Michael Smith > Recent Status Updates

The heatwave in the UK sure has slowed down my enjoyment of reading. Damn.

This joins The Dragonbone Chair as one of my favourite series openers in fantasy.

Is this a highly original series? No. But I care deeply about everything and everyone, and their is a masterful control of all that is happening here that in no way betrays this as a debut.

John Gwynne...I needed a few false starts with this book, but I finally fell in love with Malice.

I would die for Storm. She is the goodest girl.

Another very strong book. Sad to say, I hate one of the main characters, but it is okay because I do not feel he was written to be anything other than an irritating artist who cannot commit to anything. Including his art.

But it would be nice to enjoy a character or two lol

A wonderful adventure story. Free of fat, concisely written and full of charm and heroics, and a fair bit of meaty history to learn from

This novel, the start of the Sackett family saga, is only 185 pages. But it feels so much grander and bigger, and I am really enjoying this. The writing is less modern than, say, Ken Follett or John Jakes, but it is gripping, very detailed and full of life.

This is a perfect work of art. I have yet to finish it but I have no complaints at all.

This book is a masterpiece! At least, it is so far. I am in awe of this.