Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Clever but complicated dystopian fantasy

The Book Dragon has read Shades of Grey (no, not THAT one) by Jasper Fforde and gives it four claws!

My review from Goodreads: "A friend loaned me this book, and it took me awhile to get into it. It's clever but sensory overload at first. I'm not a fan of dystopian fiction, but this one is quite different and worth a read. The last third of the book moves quickly and is un-put-down-able. The end is not the end, and I'm not sure I'll continue, but if I do, I'll have to rest my brain a bit first. Though full of witty satire and poignant sadness, this book is NOT escapist fiction; it makes one THINK."

NOTE: If you're curious about this book, know that there is one F-bomb and one S-bomb for effect, since in this society cursing is a crime punishable by a heavy fine. There is also some crude talk about premarital sex (called "youknow") and one instance when a young woman seduces the young man she plans to marry, but in a "fade to black" kind of way. Also, the sequels have not been published, so if you don't like to be left hanging at the end, you might want to wait and see if Mr. Fforde ever writes the rest of the story!

Love is in the Air! Giveaway from the Fellowship of Fantasy!

Valentine's Day is this week, and the Fellowship of Fantasy, a group of authors who write clean fantasy, have a fun giveaway for readers of fantasy with at least a dash of romance.

For a chance to win these ten great books plus a special prize fantasy lovers will appreciate, enter the rafflecopter!

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Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Fun urban fantasy novella

The Book Dragon has reviewed Emperor's Heir, a novella set in Annie Douglass Lima's fascinating Krillonian Empire and gives it 5 claws!

My review: "4.5 stars for an interesting story in the Krillonian universe. I wanted to read this because I have loved the trilogy with Bensin & company, but when it began with silly teenaged girls, I almost stopped reading. I'm glad I kept going, because the story becomes more and more interesting, and the climax is a fun surprise. There are no life-and-death stakes in this story, as there are in the trilogy, but there is concern for one of the characters that made me feel anxious for her. And poor Meg's bus ride in the big city hit way too close to home. Although this story can be read as a stand alone, it's even more interesting if you have read the trilogy first. Recommended!"

Here's a better image of the beautiful cover: