Book Review: Death's Heretic by James L. Sutter

Summary

Salim would be the first to tell you he's not a priest, though he works for the goddess of death. Charged with learning solving the murder of a prominent merchant, Salim finds himself going again going down a road he despises. Worse, the murdered man's soul has been kidnapped, and now the deceased's daughter is determined to go with Salim as he solved the crime. It's a journey filled with danger, mystery, and otherworldly creatures determined to kill him and his companion.

But this mystery might also force Salim to face his own past.

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from Amazon

Nobody cheats death. A warrior haunted by his past, Salim Ghadafar serves as a problem-solver for a church he hates, bound by the goddess of death to hunt down those who would rob her of her due. Such is the case in the desert nation of Thuvia, where a powerful merchant on the verge of achieving eternal youth via a magical elixir is mysteriously murdered, his soul kidnapped somewhere along its path to the afterlife. The only clue is a magical ransom note, offering to trade the merchant's successful resurrection for his dose of the fabled potion. But who would have the power to steal a soul from the boneyard of Death herself? Enter Salim, whose keen mind and contacts throughout the multiverse should make solving this mystery a cinch. There's only one problem: The investigation is being financed by Neila Anvanory, the dead merchant's stubborn and aristocratic daughter. And she wants to go with him. Along with his uninvited passenger, Salim must unravel a web of intrigue that will lead them far from the blistering sands of Thuvia on a grand tour of the Outer Planes, where devils and angels rub shoulders with fey lords and mechanical men, and nothing is as it seems...

Context

Death's Heretic takes place in the same world of the Pathfinder Tales as does Chris A. Jackson's books tat I've reviewed (find the first one here). It does, however, take place in a different part of the world and with completely different characters. This book explores not only the main plane, but some of the Outer Plains, otherworlds where devils and demons make their homes.

Style

Sutter creates a beauty of language that suits this story extremely well. His command of imagery is exceptional, and I very badly need to read more of his work because I want to study it. He has a way of immersing the reader in the world without bogging the prose down with description. Details are peppered in, creating a vibrant feel and tone of backdrop. His dialog tends toward the formal, but some of that was possibly due to the characters' personalities and tendencies.

My Thoughts

Until recently, I never read tie-in fiction. I'm glad I started doing so. I'm not familiar with the lore or setting of Pathfinder. At all. I've been missing out. Sutter's story brought a world to life in a magnificent way, with characters that were so intriguing I really want to read more of them.

In a lot of ways, this felt less like a tie-in novel than Chris Jackson's Pathfinder Tales, but in others, it felt more so like one. It's an interesting balance Sutter reached.

The plot was very well driven, with plenty of intrigue and twists that kept me guessing. And everything tied in so well at the end that I can't believe I didn't put the pieces together myself. Well, most of them. I did guess at a few things, which made me very happy.

The only real issue I had with this book wasn't with the book itself, but I do want to mention it. I consumed this book via Audible.com. My problem was with the narration. It was good, but the narrator's voice could be so monotonic that it was very easy to zone out and completely miss long stretches of the book. I feel like the performance actually detracted from my enjoyment, so that's the caveat with the audiobook. However, that is no fault of the author's, and this review is for the book, not the narration.

Would I Recommend This Book? Sure! Sutter's interpretation of this area of the Pathfinder worls is rich with details and intriguing characters. And the plot is superb and exciting. This is all in all a thrilling read. I give Death's Heretic a deceased 5 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://jameslsutter.com/

Book Review: Empire of Bones by Terry Mixon

Summary

Jared Mertz, bastard son of the Emperor, is finally about to escape the occasional forced companionship of his half brother, Ethan. He's in charge of Athena, a ship going to explore the fallen Empire. At the last moment, his half-sister, Kelsey, joins the expedition as deputy Ambassador.

On the other side of space, in a long lost star system, they find themselves caught in a war between descendants of the ancient Empire and savages called "Pale Ones." And worse, it looks like the technology that got them here isn't going to get them home again.

