Tag Archives: fantasy

2016, Book Review

[Review] The False Prince — Jennifer A. Nielsen

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Book Title:  The False Prince (Ascendence Trilogy #01)
Author:      Jennifer A. Nielsen
Number of pages:  342

Synopsis:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

(re: Goodreads @ The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Competitive premise; tautly written page-turning narrative and palatable action sequences
– Low fantasy featuring historical/medieval undertones (no magic or anything as of now) and a politically driven conflict
– World building may not be descriptively vibrant if you’re used to intricate magic systems etc.
– The protagonist walks around with a a witty “better than you” swagger. Likability factor depends on the readers opinion on grey characters that aren’t “good” for the sake of being a hero
– Romance is a bit of instalust and/or love triangle but is not the focus at all.

Initial Thoughts

Good ol’ MG Fantasy pick-me-up.

Continue reading [Review] The False Prince — Jennifer A. Nielsen →

2016, discussion, Terrible Protagonist

[Why I’d Be A Terrible Protagonist] – Reason #19: Risk Aversion

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The Terrible Protagonist series explores reasons why regular humans (aka myself) would not fair well in the world of fiction. 

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Why I’d Be A Terrible Protagonist:
Risk Aversion

Abstract:

You’re asking me to take a bullet for you with such a stoic face…you’re–oh, you’re serious?

Continue reading [Why I’d Be A Terrible Protagonist] – Reason #19: Risk Aversion →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Crowns Game — Evelyn Skye

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Book Title:  The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game #01)
Author:      Evelyn Skye
Number of pages:  399

Synopsis:

the-crowns-game-evelyn-skye-book-coverVika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

(re: Goodreads @ The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– The concept of the duel is interesting but there are holes in the magic system that could have been better explained
– The writing pairs a vividly imagined Russia with exciting action sequences
– Most of the characters in this multi-POV narration feel like do-gooders and are rarely “grey”
– Romance takes a lot of precedence over plot and features love squares via instalus; including a lot of wandering gazes and lingering thoughts

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Initial Thoughts

Well…shit.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of The Crowns Game from Chapters Indigo.

Continue reading [Review] The Crowns Game — Evelyn Skye →