Something Red (Something Red, #1) by Douglas Nicholas Also by this author: Something Red
Published by Atria/Emily Bestler Books on June 18, 2013
Pages: 336
An intoxicating and spirited blend of fantasy, mythology, and history, Something Red features the most fascinating of characters, as well as an epic snowstorm that an early reader described as "one of the coldest scenes since Snow Falling on Cedars."
During the 1200s in northwest England, in one of the coldest winters in living memory, a formidable middle-aged Irishwoman and the troupe she leads are trying to drive their three wagons across the mountains before the heavy snows set in. Molly, her powerful and enigmatic lover, her fey granddaughter, and her young apprentice, soon discover that something terrible prowls the woods. As the group travels from refuge to refuge, it becomes apparent that the mysterious evil force must be faced and defeated - or else they will surely die.
An intoxicating and spirited blend of fantasy, mythology, and history, Something Red features the most fascinating of characters including shapeshifters, Irish battle queens, Norman knights, Templars, pilgrims, Saracens, a Lithuanian noblewoman, warrior monks, strong - even dangerous - women, and ten murderous mastiffs, as well as an epic snowstorm that an early reader described as "one of the coldest scenes since Snow Falling on Cedars."
Black Feathers (Black Dawn, #1) by Joseph D'Lacey Also by this author: Black Feathers, The Book of the Crowman
Published by Angry Robot on March 26, 2013
Pages: 494
It is the Black Dawn, a time of environmental apocalypse, the earth wracked and dying.
It is the Bright Day, a time long generations hence, when a peace has descended across the world.
In each era, a child shall be chosen. Their task is to find a dark messiah known only as the Crowman. But is he our saviour – or the final incarnation of evil?
File Under: Fantasy [ The Crowman | Joined Through Time | The Last Keeper | The Journey Begins ]
The Lives of Tao (Tao, #1) by Wesley Chu Also by this author: The Lives of Tao, The Deaths of Tao
Published by Angry Robot on April 30, 2013
Pages: 460
When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it. He wasn’t. He now has a passenger in his brain – an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions – the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix – the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that’s what it takes. Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that’s going to end up well…
The City by Stella Gemmell Also by this author: The City
Published by Ace on June 4, 2013
Pages: 528
In her debut solo novel, Stella Gemmell, coauthor of the "powerful" (Booklist) conclusion to David Gemmell’s Troy series, weaves a dark epic fantasy about a war-torn civilization and the immortal emperor who has it clutched in his evil grasp.
The City is ancient, layers upon layers. Once a thriving metropolis, it has sprawled beyond its bounds, inciting endless wars with neighboring tribes and creating a barren wasteland of what was once green and productive.
In the center of the City lives the emperor. Few have ever seen him, but those who have recall a man in his prime, though he should be very old. Some grimly speculate that he is no longer human, if he ever was. A small number have come to the desperate conclusion that the only way to stop the war is to end the emperor’s unnaturally long life.
From the mazelike sewers below the City, where the poor struggle to stay alive in the dark, to the blood-soaked fields of battle, where few heroes manage to endure the never-ending siege, the rebels pin their hopes on one man—Shuskara. The emperor’s former general, he was betrayed long ago and is believed to be dead. But, under different aliases, he has survived, forsaking his City and hiding from his immortal foe. Now the time has come for him to engage in one final battle to free the City from the creature who dwells at its heart, pulling the strings that keep the land drenched in gore.
Poison (Tales from the Kingdoms, #1) by Sarah Pinborough, Les Edwards Also by this author: Poison, Mayhem
Published by Gollancz on April 18, 2013
Pages: 202
A beautiful, sexy, contemporary retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale, illustrated by Les Edwards.
Poison is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the Snow White story which takes all the elements of the classic fairy tale that we love (the handsome prince, the jealous queen, the beautiful girl and, of course, the poisoning) and puts a modern spin on the characters, their motives and their desires. It's fun, contemporary, sexy, and perfect for fans of Once Upon a Time, Grimm, Snow White and the Huntsman and more.
The Red Knight (The Traitor Son Cycle, #1) by Miles Cameron Also by this author: The Red Knight, Cold Iron
Published by Gollancz on October 25, 2012
Pages: 650
Twenty eight florins a month is a huge price to pay, for a man to stand between you and the Wild.
Twenty eight florins a month is nowhere near enough when a wyvern's jaws snap shut on your helmet in the hot stink of battle, and the beast starts to rip the head from your shoulders. But if standing and fighting is hard, leading a company of men - or worse, a company of mercenaries - against the smart, deadly creatures of the Wild is even harder.
It takes all the advantages of birth, training, and the luck of the devil to do it.
The Red Knight has all three, he has youth on his side, and he's determined to turn a profit. So when he hires his company out to protect an Abbess and her nunnery, it's just another job. The abby is rich, the nuns are pretty and the monster preying on them is nothing he can't deal with.
Only it's not just a job. It's going to be a war...
