Book Review: Remnant: The Palimar Saga: Book One by KR Solberg and CR Jacobson

It's not often that I hit a fantasy novel that's the perfect blend of intergenerational adventure, but KR Solberg and CR Jacobson have pulled together a compelling tale that finds that balance. Jon Therman and his family are smugglers, getting by in a land that staggers under the yoke of an oppressive Drawlen empire ruled by authoritarian immortals and their thugs.

And for the most, he's happy to be smuggling sunrock, and he and his wife are doing their best for their kids ... and maybe things would have continued like that indefinitely if it weren't for the fact that the nefarious immortals are sniffing around for Jon's kids. Because Reasons. I'm not going to spoil it for you.

While things get off to a relatively sedate start, stuff becomes unhinged quite quickly and the story picks up momentum as everyone pretty much gets scattered to the four quarters. And nothing peeves a parent more than having bad people threaten their brood – and hijinks ensue.

What stands out for me is the attention to detail with the worldbuilding. I am an unrepentant Tolkien nerd, so to have an author put so much effort into their setting really tickled me. And yeah, a rather large, diverse cast of characters, too, all of whom you quickly realise have complex backstories. And baggage. Booyeah! The authors throw readers in at the deep end, which I love. There's so much to discover. 

I listened to the audiobook version of this which was dual-narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading (who're known for their reading of Brandon Sanderson's novels). Granted, this was my first time experiencing the pair, and while I liked Reading, I wasn't that sold on Kramer at the start (I'll admit I'm a Simon Vance fangrrrl.) But it's a treat having two immensely talented and experienced voice actors at the helm, so if audiobooks are your jam you so will not be disappointed.

But a word of warning – there is a large cast. So, if you struggle with names and stuff, maybe have a print or ebook handy so you can consult the appendix. This is flintlock adventure fantasy with familiar themes. I was thinking a lot about the old telly series Firefly in terms of the banter and the ease with which the characters interact with each other. I don't see enough of this in epic fantasy.

Even better, we see some non-human sentients like trolls and shapeshifters, all with complex backgrounds – which I always adore. The authors' style is easy to get into, solidly written and engaging, resulting in a series I will heartily recommend to anyone who wants an epic that features ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances where they realise their heroic qualities.

Signs of life... and looking back on 2025

I've realised that the last time I blogged was in September. I have still have a pile of book reviews to write and my resolution to blog more often this year instead of relying on social media has fallen by the wayside. But if you're reading this now, fantastic.

I don't celebrate Christmas nor do I go way out to observe NYE, though this year I will be having low-key gatherings with my closest friends and the few remaining family I have that still speak to me. 

For me the more important date is today, the Summer Solstice, and this year I've had the incredible privilege of being able to celebrate this in one of my favourite spaces: the Klein Karoo. We booked three nights in Red Stone Hills at one of the cottages on the farm. Our little spot is a thatch-roofed dwelling with thick walls, a reed-and-clay ceiling and thatch roof, that was built in 1876. Despite the daytime temperatures that soar well past 30°C on the thermometer, it's a comfortable 20°C inside, which is perfect.

Bird's Nest cottage perches on the flanks of the iconic red hills – oxidised conglomerate outcroppings that crust the khaki-green veld studded with iconic Aloe microstigma and Cotyledon orbiculata. A venerable giant Peruvian pepper tree spreads its weeping branches out back, providing welcome shade. We face a verdant valley where almond orchards create a vivid splash of green and a willow-and-bamboo-lined river flows. Admittedly, it's been a very dry summer, so the river has been reduced to a few puddles, but the valley itself is still quite lush. The bougainvillea planted in and around the houses here offer vivid splashes of magenta.

This is a birdwatchers' paradise, with everything from the shy neddicky, Karoo Prinia, and common chat making up the ranks of the LBJs; to all three species of mousebirds; assorted raptors, like pale chanting goshawk (which we were privileged to see); malachite sunbirds; blacksmith plovers; laughing doves; Cape turtle doves... And bats. Loads of bats at night. We've also been warned that there are leopard, and we did see baboons up in the hills yesterday.

Someone asked me on Threads earlier this week why I would want to go to the Karoo. My answer is complex. My dad was born in Hanover and grew up in Aberdeen, descended from sheep farmers who operated in the area. I spent many childhood holidays every year in September/October at a farmstay in the Cederberg. And since then, we've also enjoyed visiting at the farm Wolverfontein near Plathuis in the Ladismith area. Nieu Bethesda near Graaff-Reinet is another place that's very dear to me, home of my beloved Owl House. So, visiting the Karoo, Little or Groot, in my blood. I just naturally gravitate to these spaces. 

