about 4 months ago - No comments
In this sequel to the popular epic fantasy The Warded Man, the legend of the hero Arlen Bales takes a backseat as two other characters capture our imagination. There is Jardir, the pseudo-hero and king who leads violent, stereotypical desert folk against the tranquil “green lands.” The rags-to-fame story of Jardir mirrors Arlen’s, feeling repetitious
about 4 months ago - 1 comment
Nyphron Rising: The Riyria Revelations (Volume 3) by Michael J. Sullivan With the third book in the Riyria Revelations series, Nyphron Rising, Michael J. Sullivan has done it again. He has managed to write a story with a momentum that keeps the pages turning and the heart racing, keeping you itching to know what happens
about 4 months ago - No comments
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Book 1 (The Inheritance Trilogy) by N.K. Jemisin Firstly, our main character Yeine is by all counts not spectacularly beautiful or vastly talented in magic or anything we’d have become used to in the normal fantasy fare. She’s small, has brown skin and dark hair, cut short to her scalp. Her
about 4 months ago - No comments
I recently read “I, Robot,” a collection of short stories written by Isaac Asimov in 1950′s. The movie that came out a few years ago with the same title was loosely based upon some of the themes from the stories, but did not follow any particular plot in the stories. While I did enjoy the movie, it failed, in my opinion, to capture the depth of the original writing and and themes Asimov was trying to communicate. If you don’t want me to spoil it for you, stop reading now.
about 4 months ago - No comments
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting Derting’s debut novel is a gripping page turner full of romance, mystery, and suspense. Violet’s ability to sense the dead has plagued her since she was little. She had to constantly cope with being drawn to the echoes left behind by the dead. The torment that ensued after her
about 4 months ago - No comments
A good novel starts with a good idea. What we call a premise. A premise is the basic, underlying story. In essence, it is what the book is about. It is the central idea that makes people want to read the book.
about 4 months ago - No comments
Storm Prey by John Sandford Dr. Weather Karkinnen, wife of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Chief Lucas Davenport, is one of the surgical team diligently working to separate twins co-joined at the head. As they begin the complex series of operations, four men rush into the hospital’s pharmacy, taking millions in drugs. The surgery is
about 4 months ago - No comments
To create characters for your fantasy novel you must consider your market and create characters that your readers are able to relate to, and care for. This does not mean that you reveal all there is about your characters in the first few lines, your characters a best revealed a little as the plot unfolds, a little intrigue goes a long way. But your characters should be developed before you put your pen to paper.
about 4 months ago - No comments
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting Violet has the strange ability to sense an “echo” from people (and animals) that have been killed. The echo is unique for each killing although it matches the echo given off by the killer. Usually, this “talent” is a nuisance – Violet can’t even go near her cat because
about 4 months ago - No comments
There’s an essential step to writing a really good novel that many new writers overlook. Once you understand this idea, your writing will be much more dynamic and powerful and you will be able to hook your readers into your story so they won’t want to put down your book until the last page. Here’s how to write a good novel that your readers will love: make sure you introduce a major crisis at the beginning of your story.
Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress