Pacific Book Review

My book The Dragonkin Legacy has gotten nothing less than a stellar review from Pacific Book Review. You can read the full review via this link, and below are the highlights:

"The past is never truly dead. While much of the past and its history are often written by the victors – ancient relics, forgotten cities, and hidden legacies often find a way of unveiling themselves as the sands of time blow away little by little. Sometimes by looking to the past and learning from those who came before, a person or group of people can gain insight and foresight to face challenges that can change the course of an entire civilization.

Immediately readers are thrust into a world of magic, war, and visceral imagery. The world-building the author utilized in this omnibus was phenomenal, making each and every chapter and setting feel rich with history and the characters alive on the page. The author expertly weaves mystery and suspense into the story to make the world feel richer and more alluring, with each chapter unveiling a new aspect of the land of Cynnahu’s political power structure and the ways in which the mages use magic, making this world feel both fantastic and wondrous and yet incredibly dangerous as the Snake-Folk and their connection to the ancient Dragonkin are unveiled.

Fans of high-fantasy based storytelling and epic fantasy novels with a coming-of-age infusion will love this omnibus. The character-driven narrative was incredibly strong, from the father and son dynamic that delves into questions of legacy and living up to it between Myrriden and Emrys, to the dangerous and emotional path of vengeance that drives Sakura after losing her family and her entire people in the first bloody conflict of the series. The exploration of grief and how it motivates people in the wake of great tragedy was a great way to add more depth to her character arc and engage in a more grounded aspect of such a powerfully magical narrative. A story filled with twists and turns, epic world building full of history that feels ancient as the reader devours the book, and a memorable prose in the author’s writing style that really makes the reader feel rooted in the world made this blend of politics, war, and fantasy a must-read."

There is news on the wind. Emphasis on the plural.

Quote of the month

"If you want to write anything that works, you have to go with the grain of your talent, not against it. If your talent is inert and sullen in the face of business or politics...but takes fire at the thought of ghosts and vampires and witches and demons then feed the flames, feed the flames." - Sir Philip Pullman 

I have started The Legion of Flame, book two of Anthony Ryan's The Draconis Memoria trilogy

I have started The Legion of Flame, book two of Anthony Ryan's The Draconis Memoria trilogy.

The White has awoken. It is logical, perhaps, that after centuries of human Blood-blessed drinking the blood of drakes to build vast realms that drakes would want to return the favor. Yet the White builds nothing, only Spoils and destroys, warping living minds and flesh even as the flames and spears of its winged cousins and Spoiled slaves burn and kill. No longer a legend, now the White is real and many – and determined to incinerate the world of humans.

So here's hoping the vision-prophesy Clay ironically got from the White's blood can lead to a means of destroying it, and that Lizanne has similar luck behind Corvantine lines. Regardless, I think the Imperial and Corporate Age is about to come to a fiery conclusion.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave

At long last, a new Fire Emblem in the recently announced Fortune's Weave!

As the Crest Stones, Heroes Relics, but mostly Sothis herself makes fairly clear, we are back in Fódlan. With Sothis' age indicating we are either in the distant past or a future so far flung that the events of Three Houses and, seemingly, even the nations of that era are ancient history. Hence the current debate is simply whether Fortune's Weave will be a sequel or a prequel, with my money being on the former. But what I find most interesting, and tantalizing, is a common theme I see in the Youtube comments. Let me share a few:

"The Divine Sothis will grace us with another 5 years of Three Houses discourse."

"Crazy how the discourse for 3 houses lasted longer than the actual war in 3 houses."

"4 more years of 3h discourse!!"

"YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE IT!
THREE HOUSES DISCOURSE IS ETERNAL!!!"

Pretty much. Three Houses being as filled with grief, trauma, and world-shaking choices as it was, the Fire Emblem fandom has been hotly debating the ethics of the characters and choices ever since. For myself, twice I fought beside Edelgard von Hresvelg and the rest of the Black Eagle Strike Force so as to build a world where none need ever again hide from the sun because they know too much, were a failed pawn, or have abilities that "threaten stability". A place where a Shadow Library of banned books need not exist underground or dance to the tune of a Church built on deliberately told lies. Twice I left Fódlan united and free from an antiquated class system under Edelgard's meritocracy, with Those Who Slither In The Dark and the Immaculate One dead. As Edelgard famously said, "When humanity stands strong and people reach out for each other... there's no need for gods." Thus do I declare that, sequel or prequel, come what may, I will gladly and proudly fight again to achieve the world she envisioned.

I have finished The Waking Fire, book one of Anthony Ryan's The Draconis Memoria trilogy

I have finished The Waking Fire, book one of Anthony Ryan's The Draconis Memoria trilogy.

The world is divided, half ruled by the tyrannical imperialism of Corvantine Empire and half by the corporate ideology of the Ironship Trading Syndicate. Both fueled by the blood of drakes and powers they below upon their Blood-Blessed drinkers. Yet deep in the Interior of Arradsia slept a terrible power that feels naught but hate towards humanity. A power, a drake labeled myth, that while dreaming killed or Spoiled tens of thousands. A drake now terribly awake, bringing the ancient Seer's prophesy dark fruition. War is coming, revolution is nigh; and Lizanne Lethridge, Shareholder and trained spy, Claydon Torcreek Longrifle and betrayed, and Corrick Hilemore, acting Ironship Captain and negotiator, must ride the waves to end the coming storm. For the White knows no mercy.

No Grimdark here and I absolutely intend to finish this breathtakingly unique masterwork.

My father and I just finished The City Beyond the Stars by Zohra Nabi

My father and I just finished The City Beyond the Stars by Zohra Nabi, sequel to her The Kingdom Over the Sea.

"Beneath these stars and on this sea,
An ancient spell once carried me."

So Yara Sulimayah ended the Alchemists' rule, with storytelling and friends brave and true. From refugee Settlement to the Grand High Sorceress' home, to ancient Manat where brass Griffins roamed. With heart and bravery, sorcery and skill, and a most indomitable will, she saved Zehaira for those with magic and without, and her choice was right beyond doubt.

Rhymes aside, that was incredible. Dad and I have read countless Fantasies, and this one shown like a magnificent ruby for its heart. From the prologue of The Kingdom Over the Sea to the final pages of The City Beyond the Stars, we felt their struggle to the bone. From terrible griefs and soul-shattering revelations, to daring rescues and friendships turned so deep they become family. To the terrible choices we have to make to protect those we love and the need, the gritty non-magical determination it takes to build a better future after crushing tragedy.

May the stars watch over you Yara, Mehnoor, Rafi, Ajal, Leyla, Meri, Ismah Parveen, and Aaliya. May you rebuild Sultanate of Zehaira into the place of magic and science, healing and community, it deserves to be.