C. J. Daley
The authors very kindly offered me an audible code to continue my The Prophecies of Ragnarok journey, and I’m glad to say this new narrator (Jennifer Pratt) was pretty great.
While the first book meshed atmospheric horror, a single location, and a romance plot, I found book two to build much more into the action adventure side of the storyline. Victor and Silje are star-crossed lovers, fated to love each other and struggle through the ages. And due to Victor’s godly lineage, they are constantly hunted, each big bad just a little worse than the last as the climax grows.
This makes for a pretty fast paced novel, but the authors still manage to keep a somewhat comedic air to the story with the inclusion of Victor’s British best friend. It’s also funny how as an urban fantasy, the authors were not afraid to infuse the story with misconceptions from the way the MCU presents the Norse gods.
This installment definitely worked better for me, especially with the separation of Victor and Silje, which really allowed for the latter to grow into her own character, with strength and a personality that stands on its own. Even against the biggest bad in the story, Thor.
I particularly liked the use of the Philippines for a location, as seeing authors infuse stories with their cultures or histories is always a nice turn. And this trilogy definitely has a nice diverse cast of characters.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy, Norse mythology, and unique takes on meshing those worlds, this should work really well for you.
The authors very kindly offered me an audible code to continue my The Prophecies of Ragnarok journey, and I’m glad to say this new narrator (Jennifer Pratt) was pretty great.
While the first book meshed atmospheric horror, a single location, and a romance plot, I found book two to build much more into the action adventure side of the storyline. Victor and Silje are star-crossed lovers, fated to love each other and struggle through the ages. And due to Victor’s godly lineage, they are constantly hunted, each big bad just a little worse than the last as the climax grows.
This makes for a pretty fast paced novel, but the authors still manage to keep a somewhat comedic air to the story with the inclusion of Victor’s British best friend. It’s also funny how as an urban fantasy, the authors were not afraid to infuse the story with misconceptions from the way the MCU presents the Norse gods.
This installment definitely worked better for me, especially with the separation of Victor and Silje, which really allowed for the latter to grow into her own character, with strength and a personality that stands on its own. Even against the biggest bad in the story, Thor.
I particularly liked the use of the Philippines for a location, as seeing authors infuse stories with their cultures or histories is always a nice turn. And this trilogy definitely has a nice diverse cast of characters.
If you are a fan of urban fantasy, Norse mythology, and unique takes on meshing those worlds, this should work really well for you.
From the Ashes
I received this novella to judge for the SFINCS semi-finals. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This is the prequel to The Heart of Quinaria series, and in my opinion, it does operate quite well on its own. It’s a little sparse of descriptors, but it is very focused on the story it’s centering on, so it still works.
Igtheos and Elize are an interracial married couple with a mixed child. The differences are not exactly explained, at least not in black and white, but I took the Nyrian people to be kind of elf/god like beings. The would be dictator they rebel against would put a stop to such relationships, and much more. He believes the humans to be outright beneath them. So when he offers terms for their surrender that seem to good to be true, the rebels still have no choice but to accept. That or be starved out. This is the chaos that ensues when he breaks his treaty to the rebels. It’s a good examination of hope over caution, as well as the lengths people will go for those they love (and in some sense the depths).
While being quite short, perhaps even for novella standards, this was still quite impactful. The action is big, the emotion even bigger. I really felt for the rebels cause, mostly through how the author portrays the rebel leaders. And of course, fights over equality are always hard hitting, fantasy world or not. And in my opinion, this kind of representation of evil is one of the darkest there is. Not just outright evil, not just bad and hectic, but the pointed attempt at lowering or even annihilating a people. In that sense, it is quite a heavy read though.
You feel their losses, you feel their plight, and you feel like raising up a sword in their defense.
I received this novella to judge for the SFINCS semi-finals. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This is the prequel to The Heart of Quinaria series, and in my opinion, it does operate quite well on its own. It’s a little sparse of descriptors, but it is very focused on the story it’s centering on, so it still works.
