Location: United States
Member Since: Sep. 05, 2013

Erica Lane

Where to find Erica Lane online

Website: http://www.fantasybooklane.com/
Twitter: @Fantasybooklane

Smashwords book reviews by Erica Lane

  • Memoirs of a Sorcerer on Nov. 30, 2013

    It's rare to see a story from the villain's point of view, but here it is very well done. It's interesting to get his perspective on things and understand why he is so bent on revenge. There's plenty of action in this very short story. I would enjoy knowing more about this character and seeing how his story unfolds later in his life.
  • Five Minutes To Doomsday on July 14, 2014

    In this episode, the Funambulist (acrobat, aerialist, tightrope walker, etc) finds himself here on planet Earth and receives a not-so-warm welcome. The most interesting part of this very short story is a glimpse at our own world through the eyes of a complete stranger. He does find a friend (not a human) who is able to explain to him that humans do things that are pointless and are eager to feel as if they have power over others. All in all, it is an interesting short to get you thinking about our future. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • The Pragmatic Hitchhiker on July 14, 2014

    In this episode, the Funambulist has a run-in with the police and ends up taking on a passenger. This episode put a smile on my face with its fun portrayal of the intergalactic police. They are every stereotype of our own police, and the Funambulist is unable to avoid them, just as regular citizens are unable to do. A quick and entertaining sci-fi read, this story is great for a few minutes' escape from reality. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Be God To Yourself on July 14, 2014

    In this episode, the Funambulist is having a bad day. The weather is bad, and he can't snap out of the mood he's in. I enjoyed this episode for its philosophical depth. Within just a few pages, the author describes and answers the question that has been plaguing philosophers for centuries. What is the purpose of existence? Do I actually exist? These are the questions our protagonist is debating, and he comes to an interesting conclusion. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Judgment of the Elders on July 09, 2015

    Caswell finds himself exiled, a consequence of his selfish, arrogant ways. Sentenced to fifty moons in the mortal realm, he is forced into the role of a teenage girl and all that comes along with it. This is a fun, lighthearted read that can easily be completed in one sitting. More than that, I simply didn't want to put it down. The fantasy elements are rather light, the majority of the action taking place in our own world. That's not to say they are lacking, but there isn't as much world building as most high fantasy, and there are no info dumps. Cass is a great character. Though the book is short, he goes through a transformation for the better without his actions becoming sappy or over the top. I felt he was just right, and he made a very amusing teenage girl. It reminded me of Coneheads or Third Rock from the Sun where aliens try to fit in among us, but everything that comes out of their mouths is awkwardly hilarious. Discussions about underwear and everyday things had me laughing out loud. Other characters include Joan, who I genuinely liked. She's almost as clueless socially as Cass. And yes, Joan, girls do shop for underwear together! Lynera was interesting as well, though her parts were short. Between her and the Interloper is where the faery world comes into view, and it was tantalizing in its presentation. It left me wanting to know more about what's going on in the fantasy realm. Highly entertaining, I'd recommend this for fantasy fans who aren't looking for something quite so serious. Yes, there are dark forces at work here, but this is meant to amuse and it does it well. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Quick as a Bunny on Aug. 07, 2015

    It's impossible to review book 2 without comparing it to book 1, so that's where I'll begin. Book 1 was a bit more on the entertaining side, with loads of humor as Cass adjusts to his life in the mortal realm. Book 2 is more complex, and has less humor, focusing instead on a more serious plot. There are still enough humorous elements to put a smile on any reader's face. The idea of being turned into a bunny by an evil sorcerer is a bit ridiculous, but if you enjoyed book 1 enough to read book 2, that means you have a good sense of humor. I found the rabbit moments quite amusing, and the possibility of a mind descending into pure bunny mode was certainly laugh worthy. Also, a severe rabbit bite and a suspicion of Canadian Magic added to the overall humor of the story. The majority of the book focuses on a more serious level, though. I felt like I got to know the Interloper much better in this book, and I see why he works so hard at his job. The broader picture and what's at stake come across more clearly, and though the book moves at a very fast pace, there is quite a complex scenario taking place. It could have been longer, and fledging out the action scenes a bit more would have been nice. But I didn't lose my way, and the narrative isn't bogged down, so I was never disappointed. This installment gives a more in-depth look at the Realm of Fae and its history. I also got a better look at the different groups of people trying to protect both realms. This is definitely a case of not judging a book by its cover. Usually two cartoonish rabbits means a lighthearted, perhaps childish story. That's not what you get with this book. This is high fantasy worthy world-building, told without the boring info dumps or slow spots. There's a lot of story crammed into these pages. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Penny for Your Thoughts on Jan. 17, 2016

