C.F. Welburn's Blog, page 2

Summer Reading Challenge Book 5: A Warden's Purpose

A Warden's Purpose by Jeffrey L. Kohanek

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I haven’t read any YA for years and as such A Warden’s Purpose was a bit of change of pace for me. However, once I got into it I started having pleasant nostalgic feelings, back to my David Edding’s days when the world seemed full of wonder and magic. The story is quick paced using a flashback recounting to bring us up to speed with how it all opens. The magic system is interesting, and I feel there is a lot more to learn in subsequent books as the main characters hone their skills. Perhaps my favourite point is the balance between the two protagonists, who share a special bond, yet are total opposites of the spectrum, making them compliment each other so well. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and some healthy doses of betrayal. Will be reading on!



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Summer Challenge Book 4: Unsouled

Unsouled by Will Wight

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first in the Cradle series pulls no punches, plunging the reader straight into a society segregated into warring, bickering clans. It has a distinctly manga/eastern feel to it and the magic system, whilst still a little confusing, promises to be as deep as Mistborn's alomancy. The main character is an underdog who, I’m assuming through the progression of the book’s gameLit elements, is destined for great (or terrible) things. There is also a second POV character that hints at a much wider scope than initially meets the eye. This aspect, to me, seems even more interesting than the principal plot. I’ll admit I got lost at times with elements of the magic system and the rules to which it adheres, but I'm assuming it will become more clearly defined in subsequent books. That being said, the story has enticed me and I will most definitely be reading on to see how things play out. A promising start to what is reputed to be a great series.



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The Ashen Levels Sale 0.99

The Ashen Levels

To celebrate reaching Round 2 of the EFFys Readers Awards, The Ashen Levels is just 99c until 21st July on Amazon .com and .uk

Time to accept your oath!

Summer challenge, book 3: The Thief who Pulled on Trouble's Braids.

The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids by Michael McClung

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


From the lengthy title I admit I was expecting something more literary than what I got. That being said, the story hooked me from the outset and I changed my preconceptions rapidly after that. It’s a short book and fast-paced, with a plucky, sarcastic main character who provides for amusing banter with her comrades. The whodunit revenge factor adds to the pace with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The world-building could use some work, as almost all the information seemed to be lumped into a rambling soliloquy after the ‘final credits’. Also, the situation (no spoilers, so sorry for the vagueness) seemed to get wrapped up conveniently quickly at the end for something that the whole book revolved around--though I suspect the rest of the series will see our sweary heroine realise the consequences of her actions. There was some cool use of magic, and one idea that I really enjoyed and thought could have been fleshed out a bit more. Overall, an enjoyable yarn of thievery, friendship and revenge.



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Wednesday Reads Book Review - E.G. Stone

This week my book was featured on Wednesday Reads Book Review with E.G. Stone. Luckily she liked it! You can check out the review by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k90Cm...

Summer Challenge, book 2: Orconomics.

Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When drunken, outcast dwarf, Gorm Ingerson, uncharacteristically saves a goblin from the hands of another loot-hungry hero, he has no idea how much trouble it will land him in. Thus, starts Orconimics, a satirical tale of economics and orcs! (As well as heroes, loot, quests, monsters, magic, danger and all the other good stuff any role-playing fan will find familiar.)
Pike’s writing is witty and the themes are influenced heavily by D&D, WOW type games. In fact, one line “the well-regarded Silver Slayers were rumoured to have met an unlikely end when their junior member broke rank and charged through a hatchery with an ill-advised war cry” had me positively screaming Leroy Jenkins! in my mind.
The plot is fast paced and the characters an interesting mix that become tighter as a unit as their quest progresses. What I hadn’t expected were the moments of sadness which tasted all the sharper for the light-heartedness that the book begins with.
It's been many years since I've read comedy fantasy (Terry Pratchett) but I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I will definitely be checking out the sequel sometime soon.




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Summer challenge, book 1.

Leaping straight in with the first indie book I've read this summer:

The Gods of Men by Barbara Kloss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book grew on me and suddenly the end arrived too soon. One of the things Kloss handles really well is the relationship between the two main characters who would normally be sworn enemies. She tells a tale of love and hate without stumbling on the tropes that normally turn me off romance. The prose is accomplished with some beautifully written passages, the characters are interesting and full of imperfections and conflicts. There are a few odd turns of phrase and a little repetition, but in the end Kloss’s writing style shines. The story is resolved, but left open enough for the series to continue in interesting ways. A worthy finalist of SPFBO04.



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IFA Summer Challenge

Hey all, the reason I don't write a blog is because of the struggle/time of constantly looking for new material. However, since I'm involved in IFA (Indie Fantasy Addicts) Summer Challenge over on Facebook, I figured this summer might be a good time to start posting reviews for the indie books I read over the holidays.

How am I choosing the books? Well, some are former and current spfbo contestants (currently of great personal interest, since The Ashen Levels is entered in it this year, as well as the EFFys), others are from authors I've become friendly with, and the rest are books I've had gathering virtual dust on my kindle for sometime, so it's a bit of a mixed bag!

Hope you're having a good one!

Craig.