Brandon Barr

If you were a monstruous looking alien that just casually shows up on Earth with a fancy space ship, where would you go?

Would you go to the White House and claim to become the new self appointed president?

Or maybe you would fancy to visit Akihabara Tokyo after watching intergalatic streamed episodes fom classic mecha shows like Mazinger Z or Gundam?

How about if you chose to land your craft in a nice deserted island and do absolutely nothing? Maybe even visit the desolate Pitcairn islands and claim them as your new haven...

This is one of the odd things about this unfortunately desperately short story, the alien in question lands in front of a seemingly ordinary elementary school and shrivels into a sort of mummy in front of a random classroom. Is the alien asleep? Dead? What happened to it?

You will get no answers for this story is too desperately short to ever know. While this can be a severe turn-off, Brandon writes a fluid and enchanting tale of how a little girl pities the odd thing and brings it to her home. Plotwise I think this concept could have been used for an XMAS themed novella and with Brandon's stellar writing it would be an actual thrill to read. In its current 9 page form, the story feels dreadfully incomplete.… (mer)

I got a free copy of this book and as a common courtesy I always try to review what I read. It's a fun short tale of a dethroned virgin queen that barely escapes her city with her most trusted guardian named Rathan.

She has to deliver a mysterious magical artifact to a hermit in a neighboring city, a mission Rathan claims will guarrantee certain death. However she is religious and has chosen Rathan to be more than her protector.

Lest to say, the cart scene left me scratching my head. I guess some people like the thrill of not getting caught. A good read.… (mer)

The situations on Loam and Hearth are becoming increasingly volatile. Winter and Aven almost lost their lives. Meluscia has no idea of the various plots being carried out all around her as she continues her quest for the throne. And there's something much bigger than everyone afoot.

Aven and Winter find themselves suddenly among the mysterious Guardians. The Guardians oversee the portals on various worlds, guarding them to make sure nothing that could be dangerous to a planet or its people come through. And they're especially interested in keeping control of portals away from the Beasts--ancient creatures opposed to the Makers and their creation. Aven and Winter should feel safe among the order. But there is a plot from within the order that makes their diligence extremely important.

Meluscia must still face her detractors. What she doesn't know is that her sister, Savarah, has several secrets of her own. But Savarah wants to see Melusica become Luminess, and she has made it her mission to see that happen. Meluscia's own desires might get her into some trouble, especially if the wrong people find out about her indiscretions. But she plans to stand firm on her plan for peace.

None of them are fully aware of the importance their planets play in a prophecy of incredible proportions. And that prophecy is the reason that the Beasts have taken an interest in these otherwise unassuming worlds. Will they find out the truth and be able to do something about it before it's too late?

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Delving further into this world was quite the adventure for me as a reader. The history of the Guardians, the detail the author has created for the order, and their interactions added an additional layer to the world created in the first book. The new characters introduced play off the existing characters in new and interesting ways.

The feeling of an epic fantasy comes through loud and clear. And the multiple and varied conflicts will leave readers glued to the pages, while wondering just how everything might turn out in the end.

I'm absolutely looking forward to the next book.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]… (mer)

The people of two nearby planets, largely unaware of each other, fight for survival.

On Loam, Aven and Winter's family farm their land under the harsh and tyrannical rule of the local baron. A failed plot to escape leads to tragedy, leaving them to find their own way in the world. While there are many that would stand against the baron, his own army is much larger and far more ruthless. Aven wants to see things peaceful; going against the baron only leads to death. But Winter is a Seer and her visions sometimes urge her down a different path.

In contrast on Hearth, Meluscia is a royal who feels similarly powerless over her destiny and that of her people. Daughter of the Luminary, she should inherit the throne. But there are many who feel she is unfit. Her desire is to end a war and join together to stop a much larger threat. What some see as weakness, she sees as strength. But how can she convince them to see it her way?

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I'm going to try to focus my thoughts on this installment, as I actually read the first two books in this series back-to-back before sitting down to write a review. This one does an excellent job of setting up the story. It's a great "act one" in what looks to be a three-act work. The world, the major players, and the conflict are all introduced. The characters are unique, well-developed, and complex. And the author assembles his story in an interesting and engaging way.

I love a fantasy story set in a universe with a rich history and a compelling story. And that's exactly what we get from Brandon Barr here. The first book does seem to end a bit abruptly, but since the second book was released at the same time, it worked--because you can just pick up the next installment and keep going.

Definitely recommend this one!

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]… (mer)