Book Brouhaha

Summary: The concubine Ránača, despairing over her dead family and status, agonizes when Mother Volhuxa, oldest of Master Hergesto's bed-slaves, informs her that they will be sent out of the main house to live with the other slaves. Ránača fears what this will mean--and wonders whether she wants to live at all. Review: Over the past years that I've done reviews on this blog I've read several stories by Leighton.  In this particular piece I couldn't help but notice how much the author's writing voice has matured.  The characters are deeper and the story concept more powerful. As with past works, however, my main issue with Leighton's work is the grandiose idea crammed into the confines of a short story.  While this story definitely feels more streamlined than others (fewer characters, more direct plot), it goes on just a little  too long.  It's a short story, not a novel. But it doesn't change the fact that this is a very enjoyable read.  The ...

Summary: In the town of Kaiyeth on the edge of Birviod wood, Kenhesho discovers the power of fear. A Tale of the Shining Lands. Review: **May contain spoilers** I have read/reviewed other work by Leighton and I have to say that his short story writing skills have vastly improved.  He's really done a good job changing the feel of his stories from "rambling" to "concise" without losing any of the fun fantasy feeling. On that note, Leighton continues to impress with his grasp of fantasy language.  Often times you read stories in this genre and the only reason why you know it's fantasy is from the fact that they are killing orcs.  Not so with Leighton.  And he does it all without doing the "Old English" type of speech.  The end result is that you are immediately pulled into a rich other world of high fantasy. My only gripe about this story is the end.  The death of the main character felt a little abrupt.  I get where Leighton ...

Summary: Young Nathaiu frets over the journey of his dead parents in the afterlife. When an old man comes to town peddling an incense said to lead the dead straight to the holy father, Orotar, Nathaiu buys a pouch of the stuff. When he burns the incense at his evening prayers, he discovers the nature of the old man's magic.   Review: The only thing that really makes this story fall under the short story genre is the word count.   A Cheerful Smoke for the Dead  is not a concise story concept.  With a barrage of characters, magic and motives, this story was clearly created to be a teaser for a to-be-released novel that the author mentions at the conclusion in lieu of a "the end." I was a little overwhelmed by all the information presented right off the bat.  Just as soon as you start to figure out what the heck is going on with Nathaiu the story ends.  I confess I felt slightly disappointed in the fact that the whole thing felt like a "begi...