Joshua Palmatier's Blog, page 15
March 10, 2015
New Book Discussion
I've just posted the latest book discussion at the unofficial DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! We're looking at A Confederation of Valor, an omnibus edition of the two novels Valor's Choice and The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff. Swing on by and check it out.
dawbooks
)! We're looking at A Confederation of Valor, an omnibus edition of the two novels Valor's Choice and The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff. Swing on by and check it out.
March 9, 2015
Book Review: "Abracadaver" by Laura Resnick
This is the seventh book in Laura Resnick's Esther Diamond urban fantasy series and the odd shenanigans surrounding the main character continue.
In this case, the story picks up immediately after the end of the previous book, with Esther wondering why Nelli--their familiar from another dimension, there to help them fight evil--nearly tears her sometime-boyfriend's partner's throat out. Suspicious that Quinn is behind the corpses that are suddenly starting to rise again after death, she attempts to watch him while continuing to keep her new job as a recurring character in the TV show The Dirty Thirty, a gig she does NOT want to screw up. But everyone's stress is skyrocketing as everything from Esther's relationship with Connor Lopez deteriorates to accidents occurring on set and near Quinn continue. So what's up with Quinn, who seems like a normal cop, and will it finally end her relationship with Connor?
This has the usual humor and fast pace that readers have come to associate with Esther, Max, and those that get drawn into her life. In comparison to past books in the series, it's a little light--both in terms of plot and action--although it certainly ends at a high point. The set-up for the situation wasn't a kitschy and cute as some of the previous books, but it was still a fun, quick read. I'm hoping that, given how it ends, some rather significant changes are going to come in the next book in the series.
So, a good, light, fun book.
In this case, the story picks up immediately after the end of the previous book, with Esther wondering why Nelli--their familiar from another dimension, there to help them fight evil--nearly tears her sometime-boyfriend's partner's throat out. Suspicious that Quinn is behind the corpses that are suddenly starting to rise again after death, she attempts to watch him while continuing to keep her new job as a recurring character in the TV show The Dirty Thirty, a gig she does NOT want to screw up. But everyone's stress is skyrocketing as everything from Esther's relationship with Connor Lopez deteriorates to accidents occurring on set and near Quinn continue. So what's up with Quinn, who seems like a normal cop, and will it finally end her relationship with Connor?
This has the usual humor and fast pace that readers have come to associate with Esther, Max, and those that get drawn into her life. In comparison to past books in the series, it's a little light--both in terms of plot and action--although it certainly ends at a high point. The set-up for the situation wasn't a kitschy and cute as some of the previous books, but it was still a fun, quick read. I'm hoping that, given how it ends, some rather significant changes are going to come in the next book in the series.
So, a good, light, fun book.
Book Review: "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence
I know I'm late on this one. Part of my goals this year are to read new authors (even though I have PLENTY from the old authors to read), so I picked this one up since I know a ton of people who love it. I can see why. This is the first book in the Broken Empire.
The premise: Jorg Ancrath is a prince, suddenly become the heir when his mother and brother are killed by a rival nation. He survives, thought barely, when he is tossed into a briar patch and the killers assume he's dead. He's found by his father's men and taken back to the castle, but his entire world has been changed by the attack and he soon runs away, unwilling to be tormented by his father, the king, who despises him. He becomes the leader of a band of bloodthirsty bandits, raiding and killing his way across the lands, until something draws him back toward his homeland, the castle, and his father . . . and that's where this novel starts.
The book is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. The world is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. And Jorg is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. The things he does--his total disregard for tradition and morality and society--is what drives this book, at least at the beginning. He isn't a character that you like, that you want to like, and yet you get caught up in the story and dragged along in its wake. The post-apocalyptic world is intriguing as well and is used effectively as the plot--the real plot, not what Jorg thought--begins to unravel.
This novel is what I believe is termed grimdark, so it won't be for everyone. My own novels have their own darkness to them, so I enjoyed this one, although Mark Lawrence did push it far enough I wasn't exactly comfortable with everything. Farther than I would go in my own books, anyway. If it weren't for the post-apocalyptic aspects, I might have set it aside. But I'm a fan of apocalypse, especially when it's used well. So I'll definitely be reading the next two in this series to see what happens, but if you don't like extremely dark, grim, gritty books, then you should probably pass this one up.
The premise: Jorg Ancrath is a prince, suddenly become the heir when his mother and brother are killed by a rival nation. He survives, thought barely, when he is tossed into a briar patch and the killers assume he's dead. He's found by his father's men and taken back to the castle, but his entire world has been changed by the attack and he soon runs away, unwilling to be tormented by his father, the king, who despises him. He becomes the leader of a band of bloodthirsty bandits, raiding and killing his way across the lands, until something draws him back toward his homeland, the castle, and his father . . . and that's where this novel starts.
The book is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. The world is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. And Jorg is dark and gritty and bloody and cruel. The things he does--his total disregard for tradition and morality and society--is what drives this book, at least at the beginning. He isn't a character that you like, that you want to like, and yet you get caught up in the story and dragged along in its wake. The post-apocalyptic world is intriguing as well and is used effectively as the plot--the real plot, not what Jorg thought--begins to unravel.
This novel is what I believe is termed grimdark, so it won't be for everyone. My own novels have their own darkness to them, so I enjoyed this one, although Mark Lawrence did push it far enough I wasn't exactly comfortable with everything. Farther than I would go in my own books, anyway. If it weren't for the post-apocalyptic aspects, I might have set it aside. But I'm a fan of apocalypse, especially when it's used well. So I'll definitely be reading the next two in this series to see what happens, but if you don't like extremely dark, grim, gritty books, then you should probably pass this one up.
Book Review: "Empire of Dust" by Jacey Bedford
This is the debut novel of Jacey Bedford. I always try to read debut novels ASAP, since I've been there and know what it's like to have a new book go out into the harsh, harsh world. This is the first of the Psi-Tech novels, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
The premise: Cara Carlinni is a psi-tech who's running from the Alphacorp corporation who technically owns her, since it funded the Telepath technology implanted in her head. Escaping is supposed to be impossible, but she's managed to elude those hunting her and keep the secrets she's stolen from Alphacorp safe . . . and to herself. But they've finally caught up to her, and only the intervention and help of Ben Benjamin, another psi-tech, a Navigator, who takes her to a new colony that supposed to go tech-free . . . and perfect place to hide. Or so they both think.
The main premise is great, and the idea of a future in which there are no governments, only megacorporations running everything, is shockingly easy to believe. And also heartbreaking. The world--or should I say universe?--is well thought out and the characters are engaging. In particular, I liked the world in which they run to in order to hide, and the backwater waystation that they use to get there. Perhaps that's because I like the darker, grittier underside of everything, and that's exactly what the waystation is, but I also like the idea of the complete unknown, like the new planet they are helping to colonize. Cara and Ben are interesting and they're relationship isn't the standard relationship you'd expect. It starts out with lies on both sides--since they both have something to hide--and awkward sex. It has to recover from both of those before it can grow into something else, and the stress of running, hiding, and the new colony and its rather fractious settlers may not give it the chance to grow.
So, a slightly new take on the relationship makes it interesting. Also the universe in which it's set, and the characters themselves, outside of the their own tumultuous affair. The science is cool and can be played with and used in many different ways, although it does have its limits, which create their own problems. The only real issue I had with the book is that the beginning is a little rough and perhaps a touch too long. I can't see any easy way to take what's there and cut it down without adversely affecting everything that comes after, but the book doesn't really kick into high gear until the two characters reach the waystation and then the new planet. But I think if you trust me and bear with the book at the beginning, you'll really enjoy what follows.
In any case, as I said, I'm looking forward to the second book coming out later this year called Crossways. This is definitely a book that I'd suggest sci-fi lovers take a look at.
The premise: Cara Carlinni is a psi-tech who's running from the Alphacorp corporation who technically owns her, since it funded the Telepath technology implanted in her head. Escaping is supposed to be impossible, but she's managed to elude those hunting her and keep the secrets she's stolen from Alphacorp safe . . . and to herself. But they've finally caught up to her, and only the intervention and help of Ben Benjamin, another psi-tech, a Navigator, who takes her to a new colony that supposed to go tech-free . . . and perfect place to hide. Or so they both think.
