Sins of the Past by JD Franx

So, JD Franx is one of my recent discoveries off Audible, and while JRR Tolkien they are not, there's something to be said for their pacing and ability to hold an action-packed tale that is engaging, and that makes you care about the characters. Sins of the Past is a prologue for their The Darkness Within saga, and gives you the backstory and setup for Yrlissa Blackmist. She's an elven assassin and she's gone deep undercover. The only problem is, she's fallen in love, settled down, and started a family – while on the job.

This obviously presents a problem for not only those who deployed her, but also means that her family is now vulnerable to forces beyond their ken.

One of the bones that I do pick with fantasy is that often we don't see enough emotional conflict for characters who're constantly on the go with their adventures vs. their personal lives – so this is the kind of high stakes vs. personal stakes story that really introduced some great conflict. This being a prologue, it's more a teaser, really, and gives you a little background for a character without dumping reams of exposition on you. I'm most certainly invested in Franx's writing, and if you're looking for an accessible fantasy series, this is is one of them. Their writing is easy on the eye and ear (depending on whether you're going for the Audible editions), and while not overly complicated at least has sufficient depth to the setting and characters' motivations to keep things engaging.

Of course I must add that I initially picked up this title because I'm a HUUUUGE fan of narrator Simon Vance, who could read me a telephone directory and my ears would be happy.

The Northmen by JD Franx

I unashamedly admit that the primary reason why I picked up this audiobook is because it's read by Simon Vance*, who could read me a telephone directory and I'll be riveted. But anyhoo, I will add that I warmed up to The Northmen by JD Franx well enough, even if I felt much of the world building tended towards what one would expect with stock fantasy.

I've been seeing a pile of Vikings-inspired fantasy in recent years, and if that is your horn of mead, then by all means, dip into this action-packed adventure. I went into this without any preconceptions, and even though it's a spin-off of what looks to be a much-larger series, it did not hamper my enjoyment of the story.

I don't want to give too many spoilers, but we join Jarl Engier War-Blood as he leads his people through a cataclysm of almost apocalyptic proportions when their home is forcibly untethered through magic and brought to another land, filled with many strangers who might not have their best interests at heart. There're necromancers! Magic! Elves! Oh my! But Engier is a good bloke, and I was on board with his mission, so I hung in there while he did his thing.

So, here's the rub, if you're vibing for on-the-surface action and adventure, liberally flavoured with Norse mythology and magic, this may work for you. If you're a purist in terms of Norse-inspired stuff creeping into fantasy, then this probably won't work for you. This is also not the next lit-fantasy novel that mixes nuanced writing with high concept. 

I switched off my brain and just let the story spool out while I did household chores and stuff. And I will definitely be listening to more of JD Franx's books, because they are just that – fun. 

* Yes, I admit it, I'm absolute Simon Vance fangrrrl and the day he narrates one of my books I will die a happy woman.