The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, the first installment in his Gentleman Bastards series, is arguably the best book I’ve read since George R.R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords. In fact, I venture to say it’s one of the finest pieces of fantasy fiction I’ve had the pleasure of delving into for many…
Of all the fantasy novels I read at the end of last year, A Warrior’s Burden by Jacob Peppers may have been my favorite. My review has been a long time coming, primarily due to the time I’ve spent away from my blog while finishing the third book in the trilogy that began with Enoch’s…
Among the bestselling fantasy fiction I’ve been reading lately is A Forest of Vanity and Valour by A.P. Beswick. The story is a fantasy retelling of the legend of Robin Hood, and it’s quite good. Here’s my review. Vireo Reinhold plays the role of Robert of Locksley in Beswick’s retelling, set in the fictional kingdom…
It’s probably been a year since I finished The White Tower, an epic fantasy by Michael Wisehart, and I’m beyond past due in recommending this book. Commercially, the book has been very successful and racked up thousands of positive Amazon reviews. For readers who like sprawling fantasy novels with abundant magic and a small army…
Saint Patrick’s Day is one of my all-time favorite holidays, so today, I’m re-posting an article about Stephen R. Lawhead’s Patrick: Son of Ireland. I had little appreciation for Saint Patrick’s story until I began my research for Enoch’s Device. The novel tells the story of two Irish monks who try to prevent the apocalypse at the end…
I’ve been away from the blog for nearly three months, although there’s been a good reason for my absence — I’ve been working feverishly to finish the final book in my Dragon-Myth Cycle trilogy, and a complete draft is nearly in sight! But I am way behind on writing reviews for books I think my…
Of all the fantasy novels I read growing up, Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz was among the few that affected me the most. Published in 1970, it was a short novel that introduced me to two things that have influenced my writing ever since: a quasi-historical medieval setting and a puzzle-like plot. The novel takes…
The Master’s Apprentice: A Retelling of the Faust Legend was the best historical fantasy novel I’d read this year. However, that distinction did not last long because its sequel, The Devil’s Pawn, is even better. The Devil’s Pawn completes the fascinating story of Doctor Johann Georg Faustus. By the time the novel begins in 1518,…
While perusing Amazon’s bestseller list for Historical Fantasy some time ago, I came across The Master’s Apprentice: A Retelling of the Faust Legend by German author Oliver Pötzsch. What I discovered upon reading it was an astounding tale supposedly based on the real, historical Doctor Faustus who inspired both Christopher Marlow and Goethe. The book…
It’s been a while since I’ve delved into High Fantasy. This type of fiction is the legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien – fantasy tales with an epic scope set in a world of elves, dwarves, and men. It’s the fantasy I grew up with crafted by Tolkien’s successors: Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, and, more…
Saint Patrick’s Day is one of my all-time favorite holidays, so today, I’m re-posting an article about Stephen R. Lawhead’s Patrick: Son of Ireland. I had little appreciation for Saint Patrick’s story until I began my research for Enoch’s Device. The novel tells the story of two Irish monks who try to prevent the apocalypse at the end…