The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles, #1) by Michael J. Sullivan Also by this author: The Crown Tower, The Rose and the Thorn
Published by Orbit on August 6, 2013
Pages: 384
TWO MEN WHO HATE EACH OTHER. ONE IMPOSSIBLE MISSION. A LEGEND IN THE MAKING.
A warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most valuable possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels the old wizard is after, and this prize can only be obtained by the combined talents of two remarkable men. Now if Arcadius can just keep Hadrian and Royce from killing each other, they just might succeed.
The Riyria Revelations and The Riyria Chronicles are two separate, but related series, and you can start reading with either Theft of Swords (publication order) or The Crown Tower (chronological order).
Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1) by Anthony Ryan Also by this author: Blood Song, Tower Lord
Published by Anthony Ryan on January 22, 2012
Pages: 591
“The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm.”
Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a Warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.
Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the unified realm. Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright and dropped at the doorstep of the Sixth Order like a foundling knows no bounds. He cherishes the memory of his mother, and what he will come to learn of her at the Order will confound him. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the realm, but the world.
The Whitefire Crossing (Shattered Sigil, #1) by Courtney Schafer Also by this author: The Whitefire Crossing
Published by Night Shade on August 1, 2011
Pages: 375
Dev is a smuggler with the perfect cover. He's in high demand as a guide for the caravans that carry legitimate goods from the city of Ninavel into the country of Alathia. The route through the Whitefire Mountains is treacherous, and Dev is one of the few climbers who knows how to cross them safely. With his skill and connections, it's easy enough to slip contraband charms from Ninavel - where any magic is fair game, no matter how dark - into Alathia, where most magic is outlawed.
But smuggling a few charms is one thing; smuggling a person through the warded Alathian border is near suicidal. Having made a promise to a dying friend, Dev is forced to take on a singularly dangerous cargo: Kiran. A young apprentice on the run from one of the most powerful mages in Ninavel, Kiran is desperate enough to pay a fortune to sneak into a country where discovery means certain execution - and he'll do whatever it takes to prevent Dev from finding out the terrible truth behind his getaway.
Yet Kiran isn't the only one harboring a deadly secret. Caught up in a web of subterfuge and dark magic, Dev and Kiran must find a way to trust each other - or face not only their own destruction, but that of the entire city of Ninavel.
The Folding Knife by K. J. Parker Also by this author: The Folding Knife, The Last Witness
Published by Orbit on February 22, 2010
Pages: 432
Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic is an extraordinary man.
He is ruthless, cunning, and above all, lucky. He brings wealth, power and prestige to his people. But with power comes unwanted attention, and Basso must defend his nation and himself from threats foreign and domestic. In a lifetime of crucial decisions, he's only ever made one mistake.
One mistake, though, can be enough.
Good list. 🙂 You seem to have read more fantasy books.
Debjani recently posted…Blog Hiatus
I love this list – I thoroughly enjoyed The Lives of Tao and The Red Knight:). There are some other fantasy classics here that I haven’t managed to get to – thank you for sharing.
Great list! I haven’t read any of these but I’ve seen really good things about a few of them, so I should give them a try. Also I 100% know how you feel – I’m not a new blogger but I still feel like I’m stumbling about in the dark!
Jess @ Jessticulates recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | The first books I reviewed
I’ve reviewed a few of these in my early blogging days as well. Not sure I’m brave enough to revisit my reviews, however!
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…ATLAS ALONE by Emma Newman – Review
I wonder about that, too — would I rate the books I read in 2006 the same way if I read them now in 2019? Probably not. My tastes have definitely changed and I think I’ve become a harsher critic over the years.
Congrats on six years. That’s a long time!
Happy TTT!
It’s so much fun to look back! And it’s amazing to see how time flies too…
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: The first ten books I reviewed on my blog
Wow, I think I’ve only heard of a couple of these. And haven’t read any, although I do own Blood Song! Thanks for sharing.
Poison does sound like a good read!
My TTT.
Lydia recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: First Ten Books I Reviewed
I only tried Poison and it was not for me…
Okay there are a few here that I want to try! And I love cold settings in fantasy books, so some of those are catching my eye as well!
Greg recently posted…Tuesday Tagline #139
Yeah, The Whitefire Crossing! I believe that was one of my first reviews as well. 🙂
Lisa @ waytoofantasy recently posted…Introducing the HEA Book Club, for fans of Fantasy Romance!
I’m too scared to revisit reviews from like a year ago, so I can’t imagine revisiting ones that are years and years old. 😀 And Bloodsong is one I definitely need to try! I think I’m hesitant to pick it up because I’ve heard…less than positive things for the sequels.
I really like the sound of Poison! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
All these books are new to me! It’s amazing how a book can be around for years and you’re just hearing about it.
Brooke Lorren recently posted…First Ten Books I Reviewed on this Blog (Top Ten Tuesday)
This is a great list and full of fantasy – mind was much more all over the place – I hadn’t quite settled down into a particular first love at that point.
Lynn 😀
This week was such a throwback 🙂 I forgot about Amazon reviews being an option – I think I might have missed out on a couple of epic rants of the sort I just Do Not Post these days there 😉
imyril recently posted…The Vela: Gravity