Tag Archives: 4 stars

books, Dark fantasy, Fantasy, Reviews

The Shadow Saint (The Black Iron Legacy 2) by Garth Hanrahan

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Stars: 4.5 out of 5

Wars come and go, but the city of Guerdon persists. Many times conquered, it still stands, even when those conquerors have long turned to dust. This is a city that constantly evolves and reinvents itself. And those who seek to conquer or destroy it end up being assimilated whether they want it or not.

This book picks up a few months after the end of the previous book and the Gutter Miracle, when Cali and Spar hijacked the spell destined to free the Black Iron gods and created the New City. One might argue that this was more of a curse than a blessing, since Guerdon is in disarray now, and the alchemists’ guild is all but destroyed, just as the Gods war is coming closer and closer to its shores.

While the previous book was a book of the poor and the forgotten, the little people eking out a living in the shadows of the mighty city, this book is about politics… and spies. Nobody, apart from Cali, Eladora, and Spar, understands what happened in Guerdon, and how the Gutter Miracle came to be. So all other countries sent their spies to find out. Oh, and to also find out what came of the dreaded bombs that destroyed a Goddess so thoroughly that her valley is virtually dead now.

The pace of this book is slower, since there is a lot of politicking and cloak-and-dagger intrigue, but that didn’t make it less interesting. It shows us a different facet of this multidimensional world. We also learn a lot more about the God War and the horrors the mad gods bring to the world and even their own followers.

And of course, we get to spend a bit more time with some of the characters from the first book, and discover what they are up to now. We get to meet new protagonists as well, and they were just as endearing. I will definitely continue with this series.

books, Fantasy, Grim Dark, Reviews

The Daughters’ War (Blacktongue 0) by Christopher Buehlman

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Stars: 4 out of 5.

This was a very dark introduction to the Blacktongue series, but I liked it all the same.

This book is a definition of grimdark fantasy. It’s brutal and, at times, hopeless. The world is harsh and unforgiving, and mankind, or kynd, battles a foe that can’t be reasoned with or bargained with. A foe for whom we are just food. Kynd is cattle to be hunted down and either butchered for meat or drugged with poisons until they are no better than cattle, unable to think for themselves.

The battles are brutal and graphic. You can really feel just how overwhelming the goblin horde is, how foreign and lethal their magic is, and how little kynd can do to oppose it now that all the horses are dead. Even the formidable corvids are an experimental species that are just as likely to turn against their handlers as to kill goblins.

The descriptions are vivid and often poignant. Take the description of the city, for example. We really get to walk its streets with Galva and her brother and see its beauty… only to watch it be defiled by goblins as kynd armies are caught by surprise and overrun.

I really liked Galva, our main protagonist. She is brash and prone to quick judgment sometimes, and she still has a lot to learn, but she her heart is in the right place. She loves all of her brothers, even the one who always falls short. So his betrayal is a blow both to her and the reader, and her revenge afterwards feels justified.

All of the characters in this book are interesting, even if not all of them are endearing. I wept for the corvid knights as they made their last stand on that bridge against overwhelming odds. I was heartbroken when I learned the fate of Galva’s youngest brother. This war destroyed her family and took everyone she cared about away from her in the end.

All in all, this was a very strong introduction to this world and this series, and I can’t wait to read the next book.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

books, Fantasy, Reviews, Urban fantasy

All Spell Breaks Loose (Raine Benares 6) by Lisa Shearin

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Stars: 4 out of 5

Sagrad Nupakana is no more, and I am so happy about it! He was becoming a bit of a caricature villain who had overstayed his welcome. I mean, he is really way overboard in this book as well, so much so that I had trouble taking him seriously as a threat, but at least we are rid of him now (and no sudden comebacks, pretty please).

The book itself is very fast-paced, with our band of partisans going from one fight to the next oh-shit moment with barely a chance to breathe and take stock. It’s a breakneck race to a rather explosive ending.

Oddly enough, I think that the side characters shine more in this book than Raine and company. Talon and Priaras get their moment in the spotlight (with Talon taking things to the extreme, as usual). I also loved Tam’s family, and his old teacher is a hoot. Talk about breaking a level 13 containment spell by just… passing gas in the vicinity of the casters.

My biggest complaint here is that Raine took more of a passenger role in this story than being the driver of events. Things happen to her instead of her making them happen. Granted, she finally took advantage of the opportunity presented to her and rose to the occasion in the end.

All in all, I am happy with how this particular story arc was concluded and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes these characters next.

books, Ghost Story, Reviews

Disturbing the Water by Peter Wise

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Stars: 4 out of 5

This was a solid anthology of short stories centered around fishing and strange things that avid anglers sometimes encounter along the desolate stretches of the rivers and lakes they spend so much time by. It was a good palate cleanser between longer novels I was reading.

Sometimes you catch the elusive big one… sometimes you bring up something unsettling instead. And sometimes something otherworldly observes you cast your line and can take offence to how you treat the fish and the waters. And once it takes offence, well, sometimes you don’t come back home.

As I mentioned, the stories are short and a good distraction when wanting to read something quick or needing a break from a longer novel. However, none of them are particularly memorable or actually scary. They didn’t hold my interest as much as some other anthologies I read before, maybe because I am not an angler. In fact, I don’t think I ever held a fishing rod or cast a line in my life. I’m sure people who love fishing will derive more pleasure from these short stories than I did.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for sending me a review copy.

books, Reviews, science fiction

Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey

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Stars: 4 out of 5

This is my fourth book by M.R. Carey. I loved The Girl with All the Gifts and Fellside, but Infinity Gate left me somewhat disappointed. Although Outlaw Planet is set in the same universe as the Pandominion series, it works well as a standalone novel and, for me, was much more enjoyable than the original duology.

The premise is a fun blend of science fiction and western. An entire population is mind-controlled into endlessly reenacting the American Civil War as part of a grotesque experiment. When a squad of soldiers from a highly advanced civilization enters the system, they discover to their horror that they are trapped there, cut off from help and unable to break the cycle within their lifetimes.

I particularly enjoyed the dual point-of-view structure. One storyline follows Bess, who was born and raised within the system and embodies the trauma and brutality of the endless war. The other follows Engineer Esten, the sole surviving member of a military unit that originally entered the experiment. Bess’s perspective adds emotional depth and shows the human cost of the system, while Esten’s gradually reveals the mysteries behind its existence. The two storylines converge in a satisfying finale that ties the book together effectively.

One issue I have begun to notice across Carey’s books is that I struggle to connect with his female protagonists. I suspect he intends them to be complex and deeply scarred individuals, but to me they often come across as emotionally distant and difficult to relate to.

I wanted to like Bess more, especially since she is the central protagonist, but I found myself far more invested in characters like Wakefull Slim and even the old man with his scorpillion. It says a lot that I was more emotionally engaged by an AI-powered gun than by the woman carrying it.

That said, the ending was excellent. It brought the various plot threads together neatly and delivered a satisfying conclusion. Would I return to this series if Carey writes another installment? Possibly.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for providing a free review copy.

Horror, Lovecraftian horror

A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young

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Stars: 4 out of 5

Lovecraftian existential horror meets the harsh realities of modern Korean culture, creating a compelling but deeply bleak story.

Despite its short length, this novella leaves a lasting impression. While I found it engaging and thought-provoking, it is undeniably dark and depressing.

One of the book’s strongest themes is its critique of modern Korean society, where beauty and wealth are often treated as measures of personal worth. Illness, disability, or physical differences are frequently viewed as personal shortcomings rather than circumstances beyond an individual’s control.

Against this backdrop, the government’s response to a village whose residents suddenly transform into grotesque monsters feels disturbingly believable. Rather than helping them, authorities quarantine the village and effectively abandon its inhabitants, leaving them to survive—or perish—on their own.

