it brings to mind epic fantasies such as Game of Thrones or tales of revenge like The Godfather
593720
The life of an orphan is harsh, and sometimes quite short, on the island city of Camorr.

Locke Lamora, however, is determined to defy the odds. Gifted with a quick wit and talent for thieving, Locke escapes a life of slavery and its subsequent death to find himself in the employ of a blind priest named Chains  a man who is neither blind nor a priest.

Chains is a con artist of incredible talent  a talent he passes down to his family of orphans. Under his tutelage they are the Gentlemen Bastards and in time Locke becomes their leader. He becomes the Thorn of Camorr, more myth than man; fooling everyone from the most wealthy nobles to the criminal underworlds most feared.

Soon though, Locke learns of a new player in the criminal game  a man calling himself The Gray King. Powerful and ruthless, The Gray King seems determined to rule Camorrs criminal underworld and isn't above using Locke as a pawn to do it.

I found The Lies of Locke Lamora an incredibly entertaining read. Certainly not for the squeamish or faint of heart, it brings to mind epic fantasies such as Game of Thrones or tales of revenge like The Godfather.

Richly detailed in both characters and world, Lynch has penned an enthralling tale. The characters themselves are very realistic and it is easy to cheer (and cry) with them as the story goes on.

If I have one complaint, it would be how Lynch didn't quite successfully juggle the two main plot lines. He spent a great deal of time building up the con game plot line that Locke and his Gentlemen Bastards were play only to leave it dangling to concentrate on the Gray King thread. The con game is left almost forgotten, only to be brought back at the end of the book for a kind of resolution.

Aside from that one tiny quibble, I rather enjoyed The Lies of Locke Lamora. It seems to be the first in a series and it one I shall definitely be looking in to. Readers who enjoy a good fantasy with a healthy dollop of violence are likely to enjoy this one too.
3316753
Fatal Revenant is the second book in the third Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, following two trilogies published in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These two prior trilogies probably constitute the greatest work in epic fantasy ever written -- better overall, in my estimation, even than Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion. For they fulfill Tolkien's own standards of completeness and eucatastrophe in a more adult and haunting story of beauty, power, moral challenge and complexity. The existential questions posed in the first two trilogies plumb the depths of the human soul, while the depiction of the Earthpower (probably developed from Leguin's portrayal of magic in the Earthsea trilogy) expresses the creative and unappropriable forces of nature that Tolkien saw as the heart of fairy-stories. Here again, Donaldson actually improves on the conception of "magic" that Tolkien portrays primarily through high elves. Donaldson's plot lines are intricately planned and often surprising, hard to anticipate in full even for the most avid fan. And his literary style raises epic fantasy as a whole to a higher standard, bringing it back to the great traditions to which it traces (the romantic poets, Mallory, Edmund Spenser, the Arthurian legends, and the classical epics). In this genre, the subtlety and psychological sophistication of Donaldson's writing is probably unsurpassed.

After a hiatus of almost three decades, during which Donaldson published short stories, the two-volume Mordant's Need fantasy story, and a hard-hitting science fiction quintilogy based loosely on Wagner's Ring cycle, he has returned to complete the story of Covenant, Linden Avery, and "the Land" - his Leopoldian name for the primary realm of action in this fantasy world. He has said that the story to be completed in the "Last Chronicles" was already envisioned and anticipated before the Second Chronicles were completed. The stage is set in the first book of the new series, titled Runes of the Earth, with the retrieval of the lost Staff of Law and the apparent return of Thomas Covenant to a Land unable to defend itself from the new powers that threaten to tear it apart because knowledge of the Earthpower has been repressed. While Runes of the Earth is heavy on character introduction, reflection, puzzles, and stage-setting for the entire new series, Fatal Revenant is action-packed and includes a couple scenes of transcending pathos - one as great as anything Donaldson has written. For anyone who has read the earlier novels, this scene will be impossible to put down.  I found it hard to sleep the night after reading it.  For anyone coming to the Covenant books for the first time with the Final Chronicles, this book will definitely compel you to read to first two trilogies.

