Other than a Masterclass in creative and devastating insults, Crucible of Chaos is the prelude to De Castell’s upcoming series, A Court of Shadows, set once again in the Greatcoats universe, and oh how I’d missed Tristia and its mottle mix of travelling magistrates. Truly dear reader, I can’t even begin to explain to you what the original tetralogy means to me so I won’t try it now. Suffice it to say that this standalone mystery thriller works as an excellent bridge between what came before and what is yet to entertain and possibly hurt us. I for one am dying to see what the author has planned, starting this March.
Eleni’s Top Reads of 2023
Hello again dear reader or listener, remember the week between Xmas and NY doesn’t count for Santa’s list, so I hope you’ve been having fun these last few days of 2023!
If I’m being honest 2023 was a bit of a mixed bag and life stuff plus the undertaking of an MRes meant much less leisure reading for me this year. If I hadn’t signed up for so many ARCs in fact, I doubt I’d have read as much as I did in the end. But I am also pleased to say I had some great reads regardless and now I’m gonna do my best to give you a top five. This was the year I leaned a bit more into the thriller/horror/Gothic ambiances even though in this list you’ll also find various subgenres of fantasy such as steampunk, epic, and historical fantasy, as well as some romance.
Review: Uncanny Vows (Huntsmen #2) by Laura Anne Gilman
Gilman opens up this sequel in one of my absolute favorite ways across media, and that is by zooming in from a seemingly normal and sweeping outdoor scene, into an indoor one of absolute chaos and mayhem. And so it is that months after the events of book one, we find Rosemary and Aaron battling pesky imps wreaking havoc during a routine hunt. Not only is this kind of scene absolutely hilarious but the medias res allows you to hit the ground running back into the action you left off from book one.
Review: Uncanny Times (Huntsmen #1) by Laura Anne Gilman
I found this first entry in the Huntsmen series an excellent start to a hopefully long saga that promises good times, feels, sibling shenanigans, and lots of action. Also, there’s a molosser dog with one upturned and one downward ear as the animal companion and his name is Botheration. Need I say more?
Review: Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
This is my first book by Henry and while maybe this specific one wasn’t entirely it for me, I did like her writing style enough to want to give her other works a go. Her prose flows and adjusts its pace to fit the exact type of situation she wants to carry across in the most efficient manner.
Review: Chaos Terminal (The Midsolar Murders #2) by Mur Lafferty
Everything that was fun and entertaining was still as amusing and fulfilling in this second entry, with Lafferty’s sharp wit and humor shining as expected. The pop-culture references remained on point and the homages to Agatha Christie continued. Getting to reunite with all of the characters aboard the sentient station Eternity felt like revisiting old friends that you’d almost forgotten how much they can amuse and entertain you
Review: Retribution Falls (Tales of the Ketty Jay #1) by Chris Wooding
Hello again, dear reader or listener, if rich world building you don’t even notice happening, chaotic disaster characters, occasionally sharing the one braincell between themselves, hilarious moments akin to a comedy of errors, and feels that sneak up on you in between awesomely flowing action sequences is the thing you’re looking for your future reading, do yourself the favor and give The Tales Of The Ketty Jay a go.
Review: Before The Devil Knows You’re Here by Autumn Krause
The best way I can think to summarize this book would be to say that Krause writes up an atmospheric homage to a mixed cultural background and the memory of a person dear to her, depicting a different, darker, and more folk gothic side to early 19th century americana. Bringing to life that solid and vivid mix of folk tales and myth that were also paired with the Christian overtones informing the 1800s American short story. Think Washington Irving’s The Devil and Tom Walker but add more monsters and a gutsy young woman willing to do anything for her family.
Review: The Ice (The Bound and The Broken #3.5) by Ryan Cahill
Ryan Cahill is a master at weaving these characters into your heart and making you feel their feelings. It truly is a masterful skill – and it shines through in The Ice. I would absolutely recommend (again) this series to anyone who enjoys reading SFF.
Review: Ghost Tamer by Meredith R. Lyons
If you’re looking for an at times eerie but not too much read to ease you into spooky season, while also giving you all the feels of a solid character driven novel that wraps up satisfyingly but leaving that little something bothering your eye, then Ghost Tamer by Meredith R. Lyons is the next book for you!
Review: Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Hello again dear reader or listener, tis a romantic fantasy review I’m regaling you with today and let’s just say it’s a bag of mixed feelings to say the least!!
Cover Reveal: Glunda The Veg Witch by Keith W. Dickinson
Hello again dear reader or listener, please allow me, on behalf of the whole team here at FFA, to share with you today, this lovely cover for an upcoming self-pub novella that promises cosy fantasy vibes with a dash of old rivalries. I am also told the veggie soup within is a tried and true delicious recipe by the author himself so I’m definitely curious!