REVIEW: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol. 1) by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
Publishing information: Paperback; 160 pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 1 April 2005
ISBN 10: 1401202209
ISBN 13: 978-1401202200
Series/ story arc
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In Public Enemies, a huge remnant of Superman's home planet, Krypton, menaces Earth. Lex Luthor, U.S. president in current Superman stories, accuses the Man of Steel of complicity in the threat and commissions a squadron of superheroes to bring him in."

I am a fan of Jeph Loeb's work, he tends to write a compelling story for the few graphic novels that have featured his writing. In this case we have to iconic superheroes, Superman and Batman. They both have the same goal to bring the guilty to justice. Superman the boy scout and Batman the ruthless detective team up when the President of the United States, Lex Luthor, accuses Superman of being the vanguard from Krypton who are planning to attack and enslave the Earth.

The only issue I really had with the concept was that Superman was a fairly well established hero at this time and why he would now change his stripes made very little sense to me but again it is a comic book so, some suspension of disbelief is required. On top of the impending invasion there is also a very large Kryptonian meteor heading on a collision course with Earth which is weakening Superman. With Luthor putting a price on Superman's head, Batman steps in to work along side the Man of Steel.

The best thing about the graphic novel is that through out story arc are the thoughts of both Batman and Superman and while their methods may be completely opposite there is an understanding between then and it shows how well they work together. Superman the most powerful being on the planet and Batman, the World's Greatest Detective create a fairly powerful team, even if their methods vary greatly.

Knowing that Superman is a tough adversary, Luthor puts together his own super powered bounty hunters which are charged with bringing in Superman and anyone else that is harboring or associate with him. The team plays to win and again we see how well Superman and Batman work together. There are some unexpected surprises along the storyline as well as a lot of cameos. It makes for a exciting read and as I said before a fun storyline.

Ed McGuinness' artwork is colorful and bold. It has his own style and flair while doing its best to show of the classical images we associate with Superheroes. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol.1) is a highly charged graphic novel with a lot to look forward to as you read it. It packs a lot of adventure in only a few pages. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 9
Style 8
Artwork 8.5

Overrall 8.5/10

REVIEW: The Drowning City (Kindle Edition) by Amanda Downum

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Publishing information: Kindle; 384 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0316069043
ISBN 13: 978-0316069045
ASIN: B002LHRME2
Series: Book 1 of the Necromancer Chronicles
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting."

I originally bought this book because I found the cover to my liking. Add to the fact that you have an assassin, a female assassin, and you should have a really good book.

While reading The Drowning City there is a lot to enjoy. The city and atmosphere that Downum has created is very impressive. From the Asian feel of the city to the lore that surrounds the various groups and factions. There a lot to look forward to as you read the novel. The city is alive and very vibrant. I find I really like novels that do an amazing job of creating a complete picture of your surroundings.

However, it is really hard to stay with the novel as the plot and prose of the novel have some serious flaws. For the plot, it was similar to a lot of other books I have read in the past and I personally just could not get past that fact. It seemed as if they just switched out a male assassin for a fairly interesting female protagonist and then forgot what to do with her once the author had built up her mythology.

The prose had its highs and lows. But by the time I reached the end of the novel I have to say there were more lows than highs. There are times where things have no narrative flow and I found myself going back a page or two to see if I had skipped something. Many of the characters take action without any emotional response as to why they are doing it, which I find few people act that way. The Drowning City felt as if the emotional portions of the book were left out on purpose.

While the book was not awful, it certainly was not spectacular. Downum has a few redeeming qualities. Her world building is outstanding and is her saving grace. Isyllt Iskaldur is a powerful creation and while this is her story it just never really got off of the ground for me and it was a major disappointment. As a debut novel, flaws are expected and I do think that Downum will be able to overcome the issues I found with the novel in later novels. With that said I have no plans pick up the remaining books in the series. The Drowning City left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Plot 7
Characters 5
Style 6

Overall 6/10

Mark Charan Newton Signs a Two-Book Deal with Tor UK

Mark Charan Newton, the author of the excellent Legends of the Red Sun series just signed a new deal with Tor UK for the rights of his new fantasy-crime series' first two books. The author had already made his intentions to leave New Weird aside and to try something different public. So now we have something concrete. The press release that came out earlier this morning gives some information about the upcoming series (emphasis mine):

"The first book in a series provisionally titled DRAKENFELD introduces the eponymous hero, an investigator. The series is set in a fantasy world, but will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. In this opening volume, Lucan Drakenfeld is called home after the death of his father – but is immediately thrown into the investigation of a royal death. He also finds that his father’s demise is not as clear-cut as it at first appears..."

