As such, I'm always going to view this title with rose-tinted glasses as it was my warm welcome to the world of heroic fantasy.
Here's the plot outline - Druss is a badass with a big axe, who's known throughout the world as such.
He believes he is to die in his 60th year after seeing a vision in his younger days, which he now is. Living in isolation after the death of his wife, he has sworn never to fight again.
Meanwhile, a warlord named Ulric, leader of a warring, tribal people known as the Nadir has united the feuding clans and amassed an army bigger than any that exist in the south, and he is coming to stamp his rule on the Drenai empire.
In order to get from north to south, he must pass the ancient fortress of Dros Delnoch. This is the battle ground.
Druss, having heard of the army one million strong heading to crush his people, Druss decides it's once more unto the breach, and travels to the doomed fortress to make his last stand with the forces there.
Lots of engaging characters, moral qualms, and of course visceral battle scenes full of heroics, this is a classic tale of underdog army vs army.
I just bloody love it.
- Rob
 
            
            Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Gretel & Hansel (2020) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
 
    A Man Walks on to a Pitch: Stories from a Life in Football
Book
'When a man walks on to a pitch there's always a chance something magic can happen, that's what...
 
    The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
Movie Watch
Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Doctor Parnassus...
 
    Covered in Flour: 1968: A Young Boy's Perspective on School, Family, and Changing Times
Book
It's 1968 in Whisper Haven, and 8-year-old Carl Pozzi's world is about to change. For...
Biographical Historical Fiction
 
            
            Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fire in Frost (Crystal Frost, #1) in Books
Mar 20, 2020 (Updated Mar 20, 2020)
CRYSTAL FROST tells herself she isn't crazy, but sane people don't see ghosts. As her psychic abilities manifest, Crystal discovers she can see into the future, witness the past, and speak with the dead. Add blackmail to the list of things she never thought would happen to her, and you basically have her sophomore year covered. After spotting her first ghost, secrets from her family, friends, and classmates begin to surface. Uncovering secrets can be dangerous, but giving up means someone will get hurt. Again.
What was refreshing with this YA was there was no teenage sexual tension drama!! It was a really well written story about a young girl discovering her special gift. It also raised awareness for domestic violence and that it's not acceptable at any age, Alicia Rades did this without coming across as preachy like some authors can. I was impressed with her style and looking forward to reading more by her.
 
    Honkytonk Man (1982)
Movie Watch
Multiple Academy Award winner Clint Eastwood directs and stars with his real-life son, Kyle, in this...
 
            
            Erika (17789 KP) rated Shuggie Bain in Books
Jan 30, 2021
I don't think I ever need to read another coming of age story ever again, this one was so good. Now, this is a 'novel', but I think it's pretty obvious that it may be pretty close to the author's life.
This was the second book I read in 2020 that was named after the child 'Shuggie', but, in truth, it was about his alcoholic mother. It was mostly focused on her, which really made me think.
This book stuck with me because as I read it, it made me wonder if some of this was what my own father went through. He was the youngest, left by all his siblings, to care for his alcoholic mother after his father cheated on her and left her (exact story line of the novel). I have to thank Douglas Stuart for this novel, it really helped me understand my father's family dynamic and situation.
Damn, it was so good.
 
    The Girl and Her Ren
Book
The Epic Conclusion to The Boy & His Ribbon "What do you do when you write down all your secrets?...
coming of age romance YA
 
         
            


