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Author: Andrzej Sapkowski

Publisher: Orion

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Geralt, the witcher of Rivia, is back - and this time he holds the fate of the whole land in his hands ...

For more than a hundred years, humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, the uneasy peace is over and now the races once again fight each other - and themselves: dwarves are killing their kinsmen, and elves are murdering humans and elves, at least those elves who are friendly to humans ...

Into this tumultuous time is born a child for whom the witchers of the world have been waiting. Ciri, the granddaughter of Queen Calanthe, the Lioness of Cintra, has strange powers and a stranger destiny, for prophecy names her the Flame, one with the power to change the world - for good, or for evil ...

Geralt, the witcher of Rivia, has taken Ciri to the relative safety of the Witchers' Settlement, but it soon becomes clear that Ciri isn't like the other witchers. As the political situation grows ever dimmer and the threat of war hangs almost palpably over the land, Geralt searches for someone to train Ciri's unique powers. But someone else has an eye on the young girl, someone who understand exactly what the prophecy means - and exactly what Ciri's power can do.

Thoughts: What a spectacular start to what I hope is going to be a new favourite series for me! I read The Last Wish a few weeks ago, a divine short story collection - especially as I am not a short story fan usually - but this is even better by far. We meet Triss, Geralt, Ciri, Dandilion and Yennefer scattered to the wind and working to rebuild themselves after the massacre of Cintra and the battle for Sodden Hill. They’re all wounded in some way from those events and seeing how each character has grown since the Last Wish was a marvellous experience.

The writing is wonderful. Sapkowski has a way of making the old into something new and interesting, of making deep, wonderful characters and building a great fantasy world filled with European folklore and legend. I cannot believe I’ve waited so long to read these books and I cannot wait to delve into the rest of the series. Highly recommended.

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Author: Max Brooks

Publisher: Random House UK

Published: June 16th 2020

Rating: 2.5 stars

Synopsis: FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WORLD WAR Z

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As the ash and chaos from Mount Rainier’s eruption swirled and finally settled, the story of the Greenloop massacre has passed unnoticed, unexamined . . . until now.

But the journals of resident Kate Holland, recovered from the town’s bloody wreckage, capture a tale too harrowing – and too earth-shattering in its implications – to be forgotten.

In these pages, Max Brooks brings Kate’s extraordinary account to light for the first time, faithfully reproducing her words alongside his own extensive investigations into the massacre and the beasts behind it, once thought legendary but now known to be terrifyingly real.

Kate’s is a tale of unexpected strength and resilience, of humanity’s defiance in the face of a terrible predator’s gaze, and inevitably, of savagery and death.

Yet it is also far more than that.

Because if what Kate Holland saw in those days is real, then we must accept the impossible. We must accept that the creature known as Bigfoot walks among us – and that it is a beast of terrible strength and ferocity.

Part survival narrative, part bloody horror tale, part scientific journey into the boundaries between truth and fiction, this is a Bigfoot story as only Max Brooks could chronicle it – and like none you’ve ever read before.

Thoughts: OMG... Okay... so I picked this one up for sheer curiosity’s sake because I’ve heard so much raving about Max Brooks. I am kind of sorry I did. Devolution is a TRIP. Not particularly in a positive way, either. It reads like it’s a true story which I found very annoying. It’s not told in a way that suggests that the storyline is supposed to imitate reality, but more like the author wishes to be perceived has having presented this great factual piece of information... which is why I think I did find it so bad. It seemed to me to be a poor idea and felt a bit silly, I couldn’t get into it at all.

Then, the rest of the book just flopped for me. Once I found I really couldn’t get on board with the narrative, the whole thing just fell apart. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.

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Author: Tim Lebbon

Publisher: Titan Books

Published: April 7th 2020

Rating: 2 stars

Synopsis: From the bestselling author of Netflix's The Silence comes a brand-new horror eco thriller.

Earth's rising oceans contain enormous islands of refuse, the Amazon rainforest is all-but destroyed, and countless species edge towards extinction. Humanity's last hope to save the planet lies with The Virgin Zones, thirteen vast areas of land off-limits to people and given back to nature.

Dylan leads a clandestine team of adventure racers, including his daughter Jenn, into Eden, the oldest of the Zones. Jenn carries a secret--Kat, Dylan's wife who abandoned them both years ago, has entered Eden ahead of them. Jenn is determined to find her mother, but neither she nor the rest of their tight-knit team are prepared for what confronts them. Nature has returned to Eden in an elemental, primeval way. And here, nature is no longer humanity's friend.

Thoughts: This book was one that sounded REALLY COOL on paper, but when it came to the crunch fell short of the mark. I read my first “eco-thriller” a few years ago (James Bradley’s Clade for those interested) and it was all kinds of amazing. I expected something similar here, something new and shocking and scary in all the ways it could really happen. Yet something about this one just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters for a start, which always ruins a book for me. Then I couldn’t really get into the idea that these killer plants were living in human-free patches of land like the place “Eden” and NO ONE had noticed them until they were in their with them. Or for that matter that cornering off patches of land on Earth would in fact aid in healing the planet. It all just seemed very unlikely. I feel like it just wasn’t for me.

