Book cover reveal!

After getting a chance to enjoy and review Ulff Lehmann's dark fantasy gem, Shattered Dreams, Ulff asked me if I'd be interested in doing a cover reveal for the sequel, Shattered Hopes!

Of course I said yes, being a huge fan of book one. So, without further delay, Ulff Lehmann presents the cover to his latest work, Shattered Hopes, soon available on Amazon.com.

The Bookwyrm's Review of Morningwood: Everybody Loves Large Chests by Neven Iliev

Author: Nenen Iliev

Length: 189 Pages/ 8 Hours, 23 minutes (Audio)

Release Date: October 27, 2017/ October 30, 2017 (Audio)

Publisher: Spoken Realms (Audio)

Series: Everybody Loves Large Chests (Book 1)

When I first saw this, I thought it was just a parody of the usual LitRPG fare. While it is hilarious, it actually is a fairly serious look at the tropes of LitRPG, and I found it to be exceptionally entertaining and well written, with a unique MC and some fun secondary characters. It is also very adult.

When a low level hero enters the dungeon, he expects to fight the usual giant rats and poisonous mushrooms, that sort of low level thing. When the latest hero goes through the usual mobs of low level monsters, he finds a tasty looking chest just waiting for him to open! Score! Well, until the chest eats him, that is, since the newbie area of the dungeon has started spawning Mimics! Mimics are monsters that are shaped like treasure chests, and then sprout grabbing tongues and teeth when opened. Usually they are a lower level nuisance, although in this case, something weird happens. The Mimic, basically a mindless monster, starts leveling up, including intelligence. 

So starts the mimic's rise to a monster of menace, as he continues to level up, eating one adventurer after another. As he levels up, he gains a new ability: Warlock, and eventually levels up enough to summon demons. and with this new ability, the story really takes off, as he summons his first demon, a succubus he calls Snack (the reason for this is hilarious). From there, its off to the wider world, as they start a series of improbable adventures, adding a new companion, and altering the fabric of the kingdom forever with their actions! 

You would think a book starring a barely sentient chest shaped monster wouldn't be character driven, and in that, you'd be wrong. Being inside the Mimic's head is a hilarious experience, as it goes from just animal cunning to being a genius for its kind, which is about the level of a box of rocks. His companions, Snack and Arms, are hilarious too, and their interactions really help sell the story. The setting is well thought out, and you get a real sense of being in the story. Considering the story takes place mostly in a dungeon and a forest, its very well laid out. Without becoming a complete satire, it does have some fun with the common LitRPG tropes, and definitely has some very risqué adult content. Definitely something a fan of Lit RPG or comedic fantasy should enjoy.

The narration is handled by the talented Jeff Hays, in what I consider to be some of his best work. His voice work for the various characters is so varied, and really brings each character to life. His narrative pacing is some of the best in the business, and it never lags a bit. Definitely a reason to get the audiobook.

The Bookwyrm's Review of The Garden of Stones by Mark T. Barnes

Author: Mark T. Barnes

Length: 506 Pages/ 16 hours, 47 minutes (Audio)

Publisher: 47 North/Brilliance Audio

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Series: Echoes of Empire (Book 1)

Narrator: Nick Podehl

This is a review that has been long in coming, since, to be perfectly honest, this is literally my favorite fantasy series of all time. I have read a few series that come close to this in my mind, such as ML Spencer's Rhenwars series, CT Phipps Wraith Knight series and David Oliver's Great Hearts series, but for my money, this is as good as epic fantasy gets.

In the Shrianese Federation, successor to the Awoken Empire, the Game of Houses is alive and well. When his father-in-law is falsely accused of raiding an off limits outland he is supposed to guard, Indris, called Dragoneye, a master swordsman and a powerful Scholar-Mage, steps up to defend him and his lands from the army of the other families raised against him. He helps hold off the army long enough to let his father-in-law escape, although Indris and his companions are captured by the armies of the mastermind behind the attack, Corajadin. Barely avoiding execution, Indris is determined to stop Corajadin from taking over his father-in-law's lands, which would give him access to the ancient secrets hidden in the outlands, known as the Romarc. He is also determined to protect the current leader of the Federation from the machinations of Corajadin, who can potentially become leader, and has ambitions to remake the Awoken Empire with himself as the Emperor.

Surviving an ambush that takes the leadership of the Federation out of play, Indris, with the help of his companions, his powerful mentor, and even a member of Corajadin's family, has to try and stop a seismic shift in power in the Federation. In addition, there are other players in the game with goals of their own, including an Engothic Witch who is aiding Corajadin and who may extract a price the Federation can't afford, as well as a person from Indris's past who he thought long dead, who is lurking in the background. All the while, Indris must fight political battles with his own side, who don't want to face the real dangers they are facing. It all leads to a climactic showdown, as Indris and company try and stop the ancient secrets from being released, and keeping Corajadin from destroying the Federation in the quest for Empire.

There is so much to love about this book, and series as a whole. The world building is fantastic, with a wide range of locations throughout, all lovingly described in such a way that you feel you are there personally, all without feeling like filler. The plot is intricate and fast paced, never leaving you feeling it drags along, but moving you from one scene to the next seamlessly. The real strength of this book, though, is the characters. From the main characters to the faceless masses, the author manages to inject life and personality into them all. Indris is my personal favorite. A powerful mage, he struggles against the destiny others planned for him, and charts his own course, regardless of the personal cost.  Intensely loyal, he will do anything, risk anything, for those he loves. Mari, Corajadin's daughter, and the black sheep of the family, is also a favorite. a fantastic warrior, she is conflicted over loyalty to her family's machinations and her oaths to the Federation. She also struggles against the destiny planned for her, refusing to be a family brood mare. All the other various characters are well drawn out, never feeling two dimensional. they have realistic motives and ambitions, even the villains. In fact, the villains in this series are some of the best you will find in fantasy. They are that well written. 

Nick Podehl handles the narrative work, and is he fantastic! He brings all the various characters to life, imbuing each with their own voice and personality through a variety of accents, tones and pace. His narrative pacing is some of the best in the business, and there is a reason he gets so much work. Just another reason to check this series out.

Is the series perfect? No, but in my mind, its not far from it. The author does go the route of complicated and unusual character, nation and location names, which is not for every reader. I don't mind it, but when I recommend it to my friends that do mind that, I recommend they try the audio version. It really does solve the issue for a lot of people. That's about all I can see that fantasy fans might take issue with. The backstory is as deep as it gets, and the politics, actions and magic are top rate. I wholeheartedly recommend this series for fans of epic fantasy, be it Game of Thrones, The Wheel of Time or even lesser known titles. This series matches up well with any of them. It is also a completed trilogy, so don't go in thinking you have to wait ten years for the next book. I do hope to see more of Indris's adventures one day though.

The Bookwyrm's Review of Thunderbolt by Brandon Cornwell

Author: Brandon Cornwell

Length: 267 Pages/ 13 Hours, 13 minutes (Audio)

Publisher: Podium Publishing (Audio)

Release Date: December 1, 2017/ March 27, 2018

Series: Dynasty of Storms

Narrator: Ralph Lister

As with most second books in a series, I had some trepidation with this one. A lot of second books of a series can be a bit of a letdown, especially compared to an outstanding debut. This, however, was not the case with this one. If anything, it took the ball from the first book and ran with it in a wildly creative, dark fantasy epic.

After the events in Greenreef in which Elias, a giant outcast elf, defeated the pirates that had plagued the islands, only to have his betrothed and unborn child murdered by those same pirates, Elias and a force of Sea Elves return to the mainland. They are seeking vengeance on the pirate's leader, Darius Tessermyre, and his allies in the Felle, the dark army of Orcs, Ogres, Trolls and other dark creatures. After landfall, they discover the mainland situation is even more dire than when Elias left, with the Felle making gains everywhere.

Returning to the north to go meet with his foster brother, who was supposed to inherit the throne, Elias and his small army are sidetracked with the changes in the North. He learns from a group of dwarves that Elias helps with a dragon problem, that his brother didn't win the succession. He is now basically caretaker for his own possessions, as dishonest nobles have sided with someone else as king. Elias and his army help his brother take back the city, and then make plans to rescue the former queen, who is still alive and held hostage. The subsequent rescue attempt and its results will change the North forever, as they discover that the cause of all the troubles may tie in to the larger world in ways they never imagined. Secrets will be uncovered as an army the likes of which has never been seen in the North approaches to take down Elias and his allies, and some unlikely allies join the battle to determine the fate of the North in one climactic battle.

While it is an excellently plotted book, and the world building is first rate, this is basically a character driven book. The characters, especially Elias, are so richly detailed, with motivations and actions that ring true to their personalities, you can't help but be engaged as you read. Their every success and failure you feel personally, as you become engrossed in their decision making process. The secondary characters are fleshed out as well, and even the villains have realistic goals and motivations, even if it is just personal ambition. Its obvious the author was dedicated to making characters the reader could believe in.

Ralph Lister handles the narration work in a spectacular fashion. With his sort of raspy British voice, he gives a character life they might not have known otherwise. His emotions really show when he handles the dialogue, and he gives each character a unique voice of their own. His narrative pacing is excellent as always, and he never dips into a monotone. He is definitely one of the best voice actors working in the market today.

Overall, this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend for any fans of dark fantasy. Not quite as grimdark as the first book, and without the adult content of the first, this is easily a worthy successor to the first book and should appeal to a wide range of fantasy readers.