The protagonist, Mu-young, is a survivor carrying significant trauma and depression. She attempts to maintain order and a sense of control in an impossible situation, even though this means killing those who violate self-isolation rules. Although she is far from a likable character, her motivations are understandable, making her a complex and sympathetic figure.

My main criticism is the ending. I feel like it was rushed, with all the plot threads converging into a chaotic and messy conclusion. But that is to be expected for such a short novella. Overall, I enjoyed A Plagued Sea and would gladly read more of Kim Bo-young’s work if it becomes available in translation.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

books, Horror, Reviews, science fiction

The Iron Garden Sutra by A.D. Sui

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Stars: 4 out of 5

I didn’t quite know what to expect when I picked up this book. I was surprised to find a “murder ship” story with a strong element of cosmic horror. I also didn’t expect to enjoy Iris and his AI companion as much as I did.

Iris and his AI companion are definitely the highlight of the book. They are a fascinating duo—two separate consciousnesses sharing a single mind. They bicker and can even hurt each other at times, but they also genuinely care about one another’s well-being. As you learn more about their relationship, it becomes increasingly compelling and easy to appreciate.

The deeper I learned about Iris’s trauma, the more I empathized with him. He constantly strives to be useful, to do the right thing, yet he feels he is never quite enough—that he is falling short of what it means to be a Vessel. I was glad to see him eventually find some measure of peace, even though it comes after a series of difficult and painful events.

I wasn’t as engaged with the other characters, as they are less developed and often feel like expendable background figures. I found it difficult to distinguish between the students for much of the book. They are mostly portrayed as frightened and helpless, with others trying to protect them, but they lack distinct identities.

In terms of the story, it’s a strong example of cosmic horror combined with claustrophobic suspense. A group of people explores a derelict generation ship, only to discover that the ship is not as lifeless as it appears—and that it poses a deadly threat.

The book also explores interesting ideas about what it means to be alive versus simply aware, along with a thoughtful perspective on the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next installment, especially since the ending leaves things on a cliffhanger.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

books, Dark fantasy, Fantasy, Reviews

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (Dark Lord Davi 1) by Django Wexler

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Stars: 4 out of 5

I must admit that I wasn’t particularly enamoured with this novel in the beginning, because I couldn’t figure out the direction the author was taking it. Was it supposed to be satire or humor like Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series? It had too many dark vibes for that. It was creating a weird dissonance in my brain. But once I got past the first few chapters and decided to go with the flow and see where the story took me, I enjoyed the journey quite a lot.

I think the biggest reason why it took me a while to warm up towards this book is Davi herself. She has a rather cavalier attitude towards life and death, especially her own. But she is also very quick to kill and maim others because she believes that once she dies and resets to the beginning, everyone will reset with her, so none of this is real.

I understand where this attitude is coming from. If you spent a thousand years dying horribly over and over again, and watching people you get attached to die no matter what you do, you either go insane or stop taking anything seriously. And I think that Davi is a bit insane by this point. Thinking that this is all just like a video game, where she can just reset to the beginning if it doesn’t work out, is her way of coping with the horrors of the situation.

And I love the fact that the further she progresses in her attempt to become the Dark Lord, the more she gets invested in the lives and well-being of her companions. And that when a certain event happens that causes a reset, she comes to the realization that her actions have consequences. That everyone who died until now will stay dead, and it’s her fault. The sheer moment of panic she had after that was very relatable.

I also loved most of the supporting characters, and even some of the villains are pretty interesting and multidimensional. The world is also fascinating. I really want to know who built the ruins where the Convocation takes place. They look a lot more advanced than anything either the humans or the wilders of this world would be capable of now.

I am not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but I can accept it in this case. After all, Davi accomplished the objective she set for herself at the beginning of the book. I am willing to wait until the next book to find out where the story takes her afterwards.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy.

books, Reviews, science fiction, Space opera

Platform Decay (The Murderbot Diaries 8) by Martha Wells

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Stars: 4 out of 5

Murderbot is back! And his risk assessment module is repaired and functioning better than in the last book. He even added an emotional check subroutine on it, and let me tell you, the results of that check are often hilarious.

