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Death's Handmaiden #4
Futures
How do you defeat an enemy who knows the future?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2021
31 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books293 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 5, 2022
Like the previous book, this was really a series of incidents rather than one continuous story, however it was still entertaining and well worth four stars.
September 29, 2021
Book #4 in the Death's Handmaiden series. 3.5 stars
Much like the previous novels Nava and her friends are presented with a series of problems. They investigate, explosions follow and thus the story is told. Those familiar with both Teasdale and this series will know what to expect. Theasdale's usual episodic storytelling works pretty well and I enjoyed my time with this book. Nothing really shocking happend, but that just adds to the slice-of-life/ action hybrid story this is.
3.5 stars and on to the next.
Much like the previous novels Nava and her friends are presented with a series of problems. They investigate, explosions follow and thus the story is told. Those familiar with both Teasdale and this series will know what to expect. Theasdale's usual episodic storytelling works pretty well and I enjoyed my time with this book. Nothing really shocking happend, but that just adds to the slice-of-life/ action hybrid story this is.
3.5 stars and on to the next.
August 29, 2021
Fun sci-fi
I like the almost episodic nature of these novels, with so many good characters in a setting, letting them each have their moment to shine is fun. Top class soft sci-fi with plenty of adventure and daring-do.
I like the almost episodic nature of these novels, with so many good characters in a setting, letting them each have their moment to shine is fun. Top class soft sci-fi with plenty of adventure and daring-do.
September 22, 2021
Liked it
I am not a fan of short stories but I am a fan of this Author so I gave it a shot. I enjoyed the book and I will just hope for a full length novel next time. The stories were interesting and I can recommend the book
I am not a fan of short stories but I am a fan of this Author so I gave it a shot. I enjoyed the book and I will just hope for a full length novel next time. The stories were interesting and I can recommend the book
November 10, 2021
Read the first of this series first!
I don't give 5 stars except to Hugo/Nebula winners.
The world building and character revelation(s) make the first book worth every penny and probably a 50 percent tip!
I don't give 5 stars except to Hugo/Nebula winners.
The world building and character revelation(s) make the first book worth every penny and probably a 50 percent tip!
August 23, 2021
Another great read
I’ve read everything Neill has written. This book is up there with best of them. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I’ve read everything Neill has written. This book is up there with best of them. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
August 24, 2021
Awesome
This is another great book in the series. One of my favourite authors keeps upping the bar. Very enjoyable read.
This is another great book in the series. One of my favourite authors keeps upping the bar. Very enjoyable read.
August 24, 2021
The author never fails to deliver.
It was a long time coming but did not disappoint.
It was a long time coming but did not disappoint.
August 30, 2021
Decent read
Not the best in the series, but I'm thinking this is setting up the next book... Or not. What do I know. I just read these things...
Not the best in the series, but I'm thinking this is setting up the next book... Or not. What do I know. I just read these things...
October 10, 2021
Nava rocks
I like this futuristic magic series. I like the story/plots the best. The sex and women's outrageous clothes I could do without. Hope the next book comes soon.
I like this futuristic magic series. I like the story/plots the best. The sex and women's outrageous clothes I could do without. Hope the next book comes soon.
August 23, 2021
The best Death's Handmaiden book since the first one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews