Mike Cahoon

QUICK THOUGHTS

If you’re a big reader of the genre, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say that modern fantasy just has a certain feeling. That sense of fantasy with the character focus dialed up to eleven, with action and dialogue that feels snappy and well honed. The sort of feeling you get from reading something like Sanderson’s Mistborn or Weeks’ Lightbringer. So when I say that Corbin Rook’s debut novel, Shadows of the Sundered Lands, evokes the feeling of modern fantasy in the right way, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Shadows is a character focused, action forward story that is driven by an interesting magic system, a cast that feels engaging and familiar and a plot that creates immediate investment. It is a compelling debut that establishes the world and makes big promises of what’s to come from this author.

For my FULL REVIEW, please visit;

https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-shadows-of-the-sundered-lands-by-corbin-rook/

QUICK THOUGHTS:

Despite hearing the name tossed about among my more literary friends for years, Dark Matter was my first Blake Crouch novel. I went into with somewhat high expectations, having heard the rave reviews and knowing that Crouch is popular enough to have had several adaptations of his work made, including Wayward Pines, Good Behavior and the aforementioned Dark Matter. Knowing that, I think my opinion on this book is a little skewed. I went into it expecting mind-bending Sci-Fi of the highest caliber, something that would really leave me pondering for days on end. What I got was a well written, well plotted science fiction adventure that was very interesting, but did leave me wanting more. Without going into spoilers, I can safely say that the central plot device was a fascinating concept with so many possibilities that I felt was ultimately under explored. While Crouch touches on some really interesting questions and crafts an emotional, fulfilling ending, if you’re the type of reader who loves exploring the weird and wild limits that Sci-Fi can take you to, you might be left a little underwhelmed. Despite this, I do recommend this twisty, action packed and surprisingly touching story to anyone who loves a good science fiction story.

For my FULL REVIEW, with SPOILERS, please visit:

https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-dark-matter-by-blake-crouch/

Quick thoughts

When one picks up a debut, it’s always hard to know what to expect. Often, new writers are still finding their footing, from a storytelling perspective. And confidence is one of those intangibles that can make a major difference in when it comes to writing a compelling story. The ability to commit to ideas and themes with unflinching conviction often yields a far more interesting and rewarding piece of literature than one with a tepid suggestions of an idea. In this respect, L.E. Garrison is hitting above her weight class as a debut indie author with Acts of Deicide. This book has some serious things to say about life, love, belief, redemption and the weight of humanity, and it says them without stuttering. Full of heavy themes, visceral worldbuilding and some truly dark and intense scenes, Acts is the type of story that is not for the faint of heart. Sufficed to say, the potential horrors of immortality are well explored within these pages. But for those with a strong constitution, there is deft balance of brutal darkness and inclusive romance for a story that delivers both action and genuinely touching moments.

For my Full Review, please visit;

https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-acts-of-deicide/

Quick Thoughts

We live an age where the metaphorical veil is easily pulled back on many of the darker sides of life for those who wish to peak behind it. In the age of the omnipresent and unrestricted internet, there is a raw, unfiltered confessional available for every walk of life. So it is that this biting and bleak story of self-destruction, addiction and the realities of life on the road that blurs the line between reality and fiction doesn’t feel quite as revolutionary as it might have a few decades earlier. But, despite this, the author lives up to his name as his talent for evocative and engrossing writing is on full display. An unflinching odyssey into the depths of depravity that will surely entertain those of strong stomachs and a worthy entry into the illustrious ranks of gonzo journalism style narratives.

For my Full Review, please visit: https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-running-the-light/

What makes a piece of art a classic? What makes a book important? Is the impact it had at the time of release enough, or does it need to continue to resonate with modern audiences across the ages for it to retain its status? That's the question I found myself asking as I plodded my way through my first and likely last Cormac McCarthy novel, Blood Meridian. As someone who loves both westerns and classics, I thought this novel was going to be right up my alley, but found myself sorely disappointed.

