Review of A Dance of Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly this book and its predecessor take place in same area of time. However this book focuses more on Jon Snow, Tyrion, Daenerys, and several names who are more secondary characters in this game of thrones. The secondary characters help move the plot forward, without obstructing the goals of the main characters. This is a welcome change of pace, (in my opinion) since reading the events that revolve around a small handful of time gets tiresome after a time.

Maybe about 2/3 of the way through the book, the plot lines connect. That makes the pace of the book slow some, as it brings in the rest of the characters. Given the length of this book, not to mention length of the other books that make up the series it is a long read. If your a fan of fantasy novels, this book would be a welcome addition to your shelf.

Review of A feast for Crows (A song of Ice and Fire, #4)

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly reviewing this book poses a little challenge since most of the story is told from the perspective of Jamie and Cersei Lannister, and leaves out a good chunk of the main characters. However two return with changed names to hide their noble linage, from a kingdom that thinks/wants them dead. In this case, the kingdom is pretty much made up entirely of Cersei Lannister. The fact she ends up being put in cell near the end of the book is equally amusing as it is fitting for the lioness. Lady Margery is in there as well after being accused of treason, adultery and not being a maiden by Cerseri. Arya/ Cat is living in Bravos, as she learns things and is forced forget who she once was. Sansa/Alayna is living with Lord Littlefinger, as his bastard daughter and the son of Jon Arryn. Brienne of Tarth is working on finding both daughters of the late Edward Stark.

The war for the Iron Throne may be mostly won, but I doubt that is an end to the fighting. Jon Snow or should I say Commander Snow, sends Samwell Tully, Gilly and the young babe of caster away from the wall, with Maester Aemon. The Maester dies on the way back to the citadel at Oldtown. Samwell has strict orders from Lord Commander to become a Maester for the wall. The Ironmen have chosen a new King and prepare tot resume the war.

It is obvious to most readers, that there is other things that are happening as the book progress, but that would make the book massive. Honestly I am eager to see what happens to the jailed Lioness and Lady Margery in the next book. As much as I loath Ceresei as a character since she is a manipulative, power hungry women,whose primary concern is her son more than the realm, her character makes the world much more interesting.

Mini update and a slight observation

Well over the past few days I have written 5,000 words in Rise (death and a dragon), and a few hundred in anarchy since my mind refuses to leave the fictional realm of Talora. Even  though the more I write the more I realize am I approaching the climatic middle of the book. Which means I should probably update the few chapters I put on wattpad. Almost forgot about that, haha. Still trying to figure out how exactly it works but it is what it is. Even though I have thought on going to the local con, next year once I get published, and have a physical product to market. Maybe do drawing for a autographed copy. Not much else to report, unfortunately.

As as I think of setting up other social media pages dealing with my beginning as author. It feels like Facebook would be the most efficient, over Google+ since it’s easier to access to the masses. Google+ is really only works if your fans have a google account. Of course there are other sites like goodreads, and tumblr which seem  more public than Google+. The question which is the easiest to communicate with a fan base, outside using a traditional website. Any other authors I follow, have thoughts on this. Comment below.

General updates and my 23rd birthday

Well despite not writing as much as I would have liked, today since I wanted to finish A Sword of Storms, which I did. After going out for dinner, I came home and started to write after installing software updates. However today was still productive, at least in my opinion. In honor of my birthday I made a thread in one of the goodreads groups I belong in, giving away 10 digital copies of my first book. Hopefully, this one will be more fruitful, than the last time I attempted this when the book went live. Now to write for the rest of the night.

Review of Envious

Envious by Katie Keller-Nieman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I won this book from goodreads.

To be honest I thought the book had a difficult start (in my opinion), before it took off. It defiantly has a unique premise as a whole, even though I wished it focused more on the memories/visions over the romance but as they the book progresses they combine very well.

Cassandra, Aurora and Eric are the books main characters and are linked though some past event (which is found near the end of the book). The two girls both have feelings for Eric, but only aurora is dating him. Aurora has this strange hold on Eric. Even though if Eric is away from aurora, he is himself. Eventually Cassandra realizes this and tries to get Eric over Aurora.

The book can best be summed up in two word, those are love triangle.

Tumblr settup

As I mentioned in last night’s post, I wanted to set up a tumblr that will be similar to this wordpress blog. The tumblr blog is called craftingstrangenewworlds.   For those who follow this and have a literature themed (books, writing, reviews), please follow me there as well. Of course since tumblr is more visual, it will allow me to blog about other things I love or have a passion for. This will include books (obviously),technology, comic books, fantasy/sci-fi art, cars, cosplaying, and of course F.I.R.S.T.

Also if anyone knows how to put tumblr in the social widget, would you please tell me or post a link on how to.

Review of The Labyrinth

The Labyrinth by Dorian Zari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, what I can say about this book without giving to much away. The book is defiantly interesting if not a “little” strange. Of course little may be an understatement,haha. The book follows four and by the end six people on the journey to find each other, literally. Of course this sounds like a simple plot line, but they are running from their own pasts, as The Guardian searches them to satisfy his driving, monstrous hunger. The book is defiantly not for the squeamish or light-hearted or those looking for relaxing read. I received a copy of this in an exchange for an honest review.

Review of The Baldari (Ancient Magic Saga #3)

The Baldari by Bob Blink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To be honest any fans of fantasy novels should check out this series as a whole. The final book in the series deals with the problems of the Baldari and the Bryn who are manipulating them into attacking the three kingdoms and Sedfiar. Rigo, Nycoh, Lyes and several other wizards, casters and mages attempt to deal with the problem as the Baldari kidnap casters and wizards for the Bryn. They send two teams to find the home the Baldari as Kaler and Daria deal with problems as her stepfather is killed by bandits, along the capture three girls. With help from Daria,Kaler, Sulene and several others they manage to eliminate the last of the eight. Koess returns from his time in the void and manages to give the Wizards both green fire and shields, as Nycoh’s powers grows. Eventually they find the fortress/prison of the Bryn with help from the Baldari. With Ashurn’s death he awakens Nycoh and Rigo Bryn blood. Three of the Bryn escape but with the ampflier destroyed the Bryn can no longer control the Baldari or the captured wizards/casters. Rigo, Nycoh, sulene, Daria, Kaler and Jeen manage to deal with the Bryn individually as the Bryn wreak havoc and destruction across Sedfiar and the three kingdoms. Eventually the Bryn are eliminated and peace returns to the lands.

I received this book from goodreads giveaway.

Review of Into the Ruins (Ancient magic saga #2)

Into The Ruins by Bob Blink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To be honest when I first started reading this book I was slightly confused since they started to introduce new main characters in a completely different setting before getting Rigo and the other wizards in. However the new land was a definite change from the three kingdoms in both politics and magical aspects. Once Rigo and a few other wizards arrive in Sedfiar by crossing the ruins they are taken away in cuffs that prevent access to their magic. The guild that imprisons Rigo and his companions are at odds with Queen Rosul who rules Sedfiar. Queen Rosul eventfully finds out that the guild is hiding Rigo and his companions from her which outrages her. With help from Queen Rosul Rigo and his remaining companions are released under the supervision of the guild. Eventually Rigo and his companions are saved by Kaler, Daria, Jeen and a few others while Queen Rosul attempts to rescue them, with help from diam who has been brought back. However Queen Rosul is attacked by the guild and the people of Sedfiar are told she is killed by the outsiders. Rigo and his companions actually save the Queen and her consort returning them to the three kingdoms along with Rigo close friend Mitty. With help from the three kingdoms and Queen Rosul the return to Sedfiar and start a was with the guild who has broken the barriers. Queen Rosul returns and unites the casters loyal to her, the people and the army and put all efforts into finding Cariff and her casters. They succeed after destroying the hopplani farms as Cariff and her two remaining casters attempt to stop Rigo’s binding to Mitty. They fail as the binding ceremony was a trap for Cariff. Cariff is captured before the binding ritual is completed. The book ends with the Baldari attacking a monastery in Kellmore. Nycoh deals them as they begin to face a new threat.

I received this book from goodreads first reads giveaway.

Review of Ancient Magic (Ancient Magic saga#1)

Ancient Magic by Bob Blink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book tells the story of Rigo,Kaler, and Daria along with several others as the book changes POV’s as the book progresses to introduce both minor and major characters. Rigo is a novice sorcerer who is following an internal sense along to a destination he doesn’t know. Kaler is a well-trained swordsman who is saved by Rigo. Daria is assassin who Rigo and Kaler find as they are making a getaway after being imprisoned. When Daria is found she is wounded and on the brink of death. She recovers and joins Rigo and Kaler on their journey. Meanwhile a war slowly starts begin as Lopal begins making raids into Braind. As they journey toward they counter Burke who attempt to forcefully take Rigo to his group of wizards leaving his companions behind. Rigo forces Burke away allowing him and his companions to journey onward. Along the way they encounter Jeen and Ash’urn. Jeen is a novice wizard Who has run from her village after accidentally killing a noble while Ash’urn is a adventurer among other things. Rigo finds his destination known as the Citadel where he finds an old ring. As Rigo puts it on he is taken over by Diam an master wizard from 2600 years ago who takes over his body. Diam fully activates Rigo’s nodes allowing him to become a full-fledged wizard and a new hosts of knowledge and magical abilities. Rigo stop the war before it fully starts since their are larger concerns for both those with magical capabilities and those without. With the war stopped in its tracks, Rigo finds Burke’s allies and Burke in their outpost hidden away from the world. As Rigo takes over the group he reveals the Hoplani problem and the problem of the towers that are designed to erect a barrier that prevents the spread of the Hoplani beyond the mysterious ruins. They gather enough wizards to erect successfully erect the barrier but the Hoplani still manage to get out and spread. Rigo and a few others manage to temporarily contain the spread as they figure out how the Hoplani are getting out and what the other the beast they spotted among them is.
I received this item from goodreads first read giveaway.