Smorgasbord Fantasia

  A startlingly original tale - Leech by Hiron Ennes has been on my reading list ever since tordotcom released it way back in 2022. This and Manhunt were two of my most-anticipated titles that had me super intrigued. Now that I finally finished it, I am glad I got around to it. It's a very cleverly written story about what it means to be human, in a wonderfully constructed gothic horror setting in a bleak post-apocalyptic scifi world. The tale is narrated by a millennia-old parasite that has ingratiated itself into the human society taking over as The Institute, posing as 'doctor' on duty from the more prosperous industrial town of Inultus, complete with the world's best medical resources and library. The way it hides in plain sight, is by taking over the minds of any promising young person who can be trained as a doctor, within the institute. As the story starts, we learn that the institute has sent one of it's hive-mind doctors to investigate the death of one of t...

Nettle & Bone that released last year, is my first book by T Kingfisher. And I am so thrilled to have discovered her amongst the many other new authors, I am slowly discovering. [ On an aside, having made a conscious decision to make sure I go back and pick up acclaimed books that I missed out on from last two years, I can claim this has turned out to be such a liberating and happy coincidence for me!]  There are at least 2 more T Kingfisher books in my back-burner list that I am immediately bumping to the top of my TBR, after the marvellous find that Nettle & Bone turned out to be. This turned out to be an epic fantasy that mixed up dark fairy tale with your typical hero quest, albeit with a nice twist. Nettle & Bone is an adult dark fantasy book I never knew I wanted.  Told from the first person point of view of Marra, an unassuming thirty-year old who has spent the majority of her formative years in a monastery, away from the politicking mess that is her own mi...

Ship Breaker is Paolo Bacigalupi's follow up to the multi-award winning breakout novel, Windup Girl . I know I am a decade and more late to this master's genius works, but better late than never. After having finally finished that stunning, towering mind bending piece of science-fantasy, I know I would have to climb down from the highs of the visionary piece of fiction, that was Windup Girl. But even with Ship Breaker, you get the similar dystopian world, that has gone 'under' - a drowned world, where oil is scarce and values like humanity or loyalty even scarcer. You could even argue that while Windup happens in the Southeast Asia, or what's left of it. A version of Bangkok where genetics and rising waters pose the greatest threat. While Ship Breaker happens in the very different corner of the world - the west. Or more precisely, the previous parts of the Southern Coasts, near New Orleans or what's left of it.  We are introduced to the forlorn beaches of this c...

Nona the Ninth is the third instalment of the Locked Tomb series from Tamsyn Muir. As we have seen before, Tamsyn Muir constructs the Locked Tomb books like an intricate puzzle, with dizzying revelations and mind-fuckery of twists that will blow your mind. So, yes even with the third book in the series, expect nothing different. In a lot of ways, Nona the Ninth is both the easiest book or the most approachable book in the series. And yet, at the same time, the most exquisitely constructed puzzle that Tamsyn throws at us readers. I will be frank, this was actually my least favorite book of the series [ I know! Don't get your knives out, yet. Let me explain!]  So Nona the Ninth happens a while after the tumultuous events of Harrow the Ninth. Fair warning, if you don't remember anything from that book, then I would suggest you go back and read the last few chapters. Because as usual, Tamsyn doesn't give us any guard-rails to help at all and we are thrown into the deep end ...

 Stephen Aryan wrote one of my favorite books last year, The Coward - a splendid tale about an adventure quest across a frozen landscape, featuring a loveable company of 'cowards' with the themes of found family, valour packed in with a healthy dose of politicking, comedy and some well-written vicious action scenes and some crazy twisted monsters to boot. So color me pleasantly surprised, when a sequel to The Coward was announced. But boy, am I happy that I got to tag along with Kell and company for another harrowing quest, in the new book in this series called The Warrior.   So the events of The Warrior happen a few years post The Coward (Where notably, all the threads were tied up very well!) Kell, our favorite reluctant hero is now King and clearly displeased at this turn of events and his new responsibilities. And as usual. itching for an adventure. And hey presto! Look who's back! Our favorite ' Alfar ' (an almost human-like race, known for their strength, en...