I've learnt to rise early, before the heat, and do my first walk. Then spend the rest of the day lurking indoors reading, making art, working a little... Then at 5pm when it's cooler, walk again. Admire the stars at night. Love the wide-open spaces where everyone stops to have a chat, even if they're total strangers. People drive past and give you a little nod and wave. Life is just different here.

I heartily recommend Red Stone Hills cottages for a breakaway. It's an easy five-hour drive from Cape Town along the R62, with plenty of places for pitstops en route. It's self-catering, but you can arrange for breakfast and 'braai packs' at the farmhouse with Petro Potgieter, the host. Horse-back riding is offered by arrangement. A large swimming pool is available for guests' use at the reception area. There are two hiking trails, and bird-watching enthusiasts will be in for a treat. The cottages are well appointed, if rustic (which I like). The air fryer was a nice touch, and as a freelancer whose work follows her everywhere, I was simply delighted with the fast Wi-Fi. Although telly isn't our thing, there is DStv for those who like to watch. You're well situated here for day trips to various sights in the region, that boasts wine tasting, caving, driving, nature reserves, and more. An extra bonus: Red Stone Hills cottages is pet friendly. Our Malinois Maia has had an absolute jol here.

By contrast, I live in Cape Town in a small 'village' near Simon's Town that I feel has the same vibe as a Karoo dorpie. I get the best of both worlds there, but every December, the world and his wife descends upon my city. The beaches and shops become a nightmare. You must add at least half an hour to 3/4 of an hour to any travel plans. 

I don't begrudge people their plans to holiday in my home town. But I tend to either hunker down in my home during that time or strike out for the Karoo with its versengende hitte. I love the silence. The screaming cicadas at midday. The haunting call of the acacia pied barbet from the thorn thickets. I love meeting the people who live and work here, be they the farmer's wife or the labourer on his way home along the road. I love the way Afrikaans just rolls off my tongue – there's a way my mother tongue is spoken here that's just different from the city.

I've savoured every moment here, have tried to strike a good balance between relaxing and taking pecks at some of my work. I've completed some QA for the publisher I freelance for in the UK, and I've also set aside much-needed time to complete a short story for the Sauúti Collective – something I simply haven't had time for because the last quarter of 2025 was just so batshit crazy. Having dedicated time to writing has been a treat.

And what a year it's been.

We sadly lost Thomas's father in August after a short illness, so we've had that trauma to work through that has thankfully brought our little family closer. We are supporting his mum now, so that is an additional layer to our life.

I've stepped into doing client work with my big corporate client in addition to design, which although not something that I'm unfamiliar with, does add more responsibility to my plate. But it's all right. My clients at the company are wonderful, and they're all women around my age – so there's just a vibe there. And the work is familiar and easy to me.

I'm doing ebook QA, audiobook PDF layout, and alt text writing for a big publisher based in the UK – the money is a godsend when those pounds roll over into rands, and the pay is better than the minimum wage in the UK. So there is that. Even better: I enjoy the work immensely while it leans into all my skills sets.

Work is going apace on the 10-book science-fantasy series I'm writing and project managing. Books 1 and 2 of the Winter Mage series are being published by Mirari Press on February 21, and I've had the incredible privilege of collaborating with the very talented writer and editor Catriona Ross with Daniël Hugo illustrating the covers and the maps. It's really a dream job, and I'm so excited to invite people to step into this world.

I'm also gearing up to release book 1 of my five-book Scatterlings of Fate series, Call the Fire. At time of writing this blog, I've been embroiled in revisions, and I'm really in the trenches. I've made inroads with book 2, though am nowhere near hitting my stride there.

In terms of short fiction, I'm seeing the release of the Sauúti Collective collection entitled Terrors, which has one of my stories in it – we're still planning a launch early next year. I'm just waiting for the folks at Flame Tree to get back to me about availability of books here in South Africa. So, watch this space. 

I'm also seeing the release of a short story in Mirari Press's next anthology Utopia/Havoc, which is super exciting. Which reminds me I still have a story on sub for an uber-cool subs call I'm waiting to hear about.

And while I'd love to set aside more time, I'm still very much in the proofreading trenches for the second book in the The Splintered Fool series. But we have cover art, and I've done the layouts. It's just not going as fast as I'd like it to.

I'm going into the end of the year absolutely shattered after a very challenging last quarter. I'm hoping to have some rest before everyone goes back to the office during the second week of January, which usually means I'll be working but not at the same frenetic pace I have usually. There is another bit of good news still to be announced, but I'm under NDA, so I'll simply have to be vague about it.

