‘The Book of the New Sun’: Last Two Novels

In my review of the first two books in the 'Book of the New Sun' tetralogy by Gene Wolfe I wrote that they were books written beautifully but without much substance. Overall, I can tell the same about, like, three-fourth of the cycle? Because in the third book, almost nothing happens, except that Severian, our … Continue reading ‘The Book of the New Sun’: Last Two Novels →

The Caraval Series and Limitations of YA

So, I've just read the 'Caraval' trilogy by Stephanie Garber, and while I don't think it's a bad series, I'm not impressed either; and I can say literally the same about most YA series. I wonder why it happens to me so often, and I'll try to explain why. So, the Caraval trilogy is a … Continue reading The Caraval Series and Limitations of YA →

‘Fairy Tale’ by Stephen King

A fairy-tale which wasn't so fairy, and if it wasn't, the dark retelling trope wasn't the reason for that, sadly. There is something missing in this newest book by King in comparison with his old novels. And there is something missing in comparison with other contemporary fantasy books, overall. Because there are authors who may … Continue reading ‘Fairy Tale’ by Stephen King →

‘The Book of the New Sun’: First Two Novels

I love 'Viriconium'. I love the Dying Earth genre. But reading the initial two parts of 'The Book of the New Sun', 'The Shadow of the Torturer' and 'The Claw of the Reconciliator' by Gene Wolfe made me aware that I might like more the aura than the actual content. Robin Hobb is known for … Continue reading ‘The Book of the New Sun’: First Two Novels →

Speculative Fiction Authors I’ve Changed My Mind About

Over months, or maybe over years, I've been trying to listen. I've been trying to learn. I realized that sometimes, you need to look at somebody's set of works time-wise; because how they describe certain things can change too. Sometimes, having read other authors, you may appreciate that this one has made an actual effort … Continue reading Speculative Fiction Authors I’ve Changed My Mind About →

My Recent Bad YA Read

...was The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller. I should have predicted that. I wasn't delighted with her first pirate novel, it was bland and predictable to me. It reminded me of how, before the Wattpad era, people were publishing their fanfiction on Blogger. And it was like a mediocre fanfiction. The Shadows Between Us … Continue reading My Recent Bad YA Read →

I’m Bored Again… This Time It’s Epic Fantasy by Sam Sykes

Seven Blades in Black. Or something. Because though I've read over 650 pages about it, I don't care. Akward names, awkward settings. It's steampunk, but you don't get the aura. If your steampunk is just about machines and guns, and if references trying to emulate the given epoch are so vague, than it's no steampunk. … Continue reading I’m Bored Again… This Time It’s Epic Fantasy by Sam Sykes →

“Kingdom of the Wicked” Is Boring

I like reading about Italy. I like reading about Italy when it's described from the perspective of people with Italian heritage. I like Sicily. I like works of art questioning the stereotypical image of violence and poverty on that island. So, Kerri Maniscalco is a Sicilian-American and she wrote a paranormal romance about Sicily. I … Continue reading “Kingdom of the Wicked” Is Boring →

The Crown of Stars Series by Kate Elliott and Its Complicated Legacy

This is the series I was enthusiastic about when I read the first book. This is also the series which has disappointed me by book five, the last which is available in my language (the last two volumes can be bought only on Amazon or so, sadly). And yet, I'd still tell you that in … Continue reading The Crown of Stars Series by Kate Elliott and Its Complicated Legacy →

Darkover Revisited: The City of Sorcery

What can you say about a book full of well-known and likeable characters, a book which is the last installment of a trilogy? You may try to sum it up somehow, to see how it fits into the previous ones. In The City of Sorcery, though, I can see only a good science fantasy novel … Continue reading Darkover Revisited: The City of Sorcery →