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thecaptainsquarters
Ahoy there me mateys! This novel is the second in The Shadow series, which is an awesome western fantasy. If ye haven’t read the first book, wake of vultures, then ye might want to skip this post, grab yer horses, and ride out to the nearest dry goods store to get yerself a copy. Worth the read. If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril.
Well, Lila Bowen has done it again. This book was a wonderful continuation of the story of Nettie/Rhett. The first novel ended on a fantastic cliffhanger that made me anxious to get me hooks into the next book.
This novel deals with monsters, the building of the railroad, diverse characters, identity, and, above all, action. Me thoughts in no particular order:
- The setting: I continue to love the setting of the book with the Old West and monsters. The book has such a western feel but with the addition of fantasy elements, historical blending, and a variety of myths, the traditional western is enhanced into something bold and exciting.
- The main character: I love that Rhett continues to explore his own nature. One of the interesting concepts in the series is the use of names as part of identity. Rhett started out as Nettie in book one and as circumstances change, takes on different names as a consequence of different situations. Whether called the Shadow, Nat, Rhett, Nettie, etc., Rhett continues to understand a name is only part of who ye are and doesn’t have to define who ye are. For me, watching Rhett grow as a person is really the heart of the story and it is fascinating.
- The gang: Rhett’s ragtag bunch of friends continues to amuse. This book adds Earl, a Irish lad who can transform into a donkey. The relationship between Earl and Rhett was both endearing and not at the same time. I think it’s great that traveling companions can support each other and protect each other and yet can bicker at the same time. Rhett is prickly. So are the others in his group like Dan. The distinct personalities of each of the characters is a highlight of the novel.
- The magic: The magic of the West continues to fascinate. Rhett continues to explore his newfound powers with some entertaining side effects especially around eating. The magic surrounding the railroad and the villain is particularly fun. I want to spoil it but I won’t.
- The writing: I love the author’s writing style. She deals with such complex topics that make ye think while also not impeding the plot. In fact, such ideas enrich the diverse characterizations and make the characters seem all too real and yet bigger than life at the same time. As flawed and downtrodden as the people are, there is also hope, tenacity, strength, and growth in their survival
Side note: Apparently Lila Bowen is the pen name of Delilah S. Dawson and she has written lots of other things. Cool huh?
Apparently there are two more books in The Shadow Series to come! Hooray!! I can’t wait.
So lastly . . .
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!
This Captain received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review.
Well, Lila Bowen has done it again. This book was a wonderful continuation of the story of Nettie/Rhett. The first novel ended on a fantastic cliffhanger that made me anxious to get me hooks into the next book.
This novel deals with monsters, the building of the railroad, diverse characters, identity, and, above all, action. Me thoughts in no particular order:
- The setting: I continue to love the setting of the book with the Old West and monsters. The book has such a western feel but with the addition of fantasy elements, historical blending, and a variety of myths, the traditional western is enhanced into something bold and exciting.
- The main character: I love that Rhett continues to explore his own nature. One of the interesting concepts in the series is the use of names as part of identity. Rhett started out as Nettie in book one and as circumstances change, takes on different names as a consequence of different situations. Whether called the Shadow, Nat, Rhett, Nettie, etc., Rhett continues to understand a name is only part of who ye are and doesn’t have to define who ye are. For me, watching Rhett grow as a person is really the heart of the story and it is fascinating.
- The gang: Rhett’s ragtag bunch of friends continues to amuse. This book adds Earl, a Irish lad who can transform into a donkey. The relationship between Earl and Rhett was both endearing and not at the same time. I think it’s great that traveling companions can support each other and protect each other and yet can bicker at the same time. Rhett is prickly. So are the others in his group like Dan. The distinct personalities of each of the characters is a highlight of the novel.
- The magic: The magic of the West continues to fascinate. Rhett continues to explore his newfound powers with some entertaining side effects especially around eating. The magic surrounding the railroad and the villain is particularly fun. I want to spoil it but I won’t.
- The writing: I love the author’s writing style. She deals with such complex topics that make ye think while also not impeding the plot. In fact, such ideas enrich the diverse characterizations and make the characters seem all too real and yet bigger than life at the same time. As flawed and downtrodden as the people are, there is also hope, tenacity, strength, and growth in their survival
Side note: Apparently Lila Bowen is the pen name of Delilah S. Dawson and she has written lots of other things. Cool huh?
Apparently there are two more books in The Shadow Series to come! Hooray!! I can’t wait.
So lastly . . .
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!
This Captain received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review.
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
This book is being issued in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of the last unicorn. If ye be one of me crew that has never read the last unicorn, stop what ye be doin’ and go get a copy right now. And then once ye have read and savoured that delightful book, go out and get the 1982 animated movie and relish the experience of that splendid film (the author wrote the screenplay). Then go out and get this one if ye want a glimpse into the origin of this unicorn story. I would not read this it ye have not yet experienced the story in its current form. For those who love the classic fantasy masterpiece that is the last unicorn and are curious about its beginnings, then this be for ye.
