Elizabeth Baxter

2016-01-05T08:00:00.000+00:00

Would you like some free books?

To try some new authors? To grab yourself a few bargains?

The Free Book Bash is running January 5th and 6th. There are over 60 fantasy and science fiction books on offer - all free! Head on over to the site and grab them while you can!

http://pattyjansen.com/promo/

2015-12-05T08:00:00.000+00:00

Hello all,

I want to let you know about an amazing sale that's coming up this weekend. On December 5th and 6th 84 fantasy and science fiction authors will be discounting their books to $0.99/£0.99.

The books included in the promo are from some of the best writers out there and there's sure to be something to whet your appetite. Why not head on over and grab yourself some bargains?

Click here to grab some great fantasy books

Calling all bookworms!

2015-04-10T18:26:00.003+01:00

Over 175 ebooks from over 150 authors--including USA Today Bestsellers--are on sale for 99 cents. This promo will last only April 10th, 11th, and 12th. Find paranormal, fantasy, romance, and much more. Don't forget to tell your friends so they can one-click too! Visit the 99 Cent Book Blast.

My latest book is out! Woohoo!

2015-03-15T19:22:00.001+00:00

I'm really excited to announce that the final instalment of my epic fantasy trilogy, The Songmaker, has been released.

The Traitor's Song concludes the story of Maegwin and Rovann and their fight to defeat the rebel mage, the Songmaker.

The endgame is approaching. The Seven Realms are Unraveling. And, in the kingdom of Amaury, the Songmaker is so near his goal...

Only Rovann, First of the Council of Mages, stands in his way.

But he is alone. Maegwin, his ally and lover, has betrayed him. Now she stands by the Songmaker’s side.

The forces arrayed against him are vast. The Songmaker’s army holds the capital in a pincer grip and a tide of revenants and rebel mages are flocking to his banner.

All are converging on Tyrlindon. For this is the place where the Songmaker’s ultimate plan will be revealed. This is the place where Maegwin hopes to find her redemption.

And this is the place Rovann will have to destroy if he is to stop them.

And so the final instalment of this epic tale of darkness and redemption begins.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Traitors-Song-fantasy-adventure-Songmaker-ebook/dp/B00UNZ379I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426358413&sr=8-1&keywords=the+traitor%27s+song

Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elizabeth_Baxter_The_Traitor_s_Song_An_epic_fantas?id=t-cxBwAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-traitors-song/id976834692?mt=11&uo=4

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Best wishes,

Liz xx

The Mad Science Fiction and Fantasy January sale is here!

2015-01-01T09:00:00.000+00:00

It's here! The Mad Science Fiction and Fantasy January sale has started!

Nobody likes the winter blues, right? So why not grab yourself some great SFF books you can lose yourself in?

Everwinter, my epic fantasy novel, is included in the promotion along with many other fantastic books. Click on the link below to see what bargains you can pick up.
Mad Science Fiction and Fantasy January Sale

Mad Science Fiction and Fantasy January Sale!

2014-12-27T15:33:00.000+00:00

To celebrate the New Year, myself and several other fantasy and science fiction authors are reducing
the price of our books to $0.99 on January 1st!

Everwinter, my epic fantasy novel is included in the promotion along with many other fantastic books. Click on the link below to see what bargains you can pick up.

Mad Science Fiction and Fantasy January Sale

I Read Fantasy YA Promo

2014-01-23T08:00:00.000+00:00

Anyone feeling the January blues? Fancy grabbing some bargains to cheer you up? Enjoy a good fantasy adventure? Great! The I Read Fantasy YA promo is running from Janaury 23rd to 25th.

During that time all the books on this list are reduced to either $0.99 or free! There's also a giveaway where you can win all sorts of cool stuff. Click on the links to pick yourself up some great fantasy bargains and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post to be in with a chance of winning yourself a $100 Amazon gift card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

