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jjwilbourne's reviews
239 reviews
Hell Skin by Garrett Robinson
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
Coming to the end of a series of books is like watching a gymnast and holding your breath, anxious and hopeful that they’ll stick the landing. While Garrett Robinson’s Hell Skin isn’t the very end of all Underrealm stories, it represents the completion of the Tales of the Wanderer trilogy.
In Hell Skin, Albern continues to recount the tale of his journey with Mag. He and Mag find themselves caught up in a war between a rebel group and those loyal to the Dosean crown. But their ultimate mission to find Kita and avenge Mag’s late husband is yet to be completed. Even while Albern and Mag close in on the dark weremage, Kaita, herself, is eager to finish the Uncut Lady once and for all. And this time, with the help of the dark lord’s unrivaled magic, she is poised to succeed.
To date, Stone Heart was my favorite Underrealm entry. Indeed, the Tales of the Wanderer trilogy is my favorite set of books within the Nine Realms. I especially appreciated how the framing device of Albern recounting the story to a character in the future played excellently into the journey of the character (Sun) that is hearing it. Again, Robinson delivers on that promise.
The series as a whole has been quite emotional and cathartic, but this one was especially so because we finally reached the ending that Sun had been begging Albern for. Albern took his time to get there, and the experience was better for it.
And the twist in the story… It completely caught me off guard, and it was marvelous.
Now that I’m on the other side, I’m left wondering if Robinson will tell more about Albern or Mag’s backstory. There are still questions left unanswered. Hell Skin paid off on the promises of the first novel, but there are mysteries yet to be unraveled. Perhaps we will hear those stories in another series. If not, here’s hoping for a second trilogy!
I very much recommend Hell Skin and the Tales of the Wanderer series if you’re looking for a gripping adventure in a fantastic world.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
In Hell Skin, Albern continues to recount the tale of his journey with Mag. He and Mag find themselves caught up in a war between a rebel group and those loyal to the Dosean crown. But their ultimate mission to find Kita and avenge Mag’s late husband is yet to be completed. Even while Albern and Mag close in on the dark weremage, Kaita, herself, is eager to finish the Uncut Lady once and for all. And this time, with the help of the dark lord’s unrivaled magic, she is poised to succeed.
To date, Stone Heart was my favorite Underrealm entry. Indeed, the Tales of the Wanderer trilogy is my favorite set of books within the Nine Realms. I especially appreciated how the framing device of Albern recounting the story to a character in the future played excellently into the journey of the character (Sun) that is hearing it. Again, Robinson delivers on that promise.
The series as a whole has been quite emotional and cathartic, but this one was especially so because we finally reached the ending that Sun had been begging Albern for. Albern took his time to get there, and the experience was better for it.
And the twist in the story… It completely caught me off guard, and it was marvelous.
Now that I’m on the other side, I’m left wondering if Robinson will tell more about Albern or Mag’s backstory. There are still questions left unanswered. Hell Skin paid off on the promises of the first novel, but there are mysteries yet to be unraveled. Perhaps we will hear those stories in another series. If not, here’s hoping for a second trilogy!
I very much recommend Hell Skin and the Tales of the Wanderer series if you’re looking for a gripping adventure in a fantastic world.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’ve been chomping at the bit to read the third novel in the Wayfarer’s series, Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers for months now. After a few months to absorb the emotional ride of the second novel, I was finally ready for the 3rd round.
As with A Closed and Common Orbit before it, this novel isn’t a direct sequel. It’s definitely connected to the first book, but only loosely. It follows several characters in a fleet of generation starships called the Exodus—humanity’s lifeboat after leaving Earth behind. But after its initial mission to find new and habitable planets was fulfilled, the Exodus fleet remains a home to many who chose to remain. There, we meet several people who have begun to explore their place in the galaxy and the purpose of Exodan values when they are no longer essential.
Jumping back into Chamber’s Wayfarer’s series is like reuniting with a friend with who you can be truly vulnerable. Like its two preceding installments, the story is light on conventional plot and is more like elaborate character pieces that I keep reading because I become so invested in who these people are and what they will become.
If you enjoyed how well the first two novels so effortlessly explored its Sci-Fi world, that too is on display but kicked up a notch. Here, we finally explore how mankind came to be a spacefaring species and how it became involved with the GC, and we are allowed insight into how aliens view humanity’s (and particularly the Exodan’s) place in the galactic community.
You should absolutely give this series a shot if you haven’t yet.
Seriously. Go grab a copy right now.
You can technically start with this book, but I definitely recommend reading them in order, starting with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. I think it’s a great way to ease into the world and voice of the story.
As with A Closed and Common Orbit before it, this novel isn’t a direct sequel. It’s definitely connected to the first book, but only loosely. It follows several characters in a fleet of generation starships called the Exodus—humanity’s lifeboat after leaving Earth behind. But after its initial mission to find new and habitable planets was fulfilled, the Exodus fleet remains a home to many who chose to remain. There, we meet several people who have begun to explore their place in the galaxy and the purpose of Exodan values when they are no longer essential.
