It's been a while since I've caught up at Epinions. Feel free to browse my old reviews by series below.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
These books are all based on the television show. They're listed below in the order they appear in the series list at the front of each book, though technically they are stand-alone novels (except where preceded by trilogy titles). The authors vary from book to book, as does the writing quality, but readers who want fluff should try Revenant or The Evil That Men Do; readers who want violence and gore should try Spike & Dru: Pretty Maids All in a Row; and readers who want more complex stories should try The Gatekeeper Trilogy or The Unseen Trilogy.

The Wars of Light and Shadow
Author Janny Wurts spins a tale of two half-brothers caught up in a war that spans worlds. This series currently has five books, and is recommended to readers who enjoy thick detail, magical wars and political intrigue, and tragedy. Wurts's prose is smooth and melodic. Her characters are often melancholy, and you will be too when you see what she has in store for them. Listed in the order in which they should be read.

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
Author Tad Williams invites readers to explore the land of Osten Ard, where young Simon is about to begin the adventure of his life. This series follows the standard coming-of-age quest fantasy plotline, but don't let that dissuade you from picking it up. There are three books, and the series is complete, so there won't be any more (though there is a related short story in the Legends collection). Listed in the order in which they should be read.

The Book of Ash
Author Mary Gentle offers an alternate history of late 15th-century Europe. Ash is a mercenary captain whose skills draw her into a larger conflict - the consequences of which may forever alter the world as we know it. Burgundy and Carthage collide, as do theories of phsyics and history, in this gritty, realistic, four book series. Thus far I've only reviewed Book Three: The Wild Machines and Book Four: Lost Burgundy.

The Dresden Files
Author Jim Butcher introduces Harry Dresden, a professional wizard and private investigator working in modern-day Chicago. This fantasy/mystery crossover series has a touch of noir style. There's plenty of action to go around, and the character development seems to get better as the series goes on. I've reviewed Book One: Storm Front and Book Two: Fool Moon, and am eagerly awaiting the release of book three.

Miscellaneous
For the moment my other reviews will reside here (except the earliest ones, which you can go looking for yourself if you're that keen on seeing my evolution as a reviewer). In some cases I wasn't motivated to finish reading the series to which the books belong; in other cases, I just haven't gotten around to posting reviews of other works by that author.

Margaret Weis's Star of the Guardians series begins with The Lost King, which I highly recommend to fans of space opera - it's like Star Wars, only better.

Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody trilogy begins with Rhapsody: Child of Blood and continues in Prophecy: Child of Earth. It's original and exciting, following the story of three unlikely companions as they escape their past only to emerge in a wildly changed future. Fans of epic fantasy and strong characterization should check out this newcomer.

Dennis L. McKiernan's Mithgar books end with Silver Wolf, Black Falcon. Readers who enjoy Tolkien clones, fairy tale storytelling, archaic language, and philosophical debate should try McKiernan's work.

J. V. Jones has begun a semi-sequel to her Book of Words trilogy. Set in the same world, but with new characters, A Cavern of Black Ice offers wonderfully developed secondary characters, an interesting far North setting, and a quest to defeat (what else?) a big evil. Occasionally over-detailed, the book still satisfies, though I'll warn you that books two and three in the Sword of Shadows trilogy have not yet been released.

David and Leigh Eddings have written a number of popular series, but thus far I've only reviewed their stand-alone novel The Redemption of Althalus. It's what readers expect of the Eddingses - an irascible old man, the stern woman he loves, their "family" of good guys and gals, lots of hijinks, and, oh yeah, some dark evil to defeat.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch kicks off her Fey series with The Sacrifice. This one was a good read, though I wasn't compelled to pick up the subsequent books. Recommended for those who like their fantasy a touch dark and gore-filled in places.

The only nonfiction I've reviewed thus far is The Best of Teresa Wentzler Fantasy Collection, a book of fantasy designs for intermediate and advanced cross-stitchers. From castles and dragons to carousels and Cinderella, Wentzler breathes life into cross-stitch.