HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Empire of the Moghul 4: The Tainted Throne - Alex Rutherford

Release Date: 10/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

The brutal battle for power continues in the fourth book in the epic Empire of the Moghul series. Agra, India, 1606. Jahangir, the triumphant Moghul Emperor and ruler of most of the Indian subcontinent, is doomed. No amount of wealth and ruthlessness can protect him from his sons' desire for power. The glorious Moghul throne is worth any amount of bloodshed and betrayal; once Jahangir raised troops against his own father; now he faces a bloody battle with Khurram, the ablest of his warring sons. Worse is to come. Just as the heirs of Timur the Great share intelligence, physical strength and utter ruthlessness, they also have a great weakness for wine and opium. Once Jahangir is tempted, his talented wife, Mehrunissa, is only too willing to take up the reins of empire. And with Khurram and his half-brothers each still determined to be their father's heir, the savage battle for the Moghul throne will be more ferocious than even Timur could have imagined...


REVIEW:

Whilst I’ve not always been enamoured of the writing style of this team, I have to admit that the bravery exuded by the two to explore a rich and varied culture brings to the western audience a set of stories that are not only dark but invigorating as the lead characters play the old game of thrones to the best of their abilities.

That said, the story creates its own path which whilst fascinating from a historians point of view, does leave a reader who likes the cut and thrust a little disappointed as the pace can be infuriatingly slow at times. Don’t get me wrong, the concept and story is gripping, however, when the writing for me takes its time with overly flowery prose I tend to get a little lost and disappointed as I wait for the next development to slowly dawn. Whilst many will love this style, for me the series is one that whilst I should have loved fell far short of what I felt it should be achieving. A great shame all in but you can’t please everyone.

FANTASY REVIEW: Wintercraft: Legacy - Jenna Burtenshaw

Release Date: 13/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

The veil which marks the division between life and death is falling. Lost souls are seeping through to roam Albion's graveyard city of Fume. Kate Winters' recent memory is lost. Relieved to be heading home to Albion, Kate can't shake the feeling that Dalliah Grey, the woman she's supposed to be working for, is not to be trusted. Disgraced warrior Silas Dane plans to rescue Kate and save Albion from the advancing armies seeking to profit from the confusion. But the veil will not be easy to repair and Silas knows sacrifices have to be made. Kate must return to the dark secrets detailed by her ancestors in the ancient book of WINTERCRAFT and learn from their mistakes to save herself.


REVIEW:

Having enjoyed the first two Wintercraft titles I really couldn’t wait to see how the story would conclude in the third title of this trilogy especially with so many threads yet to be concluded. After all, with the reader left on tenterhooks from the previous releases it really should come as no surprise that this book has been one of the most awaited by many a Young Fantasy fan.

The writing as usual is addictive with the author bringing the tale to the reader by the hand and letting it work its own way organically which when added to the solid prose and lovingly crafted dialogue really work well for the reader. Back that up with cracking lead characters alongside an easy to visualise world and all in it was a real treat. For me the only real downside is that this is the end to the series. Great stuff all in and a cracking series for your young reader to get into.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Sniper Elite V2 - 505 Games, Rebellion

Release Date: 04/05/12

SYNOPSIS:
The sequel to Rebellion’s highly-acclaimed 2005 game Sniper Elite, Sniper Elite V2 continues to offer gamers the most authentic World War II sniping experience by putting them in the middle of war-torn Berlin amidst the frenzied final battle between German and Russian forces.

Berlin 1945. V2 Rockets with deadly nerve gas are primed to launch. An army of German and Russian soldiers stand in your way. Make every single bullet count or the world dies with you.

It’s a heart-stopping race against time to save millions of people…

Game Features:

* X-Ray Kill Cam
Amazing “kill cam” technology showcases what really happens when a bullet enters an enemy’s body, allowing players to see hearts and lungs tear, livers burst, bones and teeth shatter, and entrails fall out.

* Sniping Simulation
Sniper Elite V2 features detailed sniping simulation with advanced ballistics, taking into account gravity, wind, velocity, bullet penetration, aim stability and more. Guaranteed to provide players with the most realistic simulation of military sharpshooting yet available.

* Sniper's Choice
Players will often find themselves facing a choice of the perfect shot that leaves them catastrophically exposed or a more difficult route that means they can continue their mission.

* Authenticity
The game features authentic World War II Berlin locations as well as vehicles, weapons such as the Springfield M1903, the Gewehr 43 and the Mosin-Nagant 1891/30, and uniforms modeled after the original versions.

* Use The Environment
The slightest changes in the environment need to be taken into account to move into the perfect position, observe the quarry, take the shot and slip away unnoticed.


REVIEW:

OK, I do play the odd shooting game however I’m not one that likes to have to charge hell for leather blasting randomly hoping that you take out the enemy. Whats my style? To be honest I love sniping, that getting into the right position to deliver the assassination blade or bolt or to take that longshot to take out the enemy quite a distance away that feels rewarding when you hit the mark,

What Sniper Elite does for me as a player is bring all the elements I love together, gives me chance to take out difficult targets but also allows me to lay traps for my own protection when facing overwhelming numbers. The graphics are solid, the sound effects decent but my favourite element is seeing the damage done to the body with carefully placed shots. Add to this having to keep picking up ammunition, target raids as well as enemies that adjust to your playing style and for me this is a game I’ll have fun playing through quite a few times. Great stuff.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Railsea - China Mieville

Release Date: 24/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

On board the moletrain Medes, Sham Yes ap Soorap watches in awe as he witnesses his first moldywarpe hunt.

