I’ve heard the name, but never read anything by Neal Shusterman until now. While it is only January, I can easily see this book as being the best I read all year. The world, while fabricated into a narrow utopian future where society has essentially culminated, is intriguing because of the moral dilemmas this creates. When no one can die and there is little left to invent, what makes life worth living without the fear of death, without loss? Society must replace nature with a new mechanism. Enter the scythes and gleaning (killing). While the story says that scythes were created to control growth, the numbers do not align with what would be required for population control. I tend to see the scythes as an attempt to restore the value of life in the midst of stagnation.
One of the things that makes this book such a good read is that it forces the reader to look at death, not as a random occurrence, but as a conscious choice. The different methods Scythes use for determining who they glean is morbid, yet fascinating, providing a structured vision into the unknowable chaos behind who lives and dies...almost like bearing witness to God’s plan if you are the religious sort. The writing is superb, and the apprenticeship of Citra and Rowan is a perfect mechanism for creating deep and dynamic characters as they are forced to examine everything they feel and think about society, people, life and death. So who will like this book? While it is marketed as YA and SF (more about this in a moment), the nature of the story makes it a great read for adults and teens who are into just about any genre. I can’t think of anyone over 13 I wouldn’t enthusiastically recommend this book to...in fact I’ve already recommended it to two people that are not Science Fiction readers. Now, about the YA tag. I tend to steer away from reading YA novels, and it almost put me off of reading Scythe. It’s not because of the writing (most YA books I have read are very well written), but because I like my Science Fiction and Fantasy on the deeper and darker side. That being said, there are a lot of books initially shelved in the Science Fiction and Fantasy section that have been moved over to YA. I recently found Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn in the YA section of a Barnes and Noble. I wouldn’t call the Mistborn series YA, but the lines have blurred so much that just about anything can be shelved with YA--especially if there is a young protagonist. On a recent YA panel at a convention I heard the words, “Write about anything, the kids can take it.” I believe the speaker, unless we are talking erotica or splatter or some such, but it is problematic when differentiating between the two subgenres. For the most part, YA tends to deal with topics like transitions, early loves, relationships, dealing with loss, identity, etc., but coming-of-age novels have typically been found in the adult section because they transition to more adult themes as they progress. Under this frame of reference, I think it better to delineate YA from adult by where the story arc ends vice where it begins. So where does that place Scythe? It certainly deals with YA topics like transition, relationships, identity, loss, and fitting into cultural norms, but it also grapples with morality, society and culture from a more mature perspective. This is especially true of the journal entries used to begin most chapters. Having not read book two, I come away from book one with the feeling that the ending has turned the corner into adulthood, and that the series could quickly progress into mostly adult themes...I’ll get back to you on the answer when I get through the series. But I will say that so far, this is the most “adult” YA I have read, and that you should go out and buy it today.
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Early December turned into Pierce Brown week. I tore through Red Rising, Golden Sun, and Morning Star in a few days, relishing the ups and downs of Darrow’s journey from Red to Gold...and beyond. Books one and two had been in my “to be read” pile for months--well to be honest, years. I think I picked up Red Rising at the World Fantasy Convention in 2014. But there was a reason I spent so long passing it over. You see, at first glance, Red Rising appeared to be just one more book in the pattern of divided dystopias that have been prevalent for the last few years (Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.). I kept procrastinating because I didn’t want to read another story about how one person didn’t fit in amongst the oversimplified groups and rose up to save the day. That, and because the book was in first person, present tense. I find it difficult to get into first person, present tense novels. While present tense creates a sense of immediacy, there are multiple challenges that can send a story spiraling into oblivion--from problems with the timing of events to reducing suspense and an inability to create deep secondary characters. Also, the redundant use of “I” can wear on the nerves. I’m ashamed to say that Red Rising still sits in the “to be read” pile in my home office, but I happened to be in Kandahar for a couple days and spotted Red Rising in a free library. I didn’t have another book with me, so I tucked it into my pocket and gave it chance that evening. I’m so glad I did. What a fantastic series--and thank the stars that I could download books two and three on Kindle. The premise of the book is simple. People are stratified by color with golds on top and reds at the bottom and multiple colors between. Darrow is a Red. He is a miner on mars. Everything he knows is a lie, and he must become a Gold if he wants to change things. The death of his wife is the catalyst, and a vague rebellion leader who wants to use his anger and ability is the means. So how do I describe Red Rising without giving things away? Well it is Ender’s Game for adult readers, with unbelievably painful consequences for young men and women who fail and with a focus on the nature of society instead of weapons and tactics. Brown creates an expansive society, only to show us the barbaric nature of humanity that must be used at times to enforce structure and create a civilized society. Darrow is the means to another way, but he must conquer the solar system first. For me, there was only one point in which the story semi-collapsed, and that was the ending of the series. When a story is first person, present tense, the protagonist is laid bare. There is no “good” method for hiding what your character is doing and thinking. If the protagonist lies to himself for no other reason than to misdirect the reader, it doesn’t work well. It creates an unreliable narrator/protagonist that in a sense breaks the fourth because he knows he has an audience. Do not, however, let that prevent you from reading the series, because despite this shortcoming, Red Rising was quite simply the best book series I’ve read this year.