My biggest gripe with Blood Meridian is also likely one of its biggest selling points among its fans; the lack of structure. McCarthy seems far more concerned with presenting a meditation on human nature and the inherent darkness within ourselves than telling anything resembling a traditionally structured story. For much of the book, events seem to just happen, with little connective tissue to tie them together. And while this sort of gonzo, vibe driven narrative can and does work in other cases, I found myself yearning for more structure, more of a sense of the characters beyond the barely constructed cutouts that McCarthy presents us with.

Much has been made of the violence of this story, of the near constant and visceral descriptions of graphic, senseless violence. While I don't deny that these scenes were strongly written, they again did little to advance the plot. Rather, they went on so long and occurred so often that they lost much of their impact. Perhaps it is a sign of the times that I as a reader found myself bored with reading about our central characters pillaging innocent villages and scalping people, but the fact remains the same. Violence in a story is only useful in what it accomplishes for the narrative, and in this case, it felt like it accomplished very little beyond the shock value.

For my full review, please visit;

https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-blood-meridian/

As a life long Stephen King fan, I have long been curious about the work of his son, novel, comic book, and screenplay writer Joe Hill. His various projects have always sounded interesting to me, but had ended up relegated to the limbo of my endless To Be Read list in favor of other works. However, when his most recent novel launched back in October to rave reviews, I decided it was finally time to give the throne of modern horror's heir apparent his due regard. After finishing the absolute tome of a novel that is King Sorrow, I’m happy to report I really enjoyed it!

Let's get the most obvious talking point out of the way first; I think there are obvious influences from Stephen King's work (as I would expect there to be for just about any modern horror writer). But Hill does an excellent job of creating a distinct voice and style. His authorial voice reads like someone who is a fan of his father's work, not someone trying to imitate it. Which is more than I can say for many up and coming horror authors in the modern age.

For the full review, please visit; https://mikecahoon.com/book-review-king-sorrow/

As a Jack London fan, I was excited when I heard about the Iron Heel and was excited to read this book. I enjoyed many of his other works, including his collected short stories which often venture into the science fiction genre. I thought his unique style would really lend itself to a full fledged dystopian novel.

I was a bit disappointed then, that this book is less interested in being a great story, and more on espousing a specific set of political beliefs and principles. While I understand that political rhetoric is par for the course with dystopian fiction, this novel reads more like a manifesto than a work of fiction. Two thirds of this book are straight up monologues about Jack Londons personal beliefs, loosely tied together with the barest hint of a story. Honestly, most of this book would have worked better as a collection of essays. 

Although it hurts to admit, I was fully prepared to two or even one star this book by one of my personal favorite authors. I would have rated this lower had the final third of the book not veered hard into being an actual work of fiction. He does exactly what I had hoped he would do from the start and brings in some of his trademark vivid prose, grit and directness. While it does wrap up with a strong finish, I can't say the juice was worth the squeeze.

If you're a Jack London fan, I would say it's worth reading this book once, just to say you have. Otherwise, I would recommend a whole host of other, better dystopian novels.

One thing that I personally love about indie fiction is the variety. Without being beholden to the whims of the mainstream publishing industry, indie authors are free to explore new and unique sub-genres, styles and take interesting risks. Keon Shore's debut, The Bad Apothecary, is a perfect example of the kind of cool, genre challenging variety that's coming out of the indie scene.

I received an ARC copy of this book without knowing anything about cultivation novels or their history. For those uninitiated, this style of writing draws its roots from Asian literature and was popularized by webnovels, focusing on a style of magic system called “cultivation”. In practice, this means the characters are focused on developing their abilities through a sort of defined leveling system, in this case called tiers. Comparisons can be drawn to the massively popular LitRPG genre, but these novels have a whole slew of their own tropes and conventions, and it was interesting to dive into this new world for someone who's spent his life mostly safely nestled in the embrace of western speculative fiction.

I freely admit that at first, the structure and style took some getting used to. But once I got into the rhythm it was quite enjoyable and I found myself flying through this and having quite a bit of fun with it. Shore's story is dark and gritty, but heavily emotional and full of strong moments that help you develop a real sense of connection to these characters. She does an excellent job of balancing her characters strengths with their struggles and weaknesses. Big wins feel earned and we are allowed appropriate room to properly feel their failures.

