URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Rivers of London 8: False Value - Ben Aaronovitch

Release Date: 17/09/20

Publisher:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

The massively anticipated brand new Sunday Times bestselling RIVERS OF LONDON novel.

Peter Grant is facing fatherhood, and an uncertain future, with equal amounts of panic and enthusiasm.

Leaving his old police life behind, he takes a job with Silicon Valley tech genius Terrence Skinner's new London start up: the Serious Cybernetics Corporation.

Drawn into the orbit of Old Street's famous 'silicon roundabout', Peter must learn how to blend in with people who are both civilians and geekier than he is. Compared to his last job, Peter thinks it should be a doddle.

But magic is not finished with the Met's first trainee wizard in fifty years...

Because a secret is hiding somewhere in the building. A technology that stretches back to Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, and forward to the future of artificial intelligence. A secret that is just as magical as it technological - and twice as dangerous. 

 

REVIEW:

I love the books by Ben and whilst I'm glued each time a new one arrives, I have to say that this one didn't feel quite as polished as a number of other titles.  It felt that the dialogue felt forced, the characters didn't feel like they were developing despite major changes in their lives and when an old foe returned it left me disappointed as they were there more for a cameo and not to do or say anything.

All in, whilst I felt disappointment with this title, I did enjoy it and against a lot of other writing out there it is still a cracking british urban crime fantasy, but when you look against what has come before, for me, this one was sadly flat. 

FANTASY REVIEW: Age of Madness 2: The Trouble with Peace - Joe Abercrombie

Release Date: 15/09/20

Publisher: Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

Second in the AGE OF MADNESS trilogy, THE TROUBLE WITH PEACE is the next instalment of a series which is revolutionising fantasy . . . Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion. Peace is just another kind of battlefield . . . 

 

Savine dan Glokta, once Adua's most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way. 

 

For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her. 

 

Unrest worms into every layer of society. The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply. 

 

The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace, lasts forever. 

 

REVIEW:

The second book in Joe's Age of Madness series is another wonderfully written epic tale where twists and turns keep the reader guessing as to what is going to happen. As you'll expect from his writing, the prose is razor sharp, the pace even through quieter sections wonderfully brisk and whilst you do get chance to breath, he knows what to do to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

 

When it happens, action is fast, deadly and precise with no extra fuss, just letting it speak for itself which when backed with top notch characters that you what to spend time around, all round makes this another gem that will be reread (if not before) in time for the next outing.

YOUNG ADULT COMPENDIUM REVIEW: The Time Travelling Caveman - Terry Pratchett

Release Date: 03/09/20

Publisher: Doubleday

SYNOPSIS:

*A brand new collection of short stories from the incredible Sir Terry Pratchett!*

Imagination is an amazing thing.

It can take you to the top of the highest mountain, or down to the bottom of the deepest depths of the sea.

This is where it took Doggins on his Awfully Big Adventure: a quest full of magic and flying machines. (And the world's best joke - trust me, it's hilarious.)

It took three young inventors to the moon (where they may or may not have left a bottle of lemonade) and a caveman on a trip to the dentist.

You can join them on these adventures, and many more, in this incredible collection of stories . . . 

 

REVIEW:

If you're wondering how to introduce your child to the wonderful writing of Terry Pratchett, before you get on to my personal favourite of the Discworld. However whilst there are books for younger readers by the author, I've always found that short stories are the way to go. This recently released title brings his imagination to the fore with a collection of stories originally published (and since polished up by Terry) in his local papers.

Its has a story for every type of reader, is easy to dip into and also accompanied with art that will just fire your child's brain with wonderful images and hopefully, at the end of the day, help the explore their own world and find the wonderment within. Magic.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: The Falconeer Beta - Heaven Media

 

Hail Might Readers and Devotes of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our Friends at Heaven Media have asked us to let you know about your chance to play the Beta of the The Falconer via Discord.  Here's the info:

 

"Join The Falconeer Beta exclusively via Discord to play one of 2020’s most anticipated games one month prior to release

Sign up now and become the saviour of The Ursee in Tomas Sala’s open world epic

Watford, UK – September 2, 2020 – Wired Productions and visionary independent developer Tomas Sala are proud to announce that open-world air combat game, The Falconeer, has opened sign-ups for the beta process, launching in October, ahead of the game’s launch on PC and the Xbox family of devices in November.

To sign-up for the exclusive beta, head to The Falconeer Discord channel: https://discord.gg/falconeer

In October, the unknown will be revealed as The Falconeer Beta sets the path of discovery for the growing Falconeer community, in an astounding open-world environment serving as the backdrop for classic dog-fighting mechanics and immersion. Set within the mystery, darkness and hope of The Great Ursee, The Falconeer features a world populated by fighting factions vying for dominance over sea, land and sky.

Check out some of the latest Falconeer gameplay in the Beta announcement video: https://youtu.be/66yNNhGhIO8

For more info on the PC Beta, and to register your interest head to https://discord.gg/falconeer where players will be able to enlist in their first flight as a Falconeer. Wishlist the game on Steam now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135260/The_Falconeer/

The Falconeer is a day one Xbox Series X title that will also be available on Xbox One S, Xbox One X and PC.

For more information, visit https://www.thefalconeer.com/, join the Discord at https://discord.com/invite/falconeer or follow the game now to receive future updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thefalconeer or Twitter https://twitter.com/TheFalconeer."

SCI-FI REVIEW: Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising - Timonthy Zahn

Release Date: 01/09/20

Publisher: Century

SYNOPSIS:

Beyond the edge of the galaxy lies the Unknown Regions: chaotic, uncharted, and near impassable, with hidden secrets and dangers in equal measure. And nestled within its swirling chaos is the Ascendancy, home to the enigmatic Chiss and the Nine Ruling Families that lead them. 

