In which I review a book about vampires fighting Jesus

33 A.D. by David Mcafee is not about Jesus as Buffy, but rather, the effects that Jesus has on the vampire community of Jerusalem. Theron is the vampire council's top enforcer/assassin tasked with killing Jesus to stop the spread of his vampire-repelling faith armor. Taras is his counterpart in the Roman legion trying to solve the murders sweeping the city.

I'm not exactly the target audience for this book. I haven't identified as Christian in about six years, and I've never been a fan of the vampire genre. That said, this is a damn good book. The pacing is outstanding, and the numerous subplots lend a richness that has to be read to be appreciated. There were a handful of times when the symbolism got rather heavy-handed, but not enough to bog the story down.

Theron really carries the story, as he should. He's just conflicted enough with his encounters with Jesus to fit the mythology, but not enough to make his internal conflict override his struggle with the vampire council and the Legion. I was honestly hoping for a little more fireworks during the crucifixion (spoiler alert: Jesus dies), but the effects of the resurrection make up for it.

McAfee sets us up for a sequel, and like a dealer handing out samples, attaches a preview at the end of 33A.D.

This was a fast read, but there's enough here to get lost in. It is a fantasy, but based on how much I liked it, I'd recommend it to anyone who can stomach the blood.

5/5

In which I review a Mideastern fantasy

The Black God's War by Moses Siregar III is the best book I've read this year. The scope of this epic fantasy may not come through in this review, but I'll do my best.

The kingdoms of Rezzia and Pawleon are locked in their tenth year of war, fought mostly around the vast desert canyon at the foot of the Pawelon fortress that guards the entrance to the Pawelon countryside. Both kingdoms sense an end to the war is coming. For Rezzia, their Haizzem, Caio, son of King Vieri, is prophesied to lead the kingdom to victory. For Pawelon, the arrival of Rajah Devak's son Rao, the most powerful sage in memory, promises to save the besieged land from King Vieri's forces. And in the middle of it all, Caio's sister Lucia is haunted by the Black God Danato, one of Rezzia's pantheon of ten gods.

The story is mostly presented from the perspectives of Lucia, Caio, and Rao. The true strength of the book is how even-handed the characters are presented. There are no real evil or good characters, just characters with differing goals and perspectives. Nor are any of the characters archetypes out of an RPG, which is one of my pet peeves with epic fantasy. Siregar plays with his characters perceptions and expectations throughout the book; what is black magic to one character is merely a different way to see the world to a different character.

One of the most magical things about this story is the setting. Rather than the usual northwestern Europe setting, The Black God's War takes place in a location that seems to be an Arabic/Persian/Greek mashup. Think Alexander more than Arthur. Additionally, the magic system is unique and fresh (at least to me), and is a welcome change from your normal ritualistic spellcasting.

Honestly, this is the hardest review I've had to write because I feel like I'm repeating myself. Everything, characters, motives, setting, plot, message, philosophy, fight scenes, love interests, everything in this book is start to finish good. If any element stands above the rest it's probably the magic system, which is closely tied to the overall philosophy and plot, yet it remains subtle enough to stay out of the way of the story.

If I was a professional reviewer I'd have more to say, but I'm not so I'll say this. The Black God's War is the best new fantasy book you can buy, and I include my own novel in that statement. I highly recommend it.

5/5

(My review policy)

My review policy

There's been some discussion over on Kindleboards about the ethics, validity, and worth of independent authors reviewing the books by other independent authors. Some say it's an incestuous circle jerk, and contributes to the perception that independent authors are shady, nepotistic egomaniacs who fluff their peers regardless of quality. Others say that authors reviewing authors is a time-honored tradition, and that being independent does not rob one of objectivity or experience. I can see both sides.

As a disclaimer, I write the reviews on this site primarily as recommendations to friends. That means I'm not going to review a book that I wouldn't recommend to people I know, so you're not going to see bad reviews on this blog. I don't review everything I read because I got shit to do, and I'm not going to let a bad or mediocre book take up any more of my time than it already has.

