Fantasy

Background

Published in 1987, Taliesin is the first book in Stephen R. Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle, blending the fall of Atlantis with the origins of Arthurian Britain. The story follows Charis, a princess of Atlantis who survives her homeland’s destruction, and Taliesin, a druid and bard in Britain, as their lives intertwine in exile and renewal. Their union produces Merlin, whose destiny will shape the future of Britain and its legendary kings.

My Thoughts

It’s been a bit since I’ve read some fantasy and I enjoyed it. This book started off pretty slow but it did reel me in. It was on hold for so long that I had forgotten what it was about so I was able to enjoy the story without expectations. Toward the end, I found myself finding excuses to listen to the book.

Recommendation

Slow build but it was worth the time.

Background

Published in 1907, Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum is the third book in the Oz series and follows Dorothy Gale as she is swept overboard during a storm at sea and finds herself in the land of Ev. There, she meets a mechanical man named Tik-Tok and learns that the royal family of Ev has been imprisoned by the powerful Nome King. Dorothy reunites with her old friends from Oz, including the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and joins forces with Princess Ozma, who has crossed the deadly desert with an army to help. Together, they confront the Nome King and navigate challenges of wit and courage in their attempt to free the captives and restore order to the kingdom of Ev.

My Thoughts

Again an interesting trip down children’s literature over a hundred years ago. Talking chickens, spiteful gnomes, and good old fashioned laziness. I also enjoyed Tik-Tok himself who may or may not be proud of his namesake today.

Recommendation

A quick but interesting read.

Background

Published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, hoping he can help her return home. Along the way, she befriends a Scarecrow seeking a brain, a Tin Woodman longing for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion in search of courage. Together, they face challenges, including the Wicked Witch of the West, and ultimately discover that the qualities they desire are already within them.

My Thoughts

Very much not the film adaptation with Judy Garland. This version comes with a map of Oz, silver slippers, strange denizens, and the flying monkeys are controlled by a magic cap with three wishes. This version came with a short history of Frank Baum and his various pseudonyms. He failed at pretty much everything, to include military school, but did pretty well as a writer. I also found out there are several of these books dealing with Oz. I will have to look into those going forward.

Recommendation

Definitely, worth the read.

Background

Published in 2016, “Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection” by Brandon Sanderson is an anthology of nine novellas and short stories set within the shared universe of the Cosmere. The collection includes works from several of Sanderson’s distinct series—Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, White Sand, and others—each introduced with background and planetary information that ties them into the larger cosmere mythology. The stories expand on minor characters, present key events not covered in the main novels, and provide additional context that enriches the worldbuilding across series. While the pieces can often be read independently, they are interconnected by recurring themes, worldbuilding elements, and a few shared characters that move across worlds.

My Thoughts

This was a must read, but I’m glad I read it well after most of the books as there are many spoilers and explanations. It also included several stories I had already read; The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, and Edgedancer. I enjoyed them again through this collection and caught a lot more this time around.

The Eleventh Metal, Allomancer Jack and the Pits of Eltania, White Sand, and Sixth of Dusk were all new to me. That just leaves White Sands 2 and 3 to go before I have read his entire collection. (To this point that is.)

Recommendation

Fun read. However, be sure to read Elantris, The Mistborn Series, and the first two books in the Stormlight Archive before you read it.

Background

Published on May 18, 2021, “Dark One” is a fantasy graphic novel that follows Paul Tanasin, an 18-year-old haunted by visions of a world called Mirandus. Initially dismissing these visions as hallucinations, Paul discovers they are prophecies foretelling his destiny as the “Dark One,” a figure destined to shatter Mirandus. As he grapples with his role, Paul confronts themes of predestination and the duality of being both a savior and a destroyer.

My Thoughts

I’m not generally a fan of graphic novels. I loved the X-Men and still couldn’t get into the comics about them.

This one wasn’t bad but I’m used to a lot more narrative. I thought the art was good, but still I’d rather use my imagination to detail the story.

The door is wide open for Sanderson to continue the story.

Recommendation

I’d wait till he is done before reading it. It went pretty quick.

Background

Published on December 6, 2024, “Wind and Truth” is the fifth installment in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. This novel concludes the first major arc of the series, bringing together complex plotlines and character developments. The story follows the Knights Radiant and the nations of Roshar as they prepare for a decisive confrontation with the malevolent god Odium, with the fate of their world hanging in the balance. Central characters, including Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, and Szeth, face personal challenges and pivotal battles that test their oaths and resolve.

My Thoughts

First off, I’m glad I read the physical book on this one for the illustrations. However, it is large enough to be used as a weapon. Just holding it was chore through the hours of reading.

Anyway, the story was good and I was really hoping for more closure only to find there will be another 5 books. This is why I like to read things from the past so I don’t have to wait for the rest of the series. Oh well! I could also do without the justification for Rlaine and Renarin for hooking up. Honestly, if the goal is to normalize homosexuality (and in this case interspecies homosexuality) then don’t spend so much time on it. It felt overdone and came off as pandering.

Recommendation

It was a good read though I was disappointed in parts.

Background

Published in 2013, The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson is a young adult fantasy novel set in an alternate United States called the United Isles. In this world, a unique branch of magic called Rithmatics allows trained individuals to bring chalk drawings to life for both defense and combat. Joel, the “chalk-maker’s son”, is fascinated by Rithmatics but was never chosen to receive its powers. Instead, he studies the art obsessively, hoping to understand its secrets. When students at Armedius Academy begin disappearing under mysterious circumstances, Joel teams up with a struggling Rithmatist student, Melody, and Professor Fitch to investigate. As they uncover dark secrets about the nature of Rithmatics and the dangerous creatures called Chalklings, Joel finds himself at the center of a conflict that could change his world forever.

My Thoughts

This was a fun read and a new take on Sanderson’s “investiture” in the drawing of 2-dimensional images that come alive to protect or fight. Also, a fun take on what would happen if this power was given to the British government a few hundred years back. There were a lot of quasi-world references like stir fried spaghetti, St. Michelangelo, and so on.

The door was left wide for more books to be written, but there don’t seem to be any coming. Unlike the other standalone Sanderson novels, this one didn’t have anything to cross over into the greater Cosmere, or perhaps I just missed it.

Recommendation

Still a fun read.

Background

Published in 2009, “Warbreaker” follows the intertwined fates of two princesses and sisters from the kingdom of Idris, Siri and Vivenna, as they become entangled in political and divine conflicts in the city of Hallandren. Siri, younger and more rebellious than her sister, is sent in place of Vivenna to marry the God King, a mysterious and seemingly all-powerful ruler. Meanwhile, Vivenna, the dutiful and trained heir, embarks on a mission to rescue her sister but finds herself drawn into a rebellion and forced to question everything she believed.

My Thoughts

This really was a fun read. Sanderson has a gift to bring the reader into the story no matter what is going on in the plot. This book presents a different type of “investiture” in the form of “breath.” Treated as the soul of a person by the homeland of Siri, it is a commodity to be bought and sold in the world she comes to live in. This form is unique in the greater Sanderson Cosmere and made for some interesting plot points. Characters such as Vasher and Nightblood show up in later Sanderson works and it was fun to see their origins.

The door was left open for more books to be written, but 17 years later, I don’t know they will be coming.

Recommendation

Great book and a good read