I seem to be on a fantasy crime-boss reading binge. Priest of Bones landed on my “too read” stack when my agent mentioned fellow client Peter McLean’s work. I recently had a long flight from Oklahoma to Afghanistan, so his novel seemed perfect for making an otherwise monotonous series of take offs, waits, and landings enjoyable.
Wow...what an entertaining read. I’ve always loved fantasy on the darker, more realistic side of things. Let’s face it, there’s nothing particularly romantic or noble about hacking and stabbing at each other with a sharpened lengths of metal. Probably why I enjoyed almost everything David Gemmel ever wrote. War is dark, messy, and painful, and people will do things they’re not proud of to survive. Priest of Bones takes place right after a war, and Tomas Piety, a former crime boss, has survived enough death and destruction to look at killing in a far more practical light. When he returns from the war to see his territory taken and his aunt in a convent, he rebuilds his gang of Pious Men to take back his streets. The ensuing power struggle has all the intrigue, backstabbing, and danger of a season of the Supranos. There are a few clichés--nicknames and character types--but it wouldn’t be a mob-style story without them, and unlike the Supranos, Tomas Piety isn’t trying to fit into upper echelon society. Don’t get me wrong, Tomas Piety isn’t amoral--it would be hard to empathize with an amoral protagonist. He has his own version of honor, and there is enough family conflict and inner turmoil to make him an intriguing character. He also has a few secrets, and those secrets are what gives the promise of a solid arc for the next couple books in the series. As far as the setting and world goes, while not expansive, it was flushed out just as much as the story needed. There is enough magic to call the book fantasy, but like a sword or a lock pick, it’s a tool instead of a pillar supporting the plot. Last, while the setting is dark and gritty, with most people attempting to take advantage of each other in some fashion or other, there is still hope in the world that things will be better. I’ve noticed a few comparisons of Priest of Bones with works by Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, etc., both positive and negative. Mostly the same old arguments I’ve heard in hundred other places, of what belongs in a group and what doesn’t. In this case, if it falls under grimdark fantasy or not. Well, if I grouped my novels by sub-genre, I’d put Priest of Bones with The First Law Trilogy and Prince of Thorns. Since I don’t sort my books that way, I’ll just shelve it after the Dennis L. McKeirnan novels and leave a little room after it for the next books. I’ll be buying them--and that’s about the best praise you can give an author.
Crime families, clan honor, martial arts and magic...all meshed together in an otherworld, semi-modern wuxia fantasy. What’s not to love about this? Fonda Lee layers Janloon, otherwise known as Jade City, with the nostalgia of an imagined post-world war island colony, complete with epic legends, a believable caste system, and well-defined traditions. The setting, in all its rich and wonderful detail, is exciting and refreshing. The slow-burning political intrigue, coupled with the promise of the mob war and violence to come, that surround the No Peak clan keep the pages turning as the reader is pulled inexorably toward the showdown between the Kaul and Ayt families. The stakes are high, having world-wide implications beyond the island of Kekon, and the characters are dynamic, flawed and believable. While there are sacrifices and death, the world isn’t dark, with plenty of hope for the future, and it is a pleasure watching Kekon society teeter on the cusp of becoming something more, something greater, if the Kauls win, versus something more sinister and ruthless if the Ayt family wins. So, who will love this book? Everyone but the most diehard, epic fantasy fans stuck on more traditional storylines. You also have to give this story time to build. The action is not fast-paced until the latter third of the book, although the opening treats the reader to a glimpse of the Green Bone magic before beginning its slow build toward open war. The payoff, however, is worth the reader’s patience, and it’s easy to see why Jade City has been nominated for multiple awards. All-in-all Jade City is a refreshing deviation from pseudo-European fantasy.
