URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Burned Man 3: Damnation - Peter McLean

Release Date: 02/05/17
Publisher: Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Don Drake is living rough in a sink estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh, doing cheap spells for even cheaper customers while fending off the local lowlifes. Six months ago, Don fled from London to Glasgow to track down his old girlfriend Debbie the alchemist. With the Burned Man gradually driving him mad, Don meets with an ancient and mysterious tramp-slash-magician, with disastrous consequences. Now his old accomplices must step in to save Don from himself, before he damns himself for good this time.


REVIEW:

The third tale in the Burned Man series and one that take the reader from the lows of previous events and the principle players descent into drugs as he struggles to come to terms with what has gone before.

Its well written, the lead character believable and you can understand how he has been shaped by previous titles. The writing is addictive, the prose apt and when you throw into the mix a kick ass plot that has our hero alongside his friends forced into a situation that no one likes, we get to see just how dark his world has become with his only light against it being used as a pawn. Future outings are going to see one hell of a reckoning (literally) and I for one can't wait to see how events will play out. Definitely a series to read with similar echoes to the Mike Carey Felix Castor series.

Finally whilst you can pick this up without having read previous outings, you really ought to as this title has a lesson in how to help your reader not only associate but root for the lead hero no matter how bleak things seem.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Seven Forges 4: The Silent Army - James A Moore

Release Date: 07/04/16
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

The power that was hidden in the Mounds is on the move, seeking a final confrontation with the very entities that kept it locked away since the Cataclysm. Andover Lashk has finally come to accept his destiny and prepares to journey back to Fellein. The Sa'ba Taalor continue their domination over each country and people they encounter, but the final conflict is coming: The Great Wave of the Sa'ba Taalor stands to destroy an empire and the Silent Army prepares to stop them in their tracks. Caught in the middle is the Fellein Empire and the people who have gathered together on the final battlefield. The faithful and the godless, the soldiers and killers alike all stand or fall as old gods and new bring their war to a world-changing end. Some struggles are eternal. Some conflicts never cease. The Gods of War are here and they are determined to win.


REVIEW:

The fourth outing for James Seven Forges series and one that continues to build upon the previous success of those that have gone before. The prose is sharp, the pace wonderfully timed with great action tempered with some wonderful lulls to allow you to get your breath back. Back this up with some great characters alongside a world that is delightfully designed all round makes this a series that continues to go from strength to strength.

Finally, and this is the clincher for me, Moore gives the characters a depth with their dialogue that not only shows their devotions but also gives them a roundedness that allows you to become fully immersed. Cracking.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Who Wants to be The Prince of Darkness - Michael Boatman

Release Date: 01/03/16
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Lucifer is enjoying his retirement in an obscure corner of Limbo when he learns of a plot by Gabriel, the current ruler of Hell, to use humanity’s greatest weapon against it – Television!

Cue the hottest reality game-show ever conceived: Who Wants To Be The Prince Of Darkness? Gabriel orchestrates an “Infernal takeover” of Earth by stealing unwitting mortal souls and sending them to a mostly empty Hell, hoping to reinvigorate the Infernal Realm.

Now Lucifer must find a living champion to seize control of Hell and free millions of stolen mortal souls before the theft becomes permanent. But who would ever want to be Hell’s champion?


REVIEW:

This was a strange title for as to be honest after reading the first couple of chapters I was thinking that it wasn’t going to be up to much for me as a reader. However the more time I put in, the more I got out of it and whilst a slow starter the tale picked up taking the reader on, if you’ll pardon the pun, one hell of an adventure as a damned mortal man seeks to thwart a hostile takeover of hell.

Its definitely quirky, has moments of humour and all round generates a story that I did have a lot of fun with in the end. Add to this a principle character that was quite a bit of fun to be around alongside a supporting cast who helped move the tale along, all round generated a story that will give you something completely different to a lot of other books out there. Good fun.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Children of a Dead Earth 1: The Ark - Patrick S Tomlinson

Release Date: 04/10/15
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Humankind has escaped a dying Earth and set out to find a new home among the stars aboard an immense generation spaceship, affectionately named the Ark. Bryan Benson is the Ark’s greatest living sports hero, enjoying retirement working as a detective in Avalon, his home module. The hours are good, the work is easy, and the perks can’t be beat.

But when a crew member goes missing, Benson is thrust into the centre of an ever-expanding web of deception, secrets, and violence that overturns everything he knows about living on the Ark and threatens everyone aboard. As the last remnants of humanity hurtle towards their salvation, Benson finds himself in a desperate race to unravel the conspiracy before a madman turns mankind’s home into its tomb.


REVIEW:

This is a bit of a strange book as its set completely upon a space station where crime has virtually been wiped out as mankinds last descendants make their way to a new home amongst the stars. It’s a well written plot, the twists work wonderfully well and when you throw a good few spanners, the quirkiness of living in virtually a tin can all round generates a story where it feels not only claustrophobic in places and agoraphobic in others.

Add to this good solid prose, dialogue that helps endear the principle player to you as well as discovering that whilst things appear fine from the outside, goes to show that secrets really don’t survive in such an enclosed area especially when it seems that everyone has something to hide. A solid read and one that I had fun reading. I really can’t wait to see how future outings develop.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Flex 2: The Flux - Ferrett Steinmetz

Release Date: 01/10/15
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

ALIYAH TSABO-DAWSON: The world's most dangerous eight-year-old girl. Burned by a terrorist's magic, gifted strange powers beyond measure. She's furious that she has to hide her abilities from her friends, her teachers, even her mother - and her temper tantrums can kill. PAUL TSABO: Bureaucromancer. Magical drug-dealer. Desperate father. He's gone toe-to-toe with the government's conscription squads of brain-burned Unimancers, and he'll lie to anyone to keep Aliyah out of their hands - whether Aliyah likes it or not. THE KING OF NEW YORK: The mysterious power player hell-bent on capturing the two of them. A man packing a private army of illegal 'mancers. Paul's family is the key to keep the King's crumbling empire afloat. But offering them paradise is the catalyst that inflames Aliyah's deadly rebellious streak...


REVIEW:

To be honest this was a book that I wanted to love and in some parts I did, however for the vast majority of the book, I had major problems trying to get to grips with the principle character. Its not that he wasn’t well written, he was, but the interaction with the daughter, Aliyah, just didn’t feel organic to me as a reader. She was uncontrollable and whilst from previous outing you can understand a huge amount of the issue’s that she had, the reader really needed something to help give her traits to endear her.

She was annoying, uncontrollable and to be honest acted more like a teenager than a young child. It made it hard to keep going and whilst I did, some of the interactions felt forced and for me as a reader detracted from the pace that should have kept it moving wonderfully well.

All round a novel that I had such high hopes for and whilst I was able to finish it, for me, it was a middle of the road title that didn’t stand out from a number of other titles doing similar magic within.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Dragons of Heaven - Alyc Helms

Release Date: 02/06/15
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Missy Masters inherited more than the usual genetic cocktail from her estranged grandfather. She also got his preternatural control of shadows and his enduring legacy as the legendary vigilante superhero, Mr Mystic. After a little work the costume fits OK, but Missy is far from experienced at fighting crime, so she journeys to China to seek the aid of Lung Huang, the ancient master who once guided her grandfather. She becomes embroiled in the politics of Lung Huang and his siblings, the allegedly mythical nine dragon-guardians of all creation. When Lung Di - Lung Huang's brother and mortal enemy - raises a magical barrier that cuts off China from the rest of the world, it falls to the new Mr Mystic to prove herself by taking down the barrier. It's a superhero novel, a pulp fantasy novel, with lashings of kung fu, immense kick-ass dragons and an unfailingly sympathetic heroine - yes, it's another wonderful Angry Robot title.


REVIEW:

If you’re after something a little bit strange and weird then you might want to give Alyc’s book a try. Within the author blends Eastern mysticism alongside Heroic adventure as two different cultures crash for readers of Western Fantasy. Its definitely quirky, has some good twists alongside adding a principle character that readers will enjoy spending time with.

