Last year I started with the Review Round-Up posts in which I highlight several of the books that I read that month, they do not necessarily have to be the highest rated ones though. If the idea behind the book is great but that may have a flaw in the execution can still be one of my favourites, because in my opinion a fresh idea is just as valuable. The listing of them in the top 5 does not mean that the first one was the best I read this month all the books that I read in March were great, I did not encounter any books that I disliked in particular.
I have been a fervent fan of young-adult fiction for sometime now and I really like to see authors taking time in showing creativeness in approaching this genre in a different way. The Tragedy Paper is a story that just as easily could have happened in real life. What Elizabeth LaBan managed to put down in this book was very compelling and unique. This is definitely a recommendation for teens and for adults
The Doctor and the Roughrider is already the third installment in the Weird West Tales written by Hugo award winner Mike Resnick. It has a great blend of the western setting mashed up with alternate history with and healthy dose of humor and an added dash of steampunk. His stories feature some of the better known American icons from that time like the Edison and Doc Holliday and in The Doctor and the Roughrider we are introduced to Theodore Roosevelt. I for one cannot get enough of this series!
Somewhere in the late summer of 2012 Head of Zeus, a new publishing house based in the UK, had a big press release about The Grim Company. This first book of a new sword and sorcery/dark-grim and epic fantasy is to be released March this year. This first book really reminds me of a mix between Steven Erikson and Brandon Sanderson. It has in my eyes a lot of potential to grow into the next big series. Luke Scull has a plus in writing this fantasy series being a fantasy game designer as well, and certain elements in the book do reflect this. Though some part did fall a bit short in terms of characters, The Grim Company is definitely a series to watch in the future, the second book will be released in 2014.
Clone Republic is the first book in The Clone Rebellion series. I have been catching up with my SF titles and when Titan Books offered to review for their SF/Military March month I jumped to the occasion. Clone Republic is a great series that shows a lot of action, both taking place in deep space galaxy as well as on the planet sides. What really got me eager while reading this book was the clone aspect in the series and the main protagonist Wayson Harris, the clone aspect shows a great inventiveness and offers a lot of possibilities. Next to a lot of action in this first book there is also diversity in the story switching from places in the story and highlighting some of the more common things as well. This series is definitely a recommendation for SF fans!
I got by this book when searching for some new sword and sorcery/ dark fantasy books. Released already last year in May, it initially got by me. But luckily I still had the chance to review it. And I wasn't disappointed at all, more on the contrary, Scourge of the Betrayer is an awesome book. It is very well written and although it is pretty short, the story created within promises that there is more to come. Scourge of the Betrayer revolves around a young scribes live as he is now tasked with recording the deeds done by the Syldoon Empire. The Syldoon are known to be ruthless, vicious people, their history is shown more than a few times. But what I liked most about it is the promise of the Bloodsounder weapon (it created for me a ow yes! moment while reading) and the alluring magical elements of the world that Jeff Salyards created. Scourge of the Betrayer is great beginning for a new series, revealing some of the aspect of the world already a bit but leaving you in the dark for the most.
- Hearts of Smoke and Steam by Andrew P. Mayer published by Pyr
I read the first book The Falling Machine last year and was pleasantly surprised with the premise of this book and how a steampunk theme was blended with a superhero theme, whats there not to like?
Again a second book in a series. Dangerous Gifts is the sequel to Babylon Steel. This for me is a genre breaking series. Producing truly an out of the box story! I can't wait and see what Dangerous Gifts has in store for me
I came across this book while looking for other Urban Fantasy books after having read the books of Kate Griffin. Into the Nightside proved to be a more than fruitful and enjoyable story. With a private eye both literally and figuratively and shotgun Suzie.. !
This is already the third installment in the Truancy series. Isamu Fukui published his first book when still in college now I had some reservations in the start by they dissapeared when reading the first book Truancy and I was very pleased with Truancy: Origins, a prequel to Truancy. It gave a lot of extra information that I wouldn't have guessed. The synopsis says that the Truants and the Enforcers must join forces.. well this story can turn out any which way.
I started this series last year but has fallen a bit to the background, it is still on my to read list. The Mortal Instruments series so far has been an quite interesting series, though there are a bit awkward references in their and a idea that I found rather weird to use in a YA series but this all turned around. And this book should promise much of what I was hoping for, Clary will be trained to become a shadowhunter!
Jasper