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REVIEW: The Assassin of Grins and Secrets by K.E. Andrews

In The Assassin of Grins and Secrets, the debut dark fantasy from K.E. Andrews and a semi-finalist in the 8th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO8), the notorious assassin Serein is known for wearing a surreal smile while she kills her victims with a legendary efficiency.

Does Serein smile because she derives some sick pleasure from killing, or because she has created a persona to mask the trauma of her past? While Serein’s external scars are evident from the opening scene of the novel, her inner wounds are revealed more gradually.

The Assassin of Grins and Secrets has two additional protagonists: Rameses, the somewhat naïve crown prince of Sarddon who rescues Serein from prison to become his personal bodyguard, and Uriah, his longtime friend and confidant who also serves as captain of the city guard. Rameses and Uriah make for excellent foils, with the idealistic, outgoing prince clashing with his distrustful head of guard who questions Serein’s motivations.

The Assassin of Grins and Secrets is fundamentally a character-driven novel, and K.E. Andrews excels at creating complex, relatable characters. I especially enjoyed the nuanced relationships among the three protagonists, particularly the slowly emerging respect between Serein and Uriah and the development of Rameses as he comes to grips with the atrocities committed by his father against Serein’s people. One of the main uncertainties throughout the story is whether Serein will remain faithful in her service to Rameses, or if she will seek revenge on his father for the crimes perpetrated against her people.

K.E. Andrews skillfully subverts the tropes normally associated with a female assassin lead. There is no love triangle here, no seduction, and no romance whatsoever. Serein excels as a female assassin in a male-dominated world because she is so good at what she does.

A unique aspect of the novel is that Serein experiences chromesthesia, a condition where hearing sound evokes visual perceptions of color, with different colors associated with different types of sound. The use of colors in The Assassin of Grins and Secrets reminded me of Warbreaker, the early Cosmere novel from Brandon Sanderson, where the magic system involves perceiving colors more vividly. K.E. Andrews has captured this extrasensory perception beautifully and shown how it can enhance and deepen Serein’s awareness of her surroundings.

Although this is her debut fantasy novel, K.E. Andrews has already published three volumes of poetry. Andrews writes beautifully, and her experience as a poet shines through especially in her descriptions of the colors that Serein sees coming from different types of sound.

Although the worldbuilding in The Assassin of Grins and Secrets is inspired by various cultures around the world, there is definitely an Arabian flair that recalls the Tower and Knife Trilogy by Mazarkis Williams. This is a refreshing change from the usual high fantasy worlds inspired by medieval Europe. K.E. Andrews provides a lot of helpful information about her world at the front of the book, which I consulted frequently while reading the story.

The plot of The Assassin of Grins and Secrets is a slow burn and strikes a good balance between the characters’ inner and outer conflicts. By the second half, I became fully invested in the story, especially as a terrifying figure from Serein’s past returns with a menacing plan. My only criticism of The Assassin of Grins and Secrets is that the pacing feels inconsistent, with some parts dragging a bit too long and the ending coming too abruptly for my taste.

K.E. Andrews weaves a colorful tapestry of intrigue throughout The Assassin of Grins and Secrets. The author shines in her character work, particularly with Serein’s complex motivations as an assassin with a mysterious past. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Assassin of Grins and Secrets and recommend this book for fans of nuanced, character-driven dark fantasy.

4/5

Read The Assassin of Grins and Secrets by K.E. Andrews

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REVIEW: The Viking Gael Saga by J.T.T. Ryder

After a disastrous duel fought over an outstanding debt, young Asgeir finds himself pressed into service to Ulf the Old, the man who slayed Asgeir’s elder brother. Aging Norseman Ulf yearns to go raiding one last time, with Ireland as his destination, and Asgeir finds himself a press-ganged oarsman on the longship Sea-Bitch. A so-called Viking Gael, blending Norse and Gaelic Irish heritage, Asgeir chafes under Ulf’s command. However, morality compels him to delay his vengeance and bide his time; just as his brother was slain in a fair duel, Asgeir wishes to kill Ulf in an honest and “respectable” manner. But the Sea-Bitch’s voyage runs into trouble immediately after departure, as a routine stop for provisions in Laerdal enmeshes the crew in a tangled web of treachery and familial grievances. It turns out that Asgeir is not the only one with a hatred for Ulf, and he finds himself torn between his personal code of honor and his burning desire to see an enemy dead.

First book in a series of the same name, The Viking Gael Saga is set in western Norway, 870 AD. Central to the narrative is the Viking culture of honor. We’re shown a society of explosively escalating violence, where slights and injuries must be paid for—often immediately—in blood. Ryder adds nuance, however, by also demonstrating the importance of law and custom. It’s not merely enough to cut down an enemy, the killing must be done in a way in which the gods and one’s peers would deem above reproach.

Another key element of The Viking Gael Saga is the complex relationship between Asgeir and Ulf. Asgeir bears a grudge over the death of his brother, announcing openly his intent to avenge him. Ulf acknowledges this threat, but also trusts Asgeir will avoid underhanded tactics. He treats Asgeir as any other unproven member of the ship’s crew, neither coddling him nor treating him with especial harshness. Ulf often laments the lack of honor in his countrymen, and scrupulous Asgeir frequently finds himself agreeing with his enemy’s assessment. The Viking Gael Saga’s emphasis on honor and the charged interplay between Asgeir and Ulf turn what could have been a simplistic revenge tale into something much more intriguing.

The Viking Gael Saga hews closer to straight historical fiction than Ryder’s Celtic fantasy series, The Bronze Sword Cycles duology. While overt magic does not appear in the story, neither is the mystical ever very far away. The expectations of the grim Norse gods weigh heavily on the characters, and worries about hexes, omens, and the proper observation of rituals all play a primary role in guiding their actions. The ambiguous presentation of the supernatural and the visceral depiction of combat (no doubt enhanced by the author’s Historical European Martial Arts experience) make this a book that comfortably serves both the historical fiction audience and fans of gritty, grounded fantasy.

Ryder is both a resident of Norway and an archaeologist specializing in Viking history, and that expertise shines through in The Viking Gael Saga. He resists the temptation go overboard with lengthy background exposition and extraneous detail, however. Ryder’s knowledge is demonstrated by subtle touches in the book, showing how the characters act within their society, the tools they use, the laws they live under. Ryder’s presentation of the Viking era is quietly confident.

While The Viking Gael Saga tells a complete story, the book is somewhat harmed by its brevity: only 156 pages in the print edition. The cover shows a fleet of Viking longships on the open seas, but the solitary ship featured in the book doesn’t even make it out of Norway’s fjords. The events of this book would perhaps have better been served as an episode in a longer novel covering more of the Sea-Bitch’s journey. At this pace, Ireland seems very far away, indeed.

As the success of TV series and films Vikings: Valhalla, Vinland Saga, and The Northman show, Vikings continue to capture the popular imagination several centuries after their heyday. The Viking Gael Saga marks the beginning of a promising new addition to the modern viking canon.

Read The Viking Gael Saga by J.T.T. Ryder

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Review: Forest of Foes by Matthew Harffy

The ninth book of The Bernicia Chronicles continues the adventures of Beobrand as readers are transported back to Frankia in AD 652. Beobrand has been ordered to lead a group of pilgrims to the holy city of Rome. He plans to journey quickly and return to Northumbria without delay, but as always – nothing is that simple for Beobrand and the road is long and perilous…

Matthew Harffy is an absolute master of the historical fiction genre and at this point in the series, nine books in, you know what you are getting and that is a well-researched historical novel full of thrilling twists and turns. Forest of Foes finds Beobrand ill, in a foul mood, and far from home. As always, he gets caught up in the rivalries between various powerful players in what is a volatile and chaotic time in history for Europe. Harffy weaves fact and fiction with effortless ease. In both The Bernicia Chronicles and A Time for Swords, he has shown an almost peerless ability to delight history buffs whilst still nailing down what is necessary to draw in and engage readers with no knowledge of such time periods. Nine books in, most readers would have spent a lot of time with Beobrand and Harffy is able to display how well he understands the character in how he continually grows and develops with each adventure and Forest of Foes is another brilliant example of this.

