Tagged: epic fantasy
Cover Reveal: Diviner’s Fate by Nicolette Andrews
The man Maea loved is gone. Johai has been possessed both body and soul by the specter. The newly possessed Johai has not wasted time as Maea discovers through the link they seem to share. Johai is plotting with the Biski to start war against the kingdoms. In order to prevent the coming war, Maea goes south to the wilds where the Biski tribes reign in order to search out the Oracle, the only person who seems to know how to help Maea perfect her powers.
The prophecy has awoken and the prophesized day is fast approaching. Everything Maea has learned in her journey will guide her to the final meeting between Johai and herself. The age old battle between the diviners and the specter will end with her. Only one may live. Is Maea ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for love?
Other books in the series designed by Nadica Boskovska
Diviner’s Prophecy, Book One, is FREE on Amazon and B&N!
Nicolette Andrews lives in beautiful Southern California with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of the Diviner’s Trilogy and other works of fantasy. She’s been know to often escape into world of fantasy and has happily been playing make-believe her entire life. When she is not writing, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and numerous outdoor activities, including hiking and camping.
Spotlight: The Path of the Fallen by Dan O’Brien
Spotlight is my weekly Saturday feature in which I highlight a book I really enjoyed or am eagerly awaiting. This week I want to draw attention to a book that was excellent despite being slightly outside my comfort zone: The Path of the Fallen by Dan O’Brien.
Set against the backdrop of the tundra and a world desperate for hope, the journey of a young man, E’Malkai, will come to define a realm that has been broken by an evil that does not sleep. A bitter betrayal, and the inception of a war that will consume the world, forces E’Malkai to confront the past and undertake a pilgrimage that is his by birthright. Follow him on his journey and be transformed.
As you’ve probably noticed, while I read a lot of fantasy, not much of it would be considered epic fantasy. And certainly none of it would be classified as epic fantasy/science fiction crossover. That’s why I considered The Path of the Fallen out of my comfort zone. It took me a while to get used to the unusual names like E’Malkai and the background of Dan O’Brien’s strange world, but once I did I really enjoyed his book.
Dan O’Brien’s world was well thought out and was a compelling mixture of typical epic fantasy tropes like swords and huge battles but also of science fiction elements like spaceships and lasers. Truly, it’s the best of both genres. The best part? The reason for the mixture actually makes sense when you look at the history of the world. However, the best part of The Path of the Fallen is the characters. E’Malkai isn’t your typical angsty coming-of-age protagonist and *gasp* behaves maturely most of the time because this is more of an adult novel. Fe’rein (the villain) isn’t as fleshed-out as I would have liked him to be, but he does make for a great antagonist.
I’d definitely recommend The Path of the Fallen to anyone who enjoys fantasy or science fiction.
The Path of the Fallen by Dan O’Brien
(Cover picture courtesy of a page on ASMSG Author’s Books that does not exist anymore.)
Set against the backdrop of the tundra and a world desperate for hope, the journey of a young man, E’Malkai, will come to define a realm that has been broken by an evil that does not sleep. A bitter betrayal, and the inception of a war that will consume the world, forces E’Malkai to confront the past and undertake a pilgrimage that is his by birthright. Follow him on his journey and be transformed.
[Full disclosure: Dan O’Brien sent me a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
After not reading epic fantasy for a very, very long time, I had a hard time getting into The Path of the Fallen, even if it’s a mixture of science fiction and fantasy. Still, as the pieces of the narrative fell together and we got a bigger picture of E’Malkai’s world, I began to really get into the book.
The Path of the Fallen is, quite simply, not a book for everyone. Avid readers of epic fantasy will love it for its unique ideas and the combination of technology and magic. However, if you don’t read fantasy as a rule, it’s probably best to read some so you can keep up with all of the names, the rich history and the complicated plot. I personally had a hard time keeping track of all of the names in the beginning because they all seemed to have apostrophes in them or were unpronounceable (although the main characters have reasonable names). But once you get into the book and learn the personalities of the characters, the names won’t distract you at all.
What I liked most about The Path of the Fallen was the fact that there was technology in an epic fantasy novel. This is not your regular swords-and-dragons epic fantasy, oh no! Dan O’Brien has crafted a new world based on both technology and magic and it blends well together. What explanation does he have for this interesting mix? A very good one that makes complete sense in the context of the book, as it turns out. Although there’s not much science, per se, I would still classify this as a fantasy/sci-fi crossover novel.
E’Malkai is actually a hero I can identify with. No, he doesn’t experience a lot of Young Hero Angst, but he does deal with inner struggles as well as his outer struggles. He’s sympathetic because he really does try to do the right thing, even at a cost to himself. The villain, Fe’rein is not your stereotypical black-wearing, mustache-twirling fiend, but he’ll never be among my list of best villains either. Still, he does have depth and a believable backstory, so I’ll give Dan O’Brien props for that. And for keeping track of all the plot lines and mostly tying them up without going for the cliché completely happy ending.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
(Cover picture courtesy of The Akamai Reader.)
The land of Terre d’Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good…and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.
Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with a very special mission…and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel’s Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.
Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is a courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundation of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair…and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.
Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel’s Dart—a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.
Okay, you should not read this book or this review if you:
- Are under 16
- Thought Fifty Shades of Grey was too much to handle
- Think this book is only about sex
Trust me, Fifty Shades of Grey has absolutely nothing on this. You’ve been warned.
Yes, Kushiel’s Dart has sex in it. A lot of sex. Is that what it’s only about or is it even the main focus? No. That’s why it’s generally classified under ‘fantasy’ rather than ‘erotica’. You can read it for the sex, but you’ll enjoy it so much more if you read it for the characters, world-building and insanely complicated politics.
Jacqueline Carey’s world-building is fantastic. She has imagined a world in which the Roman Empire (called the Tiberian Empire now) executed a man called Yeshua ben Yosef whose blood mingled with the tears of the Magdalene and combined in the womb of Mother Earth. Thus Elua was born and he traveled around the known world with his companions, who eventually settled down in their respective areas, which are the different provinces and regions. The precept they passed on was, of course, ‘love as thou wilt’, which is why in most places the Servants of Naamah, the love goddess, are looked at with reverence and not disgust.
I’m vastly oversimplifying things here, but that’s the gist of the origin of Terre d’Ange and the other countries. Kushiel’s Dart takes place in an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire still fell, but the aftermath was very, very different. Terre D’ange, Skaldia, Alba…these countries are all so vividly described that you can picture yourself there. They all have different traditions and cultures, which shows the true depth of Jacqueline Carey’s world-building.
Kushiel’s Dart is over 900 pages and while you may think that’s excessive, I will tell you for the most part, it was necessary. Phèdre’s backstory was well established and when she is fully grown, we are able to understand the world she lives in and can actually follow the complicated politics of Terre d’Ange. Trust me, I wouldn’t call them complicated if they weren’t, but they really are. Kushiel’s Dart is a book where you need to pay attention to every detail, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. It’s also a book you can read over and over again and still discover something you hadn’t noticed before.
Phèdre herself is a great character. She can be ruled by her desire for pain/pleasure, snobby about other cultures and jealous of Alcuin. But she is very intelligent and when she experiences the cultures of the Skaldi and Albans she gives up her preconceived notions about them. Yes, she can be jealous of Alcuin at times, but she never really shows her jealousy and feels bad about it because Alcuin is her friend. It is Phèdre who makes the book and without a narrator as strong as her, even the best world-building wouldn’t save Kushiel’s Dart.
So if you’re looking for an intelligent, well developed world with a great narrator that just happens to have some sex in it, you’ll love Kushiel’s Dart.
I give this book 5/5 stars.