One of the most delightful trilogies to hit the bookshops in the last few years has been the Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. Grim, dark, and bloody, it borrows from Norse mythology and the author adds his own brand of magic and mystery to create an unforgettable series, The Shadow of the Gods, The Hunger of the Gods and The Fury of the Gods.
Probably the finest fantasy book inspired by ancient Chinese history and mythology written by a Western author is Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. Learn more here
And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for...
This week we look at the work of Gene Wolfe. His series The Book of the New Sun is widely admired by authors of the fantasy genre. Each volume is carefully crafted with not a word out of place. But it is not for the faint hearted....
And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and...
A writer who has faded into the background somewhat in recent years is Michael Moorcock. He was a prolific author in the 1960s, 70's and 80s and his influence on the modern fantasy genre should not be underestimated. One of his greatest creations was the crimson eyed albino, Elric, who wielded the sentient and malevolent sword, Stormbringer, the drinker of souls.
You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you do so. It does...
One of my favourite series is The Black Company by Glen Cook. First published in the 1990s, the books became best sellers a second time twenty years later when they were reissued. This is in part I think due to the fact that truly high quality Grimdark novels are rare as hen's teeth. And lets be fair. When Glen Cook first published these books the term Grimdark hadn't yet been invented.
This is a book which is largely overlooked nowadays but is a marvellous Grimdark fantasy inspired by Norse Saga. Published in the same year as The Lord of the Rings it is far bleaker and more savage than Tolkein's epic. You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I earn a tiny commission if you do so. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go go making more of these podcasts.
One of the best authors of epic fantasy has to be David Gemmell. His debut novel, Legend, is one of the best debut novels ever written in the genre and launched the career of a writer who was a master of plotting and storytelling.
You can buy the book here by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you buy through my website. All proceeds go towards making more of these podcasts
Neil Gaiman is a profilic writer. Much of his work has transferred successfully to the screen. His Sandman comic series was developed into a very stylish and elegant TV series. As was what many consider his best work, American Gods.
While tales about swords and sorcery have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, the genre as we know it, only began to take shape about a century ago with Rober E Howard’s Conan the Barbarian. There were a few others writing in a similar style all those years ago and most of those have been forgotten. But not Fritz Leiber. His tales about two morally ambiguous thieves who lived in the city of Lankhmar remain as fresh today as they did...
There are few writers in the fantasy genre who come anywhere close to Stephen Donaldson when it comes to world building. He creates a world with unforgettable characters and utterly distinctive creatures. While most writers stick to elves, dwarves, wizards and the like, he goes that extra mile to allow the reader to suspend disbelief and lose themselves in the stories he writes. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are a prime example.
The latest episode in my fantasy book review using my avatar, Lord Yama. It's aimed at those who love fantasy and science fiction but have run out of things to read. A place to discover hidden gems that seem to have been lost in time, as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading SFF. Lord Yama is an ancient Chinese deity, the...
One of the best writers of fantasy to emerge in the twenty first century has to be Anthony Ryan. He is a prolific author who struggled to get published. He forced his way onto the scene by publishing his first novel, Blood Song, himself. It sold enough copies to grab the attention of a major publisher, and he hasn't looked back since.
AND WHILE YOU ARE HERE......... YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.......ANDREW'S BOOK, A JADE TREASURY
Ann Rice is not always a writer associated with the fantasy genre. She is better know for horror. Her Vampire Chronicles are well known. But she produced a wonderful book that perhaps no one else would even attempt, yet alone succeed in writing. I am not a Christian but her reimagining of the childhood of Jesus is a delight.
Andre Norton might be best known for her Witchworld series but to my mind an earlier novel, The Beastmaster, is at least of good. Perhaps a little more Sci Fi than Fantasy but a great read.
Another episode in my fantasy book review using my Avatar, Lord Yama. A podcast to uncover hidden gems, trilogies and series that seem to have been lost in time, as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading SFF. Lord Yama is an ancient Chinese deity, the lord of hell, who judges souls and decides on their fate.
bxjk4a9znua32scgjt5qfjtehw3s882.86 KB While he is away on campaign fighting for his emperor, jealous rivals kidnap Jingli, the wife of the hero Ox and sell her to slavers heading for the brothels of distant Shu. Thinking her dead, the warrior drowns his grief in blood and death until one day a wizard tells him she yet lives. Ox must raise an army to try to rescue her.
The latest episode in my fantasy book review using my avatar, Lord Yama. It's aimed at those who love fantasy and science fiction but have run out of things to read. A place to discover hidden gems and brilliant novels, trilogies and series that seem to have been lost in time, as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading...
Spoil, examines the way the West looted millions of priceless relics from China during the colonial era. His book tells the story of when they were stolen, who stole them and where they are now. Many looted items are still on display in museums throughout the world. In Spoil, Andrew suggests that it is time to give back what was taken and offers a way to do so which which could work for everyone. This short film highlights some of the highlights from the book.
