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The Children of the Lost: the worthy sequel to The Midnight Charter
Mark and Lily have been banished from Agora, the ancient city-state where everything is for sale – memories, emotions – even children. Lost and alone they discover Giseth, a seemingly perfect land where everyone is equal, possessions are unknown, and Lily believes they will find the secret of their entwined destiny. But paradise comes at a price. Why are their new friends so scared? What hides deep in the forest? And who is the mysterious woman who appears in their dreams, urging them to find The Children of the Lost?
Fantasy Book Review says “The Midnight Charter laid impressive and firm foundations and The Children of the Lost builds well upon them. The city of Agora still stands out as the most wonderful of creations and it has a brooding atmosphere all of it’s own, almost as if it is a living entity.The Children of the Lost is a worthy continuation of a fine little series that shows that Puffin, in Mark Whitley and Matthew Skelton, have two very fine young authors who are producing excellent fiction for older children and young adults.”
Read the full review of The Children of the Lost
David Whitley was born in Chester in 1984. At the age of seventeen he was shortlisted for the Kathleen Fidler Award for a children’s novel and at twenty he won the Cheshire Prize for Literature for a children’s short story.
Posted: July 29th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Jacqueline Carey’s Treason’s Heir Trilogy reviewed on Fantasy Book Review
“I was afraid of the dark tide that stirred in me. I did not want any part of my mother’s blood. And yet it called to me.”
Imriel de la Courcel, third in line to the throne, was enslaved and tortured as a boy, leaving him scarred and wary of his future. Son of a traitor, Imriel fears the dangerous passions of his bloodline – and his potential for destruction. His beloved stepmother, exotic and lovely, has trained him in the arts of covertcy – espionage skills that will either serve his country well, or draw him into a web of corruption and treachery. Imriel will need all of these resources as he travels, incognito, to escape the demands of court and family… What he discovers is not freedom, but a city at war, and a political game so deep that he may never escape its net.
Snjezana Bobic has read and review the three books that make up the Treason’s Heir Trilogy and the reviews can be read here:
Jacqueline Carey is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Kushiel’s Legacy series of historical fantasy novels and The Sundering epic fantasy duology.
Posted: July 28th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Paul Kearney is really one of the best writers writing at the moment
In a land torn by religious war and chaos, rogue mariner Richard Hawkwood leads an expedition to find a lost continent where safe haven may be found. But before the explorers find sanctuary-they must first survive the journey.
Fantasy Book Review’s Joshua S Hill says “Paul Kearney is really one of the best writers writing at the moment. He is not only technically proficient but he’s also wonderfully entertaining, rarely leaving us with a dull moment or place to put the book down to sleep. Hawkwood’s Voyage, in whichever form you read it, is a must read, and belongs on the shelf next to authors like Steven Erikson and George R. R. Martin.”
Read the full Hawkwood’s Voyage review
Paul Kearney was born and grew up in Northern Ireland. He lived for some years in Copenhagen, then spent two years in America before returning to Britain in 1998.
Posted: July 26th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Clever… clever… uniquely clever… Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
For 500 years Lenah Beaudonte has been a vampire. 500 years of seduction, blood and destruction. But she is sickened by her dark powers – and longs to feel the sun on her skin, grass under her bare feet, and share the breath of a human kiss. She wants to be mortal again. But is she really capable of being human, after her long years of darkness? Waking up as a sixteen-year-old girl brings Lenah many things – the life she has missed, taste, touch, love. But a vampire soul is not easily shed. And her coven – the four vampires she led in decadence and thrilling destruction – want their queen back…
Fantasy Book Review’s Patty says “Clever… clever… uniquely clever… this book is such a surprise. Imagine being a vampire and wishing to be human. Imagine living on this earth for hundreds of years as a murdering killing machine. Imagine someone… another vampire… loving you so much that he will do anything for you even if that means making you human and dying himself. Thus, we have Rhode… I love these vampire names… and Lenah.”
Read her full Infinite Days review
Rebecca Maizel lives in Rhode Island, a fact which will become significant to readers of this book! She is currently studying for an MFA in writing for young adults in Vermont.
Posted: July 24th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Latest reviews: Fire in the East, The Radleys and Revise the World
Here is a round-up of the latest books to be read and reviewed on Fantasy Book Review, with links to the full review itself.
