With all the crazy stuff happening in the world, I love a little escape time. In other words, I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy this past summer. Here are my thoughts:
The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Dark fantasy; #1 The Blade Itself; #2 Before They Are Hanged; #3 The Last Argument of Kings
Barbaric warrior Logen Ninefingers seeks redemption for his shady past. Along the way, he finds himself recruited by the mysterious wizard Bayaz who adds Ninefingers to a team on a quest to save the world from a looming catastrophe. A powerful artifact is the goal, but what exactly does this enigmatic object do? Bayaz isn’t telling. Meanwhile, Glokta, is a bitter, crippled torturer who works for the government of the country known as the Union. He works behind the scenes to prevent a war, but the task seems impossible as alliances with the Union fall around him. Several more characters narrate their side of the story in all three books.
I’ve had this series on my to read list for years and I’m kicking myself for not reading it earlier. I recommend the audio version; the narrator Stephen Pacey, is fantastic. If you like Brandon Sanderson, you’ll like Joe Ambercrombie. Great story arc, excellent characters, and a satisfying conclusion.
Descendant Machine by Gareth Powell
Science Fiction; Space Opera
This is the 2nd in the Continuance series by Gareth Powell. Something shocking happens to Nicola Mafalda right from the start and it affects her relationship with her scout ship which happens to have a walking, talking avatar Nicola can interact with. She and her ship end up on a mission in which the stakes are much higher than she realized: the survival of our galaxy. Descendant Machine is full of both action and introspection. Nicola tries to figure out her place in the universe, but it just won’t leave her alone.
I enjoy a great space opera, and Gareth Powell never fails to deliver. If you enjoy Alastair Reynolds or James S. A. Corey, you’ll enjoy Powell’s books. Fun stuff.
Magebreakers by Ben S. Dobson
Fantasy; #3 The Dragon Machine; #4 The Spirit Siphon
In The Dragon Machine (Magebreakers #3), the assassin known as The Emperor’s Mask is still causing trouble. The Magebreakers, Tane and Kadka, take on an assignment to find a missing girl who may or may not be working with the insidious Mask.
In The Spirit Syphone (Magebreakers #4), Tane and Kadka find themselves embroiled in an international scandal when an airship crashes. If they can’t figure out who is behind the tragedy, war could be the result.
I’ve really enjoyed this series. It’s a mix of fantasy and noir detective. Dobson has done a great job of worldbuilding. With each installment of Magebreakers, the scope of the story and danger enlarges. The characters have developed more relationships with other citizens of Thaless.
Dobson’s stories are such a great escape. I wouldn’t put them in the category of “cozy fantasy” but they the first few were more “low stakes.” However, with each volume in the series, the Magebreakers are finding the enemy has more tentacles wrapped around various corners of their society than previously thought. I am eager to read the fifth and final volume soon, and to be honest, I’m a little sad because I’m going to miss Tane and Kadka.
Chance by Matthew FitzSimmons
Science fiction, drama, murder mystery
In the not-too-distant future, Chance Harper was murdered when he was sixteen. However, being part of a wealthy family, he was brought back to life thanks to the cloning technology that exists. But when he wakes up in a clone of his former body, he is immediately accused of murder. How can he defend himself against a crime he doesn’t remember committing?
Chance is a follow-up to FitzSimmons’s Constance. Really not a sequel as much as its own story. I found the premise intriguing because I kept asking, ‘How is he going to get out of this mess?’ If you like stories by Blake Crouch or Michael Crichton, you’ll enjoy Chance. Hope FitzSimmons writes more in the series.
Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin
I remember reading this many years ago and it’s better the second time around. The first book now seems more like just setting things up. This second in the series was able to get into a much more epic story. I’m surprised these books have never been adapted for tv. I think they would be hilarious.
Photo by Lance Reis: https://www.pexels.com/photo/beautiful-model-in-oregon-wearing-a-forest-green-linen-dress-portrait-taken-by-portland-photographer-lance-reis-on-my-sonya7iii-on-location-19797381/
Andrew M. Friday 
Leave a comment