The giant mole bursting from the earth, the harpoonists targeting their prey, the battle resulting in one’s death and the other’s glory are extraordinary. But no matter how spectacular it is, travelling the endless rails of the railsea, Sham can't shake the sense that there is more to life. Even if his philosophy-seeking captain can think only of the hunt for the ivory-coloured mole she’s been chasing – ever since it took her arm all those years ago.

When they come across a wrecked train, at first it's a welcome distraction. But the impossible salvage Sham finds in the derelict leads to considerably more than he'd bargained for. Soon he's hunted on all sides: by pirates, trainsfolk, monsters and salvage-scrabblers.

And it might not be just Sham's life that's about to change. It could be the whole of the railsea.

Playful and clever, this is the new gloriously imagined novel from China Miéville.


REVIEW:

If there’s an author that is the infamous box of chocolates, its China Mieville as he has an ability to take an idea and develop a reality that is not only fascinating but one that you could see as functional in the future. It’s quirky, it brings imaginative prose to the fore and with the writing skills of the author make this not only a hard to put down title but one that will bring in many more fans as his fame spreads.

Add to this some cracking twists, some wonderful characters and a principle player that the reader will just love to hang around and all in you have all the elements for a best seller. Finally throw into the mix the authors no nonsense style of storytelling, a spartan set of prose and developments that feel natural and all in it’s a wonderful adventure to embark upon. China really is an author to enjoy and for me, one that really makes my day when his new book lands.

GUEST BLOG: Mike Shevdon interviews Niall Petersen

With the launch of Strangeness and Charm, I thought it would be fun to interview one of the characters and find out how Niall’s doing after the Road to Bedlam, with the adventures of the new book still to come. Of course, there is something circular about interviewing a character in your own head, and anyone with an aversion to multiple personality disorders should probably look away now. With that, I will invite Niall Petersen, protagonist of Sixty-One Nails, The Road to Bedlam, and now Strangeness and Charm, to come forward.

Shevdon: Hello, Niall. Please sit down. Make yourself comfortable.

Niall: Who are you? Where is this place? Am I dreaming?

Shevdon: Yes, you could call this a dream. This place does not exist and I am not exactly here. Technically neither are you.

Niall: (Wandering around, touching the furniture, lifting things up and weighing them in his hand) Do I know you? Your voice sounds….familiar.

Shevdon: We’ve met before, many times, though you will not remember me. After this meeting you will forget all about this. You can say whatever you want. No-one you know will ever hear of it.

Niall: It’s strange. You’re telling the truth - I can hear it in your voice, but it doesn’t make any sense.

Shevdon: I’m in your head, or you’re in mine. Does that help? I wanted to ask how you’re doing?

Niall: Is Blackbird here? Can she hear this?

Shevdon: No, it’s just us. I thought we’d have a private chat. Well, almost private.

Niall: (Finally taking a seat) You know, I’ve seen some weird things in the last year, but this is really strange.

Shevdon: You’ll get used to it. You’ve got used to a lot of things over the past year, haven’t you?

Niall: That’s an understatement.

Shevdon: How does it feel to be super-human?

Niall: Is that what you call it? I’m not sure that’s the term I would use.

Shevdon: Okay, what term would you use?

Niall: I’m not sure. The Feyre call it gifted - isn’t there something about accepting gifts from strangers?

Shevdon: Then how does it feel to be gifted?

Niall: It doesn’t feel like a gift, that’s for sure. More like a burden. Something to be carried.

Shevdon: So you feel like it’s holding you back?

Niall: No, I didn’t say that. If anything it’s dragging me forward, making me do things I don’t want to do. Some of the things I’ve done recently - I wouldn’t have contemplated….not even imagined myself doing them.

Shevdon: You’ve killed people.

Niall: Only in self-defence, I swear. I haven’t killed anyone on purpose.

Shevdon: What about the people on the boat? What about the fishermen?

Niall: That was different.

Shevdon: Was it? You could have left them. You could have informed the authorities - got them arrested, charged, imprisoned?

Niall: They came at me. They started it. They got what they deserved.

Shevdon: That’s what I meant. You acted like a Warder. You judged them, and then you acted on that judgement.

Niall: You weren’t there. You don’t know what they were doing.

Shevdon: You’d be surprised what I know. You’ve done some good things too, though, haven’t you? You’ve made a difference?

Niall: With Shelley? Perhaps. Maybe it’ll work out.

Shevdon: I didn’t mean with Shelley. I meant you saved the world.

Niall: Did I? (Laughs ironically) No, I don’t think so. Postponed the inevitable maybe. That’s all.

Shevdon: You think the return of the Seventh Court is inevitable?

Niall: It’s not just them, though is it? You should have seen what they were doing at Porton Down. There was stuff going on down there that just shouldn’t be happening. I’m not naive enough to imagine that’s the only place they’re doing things like that. Genetics, nuclear, bio-weapons, something will get loose eventually, and it will all come crashing down.

Shevdon: That seems like a very bleak view of the future. If you feel like that, why strive? Why risk yourself?

Niall: Someone has to, don’t they?

Shevdon: But why does it have to be you?

Niall: Because I’m the one that’s there. There isn’t anyone else. It’s just me. We come into the world in blood and tears and we leave the same way. Hopefully we leave it better than we found it. If we don’t, what’s the point?

Shevdon: You want to leave the world better than you found it. Is this for Alex? For your son?

Niall: Yeah, my son. How about that? (He smiles for the first time) I didn’t expect to be a father again, not at my age. And Blackbird’s doing well, thanks for asking. And Alex too, of course. A better world for her.

Shevdon: How is she?

Niall: Alex? Traumatised…emotional. She dreams she’s back there, I know she does. I can hear her screaming before she wakes up, before she realises she’s awake and it’s dark.

Shevdon: Because it was never dark there.

Niall: It’s funny. When she was little she used to be afraid of the dark.

Shevdon: Are you afraid of the dark?

