The Bookworms Carnival - 50th Edition: High Fantasy

Today I am hosting the 50th edition of Bookworms Carnival, with the theme of high/traditional/epic fantasy – whatever you like to call it. I have been sent in reviews from various bloggers to share with you all, so hopefully you’ll discover some new books to read, and some new bloggers to follow. So without further ado, on to the reviews.

Swapna of S. Krishna’s Books “thoroughly enjoyed the magical world that Betsy Tobin created in this wonderful work of fiction,” Ice Land by Betsy Tobin.

Angie of Angieville reviewed Heir to Sevenwaters by Juleit Marrillier, the fourth book in the Sevenwaters series. Angie says, “I loved this story. I loved its glimpses of old friends and its hints of future possibilities. As only the best ones do, it surprised and delighted me and made me long for more.”

Lexie of Poisoned Rationality has several reviews to share:

Of the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages, Lexie says, “I came into this trilogy late, and rather reluctantly, but boy am I glad I did!”

When reviewing Warbreaker by the same author, Brandon Sanderson, Lexie said, “Oh dear this is another one of those 'I want to fangirl so hard it makes me weep'. But that should be expected since its by GodKing himself Brandon Sanderson and I might just worship the computer this man types at.”

Memory of Stella Matutina has also reviewed Warbreaker, and she said, “This book is damned good. Me, I tend to lean away from epic fantasy these days because I'm downright sick of all the old tropes, but Brandon Sanderson is one of those wonderful, wonderful authors who're taking pains to reinvent the genre.”

Lexie says, of The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke, “I'd even put Glenda Larke on par with my enjoyment of the Mistborn books or Tredana books honestly.”

“I strongly, strongly suggest that you go buy the book,” Lexie implores about The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin. “I can't recommend it enough. I read it in four hours the same day that the book arrived on my doorstep--isn't that proof enough right there?”

Lexie also champions Libyrinth by Pearl North. “Its hard to put down, I won't lie. I read it during my Otakon trip and repeatedly found myself wanting to carry it with me even though it wasn't feasible with my plans.”

Nayuleska of Nayu’s Reading Corner also has several reviews to share:

In Arch Wizard by Ed Greenwood, Nayuleska “loved the humour, in both the way the story is told and the characters themselves.”

Nayuleska has reviewed the first three books in the Crossroads series by Kate Elliot, Spirit Gate, Shadow Gate, and Traitor’s Gate, and said “I am in awe of Kate and other writers who create such vast, highly detailed work. Keeping track of all the plots, which are many, can't be easy.”

Of The Drowning City by Amanda Downum, Nayuleska says, “Who wouldn't want to follow the dangerous, exciting life of a female necromancer called Isyllt, who not only communicates with the dead, but is well trained in the weapons she wields?”

“This is a page-turning new fantasy trilogy from Celia Friedman,” Nayuleska said on Feast of Souls by Celia Friedman, the first in the Magister trilogy. “For magic, intrigue and danger, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.” And on the second novel in this trilogy, Wings of Wrath, Nayuleska said, “This book is AWESOME! I loved the first one, but this one whirled me away.”

On Trouble with Demons by Lisa Shearin, the third book in the Raine Benares series, Nayuleska had this to say, “The world Raine inhabits grows more detailed, humourous and dangerous with each book in the series. I'm eagerly awaiting publication of Bewitched and Betrayed, due out next year. After reading The Trouble With Demons, you will be too.”

Simcha of SFF Chat has three reviews to share with us. Of Villains of Necessity by Eve Forward, she says, “I had first read Villains by Necessity many years ago and loved it for its fresh and unique take on the standard epic fantasy and I decided to read it again to see if it’s as good as I remembered. I’m pleased to report that I enjoyed this book just as much now, as I did back then.”

With Servant of a Dark God by John Brown, Simcha says, “The story progresses at a good pace, slowly building in intensity but peppered with some amusing scenes and playful banter.”

“The whole book is just such a fun and magical experience,” Simcha says of Lord of the Fading Lands by C. S. Wilson. “It’s a book that I highly recommend and which I look forward to reading again and again.”

Cherry of Cheery Mischievous also came up trumps, and has these reviews to share with us:

Of The Gift by Alison Croggan, Book 1 of The Pelinor Quartet, Cheery says, "The story-telling quality is one of those rarely compelling ones where the author totally takes you away to another world!"

"If you are looking for a good read just for the heck of enjoying one, you might just want to pick this one up," Cherry says of Magyk by Angie Sage.

On First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher, the sixth book and last book in the Codex Alera series, Cherry says, "The only major complaint I have about this book is that this is the final book of the Codex Alera series. That means there won't be anymore! But, I want more!"

Cherry thought that Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder is a "good start to a series".

"J. Delaney did not disappoint," Cherry thought of The Spook's Sacrifice by Joseph Delaney. "Absorbing world, this book is."

Cherry reviewed the first three books in the Halfblood Chronicles by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey; Elvenbane, Elvenblood and Elvenborn, but isn't too complimentary. She says, "Interesting but not very good."

Cherry also isn't too keen on Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, about which she says, "Read only when you have absolutely nothing else to read and you are bored out of your skull!"

"I liked the story telling-quality of Brent Weeks," Cherry says of Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks, third book in the Night Angel Trilogy.

Jackie of Literary Escapism has the following reviews to share with us:

Jackie says, "If you’re into an indiana jones/tomb raider with minor religious overtones, you’ll probably enjoy this book," of The Last Map to the Throne of God by Trularin.

Of Outstretched Shadows by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory, Jackie says, "It took a while to get into the story, but once I did, Outstretched Shadows had me glued my chair."

"I’ve never read Hobb before, but the world she has invented for her Rain Wilds Chronicles is amazing," she thought of Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb.

So hopefully you've now discovered a few new high fantasy novels to read, and some great new bloggers to follow! I've also read a reviewed a few high fantasy novels myself you may want to check out:

Cast in Shadows by Michelle Sagara
Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
Armed & Magical by Lisa Shearin
The Trouble with Demons by Lisa Shearin

And for this edition's Bookworms Carnival question:

What, in your opinion, makes a good high fantasy?

Those who've submitted reviews to for the Carnival, please answer this question in the post you write to link to the carnival. Everyone else, you can answer in the comments.

Have a high fantasy review you'd like to share but didn't email me in time? Link to it in the Mr Linky below. Please link with TITLE by AUTHOR (BLOG).
E.g. Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin (Ink and Paper)




Details of the next two editions of the Bookworms Carnival:

Edition 51 hosted by: Nicole at Linus’s Blanket
Deadline for submission: April 9, 2010
Theme: Out of the Comfort Zone: Books You Thought You’d Never Read, But Enjoyed When You Did
To submit a post, email: nicolebonia at gmail dot com

Edition 52 hosted by: Rebecca from Rebecca Reads
Deadline for submission: April 23, 2009
Theme: Poetry
To submit a post, email: rebecca at rebeccareid dot com