Book #248 of 2018: The Book of Magic edited by Gardner Dozois Gardner Dozois was a prolific editor of speculative fiction, and this is most likely his final project, having come to publication soon after his death in 2018. It’s a series of stories about sorcery — the companion to last year’s Dozois fantasy collection …
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Book #63 of 2018: Frogkisser! by Garth Nix This princess-on-a-quest story for middle readers recalls earlier gems of the genre like Dealing with Dragons or The Two Princesses of Bamarre, although it feels a tad long and aimless in comparison. Author Garth Nix delivers a capable heroine (with nary a love interest in sight) and …
Book #22 of 2018: Sir Thursday by Garth Nix (The Keys to the Kingdom #4) I flat-out love most of the other Garth Nix books that I’ve read, but for some reason this particular series has never clicked for me. The plots are a bit too formulaic, the setting a bit too generic, and the …
Book #251 of 2017: Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix (The Keys to the Kingdom #3) This third volume in Garth Nix’s seven-part Keys to the Kingdom series is the least formulaic so far, which is a welcome change from the one before. I’m still not super invested in the story or these characters – still …
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Book #234 of 2017: The Book of Swords edited by Gardner Dozois This is a collection of short stories in the “sword and sorcery” genre, which as far as I can tell is fantasy on the smaller scale, with no evil overlords threatening the world. (I’d say the stakes are lower than epic fantasy, but …
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Book #174 of 2017: Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix (The Keys to the Kingdom #2) This sequel felt like a formulaic retread of the first novel in the Keys to the Kingdom series, which was already a pretty generic fantasy adventure story. I’m still waiting for that Garth Nix magic that I love from his …
Book #130 of 2017: Mister Monday by Garth Nix (The Keys to the Kingdom #1) This somewhat generic tween fantasy adventure is sort of like a cross between Neverwhere and So You Want to Be a Wizard, featuring a young boy who learns he’s heir to a magical power and must travel through a twisted …
Book #151 of 2016: Goldenhand by Garth Nix (The Old Kingdom #5) A triumphant return to the Old Kingdom, finally resolving the fate of the lost Abhorsen, Clariel (whose early life is described in the prequel which bears her name, and which should definitely be read prior to this book). So many old favorites are …
Book #135 of 2016: To Hold the Bridge by Garth Nix A mixed bag, as short story collections often are. The Old Kingdom novella that starts the book (and gives it its title) is justifiably the main selling point, and “A Handful of Ashes” was another highlight with its tale of magic that was reminiscent …
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Book #21 of 2016: Rogues edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois Rogues took me forever to read, partly because it’s a really long book and partly because I had to share custody of the library copy with two or three other people, so there were weeks at a time when I couldn’t …
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