Heroes' Reward by Moira J. Moore

This is an update about a series that I've reviewed before. For those of you who have been following the The Source and Shield series by Moira J. Moore, the final book has been self-published by Moore. It is currently available in multiple formats, both free and for a fee. More information is available on her post, here.

The books in order are:

• Resenting the Hero
• The Hero Strikes Back
• Heroes Adrift
• Heroes at Risk
• Heroes Return
• Heroes at Odds
• Heroes' Reward

I do recommend reading this series and I'm so happy that it has been concluded, even though the publisher dropped it. After the early books (which I reviewed some years ago), there is actually quite a bit more magic in the story rather than just special abilities. I would suggest this series to older fantasy fans who enjoy interesting character relationships and other worlds.

Storm Thief by Chris Wooding

Rail and Moa live in Orokos, the only city in the world, or so everyone believes. Unfortunately, it isn't a particularly good place to live despite having no escape - much of the population is poor, living in shacks and eating government-issue gruel. Although the poorest citizens bear the brunt, the whole city is at the mercy of 'probability storms,' terrifying sweeps of chaos that can change nothing or everything, often rearranging streets or moving buildings and people. The storms cause death and destruction in their wake. They have already taken a toll on Rail who can no longer breathe without the aid of a respirator as a result of one storm.

As ghetto-folk, the two make their living as thieves, barely maintaining their existence, although Rail dreams of moving up in the world and giving Moa a better life. On one trip, however, Rail discovers a treasure - a piece of technology from before the 'Fade' and the probability storms. This particular item causes them more trouble than he could have imagined, forcing them to run as fugitives and venture into dangerous places as a way to survive. Soon their path will cross that of a golem from another part of the city - between the three of them, they will discover the darkest secrets of the city and have to make difficult decisions which will affect their lives and the fate of Orokos.


This was an interesting book - although it is fantasy, more or less, it reads like a SciFi novel, with a lot of emphasis on technology and political aspects of the world rather than magic. Also, there were several aspects of the book that reminded me of SciFi movies rather than fantasy - so, readers who prefer 'pure' fantasy should probably pass this one up.

I really liked the characters in this story - particularly the golem, although the relationship between Rail and Moa is kind of ambiguous despite its strength (not a problem although I found myself speculating throughout the book).

I think it's also important for readers to know that this book is kind of dark - very solemn and with the constant feeling of the oppressive storms hanging over the city. Additionally, the ending is incredibly vague, without any real resolution - I don't know if there's going to be a sequel or not, however, according to Wooding's site, a new book called The Fade will be coming out soon (it sounds like it's related, but possibly a prequel).

Another random note: Wooding writes in British English, which doesn't make very much difference, but once or twice it made me blink for a moment, so readers who are bothered by that sort of thing should take it into account.

Given all of this, I have to say that it was an interesting book - and it certainly held my attention - but is probably not one of the best novels I've read. Readers who like more serious, SciFi-inclined books might want to check it out, but if you're looking for dragons or magic, this is not the book for you.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Lady in Gil, Fly by Night, or The Summoning

Resenting the Hero & The Hero Strikes Back by Moira J. Moore

These books take place in a world home to constant natural disasters, averted only by talented individuals known as 'Sources' (who channel power to deflect disaster) and 'Shields' (who keep the minds and bodies or the Sources safe while they channel). Dunleavy Mallorough was taken from her family when she was four to train as a Shield and has finally made it to 'graduation.' Sources and Shields can only work in pairs, and the best pairs are 'bonded' - a spontaneous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, and permanent connection formed as soon as a pair sets eyes on one another. Dunleavy has her sights set on several of the Source candidates, but is disappointed when she ends up bonded to Lord Shintaro Karish, a talented Source with a reputation for being very popular...with everyone. Dunleavy has little time to get used to the idea since they get shipped off, almost immediately, to High Scape - a large city with enough disasters to boast a large compliment of the most experienced Pairs. They'll have to get over their differences fast, though, since disasters (natural and otherwise) come straight at them as soon as they settle in.

In the sequel, The Hero Strikes Back, Lee and Taro have recovered from all of the problems they faced in the first book and life in High Scape has settled down to normal. Well...almost normal. It's snowing in the middle of the summer. Unfortunately, there's nothing that the Pairs can do about (ab)normal weather if it doesn't involve major forces of nature. That doesn't keep the citizens from being hostile about the abrupt changes in the weather which are destroying their livelihoods, however. Meanwhile, both Lee and Taro have to deal with personal problems, too. Lee's mother has come to visit and Taro's is threatening to come force him to bend to her will. Without a choice, Lee and Taro must rise to the occasion to meet all of the new challenges thrust upon them.

I have really enjoyed these books. The plots are interesting, although the first book has more action while the second has more character development. The characters are very realistic and they interact well. Also, the situations surrounding Sources and Shields is well described and everything is easy to follow. The stories are told from Lee's point of view and infused with her thoughts and wit.

I'll admit that my first inclination was to think of the parallels to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series which involves 'channeling the Source' and 'bonds' between the person who channels and the one(s) who protects her (for those who are unfamiliar). However, despite the similarities in terms, these books really aren't at all alike - the characters and their powers work very differently and the ideas behind this series is original and in a very different style.

Although these books are fantasy, the emphasis is definitely on the people and the situations - good for readers of all sorts. Overall, I would definitely recommend these books. I'm looking forward to the third book which comes out sometime in 2008, and also the fourth book which is still in the works. Update: here's my post about Heroes' Reward and the end of the series.


Anyone who wants commentary, updates, and excerpts on upcoming books can check out Moira J. Moore's LiveJournal. (She also has a webpage, but it seems to have far less information.)

• If these books sound interesting, consider these: The Immortalsseries, Harper Hall Trilogy, or Spirit Fox