	Everwinter by Elizabeth Baxter Can science and magic ever exist in harmony? The powers of old and new are on a collision course in the land of Thanderley. Ancient gods have broken free of their imprisonment and cursed the lands with a terrible winter, a scourge that is sweeping science and the new ways from the earth. In the city of Ral Tora, Bramwell, a young engineer, battles to save his home from the encroaching ice. But there will be no exceptions. The gods will reclaim what was theirs and destroy any who oppose them. Once more, the balances are tipped. Magic and science cannot exist in peace, yet Bramwell must master both to save everything he loves from destruction.	Amazon	Nook
Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book Bundle, 1-2, Awaken and Shifting by Rachel Humprhey-D'aigle A Contemporary Young Adult + Series, fueled by Action, Adventure and the Eternal Desire for Truth... Telepathic thirteen-year-old twins, Meghan and Colin Jacoby, have until the rising of the Blue Moon to save the life of a young man whose caravan is forced to flee through a magical portal to another world, without him. In the process, they have a dark awakening when their typically predictable world collides with the complexities of the magical world. The twins face unimaginable dangers, thrusting them into an unexpected choice: to live as they always have or to learn the truth about their past and enter a world that is equally thrilling and terrifying. More importantly, however, is whether they even have a choice, or will fate not only force this new magical reality upon them, but require them to sacrifice everyone they love in doing so.		Amazon	Nook
Angel in the Shadows Book 1 by Lisa Grace Fifteen-year-old Megan Laughlin has a gift--or what seems like a curse at times. Megan sees angels and demons. Megan knows her destiny is to protect her friends against dark angels who try to sway them into situations that can destroy their lives, their souls, and their eternity. At school, she recognizes Judas, an über popular boy, as an evil angel hell-bent on destroying her and everyone she loves. As Judas spreads horrible rumors and overdoses two of her classmates at a rave, Megan realizes the enormity of his power. While classmates die, Megan, with the help of an angel, Johnny, and a team of friends will face the fight of their lives as they battle Judas. Megan thinks God hasn't given her any "special" powers, but discovers she has what she needs as she confronts Judas and his seemingly unconquerable power.		Amazon	Nook
Myriad (Prentor Book 1) by Mona Hanna The warlock Myriad has returned to exact his long-promised revenge on the Royal family. Only Kalin has the power to stop him -- but using that power shows Kalin that he is connected to Myriad in a way that he never suspected. Even if Kalin finds the strength to challenge Myriad, can he survive learning the truth about himself? A tale of Kalin learning to use the gifts inside of him, gaining the trust of new allies, and breathtaking first love.		Amazon	Nook
The Necromancer's Apprentice by R. M. Prioleau Jasmine Na’Darod lived a simple life with her parents and older sister on the family’s farm. She never strayed far from home until the ill-fated Blood Moon arose, basking the country of Caristan with a terrible, sickening drought. When her mother falls ill, Jasmine and her family are forced to leave home in desperate search of a cure. During their journey, a series of tragic events will change Jasmine’s life forever. With her former life shrouded and forgotten, Jasmine embraces a new path granted by an unlikely stranger, who, ironically, practices the Art of death and undeath. As Jasmine is drawn to this enigma of a man, she soon realizes there is more to him than what she initially perceived — his true motives are beyond anything she could ever imagine…		Amazon	Nook
Twin Souls (Nevermore, Book 1) by K.A Poe Seventeen year old Alexis finds herself on the eve of her eighteenth birthday. What generally means a step into adulthood instead opens its way to a terrifying truth about not only her family, but herself. She comes from a long line of vampire hunters, and her real dad wants her to carry on the family quest. At the same time, she is falling for a new boy at school who has his own secret. He is a vampire. Alexis is forced to make a decision from which there is no turning back. - Will she deny this newly discovered heritage, or embrace it.		Amazon	Nook
Deception by Stacy Claflin Alexis Ferguson thinks she has everything figured out, but has no idea how wrong she is. Set up on a blind date, she meets a gorgeous stranger and feels that she’s known him her entire life, but she has never seen him before. He awakens in her long-forgotten dark memories, and now she must face the one who ordered her death years ago. Will she learn to use her strange new powers in time to save herself? Will she let him help her? Should she trust him?		Amazon	Nook
	The Five Elements (The Alchemancer: Book One) by Scott Marlowe Aaron--scholar, alchemist, and sorcerer's apprentice--wants nothing more than to study his tomes, perform his experiments, and spend time with his closest friend, Shanna. Substitute the occasional romp about the city for the books and plenty of games of crutchit for the smelly alchemicals, and Shanna is just fine with that too. Their routines--and their lives--are thrown into chaos when an elemental attack is launched against their home. Aaron thinks Shanna killed, while Aaron himself is forced to flee for his life. For Shanna, who survives that fateful night, the greatest adventure of her life is about to begin. Only the worst of nightmares awaits Aaron: pursued by dwarves, hell hounds, and a demon who will not stop until he is dead, the only thing keeping him alive is his own resourcefulness and an eslar mercenary whose reputation as a killer might make him the worst threat of all. Though Aaron and Shanna travel different paths, their purpose is joined when they individually learn of the mysterious Fifth Element. Shanna sees it as the final piece in the puzzle that is her destiny. To Aaron's logical mind, it is an impossible ambiguity. Whatever the answer, the Fifth Element draws them back together and into a final confrontation not as allies, but as adversaries.	Amazon	Nook
Elei's Chronicles (Books 1-3) by Chrystalla Thoma In a world composed of seven islands in the middle of the ocean, the all-women Gultur race rules. Parasites create new human races, decimate towns and cities, killing the repressed mortals. Rex Rising (Book 1): Elei, a young aircar driver, leads a peaceful life until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side. Pursued for a secret he does not possess and with the fleet at his heels, he has but one thought: to stay alive. His pursuers aren't inclined to sit down and talk, although that's not the end of Elei's troubles. The two powerful parasites inhabiting his body, at a balance until now, choose this moment to bring him down, leaving Elei with no choice but to trust in people he hardly knows. It won't be long before he realizes he must find out this deadly secret – a secret that might change the fate of his world and everything he has ever known – or die trying.		Amazon	Nook
Gift The Destroyer by Jeroen Steenbeeke One man will devastate the world, and one warrior from the future must stop him. Arek is destined to turn the world into a desolate wasteland, draining the life out of everything on the planet. Future warrior Brenor must cross the Forbidden Lands to reach him, but no one's ever returned from such a journey. Only farm girl Lianna's powers can help him. First, he must convince her he's from the future not the madhouse, and that she can control her Gift, the Destroyer's mastery of the elements. But a predator stalks them, hungry for the energy Brenor's journey from the future unleashed. If Brenor and Lianna can't escape him, their mission will end before it's even begun. Girl With Flying Weapons by Aya Ling Most people know Hong as a soft-spoken servant girl who works at the governor’s house. Few know her as a skilled martial artist who trains in secret by a blind assassin. When the governor’s son, who has a crush on her, is accused of murder, Hong risks not only blowing her cover, but also her own life when trying to discover the real killer.		Amazon Amazon	Nook Nook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What fantasy creatures will be popular next?

