SCI-FI CRIME THRILLER: War of the Maps - Paul McAuley

Release Date: 07/01/21

Publisher: Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

On a giant artificial world surrounding an artificial sun, one man - a lucidor, a keeper of the peace, a policeman - is on the hunt. His target was responsible for an atrocity, but is too valuable to the government to be truly punished. Instead he has been sent to the frontlines of the war, to use his unique talents on the enemy. So the lucidor has ignored orders, deserted from his job, left his home and thrown his life away, in order to finally claim justice. Separated by massive seas, the various maps dotted on the surface of this world rarely contact each other. But something has begun to infiltrate the edges of the lucidor's map, something that genetically alters animals and plants and turns them into killers. Only the lucidor knows the depths to which his quarry will sink in order to survive, only the lucidor can capture him. The way is long and dangerous. The lucidor's government has set hunters after him. He has no friends, no resources, no plan. 

 

But he does have a mission. 

 

REVIEW:

Paul has always been an author that I've loved to spend time with. He's known for rich world building, creating characters that I want to get to know and above all else giving me a pace that is crafted well knowing when to let me take a breather and when to keep me holding my breath through the high octane sequences. 

 

This title is no exception and with this book, Paul;s principle characters put personal ideal's above those of superiors. Its delightfully dark in a dystopian way, brings a hero to the fore that whilst flawed is multi faceted and is just fascinating to be around. Add to this a cracking crime aspect within alongside dialogue that moves the story forward, all round makes this a book that will easily occupy the reader away from the very real worries of the world.

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.

HISTORICAL FICTION URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Devil's Bride - Mark Alder

Release Date: 10/04/20

Publisher:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

The story of Julie D'Aubigny is well known. Her tumultuous childhood, her powerful lovers, her celebrated voice. Connected to most of the nobility of 17th century Paris, feted for her performance, unwilling to live by the rules of her society, she took female lovers, fought duels with noblemen and fled from city to country and back again. 

 

But now the real truth can be told. She also made a deal with the devil.  He gave her no powers or help, but he kept her alive for only one reason. To take revenge... 

 

REVIEW:

When history gives larger than life characters to the world, authors often turn their attention to them and whilst I know Julie D'Aubigny by historical reference, getting to meet the character in Marks book was not only an eye opener but presents a character that you really wish more was written about. She has some cracking traits that appeal to a modern audience which in her time were considered scandalous. Is figuratively and descriptively well rounded. Has a great sense of purpose with cracking dialogue that just trips off the page, almost as if the amalgamation was part D'Aubigny and part Mae West. 

 

The story is far ranging, really does bring this period of french history to the fore and with Marks wonderful sense of prose and pace, really gives you something that you will not only love but will have a place on your favourite shelf and is a cracker for anyone looking for something wonderful to distract them at this time.

FANTASY REVIEW: Legion: The Many lives of Stephen Leeds - Brandon Sanderson

Release Date: 24/09/18
Publisher:  Gollancz/Tor US



SYNOPSIS: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a new novella collection, including a brand new, never-been-published story.
Stephen Leeds is schizophrenic (. . . probably . . .) and he's in demand. But not for his own skills - his clients want to tap into the imaginary experts that populate his mind - and it's getting a bit crowded in there.
One of his many 'aspects' is a trained soldier, another a psychological expert, a third is a librarian, and all of them want to help him solve problems, making him an exceptionally versatile intelligence agent. If you need a stolen corpse retrieved or a missing inventor found, Stephen Leeds is the man - or rather, the team - for the job. But managing a team is a challenge in itself, all the more so when some of the team feel they know better than Stephen himself . . .
The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds is an omnibus edition of the three amazing Legion novellas: Legion, Legion: Skin Deep and Legion: Lies of the Beholder.