With  Blake Crouch , there are a few things guaranteed. The staples or elements we have come to 'expect' as normal : Surefire thrill rides, high-tech science-fictional concepts and a very humane central character stuck in the middle of all this. He excels in taking mind-bending premises and setting it within believable circumstances, crafting out bleeding edge thrillers with enough heart and he is always questioning, questioning the choices our society can take. Or will take, rather.  With  Upgrade  his latest novel, he trains his guns on the rather esoteric topic of gene-mapping and how this concept can be twisted enough in the wrong hands to lead to a catastrophe for the human race. He claims it is his love-letter to our species, even quotes Yuval Noah on his views for Homo Deus, the next gen evolution of human beings, aka Homo sapiens.  As always - Blake strikes the perfect balance with exposition of "sciency" stuff - and there's a lot to unpack here, what wi...

 I am honoured to be part of the online book-tour for the upcoming epic fantasy novel The Last Blade Priest by W P Wiles , from the Angry Robot Books .  The book releases on July 12th and is available for pre-order .  The Last Blade Priest is a featured top ten TBR for this quarter for me and for good solid reason! Here's the blurb that should get you all hot and excited, for what I am hoping is an absolutely wonderful epic fantasy romp, with some stunning worldbuilding and brilliantly realised characters, caught up in a maelstrom completely out of their control.  Inar is Master Builder for the Kingdom of Mishig-Tenh. Life is hard after the Kingdom lost the war against the League of Free Cities. Doubly so since his father betrayed the King and paid the ultimate price. And now the King’s terrifying chancellor and torturer in chief has arrived and instructed Inar to go and work for the League. And to spy for him. And any builder knows you don’t put yourself between a...

John Gwynne continues to impress with the second volume in The Bloodsworn saga , Hunger of the Gods. Building out his Norse-inspired world, Hunger of the Gods is no longer just about the brave, foolish and gritty set of warriors seeking out their place in the saga-tales. It is in fact, a rip-roaring adventure where the lines between reality and myth has blurred. The Gods are real and they are alive, breathing fire and raining destruction, ripping apart our living world as we know it. Lik-Rafa, the dragon God has been freed by her worshippers and is a terrible force to reckon with, as she wants to seek revenge for wrongs done to her and her children eons ago. Drawn into this terrifying reality are the brave bunch of adventure-and-glory seekers, both the bands of warriors, The Battle-Grim and the Bloodsworn. And in the middle of all this, Orka - the lone 'wolf' continues her search for her cub, Breca who may have been kidnapped by the dragon-worshippers, in order to bring her to...

1.   In the Shadow of Lightning  by  Brian McClellan  A new Brian McClellan series is a thing for celebration! I admit, i haven't frankly finished one full series yet, but as usual, am going to be swayed with the promise of a new world, new heroes and a brand spanking cool magic system. Out on June 21st. 2.  Against All Gods  by  Miles Cameron Another author whose works I have admired, but have never finished a series yet. This one promises to be an all out epic fantasies, with Gods pitted against men, heroes, filled with epic quests and mythical monsters. Definitely going to be catching up on this!   3.  Daughter of Redwinter  by  Ed McDonald After having run through his absolutely brilliant grimdark first series, Ed McDonald is one of my automatic top of the TBR authors now. I am so glad, he's back alright after that medical scare of his! Rooting for this one and I am sure, as usual, Ed is going to knock the socks off with t...

  Red Wolf, Black Leopard was one of my favorite books of 2019. The favorite book, actually.  The first book in the proposed Dark Star trilogy was a psychedelic mad fantastical dream set in a pre-colonial Africa, teeming with magic, witches and mad kings, a Marlon James's version of traditional sword-and-sorcery. This was a gore splatter-fest, teeming with lurid sex all in the name of a quest to find a boy, who is central to the overall plot (if there ever was one!). So in Moon Witch, Spider King, the second novel in this trilogy, Marlon James reins himself in, just a touch . This book is more a companion novel rather than a sequel - giving us a roshomonesque view of the same quest, that our beloved Tracker had set out for, with his group of friends.  Except this time, it's the story of the Moon Witch, also known as Sogolon. Her name, actually doesn't matter as we realize over the course of her story that extends one hundred seventy seven years and counting. It's a h...

On this Waiting on Wednesday meme, we feature some of the most anticipated titles in SFF releasing this year. This week, we turn the spotlight on the upcoming epic fantasy debut, The First Binding by RR Virdi . Having gotten an early copy of this door-stopper mammoth, I am super excited about the references to the mythos of South Asia, having shaped this twisty, epic narrative. Lots of noted authors have poured in their love and appreciation for Virdi's work ( 'Crafted with patience, passion and, most importantly, tremendous love. Read R.R. Virdi'   Jim Butcher) - and I cannot wait to find out for myself!  Here's the blurb:  " All legends are born of truths. And just as much lies. These are mine. Judge me for what you will. But you will hear my story first. I buried the village of Ampur under a mountain of ice and snow. Then I killed their god. I've stolen old magics and been cursed for it. I started a war with those that walked before mankind and lost the pri...

