Author Archives: JABurch

Book: The Fifth SeasonAuthor: N.K. JemisinPublisher: OrbitPublished: 2015 AFAIK the Broken Earth trilogy is the only series to have won the Hugo for best book for each entry. I think it’s important to go into this book with an awareness that you are about to read something which requires you to be switched on. It’sContinue reading “The Fifth Season v Ghost Ship”

Book: DarksoulAuthor: Anna StephensPublisher: HarperVoyagerPublished: 2018 The sequel to the brilliant Godblind, Darksoul is a cracking follow up. As it is the second in the series I don’t want to go into too much depth to avoid spoilers for the first book as far as possible, but obviously, there are going to be some soContinue reading “Darksoul v Lumina”

Book: Age of AssassinsAuthor: RJ BarkerPublisher: OrbitPublished: 2017 Despite its name, this isn’t really an assassin book, in the same way the books about Fitz aren’t really about him being an assassin. Girton is an apprentice to a master assassin and has been ever since he was rescued from slavery as a child. Now aContinue reading “Age of Assassins v Birra Moretti”

Beer: ZiaBrewery: London Beer FactoryStyle: Tiramisu Pastry StoutStrength: 9.2% Bought this one at (wishful drinking) a while ago but have been saving it for a special occasion. What better than to drink it while watching pastry week on Bake Off. F*ck me that’s a sweet beer. Sugary syrup texture with a hint of coffee. TastesContinue reading “Red Seas Under Red Skies v Zia”

Beer: Cocoa WonderlandBrewery: ThornbridgeStyle: Chocolate PorterStrength: 6.8% Sharp bitterness sort of overpowers any supposed coffee or chocolate flavour the beer has. Not bad though. Quite like it, but not my favourite Thornbridge beer (that is still Jaipur by a mile or more) Book: Empire of SandAuthor: Tasha SuriPublisher: OrbitPublished: 2018 It’s always refreshing to readContinue reading “Empire of Sand v Cocoa Wonderland”

Book: DuneAuthor: Frank HerbertPublisher: HodderPublished: 1965 Seeing as the film everyone has been talking about is out today, like many others have clocked, it seems like as good a day as any to post a review of the book. To many, this is to modern sci-fi what Tolkien was to modern fantasy or the BeatlesContinue reading “Dune v Brithop”

Book: The Great HuntAuthor: Robert JordanPublisher: OrbitPublished: 1990 Not sure if this is the consensus but, in my opinion, The Great Hunt is a much more enjoyable read than the Eye of the World, though I do enjoy EotW a lot too. It could only achieve this though by being able to build on theContinue reading “The Great Hunt v Chouffe Blanche”

Book: EragonAuthor: Christopher PaoliniPublisher: DoubledayPublished: 2004 For me, one of the best things about Ergaon and the Inheritance cycle is that it was written by someone who was themself the age of the target demographic. That isn’t to say that middle-grade and YA books written by adults are inherently inferior, that would obviously be ridiculous.Continue reading “Eragon v 1356”

Book: Rage of DragonsAuthor: Evan WinterPublisher: OrbitPublished: (Indie: 2017 Trad: 2020) This book is brutal. The violence starts from the very get-go and barely lets up at all throughout the book. If you’re looking for a gentle, relaxing read look elsewhere because your adrenaline will be pumping the whole time you’re reading Rage of Dragons.Continue reading “The Rage of Dragons v Kwak”

Book: The Twilight HeraldAuthor: Tom LloydPublisher: GollanczPublished: 2009 This is the second book in the Twilight Reign series. Stormcaller is a good fantasy book and I’ve enjoyed it both times I’ve read it. TR though is exceptional. I think it is sadly overlooked because the preceding book is good but not great. Otherwise I’m adamantContinue reading “The Twilight Herald v Faith in Futures”