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PODCAST

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review

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

fiction science fiction

All Episodes

3:48

THE GOBLIN EMPEROR BY KATHERINE ADDISON

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/05/10

It is difficult to put your finger on which sub genre of fantasy the Goblin Emperor fits into. Most of the elements that most people associate with good fantasy, like sorcerers, dragons, enchanted blades, and mighty heroes are missing. And the hero is an ordinary man, or half elf half goblin in this case, with no special powers who just has to muddle through when plonked on the throne and told he's now emperor. A great read. Unputdownable

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5:10

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE BY GEROGE R R MARTIN

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/05/03

In this week's podcast I give you my take on A Song of :Ice and Fire by the hugely popular fantasy author, George R R Martin. ----more----And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury, about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world, 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

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3:26

THE CRYSTAL SINGER BY ANN McCAFFREY

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/04/26

Ann McCaffrey might be best known for Dragonsong and other stories set on the world of Pern but I prefer her Crystal Singer Trilogy. Perhaps this is because the woman at the centre is a deeply flawed character who should be difficult to like - but isn't. Wonderful stuff.

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2:43

KING RAT BY CHINA MIEVILLE

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/04/19

One of the best debut novels in the world of fantasy has to be King Rat by China Mieville. He is better known for his later works, such as Perdido Street Station, but my heart belongs to his first novel, King Rat, which updates one of the best-known fairy tales by placing it in the London of the 1990s.----more----And while you are here. Please have a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient

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4:16

THE CRYSTAL CAVE BY MARY STEWART

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/04/12

The modern fantasy genre has its roots in myths and fairy tales. One persistent theme in the English language has been the tale of King Arthur, his sword Excalibur and the Knights of the Round Table. It has been told again and again in different ways for centuries. It is a central myth of English folklore. Many of the giants of the fantasy genre have reimagined it. But none have matched what is known as the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart, where we are told the story through the eyes of the wizard,

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4:51

FIRE FROM HEAVEN BY MARY RENAULT

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/04/05

The legacy of Mary Renault cannot be underestimated. Her marvellous historical fantasy trilogy about Alexander the Great was one of the first in any genre to break the mould and include homosexual love in a popular literature. Writing more than half a century ago, she dared to break the rules not only with her Alexander series but with many of her other published works. ----more----And while you are here. Please hava a look at one of my own books. A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the

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6:43

HARRY POTTER by J K Rowling

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/03/29

The most successful author in the world of fantasy has to be J K Rowling. Her Harry Potter series and the films they spawned have been enjoyed by hundreds of millions of adults and children alike. We can thank this very gifted writer for making so many people fall in love with fantasy. Many of them have gone on to buy books by other authors in the genre. I would say she is as influential as J R R Tolkein.

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5:00

THE LITTLE PRINCE BY by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/03/22

The Little Prince is a magical book, a modern fairy tale, written more than eighty years ago, and it still enchants adults and children alike. Undoubtedly one of the best introductions to the world of fantasy that has ever been written

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3:52

PIRANESI BY SUSANNAH CLARK

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/03/15

Fantasy comes in many different guises. It ranges from Romantasy to Grimdark and from Sword and Sorcery to Magical Realism. One of my favourite books which doesn’t quite fit into any of the sub genres that I generally read is Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. While there are many who scoff at fantasy as not really literature, I offer this novel as a prime example of great writing.----more---- And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release later this year

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5:22

THE STEEL REMAINS BY RICHARD MORGAN

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/03/08

One of the most outstanding Grimdark fantasy trilogies ever written has to be A Land Fit for Heroes by Richard Morgan. Ahead of its time when it was written. As fresh today as when it was first published. I cannot recommend it highly enough. https://amzn.to/4sBpDIk ----more----

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4:23

THE NAME OF THE WIND BY PATRICK ROTHFUSS

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/03/01

One of the best storytellers to emerge in the last two decades has to be Patrick Rothfuss, the author of the Kingkiller Chronicles. He's only written the first two books in the trilogy and is taking his time with the final instalment. His fans including myself have been waiting for fifteen years to see how the story ends. ----more----And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release in a couple of months. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A

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4:04

PRINCE OF THORNS BY MARK LAWRENCE

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/02/16

A grimdark fantasy novel for grown ups with a thirteen year old psychopathic anti hero at its centre. Not for the faint hearted but a fabulous read. This week we delve into the world of the prolific writer, Mark Lawrence and his trilogy which begins with Prince of Thorns.----more----And just to let you know that the first in my new fantasy trilogy, Renn, is due for release in a couple of months. Cover design in progress. Latest efforts below. A story steeped in ancient Chinese mythology, featuring

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3:30

MY FAVOURITE WIZARD

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/02/08

In a departure from my usual weekly review of a book in the fantasy genre I am going to talk about my favourite wizard. Magic is firmly entwined in nearly every story in the genre and wizards, witches and warlocks abound. And once you've had a listen, let me know whether you agree with my choice. And if not, tell me who you prefer. ----more----And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient

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4:06

BLOOD OVER BRIGHTHAVEN BY M L WANG

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/02/01

M L Wang is a leading light in the world of fantasy and not just because of her excellent writing. She started by penning novels in the genre for Young Adults but has since written two books for a more mature readership that explore complex issues that resonate with the world we live in. The first to be published was Sword of Kaigen but I much prefer her later work, Blood Over Brighthaven.----more----And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and

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2:34

THE QUANTUM GRAVITY SERIES BY JUSTINA ROBSON

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/01/26

One of the most underrated writers in fantasy has to be Justina Robson. Her Quantum Gravity series is better written and more absorbing than a lot of books in the genre that have sold more copies. Definitely worth a look.----more---- And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities

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4:11

GLORY ROAD by ROBERT HEINLEIN

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/01/18

While Robert Heinlein is considered one of the 'big three' of Science Fiction, he also wrote a couple of excellent fantasy novels, mixing wry humour with first class story telling. Glory Road is a classic that has aged well and is just as enjoyable today as it was when it was first published more than sixty years ago. A must for all lovers of Fantasy. And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To

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3:40

THE BLOODSWORN SAGA by JOHN GWYNNE

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/01/11

One of the most delightful trilogies to hit the bookshops in the last few years has been the Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. Grim, dark, and bloody, it borrows from Norse mythology and the author adds his own brand of magic and mystery to create an unforgettable series, The Shadow of the Gods, The Hunger of the Gods and The Fury of the Gods.----more---- Click on the link to buy the first in the trilogy, The Shadow of the Gods. If you buy through my website I make a tiny commission but it doesn’t

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5:07

UNDER HEAVEN BY GUY GAVRIEL KAY

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2026/01/05

In this weeks episode we look at Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. It is probably the best fantasy novel inspired by Chinese history and mythology that has been written by a writer from the West. And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for a piece of

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4:18

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2025/12/29

This week we look at the work of Gene Wolfe. His series the Book of the New Sun is widely admired by authors of the fantasy genre. Each volume is carefully crafted with not a word out of place. But it is not for the faint hearted....----more----And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over

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4:37

STORMBRINGER BY MICHAEL MOORCOCK

Lord Yamas Fantasy Book Review ·

2025/12/22

A writer who has faded into the background somewhat in recent years is Michael Moorcock. He was a prolific author in the 1960s, 70's and 80s and his influence on the modern fantasy genre should not be underestimated. One of his greatest creations was the crimson eyed albino, Elric, who wielded the sentient and malevolent sword, Stormbringer, the drinker of souls.----more----You can buy the book by clicking on the link below. I make a tiny commission if you do so. It does not affect the price you

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