REVIEW: An epic fantasy that works wonders from the fast paced and prolific mind of Brandon Sanderson that really feels like it can do no wrong with the writing. Whilst this is a compendium of the three novella's its a book that has many twists and turns, a cracking concept and of course protaongist(s) that really help move the tales along.
Its got great pace, wonderful prose and to be honest I was surprised at the loss of time when I turned the final page thinking that not long had passed. Add to this a supporting cast that works wonders, a fleshed out world that we can believe in and all round I was a more than happy reader. A real treat, however do not confuse this with the TV series Legion, its completely different both story and character wise.

URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE REVIEW: The Psy Changling Series: Ocean Light - Nalini Singh

RELEASE DATE:  14/06/18
PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love . . .

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment - taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling . . .
Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret that Bo could never imagine . . .
But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back - even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy.


REVIEW:
It's no secret that I've not been the biggest fan of some of Nalini's previous titles but this one seems to be back on the money giving the readers what they want as well as exploring some new area's that have been teased at in previous outings.

As you'd expect the characters are what really sells the books and lets face it a bit or romance with a person who is not completely of this world is a dream for many.  The story is engaging, the plotline wonderful and whilst some typical Urban Fantasy alagories do make appearances, the dialogue and bonding of the principle players is what sells it.

All round a welcome return to form for me and I really look forward to seeing what will occur in future outings especially if we get to delve more into the unknown cultures within her world.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW; The Hatching 3/3: Zero Day - Ezekiel Boone

RELEASE DATE:  01/03/18
PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

The world is on the brink of apocalypse. Zero Day has come.
The only thing more terrifying than millions of spiders is the realization that those spiders work as one. But among the government, there is dissent: do we try to kill all of the spiders, or do we gamble on Professor Guyer's theory that we need to kill only the queens?
For President Stephanie Pilgrim, it's an easy answer. She's gone as far as she can-more than two dozen American cities hit with tactical nukes, the country torn asunder - and the only answer is to believe in Professor Guyer. Unfortunately, Ben Broussard and the military men who follow him don't agree, and Pilgrim, Guyer, and the loyal members of the government have to flee, leaving the question: what can be more dangerous, the spiders or ourselves?

REVIEW:
Having read the previous novels I was wondering how the whole thing was going to go and to be honest I have to say that I felt a little bit short changed with this tale as it felt that it was more a conclude the main arc and leave supporting cast members arcs unfinished which for me made it a bit cheap.

Don't get me wrong, the first book was a great kick off but with this last one, it felt more of a damp fizzle than a good explosion that I was expecting.  Sadly as the books have gone on, the pace has slowed and in certain places become a little predictable and if I'm honest could have been cut down quite a bit to be more of a novella or perhaps finished the story in two books rather than the third and would have been tighter for it.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Testament of Loki - Joanne M Harris

RELEASE DATE:  17/05/18
PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

Ragnarok was the End of Worlds.
Asgard fell, centuries ago, and the old gods have been defeated. Some are dead, while others have been consigned to eternal torment in the netherworld - among them, the legendary trickster, Loki. A god who betrayed every side and still lost everything, who has lain forgotten as time passed and the world of humans moved on to new beliefs, new idol and new deities . . .
But now mankind dreams of the Norse Gods once again, the river Dream is but a stone's throw from their dark prison, and Loki is the first to escape into a new reality.
The first, but not the only one to. Other, darker, things have escaped with him, who seek to destroy everything that he covets. If he is to reclaim what has been lost, Loki will need allies, a plan, and plenty of tricks . . .

REVIEW:
A wonderful book from an author who not only gives the reader a cracking read but does so with cracking humour and demonstrates that her talents translate wonderfully from the YA field into adulthood with this top notch title.

