Nathan Howe's Blog, page 10
February 14, 2015
Way of Kings Review
My review of Way of Kings. Minor spoilers.
This is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s epic Stormlight Archive. And it’s a prototypical Sanderson book. Filled with an interesting world, Rosher. Plants behave differently and the mostly unpredictable highstorms, force people to seek shelter. And the magic. Unlike most of his works were the magic is spelled out for you here at times you are left wondering what and how the magic works. And again it appears to have more than one, all tied together, yet separate. The mystical shard blades and plate armor, granting superior fighting ability. The soulcasting, allow people to change any and everything around them, how this works has yet to be revealed. Then there is the powers that Szeth Truthless of Shinover, and Kaladin. I’m not even sure what the magic is called. With the book being as dense as it was. It might have been named but I missed it. However, with Szeth this is the magic that we get the most detail, much more of what Sanderson typically does. It’s interesting seeing Szeth the master use the magic to be the Shin in white assassin. And also seeing Kaladin learn to control parts of it at the end of the book.
The story follows for the most part the battle taking place on the Shattered Plains. With Kaladin a bridge man, a former slave and former military member and surgeon apprentice. With each bridge run, a race to battle, the bridge men face death, sacrifices. Forced to face arrow without arrow. Most don’t last long. Kaladin won’t allow it. He finds a way to solve this, it’s a rough and hard journey for him to save bridge 4.
Also at the plains we see the brother of the slain King. Dalinar Kholin and his son Adolin. After the King’s death, Dalinar goes through many changes. The codes, a way for military men to live, become his life. His son tries to change understand it, and to help his father change. The relationship the two have is not that of a normal father and son, but when you’re a High Prince in war and seeing visions of the past. That is to be expected and provides a nice shift.
Away from the Shattered Plains we have Shallan seeking and finding Dalinar niece, the new Kings sister. She seeks to learn from the Princess who is a heretic. And to steal from her. Along the way we see her shift and learn, and fall back. The story is a drastic shift from the other PoV’s. Helping to build the world and set up for the larger story of the series.
In the end we see each achieve much of what they sent out for or what they needed. The book was a tough read with all the magic and learning of it and the world. But was well worth it. It’s worth the time if you enjoy epic fantasy.
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February 11, 2015
Top Ten Marvel Shows I want
I haven’t done a top ten list in a while. I figured it was time. I’ve been on a big Marvel kick again. Been reading a lot of stuff especially with the news that Spider-Man is part of the MCU. Can’t wait to see what they do. And I’m super excited for the Netflix shows. Only two months until Daredevil. So here is my list of Marvel characters I want them to do next in the MCU, particularly get their own shows on Netflix.
Blade
Venom
Wasp
Ghost Rider
Moon Knight
Punisher
Electra
Spider-Woman
Namor
Maria Hill (just because I’m a fan of Cobie Smulders)
If Marvel had access to the X-men. This list would be a little different. Growing up X-men were my favorite.
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February 3, 2015
Writing updates
Sorry that I haven’t been updating recently. Been busy trying to get some of our stories finished (and have been failing). Hopefully soon. I’ve also been really active in my search for a 9 to 5 job that will allow me to continue writing. I’ll try to be better with updates and releasing information about our stories. The first Emerge is almost ready for our beta readers. Derek should be done soon. I’m nearing completion of a first draft of another story as well, one that I’m working with Tony Healey on.
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January 1, 2015
Happy New Year
This past year was an interesting one for me. It was filled with many ups and downs. For the most part my writing was an up. Releasing my first book with Derek was the best moment of the year for me. Then to finish a short story set in that world. For the most part we’ve received positive feedback on both.
During the year I’ve found Derek and I had times that we got a lot of writing done and periods that we fell behind our goals. We have so many different ideas for stories that the biggest goal of the year for me will be to be more consistent.
The next year I hope to release more than we did this year. We should have another short for release soon. Then the first story in what we are calling our Paragon Universe, Emerge: Cataclysm. And the follow up to Aiden, Mason, should be out this year as well. I’m also working with Tony Healey on his Broken Stars series. That will be out this year as well. If I can get more I will try. I’m still learning what works and doesn’t work. My process is continually evolving. So we’ll see.
Here’s to a good year in writing, reading and everything else.
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December 18, 2014
Jeremiah is free and Aiden price reduced for a limited time
I guess I should have waited just one more day. This morning Amazon reduced the price of Jeremiah to free. You can now get it free everywhere it’s available. Also to celebrate this. I reduced the price of Aiden to .99 for the rest of the year. I’ll raise the price on January 1st. 
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December 17, 2014
Jeremiah
Sorry I haven’t updated in a while. I’ve been waiting and waiting for Amazon to lower the price of Jeremiah since we released it last month. It hasn’t happened. You can however get it at these places for free:
And at Amazon as of this posting still .99
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Jeremiah Recently updated !
Sorry I haven’t updated in a while. I’ve been waiting and waiting for Amazon to lower the price of Jeremiah since we released it last month. It hasn’t happened. You can however get it at these places for free:
And at Amazon as of this posting still .99
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November 27, 2014
Jeremiah and a Happy Thanksgiving
Sorry I didn’t post last week. I was busy with several other things. And hoping for and receiving Jeremiah. We published it this weekend. It’s currently available on Kobo, and Smashwords for free. You can also read it on Wattpad. Currently Amazon hasn’t price matched it. I’m waiting patiently for them to make it free. So you can enjoy an introductory tale in the Cretun Chronicles.
I might miss next week to (I’ll try not too. But I have finally got my copy of Dragon Age: Inquisition. It took forever for Amazon to get it to me. I imagine that I’ll be playing that a lot. Love the series.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
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Jeremiah and a Happy Thanksgiving Recently updated !
Sorry I didn’t post last week. I was busy with several other things. And hoping for and receiving Jeremiah. We published it this weekend. It’s currently available on Kobo, and Smashwords for free. You can also read it on Wattpad. Currently Amazon hasn’t price matched it. I’m waiting patiently for them to make it free. So you can enjoy an introductory tale in the Cretun Chronicles.
I might miss next week to (I’ll try not too. But I have finally got my copy of Dragon Age: Inquisition. It took forever for Amazon to get it to me. I imagine that I’ll be playing that a lot. Love the series.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
The post Jeremiah and a Happy Thanksgiving Recently updated ! appeared first on Nathan & Derek Howe.
November 12, 2014
Top Ten list for Dragon Age Companions
With the release of Dragon Age Inquisition next week I wanted to do a list about it. DAI is the third game in the series. I highly recommend the previous two games and the novels. I decided to rank my favorite companions and then my least favorite in the first two games.
Top Ten
Leliana
Morrigan
Varic
Valanna
Isabela
Oghren
Sten
Tallis
Nathaniel
Zevran
Ariane
Bottom Ten
Aveline
Dog
Secret Companion
Fenris
Anders (DA2)
Carver
Justice
Merrill
Jerrik
Sigrun
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