Back this up a solid arc, decent dialogue and a supporting cast that has you questing motives alongside long term schemes and all round it is a book that will leave you wanting more. Cracking.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Rage of Kings 2: The White Towers - Andy Remic

Release Date: 05/06/14
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Vagandrak is broken, and a new threat has arisen that threatens to defeat even the mighty Iron Wolves. The twisted, deviant Elf Rats have gathered in the toxic realm beyond the White Lion Mountains - swiftly they invade the troubled land of Vagandrak, killing for profit and pleasure. The now-disgraced Iron Wolves are the realm's only hope, but there's a problem: they've been sentenced to death by the insane King Yoon for the dark sorcery in their blood. In the mountains of Zalazar lie the White Towers, pillars of legend said to contain the Heart of the Elves. The Iron Wolves must journey north to steal the Heart, and purify the evil in the land, but the land belongs to the Elves - and they won't give it up without a fight!


REVIEW:

Andy returns with his hard hitting fantasy world bringing no nonsense action to the reader wrapped up in cracking prose and stunning pace as our heroes seek to not only survive but face the gratitude of kings for all their hard work. It’s a cracking title and for me, I love the way that characters interaction really helps bring the world to life.

All in a great second title for a top notch series and one that really does help establish Andy as perhaps fantasy’s bloodiest author with high body count.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Night Terrors - Tim Waggoner

Release Date: 27/05/14
Publisher: Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

It's Supernatural meets Men in Black in a darkly humorous urban fantasy from the author of Nekropolis. When you dream, that have discovered, you visit the Maelstrom. Dream long enough and hard enough, and your dreams can break through into the living world. So, alas, can your nightmares. And who's there to catch the dreams and nightmares as they fall into reality? Meet the Nightwatch, the police who catch escaped nightmares. Pray you never need them -


REVIEW:

Urban Fantasy takes a new twist as Tim brings his own version of the Incubi to the reader in a cracking crime thriller that readers will really get behind. It has great prose, some wonderful concepts and when added to principle players dialogue all round generates something that was a pure joy to sit back and read, so much so that I wouldn’t think that you’ll be getting much sleep that night.

Its definitely going to be a book where you feel naught with your “one more chapter” thought and when added to the fact that the world is so open for future exploits as well as the chance for truly evil villains all round makes this a book that I really can’t recommend enough to UF fans looking for something new.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: An Occult Crimes Unit Investigation: Known Devil - Justin Gustainis

Release Date: 28/01/14
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

My name's Markowski. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets. A new supernatural gang is intent on invading Scranton - as if I didn't have enough to contend with!


REVIEW:

The latest Justin Gustainis which takes us back to spend more time with the Police Unit that deals with the things that go bump in the night generating not only a real kickass story but one that brings the wonderfully thorny Markowski to the reader.

I love spending time with this principle character as he resolves his human side against the otherness of the people he deals with. Its quirky, has a great overall arc and when added to a criminal element goes on to show how tricky policing the unusual can be. Its definitely something that I would recommend to others and a series that has done nothing but entertain since its original release.

Add to this adventure a new danger to the otherworld community of Slide, the return of an old foe and of course a whole workload for our hero to deal with and all round you’ll be in for a treat. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Rage of Kings 1: The Iron Wolves - Andy Remic

Release Date:  31/12/13
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Thirty years ago, the Iron Wolves held back mud-orc hordes at the Pass of Splintered Bones, and led a brutal charge that saw the sorcerer Morkagoth slain.

Now, a new terror stalks the realm. Orlana the Changer has escaped from the Chaos Halls and is building an army, twisting horses, lions and bears into terrible, bloody hunters, summoning mud-orcs from the slime and heading north to battle the mighty region of Vagandrak where, it said, the King has gone insane.

General Dalgoran searches to reunite the heroes of old for what he believes will be their final battle. But Dalgoran discovers the Iron Wolves are no longer the heroes of legend, and they might just be more dangerous than the invading hordes.


REVIEW:

OK, you want something to really round off the years end or to kick start your 2014 reading resolutions so what are you looking for? Well if you want top notch fantasy with realistic characters, hard hitting battle sequences, bloody gore soaked ground where life and death is measured in skill then you really have to get Andy Remic's new title, The Iron Wolves, the start of his cracking new series.

As you come to expect with Andy, he's an author who likes to keep it not only hardcore with the action but with the language and fans of David Gemmell will see many a homage within. Add to this cracking prose with spartan descriptive's which when added to a unique style will more than satisfy the fan within. All round a great offering and with the emotional context built in, goes to show that Andy's writing is not only flourishing but adding new strings to his bow all the time. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Elemental Wars 1: Heartwood - Freya Robertson

Release Date: 29/10/13
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Chonrad, Lord of Barle, comes to the fortified temple of Heartwood for the Congressus peace talks, which Heartwood's holy knights have called in an attempt to stave off war in Anguis. But the Arbor, Heartwood's holy tree, is failing, and because the land and its people are one, it is imperative the nations try to make peace. After the Veriditas, or annual Greening Ceremony, the Congressus takes place. The talks do not go well and tempers are rising when an army of warriors emerges from the river. After a fierce battle, the Heartwood knights discover that the water warriors have stolen the Arbor's heart. For the first time in history, its leaves begin to fall - The knights divide into seven groups and begin an epic quest to retrieve the Arbor, and save the land


REVIEW:

This is a book I heard about fairly recently and to be honest I was not only intrigued by the premise but as I started I was taken back to my first reading of Edding’s Sparhawk Sextet. The characters felt real, they were a whole lot of fun to spend time around and when you add personal challenges to the various quests it soon becomes obvious that its going to be a great ride. That’s not to say that its not a book without problems as parts of it do feel a little simplistic, but if you were looking for something to help bridge the gap between YA and Adult I’d definitely recommend this.

There’s a huge scope for the story, some wonderful imaginative thoughts into the world development and of course with a whole set of challenges to meet it’s something that fantasy readers will love. All round a great start to a series and one that I’ll be sticking with alongside each subsequent release. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: Tales of Easie Damasco 3: Prince Thief - David Tallerman

Release Date: 24/09/13
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

Altapasaeda, capital of the Castoval, is under siege by its own King - and Easie Damasco is trapped within the city's besieged walls. Only Mounteban has a solution to offer. Far to the north, rebels have set a bastard prince up as a figurehead. If our heroes could kidnap this warlord-in-the-making, he might be used as a bargaining chip to end the war on both fronts. Yet again, Damasco finds himself roped into a desperate scheme to preserve the Castoval, and events only grow more complicated as Damasco discovers that he and the disgruntled, rebellious teenage Prince have more in common than either of them would like to admit.


REVIEW:

I’m a huge fan of the antihero as you’re never sure which way things are going to go, after all, a man with no real scruples coupled with a lot of temptation really does have the world at his feet and more than likely gives the author a few nightmares as he fights against some of the plotlines.

Yet for all that, Easie is back here for his third outing and as such really does give me a story to get my teeth into. I love the humour, I love the twists that David brings and above all else I love the way that the protagonist interweaves his way through the problems to do his damnedest to fulfil his own requirements whilst staying alive. Its refreshing, it has a whole cartload of catastrophe and yet, it’s so much of a chaotic mishmash that you really can’t put the book down as you wait to see what happens next. It’s magical. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Marching Dead - Lee Battersby

Release Date: 25/03/13
Publisher:  Angry Robot

SYNOPSIS:

The sequel to The Corpse-Rat King. Find the dead a King, save himself, win the love of his life, live happily ever after. No wonder Marius dos Helles is bored. But now Keth, his one love, is missing. Gerd has re-entered his life, and something has stopped the dead from, well, dying. It's up to Marius, Gerd, and Gerd's not-dead-enough Granny to journey across the continent and put the dead back in the afterlife where they belong. But someone has the dead riled up and spoiling for a fight, and now the dead are marching


REVIEW:

To be honest this title has been on my kindle for a while and when more books moved in, it was sadly moved further back only to be rediscovered when I was doing some clearing out. I’m so annoyed with myself as this second book from Lee was one that I not only thoroughly enjoyed but one I devoured in a single sitting.

As with the original Lee brings a great duo back together and also throws in Granny for not only comical value but as a voice of reason (although a great many would argue against that.) Its quirky, has some wonderful twists and with characters that are larger than life (and in this case death) all round makes this a book that if you want something a little different in the fantasy genre, will more than meet your needs. A great book all round.