The main premise is great, and the idea of a future in which there are no governments, only megacorporations running everything, is shockingly easy to believe. And also heartbreaking. The world--or should I say universe?--is well thought out and the characters are engaging. In particular, I liked the world in which they run to in order to hide, and the backwater waystation that they use to get there. Perhaps that's because I like the darker, grittier underside of everything, and that's exactly what the waystation is, but I also like the idea of the complete unknown, like the new planet they are helping to colonize. Cara and Ben are interesting and they're relationship isn't the standard relationship you'd expect. It starts out with lies on both sides--since they both have something to hide--and awkward sex. It has to recover from both of those before it can grow into something else, and the stress of running, hiding, and the new colony and its rather fractious settlers may not give it the chance to grow.
So, a slightly new take on the relationship makes it interesting. Also the universe in which it's set, and the characters themselves, outside of the their own tumultuous affair. The science is cool and can be played with and used in many different ways, although it does have its limits, which create their own problems. The only real issue I had with the book is that the beginning is a little rough and perhaps a touch too long. I can't see any easy way to take what's there and cut it down without adversely affecting everything that comes after, but the book doesn't really kick into high gear until the two characters reach the waystation and then the new planet. But I think if you trust me and bear with the book at the beginning, you'll really enjoy what follows.
In any case, as I said, I'm looking forward to the second book coming out later this year called Crossways. This is definitely a book that I'd suggest sci-fi lovers take a look at.
Latest Book Discussion!
We're looking at Touch by Michelle Sagara, second novel in her Queen of the Dead series over at the unofficial DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check it out. And if you've read the book, tell us what you thought!
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check it out. And if you've read the book, tell us what you thought!March 8, 2015
Book Review: "Half-Off Ragnarok" by Seanan McGuire
In this continuation of the "InCryptid" series by Seanan McGuire, we actually abandon the main character from the first two books (Verity) and focus on her brother, Alexander Price. This certainly takes the series in a new direction.
The premise is that Alexander is "hiding" in plain sight as a reptile specialist at a zoo. What he's really doing is investigating the feathered frog cryptids in the area, while hoping his basilisks decide to breed sometime this century. Meanwhile, he's dealing with a potential relationship with Shelby, a visiting scientist from Australia who plays with lions for fun. But then people start dying . . . by turning to stone. Suddenly, the local cryptid community is at risk of exposure and he needs to figure out how to keep the Covenant from converging on the zoo for a purge, while simultaneously figuring out exactly what's going on with his girlfriend Shelby.
I like the fact that this book takes us from one main character to another in the Price family. Focusing on one character in particular for an extended series can sometimes become . . . monotonous. I think Seanan has done a good job of giving Alexander enough difference from Verity that it doesn't feel like "Verity in drag" here. For a while I thought that the relationship issue in this book would mimic the relationship issue in Verity's books too closely, but thankfully that didn't happen. This book also had a much more linear plot to follow than the Verity books; it wasn't a "random" in terms of what was happening and why. There was a clear thread to follow through the whole book, and it resolved nicely.
That said, I don't feel like Alexander is as strong of a character as Verity. He isn't as interesting to me, and the situation he's put in in this book isn't as interesting as what Verity ran into either. So while it's a perfectly good story and a fun read, overall I didn't feel as strongly drawn to this book and these characters as I was Verity and the earlier books. I liked some of the plot elements better (what's happening with Sarah, for example) and I certainly liked the clearer plot thread, but the stakes didn't seem as high here.
In any case, as I said, a good, fun story. Definitely worth checking out.
The premise is that Alexander is "hiding" in plain sight as a reptile specialist at a zoo. What he's really doing is investigating the feathered frog cryptids in the area, while hoping his basilisks decide to breed sometime this century. Meanwhile, he's dealing with a potential relationship with Shelby, a visiting scientist from Australia who plays with lions for fun. But then people start dying . . . by turning to stone. Suddenly, the local cryptid community is at risk of exposure and he needs to figure out how to keep the Covenant from converging on the zoo for a purge, while simultaneously figuring out exactly what's going on with his girlfriend Shelby.
I like the fact that this book takes us from one main character to another in the Price family. Focusing on one character in particular for an extended series can sometimes become . . . monotonous. I think Seanan has done a good job of giving Alexander enough difference from Verity that it doesn't feel like "Verity in drag" here. For a while I thought that the relationship issue in this book would mimic the relationship issue in Verity's books too closely, but thankfully that didn't happen. This book also had a much more linear plot to follow than the Verity books; it wasn't a "random" in terms of what was happening and why. There was a clear thread to follow through the whole book, and it resolved nicely.
