Rants & Raves of Jasmine’s Fiction

I in a bit of a writing dry spell recently, be it blogs or my short sexies or even trying to finish editing my unfinished works.  This is mostly due to the fact that I have been on a mad reading binge and I’m currently finishing up 4 different books simultaneously.  While I don’t claim to be (that) well read and my taste in books presently happens to be quite firmly in the Fantasy genre (you know - magic, swashbuckling, elves, faeries & dragons?) but you know what?  We all need a little bit of magic in our lives so here we go.

The 1^st of these novels is the 2^nd book of Raymond E. Feist’s Darkwar Saga – Into A Dark Realm.  This carries the story on from the first of Feist’s series; Magician, following the story of a kitchen boy named Pug.  Years down the road Pug, now a powerful magician is desperately trying to eliminate a threat that will destroy the peaceful worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan.  Leading a desperate mission to a malevolent empire called Dasati, Pug and his companions hope to gather vital information to defeat the enemy.  As with all of Feist’s works, I DEVOURED this book within several hours of non-stop nail-biting reading and I now find myself clawing at my eyes with symptoms much like drug withdrawals awaiting the next book Wrath Of A Mad God.  Only the greater powers know when it’s coming out.  I will itch and twitch in the meantime.

The 2^nd of these books is the 2^nd book of Robin Hobb’s Soldier Son Trilogy – Forest Mage.  It concerns the story of young Nevare Burvelle, a second son of a baron trying to make a place for himself in the greater scheme of things first as a cadet in the

Cavalla

Academy

(cavalry) and then trying to fight the demons within when an ancient Tree Woman of a savage race claims a part of his soul.  Entertaining as Hobb’s writing is, I sometimes find her protagonist(s) to be a little on the whiny/stand-alone-complex side.  Classic example of this can be found from her previous books, The Farseer Trilogy and The Tawny Man Trilogy.  But nevertheless, I highly recommend her works all the same.    Psst, start with her Liveship Traders Trilogy, its awesome!

My 3^rd book is also a 2^nd part book of Trudi Canavan’s Age Of The Five Trilogy – Last Of The Wilds.  If you have read my previous blog about Canavan’s Magicians Guild Trilogy you would know that I’m a HUGE fan of hers and this series is no different.  Following Aurora’s humble origins to her being chosen as an avatar of the 5 Circlian Gods when her friendship with an outcast atheist Dreamweaver threatens to destroy her future when war is forced upon them by a neighbouring nation.  Being torn between her connection to the Dreamweavers and her loyalties to her Gods, and having to fight off a mysterious plague and the return of their vicious adversaries, she is forced to make choices that will change the world forever.  I was RIVETED to every page – so far no one I’ve read has made me switch loyalties from one character to another quite like Canavan.  The 3^rd book Voice Of The Gods is already out in the States but I’m looking to complete my set of the British edition (I will insist on ENGLISH) so wait I must for it to be released here soon.  Sigh.

My 4^th book is the 1^st of Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series (which after a long and painful hunt on this side of the planet proved fruitless before a chance bargain bin book dig did I finally managed to obtain this).  The story is set in the times of the Napoleonic Wars, where Dragons are bred for use as airborne warships.  The series focuses on the title dragon, Temeraire, as he is hatched on a British Naval vessel and attaches himself to the Captain.  I find this to be very reminiscent of the Dragonriders Of Pern (by Anne McCaffery) but Novik style is very well thought out and the pace she sets for her stories are just marvellous!  I haven’t finished this yet but trust me, I’m savouring every word.  You seriously don’t feel the need to skip paragraphs in case you miss something.  I’m now officially a Novik fan.  Oh and btw, if any of you kind folks feel the need to help me source out book 2 & 3 I will be eternally grateful!

I just realised that I have made a switch from male fantasy writers to female fantasy writers.  I guess it’s because I used to find female authors relatively ‘dry’ – Janny Wurts & Mercedes Lackey and at some point even Anne McCaffery wasn’t exactly intriguing to me unfortunately.

I was all about Robert Jordan’s Wheel Of Time and David Eddings’ Elenium & Tamuli, the Belgariad & Malloreon; and his Dreamers series.  Let’s not forget Terry Brooks’s Shannara series and the legendary R.A. Salvatore with his massive Forgotten Realms epic.  And I don’t need to speak of J.R.R. Tolkien of course.  I make it a point to read at least one of his books every year and with his latest posthumous completion from Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R.’s youngest son) called The Children Of Húrin you can bet good money that I will be poring over it soon enough.

The other book I’m awaiting desperately with bated breath is from a very well known British female author.  Her 7 part series about the adventures of a young wizard has made her a household name and book sales around the world have made her richer than the Queen of England.  5 movies have been made to date, several words has been inserted into our English vocabulary (muggle being one) and people queue up overnight and dress in costume for her book launchings.  Nothing since Star Wars has there been this much hype over an author and her works.

I don’t even need to name drop.  This is none other than the great J.K Rowling and her Harry Potter series.  The 7^th and final book; Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows is due to be released in July so as soon as I finish these 4 books that I’m reading, I’ll be tearing through book 1 to 6 again (for like the 50^th time) as a lead up to book 7.

I know some of you out there feel the need to ‘fight the taste of the masses’ and NOT *gasp* read her superb works, you seriously don’t know what you are missing.  Yes Dale, I’m talking about you.  The way Rowling weaves her words, it is so complex yet her humour and the way her characters connect with each other make it a very easy read.  My sister loved it so much she went out and procured for herself the entire set of the books on CD so that she may listen to it while commuting.

Anyway, that’s enough from me for now.  If you feel the urge to pick up these books but are doubtful that you may not like them, I can guarantee that you will – (not to blow my own trumpet but) my writing style and humour reflects all my author idols – so if you have read my works and liked them, be assured that you will love my book recommendations.  Specialis Revelio!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 8:06 pm and is filed under Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.