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Author: Laura Lam

Publisher: Headline

Published: April 30th 2020

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Ravaged by environmental disaster, greed and oppression, our planet is in crisis. The future of humanity hangs in the balance - and one woman can tip it over.

Despite increasing restrictions on the freedoms of women on Earth, Valerie Black is spearheading the first all-female mission to a planet in the Goldilocks Zone, where conditions are just right for human habitation.

It's humanity's last hope for survival, and Naomi, Valerie's surrogate daughter and the ship's botanist, has been waiting her whole life for an opportunity like this - to step out of Valerie's shadow and really make a difference.

But when things start going wrong on the ship, Naomi starts to suspect that someone on board is concealing a terrible secret - and realises time for life on Earth may be running out faster than they feared . . .

This is The Martian by way of The Handmaid's Tale - a bold and thought-provoking new high-concept thriller

Thoughts: Holy mother of horse shoes! Shut the damn door! This book is PHENOMENALLY good. I picked it up idly of an evening after remembering it was out recently and was instantly drawn into this gripping feminist tale of space exploration.

I immediately felt wonder at Naomi, what she had done and why it was such a secret. Once I realised the beginnings of the WHAT and WHY I was hooked and needed to reach the thrilling conclusion. As The Martian is one of my favourite books, I had HIGH expectations for this one after it was compared to it, and it did not let me down. It’s marvellous.

The story and the CHARACTERS! They’re wonderfully deep and thought provoking. It’s a clever, addictive little book.

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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini Book Review

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Tor

Publication: September 2020

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: *** PART I OF TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS ***To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a masterful epic science fiction novel from the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini.During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, xenobiologist Kira Navárez finds an alien relic that thrusts her into the wonders and nightmares of first contact. Epic space battles for the fate of humanity take her to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and, in the process, transform not only her – but the entire course of history.Praise for Christopher Paolini and his work: 'Christopher Paolini is a true rarity' – Washington Post'An authentic work of great talent' – New York Times Book Review'A breathtaking and unheard of success' – USA Today'Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic' – People

Thoughts: I have to admit that this one had me at Christopher Paolini and that GORGEOUS book cover. Unfortunately, I learned a little about the dangers of judging a book by its cover last night. BUT, this eGalley is simply part one of the novel, (at least I certainly hope so because otherwise this 3 star is very generous) and with that in mind I am guessing that if I’d have read it in full I would have enjoyed it a lot more than I have done so far. The problem I had with this one is the fact it plays along like far future love story for a good half of the book (or at least good half of PART ONE of the book) and by the time anything exciting started to happen, the end. (Of PART ONE at least). So whilst this has potential to be a really great read, what is offered here in this eGalley falls much short of the mark by leading up to the good parts and then ending abruptly leaving you to have to wait until September to find out whats next. So, could have potential to be a 4 or 5 star read, but as I won’t know until September whether it is or not, for now it’s merely 3 stars from me.

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Star Wars: Poe Dameron Free Fall Book Review

Author: Alex Segura

Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Books

US Release Date: August 4th 2020

UK Release Date: September 2020

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: Ages 12 and up

Learn more about the dashing hero from the new Star Wars films! Telling a story hinted at in The Rise of Skywalker....It's been a few years since Poe's mother passed away, and Poe and his father, who was a pilot for the Rebellion, have had more and more trouble connecting. Not sure what he wants to do with his life, teenage Poe runs away from home to find adventure, and to figure out what kind of man he is meant to be.

Thoughts: Well, there’s yet to be a Star Wars novel, canon, or legend, that I don’t enjoy and this was no exception. A gripping and fun adventure with one of the sequel trilogies finest characters, Poe Dameron himself! Alex Segura brings our cocky resistance pilot to life with skill and ease and I loved every second of his story. It’s very easy to read, flows well and quick too - but when it’s rated ‘Ages 12+’ you have to expect that quick and easy middle grade vibe. That being said, it’s no way off putting to an adult reader and i enjoyed reading something light and fun. I’d love to see more adventures following Poe on his path to becoming the resistance superstar we meet in Force Awakens. Marvellous!

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Author: Tanith Lee

Publisher: Daw Books

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: A recognized master fantasist, Tanith Lee has won numerous awards for her craft, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Horror.

Rediscover her classic, most popular fantasy series, Tales from the Flat Earth, where demons and gods grant wonders and wreak havoc. Visit the Upperearth, where dwell the gods; the Underearth, the realm of nightmarish demons; the Innerearth, domain of the dead; and the Flat Earth itself, the home of mortals.

Supreme amongst them all is the demon god Azhrarn, Night's Master, whose deadly whims could change the lives of those in the Flat Earth. Azhrarn holds in his heart a mystery which could alter the very existence of the Flat Earth forever.

