N. K. Jemisin – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

N. K. Jemisin – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

This one really grabs you.

Yeine, the main character is a relative nobody suddenly thrust into royal politics. (Not precisely true in the sense that she’s a chieftain of her people in the North, but she’s very much a nobody in this circle of ultra-powerful nobles and divinity.) Really engaging book right from the get-go, in a world where Gods are walking around, but enslaved and weaponized by a powerful family that rules from a massive castle floating over nations and barbarian hordes. A Zelazny-esque take on a family powerful enough that the line between Gods and people becomes very blurred. Packed with Machiavellian family politics and maneuvering for the throne of a giant city in the sky. Best part is how the Gods and Goddesses are fascinating both as mythology and as individuals. First in the Inheritance Trilogy. Might as well get all three, because you probably won’t be stopping at one.

Book Review: Jo Walton – Tooth and Claw

Jo Walton – Tooth and Claw

Billed as Pride and Prejudice, only all the characters are dragons. That’s right Dragons. So debates about peerage and inheritance, marriage, fancy dinners and etiquette, but with, you know, dragons. Actually deceptively more interesting than even that premise seems, because the outrageous practices that dragons get into but that modern dragon society finds totally acceptable like, say, eating your dead relatives, or peasants (living or dead) or sickly children, or anyone that crosses you, really, throws a wicked light on the kinds of things that Victorian (or modern) society still accepts. Or, ignore all that and just get caught up with Felin saving her kids, Selendra’s difficult marriage or Berend’s career. Captivating if you love dragons or that period of England. Maybe even if you don’t.