George Roesch profile

Place of birth: Chatham, Ontario, Canada

George Roesch's 13 reviews

Blood and Bone by Ian C Esslemont (A Novel of the Malazan Empire)

In the western sky the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted another expedition in a bid to tame the neighbouring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness. It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit-realm and half of the ear...

8.8/10

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Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson (The Kharkanas Trilogy)

It is the Age of Darkness and the realm called Kuruld Galain - home of the Tiste Andii and ruled over by Mother Dark from her citadel in Kharkanas - is in a perilous state. For the commoners' great warrior hero, Vatha Urusander, is being championed by his followers to take Mother Dark's hand in marriage but her Consort, Lord Draconus, st...

8.3/10

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Orb Sceptre Throne by Ian C Esslemont (A Novel of the Malazan Empire)

The tumult of great powers colliding has passed and the city of Darujhistan and its citizens can at last get on with what matters: trading, bickering, politicking and enjoying all the good things in life. However, not all are ready to leave the past behind. A treasure hunter, digging amongst the burial grounds that surround the city, is about to...

8.5/10

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The White Luck Warrior by R Scott Bakker (The Aspect Emperor)

This second volume of the Aspect Emperor series picks up right where the first one left off. Intense non-stop action which has you on the edge of your seat from the first pages to the last pages. I know that’s a washed out cliché to describe this book, but my emotional involvement was of the highest level. For me it seemed like the ...

8.5/10

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The Warrior Prophet by R Scott Bakker (Prince of Nothing)

Here in this second book of the Prince of Nothing series, we are pulled along with the characters on the holy crusade that was begun in “The Darkness That Comes Before.” As the great journey to free the holy city Shimeh begins we see Kellhus growing in power bit by bit as he reveals more of his secrets, without really revealing anyth...

8.5/10

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Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C Esslemont (A Novel of the Malazan Empire)

This book simply is an extra volume of the Malazan series. Originally, when I heard that I.C.E. was going to write some companion books to Mr. Erikson's, I was expecting them to be more of a set of histories akin to Lost Tales or something, explaining all those little things that were only alluded to and have started many a good debate. Like...

8.0/10

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The Darkness That Comes Before by R Scott Bakker (Prince of Nothing)

Welcome to Eärwa my friends. Where the sun is hot and the names are long. In reflection, these are the first things I always remember of this book. I recommend you spend a few minutes and read the character and faction glossary to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of the major players and groups, some are quite a mouthful.T...

8.5/10

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Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen)

What can you say about the ninth book in a series that you haven’t already said in the previous eight, especially with the tenth and final book currently propped open on your lap. Not much, especially not much if I don’t want to just repeat myself.So I will break form and say something about the story itself.Read around...

10.0/10

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Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson (A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen)

So here we are for the eighth time and it just gets better and better. I found this book to be a bit less frenetic than The Bonehunters as it seems like Mr Erikson is getting things organised for the final push. But that is by no means a reason to believe the action slows down. I guess things just seem more in control since we don’t spend ...

10.0/10

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The Judging Eye by R Scott Bakker (The Aspect Emperor)

This second series of Eärwa, titled The Aspect Emperor, continues twenty years after The Prince of Nothing series ends. The Three Seas are on the march under the leadership of Anasûrimbor Khellus. Khellus has spent these last twenty years conquering the various nations and forming the largest force he can to assault Golgotterath, the ...

10.0/10

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Southcrop Forest by Lorne Rothman

The trees of Southcrop have made a striking discovery-one that could change the world for all their kind. But they are trapped in a forest fragment and face destruction from human sprawl. They cannot spread their new-found gift across the land.Then Auja, a young oak, finds little Fur amongst her branches. Fur is a legendary creature not s...

8.0/10

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Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Does it seem ironic to anyone else that I’m rereading a book from 20 years ago for this review, and the book itself is about memories? To those of you unfamiliar with Tigana, the storyline is about loss and memory. To those of you familiar with Tigana, you may find yourself in the same frame of mind as I was.I was 19 and fresh out o...

9.7/10

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The City and the City by China Mieville

China Mieville has for quite some time now been one of the best science fiction writers that this country has produced. His books are intelligent, highly original and very different from most of what’s currently available in the science fiction and fantasy market. He is a multi award winning author, the World and British Fantasy awards and...

9.2/10

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