It is not just Beobrand who we focus on in Forest of Foes. Cynan shows excellent growth throughout the novel. He acts a lot like Beobrand and some of the mistakes that he makes remind me of a younger Beobrand and I found myself really enjoying the time spent with him in Forest of Foes. There is a lot of depth to many of the characters and it adds tension in those moments where characters are caught in perilous situations and uncertainty over whether they will make it out alive. This book made me hope for an adaptation of The Bernicia Chronicles in the vein of the excellent The Last Kingdom. Epic, bloody, and so well-written – it’s ripe for an adaptation at a time when The Last Kingdom is coming to an end.

Forest of Foes is another thrilling tale in The Bernicia Chronicles. An absolute delight for fans of the Dark Ages and for readers who love their stories full of blood, gore, and brutality all shining through a stunning historical lens. Another brilliant tale from Matthew Harffy and I can’t wait for more.

Read Forest of Foes by Matthew Harffy

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REVIEW: Underwater

Underwater is a 2020 American horror movie starring Kristen Stewart, Jessica Henwick, TJ Miller, and a few other notable stars. It is a disaster movie as much as anything else, starting off with a crew of scientists working at the bottom of an unexplored part of the ocean when there’s a leak that kills most of the crew in the opening scene. The survivors proceed to try to figure out a way to get out of there as things get progressively worse.

The thing about this movie is that it’s extremely hard to review it without giving away the primary spoiler in a Sixth Sense sort of way. If you share that element, then you risk ruining what was one of the rare genuine surprises that you’re likely to get out of a film. At least, for me, I hadn’t expected the surprise and was really enjoying the fact I was. So, if you want to be surprised by it then you should stop reading this review and instead go watch the movie cold.

Still here?

Okay, then let the reader beware of SPOILERS. However, if you’ve already watched the movie or simply don’t care then I’ll reveal the big secret: there’s not only a monster at the bottom of the ocean but the monster is Cthulhu himself. Yes, Cthulhu and a bunch of what I presume to be Deep Ones are very upset at having their resting place disturbed by a bunch of oil-drilling scientists and are doing their very best to make them all dead.

This particular revelation is extremely entertaining and I’m very glad about it but I also feel like the movie doesn’t go nearly as far as they could with it. It’s always nice to see the Big C on screen but he’s treated more or less as an underwater kaiju rather than his cosmic horror self. We don’t see any signs of a dreadful city underwater, madness just by looking at him, or cultists that might be working to further his return. Okay, there’s some hints at such being the case with the Tian corporation (for “LovecrafTIAN”) but that isn’t developed nearly as well as it could be.

I’m sorry to say this is a generic sci-fi horror movie with the premise of finding something alien that starts killing you. It’s just got the thin veneer of Cthulhu added onto it to please depraved horror fans like me. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as I like most generic sci-fi horror movies and it’s certainly a well-made one. I also think the addition of a thin veneer of Cthulhu did enhance my enjoyment of the film, however slight.

Unfortunately, it also tells me this movie could have been so much-much better. It could have been the Prometheus movie we deserved. Prometheus was ruined by Ridley Scott making everyone act like morons, but these characters are all likable as well as intelligent. How much better would the film have been if a competent crew was forced to go down-down deeper into the dark abyss as they gradually discovered the terrifying secrets within? Things related to the origin of mankind and its imminent destruction?

Kristen Stewart proves she is a serviceable action heroine as Norah Price. Norah is desperately trying to step up to save as many people as possible but thwarted at every turn by circumstances seemingly designed to make such heroism fruitless. Jessica Henwick’s Emily is a very likable heroine who, unfortunately, has a romance tacked on with TJ Miller’s Paul Abel. If they’d been together from the beginning, it might have been believable but this is not the circumstances to start a new relationship.

