Arcane, a Netflix series review. Based on the league of legends world and characters, this proved to be the unexpected hit of the year. A little late but finally done.

 

Arcane, a series review.

    I have never played League of Legends, and I never will, but that didn't stop me from being curious when the first trailer for Arcane dropped. The animation style is similar to that in the Dishonored games, and enough action was on display to pique my interest. I am glad I gave the show a chance, as Arcane has proven to be one of the best things Netflix has ever put out. The animation is beautiful and is used wonderfully to show the disparity between the two cities that dominate the world we dive into. The characters and how they are written make this show enjoyable to watch. On display are several themes, and though they might be predictable, they are also done incredibly well. After all that has been done in this first season, I look forward to what will come next.

    The heart of this story is one of disparity of wealth, of the power some hold while others are left to wallow in the dirt. This story is more complex than that, but that is the general gist of the overarching story. The story of Vi and her sister Jinx is one of the central points of this series. Born in the lower city of Zaun, where wealth is sparse and life hard, they are orphaned in the first minutes of the first episode. A heartbreaking opening that impacts them both going forward. Vi and Powder are taken and raised by Vander, who is responsible for the rebellion that caused the death of their parents. As the story begins, we see them a few years older and now joined by two young boys as they race across the rooftops of Upper Piltover. Vi has them on a job, eager to prove that they can pull jobs like the adults they've grown up around. A premise that will lead to where the entire story begins. Breaking into an apartment in the upper city, the gang loots much from it, but Powder accidentally shatters a magical gem causing a massive explosion. The children flee the crime scene, stumbling into a group of thugs waiting for them as they return to Zaun. Threatened with violence, a scuffle breaks out, and Powder flees with the bounty. After being chased down and cornered, Powder tosses the bag into the water, leaving them empty-handed for all their effort. Vi and the others beat the thugs, taking them out in the first action scene of the series. And what a scene it is. This fight is short and brutal but exceedingly well put together. The attention to detail and the level of storytelling in the fight scenes are a highlight of this series.

    I thought about doing a complete breakdown of each episode. You can see above I even started that way, but there is too much to cover, and I could be writing this out for days on end in an attempt to highlight the best parts of each episode. I hoped it would be easier to overview the series as a whole. It would be easier than to point out which had worked best for me. The character work here is some of the best I've seen in an animated series. The attention to each of their stories gives the overall arc a deep meaning and impact on points in the series. The story primarily follows Vi and her sister Jinx, both of whom are damaged in many ways, but other key players come to light as the story unfolds. Jinx is easily one of the best portrayed here, shaped by the pain inflicted upon her and the pain she has inflicted on others. She had never been the most emotionally sound individual, and following certain events, she became far more unstable. Being raised by Silco, the man behind the death of her adopted father, she is dangerous and yet strangely lost and vulnerable at times. Powder's sister Vi is just as lost, but angry too. Vi is determined to find her sister and make those who locked her away pay for their actions.

    Through the actions of Jayce and Victor, we are also introduced to magic. A power that changes much within the city. The Undercity is rising as the nation of Zaun under Silco's direction and political ambition. There is a lot here that leads to conflict, from the wealth provided to Piltover through new technology and its disparity with those who do not dwell in the upper city. A changing political landscape, and its influence, also play a role in Jayce's storyline. This forces him to make choices that directly impact other aspects of the narrative. Bit players in the story, such as Vander and Echo, have an impact with their contributions to unfolding events. These characters drive the story forward and help to give other insights into the events that dominate this story.  This is a big world with many things unfolding, each player's story interweaving with one another as events play out. Many things are going on, and it could confuse the viewer, but events are tied closely together and made easy to follow. Vi and Caitlyn's relationship and how it develops plays a key role in this drama. It is a relationship that feels genuine and not forced into the narrative. Jinx's growing insanity and her relationship with Silco shape how everything plays out. 

    All in all, this is a great watch, with brilliant writing enhanced by great visuals and a score that is effective and appropriate at all times. I look forward to giving this another viewing in the future once I have time, and I eagerly await the next series.

     Arcane is an easy 10 out of 10 for me. I recommend Arcane to any fan of TV in general, but especially to fans of anime and League of Legends. Arcane has interesting characters and a world that feels bigger with every episode. The ending is a cliffhanger, and it frustrates me a little that I have to wait and see what is in store next. Here's hoping that Netflix can pull off another great season.

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson. A review of the continuing story of the Mistborn saga. Introduced now to Waxillium Ladrian long after Kelsier, Vin, and all have passed into legend. A new tale in a world that has changed beyond recognition.

 

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson, a review.

    Having read the previous trilogy of the Mistborn saga, I came to this book with certain expectations. The new trilogy follows new characters in a familiar world that has moved on in time. A world that still bears the legacy of the Mistborn but strives for new innovations and reveres those that have come before as parts of religion and legend. The city of Elendel is the primary focus of this story, though some of it occurs in the outer regions known as the Roughs. There is a familiar sense of the frontiers town to the Roughs. The book has the essence of a Western in many ways. It gives the story a flavour very different from the previous trilogy. It makes the story better not to stick to the same themes of many typical fantasy novels.

    The story centres around Waxillium Ladrian and his partner Wayne. Wax is a Lord, a highborn of Elendel, that has spent several years out in the Roughs as a Lawman. This man has eschewed all he was to be in favour of a lifetime of hunting down criminals and maintaining the law in this lawless place. While running down a killer, Wax loses a loved one, and his life takes a drastic turn. A turn that leads him back to Elendel and a simpler life. Or rather, it is supposed to be simple. Unfortunately, Wax finds himself dragged into another case, one not of his choosing.

    Wax is struggling to be the head of his house, a house whose finances have been run into the ground by his uncle. His lifestyle change is not to his liking, and old habits are proving hard to break. He is something of an anachronism out of place amid the highborn, yet he cannot return to his old life. His old life has not left him behind entirely, his friend Wayne having followed him to the city. That link keeps him tethered to what he had been before. Wax soon learns that the Elendel is every bit as dangerous as the Roughs in its own way. When shipments begin to go missing, his interest is piqued, and then when people are taken hostage, Wax returns to doing what he does best. With Wayne at his side, they begin their investigation, beginning with the stolen shipments of Aluminum and the most recent attack. The two men have to rely on their Allomantic and Feruchemical abilities, even as another joins their investigations and helps them to track down Wax's missing bride-to-be. Marasi is Sterris' illegitimate sister and a woman with a sharp mind. This trio has to learn to work together, to navigate this city and the dangers that lurk within it.

    Sanderson continues to do a great job of writing compelling characters. I love Wayne. He is a brilliantly complex individual, unlike any of those that inhabit this world. Wax is compelling, with an air of the lawman of the wild west, though he exhibits similar detective skills to those of Sherlock Holmes. Wayne is a master of disguise, accents, and getting into places he shouldn't be. They make a great pair with their banter and rich history, Wayne's down-to-earth manner helping to level off the noble house lord.

    This is a re-introduction to this world, a great start to a new trilogy, and some of Sanderson's best characters. I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed the original novels, pieces of them coming back with every page I read. I look forward to seeing what he has planned for this world and the Cosmere.

    I'd give this book an eight out of ten. It is a fantastic read with complex characters and a compelling plot. I recommend this book to any fan of the Cosmere or the Mistborn, to any fan of fantasy. So, if you're looking for your next read, give this book a chance.

    

    

The Hunger of The Gods by John Gwynne, a review. The amazing sequel to The Shadow of The Gods, a continuation of the Nordic inspired mythos that grips hold of the reader and never lets go. Welcome to a world of Gods, monsters, and the bonds of warrior kin.

 

The Hunger of The Gods, a review.

 

    This book follows directly from the previous entry, and it keeps the pace that that book maintained. Gwynne keeps the narrative flowing throughout and immediately gets his hooks into the reader, pulling them into his world.  And what a world this is. Gwynne has done a great job of fleshing out the world through the interactions of his characters and the events that swirl around them. Following multiple points of view and seeing how they intertwine allows a better overall look at the world. The stakes are raised considerably, as the previous book's events took them to a deadly level. It is not a spoiler to say that the return of the God Lik-Rifa has thrown all into chaos. The return of the Dragon God will have consequences for all as she has her own plans to enact. Orka's hunt for her son continues, but now she faces a foe that cannot be overcome by an ax alone. Varg continues to learn all he can at the hands of the Bloodsworn, and Elvar faces the aftermath of their betrayal and the return of Lik-Rifa.

