Genre: Epic Fantasy

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

I’m very apprehensive when it comes to adult fantasy. It’s a genre that takes itself really seriously, and inevitably there are graphic, unnecessary sex scenes. While this is all well and good for people who enjoy that, I personally prefer books that are a little lighter and skip the sex scenes. I mention this, because Ship of Magic is adult fantasy and I was really nervous going in because… you never know. Here’s the thing, though. Ship of Magic also promised me pirates and I have a weakness for pirates. Give me a story with pirates and I am 150% in to […]

Posted June 30, 2019 in Reviews // 4 Comments //

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

I really, really dislike the feeling of: “Oh thank goodness, this is over” when I’m reading a book, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that was the way I felt after completing this trilogy. For a series so renowned and beloved, The Lord of the Rings is incredibly boring… and honestly? The Return of the King is the worst culprit of them all. Why? The Return of the King has the greatest potential for excitement, but the least delivery of the trilogy. There are so many cool things that are happening here, but the parts I found I […]

Posted May 23, 2019 in Reviews // 4 Comments //

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

Where The Fellowship of the Ring dragged on for an age (thanks, Council of Elrond!), The Two Towers swiftly picks up its pace. The fellowship have now gone their separate ways and are having battles and adventures of their own. Merry and Pippin have teamed with the Ents. Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn connect with an old friend. And as for Frodo and Sam? The two Hobbits are following the perilous journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring. While as a whole I think The Fellowship of the Ring is a more successful novel in that it feels like things are actually getting done, […]

Posted May 1, 2019 in Reviews // 0 Comments //

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkein

What to say about a timeless fantasy? I actually reviewed The Fellowship of the Ring a couple of years ago, so I want to keep this brief and concise. My review in 2017 covered a lot of my technical concerns, so if you’d like to read more of a breakdown of the book, I’d suggest heading to that review. As the technicals are covered, much of this review is going to be reactionary. As I mentioned in a recent post, Lord of the Rings is a classic. Anyone who loves fantasy should read it – doubly so if you enjoy epic fantasy. […]

Posted April 28, 2019 in Reviews // 3 Comments //

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

I have a lot of feelings about this book. On one hand, I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Name of the Wind, but on the other hand, I thoroughly appreciate the world-building here. I’ve always admired Rothfuss’s magic system and the mechanics of the University, but he has gone above and beyond in The Wise Man’s Fear. But I get ahead of myself. The Kingkiller Chronicle is a story told by the innkeeper (Kvothe, many years in the future) to the Chronicler. I love this idea. Although I don’t find the times in the present particularly interesting, I appreciate the […]

Posted April 8, 2019 in Reviews // 0 Comments //

Upon a Burning Throne by Ashok K. Banker

Upon a Burning Throne starts out with potential. It tells the story of the succession of a kingdom – two children born to the royal family. One child is born blind, the other a child with albinism. The nobility is at first aghast, for these are not “normal” children. Nonetheless, the burning throne claims both children as heirs. A third child, the daughter of an outcast brother of the regent, is presented. The burning throne accepts her too, but the royal family doesn’t, and her father swears revenge. The story sets itself to be a fight for the throne between […]

Posted April 3, 2019 in Reviews // 0 Comments //