After the announcement, Newton blogged about the deal and gave more information about his new books (emphasis mine):

"It’s very much a fantasy novel, but equally a crime novel, with a locked-room mystery at the heart of it. Whilst I’ve dabbled with the odd crime sub-plot before, it was mainly a pastiche – Drakenfeld is much more committed to the crime genre, perhaps along the lines of the CJ Sansom novels. (It needs to be rewarding for readers of both genres.) The world is very much a classically inspired setting (Ancient Rome in particular), and there virtually no weirdness. I’m also really enjoying writing the Drakenfeld novel, much more so than any of the previous series, and especially the locked-room element: the impossible crime."

The fourth and last book of Legends of the Red Sun will be published in the summer of 2012. And it looks like we'll be able to read Drakenfeld, the first book of Newton's new series, in 2013.

I wish him all the best with his new books and I am really looking forward to reading them.

PRESS RELEASE – 21st November 2011

New Deal For Mark Charan Newton

Bella Pagan, Senior Commissioning Editor at Tor UK, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, has acquired world rights to the first two volumes of a fantasy series by Mark Charan Newton. The agent was John Jarrold.

The first book in a series provisionally titled DRAKENFELD introduces the eponymous hero, an investigator. The series is set in a fantasy world, but will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. In this opening volume, Lucan Drakenfeld is called home after the death of his father – but is immediately thrown into the investigation of a royal death. He also finds that his father’s demise is not as clear-cut as it at first appears…

Pagan said ‘Mark writes compulsive adventures set in utterly convincing new worlds – he’s a terrific writer. I couldn’t ask for a better start to my new position at Tor UK than this first deal’.

Tor UK have successfully published three fantasy novels by Mark in the Legends of the Red Sun series since 2009, with a fourth to appear in the summer of 2012. They have been strongly acclaimed by China Miéville, Peter F Hamilton and reviewers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first book in the new series will be published in 2014. For more information about Mark, see his website markcnewton.com or follow him on twitter @MarkCN.

Contact Chloe Healy or John Jarrold for further details:

Chloe Healy: c.healy@macmillan.co.uk 00 44 20 7014 6000 Twitter: @UKTor
John Jarrold: j.jarrold@btinternet.com 00 44 1522 510544

Books That Surround Me

There are so many books that I'd like to read but so little time... I've been telling myself the same thing for a long while. And today I just wanted to write about the books that I just left behind, the book that I'm currently reading and the books that are patiently waiting to be read.

House of Fear edited by Jonathan Oliver, Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson and 21 Erased by Barbara Rayne were the last three books that I read. They were all very different but I enjoyed them all. I'm going to post their reviews soon.

Currently I'm reading Courtney Schafer's The Whitefire Crossing. I've already read close to 100 pages and it has been a captivating read so far. I've been particularly impressed by the setting.

The list of the books that are vying for my attention and that are shouting "Pick me! Pick me!" is longer (in alphabetical order):

• Final Days by Gary Gibson
• Hell Train by Christopher Fowler
• Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
• Manhattan in Reverse by Peter Hamilton
• Ossard's Hope by Colin Taber
• The Recollection by Gareth L. Powell
• Solaris Rising: The New Solaris Book of Science Fiction edited by Ian Whates
• Spellbound by Blake Charlton
• Tattoo by Kirsten Imani Kasai

I don't know about you but most of the time my mood dictates which book I pick from the pile next. Regardless of the next book, I'm dying to go through this list as soon as I can.

Here's more detail about the books that surround me:

House of Fear edited by Jonathan Oliver

The tread on the landing outside the door, when you know you are the only one in the house. The wind whistling through the eves, carrying the voices of the dead. The figure glimpsed briefly through the cracked window of a derelict house.