As Donaldson promised, for part of the story, the reader is taken back to the pre-history of the Land when the forces that shaped the Land before Covenant's first arrival are in action. Several pieces of the puzzle that have been missing for readers since the 1970s are finally put in place. Thus the whole story of the Land comes alive again; the book resonates with significance for the earlier novels. At a late point in Fatal Revenant, I found myself pouring through The One Tree again trying to find clues that would help me figure out who is telling the truth in the new book. Again, the intricacy and subtlety of Donaldson's conception is almost mind-bending. Like most of Donaldson's works, it is also an emotional roller-coaster. The only problem is that the cliffhanger ending of the book will leave readers unhappy to wait until 2010 for the next volume in the series.  It's an ending from which recovery seems hard to imagine, so it will be interesting to see how he manages it.  We are told that two more books will follow this one, making the Final Chronicles a quadrilogy. Perhaps this new series will finally make a major film studio realize that the time has come to make large-scale feature movies of the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.
3793847
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's an epic that spans some years and is in a well thought out world, a very original world. I highly recommend it for any lover of fantasy and new or self published authors. The events in this first book could spawn a dozen different tales in the same world without  any thinning of the original plot.
Introducing an agricultural and primitive industrial revolution in a medieval society is a fascinating subject for me and something i could have read much more of...though it would have sidetracked the story that needed to be told in this volume. I would enjoy going back to revisit the progress of the villages and farms that were put on a different path with modern knowledge and engineering.
645163
"Winds of the Forelands" tale unfolds a couple turns later with the second novel "Seeds of Betrayal" placing more characters and conspiracy concerns onto an already large cast inside various plotlines.  The excellent writing sustains the epic saga in Aneira as opposed to Eibithar, an interesting approach by covering a neighboring country in political turmoil.

There are a few notable appearances by the gleaner Cresenne and the assassin Cadel while the outcast Tavis Curgh and Qirsi Grinsa work at restoring the young lord's reputation as they seek more information regarding the Qirsi conspiracy.  However, Duke Brall Orvinti and Duke Tebeo Dantrielle along with their respective counselors offer a different perspective.  Keziah is a strong character with great potential facing a conspiracy led by the Weaver, revealed as a Qirsi in a unique position of power.

The author unexpectedly portrays a love affair between two female characters with apparent touching and kissing, a noticeable contrast to any opposite gender relationship thus far.  Such a change might discourage readers with intolerance towards same sex relationships.  Regardless, the bold decisions and arrogance by the ambitious antagonists are very sound and the mysterious Dario had me curious about his identity for some time.  Despite the sudden ending, I felt the novel provided excellent entertainment and advanced the overall story.

A comprehensive appendix would be useful for the vast assortment of characters.

I recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.

Thank you.
3915804
I think anyone would enjoy this story.  There are so many amazing characters and plot lines.  It is such a rich tapestry of landscapes and personalities, it creates a beautifully written epic.
3347270
Young adult fantasy writers of today often shy away from the complicated, Old World, epic writing introduced to readers as a genre with Lord of the Rings. Alison Croggon, however, has captured my full attention in this stunning, post-Tolkien, fantasy that does draw elements from Middle Earth, but twists them uniquely to create something wholly different and equally as enthralling. The similarities are evident; Croggon's Hulls bear an amazing resemblance to the renowned Ring Wraiths, and there are only a certain number of ways you can convey an epic good-versus-evil fantasy battle sequence. However, when you put the similarities aside and focus solely on Croggon's abilities as a fantasy novelist, you find yourself fully engrossed in the captivating tale relayed in the Pellinor series.

Book 2, The Riddle, left us wondering what was to become of Maerad and Cadvan, and Book 3, The Crow opened with Hem-- and continued to track his exploits. That said, it was an immense relief to get back to Maerad's story and the opening battle of Innail does not fall shy of the appropriate amount action for a story line this epic. The novel's center is almost primarily devoted to Hem and his rather unfortunate trials-- a risky move for the plot, considering the weight and anticipation surrounding Maerad's quest--which, although they are entertaining, should not be as much a focal point of the book as they are.

