Book Release: The Aeronaut’s Windlass

The Aeronaut’s Windlass.  The Aeronaut’s Windlass is the first book in Jim Butcher's upcoming Steampunk series, The Cinder Spires.

To be released September 29, 2015.

Sample Chapters:

Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two

Chapter Three
Chapter Four

I received an early uncorrected proofs copy of this book from the GoodReads First Reads Program.


I was thrilled to get the chance to read a new Butcher series!

The ever wonderful, Butcher wit and dialogue, add to that ... Magic, steampunk, privateers, talking cats and airships!!!

With a touch of swashbuckling, The Aeronaut's Windlass is a bit magical, a bit off worldly, and all action.  It reminds me of the old high seas movies (or in this case high skies) with the ship to ship battles.

I will be re-reading this when it is released with the audiobook version.

Details:
Published September 29th 2015 by Roc

Jim Butcher’s The Aeronaut’s Windlass debuts at number 5. on the New York Times Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List for  Oct 11, 2015 - Oct 25, 2015.

Links:
Jim Butcher

Mark Lawrence: Fantasy: What's new?

Interesting blog on modern fantasy, by Mark Lawrence the author of
The Broken Empire series: Prince of Thorns, King of Thorns, Emperor of Thorns, & Prince of Fools.

Mark Lawrence: Fantasy: What's new?: Modern fantasy has increasingly taken the war between good and evil away from elves and orcs, staging it instead within an individual's skull. ....

Book Series Review: Bedlam's Bard

Bedlam's Bard series by Mercedes Lackey with Ellen Guon and Rosemary Edghill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars (Series Overall)

This was a re-read of the Bedlams's Bard series. I originally read these books, when they were first published, and devoured them as soon as each was published.

Urban fantasy before it was called Urban Fantasy. At the time I remember being entranced and thrilled with the changes and modernization of fantasy.

Years, Decades later this series still rings true, it is enjoyable, enchanting Mercedes Lackey. With a bit of magic, hard looks into cultures and places that were not so common in Fantasy books at the time, Just enough disturbing looks into real issues and the plight of runaways and children mixed with the good vs evil and struggles of not just the humans, but also the magical and Fae in this world.

I will say I was again a little disappointed when the world moved from the enchanting world of the Re-Faires to the streets of New York - breaking this into 2 series within one.

Books:
1. Knight of Ghosts and Shadows (1990) with Ellen Guon.
2. Summoned to Tourney (1992) with Ellen Guon.

3. Bedlam Boyz (1993) by Ellen Guon.
4. Beyond World's End (2000) with Rosemary Edghill.
5. Spirits White as Lightning (2001) with Rosemary Edghill.
6. Mad Maudlin (2003) with Rosemary Edghill.
7. Music to My Sorrow (2005) with Rosemary Edghill.
8. Bedlam's Edge  (2005) - Short Story Anthology, with Rosemary Edghill

Details:
Published between 1990 and 2005 by Baen Books

Series is part of the Elves on the Road universe, which also includes:

• Bedlam's Bard
• Diana Tregarde
• SERRAted Edge
• Doubled Edge

Links:
Mercedes Lackey

Rosemary Edghill

Ellen Guon ( as Ellen Beeman Game Credits)

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The Norse Mythology Blog: INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER SNOOK (AMERICAN HEATHENS),...

The Norse Mythology Blog: INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER SNOOK (AMERICAN HEATHENS),...: American Heathens by Jennifer Snook 

Sociologist Jennifer Snook's groundbreaking new book,
American Heathens: The Politics of Identity in a Pagan Religious Movement

Description

American Heathens is the first in-depth ethnographic study about the largely misunderstood practice of American Heathenry (Germanic Paganism). Jennifer Snook—who has been Pagan since her early teens and a Heathen since eighteen—traces the development and trajectory of Heathenry as a new religious movement in America, one in which all identities are political and all politics matter.

Snook explores the complexities of pagan reconstruction and racial, ethnic and gender identity in today’s divisive political climate. She considers the impact of social media on Heathen collectivities, and offers a glimpse of the world of Heathen meanings, rituals, and philosophy.

In American Heathens, Snook presents the stories and perspectives of modern practitioners in engaging detail. She treats Heathens as members of a religious movement, rather than simply a subculture reenacting myths and stories of enchantment. Her book shrewdly addresses how people construct ethnicity in a reconstructionist (historically-minded) faith system with no central authority.

Book Review: The Book of Phoenix

The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor

Who Fears Death Prequel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Book of Phoenix is the prequel to Nnedi Okorafor's World Fantasy Award-winning novel,  Who Fears Death.


Rarely do I read a prequel that surpasses the novel, but that is exactly what Nnedi Okorafor has done with The Book of Phoenix. This book is magical, it is a story tellers story.






Details:
Series: Who Fears Death
Published May 5th 2015 by DAW


Links:
Nnedi Okorafor

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Book Review: Boundary Crossed

Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Magic book 1

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book as a free Kindle First book. This is the first book I have read from this author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The story and world in Melissa Olsen's Boundary Crossed were unique, and interesting, definitely a great initial novel in a series.
I loved the concept and back story of the main character, US Army Sergeant Allison “Lex” Luther, and was thrilled to read an Urban Fantasy with a 30 something, ex-military female lead character. For once while reading a paranormal book, I did not have to suspend belief as a strong female protagonist, who kicks some Vampire butts and is not wearing high heels. ( Well except in the one scene, but then that was completely appropriate, and dialogue ensued on it! )

The major issue I had with the book, was also the protagonists age, at times I had to read back to double check, yep shes 30 ... but the dialogue certainly made her seem much younger, reading more like a younger person in a YA novel.

Details:
Series: Boundary Magic
Published May 1st 2015 by 47North
Links:
Melissa F. Olson

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Book Review: The Golem and the Jinni

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
George Guidall (Narrator)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow .... I stayed up too late to finish this one...
Review to follow later after I have had time to process.







Awards:

•  Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Debut Author Best Fantasy (2013) 
• James Tiptree Jr. Award Honor List (2013) 
• Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2013) 
• World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel (2014) 
• Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature (2014) 
• Harold U. Ribalow Prize for Jewish fiction (2014) 
• VCU Cabell First Novel Award (2014) 
• The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey “One Book, One Community” (2015) 

Details:
Published April 23rd 2013 by Harper Audio

Links:
Helene Wecker
Episode 141 of Speculate!–Helene Wecker Novel Review (The Golem and the Jinni) by GREG
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