Expertly weaves fantasy and sci-fi together!
931495
I found my copies at a used book store 12 years ago--back when the two books were separate. The narrative was so good, I read both in the same night.
Thieves World is an usual type of anthology in that, while different writers are contributing, the individual stories are more like chapters. This is because they all share the same characters and what happens in one story, carries on as character background in the next story by the next author. If a character or event is introduced in one story, it is fodder for future stories.
The effect is that you get many different viewpoints for the same story--some light, some dark--and it makes the overall story seem more well-rounded, yet cohesive at the same time. This is a tribute to the talents of the many writers involved with the project, and to the editors, Abbey and Asprin [fine writers in their own right].
As for the overall story, Thieves World is set on a terrestrial planet, with most of the action taking place in and arround the city of Sanctuary. Initially, the tone is fantasy--swordsmen, magic, gods/goddesses. As the series progresses, subtle elements of sci-fi are woven in--non-human species from the sea, advanced technology, etc. By the end, Thieves World had transformed into an anthology series unlike any I've read.
I regularly read the entire series [all 12 books] at least once a year, and I'm happy they're being reissued since my copies are getting very worn out.
I absolutely recommend this anthology for any fan of the fantasy genre.
2932731
I read this as part of the Modern Magic anthology of urban fantasy novels. I have to say the author mixed sci-fi and fantasy expertly (a very difficult task) -- as well as seemlessly blending the story from both protagonists POVs (also not easily well-done) ...
While the story also has a romantic plotline, it is not for younger readers. I don't normally enjoy a hard, sexy romance mixed into my sci-fi or fantasty, it really works with this story; I enjoyed this part of the novel too.
Well done. I can't wait to read another in this setting!
570479
This is, almost unbelievably, my first foray into the fantasy worlds created by Janet  Morris. I have no idea why these novels passed me by first time around, but I am extremely pleased to have found them now.

First I have to say that the writing is superb. This novel is no lightweight read, crammed as it is full of ation, intrigue, and classical references. I was swept along in the Stepsons' wake as, led by god-cursed Tempus, they leave the sinkhole that is Sanctuary and go up against the sorcerers and witches of Wizardwall.

While I could fault nothing in the book, I found the characterizations, especially, to be mesmerizing. I like my fantasy worlds to be complex, rich in all aspects of life, and this one didn't disappoint, In other novels I have found myself bemoaning the lack of depth in fantasy characters. Not so here! Each one was fully drawn and realized, fleshed out and flawed. I was drawn right in and ensnared, and now I have to read the others in this series!

To read Beyond Sanctuary is to walk with gods and demons, and I just have to do exactly that once more!
182834
This is a wonderful science fiction book that somehow managed to transport me into both the past and the future at the same time.
I love the differences between the worlds in this universe and how they mirror our own cultures and histories in so many ways.
The story is complex and exciting, leaving enough intrigue to pull you into the next book whilst still leaving you with the feeling of a compelte book.
The POV was strange for me at first, with it constantly shifting from one to the other at the drop of a hat, but Lyra somehow managed to do it without losing me or confusing me; it worked!
Overall, I love the worlds and their cultures, the characters and their individual stories, and I will be looking to read the rest of the series.

The reason this book didn't get a full five stars is twofold.
(1) The introduction was a bit too heavy for me. I know that it is a new universe and there is a lot that I need to know to understand what is happening, but I think it could have been spread out a little more through the book. I recommend this book, and I stress that if you do feel a bit overwhelmed with chapter 1, then please push on! It is so worth it!
(2) The second reason is that there is a lot of passion and emotion in this book, which is a good thing, but sometimes the passion came so hard and fast, between characters that had barely met, that I felt a little whiplash.
3494686
I am just pasting the same review I did of the other book in the series. I don't usually gush like this, but I was truly impressed.

I was looking for something cheap to read on my Kindle. This looked interesting. It turned out to be a superb book. It's a wonderful blend of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I was amazingly impressed by both of the books in this series. The world building is on a par with Zelazny. The story is inventive with nice turns and twists. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional. The very language of the story sings.

I don't know anything about Leighton Dickson, but he or she is an exceptional author. I've enjoyed a large number of independent authors, but I'm really surprised this writer hasn't been snapped up by a publishing house.
720208
Star Crossing is an epic sci-fi fantasy and the third thrilling installment of the Aeon's Legacy series. Due to unforseen circumstances, Aeon had to move on from planet Green. The adventurers are thrust into an unknown future on a world already attempting terraforming. The people there are allied with another group of more advanced humans eager to learn more of Aeon's past and the crew find themselves playing in politics and diplomacy. With mistrust on both sides, a bargain is struck. But fate has much more in store for the diplomats than any of them could have guessed...