Croggon tries very hard to make this novel deeper than the others, and achieves this somewhat with pages of Maerad's emotional and mental struggles with herself, her powers, and everyone who tries to get into her head. The absence of dialogue is pleasant and poetic, and Croggon uses her talents as a poet to their full extent in clever passages, songs, and snippets of Bardic lore.

The novel satisfies the major plot elements of its predecessors, but leaves the reader, without a doubt, wanting more. We have only been with Maerad for a year of her life, after all, and the ways of Bards seem only touched upon in this four-book series. Hopefully we will hear more about the Seven Kingdoms in the future, an I personally cannot wait for more writers to step out from under Tolkien's shadow and explore this genre further.
331641
I felt like I had to mentally prepare myself before delving into the epic fantasy that is Falling Kingdoms. As you can clearly tell from the blurb, there are a lot of characters, each with their own agenda that at times intersect. I knew this wasn't a book I could sit down and finish in an afternoon; I knew I would have to think when I read this. Falling Kingdoms isn't a spectator book--you cannot sit idly by and enjoy the scenery. Morgan Rhodes crafts such an intricate tale that you must be prepared to fully surrender yourself to her world.

And I feel so much richer for doing just that.

This book is so grand and large, I'm sort of at a loss for where to start. Let's begin with the writing:

Rhodes is a genius. Her world building skill are phenomenal. She created not only a fantasy world, full of magic and folklore, but also her own countries. She created back stories and histories for these countries, but never once did I feel like I was being preached at. She has perfected the art of revealing through storytelling. Her settings are lush and rich, making me feel like I was walking through the barren lands of Limeros or the meadows of Auranos.

But the characters are what drive this story. These complicated, emotional, and brilliant characters that bring the story to life. Usually when given several prominent characters who each get a turn telling "their" story by alternating chapters (but not alternating POV's--this one is solely third person, thank God), I find myself attached more to one character than the others, so I will occasionally skip ahead to get to the parts I care about. Not true at all with this story. I loved Cleo's spirit, Jonas's determination, Lucia's innocence, and Magnus's brooding equally.

I'm not a girl who goes out of her way to read fantasy. I tried reading Game of Thrones when the show came out and found myself hopelessly lost by the third chapter. Same with Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind (again, loved the tv show Legend of the Seeker), but once more found myself confused and overwhelmed. But there is something magical about Falling Kingdoms that sucked me in. I could have spent another month immersed in this world and not tire of it.

If you're a fan of fantasy, even in the smallest measure, this is your book. If you're like me--somewhat intimidated by fantasy and the sweeping magnitude of it, this is also your book. Falling Kingdoms is a book that I can easily see wowing a variety of audiences and readers for years to come.
684628
I really enjoyed this. It starts out with a suitably epic fantasy feel, as a small group of thieves infiltrate a dragon's lair, only to draw her out into an ambush. From there it takes on a faery tale or folktale sort of feel as the dragon barters the promise of death for her own healing. The twist here is that the entire tale is told from the dragon's perspective. A novel concept, and remarkably well done.
2276608
Must love Game of Thrones - real fantasy but a product of a brilliant mind
2746690
This a book depicting the classic conflict between pure evil and the good that is fighting it. What makes this story great is it's scale. Of such magnitude that it would be an understatement to call it an epic. The story begins with a genuine innocence, but becomes increasingly darker and full of more action as it goes on. Tolkien's brilliance can easily be enjoyed by falling in love with the characters he has created. He has formed and effectively layed down the ground work of fantasy/science fiction for hundreds of authors to follow in his footsteps by creating such ideas. When it comes to such stories, Tolkien is the master. This story kept me wanting more the entire way through. What really intrigued me as a reader was the intense details Tolkien uses to describe every aspect of the action in the story. With this amount of intensity and this magnitude of fantasy, a person who enjoys fiction can only enjoy this book.
1584629
I have had this book on my to read list for a while.  I finally got it on audiobook.  It was a well done story done in a very epic fantasy-like style.  However my primary thought while listening to it was "wow this is really long".

