In Storm Front by Jim Butcher, Detective Karrin Murphy of Chicago PD’s Special Investigation Division is faced with a perplexing double murder case that defies any conventional explanation. Desperate for answers, she turns to Harry Dresden, a private investigator and expert on all things supernatural. Though she may have her doubts about his abilities, she knows that if someone is using magic to commit murder, Harry is her best chance at solving the case. Harry Dresden’s supernatural private investigation business is struggling financially, so when a woman contacts him to find her occult-obsessed husband, who she claims has gone missing and offers to pay upfront, Harry sees it as an opportunity he cannot afford to turn down, despite being busy with a case for the Chicago PD.
The two investigations take Harry down an unexpected and thrilling trail. He is introduced to local crime lord Johnny Marcone, who has his own reasons for wanting to keep the police and Harry from investigating the murders. Harry also confronts Bianca, who runs a high-end brothel that serves as a front for the local coven of Red Court Vampires. Meanwhile, a new drug, ThreeEye, is wreaking havoc on the streets, it is a terribly addictive hallucinogenic that may have supernatural properties.
Harry might be the only wizard listed in the phone book, but he is far from the only wizard in the world. Practitioners of magic must obey the seven laws of magic, which are enforced by the secretive and powerful group of wizards known as the White Council. Many members of the White council have a negative opinion of Harry due to his troubled past, and a local enforcer, Donald Morgan, is keeping a close eye on him, looking for an opportunity to execute him. The gruesome murders carried out by black magic might just be the excuse Morgan needs to carry out his plans.
Dresden must use all of his skills as a wizard and private investigator to uncover the truth behind the murders and the source of the dangerous new drug. The stakes are high, and Harry’s life is in danger as he battles against powerful enemies and races against time to solve the cases.
The author himself acknowledges that many readers believe the series does not fully gain momentum until the third book. After having completed my third read of Storm Front by Jim Butcher, I must say that I strongly disagree with the notion. It’s an excellent beginning to a wonderful story.
The series’ length may be intimidating, but I assure you that the effort is well worth it. The intricate world-building, the well-crafted characters, and the masterful storytelling make it a must-read for fans of the genre. The Dresden Files is an extraordinary series that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment. I highly recommend the Dresden Files audiobooks, which are expertly narrated by James Marsters. His performance brings the characters and story to life in a way that truly enhances the experience. He gives a phenomenal and captivating performance in every book, making it an excellent way to enjoy the series.
On early 2022, acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson revealed through a video that he secretly wrote four novels during the pandemic lockdown. He then launched a Kickstarter campaign to get these novels published, which became the biggest Kickstarter campaign in history, surpassing the previous donation record holder by more than double. He made the first of these novels, “Tress of the Emerald Sea,” available as an eBook to non-Kickstarter backers on January 10th.
Renowned for his fast writing, Brandon Sanderson accomplished an impressive feat by completing four new novels while juggling other projects. Throughout the years, I’ve enjoyed introducing his work to friends and family who don’t typically read fantasy, and I argue that he has had a bigger impact on the genre’s popularity than George R.R. Martin. Sanderson’s approachable writing style makes it easy for readers to immerse themselves in his worlds.
I hadn’t read any of Brandon Sanderson’s work in a while, but as I delved into “Tress of the Emerald Sea,” his writing style felt familiar and comforting. Although the tone and overall vibe of the novel is quite different from his previous work, there’s something unmistakably “Sanderson” about it. I plan to catch up on some of his earlier novels soon.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” takes place in Sanderson’s connected universe, the Cosmere, and features direct connections and references to his previous work. If you’re wondering if you need to have read other Cosmere novels to understand the story in “Tress of the Emerald Sea”, the answer is no. However, it is worth noting that if you’ve started but not finished the original Mistborn series, it’s best to wait until you do before reading “Tress of the Emerald Sea” as there is a passage that could potentially spoil an aspect of the incredible ending of the Mistborn trilogy.