Niall: Why? (Laughs) Because there might be monsters? Let me tell you, not all the monsters have big teeth and claws. I’d rather have the ones with teeth and claws. At least you know what you’re dealing with.

Shevdon: And what about Raffmir?

Niall: Speaking of monsters….

Shevdon: You don’t really believe that.

Niall: He’s a piece of work.

Shevdon: You’re quite alike, you know. In other circumstances….

Niall: We are not alike. We are quite, quite different.

Shevdon: If you say so. Do you think there are others like you? Other fey-humans with an affinity for the void?

Niall: It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Has one of them being playing away from home? Is there a woman somewhere, or a man, come to that, who’s fallen for those charms? Hard to imagine.

Shevdon: I thought it could just happen randomly? I thought that’s why you are like you are?

Niall: That’s what they tell you. I don’t think they know. Not really. Something happened, that’s for sure.

Shevdon: And what about the others? Alex wasn’t the only one you set free from Porton Down. There were other half-fey down there, slipping away in the shadows.

Niall: You didn’t see it. I couldn’t leave them there.

Shevdon: And now they’re free.

Niall: For what it’s worth. Until they do something to upset the status quo, whereupon Garvin will send in the dogs.

Shevdon: You’re a Warder too, you know?

Niall: Yeah, well sometimes I don’t feel like one.

Shevdon: Can you save them? Is that what you want to do?

Niall: Maybe no-one can save them. Maybe they have to save themselves.

Shevdon: And what about you, Niall? Can you save yourself?

Niall: What do you mean by that?

Shevdon: Nothing. We’ll let that one pass.

Niall: No, hang on a minute. You know something don’t you? Who’ve you been talking to? Is it Blackbird? Kareesh?

Shevdon: We have to close now, Niall. I’m sending you back.

Niall: No, wait, I need to know……

Shevdon: Thanks to Niall for sharing that moment with us. Maybe we’ll pick up again with him a little later. Right now he has his hands full, and it’s going to stay like that for a while. If you’d like to know how he gets on, pick up his adventurers in Strangeness and Charm, the third volume in the series, The Courts of the Feyre. Thanks for joining us.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Courts of Feyre III: Strangeness and Charm - Mike Shevdon

Release Date: 07/06/12

SYNOPSIS:

The Courts of the Feyre, Vol III

Alex has been saved from the fate that awaited her in Bedlam, but in freeing her, Niall has released others of their kind into the population. Now, as Warder, he must find them and persuade them to swap their new-found liberty for security in the courts – but is the price of sanctuary to swap one cage for another?


REVIEW:

Since it leaped onto my Door Mat, I’ve been a huge fan of Mike Shevdon’s Courts of the Feyre series. I’ve loved the way that the characters have changed over time, how personal relationships have bloomed and also how other minor cast members have worked with the main. Its ideal, it has the double dealing of political machinations with the author blending old ceremonies with the worlds of magic and fey into a modern amalgamation that is purely British.

Add to this an author who knows how to lull you into a false sense of security, one who knows how to twist the reader emotionally as well as allowing the world to expand and you know that he’s setting it all up for something huge. All in, this wonderful series is more than worth the readers time as different types of fey and half human’s work to create something unique that no other author has tried to date. It’s fresh, it is spectacular and if you’re looking for a UK author to lead the way, then this is the man for you. The only downside that I’ve found with this series is that if you’re new to it, you have to start with book one. That said, its not a downside, it’s a pure reading pleasure.

GUEST BLOG: Dramatis personae – introducing the characters of The Imperial Banner - Nick Brown

I hope it’s not giving too much away to reveal that not many of the characters from The Siege return for the second Agent of Rome novel. In The Imperial Banner, Cassius Corbulo finds himself investigating a conspiracy that threatens a peace treaty between Rome and Persia, and encountering numerous colourful characters along the way.

I don’t want to disclose anything about the most important of them – Indavara – because readers will meet him on the very first page, but another significant figure is Aulus Celatus Abascantius, Cassius’s superior in the Imperial Security Service. Abascantius is a man who better represents what historical sources tell us about Rome’s “agents” than the dilettante Cassius. Ruthless and cunning, Abascantius knows the secrets of all the most powerful men in Syria, and has spent decades watching them for his spymasters in the capital. Referred to throughout the province as “Pitface” (on account of his pock-marked features) the agent hopes to exploit Cassius’s breeding, charm and intelligence as he despatches him to the desert city of Palmyra to begin his investigation.

Once there, Cassius meets an even more powerful man: Oppius Junius Venator, Roman aristocrat and prefect of the Fourth Legion. Hailing from an immensely rich and influential family, Venator commands five thousand men and is effectively guarantor of the Empire’s eastern border. Like most in his position, the prematurely white-haired Venator is pursuing a career in the Senate, and has to balance the demands of the army with the whims of the local governor and the emperor himself. Though he does his best to help, this apparently cultured, urbane man soon reveals a brutal side that shocks the inexperienced Cassius.

Venator’s second-in-command is Legion Quartermaster Lollius. As the ancient equivalent of a regimental sergeant-major, this twenty-five year veteran treats Cassius with suspicion and disdain. Seeing the Security Service as a shadowy organisation populated by men lacking the honour and courage for the legions, Lollius must be won over if he is to provide Cassius with the cooperation he desperately needs.

A more willing collaborator is Simo, Cassius’s Gaulish servant, who has remained in his employ for the two years since the siege of Alauran. A kind-hearted man and skilled medic, Simo finds himself returning to Antioch, city of his birth. Whilst always providing unwavering support for his master, Simo must deal with his own challenges when his father is arrested and imprisoned by the Roman authorities.

Also thrown into the mix are Palmyran brigands, female agents, cultists, slaves, a general, a procurator, a governor, a marshal and two emperors. With only Simo and Indavara by his side, Cassius certainly has his work cut out as he races against time to recover the imperial banner.

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Agent of Rome: The Imperial Banner - Nick Brown

Release Date: 07/06/12

SYNOPSIS:

272 AD The Roman Emperor Aurelian has defeated Queen Zenobia and crushed the Palmyran revolt. Faridun's Banner, hallowed battle standard of the Persian Empire, has fallen into Roman hands and is to be returned to the Persians as part of a historic peace treaty. But on the eve of the signing the banner goes missing. Recalled to Syria, imperial agent Cassius Corbulo is charged with recovering the flag. Accompanied by his faithful servant Simo and ex-gladiator bodyguard Indavara, Cassius must journey across the dangerous wastes of Syria to the equally perilous streets of Antioch. He and his companions face ruthless brigands, mysterious cults, merciless assassins and intrigue at every turn.


REVIEW:

Having fallen for Nick’s writing style with his debut title The Siege, I couldn’t wait to catch up with Cassius Corbulo to see what adventures the “Grain Man” would be thrown into next. What occurs within is a story of intrigue, politics, double dealing and of course a treasure that needs to be found for the good of the Empire.

Its wonderfully crafted with sharp prose, wonderful pace and of course wit throughout as the cast play off each other to drag you into the past with relish. Add to the this the addition of an ex-gladiator some neat twists and of course a character who can’t help but get himself into all sorts of trouble and the reader is in for a treat. Definitely a second solid offering and one to make sure that readers reaching for something special in the Roman Period will grab this series. If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great stuff.

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Hellfire - James Holland

Release Date: 10/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

August, 1942. North Africa. The desert war hangs in the balance. When the commander of the Eighth Army, General Gott, is killed, it's clear that foul play is at work. An impenetrable Axis spy circuit is compromising any hope the Allies have of stemming the Nazi tide. Jack Tanner, recovering from wounds in a Cairo hospital, is astonished to receive a battlefield commission which will propel him into a very different world when he returns to action. Fit once more, he finds himself facing the full onslaught of Rommel's latest offensive. In its aftermath, Tanner and his trusty sidekick Sykes are recruited to work behind the Axis lines in a desperate attempt to fight back. But the murky world of deceit and murder they find themselves in is a million miles away from the certainties of the battlefield. Somehow they must discover who they can trust in the cat-and-mouse world of counter-espionage before it's too late...


REVIEW:

Whilst I’m not always a big fan of modern warfare tales, I make an exception for James Holland as for me he’s the English Sven Hassel, able to present a believable tale set during the hardships of war. Its dark, its brutal and of course with a lead hero who seeks to do what he has to for Queen and Country leads the reader into a whole set of affairs that bring the modern day Sharpe to the reader’s attention.

The prose is sharp with the author presenting a solid woven arc to the reader with no nonsense prose that keep you glued from start to finish. Add to this some great historical accuracy backing up the overall arc and the reader really is in for a treat as history and fiction merge with wonderful clarity. Great stuff all in.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Summer Stars - Deep Silver

Release Date: 01/06/12

SYNOPSIS:

Summer Stars lets players experience a large variety of events, special challenges and competitions at exciting venues, including London, the scene of the Summer Olympics and well-known stadiums and arenas around the world.

Summer Stars offers a challenging and deep career mode, multiplayer modes for up to four players and a large variety of disciplines and venues, and will deliver high replay value and hours of fun for players.

With more than 18 different disciplines & challenges, Summer Stars covers a whole range of summer sports. Players can prove their talent in disciplines like Triple Jump, Mountain Biking, Diving or Sprinting and become a top athlete in the career mode. In multiplayer mode, they can compete directly with up to three friends or family members on split screen - delivering a gripping "just one more go" experience. Summer Stars also leaves it up to the players to decide how far they will be physically involved in the gameplay: the game supports traditional arcade-style controls, as well as motion control.

* Kinect exclusive features: Fitness optimised input, Customised fitness reports and trends for the player, fitness diary and calendar
* 18 thrilling arcade-style sporting events
* Freeplay mode with 4 player split screen support and family feature



REVIEW:

In a time when getting fit feels like a chore, it’s always fun when a game arrives that not only gives you some fun to get on with working out, but also brings something of a flavour of the time to the user. After all, in a year of the Olympics, what could be more fun than tackling some of the events to earn your own medals as well as trying to beat your own personal best.

Each user can challenge friends as well as family (and for me that’s the best part) as you all seek to outdo each other. Whether you want to beat them at long jump or out fence them or even hit the bull’s-eye in the archery challenge there’s something here for everyone and perhaps a great way to beat the Summer blues on those rainy days. However if you’re not into doing things the Kinect way it is compatible with the controller, although be aware of the Daly Thompson Decathlon or Hypersport frenzied action that could lead to damage on the controller in the long term.

For me this was a game that was a lot of fun, a great way to have a bit more fun getting fit and a wonderful way to get the whole house to improve their fitness and see who rules the podium. Great stuff.

HISTORICAL URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Act Two of the Assassini: The Outcast Blade - Jon Courtenay Grimwood

Release Date: 24/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

As the Byzantine and German emperors plot war against each other, Venice's future rests in the hands of three unwilling people: The newly knighted Sir Tycho. An ex-slave and trained assassin who defeated the Mamluk navy but cannot make the woman he loves love him back. Tortured by secrets, afraid of the daylight, he sees no reason to save a city he hates. The grieving Lady Giulietta. Impossibly rich, deeply spoilt. A virgin, a mother, a widow ...Both emperors want her hand for their sons in marriage. All she wants is to retire from the poisonous world of the Venetian court to mourn her husband in peace. And finally a naked, mud-strewn girl who crawls from a paupers' grave on an island in the Venetian lagoon and begins by killing the men who buried her.


