The Alloy of Law

Background

Published in 2011, “The Alloy of Law” by Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy adventure that takes place 300 years after the events of the original Mistborn trilogy. The story introduces Waxillium Ladrian, a noble-turned-lawman who returns to the metropolis of Elendel after years spent in the untamed Roughs. Wax, possessing Allomantic and Feruchemical powers, must navigate a new era of technology, blending magic with industrial-age innovations.

The Alloy of Law
The Alloy of Law

My Thoughts

Although, it’s hard to miss the pun of the names of the main characters and the fundamental concepts of metallurgy are still too far fetched, I really enjoyed the book. Wax is a fun character without being over the top and Wayne does a great job at the comic relief. Throw in a young woman infatuated with the protagonist and you have yourself a story. This story however, leaves the main character pining for his late wife and he is refraining from the woman throughout the book. It was an interesting counterpoint to the usual tension between a potential couple.

As usual, found Sanderson’s writing to be engaging and just plain fun to read.

Recommendation

Great book, I’m excited for the next one in the series.

To the Far Blue Mountains

Background

Published in 1976, “To the Far Blue Mountains” is the second novel in Louis L’Amour’s Sackett series. The story continues the adventures of Barnabas Sackett, who, after returning to England, faces a royal warrant accusing him of possessing a treasure believed to be lost by King John. To escape persecution, Barnabas flees to America, where he establishes a trading post and starts a family. The novel explores themes of exploration, survival, and the challenges of settling in the New World.

To the Far Blue Mountains
To the Far Blue Mountains

My Thoughts

Similiar to the first book, L’Amour paints a picture of the nearly unstoppable force that is Barnabas Sackett. However, this time around the reader is treated to his rise and demise in the Americas, showing he can indeed be beaten. Sackett had 5 children and all are ready to continue the legacy of the Sackett name and more importantly, are there to continue on the series.

I enjoyed the time taken by L’Amour to get the details right. His depictions of the peoples and times seem to fit well in the time period and his writing would stand up to more contemporary standards when dealing with minorities and native populations.

Recommendation

I enjoyed this sequel even better than the first. I will be continuing through the series.

The Hero of Ages

Background

Published in 2008, “The Hero of Ages”, is the third book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy. Vin and Elend Venture continue to attempt saving the world from Ruin. The mists are growing more dangerous, ash chokes the land, and the Lord Ruler’s final legacy threatens humanity’s survival. Vin and Elend must unlock the secrets of the Well of Ascension and uncover the true nature of Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy.

The Hero of Ages
The Hero of Ages

My Thoughts

This really was a fun read and good climax to the trilogy. Sanderson has a way of writing that keeps you guessing till the last and this was no exception. The premise of the story is pretty weak in terms of the metals and their abilities. However, we all have to suspend our expectations to some degree and there certainly have been worse forms of magic. (White Gold Wielder comes to mind. Another great series with a less than perfect premise.)

Recommendation

It was worth the read.

Excalibur The Chronicles of Arthur

Background

Published in July of 2024, “Excalibur The Chronicles of Arthur” is the first book in The Arthurian Chronicles series by Peter Gibbons. Set in Dark Age Britain, the novel reimagines the legend of King Arthur, focusing on his rise as a formidable warlord. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Britain is fragmented and vulnerable to Saxon invasions. Arthur, empowered by the druid Merlin and the legendary sword Excalibur, embarks on a quest to unite the fractured land and repel the Saxon threat. Gibbons’ portrayal emphasizes the brutal realities of the era, offering a fresh and action-packed retelling of the Arthurian saga.

Excalibur The Chronicles of Arthur
Excalibur The Chronicles of Arthur

My Thoughts

This is not the usual Arthurian Legend. Merlin hands the sword to Arthur and there really isn’t anything special about him. The book is violent and even brutal at times, yet it was well written. I felt it was true to the time period and Gibbons writes a compelling story.

Recommendation

This isn’t for everyone, but I’m excited for the next volume to come out.

A Calamity of Souls

Background

Published in April of 2024, “A Calamity of Souls” by David Baldacci is a legal drama set in 1968 in Freeman County, Virginia. The story revolves around a murder trial in the Jim Crow South. Jack Lee, a white lawyer who takes on the seemingly impossible task of defending Jerome Washington, a Black Vietnam veteran falsely accused of murdering his wealthy white employers. Faced with a biased legal system and the threat of the death penalty, Jack partners with Desiree DuBose, a skilled Black lawyer sent to help from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Together, they navigate a racially charged atmosphere, uncovering corruption and secrets as they fight for justice. Baldacci combines courtroom suspense with a deep exploration of racial tensions in the American South during the Civil Rights era.

A Calamity of Souls
A Calamity of Souls

My Thoughts

This book was difficult to get into but it was hard to put it down once it was in full swing. While painful at times, the novel explores much of the ugly side of humanity where hatred is left unchecked. Baldacci creates compelling characters and a non-stop pace keeping the reader engaged. As a fellow Virginian, I enjoy that Baldacci weaves the local area into his books giving me another layer of familiarity with his content. While the narrative in this book felt forced and even saccharin at times, it left me feeling very glad I don’t live in that environment of constant racism and hatred.

