Contents:

This book is written with a very sparse style, yet has surprising depth. Much of the backstory is provided with the thoughts of an otherwise silent sister; here the language is almost poetic to start each chapter.

After this flowing intro the chapters are quick and efficient plot movers. This style gives a whole lot of twists and turns in a relatively short page count.

The Dread Hammer

Personally I found it refreshing for fantasy. Of course Smoke is eventually found and it is from that point this story really shines. The Bidden are leaders of the army but not the land itself, and interesting concept that allows for new dynamics. His treatment of Smoke and Ketty is ruthless; worse he holds secrets that open up a whole new section in this twisting story. The sisters hold more love for Smoke but their loyalty to the Puzzle Lands leave them just as willing to use his talents. Smoke is the core of the story, a wonderful flawed character. His love for Ketty is pure but it may be the only thing about him that is.

A perfect killer with atrocities tied to him, he is feared by all. Alone among the Bidden he is unloved by the people, and shows them no love in return. If not for Ketty he may not have any cares in the world, yet hears the prayers of many in trouble and often answers them. Intriguing and hard to pin down is our Smoke, but a whole lot of fun to read about. So much to like about this story. Ketty gets to change from a pawn in a board game to someone who finds her own power through education and willpower rather than luck. The strength of the tiny puzzle lands vs the cult led kingdom they are fighting and their mysterious, possible immortal leader.

Several smaller flawed love stories built around the main one, including a few surprises. And a bittersweet ending with heart. It is the amount of heart this book has that really sells it for me. It is a book that falls into the gritty fantasy label for sure, but with a certain amount of sweetness. I will be reading the second of the duo in the near future, and have no problems recommending this one.

If you're looking for a fantasy novel that steps away from tired, Tolkien-esque tropes, look no further than Linda Nagata's The Dread Hammer. Nagata's skill in world building ranks among the best I've seen in Fantasy literature. Details about the geography and cultures of the Puzzle Lands are interwoven throughout the novel with an easy grace that avoids bogging the reader down in ponderous details and complements the forward motion of the story.

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The world Nagata crafts in this book eschews the o If you're looking for a fantasy novel that steps away from tired, Tolkien-esque tropes, look no further than Linda Nagata's The Dread Hammer. The world Nagata crafts in this book eschews the over played imagery of Western European-inspired fantasy and has a spirit and character all its own.

Richly developed characters drive the action of the novel and lend it the feel of an epic fantasy without the page count. The book's hero, Smoke, is an almost mythic figure: Smoke's relationships are filled with turmoil, passion, and deeply human moments. Smoke's vulnerability serves as an excellent contrast to his power.

Her love of the genre and respect for its hallmarks is evident throughout the book, as is her skill at pushing the boundaries of the genre into refreshing territory. I look forward to the next book and her future works. Imagine your favorite epic fantasy authors. The ones that have you drawn into their world for thousands of pages and do not let you go.

The wonder of the Puzzle Lands is that it somehow condenses everything that makes these stories addictive into a novel length experience without losing that essence. It has the fast pace and creative energy of a Brandon Sanderson fantasy. Rich character and political histories set the stage for engrossing conflicts. The Dread Hammer offers a feeling of anticipati Imagine your favorite epic fantasy authors. The Dread Hammer offers a feeling of anticipation and excitement that there is something more, something magical, just beyond the next word.

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Editorial Reviews. Review. "Smoke is the core of the story, a wonderful flawed character. Look inside this book. The Dread Hammer (Stories of the Puzzle Lands – Book 1) by [Nagata. The Dread Hammer (Stories of the Puzzle Lands) (Volume 1) [Linda Nagata] on bahana-line.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. He lurks beside the forest.

Just like with George R. The Dread Hammer satisfies fantasy reading cravings. Jun 17, Barbara Ell rated it liked it Shelves: His father used him as a killing machine in his war. But Smoke doesn't want to be a part of that life, so he runs and hides in the forest. But as anyone knows, although you want to run from life, it has a way of finding you. He meets a girl and falls in love, then his father finds him again. It is a quick read, and a good fantasy. Some of the descriptor words used repetitively especially in the sex scenes made me question if he was just writing the scenes for the idea of sex in the novel or if he couldn't describe some of it any other way.

I guess that was the only distraction in the book. Otherwise it was a good read. Aug 19, Geoff rated it liked it. Improved as it went on. I had thought it was going to be sf.

The Dread Hammer | Book View Cafe.
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The Dread Hammer by Trey Shiels.

My fault but the disjoint stopped me from enjoying it at the start. Jun 17, Kara rated it liked it Shelves: Recieved from free goodreads giveaway.

Jun 26, Nicole rated it really liked it Shelves: Nov 06, shiny rated it it was amazing. The author is "Linda Nagata" on the cover of my copy. Sep 28, Costin Manda rated it it was ok. Didn't finish reading the book. It felt below average. Bookaddict rated it it was ok Aug 13, Weave a Circle Round. The Space Lore Boxed Set: This is Not a Game. The Prey of Gods.

The Rebellion's Last Traitor. A Sci-Fi Bridge Anthology. The Last Good Man. The Nanotech Succession Omnibus Edition. Clarkesworld Magazine Issue Lightspeed Magazine, March Lightspeed Magazine, April Lightspeed Magazine, May How to write a great review. The review must be at least 50 characters long. The title should be at least 4 characters long. Your display name should be at least 2 characters long. At Kobo, we try to ensure that published reviews do not contain rude or profane language, spoilers, or any of our reviewer's personal information.

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