    The world still isn't back to normal, and Cas is still in his exile among the humans, though he's adjusted well to his situation. This installment finds his best friend Joan in serious trouble. A diabolical coin meant for Cas has fallen into Joan's hands and she has become possessed by the Dream Girl entity. I have to say the bits about the Dream Girl were cleverly done. There is much discussion about sex, but it is kept to a teenage level with good humor. It never degraded into anything raunchy, as it could have easily done. I have to give the author kudos on that one. He kept it clean and amusing, while still adding some bits that would go over the head of younger readers. Well done. The first half seems to focus more on the Interloper than any of the other books in the series. He is recovering nicely after his attack, and as it turns out, his crystal ball has a mind and voice of its own. This only enticed me more to the deeper story at play. The Interloper's parts certainly have a scifi, inter-dimensional feel to them. He also seems to be on the way to some type of a reconciliation with his son Rodger, which added some dramatic depth to the story. Peter has delved into the study of all things magical, and is quickly turning into a nice evil villain. He is bent on revenge, and is the cause of much trouble in the human world. I look forward to seeing more clever schemes to come. The second half seems to focus more on Cas, and that's where the bigger action takes place. Yes, there is plenty of fun humor throughout, but there are serious consequences to the world if Cas doesn't come to the rescue. I have to say that the last half flew by, and I enjoyed the magical elements along with the Gloom Hags and tokens of exchange. It kept me in the fantasy mood, but it never becomes overly serious like some High Fantasy. This is a quick, fun read, and I'd certainly list myself as a fan of this series. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Unbroken Light on Jan. 17, 2016

    Lissa has been taken prisoner by the Seventh Sun and subjected to wild experimentation. Lance is on his way to the rescue. It doesn't really seem possible, but Lissa proves herself even more awesome than in book one. She is resistant to the mind control they are trying to inflict on her, and she survives a procedure that no one thought possible. More and more this character manages to surprise me. She has grown and is even more fierce than before. I can't imagine how she'll end up when this series is concluded. This installment gave more specifics on the Awakening process. It's an intriguing scifi/mad scientist sort of addition that really shines in this tale of intergalactic war. With vivid descriptions, I truly felt immersed in this universe. Some of the writing is downright beautiful, despite the dark times these characters are living in. There are also some very interesting looking aliens, which are always a nice touch in scifi. I felt I got to know and like Lance more in this installment. He has more depth and is more interesting than in book 1. I also got to know Jason a little better, and I found his actions to be just as noble as our other heroes, even if he still seems to be a minor character. I also enjoyed that the author keeps the main characters on task, not allowing Lissa and Lance to fall for each other and go pawing at each other between star systems. It drives me crazy when the action is slowed for a (predictable) romantic subplot, and I'm grateful that doesn't happen here. It just goes to prove that a man and woman can work together without it becoming a lust festival. :) The Seventh Sun and Star Federation haven't yet resolved their differences, so I'm expecting more from this series and am anxiously awaiting the outcome. Oh, and I love those arkins. :) I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • The Shrine of Arthis Book One: The Power of Denial on March 13, 2016

    Jerrid is a young man who wants to choose his own path in life. He sets out on a journey to find the truth about himself and the world around him. This is a traditional good vs evil fantasy story. Trouble is brewing, and dark days are ahead. Main character Jerrid is somewhat spoiled and naive, and he seems to learn magic a bit too easily. He is one of a kind, and his destiny is unknown to him until he begins this journey, much to the chagrin of his father. I do see a hard road ahead for this character, given his unique ability. He is likable enough, and I am interested in seeing how his story plays out. ***Spoiler ahead***Especially considering that his father sets out to find him a third of the way through the book and then isn’t mentioned again. What happened to him?***End spoiler*** Audain was my favorite character at first, and I felt like I was right alongside her as she walked through the forest. However, her role diminishes to a sidekick, and I’d hoped she would remain a lead character with as much importance as Jerrid. I also enjoyed Rendel’s character, but I barely got to know him in this installment. I hope there is more about his history and abilities in the next book of the series. I loved the magic system in the story. People are born with certain elemental abilities, and they develop this skill over time. Some come to be more powerful than others, such as Audain with her Sapphire skills. The evil villains were mostly absent, but I was given a glimpse at how horrible they can be, and a great action scene near the end left me wanting more. Complete with a well-developed world history, this is one of those high fantasy tales you want to read slow and enjoy. I must mention there were a handful of proofread errors that made me cringe, and this book truly deserves the services of a professional proofreader. Definitely a series worth a try for any fan of high fantasy. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • The Shrine of Arthis Book Two: The Power from Forgiveness on April 08, 2016

    Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off. That's a good thing, but there were no reminders for me, so it took me a while to remember the events of book 1. If you're able to, I'd recommend reading them straight through. You won't be disappointed that you did. :) The descriptions of magic in this installment really had me hooked. I almost felt as I were the one channeling the raw powers of the elements. I love it when I'm drawn into a fantasy world like that. Also the vivid descriptions of the world itself gave me an excellent view of the characters' surroundings. There's just enough to give me a feel for the world without slowing down the story, which is fast-paced with some very nice action scenes. I was most delighted to see Jerrid grow and change during the course of the story. His magic evolves, and he becomes wiser, growing from a headstrong boy into a man. I also enjoyed getting to know Rendel better in this installment, and the addition of King Arthis (though his part is small) was a nice touch. Last but not least, there is also a more detailed look at some of the bad guys, which I always enjoy. I was surprised this book ended up being so short. At only about 130 pages there was certainly a lot within the pages. I know I would have been happy with a longer version, even if it only meant stretching out some of the action scenes. However, I didn't feel that anything was lacking, and the story comes to a tidy conclusion. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.