So you already know my view on this. Yes, there is a chance that some author takes offense to something I say in a four star review and alt-bombs Battlesongs with 1 star reviews, but I like to have more faith in humanity than that. If anyone can write a book good enough that I recommend it to friends, I believe they can handle a negative word about some secondary characters without losing their shit.

And so call me biased if you'd like because I won't roast some of the many bad books I've read on this site. There are other sites for that. When my sister calls me from Barnes and Noble asking for a book suggestion, I don't spend five minutes ripping on bad books either.

In which I review a book about a demon-possessed rock band

Voice by Joseph Garraty is a difficult book to rank. It's good, let's get that out of the way right now. But even a few days after finishing it, I'm unable to decide whether its high points (which are VERY high) make up for its low points (which are rather meh) enough to give it the highest ranking.

John Tsiboukas is the lead singer and clear weak link in his band Ragman after he convinces the cynical sexpot Stephanie Case to join as lead guitarist. Seeing the talent around him, and feeling his dream of pulling himself out of poverty via rockstardom fading away, John makes a deal with a demon who manifests as Johnny Tango, John's stage personality who wears leather jackets and has a killer voice. Johnny Tango takes over more and more of John's actions, and Ragman's shows begin converting more and more people into Johnny's 'disciples', violent, zombie like people who are insanely devoted to Johnny.

The strengths of Voice are apparent. The opening chapter is one of the creepiest, most gripping openings to a book I've ever read, regardless of genre, publisher, or format. The characters of John/Johnny and Case are as real as can be, and the scenes with the band performing are so well done you can almost hear the music. The top-tier antagonist, referred to as the man in the black suit (explicitly NOT the devil) is deliciously creepy and very well written for the brief time he appears. His right-hand-man, Douglas, takes a larger role and is quite fun to dislike.

But the weaknesses are what make me conflicted. All but one of the secondary characters (Erin, the band's manager being the exception) are largely one-dimensional. This includes the band's bassists, which is a problem due to how central they are to the overall conflict. Additionally, Johnny's motives are never explained; it seems his goals are simply to create disciples in order to spread violence, which seems shallow. This makes the disciples behavior somewhat confusing. I felt that Garraty may have tried to explain their behavior in a dream sequence, but the allusions and metaphors eluded me; this may be my own failing rather than the author's.

Overall I would recommend Voice to anyone. It's not quite horror, it's not quite fantasy; it has the same plain yet otherworldly feeling that some of Stephen King's books have, without the fart jokes. The writing is crisp enough that you don't notice it, and the highs are high enough to keep you engaged through till the end.

4/5 stars

In which I review a book about wizards in space

Arcana Universalis: Terminus is the first of a five part serialized novel by Chris J Randolph that follows the adventures of Caleb Gedley, an apprentice wizard aboard the Imperial spaceship Ashkalon.

That’s right, wizards in space. What now?

Caleb and his friend and fellow apprentice Bibbs are ordered to investigate the disappearance of another Imperial spaceship around an idyllic and mysterious planet. There, they discover Alia, a pixie who has been trapped in a magical vault for millennia, only to return to base camp to find themselves under attack by a war party of the Imperium’s enemies.

This first episode seems mostly to set up the cowardly and inept Caleb for a grander adventure in the coming installments, but the world here is rich enough to keep the reader engaged throughout. The author’s descriptions are as vivid and colorful as you’d expect, although they can make occasional scenes seem like a slog. Otherwise, the pacing is generally good, particularly after we meet Alia. Don’t be fooled by the overwrought beginning; the language is crisp and imaginative, and will pull fantasy fans in right away.

An hour, or two at most, should be enough to get through Arcana Universalis: Terminus and will leave the reader anxious for the followup.

4/5

In other news:

The apartment is almost unpacked. I think I said that last week, but it's more true now than it was then. Girlfriend is putting together some Ikea cabinetry because APPARENTLY it isn't "classy" to store our videogames and Star Trek DVDs on the mantlepiece.

I restarted the process with Lucky Bat this week, and my last minute tweaks to Battlesongs are coming along swimmingly. Got a good month of push left on this book, and then perhaps I can pick up The Nomad's Wilds at some point in August.

Onward~