When you are governed by a Lord Ruler who has turned the world into a cult of the person and a complete dictatorship, you crave some change! This is what Kelsier felt when he gathered a group of thieves to overthrow the present government. If they succeed, this will mean a new world order, a new life, especially for the oppressed skaa, the workers. But it will also mean a whole new world of trouble. Mistborns, allomancers, Terrispeople, kandra, koloss, mists, ashes, Brandon Sanderson has created a rich universe in which his three dimensional characters evolve and grow. A delightful yet multi-layered read! Not your average Medieval Fantasy. This one is much better!

Ink & Quill

InQ Episode 110: "Mistborn Trilogy"

This is the story of two brothers, Nestor and Cesar, fresh out of Cuba, trying to make it as musicians in 1950’s New York. Vibrant, exciting, full of life, the novel relates the brothers’ trials and tribulations on the music scene, night life in the various clubs that hire them to play, love, sex, alcohol, fun and partying. But it also deals with immigrants’ lives and with what it means to grow old in the anonymity when you were once so admired. A Pulitzer winner and the basis for the movie “The Mambo Kings” with Antonio Banderas, this is a deeper novel than it looks, full of all the elements required to turn a novel into a Classic of modern literature.

InQ Episode 109: "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love"

Bruno is a PhD student from New York. When he hears about Julio Martel, a tango singer with a marvelous voice, he gets on a plane and heads to Buenos Aires. There he will meet people who will help him reconstruct Martel’s life and his passion for old tangos. As Bruno gets closer to meeting Martel, he comes closer and closer to understanding why Martel sings, and the significance of the places he chooses to sing. A deep and emotional story of Argentina’s past and present filled with music. A fascinating tale, even for a reader unfamiliar with Argentina’s (and Buenos Aires’) geography.

InQ Episode 108: "The Tango Singer"

In this complete and complex biography of Nikola Tesla, the reader discovers the man, the inventor and the inventions. Very detailed and quite thorough, this work is for everyone interested in Tesla but want to know more than the bare necessity. Very well written and easy to follow (albeit heavy on the science but still understandable to non-specialists), this is a fascinating work about a fascinating man.

InQ Episode 107: "Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age"

In this extensively researched text, the author takes us inside the life and works of Galileo, his family, his friends, his masters and patrons, every detail to get a better picture who Galileo was and what was happening at the time. A thorough description of a very full life.

InQ Episode 106: "Galileo"

Genius 12 year-old evil mastermind Artemis Fowl goes from adventure to adventure accompanied by his faithful bodyguard Butler, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon,  Foaly the smart-aleck high-tech centaur and Mulch Diggums, a criminal dwarf suffering from flatulence. Together they can pretty much do it all! Each novel takes the characters into another action-packed adventure with a mystery to solve. Artemis Fowl is a series about growth, trust and friendship. Not your average YA; this one is a bit more serious, making it better, more rounded, more interesting. In this episode we discuss both the series and the graphic novels :)

InQ Episode 105: "Artemis Fowl"

After the death of his father, James leaves Yorkshire and his beloved sister Charlotte to move to London and study at Oxford. Once his studies are over, he takes lodging with an exciting young man who goes out every night. Slowly yet surely, James is drawn to this life of party, money and easy pleasures. Until one night when he and his friend get attacked… From now on, James’ life has taken a turn. For the best or for the worst? That is a matter of perspective.

InQ Episode 104: "The Quick"

A young man simply referred to as “A” inherits a very large mansion. That happens everyday! He and his mute (not deaf) companion Niamh come to the US from Europe to take possession of said mansion with all its contents. OK! The mansion once belonged to Ambrose Wells, his second cousin twice removed, who jumped off the window. Hmmm…! The cousin committed suicide the exact same way his father did at the exact same age in the exact same room in the house. Wait! What?? Oh, and the house is haunted! But there is more, so much more! What exactly happened to Ambrose Wells and what kind of person was he before he decided to attempt a somersault a few stories high? Who are those people who names resonate of Greek philosophers? What kind of weird society was Ambrose presiding over? What is going to happen in December at the next scheduled meeting? And most importantly, why is A having all kinds of weird and recurring nightmares? A great story that plays with both form and content. For those who enjoy Stephen King, Lovecraft, or creepy novels like “House of Leaves” or “The Manuscript found in Sarragosa” this one is for you!

InQ Episode 103: "The Supernatural Enhancements"

When the law (Pat Garrett) meets the outlaw (Billy the Kid), gunfire happens! In this 2010 extremely well researched text, author Mark Lee Gardner traces the clash between Billy and Pat, and the infamous years of 1880 and 1881 leading to Billy’s (still somewhat strange) death. A fascinating tale of the Wild West, guns, horses, gambling and cattle. Saddle-up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

InQ Episode 102: "To Hell On a Fast Horse"

Everybody knows about the Pinkerton Agency. Yet, probably less people know about the man behind it all: Allan Pinkerton. Allan and his wife Joan came to the USA in the 1840’s. Allan was to be a cooper, as was his trade in Scotland. Little did he know he was to be the father of one of the most notorious law enforcement agencies on the continent. Studying the life and work of Allan Pinkerton year by year, the author does a great job at allowing the reader a peak into what it means to be one of the most thorough crime fighters in history. Enlightening!

InQ Episode 101: "Allan Pinkerton: The First Private Eye"

John Charming has a lot of issues. Yes, he is a Charming, kissing princesses, fighting dragons and all. But this was a long time ago. Now, he is a bartender in a small town in Virginia. Yet, his peaceful days behind the counter are almost over. When Sig, a tall gorgeous blonde walks into his bar, John soon realizes his life is about to change, not necessarily for the better. In episode 100 we discuss both “Charming” and “Daring”, books 1 and 2 of the Pax Arcana series. An hilarious, fast pace read featuring John Charming, Prince, Knight, Werewolf, Renegade and all together badass with a exceptional supply of punchlines, smart aleck comments and loaded guns. I strongly recommend! :D

InQ Episode 100: "Pax Arcana"

John Taylor really does not want to go back to the Nightside, that shady weird underside of London, where all types of mythical creatures dwell, good and bad. But when a rich lady comes begging to help her find her missing teenager, John cannot say no. Plus she is offering a lot of money! And just like that John is back in the Nightside! His reputation for locating things with his “gift” precedes him. Clearly John and the Nightside have a history. Could be because of his mother? In episode 99, we discuss both “Something from the Nightside” (looking for the missing teenager) and “Agents of Light and Darkness” (who stole the Unholy Grail?), books 1 and 2 of the Nightside series. Fun (and funny) little novels. Highly enjoyable! Can’t wait to read all the others and tie the loose ends :)

InQ Episode 99: "The Nightside Series"

New York, 1845. The Irish population is increasing with new immigrants coming by the dozens every day. The “copper stars” are born. A few children are found dead. Three events that look like they have nothing in common; yet, they are deeply intertwined. This is what Timothy Wilde, ex-bartender turned “copper” is going to find out.  In this mystery novel told from Tim’s point of view, the reader is thrown into the slums of New York. Very-well written with an abundant use of “flash” speech (slang of the time and place), the reader will follow Tim as he pieces the reasons why 10 year old Bird Daly came running to him one fine evening, her nightgown covered in blood…

InQ Episode 98: "The Gods of Gotham"

New York, 1896. The city is devastated and shocked! Young boys have been found dead, utterly mutilated. The police does not even know where to begin. New York City police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt, reaches out to two of his college buddies: one John Moore, our narrator and New York Times journalist, and one Laszlo Kreizler, an alienist. With new methods and in the wake of H.H Holmes’ and The London Ripper’s killings, a team of five including Moore and Kreizler will try to profile and hunt a new breed of New York murderer: the serial killer!  

InQ Episode 97: "The Alienist"

New father, new boarding school, new “friends” (if you can call the girls in school “friends”), a twin sister gone and an insane mother. Oh, and of course that father you have never seen before takes you away from Wales to England,  so now, you also have to deal with culture shock. Great! This is Mori’s life in a nutshell. And to add insult to injury, she needs the help of a stick to help her walk, making her the pariah of her new boarding school. Awful, right? Well it would be if it weren’t for Sci-Fi novels and faeries. Yes, faeries! They do make life a bit better, if you know where to look. A great Hugo Award winner that takes you through Mori’s life at 15. Written in the form of a diary, the novel takes the reader through the trials and tribulations of a teenager discovering love, life and whole bookshelves of Sci-Fi novels :)

InQ Episode 96: "Among Others"

Ink & Quill is a podcast that discusses works of fiction from various authors. Your hosts Fizz and Dr. Hot will delve into various plots, subtexts, and uses of language within the text as well as personal opinion about the author and their work. To join the Ink & Quill fan community, visit spookylogistics.com.

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