Editor Jonathan Oliver brings horror home with a collection of haunted house stories by some of the finest writers working in the horror genre, including Joe R. Lansdale, Sarah Pinborough, Lisa Tuttle, Christopher Priest, Adam L. G. Nevill, Nicholas Royle, Chaz Brenchley, Christopher Fowler, Gary Kilworth, Weston Ochse, Eric Brown, Tim Lebbon, Nina Allan, Stephen Volk, Paul Meloy and more.

Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson

Trained from birth in swordplay and combat, a young knight named Siris has journeyed to the Dark Citadel with a single purpose: fight through the army of Titans to face the tyrannical God King in one-on-one combat. This was his father’s sacred mission, and his father’s before him, going back countless generations in an effort to free their people from enslavement. But when Siris somehow succeeds where all those from his bloodline previously have failed, he finds himself cast into a much larger world, filled with warriors and thieves, ancient feuds and shifting alliances, Deathless immortals and would-be kings. His quest for freedom will take him on an epic journey in search of the mythical figure known as the Worker of Secrets – the one being in the world who can unravel the secrets of the Infinity Blade.

Based on the bestselling video game from ChAIR Entertainment and Epic Games, this all-new adventure from acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson digs deeper into the fantastical world of Infinity Blade, a world of mystery and intrigue where magic and technology are indistinguishable, and even life and death are not what they seem.

21 Erased by Barbara Rayne

The code is your identity, your bank account, your credit card, the bus fare…your existence. When they take it away, you disappear like you never lived at all. All it takes is a moment and you’re no longer a human being…you’re nothing. Everything you thought you owned is shattering into pieces in front of your eyes, you’re disappearing without leaving a single trace of your existence. You were that insignificant. The system had you that much, nothing was yours but the illusion. They own your life. When you got in their way, they spat you out like a chewing gum that lost its flavor. You no longer exist. You have been erased...

The Whitefire Crossing by Courtney Schafer

Dev is a smuggler. Technically, he's a tracker for the caravan teams that bring legitimate merchandise from the free city of Ninavel into the kingdom of Alathia. The spring trails are treacherous, and it takes an expert climber to locate the safest route through the Whitefire mountains. But with the right connections, one can slip magical gems from one side of the mountain pass, where they are legal, to the other side, where they are not. Having made a promise to a dying friend, Dev is forced to make a singularly dangerous Whitefire crossing. Instead of smuggling gems, he's smuggling a person. Kiran: A blood mage on the run from his master... a blood mage desperate to sneak into a kingdom where blood mages are imprisoned for life. Caught up in a web of subterfuge and magic that endanger the entire caravan, Dev and Kiran must find a way to trust each other with their darkest secrets in order to overcome the forces arrayed against them! The debut novel by Courtney Schaffer, The Whitefire Crossing is the story of a sardonic young smuggler and a runaway apprentice mage caught in a deadly game of intrigue between rival mages that will determine the fate of a city.

Final Days by Gary Gibson

But this new mode of transportation comes at a price and there are risks. Saul Dumont knows this better than anyone. He’s still trying to cope with the loss of the wormhole link to the Galileo system, which has stranded him on Earth far from his wife and child for the past several years.

Only weeks away from the link with Galileo finally being re-established, he stumbles across a conspiracy to suppress the discovery of a second, alien network of wormholes which lead billions of years in the future. A covert expedition is sent to what is named Site 17 to investigate, but when an accident occurs and one of the expedition, Mitchell Stone, disappears – they realise that they are dealing with something far beyond their understanding.

When a second expedition travels via the wormholes to Earth in the near future of 2245 they discover a devastated, lifeless solar system - all except for one man, Mitchell Stone, recovered from an experimental cryogenics facility in the ruins of a lunar city.

Stone may be the only surviving witness to the coming destruction of the Earth. But why is he the only survivor — and once he’s brought back to the present, is there any way he and Saul can prevent the destruction that’s coming?

