Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Uncanny Collateral Does Not Break Any New Ground, But It Is Plenty Fun

Posted on January 19, 2021 by H.P.

Don’t expect Brian McClellan’s first foray into urban fantasy to blaze any new trails.  This is all ground well-trod by Jim Butcher, Larry Correia, and Richard Kadrey.  Which isn’t to say that Uncanny Collateral isn’t more than welcome.  But we … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Short Review Roundup – Falling Behind (Expectations) edition

Posted on June 25, 2019 by H.P.

The purpose of a book review blog is to publish book reviews.  (Look at me—courting controversy!)  I really feel like I have been slacking off around here.  I haven’t even really been reading that much (fantasy), but I have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Titanshade is a Meaty, Inventive Fantasy Noir

Posted on March 12, 2019 by H.P.

For a book set in a wildly inventive fantasy world, Titanshade feels damn real.  And not just because they have 8-track players.  Most of the characters fit into well-worn roles—jaded veteran cop, earnest rookie cop, angry police captain, dirty ex-cop, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Hero of the Ages Caps Brandon Sanderson’s Best Series

Posted on May 29, 2018 by H.P.

Brandon Sanderson completes the series that put him on the map with The Hero of the Ages, book 3 in his Mistborn trilogy.  To my mind, the Mistborn trilogy represents Sanderson’s best work, exceeding his more ambitious efforts in The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Fantasy | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Mistborn Trilogy Takes a Dark Turn with The Well of Ascension

Posted on May 8, 2018 by H.P.

Book 1 of the Mistborn series asks what happens when the dark lord wins.  Book 2 asks what happens when he is defeated.  The Well of Ascension is not an easy book to review without giving a lot of spoilers.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Fantasy | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Song of Blood & Stone is a Romance-Driven Fantasy with Rough Edges

Posted on May 1, 2018 by H.P.

Song of Blood & Stone caught me off balance.  Mostly I think because I wasn’t expecting the tech level.  I was expecting something more in the usual medieval vein, but Penelope’s secondary world has a level of technology somewhere in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Mistborn Opens Sanderson’s Best, and Most Original, Series

Posted on April 24, 2018 by H.P.

I picked up the Mistborn trilogy over the holidays in anticipation of reading Oathbringer.  The bad news is that Mistborn isn’t the Cosmere book tied in most closely to Oathbringer (that, apparently, is Warbreaker).  The good news is that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Fantasy | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Review of Tales of the Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson

Posted on December 26, 2017 by H.P.

Tales of the Thieftaker is a collection of short fiction about Jackson’s Ethan Kaille, a conjurer and thieftaker in colonial Boston.  There are ten short stories and one novella—the never before told story of the Ruby Blade mutiny (full TOC … Continue reading →

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Siege Line Is Satisfying as a Conclusion to Its Trilogy, If Not as Part of a Larger Universe

Posted on December 5, 2017 by H.P.

Siege Line is book 3 in Cole’s Shadow Ops: Reawakening prequel trilogy and his sixth book in the Shadow Ops universe.  I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of each, and it has been interesting … Continue reading →

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DNF Review of Hex-Rated by Jason Ridler

Posted on August 8, 2017 by H.P.

I had to request an ARC of Hex-Rated as soon as I saw the cover.  The snake, the woman tied to a post, the guy in a cheap blue suit, the font of the title…it’s a little lurid, it’s got … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 4 Comments