That's my summary. Here's the ones I pulled from the author's website

Commander Jared Mertz, the bastard son of the Emperor, and his half-sister, Princess Kelsey, barely speak to one another. To their dismay, their father seizes an opportunity to change that and sends them on a dangerous quest to explore the fallen Empire.

Separated from home by an impassable gulf and struggling to redefine their relationship, they find themselves thrust into a vicious war. Unless they work together to stop the Empire’s deadly legacy, billions face a horrific fate.

Context

Mixon has developed a rather interesting setting for a space opera novel. Our main characters' people used to have high technological space travel, but during a war, much was lost. Their ancestors survived to get to a new planet, but they had to start over developing it. Only in the last 100 years have they again achieved flight among the stars. Still, since their history proved its possibility, they were working on the theory long before they had the practical details hammered out. That led to their advancement moving quickly once they broke atmospheric limitations. It also gave them some great legends and history to search for in the galaxy.

Style

Mixon writes clearly without too much florid detail. As such, he leaves much to the imagination of the reader for what these ships and sci-fi locales look like. I didn't feel as though I was missing much, really, as the focus is more on the characters and their actions than on the world they live in. That even goes for what I'll call the "other side" of the star system. We don't really get a ton of description on anything, but I still never felt like things were too stark or barren. The people are the real gems here, with clear characterization and deep personalities. Mixon's lack of scene-painting kept the book from being too lengthy, which I do consider a plus. I was able to really sink into conversations and action, rather than having to orient myself with places and ship layouts.

My Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed Empire of Bones. I want to go on record to say that it has one of the best (if not the best) character plot twists I've ever come across. And, it was even fairly early in the book. It had me giddy. No spoilers, but I will say it makes me very eager to see what becomes of this character and this secret later in the series.

On the whole, I felt that this book was surprisingly laid back, at least to read (I listened to it through Audible, actually), but it still felt very chill. I was on edge, but it wasn't a heart-racing, nail-biting on edge. I was eager, curious, and excited, much like the characters at the prospect of exploration. Basically, I was invested with these characters, and that was established early on for me.

Personally, I do think the book ended too soon for the story itself. I haven't gotten to book 2 yet, so I feel odd saying this, but I have a feeling that I would be more satisfied if both books were combined into one. Considering Empire of Bones runs at around 7 hours of audio, doubling that wouldn't make the book too freakishly long. I guess we'll see what I think when I get to the next book.

Would I Recommend This Book? It's definitely worth a listen/read! I wasn't so bogged down in science that I lost sight of plot or character. In fact, characters were what this book was all about! I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. I give Empire of Bones a flipped 4 of 5 stars.

For more information on the author, visit http://www.terrymixon.com/

Review: The Stillness of the Sky by Starla Huchton

Summary

Jack had the chance to leave home with her mother when she was nine, but she chose kindness instead, staying to care for her cruel father. Now, life has become unbearable, and for her own well-being, she has to leave. Finally on her own, she finds herself at the base of a gigantic beanstalk. Unable to stay her curiosity, she climbs, only to wind up caught in a war between her king and the giants. She's found the missing prince, and with him, her own talents. Jack has a destiny and the gift of being a Bard. But will her newfound talents and her dedication to kindness be enough to stop the war?

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from the author's website

Once upon a time, my life was certain: it was insignificant, and it was cruel. But I refused to let it define me, no matter how great the cost. Once upon a time, I made a wish. The world I knew grew wider than the sky and higher than the stars, and I listened to the voice within me, reaching out for freedom. Once upon a time, my wish became my fate, and my destiny the hardest lesson to learn: kindness may be the most difficult path, but it can save entire kingdoms.

Context

The Stillness of the Sky is a gender-flipped retelling of the story Jack and the Beanstalk.

Style

You can find my perceptions of Huchton's writing style in my other reviews of her work. I've done several over the last few years.

My Thoughts

This is the second of Huchton's flipped fairy tales I've read, and at least the eighth book of hers I've read. I've yet to be disappointed with anything of hers I've read, which is saying a lot for her. That said, this is not my favorite of her works. Was this book bad? Not at all. Did it not live up to her other works? Again, the answer is no. This one, oddly enough, just didn't quite resonate with me like some of her other works did. I enjoyed it very much, but it seemed to wander a little too much for me. That could very well be a reflection of the main character, Jack. It was just a little too meandering for me in some ways. There was still a great sense of drive and purpose. Frankly, I can't quite nail down exactly what felt off to me, but I had a harder time zooming through this book than I have with Huchton's writings in the past.

I loved the direction Huchton took, expanding what was at the top of the beanstalk, and making the story stem from it (no pun intended). Maybe the fact that Jack never returns up there is what bothered me. The journey to the clouds happened so early in the story, it was more the cause than the journey. I think maybe I was expecting more activity above the ground, so I was thrown off by never going back. Sorry if this review is spoilery.

Was the book good? Yes, very! Not my favorite of Huchton's work, but it was definitely a unique take on the original story.

Would I Recommend This Book? Yeah! While I thought it wandered a little further from the inspirational material than I would have liked, it's still a great story! Huchton's plot went some places I didn't expect, which kept me intrigued. I give The Stillness of the Sky a selfish 4 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://www.starlahuchton.com/

Book Review: Sing Me Your Scars by Damien Angelica Walters

Summary

There are times when humanity can go numb, when the sensation of pain is all that reminds you that you're alive. Whether you seek the pain or have it forced on you, it gives drive to much of life. In this collection, pain is explored in a number of forms, voluntary and involuntary, and we see just what it can make people do to survive it.

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from Amazon

Sometimes a thread pulled through the flesh is all that holds you together. Sometimes the blade of a knife or the point of a nail is the only way you know you're real. When pain becomes art and a quarter is buried deep within you, all you want is to be seen, to have value, to be loved. But love can be fragile, folded into an origami elephant while you disappear, carried on the musical notes that build a bridge, or woven into an illusion so real, so perfect that you can fool yourself for a little while. Paper crumples, bridges fall, and illusions come to an end. Then you must pick up the pieces, stitch yourself back together, and shed your fear, because that is when you find out what you are truly made of and lift your voice, that is when you Sing Me Your Scars.

Context

The short stories in this anthology run the gamut from present-day settings to fantastical and science-fiction settings. In each case, though, we're faced with a form of humanity, whether plain people you might meet on the street to humans who are just a little different. But those differences are all tied together by the pain they feel. It's motivation, no matter what sort of person they are.

Style

Walters's style is a little choppy and clipped, with frequent little exchanges. This doesn't happen all the time, but it did stick out to me. When Walters got into deep settings and exchanges, the writing flowed well. But there were often times when a story was broken up into moments in time, just a few sentences or even a few words. It wasn't grating, but all those little stops and starts were a bit on the jarring side, making it harder for me to really sink into the stories. I didn't hate it by any means. I think her style may be a little bit of an acquired taste, though. I'd read more of her stuff, though.

My Thoughts

I wasn't sure what to think when I picked up this anthology. I quickly got sucked into the stories, though, and there were some really great narratives in this collection. There were a fair few I didn't care for, but the majority were engaging and compelling, and I hated it when they ended. Maybe a handful of them were so interesting to me that I wanted them to be novels in their own rights.

Overall, I was intrigued with the variations on the theme of pain Walters explored. From physical to emotional, self-inflicted to accidental to intended to violent, each story had a very different theme to itself. Some of the stories were shockingly beautiful, some infuriating, and more than one had me near tears, especially at the end. There's even an exploration or two on the pain of love itself. Walters's work on all these stories was sincere and masterful.

One or two of the stories could have used a little more explanation, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the collection as a whole. This was a very interesting read, and I can think of a couple stories that I'll want to reread again in the future.

Would I Recommend This Book? Why not! The stories are varied and numerous, all different with their own draws. I wish there had been more of some and less of others, but that's the nature of collections. You can't please everyone all the time. Some of the subject matter is dark, but I don't feel like anything crossed a line. At least, not for me personally. I give Sing Me Your Scars a stitched 4 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://damienangelicawalters.com/

Book Review: Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet

Summary

It’s been ten years since Maximillian Schindler-Krug found out his parents were from another world. Now, he’s facing the biggest trial of his life: his coronation. Max is feeling the pressure of a position he never asked for, and he needs one last vacation before taking the crown. Using the portals between Neu Meidling and Wien, he gets his taste of freedom. But there are problems. First, he doesn’t arrive in Wien as a human the way he’s supposed to. He’s something else entirely. Second, the portals won’t let him and his bodyguard Lily travel back. Third, there’s someone here in Wien trying to kidnap him. And worst, he left behind a kingdom threatened by revolution against the monarchy. Max’s simple escape has made a mess of things.

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from Amazon

The portals between worlds have been shut down, leaving king-to-be Max Schindler-Krug trapped in our world in the form of a goat. An impending revolution, a murderer on the loose, recurring nightmares and a mad scientist stand between him and the throne. It’s going to take more than a talking swan, a fainting goat and copious amounts of coffee and cake to save the day.

Ten years since the murder of his mother, Max Schindler-Krug is having increasingly vivid dreams about the night that changed his life forever, but that is the least of his problems. His coronation as King of Neu Meidling is approaching fast, but revolution across the kingdom threatens the monarchy and the portals between the worlds have been mysteriously sealed, closing off all trade and splitting up families.
Karin’s peaceful life at the Alt Wien is turned upside-down when her daughter brings home a wounded swan, leading her to discover a lost family secret that will change her life forever. Her own husband’s place in events could rip their relationship apart.
Lily, a trainee Beschützer finds herself trapped in another world, torn between her duty to protect the Wächter line and coffee trade and her love for her future king. When she meets a man who could solve all her problems, she has to make a choice that could topple the monarchy, assuming she can get the young king back home alive.

“Danube Waves” takes us back to the linked worlds of the Wiener Blut universe first introduced in “The Coffee Legacy”, revisiting beloved characters and introducing new ones, not to mention tickling the tastebuds with a range of traditional Austrian cakes.

Context

Danube Waves takes place ten years after the previous novel, The Coffee Legacy.

My Thoughts

One thing I really love about Bordet’s books is the difference in culture from my own. In each chapter, she brings in a different treat from Wien. In the first book, we explored coffee. In Danube Waves, it’s cake. So. Many. Cakes! It’s enough to make one drool, to read the descriptions of them at the beginnings of every chapter.

Bordet brought a good deal of light humor into this novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. With the time gap between this book and the one before, it lent her the opportunity to introduce some new characters and situations while still bringing back issues from the first book. I loved the addition of Gary to the cast, and almost any time he was involved in a scene, I couldn’t help but smile. He was just a joy to read.

In some ways, this book seems like an alternate universe’s soap opera, with the interweavings of different families and their conflicts and secrets. She keeps pulling new cards out of her deck of tricks. And even by the end, she still isn’t completely tapped out on the mess these people have made of one another’s lives. She pulls a new twist at the last moment to pave the way for another book. I will be looking for book 3 with eager eyes and rumbling stomach. I can only imagine what treats we’ll get with that one.

Would I Recommend This Book? Sure! If you love cake, definitely. If you’re looking for an intriguing and twisty plot set in worlds both familiar and foreign, you’ll find one here. I give Danube Waves a baked 4 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://www.maimer.net/

Book Review: Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell

Summary

Captain Ishmael Wang lost his job when the CEO of his company passed away suddenly. Luckily, his portion of a salvage claim is about to make him a very rich man. Suddenly awash in the culture of those with money to spare, he finds himself at a loss of what to do. He can't give up space, but can he really afford to buy a ship of his own and start his own company? He needs advice, a ship, and a crew. But all he has is the promise of money coming to him, and the experience of decades of being in space.  

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from http://nathanlowell.com/owners-share/

Sometimes getting what you want is not enough.