NEWS: Angry Robot Reboot Lee Harris with new Purpose

Hail Mighty Readers,
Our friends at Angry Robot have fed us secret communications about Lee Harris, here's their feed:

"It was a dark day in the Angry Robot Fortress of Doom. The greatest robo-minds in the global organisation had gathered, with but one purpose:
 
“We need to talk about Lee.”
Silence. Grim, quite possibly foreboding silence.
“Er, why?”
“Well… he knows things. Lots of things. Things that, if brought into the harsh light of public scrutiny, could have massive and far-reaching consequences for our mission. We need to decide what to do about him.”
More silence. This time of a more ruminative, speculative kind.
“We could…”
“Yes?”
“…promote him?”
Silence again. But of the lightbulb-going-on variety.
“Hadn’t thought about that. Not a bad idea. Right then, stand-down the grinders, issue a public pronouncement on all channels. The Lee Harris Unit is hereby promoted to…”
“Senior Editor?”
“Yep, that sounds about right. Senior editor. Good idea. Make it so.”
“Please, no Trek clichés.”
“Sorry. Just get on with it, then. And put the kettle on, someone. I’m gasping for a brew.”
Silence once more, as the greatest robo-minds in the global organisation vacated the Chamber of Contemplation, to return to their own dreams and schemes of imminent and inevitable global domination.
True story."

We'd like to say congrats to Lee but hey, we wouldn't want to be probed for supporting him.  LOL

URBAN WESTERN FANTASY: The Dead of Winter - Lee Collins

Release Date: 01/11/12

SYNOPSIS:

Cora and her husband hunt things - things that shouldn't exist. When the marshal of Leadville, Colorado, comes across a pair of mysterious deaths, he turns to Cora to find the creature responsible, but if Cora is to overcome the unnatural tide threatening to consume the small town, she must first confront her own tragic past as well as her present.


REVIEW:

As a fan of the Wild West and a huge fan of the Supernatural world I was really excited when I heard of this debut from one of Angry Robot’s Open Submission period last year. What occurs within is a story of two halves, with the first feeling that the two principle characters were based on Sam and Dean Winchester with one being a short hard drinker (although female) whilst the other is soft spoken as well as tall who helps keep the fighter on an even keel.

Don’t get me wrong it is fun, its inventive but getting past the preconception was quite tough. Don’t get me wrong the writing is sharp as well as crisp with the combat delivering the gun totting alongside hand to hand combat that the reader will enjoy. Back that up with an author who as the tale expands appears to become more comfortable with the world as well as a better understanding of the characters and all in it’s a lot of fun that many will enjoy.

Finally throw into the mix a whole host of chaos, a second tale that really steps out on its own and all in it’s a series that I have high hopes for in future instalments. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: From the Tales of Easie Damasco 2: Crown Thief - David Tallerman

Release Date: 04/10/12

SYNOPSIS:

Meet Easie Damasco: Thief, swindler and lately, reluctant hero. But whatever good intentions Damasco may have are about to be tested to their limits, as the most valuable - and dangerous - object in the land comes within his light-fingered grasp. Add in some suicidally stubborn giants, an old enemy with dreams of empire and the deadliest killers in two kingdoms on his heels, and Damasco's chances of staying honest - or even just surviving - are getting slimmer by the hour.


REVIEW:

Easie Damasco returns with Saltlick and is in just as much trouble as he was in his last outing, Giant Thief. As with the original it’s definitely something a little quirky and the antihero protagonist is a pure joy to hang around as he seeks avenues to further not only his own goals but to save his own hide with any advantage he can get.

It’s a fun romp in a dark fantasy world and when you add to this great prose, top notch prose and combat to keep you glued, all in this is a great second book for the reader to enjoy. Finally add to the mix a deeper series overall arc playing out underneath the plot for this title and all in the reader is in for a treat. Great stuff.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Corpse-Rat King - Lee Battersby

Release Date: 06/09/12

SYNOPSIS:

Marius dos Hellespont and his apprentice, Gerd, are professional looters of battlefields. When they stumble upon the corpse of the King of Scorby and Gerd is killed, Marius is mistaken for the monarch by one of the dead soldiers, is transported down to the Kingdom of the Dead. The dead need a King - the King is God's representative, and someone needs to remind God where they are. Marius is banished to the surface with one message: if he wants to recover his life he must find the dead a King. Which he fully intends to do. Just as soon as he stops running.



