Category: Fiction

Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator)

Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator)

Shadowy art elevates this superhero graphic novel written by the incomparable Neil Gaiman.

Susan Linden is a crime fighter named the Black Orchid. In the first pages of the story, she is killed by gangsters. She spends the rest of the book trying to remember who she is and why she has extraordinary abilities- including reincarnation.

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The graphic novel brings in numerous heroes from the DC universe including Batman, Poison Ivy, and Lex Luthor. It was fun to read those interactions.

The overall feel of the story is very dark which makes the bright, almost electric purple of the Black Orchid panels stick out so much. Black Orchid and the other flower women are nude and it is handled tastefully throughout.

Here’s the Black Orchid and a friend from the graphic novel:

Before this graphic novel, I had never even heard of Black Orchid. This story makes a great introduction, but it doesn’t go fully into her abilities- some are still a mystery.

At first, I thought it didn’t fit the character that Black Orchid could fly because I associate plants with earth and being tied into the ground. However, in the supplemental materials at the back of the book, it explained that plants can change their density. Then, that particular superhero ability made more sense to me.

This isn’t a story for kids. I’d recommend it for readers 18+ because of the violence and some disturbing dialogue.

The Kingdom of Liars (The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings, #1) by Nick Martell

The Kingdom of Liars (The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings, #1) by Nick Martell

Michael Kingman carries a brand on his neck because of his father. Years ago, David Kingman, Michael’s dad, was accused of murdering the prince. His family was thrown out of court and have lived in disgrace ever since.

However, Michael believes in his father’s innocence and will do almost anything to prove it. When an opportunity comes his way to right the record, Michael takes it, but will he survive?

“It had been a sh*tty life at times, but it had been mine, and it had always been easier with friends and family at my side. Now someone always seemed to be pulling my strings.” pg 259

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The world of The Kingdom of Liars is rich with magic users of various kinds, the moon falling from the sky, and warring factions within the city. The author, Nick Martell, explains very little of it. I lost my patience with the new elements after awhile.

I don’t mind complex worlds and characters, I just wanted a bit more background. The story races ahead without it.

“I wasn’t a noble, or a thief, or a con man, but I wasn’t some common citizen either. I was Michael… Michael Kingman.” pg 573

I didn’t mind the personality of the main character, Michael, though he often flounders in the past and failed plans at times. I think that someone who grew up the way he did would have a huge chip on his shoulder and that definitely comes through in the story.

Overall, I’d recommend the book for readers who like epic fantasy with a slow burn. Readers do receive the answers to most of their questions, though it takes awhile to get there.

Thanks for reading!

The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True (Heloise the Bard, #1) by Sean Gibson 

The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True (Heloise the Bard, #1) by Sean Gibson 

“The raging beast had no doubt that some foolhardy adventurers would soon come calling in the hope of righting this terrible wrong, but it would be ready.” pg 6, ebook

The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True is a fun and, at times, ridiculous romp through a fantasy world.

A band of adventurers is hired by a village (town!) to rid them of their dragon problem. Heloise the Bard is along for the ride, to tell their story so that they will live on in glory.

The tale she tells, which is written alongside the events as they actually happened, has very little relation to the other story. Sometimes the differences are hysterical.

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The songs we sing in taverns are the best bits of a story, but they’re not the whole story. pg 26, ebook

This book has been compared to those written by Terry Pratchett, which I would agree with. The bits that are written as asides in the story would be footnotes in the Pratchett books, but they feel very similar.

Another author I would compare Sean Gibson to is Nicholas Eames, who wrote Kings of the Wyld. It is another humorous fantasy tale that feels, in some ways, similar to this book. I would say The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True is raunchier, which some readers may love.

“There’s a saying amongst adventurers: it’s not a quest until you’re covered in snizzard pee and have sh*t on your knees.” pg 37, ebook

That being said, sometimes I felt like Gibson took the gags a step or two too far. But that could just be me.

Highly recommended for readers who love fantasy and adventure stories.

Also, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this story. I apologize that I only got around to reading it now. It’s excellent.

The Goblin Emperor (The Goblin Emperor, #1) by Katherine Addison

The Goblin Emperor (The Goblin Emperor, #1) by Katherine Addison

After an unexpected tragedy, Maia, the youngest son of the emperor, takes his throne. He grew up far from the court and has no idea who anyone is or how he should behave.

While trying to piece together the proper etiquette, he also has to be aware of those who want to depose him for their own various reasons.

Will Maia survive to become the emperor he is destined to be?

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“The Elflands have been ruled by the family Drazh for more than two thousand years, although it must be confessed that the continuity of this dynasty is in some ways a politic fiction due to strategic adoptions by the emperors of their chosen heirs.” pg 11, ebook

Adding to his woes, Maia’s mother was a goblin and he little resembles the court he rules over. This is another hurdle he has to overcome and it threatens his sense of belonging at every turn.

The genius of The Goblin Emperor is in the world Katherine Addison has created. She has crafted a multi-layered system of address and factions for her fictional realm.

That being said, sometimes these intricacies get in the way of the story. I found myself tripping over unfamiliar words and occasionally forgetting who was who in the crowded court of the Goblin Emperor.

I enjoyed Maia’s efforts to embrace his heritage and his struggles to rule over his realm. Most of the action of this book takes place in meetings, which were interesting for the greater part of the book.

Recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy mammoth world building and a slow burning plot.

The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky

The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky

“You still have much to learn,” he agreed. “But you already carry a power in you that I can’t match.” pg 31, ebook

Omat is learning to become an angakkuq, a shaman for her tribe. This is a role that is traditionally filled by a male, so Omat considers herself a man for a long time.