2013-12-10T20:30:00.001+00:00

To celebrate the release of the latest Hobbit film, come and join the blog hop to win books with a fantasy or supernatural slant, a box set of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit books, as well as an amazon gift certificate. Very handy for your holiday shopping! Don't forget to visit each author's blog during the hop, where you will also have the chance to win an individual prize from each author.

Join the blog hop here: Fantasy blog hop

I was going to talk about the first Hobbit film today. But, I've changed my mind. Thinking about the Hobbit made me realise that hobbits are one of the few original fantasy creatures I can think of so I thought I'd do a post about it.

Right, hands up who’s not read the Twilight series? Anyone? Come on, there must be someone somewhere who didn’t give in to all the hype (unlike me, much to my eternal shame). It seems that everywhere you look these days there are books about teen vampires, werewolves or angels. Heck, they now even have their own section in my local bookshop!

It got me wondering what kind of creature will be popular next. Now that the Twilight series has ended have vampires had their day? Are we sick of werewolves and angels? Is another fantasy creature waiting in the wings to take up the mantle? Well, some are mentioning that it’s going to be mermaids. When I read this, my mind immediately turned to images of Ariel from The Little Mermaid. And of course, all the songs started running through my head, “under da sea, under da sea, darling its better down where it’s wetter, take it from me!” Ahem. Anyway. Moving swiftly on.

If you look at all the popular series of the last few years, the fantastic creatures in those books are human in some way. Vampires are humans turned immortal blood-suckers. Werewolves are humans turned scary doggy, mermaids are humans with, well, tails. What we don’t see are books centred on completely non-human creatures. When was the last time you read a book where the central character was a goblin? An ogre? A troll? There are, of course, exceptions to this rule (Stan Nicholls’ Orcs series springs to mind) but even these creatures are given human characteristics. This makes perfect sense of course. After all, readers want characters they can identify with. It’s easy to identify with a boy going through school and falling in love for the first time, even if that boy is a sparkly 100 year-old vampire.

Was it Tolkien that started our obsession with these human-type creatures? The elves in LOTR are humans with all the bad bits taken out. Beautiful, powerful, immortal. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be an elf given half the chance? So perhaps this is where it all started. Just one more thing to blame Tolkien for.

One of the key things in recent stories is that these fantastic creatures are usually able to interact with the human world, be it through going to school, living in normal towns and cities etc., but how will mermaids, who live in water, do this? I will be interested to see what new slant writers are able to put on this. There are some hugely talented writers out there and I’m sure they will be able to surprise me.

Can anyone think of a creature that’s not yet had their popularity stint? How about banshees? Nymphs? Or why don’t we go the whole hog and fall in love with talking lions again?

Don't forget my competition! You can win yourself two free ebooks (The Last Priestess and The King's Mage from my The Songmaker fantasy trilogy). Leave your name and contact email in the comments section!

Fantastical Blog Hop December 10th-13th

2013-12-09T15:56:00.000+00:00

Join the blog hop here: Fantasy blog hop

To kick it all off, tomorrow I’ll be discussing the first hobbit film, the highs and the lows. Be sure to check back!

And of course, I’ve got some goodies to give away too! I’m offering an ebook copy of the first two books in my fantasy trilogy, The Songmaker. See below for details. To enter, leave a comment giving your name and email (which won’t be used for any other purposes). If you’d like an extra entry (and to get a free copy of my short-story collection), sign up for my newsletter too! The link is in the top right corner!

Enjoy!

The Last Priestess, Book 1 of The Songmaker

There is a name that is uttered only in whispers. The Songmaker. A ruthless rebel mage, he is bringing civil war to the once-peaceful kingdom of Amaury, enveloping all in a tide of violence.

For Maegwin, a tormented priestess, the path forward lies in forgiving her temple's enemies—but she dreams only of revenge. For Rovann, a loyal mage haunted by his failures, salvation might be found in the unthinkable: defying the very king he swore to protect. If they are to succeed they must form an unlikely alliance. For someone must stand against the Songmaker. Someone must save Amaury from his dark designs. But first, they’ll have to learn to trust each other.

And so a magical fantasy of darkness and redemption begins.

The King’s Mage, Book 2 of The Songmaker

The Unraveling has begun. The barriers that separate the Seven Realms are breaking, threatening to send Chaos ripping through the universe, to the ruin of all.

In the kingdom of Amaury, the Council of Mages desperately tries to halt an army bent on sacking the capital. But how do you halt an army led by the dead?

In the west, Rovann, First of the Council of Mages, and Maegwin, priestess of Sho-La, set out on a desperate mission to save the Seven Realms. But beset by enemies on all sides, they’re not sure who to trust—least of all each other.

And in the center of this web waits the Songmaker, a shadowy figure whose final plans may hold the key to the salvation or destruction of creation itself.

And so the second installment of this epic tale of darkness and redemption begins.

The Last Priestess is released in paperback!

2013-11-16T15:47:00.002+00:00

Hello! To celebrate the release of The Last Priestess in paperback, I've got a copy to giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Last Priestess

by Elizabeth Baxter

Giveaway ends December 10, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The King's Mage is released!

2013-11-03T10:04:00.000+00:00

Hello everyone,

All the late nights and feverish activity during October has paid off. The King's Mage, book 2 of my epic fantasy series, The Songmaker, has been released! Whoop!

Here's a preview:

The Unraveling has begun. The barriers that separate the Seven Realms are breaking, threatening to send Chaos ripping through the universe, to the ruin of all.

In the kingdom of Amaury, the Council of Mages desperately tries to halt an army bent on sacking the capital. But how do you halt an army led by the dead?

In the west, Rovann, First of the Council of Mages, and Maegwin, priestess of Sho-La, set out on a desperate mission to save the Seven Realms. But beset by enemies on all sides, they’re not sure who to trust—least of all each other.

And in the center of this web waits the Songmaker, a shadowy figure whose final plans may hold the key to the salvation or destruction of creation itself.

And so the second installment of this epic tale of darkness and redemption begins.