REVIEW:

Fantasy has always been a genre that I return to time and again, I get what I want whether it’s a hero vanquishing evil or an adventure with a group bent upon a specific task and sometimes, very rarely, I find something that’s very different to other titles out there.

Such is the case with Lee Battersby’s new title. It’s quirky, has a cracking lead Anti-Hero and to be honest is a book that whilst generating what readers love, also has time to poke fun at itself with the principle character giving the readers the same chain of thoughts that they’d perhaps come up with themselves in the characters situation.

Add to this some very tight prose, a wonderful sense of pace and an author who let the tale develop organically all the while whilst our hero seeks to deal with the enormous task that he’s been given. Finally add to the mix a title that was nigh impossible to put down and as a reader I was immensely satisfied and hope that Lee has more in mind for Marius. Just don’t expect to get up too early the next day if you started this very late.

NEWS: Colin Harvey: Help Support Above and Beyond with Angry Robot

A year after his passing, Colin Harvey's publishers, Angry Robot are offering his two books:
Winter Song
Damage Time
Alongside his Flash Fiction Mini Collection for a staggering price of £6 via the Robot Trading Company.

All proceeds will be donated to the authors favourite Charity, Above and Beyond by the publisher. 

For more on Colin and to help get the twitter feed trending alongside appearing on Facebook please link to Lee Harris' Angry Robot tribute on thier website.  

Together we can make a difference in the memory of a gracious author who always made time for people and managed to turn an awful day upside down. 

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: The First Machine Dynasty 1: vN - Madeline Ashby

Release Date: 02/08/12

SYNOPSIS:

Amy Peterson is a self-replicating humanoid robot. For the past five years, she has been grown slowly as part of a mixed organic/synthetic family. She knows very little about her android mother's past, so when her grandmother arrives and attacks her mother, Amy wastes no time: she eats her alive. Now she carries her malfunctioning granny as a partition on her memory drive, and she's learning impossible things about her clade's history - like the fact that she alone can kill humans without failsafing -

REVIEW:

When you write a book with Robots as a central character you have to be very careful as they can come across as cold as well as impersonal which then makes them nigh impossible for the reader to associate with. What Madeline does with this book is bring out the human side as the principle character, Amy who is in Kindergarten when we meet her for the first time, brings this future world to the reader in not only an emotional way but on a journey of self-discovery that will have profound effects upon all involved.

Its wonderfully written, there’s just the right amount of action to increase pace but the real discovery within is the changes that she makes as she gains experience of life on the run. Add to this solid prose, a great concept within and an overall arc that allows the reader to see the world though her eyes and all in this is a great release for a first time author. I’ll definitely be reading more by Madeline in the future.

FANTASY REVIEW: Tales of Egil and Nix 1: The Hammer and the Blade - Paul S Kemp

Release Date: 05/07/12

SYNOPSIS:

Kill a demon. Steal the treasure. Retire to a life of luxury. Sounds easy when you put it like that. Unfortunately for Egil and Nix, when the demon they kill has friends in high places, retirement is not an option. File Under: Fantasy; Derring Don't; Hammer Time; Family Affair; and, Hell Spawn.


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of fantasy I feel that there are times when I want something that bridges the gaps between the modern tales of heroes and the old where they struggle through by luck, smarts and of course combat skills only to face something that they’re totally unprepared for so when I get the chance to explore a book by a well-known author I jump at the chance.

What Paul brings to the table with this new series is a tale of friendship, of action, forward planning and of course intrigue that blends elements of Fritz Lieber, David Eddings alongside the Forgotten Realms authors in one huge epic that was a pure joy to read.

The pace was electric, the twists organic and when you add to the mix an author with enough experience to make sure that everything feels natural as it develops really makes this a joy to read. Finally throw into the mix some solid dialogue and characters that were like Mana from heaven and all in I was a satisfied reader.