Here we have Murderbot at his best – when he is in charge and trying to extricate humans out of tricky situations while pretending that he doesn’t really care about them. But we all know that he is a big mush under that gruff exterior, and that he absolutely cares about his humans.

Murderbot has a plan (well, the bare bones of one at least), but that plan goes out of the window as soon as he enters the taurus anyway. Shenanigans happen, with lots of snark from our favorite SecUnit, and I loved every minute of it.

We get to meet DR Mensah’s extended family, including one of her spouses and her daughter. Sofi is an amazing character, but I loved Granma the most. Also, it’s hilarious how awkward Bot is with children, but how good he is with them as well. No matter how much he gripes about it, it’s like he senses when little humans need him to be there for them, even if it’s just a strong hand to hold on to when the world around is scary.

Oh, and Three freeing other SecUnits with Murderbot 2.0 code, and the rogue SecUnit panic that spreads through the taurus is rather funny to read about. Especially Bot’s reaction when one of those units tried to interfere with the rescue of his humans.

My only complaint about this book is that once again, we get very little of ART and Bot interactions. I miss ART. I want them exploring the galaxy together, watching soap operas and being hilariously snarky about the humans they have to deal with.

PS: My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced review copy.

books, Dark fantasy, Fantasy, Reviews

City of Last Chances (The Tyrant Philosophers 1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Stars: 4 out of 5

This is the first fantasy book that I have read by this prolific author. I liked one of his sci-fi series (The Final Architecture) and bounced off another one (Children of Time). So I was open to giving another one of his books a go.

All in all, I really liked it. The author has a knack for creating interesting worlds that you want to explore and learn more about. In our case, the city of Ilmar is interesting to discover, but not a place I will ever want to visit. It’s old and crumbling in some places, with layers of history and tragedy built upon each other. 

It’s a weird place where grand mansions coexist with factories straight out of the industrial revolution (only powered by demons instead of coal). Where a mysterious Wood can be a small corpse of trees one moment, and a passage to other worlds when the moon hits it just right. Where a curse can jump from the person being executed to the executioner. Where the old nobility, massacred a hundred years ago, still snares anyone who enters their domain to re-enact their jousts and dances until they die of starvation.

You could almost (but only almost) pity the Pals who are trying to impose their order and Correct Thought doctrine on this city that rejects any kind of order or classification. It’s a broken place where magic leaks from the cracks, and hope is a small ray of sunshine almost swallowed by the clouds of despair. Even the escape through the Wood isn’t easy and is a guaranteed death sentence without proper protection.

While I was fascinated by Ilmar, I was less enthused with the characters that we got to follow throughout the book. There are several POVs, so the story meanders seemingly aimlessly for a good chunk of the book. I would even argue that some of the POVs were rather superfluous and could have been cut out without much damage to the story, which would have made the book slightly shorter and easier to read.

Don’t look for heroes in this book. There are none, even if some of the characters consider themselves as such, at least in the beginning, before the harsh reality of Ilmar slaps them in the face. These are deeply flawed people who are doing sometimes horrible things, and sometimes good things, but purely for selfish reasons. Everyone likes to talk big about liberating Ilmar and chasing the Pals out, but it’s always about who will profit from that revolution. 

So if you like your protagonists clearly on the side of good and your villains truly evil, then this is probably not a book for you. These characters are flawed people. Sometimes pitiful, sometimes horrible, but always very human. 

My only complaint is that this world feels rather hopeless. Horrible things happen, then even more horrible things follow. There is no happy ending, just an ending to this particular nastiness. Some antagonists get what they deserve, but most don’t. Also, Ilmar is back to the status quo with nothing gained on either side.

All in all, I don’t mind revisiting this world again, so I will definitely pick up the next book in the series.

PS: I received an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.