nlord's reviews
338 reviews

After Dark by Manly Wade Wellman

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Well, this book has made me learn that Manly Wade Wellman was a huge Robert E. Lee's fan and the "Lost Cause" confederacy narrative as a whole, which is disappointing, but also... confusing. I would've thought that Silver John as a character stands as a direct  antithesis to all that ideology, but what do I know, I guess.
Anyways, Wellman still a good writer and I'd be a liar if I said that I didn't enjoy some parts on the story, so, left the experience bit conflicted overall, I say.
Mines of Behemoth by Michael Shea

Go to review page

adventurous dark lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It is interesting how Nifft the Lean, the protagonist, manages to be the least pleasant character (entirely intentionally) in the book, yet I still liked the inevitably predictable end of it, I think.
Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I dunno, for "Red Sonja" book it often felt like she's the least important of an ensemble cast, losing to even her own younger self. There's a whole lot of character development, but it felt weirdly disconnected from the story at large.
Lyorn by Steven Brust

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Shadow of the Vulture by Robert E. Howard

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Yeah, so the multitude of sources online, claiming Red Sonya is the protagonist of this story clearly never read it, she's barely a supporting cast character.
Otherwise, I think I prefer my Robert E Howard as heroic fantasy - all the orientalism, racism, sexism, pinches of casual antisemitism and just good ol' factual & historical inaccuracies are much more poignant in what supposed to be a real historical setting.
Witch Queen of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Tsalmoth by Steven Brust

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm not sure if this lyrical, poetic - almost saga-like - style of prose the book written in, quite fits together with Anna Smith's usual themes of disambiguation & de-romanticizing of heroic fantasy tropes... but it was an interesting read nonetheless, with some really cool imagery here and there.
Goblins & Greatcoats by Travis Baldree

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Two Suns Setting by Karl Edward Wagner

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25