Hell Train by Christopher Fowler

Imagine there was a supernatural chiller that Hammer Films never made. A grand epic produced at the studio's peak, which played like a cross between the Dracula and Frankenstein films and Dr Terror's House Of Horrors... Four passengers meet on a train journeying through Eastern Europe during the First World War, and face a mystery that must be solved if they are to survive. As the Arkangel races through the war-torn countryside, they must find out: What is in the casket that everyone is so afraid of? What is the tragic secret of the veiled Red Countess who travels with them? Why is their fellow passenger the army brigadier so feared by his own men? And what exactly is the devilish secret of the Arkangel itself? Bizarre creatures, satanic rites, terrified passengers and the romance of travelling by train, all in a classically styled horror novel.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Humanity has colonized the planets - interstellar travel is still beyond our reach, but the solar system has become a dense network of colonies. But there are tensions - the mineral-rich outer planets resent their dependence on Earth and Mars and the political and military clout they wield over the Belt and beyond. Now, when Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a secret that threatens to throw the entire system into war. Attacked by a stealth ship belonging to the Mars fleet, Holden must find a way to uncover the motives behind the attack, stop a war and find the truth behind a vast conspiracy that threatens the entire human race.

Manhattan in Reverse by Peter Hamilton

A collection of short stories from the master of space opera. Peter F Hamilton takes us on a journey from a murder mystery in an alternative Oxford in the 1800s to a brand new story featuring Paula Mayo, Deputy Director of the Intersolar Commonwealth’s Serious Crimes Directorate. Dealing with intricate themes and topical subject this top ten bestselling author is at the top of his game.

Ossard's Hope by Colin Taber

The wealthy city state of Ossard has fallen amidst blood, rioting and flames. Through the chaotic aftermath, Juvela leads the hopeful to safety within a set of mysterious ruins, but are they already claimed? Whilst leading them, the divine addiction is taking root within her, something she's triggered in her flight from doomed Ossard. The deep hunger of soul feeding has overwhelmed and enslaved every god it has touched; how can she, only newly into her own godhood, possibly beat it? And if she can't, what of the divine war she was born to trigger? Yet hope remains... Ossard's Hope follows the unique tale first begun in The Fall of Ossard.

The Recollection by Gareth L. Powell

When his brother disappears into a bizarre gateway on a London Underground escalator, failed artist Ed Rico and his brother's wife Alice have to put aside their feelings for each other to go and find him. Their quest through the 'arches' will send them hurtling through time, to new and terrifying alien worlds. Four hundred years in the future, Katherine Abdulov must travel to a remote planet in order to regain the trust of her influential family. The only person standing in her way is her former lover, Victor Luciano, the ruthless employee of a rival trading firm. Hard choices lie ahead as lives and centuries clash and, in the unforgiving depths of space, an ancient evil stirs...

Solaris Rising: The New Solaris Book of Science Fiction edited by Ian Whates

Solaris Rising is the first in an exciting new series of anthologies that are set to reaffirm Solaris's proud reputation for producing high quality science fiction. The book will feature all original short stories from Peter F. Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Paul di Filippo, Adam Roberts, Lavie Tidhar, Ian Watson, Ken MacLeod, Mike Resnick, Tricia Sullivan, Eric Brown, Steve Rasnic Tem along with other top name authors; stories guaranteed to surprise, thrill and delight, demonstrating why science fiction remains the most innovative, satisfying, and downright exciting genre of all.

Spellbound by Blake Charlton

Francesca DeVega is a successful healer in the city of Avel, wielding magical text to close wounds and disspell curses, but her life is thrown into chaos when a dead patient suddenly sits up and tells her to run. Now Francesca is in the middle of a game she doesn’t understand, one that ties her to the notorious rogue wizard, Nicodemus Weal, and brings her face to face with demons, demigods, and a man she thought she’d never see again.

It has been ten years since Nicodemus Weal escaped the Starhaven Academy, where he was considered disabled and useless, where he battled the demon who stole his birthright and killed his friends. Unable to use the magical languages of his own people, Nico has honed his skills in the dark language of the kobolds, readying himself for his next encounter with the demon. But there are complications: his mentor suffers from an incurable curse, his half-sister’s agents are hunting him, and he’s still not sure what part Francesca DeVega will play. He certainly doesn’t know what to make of Francesca herself….