If the stars align, I'll have some funds set aside for a winter breakaway once my husband's current contract with a Netflix production ends.

But yeah, some highlights to look forward to are Comic Con Cape Town and Franschhoek Literary Festival next year, where I'll likely be showing face again. Other than that, here is your reminder that my books are available for order from all good book shops, as well as most online retailers like Amazon etc. Do support your friendly neighbourhood SFF author. And if you've read this far, and would like to give the first book of my fantasy duology, Inkarna, a spin, let me know by dropping me an email at nerinedorman@gmail.com – tell me you read this blog.

Southern African Months & their Caterpillars

If were also one of those kids who collected caterpillars and fed them until they formed a chrysalis, purely for the joy of seeing them emerge as butterflies ... or kept silkworms ... or both ... then this is likely the book for you. Southern African Moths & their Caterpillars, by Hermann Staude, Mike Picker and Charles Griffiths is one of the more useful guides for any lover of creepy-crawlies or those irritating flutterers who end up in your wine glass on the stoep at night (true story).

While a bunch of the previous field guides I've reviewed have been somewhat on the small side, this one's got it just right. Surely, unless you're hiking in the bundus specifically to go moth-hunting, you're going to go to the trouble of carting this along and deal with the weight. It's a big book. But for your reference library, it's perfect.

Nice, clear images of the moths appear on the right-hand pages, numbered so that they correspond with the text information on the left-hand pages where we've got distribution maps, Latin and English names, a brief description, biology, habitat and description. It's just enough to get by so you can tell your mates you fished the feather elegant out of your vino the night before. Where possible, images of caterpillars have been included, and dog knows I've seen enough questions on my community WhatsApp group about the same weird-looking fuzzy caterpillars. This book will help you ID them with relative ease, without having to rush off and have fights with "experts" on the iNaturalist app.

Something else I learned, which I hadn't realised, is the incredible diversity and beauty of moths in this region. Yes, many are rather brown and drab but there are some real standout species, with special mention of the emperor moths. Also, I'd had no idea that we found the death's head hawkmoth (I first learnt about this watching The Silence of the Lambs) here in South Africa. A particularly awesome discovery for me was the Bietou Tip Concealer. Who comes up with these names? (That one ended up in my bath.)

This hefty tome also includes a helpful introduction that will help you figure out how to go about identification and also give an idea of regional distribution patterns, while also underscoring the important ecological niche these amazing little critters inhabit. I whole-heartedly recommend this one to all armchair conservationists.

Stein on Writing by Sol Stein

It's not often a book on writing that I jam into my head sticks, but Stein on Writing by Sol Stein is one of those that was so packed with *actual* useful advice that this is one of those almost biblical tomes on the craft that I keep recommending. Interestingly enough, I find my own method of approaching layered writing already is pretty much in line with how Stein teaches, so it wasn't as if I got something completely new. More like a refresher, really, and a reminder that I'm on the right path. (Which means I in all likelihood won't be the next BookTok sensation.)

Stein peppers his advice with anecdotes and tongue-in-cheek humour, and though he's clearly a beast from another era, much of what he says is still relevant today – except for the last chapter where he's busy plugging his writing software. I don't hear people talking about that anymore. Therein lies a cautionary tale for anyone pinning their hopes on big tech. Things are changing so fast that any book on the craft of writing is going to have to tread carefully to remain relevant.

Ah, heck, who'm I kidding? I don't use ChatGPT so I'm already irrelevant.

There's a part of me that feels that by and large the industry has shifted quite far from where Stein was at as editor, and it's also quite clear judging by his tone that he was... and I'll say it quite gently... full of himself. I don't think I would have enjoyed having him as my editor. Then again, I don't think he would have touched my writing with the soggy end of a barge pole considering what I write.

But that's not to say I can't learn from him – and he does offer up some nuggets if you can put up with the dross. And even reading the dross is entertaining. As a cultural object, this book definitely offers an interesting time capsule, and the one method that he did give in this book that I thought was worth its weight in rhodium was what he terms his 'triage' method of revising – something I've taken on board and teach to all my padawans. (You can ask me about it the next time I do a writers' workshop.)

Anyhow, this book is solid. It's an entertaining 'how to' that has some good points to make. If you can put up with Mr Stein himself. I suspect in real life his must have been insufferable. But he's quite dead, so I can say this without fear of reprisal. 

The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston

Look, Cameron Johnston is on my insta-buy list, but he already had me with "a gender-flipped Die Hard set in a mysterious castle". So, The Last Shield pretty much checked all my boxes as I read it. First off, our main character, Briar, is not some young slip of a thing who's going to save the world while making goo-goo eyes at some shadow daddy. She's an older, stubborn-as-heck warrior – a commander of the elite Shields whose task it is to protect the lord of Sunweald and guard the stronghold – a structure that's rather ancient and may well have a secret or three buried deep. Secrets that are, in my opinion, better left undisturbed.

