In The Book of Chaos, readers are plunged into a richly imagined world of epic fantasy where political machinations, wartime strategy, and personal sacrifice collide. At the heart of this sweeping narrative is Diana, a fierce and multifaceted heroine whose journey is as emotionally resonant as it is action-packed. With its intricate world-building, layered intrigue, and relentless pace, The Book of Chaos delivers a gripping saga of resilience, loyalty, and transformation. For fans of epic fantasy seeking depth, drama, and a protagonist who earns every inch of her growth, this novel is a compelling must-read.
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
“Never surrender.”
General Summary for Context:
Diana and her mother are on the run from assassins. Just as they’re about to escape, an arrow strikes her mother. Consumed by grief, Diana only has her father to lean on, but solace is short-lived, as he is soon called away to war once again.
With her country constantly under threat from the Sulerian Empire, Diana sets out on a quest across the land to find a book, The Book of Chaos, believed to hold the key to changing the course of the war. Her journey is long, filled with countless obstacles, battles, and painful losses. Along the way, she transforms into a skilled warrior. But the greatest challenge still awaits her at the journey’s end—a final battle that will test everything she has become.
Concise Review:
Diana and her mother are on the run from ruthless assassins. Just as they near safety, an arrow claims her mother’s life. Looking at the flames, as they take her mother, Diana makes a vow—to find the one book that might turn the tide in the war against the Sulerians. But her journey doesn’t begin right away. Her father doesn’t believe in magic, and doesn’t let her go. What follows is a difficult period in Diana’s life—a time of grief, growth, and intense training. She learns to fight, to survive, and grows stronger with each day.
Later, now a princess, Diana finally gets her chance. She embarks on a long journey across the land to retrieve The Book of Chaos—a book that could change the course of the war. Along the way, she faces danger, betrayal, and challenges beyond anything she could imagine before.
Although part of a larger series, The Book of Chaos can stand powerfully on its own. It’s an epic fantasy filled with political intrigue, war plans, and a journey of a young woman fighting for her people. Diana’s character development is one of the highlights of the book—watching her grow from a grieving daughter to a fearless warrior was truly inspiring. She works through pride, overcomes many challenges thrown her way, and earns her place in the world.
I liked worldbuilding, and loved getting lost in the strange, magical lands alongside Diana. Even though this is the third installment, it feels like we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what this world holds.
One of my favorite parts was watching Diana’s growth—and that epilogue brought the story full circle. You know the fantasy book is going to be a good one when it starts with a gorgeous map – it adds so much to the experience.
I highly recommend The Book of Chaos to anyone who loves epic fantasy with an interesting world, layered political drama, and a fierce, complex heroine at its heart. It’s a thrilling ride from start to finish—and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
It’s an emotional journey for Diana—one of growth, perseverance, and resilience. However, the emotional struggles in the early chapters felt more told than shown. It made it a bit harder to connect with her at first.
The story itself is incredibly vast, with many moving parts—from political intrigue and wartime strategies to espionage, adventure, and personal struggle. Because of this complexity, I felt the main storyline got a bit buried in the first quarter of the book.
But once the story found its footing, it got very good, very fast. I was completely hooked by the adventure and couldn’t wait to see where the plot would take me next. The pacing picked up, the stakes rose, and every chapter pulled me in deeper.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. The writing is strong, but where the book truly shines is in its character development. Diana’s transformation is compelling and believable, and watching her grow into her strength—emotionally and physically—was the best part!
If your father is a sci-fi bookworm like me, these science fiction book recommendations will help you knock it out of the park.
It can be tough to find something for someone who has everything.
Nothing compares to escaping into another world. Here are my five top science fiction classics and new releases.
Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
In the far future, Earth has been taken over by an alien race known as the Psychlos who are stripping the Earth of its mineral wealth. The Psychlos dominate both by their advanced technology and by their physical form, standing nine feet tall and weighing over a thousand pounds. The few human survivors live in scattered, primitive tribes.
In a chance encounter, the chief of security of a mine (Terl) encounters human Jonny Goodboy Tyler and takes him captive. It so happens that Terl plots to mine gold from the Rockies to fund an escape from this backwater world, but his plot requires human miners. Thus Tyler and his small crew begin to learn how to use the Psychlos technology, and more importantly, how to turn it against the aliens in an effort to retake the planet.
Battlefield Earth is a massive book, with as many adventures and close scrapes as intellectual ponderings. For example, late in the story a consortium of intergalactic bankers seeks to repossess the Earth for unpaid debts. They cannot be destroyed by battle the way the Psychlos can, and thus must be outsmarted.
Believe it or not, I first heard about this fantasy novel an announcer on NPR—the only fantasy recommendation I’ve ever heard there.
