The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri exceeded all my expectations. Its politics, setting, characters, and magic all hit the right notes for me. This book about power, resistance, and the cost of being a ruler is magnificent fantasy. Highly recommended for fantasy fans.
Fantasy
Review: Master of the Revels
Master of the Revels by Nicole Galland is a welcome return to the world of D.O.D.O. This fun story recaptured all the joy D.O.D.O. brought us. New missions and new characters make this a must read for D.O.D.O. fans. Highly recommended.
Review: The Seventh Perfection
As a reader, there's no better feeling than finding the right book at the right time. It's as if the world has aligned to let us experience a sublime moment that sadly is all too fleeting. Daniel Polansky's The Seventh Perfection found me at the right time. In short, I loved this book. TL;DR Daniel … Continue reading Review: The Seventh Perfection
Review: Amberlough by Lara Elena Donelly
Amberlough kicks off a spy series set in a Jazz Age equivalent world. The setting and language make this series opener fresh and exciting while the characters pull the reader into the story. Highly recommended!
Review: Redemption’s Blade
While stories can be solely for escape, they also ask and answer questions that are too ghastly to be explored in real life. Even though fiction asks many questions, it sticks to certain ones, and others are ignored. In Fantasy, the war to end the evil empire is common, but rarer are the stories that … Continue reading Review: Redemption’s Blade
Review: Trade Deal (Born to the Blade S1E5)
The dust settled with Kris as a new Warder. Trade Deal, episode five of Born to the Blade, returns to the political jockeying that makes Twaa-fei so interesting. The consequences of The Gauntlet begin here. Trade Deal by Malka Older is the fifth episode of Serial Box’s Born to the Blade series. TL;DR Trade Deal … Continue reading Review: Trade Deal (Born to the Blade S1E5)
Review: The Gauntlet (Born to the Blade S1E4)
The Gauntlet awaits Kris Denn. Will they succeed and take their place as part of the Warder’s Circle? Or will they fail, which means Rumika must wait a decade to challenge again? Episode four of Serial Box’s Born to the Blade series focuses on the warder candidate and their trial. In order to join the … Continue reading Review: The Gauntlet (Born to the Blade S1E4)
Review: Baby Shower (Born to the Blade S1E3)
Baby Shower continues the excellent story being told in Born to the Blade. This third episode does indeed feature a baby shower that is political not friendly. Baby Shower focuses on character interaction and builds on the subtleties of episode two, Fault Lines. TL;DR Baby Shower is another enjoyable entry in the saga of Born … Continue reading Review: Baby Shower (Born to the Blade S1E3)
Review: Fault Lines (Born to the Blade S1E2)
In Episode Two of Serial Box’s latest series, politics, world-building, and a party feature. Where episode one, Arrivals, opened the world and the set the stage, episode two, Fault Lines by Marie Brennan, deepens the world while ratcheting up the politicking. Episode two solidifies Born to the Blade as a fun series worth reading. TL;DR … Continue reading Review: Fault Lines (Born to the Blade S1E2)
Review: Arrivals (Born to the Blade S1E1)
Serialized stories are not new. Magazines often published novels and stories in parts, but this form of storytelling fell out of popularity as audiences switched to novels. Novellas and novelettes also declined in popularity, but in the past few years, the form has gotten renewed interest. So, why not serialized stories? Serial Box is answering … Continue reading Review: Arrivals (Born to the Blade S1E1)