Book Recommendations

I was looking over this blog today and one thing became clear to me---it is kind of boring. So rather than just giving the play by play of my writing career, I’m also going to include other things…Like book recommendations. I'm a librarian I talk to people about books all day, why not share what people are saying?

Today I’m going to start with the books of Brandon Sanderson, why? Because I have a copy of his newest book Warbreaker sitting next to my computer.

But first things first and first is Elantris:

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Sanderson's outstanding fantasy debut, refreshingly complete unto itself and free of the usual genre clichés, offers something for everyone: mystery, magic, romance, political wrangling, religious conflict, fights for equality, sharp writing and wonderful, robust characters. The godlike inhabitants of Elantris, once the capital of the land of Arelon, have degenerated into powerless, tortured souls, unable to die, after the city's magic inexplicably broke 10 years earlier. When the same curse strikes Prince Raoden of Arelon and he's imprisoned in Elantris, he refuses to surrender to his grim fate and instead strives to create a society out of the fallen and to unlock the secret that will restore the city's glory. Meanwhile, Princess Sarene of Kae (Arelon's new capital), who was betrothed to Raoden sight unseen, believes her intended has died. Officially declared his widow, she must use her political savvy and wit to protect Kae from malevolent forces without and within the city, chiefly Hrathen, a leader of the creepy Shu-Dereth faith, who aims to either convert Kae or destroy it within three months. The intrigue and excitement grow steadily in this smoothly written, perfectly balanced narrative; by the end readers won't want to put it down. As the blurb from Orson Scott Card suggests, Sanderson is a writer to watch.

From Me:

This book was really good, it joined the two dozen books on my "keeper shelf" which means it was good enough for me to think I might want to reread it, what else is on the "keeper shelf"? Robert Jordan, JRR Tolkien, RA Salvatore, Margaret Weiss, Terry Prachett, just to name a few. This novel has a great concept, it is well written and it held my attention.

The Mistborn Trilogy

From Publishers Weekly

Sanderson's eerie second fantasy (after 2005's Elantris), set in a mist-haunted, ash-ridden world, pits Kelsier, "the Survivor of Hathsin," against the immortal Lord Ruler's 1,000-year domination of both the Great Houses and their serflike "skaa." Through Allomancy acquired in the Ruler's most hellish prison, Kelsier can "burn" 10 metals internally, fueling superhuman powers he uses to assemble rebels in a loose plan to destroy the nobility, the empire and the Lord Ruler himself. Kelsier uses Vin, a street urchin with the same Mistborn powers Kelsier possesses, to infiltrate the Great Houses' society, where she falls in love with philosopher prince Elend Venture. This mystico-metallurgical fantasy combines Vin's coming-of-age-in-magic and its well-worn theme of revolt against oppression with copious mutilations, a large-scale cast of thieves, cutthroats, conniving nobles and exotic mutants. The fast-paced action scenes temper Vin's interminable ballroom intrigues, while the characters, though not profoundly drawn, have a raw stereotypic appeal.

From Me:Can't say a whole lot about this one I haven't read them yet, but they are popular at the library, in fact one of the most popular books in adult fantasy.

Okay next is Warbreaker:

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Epic fantasy heavyweight Sanderson (the Mistborn series) pens a powerful stand-alone tale of unpredictable loyalties, dark intrigue and dangerous magic. To keep a treaty made long ago, the king of Idris must send his daughter to marry Susebron, the God King of Hallandren. Loath to part with his eldest daughter, Vivenna, King Dedelin instead sends his youngest daughter, tomboyish 17-year-old Siri, who struggles to make sense of the schemers and spies in Susebron's court. Hoping to rescue her sister, Vivenna joins a group of Idrian operatives with questionable motives. As Vivenna comes to terms with her magical abilities, resurrected hero Lightsong questions the role of the undead Returned Gods, who command Hallandren's mighty army of zombie soldiers. Sanderson melds complex, believable characters, a marvelous world and thoughtful, ironic humor into an extraordinary and highly entertaining story.

From Me: I debated about posting this one or not I am not quite done with this one but unless something happens in the last 70 pages that ruins the first 520 then it is a good book. Again I like the characters and Brandon's style of writing.

One thing I can say about all of his books is that they all have very interesting systems of magic, which are well thought out and unique.

Now a quick writing update, I just got a story accepted to Static Movement and I will post more about that later. The publisher Chris Batholomew is a really nice person who always has a kind word to say on the various forums and I am excited to have my very short story in her ezine.

I finally came up with a title for my newest novel, or at least a working title Summer's Blood is at 75,000 words and only has a few chapters left to go. Hopefully one of my novels will be published someday.