REVIEW:

Having loved Jon’s original story, I couldn’t wait to embark on this next adventure, so much so that when it landed I had a hard time saving it for a time when I wanted something not only special but to transport me to a world that should have been. What Jon presents within this latest release is a story of mystery, treachery and of course plots that interweave flawlessly as each element comes to the fore.

Add to this an overall arc that is complex, wonderfully rich with solid prose and characters that you can’t help but want to spend time with and all in, the reader is in for a solid adventure. My only tip however is if its been a while since you read the original a reread is in order to bring everything fresh to your mind to get the most out of this extravagantly rich tale.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Warhammer 40K: The Grey Knights: The Emperor's Gift - Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Release Date: 24/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

The Grey Knights are all that stands between mankind and the ravages of Chaos. Since their secretive beginnings during the Horus Heresy, these legendary Space Marine daemon hunters have journeyed into the dark realms of the warp - and beyond - in pursuit of their supernatural enemies. Through an intensive regime of psychic training, new recruits are brought to the clandestine fortress of Titan to join the hallowed and vaunted ranks of the 666th Chapter. More than ever, these legendary battle-brothers must be vigilant and ever ready to defend the Imperium for the forces of Chaos are never truly defeated, and Armageddon beckons -


REVIEW:

As a huge reader of the Warhammer 40K universe, there are some authors whose names just demand that I pick up the latest title and devour it in as short a time as possible. One of these is Aaron and a such you know that he’s going to bring heavy bloody fighting, great conflict and of course a story that challenges the protagonist to the maximum.

What this story brings to the fore is the uneasy relationship between the Grey Knights and the Space Wolves who whilst fierce and independent mistrust those they see as traitors to the Emperor’s cause. Add to this dark tale differing ways of doing things, inter-character conflict and of course dialogue that brings it all to the fore and it’s a solid release.

But throw into the mix that the mistrust is with allies alongside a darker mystery that requires them all to work together and all in this tale is one that really works well for this apocalyptic future. All in this tale was crafted with cunning and cleverly figured to challenge all within which when added to Arron’s spartanesque no nonsense writing style makes this a book that cuts the fat keeping to a tightly woven epic worthy of both chapters. Great stuff.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier 2: Invincible - Jack Campbell

Release Date: 25/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

Continues the story begun in "Dreadnaught", following the trials and tribulations of Admiral John 'Black Jack' Geary and Captain Desjani.


REVIEW:

As a fan of historical fiction naval stories, I really couldn’t’ wait to rejoin Captain Geary as he takes the reader into a futuristic war where new discoveries surprise and add new elements to this already wonderfully explosive world. It’s carefully crafted, the author has a clear understanding of pace and brings it altogether with a wonderful set of elements that work wonderfully on the imagination.

Back that up with an author who believes in letting events reveal themselves naturally rather than forced and all in this is a wonderful set of tales for the young at heart of all ages. All in a great bit of fun but for me the real triumph is the authors use of character dialogue to futher the tale as well as help the reader to enact with this future. Magical elements all round and for me a real treat to indulge.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Dishonoured Gameplay Trailer - Bethesda

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our Friends at Bethesda have let us have a sneaky peak at the forthcoming Dishonored Gameplay.  

To us it looks amazing, Lady Eleanor is preparing herself to explore the Steampunk world, practicing her assassination techniques via Assassin's Creed and of course is working out what snackages will be required to sustain her on her campaign of vengeance.

So here, for your viewing pleasure is the snippet that got us so excited...

Game Blurb:

Dishonored casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. You are Corvo, the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress. Framed for her murder, you become an infamous assassin, known only by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is besieged by plague and ruled by a corrupt government armed with strange technologies, dark forces bestow supernatural abilities upon you.

In Dishonored, creatively eliminate your targets with the flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

Dishonored will be available throughout Europe on October 12, 2012, and is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Eden Moore 2: Wings to the Kingdom - Cherie Priest

Release Date: 25/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

At the Civil War battlefield at Chickamauga, Georgia, there have long been tales of sighting Old Green Eyes, said to be the guardian of the battle's dead, and now there's a new wrinkle. To wit, sightings of ghosts pointing frustratedly across the battlefield. The spirits need someone who can speak to them, and for them. Eden Moore is not interested. But the ghosts aren't taking no for an answer.


REVIEW:

Cherie is an author that I’ve read before and enjoyed what occurred within the pages, yet upon reading this title, I was not only transported into Eden’s world once again but recalled the events of the previous title with a great deal of clarity which shows how well it affixed itself within my imagination.

What this second book in the series does for the reader is return to Eden’s world as events take hold and bring the reader a new mystery which whilst haunting as well as imaginative was a tad on the predictable side. Sadly this felt like a real let down for me but when you add the authors writing style into the mix, it makes it a tale that is wonderfully addictive with sharp prose, great dialogue and a lead character that I really wanted to spend time with. All in a great bit of fun and I’ll definitely be reading more of her work, although I hope that future releases try to keep the mystery alive a bit longer.

NEWS: Deja Review

Hail Mighty Readers,
Here's this months round up of previously reviewed titles that have either been released in PB format or have undergone new binding/artwork. (Covers in review may differ from current incarnation.)

This month you'll find:
10/05/12 HAMILTON, Peter F - Manhattan in Reverse
24/05/12 SCOTT, Manda - Rome: The Coming of the King 
24/05/12 SIDEBOTTOM, Harry - The Caspian Gates

If we've missed one please let us know,

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Doom 3:BFG Edtion Announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and Other Formats - Bethesda

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our friends at Bethesda have let us know that they're revamping and releasing Doom 3: BFG Edition for the Xbox 360 and PS3.  Here's what they had to say:

"Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that DOOM® 3 BFG Edition will be available this Autumn and features DOOM® 3 and the Resurrection of Evil® add-on pack, both of which have been completely re-mastered. The package also includes hours of new content – seven new levels entitled ‘The Lost Mission’.  DOOM 3 BFG Edition is slated for release for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PC and PlayStation® 3 – making it the first time any DOOM game has ever appeared on the PlayStation 3.

Re-mastered for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, this genre defining game and its add-on pack offers greatly enhanced graphics, deeply immersing the player in the demonic world of this terrifying horror masterpiece. Players will also experience a never-before-seen single-player story, ‘The Lost Mission’ featuring seven heart-pounding levels that will once again have them on the edge of their seats.

DOOM 3, Resurrection of Evil, and ‘The Lost Mission’ have been optimized in 3D, featuring 5.1 surround sound, Xbox 360 Achievements, PlayStation 3 trophies, improved rendering and lighting, and a new check point save system allowing for smoother progression through the game. id® Software has fine-tuned the controls to bring the intensity of the DOOM single and multiplayer experience to the consoles, and DOOM 3 now features the new armour-mounted flashlight, allowing players to illuminate dark corners and blast enemies at the same time.

“DOOM 3 was enthusiastically embraced by gamers worldwide at its release,” said John Carmack, Technical Director at id Software. “Today, the full experience has been enhanced and extended to be better than ever, and is delivered across all the platforms with a silky smooth frame rate and highly responsive controls.  New support for 3D TVs, monitors, and head mounted displays also allows players to experience the game with more depth than ever before. We think shooter fans everywhere will love it.”

 

As a special bonus, DOOM 3 BFG Edition will also include the original DOOM® and DOOM® 2 games, making it the definitive collection of the revolutionary games developed by id Software,  the studio that pioneered the first-person shooter genre."

To keep up to date and join the fight visit thier Facebook Page.

FACTUAL REVIEW: The Science of Avatar - Stephen Baxter

Release Date: 03/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

James Cameron's Avatar is the biggest movie of all time. Now the movie's legendary director has leant his support to an exploration of the world of Pandora with bestselling science-fiction author Stephen Baxter. From journeys into deep space to anti-gravity unobtanium, from Pandora's extraordinary flora and fauna to transferring consciousness, Baxter and Cameron reveal that we are often closer to world of Avatar than we might imagine. Stephen Baxter is the master of 'what-if?' science fiction. In THE SCIENCE OF AVATAR he's written a book that will appeal to fans of both science-fiction and popular science. THE SCIENCE OF AVATAR will offer fans the unique opportunity to explore the spectacular world of Pandora, from the creator himself.


REVIEW:

To be honest this is a book I’ve waited quite some time for as it originally appeared on my radar a couple of years ago. Sadly due to constraints its taken its time to come to the fore but now its released I was left wondering if the wait was worth it or whether its more of a cash in than anything else.

What this book does more than anything else is explore the believability of Cameron’s world and whilst at times it has problems with the creation, what Stephen does is bring the complexities of world building to the reader whilst picking out what does and doesn’t work on a basic level. Its interesting, its presented in an easy to understand manner and of course for me as a reader I love to find out what has real possibilities. Likewise if you are a writer, setting out to create your own world, this is a useful guide to help you work out what does and doesn’t work for you to help make your own world ideal fantasy/sci-fi fodder.

All in a solid book and whilst it won’t appeal to everyone, it’s a great title to own if you’re interested in believability as well as how you’d go about constructing something special. Great stuff.

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Into the Valley of Death - A L Berridge

Release Date: 10/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

It's 1854 - The Allied armies prepare to besiege the Russian stronghold in the Crimea. Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians. Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything and alter the course of a war. Something evil has crept into the ranks of the British Army's own officers, an unknown enemy who plans lure men to ruin on the battlefields. The only path to victory lies in uncovering the truth, but to find it and confront his own destiny Ryder must charge with the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death itself...


REVIEW:

Alison has been a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine since I embarked on her adventures with Chevalier de Roland and whilst I know that many writers in a genre love to jump around in time, I’m always left wondering if they’ve bitten off a bit more than they can chew when any new work is going to be instantly compared to what has gone before with differing results.

What this title does is follow a new hero (Harry Ryder) into the fray and infamous Charge of the Light Brigade which had it succeeded would have been one of the greatest manoeuvres of all time. The prose is sharp with a galloping pace and when added to Alison’s unique writing style and voice alongside wonderfully detailed research, give the reader a story that will stay with them for quite some time. All in this was a marvellous read all round and one that for me demonstrates that she is here to stay.

GUEST BLOG: The Eagle of the Ninth and the Roman Legions in Fiction - Manda Scott

To celebrate the release of her cracking third Rome novel (The Eagle of the Twelfth, out now), Manda Scott was kind enough to drop by and write a piece about The Eagle of the Ninth and th Roman Legions in Fiction and what inspired many writers of the genre. As such we're proud to bring this to you alongside our review of her new novel. So without further ado, Manda Scott....

  _______________________________

The Eagle of the Ninth.... Whatever you thought of the film, for many of us, Rosemary Sutcliff's groundbreaking novel was what brought us here, to this place where the past comes alive - where we want it to come alive, where we want to explore all that happened insofar as we can, knowing our limitations, the inevitable anachronisms, the many gaps.

I first read Eagle when I was eight years old and there is no question but that it changed the course of my life. It wasn’t so much the legions that grabbed me then – let’s face it, the Ninth marches off into the mist and everyone concerned seems to think it’s good riddance when it doesn’t come back – but I lost myself in the tales of Esca and Cub and the wonder of the Seal People and spent the intervening years trying to work out what they did when the Romans weren’t around. The Boudica novels are the result; my effort to fill in the gaps in Sutcliff’s narrative even if I had lost touch with what drove me there in the first place.

