Book Reviews Archives - Gary David Gillen

The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham

The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham (Book #4 of The Long Price Quartet)

Introduction

The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham is the fourth and final book in the Long Price Quartet. The magic of the beings called the andat protects the cities of Khaiem. Their Empire and their magic have receded, so the non-magical Empire of Galt tries to overthrow them. The best Galt general takes away their andat. The former poet Maati seeks to bring back the andat and fix his mistakes. The Emperor of the Khaiem, Otah, seeks to make peace with the Galts. Will Maati or Otah prevail, or will the andat destroy the cities of the Khaiem?

Summary – Background

The cities of the Khaiem are connected by the use of sentient magical creatures called the andat. Each city has one andat controlled by a person called a poet who binds them with a series of words. They name andat by the special task they can perform. Seedless, the andat of the city Saraykeht can magically pick seeds from cotton, functioning just like a magical cotton gin. The andat of the city of Machi called Stone-Made-Soft can help with the mining of ores. The andat also protect the cities by having the power to destroy enemies of the Khaiem. No one has defeated the cities since they obtained their andats. The Old Empire before them used the andat but was destroyed, serving as a warning to them of what could go wrong.

Summary

The Empire of Galt defeated the Khaiem. Balasar Gice was their best general. In winning, he lost for his people.

Maati Vaupathai is a scholar, an apprentice poet who missed his chance to control the andat called Seedless. His actions caused the loss to the Galt’s in the war. He wants to start a school for women to bind andat. In this way, he hopes to atone for his mistakes.

Otah Machi is the sixth son of the Khai Machi. He became the ruler of the city of Machi after his father died. He became a poet apprentice, where he met Maati, and later, Otah was exiled as a laborer. Maati is his old friend, but they have a complicated relationship. The Galts destroy all of the Khaiem except Machi. Otah becomes the Emperor of the Khaiem. He wants to make peace with Galt.

Cehmai held but lost the binding on the andat named Stone-Made-Soft. He considers Maati a mentor. He disappeared after his loss.

Kiyan is Otah’s wife, and she recently passed. She is the mother of their daughter Eiah and their son Danat, Otah’s heir.

Sinja Ajutani is a mercenary captain from Machi. He is the former lover of Kiyan. He is Otah’s best friend and bodyguard.

Recommendation

The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham is a great finale for this fantasy series. The fantasy elements in the series were subtle, focusing more on the political and business spheres, until the ending of the previous novel. The use of the andat in that novel created catastrophic consequences. Maati seeks to bring back the andat to defeat Galt and fix his mistakes. Otah wants to make peace with Galt. The ending of this novel is bittersweet and appropriate.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11550699-the-price-of-spring

In An Autumn War by Daniel Abraham, the magic of the andat protects Otah Machi’s country. The best Galt general learns how to take away their andat. Will Otah Machi defeat the Galts, or will they destroy him and all the cities of Khaiem?

An Autumn War by Daniel Abraham

In A Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham, the Khai Machi is dying, and his sons must fight to the death to follow him. His youngest son, Otah was exiled and presumed dead. Otah still wants to be hidden but is drawn into their conflict. If he doesn’t win, his city will be sacked by the Galts.

Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham

In A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham, the poet-magician Heshai must keep control of the magical creature Seedless, or the Summer Cities will fall to the Empire of Galt.

Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham

Memory of Light by Robert Jordan

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Book Fourteen of the Wheel of Time series.

Introduction

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the fourteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs featuring Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Aviendha, and Nynaeve. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light be ready for the Last Battle or will the Dark One win?

Summary – Prologue

The prologue has twelve point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.

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Summary–Main Plot Arcs

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson has seven main arcs.

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Summary–Best Chapters

Two Chapters stand out in A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.

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Recommendation

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the last novel of the series. Rand gets everyone to the Field of Merrilor for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. Rand, Perrin, Mat, Elayne, Aviendha, Gawyn, and Egwene must overcome challenges. The Final Battle occurs and creates unforeseen consequences.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60508036-a-memory-of-light

Review of Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha get closer to their goals in this novel.

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

Review of Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Gawyn get closer to their goals in this novel.

Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

Review of Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, and Egwene get closer to their goals in this novel.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Review of Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan. Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Egwene get closer to their goals in this novel.

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to the plot arcs explored

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan

Review of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?

Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

Links Continued

This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him, or will he earn a Crown of Swords?

Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.

Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.

Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book Three of the Wheel of Time.

Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book Two of the Wheel of Time.

Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book One of the Wheel of Time.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

Introduction

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders follows the relationship between a witch, Patricia, and a techno-geek, Laurence. They were friends as children, but have been separated for ten years. Patrica lives in a world of magic, and Laurence lives in a world of science. They meet again when the world unravels. Can magic and science come together and save the world?

Summary

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Recommendation

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Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25372807-all-the-birds-in-the-sky

I think the following two novels I have read are similar to All the Birds in the Sky in terms of the setting and the handling of the romantic interests.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab is a fantasy novel. Will the powerful token that Kell found result in the destruction of the four cities named London?

Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. Tress’s close friend Charlie goes missing. Will Tress rescue him or perish herself?

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Starter Villain by John Scalzi.

Introduction

Starter Villain by John Scalzi is a stand-alone novel but uses a high-concept premise like two of the author’s other novels: The Kaiju Preservation Society and When the Moon Hits Your Eye. The concept for this novel is what if a supervillain passes away and leaves his evil empire to his simple drifter relative. The evil genius’s relative is his nephew, Charlie. What will Charlie do with the evil empire his uncle has left him?

Summary

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Recommendation

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Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Starter Villain by John Scalzi.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62326571-starter-villain

Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo, as a Colonial Union ambassador, must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?

Shattering Peace by John Scalzi

End of All Things by John Scalzi is the sixth book in the Old Man’s War series. Can the Colonial Union save humanity from extinction?

End of All Things by John Scalzi

Human Division by John Scalzi is the fifth book in the Old Man’s War series. The book is a series of 15 interrelated stories mainly about Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union’s B Team. Harry was a friend of John Perry, the hero of the previous novels in the series. Can the team avoid a war with the Conclave and save humanity?

Human Division by John Scalzi

Links continued

Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.

Zoes Tale by John Scalzi

Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?

Last Colony by John Scalzi

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is the first novel in the Old Man’s War series. This is the link to my review.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Female Man by Joanna Russ

Introduction

The Female Man by Joanna Russ was released in 1975, fifty years ago. Four identical women, separated by chance, come together for a reason revealed only at the end of the novel. The novel explores how their different upbringing shapes each of these women. It was disturbing and thought-provoking.

Summary

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Recommendation

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Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Female Man by Joanna Russ.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/845529.The_Female_Man

The following novel was published in 1974, one year before The Female Man, and covers a similar theme.

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Will Kris Kelvin understand the Solaris entity before it is too late, and all the researchers are dead?

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

Human Division by John Scalzi

The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5

Introduction

Summary

The book was originally published online as 13 episodes. The episodes were collected with the addition of two more episode included.

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Recommendation

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Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15698479-the-human-division

Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo as a Colonial Union ambassador must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?

Shattering Peace by John Scalzi

End of All Things by John Scalzi is the sixth book in the Old Man’s War series. Can the Colonial Union save humanity from extinction?

End of All Things by John Scalzi

Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.

Zoes Tale by John Scalzi

Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?

Last Colony by John Scalzi

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is the first novel in the Old Man’s War series. This is the link to my review.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Introduction

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a dark fantasy satire about the potential coming of the apocalypse. Aziraphale is an angel posing as a rare book dealer in England and Crowley is a demon living like a rock star in England. They like their lives as they are. Crowley learns about the coming of the Antichrist, so he knows the time is near, and he asks Aziraphale to help him. Can Aziraphale and Crowley avoid Armageddon and keep their comfortable lives intact?

Summary of the Novel

There are several Point of view characters in the novel.

The main characters are the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale, who first meet at the Garden of Eden.

Crowley enjoys living in England at the current time. He remembers how bad it was in the 17^th century and even worse in the 14^th century and is happy now.

The forces of Hell give Crowley the Antichrist to swap with the baby of an American diplomat. The swap is botched unknown to Crowley. Crowley and Aziraphale try to steer the child to avoid Armageddon. But it’s the wrong child, Warlock Dowling.

The Antichrist grows up in England as Adam Young. He and his three friends call themselves The Them. Adam grows in his power as he ages.

Anathema Device is the descendant of the witch Agnes Nutter, who wrote cryptic prophecies. Anathema with the help of Witchfinder Private Newton Pulsifer try to decipher the prophecies and avoid Armageddon.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse arrive, Death War, Famine, and Pollution. All in their human form.

Recommendation

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a great novel if you like British humor, which I do. Twisting the premise of The Omen is inspired and turning it into a comedy is gold. Aziraphale and Crowley are perfect together. The first season of the Amazon Prime Good Omens show adapted this novel. Their second proposed but unwritten novel was the basis for season two of the show. A movie is scheduled to release in early 2026 to wrap up the story. I’m looking forward to watching that to see how it ends.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44531714-good-omens

My review of American Gods by Neil Gaiman, book 1 of the American Gods series. The Old Gods have lost power. Shadow Moon is caught up in the war between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Will Shadow survive?