When Diurnia Salvage and Transport undergoes a change in management, Captain Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself adrift in a sea of red ink, and intrigue. He dives in only to find that he is over his head in a universe where cut-throat competition takes on an all new meaning.

What tragic price will he pay for his Owner’s Share?

Context 

Owner's Share takes place roughly shortly after the previous novel, Captain's Share.

My Thoughts

This book was an amazingly fitting end to the Trader Tales series in Lowell's universe. We've seen Ishmael journey throughout space, but the trials he comes up against in Owner's Share are totally different from any other conflicts he's endured. Now with the promise of money and influence, Ish faces situations that will challenge his very core and all his ethics. Where the two previous books, Double Share and Captain's Share, were very similar in theme and the magnitude of problems Ish faced, this book took things to an even larger level, and the world suddenly got even bigger. The financial and business red tape that Ish has to jump through suddenly gives new depth to the culture Ish lives in.

Personally, I was most affected by this book, and I think it is one of my favorites in the series. It's certainly the first one to bring tears to my eyes, and it did so twice. Over these six books, the reader grows so connected to Ishmael that it's hard to feel what he feels. I can't rave enough about this series. It's amazing. Period.

Would I Recommend This Book? A thousand times yes. Lowell gives us a great ending to a stellar series, though it isn't the last we'll see of Ishmael Horatio Wang. It's the end of this storyline, of Ishmael going from a penniless teenager to a multimillionaire ship captain. I plan to read these again and again. I give Owner's Share a secure 5 of 5 stars.

For more on the author, visit http://nathanlowell.com/

Book Review: Captain's Share by Nathan Lowell

Summary

It's been years since Ishmael Wang rehabilitated the crew of the William Tinker, and he's still aboard the ship, though he's now first mate. But after his last trip, he's been surprised with an invitation to sit for his captain's ticket, and suddenly, he's got a dilemma. He's been offered a command, of the Agamemnon, the ship with the worst reputation of the whole fleet. Does he take advantage of his new rank, or should he stay on the Tinker, where he's already comfortable and which has a good crew? Or, does he give up life in space altogether, like his wife wants him to?

That's my summary. Here's the one I pulled from http://nathanlowell.com/captains-share/

A good captain protects his crew. Who protects the captain?

A shuffling of cabins puts Ishmael Horatio Wang in command of the worst ship in the fleet. He learns that being captain doesn’t make you infallible and that life in the captain’s cabin is filled with new kinds of challenge as he tries to keep the ship moving, the crew out of trouble, and turn a profit to earn his Captain’s Share.

In a ship where the officers outnumber the crew, can he keep everybody happy? Welcome to the SC Agamemnon.

Context

Captain's Share takes place roughly 10 years after the previous novel, Double Share.

My Thoughts

Captain's Share offers more of the delicious, close-quarters intrigue I've come to expect from Lowell's Trader Tales series. It's been some years since we've seen Ishmael, and his life has clearly changed. Now a man in his late thirties, we only see hints of the 18-year old he was when the series first began. He's still the same, but he's become more man than boy, and it shows. His life has taken a bit of a toll on him, but he's still the principled, decisive individual he's always been.

So when we see him in a captain's chair, fully in charge, it's great to se ehim continue to be himself while still being human. Ish makes mistakes. He doesn't immediately have the answers, and he still can't lie to save his life. We see the burdens of authority settling on him, and it affects his personal life too. All in all, this was a fitting continuation to Ishmael's story, if it did feel a little bit similar to the previous book, Double Share. Then again, the whole series has sort of been similar as Ish progresses. It's one man's story, and while there are always new challenges and conflicts, it's comfortably personal. There may be hints of repetition, similar themes between books, but it's not annoying, or retelling the same thing over and over. It's... like I said. Comfortable. These are great books.

Would I Recommend This Book? Highly! It's great to see the man Ish has become, and now we see some real significant decisions coming his way. I hate to think the next book is the last of this series, but I'm eager to read it anyway. I'm ready for some closure. I give Captain's Share a drifting 5 of 5 stars!

For more on the author, visit http://nathanlowell.com/