first outing from Mike and Linda, I couldn’t wait to see what the world would dish up this time as world changing events are in the offing with our principle hero in the thick of things. It has great prose, some wonderful twists which when backed with an authorly voice that really speaks to the reader all round generates a special tale that you won’t be able to put down.

Add to this the continued development of our hero as well as the strength of tale improving all round gives the reader something not only unique but a real treat. Great stuff.



Release Date: 03/12/13
Publisher:  Brilliance Corp

SYNOPSIS:

SideQuests are stand-alone stories or novellas that chronicle the heroes, villains, and adventures in The Foreworld Saga across numerous eras and ages. They can be read in any order with or without prior knowledge of The Foreworld Saga. In this quick-witted and action-packed addition to The Foreworld Saga series, the leader of the Shield-Brethren has dispatched two of his men northward to secure land for a new citadel. When Tyr and his companion come upon the perfect spot, they discover that it is owned by Voldrun, a northern king with a questionable sense of justice. Although he welcomes the travelers, the king's true motives eventually become clear. Determined to be compensated for his hospitality, Voldrun subjects the duo to several challenges, culminating in a game more dangerous than either warrior could ever have imagined. Steadfast and brave to the end, Tyr must draw upon all of his considerable skill and cunning as he endeavors to outwit the sly Voldrun and strives to secure a bright future for the order.


REVIEW:

I love a classic fantasy tale so this tale by Mike and Linda, hit all the right buttons for me as they brought life to a tale of Nordic proportions. The prose was sharp, the characters fun to spend time around and whilst I saw what was coming quite early on, I still had a lot of fun as the tale wound its merry way through my imagination. All round a cracking little tale and one that I think a fair few others should try to get a flavour of whats to come in their longer stories. Great stuff.




Release Date: 16/08/13
Publisher:  Brilliance Corp

SYNOPSIS:

Special Forces troops in powered armor must try to stop terrorists from detonating a ten-megaton nuclear weapon in a major city. If they fail millions will die and it will tear the heart out of the Middle East's economy.


REVIEW:

A short story outing that is not only a wonderful bit of fun but one that gets the readers to ask questions of themselves about the possible futures. Here within this title, is a story that brings Mike and Linda’s writing to the fore, it has cracking pace, prose which in its sparseness works wonderfully and when added to a unique point of view all round gives the reader an experience that is different to a lot of other reads out there. All round a great bit of fun.

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