“Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.

Worse, Sicarius, the empire’s most notorious assassin, is in town. He’s tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills… or someone wants her dead. “

Lucky for you, this is something of a double review. I read the first ebook and then immediately started the second – and as such you get to read my opinion on both of them. Of course the fact that I didn’t wait to start the second novel should be a little bit of a spoiler…

First of all, they are steampunk, and sorcery… and mystery. If that’s not enough, you’ll also find hefty doses of action and adventure throughout.

You still need more convincing? The novels feature fast-moving plots and quirky characters; each unique with their own distinct peculiarities… and mental issues.

In the first novel, The Emperor’s Edge, you are introduced to all the characters, an unlikely and somewhat motley group.

The second ebook continues their daring exploits – but what those are, I’m not going to say! You’ll just have to read them to find out.

Sorry folks, but surprise is everything to me, I can’t give away something I wouldn’t want to know myself; it would be very hypocritical of me..

I will say that I loved both these books, and couldn’t put them down. I will definitely be reading the next one when it comes out, which can’t be soon enough!

/5

Buy The Emperor’s Edge, (It’ll be the best $.99 you spend today!) :
Amazon Kindle *Currently FREE*
Smashwords *Currently FREE*
Barns & Noble Nook

“Broderick Longbarrel has served in the Royal Army of Caerllyth as a marksman for more than 30 years. Once a powerful warrior and soldier, Longbarrel has grown weary of war. On the final mission of his career, the grizzled veteran must face an over-powering enemy, a commanding officer with a sinister agenda and his own failing abilities if he is to survive.

The Old Sergeant, an 8300 word short story set in the exciting fantasy-punk world of the Aegisteel Empire, is great for fans of high fantasy, steampunk, World of Warcraft or Battle-Chasters.”

For some reason, I’ve found that people tend to think that if a book isn’t published traditionally, through one of the publishing giants, that means it didn’t have the qualities needed to be a great story. Those people are wrong. I personally have read a plethora of indie novels that I enjoyed as much as any traditionally published book. The key is finding the really good ones, and lucky for you, I’m sharing one at this precise moment!

This particular indie short is a crazy mix of fantasy and steampunk – a combination that works out brilliantly well. By the time you’re done this brief tale, you will have a very clear idea whether or not you would like to read longer works by this author, but more about that later.

This story is a close examination of an aging officer engaged in a battle with the odds stacked against him. You’ll find yourself cheering for this unlikely hero from the very first page. The fresh descriptive writing and unique story thrust you immediately into a world that you have never seen before – and when you get to the end, you’ll be wishing for more.

Amazingly enough, that is one wish that is going to come true. Mat Nastos currently has several more shorts and a full-length novel in the works.

I don’t normally go into detail about the author, but in this case there are definitely a few things you should know. It boggles my mind that one person could be involved in so many creative projects and not have their brain explode from the sheer awesome-ness of it all. To summarize I’m just going to quote directly from the bio on his website – “Mat Nastos has been a film/tv artist, director and writer since the early 1990s. His work has been published by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Warp Graphics, Playboy and Highlights for Kids, and has been seen everywhere from the SyFy Channel to Cinemax to the Disney Channel”

I know.

So, will I read a full length novel by this author? In a word… Yes.

/5

The Old Sergeant Formula:

Take the interesting facets of Steampunk,
combine vigorously with a hefty chunk of fantasy
and let simmer in a thick spellbinding broth.
Garnish with parsley.

Find this book:
Amazon
Barns & Noble
Smashwords

P.S. Mat has a pretty spectacular giveaway on his Facebook page right now – you may want to Check It Out.

“The youngest in a long line of witches, Ari senses things are changing for the worse. For generations, her kin have tended the Old Places, keeping the land safe and fertile. Now, she finds herself torn between the world of mortals and the world of Fae, who ignore what occurs in the mortal world, for the roads between the two lands are vanishing into thin air.”

In keeping with Anne Bishop’s writing style, The Pillars of the World is a dark fantasy novel, which means it’s not all butterflies and unicorns. The Fae, with their inability to see the worth of Humans, and the darker forces that encroach on the peaceful lands of the witches, all combine to take you down a sensational and twisting road.

