Over the last month, I’ve read a half-dozen or so entertaining books and a few which were less entertaining – but I won’t share those. Most the entertaining ones were published by Castalia House, the same publisher which put out three of my books.

Since I’m not a TV watcher, books are my main form of entertainment. That and wandering through the woods hunting for cryptids. Or being hunted by them, as the case may be.

Here are some I’ve enjoyed:

A Sea of Skulls by Vox Day

Though darker than his first epic fantasy novel A Throne of Bones, A Sea of Skulls draws the reader deeper into the world of Selenoth.

I particularly enjoyed the way various races employ their own forms of magic and worship their deities. The orcs’ summoning of their vulgar god GorGor is a particular striking example.

Also, I just about cheered when the former elven sorcerer Bessarias was called out of retirement. His character is a personal favorite of mine. He previously appears in the excellent tale Opera Vita Aeterna.

Even better: A Sea of Skulls has a second half coming by the end of the year. I look forward to it – though this title is not for the faint of heart.

The Promethean by Owen Stanley

Like Stanley’s previous book The Missionaries, The Promethean is wickedly funny and marvelously non-PC.

In it we learn why we can no longer have nice things as an American billionaire creates the perfect robot, unable to be distinguished from a human – and then sees his utopian dream turn into a nightmare.

I laughed out loud during this one.

There’s really no way any description can do it justice.

Young Man’s War by Rod Walker

This book is straight-up adventure sci-fi with excellent characters, a great plot and some seriously cool bad guys.

And zombies.

Sort of.

I read this one then immediately gave it to my 12-year-old son to read.

It reminds me of why I first fell in love with science fiction before the genre was corrupted by stupid utopian preaching and romance-in-space storylines.

For Steam and Country by Jon Del Arroz

This book is a fun steampunk throwback, though I found the main character rather irritating at points.

Why would you randomly pilot an airship with no previous training? Of COURSE you’re going to screw things up!

Bad Zaira! Bad!

Of course, one must admit the brilliant Baron von Monocle left his daughter in a difficult spot – and it looks like there’s no going back to the farm.

Alien Game by Rod Walker

Alien Game is another excellent romp.

Imagine Jurassic Park meets The Most Dangerous Game.

In SPAAAAAACE!

Great fun. Bonus points for the exobiological details.

Mutiny in Space by Rod Walker

Communists and second chances, a dangerous hijacking and irritating bureaucracy you wish to see destroyed, plus more adventure.

And videogame theme music saving the day.

Just read it. It’s good.

At this point, I will read any book that Rod Walker writes.

I signed up for Kindle Unlimited a couple of months ago as it was cheaper than buying individual titles and I’ve likely already gotten my money back for the year. It’s like having a huge library to skim. I don’t know why I waited so long to sign up. If you’re a binge reader, it’s a good deal. If not, piecemeal probably makes more sense.

Enjoy your Sunday rest – I’ll see you Monday.

 

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In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.

The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.

Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!

Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, Lord, is in you.

Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!

-Psalm 25, NIV