With The Wise Man’s Fear (Amazon), relative newcomer author Patrick Rothfuss has produced what his fans have been praying for ever since the 2007 release of the first book in his series The Kingkiller Chronicle: a sequel worthy in every way in which we might judge it.
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Trying to find the most logical way into Iain M. Banks’ sprawling Culture series, but been turned off by the abstracted Use of Weapons, the obfuscated Inversions, or even his somewhat flawed first Culture novel Consider Phlebas? Look no further. The Player of Games is probably the best book for you.
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Guy Gavriel Kay tried tried to pack too many elements into Under Heaven without doing a good job on any of them. The book was, however, written in a poetic manner and those looking for a bit of diversion may enjoy it.
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Like T. S. Elliot’s epic poem, Iain M. Banks’ first Culture novel, Consider Phlebas, is an incredibly complex book, in which the author packs a massive amount of ideas detailing his startling vision of the future of humanity and the universe itself; ideas that were fated only grow to complete maturity over the next two decades as he fleshed that vision out into what has become his epic series of Culture novels.
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The Quantum Thief is that rarest of rare birds; a first novel by a debut author which is a joy to read and helps take the science fiction genre in which it sits forward. If, like me, you believe the ultimate aim of science fiction is to question and challenge what it means to be human — and ultimately, to reaffirm your belief in humanity in general — pick this book up immediately.
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Let’s not pretend it’s possible for one man to do justice to two incredible series like The Wheel of Time and The Stormlight Archive at the same time. Along the way, there will be compromises, poorly written bits and disappointments.
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Like so many hyped novels brought out by this millennium’s generation of first-time science fiction and fantasy authors, Peter V. Brett’s The Painted Man (also known as The Warded Man) is a mediocre novel with only skin-deep characterisation and an entirely predictable plot line that leaves the reader wanting.
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In The Way of Kings, Sanderson is taking the planning and writing skills he polished through the Mistborn and Wheel of Time series and applying them to a stunning new and massive canvas.
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The Left Hand of God is an amateurish, poorly written third-rate fantasy novel packed full of stereotypes and devoid of anything interesting for the experienced reader. Avoid it like the plague.
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With Dragon Haven, fantasy master Robin Hobb has begun to rekindle some of the magic that had left her most recent works, particularly the Soldier Son trilogy. The book represents a satisfying conclusion to the two book series –The Rain Wild Chronicles — Hobb has penned as a follow-up to her extended nine book saga The Realm of the Elderlings, while still leaving room for future works in that world. Robin Hobb is back in form. And with Dragon Haven she’s cutting up the fantasy scene once again.
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