Fantasy

Background

Published in 2020, “Dawnshard” is a fantasy novella by Brandon Sanderson, set in the universe of his “Stormlight Archive” series and serving as an interlude between the third and fourth main novels. The story follows Rysn Ftori, a merchant and shipowner who, after an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, is tasked with leading an expedition to the mysterious and dangerous island of Akinah. Accompanied by the Lopen, now a Knight Radiant, Rysn embarks on a voyage that unveils secrets linked to the ancient Dawnshards—artifacts believed to be instrumental in both the creation and potential destruction of worlds.

My Thoughts

This was a very quick read and could easily stand on it’s own. That said, it didn’t really fit within the other books in the Stormlight Archive. The idea of Rysn earning her place as the owner of the ship

Recommendation

Not a bad read.

Background

“The Gunslinger” is the first book in Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series. It introduces readers to Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, who is on a quest to catch the mysterious “man in black” and find the Dark Tower, a mythical structure that is the nexus of all universes. The story is set in a world that is a blend of Old West motifs and magical fantasy. Roland’s journey takes him through desolate towns and across barren landscapes, meeting various characters who either help or hinder his quest.

My Thoughts

I really didn’t enjoy this book. It seemed crass in the same way a junior high kid sees the world. Perhaps the rest of the series would redeem it, but I won’t be finishing it. There were some interesting ideas with the backstory of the gunslinger, but again, the power struggle between him and his mentor felt like the perspective and mindset of a teenager. This caused a lack of empathy for the character and general loss of interest on my part. It was no surprise when I learned this was one of King’s first books.

Recommend

Skip this one

Background

Published in December of 2023, “Loki: Journey Into Mystery” is an adaptation of Kieron Gillen’s Loki series. In this tale, Loki has been reincarnated again and is only a young boy trying to do what he can to make things write. However, everyone remembers the old Loki and doesn’t trust him. Regardless, the weight of the 7 realms is on his shoulders as he is trying to prevent war.

My Thoughts

This adaptation doesn’t ring very true to the Marvel Universe so much as with the older stories and likely a few they made up as they went along. Regardless, it did a good job portraying Loki doing his level best to do the right thing and it becomes the wrong thing for the right reason.

Recommendation

Longer than I thought but enjoyable.

Background

Published in October of 1986, “The First Book of Lost Swords: Woundhealer’s Story” is the first book following Fred Saberhagens “Books of Swords” series. This story follows Prince Mark as tries to save his son by the only power he knows will be strong enough to break his curse, the sword known as “Woundhealer.”

My Thoughts

The whole time I was reading the book, I had the sensation of Déjà vu. I felt like I had read this before and it turned out that I had. I remember whole swaths of the book from over 30 years ago when I read them as a teenager. I don’t know that I enjoyed them more this time but I still enjoyed them.

Recommendation

Some of it was pretty campy but I enjoyed it.

Background

Published in September 2022, “The Librarian of Crooked Lane,” is a novel about the life of a young girl who became a librarian in a prestigious library. She discovers more about herself through the books around her and the people she meets in a world of order and reason but also of magic.

My Thoughts

I really had a hard time getting through this book. The technology is contemporary yet the magic is there for some reason… Honestly, just pushed through hoping it would get better.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

Background

Published in 1990, “Eric,” written by Terry Pratchett, is the ninth installment in the Discworld series. It follows the misadventures of a teenage demonologist named Eric Thursley, who inadvertently summons the inept wizard Rincewind instead of a powerful demon. With the help of Rincewind, Eric embarks on a comical journey through various dimensions, encountering a host of bizarre characters and situations. As they navigate this chaotic multiverse, they also cross paths with the ancient and capricious Discworld deity, the Great Tortoise.

My Thoughts

The Multiverse doesn’t belong to Marvel as Terry Pratchett did it 25 years before. Eric, the great and powerful, was an interesting jump through time and space that put classic Pratchett clueless Brits in the craziest of circumstances. 9 books in now, there seems to be some overlap in the basic dumb Brit that Pratchett has created but they seem to get the job done.

On a separate note, the luggage becomes truly terrifying in this book. More than simply indestructible as in previous books, the luggage has now developed a mean streak.

Recommendation

A good read.

Background

Published in May of 2023, “Fourth Wing” is a fantasy novel featuring young Violet Sorrengail who’s main goal was to living a quiet life surrounded by books and history. However, her mother, and also commanding general, ordered Violet to join the dragon riders to take her proper place as a Sorrengail.

Violet is small fragile and accident prone. She didn’t want to be a dragon rider but she was thrown into it all the same. In training, people die all the time and Violet does her best to use whatever she has to survive.

My Thoughts

This book had some interesting takes on dragons and the general mythology. However, it read just like the “Twilight Series”. It was the same premise of a sad little girl who lost a parent and was estranged from her other. Somehow, despite being completely useless and not wanting anything to do with what she is doing, she manages to be the best at everything. Somehow and for no apparent reason, the most attractive, dangerous, James Dean type bad boy (who her mother doesn’t approve of) is incredibly attracted to her and trusts her with the biggest secret in the entire kingdom.

Of course, my wife’s friend said it was great…

Recommendation

Not a great book but I can see all the teenage girls and mom’s who think they are teenage girls loving it.

Background

“The High Republic” is a multimedia publishing initiative set in the Star Wars universe, with various authors contributing to novels, comics, and other media. Set approximately 200 years before the events of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” it explores a time of peace and prosperity in the galaxy, known as the High Republic era. The Jedi Order is at its zenith, acting as guardians of peace and justice. However, this era faces a new threat from a mysterious group known as the Nihil, who disrupt the harmony of the galaxy. As the Jedi and other characters strive to confront this menace, they grapple with moral dilemmas and challenges that test their commitment to the light side of the Force. “The High Republic” was launched in January 2021 with various publications, and new additions have continued to expand the story in the years following.

This book, “Light of the Jedi” shows the rise of the Nilhil starting with the Great Disaster when a ship was destroyed while in hyperspace, resulting in pieces of it threatening to destroy an entire system.

My Thoughts

Such a dumb book… The author has no idea about physics or how ridiculous most of the events were throughout the book. I found myself audibly saying “No, no, no!” Several times through the book.

Recommendation

Don’t waste your time.

Background

First published in 1989, “Guards! Guards!” by Terry Pratchett is a fantasy novel set in the Discworld. The story follows the inept and often inebriated Night Watch of the city of Ankh-Morpork. When a secret society summons a fire-breathing dragon to overthrow the city and install a puppet ruler, it’s up to the unlikely hero, Sam Vimes, and his motley crew of guardsmen, including a naive recruit and a rather unusual librarian, to save the day. The novel is a witty and imaginative blend of fantasy and social commentary, exploring themes of power, corruption, and the absurdity of bureaucracy in Pratchett’s trademark style.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book a bit more than the last. I loved the constant foreshadowing of Carrot being the true king and it never came to pass. (His sword, birthmark, birth-story, and so on.) This book went by like several of my dreams in that it was completely ridiculous but still was surprisingly unremarkable. The characters were making their decisions and living their lives just like they would if nothing was amiss. I really enjoy Pratchett’s style.

Recommendation

Good book