Igtheos and Elize are an interracial married couple with a mixed child. The differences are not exactly explained, at least not in black and white, but I took the Nyrian people to be kind of elf/god like beings. The would be dictator they rebel against would put a stop to such relationships, and much more. He believes the humans to be outright beneath them. So when he offers terms for their surrender that seem to good to be true, the rebels still have no choice but to accept. That or be starved out. This is the chaos that ensues when he breaks his treaty to the rebels. It’s a good examination of hope over caution, as well as the lengths people will go for those they love (and in some sense the depths).
While being quite short, perhaps even for novella standards, this was still quite impactful. The action is big, the emotion even bigger. I really felt for the rebels cause, mostly through how the author portrays the rebel leaders. And of course, fights over equality are always hard hitting, fantasy world or not. And in my opinion, this kind of representation of evil is one of the darkest there is. Not just outright evil, not just bad and hectic, but the pointed attempt at lowering or even annihilating a people. In that sense, it is quite a heavy read though.
You feel their losses, you feel their plight, and you feel like raising up a sword in their defense.
This is the prequel novella to the Malitu series, and it’s set 200 years prior to the events in book one. I’m very lucky to have been sent an arc.
Black flags in Ennea signify a messenger. They are supposed to be allowed to travel in peace, but just like real history with military drummers, refugees, and the like, “don’t shoot the messenger” is rarely upheld. The ideals of peace for some are scarier than the concept of war. Some would even kill to stop the talks of peace.
I really appreciate the juxtaposition between Isála’s sort of idealized naivety and Rione’s steadfast jaded heart. Her brusque attitude is presented as knowing better, but she’s just haunted in a different way. Teshun was of course the perfect middle man as well, turning to humor and charisma to cloak and turn away the pains of war and loss.
Isála is convinced that peace can be achieved without violence, but the first time her life is threatened, she gets rocked to the very foundations of her beliefs. Once again the author achieves a story—this time much shorter—that provokes inward thinking and a deepening understanding of those we perceive as different. And AGAIN, it’s also just a good fantasy story, so if you aren’t the deep thinker, you can still enjoy it for just what’s on the page. Dulin does great with both.
I really felt the quotes below, and I feel like as a whole, it kind of embodies the entire series:
“That is not your responsibility!”
“That is all our responsibility!”
Well written, gut punching, and deep. I did find a bit of the back and forth to be slightly repetitive, but not so much so that I lost enjoyment. This is a prequel novella that does break the mold of recent times. Even though it’s written post book one’s release, it really does stand solidly as it’s own piece of writing.
This is the prequel novella to the Malitu series, and it’s set 200 years prior to the events in book one. I’m very lucky to have been sent an arc.
Black flags in Ennea signify a messenger. They are supposed to be allowed to travel in peace, but just like real history with military drummers, refugees, and the like, “don’t shoot the messenger” is rarely upheld. The ideals of peace for some are scarier than the concept of war. Some would even kill to stop the talks of peace.
I really appreciate the juxtaposition between Isála’s sort of idealized naivety and Rione’s steadfast jaded heart. Her brusque attitude is presented as knowing better, but she’s just haunted in a different way. Teshun was of course the perfect middle man as well, turning to humor and charisma to cloak and turn away the pains of war and loss.
Isála is convinced that peace can be achieved without violence, but the first time her life is threatened, she gets rocked to the very foundations of her beliefs. Once again the author achieves a story—this time much shorter—that provokes inward thinking and a deepening understanding of those we perceive as different. And AGAIN, it’s also just a good fantasy story, so if you aren’t the deep thinker, you can still enjoy it for just what’s on the page. Dulin does great with both.
I really felt the quotes below, and I feel like as a whole, it kind of embodies the entire series:
“That is not your responsibility!”
“That is all our responsibility!”
Well written, gut punching, and deep. I did find a bit of the back and forth to be slightly repetitive, but not so much so that I lost enjoyment. This is a prequel novella that does break the mold of recent times. Even though it’s written post book one’s release, it really does stand solidly as it’s own piece of writing.