Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Faerie Lore, Dangerous Quests, and Romance

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries I am impressed by the breadth of research and creativity that went into this adventurous fantasy. There is so much information about faeries from all over, and some of it is provided almost as an aside, like a mention that Maltese fae are “more troublesome than average, having an unfortunate habit of creeping into houses at night to feast upon slumberers’ vital organs.” This kind of knowledge being tossed off in such an offhand way fits with the main character […]

An easily accessible Game of Thrones with more dragons

Dragon Found by Sam Hall

Dragon Fight by Sam Hall

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As I was reading two why choose fantasy romances by Sam Hall, Dragon Found and Dragon Fight, I was struck by the depth of the world building that went on. It was apparent that Hall has spent considerable time mapping out the history and culture of the land they are writing about, and that they really spent time fleshing out their characters (which, honestly, were tropes, but well done ones). The inevitable comparison is obviously Game of Thrones, but with more sex and dragons. It’s […]

A strange little fantasy. I expected nothing less from this author.

City of Last Chances (The Tyrant Philosophers, #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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This is a tough book to sink your teeth into. It’s slow to start, and slow to catch your emotions (if it ever catches them all), but still, for the right reader this book could work very well. I always appreciate a well-executed attempt at a unique structure, and we have that here in abundance. Up front, though, the reason this is getting 3.5 stars is that though there were bits that caught my imagination in the first half of the book, it didn’t really […]

“We are but fevered stars. Here a little while, bright with promise, before we burn away.”

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

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I’ve been struggling with review writing lately and decided to give the 5 Ws way a shot because this book/series is too good to not share. What:  Fevered Star, is the second book in Rebecca Roanhorse’s  Between Earth and Sky series.  The first is Black Sun, which I thoroughly enjoyed!  It is an epic fantasy tale where Gods seek to regain power in the mortal realm and human power players seek to reshape control of the land and seas. Who:  Naranpa, Sun Priest, who has now become […]

Satisfying conclusion to the Last Binding Trilogy

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

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Freya Marske satisfyingly concludes her Last Binding Trilogy with A Power Unbound.  I loved the first volume, A Marvellous Light.  It has a creative magic system and adorable couple Robin and Edwin.  I found the second one, A Restless Truth, to feel a bit rushed due to the time limit on having to occur on an ocean voyage between the US and England.  Also, Maud as a character tends to make me feel breathless with her energy and constant pushing for action.  Though A Power Unbound […]

The Color Black and Erased Memory

The Ancient Magus Bride Wizard's Blue vol. 8 by Makoto Sanda, Isuo Tsukumo, Kore Yamazaki

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Is it weird that it’s sometimes uncomfortable reading in front of someone? As in, it almost feels like an invasion of privacy. Long story short, I’m hosting a family member temporarily out of their home for major water damage repair, and it’s been kind of hard to do extended reading time; that and it’s been crazy-time at work but that part’s better now. Anyways, both of those are why I’ve been going back to graphic novels and manga a bit more than usual lately (still […]



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