The characterisation works on so many levels, the characters with foibles and flaws which when added to the way that Joanne tackles the various complications makes the read even more entertaining.  Back this up with a top notch plot and prose that just stick in the mind all round make this a top notch read that you have to have on your shelf.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Sond of the Shattered Sands 3: A Veil of Spears - Bradly Beaulieu

RELEASE DATE:  22/03/18

PUBLISHER:  Gollancz


SYNOPSIS:

The Night of Endless Swords nearly saw the destruction of Sharakhai, and since then the Kings have come down hard on the rebelloious Moonless Host. Hundreds have been murdered or given to the Confessor King for questioning. Hundreds more have fled. Including Çeda, who has discovered that Onur, the King of Sloth, has returned to the desert to raise an army and challenge the remaining kings.
The Moonless Host - who have taken to calling themselves the Thirteen Tribe - will be trapped between Onur's growing influence and the considerable might of the kings who, with Sharakhai firmly back under their rule, are turning their attention to the desert once more.
Çeda knows that the asirim are the key. If she can lift their curse and free them from their bondage, then they can save Thirteenth Tribe from the the squabbling kings . . . and perhaps the kings themselves are no longer as unified as they once were. As they vie against each other for control of the city, could Çeda make an ally of one of them? And which one, when any of them could betray her as easily as they would their fellow kings.
Whatever the solution, the end is coming: as Çeda focuses on freeing the asirim and weaken the kings' hold on Sharakhai, the kings' forces, the scheming queen of Qaimir, Hamzakiir the ruthless blood mage, and the thirteenth tribe all prepare for a grand clash that may decide the fate of all who sail the desert.

REVIEW:
The third book in the series and remembering that the second jumped straight in from where the original left off I pretty much expected the same with this the conclusion to the trilogy.  Which to be honest was just as well I did as from the start, the book never let up with its top notch pace and plot lines that you had to pay attention to.

However the best bit about the book, is the way that the principle characters have changed over time, they've grown, they've expanded and been affected by previous choices which feels not only organic but a sign that the author has really worked hard to keep the book not only consistant but developed in such a way that you can't help but care as to their fates.


All round a wonderful read and an author I'll be returning to in the future with pure joy.  Magic.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Planetfall 3: Before Mars - Emma Newman

RELEASE DATE:  19/04/18
PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team.
But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake.
Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her.

REVIEW:
The third book in Emma's Planetfall series and one that is a standalone that takes the reader on a journey of mystery, of paranoia and discovery as the principle character has to uncover a mystery with successive clues that make no sense to her and the crushing realization that no one else can be trusted.

Add to this a delightfully written story, that takes you on a journey of discovery for both the reader and character independently with the feeling of being stuck in a small space with too many people cunningly crafted with delightful twists and turns alongside psychological stresses that really help you feel, all round make this a book that was nigh impossible to put down.  A cracking read.

SCIENCE FICTION CRIME: From Darkest Skies 2: From Distant Stars - Sam Peters

RELEASE DATE:  19/04/18

PUBLISHER:  Gollancz

SYNOPSIS:

Inspector Keon has finally got over the death of his wife Alysha in a terrorist attack five years ago. The illegal AI copy of her - Liss - that he created to help him mourn has vanished, presumed destroyed. His life is back on track. But a deadly shooting in a police-guarded room in a high-security hospital threatens to ruin everything. Who got past the defences? Why did they kill the seemingly unimportant military officer who had been in a coma for weeks? And why did the scanners pick up the deceased man the next day on the other side of the planet, seemingly alive and well?
As Keon digs into the mysteries he begins to realise that the death was connected to a mysterious object, potentially alien, discovered buried in ice under the north pole. Someone has worked out what is hidden there, and what its discovery will mean for mankind. Someone who is willing to kill.
And another player has entered the game. Someone who seems to know more about Keon than is possible.
Someone who might be using Liss's information against him.
Or who might be Alysha, back from the dead.

REVIEW:

The second book in the series and one that continues to develop the principle character we met in the original novel.  As you'd expect if you read the original, the authors brings all of his skills to the fore giving and melding a cracking crime story alongside science fiction in such a way that it will appeal to readers of both genres.

Add to this top notch dialogue alongside a principle player you just love to spend time round generates a story that is hard to put down with "one more chapter" becoming a frequently uttered phrase within your home.  Just make sure you've got a sick day available as once you start you won't stop until that final page is turned.  Magic.