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Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie | Book Review
“we should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged.” Before they Hanged is another masterpiece in storytelling and exemplary characterization. The first half the book felt like a continuation of the Blade Itself – a set up story…a massive prologue, if you like. Again, Abercrombie sets up the story with the consummate skill of masterful bard. It’s a story of epic proportions, vivid worldbuilding and terrible treachery. You are immediately catapulted into the world once more, carrying on from where The Blade Itself left off. Not a beat dropped, a breath wasted, or a thought discarded. The Blade Itself really was a set up book, introducing us to…
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The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie | Review
Well, isn’t The Blade Itself as deadly as a hushed-up autopsy? Grimdark? I swallowed it up and asked for another portion just like little Oliver begging for more. With its deadly plot and guillotine sharp character arcs, this is going to be a novel that I will take comfort in rereading time and time again. It’s a story that feels like a homecoming. Its cozy and deadly in equal measure (well as cozy as a dagger threatening to spill every drop of blood.) imagine wandering in the mountains and finally making your way home – a fire inviting you in, you can’t help but be enveloped by it…this is The…
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The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne | ARC Review
JESUS CHRIST ON A BURNING BIKE!! Never has there been a more impossible review to write. The Shadow of the Gods, a book that has not only captured my imagination but stolen my heart with the range of differing but equally loveable characters. Some you love to hate and some that carve a big gash across your chest with glistening sharp axe. The storytelling is magical but brutally real, the atmospheric worldbuilding enraptures you, you can feel the raw and biting waves as you travel with these Norse folks on longships, you can feel the ground they trod upon and you can feel the pressure of being a part of…
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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong | Review
Apparently I’m the girl that just doesn’t get along with highly anticipated reads. I originally picked this book up because it sounded like an awesome premise. A romeo & Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shangai. I’m a massive fan of storytelling set in Asia but man alive, there is just no world building whatsoever. I didn’t feel transported to another time, I didn’t really get a feel for the culture or the way of life. I really needed more in that regard. The characterisation was weak. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. Juliet was written as a strong and independent woman but I just found her incredibly…
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We Lie With Death by Devin Madson | Review
You know what they say after a storm? It clears the air, but there was no calm after the storm in We Lie with Death. The world building is once again rich and brutal and I was once again delighted to see characters taking their own paths, accepting the hand that fate had dealt them and becoming all the stronger for it. I only very recently finished reading We Ride the Storm and the first thing I did was request the next book in the series on netgalley, thankfully the book gods granted my request and here I am basking in the glory of the empire of Kisia. I was…
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Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw | Review
Well, hello that one came out of left field didn’t it? The Dawn of Wonder surprised me with the sheer force of its narrative and sense of adventure. A book that is part right of passage and part revenge. This was picked up by a whim and I’m extremely glad that it didn’t disappoint because it a story of epic proportions and an epic length to match. This is what I love about self-published fantasy; it can kick that story home and unleash hidden gems in amongst a populated genre. This name wouldn’t be out of place besides, Sanderson, Tolkien, and Gwynne. Dawn of Wonder ticked all the boxes. From…
