Book – **** Book Two of Cinda Williams Chima’s Seven Realms series is stronger than Book One. Han Alister continues to grow into his new life as a wizard, while Princess Raisa (in disguise) becomes the center of his universe.
Book – **** Cinda Williams Chima has created a lovely beginning to her fantasy series, Seven Realms. Lots of interesting characters in her clan, royalty, and wizard communities with a detailed history that shapes the present-day society.
Book – **** Robert Dugoni’s best-selling mystery is a worthy read. Tracy Crosswhite’s obsession with solving her sister’s disappearance and resolving her own guilt captures the reader’s sympathy.
Book – **** Ann Lecke’s Hugo and Nebula award winner that explores a universe ruled by a woman whose mind is linked tthrough a thousand ancillary bodies, and the AI of a Ship composed of similar linked segments opposing the ruler. Fascinatingly complex.
Book – ***+ Charlie N. Holmberg’s creative fantasy of a girl, Ceony, co-opted into “paper folding” for life, the lowest specialty you can bond to as a magician.
Book – ***+ Brandon Mull’s 5th novel of the Knights of the Dawn takes them on D&D type adventures through deadly puzzles, complex plot twists, and battles to prevent the rival Society of the Evening Star from opening the demon prison Zzyxx.
Book – **** David Baldacci YA novel of magical Wugmorts was a very quick read full of fun ideas and fantastical danger.
Book – ***+ Blake Charlton’s second novel is full of novel magic, spells composed in your muscles or out of the air. His extremely complex fantasy world is managed very well.
Book – **** In John Grisham’s recent offering, Sebastian Rudd is a lawyer who takes on the worst clients, invests in cage fighters, is a near total loner, but still manages to capture the reader’s interest in watching him thread through the mazes of the legal system.
Not John Grisham’s strongest novel due to it’s heavy message against capital punishment, delivered in many ways and at length. Still, Grisham is an excellent writer and I’ve yet to read a book of his that didn’t pay back my time spent.