Review Round-up March

Review Round-up March

My top 5 favorite books of March!

1. Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch, Gollancz

Ever since being introduced to the first book in the Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch, The Lies of Locke Lamora, I have been hooked! The Lies of Locke Lamora introduced on of the best protagonists that I have read about, Locke Lamora. In the first two book Scott Lynch readily build up the world surrounding not only Locke's character but also many others that you follow either in the present storyline or in the flashback interludes to Locke's past. Red Seas Under Red Skies left Locke Lamora fighting for his life and he is facing some dire times in The Republic of Thieves. I was very eager to read this book and it took Scott Lynch several years to finalize this third book in the series, however long the wait it paid of to the fullest! Scott Lynch's books never falter and each time he takes his writing one step further. He continues to build up a solid world in The Republic of Thieves but also delving more into the history of Locke and lets not forget Sabetha! Yes finally we get to learn more about the single women who makes Locke gasp for air. But this isn't all... because you will also learn what Locke really is.... One not to be missed!

Read the full review here

2. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan, Titan  

Who doesn't like dragons!? I have read my fair share of dragon themes stories and most feature them in a bloody and rather violent way breathing flames or other noxious goods. A Natural History of Dragons is something completely different and Marie Brennan shows in an interesting and rather engaging way a complete other side of dragon lore. From the title you might make up that this book revolves solely around dragons, well this is only partly true, as soon as you read the synopsis or just the first few pages you will come to understand that this is a memoir. A personal retelling and a life long journey that one woman, Lady Trent, went through. Marie Brennan writes up her part of the story in a great way showing both the high and low points that Lady Trent had to go through to get where she stand now. Lady Trents passion is that of dragons and she pulls out everything to understand and learn more about these majestic creatures. A Natural History of Dragons is uniquely voiced and if you are looking for a books with enough action and a strong emotional current look no further!

Read the full review here

3. The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig, Angry Robot

Chuck Wendig has been on my reading list ever since I read Double Dead last year. I was taken by his in-your-face writing attitude. It's clear, crisp and has a lot, a lot of action in it. The Blue Blazes is Chuck Wendig's second urban fantasy series. Urban fantasy is a genre that I like to indulge into and it perhaps one of the fastest growing genres. I was very curious as to what Chuck Wendig's interpretation would be of urban fantasy and I have to say wow. Just as what I read in Double Dead, The Blue Blazes is just as amazing and if I have to be honest much better. Chuck Wendig definitely has a way with words and writes with an attitude that perhaps doesn't make this book suited for everyone. It is rather violent and all, but it fits perfectly in larger context of The Blue Blazes and the urban fantasy genre. In The Blue Blazes, Chuck Wendig introduces you to Mookie Pearl who rules both the criminal "aboveground" and the supernatural underground of New York, but he is also a man with issues and has several complications when it comes to the relation to his daughter. Chuck Wendig nicely build up the start of the story developing the characters and introducing an interesting world that is bound to pay off in the sequel to come!

Read the full review here

4. Unwrapped Sky by David Rjurik, Tor

Unwrapped Sky is one of big debuts of Tor (UK and US) for the spring of 2014. So far 2014 has treated me very well with debuts and I am glad to add this stunning book to the list. Unwrapped Sky is a very unique book, the world itself is immensely rich and readily invites you to just sit and dream away in it. It gets a lot of strength from the science fiction side but also influence of standard fantasy. The world that David Rjurik starts to build is similar to those of China Mieville but it feels for refined and not as dark and gritty, though there are some darker parts in the story of Unwrapped Sky. In Unwrapped Sky David Rjurik sets up different storyline surrounding three completely different characters. It is by the high diversity in characters that you slowly start to learn what makes the world go round. This was really a smart move, as in this way you learn bits and peaces of the different sides, those of the different houses and how corrupt it actually is, the seditionists that plan to overthrow the current rule of the houses, and one assassin who is torn between her alligiance to one of the houses and the seditionists. Unwrapped Sky is a terrific debut and David Rjurik shows that he is an author to watch out for!

Read the full review here
5. The Forever Watch by David Ramirez, Hodder and Stougthon, Hodderscape

Another debut that will be released in April is The Forever Watch by David Ramirez. I am always a big fan of the science aspect in science fiction and the synopsis of The Forever Watch proved that it would be just that. Later finding out that David Ramirez was an molecular biologist I knew that this aspect would be top notch, and the plot twist in the end really hit me in face, just brilliant! The Forever Watch is a mash-up of different genres, science fiction and crime/thriller, the start up of the story is perhaps a bit strange but later on you get to learn more and more about the history of the Spaceship Noah though many things remain obscure right until the ending. Essentially the story revolves around an unexplainable murder that draws to people close to each other and as they are navigating through a thick political web they start uncover a truth that had perhaps better stayed hidden. This revelation at end readily transformed the storyline into a rather emotional one, and looking over the whole story I am confident when I say that this couldn't have turned out any better. Great characters and a bold premise that works full colors, The Forever Watch is one to add to your must read pile!

Read the full review here

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What were your favorites of March?


Cheers, 
Jasper