There’s a lot of good scenes, tense encounters, and excellent use of lighting throughout the film. I was a big fan of Epcot Center’s Sea Base Alpha (that I was fooled for 30 years into thinking was actually underwater). Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t attempt to do anything particularly deep or noticeable with this, so it comes off as a bit generic. Everyone does their best with the material, though, and the handling is always competent. As such, I’m going to say Underwater is an above-average horror film and certainly competent.

7/10

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REVIEW: A Shade of Madness by Thiago Adballa

A Shade of Madness follows on where successful debut A Touch of Light left off and dives straight back into a world in increasing peril. Thiago Abdalla continues to demonstrate excellent worldbuilding and the exploration of flawed characters trying to do what they believe is the right thing. Far from having any ‘middle book syndrome’, A Shade of Madness is another strong entry into The Ashes of Avarin series that promises more dark, high fantasy with a heavy focus on both death and, well, madness.

Our three POVs from the first book (Adrian, Nasha and Lynn) are joined by a fourth voice in Kadmus – a failed priest turned alchemical healer trying to secretly find a cure to the Madness sweeping Avarin. While he didn’t jump straight into the spot of favourite character for me, he brings a moral flexibility in his choices, motives and actions to the fore that the other three didn’t have. That said, Adrian’s arc becomes much darker over the course of A Shade of Madness as he is fuelled evermore by a vengeful rage.

Lynn faces new challenges as she is thrust into a position of leadership in the ongoing battle to save the Domain. She too struggles with some moral dilemmas where her faith and the dire circumstances of her surroundings butt heads. Nasha uncovers a lot about herself, her power and the history of the clan lands even as Zala reaches out to her and threatens to take her mind and her home. The theme of emotions in the formation of characters and the magic system really shines in A Shade of Madness and there are many ways the title feels so apt. Each POV character has different shades of madness touching them and steering them; it is captivating to read.

Throughout A Shade of Madness, titbits of information are revealed to the reader and the characters with just enough frequency and subtlety to never be too much. New hints and questions arise and by the end of the story you can flesh out the world a little more in your mind with plenty left unanswered to keep up the veil of mystery that Adballa is shrouding his full vision behind. This has been excellently balanced.

As John mentioned in his review of A Touch of Light, there is no handholding and the same is true of A Shade of Madness. I found this came through particularly well in the matter-of-fact feeling to some of the darker scenes, highlighting them by doing so. Death is supposed to shock us and Abdalla reminds us perhaps how easily we forget that.

The Ashes of Avarin is set to be a four-book series with both A Twist of Fate (book three) and A Promise of Dawn (book four) due out this year (2023). It’s an ambitious release timeline though it does mean you won’t have to wait too long in between instalments to get your hands on the full story.

A Shade of Madness is a great continuation of the series bringing just the right amount of fresh interest alongside what made A Touch of Light so good. It’s a high fantasy with heavy, dark themes expertly explored alongside smooth worldbuilding, clever magic and nuanced characters. An ominous set-up for things to come.

4.5/5

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REVIEW: Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

Looking Glass Sound is Catriona Ward’s deeply unsettling literary horror that will lure readers in with its charming coming-of-age façade but leave them entangled in a web of metaphysical dread. From the retro cover design to its late 1980s northern Gothic setting, Looking Glass Sound is dripping with nostalgia for a simpler time that may never have existed.

As the novel opens, we read the unpublished memoir of Wilder Harlow, a sixteen-year-old boy whose uncle has died and left his parents a cottage on the Maine coast. Wilder soon meets two friends, also with author-inspired names: a handsome boy named Nathaniel and a redheaded British girl, Harper. The trio form a closeknit bond during their magical summer together and promise to return each year.

But the rural New England town is also home to a serial killer known as the Dagger Man of Whistler Bay. As if that weren’t creepy enough, the Dagger Man also takes threatening Polaroid photos of children as they sleep. Wilder’s summer becomes inexorably linked to the story of the Dagger Man, as illusory friendships are shattered and his parents’ troubled marriage hurls toward inevitable divorce.

Wilder is left broken and alone as he begins collegiate life, unable to cope with the psychological trauma of his summer at Whistler Bay. Enter the overly friendly Sky Montague, a Proust-obsessed aspiring author who insists on becoming roommates with Wilder. But is Sky truly the altruistic friend that he seems, or is he just pumping Wilder for information about the Whistler Bay murders?

A plot involving a serial killer in rural Maine is disturbing but, let’s be honest, standard fare for a Stephen King-inspired horror novel. However, the Dagger Man story is just a façade covering the true horrors that await in the second half of Looking Glass Sound.

The psychological horror deepens as Catriona Ward weaves layers upon layers of uncertainty to the story. The lines between reality and fiction slowly blur as Wilder descends deeper into existential crisis, making the reader question everything they believed.

Much more than a standard horror novel, Looking Glass Sound is Catriona Ward’s ode to the power of the written word. The reader becomes entranced by her prose and entangled in her circular narrative of metaphysical horror. Put simply, Looking Glass Sound is a multilayered masterpiece of speculative fiction and proof that a horror novel can reach the greatest of literary heights.

5/5

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REVIEW: The Last Ritual by S.A. Sidor

The Last Ritual is the second novel of the Arkham Horror standalone novel series. I was a huge fan of Josh Reynold’s Wrath of N’Kai novel and was interested in seeing what more the series might do with the boardgame’s version of Arkham, Massachusetts. Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu has a history of fiction but most of it is typical Lovecraftian horror, which is to say, “Everyone dies or goes insane at the end.” Which has somewhat limited its mass appeal. Arkham Horror seems more keenly aware of the audience’s love of pulpy fiction (or at least mine) so the stories are horror-adventures.

The Last Ritual by S.A. Sidor is a bit more typical of “classic” HP Lovecraft compared to its predecessor in that the protagonist isn’t a classy cat burglar with an experience hunting occult artifacts. Instead, it is about a failed (or perhaps never was) painter named Alden Oaks. Thankfully, Alden Oaks has money and is of the “stupid rich” variety.

After a chance encounter with an occult festival in rural Spain, Alden returns home to Arkham, Massachusetts only to find a series of strange events occurring. I know, strange events in Arkham, perish the thought. Either way, he soon hooks up with an intrepid would-be crime reporter in Nina Tarrington and the two set out to unravel the mystery while beginning their romance.

I know that romance and Call of Cthulhu are not typically associated. The only romance that gets any real depth in Lovecraft is The Thing on the Doorstep (and arguably Medusa’s Coil but we don’t talk about that one). However, I really like Nina and she forms an interesting bond with the lay about rich boy who is one of the least likely occult investigators you’re going to find in any version of the Mythos. I really liked the two and it helped set up the events for the finale that is strong.

The use of the 1920s environment is very well realized with period slang, artists, and a general Great Gatsby sort of feel to events. Alden has never worked a day in his life and wouldn’t understand how to begin but that doesn’t stop him from being a likable protagonist anyway. His encounter with Harry Houdini is one of the high points of the book, especially since Lovecraft wrote a story with Erich Weisz as the protagonist.

The antagonist of Juan Hugo Balthazar is a nice contrast to most Cthulhu cultists with his focus on magical paintings and “evil art” contrasting to the usual depraved cities or inbred hillbillies. A Spanish surrealist, he has a fascist bent despite his hippie commune-like environments. You also get the sense that he’s not nearly as capable or talented at wielding occult forces as, say, Carl Sanford. That makes it credible that Alden might pose a threat, however inadvertent.

The GraphicAudio version of the book is the one I recommend over the regular audiobook or text version. The cast manages to capture the characters perfectly and really bring to life their 1920s ultra-wealthy lifestyles. There’s a naïve innocence to Alden that makes you regret that he’s going to encounter the Mythos in any form since that’s something that won’t last in the face of it. I also like Nina’s actress as her Bostonian accent is something few Lovecraft productions try to replicate.

In conclusion, The Last Ritual is a really enjoyable piece of work. While the first book was a pulpy action-mystery, these are about more typical ordinary citizens getting caught up in the supernatural. It’s lighter fair than most cosmic horror but still definitely in the horror genre. I definitely recommend readers pick it up if they have the chance in any format.