And then one day years later, I turned a page in Josephus and found another lost Eagle. It’s not quite the same as discovering the historical basis for Christ (three different men, whose stories have been woven into one, since you ask), but it was a red letter day in any historical writers’ life.

Because the point is, the Eagle of the Ninth was never truly lost: Sutcliff got her idea, as so many of us do, from a news report; in this case, of a wingless legionary eagle that had just been found beneath an altar in Britain. She welded that to the supposed ‘loss’ of the Ninth legion and created the wonder we all know and love and the fact that later work showed that the Ninth had never been lost at all, doesn’t detract from the greatness of what she did, any more than does the fact that later work has shown her concepts of legionary and auxiliary armour to be faulty: She wrote with the best information she had at the time and the result was sheer magic.

So to find a real lost Eagle with a known history about it… Few things come better than that.

The known history of the Twelfth legion is patchy, but its notoriety as the unluckiest legion in the Roman Army means there’s enough data to keep everyone happy. We know the early postings, the early commanders, the monumental strategic blunders that led to the ultimate disgrace when the entire legion, such as survived, was forced to give up its weapons and walk under the yoke of raised spears held by the victorious Parthian army under Vologases, King of Kings. From a Roman perspective, it would have been better that the legion had died to a man and the Eagle been taken than that.

And so a handful of years later, when the ranks had been rebuilt and yet another inanely incompetent commander had brought them yet again to the brink of ruin, this time in the first siege of Jerusalem, it’s not at all surprising that four hundred men volunteered to remain behind and run a night’s disinformation, to let their comrades escape under cover of darkness.

At the site of the battle of Beth Horon, they kindled enough fires for a legion and kept them burning through the night and it was only come dawn that the vengeful Hebrew army under one of the grandsons of Yehuda realized that the bulk of the Roman army had left. They took out their vengeance on the four hundred legionaries and centurions left behind. Jospehus says they died to a man, and the Eagle was taken. Tacitus more or less agrees.

Neither of these ancient writers says anything at all about the Eagle’s being recovered – but they both attest that the Twelfth was part of Vespasian’s army when he returned in the next year to destroy the nascent Israel… which means the Eagle must have been recovered because that was the deal: If the Eagle lives, the legion lives. If the Eagle is lost or destroyed, as was the case with Varus’ three armies on the Rhine, then the legion dies, and all surviving men are posted into other legions.

And so we have an Eagle lost in known circumstances of utmost heroism and no clue at all as to how it was recovered; only the certainty that it must have been. It’s a fiction writers’ gift, all the greater for a writer who venerates Rosemary Sutcliff.

To do it justice meant months of research into the practical and emotional guts of a legion - or a platoon, or a brigade or a regiment. For those who want to know more on each of these, I can thoroughly recommend ‘The Junior Officer’s Reading Club’ by Patrick Hennessey, ‘Quartered Safe out Here’ by George Mackay Brown and ‘Dead Men Risen’ by Toby Harnden as well as the memoirs of Robert Graves and Rudyard Kipling. While the machinery of warfare becomes ever more intricate and the killing ever more distant, there’s a coherent thread that unites armies down the ages; when a man has saved your life in battle, the bond between you is as strong as any other human relationship.

As Patrick Hennessey says of a full 24 hours spent pinned down on the corrugated iron roof of a hut with only his sergeant and his rifle for company, ‘How was I ever going to tell the people who mattered to me most, that nothing in the world will ever matter as much as that did?’

How, as a fiction writers, do we convey the absolute aliveness that comes with the absolute proximity of death? How do we bring the reader to know the intimacy of battle, the rawness, the compassion, the courage, the solidarity of honour, the fact that down the ages, men have said that their greatest fear is not of dying, but of letting down the others who depend on them?

It’s the challenge and it’s the joy and it is what I have tried to achieve in ‘Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth.’

Rosemary Sutcliff was the best and the greatest, but those of us who follow in her footsteps can do our utmost to live up to the standard she left behind.

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth - Manda Scott

Release Date: 24/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

They are known as the Legion of the Damned...Throughout the Roman Army, the Twelth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. It faces the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the most vicious of opponents. For one young man, Demalion of Macedon, joining it will be a baptism of fire. And yet, amid all of the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, he realises he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He has come to love the Twelth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers. But all that he cares about is ripped from him when, during the brutal Judaean campaign, the Hebrew army inflict a catastrophic defeat upon the legion - not only decimating their ranks, but taking away their soul - the eagle. There is one final chance to save the legion's honour - to steal back the eagle. To do that, Demalion and his legionnaries must go undercover into the city of Jerusalem, into the very heart of their enemy, where discovery will mean the worst of deaths, if they are to recover their pride. And that, in itself, is a task worthy only of heroes.


REVIEW:

For me Manda Scott is a dark horse with each new project that she turns out. Yes you know roughly what you’re going to get but there are times when her brilliance shines through and I felt it first with her Boudicca saga and again with the first Rome novel, but this one shines the greatest for me as a reader.

I loved the fact that you got the feeling of marching with the legion, the down and dirty tactics that allowed Rome to rule most of the civilised world and when you add to this sharp prose, a solid supporting cast and of course masters understanding of pace, you know that you’re going to be in for something special.

