Nicholas Bruner
Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Young Adult Author
What I’m Reading: Myth and Storm
Myth and Storm is the second book in the Guilds of Ilbrea series by Megan O’Russell. I read the first one, Inker and Crown, a couple months ago and liked it enough to return for the second volume. If you recall, the book was about the Karron clan, six natural and adopted children of Lord Karron who grew up together and have remained close now that they are in their late teens or early twenties and members of the various guilds in the city of Ilara, capital of Ilbrea. So let’s see what our Ilbrean guild friends are up to this time!
Daughter Cloud Out Now!
Fourteen-year-old Aku is learning the hard truth about being a king…
When he must send off a ship called the Cloud Strider, newly-enthroned king Aku wishes he could join the crew. After all, they’re bound to experience an unparalleled adventure. The vessel of discovery and ambassadorship is a symbol of how his rule will be good and just.
The legendary island of the gods is on the itinerary, but what will the great ship discover?
Among the crew are old friends Tua and Keola, Kahu, and by a stroke of fate, Ambassador Hulu, Lady Lono, and baby Mili. The king waves his ship goodbye, and plans a celebratory rite, but disaster is about to strike. A disaster that will leave the whole kingdom reeling in shock, and that Aku will have to face without the aid of his closest companions. Will Atlantis recover from the devastation? Or will this event lead to the downfall of everything Aku has worked so hard for?
Read Daughter Cloud, book three in The Last Days of Atlantis trilogy, now!
What I’m Reading: Guardian Forest
Are you tired of generic fantasy? Well, here’s a book that feels personal, a true expression of the author’s individual vision. The Guardian Forest, by Sandra Hunter, is a bit rough around the edges. To be honest, it could have used a pass by a good editor (or a writer’s group!). But despite that, the book’s language is so rich, and the characters and plot so heartfelt, even spiritual, that it’s hard not to forgive it a few typos or a bit of questionable comma usage. In fact, after finishing it, I checked Amazon to order the sequel promised in the backmatter, only to discover it’s not out yet. According to Sandra’s website, it’s “coming soon.” I definitely hope so!
What I’m Reading: Inker and Crown
If you like my Last Days of Atlantis series, I think it’s a good bet you’ll like Inker and Crown, by Megan O’Russell. They’re both multi-character-arc epic fantasies with a flawed scribe as a main character. And they both have multiple related organizations that dominate the political structure of their worlds–the twelve temples of Atlantis, in the case of my books, and the seven guilds of Ilbrea, in the case of O’Russell’s.
What I’m Reading: The Giants’ Spear
The Giants’ Spear is the final book in Jamie Edmundson’s Weapon Takers Saga, and all the various story arcs come to their final conclusion here. (I also reviewed the first book in the series, Toric’s Dagger; the second book, Bolivar’s Sword; and, the third book, The Jalakh Bow.) This series has multiple storylines, so let’s see if it manages to wrap them all up in a satisfying way.
What I’m Reading: The Scar
The Scar, by China Mieville, is a sequel of sorts to the dark steampunk fantasy Perdido Street Station, which I have reviewed previously. It’s set in Bas-Lag, the same world as PSS, and we learn at one point that one of the main characters once had a romantic relationship with one of the characters from PSS. But The Scar could be read as a stand-alone novel quite easily. If anything, it’s even darker than the first novel, and takes us on a grand adventure involving a hidden pirate city, an island inhabited by ravenous mosquito-people, giant sea creatures, weird magicks, and almost more riddles and conspiracies than you can shake a Possible Sword at.
What I’m Reading: The Jalakh Bow
This time around I read the The Jalakh Bow, by Jamie Edmundson. This is the third book in the four-part Weapon Takers saga–I’ve also reviewed the first book in the series, Toric’s Dagger, and the second book, Bolivar’s Sword. I think it’s a good sign for the series that I’ve chosen to come back to it–it’s been gnawing at my mind a bit, which isn’t the case for some of the other fantasy series where I’ve recently reviewed the first book and never felt the need to return. At this point, I’ll almost definitely come back in a month or two for the final book.
Brother Flute Out Now!
An old man’s secret will alter the course of Aku’s life forever…
The ink on his mother ink tattoo is hardly dry when Aku makes a disappointing discovery. Disappointment leads him to make a rash, dangerous decision. When an old man with a bad eye rolls in, knowing far too much for being new in town, Aku follows him one night.
The man has a secret, one that will alter the course of Aku’s life forever…and maybe change the history of Atlantis. But is the old man’s theory correct? Or is he simply crazy?
Meanwhile, in the small town of Moku Harbor, Keki the crow brings disturbing news to newlyweds Lono and Hulu. Prioress Wa’e back in Atlantis has gone missing and it’s believed she’s been kidnapped. Will the young lovers offer their assistance to come help oust the Shabengee guards profaning the sacred Observatory? To complicate the decision further, Lono has a surprise that will change everything for the young couple…
Read Brother Flute, book two in The Last Days of Atlantis trilogy, now!
