Shadows of the Apt - progress update III

I have just finished The War Master's Gate, the penultimate book in the series. Just a few thoughts: I am glad to say that the quality remains high throughout the entire series, and this book is no exception. There are some new characters, and they are well rounded, and reminiscent of the characters from the start of the series. There is a feeling of a circle closing. One more book to go and I feel tingling in my fingers, eagerness to start the last installment in this true epic. I hope to find time to write something more about it when I have finished reading. Until then, keep moving forward!

Shadows of the Apt - progress update II

I finished The Air War, and loved it. I immediately started reading the next book in the series: The War Master's Gate. It is not disappointing. Far from it. The series is quite long, but worth every moment. I think I will be sad when I finish.

Shadows of the Apt - progress update

I have just finished the 7th book in the series, Heirs of the Blade, and jumped right onto the next one - The Air War. That is one of the biggest compliments that I can give to a series. This is one big, sprawling yet engaging epic. I cannot recommend it enough. Great story, well rounded characters, and that sense of urgency and trepidation that forces the reader to read on. I hope to write a review of the entire series when I have reached the end. Until then, try it, I guarantee that you won't regret it.

Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Insectpunk Fantasy

Empire in Black and Gold is the first book in the Shadows of the Apt series. The series is finished, it consists of 10 books and it has garnered flattering reviews from the blogosphere. I have been circling it for some time and finally decided to give it a go.

At the beginning, the author throws us in the middle of a battle for the city of Myna, where Stenwold Maker and his friends are trying to help the city fend off the attack of the Wasp Empire. In the midst of all chaos, we are presented with barely a sketch of a somewhat different fantasy setting. I really like my FSF this way. At the start, you see a tip of the proverbial iceberg, and then your patience is rewarded as you read along.