Tattoo by Kirsten Imani Kasai

HER FATE IS IN HER FLESH.

In an environmentally fragile world where human and animal genes combine, the rarest mutation of all—the Trader—can instantly switch genders. One such Trader, the female Sorykah, is battling her male alter, Soryk, for dominance and the right to live a full life.

Sorykah has rescued her infant twins from mad Matuk the Collector. Her children are safe. Her journey, she believes, is over, but Matuk’s death has unleashed darker, more evil forces. These forces, led by the Collector’s son, cast nets of power that stretch from the glittering capital of Neubonne to the murky depths below the frozen Sigue, where the ink of octameroons is harvested to make addictive, aphrodisiacal tattoos. Bitter enemies trapped within a single skin, Sorykah and Soryk are soon drawn into a sinister web of death and deceit.

Press Release: Anarchy Books

ANARCHY BOOKS PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 19th November is a date for your diaries, with Anarchy Books releasing not one wholesome SF novel, but two!

First comes New York Nights by SF Heavyweight, Eric Brown.

"New York 2040 is a city of the lost. So, a good place to work in Missing Persons. But business is not so good that Hal Halliday can forget his sister, burned alive when she was a child. Now, only VR offers the chance to bring her back. The future may yet allow Hal to live in the past - if he can survive his next job..."

Described by Peter F. Hamilton as "the name to watch in SF", and Brown's novel HELIX described by Stephen Baxter as, "a classic concept - a built world to dwarf Rama and Ringworld - a setting for a hugely imaginative adventure. Helix is the very DNA of true sf. This is the rediscovery of wonder", this first digital release of New York Nights is available as a PDF, EPUB or MOBI format, for the low price of £1.99. Artwork by Jethro Lentle. Check out www.anarchy-books.com.

The second “SF Saturday” release emerges from the crazy imagination of famous tattoo artist Dan Henk.The Black Seas of Infinity is Dan Henk’s debut novel, and what a powerhouse of action SF it is!

“Visions of pulp era heroes fill his thoughts. Taking advanced physics, he dreams big, but harsh reality bites as he grows up, and he resigns himself to building surveillance drones for the military. After a brief probative period, he’s unexpectedly moved into the clandestine world of investigating crashed alien craft. Fascinated beyond anything he thought possible, it’s a dream come true but his lack of social skills get him fired. However, he's seen too much – and a year later returns to pull off a bloody heist... Fleeing into the woods with the military in hot pursuit, he makes a mad scramble up the coast. It’s only then he discovers the world has grown strange. Businesses are closed. Highways deserted. The US has become fractured... Trigger happy locals and violent militias are only the beginning. Death, madness, and the unwelcome return of creatures from beyond this world await...”

Think X-Files crossed with Alastair Reynolds and you’ll begin to get a picture of where Dan’s stunning original SF writing will lead you...

The Black Seas of Infinity is available in PDF, EPUB or MOBI flavours, for the low low price of £1.99. Artwork and internal illustrations by Dan Henk. Check out www.anarchy-books.com.

REVIEW: Superman Birthright by Mark Waid

Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid

Publishing information: Graphic Novel paperback; 314 pages

Publisher: DC Comics; 1 October 2005

ISBN 10: 1401202527

SIBN 13: 978-1401202521

Standalone

Copy: Out of Pocket

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Superman's origins have been imagined and reimagined over the years. Here is a new take on the character's roots. Superman: Birthright retells the early chapters of Superman's story, from escape as an infant from the doomed planet Krypton to arrival as reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet and his first public exploits. Writer Waid puts his own spin on the legend, rethinking nearly every aspect of the venerable character while remaining respectful of his established history. Waid wisely integrates ideas from the popular TV series smallville but doesn't slavishly follow its innovations; for instance, a young Lex Luthor befriends Clark in high school, but unlike in the series, his sinister nature is clear even then. Waid similarly tweaks the rest of the well-known cast, from Lois Lane and Clark's other Planet colleagues to Ma and Pa Kent. Ironically, though he updates the character, Waid evokes Superman's pre-World War II incarnation, whom his Depression-reared creators kept engaged in righting society's ills. Leinil Francis Yu's stylized artwork is expressively dynamic to the point of caricature, but this larger-than-life visual approach befits the retelling of a myth."

Superman has been re-invisioned many times, but coming of the tails of the successful television series Smallville DC must have wanted an updated version. There are a few changes. Befriending Lex Luthor during his time as a teenager is new; However, Lex is an evil genius even then. I did like some of the dynamic presented. It showed Clark as a helpful person even then, but he was rather naive as he still had not figured out that Kryptonite could weaken and possibly kill him. Even though Lex had figured it out within seconds. I know that as a teenager Clark is suppose to not know much about the world but he should also be a fairly good student with the ability to quickly think things through and act even quicker. Many of the other characters were also present and they all had slight re-imaginings but nothing really stood out. I was surprised that Waid did not take advantage of adding Chloe or Pete, but then again Lana Lang played a very small role and if I recall only had one or two panels dedicated to her. The overall story arc is the beginning of Clark's rise to become Superman and Lex Luthor's nemesis.

The artwork is impressive. It has a touch of the Superman of old, while also keeping it closer to the present. Overall Superman: Birthright is a great read and earns its spot on the shelf as a retelling of Superman's origins. Birthright does not shock the readers with anything drastic and plays well to those who are super fans. It updates without deviating too far from what we are use to. It would have been nice to see something new to add to the legend it decided to play it very straight laced. While not necessary to read to gain anything new or insightful about Superman or Lex Luthor it is a great story arc and features some nice artwork.

Plot 7/10

Characters 7/10

Style 7/10

Artwork 8/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Publishing information: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Voyager; August 2010
ISBN 10: 0007321988
ISBN 13: 978-0007321988
Series: The Seven Realms Series #1 (Originally The Seven Realms Trilogy #1)
Copy: Publisher Giveaway
Reviewer: Kathryn

I won't be opening this review with the blurb, as I feel it contains too many spoilers, for example it refers to events that happen over halfway through the book, in one case not becoming apparent until the last fifth of the read. However, I will do my best to spoil the book less than the blurb did. The Demon King is the first book in what is now called The Seven Realms Series, written by Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles, a trilogy that has since been extended to a quintet. It is a young-adult series, aimed mostly at the early to mid teens.

We follow two protagonists, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna and Han Alister, and from the first few chapters it's clear that their stories will parallel each other and intertwine with some regularity. Both of the protagonists are roughly sixteen years old, and come from two different lifestyles, although they do share aspects of their lives. Han is a reformed thief and comes into the possession of a powerful amulet, whilst Raisa is approaching her name day and as such she's expected to start taking part in the game of courtship. Whilst this is happening, war is brewing in the south, meaning the Queen is pushing Raisa towards a marriage that will have to be political, but also in the near future. However, she's attracted to a powerful wizard, but such a coupling is forbidden by the Naéming, an agreement in place that serves to stop the wizards from gaining too much power and potentially destroying the world.

On the surface it's a fairly clichéd story, but the switch between a princess and a rebellious commoner is carried out with skill, and the way their stories link is quite clever. Whilst any direct interaction is limited to a chapter or two, there's a cast of characters that appears to both sides and they help develop the story, but also give background to the world. I found it interesting just how they were linked, and how those links impacted the story. I also liked the interactions between the three major groups in the book (wizards, clan and royalty), as it was clear to me through the characters that the author had put a lot of thought into how they work with or against each other. However, I did feel that parts of the plot were overlooked quite often. For example, Han comes into the possession of a powerful wizard's amulet, and after some history from another character who links it to the titular Demon King, it fades into nothingness for most of the book, only becoming important again at the end.

But as I alluded to at the start, the book is not all that particularly strong in the writing. It's functional, and it does read fairly well, but the characterisation for both protagonists sometimes falls flat. Both Han and Raisa spend an amount of time thinking about kissing other people, which I found a little bit annoying. Raisa kisses a couple of characters, and she avoids being sexually abused twice, or at least she thinks she does. She also manages to move through the castle in disguise a few times without being noticed, which I did not believe, and at times she seemed to react in ways I felt weren't very realistic for a princess. On the other hand, Han is a well-rounded character, and Chima distinguishes his two sides – thief and son, both of his mother and the clan he wishes he was a part of – rather well, and there is a little internal conflict between the two. The supporting characters are largely interesting, and they are used to great effect in shaping the story and the world around them.

