NekkidBlogger Bookblog » Fantasy

The Man with the Iron Heart, by Harry Turtledove

Nekkidblogger — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:49:21 +0000

Harry Turtledove is known for his alternative history novels. In a way, the method he uses is similar to a methodology employed by some writers in of new economic history. He ask “what if” about some important historical event, and then writes a story exploring the implication of a different answer to this question than what actually happened historically.

In The Man with the Iron Heart, Turtledove examines the possible responses of the Russian Army, the U.S. Army, Congress and ordinary Americans if they had been confronted with asymmetrical warfare after the official surrender of Nazi Germany. He explores what would have happened if German resistance had continued after Hitler committed suicide and the Germans surrendered in World War II.

So, while number two SS leader Reinhard Heydrich was killed in 1942, Turtledove examines what might have happened had Heydrich survived and lived to lead a grassroots resistance movement. Borrowing ideas from their late Japanese allies, the fanatics of the German Freedom Front launch a campaign of suicide bombings, kidnappings and assassinations. The Russians responded with calculated brutality, while the mother of a slain American soldier pressures President Truman to bring the boys home. The parallels to the current situation in Iraq are obvious but cleverly drawn, leaving readers on both sides of the war debate with much to think about.

The Man with the Iron Heart is an interesting book, and overall an interesting way to generate plots. However, I didn’t get really excited about the book. The plot was a little to mechanical and the characters didn’t really connect. But if you’re interested in alternative history, you may feel differently.

“Turtledove is the standard-bearer of alternate history.”

–USA Today

“Turtledove pulls out all the stops in a panoramic display of historical speculation. [He] sets the standard for alternate history and once more proves his worth.”

–Library Journal

The Fortress of Glass, by David Drake

Nekkidblogger — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:25:24 +0000

The Fortress of Glass is the first book the Crown of the Isles trilogy. This trilogy will bring the conclusion of the epic Lord of the Isles series. The group of heroes in this book includes Prince Garric, heir to the throne of the Isles, his consort Liane, his sister Sharina, her herculean sweetheart Cashel, his sister Ilna, with her adopted child Merota and piratical Chalcus.

In The Fortress of Glass, Prince Garric voyages far among the Isles in an effort to bring all the Isles under his rule. After landing on a new shore, Garric finds the local king, Cervoran, dead and his heir, the youthful Prince Protas, in dire need of help against an outbreak of wizardry.

However, before Garric can act, more wizardry propels him to another world, where he enlists the aid of a strange creature called the Bird against the monstrous flesh-eating Coerli that terrorize this other world. And then, King Cervoran returns to life. And Garric’s sister, Sharina, and his consort, Liane, must try to settle the question of who rules in Garric’s absence.

David Drake makes the most of his setting based on the classical Mediterranean-like world. Now the powers of magic in the Isles have flooded to a thousand-year peak, and even local magicians can perform powerful spells normally beyond their control. Drake possesses every skill necessary to make this story thoroughly absorbing, even to new readers. Those who have sailed with him through the preceding two Isles trilogies ought to eagerly demand it.

A Clash of Kings, by George R. R. Martin

Nekkidblogger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:23:59 +0000

In A Clash of Kings, George R. R. Martin continues to tell the titanic story of The Song Of Ice And Fire. It is as good as the previous book, if not better. And it is even grimmer and longer than the first volume.

It starts right where A Game of Thrones ends. King Robert is dead. Lord Stark’s head has parted with his shoulders. In the realm there is total chaos. Several kings vie for power, there is war everywhere.

Princess Arya Stark flees her dead father’s capital of King’s Landing, disguised as a boy. And the kingdom is now divided, with several groups wanting the Throne. Robb Stark has been appalled by the treachery of the Lannister family, and has declared himself King of the North. As well, two of the dead King’s brothers also declare for the throne and plan war.

At the same time, things are happening in the North, and it seems strange and mysterious forces are making their way into the civilized lands. Also, a young woman raises a trio of dragons and plots her revenge.

Tyrion Lannister – a very cynical and intriguing character indeed – is once again one at the centre stage in this book. Using his perspective, Martin is able to provide both humor and lots of intelligence.

Each of the three major plots is developing at great pace. And like the previous book, A Clash of Kings is full of scheming, plotting, betrayal, violence and action. The strings are masterfully held together by Martin, and the world of the Seven Kingdoms in vividly clear. Another great installment in a major saga you should not miss out on.

Links to George R. R. Martin’s books: amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.

The Spine of the World, by R.A. Salvatore

Nekkidblogger — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:47:11 +0000

Among the most memorable heroes in R.A. Salvatore’s books is the dark elf, Drizzt Do’Urden. He is famous for his swordsmanship, his smartness, and his courage. He features in a large number of Salvatore’s books, and is the major character in his Paths of Darkness-series as well.

The Paths of Darkness-series, a series of four books in the larger Forgotten Realms-series, consists of The Silent Blade (1998), The Spine of the World (1999), Servant of the Shard (2000) (now in The Sellswords Trilogy), and Sea of Swords (2001).

This is the tale of how Wulfgar comes to terms with his inner demons after six years under the tortuous Erttu. It is a book without any of the other heroes of the gang – no Drizzt Do’Urden, Cattie-brie, Bruenor or Regis.

There are two separate plot-lines that come together in the end in Spine of the World. In one of the story lines, Wulfgar and Morik (whom will also meet later in the series) are framed, get beat, and leave Luskan. Wulfgar is fired from his job and then framed for attempted murder. He is also robbed of his battle axe, Aegis-fang. The other story involves characters that we’ve never met before. The king of Aukney loves a peasant girl named Meralda. She, however, does not love the king. But Meralda is forced to see him by her father, who feels very guilty about whoring out his daughter.

The two stories come together in an unpredictable way that results in a very surprising and somewhat satisfying ending. R.A. Salvatore writes skillfully, but even so I found this book to be a little slow and it didn’t really ever catch my attention fully. Of course, the book has combat and intrigue, monsters and spells, but The Spine of the World is even so not close to Salvatore’s best. A little disappointing.

More reviews of books in The Paths of Darkness-series by R. A. Salvatore.

Links to books by R.A. Salvatore. Amazon US: R. A. Salvatore, amazon UK: books by R.A. Salvatore, and amazon CAN: R. A. Salvatore.

Bones of the Dragon (Dragonships of Vindras), by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Nekkidblogger — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:28:27 +0000

Almost 25 years after their first Dragonlance book was published, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have started a new fantasy series entitled Dragonships of Vindras. Bones of the Dragon is the first of six volumes in the Dragonships of Vindras saga. Bones of the Dragon introduces a new creative world and a story full of with adventure, romance, misguided love, and conflicts between humans, dragons and ogres.

Fans of the fantasy genre know Weis and Hickman from their Dragonlance Chronicles, as well as other wonderful series such as The Deathgate Cycle, The Sovereign Stone Trilogy, and The Darksword Trilogy.

The hero of Bones of the Dragon is young Skylan Ivorson, a sea-raider of the Vindras, and a young warrior. Skylan is son to the Torgun chief—a small clan of the Vindras. He eventually, by means of the deceit of a cunning priestess, becomes the Chief of Chiefs of all the Vindras clans. This is an honor he truly feels he has deserved, by as we learn Skylan is a great fighter and courageous on the battle-field, but may not have all the other qualities desired of a great leader of the Vindras tribes.

The Vindras tribes, previously blessed by the gods, are going through a difficult period. They don’t exactly know why, but it seems their gods are no longer blessing them or answering their calls. And indeed, as it turns out, the gods are involved in a grand war themselves, that will influence and perhaps determine the fate of humanity. Skoval and the other ancient gods are under siege from a new generation of gods who are challenging them for the powers of creation. The only way to stop these brash interlopers seems to lie with the mysterious and hidden Five Bones of the Vektan Dragons.

To gather these bones is a task for the Vindras people, as the dragon-goddess’s champions. In order to have a fighting chance, they must recover all five dragon bones. However, the bones have been scattered throughout the land and their location is unknown. Yet they must be found. The fate both of the Gods and of humanity is at stake.

Weis and Hickman, who are real masters of the trade, do a wonderful job of painting a picture for the readers to understand this new world. However, since so much time is spent on world-building, it takes a while for Bones of the Dragon to build up to the adventures and developing an understanding for the story and what the series is about. The characters are multi-dimensional and interesting – some endearing, some you hate immediately, some mean, some mystical, and some many of these things. And the plot picked up considerably at the end. I found Bones of the Dragon to be an intriguing and highly entertaining book to read. And knowing Weis and Hickman, I am sure the other books in this new series will be stunning!

Order Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman’s Bones of the Dragon (Dragonships of Vindras) from amazon US, or order from amazon UK: Bones of the Dragon (Dragonships).