But here's the rub. Briar's not young. She's got a gamey knee, and she's no longer at the peak of her physical fitness. In fact, she's pretty darned close to retirement. And while she's had a pretty good track record keeping her charges safe, she's well aware of her own shortcomings. Even if she will do her utmost not to admit this to anyone – which at the start of where we meet her in the story, we see is to her detriment.

I don't want to hie off into spoiler territory, and the tagline of this book pretty much already tells you that shiz will be sailing south in a big way, what I can tell you is that *any* of Cameron's novels will have a) plenty of humour, b) oodles of ultra violence, c) a cracking pace, and d) meticulous research. 

It's the latter that I really do appreciate – he knows his weapons and tactics. He creates a believable world that feels plausible, even if we're dealing with the supernatural. As a woman fantasy reader of A Certain Age, I appreciated reading a strong female lead who works around her physical handicaps and relies on her experience, her sheer determination and stubborn will, and her wits. Briar is up against what appears to be an insurmountable obstacle, with multiple foes who are stronger and better armed than her, and yet she doesn't let that stop her. Yes, her knee is killing her, she's uncomfortable most of the time, but she's also gosh-darned unstoppable. She's also a frigging good role-model for a young king-in-waiting who doesn't end up going full Joffrey. (And thank goodness for that.)

Anyhow, this was a cracking good read, with action, mystery, and magic aplenty, in a setting that recalls themes of the European Bronze Age. 100% recommended for lovers of sword-and-sorcery fantasy with a side order of dark humour.

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I will admit straight out that it's the cover of Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that had me pick up the book. That. Art. Though I'm somewhat fatigued by vampires in standard urban fantasy settings, what had me keen to dip into Moreno-Garcia's writing was the setting, as well as a dip into a culture vastly different from my own. I will also admit that I played an inordinate amount of Vampire: The Masquerade as a young adult, so everything about the book's premise tickled me.

The story itself isn't all that complex – a vampire on the run, Atl, meets up with an unhoused young man, Domingo, and together the two of them form an unlikely alliance as she does her best to get out of Mexico City. For Reasons. I'm not going to get spoilery.

The two couldn't be more different from each other, and yet somehow Domingo in his naïveté creeps past Atl's defences. With them, we explore a dark, gritty urban setting that feels almost dystopian, drawing on Mexico's complicated history and social discourses. I like also that Moreno-Garcia has given a fresh spin to the vampire mythos, drawing on deeply rooted Meso-American mythology but blending in transplanted European notes to create a heady mix of cultures.

The pacing balances moments of quieter introspection with bursts of action, so I'd probably put this novel in the category of supernatural thriller. Overall, a wonderful read that has placed Moreno-Garcia firmly on a "yes, I'll pick up her other books when I see them in the wild" list.

Inkommers deur Hans du Plessis

Ek het geweet van die begin af dat ek vir Inkommers deur Hans du Plessis sou geniet, en al is dit 'n storie van 'n plek, is dit ook meestal 'n storie van die mense wie daar woon. Van die wat behoort, of sou ek liewers sê voel dit is hulle geboortereg teenoor die wat wat buite die kring is, so te sê. Daar is nogtans baie karakters, en partykeer het ek hulle 'n bietjie verwar. Die konkels in al die kleiner stories raak nogtans gekompliseerd.

Maar Du Plessis se taalgebruik is uitstekend. Kyk, ek is 'n Kaapenaar, en was maar baie selde annerkant die Vaalrivier, so ek ken nie hierdie wêreld nie. Dat ek so mooi 'n prentjie in my geheue kon kry sê maar baie van hoe goed hierdie man kan skrywe. En dis amper asof ek sit en luister op die stoep terwyl hy so gesels oor 'n koppie moerkoffie en beskuit – sulke lekker skinnerstories. En ek hoor sommer die tortelduiwe in die doringboom...

Die hart van die roman is sy mense – hoe dinge in 'n gemeenskap verander ... en maar partykeer ook net dieselfde bly. Mense is maar, mense, en hulle is dikwels vol draadwerk. Identiteit, eienaarskap... Waar 'n mens sy hart tuismaak. Dis moeilik om hierdie boek te klassifiseer, maar hy was definitief 'n lekker leesboek.

PS, verskoon asseblief my Afrikaans – ek probeer om 'n bietjie meer my taal te beoefen, en ek is maar baie verengels en sukkel met my woordeskat.