Pat's Fantasy Hotlist

Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:34:40 +0000

Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead introduced Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd, the most improbable duo I didn't know I needed. K. J. Parker came up with a winning team and I couldn't wait to discover what the author had in store for them. I wasn't disappointed!

Here's the blurb:

From World Fantasy Award-winning author K.J. Parker comes a fiendishly complex tale of ecclesiastical espionage and divine deceptions.

When the Church of the Invincible Sun is looking for someone to do its dirty work, they call on Sister Svangerd and her priest. Stealing a book might sound like a relatively simple task, but this isn’t any old book.

To get their hands on it, they must impersonate a legendary figure, create the world’s most expensive letter of introduction, and sneak into the most heavily guarded library in the world. All in a day’s work, but the machinations of the mysterious Loyal Opposition threaten to derail their best-laid plans.

And when Svangerd begins to act not at all like herself, it soon becomes clear that the secret war between divine forces is going to test everyone’s faith.

For this new mission, Brother Desiderius, reluctant priest of the Church of the Invincible Sun, scribe, and self-proclaimed top-of-the-line forger of documents, must accompany Sister Svangerd, devout nun and eager assassin and the poor sod's secret crush, on a journey to retrieve an ancient book against seemingly impossible odds. Business as usual for the unlikely duo, it goes without saying. Alas, the would-be thieves are once again thrust into a shocking episode of the Long Game, the eternal struggle between the forces of Good and Evil. Various factions support/oppose their mission, making it well nigh impossible for them to understand who the good/bad guys really are. But what can a cynical atheist who doesn't even believe in the Long Game do when Loyal Opposition agents reveal that the priest is now an asset and they've been ordered to help him achieve his objective at all costs? It's quite the moral and religious quandary for someone who doesn't even believe in the Invincible Sun, let alone the Evil One.

As was the case with the first installment, the title can be a bit misleading, as Sister Svangerd is not the main protagonist. Indeed, this is Brother Desiderius' tale, first and foremost. Once more, it's definitely Brother Desiderius' first-person perspective that gives this book its unique flavor. Through the priest's cynicism and ironic world views, K. J. Parker continues to explore themes such as the nature of good and evil, faith, religious dogma, free will and predestination, and more. The dark humor that permeates every page of this book worked its magic on me from start to finish. To be honest, I couldn't get enough of his point of view.

I understand that your mileage may vary in that regard, however. In the first volume, after meandering for the better part of the entire novel, the plot only started to make sense following a number of info-dump conversations which came late into the story. And yet, as meandering as the plot was, there was a structure to it that is more or less absent in Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know. If not for the fact that the narrator is so entertaining, it could have been a problem for me and it might well be for some readers. Info-dumps are still a necessary evil. Unfortunately, given the atheist nature of the main character, the fact that he believes in nothing and figures that religion is rubbish, it forces those who are trying to pressgang him into furthering their own agenda, be it for good or evil, to explain every little thing to Brother Desiderius. I didn't mind this second time around, so enamored was I of the priest's POV. But I realize that some people might find this lack of structure to be off-putting.

Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know does suffer from a number of pacing issues. The apparent lack of plot structure doesn't help. Like its predecessor, it's a slow-moving read that can be a little confusing at times. To all ends and purposes, this novel is a succession of fuckups as soon as Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd embark on their journey. When everything goes wrong and they must somehow make their way back home before news of their massive blunder precedes them, encounters with supposedly friendly forces of the Invincible Sun and their archrivals the Loyal Opposition leave the priest completely bewildered as to whom he can really trust. Once again, there isn't anything that can be called an exciting endgame or a riveting finale. And even if it lacks a bit of direction, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the final volume.

How an irreverent and cynical unbeliever ended up as the lynchpin for all the factions involved in the generation-spanning battle between the forces of Good and Evil, Brother Desiderius has no idea. With the next one titled Sister Svangerd and the Chosen One, it looks as though fate is not done with the priest. I can't wait!

The final verdict: 7.75/10

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:50:21 +0000

You can get your hands on Brian Lee Durfee's The Forgetting Moon for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb for the first volume:

Welcome to the Five Isles, where war has come in the name of the invading army of Sør Sevier, a merciless host driven by the prophetic fervor of the Angel Prince, Aeros, toward the last unconquered kingdom of Gul Kana. Yet Gault, one of the elite Knights Archaic of Sør Sevier, is growing disillusioned by the crusade he is at the vanguard of just as it embarks on his Lord Aeros’ greatest triumph.

