-
Review: Red Country by Joe Abercrombie SPOILERS!!
Red Country for me anyway, was a bit of a departure for the First Law Series. I was very excited at the prospect of a western type fantasy novel but it fell flat. Why do you ask? Firstly, it was slow as all hell. I understand that a new novel based in an entirely new area needs build-up but it just failed to grasp my imagination, unlike, the previous novel, The Heroes. Also, Abercrombie is renowned for his stellar characterisations, but, one character, in particular, Cosca ended up falling, it isn’t what was expected from him. He ended up turning a bit sociopathic and child-killing is something I thought that…
-
Review: The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie
“Armour …’ mused Whirrun, licking a finger and scrubbing some speck of dirt from the pommel of his sword, ‘is part of a state of mind … in which you admit the possibility … of being hit.”― Joe Abercrombie, The Heroes What kind of magic does Joe Abercrombie spin? From first reading The Blade Itself I have become entranced at both his unparalleled skill of taking a small minor character and transforming them into huge players of the game, he also is a supreme creator of intricate plots. This has been my favorite installment of the series by far, the NORTH fascinates me. I loved the POV’s from Logen, dogman, and Black…
-
Review: The Iron Crown by L. L. MacRae
The Iron crown is an ethereal vision of adventure and female badassery. Fenn has been cursed by the Myr. He can’t remember anything; He has no memories of where he’s come from, no memories of friends or family and he doesn’t know if he’s been put on this earth to do good or bad. The story takes off at such a pace I was quickly lacing up my Nikes and racing for the finish line. “The Dragons are the guardians of tessar, spirits of life of guidance and protection. Without them we are nothing.” The formula that the author concocted in order to produce this was both unique and special.…
-
The Echoed Realm by A.J. Vrana | Book Review
The Echoed Realm…a masterpiece that reminded me absolutely of a love affair between the horror movie Insidious and The Mist. Miya’s back and I’ve fallen in love with these characters even more, didn’t think that was possible but that is the magic being summoned by the incredibly talented Vrana. If you haven’t read The Hollow Gods…rectify that immediately, its ethereal, haunting and the narrative is as likely to leave a hole in you as the devastating plot. Writers who leave you staring into the void with anguish and joy at the ending is something to cherish and Vrana is no exception. The Echoed Realm takes place three years after catastrophic…
-
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…
-
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…
