Falling Free Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Publisher: Baen Books
Genre: Space Opera, Science Fiction
Series: Vorkosigan Saga Book Four (Publishing Order)
Pages: 307

(May contain spoilers for Vorkosigan Saga Books 1-3).

Leo Graf has been a stellar engineer for GalacTech the past few decades. He has now been newly assigned to Cay Habitat, a part of the free fall station orbiting the mining colony Rodeo. Here Graf is tasked with educating GalacTech's newest genetic creation: the Quaddies. These four armed humans have been genetically modified to have a significant working advantage in zero gravity. But that may be just the problem, as GalacTech and Cay Habitat manager Bruce Van Atta only see the Quaddies as "post-fetal experimental tissue cultures."

The Familiar Volume Five Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Mark Z. Danielewski
Publisher: Pantheon
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Familiar Volume Five: Redwood
Pages: 880

(Spoilers for The Familiar Volume's 1-4)

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

Oathbringer Book Review

by The Wanderer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Stormlight Archive Book Three
Pages: 1,220

(Spoilers for Stormlight Archives 1-2 and Warbreaker are below).

With the Everstorm released, a new Desolation has begun. Dalinar Kholin and the Alethi armies now occupy the once lost great city of Urithiru. There he realizes he must not only unite the Alethi but all of Roshar if he is to defeat Odium and the Voidbringers. But the cause of the Voidbringers may not be unjust, as Kaladin tries to infiltrate their numbers and learn more about their mission. The murder of Brightlord Sadaes also stands to tear apart the Alethi, and Adolin and Shallan are tasked with investigating it, along with a string of other bizarrely occurring murders.

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 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.

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

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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 Handmaid's Tale Book Review

by The Wanderer 

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

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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.

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. 

The Heroes Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Joe Abercrombie
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy
Series: First Law Standalone
Pages: 592

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So you love war. I used to think you were a decent man. But I see now I was mistaken. You're a hero.

(Spoilers for First Law Trilogy and Best Served Cold are below).

In the North, along site an ancient set of rocks known as the Heroes, a battle is about to be fought between the men of the North and the men of the Union.  

The Lions of Al-Rassan Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Guy Gavriel Kay
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Pages: 528

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She saw a good man raise his sword, and she saw a good man fall.

In Al-Rassan the ruling Asharites have been splintered into city states. The Asharite King of Cartada, Almalik, and his notorious advisor the great warrior and poet Ammar ibn Khairan, once close, are now at odds after a brutal summer day. North of the Asharites are the followers of Jad, who are splintered into three different kingdoms. Their most celebrated military commander, Rodrigo Belmonte, has been exiled and driven south. Jehane bet Ishak, a skilled Kindath physician, soon finds herself caught up in the events that will shape the world she lives in.

Best Served Cold Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Joe Abercrombie
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy
Series: First Law Standalone
Pages: 634

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In Styria Duke Orso has been waging war with the League of Eight for almost two decades. With his complete victory drawing near, his success is largely thanks to employing one of the lands most fearsome mercenaries, Monzcarro Murcatto. As Monza claims victory after victory, Orso grows jealous and orders her killed. Dropped down the side of a mountain and left for dead she begins her recovery, and with a small band of killers, begins plotting her revenge.

Jerusalem Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Alan Moore
Publisher: Liveright
Genre: Literary Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Pages: 1,266

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May 26th, 2006, is the date of Alma Warren's latest art exhibition. Inspired by the twisted dreams of her younger brother Mick, this art exhibition is poised to make an impact in both the worlds of the living and the dead.

The Obelisk Gate Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: N.K. Jemisin
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Broken Earth Book Two
Pages: 448

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(Contains spoilers for The Fifth Season).

A new season has started, one that is believed will have no end. Essun has found shelter with a comm, but she has not found her daughter. Alibaster, Essun's former teacher, has vital training for her, training that could change their world forever. Nassun is being taken by her father to the far side of the world where he believes he can have her cured of being an orogene. 

The Familiar Volume Three Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Mark Z. Danielewski
Publisher: Pantheon
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Familiar Volume Three: Honeysuckle and Pain
Pages: 880

Buy on Amazon!

(Spoilers for The Familiar Volumes 1 - 2).

It just keeps getting better. Slowly ... but surely ... but strangely. Here is what the characters from The Familiar are currently up to ...

The Guns of Empire Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy
Series: Shadow Campaigns Book Four
Pages: 464

Buy on Amazon!


With all immediate threats to Vordan removed, Queen Raesinia Orboan wishes to make peace with her once enemies. But First Consul Janus bet Vhalnich has other plans, and he won't stop until Elysium and the Black Pontifex are defeated, even if he has to march across the vast Murnskai Empire to do so. For Winter Ihernglass and Marcus D'Ivoire this upcoming war means choosing between their loyalty to the crown, or the general that's won them every battle.

The Lies of Locke Lamora Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Scott Lynch
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Gentleman Bastard Book One
Pages: 719

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I Only Steal Because My Dear Old Family Needs Money To Live 

Locke Lamora is an orphan in the corrupt city of Camorr. Growing up a small-time pick-pocket with reckless ambition, he eventually becomes known as The Thorn of Camorr, a master thief. Working with his small team of Gentleman Bastards, he serves the city's crime lord Barsavi, paying him a pittance, while working on larger and grander heists involving the city's nobility. Locke's successes are put in danger when Barsavi and his underground empire goes to war with a new powerful presence styling himself as the Gray King.

The Wheel of Osheim Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Mark Lawrence
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Epic Fantasy,
Series: Red Queen's War Book Three
Pages: 515

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Something is wrong in Osheim. A turning wheel is bringing the world closer to ultimate destruction. Traveling through hell, Snorri Ver Snagason looks to reunite with his family, while his companion Jalan Kendeth just wishes to escape hell in one piece. The world they hope to return to one day may just need both of them to save it.

Mistborn Secret History Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Mistborn Novella
Pages: 120

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A New People, Familiar Leader

(Contains spoilers for The Original Mistborn Trilogy and Wax and Wayne Books 1- 3) This Should Not Be Read Until You Read All Of Those Books

The Mistborn world is getting big. But never has a larger picture been clearly hinted at or expressed at until the release of this short novella. Nearly ten years in the making - and believe me that amount of time shows - Brandon Sanderson makes the most significant developments to this world since the conclusion of The Hero of Ages.

This is a must read for any Mistborn or Cosmere fan.