The link below takes you to a site with their view on the best fantasy books of 2014. I recognise a few, Terry Brooks, Joe Abercrombie and Trudi Cavanan. There's a lot I don't recognise so plenty of reading to do...
Anyone else recognise and able to recommend any of these?
http://fantasy-faction.com/2015/fantasy-factions-best-fantasy-books-of-2014
Friday 30 January 2015
Thursday 15 January 2015
Robert Day's Demon Gates (Nexus Wars Saga #1)
Demon Gates by Robert DayMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. It started well and I liked the premise. Demons are usually high on my attention list and this book added some interesting diversions from the norm. The characterisation was well done and was interesting. There was some nice twists in the plot on occasions. I did find my attention waned briefly but then the story picked up and I felt the ending was good and certainly left me wanting to read more. I would liked to have given this and extra half point as I definitely found myself hovering close to a 4.
Spoiler
What the book's about.
Some folk say this is a coming of age tale and it is but that's not all the book is about. Others compare the book to dungeons and dragons and there is an element of that. I actually liked both elements so didn't see this as negative. The tale starts with Val, the main character, in an isolated village when Trolls attack. This was my favourite part and this was handled well with good description and pace. Val is forced from his home and I can see the parallel folk describe on leveling up as he progresses but again, I quite liked that. Demons threaten the land and portals blocking their access are breaking and Val is tasked with resealing the portals. Clearly, that the overall premise and book 1 barely touches on this aspect.
View all my reviews
Saturday 10 January 2015
Writing a Book - Two Key Tips for The Important First Chapter
The first chapter is incredibly important. In a previous blog I suggested writing short stories -- How to Start writing a Book This approach should help you to gain readership and also tell you which of your works is likely to be the most successful. Following this approach should help you to establish a really good first chapter.
A first chapter should:
1. Have a great opening sentence. I read one book recently and the opening sentence was both beautiful and stunning. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was poor but because of the opening sentence I at least gave the book a chance. Often authors use description to grab a reader, a dawn of spectacular beauty or some such. However, the following authors combined a great opening sentence and a hook -- all in one.
2. Very importantly, you need a hook. The hook is to grab your reader and make them want to read more. Some outstanding authors get the hook into the very first line of the book:
As I say, try using the opening chapter as a short story and get feedback on it via Wattpad or some other author media site. A key trick is to write and rewrite your opening chapter until you finally have a product that shines.
Good reading and good writing, David
Making Your Writing Interesting. Hooks and Lines.
A first chapter should:
1. Have a great opening sentence. I read one book recently and the opening sentence was both beautiful and stunning. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was poor but because of the opening sentence I at least gave the book a chance. Often authors use description to grab a reader, a dawn of spectacular beauty or some such. However, the following authors combined a great opening sentence and a hook -- all in one.
2. Very importantly, you need a hook. The hook is to grab your reader and make them want to read more. Some outstanding authors get the hook into the very first line of the book:
- It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen". - George Orwell. This is both the opening line and the hook. Why was the clock striking 13?
- "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or eat: It was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." Tolkien. The hook for most people is -- what is a Hobbit and why is comfort so important?
- "It was the day my grandmother exploded." Iain Banks. The hook here speaks for itself.
- You set two people against each other over some issue and they part swearing vengeance. The reader is left wondering why this happened and what the outcome might be. This works better if your characterisation is good and your reader relates to the characters.
As I say, try using the opening chapter as a short story and get feedback on it via Wattpad or some other author media site. A key trick is to write and rewrite your opening chapter until you finally have a product that shines.
Good reading and good writing, David
Making Your Writing Interesting. Hooks and Lines.
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Vikings series 2 - History and Fantasy Collide
Series two of Vikings is outstanding. I am really loving it. It's a mini-scale Game of Thrones with politics, folk striving for power and brutal deaths. But it's also amazing and well worth watching for history buffs and fantasy fans alike. It has it all. The characterisation is also great.
I wrote an article linking fantasy to history and this juts reflect that view. Why I Love Fantasy
http://www.history.com/shows/vikings/episodes
Friday 2 January 2015
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