I would first like to state that I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. That being said, I must say I am impressed with the author's ability to maintain a fast pace throughout. The characters are well-rounded and the plot intense and action-packed. Fans of Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Gallactica, etc should absolutely love this series - it is not to be missed! I truly cannot wait to find out what else Ms. Latner has in store for Aeon and its crew!
308929
I really enjoyed this first book by a new author. As a writer of Fantasy myself, I appreciate the work involved in this creation. The author did a great job blending the features of Fantasy and SciFi.
As I read through some of the other reviews, I noted how easy it was to distinguish which were from SciFi fans and which from fans of Fantasy :)

The SciFi readers didn't like the opening - I was grabbed immediately by it. But most SciFi fans want meat and potatoes - they want to know what kind of engine is it, how was it built, what are the schematics, what kind of fuel... etc, etc

To me, the opening was pure perfection. I could relate so much to Mike, driving through the desert, minding his own business and WHAM he's dragged into the midst of an Alien war. And not only is he a witness, but he intervenes and is swept into an epic story! The author had me from "hello".

But SciFi fans aren't left out as soon they're treated to in depth descriptions of alien ships, engines, guns, Artificial Intelligence, and much more, all described in living color almost down to the last bolt.

The characters are well written, believable, and most important from my perspective, relatable. When I read, I don't just want to read ABOUT something, I want to be a part of it. I want to BE a character in the story and to see things unfold before me as if I were in the story. And this author created this atmosphere perfectly.

As most others, I was dismayed at the abrupt cliffhanger ending, and very happy with the author's note and even happier to discover I was reading this first book when the second book had already been published <whew> :)

Thanks Mr. White, for a great read!

I read this on my kindle 3G, btw, a great invention -  Bless you Amazon! :)

S.Tilghman Hawthorne
1763130
Irradiance, the first of the Dream Guild Chronicles series, will delight avid readers of science fiction and newcomers alike. The familiar themes of a dystopian society, big brother government and dissident protagnists are all there, but added to these is a more modern theme of how climate change is dealt with in a society where the ruling elite would rather maintain the status quo than deal with a very real threat.
The story is set on Sindra, a world that echoes our own planet cosmologically but is further along Earth's possible timeline. It's main protagonist, Maribel, is a scientist who monitors solar radiation and maps changes in the behaviour of their solar system's sun, which leads to an alarming discovery that threatens the future of the entire civilisation. She is also tied up, together with her mate, Reese, and their twins, Sariah and Gideon, in a larger conspiracy concerning the telepathic abilities of their children.
In this first installment, the reader is introduced to Sindra and it's people. For those who have read books such as Brave New World and 1984, the underlying themes will seem as familair as old friends. However, Bruns adds a number of fresh twists to these themes that make them just as compelling, if not entirely original. The writing is well-paced - starting with a number of important events over the span of a decade that set the scene and then moving into real-time towards the end as the main conflict is dealth with.
As someone who loves sci-fi and is interested in cosmology and climate change, I am very pleased to have discovered this author. The story is very well-contructed and scientifically plausible. The writing is excellent - this author knows his craft - and does not waste space on unneccesary devices. The final chapters, especially, are nail-biting adrenaline-fueled pages that had me forfeiting sleep over the three days that it took to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment and am eager to read book two.
1759749
This was worth the wait!  Words of Radiance stand tall among fantasy epics.  Easily joining Tolkien and Martin as a one of the go-to authors for fantasy and Sci-Fi writing, you truly sink, swim and even fly with these characters.  The religions, the politics, the racial and gender implications as well as the detail of this complex society all come together to pull you deeply into the story.  I am already eagerly awaiting the 3rd novel and will likely pre-purchase the book.
4379110
I had to give it 5 stars because even though there are a few typos and a second edition could use an editor. The story being told here grabs you from the start then unfolds a detailed sci fi world of conflict, culture and technology. But the author doesn't stop there for good measure he seamlessly weaves in a fantasy narrative and a type of techno magic, is it magic or a higher form of technology/biological ability. And last but by no means least the story is driven and I mean Driven by characters bursting with personality they are not there to progress the plot they are fleshed out to the point of realism. Which creates brilliant scenes of witty banter and clashes of personalities.
Amazing read, a must for fans of sci-fi and fantasy alike.
1402987
Riveting futuristic psychological thriller. I love fantasy, but sometimes not science fiction, because it can get too technical for my liking, and I'm most drawn to character relationships and exciting story-lines. This book had it all, however. Stephens is very good at character development, and I really enjoyed Skedic's journey. I was hooked the entire time. The details are well-written and enjoyable, and not so technically abstract that I would zone out! It is also a quick read, making it perfect for busy people who love to read! Then, you can read The Closed Gate, Stephens' second novella in The Reality Seed Trilogy. Ridiculous bargain - I encourage everyone to read this book, even if science fiction isn't usually your favorite. It really encompasses many different genres.
127006
I am fairly new to the sci-fi/fantasy world, but this book encompasses all that I love about this genre.  David L. Craddock focuses on the characters and story line, not on a chapter's worth of superfluous details that don't further the plot. At times with fantasy novels, I tend to get bogged down on all of the terms, names, places, etc.  Not only was there a glossary in the back, but the author made it very easy for me to keep all of that information straight and organized.  He made it so that I could simply enjoy the story and not worry about looking up the information constantly.  Finally, the main character is real; he is a sixteen year old boy with enormous responsibility (both expected and unplanned), but he still acts like a sixteen year old boy; at times pouty and immature, at other times brave and impetuous and very intelligent.  I can't wait for the second book of this series!  I highly, highly recommend this to everyone, whether or not this is your typical genre or just want something different.  This is the kind of book you will want to read over and over again and want to pass it on to everyone you know!
2281717
Although I am a huge Sci-fi fan, Fantasy has always been my preferred reading genre.  With Salvave Trouble, I entered the best of both worlds.  From the first page it caught my interest and I wasn't able to stop till the end, which coincidentally left me wanting the next chapter of the Mobius.  It is a wonderful mix of firefly/Han Solo and Earthsea style wizardry.  Anyone looking to fit both Sci-fi and Fantasy together in one story would do well to pick this series up.  I know I will be looking to get the rest of the stories.  One thing to note, these are not lengthy books, and can be read pretty fast, so you might as well get the whole series of your looking for a novel length book.
2667251
I am a voracious reader and it's been a LONG time since I've read anything in the sci-fi/fantasy genre that is truly unique.  The writing is superb - the world created is totally different, ritualistic, and fascinating.  The  same-sex relationship in the book does not detract from the story - even  for those of us that are not oriented that way.  The writing and the story  are gripping!
4934540
I love everything about Wind's Nevaeh series. It blends fantasy of a truly epic scale and science fiction in a unique way I've come to savor. His writing is impeccable, with smooth pacing, suspenseful moments and great characters. The philosophical undercurrent of the battle of the sexes, particularly evident in the first book, makes for an interesting foundation for this excellent series. In a book heavy with symbols, the implied solution - a union of the two - is almost alchemical. My only question is whether this is truly the end of tales of Nenaeh. After all, there is the rest of the world to reclaim...
3566475
This is my first venture into the world of fantasy and I was completely captivated! Cataphract has all of the qualities of a great read. The vivid imagery engages the reader and allows you to be transported to another place and time. A well-developed and nicely paced plot maintains interest with unexpected twists and turns. I especially appreciated that the graphic battle scenes are contrasted with touches of tenderness. The themes of good vs. evil, loyalty and faith are inspiring. I equally loved and despised the characters with whom I could identify, even in the realm of fantasy. The vocabulary is a bit challenging at times, but use of the Kindle dictionary function easily resolves this issue.
Everything about this book makes me want to read more fantasy while I anxiously await the next book in the series!
1630796
Although not usually a fan of vampires or police procedurals, I found "Tarot of the Archons" satisfying and well worth the read. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll love tagging along once more with Sebastian, Aliena, Hamilton and Marcus for another gripping adventure. And now we get to see new characters I never would have expected to be part of a story like this, but they fit, beautifully. (And let me tell you, they certainly are fit, and beautiful.) Mongrain's characters are diverse and intriguing, and the world-building is delightful. I mean, how cool is that cover?! I loved how he brought in so many mystical and magical elements, combining genres to build a fast-paced, engaging narrative that kept me guessing and turning the pages. If this book had been serialized, I'd have been drumming my fingers waiting impatiently for the next installment. Luckily, I got to read it all at once, and so can you!