While the eldest son of the fallen king of Gul Kana now reigns in ever increasing paranoid isolationism, his two sisters seek their own paths. Jondralyn, the older sister, renowned for her beauty, only desires to prove her worth as a warrior, while Tala, the younger sister, has uncovered a secret that may not only destroy her family but the entire kingdom. Then there’s Hawkwood, the assassin sent to kill Jondralyn who has instead fallen in love with her and trains her in his deadly art. All are led further into dangerous conspiracies within the court.

And hidden at the edge of Gul Kana is Nail, the orphan taken by the enigmatic Shawcroft to the remote whaling village of Gallows Haven, a young man who may hold the link to the salvation of the entire Five Isles.

You may think you know this story, but everyone is not who they seem, nor do they fit the roles you expect. Durfee has created an epic fantasy full of hope in a world based on lies.

You can also get your hands on the digital edition of Ian Cameron Esslemont's Night of Knives for only 2.99$ here.

Here's the blurb:

The small island of Malaz and its city gave the great empire its name, but now it is little more than a sleepy, backwater port. Tonight, however, things are different. Tonight the city is on edge, a hive of hurried, sometimes violent activity; its citizens bustle about, barring doors, shuttering windows, avoiding any stranger's stare. Because tonight there is to be a convergence, the once-in-a-generation appearance of a Shadow Moon – an occasion that threatens the good people of Malaz with demon hounds and other, darker things …

It was also prophesied that this night would witness the return of Emperor Kellanved, and there are those prepared to do anything to prevent this happening. As factions within the greater Empire draw up battle lines over the imperial throne, the Shadow Moon summons a far more ancient and potent presence for an all-out assault upon the island. Witnessing these cataclysmic events are Kiska, a young girl who yearns to flee the constraints of the city, and Temper, a grizzled, battle-weary veteran who seeks simply to escape his past. Each is to play a part in a conflict that will not only determine the fate of Malaz City, but also of the world beyond …

Drawing on events touched on in the prologue of Steven Erikson's landmark fantasy Gardens of the Moon, Night of Knives is a momentous chapter in the unfolding story of the extraordinarily imagined world of Malaz.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 20:52:33 +0000

You can now get your hands on the digital edition of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell for only 4.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

Two magicians shall appear in England.

The first shall fear me; the second shall long to behold me...

The year is 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation's past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very opposite of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms the one between England and France. And their own obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts are going to cause more trouble than they can imagine.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:52:11 +0000

You can now get your hands on the digital edition of Django Wexler's How To Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying for 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

Groundhog Day meets Deadpool in Django Wexler’s raunchy, hilarious, blood-splattered fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

"Takes the old saying 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em,' to the next level. A sarcastic, action-packed, intrigue-filled (mis)adventure. One of the funniest books I've read in a long time."--Matt Dinniman, author of Dungeon Crawler Carl

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.

You can also get your hands on the digital edition of Anthony Ryan's The Pariah for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link.

Here's the blurb:

The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.

Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path - one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier's life in the king's army.

Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine's rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 14:35:23 +0000

You can now download Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné: The Elric Saga Part 1 for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

From World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Moorcock comes the first book in his famous Elric of Melniboné series, brought to vivid new life with stunning illustrations.

In one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the 20th century, Elric is the brooding, albino emperor of the dying Kingdom of Melnibone. With Melnibone’s years of grandeur and decadence long since passed, Elric’s amoral cousin Yrkoon sets his eyes on the throne. Elric, realizing he is his country’s best hope, must face his nefarious cousin in an epic battle for the right to rule.

Elric of Melnibone is the first in Michael Moorcock’s incredible series, which created fantasy archetypes that have echoed through the genre for generations. The beautiful, vivid illustrations bring new life to the story and are sure to captivate fans, new and old.

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (June 21st)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 14:27:41 +0000

In hardcover:

Caty Rogan's Kissed by the Gods debuts at number 10. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's Carl's Doomsday Scenario is down one position, ending the week at number 12. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Sarah A. Parker's The Ballad of Falling Dragons is down eight positions, ending the week at number 13. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is down one spot, finishing the week at number 14. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's A Parade of Horribles is down five spots, finishing the week at number 15. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

In paperback:

Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary maintains its position at number 4. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl maintains position at number 8. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:11:22 +0000

You can now download Stephen King's Cujo for only 2.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

Outside a peaceful town in central Maine, a monster is waiting. Cujo is a two-hundred-pound Saint Bernard, the best friend Brett Camber has ever had. One day, Cujo chases a rabbit into a cave inhabited by sick bats and emerges as something new altogether.