Thoughts: So, I wanted to love this a lot more than I did and I think I made the mistake of overhyping my expectations and ruining it for myself. That being said, Azhrarn and Ferazhin are amazing and ethereal characters that completely hypnotised me. It’s a short, quick read and the storytelling is on point. The world building is marvellous, the characters are great. So what was my issue? Well, just the way the book was presented as a string of interconnecting smaller stories - almost like mythology but not. It was annoying that each time I was sucked into a characters adventure and story POOF! All of a sudden they vanish and it’s a new adventure with a new story. The synopsis makes it sound different to that so it was unexpected and annoyed me. So it loses a star for that.

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Star Wars: Myths and Fables - Created by Grant Griffin

The style and design of the book was built around what an artists interpretation of oral stories that have been passed down from the generations would look like. Lucas Film wanted to pay homage to real world fairy-tales, drawing inspiration from the warm whimsical painterly works of NC Wyeth, mixed with original concepts from Ralph McQuarrie.

You can follow the artist on Twitter and Instagram.

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Author: Paul S Kemp

Publisher: Del Rey

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis: “Our time has come. For three hundred years we prepared; we grew stronger while you rested in your cradle of power. . . . Now your Republic shall fall."

A Sith warrior to rival the most sinister of the Order's Dark Lords, Darth Malgus brought down the Jedi Temple on Coruscant in a brutal assault that shocked the galaxy. But if war crowned him the darkest of Sith heroes, peace will transform him into something far more heinous--something Malgus would never want to be but cannot stop becoming, any more than he can stop the rogue Jedi fast approaching. Her name is Aryn Leneer--and the lone Jedi Knight that Malgus cut down in the fierce battle for the Jedi Temple was her Master. Now she's going to find out what happened to him, even if it means breaking every rule in the book.

Thoughts: Okay, okay... it’s official. This is my new ultimate favourite Star Wars novel. Period. Paul S Kemp weaves an amazing narrative, that builds up beautiful and familiar Star Wars settings with deep and interesting characters and amazing storytelling. I was hooked from the very first page.

Darth Malgus is SUCH a character. He is a character that is so complex and deep, and much more than his frightful, ruined appearance makes him seem. Kemp explores all corners of Malgus and brings him into a startling spectre of personality. I loved him. I also loved Eleena, his sassy and sweet Twi’lek paramour. Theirs was a star crossed romance that rivals Anakin and Padme.

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The Last Emperox - John Scalzi Book Review

Author: John Scalzi

Publisher: Tor

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis: Can they escape the end of an empire?Entire star systems, and billions of people, are about to be stranded. The pathways that link the stars are collapsing faster than anyone expected, accelerating the fall of civilization. But though the evidence is insurmountable, many are in denial. And some even attempt to profit from the final days of this golden age.Emperox Grayland II has wrested control of the empire from her enemies. But even as she works to save her people, others seek power. And they will make a final, desperate push to topple her from her throne. Grayland and her depleted allies must use every tool at their disposal to save themselves and humanity – yet it still may not be enough.Will Grayland become the saviour of her civilization . . . or the last emperox to wear the crown?The Last Emperox is the conclusion to John Scalzi’s Interdependency series.

Thoughts: What a delightful read. I’ve been eyeing John Scalzi for the longest time and didn’t know where to start so was happy to receive a review copy of this book. It’s the third in a series, but was completely readable and I didn’t feel too out of the loop despite not having read any others. John Scalzi is a marvellous writer, with a very quirky and unique writing style that just got me interested and hooked from the first line. The story gave me medieval-battle-for-power vibes, and placing that in a space age setting was a delightful experience I didn’t know I needed in my life until now. Needless to say, I am a fan.

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Shorefall - Robert Jackson Bennett Book Review

Author: Robert Jackson Bennett

Publisher: Quercus Books

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: 'A refreshing look at magic - featuring a heroine every reader will root for - from one of the smartest writers I know', says Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Demon Cycle  The upstart firm Foundryside is struggling to make it. Orso Igancio and his star employee, former thief Sancia Grado, are accomplishing brilliant things with scriving, the magical art of encoding sentience into everyday objects, but it's not enough. The massive merchant houses of Tevanne won't tolerate competition, and they're willing to do anything to crush Foundryside.But even the merchant houses of Tevanne might have met their match. An immensely powerful and deadly entity has been resurrected in the shadows of Tevanne, one that's not interested in wealth or trade routes: a hierophant, one of the ancient practitioners of scriving. And he has a great fascination for Foundryside, and its employees - especially Sancia. Now Sancia and the rest of Foundryside must race to combat this new menace, which means understanding the origins of scriving itself - before the hierophant burns Tevanne to the ground.

Thoughts: Wow! What a damn book! Shorefall is my first time reading Robert Jackson Bennett, though I've been eyeing his books for a while. What an introduction! Let's start with the fact that this is book two in the series. I've yet to read book one, but Shorefall is completely self-contained and I could merrily read through without feeling like I was missing something by not having read Foundryside yet. Another note, Sancia and Berenice. Need I say more? Wonderful F/F romance representation with these wondrous MCs. I absolutely adored Sancia - she's kickass firece and crazily protective of Berenice - and that she was paired with Berenice so openly right from the first chapter was just more reason to love her. I'm all for diversity in my SSF works. I am definitely going to have to grab a physical copy of this one when it comes out, it's a treasure! And I'll be grabbing book one too.