Category: Book Reviews

by Drew Karpyshyn

Published by Del Rey Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY DYNASTY OF EVIL!!!

“’When all options are wrong,‘ he muttered to himself in the darkness. “What does it matter which one I choose?'” –Darth Bane

            From the back cover blurb:

            Twenty years have passed since Darth Bane, reigning Dark Lord of the Sith, reinvented the ancient order devoted to the dark side as a circle of two: one Master to wield the power and pass on the wisdom, and one apprentice to learn, challenge, and ultimately usurp the Dark Lord in a duel to the death. But Bane’s acolyte, Zannah, has yet to prove herself a worthy successor. Determined that the Sith dream of galactic domination will not die with him, Bane vows to learn the secret of a forgotten Dark Lord that will assure the Sith’s immortality—and his own.

            Zannah knows that her ruthless Master has begun to doubt her, and so she prepares for his downfall, plotting at last to wrest from Bane the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith. Zannah pursues her Master from the grim depths of a ravaged world to the barren reaches of a desert outpost, where the future of the dark side’s most powerful disciples will be decided by the final, fatal stroke of a lightsaber.

            An amazing finale to the trilogy. Darth Bane will forever be a favourite Sith Master of mine. Though I disagree with his Rule of Two, I respect him nonetheless.

            Yes, I’m teasing—I’m no Sith-lover.

            Then again, why don’t you read this trilogy and decide that.

            Taking on the dark undertones that its previous books had, Dynasty of Evil lives out the Rule Darth Band instituted himself. Is he ready to follow his own rules? Every person fears death at one point or another in their life.

            I was holding on through the entire novel. To be honest, though she’s evil—though, simply following the guidance and lessons her master taught her—I sort of love Zannah.

            As for the ending, without giving anything away—it’s been a few years since I read the book, but I still find myself torn from its outcome. The edge-of-your-seat action and the resolved ending will have you enthralled.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: DYNASTY OF EVIL.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

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by John Irvin

A commentary by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY CAN’T HELP FALLING!!!

“She danced with Mason down a rainy street. At least she thought it was Mason, with all the water in her face, she could barely make out his features.”

            Almost hot off the press, ladies and gentlemen, this short little clean and sweet romance novella was published only a week ago as of today’s blog post.

            Kaela is a movie star, though the career doesn’t play too big a part in this story. She’s also a divorced mother of three beautiful, wonderful children. With her Ex barging her with finding someone else since he’s already made it official news with his magazine model, she’s stressed out.

            But then, at the book-signing, she meets one of her favourite authors: Mason Haran. He’s a bestselling novelist who writes both fantasy and romance.

            They immediately click.

            But there’s one problem—to some it may be an insurmountable problem—she’s well over a decade older than him.

            Bouncing back and forth between emotions and rationalizations and listening to their parents or peers, will Kaela and Mason be able to reach a decision? Should they ignore their hearts? Should they accept the advice of society?

            This little novella was a blast to write—having one of the characters in this romance be an author like me, gave me a feeling of connection.

            Plus, Notting Hill being one of the best romantic comedies in cinema history in my eyes, I found a deeper love for this story.

            I didn’t want it to be just another romance short fiction though. The issue of age difference was a topic of several conversations at the time of the writing. So I figured I’d insert something thought-provoking into this salad bowl.

           Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy this clean romantic struggle? You might appreciate the ending or you might disagree. That’s up to you. If you decide to buy this 99 cent novella, just remember, it’s just a book. But if you do enjoy it, please leave a sweet review—I’d love to hear what you think about it.

Click this link to go check it out: CAN’T HELP FALLING.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Drew Karpyshyn

Published by Del Rey Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY RULE OF TWO!!!

“Darovit made his stumbling way through the bodies that littered the battlefield, his mind numb with grief and horror. He recognized many of the dead: some were servants of the light side, allies of the Jedi; others were followers of the dark side, minions of the Sith. And even in his dazed stupor, Darovit couldn’t help but wonder which side he belonged with.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            As the last surviving Sith, Darth Bane promulgated a harsh new directive: the Rule of Two. Determined to put this policy into action, Darth Bane thinks he has found the perfect apprentice. Zannah, though young, possesses an instinctive link to the dark side that rivals his own. Under Darth Bane’s tutelage, she will become essential in his quest to destroy the Jedi and dominate the galaxy.

            But there is one who is determined to stop Darth Bane: Johun Othone, Padawan to Jedi Master Lord Hoth, who died at Bane’s hands in the Sith War. Though the rest of the Jedi scoff at him, Johun’s belief that there are surviving Sith is unshakeable. But not even Johun could foresee the astonishing new knowledge and power that Darth Bane discovers through Force-induced visions—power that will alter him in ways he could never have imagined.

            I bring you the sequel to Path of Destruction, the middle point of the Darth Bane trilogy, and the beginning of a new era in the history of the Sith. This book represents the birth of a new rule that affects the entire galaxy of Star Wars for millennia to come.

            This book almost converted me to the Dark Side—I began quoting the Sith Code, in fact, to this day that is the easier of all three codes to recall. Just being honest.

            If you enjoy a good antihero story, you must continue with this follow-up to the space-adventure of Darth Bane, Dark Lord of the Sith and instigator of the Rule of Two.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: RULE OF TWO.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Drew Karpyshyn

Published by Del Rey Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY PATH OF DESTRUCTION!!!