Brandon Sanderson has discussed the inspiration behind “Tress of the Emerald Sea”, stating that he wanted to write a light-hearted story akin to the classic novel “The Princess Bride” by S. Morgenstern and “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. While watching “The Princess Bride” with his family. His wife, Emily, asked what could have happened if Princess Buttercup didn’t immediately give up upon hearing that her love had gone missing, this question sparked the imagination of Sanderson and thus Tress of the Emerald Sea was born.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” is a maritime novel that takes place primarily on boats, but with a unique twist: the seas they sail on are not made of water, but rather dangerous spores that are affected by liquefaction. As with any Sanderson novel, it features an intriguing magic system. The dangerous spores that characters sail on have mysterious properties that can be harnessed by those daring enough to experiment with them.
As previously mentioned, “Tress of the Emerald Sea” tells the story of Tress, an unassuming townswoman. She has unruly hair, washes windows on the small and barren island where she was born, and loves to collect cups. Her peaceful existence is upended when she learns that the man she loves has gone missing, and is being held for ransom by a powerful sorcerer who resides in the treacherous Midnight Sea. Tress must venture out of the safety of her home and family, and find passage on a ship in order to attempt a rescue mission.
“Tress of the Emerald Sea” features a strong aspect of the “found family” trope, as Tress meets a cast of memorable and likable characters along her journey. Despite her initial belief that she is uninteresting, Tress has a unique ability to make new best friends who are willing to go to great lengths to help her. This aspect adds depth and heart to the story. I found myself loving all the characters in this novel and was disappointed that it is a standalone.
The book is told from the perspective of Hoid, a being who is present in many Cosmere novels. The space travelers in the Cosmere universe do not follow a “Prime Directive” like in Star Trek, many seem to be more than willing to interfere with the affairs and progress of primitive alien species.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Tress of the Emerald Sea” and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others. The story is a delightful and heartwarming read that is filled with humor and a sense of adventure. The setting is unique and imaginative, with the dangerous spores as seas, and the magic system was engaging and well-crafted. The characters are all likable and relatable, and the found family trope adds an emotional depth that makes the story all the more engaging. The story has a good balance of action, humor and emotional moments, it’s the perfect blend that keeps the story interesting and engaging. Overall, I believe this book will be a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy novels with a touch of humor, adventure, and heart.
If you are familiar with the Fantasy book community on social media, you may have already come across the novel “Legends & Lattes” a New York Times bestseller written and self-published by renowned audiobook narrator, Travis Baldree in February 2022. The author sets this slice-of-life story in a world that resembles that of the popular role-playing game, “Dungeons and Dragons”.
The narrative centers around Viv, a retired adventurer who, after a lifetime of battles, has decided to open a unique business venture – a coffee shop in a bustling town. Despite the novelty of this idea in this part of the world, where coffee is a rare commodity that virtually nobody is aware of, Viv has a secret that could give her an edge in her endeavor.
“Legends and Lattes” is a cozy and easy-going read. The story’s conflicts are not intense and are resolved in a pleasant manner on the following pages. Although I have not read many slice-of-life fantasy novels, manga and anime offer a good representation of this genre. I hope that the success of “Legends and Lattes” encourages the publication of more slice-of-life fantasy novels or at least draws attention to novels I may have missed.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was the “found family” trope, which holds a special place in my heart. The protagonist, Viv, forms deep connections with a diverse cast of characters, and I found myself invested in these relationships. Baldree does an excellent job of making the reader care about Viv’s new best friends and the connections they form.
Blitz is an urban fantasy novel by Daniel O’Malley, and it is the third installment in the Checquy Files series. The series centers on a secret organization called the Chequy, which battles various supernatural forces in Britain. In “Blitz”, the book introduces new characters, with only a brief appearance by the protagonist from the first novel, Myfanwy Thomas.
So, is the book any good? I simply don’t have the desire to invest the time and effort in crafting a review for something I didn’t enjoy. So yes, I felt that Blitz was good and can easily recommend it and the Checquy series in general.
