Back again with another rare post that is NOT an interview!
2018 was another full year of medial school, and I was able to read another (whopping!) 6 books! I actually did read a thousand more pages than last year though, because I was mainly reading novels, as opposed to short fiction, this year (4 novels, 1 anthology, 1 novella)
Regardless! I will still promote all the books I gave a rating of 4/5 or higher! 🙂
Without further ado, I am happy to announce my…
Top Reads of 2018!
2. The Two of Swords series by K.J. Parker
About the Book:
The epic opening volume in The Two of Swords trilogy by World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker.
“Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. Because war is good for business and it’s better to die on our feet than live on our knees. Because they started it. But at this stage in the proceedings,” he added, with a slightly lop-sided grin, “mostly from force of habit.”
A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end.
The Two of Swords is the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of its soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.
About the Book:
The second volume in The Two of Swords trilogy by World Fantasy Award-winning author K.J. Parker.
“Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. Because war is good for business and it’s better to die on our feet than live on our knees. Because they started it. But at this stage in the proceedings,” he added, with a slightly lop-sided grin, “mostly from force of habit.”
A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end.
The Two of Swords is the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of its soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.
About the Book:
The epic concluding volume in The Two of Swords trilogy by World Fantasy Award-winning author K. J. Parker.
“Why are we fighting this war? Because evil must be resisted, and sooner or later there comes a time when men of principle have to make a stand. Because war is good for business and it’s better to die on our feet than live on our knees. Because they started it. But at this stage in the proceedings,” he added, with a slightly lop-sided grin, “mostly from force of habit.”
A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end.
The Two of Swords is the story of a war on a grand scale, told through the eyes of its soldiers, politicians, victims and heroes.
My Rating: 4/5
Why You Should Read It: A 23 part, serial novelization, that was brought together, and released in 3 separate volumes.
I wanted to be picky, and had a better memory, I could have ranked each one of these novels separately – but I read far too long ago and have many more things on my mind outside of reading this. However, I did each volume a 4/5, and I’m pretty sure each volumes short story ratings, averaged out to essential the same overall rating.
Volume 1: Read My Review
Volume 2: Read My Review
Volume 3: Read My Review
1. One of Us by Craig DiLouie
About the Book:
They call it the plague
A generation of children born with extreme genetic mutations.
They call it a home
But it’s a place of neglect and forced labour.
They call him a Freak
But Dog is just a boy who wants to be treated as normal.
They call them dangerous
They might be right.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Why You Should It: This novel gives a whole new meaning to “dark fantasy” and I lost count of the number of times I had to put the book down because I was emotional getting invested in the characters too much.
Seriously, I haven’t been keep track of awards or anything this year, but I’d be shocked if it doesn’t get nominated for some major award. It’s that good.
MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape 
I still need to read Two of Swords!!
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How is that possible?! KJ Parker is one of your favorite authors, no?!
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It’s great to see One of Us on this list! I really enjoyed it, even though it was tough to read at times.
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VERY difficulty. Those were the (many) moments when I had put the book down.
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Yea…I really need to read One of Us. I bought it because the reviews got me so curious.
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It is a fantastic fantastic novel. HIGHLY recommend it!
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