Audio Book Review: Sellsword's Oath

Sellsword's Oath

By:  Gail Z. Martin

Publish Date:  January 20, 2020, Audiobook Release January 20, 2020

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 59 mins
Narrated By:  Samuel Roukin

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in Assassins of Landria series; 1st Book ~ Assassin's Honor

Impression:  Interesting assassin team.

Synopsis:
Wandering mystic Yefim Makary, known to his followers as the ‘Witch Lord’, disappeared before he could be accused of inciting dissent against King Kristoph. His supporters among the disenchanted aristocrats who weren’t arrested have fled or died by their own hand. The king is happy to put the matter behind him. Yet Burke, the commander of the elite King’s Shadows, doesn’t believe the threat is over, and he assigns his two most troublesome, rule-breaking—and successful—assassins to ferret out the real threat and put a stop to Makary’s plots.

Joel “Ridge” Breckinridge and Garrett “Rett” Kennard rose through the ranks of the Landrian army together, from teenaged conscripts to seasoned fighters. Together, they became the most feared team of assassins in Landria, surviving longer that most in their profession by virtue of excellent fighting skills, legendary bravado, peerless strategy, and an uncanny synchronicity.

As the threads of a new plot come together revealing disloyalty among the priests and generals, Ridge and Rett once again find themselves on the run, hoping they and their allies can figure out the Witch Lord’s latest scheme before it costs them their lives—and the king his throne.

First Sentence:
The trick, when setting off gunpowder, was to be far enough away.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Samuel narrated the first book and I'm glad he returned for the next! His voice and personality that he gives to Rett and Ridge feels to be them for me. The audio is clean and clear for listening pleasure.

Rett and Ridge are sent on a mission to go after the counterfeiters and destroy their forge. If they hear or see anything regarding Yefin Makary, or the Witch Lord as he is called, who got away in the first book they are to report directly to Burke. Rett and Ridge are sure he's going to cause trouble in the future. The deeper they dig into the counterfeiting, the more they find that Makary is involved and has more going on than meets the eye.

I enjoy Rett and Ridge as a team. They are great brothers, though not by blood but from growing up together in the orphanage as children. They have each other's back and work well together. They also have a touch of the sight, which is frowned on by others so they keep it hidden. There are a few that learn of their abilities and it comes in handy with their mission, again. 

I love how these two also help captured children get to a safe place. There are children out there with abilities as well, and with the help of one they saved in the first book, they find more of these children who've been taken from their families or put in terrible situations. This shows there is a heart in these assassins. 

I enjoyed the missions as we got to see what was happening while Rett and Ridge are in disguise then the fight that will come. We get closer and closer to what's happening and how things are connected as we follow Rett and Ridge on a few missions.

We get more ghosts in this one. I found I had very similar thoughts on assassin ghosts. lol. Cool idea.

The series is well worth a read or listen. I enjoy the fantasy story and setting in a shorter length. I get all I enjoy in fantasy from magic to fights and more. I know listening is limited these days, so to have the shorter length is a nice bonus.

****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Tangled Web

Tangled Web

By:  Gail Z. Martin

Publish Date:  May 10, 2018, Audiobook Release August 21, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 26 mins
Narrated By:  Therese Plummer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd in Deadly Curiosities series

Impression:  A variety of magic coming together.

Synopsis:
Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an antiques and curios shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them and along with her business partners Teag, who has Weaver magic and Sorren, a 600-year-old vampire, they get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.

When zombies rise in Charleston cemeteries, dead men fall from the sky, and the whole city succumbs to the “grouch flu,” Cassidy, Teag, and Sorren suspect a vengeful dark witch who is gunning for Teag and planning to unleash an ancient horror. Cassidy, Teag, and Sorren—and all their supernatural allies—will need magic, cunning, and the help of a Viking demi-goddess to survive the battle with a malicious Weaver-witch and an ancient Norse warlock to keep Charleston—and the whole East Coast—from becoming the prey of the Master of the Hunt.

First Sentence:
I'd never been a fan of hunting, and I liked it even less when Teag Logan and I were the prey.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Therese is a new narrator for me. She does a lovely job of portraying the relaxed, calm sense that Cassidy has. She also has a slight southern accent to go with where Cassidy lives, and is from. Each character has a slightly different tone to their voice to go with their personality and background, and there is some diverse backgrounds in the Urban Fantasy.

Yes, I'm listening to books out of order. This is the third book in the series. But the cool thing is, even though there are references to previous encounters, this book stands on it's own with the events happening. Cool beans for me! I will have to see about getting the other books and novellas in the series as I did enjoy the world of urban fantasy beings and magic here.

The book's main character is Cassidy and her partner Teag. The story is told from Cassidy, but we see Teag a great deal as the cases Cassidy goes to Teag is with her. I enjoy these two, but I also love the whole crew of people that surround them. There's a great variety of magic, ability, and old god connections here. This combination of different magical and paranormal elements really drew me in as the story went and we meet everyone. We got to see everyone's talents here and I like it! I look forward to seeing all these people fighting together in future books.

There are two paranormal elements at play in this story and series of events. There is a connection to them, as they are both used and play off each other. Very interesting watching (or listening) to it all unfold and come together. Well done in the elements kept interesting in how we learn about everything. The story kept the feel of the desire to know while learning pieces and how they fit together. I never got bored! Totally awesome!

I will be searching out the previous books along with keeping an eye out for more in the series.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Assassin's Honor

Assassin's Honor

By:  Gail Z. Martin

Publish Date:  October 15, 2018, Audiobook Release October 25, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 42 mins
Narrated By:  Samuel Roukin

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in Assassins of Landria series

Impression:  Interesting assassin team.

Synopsis:
Friends since their orphanage childhood, Joel “Ridge” Breckinridge and Garrett “Rett” Kennard rose through the ranks of the Landrian army together, from teenaged conscripts to seasoned fighters. Together, they became the most feared team of assassins in Landria, surviving longer that most in their profession by virtue of excellent fighting skills, legendary bravado, peerless strategy, and an uncanny synchronicity. Henri, their long-suffering squire, tends to the thankless jobs of provisioning and logistics, while Ridge and Rett fight and recover.

When wandering mystic Yefim Makary becomes the darling of disenchanted aristocrats, Rett and Ridge fear Makary—or the Witch Lord, as his followers call him—is a threat to the crown. As treasonous whispers spread, Ridge and Rett go rogue to stop the threat, save the kingdom and protect the king—while landing on the “Most Wanted” list themselves!

First Sentence:
Roan Destwiler was a dead man, by order of the king.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.


Samuel is a new narrator for me. I very much enjoyed his accent. It felt to fit the story, world, and characters. Though at times it was hard to remember he was saying Ridge or Rett. But I enjoyed his vocal style. The narration was clear and clean listening.

Ridge and Rett... They are quite a team of assassins. I think with them working together, they will out live many others in their profession. They each have something individual they bring to the partnership and profession. They, also, keep each other balanced in their personalities and what they see in situations. I enjoyed their friendship and reactions to events. They also have a secret they keep from their boss and all others. A secret that has to do with magic. They don't do magic, per say. But they do have a sense about them they can use. And Rett has a little more he can do with his.

Ridge and Rett might be assassins for the King, but they also want to do what's right. They get tangled up in side missions they create for themselves because of what they learn on the original mission. They are determined to keep the king and his lands safe. There is a man that people call Witch Lord that Ridge and Rett believe is more dangerous than the king and nobles are thinking. They are certain the Witch Lord is connected to the weapons smuggling and slavers trading children with the ability to have visions.

The book started and I wasn't sure what the mission was, other than our assassin team having a target. But that target quickly grew into a bigger mission for Ridge and Rett. They are out looking for who's smuggling weapons and to where. Along the way they find more they get involved with and help people through.

The story has a fantasy feel to the world with the kingdoms, assassins, trade, and more. There's also a magic that's present in the world, but there's rules to magic as to what's registered and such.

In their unconventional acts, Ridge and Rett have made some great friends and allies to help them in the battle that's to come to defend the King and the kingdom. I enjoyed meeting them all and learning who the characters are along with what they can do. I look forward to more with Ridge and Rett and the key players we've meet in future books.

Giveaway & Audio Book Review: Storm & Fury

Storm & Fury

By:  Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin

Publish Date:  February 23, 2018, Audiobook Release October 30, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Neil Hellegers

Genre:  Paranormal

Series:  Short stories in the world of Iron & Blood novels and the related Storm & Fury Adventures.

Impression:  Short stories in a magical and steampunk world.

Synopsis:
New Pittsburgh, 1898 – a crucible of invention and intrigue. Born from the ashes of devastating fire, flood and earthquake, the city is ruled by the shadow government of The Oligarchy. In the swarming streets, people of a hundred nations drudge to feed the engines of progress. The Department of Supernatural Investigation was set up to take care of those things that live below, that go bump in the night… those odd cases that go beyond ‘standard’ investigation. Nicknamed ‘Storm and Fury’, Mitch Storm and Jacob Drangosavich are two of the more creative agents, working in New Pittsburgh and obeying the rules – when they have to.

A collection of short stories and novellas set in the world of the Iron & Blood novels and the related Storm and Fury Adventures.