Add to this a lead character that not only inspires the reader but demonstrates how, though hard work alongside natural ability that he’s got the very makings of a soldier without having to go for an off the peg hero. It’s dark, it gets down in the dirt and when you add the authors writing style that leads you through the shadows to the conclusion, its very hard to find a title that’s going to stand out against this one this year. Definitely a must read for any historical fiction fan, but when you add a guarantee to the cover like Transworld have done, you know that they’ve confident of their product and really should give it a fair chance. For me, this is a book that I think will win some of the laurels this year for best historical fiction, so get in first and get in now before the hype hits.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Warhammer 40K: Ultramarines: The Second Omnibus - Graham McNeill

Release Date: 24/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

The Ultramarines have been the honourable cornerstone of the Adeptus Astartes throughout their ten thousand year history. Captain Uriel Ventris fights to prove that he is worthy to return to the hallowed ranks of the Chapter after his exile to the Eye of Terror, and that he is free of the insidious taint of Chaos. But as the Iron Warriors move against Ultramar, a grim premonition comes to light: Ventris will have a part to play in the coming war, for good or ill.

REVIEW:

The new compendium and value for money title featuring more of the Ultramarines in this, the second title. Its full of action with gripping close combat and bolter fire which when backed with a great lead character alongside a superb supporting cast, goes to demonstrate why Graham’s Ultramarines have been a sure hit with fans since the books original release.

Add to this wonderful stories, pyrrhic victories alongside the glorification of the chapter and when added to gripping arcs alongside top notch combat makes this a book that if you don’t own them already, is very hard to ignore. Great stuff.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Triggers - Robert J Sawyer

Release Date: 26/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

The president of the United States is shot in the head by a would-be assassin. Rushed to hospital and barely saved from death, he discovers that he has new memories - memories that are not his own. A scientific experiment has gone awry, and a small group of people now remember each other's lives. And when one of those people's lives involved access to the most secret and dangerous information in the world, everything will change.


REVIEW:

I’ve read a lot of Roberts work since he blasted onto the scene (or rather my scene with Flashforward), it’s always been wonderfully constructed, has a realm of believability about it and when added to his characters made compulsive Sci-Fi reading for me.

So I was a little disappointed with this title that I felt was flat and didn’t quite follow through on a lot of the idea’s within. Don’t get me wrong, the pace was there, the prose reasonable but the overall concept felt like it fell flat on its face more than once within the pages almost as if this was a short story extended way beyond its timeline.

All in, whilst I do love Robert’s writing, this isn’t one that I’d recommend to others looking to try him for the first time and I suspect a number of fans will feel the same way. That said, everyone is entitled to an off day so here’s hoping it picks up with the next one.

FANTASY REVIEW: Empire of Saviours - AJ Dalton

Release Date: 17/05/12

SYNOPSIS:

In the Empire of the Saviours, the People are forced to live in fortified towns. Their walls are guarded by an army of Heroes, whose task is to keep marauding pagans out as much as it is to keep the People inside. Several times a year, living Saints visit the towns to exact the Saviours' tithe from all those coming of age - a tithe often paid in blood. When a young boy, Jillan, unleashes pagan magicks in an accident, his whole town turns against him. He goes on the run, but what hope can there be when the Saviours and the entire Empire decide he must be caught? Jillan is initially hunted by just the soldiers of the Saint of his region, but others soon begin to hear of his increasing power and seek to use him for their own ends. Some want Jillan to join the fight against the Empire, others wish to steal his power for themselves and others still want Jillan to lead them to the Geas, the source of all life and power in the world. There are very few Jillan can trust, except for a ragtag group of outcasts. His parents threatened, his life in tatters, his beliefs shaken to the core, Jillan must decide which side he is on, and whether to fight or run ...


REVIEW:

This new title from Gollancz to me is pretty much standard fantasy fare as it falls back on the old stereotype of the older generation helping the younger come to terms with events and their own powers whilst fighting the good fight. Whilst for many this is a typical fantasy story, what does differ is a cast of misfits drawn together as they seek to achieve their goal, they fight for page space and the reader’s attention and at times it’s hard to know who you want to spend more time with.

Add to this reasonable prose and pace which makes this a solid read. The major downside for me was the spending of too much time on religion and whilst I can understand that it was necessary for the plot, it’s not the type of thing I like to spend my time dissecting or having referenced in such detail. Finally add to this a world that is carefully constructed with a wonderful concept behind and all in it was a solid enough read to announce AJ to the world.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Metro: Last Light - THQ

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our friends at THQ, have let us know about a trailer announcing a short film about The Metro.  

Released on 1st August the latest game in the franchise (the first, Metro 2033, based on the novel by Dmitri Glukhovsky,) the player is thrust into the post apocalyptic world.  For more news and to keep up to date please visit Enter the Metro.

Game Info:

Beneath the ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow, in the crumbling Metro tunnels, you hold the key to humanity’s survival - the last light in our darkest hour.... It is the year 2034. Beneath the ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro, the remnants of mankind are besieged by deadly threats from outside - and within. Mutants stalk the catacombs beneath the desolate surface, and hunt amidst the poisoned skies above. But rather than stand united, the station-cities of the Metro are locked in a struggle for the ultimate power, a doomsday device from the military vaults of D6. A civil war is stirring that could wipe humanity from the face of the earth forever. As Artyom, burdened by guilt but driven by hope, you hold the key to our survival - the last light in our darkest hour...     * A gripping, story-driven first person shooter, Metro: Last Light is the hugely anticipated sequel to 2010’s critically acclaimed classic Metro 2033     * Experience thrilling combat with an exotic arsenal of hand-made weaponry against deadly foes - both human and mutant - and use stealth to launch attacks under the cover of darkness     * Explore the post-apocalyptic world of the Moscow Metro, one of the most immersive, atmospheric game worlds ever created     * Fight for every bullet and every last breath in a claustrophobic blend of survival horror and FPS gameplay     * Next generation technology boasting stunning lighting and physics sets a new graphical benchmark on both console and PC     * Wage post-apocalyptic warfare online, as Last Light delivers an intense multiplayer experience amongst the dark Russian ruins