Returner's Wealth (Wyrmeweald Trilogy)

Title: Returner's Wealth
Author: Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell
Series: Wyrmeweald Trilogy

Succeeded By: ????

Ratings

Score: 5/10
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: If I find the time - it won't be a priority...

Review

If you've read anything by these authors in the past, chances are that it's the Edge Chronicles. That was an incredible series, beautifully illustrated, which is still one of my favourite sequences. Wyrmeweald however, is completely different.

The first, and most striking point is that there is a considerably smaller number of illustrations than I was expecting. There is still at least one per chapter, but they are Narrow Borders to the page, and there ARE some full page drawings of the dragons, but I would have liked to see more.

The reason for this reduced number of drawings is that the book is clearly aimed at an older audience, it's a little more violent, and quite a bit more sexual. And I thought that the more sexual parts were done quite well, not actually describing anything in detail, but hints of adult activities are found across the book.

Knight Errant (Star Wars)

Title: Knight Errant
Author: John Jackson Miller
Superseries: Star Wars

Ratings

Score: 9/10
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: If there is one, I'll read it.

Review

This book is everything that "Cloak of Deception (Review: 3/10)" should have been. It has fast flowing action, great characters, and layer upon layer of political mystery and intrigue. In essence, it contains almost everything I look for in a book.

The one thing that I don't believe it has is a strong plot. I expect that this is because, while it IS a standalone book, it follows the story-arc started in the two Knight Errant comic series (Aflame and Deluge). However this didn't seem to be that much of a problem, since despite not knowing where the book was going, I couldn't put it down.

The Reluctant Mage (Fisherman's Children - Book Two)

Title: The Reluctant Mage
Author: Karen Miller
Series: Fisherman's Children
Preceeded By: The Prodigal Mage


Ratings

Score: 4/10
How likely I am to read the next Book: Not Likely
      (Note - In this case, the next book is a prequel)

Review

I'd heard good things of Karen Miller, and her Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series. In fact, I don't remember anyone ever saying something negative about it. I hadn't read the previous books in the sequence, but I asked my Brother to summarise it, before starting on this book. It sounded captivating, and I launched myself into the book with interest.

Ten minutes later I decided I should make tea, maybe tidy up a bit. Do some studying. Unfortunately, after the three weeks it took me to struggle through the last book I reviewed, I found myself stuck again. That was a dissapointment.

Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)

Title: Cloak of Deception
Author: James Luceno
Superseries: Star Wars
Series: -


Ratings

Score: 3/10


Review

I knew when I bought this book that it would be a good one. I just knew it. Star Wars books are generally good quality, it's set in my favourite time-period of the Star Wars Universe, and was centered around political story-lines. As regular readers of my reviews know, I like to see politics and intrigue at work in novels. So I was hyped up to read it, and opened it a soon as I got home.

But somehow, something went wrong.