That said, I don't feel like Alexander is as strong of a character as Verity. He isn't as interesting to me, and the situation he's put in in this book isn't as interesting as what Verity ran into either. So while it's a perfectly good story and a fun read, overall I didn't feel as strongly drawn to this book and these characters as I was Verity and the earlier books. I liked some of the plot elements better (what's happening with Sarah, for example) and I certainly liked the clearer plot thread, but the stakes didn't seem as high here.
In any case, as I said, a good, fun story. Definitely worth checking out.
Book Review: "Alien Collective" by Gini Koch
This is the ninth book in the "Alien" series by Gini Koch. Basically, the series is an action-packed, fast-paced romp mixed with sci-fi tropes, tongue-in-cheek humor, and some smattering of romance thrown in for kicks. (The earlier books in the series were heavier on the romance elements.)
The premise of this book is that Jeff Martini, Kitty's husband and Representative of New Mexico who also happens to be an alien, is being wooed as the next Vice President. Of course the anti-alien politicians react negatively to this, bringing all of their factions into play. Bio-weapons force the ACs from their main bases in DC, seeking refuge with allies, while attacks begin on their bases in New Mexico. Meanwhile, Kitty gets visited by another all-powerful alien intent on investigating ACE's activities on Earth with the hopes of dragging him off planet permanently on charges of interfering. The ACs need to find out what's going on before Jeff is taken out of the picture permanently . . .
In this book, many of the plot threads that are set up in the previous few books finally come to head, such as the search for the other Yates children with special powers, the loss of the ACs research and data, etc, while moving Jeff Martini farther up the political chain. It's nice to see some of those plot threads finally being "tied off" so to speak, although as we've learned in the past, something the "finished" plotlines aren't really finished after all. There's a lot going on in this series and too many threads make it nearly impossible to follow. (I admit in a few earlier reviews that I simply gave up trying to follow some of them and just read for the action. The more recent books in the series have handled the multiple and various plot threads much better than those earlier books.)
Overall, I enjoyed this book in the series. My biggest complaint is that I could have done without the visiting superpower plot thread. It felt . . . odd. It didn't gel well with the rest of the plotlines, and those plotlines were plenty for a single book all on their own. I didn't see why that thread had to be introduced here, why it couldn't wait for the next book . . . or the book after that. Perhaps there's a reason that I'm not aware of that is introduced in the next book. In any case, the other plots were plenty to keep me occupied and reading here. One of the things I like about this series is that things change in each book, both with the characters and the world itself. Jeff Martini is moving up the political chain, so their circumstances continue to evolve. The world now knows of the existence of the ACs and so is being forced to adjust to a larger universe. All of these things introduce new potential plot threads, rather than having each book be a reiteration of the previous books in the series, just with a different monster (which is what a lot of the urban fantasy series seem to do).
So, another good entry in the series. Perhaps not as good as some of those in the past, but a good book nonetheless.
The premise of this book is that Jeff Martini, Kitty's husband and Representative of New Mexico who also happens to be an alien, is being wooed as the next Vice President. Of course the anti-alien politicians react negatively to this, bringing all of their factions into play. Bio-weapons force the ACs from their main bases in DC, seeking refuge with allies, while attacks begin on their bases in New Mexico. Meanwhile, Kitty gets visited by another all-powerful alien intent on investigating ACE's activities on Earth with the hopes of dragging him off planet permanently on charges of interfering. The ACs need to find out what's going on before Jeff is taken out of the picture permanently . . .
In this book, many of the plot threads that are set up in the previous few books finally come to head, such as the search for the other Yates children with special powers, the loss of the ACs research and data, etc, while moving Jeff Martini farther up the political chain. It's nice to see some of those plot threads finally being "tied off" so to speak, although as we've learned in the past, something the "finished" plotlines aren't really finished after all. There's a lot going on in this series and too many threads make it nearly impossible to follow. (I admit in a few earlier reviews that I simply gave up trying to follow some of them and just read for the action. The more recent books in the series have handled the multiple and various plot threads much better than those earlier books.)
Overall, I enjoyed this book in the series. My biggest complaint is that I could have done without the visiting superpower plot thread. It felt . . . odd. It didn't gel well with the rest of the plotlines, and those plotlines were plenty for a single book all on their own. I didn't see why that thread had to be introduced here, why it couldn't wait for the next book . . . or the book after that. Perhaps there's a reason that I'm not aware of that is introduced in the next book. In any case, the other plots were plenty to keep me occupied and reading here. One of the things I like about this series is that things change in each book, both with the characters and the world itself. Jeff Martini is moving up the political chain, so their circumstances continue to evolve. The world now knows of the existence of the ACs and so is being forced to adjust to a larger universe. All of these things introduce new potential plot threads, rather than having each book be a reiteration of the previous books in the series, just with a different monster (which is what a lot of the urban fantasy series seem to do).
So, another good entry in the series. Perhaps not as good as some of those in the past, but a good book nonetheless.
March 6, 2015
New Releases from DAW Books!
I've just posted the new releases from DAW Books at the unofficial blog (
dawbooks
). Swing on by and check out new books from Mickey Zucker Reichert, Stephen Leigh, and Seanan McGuire, along with the paperback release of E.C. Ambrose's second Dark Apostle novel!
dawbooks
). Swing on by and check out new books from Mickey Zucker Reichert, Stephen Leigh, and Seanan McGuire, along with the paperback release of E.C. Ambrose's second Dark Apostle novel!Kindle Deal of the Day: LIBRIOMANCER by Jim C. Hines
Hey, all! Just a quick note that Jim C. Hines' novel Libriomancer, the first book in his Magic Ex Libris series, is a Kindle Deal of the Day for TODAY ONLY (March 6th, 2015)! Swing on by his blog to read about the book, then stop by Amazon and pick it up.
February 27, 2015
WELL OF SORROWS and LEAVES OF FLAME in Ebook!
I'm happy to report that the Well of Sorrows series has gained new life. The first two books in the trilogy--Well of Sorrows and Leaves of Flame--were originally published by DAW Books under my pseudonym Benjamin Tate, but due to slow sales (for various reasons), DAW decided to drop the series after publishing the second novel. I'd already written the third book, however, so after regaining the rights to the entire series from DAW (who were extremely cooperative), my agent went out shopping the series to potential publishers. We got some interest from Baen, who wanted to publish the first two books in ebook format to see how they did in terms of sales. If they sell well enough, then they'll potentially publish the third (as yet unreleased) novel Breath of Heaven. So for all of you who'd like to see that third book reach print, send all of your friends out to buy the first two books in the series now! You can buy them as well, of course, but I assume that you already have copies from DAW, or you wouldn't be interested in the third book at all. Thank you for your support of these books early on, if you've already got the DAW copies. If you do have the books and have read them and enjoyed them PLEASE stop by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc., and write a review of the books. The reviews really matter in terms of getting the books noticed by the retailers. (Even if you wrote a review before, you'll need to repost it, since these are being released under my real name, not the pseudonym.)
And if you DON'T already have copies of the books . . . well then check them out from Baen! Baen is offering them in ebook format only at the moment (again, good sales may equate into paper copies being published), and they have them in all formats. They even have a bundle of the two books available. I've included links of all of the books below for various places. Please check them out and share the links around on your social media pages. Let's see if we can't convince Baen that they REALLY, REALLY want Breath of Heaven to see print!
Well of Sorrows: Baen; Kindle; Nook.
Leaves of Flame: Baen; Kindle; Nook.
Bundle: Baen.
****************
If you'd like copies of the first two books in paperback, I do have some of the DAW versions available (limited numbers) from my own personal stock. You can order them at the Zombies Need Brains online store here: https://squareup.com/market/zombies-need-brains-llc.
And if you DON'T already have copies of the books . . . well then check them out from Baen! Baen is offering them in ebook format only at the moment (again, good sales may equate into paper copies being published), and they have them in all formats. They even have a bundle of the two books available. I've included links of all of the books below for various places. Please check them out and share the links around on your social media pages. Let's see if we can't convince Baen that they REALLY, REALLY want Breath of Heaven to see print!
Well of Sorrows: Baen; Kindle; Nook.
Leaves of Flame: Baen; Kindle; Nook.
Bundle: Baen.
****************
If you'd like copies of the first two books in paperback, I do have some of the DAW versions available (limited numbers) from my own personal stock. You can order them at the Zombies Need Brains online store here: https://squareup.com/market/zombies-need-brains-llc.