The story moves at a quick pace, throwing you into a world that is both alien yet easily accessible. The Asian inspired, “arcane punk” setting is fun and feels different than most other fantasy. Between the setting, the magic system and the characters, I found myself reminded of some of the classic anime shows movies I remember watching as a teenager, but with a more mature edge. If that sounds like it would be up your alley, I would recommend you check out this awesome new series!

I went into this book with no info but what was on the blurb and I can confidently say it was one of the most unexpected reading experiences I've had in a long while. Winter crafts a dystopian tale that eschews all the predictable tropes and story beats and keeps you guessing at every turn. 

Winter takes big swings with this one. It is ambitious, aiming to bring the reader to both emotional and philosophical extremes. It moves along quickly, never stopping to hold the readers hand nor soften the emotional blows. Rather, it is concerned with getting to the meat of the ideas play here. A fantastic example of how far you can go within a genre that is often plagued by a collection of overdone tropes and character types. 

Worth checking out for anyone interested in an unpredictable journey that will push you outside your reading comfort zone.

This was a great book with solid, straightforward advice for those interested in digging themselves out of debt and getting on their feet. The author did a good job of keeping things simple and practical, while also giving plenty of personal advice and examples from his own life and experiences. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a little help with their debt or who wants to make the most of their money!

I started Project Hail Mary as a book club read and was cautiously optimistic. I had of course seen the tidal wave of good reviews and all the hype, magnified by the recent release of the upcoming movie’s trailer. But I always worry when any book is getting that much attention. The risk of over hype from people jumping in the “bandwagon” is something I’ve been burned by before. Luckily, this was not one of those times.

This was my first Andy Weir novel. I had heard about his work for years and of course seen The Martian with Mark Wahlberg, but never gotten around to reading his actual books. Now that I have, what struck me the most was his unique gift for infusing an undeniable sense of humanity into his science fiction story. Don’t get me wrong, as a writer Weir has many strengths.

His passion for the science part of science fiction shines through on just about every page. His writing conveys a sense of technological wonder while still being extremely palpable, even to someone with zero scientific background like myself. He has a real knack for establishing a world that feels just a few years removed from our own, like we’re reading an account of something that might actually happen in about ten years. Pair this with his ability to create engaging yet flawed characters and maintain a steady, well structured story, Weir has a winning formula. It’s immediately plain to see where his success has come from.

For my full review, including spoilers, please visit; https://mikecahoon.com/project-hail-mary-by-andy-weir/

What does it mean to be haunted nowadays? Virtually every culture in human history has a mythology concerning some incarnation of life after death. Stories about ghosts, spirits, demons and devils…they are as prevalent as any religion on earth. We have long been fascinated by the idea of otherworldly forces reaching out from beyond the veil, mysterious, often malevolent, and an ever present cultural touchstone that remains a staple in our modern media. But how do these myths and superstitions manifest in the age of the internet and smart phones and skepticism as the default setting for most normal people? Gus Moreno’s modern horror novel delves into that question in a book that is undeniably unsettling and uniquely captivating.

Using the all too real set up, This Thing Between Us hits the ground running by plunging the reader into the midst of a survivors struggle to cope with his wife’s untimely and gruesome passing. Our protagonist and point of view character is Thiago, an underachieving, second generation immigrant who lives his life perpetually as an outsider. He is a non-Spanish speaking Mexican who’s never quite fit in anywhere and never been able to make things in his life quite come together. Through a series of semi-secondary point of view flashbacks, we come to understand that the only thing in his life that truly seems to grant him some sense of belonging is his relationship to his now deceased wife, Vera. Interlaced between the current events of Thiago dealing with the fall out of Vera’s death, the retroactive unfolding and dissection of the relationship between them is truly one of the highlights of the novel. It builds in the reader a strong sense of connection with the couple and helps deepen the dread one feels as Moreno allows the events leading to her death to be revealed.

