Monday, November 27, 2017

Lyra's Oxford Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: His Dark Materials Short Story
Pages: 80

(Spoilers for His Dark Materials are below).

While on the roof of Jordan college Lyra and her daemon Pan help rescue a witches daemon that's being attacked by birds. This daemon has flown across the world to deliver a message personally to Lyra, bringing her on another short adventure.

Monday, November 20, 2017

The Book of Dust Volume One: La Belle Sauvage Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: The Book of Dust Volume One
Pages: 464

(Spoilers for His Dark Materials are below).

Eleven year old Malcolm Polstead works and lives at his father's inn, The Trout, attends school, and enjoys paddling his canoe La Belle Sauvage, when he's not quietly observing the wide array of eclectic adults that enter his home. It's being at the center of all these adults, and a quiet observer, that soon lands him the task of becoming a spy. A dangerous proposition to be sure, but as a spy he soon discovers it's the six month old baby, Lyra Belacqua, who's being secretly taken care of by the Priory across the bridge, that's in even more danger.

Monday, November 13, 2017

The Escapement Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: K.J. Parker
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Engineer Trilogy Book Three
Pages: 436

(Contains spoilers for Devices and Desires and Evil for Evil below).

With their most recent army defeated in battle, no more mercenaries to hire, and a complete upheaval in their political system, the Mezentine Empire and its new leader Lucao Psellus are in a dire a scramble to defend their city from the oncoming horde of Aram Chantat, Eremians, and Vadani. Meanwhile, Duke Valens and Ziani Vaatzes are now putting the finishing touches on their revenge, but how many more sacrifices will have to be made?

Monday, November 6, 2017

Evil for Evil Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: K.J. Parker
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Engineer Trilogy Book Two
Pages: 704

(Contains spoilers for Devices and Desires below).

Ziani Vaatzes continues to plan on seeing his daughter and wife one day, and so far the loss of thousands of innocent lives in a war he helped fan the flames for isn't stopping him. 

After rushing into war with the Mezentine Empire to save the love of his life, Duke Valens and Civitas Vadanis are in trouble. With Ziani, Veatriz, and Orsea in tow, Valens must now plan to save his own lands from an imminent invasion by a technologically superior enemy.