“I drifted into dreams and visions for much of those three days, and soon I could not tell reality from imagination. Perhaps, I reasoned, in the end they are one and the same.” pg 70, ebook

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After repeated tragedies strike her tribe and Omat is captured by a vengeful hunter, her world changes. She goes on a quest to save her brother and best friend as well as herself.

This quest brings her into contact with gods and goddesses as well as the spirits of various arctic animals.

“Stories are ever changing, just like the gods. Assuming you understand either is a grave mistake.” pg 295, ebook

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I very much enjoyed this adventure tale. The main character, Omat, is quite complex in the way she communicates with others and grows throughout the story.

In the afterward, the author talks about the research into Inuit culture she completed to write this book and her work shows. I felt like Omat’s shamanistic journeys and methods could have actually happened the way she described- it’s that well written.

There is darkness in this story and I nearly stopped reading at first because I was afraid it was going to be too depressing. But I kept on and I’m so very glad I did.

“That which is dead can always come back. Men live in many worlds at once. So do gods.” pg 431, ebook

I enjoyed the fantasy elements of the gods and goddesses in this book. It reminded me of The Odyssey in some ways. The supernatural tries to control the world of humans and it results in a grand adventure.

Highly recommended for readers who like their historical fiction mixed with fantasy elements.

The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman

The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman

Quentin is miserable in the real world, but he’s unsure why. When he is suddenly recruited for a secret school and realizes magic is real, he thinks it will bring him happiness.

“… you will be a magician, Quentin. It is not the obvious career path, I know. … No one will know what you’re doing here. You would be leaving all that behind.” pg 37, ebook

When his training, new friends, and experiences fails to bring Quentin joy, he looks even further into magical theory and stories. What he discovers, the existence of other worlds, is more fascinating and terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

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“Most people carry that pain around inside them their whole lives, until they kill the pain by other means, or until it kills them. But you, my friends, you found another way: a way to use the pain. To burn it as fuel, for light and warmth.” pg 216, ebook

This was my second time reading The Magicians. I first read it about ten years ago and loved it then.

It stood up to the test of time for the most part, but I think I enjoyed it more the first time around because of the small reveals written into the story.

“Nobody wanted to admit they were frightened, so they took the only other option, which was to be irritable instead.” pg 298, ebook

I still loved Lev Grossman’s homage to The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I also loved his magic system.

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The magical students all have different strengths and that affects how they are able to use magic to change the world around them.

The worlds Grossman has created are both fascinating and scary to explore. As you move through the book, you have a sense of uneasiness because you have no idea what is going to come next.

And when you juxtapose that feeling with reading The Chronicles of Narnia or the Harry Potter series, this story becomes something else.

Some readers have shared they couldn’t connect with Quentin. He was too moody and unlikeable for them.

I liked Quentin because he feels authentic like someone I could possibly know in the real world. Don’t we all sometimes wish there was more to life than there appears to be on the surface?

Don’t we all wish some of our favorite stories were real?

Highly recommended for fantasy readers. It doesn’t get much better than The Magicians.

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons: Deluxe Edition by Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Zub

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons: Deluxe Edition by Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Zub

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons is fun. I’m not a big fan of the Rick and Morty show, but even I found plenty to love in this graphic novel.

In this book, Rick, Morty, and their family explore different dimensions that represent various editions of the fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons. If you have some experience playing the game, you’ll find lots of inside jokes to enjoy.

I personally have minimal game play time with Dungeons and Dragons, but again, it was still fun.

My favorite story from this collection was the last in the book, which dealt with a character named Mr. Meeseeks. He’s from the Rick and Morty show so those who have seen the episodes with him can probably guess what happens.

It still made a great impression on me.

There’s some vulgarity and language in this book, which might make it appropriate for teens and up. That’s for you all to decide.

Thanks for reading!

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

“Death is not to be feared,” he said. “But nor can it be forsaken. One must be mindful.” pg 3, ebook

Ryn is a grave digger in a small village. The only trouble is the dead don’t always stay dead in her world.

Sometimes they wander out of the forest. When they reawaken, the dead are called “bone houses.”

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The bone house did not speak. They never did. But still, Ryn felt obligated to say something. “Sorry about this,” said Ryn. And then she swung the axe at the dead woman’s knees. pg 14, ebook

In addition to her wandering dead problem, Ryn’s father went on a work outing and never returned. When a stranger comes to her village with a proposition to explore the lands around her home, Ryn decides to find him.

That is where the story really picks up.

Author Emily Lloyd-Jones explores Welsh myth and legend in this young adult fantasy. I enjoyed the story but the big twists were sign-posted so well that I guessed them before they occurred, something that I never manage to do.

This is probably because I’m not the intended audience for the story, but that’s fine. It is well-written other than that small quibble.

I liked the main character, Ryn, quite a lot. She’s strong, brave, and unafraid to venture into enchanted forests.

Reluctant readers might enjoy this book because the pace is quite fast. Recommended for readers who like young adult fantasy stories.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1) by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1) by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a charming fantasy story about a fairy researcher and her efforts to study a group of fae in a country far from her own.

I loved everything about this story. The characters, the plot, the pacing- they were all excellent.

I particularly enjoyed the fairy lore that author Heather Fawcett created for the story. It felt true. If fairies actually existed, I think they would be something like how they are described in this tale.

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“I wish to accomplish two objectives- firstly, to identify the species of Folk that dwell here, and second, to describe their interactions with the mortal inhabitants.” pg 71, ebook

Not only was the main character wonderfully crafted, but the secondary characters were great too. Wendell, Emily’s co-researcher, is compelling and really adds to the story.

I won’t say much more about Wendell because discovering what is special about him is part of the charm of the book.

Highly recommended for fantasy readers.