Coming soon: The Children of the Lost by David Whitley, Voices in the Dark by Catherine Banner and The Spook’s Nightmare by Joseph Delaney.
Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom 
Author, and occasional reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, Harry Sidebottom has, since 2006, been working on the Warrior of Rome series of novels featuring the Anglo-Saxon nobleman turned Roman army officer Ballista. Set in the Roman Empire during the so-called “Great Crisis of the Third Century AD” it is a tale of courage, treachery and brutal warfare. Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction and existing fans of Simon Scarrow and Conn Iggulden.
The Radleys by Matt Haig 
Independent publishers Walker Books and Canongate have launched a co-publishing venture aimed at producing bestselling, award-winning books for the next generation of adult readers. Matt Haig, winner of the Nestle Children’s Book Prize Gold Award for his children’s novel Shadow Forest, has written his latest book The Radleys specifically for this enterprise, with the title falling in alongside Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Already delightfully described as a “mix of Buffy and EastEnders”, the overriding message is that moderation is often a better choice than indulgence or abstinence. The Radleys is a highly recommended book for adults of ages, though possibly not one for the Puritans out there.
Revise the World by Brenda Clough 
Revise the World by Brenda Clough is a work of science fiction with elements of historical fiction. The first section of this book appeared as the novella May Be Some Time, a finalist for both the Nebula and the Hugo awards. Revise the World is a fine book that provides a rewarding reading experience and there is a little bit of something there for everybody, be they sci-fi fans, romantics or adventure-seekers. Its strengths lie in the realistic way in which the author shows Titus’s acclimatisation to his new life and times and the book’s ending. The ending is a real triumph, the meeting with the alien entity being as innovative as it was memorable.
Posted: July 22nd, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
EXOTIQUE 5 reviewed on Fantasy Book Review
Reviewed by Sandra Scholes
Ballistic Publishing’s previous art book Exotique 4 had a nice mix of fantasy art, sci-fi and concept art thrown in, Exotique 5 however has all that and more as in this edition this character art book features art from the most awe-inspiring fantasy and RPG game art around in a more updated layout on the pages. Its digital art is only the best around with inspirational art from all four corners of the globe, Europe, Asia, North America and beyond with artists who use a combination of traditional and contemporary styles to bring fantasy art to the masses.
The sheer quality of the book as with the others is astonishing and shows Ballistic’s devotion to bringing a wonderful product out such as this to a wider audience. Similar artists have worked on the art in Exotique 5, and there are also new artists who lean more toward the D&D, and RPG sort of art who have their work published within these pages. The emphasis is on the individual’s characters from games, for concept art to full illustrations and more. This book shows the reader the quality of digital art out there now, and as most will have noticed, it is just growing in leaps and bounds.
This book, like others in this series would be ideal for those who enjoy collecting quality art books, especially ones like these. They would also be helpful to potential artists who want to know what kind of art is accepted by publishing companies and individual clients. Whatever the reason, the reader has an entire collection of fantasy art that tends to have all different styles that fit in with the theme of fantasy, whether to do with book covers, or concept art for gaming companies they can be assured of the quality it has.
To expand on the artists, Exotique 5 contains many artist portfolios of three or four images or more. Tu Hun from China, has a two page spread of four of his pieces that had been chosen for it, as the guys at Ballistic found his work so original in style and concept, his use of wispy smoke tendrils in these pictures of fighters in motion inspired them to use his work. Tu Hun has created Ilidan, Gouki, Demon and Gouken, all are powerfully rendered and show a sense of other worldly strangeness. Mario Wibisono has his own art style and way of drawing characters as detailed and life-like as samurai men and women that evoke a time in history – his work is also featured in popular UK magazine ImagineFX. Marek Okon’s work is as photorealistic as it can get with his Combat – K: Hardcore drawing of a gun-toting woman rendered in Photoshop. She is caught in a moment of intense action gaming fans would admire. Even though there are only three of his pieces in here, his work stands out as realistic enough as the emotion he gives off with his characters is a mixture of daring, power and inner turmoil. Leonid Kozienko’s SF Yona is of a warrior woman clad in the most unusual armour that accentuates her curves, but also shows she means business. His work in LightWave 3D, Painter and Photoshop is detailed and striking to the reader. Karim Beyit’s Dark Elf is a combination of emeralds and golds and dark lined armour reminiscent of Elf art from Wizards of the Coast. His character gives off a feel of dread that is normally hard to capture.
