Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

This is the first book of Harrison’s that I have read. I expected a Jim Butcher level of entertainment. I didn’t get it. I gave it a good effort but I just couldn’t get into the story, the characters, the setting, nothing. I wanted to like the book, I have already got a couple more of her books, assuming I would like it but alas, I didn’t. The book had too much soap opera overtone for my taste. Now I am not foolish enough to suggest that it may be more suited in the romance category of vampire loving teens but maybe… Rachel Mariana Morgan is a witch, rooming with a living vampire and a bunch of pixies and she is the familiar of a demon. Sounds like it should be page turner and obviously from Harrison’s sales for many people her books are page turners, just not for me. I do not recommend it.

Body of work of Kim Harrison

Review: http://www.sfsite.com/10a/ew209.htm

Web site: http://www.kimharrison.net/Every%20Which%20Way.htm

Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak

This book will no doubt be a major hit with World of Warcraft fans. It details Malfurion Stormrage’s part in the Emerald Dream.

I am normally a major fan of fantasy. I guess I am just not a fan of Knaak. I wasn’t a fan of Beastmaster Myth either, the only other book of his I read. I can’t even point my finger at what I don’t like so my supposition is there is just something about his style that doesn’t resonate with me. I mean, how can you not like a book whose main character is named Malfurion Stormrage. That just shouts out excitement and action.

Analyzing the book, it seems to have all the right pieces. Colorful, exotic characters with definitive personalities that are conflicting in a mysterious manner. I suspect that those who are familiar with the entire scenario of the Emerald Dream will be intoxicated with the book. I have no doubt that it will be a success and suggest that you look at my other recommendations to determine if my thoughts run parallel or perpendicular to yours.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Richard A. Knaak

Web Site:

The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans

I liked Chris Evans second book better than her first. She has created a real Rubik’s cube of plots within plots. More villains have been added and some minor characters have been promoted to major characters. The second Star of power is to be found in a desert dominated by the legend of an evil sorcerer. The Iron Elves are once more the sharp point of the human empires bayonet. Three witches ride into battle with villains who oppose each other, who try and destroy the Iron Elves and capture the Star of Power.

The coming of age of Alwyn was inevitable and eventually dismaying. Konowa’s role was not demoted but was of less consequence in this book. Evans again provides enough detail to flesh out her characters into believable protagonists. The interplay and camaraderie again is inspiring and entertaining. Fans of Stirling and Drake will enjoy the military intereaction. I noted in my review of Evans first book that I felt she has the potential to build a band of brothers similar to Glen Cook’s Black Company. It was gratifying that a review by the Library Journal quoted on the dust jacket of this book suggests the same thing. A cautionary note, Evans doesn’t hesitate to kill off characters that you may have invested with empathetically. I felt the increased intricacy of the plot line and some startling revelations added to my predisposition to enjoy the book.

I enjoyed the book and am waiting not very patiently for the next.


October 17th to October 18th 2011

A Darkness Formed in Fire by Chris Evans

An agrarian society dominated by an Empire’s forces seeks salvation in falling stars. An outcast elf leads the Iron Elves, a military unit in the Empire employ. The outcast elf’s experiences as the Iron Elves fight both rebel forces and the mysterious and sinister Shadow Monarch fuel the action in this book.

I enjoyed the way Evans built her characters. She provided plenty of insight to the character’s motivation. All of the necessary pieces were available for a down and dirty fantasy adventure. I particularly liked the interplay between dwarf and dweeb. Konowa’s esprit de corps and his deep sense of responsibility for his men was admirable. His soul searching introspection and brooding kept him from being a stereotyped hero. The plot had a wealth of intricacy as far as plot is concerned. The invocation of an all abiding oath by the Iron Elves tied Konowa’s fate to soul searing revenge. The Iron Elves have the potential to grow into a band of brothers similar to Glen Cooks’ infamous Black Company.

I enjoyed the book and have already started the sequel, “The Light of Burning Shadow”

Body of work of Chris Evans

Review: http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/darkness-forged-in-fire-chris-evans.html

Web site: nothing showed up

October 17th to October 18th 2011

Wheels of Fire by Mercedes Lackey & Mark Shepherd

My guess is the goal of the Serrated Edge series is to address social issues. The exploited children theme was in the last one I read as well. I like that they tailor a story to emphasize a social ill and at the end of the book have phone numbers for help. The book’s target audience may be the teen age years but I am young at heart. I enjoyed the book. It deals with cult type of pseudo-religions and their impact on both parents and children. It also paints a sad but often true portrait of how greasing palms can smooth the way for all kinds of nefarious activities. The easy access to AK47s mirrors the current trouble with the arming of the Mexican drug cartels through our southern borders. I recommend the book.

Body of work of Mercedes Lackey
Body of work of Mark Shepard


Site: http://www.mercedeslackey.com/

Site: none found for Mark Shepherd

Review: http://davidsnewzealandadventure.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-wheels-of-fire.html

Born to Run by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon

A book with a morale is not surprising from Lackey. I guess the surprise for me was to discover she and Larry Dixon on spouses. Didn’t know that. The story doesn’t seem dated at all, in spite of being published in 1992. The cast of mages, elves and ghosts, both good and evil, provides a good story. A young “do gooder” mage’s concern about the welfare of a runaway permeates the story line. Depiction of the dangers of running away and the potentially despicable consequences provide the grindingly realistic morale. I particularly liked the after note that provides an 800-999-9999 number for runaways to call for help. Since the book was dated, I called the number and it is still a crisis hotline so I put it here as well. I liked the fact the author and the publishers seemed concerned about their reader’s welfare. I recommend the book.

Body of work of Mercedes Lackey
Body of work of Larry Dixon


Site: http://www.mercedeslackey.com/
Not Dixon’s site but interesting: http://gryphonking.aelfhame.net/

Review: http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?book=284

The Ring by Deborah Chester

All the necessary facets of fantasy are in place in “The Ring”. Dwarves, trolls, knights, magic armor and swords, evil villains and anti-heroes are abundant. The main protagonist is young, foolish and prone to stupid mistakes. Occasionally he is so inept that he makes me crazy. In spite of that you have a classic clash between good and evil. Prejudice and naiveté don’t prevent the young partial elf (eld) from pursuing his goals in spite of wide spread death around him. His future bride (my supposition) faces her own adversities with less than stellar composure. Chester’s characterizations have the fragility of believable human beings. I am enjoying the trilogy and am in the middle of the final book. I recommend it.

Body of work of Deborah Chester

Review: http://www.fantasyfreaks.org/reviews/alleandra/src.html

Web Site: http://www.deborahchester.com/about.html