Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: YA Book of January 2015 - Brandon Sanderson - Firefight ( The Reckoners)

(UK Book Cover Published by Gollancz 8 Jan. 2015) 

Newcago is free.
   They told David it was impossible, that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.
   Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life simpler. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And no one in Newcago can give him answers.
   Babylon Restored, the city formerly known as the borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic Regalia, Babylon Restored is flooded and miserable, but David is sure it's the path that will lead him to what he needs to find. Entering a city oppressed by a High Epic despot is risky, but David's willing to take the gamble. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And now he will go on a quest darker and even more dangerous than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

(US Book Cover Published by Delacorte Press January 6, 2015)

Also recommended short story Mitosis - Published by Gollancz (20 Nov. 2014)

Mitosis is a novelette set between books one and two of The Reckoners. If you enjoyed book one, Steelheart, I think you’ll enjoy this story—but I do have to warn you that it includes major spoilers for Steelheart itself, so I’d avoid reading it unless you’ve read the first novel. 

Book Review: Brandon Sanderson - Steelheart - Published by Gollancz/Delacorte Press

                   

Brandon Sanderson has done it yet again. He has produced another book that has just blown through the cobwebs of my mind. As soon as I had read the synopsis, I felt that this book had real potential both as an individual story and a new series. That assumption stayed with me from the very first page to the last. This is an epic book (in every sense of the word) that really does deliver a packing punch.

The story starts with 8 year old David and his father, who are in a bank, trying to secure a mortgage. The author eases us gently into the story until Steelheart (the super villain) rampages through the bank in a show of dominance and force. He starts killing the workers and eventually destroys the bank by creating an earthquake that wipes it off the face of the earth. 

The story leads us through a world in chaos. A key event, known as the "Calamity", causes normal people to suddenly gain superpowers. These people, who are called Epics, are a superbly crafted 'pick and mix' bunch of super villains. They are like a mad amalgamation of your favourite DC and Marvel comic characters. They really are fantastically depicted and very well represented throughout this fantasy read. 

I particularly grew to like one of the main characters known as David. I was interested in the way that he analysed the situations that he faced. I also enjoyed the way in which he delivered a variety of metaphors really badly - I found myself chortling on a number of occasions at the air of foolishness created when he delivered these.

The last thing that I want to do is to give away the whole story in this review. However I just want to comment on a few further aspects that really enhanced the story such as the minimalistic use of dialogue. This really created just the right balance of conversation between characters which didn't give too much away or slow down the pace of the story. Equally, the language used to explain the weapons, gadgets and other Sci-fi technology was very well used and created an amazing visual picture.

This is a book that you can easily get wrapped up in - so much so that time soon rapidly disappears. The author has an amazing ability to take you from the safety of your sofa into the fantasy world within just a few sentences. Once hooked, you remain there until you finally finish the book. It's full of thoughtful and well worked out plot twists and turns. Great ideas such as a city made of steel and enforcement officers really add an interesting dimension to events.

This story is easily one of the best books that I have read this year. It will grab you and then punch you straight through into the Sci-fi fantasy world. It's filled with so much action that it will leave you breathless. Brandon is a great artist in painting an imaginable and make-believe post-apocalyptic world where anything can happen. It is one of the best starts to a new series that I have read in a very long time. I am really looking forward to the next installment, which I hope will be very very soon!

Book Review - Brandon Sanderson - The Rithmatist

This book is based on an original idea that the author had around Spring 2007. At this time, Brandon's initial penned title was known as the 'Scribbler' and was based around the world that he aptly calls "gearpunk". However, due to other commitments, he was unable to fix the 'major flaws' (his acknowledgement) that he had encountered until more recently. Thank goodness he did find the time to revisit this book as the overall finished product is definitely worth all of the time and effort that he has invested in it.

In fact, in my opinion, these are perhaps some of the reasons as to why this book is so brilliant. It has had time to mature, just like all things classical. I'm sure that the plot has undertaken many changes and transformations along the way in order to make it the story that we are reading today. This is the book that should put Brandon Sanderson on the UK map as a great young adult fiction writer as well as an epic and well established adult fantasy writer.

This book is a rapid fantasy ride that will grip you. It's very complex and perhaps one of the most imaginative reads that I have come across in quite a long time. The core of the story is based around the Rithmatists, who draw pictures in chalk on the ground. However these take on mysterious and magical powers. You could be mistaken into thinking that this seems quite harmless, but these chalklings can be instructed to injure people . . . especially the wild chalklings. 

The Rithmatists find themselves protecting the Isles from deadly forces until one day they start to mysteriously disappear. A killer is on the loose. It takes Joel (non-Rithmatist) and his unlikely friends to save the day.  This is a breathtaking read with a fantastic storyline. It is full of mystery and suspense that will leave the reader wanting more - much more.

This is quite easily one of the best concepts that I have read in a long time. I was really immersed in the complex structure, which is depicted in detailed diagrams throughout the book, and give an in depth insight into the author's vision. In following this fantastic adventure, many chilling turn of events are introduced.

This book is up with the best fantasy reads this year. The ideas and the development of the setting are very well thought out and detailed. The enjoyable characters, who all add to the sense of mystery, create twists and turns within the story. The fast-paced nature of events and the great injection of "gearpunk", which some might identify as Steampunk, make this book tick all of the right boxes. The ending ties up all of the loose ends in a good way and leaves a teasing glance as to what may come next.

This is definitely a book for your summer reading list if you haven't already read it. If you already have, then I would love to hear what you think.

I'm hoping that time now passes by very quickly until the publishing of the next book in the series. I hope that I'm not going to have to wait another six years............!