Book Review: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

This book came highly recommended from a good friend of mine and caught me at a good time when I wanted to try something new. I had heard about it, but hadn't really committed to reading it. I am glad I did. Here's the Goodreads blurb for some context:

An impulsive word can start a war.
A timely word can stop one.
A simple act of friendship can change the course of history.

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god.
He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person.
He has never once touched his lord.
He has never called him by name.
He has never initiated a conversation.

One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday.

The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy.
The acceptance upends the world.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris is Brandon Sanderson's first published novel and one that I've read now maybe 3 times. It's a standalone fantasy which makes it easy to pick up. The particular version I first got was a paperback whose blurb was very character-centric with almost no premise to the story. It wasn't until I read the short prologue that I actually picked it up to read. Regardless, after reading it a few times I realized I hadn't written a blog for it. So here it is.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

This is the second book in the Teixcalaan series by Arkady Martine and follows a few months after the prior, A Memory of Empire. Here is the Goodreads blurb:

An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass—still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire—face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Whether they succeed or fail could change the fate of Teixcalaan forever.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

The Shadow Rising is the 4th book of The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I've been slowly re-reading the books and have watched the new TV series as well. While there is a much I didn't remember, some aspects of Book 4 I did actually recall to some degree. Also, having recently re-read Dune by Frank Herbert, I can't help but see all the parallels between these two series.

Read on for my spoiler-free review. Note that as part of a series, the prior books are considered fair game for spoiler material.

Book Review: Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson

Cytonic is the third book in the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson, following Skyward and Starsight. For some reason I thought this was a trilogy but it is at least 4 books long. There's also a handful of collaborative novellas in this universe as well, though I have yet to read those. Regardless, this is a very interesting sci-fi series from an author better known for fantasy.

As part of a series, the prior books are fair-game when it comes to spoilers, but I'll avoid major ones here.

Book Review: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

This is the third book in The Wheel of Time and, with a title of The Dragon Reborn, you know this book is one of the big turning points in the series. Following several months after the events of The Great Hunt, we find our characters facing new threats and learning new secrets as the mysteries of the Prophecies of the Dragon unfold.

Read on for my review. As before, prior books in the series are considered fair game in terms of spoilers.

Book Review: The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

This is the second book of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (and finished by Brandon Sanderson). I'll probably read at least the first 3 to mentally prepare myself for the new TV series. This one follows straight after The Eye of the World and continues the adventures of Rand, Perrin, Mat, and the others in their struggle to stay alive and figure out why the Dark One is hunting them.

Read on for my review. I avoid major spoilers for this book, but assume you've read the prior ones.

Book Review: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

I have read The Eye of the World, the first book of The Wheel of Time, probably 3 times since I first discovered it more than a dozen years ago. It's stayed with me all this time and with the announcement of an actual TV series based on it (not the vague rumors from years ago), I knew I had to at least re-read the first book to re-acquaint myself with the characters and the legend of the Dragon. One of the largest Epic fantasy stories of modern times, it deserves to be read by fans of the genre.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.