Review Round-up June

Review Round-up June

Last month of this half of the year! Don't know where the time has gone, it went over to fast for sure. I said that I wanted to read 175 books this year and I am pleased to say that I am on track and have already passed the half way maker. Only about 90ish more to go.

These were my favourites of June

Which books did you enjoy the most in June?

Cheers,
Jasper

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1. Veil of the Deserters by Jeff Salyards, Night Shade Books

Last year I read Jeff Salyards debut, Scourge of the Betrayer, it proved very soon that it was one of Scourge of the Betrayer was those books directly to my liking. a great read wait till you get your hands on this sequel.The wait was pretty long for the sequel but luckily for me and many other readers it was published last month in June. I had high expectations for Veil of the Deserters but what Jeff Salyards manages to pull of went wildly above my expectations. Jeff Salyard doesn't wait one moment before throwing you again in the midst of an epic fantasy story. Directly building on the foundation of what he showed in the first book. One thing that felt to note in the sequel was the amount of information given compared to the first book, where you had to accept a lot of facts on the go. There are some great places visited in Veil of the Deserters like the capital of the Syldoon empire from which Braylar hails. Added to this is the great expansion of characters with the sister of Braylar and the everything that surrounds the Mermidons. It's all really great and solid stuff that you don't want to miss.

Read the full review here
  2. A Kill in the Morning by Graeme Shimmin, Bantam Press

When I was presented the catalogue of Bantam Press and read the synopsis of A Kill in the Morning it was directly one of those books that I needed to read, it had the premise of a classical spy/thriller with a definite supernatural tinge to it and lets not forget the alternate historical setting taking place in a prolonged second world war where Churchill died and where Britain and Germany play a dangerous Cold War game. The story directly focuses on an unnamed British assassin who is set out for revenge and after achieving he makes his way home to Britain for a debriefing and new missions. When he is on British soil and has a meeting with the Old Man and somethings happen, our assassin in thrown in a deep and dangerous plot that will change Earth once and forever. As I said in my review of A Kill in the Morning it is one of the best debuts that I have read so far. It starts of rather contained but soon Graeme Shimmin pulls all the stops and makes ups the pacing to a break neck speed. Edge of your seat stuff and how will buy the movie rights??

Read the full review here


3. Dead Man's Hand by John Joseph Adams (ed.), Titan Books

One sub genre that I always like to read are western, who doesn't like gunslingers? Dead Man's Hand is a collection of 23 original western stories covering a wild range of themes. From the vampire killing avenging priest kind of stories to a supernatural one featuring aliens or one where there is definite power in a set of cards. I always limit myself to a few stories when I review an anthology but all the stories of Dead Man's Hand are more than noteworthy. Award winning editor John Joseph Adams selected some of the finest stories and placed them in the anthology also in a great manner, sometimes slowing the pacing down from one story to another or on other occasions putting you into action after action scene. As far as anthologies go, Dead Man's Hand is one of the best that I have read, I do hope Titan and John Joseph Adams come to the conclusion to make a Dead Man's Hand pt. 2. 

Read the full review here

4. The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher, Orbit

Urban Fantasy is great stuff. The Oversight is being compared to authors such as Neil Gaiman. What do you need more? The Oversight is the the first adult oriented book written by Charlie Fletcher and the first in an new series. I have read some very find books from Orbit earlier this year and The Oversight is no exception. It's top stuff. From the first moment Charlie Fletcher hits several elements just spot on when it comes down to characterization and building his world. In showing his world he definitely casts a dark air around it and you feel a certain impending doom resonating pretty strongly. The idea behind the story is a very cool one with the Oversight itself, the single organization that governs over the natural and the supranatural. These guys all have special powers that they use to keep the streets safe. However not everyone is in favor of the Oversight and they are planning to take them down once and for all. But those that plan to take down the Oversight have overlooked on aspect, and their plans start to go turn sour as well, with a lot of consequences to follow. The Oversight is an exciting start of a very cool new Urban Fantasy series, with a dark tinge. 

Read the full review here

5. Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill, Gollancz

 Prior to Dreams and Shadows I read another fairytake from Gollancz Beauty by Sarah Pinborough and this really got me eager for Dreams and Shadows. When I think of fairytale I always come back to my youth and how much I loved to read them and just dream away. Dreams and Shadows is a modern inspired fairy tale where Robert Cargill has created a very rich and one of a kind environment. Two different stories that of Ewan and Colby who meet up together in the land of the Fey and have what one may call innocent boyish adventures. I really like how Robert Cargill build his story showing a care free attitude in the begining of the stories, just boys being boys and having fun. However this wasn't permanent as young boys do grow up and the second part of the book showed just this, consequences of their actions. The story doesn't solely revolve around Ewan and Colby, the secondary cast, mainly the creatures that we learn about in the world behind the veil, are directly in the lines of fairy tales. I really liked the Coyote, a trickster, you should never take him for his word even though you think he speaks the truth he will always find a way to bend it to his will. Besides the Coyote there are plenty of more strong forces at play that each have their own goals. Robert Cargill's Dreams and Shadows, the modern take on a classic fairy tale is one amazing amazing read, not to be missed.

Read the full review here