Top 10 Books I've Read This Year...

Note, this will not be a list of books that came out this year, but just the ones I have read. Sometimes you have to live up to your last name (Powers) and pick up books at the The Iliad.

But without further ado, here is THE LIST

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10: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, Book 1 of the Gentleman Bastards trilogy. Review: Hnnnng

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9: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie. Review: One of the best revenge stories I've ever read, all set in the same world as the First Law Trilogy. Read it. I'm sure Mr. Abercrombie would appreciate more book sales.

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8: A Dance With Dragons by George RR Martin. Review: Words are wind, but where do whores go?

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7: A Fortress In Shadow by Glen Cook. Includes: The Fire in His Hands and With Mercy Towards None. Review: I have a soft spot for Glen Cook. His works are, in a word, amazing. And I can definetly see the influences from him in the works of Steven Erikson. (The character of Mocker reminds me of Malazan's Kruppe, for instance). Incredibly underrated author. Buy

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6: Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C Esslemont. Review: While not the best Malazan has to offer, I really enjoyed this tale. I won't lie, the name Kyle threw me off for awhile. Not as much as Richard in the Sword of Truth series, but whatever.

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5: King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, Book 2 of the Broken Empire. Review: Jorg is back! With Vikings and Fire Mages and an ending that left me grinning like an idiot at work.

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4: War Machine by Andy Remic. Review: Yes, its silly. Yes, its over the top. Yes, its the equivelant of an 80's cheesy action movie. But, you know what? I like cheesy 80's action movies.

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3: Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, Book 1 of the Broken Empire. Review: Holy shit. (Yes, I know there are two Mark Lawrence books on here...)

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2: The Black Company by Glen Cook. Review: Fantastic Military Fantasy by the master. Here we are introduced to Croaker, Goblin, One-Eye, Raven, and the rest of the gang.

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1: Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson. Review: What can I say? This is one of the best books I've ever read. Period. Right after the Bonehunters, it has been my favorite Malazan book, as well. (Note: I still have yet to read Dust of Dreams and the Crippled God- its just that the used bookstore I go to never has a copy, and Barnes and Noble usually does not, either :() It's an emotional rollercoaster. Enjoy.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

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The Vacant Throne: Book Two of the Band of Four by Ed Greenwood.
Cities of the Dead by Michael Paine
Shadows Linger by Glen Cook
The Demon Awakens by RA Salvatore.
The Temptation of Elminster by Ed Greenwood
The White Rose by Glen Cook
Shadow Games by Glen Cook
Stonewielder by Ian C Esslemont

Shadow Games: The Black Company Goes South

Just look at that beautiful cover.
Look at it.
Look.

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We seven remained at the crossroads, watching the dust from the eastern way.Even irrepressible One-Eye and Goblin were striken by the finality of the hour. Otto's horse whickered. He closed her nostrils with one hand, patted her neck with the other, quieting her. It was time for contemplation, the final emotional milemark of an era.

And so begins the fourth chronicle of the Black Company. Seven down from hundreds, a company in search of its past. Now, its no secret that this is one of my favorite series, followed by the Dread Empire for works by Cook. I'm going to try to resist gushing about this particular tome, and highlight some of the better parts.

Croaker, the unreliable narrator is now Captain of the Company, and good for him. Lady, the quasi-villain from the first three books is along for the ride. Otto. Hagpop. Goblin and One-Eye, the sorcerers. Murgen, the youngest guy in the Company at twenty eight. The last of the Company, which was shattered at the battle of the Tower of Charm. And the Barrowlands.

Lady muttered some very unladylike sniggen snagen riddly rodden racklesnatzes under her breath..

Croaker's fanfictions about the Lady finally become reality, so good for the old man.

I have to run to the bookstore to get the next one, since they're pretty hard to find in brick and mortar stores.
Do yourself a favor, and read this. Read them all. Cook is being shadowed by other heavy hitters, and that's sad, considering he's been consistently releasing great content for as long as I've been alive. (30-odd years).

The Omnibus collections are great. Get them. They have them at Barnes & Noble. Or go to the small, used book stores, like I do. The Iliad is my go-to, and if you live anywhere near Los Angeles, I highly recommend them.
Yay! Books!