Mystery
8 by James Phelan
We are seeing a widening of the story that is set up nicely all along this series. Still with this series and reading on to find out what happens next.
7 by James Phelan
Here we see a major game changer in this series and I find that refreshing. Still got me and I’m reading on.
6 by James Phelan
The stake has been ramped up again for Sam. Good work.
5 by James Phelan
Stakes are still going up and now not just for Sam himself. A new element being introduced as well but I like it not as well as 6. But still with the race.
4 by James Phelan
By now the books have seamlessly merged together for me and I am thinking this is probably the effect that the author is angling for all along. This is also the book where I feel like the author has managed to shake it entirely loose from the template that I felt was what held together the earlier books in the series. Good work.
3 by James Phelan
This book still takes me along the ride very well and there is a bit of foreshadowing that presents a hook to give me that little extra push to see the series to its conclusion.
2 by James Phelan
Again, this book carries you smoothly on with Sam’s journey. It also neatly sets up for the grand finale by making it more unpredictable.
1 by James Phelan
Everything comes together in this grand finale and I was surprised when the big twist was revealed (a positive for me in a mystery). I am satisfied. Overall, I think this series is interesting. I can’t say I loved it but it’s solid work and enjoyable, perfect for those who appreciate a fast paced adventure story with thriller elements and a bit of technological speculative/urban fantasy twist to it. I think this was packaged under fantasy for my local library but it felt more like mystery to me and not bad for a mystery.
Fantasy
A Duel of Evils by Anthony Ryan
I actually have the Raven’s shadow trilogy down on my reading list but I couldn’t find it on my local library’s catalogue so I read what’s available from the author. This is a short story and I anticipated that I wouldn’t like it as much as a novel but I had even more difficulty with this than usual when this was presented as the historical record of an event as written by one historian to his Emperor. Basically, the whole story was just written in too dry a tone for me and the quick unloading of big chunks of information necessitated by this chosen narrative voice basically dragged my attention towards logically processing these information as opposed to experiencing the story.
The Lord’s Collector by Anthony Ryan
I like this novella overall and the ¾ mark has me interested in the trilogy potentially. Except my local library doesn’t have an electronic copy and I’m not that enticed by it to actually look up an alternative method to read the trilogy. Still a good novella if you want tight quick-paced adventure and a potentially interesting fantasy world to partake of.
Science Fiction
Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
I am still reading this book. It has high stakes and quite amusing dialogue. Liking it so far.
Moonlake's Fiction Space 