Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review

dalu34341
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A podcast by best selling fantasy author, Andrew Shaw, using his avatar, Lord Yama. It's aimed at those who love fantasy and science fiction but have run out of things to read. A place to discover hidden gems and brilliant novels, trilogies and series that seem to have been lost in time as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading SFF. Lord Yama is an ancient Chinese deity, the lord of hell, who judges souls and decides on their fate.

  1. 2d ago

    BLACKSTONE HEART BY MICHAEL R FLETCHER

    I am a BLACKSTONE HEART BY MICHAEL FLETCHER I am a great fan of the work of Michael Fletcher who wrote the Obsidian Path series of books. In the first book, Blackstone Heart, we meet Khraen, who starts out as a relatively good guy, but that doesn't last long. I think Michael Fletcher is underrated as an author. While his books don't sell as well as the likes of Joe Abercrombie, his writing in on a par with him and others at the top of the genre.  Great examples of Grimdark fantasy. it occurred to me while reading it that the structure of Blackstone Heart lent itself to a being turned into a video game. Pretty sure that wasn't the author's intention but it reminded me that I am coming across more and more books that ARE written with a video game in mind----more---- And as I mentioned in the podcast, Renn, the first in my fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese history and mythology is now available to order  It is a story told against the backdrop of the rise and fall of the first Chinese empire, through the eyes of the two lovers at its centre. One is a princess kidnapped and sold to a brothel, who must seduce a foreign king to gain her freedom. The other is her warrior husband who becomes willing to tear  apart an empire to rescue her.  Published by Earnshaw Books all you need to do is click on the link provided or the cover illustration to order your copy. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HN7PN7C9

  2. Oct 17

    THE POET EMPRESS BY SHEN TAO

    One of the best fantasy novels of the year so far has to be The Poet Empress by Shen Tao. It is already being hyped as a favourite for next year's Hugo Award,  And quite rightly so.----more---- And as I mentioned in the podcast, Renn, the first in a fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese history and mythology is now available to order  It is a story told against the backdrop of the rise and fall of the first Chinese empire, through the eyes of the two lovers at its centre. One is a princess kidnapped and sold to a brothel, who must seduce a foreign king to gain her freedom. The other is her warrior husband who becomes willing to tear  apart an empire to rescue her. Discussions are already underway to adapt it for the screen and turn it into a video game.  Published by Earnshaw Books all you need to do is click on the link provided or the cover illustration to order your copy. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HN7PN7C9

  3. Oct 11

    CIRCE BY MADELEINE MILLER

    Fantasy is almost as old as humankind's ability to speak. The books we read today come long after the first tales about gods, demons, heroes and mythical beats told by primitive man around the fires they lit at night to ward against the cold and dark, and to keep the wild beasts at bay.  Some of the first to be written down come from ancient Greece. Tales of Zeus and Olympus are still told today. And of course we were all reminded of those stories by the recent excellent film Odysseus by Christopher Nolan. One of the deities in that epic was the witch, Circe. And no one in recent times has told her story better than Madeleine Miller. Her book by that name brings the whole pantheon of Greek gods to life. And none more so than the witch herself.----more---- And I am excited to announce that the first in my own dark fantasy trilogy, Renn, will be published  by Earnshaw Books next month, on November 17th. It iis a grimdark fantasy based on ancient Chinese history and mythology. On one level, Renn can be seen as a Grimdark Romantasy (A princess abandoned by her lover and sold to a brothel who must seduce a foreign king to gain her freedom and wreak vengeance on those who wronged her) On another level it can be read as an epic fantasy. (The story of a warrior who helps his king build an empire and then becomes willing to tear it apart to rescue the woman he loves.) Next week I will give details of how to pre order a copy. In the meantime I include a picture of the cover

  4. Oct 4

    THE DANCERS AT THE END OF TIME TRILOGY BY MICHAEL MOORCOCK

    Michael Moorcock is best known for his series of books featuring the albino anti-hero, Elric, and his soul-drinking sword, Stormbringer. They are classic sword and sorcery fantasies and well worth reading. But he also had a deft touch with other forms of fantasy. Perhaps my favourite books by him can be found in his Dancers at the End of Time trilogy. Charming, whimsical and at the same time extremely thought provoking.    ----more---- And I am extremely pleased to say that my publisher has just told me that the first in my own dark fantasy trilogy, Renn, will be published on November 17th.  More details  in next week's podcast. In the meantime here is a picture of the cover of the book.

  5. Sep 27

    JACK OF SHADOWS by ROGER ZELAZNY

    My favourite fantasy author is ROGER ZELAZNY.  Best known for his Chronicles of Amber, he was also a dab hand at science fiction. He was also the master at blending the two genres.  His Lord of Light is the best-known example of how he did this but a much darker novel called Jack of Shadows is more to my taste. ----more---- And while you are here, have a look at one of my own books, SPOIL, a look at  one of the darker periods in the history. The West looted millions of priceless relics from China during the colonial era. It’s time to give them back. This book tells the story of when they were stolen, who stole them and where they are now. It also offers a way to give China back its treasures, which should be acceptable to everyone. Available as a paperback, eBook or Audio book. Click on the cover to learn more.  ----more----

  6. Sep 20

    THE BROKEN EARTH TRILOGY BY N K JEMISIN

    This is another in my occasional series on Hugo Award-winning novels. The Broken Earth Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin not only won the Hugo for the first book, The Fifth Season, but she also won the award in the following years for Books 2 and 3. Something never done before. ----more---- And while you are here, have a look at one of my own books, SPOIL. The West looted millions of priceless relics from China during the colonial era. It’s time to give them back. This book tells the story of when they were stolen, who stole them and where they are now. It also offers a way to give China back its treasures, which should be acceptable to everyone. Available as a paperback, eBook or Audio book. Click on the cover to learn more.  ----more----

  7. Sep 12

    THE EVERLASTING

    In last week's podcast, I covered the Hugo Awards held in Los Angeles, where the award for best novel went to The Everlasting by Alix Harrow. Some of you have requested a fuller review of the book.  It’s a great read and a departure from the type of fantasy that usually features in the most prestigious award  in Science Fiction and Fantasy.  Different perhaps but a deserved winner.----more---- And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

  8. Sep 6

    THE HUGO AWARDS 2026

    There was a surprise winner for best novel at this year's Hugo Awards. The Everlasting by Alix Howell.  Although there were some who'd dismissed it as a Romantasy, the award was well deserved and indicates a new direction and bright future for the fantasy genre. I would call it a Grimdark fantasy.----more---- And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of it. The ancient Olmecs of Central America treasured it far more than gold. Maori were so fond of it they killed and ate ten British sailors who tried to steal some of it.  If you want to know about the pirates who poisoned a man to get hold of it or how many slaves the Inuit would swap for a piece of it, then this is the book for you.  BUY IT HERE

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About

A podcast by best selling fantasy author, Andrew Shaw, using his avatar, Lord Yama. It's aimed at those who love fantasy and science fiction but have run out of things to read. A place to discover hidden gems and brilliant novels, trilogies and series that seem to have been lost in time as well as the best that is on offer from modern writers. It's not a review so much as my desire to share the books that I have enjoyed in more than half a century of reading SFF. Lord Yama is an ancient Chinese deity, the lord of hell, who judges souls and decides on their fate.

Information

  • Creator
    dalu34341
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review