A Parade of Horribles By Matt Dinniman

   Before this title was released, I decided to do a re-read of the pervious 7 books. Or rather a first time listen of the Audiobooks. I read the first Dungeon Crawler carl in e-book for, back in August of 2024. I was a bit hesitant to start the series as I am not a gamer. I tried the Gamer Lifestyle. Got me a X Box but every time I did play a game 14 hours passed by and my character spent the last 5 hours in a hole unable to move. So I thought that the series was not for me.  I was so wrong. So a shout out to all those who pumped the hype for this series. The series surpassed the hype. But I have to say the audiobook performance by the Soundbooth Theatre takes the experience of the tales to a whole other level. 

     This series has hidden strengths. What I mean by this, Matt writes characters to break your heart, uplift your spirits and generally give the reader hope or, in spectacular fashion, dash them. It is a beautiful ride.  

Faith of Beasts by James S.A. Corey

    It always takes me about 2 days to read a Daniel and Ty book as their writing style just hits the spot for me. Their books always makes me think of them long after I have finished.  Creative worldbuilding, and moral dilemmas are outstanding features of this series. 

     In the Captive's War series, TY and Daniel skip the heroic rebellion trope in favor of a rational collaborator protagonist who waits for the right moment—only, what if that moment never comes? The main POV works to accomplish the goals set by his captors while also scheming to connect with their enemies, who, according to a sofa-looking alien, aren’t exactly winning. It’s all so delicious.

    The story ends on a great WTF last paragraph setting up the next book perfectly. If you have never read a James S.A. Corey you are missing out on one of the best writers of Science Fiction for the last 20 years. Even their Star Wars novel Honor Among Thieves is one of the best in that universe.   

The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson

This is not the edition I found and read, but it is the edition that you can buy right now. I discovered Fran G, Bengtsson while going thru the sale table at my favorite book shop in Bangkok, Thailand,  Besides a Viking ship on the cover, it also had a blurb by my favorite authors on it. Joe Abercrombie wrote " A rip-roaring saga that's vivid and authentic... No one should go a-viking without it."  So, of course I had to buy it despite the rather worn condition. 

  So thank you Joe, This book was written in 1954 by Mr. Bengtsson who first came into the publishing world as a Swedish Poet who later on wrote a couple Swedish histories, This tale of Red Ohm is his first foray into historical fiction and I found it brilliant,

    The novel historical setting is 980 to 1010 C. Vikings  for decades set sail to gain fortune in England, Ireland and France. The books main character is called Ohm. who was captured in a raid and brought upon the Viking ship, where he quickly became a favorite among the crew and found his best friend. The tale followed his journey as Ohm went from captive to a Viking raider to galley slave to a bodyguard to Prince to a theft of a holy relic to the household of King Harald. 

    It is a book you must read if you love all thing Vikings. The pacing was perfect. The plot took enough turns to keep you glued to the page wondering what was to happens next.  

Outlaw Planet by M.R, Carey

     I still have not found an M.R. Carey book I did not love, its no surprise that his newest ended up as another love, bit it did not start out that way. As I first read the tale, I thought at first this may be better as a Mike Carey tale, the name M.R. Carey uses in real life and as a Graphic Novelist. And I kept thinking perhaps this started as a Graphic novel. I thought that because 2/3rd of this book is a Western set in a planet of Dog-like population, But then I hit the other 1/3rd that was part of the Panominion Series. a quantum timeline series, And how M.R. tied the whole book together was just amazing. 

     As I stated earlier, this tale is a Western/Science Fiction smashup. A young lady travels to a frontier town to claim the school teacher job, a border war then a civil war and the start of a complete change in her life, It is a fantastic tale. Oh, and a sentient gun, 

    The second story arc which connects this novel to the Panominion series (which begins with book *The Infinity Gate*)  In truth, this is really book three in the series, though you wouldn’t know it since it’s not mentioned anywhere on or in the physical book. I’m not sure how well readers who haven’t read the first two books will grasp that part of the story or just be more confused.  But reading any M.R. Carey tale is never a bad thing in my humble opinion. 

Daughter of the Otherworld by Shauna Lawless

         I have loved the way Shauna Lawless has smashed up Ancient Irish History with Irish Mythology from the very first book in the series,  Children of Gods and Fighting Men.  This book can be either book 4 of the Gael Song series or Gael Song Era 2 BK1. Either way, it was a great read and i was glad to be back in Shauna world.       

       150 years have passed since the event in the Gael Song Trilogy. But since the Fomorians and Tuath De Danann are ancient Irish mythical beings, we have some of the same characters we have met in he first trilogy.  Gromflaith, one of the main POV in the Gael Song, is hiding out in Europe. An actual historical figure who married three Kings, but little is know of Gromflaith in the beside that. Shauna has added to the tale a meticulously crafted character I have not read since George R.R, Martin's Cersei Lannister.         . 

       Structure of this novel has multiple POVs.  Isolde is, at the end of the first trilogy the mere babe of a King and a Tuath De Danann, is now a young lady hidden on an island. Foretold to be the one who will destroy the Fomorians, enemies of the Tuath De Danann,  Isolde thinks the Gods got it all wrong. This strong start to a new trilogy has me excited for book 2.  Shauna will also release novella to add to the tale. 

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

 

    Love this book to death. It starts with friends having a drink. Or two. Something I am very familiar with, as a lover of Tequila, especially in the Shots form. And sometimes you hit that point in the night, where you just want to crawl away and find somewhere to sleep it off. 

    That is exactly what Fern, a rattkin, in the fabulous world Travis has created in 3 fabulous books.so far, Fern finds a wagon bed to sleep it off only to wake up and fine the wagon on the move. And away the adventure begins, 

     Character driven series, not an Epic Fantasy in any stretch of the imagination, just those little battle we find ourselves fighting within ourselves,  In a way, Travis has a bit of Dostoevsky in him, if Dostoevsky had grown up in sunny Tahiti and not dreary Russia,   

     The Breadknives in the tittle refers to one particular concept character that is simply brilliant, you have to read the book to access it on your own, but a am positive you will agree with me. The character warmed every cell in my body.

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

 

   
This book was a pleasant surprise. Who knew working for a Super Villain could be such a tough job. 

Anna Tromedlov, the temp that could, would have been one of the faceless clipboard holders in the background if you’d been taken to a supervillain’s lair while they plotted your demise. But Anna caught the attention of her boss, The Leviathan, with her strong work ethic and a devious plan that brought bad press to her boss' arch enemy. Superglider. 

   it was a great listen if you want to go the audiobook route, The performance of the book by Ales McKenna was a big part of the pleasure I had experience as I travel back and forth this month on the Skytrain , listening to the tale of Anna as she balanced life and work. A sequel is planned to be publish in May of 2026,