Includes: Airship Down, Ruin Creek, Resurrection Day, The Hunt, Grave Voices, and Rogue. Plus two bonus stories: Ghost Wolf and a Steampunk fairy tale: The Patented Troll


Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This is a collection of novellas and short stories set in the worlds of Iron & Blood novels and Storm & Fury Adventures. It's sort of an anthology. Some of the stories were published in other anthologies, but it's always great to have them all in one handy place.

This is my first adventure in a world I've been wanting to visit. I'm pleased that I took the journey. I love how destruction seems to be left in their wake. I laugh as they are always being shot at and blowing something up, likely blowing up of something valuable too. lol. Also, the "bad guys" don't always fair well when they go against Jacob and Mitch.

Mitch is so drawn to the science-y things. Jacob feels to be the grounded person. But both are big on guns. Mitch and and Jacob kind of have a feel of Lethal Weapon movies with Riggs and Murtaugh for me. They don't always agree but are a great team that gets the work done. Also, one's a little more grounded than the other. And, things do seem to go boom around these two. lol.

Airship Down
This was an interesting investigation for Mitch and Jacob as they follow orbs that make electricity flash. It's fun watching them destroy their travel methods along with a few other things along the way. lol.

I was a little bummed at the end of the short as I felt we didn't get a resolution to the orbs. I'm not sure if these show up in the books or another short though. So maybe there is a resolution in another story? It is sort of mentioned in another short, briefly.

Resurrection Day
Oh this is neat. I like what they find in this short. Resurrection day indeed. This gives a blend between steampunk and supernatural in this world.

This is, however, another case that's not fully answered. I still have questions, like how the resurrection is done and what about two of the bad guys. I do love the world I'm getting glimpses of in these shorts and curious if the answers are given in the novels.

Langiappe
Oh this one is cool. I love the mystery to solve here. This kept my attention the whole time. I love how the pieces puzzle together. This was a cool view into the supernatural world.

Jacob and Mitch aren't as...destructive in this story. But we get to meet a female character, Della, I really loved. She sounds strong and one not to go against. I hope to see more of her.

Grave Voices
This was a longer story that gives us the full view of world and characters. We get a larger cast here and I love how one makes his appearance. The magic and mechanicals of the world are present.

We get a conclusion to the story here. This is cool and leaves a chance of working with others.

This one is full of mystery and action. Nice story. There is a connection to religion and magic and science here too.

Ruin Creek
This is short but a full story of a mission Jake and Mitch head out on. Neat story with ghosts, projections, and maybe aliens.

We see another "bad guy" here that our duo fights against. Gun shots and fighting.

I liked how this one concluded with the whole feel of the story and where they are.

The Hunt
This story as a feel of alien tech in it as well. The blend of steampunk and old west with our agents and town in are an awesome blend.

We get a full story here, and the guys are on their probation from something they blew up and shouldn't have, along with not capturing a bad guy. We get things tied up with what they are looking for along with unfinished business as to why they are here.

Rogue
This story had a feel of a magical National Treasure. Though the treasure wasn't gold but a magical relic. Very interesting how things all connect and the magic that's present. I really liked how the references to history was used to create something new.

Interesting what we see with different groups in the world and how they protect and work together. And the turn of events with one person here. Very good.

Ghost Wolf
He dresses as a wolf and defends the workers that are being attacked. One night the immigrant hating gang might be Irish against Polish, tomorrow it could be a Polish gang against an Irish one. He'll defend each at any time.

This story is set in the world of Storm & Fury but it's not a story of their adventures. We see them briefly as our main character overhears them but that's all.

The character present is important in helping stop fights in New Pittsburgh, and saves the city at the same time.

The Patented Troll
This story is not of Storm and Fury, it's of the inventor that started all with his inventions. This is a lovely little tale that gives the feel of an inventor and how he felt of his inventions, and how others used them. I loved the feel I got from this story with the inventor and a young man that wants to be safe as well.

Iron & Blood (Excerpt)
There is an excerpt of the first book present too. So if you haven't started the series (like me) you get a feel for what we are missing.


****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Guest Post by Fantasy Author Gail Z. Martin

I'm thrilled! To have the amazing Gail Z. Martin by today for a guest post.  I enjoy asking this question of authors to see what they respond.  I like seeing the inner workings of authors with their stories.  Please give a warm blogger welcome to the talented, Gail Z. Martin!

Also, make sure to follow Gail on Twitter at @GailZMartin for chances to win copies of her books!

What comes first,

Character or plot?

What happens first in the mind of a reader—character or plot?

My answer is—it depends.