Chapter 1

Rovann woke with a start. Searing agony throbbed in his right arm, sending spears of fire vibrating through his body, threatening to tip him back into unconsciousness. For a moment, it consumed him. He couldn’t think straight. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t hear.

But worse than all of this was a terrifying realization that he couldn’t breathe. His lungs strained for air but it wouldn’t come. Something warm pressed against his lips, blocking his airways. Then his sight cleared to reveal a woman’s face close to his. Green eyes burned from a face covered in dirt and grime.

Maegwin.

And her hand was clamped tight over his mouth, suffocating him.

The day’s events flashed through his mind. He and Maegwin confronting Lord Cedric Hounsey only to discover he was already dead, a revenant held in thrall to the Songmaker’s will. The betrayal in Maegwin’s eyes as he, Rovann, denied her revenge against Hounsey and then invaded her mind to seize her power to enable them to escape.

More images flickered. The storming of Carrow Crossing by Hounsey troops. His vain attempt to hold them off while Captain Tyan, Mage Syrie and the soldiers escaped. The enemy arrow that exploded through his right forearm.

Then finally the words Maegwin had whispered to him as he fell into unconsciousness.

It’s just you and me now, Rovann. And you’re all mine.

And here she was, a crazed look in her eyes, trying to smother him. A sliver of ice-cold fear stabbed through his abdomen. There was no recognition in Maegwin’s eyes. Only a raw emotion that Rovann couldn’t quite place. Covered in the blood and filth of battle, she looked like some wild she-devil dredged from an old saga.

She was going to kill him. After all they’d been through he was going to die at Maegwin’s hands. His supposed ally. His friend.

No! I will not!

Summoning his ebbing strength, he reached for his sorcery only to find it gone. Where the burning core of his power should be, there was…nothing. Emptiness.

He’d spent too much of his strength in the citadel’s defense. Idiot, he chided himself as his lungs burned and his consciousness began to fade. Now your quest is over before it’s begun.

A small, traitorous part of him was relieved. It was over. Let someone else face the Songmaker. But another, stronger part shouted in outrage that it should end like this.

I won’t allow it! he raged. I will not!

He thrashed in Maegwin’s grip, determined to break her hold.

Freebie alert!

2013-09-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone!

The Last Priestess is going to be free to download from Amazon (both US and UK) for five whole days! So grab yourselves a copy between September 4th - 8th.

Enjoy.

US http://www.amazon.com/Priestess-Songmaker-fantasy-novel-ebook/dp/B00B9Z98SA/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376816212&sr=8-1&keywords=the+last+priestess

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Priestess-Songmaker-fantasy-novel-ebook/dp/B00B9Z98SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376817404&sr=8-1&keywords=the+last+priestess

Ereader News Today Book of the Day: Everwinter!

2013-07-17T12:00:00.000+01:00

Everwinter is today's book of the day at Ereader News Today! It's available for $0.99 for a limited time only. Grab yourself a copy!

http://ereadernewstoday.com/

Can science and magic ever exist in harmony?

The powers of old and new are on a collision course in the land of Thanderley. Ancient gods have broken free of their imprisonment and cursed the lands with a terrible winter, a scourge that is sweeping science and the new ways from the earth. In the city of Ral Tora, Bramwell, a young engineer, battles to save his home from the encroaching ice. But there will be no exceptions. The gods will reclaim what was theirs and destroy any who oppose them.
Once more, the balances are tipped. Magic and science cannot exist in peace, yet Bramwell must master both to save everything he loves from destruction.

Book Review: Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb

2013-06-28T06:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Blood of Dragons
By: Robin Hobb
Edition: Kindle Download

Blood of Dragons is the final installment in Robin Hobb's Rain Wild Chronicles series. It tells the story of a company of dragons and their keepers as they begin to explore the fabled Elderling city of Kelsingra and rediscover its magic.

I enjoyed this book but it didn't quite live up to the series' earlier promise. Whilst the story was well-written and kept me engaged, by the end there were too many questions left for me to feel satisfied. I enjoyed the exploration of Kelsingra: it was mysterious and exciting to have them discovering an intact ancient city and all the strange things contained within. I liked the development of the dragons: they have learned to fly and now become quite different characters. I liked the sinister edition of the dragon-hunters from Chalced and the return of the dragon queen, Tintaglia. These were all compelling and interesting storylines.

