blood?

Last Argument of Kings

Joe Abercrombie

last argument of kingsFinal book of the First Law Trilogy sees everything work out for the best in a most unsatisfactory way. People receive undeserved awards and undeserved punishments and the puppet masters are revealed.

Rating: A

eider?

Before They Are Hanged

Joe Abercrombie

before they are hangedSecond of the First Law trilogy takes a group of heroes on a typical fantasy quest through the West in an atypyical way. Meanwhile in the North and South battles and sieges take place and we learn a wee bit more about the strings being pulled behind the scenes.

Rating: A

bookworm?

The Eyre Affair

Jasper Fforde

the eyre affairThe first of the Thursday Next books introduces us to Fforde’s fantasy world of an alternate version of England, still mired in the Crimea, where classic literature is the popular entertainment of the masses.
Next is a civil servant working in the field of literary crime who becomes entangled in the machinations of a crazed criminal genius.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable romp, if never quite as clever or as funny as it thinks it is.
Sadly this series succumbed to the law of diminishing returns after a sequel or two.
Recommended from fans of comic fantasy or those looking for something plays with the conventions and history of literature in a humorous fashion.

Rating: A-

dwenda?

The Steel Remains

Richard Morgan

The Steel RemainsAstonishingly good, brutal fantasy from the writer of rather good, brutal SF Noir.
Twists the fantasy template in interesting ways for fabulous effect.
Lead characters Ringil, Archeth and Egar are war heroes, veterans of a brutal conflict living with the compromises forced upon them by the political fallout of the aftermath.

Rating: A+

tick?

Thief Of Time

Terry Pratchett

Thief of TimeMy favourite of the Susan Sto Helit books
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History
Has the advantage of featuring Lu Tze and the Monks of History

Rating: B+