If you’re looking for a complete series to check out, there are three books in this completed trilogy, so no waiting for the books to be published!

/5

The Pillars of the World Formula:

Handfuls of magic,
sprinkles of woe,
and an extra large scoop of adventure.
Top with chocolate sprinkles.

Find it on:
Amazon Kindle
Barns & Noble Nook

“When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she’s angry and confused, but soon finds out that for the first time in her life she’s uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress–potentially.

First she must figure out how to use her ability before the big-time rulers who’ve notices her arrival kill her just because she’s an unpredictable new power….Those rulers may wish they hadn’t waited as long as they did”

From the mind of L.E. Modesitt Jr. comes a tale of epic proportions. This novel immerses you in the story of Anna, a 47 year old musician from Ames, Iowa – torn from her life and her children by the song of a sorceress, and thrown into a conflict that she could have never imagined. Faced with death, not only hers, but the destruction of a kingdom – she can choose to embrace a new, unknown power, or flee.

/5

1. The Soprano Sorceress: The First Book of the Spellsong Cycle

2. The Spellsong War: The Second Book of the Spellsong Cycle

3. Darksong Rising: The Third Book of the Spellsong Cycle 

4. The Shadow Sorceress: The Fourth Book of the Spellsong Cycle

“After Ben Holiday purchased Landover, he discovered the magic kingdom had some problems. The Barons refused to recognize a king and the peasants were without hope. To make matters worse, Ben learned that he had to duel to the death with the Iron Mask, the terrible lord of the demons–a duel which no human could hope to win….”

 Any book that begins with a man buying a magic kingdom is destined to be more lighthearted than the majority of fantasy novels. Any such book that successfully carries on that storyline and entertains, well it has to be written very cleverly. The Magic Kingdom of Landover series is one such story.

Though at first glance you might think the idea a little cheesy, I definitely suggest giving this series a chance. The world that Terry Brooks creates is filled with fun fantasy that will leave you smiling, and your thirst for adventure fully sated.

/5

If you love this book, never fear — the adventure continues in five delightful sequels!

On a side note, you can also purchase this series in combined volumes that cut down on the cost. The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1 contains the first three novels;

1. Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold!
2. The Black Unicorn
3. Wizard at Large

The second volume, The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 2 contains;

4. Tangle Box
5. Witches’ Brew

and finally the latest in this charming fantasy series;

6. A Princess of Landover

“The ages of Myst are world of adventure and awe; of mystery and beauty; of intrigue and betrayal. The world’s best-selling CD-ROM game is just a piece of the picture. Now, take a step into the fictional legend of Myst. 

These pages are your link to the story of Atrus, son of Gehn, and the last of the race of D’ni – the masters of The Art, the craft of linking to other worlds through the descriptive art of writing in special books. For most of his young life, Atrus thought the stories his grandmother told were just strange legends. Then came his time to explore the magnificent underground realm… 

The Book of Atrus is a tale of son against father; of truth versus evil; and of love and redemption. You will travel to wonderful new ages and have all your questions answered – for this story ends where the world of the MYST game just begins.”

This kindle book actually contains three fantasy stories. Amazing to read if you have ever played the games (Myst, Riven, Uru) but no less worthwhile to read if you haven’t. (I’m allowed to say this because I’ve never played the games, but I enjoyed the books!)

If you’re looking for an in depth unique fantasy read, then look no further!

The stories contained in this volume are The Book of Atrus, The Book of Ti’ana
and The Book of D’ni.


The details are incredible and the stories will draw you in from the first page.

/5

Find the Ebook on Amazon

I can’t even begin to tell you how delighted I am to find that this book is available on Kindle – so many of Stasheff’s books have been out of print for so long they have become nearly impossible to find. I’ve been holding on to the second book in the series and scouring used bookstores for this one.

I positively adore Stasheff’s style of writing and subtle humor. His characters are far from the pompous confident heroes we often see, but men with flaws a-plently that only add to their likeability.

This book features transportation to another world, a world where rhyming has power and heaven and hell take on a whole new meaning.

5 Stars!!