Recommendation

A good read.

The Original

Background

Published in 2020, “The Original”, co-written by Brandon Sanderson and Mary Robinette Kowal is a sci-fi thriller set in a future where clones are used for justice. The protagonist, Holly, wakes up to find herself as a replica tasked with hunting her original self, who is accused of murder. As she unravels the truth about her existence and the society she lives in, Holly only has a few days to find the killer and solve the problem.

The Original
The Original

My Thoughts

This was a pretty quick read and not the best concept. There were a few fundamental problems with the story that do not make sense. (Building clones seems to be a pretty wasteful and elaborate way to find someone and take them to justice. Add to that all the collateral damage the clone did and the story falls apart pretty fast.) However, if you are willing to ignore some of those issues, the book was fun and kept my attention.

Recommendation

While not his best work, I did enjoy it.

Infinity Blade: Redemption

Background

Published in 2013, “Infinity Blade: Redemption: by Brandon Sanderson continues the saga based on the Infinity Blade video game series. The novella picks up with Siris and the God King, once sworn enemies, now working together against a common and even more dangerous foe—the Worker of Secrets. Imprisoned in the Vault of Tears, they must find a way to escape and prevent the Worker from enacting his devastating plans.

The story delves deeper into the world’s lore, exploring the origins of the Deathless, the true power of the Infinity Blade, and the conflicts between magic and technology. As Siris struggles with his role as a leader and his fragmented past, he must decide whether to embrace his destiny or defy it.

Infinity Blade
Infinity Blade

My Thoughts

This book picks right up from the previous Infinity Blade, which was a touch disorienting having been away from it for a bit. However, I was quickly pulled in and enjoyed the read. I was highly interested in the existential crisis presented by a functionally immortal perspective. If you live forever, what defines your existence and what may be on the horizon? The ending left the doors wide for the story to continue.

Recommendation

It was a fun read, but be sure to read the first book or several plot points won’t make sense.

The Fault in our Stars

Background

Published in 2012, “The Fault in our Stars”, written by John Green, tells of two cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. The two meet at a cancer support group and bond through their shared experiences with illness. Hazel, who has terminal thyroid cancer, and Augustus, who is in remission from osteosarcoma, navigate their emotions through the lens of those who have experienced loss and stand to lose so much more.

The Fault in our Stars
The Fault in our Stars

My Thoughts

My thoughts were all over the place in this. Much of the book reads like pseudo-intellectual nonsense with Hazel’s seemingly constant irritation that someone may have a different thought about life outside of her nihilism. (That, at least, is true to the form of a teenage girl who doesn’t get what she wants.) However, Augustus is a less believable character because he manages to be all things to all people. Beloved by all and even able to bend the evil Van Houton to his will, I felt Augustus had too few human moments and those he had seemed over the top.

The subject matter was interesting as death isn’t a popular subject. More particularly, death by cancer isn’t seen that often in media. This fact likely has something to do with cancer is not a fun topic and can kill a conversation every bit as fast as politics or religion. I can say, with some authority, that cancer sucks! I know relatively little about the support groups and other help out there for cancer survivors other than they exist, but I truly hope they bring people comfort. Perhaps they are as depicted in the book, but I doubt I could find any solace there if they were.

Recommendation

It was engaging but I didn’t really like it.

Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds

Background

Published in 2018, “Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds” by Brandon Sanderson is a collection of three novellas (Legion, Skin Deep, and Lies of the Beholder) on his character Stephen Leeds, an exceptionally brilliant man with a unique psychological condition. Leeds does not suffer from schizophrenia but instead manifests “aspects”—each representing a different skill or area of knowledge. These aspects are fully realized individuals that only Leeds can see and interact with, and he uses them to solve complex problems and mysteries.

Across the three novellas, Leeds faces a range of cases, from recovering stolen technological secrets to unraveling dangerous conspiracies. As he navigates these challenges, he also struggles with questions about his own identity and the nature of his aspects.

Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds
Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds

My Thoughts

This small collection was a lot of fun to read. Sanderson does such a good job in bringing the reader directly into the story through likable characters and empathetic situations. The collection started with commentary by Sanderson on his writing process and how he found this project “cathartic”. I was glad he did.

Recommendation

Great read.

Infinity Blade Awakening

Background

Published in 2011, “Infinity Blade Awakening” by Brandon Sanderson is set in the universe of the popular mobile game Infinity Blade. The story picks up after the events of the first game and follows Siris, the hero who defeated the God King. However, rather than gaining freedom, Siris soon learns that his victory was only the beginning of a much larger and darker struggle. As he embarks on a journey to uncover ancient secrets about his world and his own identity, Siris must face powerful enemies and question everything he thought he knew about his purpose.

Infinity Blade Awakening
Infinity Blade Awakening

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book right from the start. The idea that the book would begin after the quest was completed and the main enemy the “God King” was killed was a refreshing change. This was a relatively short read, but Sanderson did a good job getting plenty of information and story on the page. I have no knowledge of the Infinity Blade game, yet that wasn’t a hindrance to enjoy the story.

Recommendation

It was worth the time.