REVIEW: CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Publishing Information: Paperback;
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press; 28 February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9827139-4-5
Series: Book 2 in the Cassa series
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…"

It seems like just yesterday when I reviewed the debut novel from Cavanaugh, CassaStar. and I remember liking the book as it was a great debut and had lots of room for sequels and further adventures. In this second installment, CassaFire, the story leaps ahead a few years to tell what feels like a completely different story, but with old friends.

When we catch up to our hero he has left his life of a frontline fighter pilot and taken up the less dangerous life of a shuttle pilot for a scientific vessel. Byron is haunted by his past and this is his way of dealing with the events from the first book. He is broken and damaged and doing his best to keep life in check. I really enjoyed Cavanaugh's writing in this book. The characters are deeper and the emotions are no longer just skin deep. A lot of new characters are added to the mix as well as some alien races that were missing from the first book. Byron has grown up and become responsible while still keeping his edge as the best pilot around.

Of course, CassaFire has action and Cavanaugh writes that well too. The battles are written much better this time around. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Cavanaugh's writing, if anything he has improved and told a tighter story with more complex characters. His craft has visibly improved. My only complaint is that there was a huge build up to a final confrontation and it didn't really live up to my expectations. That said it was still a satisfying conclusion and there is plenty of room for more action and adventure in the next installment.

As I stated in my first review for CassaStar, CassaFire is a great book perfect for someone looking for a light space adventure with a great characters and story. Highly Recommended. CassaFire is available next Tuesday.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7.5/10
Style  7/10

Overall  7.5/10

REVIEW: Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington

Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington
Publishing Information: Paperback; 24 March 2011
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN 10: 0316087343
ISBN 13: 978-0316087346
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "As the witch-pyres of the Spanish Inquisition blanket Renaissance Europe in a moral haze, a young African slave finds herself the unwilling apprentice of an ancient necromancer. Unfortunately, quitting his company proves even more hazardous than remaining his pupil when she is afflicted with a terrible curse. Yet salvation may lie in a mysterious tome her tutor has hidden somewhere on the war-torn continent.

She sets out on a seemingly impossible journey to find the book, never suspecting her fate is tied to three strangers: the artist Niklaus Manuel Deutsch, the alchemist Dr. Paracelsus, and a gun-slinging Dutch mercenary. As Manuel paints her macabre story on canvas, plank, and church wall, the apprentice becomes increasingly aware of the great dangers that surround her. She realizes she must revisit the fell necromancy of her childhood . . . or death will be the least of her concerns..."

When Bullington's The Sad Tales of the Brother's Grossbart arrived on bookshelves, I quickly ordered it and then devoured the novel as it was something fresh and yet spoke to the darker side of what I imagined the middle ages were. In Enterprise of Death, Bullington returns to that dark time in human history. This time around, we have a young woman as the protagonist and I think Bullington did an excellent job of bringing her to life. She seemed plausible and real. She is joined by a small group of individuals that help her and slip in and out of her life. However, they really had a hard time capturing my imagination and as I continued to read, I found myself loosing interest in the quest and the cast.

It is probably why I can't give a shining review of Enterprise of Death. my interest began to wane half-way through the story. Where his debut novel had great characters, Enterprise of Death's cast is lackluster at best. The plot is interesting, but without really caring about anyone in the story, I found myself drifting on to other thoughts. While I can't recommend The Sad Tale of the Brother's Grossbart high enough, I have to say stay away from this particular novel. Enterprise of Death just does not keep you interested.

With that said, I do look forward to Bullington's next novel what ever that novel may be. He is very talented but Enterprise of Death was not an entertaining read for me and that is what I look for in a novel.

Plot 7/10
Characters 4/10
Style 5/10

Overall 5/10

REVIEW: King of Plagues (Joe Ledger #3) by Jonathan Maberry Kindle Edition

King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry
Publishers Information: Kindle
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffen
ISBN 10: 0312382502
ISBN 13: 978-0312382506
ASIN: B004H1TM1Q
Series: Book 3 In the Joe Ledger Series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Reeling from the tragedy at the end of Ledger The Dragon Factory, Joe is pulled back into the DMS after the Royal London Hospital is destroyed in a terrorist attack. The group The Seven Kings is responsible, and they hit with more attacks, paralleling the seven plagues of Egypt, and go after Ledger and the DMS."

It has been a while since I last checked in with Maberry's Joe Ledger, but I am glad I did. Ledger has faced off against lab created zombies and human/animal hybrids already but after the death of his beloved he is drawn back in to face the latest threat, the biblical plagues from Egypt. Even with Ledger reeling from the loss of his girlfriend, he does his best to get back to work and stop the bad guys from taking over the world.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this particular novel was one chapter was sent in the present day while the next was set at the very beginning as the plans for global domination by the evil group known as the Kings begins to take shape. It allowed us a glimpse behind the curtain as recent events caught up with the past. While not exactly a mystery it did have a fairly mysterious feel to it. It was a nice effect and if the action won't keep you reading late at night (and it will) then the mystery should. However, when things are finally revealed, I did feel as though the big "secret" could have been kept a little longer as it lessened the impact of the ending, but only slightly.

The Kings are an eclectic bunch of individuals and their individual motivations for being apart of the group is interesting none are more interesting than the Queen, who heads the group and her lover, Sebastian Gault. Between the mystery that is the queen and Gault (and Toys) we have several worthy opponents for Ledger to tackle. Those of you Ledger faithful may recall that Gault and Toys have a history with our hero Joe.