However, there were some disappointing ones as well. The dragons go to war with Chalced because the duke sends dragon-hunters after them. This could have been a fantastic storyline. Dragons going to war? How exciting is that? But most of it happens off screen and in the bits we do see, everything is way too easy. The dragons turn up, spray acid on the city, and Chalced crumbles. Where's the fighting? The danger? The excitement? By the end I felt I didn't really have a handle on the story's conclusion. Will they all stay in Kelsingra? What kind of society will they make? Lots of unanswered questions. I wonder if Hobb will write another series to answer them.

Blood of Dragons was a decent end to the series, and I did like

the book, but overall I think it could have been better. I'd still recommend the series to fantasy fans though.

I give it 3.5 bookworms.

The Last Priestess Blog Tour: Book review

2013-06-26T12:57:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,

The Last Priestess has gone on tour! Fantasy author, Freya Pickard, is showcasing a number of short features on her blog. They all centre around The Last Priestess and today she's featuring a review of the book.

Be sure to check it out!

http://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/2736/

Book Review: City of Dragons by Robin Hobb

2013-06-21T14:43:00.000+01:00

Title: City of Dragons
By: Robin Hobb
Edition: Mass market paperback

City of Dragons is the third book in Robin Hobb's Rain Wild Chronicles series. It tells the story of a company of crippled dragons and their human keepers who have discovered the fabled elderling city of Kelsingra and are trying to make it their home.

After the first two books in the series I was really looking forward to this one. Hmm. It didn't live up to my expectations. It's a decent enough read and Hobb's writing style kept my interest but it didn't have as much substance as the earlier books. In fact, it didn't feel like a whole book at all but more like filler material with meandering plot lines that didn't get resolved.

At the end of the second book the keepers have finally found Kelsingra. As a result, I expected this, the third book, to focus on them moving into Kelsingra and exploring it. But instead, through a contrived plot point of not being able to land at Kelsingra due to the docks being damaged, the company are stranded on the other side of the river. Rather than moving the plot forward, much of the story is concerned with the keepers hunting, building shelters and figuring out which partner they want. The dragons spend their time either arguing or learning to fly.

I feel a bit cheated that we didn't get to see them exploring Kelsingra, discovering its magic, making a home there. There could have been lots of great stuff happening. The whole point of the quest was to find Kelsingra so now they've found it, why have them stuck on the other side of the river?

I still liked the story, just not as much as the others. I hope the next one answers my questions.

I give it three bookworms.

The Last Priestess Blog Tour: Excerpt

2013-06-19T12:54:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,

The Last Priestess has gone on tour! Fantasy author, Freya Pickard, is showcasing a number of short features on her blog. They all centre around The Last Priestess and today she's featuring a sneaky-peek excerpt.

Be sure to check it out!

http://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/the-last-priestess-excerpt/

Book Review: Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb

2013-06-14T06:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Dragon Haven
By: Robin Hobb
Edition: Mass Market Paperback

Dragon Haven is the second volume in Robin Hobb's Rain Wild Chronicles series. It tells of the quest of a gaggle of humans and crippled dragons to find the mythical elderling city of Kelsingra where the dragons can settle and grow strong.

This is the kind of book that grabs you and won't let go. After just a few pages I was hooked and found myself eagerly whizzing through my chores so I could get back to it - a sure sign of a good book.

To be honest, it isn't very exciting. There are no breathless, momentous moments or edge-of-your-seat adventure. Instead, it's an intricate weaving of the individual character's stories that keeps you wanting to know what happens next. And this is the true strength of the book: its characters. Even though it read like a soap opera at times (everyone pairing off with everyone else) I really got to know and like each of the human characters (even the baddies!).

The dragons too have personalities of their own although I would have liked to see more of this as they do tend to get eclipsed by the humans. I've already started reading the next book in the series and would recommend this to all fantasy fans.

I give four bookworms.

The Last Priestess Blog Tour: About the book

2013-06-12T12:52:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,

The Last Priestess has gone on tour! Fantasy author, Freya Pickard, is showcasing a number of short features on her blog. They all centre around The Last Priestess and today she's featuring an 'about the book'.

Be sure to check it out!

http://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/2724/

Book Review: The Emperor's Edge by Lyndsey Buroker

2013-06-06T08:00:00.000+01:00

Title: The Emperor's Edge
By: Lyndsey Buroker
Edition: Free Kindle download

Okay, I'll admit it from the outset - I'd never read a steampunk novel before I picked up The Emperor's Edge. I did so with this book with some trepidation.

At first I was a little thrown by the setting - magic users and conjured demons set against a backdrop of factories, guns and commerce. Hmmm. However, this uneasiness (is that a word?) was due to my unfamiliarity with the genre rather than any problem with the story. In fact, as I continued reading I realised I'd discovered a gem.

Lindsey Buroker's story-telling style is smooth and polished. She creates characters who are entirely individual and believable and she paints a story that is by turns exciting, intriguing and funny. The escapades of the man character, Amaranthe, as she sets about recruiting a motley band of followers to help her foil a plot to kill the emperor is engrossing and rattles along at a fair old pace.

The conclusion wraps things up nicely but also leaves the door open for the rest of the series - which I will be reading.

I give if four bookworms.

The Last Priestess Bite Sized Blog Tour: Cento

2013-06-05T06:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,

The Last Priestess has gone on tour! Fantasy author, Freya Pickard, is showcasing a number of short features on her blog. They all centre around The Last Priestess and she kicks off today with a cento - a poem made from an excerpt from the story. How cool is that?

Be sure to check it out!

http://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/cenot-the-last-priestess/

Book Review: Return of The Crimson Guard by Ian C. Esslemont

2013-05-29T06:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Return of The Crimson Guard
By: Ian C. Esslemont
Edition: Paperback

I've made no secret of how much I loved Steven Erikson's Malazan books. They are, in my humble opinion, one of the best fantasy series of recent years. So, when Ian C Esslemont, co-creator of the Malazan world began writing books set in the same universe, he had a lot to live up to. And, like with Night of Knives before this, he certainly did.

Return of The Crimson Guard is awesome. Ostensibly it tells the story of the mercenary Crimson Guard as they return to the heart of the Malazan empire, intent on destroying it. But as always with the Malazan novels, there is far more going on than this. There are multiple story lines to keep up with, from young recruit Kyle's journey to find Prince Kazz, to veteran commander Shimmer's efforts to thwart internal conflict within the Guard, to a squad of loyal soldiers trying to save the city of Li Heng from a tide of rebellion. Throw in a huge battle involving multiple armies, ascendants and gods and you have one riveting epic fantasy read. It's well written, detailed and totally compelling. Loved it.

I give it five bookworms.

2013-05-25T18:39:00.002+01:00

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Book Review: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont

2013-05-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Night of Knives

By: Ian C. Esslemont

Edition: Mass market paperback

In some ways this was a brave venture by Mr. Esslemont. Writing a book set in the same world as Steven Erikson's Malazan series was fraught with difficulties. He was always going to be compared to Erikson and if his writing fell short, he would forever be derided as the weaker of the writing partnership and open to the criticism that he was riding on the coat-tails of his partner's success.

I'm happy to report that Esslemont has avoided this scenario by writing a cracking book. It's a great read full of the depth of character and intricate plot weaving I've come to expect from the Malazan world.

The events of the book take place during a single night on Malaz island - the night of the emperor's assassination. It follow two characters: Temper and Kiska as the night's events unfold around them.

I have two criticisms of the book. It took a while to get going and for me to figure out what it was actually and about there are so many different characters with the story flitting between them that I sometime struggled to keep up with who was who.

But these are minor concerns. Overall it was a great story and I look forward to adding the rest of Mr. Esslemont's books to my collection.

I give it 4 bookworms.

Book Review: Children of Sun and Moon by Matt Larkin

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

Title: Children of Sun and Moon
By: Matt Larkin
Edition: Kindle download

This is one of those books I'm glad I persevered with. I almost gave up at the start because there were so many characters (many with unprounouncable names) and so much going on that I was completely lost. But I stuck with it and I'm pleased I did because it's actually a very good story.

It tells the tale of two opposing peoples, the Lunars and the Solars, who follow a different gods, both considering themselves the chosen ones, as they try to make peace to end years of war. There are two main characters, Chandi (a lunar) and Naresh (a solar) and both are well drawn and likeable. The plot is intricate and cleverly woven, the writing tight and professional. It's not a typical fantasy but reminded me a japanese managa. Once you get your head around the names, it quite refreshing. Overall, a good read.

I give it four bookworms.