A wonderful not so light flight into fantasy
341391
This book was recommended to me by Amazon years ago.  I purchased it based soley on the premise.  I read it expecting a light flight of fantasy that I would probably get through in a day or so.  I got so much more.

While yes, it does drag and get bogged down in places, it is still a wonderful story.  It is full of religious philosophy, politics, raunch, sex, and drugs, but so is the real world, and this is their real world.

Surely not for everyone, but definitely for me.  I got much pleasure out of this book, and while I don't recommend it to everyone, those I have recommended it to have also enjoyed it.
2369240
The Ships of Air is the second book in the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy, which starts with The Wizard Hunters. I suggest reading them in order, but I actually enjoyed The Ships of Air more than the first installment.

Ile-Rien has been overrun by the Gardier, the mysterious enemies whove been attacking them from another world. Everyone who can has evacuated, and the front of the war has moved on to a neighboring country. Our protagonists are aboard the Queen Ravenna, a luxury liner which has been converted for the war effort and given the ability to travel between worlds with the aid of a sorcerer. The goal is to avoid the Gardier patrols and get the refugees to safety. But the ship itself is not entirely safe, for a malevolent and shadowy force stalks it.

Im hard pressed to say why I liked The Ships of Air better than The Wizard Hunters. One explanation may be that Im simply in a better mental place now. However, I think I was a lot more attached to the central characters here. Tremaine in particular grew on me. She has that fierceness that I find so appealing, and she can be rather ruthless as well. Plus she can be hilarious at times, and I love it when other characters are taken aback by her. I think Gerald actually did a facepalm at one point  it was delightful. While I wouldnt call The Ships of Air a comedic book, there were moments when I laughed. Theres a marriage subplot that for once might be one of the highlights of the book and which lends itself to some unexpected humor.

I felt like the setting was a lot stronger in this book as well. I really liked the luxurious setting of the Queen Ravenna and how it contrasted with the current circumstances. Apparently it is based on an actual ship, the Queen Mary, which I really need to look up. The subplot on the alliance between the Syprians and the Riens was something else I really enjoyed, particularly the culture clash between the two groups. Theres some new (and characteristically inventive) settings off the boat too. We get a bit more of a glimpse into the Gardier, and its fascinating. I cant wait to find out more in book three.

By the last hundred pages, I wasn't able to put The Ships of Air down. Martha Wells was already one of my favorite fantasy authors, and this book has cemented her in that position.
3690237
As I am more into fantasy than sci-fi, this is my first Bujold's book. I am pleasantly surprised and found myself unable to put the book down, savoring every page. Bujold has created a colourful world filled with intrigues and embellished with vividly alive characters. Cazaril is a wonderfully appealing hero. A man nearly destroyed by betrayal and sufferings, Cazaril still manages to live and fight for another day. His will to overcome every obstacle thrown in his path and rising to the occassion to achieve the impossible is the strength of the story. His devotion to his ladies is beautifully written and especially touching. This is one fantasy in which I find the ending most satisfying. Still I am wishful for more from Cazaril and his ladies. Bujold is famous for her Miles series but that is sci-fi. Bujold, how about extending "The Curse of Chalion" into "Cazaril and his ladies" fantasy series. This book is a must read.
2997776
Wow! What a read!

These days, when you think of a fantasy read, I immediately think of werewolves and vampires. Not because I like them (or dislike them) but that has been the fantasy theme for so many years now.

This fantasy is NOT werewolves and vampires.

In fact, there was not even a word of werewolves and vampires. (I think the closest we even came to a werewolf was Bear, the dog!

This fantasy is minitaurs, elves, dwarfs, ogres  magical fantasy with magical realms.

Cathadeus is an adventure  albeit a little violent but not graphic  full of action and fighting (it is a war after all).

There is loss, love  emotions galore.

This is book one and I cannot wait to read book two. This is a great series that not only will just adults enjoy, but definitely the younger crowd as well. It may not be up to my 9 year olds normal genre, but I would let him and my 12 year old read it  it was appropriate and a great read!
4134690
I normally do not read fantasy, but this year it seems I have stumbled into a rare breed of fantasy that I like; non-magical fantasy.  After reading Truth and The Tiphereth Trilogy, I decided I was willing to try Rachel Thomson's Seventh World Trilogy. I was not disappointed.

This whole series is nothing like I expected it to be. Although an allegory, Rachel went beyond the typical to make an extraordinary tale that not only was captivating, but gave some deeper insight into our faith. Without giving too much away, the allegory focused more on the beginning of the Bible.

The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars on Goodreads was that there were some pretty intense and dark moments in the book. The dark didn't overshadow the good, and Rachel did well at not making it too dark, but it was very intense at points.

