‘Dance Hall of the Dead’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 64/200

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Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman

Audiobook Edition

Finished on 5/5/2018

Goodreads

Description:

Two Native-American boys have vanished into thin air, leaving a pool of blood behind them. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police has no choice but to suspect the very worst, since the blood that stains the parched New Mexican ground once flowed through the veins of one of the missing, a young Zuñi. But his investigation into a terrible crime is being complicated by an important archaeological dig . . . and a steel hypodermic needle. And the unique laws and sacred religious rites of the Zuñi people are throwing impassable roadblocks in Leaphorn’s already twisted path, enabling a craven murderer to elude justice or, worse still, to kill again.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Leaphorn & Chee, Navajo, Western, Police Procedural

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‘Heir of Sea and Fire’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 61/200

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Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia A. McKillip

Audiobook Edition

Finished on 5/3/2018

Goodreads

Description:

By the vow of her father and her own desire, Raederle was pledged to Morgon, Riddle-Master of Hed. But a year had passed since Morgon disappeared on his search for the High One at Erlenstar Mountain, and rumors claimed he was dead.
Raederle set out to learn the truth for herself, though her small gift of magic seemed too slight for the perils she must face. The quest led through strange lands and dangerous adventures. Only her growing powers enabled her at last to reach Erlenstar Mountain. And there she discovered what she could not bear to accept.
Accompanied by Deth, the High One’s Harper, she fled. And behind them came a pursuer whose name was Morgon, bent on executing a grim destiny upon Raederle and Deth.
Her only hope lay in summoning the Hosts of the Dead, led by the King whose skull she bore . . .

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Quest Fantasy

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‘Master of the House of Darts’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 60/200

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Master of the House of Darts by Aliette de Bodard

Audiobook Edition

Finished on 5/3/2018

Goodreads

Description:

The year is Three Rabbit, and the storm is coming…

The coronation war for the new Emperor has just ended in a failure, the armies retreating with a mere forty prisoners of war – not near enough sacrifices to ensure the favor of the gods.

When one of those prisoners of war dies of a magical illness, ACATL, High Priest for the Dead, is summoned to investigate.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Aztec, Noir, Political Fantasy, High Fantasy

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‘Armistice’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 59/200

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Armistice by Lara Elena Donnelly

eBook Edition

Finished on 5/2/2018

Goodreads

Description:

Armistice returns to Donnelly’s ravishing 1930s Art Deco-tinged fantasy world of Amberlough with a decadent, tumultuous mixture of sex, politics, and spies.

In a tropical country where shadowy political affairs lurk behind-the-scenes of its glamorous film industry, three people maneuver inside a high stakes game of statecraft and espionage:

Lillian, a reluctant diplomat serving a fascist nation,

Aristide, an expatriate film director running from lost love and a criminal past,

and Cordelia, a former cabaret stripper turned legendary revolutionary.

Each one harbors dangerous knowledge that can upturn a nation. When their fates collide, machinations are put into play, unexpected alliances are built, and long-held secrets are exposed. All is barreling towards an international revolt…and only the wiliest ones will be prepared for what comes next.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Low Fantasy, Noir, Political Fantasy

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‘Cadet Cruise’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 52/200

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Cadet Cruise by David Drake

The Year’s Best Military and Adventure SF v.3 Edition

Finished on 4/5/2018

Goodreads

Description:

This story is set within Davif Drake’s nationally bestselling RCN series.

Pennyroyal knew that Cadet Leary was supposed to have remained aboard the Swiftsure…

Genres: Sci Fi, Short Story, Military Science Fiction, Heist Fiction, Crime fiction

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‘Tempests and Slaughter’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 57/200

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Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Audiobook Edition

Finished on 4/16/2018

Goodreads

Description:

Arram. Varice. Ozorne. In the first book in the Numair Chronicles, three student mages are bound by fate . . . fated for trouble.

Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness–and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the “leftover prince” with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom’s future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

Genres: Fantasy, YA, High Fantasy, Middle Grade, Tortall

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‘Red Sister’ Book Review

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Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 56/200

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Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

Audiobook Edition

Finished on 4/7/2018

Goodreads

Description:

I was born for killing – the gods made me to ruin.

At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.

But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.

Stolen from the shadow of the noose, Nona is sought by powerful enemies, and for good reason. Despite the security and isolation of the convent her secret and violent past will find her out. Beneath a dying sun that shines upon a crumbling empire, Nona Grey must come to terms with her demons and learn to become a deadly assassin if she is to survive…

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Political Fantasy, Adult, Science Fantasy

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