7 Science Fiction Fantasy Reviews from urban fantasy author Andy Zach
I’m giving you seven of my Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews from 2018. This continues my blog of book reviews you will enjoy.
One place you can read them is my blog on Goodreads.
Another is on Amazon.
The third place is right here on my blog, on the Resources page.
The fourth place is by subscribing to my newsletter here.
On to the Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews next.
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The First
Have you read science fiction from the 19th century? My first review is of books from that century.
The Steam Man of the Prairies: A Dime Novel Anthology by John Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a wonderful window into 19th century dime novels! These three novels, ‘The Steam Man of the Praire’ 1860, The Steam Horse 1877, and ‘The Electric Coach’ are steampunk fiction when it was just science fiction. They stretched was was possible with steam and electric power into wild adventures.
The first two novels have the heroes battling warring Indians and bandits, and counterfeiters. The third features Jesse James gang as the antagonists. The heroes are boy geniuses: 15-20 years old, experts in mechanical, steam, and electrical inventions. Their sidekicks are ethnic characters: the pugnacious, drinking Irishman; the wild frontiersman; the clever free black man.
Overall, I recommend these novels for those who love fast-paced adventure without expecting too much sophistication or literary depth. Also, if you’re offended by historic racial or ethnic stereotypes and slurs, don’t read them. But if you want a taste of the 19th-century steampunk before it became old-fashioned, this collection is for you.
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The Second
A Call to Vengeance by David Weber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
With the third prequel of the series leading to the Honor Harrington series, David Weber and his co-authors, Timothy Zahn and Thomas Pope, have written their best novel yet. ‘A Call to Vengeance’ is the most action-packed and the most riveting characters.
Lead characters Travis Long and Lisa Donnelly continue to progress within the Manticoran navy through innovative thinking and bold action, risking their lives. Meanwhile, shady politics combine with shocking plot twists, and ironic results to make this novel both tragic and comic.
Travis and Lisa face multiple antagonists, from bad guys on their own side to worse foes opposing Manticore, who compete with each other. The authors deftly portray three and four plot threads so the reader can see four points of view and anticipate the upcoming clashes.
This novel and this whole prequel series are must-reads for any fans of Honor Harrington. They portray the development of Manticore from an insignificant system to a dominant galactic power.
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The Third
A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Rachel Aaron continues her Heartstriker series about the good dragon Julius Heartstriker and his mortal heartthrob, Marcia. Marcia happens to be a mage with a familiar spirit who appears as a glowing cat, sometimes, and a Roman soldier at other times.
Without providing spoilers to the previous books, let me just say this book is much more action-packed than the previous book with fewer dragon and human politics. Rachel reveals much more about the world and universe of magic, and world and universe ending threats.
Among her charming dragon characters are Qilin, the Chinese dragon emperor, and source of good and bad luck. Amelia, Julius’ eldest sister, dragon mage, and friend introduced in volume 2, ‘One Good Dragon Deserves Another’.
Then there’s Bob, Julius’ eldest brother and a dragon seer who sees the future and seeks to manipulate it for his own good. Interestingly, Julius is the center of all his plans.
Overall, this volume is a rollicking good ride of action and plot twists. Don’t miss it!
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The Fourth
Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once more, author Rachel Aaron has delighted me with her fifth novel in the Heartstrikers series. The premise is there is one good dragon, Julius, in the midst of the conniving, avaricious dragon race.
Here in the fifth novel, Julius must stop the end of the world–literally. An extradimensional being called Leviathan has been invited into the world and given permission to destroy it. Leviathan is a Nameless End, beings whose purpose is to devour old, worn-out planes of existence.
Julius must gather all the dragon clans to fight it. But they’ve never worked together before. Also, an alliance of Merlins must gather all the world’s magic to hurl at the beast. But it may not work.
I like Julius better in this book than any other, but I like his endlessly scheming older brother Bob even more. He thinks he’s found a way to cheat his own death.
Fans of Rachel Aaron need no convincing to read this book. If you’re starting the series, start with the first volume, ‘Nice Dragons Finish Last’.
Book Reviews: The Fifth
Mission of Honor by David Weber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Honor Harrington continues her derring-do against Manticorean enemies, small and great. But this novel contains several new wrinkles. You learn much more about the villains from Mesa and their nefarious schemes. There is also a major plot pivot in this story, from Haven to the Solarian League.
As usual, new technology is on display, rendering old technology obsolete. But all the new tech isn’t Manticorean–but their worst enemy now has an edge on them. But which of their many enemies is it?
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The Sixth
Greenwitch by Susan Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I previously read this book soon after it was published. On a recent trip, I got to listen to the audiobook version.
It holds up very well as an audiobook! The voice actor performed the characters well and the atmospheric dread of impending doom came through well.
For those not familiar with Susan Cooper’s Dark Is Rising series, the premise is that history is a series of battles between the Lords of the Light and the Lords of the Dark. Into that is born the last ‘Old One’, as the Lords of the Light are called. Will Stanton is the seventh son of a seventh son and at eleven comes into his power as an Old One.
Throughout history, various objects of power have been made by the Lords of the Light for use at the final battle with the Dark, which is impending. Will, and then three Drew children, are used to find them.
This is a fine Young Adult series that may well become a five-star series. My standard is that the books must still be selling fifty years after publication. I’ll have to come back in 2050 and update my rating. Until then, read this series.
Another Honor Harrington review follows next.
Science Fiction Fantasy Book Reviews: The Seventh
Shadow of Freedom by David Weber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
David Weber expands on his Honor Harrington universe. In this novel, Michelle Henke, an admiral in the Manticorean Navy, is off on a detachment to the Talbot sector. The sector recently became accessible to the Manticorean empire through the discovery of a new wormhole, the very valuable interstellar shortcut shaving weeks off distant interstellar trips.
The Talbot sector is on the fringe of the vast Solarian empire and home to corrupt Solarian officials using entire star systems as their personal fiefdoms for wealth. Further, the slavetrading Mesan system, a long-time Manticorean foe is also active here.
Michelle Henke, a superb tactician, and the cousin of the Queen of Manticore, Elizabeth III, encounters corruption, Mesan involvement, and a surprise Solarian super dreadnought fleet sent to punish the uppity Manticore Empire.
In an earlier book, a Solarian captain destroyed three Manticorean ships and all their personnel while they were at a neutral space station. Michelle destroys the cruisers with destroyers. This led to the super dreadnought onslaught.
You’ll have to read and find out how Michelle fairs against overwhelming odds and what happens next.