Read The Last Ritual by S.A. Sidor

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February 2023 comics review

February didn’t have a whole lot of comics out, at least, my pile felt a little bit lighter than usual this month (somewhere my bank account breathes a sigh of relief), but what it lacked in quantity it more than made up for in quantity. The stands were positively searing with phenomenal books, making my job incredibly complicated when it came time to narrow it down to what wasn’t just the best but the coolest books that landed throughout the month. Here, then, without further ado are the best of the bunch, the ones you definitely cannot miss out on.

3Keys #5 (IMAGE)David Messina (W/A/C)

The final issue of 3Keys goes out with one hell of a bang and I can’t lie I’m really super sorry to see it go. Each issue moved at a breakneck pace and told a story that was never anything less than enthralling, and with the final chapter we see a pretty solid conclusion as well as a colossal climax that Messina portrays beautifully and with truckloads of style. 3Keys has been one of my favorite books on the stands for months now and it’s going to take a lot for something else to take its place. I truly hope that the story continues later this year, or next year, or sometime because there world of 3Keys has barely been opened up and there’s so much more left to explore and, personally, I’m chomping at the bit for more.

About the book

Bearing the weight of grief and betrayal, Noah and Theon find themselves a weakened but final bulwark against the Great Old Ones in this concluding clash with a giant kaiju in the heart of Manhattan! Cover-to-cover action courtesy of DAVID MESSINA!

Read 3Keys #5 (IMAGE)

GHOST RIDER #11 (MARVEL)Benjamin Percy (W), Dave Wachter (A), Bryan Valenza (C)

The first issue of Ghost Rider’s new arc hits the ground running and wastes no time establishing a new direction and a new mission for the ever-tormented Johnny Blaze and his new companion Talia Warroad. Percy continues to lean hard (super hard) into the horror roots of Ghost Rider and I continue to be greatly appreciative of that fact. While most of the issue is busy establishing Blaze as one of the angstiest guys in the Marvel Universe, there’s still plenty of action and gore to be had and it leaves off on one hell of a cliffhanger—pun intended. If you haven’t been keeping track of Ghost Rider, there’s no time like the present to throw it on your list and come along for the ride.

About the book

The F.B.I. has cast out Johnny Blaze and Talia Warroad, maybe because they’re too destructive and unmanageable…or maybe because there is some corruption present that reaches inside the very institution meant to protect us. As Johnny and Talia head down to Savannah to investigate a necropolis, there are hints of old friends and new foes on the horizon. A new chapter of horror is beginning for the Ghost Rider, and Danny Ketch is roaring up to speed in the rearview mirror.

Read Ghost Rider #11 (MARVEL)

THE EXILED #1 (WHATNOT)Wesley Snipes, Adam Lawson, Keith Arem (W), Gabriel Santos (A), Valentina Bianconi (C)

Yeah. That Wesley Snipes. I’ll be honest, I originally picked up the first issue of The Exiled because I was intrigued that Snipes had written a comic book and also that it had a seriously rad Blade Runner homage variant cover, but I was pleasantly surprised by what awaited me in its pages. The Exiled tells a hardcore futuristic noir story—suddenly that Blade Runner cover makes way more sense. The future is pitch black dark, ultra violent, and gritty as hell. The action moves forward at a brisk pace, the art is stylized in a rough yet pleasing way, and the story is pretty damn interesting. Enough to elevate The Exiled from pure spectacle to something I’ll be very eager to pick up when the second issue comes out.

About the book

After the events of FEAR ITSELF, the NEW MUTANTS have further entwined their destiny with Asgard. As a forgotten hero more powerful than Thor himself returns, the team must brace themselves for matters that will pit member against member.

Read The Exiled #1 (WHATNOT)

DOCTOR STRANGE: FALL SUNRISE #4 (MARVEL)Tradd Moore (W/A), Heather Moore (C)

No lie, Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise has been one of the most memorable comic book experiences I’ve had in years and I’m sad to see it end. Hallucinatory, breathtaking, revelatory, outrageously intricate, ephemeral…Tradd Moore has elevated his whole craft with this story. All that being said, Fall Sunrise is almost hard to describe outside of emphatic superlatives. It’s just so damn good but simultaneously so damn strange that is defies description. A magical journey, an otherworldly quest, the Sorcerer Supreme pushed beyond his limits in a realm that beggars the mind. If you haven’t been following Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise I can’t recommend tracking down the earlier issues more, or waiting till later this year when it’s collected in trade. This is groundbreaking work.

About the book

Doctor Strange enters the cursed castle of Moriah Mensa to challenge a superlunary power and complete an impossible task. As the sun sets, a voice echoes, “There are no good places to die.”

Read Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise #4 (MARVEL)

Swamp Thing: Green Hill #2 (DC)Jeff Lemire (W), Doug Mahnke (A), David Baron (C)

I was genuinely starting to think that the second issue of Swamp Thing: Green Hell was never actually going to come out so imagine my surprise when it finally actually hit the stands right at the end of the month. It’s a tooth-gnashing, nail-biting apocalyptic horror story that’s an absolutely perfect vehicle for Swamp Thing and other great characters like John Constantine—especially an aged, even more bitter Constantine. Monsters and madness and mayhem and humanity teetering on the absolute brink, it’s a damn shame that it’s the second part of a three part story that’ll be ending next month but oh what a story it is shaping up to be. I don’t want to see it end, but I can’t imagine what kind of mind-shattering ending is in store.

About the book

Alec Holland has been summoned back to the land of the living by the decrepit John Constantine himself, which is quite the surprise to the Parliament of Trees. In exchange for a peaceful eternity within the Green, Alec was to stay out of their affairs. With lives at risk, Alec refuses, but his conviction comes at a cost: if Alec dies in this stolen body, defending the last vestiges of humanity…he’s gone for good!

Read Swamp Thing: Green Hill #2 (DC)

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REVIEW: The Ascendancy War by Richard Swan

After being absolutely blown away by Richard Swan’s Reclamation, book one in The Art of War trilogy, I was chomping at the bit to delve back into this brilliant sci-fi space opera universe. The Ascendancy War expands on the spiralling conflict that began in Reclamation, with the provar of The Ascendancy and humanity going head to head, billions being slain in every chapter, a growing larger threat, and the best and worst of humanity heading to the front lines and beyond. If you can say one thing about The Ascendancy War it’s that space opera fans that lean a bit more towards military sci-fi angle are in for an absolute treat.

As in book one, The Ascendancy War is told through a range of human points of view. In this book, Swan gives us a bit more of his dark side by introducing a character that, naturally, I really enjoyed: The Vulture. A behind-the-lines operative creating chaos and terror on the worlds provar think are safe from humanity’s forces. The reason I mention The Vulture first is not only because I enjoyed this new darker character slant, but also because this character showcases one of the key story arcs of the book, and Swan once again manages to expertly layer a very human story as a spine to a galaxy-spanning war the pace and likes of which humanity has never experienced.

The counterpoint to The Vulture is Von Aban, a human privateer turned traitor to his species to profit from The Ascendancy. His new masters have a task for him, to track down The Vulture and end his terrorising of The Ascendancy’s planets and people. Von Aban gives us an insight into some of the machinations of the provar lords, and some immensely … ick … moments, to say the least. There is very little to like about the man, but his drive for acceptance and reward for his sub-standard efforts help create the backbone to this book.

To showcase the more sprawling layer of the story, Andrea Constance is the new president of the UN, and is a less war-like president than her predecessor in the most war-like situation in human  history. Through her eyes we see the numerical tragedy of humanities losses, the greater machinations of inter-species politics as we wait to see which side cracks first, understand the difference between the religious zealots of the provari crusade fleets and the more formal rule of their version of lords, and the pressures of the biggest job in the galaxy. We also get asked the important question of how far are we willing to go as a species to survive, and should we be constrained by the rules of war when we aren’t fighting other human beings?