Motorcycles, corrupt corporations, space ships, and bond-like villains...hell yeah! I have to start by saying that I am a bit biased about this series. I happened to score an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Courier in my book bag at World Fantasy Con 2015 a few months before the Hardcover came out. In fact, my signed copy has "#4" penned next to Gerald's signature on the title page, marking it as his 4th autograph, and I knew as soon as I finished reading the book that Gerald was going to be around the Science Fiction and Fantasy scene for a long time. There is something special about catching a new author right at the beginning of their professional writing career. You feel like you're part of the journey. Not in a crazy stalker way, like standing outside his window on a cold, snowy night in Winnipeg watching him write (I promise that wasn't me Gerald) or in that Stephen King Misery kind of way that will see him locked in your cabin writing your whims in a couple years, but in that smug, knowing way...like when you overhear two people discuss a book in the aisle at Barnes and Noble (something I find most avid reader's secretly love). It's an I knew about this back when moment. Like being one of the first to read Game of Thrones before millions of viewers became enthralled by the series. If for no other reason than this, I'll keep reading Gerald's books. The fact that his books are well-written, fast-paced, thrilling reads is only icing on the cake. So on to the books themselves. Gerald builds a world on a few fairly simple premises. Big cities of the future have run out of room, so instead of out, they've built up, level upon level, until the poor predictably live near the bottom and the rich near the top. Of course the corrupt cooperations run it all. What makes this world special, however, is the evolution of technology. The idea that no data in the future will be secure, and the only way to move it safely is to step backwards in technology and deliver it by hand (or in this case by motorcycle courier). Enter Kris, a fairly low-level courier who caries the wrong data at the wrong time. From the time Kris twists the throttle on her motorcycle to escape an attack at a delivery gone wrong, the books never slows down. Who will enjoy this series? Well, if all you enjoy is Science Fiction about first contacts with mysterious alien cultures or Space Operas about interstellar adventure, this may not be the series for you. But if you are more interested in the characters and their motivations than the science and want a thrilling ride in a borderline dystopian future, this is definitely right up your alley. Normally I like to make comparisons, but I find it difficult to make a comparison to this series. If I was making a recipe, I'd say start with a pinch of William Gibson, a healthy dash of Robert J. Sawyer, and just a hint of Robert Ludlum, then cover in motorcycle oil and bring to a boil. All-in-all, a fast, fun read. CTRL ALT Revolt!
If you want a page-turning, edge-of-your-seat, man vs. machine, cyberpunk, near future apocalypse tale with multiple character points of view and a compelling, believable (if controversial) reason for the machines to fear us, this book is for you. Nick's book is an engrossing read from start to finish, the author draws you in with references to current, well known companies merged in strange and convincing ways, and gaming jargon that is completely authentic. The gaming (both from a developer's POV, as well as that of a gamer) is convincing, the action is satisfying, and the characters have depth. The machine intelligences are smart, a little evil (from our point of view), and often quite funny. A prequel to Cole's Soda Pop Soldier and similar to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, the author paints a frightening possible future, with a warning for humanity about how non-human intelligent beings might someday view us. There are plenty of references to video games, sci-fi fandom, pen & paper gaming, and even LARPing. This book touches on all the things we love about tech, while showing us just how it can all go wrong. Malice |
 | The world is broken... Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve. But that day will come all too soon. And the price he pays will be in blood. Evnis has sacrificed - too much it seems. But what he wants - the power to rule -- will soon be in his grasp. And nothing will stop him once he has started on his path. Veradis is the newest member of the warband for the High Prince, Nathair. He is one of the most skilled swordsman to come out of his homeland, yet he is always under the shadow of his older brother. Nathair has ideas - and a lot of plans. Many of them don't involve his father, the High King Aquilus. Nor does he agree with his father's idea to summon his fellow kings to council. ...and it can never be made whole again. |
If you want an old-school, slow-building, good versus evil, epic fantasy series with multiple characters and a few modern updates, this is one for you. An enjoyable read once it gets rolling, you have to pay attention and keep the characters sorted--so it's not a book you can pick up and put down over a long period of time. That being said, the fight scenes are excellent, the dialogue solid, and the characters well developed. The pacing varies, and at times feels a little sluggish, but a little patience until the next POV shift or action scene will see you speeding through pages again before you get too bored. In the same sense, with so many characters, there are going to be POVs you enjoy more than others, but you'll never stay too long with any one of them.
Similar to Brent Weeks, Gwynne paints a fairly dark world with a solid coming-of-age storyline for Adult and High School level readers. There are plenty of common tropes (the young bullied child who is more than anyone suspects, dysfunctional families, learning to deal with loss, the dark god returning, etc.), but they are never overdone. Quite simply, the book is like reading an old classic, but with enough twists to to keep the reading fresh. John Gwynne is definitely a talented writer, and I look forward to years of reading his work.
Similar to Brent Weeks, Gwynne paints a fairly dark world with a solid coming-of-age storyline for Adult and High School level readers. There are plenty of common tropes (the young bullied child who is more than anyone suspects, dysfunctional families, learning to deal with loss, the dark god returning, etc.), but they are never overdone. Quite simply, the book is like reading an old classic, but with enough twists to to keep the reading fresh. John Gwynne is definitely a talented writer, and I look forward to years of reading his work.
Troy Carrol Bucher
Reader, Writer, Runner in Southwest Oklahoma... recent addition to the DAW family.
Available from DAW August 2019!
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