Rachel's writing style is nothing short of lyrical. I reread many portions and read some of them aloud, just because they sounded amazing. I can see this as wonderful book to read aloud as a family. Rachel has what many traditionally published others struggle to obtain -- a unique and compelling writing style.

The story itself kept me on the edge of my seat. In fact I read the whole series in a little over a week while I was sick. It is a real page-turner and took many unexpected twists. The relationships that develop were nothing like what I expected in the beginning. It was so refreshing to read a book that didn't turn out like I thought it would at the beginning.

I highly recommend this whole series those who love non-magical fantasy, allegories, adventure stories, and those looking for a book that is anything but normal.

You can get a free e-book or buy a paperback copy at Amazon, Barns and Noble, Smashwords, iTunes, and Kobo
1071427
I have to admit fantasy is not my genera however; I was more than entertained with this particular book.  I found myself swept into Alice's world.  I applaud the fact that Mr. Luengo uses heroes and heroines.  He gives his heroines strength, power, intelligence and cunning.  Without giving details about the plot, I can say that the characters and all their adventures captivated me.  It was a pleasure to read!
3835030
Croggon creates a rich magical world gone awry in The Naming. Wonderful adventures maintain momentum throughout the story. Croggon pays attention to the details. It's easy to ride with her main character, Maerad, as she travels through lush or desolate landscapes and into ornate magic schools or simple villages. If you like world building to it's fullest, this is a wonderful adventure.

In some places the detail became too much for me, but that didn't distract from my enjoyment of the story. It's just my personal preference.
3235225
Not for the faint of heart, but a wonderfully complex and dark paranormal fantasy.
456173
This book was not very predictable. New locales and situations. It changes to an academy story to a quest to a war story. The characters were likable and once I accepted the mystics would play a major role I found it easier to see the book as a creature fantasy and not realistic fantasy. There were a few spelling mistakes but not so much as to deter being absorbed in the story. This book is about stepping out of limitations set for you and making your own destiny. This understanding helps when looking back on the clunky first paragraphs-no one is bound by their nationalities.
2233803
THE READER is a glorious epic fantasy adventure with magic and pirates and assassins and secret societies and warring island nations and gloriously imaginative mythology. I got swept up right away--there's so much going on, so many distinctive characters, so many settings, but it's not confusing. It feels like you've been dumped into this fascinating world and sent off on an adventure, and what a great ride it is.

Sefia is a fantastic main character. She's complex, tough, compassionate, stubborn, and interesting, and the depth of her backstory and life experience is built up so wonderfully. But so many of the other characters are just as amazing, even when they're not in the center. The pirates! The assassins! The librarians! There are so many layers to this world, and so many people to inhabit it. I can't wait to read the sequel not just to find out what happens next, but to have a chance to spend more time in this glorious fantasy setting.

But what I really love most of all is how smartly all the stories-within-stories and myths-within-myths are layered and interconnected. It's no easy feat to make a book about stories--about reading, writing, remembering, vastly important but not exactly action-pact acts--into such a heart-quickening adventures, but Chee pulls it off like it's the easiest thing in the world.
1637794
This enjoyable book includes fantasy, magic, and eccentric, but loveable characters that are very real and that the reader cares about.  I didn't want the book to end.  This novel defies classification.  I thought it would be another "Gormenghast" (it isn't) or a picaresque comedy like "Tristam Shandy" (it's not).  It is a young adult novel, as the plot centers around a couple of teens struggling to grow up in trying circumstances.  But unlike many YA books, it doesn't talk down to kids and displays a large and varied vocabulary. And sometimes (not always) the teens are wiser than the adults. The audience for this novel isn't limited to teen readers.  I'm not young, but I really enjoyed the book.  I can't wait for the next book, which I understand will be published in a few months.
4757413
I wasn't sure what I would make of Steve Finnegan's Into the Mist as I started reading. I enjoy fantasy though I'm getting a little jaded by books trying to hook me into series. I'm fascinated by how the mind works, but I'm not sure how well sympathy and illness lead to plausible characters. And I love ancient mythology but sometimes feel dismayed at how modern stories tend to use it instead of reinterpreting it.

That said, I actually enjoyed this book a lot and was sorry to read the final page. Please, please... I want some more. The story doesn't finish, which ought to annoy me. But it does have a reasonable sense of completeness and doesn't cheat the reader. Gabe's Temporal Lobe Epilepsy really does become integral to the story. And the mythology delights, with just enough hints of the familiar to heighten a powerful sense of mystery.

The real-world parts of this story bring Gabe to a new home, school and town. The background to his illness is left to be discovered as the story continues rather than forced down the reader's throat, and his parents' and brother's different responses to his TLE are pleasingly plausible, with just enough space for change. School is a challenge, especially when the bullies attack Gabe's difference, and there are some truly scary, sadly believable scenes. I really admire the author's ability to create realistic atmosphere and threat without using offensive words, though very occasional minor slips frustrated me.

Meanwhile another world lies just beyond the edge of mystery. There's a nice interplay between duty and trust, following your calling and doing as you must. The modern world ignores the past and nature at its peril, and Into the Mist feeds that peril very nicely into a closely tied fantasy world. Witches, sacrifice, swords and sorcery combine with nice humor, great dialog, wonderful characters and real-world problems to create a novel that, despite its length, comes too quickly to its end.

Uneven in places, but quickly absorbing, well-imagined and well-told, I really enjoyed this tale.

Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest review.
2584702
While fantasy isn't my favorite niche, I do love the idea of magic (Harry Potter geek - proud of it). "Galadria : Peter Huddleston & The Rites of Passage," is a fun and exciting tale that keeps you locked in right from the first few pages.

I always loved the story of a character who wants something more than just a beige lifestyle. He yearns for something greater, and knows that there is more to his provencial world. Lead character, Peter, believes that his uniqueness isn't just something in his mind, and his instincts are more than correct on his outsider demeanor. What ensues next is an adventure of fantasy, magic and thrills that make you easily buy the second book to this series without a second thought.

Author, Miguel Lopez de Leon, does a fantastic job at keeping you invested in the story with his likable characters and scene backdrop. His characters are real, well-developed and help make this story an extremely pleasant and one-of-a-kind tale.

All in all, Galadria is an enjoyable and fast paced read. This book is not just for those that like fantasy, but also for those who enjoy seeing a character fulfill his destiny in a way that he so dreamed about.
191462
I loved this book. I purchased it on the recommendation of a friend and read it into the night until I had finished it. I notice that some reviewers have been disappointed in the fantasy aspect of the story line, but I found this enchanting.

Sometimes, even with fantasy, we receive what we are longing for. It is just a different way of taking the journey. The Snow child is beautifully written. The narrative puts you into the setting with frigid intensity... I could feel the harshness of the climate in my bones as I turned the pages. Thoroughly recommended.
4431527
A great sequel to an different fantasy than I expected. The setting is mostly unique and makes you want to know more. I like the ideas of the elves and dwarfs the ideas it pushes.
2667802
Sheer buzz compelled me to buy BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, even though I usually refrain from buying new hardcovers and often shy away from bestsellers, having quirky tastes. This book, however, did not disappoint. Rather, it has cemented in my mind what I now consider one of the unfailing, essential truths of its genre: good fantasy isn't about the magical, but the mundane.

What do I mean by that? Think about it. When you read fantasy, particularly that set in the modern world, you expect a balance between the normal and the paranormal. But it's more than that. Too many boring grocery-shopping and tooth-brushing scenes, and the reader chucks the book against the wall. Too many arbitrary rules of magic and weirdly random creatures, and the reader stops caring. The key, I believe, is when the fantastic abstracts and amplifies the ordinary. In a nutshell, fantasy is one big metaphor that allows us to feel our ordinary lives more vividly. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES demonstrates this brilliantly.

What I love most about this book: not the magic, curses, and creatures, but the way the authors detail the small-town life of Gatlin, South Carolina, right down to the gravy and biscuits Amma cooks, the way everyone in Gatlin talks about the Civil War as if it happened yesterday, and the yearning Ethan feels to escape this Southern tradition and small-mindedness. Amma's cooking ability is echoed by her ability to cook up voodoo; the Civil War, by ancient conflicts between the magical families of Casters; the small-mindedness, by the way people treat the clearly different, magically gifted girl Lena.

Reading this book is like eating a layer cake. You get a big bite of real Southern life, then a taste of magic that isn't overwhelmingly strong or sweet. These two flavors perfectly complement each other. Take out the magic, and you would still have a good novel, but perhaps not a great one. Take out the mundane, and the magic wouldn't have nearly the same resonance. The whole effect is of an expertly crafted metaphor about love overcoming prejudice, and whether your past determines your future. All mixed up in one batch of Southern Gothic.

I won't go into much of the plot, since it's a long book and most of the fun comes from discovering all its secrets. I will, however, highly recommend you try a taste of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. I found it delicious.
3494689
A great read!  Part adventure story, part coming of age and part fantasy.  I could not put it down.  It is one of those books that you feel you must come up for air after reading.  I loved it.