Meanwhile, Vic and Donna Trenton, and their young son Tad, move to Maine. They are seeking peace and quiet, but life in this small town is not what it seems. As Tad tries to fend off the terror that comes to him at night from his bedroom closet, and as Vic and Donna face their own nightmare of a marriage on the rocks, there is no way they can know that a monster, infinitely sinister, waits in the daylight.

What happens to Cujo, how he becomes a horrifying vortex inescapably drawing in all the people around him, makes for one of the most heart-stopping novels Stephen King has ever written. “A genuine page-turner that grabs you and holds you and won’t let go” (Chattanooga Times), Cujo will forever change how you view man’s best friend.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:32:39 +0000

You can now download Elizabeth Bear's The Stone in the Skull for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link.This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

Hugo Award–winning author Elizabeth Bear returns to her critically acclaimed epic fantasy world of the Eternal Sky with a brand new trilogy.
Best SFF Books 2017—The Guardian
Kirkus Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2017
The Verge Recommended Fantasy for 2017
Locus 2017 Recommended Reading List
The Stone in the Skull, the first volume in her new trilogy, takes readers over the dangerous mountain passes of the Steles of the Sky and south into the Lotus Kingdoms.

The Gage is a brass automaton created by a wizard of Messaline around the core of a human being. His wizard is long dead, and he works as a mercenary. He is carrying a message from the most powerful sorcerer of Messaline to the Rajni of the Lotus Kingdom. With him is The Dead Man, a bitter survivor of the body guard of the deposed Uthman Caliphate, protecting the message and the Gage. They are friends, of a peculiar sort.

They are walking into a dynastic war between the rulers of the shattered bits of a once great Empire.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:29:04 +0000

You can now get your hands on the digital edition of Kate Elliott's Spirit Gate for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

World Fantasy and Nebula Award finalist Kate Elliott breaks new ground in a brilliantly original new fantasy set in a unique world of fabled cities, mysterious gods, and terrible dangers. From the first page readers will be swept up in the story of Mai and Captain Anji, as they become unwitting players in a conflict that began many years earlier, and which will shake the foundations of their land.

For hundreds of years the Guardians have ruled the world of the Hundred, but these powerful gods no longer exert their will on the world. Only the reeves, who patrol on enormous eagles, still represent the Guardians' power. And the reeves are losing their authority; for there is a dark shadow across the land that not even the reeves can stop.

A group of fanatics has risen to devour villages, towns, and cities in their drive to annihilate all who oppose them. No one knows who leads them; they seem inhumanly cruel and powerful. Mai and Anji, riding with a company of dedicated warriors and a single reeve who may hold a key to stopping the deadly advance of the devouring horde, must try, or the world will be lost to the carnage. But a young woman sworn to the Goddess may prove more important than them all . . . if they are not too late.

A haunting tale of people swept up by the chaos of war, this is superlative fantasy adventure, rich in texture, filled with color and excitement, masterfully crafted by a brilliantly gifted storyteller.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:39:20 +0000

You can now download Robert Jackson Bennett's Foundryside for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

In a city that runs on industrialized magic, a secret war will be fought to overwrite reality itself–the first in a dazzling new fantasy series from City of Stairs author Robert Jackson Bennett.

Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle.

But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic–the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience–have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine. But if they can unlock the artifact’s secrets, they will rewrite the world itself to suit their aims.

Now someone in those Houses wants Sancia dead, and the artifact for themselves. And in the city of Tevanne, there’s nobody with the power to stop them.

To have a chance at surviving—and at stopping the deadly transformation that’s under way—Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies, learn to harness the artifact’s power for herself, and undergo her own transformation, one that will turn her into something she could never have imagined.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:40:09 +0000

You can now download K. J. Parker's Sharps for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

K.J. Parker's new stand-alone novel is a perfectly executed tale of intrigue and deception.

For the first time in nearly forty years, an uneasy truce has been called between two neighbouring kingdoms. The war has been long and brutal, fought over the usual things: resources, land, money. . .

Now, there is a chance for peace. Diplomatic talks have begun and with them, the games. Two teams of fencers represent their nations at this pivotal moment.

When the future of the world lies balanced on the point of a rapier, one misstep could mean ruin for all. Human nature being what it is, does peace really have a chance?

You can also get your hands on the digital edition of Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire for only 3.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

It’s five years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and drove the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Quote of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:41:49 +0000

Men will do much in hate. In love they will do more, much more.

- TANITH LEE, Delusion’s Master

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:55:34 +0000

You can now download Ekaterina Sedia's excellent The Secret History of Moscow for only 6.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

It was number 2 on my Top 10 of 2008. You can read my review here.

Here's the blurb:

Every city contains secret places. Moscow in the tumultuous 1990s is no different, its citizens seeking safety in a world below the streets — a dark, cavernous world of magic, weeping trees, and albino jackdaws, where exiled pagan deities and faery-tale creatures whisper strange tales to those who would listen. Galina is a young woman caught, like her contemporaries, in the seeming lawlessness of the new Russia.

In the midst of this chaos, her sister Maria turns into a jackdaw and flies away — prompting Galina to join Yakov, a policeman investigating a rash of recent disappearances. Their search will take them to the underground realm of hidden truths and archetypes, to find themselves caught between reality and myth, past and present, honor and betrayal … the secret history of Moscow.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:06:25 +0000

You can now download James Islington's The Strength of the Few for only 4.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

This highly anticipated sequel to The Will of the Many—one of 2023’s most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels—follows Vis as he grapples with a dangerous secret that could unravel history across alternate dimensions.

Book two of the Hierarchy quartet.

OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM

The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. Still hail me as Catenicus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am.

But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore.

I am no longer one. I won the Iudicium, and lost everything—and now, impossibly, the ancient device beyond the Labyrinth has replicated me across three separate worlds. A different version of myself in each of Obiteum, Luceum, and Res. Three different bodies, three different lives. I have to hide; fight; play politics. I have to train; trust; lie. I have to kill; heal; prove myself again, and again, and again.

I am loved, and hated, and entirely alone.

Above all, though, I need to find answers before it’s too late. To understand the nature of what has happened to me, and why.

I need to find a way to stop the coming Cataclysm, because if all I have learned is true, I may be the only one who can.

Quote of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:46:13 +0000

Despair isn’t so bad, it’s just being realistic as the noose brushes your ears. It’s hope that’s intolerable.

- K. J. PARKER, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:43:46 +0000

You can now download Mark Lawrence's The Book That Held Her Heart for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

The secret war that defines the Library has chosen its champions and set them on the board.

The fate of an infinite library hangs on one book, a book that holds the power to break the unbreakable. In the face of such forces, fragile things like hearts, family, and the world seem certain to fail.

The people most vital to Livira are scattered across time and space, lost, divided into factions, in mortal peril. Somehow, she must bring them together and resolve the unresolvable argument that fuels the library’s war. The bond between Livira and Evar has stretched and stretched again. Can it hold at the end, when things fall apart? Can it bring them together against impossible odds? This is the last chapter, the final page. The end threatens and no one, not characters, readers, or even the author, will emerge unscathed.

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noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:18:17 +0000

You can now get your hands on the digital edition of Jeff Somers' The Electric Church, first installment in the Avery Cates series, for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

A New York hitman is sent to eliminate a charismatic cult leader in this near-future noir that's equal parts Raymond Chandler and William Gibson" (New York Times–bestselling author James Rollins).

In the near future, the only thing growing faster than the criminal population is the Electric Church, a new religion founded by a mysterious man named Dennis Squalor. The Church preaches that life is too brief to contemplate the mysteries of the universe: eternity is required. In order to achieve this, the converted become Monks—cyborgs with human brains, enhanced robotic bodies, and virtually unlimited life spans.

Enter Avery Cates, a dangerous criminal known as the best killer-for-hire around. The authorities have a special mission in mind for Cates: assassinate Dennis Squalor. For Cates, it will be the most dangerous job he's ever undertaken—and possibly his last.

Cult Classic

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:05:30 +0000

As you know, for the most part I've been enjoying the Eric Carter books. Even if this series isn't growing in scope quite as fast as other popular urban fantasy sequences out there, the novels have all been entertaining reads thus far. Having said that, eight volumes into this series, I continue to feel that there should be more. Much, much more.

