Besides posting on the writing process, I’ll also review books across a variety of genres including fantasy, science fiction, general fiction, history, political science and business. This is an eclectic mix which matches my reading tastes. Having said that, there will be a focus on fantasy and science fiction since these are my preferred genres for writing.
Many of these reviews also appear in Goodreads and Amazon so I’ll use their five star rating system with 1 star representing total dreck; 2 stars being an OK, but not terribly cool read; 3 stars representing a good book worth checking out; 4 stars being a very strong effort that I’d highly recommend reading; and 5 stars being a classic with real literary value. I don’t give many 1 or 2 star evaluations because I won’t usually finish these books. Also, even the worst book, especially by a new author, probably took real effort to craft and I haven’t the heart to lambast them. Likewise, a 5 star review is rare and I don’t subscribe to the ‘grade inflation’ rampant on many review sites where it seems that many (most) reviews for rather average fiction get 5 stars.
I’ll strive to be concise, limiting myself to three paragraphs. My critiques will tend to be in the following format: the first paragraph is a brief summary of what the book is about and what I liked about it; the second paragraph contains aspects of the work that I thought could be improved; the third paragraph will be any lessons that I, as a would-be author, gleaned from this specific work. At no point will I simply recap the entire back jacket blurb or provide a lengthy plot outline.
I write modern fantasy novels that are hopefully both exciting and literate. These novels include an on-going series about a near-immortal magician who grew up in Camelot and grew famous in San Francisco's 'Summer of Love'. He's still having adventures to this day described in The Lords of the Summer Season, The Lords of Powder, and The Lords of Oblivion. The books can be read in any order.
As author S Alessandro Martinez has stated about the series:
"Lords of Oblivion
A 1500-year-old wizard. A pair of savage druids raised from the dead. Modern day San Francisco. A wolf that takes no gruff. Blaisdell creates a fascinating world in this magical realism novel with smart writing, complex characters, and clever use of history and mythology. I was sucked in from the very beginning. I look forward to more of Bradan and Tintagel's mystical adventures.
Lords of Powder
Merlin's former apprentice, Bradan, is back! The 1500-year-old wizard, who is sometimes too smart for his own good, returns for another exciting adventure, this time in 70s Miami as he takes on the criminal world of drug trafficking. Blaisdell's smart, fast-paced writing and use of fascinating history and mythology keeps you on the edge of your seat as Bradan uses his wits, charm, and illusions to navigate the modern era and get himself into plenty of trouble.
Lords of the Summer Season
Being Merlin's former apprentice and living for 1500 years is bound to make you a few enemies. Travel back to the 60s with Bradan the wizard and his otherworldly wolf Tintagel. As Bradan juggles careers as a professor and musician, he must defend himself from his greatest threat yet: a literal god. Blaisdell continues with his clever, skillful, and imaginative writing that will keep readers eagerly turning the next page. My favorite of the Bradan books, Blaisdell dives deeper into the Arthur mythology, and brings the reader even more elements of magic and folklore, all the while weaving an entertaining tale of gods, wizards, ghosts, and 60s acid rock. Thoroughly enjoyable!"
Besides the literary side of my life, my background includes membership on a scientific advisory board for a non-profit professional organization promoting the biomedical and digital health business community in the greater Los Angeles area.
I’ve authored both basic research publications and business management articles focusing on the bio/pharma industry. My Ph.D. is in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota where I also conducted post-doctoral research in microbiology. And my BS is from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) with a double major in chemistry and cell biology.
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