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Link to my review of Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card. Alvin Miller is the seventh son of a seventh son which gives him special powers in this alternate history tale of America set in 1811. In American Gods and in Red Prophet, the gods are alive and interact with people.

Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card

Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks

Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Book #3 of The Culture series.

Introduction

In Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Cheradinine Zakalwe is an operative of the Culture’s Special Circumstances group. The Culture is a human-dominated alliance that attempts to advance its position in the galaxy. Diziet Sma is Zakalwe’s handler who sends him on dangerous missions. Will Zakalwe accept a final impossible mission from her, or will he quit The Culture forever?

Summary

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Recommendation

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Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6305619-use-of-weapons

Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.

In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human-dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human-derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?

Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks

A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parents’ spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that has communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, Book One of the Liveship Traders trilogy.

Introduction

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is the first book of Liveship Traders trilogy and book four of the Realm of the Elderlings saga. The novel follows six main plot arcs. The groups are the sailors Althea and Brashen; the Vestrit family, owners of the Liveship Vivacia; Wintrow on the Liveship Vivacia; the pirate captain Kennit and his crew; Paragon, a blinded and derelict Liveship; and a group of sea serpents traveling north. These groups interact leading to a confrontation on the Ship of Magic.

Summary – Prologue

The prologue has one point-of-view character.

Maulkin is a sea serpent. Maulkin rallies his group to go to new waters to discover their past.

Summary–Main Plot Arcs

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb has six main plot arcs.

The hot and cold romance of Althea Vestrit and Brashen Trell. They were sailors on the Liveship Vivacia and later The Reaper, a slaughter ship taking cargo from the barrens with a home port of Candletown.

Wintrow Haven (the son of Keffria Vestrit) on the Liveship Vivacia with home port of Bingtown taking on slaves at Jamaillia City. His father is Kyle Haven, the captain of the Liveship Vivacia.

Kennit is a pirate captain who turns slave ships into pirate ships under his control, but he dreams of capturing a Liveship one day. He is supported by his first mate Sorcor and his paramour Etta.

Drama in the Vestrit family in Bingtown; Ronica, daughter Keffria, and granddaughter Malta involving Rain Wild Traders and the running of the family finances. They own the Liveship Vivacia.

The Liveship Paragon, who is a derelict on Bingtown beach. Mingsley wants to cut him up for the wizardwood. Davad wants to sell him to New Traders as a working ship. Amber wants to keep him the same.

The sentient sea serpents.

Summary–Best Chapters

Five Chapters stand out in Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.

Divvytown is Chapter 4 where Kennit brings his crew to divide their spoils, he pays a visit to a bordelo to visit his favored paramour Etta, and he gets a tattoo to remind him of the sacrifices he has made in his quest to become the Pirate King.

Crimpers is Chapter 20 where Althea and Brashen are almost conscripted to another ship. Brashen tends to Althea’s injuries and things happen from there.

Plots and Perils is Chapter 22 where Etta gives Kennit an idea about how to capture a Liveship, Paragon learns of Mingsley’s plans for him, a sea serpent attacks The Reaper, Wintrow leaves the Liveship Vivacia for good, and Etta misunderstands Kennit’s feelings for her.

Candletown is Chapter 25 where the Reaper’s journey is ended at Candletown. Althea and Brashen must decide what to do next, together or apart.

A Day of Reckoning is Chapter 33 where Wintrow’s actions have gotten him to the point of no return, Malta must make a difficult decision, Kyle is put in a bad position, and Kennit is close to gaining his heart’s desire.

Recommendation

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is a fabulous start to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It is set in the same universe as the Farseer trilogy and there are a few references to those books, but no direct connections. There are many points of view characters. Each chapter has multiple points of view, though there is no head hopping.

I enjoyed the Althea and Brashen romance, Wintrow’s struggle with his past and future, and the mystery of Paragon. The Malta story wasn’t as compelling, but I see how it might be necessary for the rest of the trilogy. The Kennit story was interesting in his horribleness. Is he a protagonist or a villain? The rest of the story will tell. The sea serpents were difficult to read, but I think I know how they relate to the Liveships, so that will be important later. Overall, I loved it and will soon read The Mad Ship, Book #2 of the Liveship Traders.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12479384-ship-of-magic

Link to a similar epic fantasy series as the Liveship Traders. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Book 13 is linked below.

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.

Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks

Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.

Introduction

In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Horza knows where the mind is and has a plan to retrieve it. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?

Summary

[Insert Summary Here]

Recommendation

[Insert Recommendation Here]

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8279737-consider-phlebas

A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parent’s spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that have communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge