The best time of year for reading epic fantasy

I love the holidays in general but even more so for reading. Books are published with the Christmas season in mind.

It makes sense. Books make wonderful Christmas gifts and I love holding a book. There is nothing like the smell of  anew book or the feel of turning a page and that is something a digital book can never duplicate.



There are a few on my fall list.

First, a new writer to the late Anne McCaffrey's world of Pern. Her daughter, Gigi takes up the reins with her first novel "Dragon's Code".  Ms. McCaffrey continues the same storyline, albeit from a different perspective than her brother, Todd, with familiar characters. We get to see how Piemur is getting along. For those true Pern fans, Piemur was the young lad we first met in "Dragondrums". I enjoyed this book and look forward to more tales.

S.M. Sterling's "The Sky-Blue Wolves" is the final novel in his best-selling Novels of the Change series which started with "Dies The Fire". We're now in the third generation since technology failed and I, for one, and sorry to see these books finish. Sterling mixes Tolkien, Arthurian, Norse, and Wiccan along with historical facts in his stories.

Elle Katharine White's "Dragon Shadow", the sequel to "Heartstone" just released. The book is the continuing adventures of Aliza and Dragon Rider Alastair (and his dragon, Akarra). This is on my TBR pile.

Sarah J. Maas' novel, "Kingdom of Ash" came out wit much anticipation. This is the climax to her Throne of Glass series. Aelin Galathynius is being held captive by Queen Maeve while her husband and their allies fight to save their world. This is on my TBR pile.

Mercedes Lackey sis set to release another collection of short stories set in the Valdemar universe this month. "Choices" is due to release November 27th. I have every Valdemar book and devour each one. To date, the Herald-Mage trilogy is my favorite.

However, for all of the books I have listed, the number one of releases is George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood" It just arrived! As soon as I finish The Sky-Blue Wolves, F&B is next. I love the illustrations. Last year he re-released the first novel in the Song of Ice and Fire series: "A Game of Thrones" in a beautiful illustrated version. I hope further novels are also handled the same.

I'm still waiting for Harry Potter's Year Four to come out in the colorful illustrated version. Maybe next year?

Have fun reading!

Stay safe out there!