Mark Gelineau

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

I wasn’t ready to reach the end of this book, and not because there’s a scene or two I wanted to see live instead of in flashback or discussion. I didn’t want to pack these characters away. That’s the sign of good storytelling, something clear from the starting prologue which turns expectations on their head and gives us a taste of the adventure to come along with both tension and humor.

A Reaper of Stone is a traditional fantasy adventure, but not as in the cliche. It’s the type with villains who should have been better people and the main characters determined to live up to their vows no matter the pressure to be like everyone else and allow corruption into their roles. Elinor models herself on tales of old, and there’s both truth and strength to be found in them. Her determination, though, requires the help of friends, newly made and older, to keep her resolve and have her back.

Elinor might be the main driving force, but Conbert is as much a main character. They offer a well-done switch of traditional roles without depending on stereotypical traits. Elinor is the fighter not because she’s unique but rather Elinor has been training hard her whole life and comes from a rougher world than most city-bred candidates. She’s neither emotionally stunted, brash, or a bully. Her strengths do not change her into something other than the honorable young woman she is.

Conbert is the scholar, though as an engineer he is not all paper and books. He’s a negotiator in part because he’s empathic and aware of the people issues, but this ability doesn’t make him weak or emotional. He just has a talent for seeing to the heart of people and uses it to smooth the way and offer critical advice.

The story plays on the dangers of neglecting the past and forgetting the purpose behind old traditions in favor of greed and ignorance. It’s not so much anti-progression as a warning against letting the more selfish impulses run rampant. Still, a strength of this story is how it doesn’t give a straight classist argument as many fantasy novels do. It’s not the corrupt nobles against the innocent and good peasantry. The book gives a more nuanced portrayal allowing every person, regardless of role or birth, to make a choice. That’s critical because it leaves open a path of change rather than seeing future as a pre-ordained disaster.

Despite its length, this is a complete tale with character change and deeper meanings to make it memorable. The world building has many common European markers, but also unique elements to draw the reader in. The actual writing seemed rough at times, but the storytelling and adventuring feel pulled me past any hiccups. I was eager to learn what would happen next and to see how the earlier events would influence the future.

While in many ways a young adult title skewing to the younger edge, the book has a bit of situation-appropriate swearing and conviction has its, sometimes brutal, costs. I mention this not to scare anyone off but so you can judge tolerance. Story wise, I don’t think a younger teen would fail to find enjoyment and a reminder of the rules of honor passed down in myth as they were not in reality. The older set are likely to enjoy as much as I did.

P.S. For those keeping track, this book was written by at least one BayCon author. I’m sorry it took me so long to read it.… (altro)

Originally drawn to this because of the beautiful cover, I continually put of reading Reaper of Stone by Mark Gelineau and Joe King because I thought there is no way this can be as good as the cover. Finally, I decided I needed to just read it and see and I was completely wrong! This was such an enjoyable story that I was upset at how short it is (only about a hundred pages.)

The authors create such a salivating peek at their new fantasy world in introducing us to protagonist Elinor and friend Conbert as they take on their mission to tear down a stone fortress. Elinor is the Reaper of Stone and everyone knows what that seems to mean, save the reader. We see how this world works on a feudal system of Kings and Lords and fealty earned. We see that magic exists and corruption. A school for youth and wild creatures. What we don’t see is is the how or why, which was why I was upset at the length of the novella.

We are teased with things that don’t ever materialize. We are given enough to sate our palette but not enough to truly understand. This ends up feeling like a small scene of a much larger novel that the authors released solely to build interest. I thought at first this was solely a teaser novella, but it isn’t. The entire series, which to their credit was rapidly released, consists of novellas. I haven’t picked up any follow-ups, but i’m interested if only to see if we ever get the payoff I really wanted to see.

A Reaper of Stone by Mark Gelineau and Joe King feels solid and promises a great story, only, we never get to see it. It’s almost like a story we’re told after the fact instead of living it, experiencing it ourselves. This fault lies mainly with the short length of the novella.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.… (altro)

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

After the first round of The Echoes of the Ascended, Best Left in the Shadows was my favorite of the four storylines. Therefore I was eagerly awaiting Civil Blood because I was really looking forward to continuing the story of Alys and Dax.

I was not disappointed! This proved to be a very interesting and nice short story. It was very nice to see the links with the other stories. I liked it a lot, to be honest. Looking forward to read more of the series!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!… (altro)

The world development and writing are excellent, the best in the series so far. The setting, the School of Faith, is beautifully described–the structures and statues (which sound pretty impressive in their massive glory), the grounds, the attire, the rituals and pastimes. I could go on, but I think you get my point.

One of my favorite aspects of the narrative is the lore, which explores the history of Razors and how they came to be, and explains how they develop now. Something I’ve been eager to know since the first novella, but I like this slow reveal approach. The School of Faith’s depiction, the factions among students and their range of expertise, their hierarchy and interplay all made for fascinating reading. It grants us our first glimpse at young Razors before they become deadly weapons.

The action scenes are equally entertaining, of course. What starts off as goodhearted fun among the students of different factions quickly becomes a more intense battle of strength, agility, and power between two duelers. I took that “little” display as a bit of foreshadowing; I expect more conflict between those two in the next installment in this series, but we’ll see. Obviously, there’s much more to learn–about Roan and Kay, the School, Aedaron, the Ascended. And someone else, a highly skilled fighter–one of the best and one I overlooked initially. After you read the story, you’ll know who I mean.

And the characters. I couldn’t help feeling for them, especially Kay. I’m sure many of us can relate to her struggle. Wanting something so badly only to find that it’s not attainable, or not as easily attainable, as it once seemed.

And Roan. Watching Kay’s pain and devastation, but helpless to remedy her situation. Accepting that there are some things he can’t protect her from; some battles she must fight on her own. The pain is palpable–as is the excitement brought on by their new environment and companions. There’s a lot of conflict going on in their world–internal and external.

While I empathized with her, I did find it frustrating that Kay seemed to defeat herself before she even attempted some tasks. Maybe her self-defeatism was brought on by the imposed time limit, her inexperience with fighting, her affliction for comparing her progress to others’. I’m not sure. I suppose we’ll find out more as their story develops, and we learn more about Kay and how she thinks.

Not all the characters are moody though. Erik, Sabine, and Lillarn add a playfulness to the story that had me chuckling to myself. (That drew a few looks in my direction. But I have no regrets.)

What I find so surprising about this novella (as well as its companions) is the striking amount of detail compressed into such a short work of fiction. It skillfully manages to provide morsels of backstory, plot, and a few subplots. Just enough to quell your appetite for now, and, yet, whet it for more to come. (Now, I’m really hungry.)

The ending is shocking, leaving room for an intriguing storyline for our two protagonists. I’d really like to know just how powerful Roan is. And what consequences Kay will face, and how soon. I’m very eager to see what’s in store next for Roan and Kay, and how their all decisions will effect their futures together and apart.

*I received a free copy of Faith and Moonlight from NetGalley*… (altro)