Because me hearties, what this book contains is the first draft of the story ye all should know and love. And it is different, oh so very different. For writers, ye get to see into the author’s writing process and see how the first draft can change form and characterization from the final product. For readers, ye get glimpses of what eventually become a favourite character. For both there be elements of the beloved story that remain in the version we know today. In addition this book has tributes from authors Patrick Rothfuss and Carrie Vaughn. Ye also get charming original illustrations and an afterword of Mr. Beagle’s reminiscing of the summer when he was 23 and a unicorn captured his fancy.
I can’t say that I love the 85 page short story that is the beginning of the unicorn’s journey. It is a bit disjointed and more then a little strange. It ends abruptly. It is rather dark. The butterfly seems insane. Ye won’t see beloved figures like Molly, Schmendrick, or Prince Lir. Ye will see a disgruntled dragon and a two-headed demon with heads named Azazel and Webster. While weirdly fascinating, I don’t think a person new to Beagle’s writing should start here. I be so glad that Mr. Beagle’s final edition cut out the demon and changed directions in story telling.. I adore the version published in 1968.
This seems to be the same story published in a limited edition by Subterranean Press in 2006 under the name the last unicorn: the lost version. For fans of the last unicorn, this might be worth yer while. If ye haven’t yet read this wonderful story, then pick up a copy and join me crew, Arrr!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
This book is being issued in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of the last unicorn. If ye be one of me crew that has never read the last unicorn, stop what ye be doin’ and go get a copy right now. And then once ye have read and savoured that delightful book, go out and get the 1982 animated movie and relish the experience of that splendid film (the author wrote the screenplay). Then go out and get this one if ye want a glimpse into the origin of this unicorn story. I would not read this it ye have not yet experienced the story in its current form. For those who love the classic fantasy masterpiece that is the last unicorn and are curious about its beginnings, then this be for ye.
Because me hearties, what this book contains is the first draft of the story ye all should know and love. And it is different, oh so very different. For writers, ye get to see into the author’s writing process and see how the first draft can change form and characterization from the final product. For readers, ye get glimpses of what eventually become a favourite character. For both there be elements of the beloved story that remain in the version we know today. In addition this book has tributes from authors Patrick Rothfuss and Carrie Vaughn. Ye also get charming original illustrations and an afterword of Mr. Beagle’s reminiscing of the summer when he was 23 and a unicorn captured his fancy.
I can’t say that I love the 85 page short story that is the beginning of the unicorn’s journey. It is a bit disjointed and more then a little strange. It ends abruptly. It is rather dark. The butterfly seems insane. Ye won’t see beloved figures like Molly, Schmendrick, or Prince Lir. Ye will see a disgruntled dragon and a two-headed demon with heads named Azazel and Webster. While weirdly fascinating, I don’t think a person new to Beagle’s writing should start here. I be so glad that Mr. Beagle’s final edition cut out the demon and changed directions in story telling.. I adore the version published in 1968.
This seems to be the same story published in a limited edition by Subterranean Press in 2006 under the name the last unicorn: the lost version. For fans of the last unicorn, this might be worth yer while. If ye haven’t yet read this wonderful story, then pick up a copy and join me crew, Arrr!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
So did ye know that Peter S. Beagle has written another awesome unicorn tale? Well, now ye do. If ye don't know who Peter S. Beagle is then go and find a copy of the last unicorn and read it immediately; it's one of the best books of all time. Then watch the animated movie for good measure. So when I saw that there was another unicorn tale, I had to read it.
I found this novella to be lovely. While there are unicorns, the story is really about how Claudio Bianchi deals with and is changed by them. Claudio is a cranky middle-aged farmer who lives on a farm in the Calabria region of Italy. He is a bit of a loner that writes poetry. So when he wakes one morning to find a unicorn on his farm in the middle of nowhere, his world is irrevocably changed.
I loved Signore Bianchi. For being salty, he has a good heart. Even his farm animals have great personalities. The ending was a little unusual but the journey of watching Bianchi's relationships with the unicorn and other folk makes it worth the read.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
So did ye know that Peter S. Beagle has written another awesome unicorn tale? Well, now ye do. If ye don't know who Peter S. Beagle is then go and find a copy of the last unicorn and read it immediately; it's one of the best books of all time. Then watch the animated movie for good measure. So when I saw that there was another unicorn tale, I had to read it.
I found this novella to be lovely. While there are unicorns, the story is really about how Claudio Bianchi deals with and is changed by them. Claudio is a cranky middle-aged farmer who lives on a farm in the Calabria region of Italy. He is a bit of a loner that writes poetry. So when he wakes one morning to find a unicorn on his farm in the middle of nowhere, his world is irrevocably changed.
I loved Signore Bianchi. For being salty, he has a good heart. Even his farm animals have great personalities. The ending was a little unusual but the journey of watching Bianchi's relationships with the unicorn and other folk makes it worth the read.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