 So The Girl and the Moon by Mark Lawrence ( Book of the Ice #3 ) marks the end of this trilogy and his thirteenth book that I have finished. (His sci-fi series, I am yet to wrap up Books, 2 and 3!) Again, hats off to one of the most hard-working writers in this genre today, one who has consistently managed to up his game, his quality of writing and give us some fascinating stories that entertain, educate and make us ponder. Even this series, Mark expands that interesting universe of his, bringing in that curious mix of science-fantasy that is trademark Mark, along with with some fabulous main characters, whom you would follow to the end of the world and back.  Like literally, in this series - Yaz of the Ictha tribe of the Ice. Book-2 The Girl and the Mountain , we followed Yaz and her rag-tag crew of 'rebellers' who set out to defy mother nature, in a quest to find the promised land, that "Green Land" a thin strip of green corridor in this world of Abeth, fast losi...

Hide is the first adult horror foray by Kiersten White , to be released in May this year.  Kirsten White impressed me with her historical YA book series, " And I Darken " a couple of years back and so I jumped onto this one, her first adult book with supernatural horror elements. The premise was absolutely gob-smacking - an abandoned amusement park and fourteen contestants in a game of hide-and-seek. Except that if you are found, then it is game over. Like literally so :)  Anyways - first things first, was the book great and live up to the expectations? No. It didn't. It pains me to say so, because the premise and even the execution was terrific. But I just couldn't get to like the characters and so wasn't practically living in their heads, in all those moments of absolute terror as they find out the truth about this hide-and-seek game. And in such a horror themed novel, unless the lead is likeable (like a gritty, clever heroine) we typically don't tend to en...

 I haven't read a great 'cozy mystery' in a long while and so, The Maid by Nita Prose was in all senses, a delightful little read. Quick, suspenseful and elegant. Just like the work done by Molly Gray, our protagonist, a maid at this prestigious five-star hotel where she takes absolute pride in her work.  Featuring a person, who possibly suffers from being neurodivergent (I admit, I had to look up this word and no, the author never really mentions this at all!) or autistic to an extent, Nita Prose whips up a delightful debut with this mystery book, released earlier this year. Nita knows her 'prose' - pun intended because the language and the writing is as much a pivotal character in this book as is her characters. Nita chooses an unknown setting someplace in America for her novel, the chief location being the five-star hotel Regency Grand where Molly works. Now Molly is peculiar and very dedicated to both her craft and her gran, now deceased. In fact, she recognize...

A Flicker in the Dark is Stacy Willingham 's masterful debut - a well-constructed clever suspense thriller full of twists and thrills. The story is set in the small town called Baton Rogue, in Louisiana and told through the POV of Chloe Davis, a successful psychologist in her early thirties, engaged and about to be married to this workaholic Pharma-sales rep Daniel. Chloe is shaken out of her idyllic dream life when a series of murders rock the small town. Taking her back twenty years, when the exact same thing had happened, when she was only twelve. Six teenage girls who were abducted and killed in her childhood town. But the shocker was when the police finally figured out that it was her own father, who had committed these heinous crimes. Chloe is rattled as she tries to piece together the clues, as to who could possibly be this 'copycat' killer in her neighborhood. Because these crimes not only cut open those scabs from her own childhood but also, threatens to blow apart...

  Obsidian is Sarah J Daley 's debut epic fantasy novel from Angry Robot overlords, that released last month. This was on my list of Debuts to watch out for, in 2022 ( A year incidentally filled with some incredibly exciting debuts coming out!) and it didn't disappoint.  Overall, Obsidian was an intense, action-packed traditional fantasy novel, packed to the gills with white-hot action sequences, featuring a very well crafted magical system and in-depth world building full of lores, myths. The narrative itself is paced pretty well, full of betrayals, found family, love, power and sacrifice all headlined by a gutsy heroine, an abomination witch who defies tradition and stands up to the tyrannical rule of the bloodwizards in this ancient land of power and swirling magic.  So the story is set in this land called Malavita, protected by "Veils" that keeps the encroaching blight from turning the land into waste-lands. This Blight of course is the result of ancient magic go...