For my full review, please visit: https://mikecahoon.com/this-thing-between-us-by-gus-moreno/

Love, death, sacrifice; the big touchstones that give life meaning. These are the themes that hit home for most of us, creating some sense of shared experience with our fellow humans. It is this central core focus that gives Stephen King’s door-stopper novel, 11/22/63, its sense of tension, relatability and bittersweet catharsis that elevates it beyond the sum of its parts. Perpetually late to the party as I am, I only recently tackled the Master of Horror’s widely praised novel. Despite the novels critical acclaim and the its near universal praise for illustrating King’s authorial prowess, not just a horror writer, but a genuine master of the craft, I found many reasons to put off reading this one. I could blame a lot of contributing factors for this, but ultimately it comes down to my own proclivity to let me short attention span get the best of me. Like the proverbial squirrel, I am ever distracted by new, shiny things. So, while this particular book has sat on my TBR for years, I let it get pushed to the back burner over and over again in favor of some new, exciting release.

Recently, I got the notification from Libby (not for the first time) that 11/22/63 was available from my local library and I decided it was finally time to tackle the looming giant that I had time and time again ignored. Now, I gratefully thank whatever literary gods I finally made the commitment because, as it turns out, the master of horror can spin a genre blending tale of historical fiction, thriller and romance that keeps you glued to the page as well as any of his more spine tingling fare when he the mood strikes him.

For my full review, please visit: https://mikecahoon.com/11-22-63-by-stephen-king/

Empire of the Summer Moon is one of the most eye opening books I've read concerning the realities of the white settlers expansion into the west and their conflicts with the Native American peoples. It presents, in stark detail, violent lives many of these people faced and the unrelentingly grim reality of the growing countries war with the native people. The author does an amazing job of presenting both sides of the conflict, not shying away from the brutality of the Americans nor the Indians, but rather showing how both committed terrible acts upon the other in pursuit of their goals. He also masterfully manages not to endorse either side, presenting the story in an engaging manner without promoting one or the other as the “hero” or the “villain”.

Quick Review:
Excellent example of fantasy written specifically for a modern audience. Heavy focus on world-building and character development, with a straightforward plot that is obviously carefully crafted to be laser focused on a smaller cast of characters to minimize distractions. Recommended for all fantasy fans and those looking to get into the genre.

Details:
After hearing about Sanderson and his ever expanded collection of fantasy books, I finally picked up my first one with Mistborn and was not disappointed. Sanderson creates a world that is both fascinating and engrossing, establishing just enough lore to tease the reader with without overwhelming them. He masterfully establishes well thought out magic systems which work well to complement the character arcs and the overall plot without being too complicated.

Sanderson's character work is also worth noting. He establishes likable and sympathetic characters that the reader immediately latches on to without much resistance. The cast is colorful and quirky, without being obnoxious or grating. He consistently uses their actions and their struggles to build a sense of endearment, helping the reader cheer for their plan to succeed. Characters arcs are fulfilling and fully fleshed out, creating emotionally charged resolutions which are reminiscent of some big movie popcorn moments.

If there's one flaw in Sanderson's work, it's his rather basic writing style. His plot is fairly straightforward forward with twists that are fairly easy to spot early on for anyone familiar with the genre, and his prose is very simplistic and straightforward. This is helpful for not getting lost in overly flowery descriptions, but it can make the book seem repetitive at times. Often, the book can seem almost like a screenplay for a movie or tv show rather than a novel.

Overall, a great experience, I am looking forward to more Sanderson in my future.

Quick Review:
Another great entry in the City Watch collection of the Discworld series. Dives deeper into the world, lore and expands on the role of the Watch as it becomes a greater force in the city. All the characters you've come to love over the first two books are back and get great development, especially Vimes and Angua. The central mysteries are interesting and the plot moves along at quick pace helping to keep the reader engaged. Solid recommend!

Details:
Pratchett once again exemplifies his mastery of storytelling and plotting as he balances multiple major storylines and subplots and brings them together into a satisfying conclusion as few authors could. His ability to create engaging characters that are somehow humorous and entertaining without sacrificing even an ounce of depth is amazing to witness. The Watch are like a group of friends you can't help but love and root for to succeed in all their misadventures.

Like all Discworld books, the story is hilarious and absurd while managing to tackle major social issues with subtle grace unseen in most fiction. It is a testimony to the author and the strength of the series that each book has managed to tackle controversial subjects without ever seeming preachy or overly sanctimonious. Similarly, it's amazing the way Pratchett is able to give each character such a unique personality without turning them into caricatures, making the reader identify with even the strangest members of his cast of characters.

Once again, Pratchett has put forth a damn near perfect book. His world continues to grow and develop in new and interesting ways and pulls one into it as few others can.

Quick Review:
An excellent installment in the series, brings back much of magic that was missing from the second book. Greater focus on the characters and their journey through the world. An interesting storyline with a great ending. Recommended for anyone who wants to keep going with this series or explore the world further.

Details:
Le Guinn really returns to form with the third installment in the Earthsea cycle. Ged takes center stage again, but shares the spotlight with Arren, a young noble. Ged takes more a mentoring, fatherly role to a character that could be a stand in for himself in this book, which really highlights the wisdom and character growth he has had in the implied time between this and his first appearance. The interesting evolution of his character is refreshing and engaging for readers who have stuck with the series this far.

The storyline is quite engaging, presenting a mysterious affliction which is spreading throughout the world. Ged and Arren seek the source, traveling across many lands and encountering different peoples. It is very much a return the roots of the series, a real sense of adventure and wonder being present. The ending is quite good too as, despite being somewhat predictable, it leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction.

The greater focus on character development and stronger plot in this book really helps elevate it out of the slump that was the Tombs of Atuan. I greatly enjoyed this book and it has helped encourage me to continue with the series. I want to take a moment to also commend Le Guinn on how she doesn't hesitate to have her characters change and develop through her series. Many authors tend to return to a comfortable status quo, but she has really shown herself to be willing to let her characters evolve as they need to to continue developing her story.

Quick Review:
Absolutely perfect satirizing of religion, philosophy, belief and sociology which somehow manages to be bitingly witty and endearingly hopeful at the same time. The characters are incredibly engaging and the story keeps you simultaneously laughing and on the edge of your seat the entire time. Highly recommended for anyone interested and an absolute must read for die hard fantasy fans.

Details:
Pratchett's Discworld is an example of everything the fantasy genre can be at its best, and Small Gods is like a perfectly distilled thesis statement for the entirety of the series as a whole. It's easy to talk about Pratchett's legendary humor and wittiness, but the journey of faith portrayed in this book has to be one of the most rewarding and memorable stories of its kind put to page. The central character is instantly lovable like few other protagonists, and every other character is written to be interesting and memorable.

It brilliantly satirizes religion and belief systems as well as philosophy and sociology, while somehow avoiding the trap of mean spirited rhetoric or belittling those who do believe. Pratchett retains a sense of hopeful optimism and thoughtfulness that is refreshing and nearly impossible to find in the modern worlds political rhetoric.

Quick Review:
Expands on the world and lore of Earthsea established in the first book. Darker and more mature than the first novel, with heavy religious themes. The first few chapters are undeniably a slog but would recommend for fans of the first book who are interested in exploring the world further.

Detail:
It's hard to review this book without going in detail about the plot and the specifics. This is because it is so different in terms of plot and form when compared to the first book. The change in perspective is jarring yet could have been a great tool to create an engaging story hook. However, the age of this fantasy series really shows here as the perspective change is almost exclusively used to dive into specific lore elements for chapter after chapter before getting to the real story. Even when the story got going around the second half of the book, I found myself wishing I could get more of Ged's perspective rather than being stuck in the main characters POV.

All this is not to say the book has no redeeming factors. It's an interesting study of fanatical religious beliefs and of the way in which people develop their way of seeing the world. The central character is engaging and sympathetic enough that the reader roots for her to overcome her circumstances. I only wish we could have spent more time with her development and relationship to Ged. The dark, mature tone and claustrophobic was a excellent as the world building is top notch as per usual of Le Guinn. All in all, I enjoyed the story enough that I wished for more of the later chapters, despite the slog at the beginning.

Quick Review:
Overall, an engaging SF mystery which relies on slow building plot and nonlinear storytelling to keep the reader engaged. Connections are slowly revealed and characters are developed in a way that creates a emotional depth and investment in the lives of these fictional people. Beautiful writing but slow-paced and meandering, recommend for fans of the author, the sub-genre, anyone looking for a dive into a more methodical mystery that focuses on the people involved more so than the actual plot.

