We Break Immortals is the first book I have reviewed for 2022 and it has set the bar extremely high! Riley displays some of the most impressive worldbuilding and character work that I have ever seen. The amount of worldbuilding that is just casually littered throughout the book is staggering, yet it feels like there’s so much more to learn. It’s truly a testament to Riley’s skill and it serves to make the world really feel lived in. It’s not just a backdrop for the story to take place, but an active participant in the telling.
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Review: HELLMOUTH A Novella by Giles Kristian
I loved this! What a wonderfully chilling short story, that definitely has the potential to become a full length novel. Although that being said it works perfectly well as a novella too.
Review – Engines of Empire (The Age of Uprising #1) by R.S. Ford
Synopsis The nation of Torwyn is run on the power of industry, and industry is run by the Guilds. Chief among them are the Hawkspurs, whose responsibility it is to keep the gears of the empire turning. That’s exactly why matriarch Rosomon Hawkspur sends each of her heirs to the far reaches of the nation. […]
A Song of Steel (The Light of the North #1) by J.C. Duncan
A roaring Norse saga of war, honour, love and loss. Vikings face Crusaders in an epic battle for the soul of the North. ‘A gripping, well-executed story, with a fun, original premise.’ – Angus Donald‘A Song Of Steel is a rising light of Norse Mythology.’ – Daniel Kelly‘I thoroughly enjoyed the authenticity, the historical underpinnings and the […]
Review: Engines of Empire (The Age of Uprising #1) by R. S. Ford
Synopsis “An excellent start to a new series: fast-paced and engaging, with a properly epic setting and a cast of characters I look forward to seeing more of.” –James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost “Epic fantasy fans listen up: This is the good stuff. Highly recommended.” —Kirkus (starred review) From an unmissable voice […]
Traveling Cloak’s Top 10 Reads of 2021
Hi, book friends! Welcome to my 2021 Top 10 List. This is always a difficult post for me to write, because I feel like I read so many great books, and I do not want to leave any out. But, life is about choices, so I have done my best.
According to Goodreads, I clocked 24 five-star reads in 2021, so I had to make some tough decisions. I decided to keep it to 10 so the post is not too long.Some of those books, though, are from the same series, so I have give those one line instead of having them take up 2 or 3 spots. Also, these are books I read in 2021, regardless of release date. Now, let’s get to the fun stuff: here are my Top 10 books I read in 2021!
Review: The Spirit Rebellion (The Legend of Eli Monpress #2) by Rachel Aaron
The Spirit Rebellion managed to bring what was great about book 1 back to the table and improve upon it in every way, adding important elements to the story that made the characters more compelling and increased my investment in the story.
12 Books I hope to read in 2022 (but please could the Sands of Time slow down a bit so I can actually catch up, thanks)
Review: Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee
Jade War by Fonda Lee increased everything I loved about the first book and made for a truly breathless read. While the first book was enjoyable, something about it was lacking for me. This sequel expelled any doubts and was a fantastic continuation of the story. (minor spoilers for the first book follow)
Book Tour: The Sword in the Street by C.M. Caplan
When I first dove into TSitS, I was immediately taken with Caplan’s use of language. He writes captivatingly, with vivid descriptions and intricate POVs that allow readers to truly know the characters in their own words. I’ve come across few other authors who are able to do that so spectacularly.
Cover Reveal: The Blood of Outcasts (The Bane Sword Trilogy #1) by D.A. Smith
Thanks to Dan for allowing the home team to go bat for him with this cover reveal for his debut historical fantasy novel, The Blood of Outcasts. Dan is a phenomenal reviewer and writer for us here at FFA and we wish him the best with this publication and the many more to come! Make […]
The Cruel Stars (The Cruel Stars #1) by John Birmingham
Combat Intellects, mechs with humans written from a source code, old family dynasties, more advanced tech than you can throw a stick at, and that’s just in the first chapter. It’s a smorgasbord of everything that’s cool about modern science fiction; it’s bonkers in all the right ways. It would definitely suit fans of explosive space battles in series like the Expanse and the body-switching, souls uploaded into chips, and other weird tech of Altered Carbon.