At two points in the book, I felt that the author had perhaps lost track of her style. Each chapter is given a title that hints at what will happen, but one chapter is titled "Name Day 2". Personally, that stuck out like a sore thumb, and it makes me wonder if it was a place-holder that was overseen in editing. Secondly, there is one chapter that opens with a paragraph that uses a list in the text. By that I mean it 1) went like this, 2) totally broke the immersion, and 3) looked out of place and a little bit silly. Both of these make me question just how much effort was put into polishing this book for release, because they feel to me as if they should have been corrected.

As implied above, I noticed a romantic theme to various aspects of the story. We have Raisa practically falling head over heels for every male character her age that isn't royalty, and we are semi-frequently told she kisses, or attempts to kiss, one of a few characters. With Han, early on he became flustered when he tackled his friend Digging Bird into a river, causing her shirt to become see-through. To me, I found these moments to take away from the book because they changed the tone, but also felt as if they were written for the sake of having them. I don't mind romance in books, but I feel that describing a fifteen year-old girl with a wet shirt to possibly be going a little too far.

Overall, I would say The Demon King is a competent read, but one with flaws that I feel will turn many readers off, in particular the more mature or advanced ones. If you can look past the book's obvious flaws, there is the foundation of a potentially great series here. The characters are compelling in their own ways, the world is well built, the history is there, and you're going to find some enjoyment in this read. I don't think it's the best book I've ever read, and until the last hundred or so pages, I must confess I was very unsure how I felt about it, but once I'd closed it I was glad I had read it. Whilst I won't be rushing to get stuck into its sequel, The Exiled Queen, I still took some pleasure from this read.

A tentative recommendation.

Plot 6/10
Characters 6/10
Style 5/10

Overall 5.5/10

REVIEW: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson (Kindle Edition)

The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor; 18 September 2007
ISBN 10: 0765348837
ISBN 13: 978-0765348838
ASIN: B003L1ZZEQ
Series: Book six in the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Bonehunters begins two months after the events of House of Chains. The Malazan Fourteenth Army has destroyed the army of the Whirlwind, and Adjunct Tavore Paran has executed Sha'ik. The Fourteenth is now pressing westward, pursuing the remnants of the Whirlwind rebellion (under Leoman of the Flails), as it seeks refuge in the fortress city of Y'Ghatan, where the Malazan Empire had previously faced its greatest defeat. Meanwhile, Onearm's Host, restored to the favour of Empress Laseen, has landed on Seven Cities' north coast to complete the task of subduing the rebellion, but a deadly plague has been unleashed. Ganoes Paran, the new Master of the Deck of Dragons, arrives from Genabackis to help deal with the chaos. Elsewhere, the balance of power is shifting in the Malazan Imperial Court, and strange black ships have been sighted in the waters surrounding Quon Tali and Seven Cities. The quest of the expeditionary force of the Letherii Empire to find warriors worthy of facing Emperor Rhulad Sengar in battle is about to be answered twice over..."

Not long ago I read and reviewed the fifth book in the series, Midnight Tides and quickly remembered why I enjoy Erikson's Malazan series. So, I quickly jumped back into the fray and started The Bonehunters. When we left off in Midnight Tides we were just really starting to get a feeling of things to come. The first four books set up most of the player and the world, Midnight Tides reads like the prequel to the remaining novels and with The Bonehunters things finally start to unravel and unfold. It is also the direct sequel to The House of Chains, the fourth book in the series.

While anyone who reads the Malazan novels know, there is a degree of catch up and a lot of fog of war when you start each novel but as you slog your way through things start to make sense and the bigger picture begins to take shape. Many of your favorite characters return in this installment and we start to understand their place in the events that are sure to come.

Many of my favorite characters make a return. Ganoes Paran for one, he is slowly coming to realize his potential as Master of the Deck. He plays a pivotal role in this book. Apsalar also returns and shows what she is capable of as well. As with all of Erikson's novels, you never know where the characters stand of what they are capable but I think quite a bit of information was brought forth in this book. Major clues as to what is unfolding are brought to the forefront and I look forward to getting to the end of the journey. There is a lot of information contained within the novel and while there is some infodumping it is part of the journey and not something that you want to skip and it certainly does not detract from the story.

As with all of the Malazan books, there is a lot of great dialogue and some dark behind the scenes plotting and magic. The big problem with The Bonehunters is that it ends without getting all the answers, of course we know that there are four more books to get those answers but the clues that he leaves us with in this novel make you want to jump right into the next novel to see if they come to pass or if he has thrown another haymaker when you were not looking. If you are fan of the previous installments in the series this one has a lot of revelations and as always, the ending leaves you at the edge of the cliff. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 8.5
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Orcs: Forged for War by Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood

Orcs, Forged for War by Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood
Publishing Information: Trade Paperback; 208 pages
Publisher: First Second Books (21 Oct 2011)
ISBN 10: 1596434554
ISBN 13: 978-1596434554
Copy: Sent by the publisher
Reviewer: Yagiz

"Orcs: Forged for War is the first graphic novel in Stan Nicholls’ beloved Orcs universe. The fantasy landscape in this world is brutal and unforgiving, and populated by a race of unlikely protagonists: the powerful and violent warriors, orcs.

Orcs: Forged for War is an original story—a new entry in this series, not an adaptation of old material. It follows a ruthless and deadly cohort of warrior orcs as they fight their way free of the dominion of an evil human enchantress. Sitting on an exhilarating peak with high fantasy on one side and the thrilling, gruesome battlefields of graphic novel classics like Frank Miller’s 300 on the other, Orcs presents the world of its ogre-like protagonists with technicolor violence and moments of unexpected sympathy."

I love comic books. I started to read them when I was a kid and, as far as I can remember, my first fantasy comic book was an issue of Conan. My uncle loved (still loves) Conan comics and he collected them. I can clearly remember feeling as excited as a pirate in a vast treasure room. I used to read them for hours.

Then when I moved to France for college, I met a different and much more developed comic book culture. Les Bandes Dessinées, or simply les BDs, are absolutely huge in France and in Belgium. During the following years, I had the pleasure to read the work of some great artists with various different styles. I still use amazon.fr to order my BDs.

So when I caught a glimpse of Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood's Orcs: Forged for War, I knew I had to read it. I also really liked its cover art. With its blood-red background and the lone orc warrior with a bloody longsword, it is a good indicator of what's inside.

The book's setting is Nicholls' Maras-Dantia where various races co-exist, but not so happily. It is evident that there's a lot of inter-racial tension and this not only between humans and the Elder Races but also among the Elder Races. Orcs are just one of those Elder Races and they make up for their lack of magical powers with their ferocity and skill on the battle field. They are a race full of surprises and contradictions as they are not painted all in black a la Tolkien (who didn't invent them, by the way).

The story revolves around a band of Orc warriors called Wolverines. The only non-Orc member of the group is a Dwarf who is one of the two sergents under the command of Captain Stryke. According to the story, Captain Stryke is given the responsibility of escorting a convoy under the orders of a Goblin wizard. Orcs and Goblins hate each other so you can guess the general mood of the mission. His hands being tied, Captain Strkye has no choice but to comply with the orders of his empress.

I like the story but it is fairly simple. I would have expected more suspense. I believe the reader is given obvious clues about the things that's going to happen. At first I wasn't in love with the style of Joe Flood however it grew on me as I read it. The book reads pretty fast. It is not one of those dialogue-heavy graphic novels. And be ready for some real action, fight, war, gore and burnt bodies. You've been warned. Orcs: Forged for War is definitely not for your young kids.

Also, don't forget to visit Orcs Sketchbook, The Making of the Graphic Novel, Orcs: Forged for War where you can get the freshest news and various sketches by Joe Flood.

I must confess, I hadn't read Nicholls' Orcs trilogies. However, despite some problems, I, not only enjoyed Orcs: Forged for War but I now have this itch about picking up Bodyguard of Lightning, the first book of his First Blood trilogy.

Plot: ............. 7
Characters: ... 8
Style: ............ 8

Overall: ....... 8/10