One of the best storytellers to emerge in the last two decades has to be Patrick Rothfuss, the author of the Kingkiller Chronicles. He's only written the first two books in the trilogy and is taking his time with the final instalment. His fans including myself have been waiting for fifteen years to see how the story ends.
A grimdark fantasy novel for grown ups with a thirteen year old psychopathic anti hero at its centre. Not for the faint hearted but a fabulous read. This week we delve into the world of the prolific writer, Mark Lawrence and his trilogy which begins with Prince of Thorns.
And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release in a couple of months. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A story steeped in ancient...
In a departure from my usual weekly review of a book in the fantasy genre I am going to talk about my favourite wizard. Magic is firmly entwined in nearly every story in the genre and wizards, witches and warlocks abound. And once you've had a listen, let me know whether you agree with my choice. And if not, tell me who you prefer.
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....
M L Wang is a leading light in the world of fantasy and not just because of her excellent writing. She started by penning novels in the genre for Young Adults but has since written two books for a more mature readership that explore complex issues that resonate with the world we live in. The first to be published was Sword of Kaigen but I much prefer her later work, Blood Over Brighthaven.
One of the best examples of how a writer can mix science and magic has to be found in the Quantum Gravity series by Justina Robson. As well as magic and science, there is skullduggery, romance, elves, demons and a web of conspiracy holding everything together. Well worth a look
While Robert Heinlein is considered one of the 'big three' of Science Fiction, he also wrote a couple of excellent fantasy novels, mixing wry humour with first class story telling. Glory Road is a classic that has aged well and is just as enjoyable today as it was when it was first published more than sixty years ago. A must for all lovers of Fantasy.
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.