    I was unsure where this story would go after the climax of the previous book. I pondered several possibilities, but none of them went in the direction Gwynne took. Right after Lik-Rifa escapes from her prison, the story picks up with a God returned to the world. Elvar and the Battle-grim are collecting themselves and mourning the loss of their chief, licking their wounds after the battle with the dragon-born. Orka reels from the realization that she has missed rescuing her son, reunited with members of the Bloodsworn, and is surrounded by the devastation she has wrought upon Grimholt's Hall. Varg remains with the Bloodsworn, aiding in their hunt for Vol, wife of their chief, Glornir. Going into this book, I expected the story to continue at a decent pace, and it did not disappoint. Orka learns of Vol's abduction, knowing now who Skalk had bundled onto his horse, and relays to Glornir what has happened to his brother and her son. In turn, Elvar and company learn the price of a blood-oath, forcing her to move forward with her pursuit of Lik-Rifa and Uspa's son. Each of the protagonists in this story has very personal reasons to clash with the dragon-born and their risen god, but no way to rival her power. And this is where the story takes an unexpected turn. 

    Elvar and the battle-grim delve into Lik-Rifa's prison, led there by the bound and collared god, Skuld, daughter of Ulfrir and Orna. Elvar knows there is treasure there for the Battle-grim, but she has her own reasons for taking the plunge into the place below. Elvar is a smart woman, and she knows that any pursuit of her quarry would bring her into conflict with the god. She needs an edge, and her hope is that something below will give her what she needs. Skuld leads them, reluctantly, angered at being thralled to Elvar through the magical collar. Skulk has watched over Lik-Rifa with her sisters for centuries, but the world she knew is gone, and she is struggling to adjust to mortals being in power. Attacked by the twisted children of Lif-Rika, they discover something left behind by the goddess, something that they can use in their favor. A huge spoiler for the book lies ahead, so you have been warned. Using the great tome left by Lik-Rifa, Uspa resurrects the god Ulfrir. The battle-grim then uses the chains that bound Lik-Rifa to fashion a collar for the wolf god. This all happened far quicker than I expected it to. I had gone it with the idea of Ulfrir being resurrected, the image on the book cover gave that away, but I thought it would take far more for the task to be completed. It works, as the returned god is far from his full power, but it might be a touch jarring for some readers. With the gods in tow Elvar and the battle-grim head after the dragon-born, hoping to catch them. 

    Orka leaves the Bloodsworn with Lif and some of the Bloodswordn in tow. Glornir has them lead her to the chambers of the rat god, Rotta. Glornir and the rest of the Bloodsworn continue their pursuit of Vol, heading after Skalk, back to Darl. Orka continues to train Lif, with some help from the Bloodsworn, the young man determined to be ready to face his brother's killer. Upon arriving at Rotta's chamber, they are attacked by a group of dragon-born led by Myrk, the sister of Ilska the cruel. After a brief battle Myrk is taken prisoner by Orka, who is determined to find out what the woman knows. After discovering Myrk is one of Ilska's people, Orka has her lead them to where the Raven-Feeders are headed. The journey takes them westwards to the town of Starl, where they meet up with Elvar and the returned Ulfrir. They split up after the encounter, and Orka tricks Myrk into leading them to where the Raven-Feeders are.

    Varg and the Bloodsworn head to Darl, intent on freeing Vol from Skalk. Things turn out to be far more complicated than they expect. Their assault to free Vol from Skalk comes too late as she has been taken from the Galdurman by Prince Jaromir.  The prince of Iskidan has fled southwards, as the Bloodsworn is left to deal with the aftermath, having to negotiate their way out of a clash with Helka and her people. The Bloodsworn give pursuit. hoping to catch the Prince, and his people, before they reach the port town of Liga. Unfortunately, they flee across the sea, heading for safety in Iskidan, but Glornir will not be swayed from his hunt.

    The story is weaved together brilliantly, each of the main characters brought together by events that affect the others. The action remains visceral and well enacted. The fights are brutal and vivid, well thought out from a narrative standpoint. Orka is easily my favorite of the main characters, but every character here is well fleshed out with their own agency. The stakes are raised enough that the reader is aware of the true dangers that are arrayed against our heroes. 

    This book is an easy nine out of ten stars. It is a great read, with well-rounded characters, great action, and a world that feels real and epic in equal measure. John Gwynne is one of my favorite new authors, and I am eager to see where this series will go. I would recommend this to any fan of fantasy, and any reader in general. Let me know what you think of this book if you have read it, and feel free to recommend any books you think I should review.

Gothghul Hollow by Anna Stephens. Another entry into Warhammer horror, that is equal parts horror and mystery. Featuring the return of a fan favourite that I did not see coming.

 

Gothgul Hollow by Anna Stephens. A review.

    This was my first time reading anything by Anna Stephens, and I was glad I gave this entry into Warhammer horror a chance. This new sub-genre within the Black Library is rapidly proving to be my favourite, though I'm somewhat biased as Horror has always been a favourite for me. Having read a number of them now, I had a level of expectation, an idea of what to expect from future entries. Though there is a familiar formula to this book, the story proved exceptionally well written with a surprising twist towards the end. I am looking forward to what Anna Stephens will write next after this one. Hopefully, they will keep her on these characters and further the narrative. I am definitely interested in seeing what other stories the Games Workshop crew has in store.

    This story is a horror of multiple themes. We have a monster story, a haunting, a curse of sorts, and a mystery. It centers around four main protagonists and is set in the realm of Shyish during the Age of Sigmar. There is a fifth character that plays an important role, but I don't want to give too much away. The main gist of this story focuses on the history of the Gothgul family. Father and daughter stand at the heart of it all, their relationship strained by time and loss. The Hollow is under attack by some strange bloodthirsty creature, a curse upon the town and its people. As the ruling nobles, they seek to protect those within their ancestral lands though they have had little success. As the story begins, we find the creature stalking a wayward townsperson foolishly outside when the howls signal its approach. Things do not go well for him, his life ends painfully, but we are introduced to the first of our protagonists through the opening. Runar has been hired to hunt this beast down, he has brought his people with him, and they have, so far, done little more than find the bodies. The body is taken to the castle, to the awaiting Gothguls. There, along with Tiberius Grim Aaric's best friend, and Edrea's uncle, they begin the study of the corpse. A corpse that is found to be drained of blood, like all the others. Something that should be impossible, given the freshly slain nature of the corpse. There is a supernatural nature to this creature, when fired upon and injured, it seems to be unaffected by the damage inflicted upon it. Edrea theories that it is feeding on each kill, that the blood is giving it strength. This theory proves to be partly correct, but there is more to the creature than any of them have realized.

    All that is happening in this tale is related to events in the past. Events that Edrea is unaware of but are tied to her. There is much that Aaric has not told her about her mother, Hephzibah. Edrea is adamant that her father is lying to her about something, something about her mother. Before we discover what that is, Runar has taken to hunting the creature down. It is a hunt that goes badly for Runar and his companions. Some discoveries are made through his interaction with the entity.  Those discoveries come at the cost of those Runar holds dear, however. It almost costs the hunter his life also. The timely arrival of Edrea and her father saves Runar from meeting his demise and reveals more of the entity's nature. The next part of the story plays out in the castle, Runar waking to a strange vision that leads to a blood binding coming to each of the four protagonists. After this occurs, the story of the events leading to Hephzibah's death is revealed, along with some family secrets. 

    After discovering what happened to her family before her birth, Edrea is more determined to bring this event to a close. The events spiral into a conclusion of desperate battle as they enact a final gambit. Stephens does a great job of taking this in a direction I did not see coming, revealing a character I had not read in years. This reintroduction is startling, a message brought with them that tells of far greater danger to come. This is a much-changed version to the one I knew, and there is enough revealed to make me each for the next outing. With this being a horror/mystery tale, I have done my best not to spoil anything, hopefully, the above covers enough to pique your interest. 

    This is an easy 8 out of 10 stars. It is a well-written book with great action sequences and amazingly fleshed-out characters. I would recommend this book to any fan of horror novels, mystery novels, and the Age of Sigmar books. Give it a look if you're looking for anything new and are interested in one of the best stories from Warhammer Horror novels.

The Changeling by Victor LaValle. A story around parenthood, the fantastical, and the events of childhood that follow us our entire lives.

 

The Changeling by Victor Lavalle, a review

 

    I had only read The Ballad of Black Tom by Lavalle previously but it made quite an impression. I went into this book hopeful that it would do the same. Thankfully it proved to be the case. This is not a happy tale, it has moments in it that are heartbreaking and it doesn't shy away from its central themes. Having grown up with fairy tales being prevalent in my country of birth, I went in expecting certain events to unfold in a particular fashion. To my surprise, Lavalle took the story in a direction I did not see coming. That made the story better, in my opinion. Certain events within the story are easy to foresee unfolding but take nothing away from the overall impact of the story.  Apollo Kagwa is a highly believable character, no matter where the story goes, no matter how fantastical, it feels real because of how he interacts with it and the general strangeness of it all.

    The story actually starts with the parents of Apollo Kagwa, telling the tale of their meeting and eventual relationship that then leads to the birth of Apollo. I wasn't sure if this was of much import, but it plays into the story at a much later point. We then get to see the family together for a time, happy in the birth of their son, but it doesn't last for long. The story then jumps to Apollo as a boy, an avid reader, and a smart child. Apollo is haunted by a dream of his missing father coming to take him away, a dream that haunts him throughout his entire life. This dream proves to be something more, but Apollo won't discover that until adulthood. Apollo is an intelligent child, hungry for books, and it turns out quite a shrewd businessman. This love of books, and an ability to turn a profit, leads to his eventual profession and plays into how he meets his wife, Emma. The story does a great job of fleshing out Apollo's character, of making him feel real. He is interesting but flawed. Much of this story is of every day, of a simple but, mostly, happy life. The story shows Apollo growing up, meeting and marrying Emma, and the arrival of their son. Apollo and Emma name the child after Apollo's father, Brian. Apollo and Emma are beset with the typical problems of raising a newborn, exhaustion and lack of sleep soon set in as they go about the day-to-day. Apollo is desperate to be a different kind of father than he experienced, doing everything without any point of reference, eager to show off his child and his commitment to him. At first, everything goes well, but soon Emma begins to take a downwards turn. She seems to be wasting away, and her sister takes her out in the hopes of getting her to open up. It's here that we learn some of Emma's backstory, of the death of her parents and the strangeness surrounding their demise. It is a gruesome and tragic tale, haunting in its quality. After Kim's tale, Emma admits that she doesn't think that Brian is her child. This is the first warning we get of Emma's mental state. Apollo doesn't realize the depth of her thinking, of what she is going through, and continues to post pictures of Brian as he takes the child with him everywhere. He doesn't see the inevitable coming, not until he is bound to a chair in his kitchen and his wife does the unthinkable.

    We meet Apollo months later, healed from the injuries inflicted upon him by his wife but broken by the death of his son. Apollo had spent most of those months in prison after an incident with his wife's prior work colleagues. At this point in the story, Emma is missing, and Apollo has no love left for the woman who killed their son. He is at rock bottom, getting his things in order, and reluctant to return to his home. This is a man on the brink, so close to the edge that he isn't sure of his actions and intentions. In a move to release another hold on his life, he hands a book to his friend Patrice, one he had been saving to sell at a later point. This book is a rare edition of To Kill a MockingBird and worth a considerable amount of money. It is a move that is relinquishing hold on life, Apollo is near suicide, and only the timely arrival of his mother keeps him from doing something foolish.  She tells him of his father, of how they had grown apart. It is revealed that Lillian was going to divorce Brian. Apollo doesn't handle this news well. As the story continues Apollo begins to get strange texts, one of which states that Emma is still alive. Thus begins the spiral into a bizarre version of New York. This New York has witches in it, glamour, magic, and women that had killed their children, children that weren't actually their children. There are monsters too, some like those in fantasy stories and ones that look like people. Apollo is dragged further into this strange world, searching for his missing wife, and in time his son. This is a well-told fairy tale for the modern world. Eventually, Apollo is led to his wife, but she is no longer the woman he knew. Things just get stranger from there.

    This is a well-written book. It gets its hooks into you and never let's go. It shouldn't work as well as it does. It isn't action-packed or sinister in its telling, but something in the way it is told keeps you reading. Apollo works fantastically as the protagonist, flawed enough to be believable and yet compelling enough that you want to see how his journey unfolds. More than anything, it is the theme of parenthood, the failings of our parents, and how they shape us, that take center stage in this book. It looks at how one generation's actions shape the next. How the resulting overcompensation can lead to disaster. There are other themes at play, but these are at the core of the book. LaValle is a fantastic author with a grasp of language that enriches his work. After this book, I intend to search out more of his works. 

    I give this book an easy 9 out of 10. I would recommend this book to any reader, not just of the three genres that I enjoy so much. It is one that I simply couldn't put down, and I barely registered time passing as I moved from one chapter to the next. LaValle is a talent that anyone should keep their eye on. 

Rebel's Creed by Daniel B Greene, a review. The second instalment by the Dishevelled Goblin and a marked improvement on the Novella. Deepening the lore and expanding the world of the Almighty and the Anointed.

 

Rebel's Creed, a review.

    The first outing by Daniel, Breach of Peace, was a novella. It had been his intention for the next to be one also. That changed with the writing of Rebel's Creed. This outing is a novel over 350 pages in length with a deeper story and far more lore than the first book. It is also a direct continuation from where the novella finished, picking up with Khlid in dire straits and in the hands of the Anointed. In this book, we learn more about the Empire and the Anointed herself, more about what the Empire's plans are, and those that stand against them.

    Khlid is bound and trapped, her body experimented upon by her captors. Flooded with the Drip, she is already being changed by it, the first real success beyond what had happened to Chapman before his death at the Anointed's hand. We get a little more as the experiments continue, and the story changes to the new protagonist of this story. Holden is a mess, he believes none of the accusations against his former mentors, and here we see how manipulative the Anointed can be. She uses her position, power, and her obvious charisma to spin a tale that the grief-stricken Holden will hold onto. It is an obvious play, one seen in many novels, but here it is done well enough that Holden is never entirely taken in by her but is invested enough to go along with what he is told. It is an interesting back and to between them, and it gives some insight into both characters at this moment in time. This is just the setup for what is to come, the story taking a turn I did not expect.

    We learn more of what happened to Chapman leading up to the murders and everything that then, subsequently, followed. It was nice to get more backstory to the abrasive Chapman, who in the earlier novella felt like he needed some fleshing out. Here Daniel does that well, showing how Chapman became involved with the rebellion and his true place within its structure. Sure, there are some cliches, but there are some interesting turns, and we see just how much of an arse Chapman can be, whilst also seeing some of his struggles, humanizing him in a way that had not been done previously. In a twist I was not expecting, we see just how undermanned the rebellion is, just how small a force is set up against the mass of this formidable Empire. I would have liked to have spent more time with Chapman, but we get enough here to see how his direct involvement led to everything in the novella and the events occurring in the present story. At least now we understand a little more about the Drip and its study.

    Back to the present day and we see a much-changed Holden. No longer is he part of the Seventh, that precinct has now been left to rot, having been moved to the Eleventh Precinct, where life is proving far from easy. We catch up with him as he is being beaten by several of his fellow officers. Holden had made the mistake of reporting officers from the Fifteenth Precinct to his sergeant, a man he had believed he could trust. Gone is the prospect of him becoming an Inspector. He has been placed in the Eleventh to keep him out of trouble and out of sight. A place where there is little support and no real chance of him making himself a nuisance for those in power. He isn't entirely broken, but he isn't far from that point. Throughout this time, he has held on to his belief in Khlid and Samuel, that they were innocent and all blame lay at Chapman's feet. Though beaten down and increasingly jaded, there remains a fire in Holden, a need to discover the truth of the events at the Seventh. When the chance comes to truly learn what happened to Khlid and the Seventh, Holden will stop at nothing to get those answers. Once he discovers she is alive, he will not stop until he frees her from her captors.

    The book's pace remains quite fast, at no point did I feel like the story was stuck in place or there was too much filler. Holden, and his relationships, felt real and none too forced. Though, I have to note that some of the dialogue didn't quite work for me. I think that issue is down to Daniel's style and could well work for others, it just didn't for me. In the scene between Flip and the Anointed, Avi Cormick, I felt like the interplay was a little off. The chess-playing broke up the scene more than I would have liked, but I could see what Daniel was striving for as he described the scene. I enjoyed the slow evolution of Khlid, the development of her new form, and the power she now possesses. Even those experimenting upon the former Inspector are unsure as to what effect the Drip was truly having. More than anything I enjoyed seeing Avi unleashed. Seeing how dangerous and powerful the Anointed truly is, raised things up a notch for me. Rebel's Creed is a marked improvement on The Breach of Peace, Daniel's writing is becoming stronger, and I hope to see that develop further with his next entry into the series.

    I'd give this book a solid four out of five stars. There is room for improvement, but it is a very solid entry. I can't wait to see what comes next as we sail for the land beyond the Endless Ocean. I'd recommend any fan of the first entry to give this book a look, and for any fan of fantasy to give this book a read.

The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter. The next book in The Burning series. A review and look at this next entry that continues Tau's adventures, and sees just how far he'll go to protect those he loves and avenge those he's lost.

 

The Fires of Vengeance, by Evan Winter.

 

    I picked up the previous book after watching a review by Daniel Greene. It turned out that the disheveled Goblin had it spot on for the brilliant first entry into the series by Evan Winter. To my great relief, this book continues that run brilliantly. The story picks up immediately from where the last one finished. Tau is now the Queen's champion and finds himself in a position no lesser had ever hoped to achieve. Now those loyal to the Queen face the challenge of dealing with a split amongst the Omehi and the potential for civil war, whilst the threat of the Xiddeen looms. This book centers more on the growing relationship between Tau and his Queen whilst keeping the narrative moving towards the inevitable conflict between Tsiora and her sister.

    The story opens up mere hours after the attack. The Xiddeen have retreated in the face of the Guardians' wrath, and Tau is reeling from yet another loss. Jabari is now heavily burned and bedridden, the petty Noble horribly scarred by Dragon's breath. Here we see Tau make a choice that looks like it will come back to bite him, confessing things to Jabari in the belief that the other is unable to hear him. That is not the case, and this will play out further down the road. This story is very much a look at the bigger world of the Omehi and their history, Tau discovering more than he had imagined as he delves fully into his role as the Queen's champion. We continue to look at the disparity between Lessers and the Nobles, how the social standings work, and how Tau's placing challenges those long-standing ideals. I would like to say that our protagonist had a moment to catch his breath, but that is not so, from the outset he is faced with dealing with assassins, injured further, and then forced to give chase after the Xiddeen. Tau pushes himself further than he should be able, driven by that need to be better, to do more, and save those around him regardless of the damage he does to himself. Tau's time in Isihogo has changed him so utterly that he is a creature of pure will, even poisoned by Dragon's blood, he manages to remain one of the deadliest men in the Queen's army. It is Tau's actions that often lead to how the story unfolds, even his decision to save Kana comes back to bite him, and we watch how he continues to view himself as a failure. The strongest part of this book remains the relationship between Tau and his sword brothers, the bonds there are unbreakable, and without them, Tau would truly fall foul of his worst instincts.

    The story largely follows the split in the Omehi people, the capital of their nation taken by general Odili with Queen Tsiora's sister now declared as Queen. The potential civil war sits at the worst time as the threat of the Xiddeen is never far away, though they believe they have bought themselves some time with the War Chief's demise. Determined to take back her capital, Tsiora, is willing to risk much, she demands that the fiefs support her and is willing to force them to comply if they refuse. Evan's political world feels real, with the social standings well defined and the views of the Greater Nobles feeling reminiscent of standings in the real world.  The story moves at quite a fast pace, with Tau lurching from one challenge to the next. Again, Evan continues to create a world and characters that feel so real, fleshing it out so well that you are truly immersed in the story. He focuses on Isihogo more in this book as Tau has to utilize the demon prison far more than in the previous book, its dangers becoming more real in some ways, and yet a piece on the board of play that proves more important. The backstory of the Omehi is fleshed out through the discourse between Tau and his Queen, and we learn of where they came from and the threat that looms ever in the background. 

  

    What impressed me most was the choice Evan made around Tau's rage and his revenge. I had wondered if Tau would become totally lost to that rage, but throughout the story, he is pulled from it. It is not always easy, but the life he has now pulled him back from fully indulging in it. Events threaten to push him back to that familiar wrath, but he is never completely consumed by it in the way he had been in the first novel. This book looks at the destructive power of anger and the cost of it. Evan Winter is great at these themes, they are at the core of the book, but they never feel that they loom over everything to its detriment. The action scenes remain a highlight of the book. Evan's fight scenes are visceral and carry a weight to them, especially when they fight the demons in Isihogo. Tau still feels a mark above those around him, but that gap is narrowed in this book. I have to say that I am so glad that the dragons in this world are not real. They feel far more dangerous than many of their contemporaries in other works of fiction

    This book is a brilliant continuation of the story that began in The Rage of Dragons. I would recommend that anyone give this book a look. This is a fully realized world with strong characters and brilliant action throughout. I hope that Evan's next entry keeps the momentum going, and I am excited to discover where the story will lead.

    This is an easy 4.5 out of 5. Give this a look if you enjoy fantasy or just a damn good read. Evan Winter has rapidly become one of my favourite authors, and I can't wait to see what he will do next.

The Tomb. The Watchers Book 1, a review. A story by Carl Novakovich. A story of Demons, Angels, and the fate in the world. All set to the backdrop of the Windy City. Say hello to John Gideon of Chicago.

 

The Tomb by Carl Novakovich, a review.

    This book is the first in the series and the first book that I have been approached to review. A novel experience in itself. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I've had mixed experiences with urban fantasy over the years. Some are brilliantly written and work well, others, however, have fallen short of such accolades. Thankfully this one edges closer to the better of the lot. I won't tell you this is the best book I've ever read, it definitely has some faults, but overall I enjoyed it and would happily read what comes next in the series. 

    The premise is a simple one. We have a young former detective that gets caught up in a plan to bring about the apocalypse, dragged in as he seeks his missing partner. This follows a similar pattern in many ways. We, the reader, are brought along with John as the events unfold around him. The story unfolds from several different points of view, with John's being the main one. I will say that at just over 200 pages this is not the lengthiest novel, and it might have been worth extending the page count to flesh out some points of the story. That being said, the short length and fast pace mean the story never falters or stutters as we race to the conclusion of the tale. John is written well, though some of his thoughts seemed a little out of place at times, given the circumstances he finds himself in. I do like his humor on display, and John has a strong identity. Technically the writing is not overly flowery, and there is a strong sense of direction throughout. I would have preferred a greater descriptive style, but that is a personal preference, and I won't drag down the review of this book for Carl's personal style of writing. I will say that his villains and background characters feel real enough that there is a weight to events as they unfold. His use of a certain Angel as the main antagonist is a favorite of mine. I have always had a fondness for his character after watching Fallen with Denzel Washington. I would have liked to see greater use of demons, more of the differences of the types of demons in use utilized, and more of the history of some of the characters. Some of the romantic elements did not work for me, but again that is because I'm not such a big fan, in general, of those elements. 

    All in all, I would give this 3 out of 5 stars. It is a quick read that will hold your attention until the very end and has enough of a cliffhanger to grab your interest for the next installment. So if you're looking for a quick read, and after some demons and Angels, give this book a go. You might find your next series. 

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, a review. One of the best novels by one of the greatest absurdist authors, ever. A feature with my favourite character in the entirety of Discworld, Death himself.

 

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, a review.

    I've read Pratchett since my teens, and yet it has taken me until now to read Hogfather. How that happened, I have no idea, but thankfully, I finally got around to enjoying this masterpiece of Pratchett's Discworld. Death has always been one of the best characters in this series of books, in fact, I would say it is probably his best-known character overall. Death's outlook on life, his fixation with humanity, and his literal take on many aspects of living are brilliantly done by Pratchett. He took what should be a terrifying character and made him kind and funny with a unique outlook on what occurs around him. In this book, he is very much one of the centralized characters, and it works so well because of the part he plays in the storyline. 

    Hogfather follows the premise of belief. It focuses on how belief can bring things to life, how the belief of so many can empower something beyond what it began as. The story starts out with the assassin Teatime, pronounced 'Teh-ah-tim-eh,' having been hired to kill someone at the behest of Lord Downey of the Assassin's guild.  Teatime is chosen for this task as this kill should be impossible, but Teatime is known for his 'unique' outlook and ability to achieve that which others could not. Pratchett's level of description of his characters has always amazed me. You don't just get what they look like but a deep look into the core of who, and what, they are. The level of insight is staggering, and I haven't read many authors that can replicate this feat with such ease. Pratchett's easy humor and his ability to use absurdism to highlight reflections of the real world makes him an author that can drag the reader into his world and immerses them in it completely. As the story continues we are introduced to Susan, another of the main protagonists, and the normal life she is trying to live. She lives as a governess, chasing away bogeymen and other nasties that only her young charges can see. Susan is not as normal as she would like, and she has to deal with these nasties rather directly, with a poker most often. We learn far more about Susan as the story unfolds and the cause of her unusual nature, something that directly ties her to all that occurs. It is not a spoiler to say that Death is currently masquerading as the Hogfather on Hogswatch eve, though the why is not revealed until later once Susan is thoroughly involved. It is fair to say that the visual is quite amusing, considering the natural slender build of the grim reaper, that and the general lack of flesh. He is going about the business of the Hogfather, giving out presents to children, though his lack of understanding of the particulars of the holiday is amusing. His trusty helper Albert does his best to keep Death steered in the right direction, but the Grim Reaper often does things he probably shouldn't. This leads to several amusing incidents, one that leads to a rather unique use of boots and shooing of a King attempting some late-night Hogswatch charity. As this is all playing out, Teatime has hired some help and is working on completing the contract given to him by Lord Downey. The reader is left somewhat confused about his thinking, but the Assassin has gathered himself a motley crew, and he has a plan. Teatime is a singular character, deadly, focused, and quite possibly insane. If anyone can take out the Fat Man, it is him. As Death's escapades continue and Susan is dragged further into this mystery, events taking stranger and stranger turns. My personal favorite thing in this book is the inclusion of the 'oh god' of Hangovers. He, who suffers the hangovers of the god of Wine. 

    The book is filled with many of the familiar characters that make up Discworld. The Archchancellor and many of the wizards of the Unseen University feature prominently, along with one or two others that fans of Pratchett will recognize. The Unseen University has a special place in my heart, Rincewind was my introduction into this world, and it featured heavily in the first books I dived into. Not to mention that I spent time there in the Discworld PC game, way back in the nineties. I enjoyed how Susan does her best to hold on to her 'normal' life, and yet she delves back further into the other part of her life, that part that she has inherited, in a fashion. Anyone that has read much of Pratchett's work will find it easy to follow his tangents and strange twists. The way the tale, seemingly, wanders, to me, always added so much more to the narrative. It is only as the book moves on, that you realize how each part plays into the overall story, how each part is important, and nothing is without import, no matter how small and inconsequential it may seem. That is the magic of Pratchett's writing, nothing is wasted, nothing is there for the sake of being there. It has always seemed, to me, that even his side characters are full of life. That they possess a degree of agency that some main characters lack in other works of fiction.

    As the story continues, Susan delves deeper into the mystery, eventually solving it. It turns out that things aren't quite as simple as it appears, though dealing with Teatime is not a simple task in itself, and she is forced to deal with the architects of this entire debacle. She does have a little help from her Grandfather, the Death of Rats, and a very talkative Raven throughout. The book does come to a satisfactory conclusion, in my opinion. It is a thorough look at belief and the power it has for good and for ill. Pratchett does a wonderful job of using aspects of comedy to show the absurdity of much of the elements of his work, and so many things ring true of what is said here within this brilliantly written book.

    Hogfather is a brilliant representation of Terry Pratchett's work in general. The man was a genius, and I think it will be many years before we see an author who does this kind of fiction so well. I highly recommend that any fan of fantasy gives this book a read. I would recommend any book by Pratchett, but this is a highlight of his library of work. Pratchett's use of comedy in this book is second-to-none, and his characters come to life on every page.

    This is an easy 5 out of 5. Rarely do I enjoy a book so much, and I find myself eager to delve back into Discworld at the first opportunity. Let me know what you think of this book, and any work of Pratchett's that you would recommend.

    

    

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a review. The sequel to the popular Kingmaker remains true to the formula with epic gameplay and story but more than a few flaws.

 

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a review and look at one of the best RPGs of this year.

    After backing and loving Pathfinder Kingmaker, it was an easy decision to follow suit for the sequel. I was one of many that backed Wrath of the Righteous and enjoyed the alpha and beta stages. This is a very different story from the first game, with higher stakes and a more defined goal right from the outset. The game is bigger in many ways, with a more expansive class list and greater options to define your character as you begin your journey into Golarion and the city of Kenebras.

    For any RPG fan, it is always important to have several options to define your character to your own liking. The greater the ability to personalize, the better. The game has expanded on those available in the previous entry, and now there are over twenty-five classes to choose from, each with its own subclass. The variety is staggering, with several races on offer, with some having their own further subtypes. It took me a while, but I have tried several, and the Kitsune is one of my favourites by far. Certain races have unique roles amid the classes, providing you with a path that will not be available to any other race in the game. This will open up possibilities to an entirely new way of playing through your game, further expanding on how the game unfolds for you. And that is one of the main factors in this game, a unique playthrough. This is not unusual for any decent RPG, it is also prevalent in the tabletop games about which this is crafted. Being more of a D&D fan, it took me a while to understand the many complexities and offerings that Pathfinder provides, but soon enough, I found myself enjoying the number of options on display. I have to be honest that I have created far too many characters. Trying out the many classes since playing the beta and into the released game. The character creator is great, but I did find that the character models did leave something to be desired, with little in the way of face and hair options and with no way to alter features. I would have liked a way to change height and weight, but that seems not to be the developer's priority. It is a minor annoyance overall, given the type of gameplay style on show. The character creator is one of the highlights of this impressive game.

    Having backed the game I have played through both the alpha and Beta stages of the game before enjoying the full release. I have spent well over a hundred hours in-game, playing through the earlier chapters of the game in various playthroughs. The released game is far less buggy than the previous stages, but it has been plagued with several bugs that have impacted my game, one or two that even crashed my games. Thankfully, Owlcat has made an effort to patch these bugs and keep on top of issues that have arisen since the release. That doesn't lessen the impact these issues have had on my enjoyment, but I am satisfied that they are at least working to resolve them. Some of these issues have already been resolved upon writing this post, but I am aware that some players continue to deal with problems.

    The game itself is fun, like Kingmaker before it, it has a good enough story to keep you engaged. With the fate of the Worldwound hanging in the balance, the demonic forces pushing ever at the crusaders, you come into play. An unknown dropped into this conflict and then gifted with unusual powers as you rise to lead the Fifth Crusade. The game does a great job of making you feel powerful and gifting you with Mythic abilities that change how you play the game and how the game reacts to your growing abilities. There are at least eight Mythic paths to choose from, with a ninth being hinted at. These paths have their own unique story influencing points, the game reacting to the path you choose by having specific dialogues, quests, and NPCs opening up to you as you move through each act. Speaking of NPCs. Your companions in this game are far less black and white than in the previous entry, with developing complexities and some hints at what are their true motives. Woljif, Seelah, Lann, and Ember are my favourites, but I found I liked all of them. Not so much their actions but their general portrayal and the stories behind them. It would have been nice to flesh them out more. With something more akin to how it was done in Kingmaker, but overall they are all believable and unique. Like any good RPG, there are many weapons, armour, and trinkets on offer for the player to increase their stats and equip on their character. There is a massive array of spells on offer, along with abilities that change with whichever class you have chosen to play. The game also has several prestige classes that can alter the direction of your classes and playthrough. I have to mention the Crusade system, as it does contribute to the overall gameplay. Whilst not the most inventive system it can be fun to play through if you want to manage armies and hunt down rival factions. It is worth noting that this system can be put on automatic. So that you can have very little interaction with it if you wish. The game has five acts in total, and though I have not yet completed it, I am enjoying it immensely. 

    So to summarise, if you enjoyed Kingmaker you'll most likely enjoy this entry. The game is solid and expands on the previous entry with new systems whilst expanding on those that were in use in Pathfinder. It is not without fault but if you can look past them you will find this game is worth those minor niggles. Any avid RPG fan could easily stack up hundreds of hours as they try the many races and classes, looking to create their own unique playthroughs.

    I give this game an easy 4 out of 5. It is a worthy successor to Kingmaker and I can't wait to see what Owlcat Games does next with the series. So if you're a gamer and enjoy RPGs give this one a go. And if you're not an RPG fan, give it a go anyway, it might surprise you.

The Shadow of The Gods by John Gwynne, a Norse inspired Epic. A book that is equal parts bloody and brilliant, shaped by the fall of the gods and the will of humans.

 

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, a review.

    I really enjoyed the Faithfull and the Fallen series by Gwynne, and I found myself looking forward to this new series. Gwynne is a visceral writer, his action is pulse-pounding and vivid, in a manner that most other authors fail to capture. The Faithful and the Fallen was a brilliant debut series that had a world of light and dark with much hanging on the shoulders of one young man. This book leads us into a world of fallen gods and the fallout from that calamitous event. The book follows three distinct protagonists, Varg, Elvar, and Orka. Each of them has their place in the overall narrative and their own unique tale that plays out as we discover more of this Norse-inspired domain. Much of it is strangely familiar, I suppose, growing up in Wales, I have heard much of the Norse-inspired myths and legends that have come to be in this land. Gwynne being a resident of the UK, must have heard and read much the same growing up. This has the feel of a world after the events of Ragnarok, the fall of the gods has reshaped the world, and the survivors do all they can to reclaim it and shake off the legacy of those gods. Unfortunately, dangers still lurk in the world, and the gods are not entirely gone from the world.

    We begin with Orka, a woman with her husband and son living apart from the world in many ways. They live a simple life, raising Breca and teaching him the things he needs to survive in this world. Varg is a man on the run, a thrall that has found his freedom as he seeks to discover what has happened to his sister. Elevar is a warrior amongst the Battle-Grim, seeking to earn her battle-fame and living a life of her own choosing. Each of them has its motivations and mysteries, driven forward through the narrative as events play out. Orka hunts for her son, Elevar goes where the Battle-Grim roams, and Varg seeks out a way to discover his sister's fate, leading him to the Bloodsworn. This is a brutal world, where those touched by the gods are seen as tainted, as less than human. It is a world that is hard and unforgiving in many ways, faith is not seen in a positive light, and monsters roam the wilds beyond the walls that surround town and house alike. Each of the protagonists has its own particular qualities. Orka is fierce, incredibly so, with an iron resolve and fierce love for her son. Elevar is a talented warrior, loyal, steadfast, and ambitious. Varg is naive in many ways, his life has been a hard one as a thrall, and his experience of the warrior life is new and unsure. Like Orka, Varg is driven by his love of a family member, determined to keep his oath to them. I liked the way the tainted show their lineage, how they shift as their blood burns in response to danger. This is a throwback to the berserker and werewolf legends of old and felt right in this particular setting.

    As I mentioned earlier, Gwynne does action well. Though well is something of an understatement. The action is brutal and fast, the events well-choreographed yet vicious in the one-on-one scenes, the shield walls, and mass fights feel as though this is something that has been experienced by the man himself. He knows how the press of bodies feels, how the weight of armour and shields impacts the manoeuvrability and function of the warrior beside him. It was no surprise to me that Gwynne is a Viking re-enactor. It feels as though you are right there in the press, bound together as the enemy surges towards you. I liked his use of the traditional monsters of Norse myth, Trolls featured here on several occasions and lacking none of the ferocity that I have seen in them in many other tales. Gwynne builds his world out as the story progresses, and many of the gaps in lore are filled out as we move deeper into the mystery surrounding the events that impact our protagonists. Of particular note, the Dragon on the cover is pretty damn accurate. Gwynne does a good job of weaving the individual narratives into one overall narrative. The threads come together and tie up pretty tightly. I can't wait to see where it will go next.

    I'd give this a 4.5 out of 5. This is a great entry into a new series, the world feels real and brutal from the outset. Gwynne's character work is top-notch, and he clearly knows his Norse myths and legends. This is definitely one to read if you're a fan of fantasy and I would recommend looking at Gwynne's work in general. Let me know what you think and if you're interested in giving this a look.

The Rage of Dragons, by Evan Winter. A review and look at this brilliant debut novel, a self-published piece that stands as an example of what self-published authors can achieve.

 

The Rage of Dragons, by Evan Winter. The Review.

    I decided to give this book a look after hearing positive reviews through several booktubers that I follow. It was the right move, this book is one of the best things I've read in years. I was reading another book for review and immediately lost any interest in it after the first two pages of this book. The premise is a good one, opening up with a people forced into exile, landing on a continent far from their own home as they fight to establish a beachhead and force back the natives that threaten to annihilate them. It is a bloody, hard-fought battle that is won at great sacrifice. We then flash forward to the future and the established nation that sits within hostile lands. Here we are introduced to our central protagonist and his father. Tau is the son of a lesser Common, part of the caste system that we are introduced to within the empire, a young man being taught all that his father knows in the hopes of passing his own testing. Winter created a world so different from the many western-inspired fantasy worlds that I have read. I found the direct correlation between the standings and the physical attributes a refreshing change, those of a higher noble standing being bigger, stronger, and faster than those below them. This plays into the story itself and influences how the world around Tau operates.

    Tau is a young man with particular ideas of how his life will play out. These change as the story unfolds, but in the first part, he merely wants a life similar to his father's. That is until the first time he is forced to kill, forced to face the horror of killing, his ideas change, and he begins to look for an out from military life, a way to avoid service. Piled on top of that, he is dealing with his feelings for Zuri, a young woman awaiting her own testing. I would like to highlight that Tau is not a perfect character, he is impulsive, childish in some ways, and his view of the world is narrow due to his upbringing and experience. I should point out that the army of the chosen is bolstered by the 'Gifted' woman that can call down dragons, turn warriors into enormous engines of destruction and send the souls of men to hell through the skill of enervation. This is the reason they have held back the Hedeni as long as they have. Tau continues to train with his friend and Petty Noble, Jabari, the two young men looking forward to their testing. As Jabari's training partner Tau struggles with the death he inflicted. His plan to injure himself after his time training with the army is still in his mind as time goes by. Unfortunately for him, that will never come to pass as events beyond his control shape the young man's future. A singular mistake at Jabari's testing causes Tau's entire life to be broken, creating a fury in the young man that will drive his entire path in life.

    Tau returns home and is exiled from his home. He attacks Jabari's brother in a fit of rage and should be hanged for this offense only Jabari's interference keeps him from that fate. The night before he is due to leave, Zuri comes to him and begs him to leave with her. The young woman has passed her testing and is destined to become gifted, but she does not want that life, a life without him. Tau is too lost to his pain and rage to hear her and leaves, determined to make the Nobles pay for what they have done to him. This is what the story is primarily about, revenge. Tau is driven by it, his whole fate decided by it, and he will do anything to see it done. As he takes to the north, after a bloody encounter with Leskan, Tau finds himself in Kigambe and the testing there. Soon it is proven that Tau isn't as skilled as he believed, only winning his first bout after goading his opponent into making a mistake. His fifth bout is against a giant of a man, Uduak, and there is no way he can win. Tau doesn't win against his opponent but refuses to fall, fighting until the two hundred counts, something that seems almost impossible. This is the prime attribute that carries Tau forward, he isn't the biggest, the fastest, or the most talented, but he refuses to fall. The young man will not surrender no matter what it costs him. As a character, this makes him unrelenting but so single-focused that he is hard to like, though it is easy to understand the fury that makes him so. Even with that, he makes stupid choices, is too hard on those around him, and loses himself to his fury more than once. Taken into the army, he is trained with other lessers, his squad leader eager to prove that they can be as an effective fighting force as the higher nobles above them. It is a gamble to prove this, and he rests his hopes on Tau and several of his sword brothers. He tries to teach Tau the way to be greater than his natural talents, that dedication and hard work will allow him to reach his goals but it is not enough for the young man. Determined to push himself harder, Tau walks a dark path to become more to push his skills to the extreme. This singular decision is one of the craziest made by the lesser. I loved how Winter filled out his characters, made them feel so real, with their own agendas and agency, not just driving the narrative through Tau's own place in the world. This builds then to the end of the book and Tau's need to kill those he holds responsible for his father's death. 

    Nothing is so simple, the climax of the book leading to an invasion and an attempted coup, Tau, and his scale caught up in it as he is forced to fight by the side of one of the men responsible for Aren's death. Winter does a great job of building the tension and keeping the pace fast as they are driven from one scene of carnage to another, determined to save the queen from those that would see her slain, all the well the Hedeni invading the lands around the capital. It is a desperate race to her, and it leads to several choices that influence how events play out, Tau and his scale doing all they can to survive amid the chaos. This ending leads directly into the next book, and I can't wait to read it. 

 

    This is easily one of the best books I've read in recent years. With its different settings, cultures, and a protagonist that is not so easily likable, it stands apart from so many fantasy books I've read. Winter has a solid authorial voice, his prose is not overly flowery, but it holds your attention, and his character work is brilliant. I can't wait to read The Fires of Vengeance, and my attempt to read a certain book has been put back as I found it so lackluster in comparison. 

    The Rage of Dragons is an easy 5 out of 5. Any fan of fantasy should pick this book up and delve into a world that stands so well on its own. I'm looking forward to what else Winter will bring out in the future. He is definitely a talent to watch.

Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden review

 

Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden review.

    Chris Perkins loves the Thing. That has been said by the man himself but even if he hadn't this book gives it away. A clear influence in this Adventure's design and story, it runs through the heart of this wintery horror story that puts the adventuring party in the center of the snowy domain of Icewind Dale. Icewind Dale is a familiar setting, it has featured in many of the Drizzt novels and has been utilised in the past by video games and other adventures alike. This wintry northland sits north of the Spine of the World mountains and houses the famous Ten towns. As an avid reader of the books by R.A. Salvatore, this is a familiar and comforting place to be in but it seems things have changed with the arrival of the Goddess Auril. The Frostmaiden has cast a spell over these lands and hidden the sun from view, a supernatural state that means that winter never leaves and the snow never melts, a pall of darkness stretching out for miles in all directions. Auril has come to this place to hide from the world and she is intent on ensuring that Icewind Dale remains hidden regardless of the needs of those that call this place home. Like all of their releases, this one has the adventure laid out in summary form at the beginning with details of what is occurring within the Dale. It is clear that something needs to be done if the people of the Dale and the Ten Towns are to survive, fell forces are beginning to take advantage of this endless gloom and this opens up avenues for any party of adventurers to take.

    Here we move on and look through the dangers of this icy environment and some character ideas and options. I liked the idea of the secrets section but this is hardly an extensive part of the book. We continue on to the first part of the adventure as we begin to explore the Ten Towns and adventure hooks that each of these towns can open up to our adventurers. This is an extensive section with notable NPCs noted for use and how the townsfolk are reacting to the Everlasting Rime. This entire chapter gives a variety of adventure hooks that the DM can utilise or adapt to their own version of the adventure, the ideas here are plentiful. The book continued onwards, expanding into Icewind Dale itself, and continues to add a number of possible directions for the party to take and options for the DM on how to reach the next part of the book. The adventure within can lead to interactions with the Duergar and the fell plans their leader has for the folk of Ten Towns. The adventure builds as the party are tasked with defeating this threat and then moving on to dealing Auril herself and the spell she has cast upon the Dale. More interestingly, at least in my mind, is the continuation leading to the ancient Netherese flying city that has remained hidden beneath the ice of the tale for centuries. Here is the most obvious nod to the Thing and it works well as the adventurers are placed within an environment that has been shaped by utter isolation, along with the threats inherent to the city itself. It would spoil the adventure to go into too much detail but I found the overriding story interesting with plenty of space to customise it to the DM's liking. 

    Like any adventure, we have the monster section, some interesting additions for winter environments being a fairly obvious choice here. I have to admit being something of a fan of the new Squidling variant that the adventure brings into play. Further, on from this, we have the mandatory magic items, none too wild or unique this time but fairly standard to the story. Some integral to the story as is often the case with these tomes. All in all, it is more of what we have come to expect from Wizards of the Coast.

    I enjoyed the setup of this adventure. I liked the isolation and harsh environment that will punish the adventuring party if they aren't careful. I'm always a fan of greater exploration of one of my favourite areas of the Forgotten Realms, and this region has been of import since Drizzt's earliest adventures. I would recommend that any fan of the 'Forgotten Realms' give this book a look, especially if you're a fan of horror as this game has some great elements peppered throughout. 

    I'd give this tome a 4 out 5 and recommend any DM give this one a look. Hopefully, you can utilise it to add new and interesting elements to your own campaign. Let me know in the comments what you think of this book, if you've used it in your campaign and if disagree with my little summary.

Breach of Peace by Daniel Greene, a review

 

Breach of Peace by Daniel B. Greene, a review

    The Dishevelled Goblin, the youtube agent of Chaos that is Daniel Greene. I first came across his work on Youtube during the madness of the pandemic as it began to unfold. I'd say that was fortuitous timing, or merely happenstance. Either way, it led me to one of the most entertaining Book Tubers on the platform. Daniel has a unique sense of humour and a genuine love of the fantasy genre, both come through in his videos and make him such a standout amongst the many reviewers now on Youtube. His skits alone are worthy of seeking out, especially the Brandon Sanderson writing one. His latest 'interview' with 'Disney' is an amusing parody that had me chuckling hours later. Throughout this journey, Daniel had expressed his desire to write a number of Novellas before moving forward with his own full-length novels. This was to be the first in a trio but Daniel's second outing has now blossomed into a full novel. I'll discuss that later, for now, I'll concentrate on his first outing as a published author. 

    The story begins with a murder, a rather grisly one in fact. Now, this has been highlighted in certain reviews but I found it no worse than many of the scenes in any modern horror book. This murder is of an important family, people of worth within the Empire. Here we are brought into contact with Khlid, one of the investigators, as she starts to look into the killings. Khlid is one of three investigators in this murder case, Samuel, her husband, and Chapman being the other two. It is clear from the outset that Chapman is not well-liked, there is an arrogance to the man that instantly makes him hard to deal with but that arrogance is partially earned. He is intelligent, markedly so, and able to make quick deductions with a deep insight but his people skills are rather lacking. Khlid and Samuel have something of a reluctance to working with him but they do so regardless, this case is far too important not to. Now I don't want to give too much away as this is primarily a detective novel, to state too much would give away elements of the mystery of the book. I will say that the story unfolds well, with some twists and turns some will see coming but they are executed well enough that it will do little to spoil your enjoyment of the book. 

    For a first outing, this is a solid offering. Daniel's writing hints at a much bigger world than we are exposed to and there is more than enough here to entice the reader back to see how the story will progress. I enjoyed his character work and the hints of what goes on behind the scenes of this new and dark world he is presenting to us. Sure it is not perfect but for a first published Novella, it is a damn good introduction. I am looking forward to what his next offering will bring, and with it now being a full-length novel I am more enthused than I was initially at the idea of the second Novella. I hope Daniel continues to unfold this world to us, I, for one will be eager to read more. Give it a go and see what this interesting young talent has to offer.

    I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5. A good first published book with tons of potential moving forward, can't wait to see what he has in store.  Let me know what you think in the comments and give Daniel's Youtube channel a look if you enjoy good reviews of the fantasy genre. 

The Evil Dead films and series: An Overview

 

The Evil Dead films and the streaming series.