“This is a great victory for us. Korriban is more than just another world: it is a symbol. The birthplace of the Sith. This victory sends a message to the Republic and the Jedi. Now they will truly know and fear the Brotherhood.” –Lord Kaan, Sith Master

            From the back cover blurb:

            One the fun from vengeful Republic forces, Dessel, a cortosis miner, vanishes into the ranks of the Sith army and ships out to join the bloody war against the Republic and its Jedi champions. There, Dessel’s brutality, cunning, and exceptional command of the Force swiftly win him renown as a warrior. But in the eyes of his watchful masters, a far greater destiny awaits him.

            As an acolyte of the Sith academy, studying the secrets and skills of the dark side, Dessel embraces his new identity: Bane. But the true test is yet to come. In order to gain acceptance into the Brotherhood of Darkness, he must defy the most sacred traditions and reject all he has been taught. It is a trial by fire in which he must surrender fully to the dark side—and forge from the ashes a new era of absolute power.

            I must say, of all the space adventures written about in the Star Wars saga—at least, the ones I’ve read so far—the trilogy on the life of Darth Bane has got to be my favourite.

            Never did I know that Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader and Darth Maul and all those from the original Star Wars actually had a reason for only having two: a Master and an Apprentice. The Rule of Two was actually founded by none other than Darth Bane.

            Path to Destruction is the first book in the Darth Bane trilogy that sheds light on how the Rule of Two came into being.

            A thrilling dark tale based in that galaxy far, far away, this book sets the stage for what will be one of the best science fictions of all time.

            If you don’t mind a little brutality, this spine-chilling evolution of an antihero will most likely rock your world. It was the reason I became a greater fan of the Old Republic rather than the New Jedi Order or the books from Darth Vader’s times.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: PATH OF DESTRUCTION.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Edwidge Danticat

Published by Graywolf Press

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY THE ART OF DEATH!!!

“More and more of us are writing our own obituaries.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            At once a personal account of Edwidge Danticat’s mother and a deeply considered reckoning of how to write about death, The Art of Death moves outward from her mother’s cancer diagnosis and sifts through Danticat’s writing life. Danticat circles the many forms death takes, shifting fluidly from examples that range from Toni Morrison’s Sula to Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, to deliver a moving tribute and work of astute criticism that will profoundly alter all who encounter it.

            When I first got a hold of this work, it was given to me by a friend, I thought, “Oh, dear, sounds gothic.” But as soon as I started reading, the writer in me exclaimed, “Finally, a book that teaches me how to weave a death scene.”

            Death scenes have always been a struggle. How can I make it sad? How can I get the reader to actually mourn? How can I make them ball?

            Danticat, using her mother’s slow death, woke something in me. The way she presents each form of death—I’d never considered how many forms it could take until reading this work—is intriguing and thought-provoking. Some of the examples she gave sent me into imagining my own death scenes I’ve written or plan to write and how I could possibly make them better.

            Death is a dark subject to most of us as human beings. Danticat shows this, in a masterful way if I can brag on her for a moment. I could imagine it took quite a bit for her to bare her soul for this work—as this book is nothing more than just that.

When a writer publishes a book, we are offering a piece of our innermost selves to the world. To write about the loss of someone we love and to turn around and open that to the public is one of the most terrifying things I can think of.

            There is the old quote: Writers write to taste life twice. Those who do not write have a hard time understanding why we do and how we do what we do. Sometimes we write death to taste it twice. Something in our soul delves in, longing to seek out the mysteries of this fact of life.

            Opening my eyes to the enigmatic, powerful piece of life that death is, I would recommend the Art of Death to any writer who wants to know how to write that final scene better.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: THE ART OF DEATH.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Rick Riordan

Published by Disney Hyperion

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY THE SON OF NEPTUNE!!!

“The snake-haired ladies were starting to annoy Percy.”

            From the inside jacket sleeve:

            Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. Somehow he has managed to make it to a camp for half-bloods, but it doesn’t ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

            Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. Now, because of a mistake she made back then, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wishes she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

            Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes, but he doesn’t see it. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend. He trusts her completely—enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

            Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophecy of Seven.

            Yes, Percy Jackson is back! I was excited to find he was again among the main characters in this series. Of course, he had no memory of who he was or where he was from and the whole time I sat there yelling at him because I knew who he was.

            Okay, I wasn’t actually yelling out loud…not the whole time at least.

            This is the second book in the series, I reviewed the first book about four or five days ago and you can find it in my archives on my Home page.

            The action in this book is amazing as usual. With more new creatures, Rick Riordan has an imagination beyond most. Yes, the Greeks came up with many of the monsters, but Riordan expounded and made them more of what they are. This is my opinion.

            There is so much going on already and we’re only in the second book.

            Percy remembers Annabeth but has no idea who she is.

Hazel isn’t originally from this time period—that was an interesting idea. To have come back from the dead, Hazel is a very intriguing character.

Frank, he’s cool. I love genealogies and Frank has a fascinating one. To have come from so many different countries in his ancestral tree, he’s quite a character. It is no wonder he does seem a bit of, as the book says, a “klutz.” But this just endears him more. Who knows, he’s young, maybe he’ll grow into himself.

            I enjoyed this young adult tale of heroes. Getting to know new people as they mingled with my old friends was fun too. If you’ve read the first series you already know what a great writer Rick Riordan is. You know the style—though this series is a bit different in its chapter setup—the comedic along with action-packed, life-threatening scenes will keep you enthralled.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: THE SON OF NEPTUNE.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com