This novella skillfully intertwines facets of gaslamp fantasy and eldritch horror, evoking a chilling and captivating narrative that surpassed my expectations. It’s an unnerving tone to the final chapters that etched themselves into my memory. A quick, yet immersive literary experience for anyone looking for a single-sitting read.
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Review: Worse Than Dying by Brett Van Valkenburg
Synopsis After his father suffers a nervous breakdown, Noah Barnes is tasked with caring for his family in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. A dark novella about fight and family, as one survivor confronts untold loss and struggles with unimaginable choices. Worse Than Dying takes place in a small town in upstate New York […]
Review: This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
Synopsis: It was Vera’s idea to buy the Itza. The “world’s most advanced smart speaker!” didn’t interest Thiago, but Vera thought it would be a bit of fun for them amidst all the strange occurrences happening in the condo. It made things worse. The cold spots and scratching in the walls were weird enough, but […]
Review: We’re all Monsters Here by Amy Marsden
Synopsis When Anna is invited to a secluded retreat full of selfish, greedy humans, of course she doesn’t say no. Not only did she manipulate the CEO of the world’s largest oil corporation, Peter Beyer, into organising the four-day getaway in the first place, but no self-respecting vampire would ever turn down such easy prey. […]
Review: Dead Girl Blues by David Sodergren
Synopsis: When a young woman dies in Willow Zulawski’s arms, it sets in motion a chain of events that will push her to the brink of madness. A mysterious video is the only clue, but as Willow digs deeper into the murky world of snuff movies, those closest to her start turning up dead. Someone […]
Review: Dark Heart of Ilmoure by Cara N.Delaney
Synopsis Years ago, all she wanted was to leave. Now, a web of secrets might ensnare her forever. When Iris Grey returns to her hometown of Ilmoure years after a bitter parting, she hopes for reconciliation in the face of a tragedy. Instead, she arrives to a town changed for the worse, a cold welcome […]
Review: Mystery of the Immortals (The Training Grounds #1) by Jason Clark
Synopsis Debut author Jason Clark presents an exciting new genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy story set in a brutal future world, where swords settle disputes and those who can control the elements are the most feared warriors. Get ready for a fantastic escape from reality. When Darius receives an invitation to attend the Training Grounds, he wonders why […]
Review: The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
I don’t know what kind of otherworldly sorcery Arden imbues her words with to make them feel so visceral, poignant, truthful, beautiful and powerful. I’ve rarely felt with the depth that I have through her writing, even when it’s over extremely simple or seemingly mundane things. But I do know she’ll keep having a space on my shelves any time she writes anything. This latest novel merely cemented that.
Review: The Burning God (The Poppy War #3) by R.F. Kuang
Synopsis: After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead. Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially […]
TBRCon2024 Highlight: Psychology of Villains in Fiction (with M. J. Kuhn, Richard Swan, Gourav Mohanty & More)
Every Friday, we’re highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting.
This week, join moderator/author M. J. Kuhn and authors Richard Swan, Gourav Mohanty, Andy Peloquin, Louise Holland and Sam Paisley for a TBRCon2024 panel on “Psychology of Villains in Fiction.”
Review: Empire of Silence (Sun Eater series) By Christopher Ruocchio
Synopsis Hadrian Marlowe, a man revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, chronicles his tale in the galaxy-spanning debut of the Sun Eater series, merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy. It was not his war. On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe started […]
Review: The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy #1) by James Logan
Synopsis Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away. When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange […]