The Familiar Volume Four Book Review

by The Wanderer
Author: Mark Z. Danielewski
Publisher: Pantheon
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Familiar Volume Four: Hades
Pages: 880

(Contains spoilers for The Familiar Volumes 1 - 3).

Here is what the characters from The Familiar are currently up to ... 

Arcanum Unbounded Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Cosmere Short Story and Novella Collection
Pages: 673

Arcanum Unbounded is a compilation of all the Brandon Sanderson novellas and short stories that have been released up until 2016. Each set of stories comes with a brief introduction to the planetary system the world is taking part in. As a collection of stories, these are pretty essential to anyone who's deciding to read through the Cosmere.

In our review each short story is given a brief synopsis, analysis, and score.  The final score you see at the top of the review is an aggregate of all nine stories.

Aggregate Score: 7.7

Warbreaker Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Cosmere
Pages: 669

In T'Telir the capital of the Hallandren The God King and the Returned rule over the people. All powerful and containing the magic of Breath, a magic that can sustain agelessness, and gives it's users the ability to create awakenings, he prepares to fight the Idrian's, the original family that ruled over Hallandren three centuries past. But looking to prevent war, The God King drafted an agreement to marry the Idrian king's daughter after she passed the age of twenty, and now that time has come.

The Idrian King doesn't want to send his oldest daughter Vivenna, who's been trained for this role since birth. So instead he sends his youngest, Siri, in her place. Vivenna, who now feels displaced in the world decides to travel to T'Telir to rescue her, while Siri must try to survive in a culture she was never prepared to survive in.

Once Upon A Time In The North Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: His Dark Materials Novella
Pages: 144

(Spoilers for His Dark Materials are below).

Twenty-Four year old Lee Scoresby has recently won a hot-air balloon in a game of chance. Since then he's been sailing around the world working freelance. During this particular adventure, he ends up in Novy Odense, a town in the North that has an important election coming up. This election could determine how that town's politics will benefit the wealthy oil contractors that have been slowly discovering more oil and with it more power, and it could have detrimental effects with the local polar bear populations .

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.

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.

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?

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.

Devices and Desires Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: K.J. Parker
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Engineer Trilogy Book One
Pages: 672

The Mezentine Empire is the most powerful empire in the known world, and the key to its success has been its advanced technological innovations, which are designed to the strictest of specifications. Violating these specifications is a death sentence, and a death sentence is what Ziani Vaatzes, a Mezentine factory manager, receives when he tries to build a toy for his young daughter that doesn't follow specification. 

Driven by the desire to reunite with his wife and daughter, Ziani begins to draw up his revenge, a revenge that will require the blood of thousands of innocents if it is at all to succeed.

The Forever War Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Joe Haldeman
Publisher: Orion Books
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Series: Standalone
Pages: 236

In the 1990's William Mandella joins the United Nations Exploratory Force and begins training for a war against a recently discovered alien species, the Taurans. As the war rages on for centuries, William begins to lose touch with everything about the planet he decide to fight and serve for.

Sharp Ends Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Joe Abercrombie

Publisher: Orbit Books
Genre: Grimdark
Series: First Law
Pages: 290

(Spoilers for The First Law Trilogy, Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country are below).

Sharp Ends is a collection of short stories by Joe Abercrombie that are set in the First Law world. A lot of these events are concurrent with the events happening in the other First Law books, and it's highly recommended that all six First Law books be read before tackling this collection of short stories.

In our review each short story is given a brief synopsis, analysis, and score.  The final score you see at the top of the review is an aggregate of all 13 short stories.

Score: 8.6

All The Birds In The Sky Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Charlie Jane Anders
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Science Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Pages: 320

Buy on Amazon!

Childhood outcasts Laurence and Patricia can only find refuge from a world of bullying and torment with each other. But as people they couldn't be more different, with Laurence's interest in computers and technology and Patricia's desire to become a witch, will their relationship survive as their respective interests lead them on two very different paths?

The Stone Sky Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: N.K. Jemisin
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Broken Earth Book Three
Pages: 464

Buy on Amazon!

This Fifth Season may be the planet's last. But after seizing control of the Obelisk Gate from opposite ends of the world, Essun and Nassun are now aware that the moon's coming back into orbit. Both mother and daughter don't agree on what should be done with this knowledge as one wishes to use it to save the world while the other wishes to destroy it.

The Witchwood Crown Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Tad Williams
Publisher: DAW
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: The Last King of Osten Ard Book One
Pages: 736

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(Spoilers for The Heart of What Was Lost and Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn are below).

Over three decades have passed since the defeat of Ineluki the Storm King, and the Norns' retreat into their mountain stronghold of Nakkiga. King Simon and Queen Miriamele continue their long reign over Osten Ard, but new troubles are stirring. Many of the kingdoms they've ruled over are now all rife with internal conflicts that are threatening to break apart their kingdom, their Sithi allies have all but been silent, and Utuk' ku the Norn Queen has just re-awoken and is planning on continuing her war against humanity, if only she can recover the mysterious artifact known as the Witchwood Crown.

The Heart of What Was Lost Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Tad Williams
Publisher: DAW Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series:  A Novel of Osten Ard
Pages: 210

The Heart of What Was Lost (Osten Ard)

(Contains spoilers for Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn).

With the Hayholt saved, and the Storm King defeated, and Queen Utuk-ku in a coma like state, the Norns retreat to Nakkiga, their final stronghold in the mountains. Duke Isgrimnur and an army of Rimmersman begin to pursue the Norns and annihilate them so they may never attack the land of mortals again.

The Courts of Chaos Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Roger Zelazny
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Chronicles of Amber Book Five
Pages: 189

Buy on Amazon!

(Spoilers for the four previous Chronicles of Amber are below).

Corwin is in a bit of a depressed state after discovering he's been a pawn of his father Oberon, who had been masquerading as his best friend Ganelon. Oberon now begins to plan on fixing the Pattern, while Benedict calls upon all of brothers and sisters in an attempt to delay an attack from the Courts of Chaos. Corwin is tasked with bringing the Jewel of Judgment to change the tides of the battle, but to get there he must traverse the entire length of the multiverse all while his brother Brand hunts him and tries to steal the jewel.

The Hand of Oberon Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Roger Zelazny
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Chronicles of Amber Book Four
Pages: 181

Buy on Amazon!

(This review contains spoilers for the previous three Chronicles of Amber).

After discovering that the Amber Corwin has known all his life is not the true Amber, he decides it's time to learn more about the true Amber. As the threat of the Black Road continues to persist, Corwin begins to believe he may be able to solve this problem with the Jewel of Judgment and the original source of the Pattern.

Sign of the Unicorn Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Roger Zelazny
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Chronicles of Amber Book Three
Pages: 186

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(Spoilers for the first two Chronicles of Amber are below).

Eric has died, and the Jewel of Judgment is now Corwin's. As regent of Amber, it appears Corwin has succeeded in finally achieving his goal, but shortly after Caine is murdered and Corwin's framed for the deed. In an effort to find out who framed him, Corwin decides it's time to find out what happened to his brother Brand, whether he's alive or dead.

The Guns of Avalon Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Roger Zelazny
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Chronicles of Amber Book Two
Pages: 180

Buy on Amazon!

Corwin has escaped the dungeons of Amber after failing to overthrow Eric and stop his coronation as ruler. But in his defeat, Corwin also laid a curse on Amber allowing creatures of darkness to pour into all the different Shadow worlds. Now on the run, Corwin wishes to return the Shadow world of Avalon where he believes he can find the necessary weapons to defeat the evil he has brought upon everyone, and of course to avenge his defeat by Eric.

Nine Princes in Amber Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Roger Zelazny
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Chronicles of Amber Book One
Pages: 175

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A man awaking from a coma with no memory of who he is or what he's done with his life discovers he is Corwin, a Prince of Amber. As a Prince of Amber he can manipulate shadows and conjure all sorts of sorcery, but his biggest problem is that his brother Eric wants him dead so that he alone can claim the empty throne from their world.

The Handmaid's Tale Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Margaret Attword
Publisher: McClelland and Stewart
Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
Series: Standalone
Pages: 311

Buy on Amazon!

After an attack wipes out most of the United States government, the Republic of Gilead is formed. Now the northeastern coast of the United States is controlled by a group of religious fanatics, and men have lost many of their rights, and women even more. Disease has made conception difficult, and now most women are valued for their ovaries. Offred is one of these valued women, and as a Handmaid, her daily routines are strictly controlled. As Offred dreams of her past before Gilead's conception, she hopes to one day regain her freedom.

Watership Down Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Richard Adams
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Pages 484

Buy on Amazon!

When the prophetic rabbit Fiver believes that his rabbit's warren is soon to meet its demise, he convinces his brother Hazel to lead an exodus of rabbits to form their own new warren. But rabbits aren't great at distance traveling, and there are many dangers along the way. And even if the rabbits do find a home, can they maintain the peace with rabbits from nearby warrens?

Red Country Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Joe Abercrombie
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy
Series: First Law Standalone
Pages: 480

(Spoilers for the First Law Trilogy, Best Served Cold, and The Heroes are below).

Shy South has escaped her past, and settled as a merchant. But when war with the Union comes to her land, and her younger brother and sister are taken, she must set out after them. Accompanying her is her coward of a stepfather Lamb, a nine fingered Northman with a secret past of his own. For Temple, a lawyer now serving under infamous soldier of fortune Nicomo Cosca, he desires to live an honest life, but that's not to be found as a mercenary. 

Red Sister Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Mark Lawrence
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Book of the Ancestor Book One
Pages: 480

Buy on Amazon!

Saved moments from being dropped from the gallows, Nona Grey a child of nine, is recruited into the Convent of Sweet Mercy by Sister Glass. At the Convent she is trained in the arts of killing, and will one day be required to serve the church. But her crimes have attracted powerful enemies and even the safety of the Convent may not be enough to protect her.

Assassin's Fate Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Robin Hobb
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Fitz and the Fool Book Three
Pages: 864

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(Spoilers for the Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, Tawny Man Trilogy, Rain Wild Chronicles, Fool's Assassin, and Fool's Quest are below).

Believing his daughter to be dead, Fitz, the Fool, and a small group of allies have traveled to the Elderling city of Kelsingra as the first destination on their longer journey to Clerres. Once they reach their destination, they plan on killing all the Servants. Unbeknownst to Fitz, Bee is still alive and also heading to Clerres where she can be raised as the next "Servant Controlled" white prophet.

Fool's Quest Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Robin Hobb
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Fitz and the Fool Book Two
Pages: 786

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(Spoilers for the Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, Tawny Man Trilogy, Rain Wild Chronicles, and Fool's Assassin are below).

After mistaking his best friend the Fool as a threat to his daughter, FitzChivalry Farseer has returned the Fool and himself back to Buckkeep Castle for an emergency healing. In his absence his home Withywoods was attacked by the Servants of Clerres who had been pursuing the Fool. As a result his daughter Bee has been abducted, and Fitz is none the wiser. 

Fool's Assassin Book Review

by The Wanderer 

Author: Robin Hobb
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Fitz and the Fool Book One
Pages: 706

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(Spoilers for the Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, Tawny Man Trilogy, and the Rain Wild Chronicles are below).

At 47 years of age, FitzChivalry Farseer is finally living the life he's always wanted to live. Married to the love of his life Molly, and retired to peace and quiet at his stepmother's home of Withywoods, Fitz spends his days embracing the ordinary and non-political life of being a Farseer. But over the next thirteen years, Fitz will be unable to escape his past, and when it finally catches up with him, the consequences will be dire.