The story starts out with Tom the Builder and his family.  Tom would like to build cathedrals but he is currently working on a house for William (a noble) and his bride to be Ariana.  When Ariana refuses to marry William, William stops building on the house and Tom is out of a job.  Tom and his family wander around looking for work.  We also read some from Philips viewpoint.  Philip is a monk who runs a small priory in an isolated area.  Philip dreams of becoming the Prior of Kingsbridge and of building a cathedral there.

The book switches between many viewpoints and goes over many decades of time.  We mainly hear from Toms stepson Jack, Prior Philip, Ariana, and William.  It's a well done epic historical fiction, it's done very much in the style of traditional epic fantasy.  You follow four or five main perspectives throughout the book.  All of the characters tie back into the story of a cathedral that is being built in the English town of Kingsbridge.

The story mainly follows the struggle to build the cathedral, as well as the struggle of the people involved to make a living and survive.  A lot of the stories are very compelling.  I especially found Arianas struggle to survive and build up a life for herself engaging.  Ariana is one of those heroines who goes through more suffering than any character should, but you just cant keep her down.  Time after time she climbs out of deep despair and builds her self back up to success.  I really enjoyed her portions of the story a lot.

This is definitely an adult's only book.  There are some very graphic rape scenes, graphic sex scenes, and graphic scenes of death, torture, and violence.  Follett doesnt shy away from talking about any of the unpleasantness of war and of this time in history.

I enjoy architecture, so I did enjoy a lot of the talk about how the cathedral was built and how changes in building technology altered the structure and plans throughout time.  For me these were the most interesting parts of the book.

There is a lot of surrounding drama, some of which was really interesting...and some of which could have been cut out of the story to shorten it.  Most of the things that happen do have some final impact on whether or not the cathedral will get built.  However, sometimes there are very long interludes where we don't hear about the cathedral and are off following other characters. This was a very good read, but I couldn't help feeling at multiple points that the story could have been trimmed a bit and made a bit more tight and a bit less wandering.

Things were nicely wrapped up at the end.  I liked where most of the characters stories were left and didn't feel like there were any major issues that weren't resolved.

I think the popularity of this book might be because it is basically an epic fantasy type of read that has gone mainstream, this allows the general populace to peak into a genre that they may not have normally read.  Because it is different to them they are enraptured by the story  While I enjoyed it, I just didn't think it was any more spectacular than other epic stories I have read.

Overall I enjoyed the story but it was a bit too long for what it was.  I would definitely recommend reading if you enjoy the history of architecture and if you enjoy historical fictions done in a very epic fantasy type of style.  Follett does an excellent job of weaving history into an engaging story that is hard to put down.  The whole story has a very epic fantasy-like style and feel to it.  I probably won't be reading the companion book to this one, the story was just too long and wandering for me.
1604110
On the face of it, this novel seems like little more than a rousing tale of swords and sorcery with a faux-historical sheen. But it's more, and better, than that simple description would indicate.

David Gemmell's Rigante series (at least in the first two volumes) seems akin to the (excellent) fantasy of Guy Gavriel Kay - places from real-life history, re-named and fictionalized, become the settings for epic adventures rich in intrigue, magic, and derring-do.  In this case, we have the Keltoi, a loose confederation of tribal peoples patterned after the Celts, complete with god-like nature spirits called the Seidh (Sidhe), and the city and ever-expanding empire of Stone, patterned after the Roman Republic/Empire. For good measure, he throws in the tree cult, a persecuted religion that meets in secret and preaches peace, love, and harmony, very much like first- and second-century Christians.

And that's where "Midnight Falcon" becomes so gripping and enjoyable. As the Keltoi culture clashes with the culture of Stone, and subcultures within each of those societies clash with each other, Gemmell is able to portray in a fascinating light the eternal struggle between man's innate nature of venality and violence and selfishness, and our ever-present impulse towards something better, more generous and peaceful. The conflict between our nature and our BETTER nature is played out in an oh-so-satisfying manner in the political maneuvering, bloody death bouts, and emotional batterings (intentional and otherwise) in which Gemmell's oh-so-human characters are engaged here.

