What to read next...
Ben Martin from our Lending Services Team shares his thoughts on his three latest reads, drawn from an eclectic mix of genres. Put your feet up and enjoy.
Lord Valentine’s Castle. Robert Silverberg
This story, which I accidentally chanced upon when I was in the basement stack, can be best described as old but gold. Labelled as science fiction, Lord Valentine’s Castle combines elements of both science fiction and fantasy to present an entertaining and enthralling story.
Released in 1980, Lord Valentine’s Castle is set on the planet Majipoor, a huge world filled with low and high technology as well as a host of odd alien races. The story opens with the main character, a man named Valentine, waking without any recollection of who he is. He soon meets a boy called Shanamir who helps this clueless stranger navigate the perils of the nearby city. What emerges from here is a tale of friendship and expedition as Valentine, and the friends he gains along the way, work to unearth a planet-wide conspiracy.
If, like me, you enjoy books that follow a tight knit group of companions on their adventures, then this book is for you. The world of Majipoor is lovingly built by Silverberg, with the author using Valentine’s amnesia to explain and illustrate the extensive world to the reader. And, if you like this book, there are plenty more stories set on Majipoor for you to discover!
Wild Journeys. Bruce Ansley
Full of anecdote and New Zealand history, this book is sure to tug on the strings of kiwi nostalgia. It is worth noting however that the journeys are not as wild as the title would suggest. The book is effectively a collection of short stories in which Ansley discusses his experiences in travelling the footsteps of other characters who have come before. Some of the stories are better than others.
The book blends historical and contemporary stories in an engaging and entertaining narrative. Ansley’s personal stories, particularly the ones involving sailing, and the people that he meets along the way are entertaining, and are combined with old stories that provide a nostalgic view of our country. Learning about these forgotten pioneers and legends gives a sense of appreciation for those that have come before, and the whole book gives an idea of the beauty and danger of the New Zealand wilderness. This book particularly appeals if you enjoy tramping, sailing, or travelling around the country, as Ansley discusses familiar locations and landmarks through his stories of travel.
Also available as and eBook from our Borrowbox collection, and on Audiobook CD.
God of Vengeance. Giles Kristian
Set in the cold north in the Viking age, the first book in the Rise of Sigurd series packs a serious punch. Following the classic revenge trope commonly found in Viking sagas, God of Vengeance presents readers with a bloody story of bravery, companionship, and betrayal.
The story is set in Norway, 785 AD, and follows the young man Sigurd who witnesses his father, Jarl Harald, get betrayed and brutally slaughtered by their ruler, King Gorm. After losing everything, including his home, Sigurd sets out with a small but loyal group of companions, including his father’s warriors and characters that they meet along the way. Sigurd has one mission: revenge.
Kristian is a masterful storyteller. The violence is horrific and feels real, and the story is written with a fiery passion that makes you fall in love with the wonderfully created characters. Relationships and conflicts between characters are tangible and the pacing of the book is fantastic. As Sigurd vies to gain the attention of the god Odin, Kristian reveals that the story is also deeply woven with Norse religion and mystery, though he still manages to keep it within the realm of history instead of completely delving into fantasy. This is an incredibly well researched book and is a must for any historical fiction reader.