As mentioned in my past reviews, the first few installments mostly read like Jim Butcher's early Dresden Files books. Short and episodic in format, they helped lay down the groundwork for what was coming. It looked as though we had reached the conclusion of the first story arc by the end of the third book, and there was true potential for bigger and better things to come. Then came Fire Season, which was definitely a step in the right direction, followed by Ghost Money, Blackmoore's best effort yet. Sadly, the resolution of the Djinn's storyline in Bottle Demon was a bit of a letdown. And since Darius' threat appeared to be the underlying arc of the entire series, I was left wondering what the author had in store for us moving forward.

What truly hurt the seventh volume, Suicide Kings, was the fact that it was essentially the first half of what should have been a single novel. Weighing in at barely 200 pages, there is no reason why Suicide Kings and Hate Machine couldn't have been published as one work. Structurally, the Werther family conclave would have been the first part, with the Vegas trip offering something different in the greater scheme of things. Both installments also featured new and interesting supporting casts, which would have made that book the best of the bunch with Ghost Money. Alas, eight volumes in, Blackmoore has yet to level up compared to his contemporaries. As I said before, to keep the Eric Carter books so short and episodic at this juncture prevents them from really taking off.

I was curious to discover what the author had in mind for the newest installment. A while back, Daw Books announced that they would no longer publish new Eric Carter material. Which means that, as things stand, the ninth volume is the last one in the series. Would it offer some sort of closure? I'm pleased to report that not only does it closes the show on the Oracle storyline with an exclamation point, but Cult Classic is also Stephen Blackmoore's best effort yet.

Here's the blurb:

The ninth book of this dark urban fantasy series follows necromancer Eric Carter through a world of vengeful gods and goddesses, mysterious murders, and restless ghosts.

Eric Carter has a lot on his plate.

He's hunting the Oracle of Las Vegas, a literal talking head that manipulates the future to make its prophecies come true. But it has a new trick. It can change the past, too.

Now Jazz Age Los Angeles is invading the present. Long gone buildings suddenly restored, decommissioned Red Car trains appearing on paved over tracks, miles of the city changing back to orange groves.

Throw in a hundred-year-old doomsday cult, time magic, and a terrifyingly powerful spell to raise the dead and it makes for a busy week. Carter knows the Oracle is behind it all but he can't figure out how. Or why.

But he better figure it out soon or he, the city, and everyone he knows might be wiped from existence.

Cult Classic is noir urban fantasy at its finest, with a cutting voice, sharp wit, and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

As I said in my review of Suicide Kings, with Darius gone, I was expecting Stephen Blackmoore to elevate his game and take the Eric Carter series to another level, with more ambitious story arcs that would add layers to the plot. I was expecting this series to really open up and build on everything that has transpired so far. Hence, it is no wonder that I was disappointed to see the author take the micro approach instead of a more macro perspective. Still, a trip to Las Vegas in search of a way to free Gabriela's soul sounded like a nice way to kickstart everything. Ultimately, Hate Machine featured a thrilling endgame, but the finale itself didn't offer the sort of resolution I expected. The whole Oracle plotline did raise more questions than it provided answers. Cult Classic starts with the Oracle getting rid of loose ends and Eric is one of them. The book is all over the place time-wise, which makes it a little difficult at times to understand exactly what's going on. But Blackmoore does a good job weaving all those threads together into a complex and compelling plot.

Characterization is what ultimately made these books so entertaining and Blackmoore once again excels in that regard. Sure, there are more than a few familiar faces, yet Cult Classic features the best supporting cast so far. The relationship between Eric, Gabriela, and Amanda continues to evolve, which is nice. But it's the presence of Rachel, Letitia, Danny, and especially newcomer Janna, that really makes a difference. It would be a shame if we don't get to see them again in future installments. The author truly has a knack for coming up with a decidedly disparate bunch of characters.

Now that I've read Cult Classic, we still don't have all the answers regarding the Oracle storyline. But after a captivating endgame and an exciting finale, Blackmoore brought this plotline to an end. I feel that the resolution for this one worked better than it did for the Djinn's, and God knows that the fallout from the last chapter really came as a shock. I for one would love to know that the author was planning for the next story arc. Here's to hoping that we'll find out one day.

Though not perfect, the Eric Carter books are fun and engaging reads. Definitely give them a shot if you're looking for something different. This paranormal and gritty noir murder mystery/urban fantasy series deserves more attention, that's for sure. And if enough people buy these novels, perhaps Stephen Blackmoore will be given the opportunity to finish the series!

The final verdict: 8/10

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

More inexpensive ebook goodies!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:39:29 +0000

You can now download The Novels of the Jaran omnibus by Kate Elliott for only 3.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

In Jaran, the Earth of the future is just one of the planets ruled by the vast Chapalii empire. The volatility of these alien overlords is something with which Tess Soerensen is all too familiar. Her brother, Charles, rebelled against them and was rewarded by being elevated into their interstellar system. Struggling to find her place in the world, Tess sneaks aboard a shuttle bound for Rhui, one of her brother’s planets. On the ground, she joins up with the native jaran people, becoming immersed in their nomadic society and customs. As she grows ever closer to the charismatic jaran ruler, Ilya—who is inflamed by an urgent mission of his own—Tess must choose between her feelings for him and her loyalty to her brother.

In An Earthly Crown, the nomadic tribes of the jaran are uniting the settled cities of their homeland one by one. Their charismatic leader, Ilya Bakhtiian, has his loyal wife by his side, but there is something about her he doesn’t know: Tess Soerensen is a human. Back home, her brother, Charles, led an unsuccessful revolt against the all-powerful Chapalii empire. Charles’s insistence that Tess join him is as strong as Ilya’s reluctance to part with his beloved wife—and neither considers that Tess may have her own plans for the future. As three fiercely independent spirits struggle for a solution, the fates of both the human race and the jaran hang in the balance.

In His Conquering Sword, the jaran have been taking over towns and bending all non-jaran to the law of their rule. With Ilya Bakhtiian in charge, the nomadic fighters are now preparing an assault on the royal city of Karkand. But within the campaign, another struggle looms. Charles, the brother of Ilya’s wife, Tess, is still driven by thoughts of revolt. Charles travels to Rhui for key information about the past, hoping to bring back his sister—his only heir.

And in The Law of Becoming, Charles Soerensen’s revolutionary inclinations have been reignited. In this final book, the story of Tess, Ilya, and Charles comes to its stunning conclusion as new generations get involved in the intrigue, Earth’s exiled jaran people resurface, and the Chapalii overlords make one last, unexpected move.

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (June 14th)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:15:28 +0000

In hardcover:

Sarah A. Parker's The Ballad of Falling Dragons is down four positions, ending the week at number 5. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Andy Weir's The Martian returns at number 9. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's A Parade of Horribles is down six spots, finishing the week at number 10. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's Carl's Doomsday Scenario is down three positions, ending the week at number 11. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is down four spots, finishing the week at number 13. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's The Gate of the Feral Gods is down two spots, finshing the week at number 15. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

In paperback:

Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary is down one position, ending the week at number 4. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl is down one position, ending the week at number 8. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth is down three spots, finishing the week at number 13. For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.

More inexpensive ebook goodies!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:59:52 +0000

You can now download Thieves' World, volume one, edited by Lynn Abbey and Robert Lynn Asprin and comprised of Thieves' World, Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn, and Shadows of Sanctuary, for only 3.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

The second volume is also on sale for 1.99$.

Here's the blurb:

Created by the New York Times–bestselling author of the Myth series, as well as the Phule's Company series, Thieves' World® brings together classic fantasy's finest authors to flesh out the shared world with their own unforgettable characters and epic worldbuilding.

The first three books include stories by Lynn Abbey, Poul Anderson, Robert Lynn Asprin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, C. J. Cherryh, David Drake, Philip José Farmer, Joe Haldeman, Janet Morris, Andrew J. Offutt, and others. They introduce you to the nefarious citizens of the city of Sanctuary, including One-Thumb, the proprietor of the Vulgar Unicorn tavern; Regli, a nobleman; Illyra, the seer; Hanes, the thief; Jubal, the crime lord; and Tempus Thales, the immortal mercenary.

More inexpensive ebook goodies!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 14:24:11 +0000

You can now download Cormac McCarthy's The Road for only 2.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE

The searing, post-apocalyptic novel about a father and son's fight to survive.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.

More inexpensive ebook goodies!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:20:15 +0000

You can get your hands on the digital edition of Stephen King's Joyland for only 2.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

You can also download Frank Herbert's Children of Dune for only 1.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

The Children of Dune are twin siblings Leto and Ghanima Atreides, whose father, the Emperor Paul Muad’Dib, disappeared in the desert wastelands of Arrakis nine years ago. Like their father, the twins possess supernormal abilities—making them valuable to their manipulative aunt Alia, who rules the Empire in the name of House Atreides.

Facing treason and rebellion on two fronts, Alia’s rule is not absolute. The displaced House Corrino is plotting to regain the throne while the fanatical Fremen are being provoked into open revolt by the enigmatic figure known only as The Preacher. Alia believes that by obtaining the secrets of the twins’ prophetic visions, she can maintain control over her dynasty.

But Leto and Ghanima have their own plans for their visions—and their destinies....

You can also download Dan Simmons' excellent The Terror for only 2.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link.

Here's the blurb:

The "masterfully chilling" novel that inspired the hit AMC series (Entertainment Weekly). The men on board the HMS Terror — part of the 1845 Franklin Expedition, the first steam-powered vessels ever to search for the legendary Northwest Passage — are entering a second summer in the Arctic Circle without a thaw, stranded in a nightmarish landscape of encroaching ice and darkness. Endlessly cold, they struggle to survive with poisonous rations, a dwindling coal supply, and ships buckling in the grip of crushing ice. But their real enemy is even more terrifying. There is something out there in the frigid darkness: an unseen predator stalking their ship, a monstrous terror clawing to get in.

More inexpensive ebook goodies!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:40:51 +0000

You can now get your hands on the digital edition of It's the End of the World As We Know It, an anthology edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene, for only 3.99$ by following this Amazon Associate link. This OneLink will take you to the nearest Amazon site serving your country and you'll see if you can take advantage of this sale.

Here's the blurb:

An original short story anthology based on master storyteller Stephen King’s #1 New York Times bestselling classic The Stand!

Since its initial publication in 1978, The Stand has been considered Stephen King’s seminal masterpiece of apocalyptic fiction, with millions of copies sold and adapted twice for television. Although there are other extraordinary works exploring the unraveling of human society, none have been as influential as this iconic novel—generations of writers have been impacted by its dark yet ultimately hopeful vision of the end and new beginning of civilization, and its stunning array of characters.

Now for the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this original short story anthology as presented by award-winning authors and editors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene. Bringing together some of today’s greatest and most visionary writers, The End of the World As We Know It features unforgettable, all-new stories set during and after (and some perhaps long after) the events of The Stand—brilliant, terrifying, and painfully human tales that will resonate with readers everywhere as an essential companion to the classic, bestselling novel.

Featuring an introduction by Stephen King, a foreword by Christopher Golden, and an afterword by Brian Keene. Contributors include Wayne Brady and Maurice Broaddus, Poppy Z. Brite, Somer Canon, C. Robert Cargill, Nat Cassidy, V. Castro, Richard Chizmar, S. A. Cosby, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, Meg Gardiner, Gabino Iglesias, Jonathan Janz, Alma Katsu, Caroline Kepnes, Michael Koryta, Sarah Langan, Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Lebbon, Josh Malerman, Ronald Malfi, Usman T. Malik, Premee Mohamed, Cynthia Pelayo, Hailey Piper, David J. Schow, Alex Segura, Bryan Smith, Paul Tremblay, Catherynne M. Valente, Bev Vincent, Catriona Ward, Chuck Wendig, Wrath James White, and Rio Youers.

Steel Gods

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:04:54 +0000

Although slow-moving for the most part, Grave Empire featured a number of exciting chapters near the end, with thrilling action scenes and a captivating visit to the underwater kingdom of the Stygion. Revelations were made that elevated this tale to another level, but the rushed finale left something to be desired. Still, it set the stage for what appears to be an ambitious and multilayered saga that many should find appealing.

This sequel follows more or less in the same vein. Indeed, Steel Gods shares the same shortcomings and the same compelling elements of its predecessor. So chances are that anyone who enjoyed the first installment will find a lot to like about this second volume.

Here's the blurb:

Industrial revolution beckons. Spiritual catastrophe looms. And the Empire of the Wolf teeters on the brink...

The true horror of the Great Silence has been revealed. As nation after nation succumbs to the mind-plague and Sova scrambles to enlist help from across the globe, Ambassador Renata Rainer has been given a simple task: save the world. While she travels to the Principality of Casimir to enlist the help of the Empire’s oldest enemy, Lieutenant Peter Kleist returns to the haunted forests of the New East to search for ancient answers—and finally confront the terrible fate that awaits him.

In their wake, a task force of engineers, soldiers, and arcane experts will try and unpick the final secrets of the Great Silence—on both sides of the mortal plane. But time is running out. Count Lamprecht von Oldenburg has returned to the capital, armed with a terrible vision and enough madness to see it through. Those who stand in his way face a simple choice: join the revolution, or die.

As the world tips towards chaos, all paths converge on the Eye of the Sea, where the fabric of reality wears thin—and where the Empire of the Wolf must confront the most terrible enemy it has ever known.

As mentioned in my review of Grave Empire, the Great Silence series takes place about two hundred years following the events of the Empire of the Wolf trilogy. The setting is no medieval European analogue. It's a flintlock fantasy featuring a vast empire akin to the British Empire spanning dominions, territories, colonies, etc, which has reached a certain level of industrialization. The worldbuilding continues to be interesting and well realized. Once again, the author does an excellent job depicting the changes brought by urbanization and technological advancements. Swan also portrays the bureaucratic aspects of the imperial apparatus, the army, the diplomatic embassies, companies, etc, quite efficiently. Trouble is, as was the case in the first volume, certain things make little sense. One of the principal shortcomings of this book is the decidedly weak political intrigue. Swan excels in many different aspects when it comes to writing novels, but politicking is definitely not one of them. Everything that has to do with the delegation sent to Casimir to broker an even stronger peace between the Empire and the Principality, as well as the entire religious revolution plotline, felt contrived and a bit half-assed. Both storylines would have benefited from a little more work, methinks. As I've said before, not everyone can be a politicking master like George R. R. Martin, Katherine Kurtz, or Jacqueline Carey. But since a large part of Steel Gods hinges precisely on political intrigue, this can be quite a setback at times.

Even if I was totally enthralleded by the premise and the plot of Grave Empire, the characterization didn't quite work for me. Swan did a good job fleshing out the protagonists and giving them agency. And yet, I never could really root for any of them. Steel Gods features more POV characters and another vast supporting cast. Which, if I'm being honest, works better this time around. It's not perfect, mind you, but it is an improvement. Impulsive and often annoying Renata Rainier, remains what can be considered the series' main protagonist. I still have a hard time getting into her plotline, especially since a lot of things feel contrived just to keep the story moving forward. I first thought that her relationship with Captain Lyzander would help matters and make her more endearing, yet it wasn't meant to be. No less easy to like in the first book was Peter Kleist, a craven commissioned officer in the Sovan army sent to the New East. In over his head, a stranger in a strange land, he nevertheless grew on you as the tale progressed. Peter's storyline was by far the darkest and goriest of the novel, and it was also the most fascinating. His perspective has now become my favorite. His journey back to the land of the Kato and the Tree-Man was great. So was his relationship with Olwin. Given everything he has lost, it was nice to see them find comfort in one another. Count Lamprecht Von Oldenburg, who used to be an opportunistic nobleman bent on reintroducing outlawed magic back into the empire, has gone completely insane. And his madness could spell doom for mankind. Two new arcs, those of Captain Jason Laine and Kaito Kuroda, one an officer in the Sovan navy and the other a sorcerer from the Ayakashi Imperial Shögunate, worked particularly well, even though it took almost until the very end to understand their importance in the greater scheme of things. My only gripe is that these new arcs were mostly meant to allow Swan to channel Patrick O'Brien and he did overindulge with several naval scenes and battles. The addition of entities from other planes of existence was a nice touch that added layers to an already complex plot.

Like its predecessor, Steel Gods does suffer from pacing issues from time to time. It takes a long time for all the perspectives to come together, but given the number of storylines that was to be expected. Problem is, Swan has a tendency to overdo everything when it comes to the travelogues and he makes sure to showcase every single village/city/region down to the smallest detail. As mentioned in my previous review, it does make his universe come alive with arresting imagery, yet it also slows the rhythm of the tale too often for my liking. As a result, what with all the superfluous material, both installments are much longer than they need to be.

And yet, for all of that excess, Richard Swan continues to push the envelope with an intriguing endgame and the exciting finale of Steel Gods. The ending, especially, and the epilogue, set the stage for what should be a memorable final volume.

Time will tell if the author can close the show with aplomb and panache.

The final verdict: 7.5/10

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.