Fantasy title specials

David Burrows has a giveaway for his novel, Drachar's Demons, prequel to Prophecy of the Kings at this link.






Author J.A. Garland has a giveaway on Goodreads for her paranormal story, Instinct, at this link.  There are 5 copies available, enter by Dec. 26, 2012.





and, I still have a giveaway going (my first print book giveaway!) for a soon to be released print copy of Alexa Egan's debut novel, Demon's Curse, as part of the Gifting Books blog hop at this link!  Open to U.S. residents only.

Heir of Novron

The Heir of Novron  
by Michael J. Sullivan is part of the Riyria Revelations series.  The series is a fun read for any fan of fantasy and the author takes great pains to make sure he is not penning a predictable quest tale even as he artfully weaves together a compelling story.  The main characters are skillfully presented so that their backgrounds are only gradually revealed through the six novels that comprise the series yet they are intriguing enough at the outset to gather the reader's attention.  The cliffhanging endings to many of the chapters and the abrupt endings to some of the secondary characters keep one guessing and the deft thumbnail sketches provide a wealth of information without smothering the reader in facts.  I personally did NOT like the events that ended the fifth novel in the series that the author assures me were inevitable yet I have to admit that the entire series flowed nicely if not entirely to my personal satisfaction.  My Amazon review is at this link under ELF2060 with the title, "What more can you ask of Royce and Hadrian?".  As always, a 'yes, this was helpful' vote is greatly appreciated.

My Goodreads review for the first 2 volume set, Theft of Swords, is at this link.  Even better, the author is holding a giveaway on Goodreads.  (If the link doesn't work, please search for the title and the contest should show up, but make sure you enter by July 27, 2012).



My Goodreads review for the second 2 volume set, Rise of Empire, is at this link.



I am delighted that the author is visiting the SOS Aloha blog for an interview on July 14, 2012 so that you can get a glimpse of this talented writer through Kim's insightful interview questions. 

My thanks to the author and Goodreads for providing these entertaining novels.  I had the great good fortune to win The Heir of Novron and the author contacted me and indicated (rightly) that it would be best to read the series in order and very generously provided me with copies of the first four books in the series.  I, of course, offered to review them and it snowballed from there so I offer my sincere apologies to the author for the long delay (0:

Rise of Empire

Rise of Empire        



by Michael J. Sullivan is the second part of his Riyria Revelations series.  This wonderfully inventive fantasy ostensibly is centered around Hadrian and Royce but their twelve year partnership is being threatened by Hadrian's dissatisfaction with his life and its purpose.  The fantastical talents that the duo share between the two of them are about to be, hmm, wasted...given Hadrian's threat to retire and Royce's plans to settle down and marry his Gwen.  The problem is, the Church is misusing the power acquired through the premise that they have indeed found the heir of Novron who is unwilling or unable to prevent the abuses being perpetrated in her name.  Hadrian's discovery of the story behind the medallion he wears prompts him to embark on a perilous journey and naturally Royce is compelled to accompany his partner, particularly after Gwen has her say in the matter.  The constant adventures, remarkable lands that are described and the intriguing secondary characters who are introduced make this another excellent quest adventure but be forewarned, there are two separate novels in this particular book and then you will want to have the sequel, Heir of Novron, immediately available.  I was disappointed by some of the developments but definitely admit that the story is compelling and a very enjoyable read.  My Amazon review is at this link under ELF2060.  A 'yes, this was helpful' vote is always greatly appreciated.

Theft of Swords

Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan is a two book fantasy in one volume that introduces an interesting pair of characters named Hadrian and Royce who combine a wealth of skills.  The interaction between the two is a combination of quirky humor, absolute trust and acceptance.  Each has his own secrets that the other respects, fighting skills that all others are astounded by and a code of behavior that holds them to a higher standard than most of their fellow beings would ever consider.  The adventures presented in this volume are a series of cliffhangers that combine suspense and humor and a wealth of quirky secondary characters and are mixed with the requisite petitioners with virtually impossible goals which give a nice texture to the tales. 

There is a short story available on Amazon at this link that gives an introduction to the intriguing pair but it is not necessary to have read this one before jumping into the series.  There are some inconsistencies in the behavior of some of the characters but not enough to detract from the entertaining quality of the story.  Clues are gradually revealed about the background of these extraordinary beings and the overall linking theme of all of the books makes the endings necessarily inconclusive but not irritatingly so.  My review on Amazon is at this link under ELF2060.  I would appreciate a 'yes, this was helpful' vote if you are so inclined.

There are two more volumes in the series (Rise of Empire and Heir of Novron) which I will review as I finish reading them.

My thanks to the author for providing a copy of this entertaining tale as well as Rise of Empire so that I would better understand the background for Heir of Novron (which I won on Goodreads).