Myth WeaverI read a lot - a book a day, or close to it, almost all of it on Kindle these days, tending towards Indie fantasy/SF books. Lately, I have taken to posting basic reviews of some of these books on Facebook.
Criteria (More or Less) -
First, I had to have actually finished the book in question.
Second, the main focus is on books that don't have a huge number of reviews - more than a few hundred and I'll usually, though not always pass.
Third, if I can't remember most of the book after looking over the blurb and maybe reading a sample, I'll pass.
Fourth, it can't be the second or third or fourth book in a series. A related book set in the same world, maybe.
What follows is a selection from the first thirty or so of these reviews, along with the relevant links.
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ASTERISK ASSESSEMENTS
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BOOK OF ZOG
ALEC HUTSON
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is literally a Lovecraftian abomination…with a sense of ethics. Several other characters also have unique backgrounds.
SETTING: * * * *
Part of the story takes place in the depths of space. Most of it happens on a fantasy world with emerging civilizations.
PLOT: * * * *
The MC attempts to understand his nature and create a place for himself, a process that takes hundreds if not thousands of years. Ultimately, the MC and his allies defend the planet from other Lovecraftian interlopers.
QUALITY: * * *
The time skips were a bit disconcerting, and some characters received superficial attention.
OVERALL: * * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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THE CRIPPLED KING
Book 1 of the Dwarves of Ice-Cloak
TRAE MCMAKEN
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is a bitter dwarf prospector who becomes a leader. The other characters – all dwarves – have interesting and credible motivations.
SETTING: * * * *
Isolated Dwarf settlements with rigid social structures and mines set in a cold, rugged mountain range.
PLOT: * * *
Part social revolution, part building a new dwarf city.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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LIES & LABYRINTHS
NV OZMUS
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is a girl skilled at lying who tricks others into falsely believing she has magic.
SETTING: * * *
A magical academy.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex, dealing with the MC’s internal conflicts, her deceptions, and dark secrets that threaten the academy and much else.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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THE MAN WITHOUT HANDS
Book 1 of Suleniar’s Enigma
ERIC MALIKYTE
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
Both MC’s have credible personalities and motivations.
SETTING: * * * *
The action is split between Earth and a hidden city on an alien world threatened by nearly invincible eldritch monsters.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex. Focused ‘the cost of hiding,’ with plenty of intrigue and the consequences of poor choices.
QUALITY: * * * * *
OVERALL: * * * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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MIDNIGHT ON THE MANATEE
DH WILLISON
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC’s are ordinary fantasy world people – not all of them human - with credible motivations and personalities.
SETTING: * * *
A fragmented coastal fantasy realm of isolated settlements separated by a landscape dominated by hostile creatures.
PLOT: * * * *
A desire to escape constrained lives leads to a terrifying voyage on a sinister ship.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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AN OCEAN OF OTHERS
Book 1 of Dance of the Sibling Suns
JOSHUA SCOTT EDWARDS
CHARACTERS: * * *
The MC is a ‘stock fantasy bounty hunter/investigator.’ His companions are distinct, but also fairly standard.
SETTING: * * * *
Decaying fantasy city recently decimated by a riot and partly overseen by a militant ‘Agency.’
PLOT: * * *
Investigative, with assorted lethal twists and turns.
QUALITY: * * * *
Interesting, moved at a good pace.
OVERALL: * * * *
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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OGYGIA: ECHATOS DIAGRAM
MONTY ST JOHN
CHARACTERS: * * * *
The MC is a skilled computer programmer subject to bizarre dreams or visions. Both he and the more important secondary characters are well developed.
SETTING: * * * *
Most of the book is set in the western United States. The ‘visions’ or ‘flashes’ that afflict the MC take place on fantasy worlds.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex. A routine programming job taken by the MC reveals the true nature of his ‘flashes’ and himself.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
Criteria (More or Less) -
First, I had to have actually finished the book in question.
Second, the main focus is on books that don't have a huge number of reviews - more than a few hundred and I'll usually, though not always pass.
Third, if I can't remember most of the book after looking over the blurb and maybe reading a sample, I'll pass.
Fourth, it can't be the second or third or fourth book in a series. A related book set in the same world, maybe.
What follows is a selection from the first thirty or so of these reviews, along with the relevant links.
-0-0-0-0-
ASTERISK ASSESSEMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
BOOK OF ZOG
ALEC HUTSON
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is literally a Lovecraftian abomination…with a sense of ethics. Several other characters also have unique backgrounds.
SETTING: * * * *
Part of the story takes place in the depths of space. Most of it happens on a fantasy world with emerging civilizations.
PLOT: * * * *
The MC attempts to understand his nature and create a place for himself, a process that takes hundreds if not thousands of years. Ultimately, the MC and his allies defend the planet from other Lovecraftian interlopers.
QUALITY: * * *
The time skips were a bit disconcerting, and some characters received superficial attention.
OVERALL: * * * *
Amazon.com: The Book of Zog eBook : Hutson , Alec : Kindle Store
Amazon.com: The Book of Zog eBook : Hutson , Alec : Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
THE CRIPPLED KING
Book 1 of the Dwarves of Ice-Cloak
TRAE MCMAKEN
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is a bitter dwarf prospector who becomes a leader. The other characters – all dwarves – have interesting and credible motivations.
SETTING: * * * *
Isolated Dwarf settlements with rigid social structures and mines set in a cold, rugged mountain range.
PLOT: * * *
Part social revolution, part building a new dwarf city.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
Amazon.com: The Crippled King (The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak Book 1) eBook : McMaken, A. Trae: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: The Crippled King (The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak Book 1) eBook : McMaken, A. Trae: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
LIES & LABYRINTHS
NV OZMUS
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC is a girl skilled at lying who tricks others into falsely believing she has magic.
SETTING: * * *
A magical academy.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex, dealing with the MC’s internal conflicts, her deceptions, and dark secrets that threaten the academy and much else.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
Amazon.com: Lies & Labyrinths eBook : Ozmus, NV: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: Lies & Labyrinths eBook : Ozmus, NV: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
THE MAN WITHOUT HANDS
Book 1 of Suleniar’s Enigma
ERIC MALIKYTE
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
Both MC’s have credible personalities and motivations.
SETTING: * * * *
The action is split between Earth and a hidden city on an alien world threatened by nearly invincible eldritch monsters.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex. Focused ‘the cost of hiding,’ with plenty of intrigue and the consequences of poor choices.
QUALITY: * * * * *
OVERALL: * * * * *
Amazon.com: The Man Without Hands (Suleniar's Enigma Book 1) eBook : Malikyte, Eric: Books
Amazon.com: The Man Without Hands (Suleniar's Enigma Book 1) eBook : Malikyte, Eric: Books
www.amazon.com
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ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
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MIDNIGHT ON THE MANATEE
DH WILLISON
CHARACTERS: * * * * *
The MC’s are ordinary fantasy world people – not all of them human - with credible motivations and personalities.
SETTING: * * *
A fragmented coastal fantasy realm of isolated settlements separated by a landscape dominated by hostile creatures.
PLOT: * * * *
A desire to escape constrained lives leads to a terrifying voyage on a sinister ship.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * *
Amazon.com: Midnight on the Manatee eBook : Willison, D. H.: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: Midnight on the Manatee eBook : Willison, D. H.: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
-0-0-0-0-
ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
AN OCEAN OF OTHERS
Book 1 of Dance of the Sibling Suns
JOSHUA SCOTT EDWARDS
CHARACTERS: * * *
The MC is a ‘stock fantasy bounty hunter/investigator.’ His companions are distinct, but also fairly standard.
SETTING: * * * *
Decaying fantasy city recently decimated by a riot and partly overseen by a militant ‘Agency.’
PLOT: * * *
Investigative, with assorted lethal twists and turns.
QUALITY: * * * *
Interesting, moved at a good pace.
OVERALL: * * * *
Amazon.com: An Ocean of Others (Dance of the Sibling Suns Book 1) eBook : Edwards, Joshua Scott: Books
Amazon.com: An Ocean of Others (Dance of the Sibling Suns Book 1) eBook : Edwards, Joshua Scott: Books
www.amazon.com
-0-0-0-0-
ASTERISK ASSESSMENTS
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
OGYGIA: ECHATOS DIAGRAM
MONTY ST JOHN
CHARACTERS: * * * *
The MC is a skilled computer programmer subject to bizarre dreams or visions. Both he and the more important secondary characters are well developed.
SETTING: * * * *
Most of the book is set in the western United States. The ‘visions’ or ‘flashes’ that afflict the MC take place on fantasy worlds.
PLOT: * * * *
Complex. A routine programming job taken by the MC reveals the true nature of his ‘flashes’ and himself.
QUALITY: * * * *
OVERALL: * * * *