Details:
This was my first book by Mandel and it was an overall good experience. I went in fairly blind, reading only the barest of synopsis beforehand, and that definitely helped my enjoyment of the overall experience. There is a nonlinear element at play which is all the more interesting having gone into this story without knowing about it ahead of time. Mandel's writing is beautiful and draws you in with its almost ethereal tone, like something written at an older, more refined time period.

The science fiction themes and world building are light and more window dressing to help facilitate the authors true focus; the exploration of characters and there development. All the suspense comes from the slow unfolding of the story, the connections of various characters to others and the realization of the impact their choices eventually make. As such, Mandel did a good job of creating unique and realistic characters with their own distinctive voices.

However, this focus does mean the plot l meanders somewhat and I did struggle at parts because I wanted more focus on the main storyline. A few storylines and questions are seemingly unanswered or underdeveloped at the end which can be a bit frustrating. Despite this, overall it was a good story with very interesting ideas and engaging characters.

Quick Review:
This book has been considered a staple of fantasy for years and for good reason. The author developed one of the most interesting worlds and softer magic systems ever put to page, taking inspiration from multiple mythologies and cultures. A great, quick read for anyone interested in fantasy and an absolute must for fantasy fans.

Details:
It's hard to overstate just how formative the Earthsea cycle is for fantasy as a genre. Le Guinn performed a masterclass in quality writing and subverting tropes, developing a world that feels familiar yet wholly it's own. There is so much to enjoy in this short, tightly written story, from the world building to the magic system to the characters and social interactions.

It is a product of its time however, and to be fair it does not hold up in terms of pure entertainment value to many of the more action or character development focused stories offered today. Go into it knowing it is going to be a great literary experience and not the book version of a summer blockbuster though, and you won't be disappointed.

Quick Review:
Good supernatural crime thriller with all your typical Stephen King-isms; graphic violence and a ponderous pace with a heavy focus on atmospheric storytelling and slow build tension. If you like King, you'll probably like this book. If you don't, it won't convert you.

Details:
The Outsider is my first King book in a while and I can say it's like sliding into an old pair of comfortable shoes I'd forgotten about in the back of closet. King wheels out all the old classics of his writing style to deliver a story that builds slowly, allowing the tension to distill to a point where it's tough to put the book down towards the end. The development of a haunting atmosphere is immaculately done and establishes a world where things are realistic but just a bit strange as few but King can.

The cast of characters is quirky but not in a way that takes you out of the story. The build up is extremely slow and this book probably could have dropped about a quarter of its overall length and been better for it. Overall, a solid read for any long term King fan or anyone wanting to dip their toes into the the behemoth that is Kings body of work.

Quick Review:
A perfect follow up to Guards! Guards! and continuation of the City Watch subseries of Discworld. Improves on everything from the first novel and continues to build up the world in interesting and meaningful ways.

Details:
It's hard to talk about about Men At Arms without spoiling the plot, as it's such an interesting development of the world, the characters and the direction of the series as a whole. What I can say is almost every story beat set up of Guards is expanded on in meaningful ways in this novel. If you liked Guards, you'll love Men At Arms. Highly recommended for anyone reading fantasy.

Quick Review:
An excellent entry point into Pratchett's hilarious satirical fantasy series, Discworld. Worth reading for new fantasy readers and an absolute must for long term fans of the genre.

Details:
Follow the city watch as it investigates a series of dragon attacks in the fantastical city of Ankh-Morpork. Guards! Guards! Is an absolutely hilarious introduction into Pratchett's satirical take on the fantasy genre. The characters are charming and funny yet engaging in a way that shows just how talented Pratchett was. Discworld presents an ingenious parody of traditional fantasy tropes while telling a compelling story in its own right. Introduces some of the best recurring characters in the whole of Discworld. Highly recommended for fantasy fans and casuals alike.

A good introduction into the series. Treads very familiar ground for anyone familiar with the fantasy genre but does it well and establishes an interesting world with lore unique enough to set it apart. Recommended for anyone looking for a classic fantasy story with an easy writing style and strong worldbuilding.