For portraiture however, Sara Biddle’s Hour of Succession, Michael Oswald’s Last Race, Taris Yaehu’s Demon Princess and Marta Dahlig’s Bubbles are remarkable studies that any artist would be proud to have in their portfolio collection.
Exotique 5 proves itself as being just as good as the previous issue, if not better, and contains more than 200 illustrations that test the boundaries of what people view as art.
Posted: July 14th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
EXOTIQUE 4 reviewed on Fantasy Book Review
Reviewed by Sandra Scholes
Computer art and design has come thick and fast over the past eight years and it is no better illustrated than in this art book, which is full of stunning images of the best fantasy art around. Just from looking at the cover’s vibrancy and subject matter it shows what to expect inside, and with 203 pages of fantasy illustrations, every one is just as excellent as the last. The renderings can range from watercolour to painterly and realistic (as on the front cover.)
Artists using the latest in computer software have created some of the most challenging and exciting of CG art available in one volume. As many realise the label of fantasy can be varied, and numerous and readers will find artwork for computer games, book covers, concept art and portraiture. Readers can expect to encounter a whole range of images, both comical and serious, but all are exceptionally finished and the quality shows that perfectly. The primary reason for the artwork featuring in Exotique 4 is that artists who are both established and not established can showcase their work in there so that their art gets to a whole audience, as well as promotional potential to other publishing companies who might want to take them on.
For those who like seeing computer game art there is plenty to choose from such as; Final Fantasy, Disgaea, Bleach, and Naruto. Each artist has used their talent to create such lifelike pieces that stand out on every page. Daniel Wade and Paul Holland have made sure to bring readers only the best in fantasy art and their choice of illustrations are sure to captivate and inspire. Artists have been chosen from all four corners of the world with China, Indonesia, UK, US, Norway, Sweden and everything in between; each picture can represent the respective talent of the country.
For those who like RPG art there are illustrations based on characters from Wizards of the Coast, White Wolf, Propaganda Games, and Blitz Games. Many will be able to marvel at the familiar characters depicted there. Exotique 4 is an amalgamation of fantasy art that also includes sci-fi as well as some of the most in depth portrait art from both not known and well known artists at the moment; Fan Yang, Mario Wibisono, Joerg Warda, and Chris Ortega are just some of the best who have spared time to give people a good idea of what is inside their professional portfolio and from what can be seen, there is no room for disappointment.
Posted: July 14th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Book of the Month, July 2010: The Radleys by Matt Haig
Meet the Radleys – Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in a typical suburban English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But, as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret. In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain – and lose – when we deny our appetites.
“The Radleys is a refreshing and original take on a vampire genre that has arguably become rather overworked of late, and the book’s main theme of abstinence is perfect for these debt-ridden times. Using short, sharp paragraphs and sprinkled with delightful asides from the fictional Abstainer’s Handbook, The Radleys is a coming of age story that will appeal to adults, both young and old.”
Read the full review of The Radleys
A film adaptation of The Radleys has already been confirmed, with acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón (The Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men) set to produce.
Posted: July 12th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
A must read: The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell
The Reapers are the Angels is the highly impressive debut novel of high-school English teacher Alden Bell. It is a haunting and beautifully written vision of fractured humanity that may soon be regarded as a classic within its genre.
God is a slick god. Temple knows. She knows because of all the crackerjack miracles still to be seen on this ruined globe…Older than her years and completely alone, Temple is just trying to live one day at a time in a post-apocalyptic world, where the undead roam endlessly, and the remnant of mankind who have survived, at times, seem to retain little humanity themselves. This is the world she was born into. Temple has known nothing else. Her journey takes her to far-flung places, to people struggling to maintain some semblance of civilization – and to those who have created a new world order for themselves. When she comes across the helpless Maury, she attempts to set one thing right, if she can just get him back to his family in Texas then maybe it will bring redemption for some of the terrible things she’s done in her past. Because Temple has had to fight to survive, has done things that she’s not proud of and, along the road, she’s made enemies. Now one vengeful man is determined that, in a world gone mad, killing her is the one thing that makes sense.
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Alden Bell’s The Reapers are the Angels
The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell
Hardcover: 302 pages
Publisher: Tor (3 Sep 2010)
Alden Bell lives in New York with his wife, an Edgar-award-winning novelist. For the past nine years he has taught high school English at an Upper East Side prep school. Since 2002, he has also taught literature and cultural studies courses as an adjunct professor at the New School. He graduated from Berkeley with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. In 2000, he received his Master’s and Ph.D. in English at New York University, specializing in twentieth-century American and British literature.
Posted: July 8th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review
Latest reviews: Ambassador’s Mission, Curse of Chalion, Night Watch and more
Here is a round-up of the latest books to be read and reviewed on Fantasy Book Review, with links to the full review itself.
Coming soon: The Radleys by Matt Haig, Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom, The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell and Revise the World by Brenda Clough.
The Ambassador’s Mission by Trudi Canavan 
Sonea, former street urchin, now a Black Magician of Kyralia, is horrified when her son, Lorkin, volunteers to assist Dannyl in his new role as Guild Ambassador to Sachaka, a land still ruled by cruel black magicians. When word comes that Lorkin has gone missing Sonea is desperate to find him, but if she leaves the city she will be exiled forever, and besides, her old friend Cery needs her help. Most of his family has been murdered – the latest in a long line of assassinations to plague the leading Thieves. There has always been rivalry, but lately it seems the Thieves have been waging a deadly underworld war, and now it appears they have been doing so with magical assistance …
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Trudi Canavan’s The Ambassador’s Mission
Myla by Moonlight by Inez Kelley 
Magic bites… Created at Prince Taric’s birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty… until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life – and love – as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child. Taric’s blessing – and his curse – is knowing the kingdom’s future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death. An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Inez Kelley’s Myla by Moonlight
Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn 
The fire mystic Senneth crosses the country of Gillengaria on a mission for the king, trying to discover if noble marlords from the Twelve Houses are planning an uprising. She is accompanied by the soldiers Justin and Tayse, two King’s Riders who are unswervingly loyal to the crown. Also on the journey are the shape-changers Kirra and Donnal, and a young mystic named Cammon who can practically read minds. It’s soon clear that not only are marlords planning a rebellion, but that they are being aided by Daughters of the Pale Mother, a fanatical religious sect that hates mystics. While Senneth can clearly take care of herself, Tayse finds himself unable to stop watching her—determined both to protect her and to uncover her secrets.
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Sharon Shinn’s Mystic and Rider
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold 
Betrayed by an unknown enemy into slavery, former soldier and courtier Lupe dy Cazaril escapes his bondage and returns to the royal household he once served. Entrusted with the teaching of the sister to the heir to the throne of Chalion, Cazaril finds himself drawn into a tangled web of politics and dark magic as he battles a curse that threatens the lives and souls of a family he has come to love.
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Lois McMaster Bujold’s The Curse of Chalion
The Night Watch by Sergey Lukyanenko 
Walking the streets of Moscow, indistinguishable from the rest of its population, are the Others. Possessors of supernatural powers and capable of entering the Twilight, a shadowy parallel world existing in parallel to our own, each Other owes allegiance either to the Dark or the Light. The "Night Watch", first book in the "Night Watch" trilogy, follows Anton, a young Other owing allegiance to the Light. As a Night Watch agent he must patrol the streets and metro of the city, protecting ordinary people from the vampires and magicians of the Dark. When he comes across Svetlana, a young woman under a powerful curse, and saves an unfledged Other, Egor, from vampires, he becomes involved in events that threaten the uneasy truce, and the whole city…
Read the Fantasy Book Review of Sergey Lukyanenko’s The Night Watch
Posted: July 8th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review, Trudi Canavan
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| Once Walked with Gods James Barclay James Barclay's ELVES trilogy will tell the whole story of his immortal elven race, and will appeal to all fans of Tolkien and fantasy - this is a uniquely entertaining take on a fantasy staple perfect to bring new readers to Barclay. |
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Alden Bell Allison Brennan Paul Kearney Karen Brooks JR Mitchell NK Jemisin Holly Black Chris Dolley Alex Bell Alison Goodman |
The Amulet of Samarkand The Spook's Apprentice Gardens of the Moon A Game of Thrones A Wizard of Earthsea Ship of Magic Assassin's Apprentice The Colour of Magic Duncton Wood Tigana |
September 2, 2010 will see the publication of Steve Augarde's wonderful X-Isle in paperback. To mark the occasion Random House have very kindly given us three copies to give away as prizes in our latest competition. | ||
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