 

The peace of the Ascendancy, a beacon of calm and stability, is shattered after a daring attack on the Chiss capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. Baffled, the Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest young military officers to root out the unseen assailants. A recruit born of no title, but adopted into the powerful family of the Mitth and given the name Thrawn. 

 

With the might of the Expansionary Fleet at his back, and the aid of his comrade Admiral Ar’alani, answers begin to fall into place. But as Thrawn’s first command probes deeper into the vast stretch of space his people call the Chaos, he realizes that the mission he has been given is not what it seems. 

 

And the threat to the Ascendancy is only just beginning. 

 

 

REVIEW:

Thawn is one of those characters I just love to spend time with. I love the way he wove his way into the star wars universe and feels like he's never been apart from it, with the way he's carved his own career path within the Empire as well as his early introduction. 

 

Its well written, has great characters throughout and whilst its obvious because its a look back on his life that he's in no real danger of dying its the supporting cast members that you really get to feel for as you really don't know whats going to happen. As expected with Zahn, they're very well fleshed out, feel great in the way that this is presented and when added to solid prose as well as dialogue really does make this latest reveal about the Admiral's past a joy to behold. Great stuff.

SCI-FI REVIEW: Star Wars - Legends: Thrawn: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command - Timothy Zahn

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

It’s five years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and drove the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights. 

 

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build. 

 

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years! 

 

REVIEW:

An original appearance with Thrawn and a character that for me is equally as fascinating as the rebel alliance main cast. Set a few years after the fall of the emperor and written in the early 90's, this book became cannon prior to some rewriting due to the change of ownership. As you'd expect with Zahn, it has a good understanding of pace, a wonderful series of twists and turns and of course characters that you really want to spend time around. A real joy to sit down with and return to brighter days as well as reintroduce myself when facing the latest offering in the next few days. Magic 

 

 

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

The dying Empire’s most cunning and ruthless warlord, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic’s destruction. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council—only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.

Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness, and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the dark side.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

REVIEW:

More from Thrawn and the myriad of associated characters as the reader is once again whisked away into a universe far far away. As with the original novel in this series, the reader has solid character development, some solid twists and turns that add extra flavour and help colour how the vacumn is being filled left by Vader's and the Emperor's death and for me, really does give the reader a series that is great fun to spend time around.

Whilst it might be an unpopular choice I would love to spend more time within the imperial sector rather than with the rebels, purely as its so interesting to get to see a counter argument to the rebellion. 

 Add to the mix, dialogue that moves the plot along and a spartan descriptive style that allows you to get to the meat of the story rather than some which have extra fluff added to increase the size.  

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

The embattled Republic reels from the attacks of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has marshaled the remnants of the Imperial forces and driven the Rebels back with an abominable technology recovered from the Emperor’s secret fortress: clone soldiers. As Thrawn mounts his final siege, Han Solo and Chewbacca struggle to form a coalition of smugglers for a last-ditch attack, while Princess Leia holds the Alliance together and prepares for the birth of her Jedi twins.

The Republic has one last hope—sending a small force into the very stronghold that houses Thrawn’s terrible cloning machines. There a final danger awaits, as the Dark Jedi C’baoth directs the battle against the Rebels and builds his strength to finish what he already started: the destruction of Luke Skywalker.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years! 

 

REVIEW:

The final part in this series and one that has been building for an epic conclusion as events that will come to shape the future of the universe are played out on a galactic chess board. Well crafted, topped off with characters on all sides that you care about really does leave you in doubt about the conclusion as you reader really want to see either side lose.

As usual with Zahn, great dialogue, top notch pose and characters that just step out of the pages into the readers imagination in such a way that this series is a firm fan favourite and a great way to spend quite a few hours during this difficult time.

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Dark Ages 3: The Bear King - James Wilde

Release Date: 20/08/20

Publisher: Bantam Press

SYNOPSIS:

Bridging the gap between 'Game of Thrones' and Bernard Cornwell comes the third and final chapter in James Wilde's epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . .

AD 375 - The Dark Age is drawing near . . .

As Rome's legions abandon their forts, chaos grows on the fringes of Britannia. In the far west, the shattered forces of the House of Pendragon huddle together in order to protect the royal heir – their one beacon of hope.

For Lucanus, their great war leader, is missing, presumed dead. And the people are abandoning them. For in this time of crisis, a challenger has arisen, a False King with an army swollen by a horde of bloody-thirsty barbarians desperate for vengeance.

One slim hope remains for Lucanus’ band of warrior-allies, the Grim Wolves. Guided by the druid, Myrrdin, they go in search of a great treasure – a vessel that is supposedly a gift from the gods. Success will mean a war unlike any other, a battle between two kings for a legacy that will echo down the centuries. And should they fail? Well, then all is lost . . .

This is the shattering conclusion to James Wilde’s rousing reimagining of the myth of King Arthur . . . 

 

REVIEW:

The third book in the series and one hell of a novel that takes out the dark ages with a huge bang. As with James' work its a pure joy to dive into, the characters are people you want to spend time around, the dialogue is crisp but for me, the thing that James does extremely well is no nonsense action sequences that allow you to enjoy the full scope of whats happening with out losing sight of the minutae.

Its well written, has solid prose and all round is an author that really leaves me wanting more. I'm always sad when I finish a book that I've loved and whilst its a long wait for the next installment I take great comfort in rereads where I notice other details that I missed on the first read.