Book Review: Undone - Outcast Season Series by Rachel Caine

Undone by Rachel Caine

Outcast Season Series, book 1

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rachel Caine has managed to intricately weave a secondary viewpoint story line that seamlessly follows along the main story arcs of her amazing Weather Warden series, written like an Epic fantasy, split into different books instead of combined.

Though I am still waiting for a true epic multiple viewpoint and story arc Urban fantasy this is very close, I think that what little was missing in the scope and 'epicness' of the Weather Wardens, is fulfilled with this secondary series.

As much as I loved Joanne and the main characters of the Weather Wardens, I think the author has improved, the story by not relying on the typical urban fantasy snarky "I can beat up the bad guys, make humorous comments, and still wear great heels" heroine. With Cassiel we get a strong heroine with flaws and real internal conflicts.

The only negative is that the book it too short feeling more like a novella that a full book, and talk about cliff-hangers!



Authors website: Rachel Caine

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Book Review: Ill Wind - Weather Warden Series by Rachel Caine

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Weather Warden Series 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series is one of the many series that has been sitting buried in my to-read list for too long.

Ill Wind, is the first book, in this unique urban fantasy, and once I started I could not stop and continued on to read the entire series. So my review is of the series as a whole. Short story - I absolutely loved it!

A true urban fantasy devoid of vampires, the author has woven a story that is part weather channel, part storm chasers and part epic fantasy.

The writing is so good, that I forgot I was reading Urban Fantasy at times, there is a tendency in this genre for strong characters and/or plots, but a simpler style of writing and world building where the magic and supernatural elements are involved. This book and series breaks that formula with well developed world-building, a strong magic system that is tied to the world and feels believable and probable, and all the foreshadowing and inter connections of an epic fantasy.

Links:
Rachel Caine


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Book Review: Unclean Spirits by M.L.N. Hanover

Unclean Spirits  by M.L.N. Hanover

Book 1 of The Black Sun's Daughter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was ok, I liked it enough and the world was interesting, but the character's were a bit thin and the relations between them somewhat unbelievable, it was difficult to believe the connections they made to each other, or to care much about those relationships.

M.L.N. Hanover is a pseudonym for fantasy writer Daniel Abraham.

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Book Review: Heart of the Mirage by Glenda Larke

Heart of the Mirage by Glenda Larke

Book 1 of Mirage Makers series 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading Glenda Larke's other series I finally got through my to read list to read this book. I really enjoyed the world-building and historical connections. The characters were not as engaging to me as I usually like, but overall I really enjoyed this book. My only regret is that I did not realize that the next 2 books in the series are not available in ebook format in the US.

Drawing from historical events and basing the language and culture on Ancient Rome, and what feels like a mix of the Australian outback and African deserts, Glenda Larke manages to weave a believable tale of self discovery, and magic while avoiding the standard fantasy trope of medieval Europe.

Authors website: Glenda Larke.

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Book Review: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Reckoners series, book 1

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic ..... To Quote Pat Rothfuss: "Steelheart is another win for Sanderson, proving that he's not a brilliant writer of epic fantasy, he's simply a brilliant writer. Period. "

The first book in Sanderson's Reckoners series, Steelheart is everything a book should be, it is well written, the action and pacing are intense, the world-building is phenomenal and the characters are engaging. But that is only the beginning of why this is a great book.

Sanderson manages to evoke the feeling of the old comics and classic Superhero's with a unique twist and the reality of what power really is and what it means to be a true hero.

Links:
Brandon Sanderson
Steelheart Portal


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Book Review: Carniepunk

Carniepunk Edited by Rob Thurman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Though many of the stories were a bit more towards the creepy and horror spectrum, something I do not usually read, I did enjoy this anthology of Urban fantasy carnival themed short stories.

Carniepunk is an Urban Fantasy anthology of creepy, mysterious, and, magical stories that take place in the dangerous world of the carnival. Featuring authors Rob Thurman, Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne, Mark Henry, Jaye Wells, Rachel Caine, Allison Pang, Hillary Jacques , Jennifer Estep, Kelly Meding, Nicole Peeler, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Gay, Seanan McGuire.

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