And there are so many wonderful and important characters. Despite the somewhat misleading description on the book's back-cover, the hot-tempered Bane (the son of "Sword in the Storm"'s main character Connavar) is but one part of this story. We also meet young Banouin, torn between two cultural identities and living too much inside his own head; Rage, a famed gladiator whose nature belies his deadly skills; the surprisingly sweet and funny Persis Albitane and his snarky servant Norwin; the darkly inscrutable Seidh goddess called the Morrigu; and scores of other significant supporting characters.

"Midnight Falcon" is not just some random blood-and-thunder Conan knockoff. It is a layered and infinitely effective portrayal of cultures at war, peopled with memorable and believable characters who live through the crucible in which their characters, and the ideas we all must contemplate but ultimately never can fully resolve, are tested to the fullest. A thoughtful and immersive read, highly recommended.

(I would, however, also highly recommend reading the first Rigante book, "Sword in the Storm," first. While not quite the equal of this second volume, it is definitely enjoyable in its own right, and also provides a valuable introduction to both the Keltoi and Stone without which I think this story would suffer.)
3993650
A.Whitehead's more detailed review captures my thoughts about this book very well.  I would only add that the book is highly derivative, borrowing major themes and plot points from a handful of better-executed fantasy works.  It's as if the author set out to make an epic hybrid of Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastards series and Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series, with dashes of George R.R. Martin's throne room intrigue and Robert Jordan's symbolism thrown in for flavor.  Nevertheless, it's an entertaining read, if not as satisfying as any of the major works it borrows from.
3672905
Definitely recommend this series if you are into epic fantasies. After reading the Inheritance Cycle I was looking for more of the same, and Robert Jordan does a good job.
601818
Wow.

The Mirror Empire is one of the most challenging and thought-provoking books I've read in my life. It's also a pretty good epic fantasy yarn.

The plot is relatively well-worn in fantasy circles. Invaders from a mirror world are crossing over and hiding among the people of the realm, and they need to be stopped before their ultimate plan is enacted. It's well-executed and it's about the only standard thing you'll find in this book.

Readers who are only familiar with Tolkien-style fantasy are in for a smack in the face. The world in this book is alien in almost every way. Most of the flora are actively trying to kill and eat people. The fauna consists of dogs, cats and bears, all large enough to use as riding beasts. The languages and cultures appear to be rooted in Eastern sources rather than Western. Gender and family norms are so far removed from the nuclear family that they can be difficult to recognize - for example one culture has five different genders based on self-determined sex and social dominance, another has three genders including him, her and hir, and at least one person who shifts between all three.

If I'm screwing any of that up, it's because the book never pauses to do any hand-holding on these points, or on its magic system. There are parajitsa, tirajitsa and omajitsa, and even after reading the whole book I can only tell you what two of them are. There is a glossary at the back of the book, but I could have used a few paragraphs covering Dhai culture just a bit more clearly.

The characters and their interactions are reminiscent of Game of Thrones. There are very few unabashed good guys, and very few outright evil folk. Most everyone has an agenda in conflict with someone else, and even the people you want to root for get in the habit of doing horrible things. (One of the most entertaining and classically heroic characters is an abusive spouse who rapes her husband during his introduction.) The brutality of the environment, magic and war is played dead straight - a lot of people are killed or crippled, and a good chunk of it comes from making a wrong step into something lethal.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy fan looking for something different and willing to read it carefully. The only reason it's not five stars is because it is a challenging read, and sometimes that took me out of enjoying the story for its own sake.
1341461
Shane Moore, retired police detective turned epic fantasy author, has embarked on the ambitious Abyss Walker series with his first of many, The Plea of Apollisian, through Skullvines Press.

The book opens up among the gods of the land of Terrigan. An exiled goddess of Mercy finds herself made mortal, where she gives birth to a son. Her union with a human brings misfortune upon them both, as they are slaughtered. Lance, the orphan child of prophesy, survives with an agenda of vengeance, hiding secret magical abilities.

Together with his brawny swordsman friend Jude, they travel the Terrigan countryside together against a backdrop of impending war between the human nation of Beykla and the dwarf nation of Stoneheart, seeking a translation for an ancient text. The narrative interweaves a myriad of characters, paladin Apollisian, for which the book is named, his comrades Alexis the elf and a squire, the general dwarf Amerix, and Were-Rats along the way.

