Release Date: 09/03/17
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Enter a war-torn world where gunpowder and magic collide
The nation of Fatrasta is a haven for criminals, rebels, adventurers and sorcerers seeking relics of the past. As insurrection grows, only the iron will of the Lady Chancellor holds the capital city of Landfall together.
Yet an ancient power as old as time is rising, and the fate of this young nation now rests in the hands of a spy, a disgraced war hero and a mercenary general with a past as turbulent as Landfall's present.
Sins of Empire is the bold new epic fantasy from Gemmell Award-winning author Brian McClellan.
REVIEW:
A brand new series for Brian as we return to his inventive world with this epic opener. As expected from the author, the writing is high octane blood and fire, accompanied with top notch prose as well as characters that seek to not only survive but help shape the future by their actions.
Its got a cracking premise, has a wonderful overall arc and when added to a writing style that really just burst out of left field is showing why this author is becoming a firm fan favourite due to his playing for keeps attitude. All round a top notch title and one that has left me demanding more. Magic.
Release Date: 09/03/17
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
SYNOPSIS:
The Emperor is dead - long live the Empress!
Emperor Constant is dead and his rivals are scrabbling for power - but any misstep could plunge the land, already devastated by the shocking outcome of the Third Crusade, into a calamitous civil war.
The Imperial throne is not the only one in jeopardy. Two brothers, imprisoned veterans of the Crusades, finally return home to find their father's kingdom being plundered - but the price of regaining their birthright will have far-reaching implications for the entire empire.
In the East, Sultan Salim, peacemaker and visionary ruler, faces his greatest challenge as his people demand an invasion of the West in retribution for the Rondian Crusades
And lurking in the darkness, orchestrating both the power struggles and the inevitable conflicts, is a shadowy group threatening to destroy civilisation itself.
Once more, Urte stands on the brink of cataclysm.
REVIEW:
Having read David's Moontide Quartet I was pretty excited to return to hs world for the beginning of a new series. As you expect it is filled with a lot of the same things that made his previous series so enjoyable, great characters, solid prose and of course a huge plot leaving you wondering if its going to be possible to fit it all in.
Add to this huge epic combat sequences alongside a lot of political double-dealing maneuvering and all round its a book that really does give. All round its a cracking start and whilst a number of people may think that the book takes its time to get going, please remember that when you're dealing with epic fantasy a lot of the first title is set up to get all the details out of the way so subsequent offerings deal purely with the situation that the cast find themselves in. Always read the second part prior to deciding if the series is not for you and if you wait long enough you could well get it at bargain prices. Magic.
Release Date: 19/01/16
Publisher: Titan
SYNOPSIS:
The Celestial Church has all but eliminated the old pagan ways, ruling the people with an iron hand. Demonic gheists terrorize the land, hunted by the warriors of the Inquisition, yet it is the battling factions within the Church and age-old hatreds between north and south that tear the land apart. Malcolm Blakley, hero of the Reaver War, seeks to end the conflict between men, yet it will fall to his son, Ian, and the huntress Gwen Adair to stop the killing before it tears the land apart. The Pagan Night is an epic of mad gods, inquisitor priests, holy knights bound to hunt and kill, and noble houses fighting battles of politics, prejudice, and power.
REVIEW:
To be honest I was originally a little confused with this title as the US and the UK have two different series names for it (US: The Long Winter, UK: The Hallowed War). But a promise of an epic fantasy, old gods vs the new church as well as a civil war really does get not only the blood flowing but the mind as you’re being treated to something that really won’t let go.
The writing is crisp and whilst I know others have been upset with the maps at the books beginning, I tend to avoid that sort of thing until I have to look at them (although to be honest I think it would have been better to have it as an appendices rather than at the front.)
For me what really sells this book is Tim’s principle characters. They’re wonderfully described, backed up with solid dialogue as well as having flaws alongside traits that really allow them to breathe life into the world.
All round a book I thoroughly enjoyed and a good enough start to allow a hell of a lot more to happen in the future and with high death counts, more people to introduce as well as other points of view to add, its going to be one hell of a ride.
Release Date: 05/04/12
SYNOPSIS:
Ten years ago, two children witnessed a murder. Tali saw two people kill her mother, and though she is only a slave in underground Cython, she has sworn revenge. She may be nothing to those who live above ground, but she will bring the killers to justice.
Rix, heir to Hightspall's greatest fortune, watched as two masked figures murdered a woman for reasons he still doesn't understand. Even now, he is haunted by the killing.
Tali's escape from slavery leads to war with Hightspall and, when she is rescued by Rix, they're hunted through a land in chaos. As Tali and Rix set out to unravel the mystery behind her mother's death, Rix is tormented by sickening premonitions that he too will commit murder - Tali's murder.
Within days, Hightspall is close to defeat. The only way to save the realm is to unmask and defeat the killer. But how can Tali avenge herself on a sorcerer who died two thousand years ago?
REVIEW:
Ian Irvine is an author that is similar to marmite, either you love him or you don’t. Personally I love his writing style, its clean, he builds up characters well and allows them to grow from the situations that life has presented. Add to this a complex world with rules that take some time to get used to and you know that it’s a book that is going further into the realm of epic fantasy than many authors fear to tread .
Throw into the mix a distrustful lead character situation where they both have to learn how to survive together and a whole host of satisfying dialogue and the reader is in for a treat. Finally add a screwy world system and a mission for vengeance and you know that the characters within are going to change. A wonderful read all round and I really can’t wait to see where the Tainted Realm goes next.
BOOK BLURB:
He had brought his master’s Empire to the furthest reaches of the world. All had fallen before him. Now he longs for home.
But home isn’t what it was. Could it be that everything he’s fought for all those years has been a lie?
A sweeping fantasy of immense battles, demonic magic and dark politics.
REVIEW:
Having loved Gav Thorpe’s writing from his Black Library offering I knew that this would be something different and I hoped special. Yes, it has his combat sequences that are pretty unique, yes it has his touch of sparse descriptiveness that allows you to get to the meat of the story without unnecessary fussiness and backed it up with politics that make this a reasonable opener for a new epic fantasy series.
It has all the elements to make this something special although for me personally I found the book blurb off putting alongside something that could have been better phrased for the market. All in it is a good solid opening to a new series although it may not appeal to a lot of Gav’s established fans who prefer not having to go through quite a long set up.
