Books Like...

'The Time of the Dark' by Barbara Hambly follows the story of Gil Patterson, a scholar who is drawn into another world where she must join forces with a magician named Ingold Inglorion and a biker named Rudy to combat the mysterious Dark beings threatening civilization. As they navigate the dangers of this medieval world filled with magic, the characters face the looming threat of the Dark while also grappling with the societal challenges of preserving knowledge and cohesion. The plot unfolds with engaging writing that immerses readers into a rich and gritty setting, filled with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters who evolve throughout the story.

"The Calling of the Three" by Ru Emerson is a fantasy novel that explores a world where magic exists and the characters are faced with the task of fighting against an usurper to restore the rightful duke. The plot involves three Americans who are transported into this magical realm and must protect the heir and his sister, despite their lack of knowledge about this world. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of action and character development that quickly draws the reader into the story.

'The Lark and the Wren' by Mercedes Lackey follows the story of Rune, a girl with a passion for music who dreams of becoming a bard. The plot revolves around Rune's journey as she faces challenges and adventures to pursue her dream, from fiddling for a ghost to entering the Bardic Trials. The writing style is described as light and fluffy, with likable characters and a logical plot progression. The story is divided into different parts, each focusing on Rune's growth as she finds her wings, heart, and magic, all set in a fantasy world with elements of magic and supernatural creatures.

When a courtier comes riding into Jenny's path, flourishing his words and falling off his horse gallantly, she can't help but shake her head. Especially when she learns that he's there to convince Lord Aversin to slay a dragon for the kingdom. And as a witch and his lover, Jenny can't help but be dragged into this adventure. Overall, a rather dull book. The characters read very world weary and that translates into the book as well. Most of it is tromping through the wilderness to get to a place with a rather pragmatic and dismal tone. I'm all for practicality, but for some reason this book just reeks of it. Which makes it a little dull. It's satirical in a toss cold water on you sort of way. It's the type of book that literally says hey, your Dragonbane is a hick and adventuring actually is cold and wet and icky. But there's no spark of humor or entertainment in this book at all. Just pragmatic Jenny with her little magic and down to earth John with his good intentions to help out his king and his lands. I did appreciate a lot of aspects of the book. Gareth was both annoying and entertaining. I absolutely loved the ending and the idea that there is a spirit animal in every person. I loved Jenny's interaction with the dragon, and oh my gosh, that description of music and gold that was just beautiful. But... this book was just so practical and almost boring. Two stars for a good concept. But at the same time, two stars for making it rather grey and dull. Recommended only for those who want to read about a down to earth kind of adventure.

'The Twelve' by Stuart Neville, also known as 'The Ghosts of Belfast', delves into the dark and violent world of Northern Ireland after the Troubles, where former paramilitaries have turned to organized crime. The protagonist, Gerry Fegan, haunted by the ghosts of his past victims, seeks redemption by taking on a mission of vengeance against those who ordered him to commit heinous acts. The novel intricately weaves together themes of guilt, violence, corruption, and the complexities of maintaining peace in a politically turbulent region. Through a gripping and intense narrative, Stuart Neville paints a vivid picture of a post-conflict society grappling with its violent past.

Stuart Neville's writing style in 'The Twelve' is described as gritty, captivating, and complex, offering a nuanced look at a politically difficult period in Ireland's evolution. The novel is praised for its immersive storytelling, rich character development, and its ability to shed light on the historical and sectarian violence that has shaped the city of Belfast. expertly navigates the themes of revenge, redemption, and the psychological toll of past atrocities, providing readers with a thought-provoking and compelling narrative that explores the blurred lines between good and evil in a morally ambiguous world.

In a dystopian future London, memory has been replaced by music and the written word is obsolete. The story follows Simon, an orphaned boy, who embarks on a journey with his friend Lucian to take down the sinister Order controlling the city. As they navigate a world where memory is erased by an instrument called the Charillon, they uncover secrets, form connections, and strive to restore lost memories. The book weaves together elements of thriller, love story, sci-fi, and historical fiction, blending intense musical descriptions with a poetic writing style that immerses readers in this unique and disorienting world.

The Chimes explores themes of memory, connection, and rebellion against oppressive forces in a society where music dictates communication and daily life. Through intricate world-building and a fresh take on dystopian elements, the novel delves into the consequences of memory loss and the power of retaining one's past in a world where forgetting is the norm. With a blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of identity, love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The Last of the Renshai is a high fantasy novel set in a world based on Norse Mythology, following the warrior race called the Renshai who dedicate their lives to mastering swordsmanship. The story revolves around the main character, Rache, a young blonde warrior whose life is thrown into chaos when his village is attacked. The plot is fast-paced, filled with unexpected twists and turns, as it follows Rache's journey over the next decade. The book features immortal wizards, warriors, kings, gladiators, and hunters, all with clear motivations for their actions, resulting in collision courses that cannot be avoided.

The writing style of the book is fast-paced, covering a lot in a few pages, with a depth in the world-building, realistic characters, and great action scenes. The plot twists and turns without slowing down, and the characters respond emotionally to the events around them, making them relatable and likable even amidst dire circumstances.

'The Oathbound' by Mercedes Lackey is the opening book in the duology of books dealing with Kethry and Tarma, a mage and a sword-sworn fighter bound by oath to one another and to the Goddess. The story follows their adventures as they travel together as mercenaries, defending women in need of deliverance despite the personal peril they face. The book is structured more like a collection of short stories, each chapter presenting a different adventure, rather than a continuous building story. The characters of Tarma and Kethry are engaging, and the plot, while somewhat episodic, is strong and enjoyable, especially when accompanied by the sequel 'Oathbreakers'.

The book delves into the journey of Tarma and Kethry, two oathbound sisters with contrasting roles - a Sworn Sword and a mage, united by their oath to protect women in distress. The plot unfolds through a series of episodic adventures that highlight the bond between the two women and their dedication to their cause. Despite being written over 30 years ago, the book is praised for being ahead of its time in focusing on two strong female protagonists and tackling themes of femininity and female empowerment within a fantasy setting.

Knight of Ghosts and Shadows by Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon is a 1990s urban fantasy novel that introduces readers to the world of Bedlam's Bard. The story follows Eric Banyon, a classically trained flautist who discovers his Bardic powers and is approached by an elf knight to help save their magical Grove in California. As Eric navigates his newly discovered abilities and the intricate world of elves living among humans, he must overcome personal struggles while facing the threat of evil forces determined to destroy their home. The narrative unfolds through multiple character perspectives, offering a blend of music, magic, and urban fantasy elements that captivate readers with its unique plot twists and well-developed characters.

The writing style of Knight of Ghosts and Shadows seamlessly transitions between different characters' viewpoints, making it an engaging and easy-to-read experience. The authors skillfully weave together elements of urban fantasy, music, and magical realism to create a compelling story that explores themes of love, power, and the complexities of the human and elven worlds.

Smoke and Shadows, a spinoff from the Blood Ties series by Tanya Huff, follows Tony Foster, a former street kid now living in Vancouver with vampire Henry Fitzroy. Tony works on a TV show about a vampire detective and faces mysterious occurrences on set involving strange shadows and possessed cast and crew. As Tony delves deeper, he uncovers a plot involving a wizard and a dark lord from another dimension, all while navigating his complex relationship with Henry and the challenges of his new life.

The book blends elements of urban fantasy, humor, and mystery, with a focus on character development and intricate plot twists. Tanya Huff's writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of light entertainment and deeper themes, creating a narrative that pays homage to its predecessor while standing on its own.