The book moves quickly, and proves a light read with an action-packed plot. Shane Moore enjoys exploring the language as he depicts scenes with great diligence. For the reader who enjoys epic fantasy movies, this is a good choice, as the book evokes a cinematic feel in pacing and scenes, from the foolish thief who runs across dinner tables to evade capture, to the evil King of Nalir who enjoys torturing his lackeys with smarmy, self-satisfaction, to a dragon sprawled across his ancient treasure.

However, there is an emotional aspect lacking within the central characters that detracts from the whole. Lance is angry over the murder of his parents, but it ties into his present actions as more of an afterthought. The reader who craves a more character-driven story may do well to seek elsewhere.
1927184
Fish Wielder from J.R.R.R (Jim) Hardison is an epic fantasy tale, though probably not what you are typically used to in the genre. If you are thinking Lord of the Rings or A Son of Ice and Fire, well, you're right, but with a twist. Think Monty Python or Space Balls in Middle Earth, and youd be pretty close. Even then, at times, it is even more ridiculous, but not necessarily in a bad way. Carl Hiaasens work, even though it's not in the same genre, also comes to mind (although J.R.R.R keeps it clean).

Fish Wielder follows a hero, Thoral Mighty Fist, and his companion, Bradfast, as they travel the world of Grome, fighting their way from one adventure to another. Thoral is your typical hero but so much more: beautiful flowing locks, muscles on top of muscles, bouts with depression, and he even has a mysterious past he refuses to open up about. His pal, Bradfast, is not so typical. Hes a talking koi fish who uses his super fish whiskers and logical thought-processing to help Thoral get out of sticky situations.

J.R.R.R. drops you into the action when Thoral and Brad, unknowingly at first, embark on their most dangerous task yet: defeating the Bad Religion and destroying the Pudding of Power before it falls into the evil hands of the Heartless One. Along for the ride is his trusty steed, Warlordhorse, elves, and other friends that play their part in this slapstick fantasy epic.

I did enjoy reading the book. The humor is silly and absurd (and at times clever) while it picks at many of the stereotypical things you see in the fantasy genre. If you are a fan of those type of stories you will probably find yourself smiling if not actually laughing out loud at some points, not much unlike I found myself doing. The final act has a nice twist. I didn't think it fell into the typical ending you come to expect from a fantasy epic. You are left wanting more but are also satisfied come the end of the story. (It is listed as book 1 in a trilogy but does stand on it's own in my opinion.)

Initially, I wasn't sure I was going to rate the book that high. That was because it starts out a bit slow, and there are some gaps in the explanation of the world of Grome. As Thoral begins his adventuring, you aren't quite sure the reason. (Though it is tied together later in the story, more hints and clues early on would have been nice.) There are a couple editing mistakes I caught, though they weren't major enough to distract from the story. Certain speech patterns amongst a few of the characters changes from time to time as well.

Also, the writer uses strange dialogue tags, like grumped or protested or spat. Thats a bit of a pet peeve of mine, using non-speaking verbs to tag someones dialogue. I like to see writers stylize the dialogue better so emotions don't have to be displayed by using those non-speaking verbs. However, as I continued to read the story, the use of these tags did make sense for the style of the book and didn't distract me enough to the point of taking away from the overall rating.

I didn't quite go with a perfect rating because I felt like the book could have been better. There are a few spots where the book is beyond ridiculous and maybe could have been reigned in a bit. Choosing a simpler route could have been a better option and tempered some of those spots. When presented with a proverbial fork in the road, J.R.R.R. always seems to choose the most ludicrous path. Though I may be nitpicking, because the essence of this story is to straddle that line of ridiculousness, if not to run past it and never look back.

If you don't get satire, or don't like fantasy epics, then this book probably isn't for you. For any fans of the fantasy genre who want to go on a light-hearted voyage with some outlandish characters, Id definitely recommend Fish Wielder. It is a quick read with shorter chapter lengths that keep the action flowing, and the humor is just good, clean fun.