    I will forever be a fan of Bruce Campbell for his portrayal of Ash Williams, the everyman dragged into the horror and hilarity of The Evil Dead. The first film is by far the most outright horror of the series, with the following films drenched heavily in comedy with some stand-out performances by Campbell. Ash is not the typical hero in this series, either on the big screen or small. He is reluctantly dragged into this madness, doing his best to remain amongst the living. The first two films are set in the now typical cabin in the woods and utilise the Necronomicon Ex Mortis, roughly translated as the Book of the Dead. It is easy to see where Raimi got his influence for this fell book, and it works well as this tome of utter horrors that drag demons and worse into our world. I admit that I am much more familiar with Evil Dead 2, I have watched it far more than the original, so my review here will reflect that. Ash is dragged into this as a man simply looking for a romantic getaway with his girlfriend. Linda is killed after Ash unwisely plays the recorder in the cabin, Professor Knowby reciting passages from the book. She is turned into a Deadite, and Ash is forced to kill her to survive, decapitating her with a shovel. After burying her, he returns to the cabin in hopes of waiting out the night. Things do not go that simply for our reluctant hero as the evil spirit of the wood begins to press in on him. Soon Ash is possessed too but the spirit is pushed from him by the dawning sun. After hours unconscious Ash awakes and flees the cabin only to find the bridge out and dusk soon descending upon him. Fleeing back to the cabin, pursued by the malevolent spirit, Ash hides there in the hopes of waiting it out. Unfortunately, he is not that lucky, strange events begin to play out around him as the summoned evil begins to work on breaking him down. At this point, we learn that Knowby's daughter and partner are coming to the cabin to see the deceased Professor, bringing with them the lost pages from the book. Throughout this Ash is being attacked, and Linda returns from her grave, her disembodied head biting his hand after a nasty dream. Ash rushes to the workshed and soon manages to remove her, ready to deal with her before he is attacked by her body wielding a chainsaw.  It is at this moment that we see the Deadites can switch back to appearing normal, Linda's head begging Ash not to kill her before viciously mocking him and returning to its unnatural visage. Returning to the Cabin Ash continues to spiral before his hand begins to turn and we have one of the funnier scenes as his hand attacks Ash and renders him unconscious. The scene following is one of the bloodiest in the film as Ash cuts off said hand with the chainsaw. I do like the little nod with the use of the book  'A Farewell to Arms.' being atop the pile he places on the bin to keep the hand contained. Again we get another amusing scene as the hand escapes, and a little battle of wits plays out before things take another nasty turn for Ash. 

    Here things begin to change as the others arrive at the Knowby cabin, Ash mistakingly firing at them before he is subdued and through into the root cellar beneath the cabin. Things escalate further as Henrietta rises from the floor of the root cellar and attempts to eat Ash. The film moves quickly as the Deadites seek to kill them, and fear and paranoia take their toll on the group of survivors in the cabin. As you can imagine, things don't go well, and slowly their numbers are whittled down as their fight for survival continues. They have a way to fight back, to rid themselves of the evil, but it is not an easy task, and Ash finds himself returning to the cellar to face Henrietta and reclaim the pages. I still love the design of the Candarian Demon possessing Henrietta as the pair face off in a fierce fight before Ash gains the upper hand and we move to the end of the film. Annie and Ash are left to face the physical embodiment of the evil after the first part of the passage has been quoted, frantically they attempt to complete the other half as Ash is left to face it. Of course, things don't go well as Annie is stabbed in the back by Ash's evil hand. Annie finishes the incantation as Ash fights, and for a moment, we think everything is fine until the summoned portal doesn't close, and Ash is sucked in after the evil. The scene works well with the right amount of tension and dark humour, Ash crashing from this world into another, the closing scene hinting at what shall befall our hero next. 

    The next film follows directly from the ending and I believe that the series hints that the film didn't happen. At least in the newer canon. Army of Darkness is one of my favourite films with many quotable moments in the film that still makes me chuckle to this day. The medieval setting and Ash's apparent set-up as the man here to save the people from the Deadites are done well, Ash is eager to return to his time and willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. Again humour is at the forefront of this film, with less horror at the fore. Hunting for the Necronomicon at this time, Ash is tasked with returning it after using the incantation of a particular passage. Which, inevitably, does not get uttered correctly as Ash forgets the ending. The scene in the mill is one of my favourites as Ash is left to battle tiny evil versions of himself before swallowing one and the subsequent development of 'evil' Ash. Again humour is key here, not horror, and the ensuing fight and almost three stooges-like feels to the scene make it enjoyable for one of my generation. This is a very different film from the previous ones, with the castle and siege, the fighting, and the much bigger stakes, yet it all works. Though I will admit the film doesn't have the greatest of special effects, that is even more evident nearly thirty years later. This film rides on the charisma of Campbell, and to his credit, he manages it most of the time. There are some weaker elements here than the tighter viewing of the first two in the trilogy, but it is still a fun film to watch. It is worth noting that there are two endings to the film, but most will only know the one where Ash is returned to his time and works in the S-Mart, a return of the Deadites plaguing Ash once more.

    The series is set with a much older Ash, and thirty years have passed since the events of the original. It seems little has changed for him, and after a night of drugs and booze Ash reads from the Necronomicon, starting things all over again. This iteration works well, largely due to the introduction of Kelly and Pablo. These two poor souls are dragged into Ash's mess, and before long, they are all deep into the world of the Deadites. The introduction of Ruby, the ever-brilliant Lucy Lawless, tightens up the story as we gain an element of mystery and stakes that might have been missing otherwise.  In my opinion, the second series is the best, with a better story and some interesting turns by the writing team. It would not be fair of me to give too much away about the series in total, I might go into that at a later date. I recommend fans of the films give the series a go. It is fun, and there are plenty of callbacks to the original films. 

    I would be remiss of me not to mention the remake. I enjoyed it, for the most part, the performances were good, and the tension in the film is well maintained. It doesn't quite have the magic of the original, but it is a solid effort and worth a look for horror fans.

    So if you enjoy campy horror films give The Evil Dead a try. Ash is one of the funniest and most beleaguered characters in the genre. Though some of his character traits haven't aged well, in this age of people being easily offended it is worth noting that some of his humour might offend some. For me, the humour works well, and the better effects and production values of the series have made the experience all the better. 

    Let me know what you think in the comments and if there are any films you would recommend. Later folks.

Legend by David Gemmell Review. The Legend of Dros Delnoch, featuring the Slayer, the Deathwalker, Druss the Legend. A story of an old man and a lone fortress against the largest army the Drenai have ever faced.

 Legend by David Gemmell, a review.

    The book was written close to forty years ago and to be fair, it stands the test of time. The story is a fairly simple one, an invading force threatens the lands of the Drenai, and the Fortress of Dros Delnoch is all that stands in its path. It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest Heroic fantasy books out there. This is not your Game of Thrones with elaborate plots, dragons, and political scheming that means any supposed ally could prove an enemy at any moment. It is a far simpler tale and, in many ways, a better one. This is about survival, a seemingly insurmountable enemy, and a fortress that has never fallen. It is their great bastion, that the Drenai believe can hold no matter what. But more than that, they have sent out word to the greatest living warrior of the Drenai people, Druss the Slayer. It is this character that much of the story hinges on, a man far past his prime, living alone as he awaits death on a lonely mountainside. This is the first book in the Drenai series, and strangely the book is set at the end of Druss' life, a man that will feature in more of Gemmell's work as time goes on. Druss is a brute, a warrior, a man that sees wrongs and does something about them with no thought of consequence, and whilst his body is failing, he has lost none of his lethality. And that is what this story is largely about, a fortress and a man worn down by age and experience that must hold against an unstoppable enemy. Something that Gemmell was experiencing in his life as he struggled with his own battle with cancer. 

    It is strange to see how the Drenai treat Druss as he arrives at Dros Delnoch, a man in his sixties, built like a tank, and having no time for any of the nonsense he sees around him. He is here to do one thing, to ensure they live long enough to push the forces of Ulric and the Nadir back, and he will batter them into shape to do it. Amid an array of characters, Druss sits there as an unmoving rock, implacable and resolute, yet he is never without kindness or decency. He is all a warrior should be, yet he does not judge others for their faults as long as they stand when the time comes. As a teenager, I loved the idea of this bunch of desperate defenders holding out against a sea of enemies, fighting for all they are worth, unwilling to give an inch. Over time that has changed, and begin to see the exhaustion that plagues them as they fight to be ready for the Nadir. You see them holding out for the miracle that reinforcements will come and aid them against this unforgiving foe. All know that it will not come, that they stand alone, but they fight regardless, and the old man leads ever at the front, even as age and exhaustion batter down his great strength and unrelenting will. There are other plotlines throughout the book, but most are worth discovering on your own. To speak of them would lessen their impact and your enjoyment of the book. 

    Gemmell has become synonymous with Heroic fantasy since he began the Drenai saga and only Waylander stands equal to Druss in popularity, in my opinion. This book is the perfect entrance into that world and whilst not perfect, it is a damn good read that shows heroes never truly die and hope is never entirely gone. 

Hope you enjoy

I give it 4.5 out of 5. It's one hell of a read.