Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 24

Book Review: The Last Gladiator, by Daniel Ottalini

Daniel Ottalini’s Steam Empire Chronicles have an obvious appeal to me – writing fellow alternate history based on Rome – so I was quite glad to jump on the prequel novella.

What to expect

A story set in Ottalini’s Steampunk version of the Roman Empire, but a few years before the events of the main novels. It focuses on Lucia Rhodanus Fortem, a woman with a shady past and a strong desire to become a gladiator even as the sport changes forever.

What I liked

I liked the...

Magus Draeson (of Kalanon’s Rising, by Darian Smith)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a mage, one of those defending the realm. He’s here to tell us about his life, and about his recent role in solving magical murders.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I grew up in Kalanon but not like it is now.  Were talking four hundred years ago so a lot has changed.  The gold mines at Sandilar hadnt been found yet.  Obviously Valda was still the capital city and not much of one at that.  People...

Nesting with Books

Exciting news! It is with great pleasure, that I announce that I have been invited to join Booknest.eu as a regular contributor!

Booknest.eu is a top fantasy book review site. They run their own yearly fantasy awards, and the blog is one of the ten SPFBO judging blogs every year (and has picked some of the winners in the past). It’s a great honour that my (admittedly eclectic) tastes are recognised by fellow fantasy lovers.

What does this mean for my reviews here? Not much. I will keep...

Griever Blackhand (of The Girl Drank Poison, by Keith Blenman)

Dear readers, tonight with me is the deadliest bounty hunter in the world — also easily overlooked, as she’s only two feet tall. She’s here to tell us about legendary pirates, spoilt potions, and a sleepy little town.

Welcome Miss Griever Blackhand. How are you?

Hello! Thank you for having us. This chair is quite plush. Were a little bit hungry. Wed very much like to flop around in a pile of leaves, should you happen to have one. Or perhaps some dirty laundry.

Um Right....

Book Review: False Value (Rivers of London #8), by Ben Aaronovitch

I’ve been following Peter Grant’s adventures, so was happy to delve in to this new instalment.

What to expect

This novel is the first after the closure of the previous arc in Lies Sleeping. None of the old enemies appear (though don’t worry, the good side-characters are still there), and instead more of the world and background of magic is explored.

Without going into spoilers, DC Grant’s current case involves some magical technology — old ways and new ways of...

Harthacnute (of The Cold Hearth; Book 3 of The Atheling Chronicles, by Garth Pettersen)

Dear readers, tonight we interview the half-brother of the protagonist Harald, from a series we visited before. Our guest is the heir to the throne, concerned about the future of his land and the choices of his brothers.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I was born in Engla-lond in the early years of my father’s reign, back when Cnute was consolidating his power, playing the sarding earls off each other, and swiving his new wife, Emma, my mother, the...

Ancient Discoveries to Rock Your Boat (you’ll get the joke later)

Welcome to your favourite collection of ancient oddities — where the plagues are firmly history

Loquacious McCarbre (of The Legends of Grimous Ironblood, by K. R. Boyter)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a storyteller extraordinaire, a man in love with words and his voice. He is here to tell us about the healing arch-mage and the many other wondrous sights he encountered on his travels.

Tell us a little about where you grew up.

Its hard to imagine such an extraordinary storyteller like myself, the wondrous Loquacious McCarbre, was born into such humble beginnings but its true. In the Middle Realm of Edra, nestled in-between two woods: Fire Spark Wood and...

Book Review: Bloody Rose, by Nicholas Eames

I read Kings of the Wyld last year and loved it, so I thought it’s time I’d take a stab at the sequel.

What to expect

The events in this novel take place six years after Kings of the Wyld, but more importantly with (almost) completely different characters. While Clay, Gabe, and Moog make guest appearances this story isn’t about them.

Eames sets out to continue exploring the same world as KotW, with it’s treatment of adventurer bands like rock stars. This time we focus...

Liam Argyle (of Always Greener, by J.R.H. Lawless)

Dear readers, tonight we reprint a media interview with a near-future reality-TV show’s host — a show all about finding the greatest victim of the modern world; the worst life the 2070s have to offer.

[Connecting with live feed already in progress] And that, folks, is why you never get into an argument with your delivery drone. [Pause for canned laughter] Our next guest is the host of 2072’s hottest new reality feed, our very own RedCorp Entertainments The Grass is...