Jumping back into Chamber’s Wayfarer’s series is like reuniting with a friend with who you can be truly vulnerable. Like its two preceding installments, the story is light on conventional plot and is more like elaborate character pieces that I keep reading because I become so invested in who these people are and what they will become.
If you enjoyed how well the first two novels so effortlessly explored its Sci-Fi world, that too is on display but kicked up a notch. Here, we finally explore how mankind came to be a spacefaring species and how it became involved with the GC, and we are allowed insight into how aliens view humanity’s (and particularly the Exodan’s) place in the galactic community.
You should absolutely give this series a shot if you haven’t yet.
Seriously. Go grab a copy right now.
You can technically start with this book, but I definitely recommend reading them in order, starting with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. I think it’s a great way to ease into the world and voice of the story.
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Streams of Silver: The Legend of Drizzt, Book V by R.A. Salvatore
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Epic fantasy heavy-weight champion, R. A. Salvatore, returns!
Set on his righteous quest to reclaim his ancient home, Bruenor leads Drizzt and Wulfgar to Mithral Hall. Joining them is the halfling, Regis, and his hypnotizing gem as he attempts to flee from the pursuit of an assassin he’s sure is after him. And if caught, the party will lose more than the gem, for even Drizzt’s life is in danger as Dendybar—the wizard in search of the powerful Crystal Shard—joins forces with the assassin.
Like The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver really grips me during its action scenes. I never found myself lost in the chaos and I was able to imagine each scene perfectly.
While I felt like the first installment had a touch too much backstory, I never felt overwhelmed with it in this novel. I’m not sure if there is less of it or if I simply adapted to Salvatore’s style. Either way, I found it a pleasant switch.
Despite Drizzt and Bruenor receiving the lion’s share of the action scenes, Catti-brie’s story was most compelling for me. What seemed to be intended as the b-story, was what I was most interested in returning to. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too interested in the dwarf’s quest in and of itself, and the only time the quest became compelling was with the encounter at Silverymoon. I connected with Drizzt then, but the primary driver for me was still the discovery of Catti-brie’s fate and how she might escape her impending doom.
While I didn’t read the first two books in the Icewindale Trilogy back-to-back, I’m suspecting the story is better when read this way. I also suspect this will be true of the final installment, but I will be taking a short break to jump to another story world before my return to the Forgotten Realms.
If you’re into D&D, this story reads like an expertly planned and executed campaign. If anything has encouraged me to try the game, this series is it.
Blood Charged by Lindsay Buroker
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
After the events of Balanced on the Blades Edge collided with those of Deathmaker, the third book in the Dragon Blood series sees the two leading couples team up as they take on a covert mission to discover the source of power fueling advances of the Cofah military. And failure could mean the destruction of all of Iskandia.
Where the first two novels were Steampunk romances, this novel doesn’t attempt to introduce a new couple and instead functions as a bridge to the larger story. The first two novels of the series were comparatively intimate in scope, and in this story, we expand the world and branch more into epic storytelling.
The story’s greatest strength was its expansion and action-adventure fun. It leaned into the conventions of a blockbuster flick and continued to deliver on the snarky humor I’ve come to expect from Buroker. I preferred the first novel to the second because I liked the first couple better, and while Blood Charged addresses both couples, the focus is on Colonel Zirkander and Sardelle—exactly where I want it.
Currently, the first three novels are available as a box set. I highly recommend you buy them this way. While all three novels are complete stories in their own right, they function as the first act of a larger story and are likely best experienced when read back-to-back.
While this installment doesn’t have a traditional romance story arc, it continues the story of the two couples you come to know from the first two novels. I recommend reading this series if you’re looking for a steampunk adventure fantasy with a heavy dose of romance.
Where the first two novels were Steampunk romances, this novel doesn’t attempt to introduce a new couple and instead functions as a bridge to the larger story. The first two novels of the series were comparatively intimate in scope, and in this story, we expand the world and branch more into epic storytelling.
The story’s greatest strength was its expansion and action-adventure fun. It leaned into the conventions of a blockbuster flick and continued to deliver on the snarky humor I’ve come to expect from Buroker. I preferred the first novel to the second because I liked the first couple better, and while Blood Charged addresses both couples, the focus is on Colonel Zirkander and Sardelle—exactly where I want it.
Currently, the first three novels are available as a box set. I highly recommend you buy them this way. While all three novels are complete stories in their own right, they function as the first act of a larger story and are likely best experienced when read back-to-back.
While this installment doesn’t have a traditional romance story arc, it continues the story of the two couples you come to know from the first two novels. I recommend reading this series if you’re looking for a steampunk adventure fantasy with a heavy dose of romance.
Amazon Ads Unleashed: Advanced Publishing and Marketing Strategies for Indie Authors by Robert J. Ryan
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Let's Get Visible: How To Get Noticed And Sell More Books (Let's Get Digital, #2) by David Gaughran
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
3.5