Called to Battle, vol. 1
No editor credited
Privateer Press
Skull Island Expeditions
electronic $4.99
The Iron Kingdoms is fast becoming one of my favorite fantasy worlds. Eschewing the traditional medieval milieu for a steam-powered industrial setting, The Iron Kingdoms is a fresh take on military fantasy. This collection of four novellas is a good example why that is. Continue reading
This is the second part of my assessment of 2013. The first looked at publishers. Here I’ll feature some authors and/or individual titles that I thought were standouts. Links for books will be to my reviews (the reviews will have links to buy if you’re interested.) Since I’ve been doing a weekly post at Amazing Stories, with only one week missed, I’ll be including some of the titles I reviewed there in this list.
As with the publishers, these are in alphabetical order. I’m probably overlooking someone or a particular book. I apologize in advance. This list consists of titles and authors I read in 2013 and isn’t intended to be inclusive. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments. Again, I’m including mystery, crime, and science fiction as well as fantasy. Continue reading
In Thunder Forged: The Fall of Llael Book One
Ari Marmell
Pyr Books
Trade Paper 320 pp $18.00
ebook Kindle $8.69 Nook $10.31
If you’re a fan of dark, gritty military fantasy, then In Thunder Forged is the book for you. Ari Marmell is a superb writer, and he’s at the top of his game in this first volume of The Iron Kingdoms Chronicles. The series is based on the Warmachine Steam Powered Fantasy Wargame and the Iron Kingdoms Role Playing Game. They’re produced by Privateer Press. I have to admit that I wasn’t familiar with them, not really having time to add gaming to my already full schedule. After reading In Thunder Forged, I’m going to check them out. Continue reading