Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review

Roger Zelazny is quite rightly acclaimed as one of the all time greats of Science Fiction and Fantasy. He is my favourite author of fantasy and one of the biggest influences on my own writing.  He is best remembered for his Amber series and for the marvellous Lord of Light. But for me, his best book is This Immortal. 

----more----

And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. A collection of the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. The Maori were so fond of it that they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

For this episode I am going to recommend a novel I haven’t read because it hasn't been published yet. It is called A Trade of Blood, the third in a the Shadow of the Leviathan trilogy, by Robert Jackson Bennett.  Books one and two were so excellent I am confident that part three will match my expectations.----more----

And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

Michael Moorcock is best known for his stories about the albino prince, Elric and his magic sword, Stormbringer.  Perhaps rightly so, but for me his finest work is his Dancers at the End of Time trilogy. Far ahead of its time and thought provoking. Written by a story teller at the top of his game. 

One of the most charming books written in the fantasy genre has to be Princess Bride by William Goldman.  Both the book and the film that was made from it are cult classics. As fresh today as the day it was first published.  A tale of true love and swashbuckling adventure. 

It is difficult to put your finger on which sub genre of fantasy the Goblin Emperor fits into.  Most of the elements that most people associate with good fantasy, like sorcerers, dragons, enchanted blades, and mighty heroes are missing. And the hero is an ordinary man, or half elf half goblin in this case, with no special powers who just has to muddle through when plonked on the throne and told he's now emperor. A great read. Unputdownable

In this week's podcast I give you my take on A Song of :Ice and Fire by the hugely popular fantasy author, George R R Martin. ----more----

And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury, about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world, it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. The Maori were so fond of it that they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

 

Ann McCaffrey might be best known for Dragonsong and other stories set on the world of Pern but I prefer her Crystal Singer Trilogy. Perhaps this is because the woman at the centre is a deeply flawed character who should be difficult to like - but isn't.  Wonderful stuff.

 

One of the best debut novels in the world of fantasy has to be King Rat by China Mieville. He is better known for his later works, such as Perdido Street Station, but my heart belongs to his first novel, King Rat, which updates one of the best-known fairy tales by placing it in the London of the 1990s.----more----

And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

 

The modern fantasy genre has its roots in myths and fairy tales. One persistent theme in the English language has been the tale of King Arthur, his sword Excalibur and the Knights of the Round Table. It has been told again and again in different ways for centuries. It is a central myth of English folklore. Many of the giants of the fantasy genre have reimagined it. But none have matched what is known as the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart, where we are told the story through the eyes of the wizard, Merlin.

----more----

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com 

 

 

The legacy of Mary Renault cannot be underestimated. Her marvellous historical fantasy trilogy about Alexander the Great was one of the first in any genre to break the mould and include homosexual love in a popular literature. Writing more than half a century ago,  she dared to break the rules not only with her Alexander series but with many of her other published works. ----more----

And while you are here. Please hava a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

 

The most successful author in the world of fantasy has to be J K Rowling. Her Harry Potter series and the films they spawned have been enjoyed by hundreds of millions of adults and children alike. We can thank this very gifted writer for making so many people fall in love with fantasy. Many of them have gone on to buy books by other authors in the genre. I would say she is as influential as J R R Tolkein.   

The Little Prince is a magical book, a modern fairy tale, written more than eighty years ago, and it still enchants adults and children alike. Undoubtedly one of the best introductions to the world of fantasy that has ever been written

Fantasy comes in many different guises. It ranges from Romantasy to Grimdark and from Sword and Sorcery to Magical Realism. One of my favourite books which doesn’t quite fit into any of the sub genres that I generally read is Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. While there are many who scoff at fantasy as not really literature, I offer this novel as a prime example of great writing.

----more----

And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release later this year. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A story steeped in ancient Chinese mythology, featuring a semi mythical hero that is still remembered in the Middle Kingdom to this day

One of the most outstanding Grimdark fantasy trilogies ever written has to be A Land Fit for Heroes by Richard Morgan. Ahead of its time when it was written. As fresh today as when it was first published. I cannot recommend it highly enough. 

https://amzn.to/4sBpDIk

----more----

One of the best storytellers to emerge in the last two decades has to be Patrick Rothfuss, the author of the Kingkiller Chronicles. He's only written the first two books in the trilogy and is taking his time with the final instalment. His fans including myself have been waiting for fifteen years to see how the story ends. 

----more----And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release in a couple of months. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A story steeped in ancient Chinese mythology, featuring a semi mythical hero that is still remembered in the Middle Kingdom to this day.

A grimdark fantasy novel for grown ups with a thirteen year old psychopathic anti hero at its centre. Not for the faint hearted but a fabulous read. This week we delve into the world of the prolific writer, Mark Lawrence and his trilogy which begins with Prince of Thorns.----more----

And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release in a couple of months. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A story steeped in ancient Chinese mythology, featuring a semi mythical hero that is still remembered in the Middle Kingdom to this day.

 

 

 

 

In a departure from my usual weekly review of a book in the fantasy genre I am going to talk about my favourite wizard. Magic is firmly entwined in nearly every story in the genre and wizards, witches and warlocks abound. And once you've had a listen, let me know whether you agree with my choice. And if not, tell me who you prefer. ----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

M L Wang is a leading light in the world of fantasy and not just because of her excellent writing. She started by penning novels in the genre for Young Adults but has since written two books for a more mature readership that explore complex issues that resonate with the world we live in. The first to be published was Sword of Kaigen but I much prefer her later work, Blood Over Brighthaven.----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

One of the most underrated writers in fantasy has to be Justina Robson. Her Quantum Gravity series is better written and more absorbing than a lot of books in the genre that have sold more copies. Definitely worth a look.----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

While Robert Heinlein is considered one of the 'big three' of Science Fiction, he also wrote a couple of excellent fantasy novels, mixing  wry humour with first class story telling. Glory Road is a classic that has aged well and is just as enjoyable today as it was when it was first published more than sixty years ago. A must for all lovers of Fantasy. 

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

One of the most delightful trilogies to hit the bookshops in the last few years has been the Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. Grim, dark, and bloody, it borrows from Norse mythology and the author  adds his own brand of magic and mystery to create an unforgettable series, The Shadow of the Gods, The Hunger of the Gods and The Fury of the Gods.

----more----

Click on the link to buy the first in the trilogy, The Shadow of the Gods. If you buy through my website I make a tiny commission but it doesn’t affect the price you pay. Any money I make goes to making more of these podcasts.

UK  https://amzn.to/49NvUtI

US   https://amzn.to/3NeagGe

 

 

In this weeks episode we look at Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. It is probably the best fantasy novel inspired by Chinese history and mythology that has been written by a writer from the West.

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

This week we look at the work of Gene Wolfe.  His series the Book of the New Sun is widely admired by authors of the fantasy genre.  Each volume is carefully crafted with not a word out of place. But it is not for the faint hearted....----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

A writer who has faded into the background somewhat in recent years is Michael Moorcock. He was a prolific author in the 1960s, 70's and 80s and his influence on the modern fantasy genre should not be underestimated. One of his greatest creations was the crimson eyed albino, Elric, who wielded the sentient and malevolent sword, Stormbringer, the drinker of souls.----more----

You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you do so. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go towards the making of these podcasts.

STORMBRINGER  

----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.   BUY IT HERE

 

One of my favourite series is The Black Company by Glen Cook. First published in the 1990s, the books became best sellers a second time twenty years later when they were reissued. This is in part I think due to the fact that truly high quality Grimdark novels are rare as hen's teeth. And lets be fair. When Glen Cook first published these books the term Grimdark hadn't yet been invented. 

You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you do so. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go towards the making of these podcasts.

https://amzn.to/3YqdSqT

----more----

 

This week we take a look at The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson. A must for any fan of Grimdark fantasy and Norse saga. ----more----

You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you do so. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go towards the making of these podcasts.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

 

 

LEGEND BY DAVID GEMMELL.   One of the best authors of epic fantasy has to be David Gemmell. His debut novel, Legend, is one of the best debut novels ever written in the genre and launched the career of a writer who, was a master of plotting and storytelling.   Click on the link below or the cover to order your copy. If you order through this podcast I make a tiny commission which does not affect the price you pay. Any money I make goes towards making these podcasts.   BUY THE BOOK HERE   https://amzn.to/4itz9sZ     ----more----

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has quite rightly been lavished with awards and praise for his work, His comic series, The Sandman, has been made into a very stylish television series. As has the novel American Gods, which many consider to be his best work so far. ----more----

You can purchase a copy of American Gods by clicking the link below.  I receive a tiny commission if you buy the book in this way. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go to producing this podcast. 

https://amzn.to/4abevM5

----more----

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

 

While tales about swords and sorcery have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, the genre as we know it, only began to take shape about a century ago with Rober E Howard’s Conan the Barbarian. There were a few others writing in a similar style all those years ago and most of those have been forgotten. But not Fritz Leiber. His tales about two morally ambiguous thieves who lived in the city of Lankhmar remain as fresh today as they did when they were first written.----more----

You can purchase a copy of the First Book of Lankhmar by clicking the link below.  I receive a tiny commission if you buy the book in this way. It does not affect the price you pay and all proceeds go to producing this podcast. 

https://amzn.to/4nXFX32

 

----more----

There are few writers in the fantasy genre who come anywhere close to Stephen Donaldson when it comes to world building. He creates a world with unforgettable characters and utterly distinctive creatures. While most writers stick to elves, dwarves, wizards and the like, he goes that extra mile to allow the reader to suspend disbelief and lose themselves in the stories he writes. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are a prime example.

----more---- Lord Foul's Bane

This link will take you to a place where you can buy the first volume in the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. I make a tiny commission if you buy it through this link. It doesn't affect the price you pay.

And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

The latest episode in my fantasy book review. A podcast aimed at those who love fantasy and science fiction but have run out of things to read. A place to discover hidden gems that seem to have been lost in time, as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading SFF.

One of the best writers of fantasy to emerge in the twenty first century has to be Anthony Ryan. He is a prolific author who, like many others who became best-selling authors, struggled to get published. He forced his way onto the scene by publishing his first novel, Blood Song, himself. It sold enough copies to grab the attention of a major publisher, and he hasn't looked back since. 

BUY THE BOOK HERE

AND WHILE YOU ARE HERE......... YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.......

Diving into the legends and myths surrounding jade, the Stone of Heaven.  To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

 

 

----more----

Ann Rice is not always a writer associated with the fantasy genre. She is better know for horror. Her Vampire Chronicles are well known. But she produced a wonderful book that perhaps no one else would even attempt, yet alone succeed in writing. ----more----

AND WHILE YOU ARE HERE......... YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.......

Diving into the legends and myths surrounding jade, the Stone of Heaven.  To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

 

 

Andre Norton may be best known for her Witchworld series of fantasy novels but an earlier work, the Beastmaster, is just as good if not better. 

An overview of one of the best fantasy trilogies to be published in recent years. The three books of the First Law series are a must for any lover of fantasy who like their fantasy grimdark alleviated by wry humour.