In a fictionalized China called Kitai, General Shen Tai has just won an impressive victory against invaders. Filled with remorse at the needless death, the general asks for and receives permission to retire. He takes his freedom to move to the site of the now-haunted battlefield and begins burying the dead. He buries Kitai soldiers and their enemies without prejudice. Every time he buries someone, a voice haunting the battlefield falls silent.
Hearing of this honorable deed, a princess gifts General Tai two hundred fifty of her finest horses. He regards this as a death sentence. The horses are so valuable that people will come from hundreds of miles to steal them. But if he refuses the gift or turns the horses loose, he will insult the princess—also a death sentence.
General Tai decides the only way to survive is to drive the horses several hundred miles and present them as a gift to the Kitai emperor. But with only a female warrior as bodyguard, that is a long way to survive.
If you are a science fiction fan, you have probably heard of Pournelle’s The Mote in God’s Eye. This prequel gives us the background of the formidable ex-Marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg.
Imagine a United Federation of Planets-type government happily and peacefully managing a backwater world—until the planet’s resources run low and bureaucracy abandons the planet to its own devices. War ensues, faction against faction, brother against brother, as rival groups vie for dominance. One faction appears to have won power—except that the losers scrape together enough coin to hire the ex-marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg and his men. Making a quick assessment, Falkenberg determines he can win if he strikes hard and fast—and if he manages to convince his opponents he’s landed with overwhelming force when in fact he’s short of about everything.
What I loved about The Mercenary is that Falkenberg is facing overwhelming odds—but he keeps on winning. Modern writing theory dictates that the hero must be beaten down, down, down, nearly to the point of giving up, until in the final scenes he orchestrates a reversal. But some classic works show the hero winning over and over; the joy is in trying to anticipate how he will pull it off. TV shows like Columbo use this technique, as do the Sherlock Homes stories, and the excellent tales of Ole Doc Methuselah from L. Ron Hubbard.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams
This is probably the funniest book ever written. Aliens plan to demolish the Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic superhighway. The only thing standing in their way is Authur Dent, an Englishman who is far, far from being heroic. Dent carries a Babel Fish to translate languages, and a Electronic Thumb with which he can hitch a ride on just about any spacecraft that flies near—spacecraft that might be powered by an improbability drive.
Adams’ humor is dry, ironic, and full of surprises. If dad hasn’t already read this, he should.
(For those of you under thirty, hitchhikers were people who used to stand by the side of the road holding a thumb out. Automobile drivers, not driven paranoid by the internet, would stop and give them a lift.)
I wanted to include a modern novel in my recommendations. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends, and this purports to take the Author Pendragon—Merlin stories and move them into modern times. Really, these are new adventures with new characters, while the Arthurian references create resonance and depth.
Teenager Tamsin Lark lives in present-day Boston, a town full of sorcerers and Hollowers—those who can see and hunt ancient magic. Unfortunately for Tamsin, she has no such ability. Without power herself, Lark is viewed as something of a joke by most Hollowers, including (she thinks) her own crew. When rumors begin swirling that Lark’s missing guardian discovered a powerful magic ring, rivals and enemies begin circling. Lark discovers she must find a way to Avalon to unravel both modern and ancient mysteries to have any chance of finding the magic ring—not to mention having to defeat the Wild Hunt and Lord Death himself.
This two-book series has adventure, romance, heartbreak, and most importantly, mystery galore.
By Award Winning Debut Authors, and L. Ron Hubbard, Tim Powers, and Sean Williams
This collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories—most in the vein of adventure—can’t be beat. Several of the stories feature time travel, although that is not its official theme. As the collection is by debut authors, you are guaranteed to read something fresh and new. I’ve read most of the entries, and Volume 41 is one of the strongest.
Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong is perfect for readers who love a fantasy series that masterfully weaves together themes of sacrifice, defiance, and survival. With richly drawn characters and high-stakes conflict, it explores the harrowing choices made in the face of destiny—where even love becomes a perilous gamble. A gripping saga that promises both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
Astria realizes that Fynn cares for no one but himself, and certainly not her, when she says “ Was it too hard to visit me when you knew I was struggling to survive?”
General Summary for Context:
Embark on a journey into a magical land that is both fraught with perils at every turn, yet flourishing with status and power.
Astria longs to become a Rider, the highest order of the Council. She can then continue in the search for her father, who disappeared years ago, never to be seen again. She feels strongly (and perhaps irrationally) that he is alive and well out there, but she needs a dragon to ride on and accompany her on the search. Enter Zephyr, an adorable, loyal and devoted dragon who stays by Astria’s side through thick and thin. However, there is one major problem with the cute little dragon. He is unable to fly, and without possessing that particular skill, Astria cannot use him to become a Rider. She also requires permission from the Council, which she has not yet obtained (and may never, as they consider her to be a Rogue).
In plain English, she is a problem to them, and they don’t want to afford her any privileges or advantages that may make her more valuable and important to others. But she is persistent, strong, and clever, and she works on a concoction to give her dragon that will enable him to grow strong and fly. She embarks on her voyage to protect her land from their enemies, and ends up falling in love with Lance, a gentleman of the highest order. He reciprocates her feelings but tells her he has to join the battle to do his duty, and she, although fearful for his safety, understands his responsibility to serve.
Concise Review:
It’s a real page turner. What’s enticing is, weaved into the fantasy of dragons and villains and supernatural powers, the sweet and enduring romance that blossoms between Astria and Lance. Like a love from a gothic novel, he protects her from the clutches of someone evil, and she falls hard for him (as he does for her). So you have, in the midst of all the gore and fighting and unendurable actions within the environment, a love that is pure and true. The lovers’ fate as well as the bond between dragon and Rider shapes this novel well.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
Combining both fantasyland, evil, and romance, the novel takes off and never stops. You will chuckle at Zephyr’s antics but also be astounded at his strength and bravery as he protects his mistress. You will feel anger and frustration at the unfairness with which Astria is judged, and sigh when she meets her true love. It’s a compelling story that merges all the above elements into one comprehensive novel, and if you are one who enjoys plots that go off in a myriad of different directions that add greatly to the original storyline, then this is a book you will not want to miss out on.
Today, we’re talking with Alastair Bowman about his book, Creative Destruction: We Can Cure Capitalism.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I love living in France – and I will get my European passport back in a couple of years!
Why do you write?
To share. And to make people think.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My passion for economics and social justice.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Scifi gives lots of possibilities to explore new worlds and see ourselves in them.
How would you describe your writing process?
I generally start early. If nothing feels right, then I read and re-write what I’ve previously written or go and do something else. It has to feel right in the moment even though it will likely be re-written.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Community.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep going, as long as you enjoy it.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The title is whatever feels right. I held a competition for the cover, with the brief to convey jeopardy using the world, a drop of water and barbed wire. The winner added the eye to make a tear, which I think is very effective.
What’s your next step?
I am writing the sequel to ‘Creative Destruction’ – ‘Icarus Falls’.
What book do you wish you’d written?
I owe a lot to John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, but for the writing, either Kazuo Ishiguru’s ‘The Remains of the Day’ or Sebastian Faulk’s ‘Birdsong’.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
It’s always flattering to have a reader, and even better if they give feedback.
Today, we’re talking with James Lance about his book, The Gateway.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once woke up in a hospital in Spain. I had no idea how I got there.
Why do you write?
To entertain, to help give someone that necessary escape we all need at times. If I can inform and educate on top of that, that’s even better.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
All around me; everything I’ve read, heard people say, seen with my eyes. Many great authors, including Huxley and Pullman, helped along the way.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It allows you to fully utilise your imagination as long as you follow the rules.
How would you describe your writing process?
Partly hyper-organised and strict, partly chaotic and mad. My sleep pattern agrees!
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
You can reach new fans and establish a following. You’ll find people that like your style and the way you write.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Trite but true: never give up. This is a long game, and you improve every day. Keep going, keep writing. Find an author who inspires you, someone with experience. In my case: Anthony Horowitz, who once told me to be ‘persistent to the point of annoyance’.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Both the title and cover have to quickly summarise the mood and feel that readers can expect—the story they’re getting involved with before turning a single page. We’ve all seen a book title and cover before, and instinctively, thought: ‘I think this was made for me’.
What’s your next step?
I haven’t taken a holiday in over six years. It’s time to recharge! After that, it’s on to the second book.
What book do you wish you’d written?
The Great Gatsby.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
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Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
What advice would you have for other writers?
In The Book of Chaos, readers are plunged into a richly imagined world of epic fantasy where political machinations, wartime strategy, and personal sacrifice collide. At the heart of this sweeping narrative is Diana, a fierce and multifaceted heroine whose journey is as emotionally resonant as it is action-packed. With its intricate world-building, layered intrigue, and relentless pace, The Book of Chaos delivers a gripping saga of resilience, loyalty, and transformation. For fans of epic fantasy seeking depth, drama, and a protagonist who earns every inch of her growth, this novel is a compelling must-read.
Scott T. Barnes
Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong is perfect for readers who love a fantasy series that masterfully weaves together themes of sacrifice, defiance, and survival. With richly drawn characters and high-stakes conflict, it explores the harrowing choices made in the face of destiny—where even love becomes a perilous gamble. A gripping saga that promises both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
What advice would you have for other writers?
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