Daniel O’Malley composes “Blitz” of two interwoven storylines. one narrative takes place in 1940, following three Checquy operatives during the historical Blitz bombing campaign in London. The other story centers around Lynette Brins, a modern-day librarian, who discovers her supernatural powers and the Checquy organization draws her into their world. The novel’s primary mystery lies in how these two storylines are connected.
I found the story of “Blitz” to be captivating and the conclusion satisfying. However, the author devotes a significant portion of the book to developing the mythology and rules of the Checquy universe. This could be a sign that the author, Daniel O’Malley, has more stories to tell in this series. While I appreciate the detail, I also noticed that some urban fantasy authors are able to build their worlds in a more nuanced and natural way.
In summary, “Blitz” is a well-written novel, but it does not quite reach the heights of the series opener, “The Rook.”
While exploring Mars in 2149 humanity discovers ancient ruins of a spacefaring civilization on Mars, leading to the discovery of faster-than-light travel through a phenomenon called Mass Effect. Within just 34 years humanity becomes a major player in galactic politics, human colonies are established on multiple planets, Humanities scientists contribute to groundbreaking discoveries across all aspects of galactic life. Whether you love them or hate them, humanity is here to stay and determined to make its mark in this vast and dynamic galaxy.
Enter Commander Shepard, the embodiment of humanity’s spirit and a highly decorated and dedicated soldier for the Systems Alliance. When humanity takes its next step forward on the galactic stage, Shepard is chosen as the first human Spectre, a special tactics force tasked with missions of paramount importance and given the authority to complete them by any means necessary.
Aboard the SSV Normandy, a cutting-edge starship equipped with an experimental stealth drive, Commander Shepard is presented with an opportunity to showcase their exceptional skills on a covert mission. The objective is to escort ancient technology recently discovered on the human colony of Eden Prime, which holds enormous scientific potential for the entire galaxy. The discovery of the ancient beacon was supposed to be kept secret, the situation quickly spirals out of control when the colony is ambushed by the Geth, a race of artificially intelligent machines, who until now have remained isolated in their own section of the galaxy and they seem intent on destroying the beacon. As Shepard rushes to save the colonists of Eden Prime and protect the ancient beacon, they become embroiled in a sinister plot that threatens to bring about the downfall of the entire galaxy.
I first played Mass Effect when the PC version was released. I was immediately enthralled, It felt like the game was made specifically for me tailored expertly to my interests. To begin I created my bald Commander Shepard and set out to explore the Milky Way with a spirit of discovery, a commitment to morality and justice armed with a keen sense of diplomacy. I loved the feeling that my choices mattered and I was having a significant impact on the galaxy.
The galaxy of Mass Effect is home to a vast array of fascinating alien species, each with its own rich history and culture. From the hulking Elcor to the pressure-suited Volus, each species is distinct and expertly crafted by BioWare, the game’s developer. I found myself spending as much time as possible learning all I could about these unique cultures. Despite their physically diminutive appearance, the Volus proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the galaxy, using their economic prowess to shape the standard galactic currency. Although the Volus are not prominently featured in the first Mass Effect game, their inclusion serves as a testament to the care and attention to detail that BioWare put into creating this rich and immersive universe.
The worlds that I explored on Shepard’s journey were visually stunning. I was particularly enamored with the secret research base operating outside the jurisdiction of the galactic government on the planet Noveria. The view of the raging snowstorm from the cozy corporate offices was particularly memorable, as I’ve always had a fondness for snow-covered environments in video games. Another standout location is Ilos, which is littered with ancient ruins and alien statues dedicated to long-deceased heroes.
The recently released Mass Effect Legendary Edition allows players to experience the entire Mass Effect trilogy. Although the mechanics of the first game, which is the focus of this review, may not have aged as well as other aspects of the series, it remains an essential component of the overall narrative. While some may appreciate the combat system, I found it to be clunky and unengaging. However, all other elements of the game are masterfully crafted and to fully appreciate the trilogy, it is worth playing through the first game despite its shortcomings in the combat department.