Sometimes, I have a very strong feel for a character, and the more I think about that character, the more clear I get on what kind of adventure that character would have and how he/she would rise to the challenge.

In other cases, the plot and setting come to me, and I need to think about who the right kinds of characters would be who could carry of that plot in that setting.

The more I talk with other authors, the more I’m convinced that there is no single right way to write. In fact, the more books I write (I’m up to about 14 published books as we speak), the more I’m also convinced that the process changes with each book, each character and every plotline.

When the character becomes clear to me first, I usually get a sense of that character as if I actually met the person. Sometimes all at once, and sometimes a little at a time, I get the back story, the physical characteristics, the fears, hopes and dreams that have created my character.

When the plot firms up first, I see the story arc, the key milestones, the major twists and turns and the climax like a movie that needs to be cast. So like any good casting agent, I think about what the hero of the piece would be like, who the love interest is, who the antagonists would be, who is in the supporting cast and what roles they play. Then I “cast” the roles by creating characters who fit the requirements, characters who ultimately become very real to me.

Over the course of a writing career, it’s likely that you’ll have some books come to you in one way, and some in the other. Try not to judge. Both are equally legitimate. They’re just different starting points, but you can get a good ending from either path. Try to enjoy the journey.

When you begin with the plot, you may find that the action is very clear to you, but it takes more thought to figure out what motivates your characters and to make them real and emotionally accessible to your readers.

When you begin with the characters, it feels as if you’re writing about flesh-and-blood people you’ve known all your life, but you may struggle to get the story arc just right. Be prepared for some rewrites as you go down a few dead ends and get inspiration partway through the first draft. That’s just the nature of the muse. Roll with it.

I’ve found both approaches to result in a very satisfactory outcome. True, it takes some adaptability on the part of the author, but if you can be flexible, you may find that the end result is well worth the effort.

Regardless of which piece comes to you first, be glad your muse has spoken and run with it! Rest assured that you will find the story that needs to be told.




The Hawthorn Moon Sneak Peek Event includes book giveaways, free excerpts and readings, all-new guest blog posts and author Q&A on 21 awesome partner sites around the globe. For a full list of where to go to get the goodies, visit www.AscendantKingdoms.com.

@GailZMartin Book Giveaway on Twitter—Every day from June 21 – June 28 I’ll be choosing someone at random from my Twitter followers to win a free signed book. Invite your friends to follow me—for every new 200 followers I gain between 6/21 – 6/28, I’ll give away an additional book, up to 20 books!

Gail Z. Martin is the author of Ice Forged in her new The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga (Orbit Books), plus The Chronicles of The Necromancer series (The Summoner, The Blood King, Dark Haven & Dark Lady’s Chosen ) and The Fallen Kings Cycle (The Sworn and The Dread). She is also the author of two series on ebook short stories: The Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures and the Deadly Curiosities Series. Find her online at www.AscendantKingdoms.com.


Thank you Gail!!


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Looking Forward To... (25)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down.  Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

The Next Book Is..

Songs of Love & Death

Edited by:  George R.R. Martin & Gardner R. Dozois

Due Out:  November 16, 2010

I have a thing for anthologies anymore.  I love the short stories.  Whether they are short stories relating to a series already out or something new completely, I've found they give me a nice glimpse of what the authors are like.  And of course I purchase anthologies for authors I already enjoy too, and of course this one has some of those great authors in it.  And I like that I can sneak the short stories in between reads.  Of course I've been a little lax about reading my anthologies here lately with the rush of other books, but this is one to add to my collection.

Good Reads Synopsis:

A groundbreaking anthology of fantasy and romance from bestselling authors in both genres, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. 

-Jim Butcher, “Love Hurts” (a Harry Dresden story) 
-Jo Beverly, “The Marrying Maid” 
-Carrie Vaughn, “Rooftops” 
-M.L.N. Hanover, “Hurt Me” 
-Cecelia Holland, “Demon Lover” 
-Melinda M. Snodgrass, “The Wayfarer’s Advice” (an Imperials story) 
-Robin Hobb, “Blue Boots” 
-Neil Gaiman, “The Thing About Cassandra” 
-Marjorie M. Liu, “After the Blood” 
-Jacqueline Carey, “You and You Alone” (a Kushiel story) 
-Lisa Tuttle, “His Wolf” 
-Linnea Sinclair, “Courting Trouble” 
-Mary Jo Putney, “The Demon Dancer” 
-Tanith Lee, “Under/Above the Water” 
-Peter S. Beagle, “Kashkia” 
-Yasmine Galenorn, “Man in the Mirror” 
-Diana Gabaldon, “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” (an OUTLANDER spinoff)