While there are a few other points of view in The Ascendancy War, the final one I want to highlight is Gia. She lives on a Tier Two planet (aware of interstellar travel, but incapable of it) that is relatively peaceful. She’s bored, feeling trapped, and while watching pirated feeds of the galactic conflict raging around her planet, dreams of adventure. However, The Ascendancy don’t care, and through her eyes we see the wanton power imbalance between the tier two and three planets. From there, we see her story develop into a lens into the UN’s military ground forces, and we get some of the most adrenaline-spiking scenes in the book.

One of the best parts of The Ascendancy War is the depiction of the war. Swan writes amazing space opera and military sci-fi battles. Whether they are in the void or on the ground, this is just non-stop high octane reading that I couldn’t get enough of. And there is a lot of battle in this book. Fans of military sci-fi, you are in for a massive treat.

The Ascendancy War is perfect for fans of The Expanse and Warhammer 40,000. It is space opera meets military sci-fi in a non-stop action thrill-ride you’re going to struggle to put down.

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REVIEW: Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs

Shield Maiden is the debut novel from Sharon Emmerichs and published by Ad Astra, the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Head of Zeus. It is a richly detailed historical fantasy set in the Middle Ages. Some may class it as a retelling of the story of Beowulf, but in Shield Maiden, this great king is a minor character. If readers are familiar with Beowulf, this narrative is set around the third act of the poem and the final battle with the dragon. Still, Shield Maiden is an enjoyable read without prior knowledge of the story which inspired it, as the main character, Fryda, is Emmerichs’ original creation. Shield Maiden might appeal to fans of H.M. Long’s Hall of Smoke series or Shauna Lawless’ The Children of Gods and Fighting Men because of its historical setting.

The Shield Maiden of the title is Emmerichs’ protagonist Fryda. Fryda is in her early twenties throughout the narrative, except for the prologue, where teenage Fryda befalls an accident that crushes her hand. This accident causes lifelong pain and dexterity issues for Fryda, but she still trains secretly to fulfil her ambition of becoming a shield maiden. The other main character in Shield Maiden is Theow, a kitchen slave who loves Fryda and does not hide it very well. Theow, as the author’s précis notes, is the slave from the Beowulf legend who wakes the dragon.

Shield Maiden is more in the historical genre than fantasy. Excepting the dragon and her magic, there are no other fantastical elements. However, the historical detail is superb, Emmerichs’ vivid writing and attention to detail is immersive to the reader. Even though I only had a passing knowledge of the Beowulf story and limited awareness of the historical context in which Shield Maiden is set, what Emmerichs has written was clear and engaging. I was not surprised to learn that she is a professor of medieval literature once I had finished Shield Maiden because her expert knowledge shines through. I also really loved the inclusion of small point-of-view chapters from the dragon’s perspective. These are woven throughout the narrative and make the dragon feel like the novel’s third key character, rather than a mythical beast that appears at the climax only to be slain.

However, Shield Maiden differs from the warrior woman novel I expected. The romance element between Fryda and Theow is a sweet, but major part of the plot of Shield Maiden and not something that holds much appeal to me. Also, the characters felt like clichés in some instances. The ne’er do well brother, does indeed ne’er do well. Fryda (who, as an adult noblewoman, should know better) is surprised to learn that slaves are treated poorly or that they are reluctant to call her by her first name. The kindly but secretive elder paternal figures are indeed keeping some secrets. There was a predictability to the characters in Shield Maiden, which in turn made parts of the story predictable.

The final third of Shield Maiden, and the fiery climax of the story, were my favourite part of the narrative as this was the closest it came to a dark fantasy. Although my time reading Shield Maiden was well spent for some cosy bedtime reading, it probably does not appeal much to those after a dark and gritty feat of draconian escapism. However, if you are after a palate cleanser from too much grimdark and fancy a lighter and softer read, you too may find Shield Maiden enjoyable. Thank you very much to Sharon Emmerichs and the Ad Astra / Head of Zeus team for sending me a copy to provide this review.

3/5

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