Joe also has a new partner, Shadow, his well trained canine companion. It was a nice addition to the story line and something you rarely see in our adventure books these days. Shadow's introduction into the series is great. As a huge dog lover I thought it was a perfect fit and partner for Joe. There are also a few more new characters that have been added to the series and I look forward to learning more about them as the series continues. The story should continue as there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. Fans of the series should enjoy these newest edition to the legend that is Ledger. Recommended.

Plot 8/10
Characters 8.5/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye by Michael McClung

The Thief who Spat in Luck's Good Eye by Michael McClung

Publishing information: 14, 647 words (apporximate) Free at Smashmouth

Publisher: Smashmouth

ISBN 10: N/A

ISBN 13: N/A

Standalone

Copy: Given by Author: free copy at Smashmouth

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Thief Who Spat In Luck's Good Eye is a free, stand-alone novella that introduces readers to the characters and the world of THAGOTH, the Del Rey Digital first novel competition winner published by Random House:

In the proud tradition of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser comes a new team of daring, quick-witted heroes in a swashbuckling sword and sorcery adventure. . . .

Amra is a thief with morals—she won’t steal from anyone poorer than she is. Fortunately, anybody that poor generally doesn’t have much worth stealing! Holgren is a mage with a distaste for magic and a soul bartered away to dark powers who will transport him to an eternity of torment on the instant of his death. Together they embark on a quest for the fabled city of Thagoth, where the secret of immortality is rumored to be hidden.

But Amra and Holgren aren’t the only ones after the secret. Many others seek to utilize the hidden magic for their own twisted ends. And waiting in the ruined city with dark plans for the world are the twin gods Tha-Agoth and Athagos, a brother and sister whose illicit passion is as destructive and vengeful as they are.

Now, as potent sorceries clash in a violent struggle for dominion over all that lives, Amra and Holgren face a choice between the unthinkable and the unbearable—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. . . ."

A little while ago I read and reviewed the anthology Flesh and Bone: Rise of the Necromancers and one short story that stood out from all the rest was Michael McClung's All the World's a Grave. So, when the author had another short story coming out he asked me to take a look at it. I am glad he did. The Thief Who Spat in Good Luck's Eye has a classical fantasy feel to it. A female thief and a quirky but powerful sorcerer teaming up to grab the ultimate prize. Everyone in the story is well written and seem real.

While the story is fairly quick to read it leaves you wanting more. McClung has an impressive ability to write compelling characters and a fast paced and action packed plot that never seems to let up. The only problem with this story is that it is far too short. Just when you find yourself hooked in to the world and the players it all comes to an end. While there may be more to come you just never know.

McClung has the ability to write a compelling story, it is just far too short for my liking. He needs to start writing full novels. When he does, there is no doubt that he will find himself on the bestsellers list. Highly recommended and since The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye is free, there is no reason not to download it and take a peek. To download click here.

Plot  9/10

Characters 9/10

Style 9/10

Overall 9/10

The Green Goblin That Could Have Been

I am a little late to the party on this one. But Amalgamated Dynamics released footage of the Green Goblin that was originally designed for the 2002 Sam Raimi Spider-man film. While I understood the reasons for the armored Goblin, this would have been completely awesome if they explained how he came to look this way which I think they could if they slowed that portion of the film down just a tad.

Musical Interlude: You, Me, and Optimus Prime

REVIEW: Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky

Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky
Publishing Information: ARC; Paperback
Publisher: Pyr; 320pgs
ISBN 10: 1616141999
ISBN 13: 978-1616141998
Series: Book 3 of the Shadow of the Apt series
Copy: Won in a contest
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Driven by the ghosts of the Darakyon, Achaeos has tracked the stolen Shadow Box to the marsh-town of Jerez, but he has only days before the magical box is lost to him forever. Meanwhile, the forces of the Empire are mustering over winter for their great offensive, gathering their soldiers and perfecting their new weapons. Stenwold and his followers have only a short time to gather what allies they can before the Wasp armies march again, conquering everything in their path. If they cannot throw back the Wasps this spring then the imperial black-and-gold flag will fly over every city in the Lowlands before the year’s end. In Jerez begins a fierce struggle over the Shadow Box, as lake creatures, secret police and renegade magicians compete to take possession. If it falls into the hands of the Wasp Emperor, however, then no amount of fighting will suffice to save the world from his relentless ambition."

The third novel in the Shadow's of the Apt series, Blood of the Mantis is not quite as good as The Empire of Blackand Gold or Dragonfly Falling, the first to novels in the series, mainly because it is a novel that is bridging things that are to come. A few questions are answered and resolved but overall this is another book to set up conflicts for later books. With book four, Salute the Dark, finishing up the first story arc. This book look to tie up some loose ends and set things up.

In Blood of the Mantis the magical and mysterious Shadow Box takes front and center. Achaeos is obsessed with obtaining the box and the wasp army is also hot on the boxes trail. Even though Achaeos takes center stage there is still not a lot of forthcoming knowledge about his character brought out. Truth be told there is very little character development for any of the players in the series. We do go to a few new locations and meet a few new kinden but nothing earth shattering or exciting.

The pacing of the novel is slower than what readers are used to from the series. Considering that this is a book that sets things up for things to come it is expected. There is a decent build up for the showdown that should occur in the next book, which I plan to read soon. While I was a bit disappointed with this novel, I also now that from word of mouth that the series is worth continuing and that Thaikovsky has many tricks up his sleeve. This novel is necessary as the things that occur in it are needed to continue the story but one cannot help if some of it could have been edited into some of the previous novels and still kept the action we come to expect moving. That said, it is still a book worth checking out. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10