The group of judges on the FFA team have collectively chosen the next ten (10) books in their SPFBO 7 allotment to be taken out of consideration for the finals. Below, you will find a graphic of the remaining titles, as well as the next set of ten (10) titles that have been cut up […]
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SPFBO 7 Guest Post: New Twists in Arthurian Fantasy by A.F. Stewart
I am excited to share a guest post from author A.F. Stewart where she talks about the prevailing themes in Past Legends and how she twists the classic Arthurian legends.
Review: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
I am so happy to review my second book of spooky season! I want to read more horror/thriller this year, and The Last House on Needless Street is a super creepy book that really hits those Fall vibes right on the head.
Review: The Quantum Magician (The Quantum Evolution #1) by Derek Künsken
The book follows the exploits of Bel (isarius), a Homo quantus (genetically engineered human quantum computers who crave knowledge about the fundamentals of space/time). Due to a ‘flaw’ in his engineering, he chose to abandon his people and lives as a con-man in outer edges of space. He gets an offer to move ships across a wormhole where both of its ends are protected by a species called the Puppets. To do his he recruits a team of genius people with diverse talents, each having their own agenda. What happens next makes for the plot of the book.
Author Chat – Mark Timmony
Join David as he chats with fantasy author Mark Timmony about his debut novel, The Blood of the Spear (The Eye of Eternity #1). There is also a ton of gushing over Josiah Bancroft’s The Books of Babel series, the upcoming Wheel of Time Amazon Prime series, how SPFBO 7 is treating Mark and his fellow contenders, and much more!
Author Chat – M. J. Kuhn
Join David as he chats with fantasy author M. J. Kuhn about her debut heist novel, Among Thieves, which was just released from Gallery/Saga in the US and Gollancz in the UK. There may also be talk of how they were both the coolest of the uncool kids in school, video games, and just how […]
Guest Post: Finding an Agent by Shauna Lawless
I’ve been writing for a long time. I’ve met many people along the way, some at the start of their journey, others already published. There are so many books out there – many of them are just brilliant. Writing something to match these lofty standards can seem impossible. How do you write a book that can sit on a shelf beside Tolkien and Mantel and Sanderson and Hobb?
Review: The Art of Space Travel and Other Stories by Nina Allan
In the authors note at the very beginning Nina Allan talks about her journey as a writer, and about the stories that are within the book. She lets you know that the first three are very early stories, and that she has mostly left the stories untouched, except for some minor edits and clean up. The first three stories are definitely different to the rest, they show huge potential and give you a lot less answers than the rest of the stories. They’re ones that leave you wondering just what was going on, and to be honest it wasn’t my favourite. However, where they really shone was to show just how much Allan’s writing has grown and developed over the years.
Review: Activation Degradation by Marina J. Lostetter
Activation Degradation is well-known author Marina J. Lostetter’s latest published novel, and I found it to be a really interesting story. Dubbed as “The Murderbot Diaries makes first contact…”, I only found a tertiary connection to the famous cyborg. Honestly, though, it does not need the comparison, as the story is able to stand on its own two feet.
Review: Grog (The Ebon Blades #1) by RW Krpoun
I was surprised that a book with such an unassuming title could be this good. It’s not any kind of satire or play on tropes, but an epic fantasy that draws the reader in and doesn’t let go. You find yourself invested in these characters within the first chapter, and it will hold your attention throughout. If you are a fan of fantasy, this book should appeal to you. Check it out today!
Review: Cold from the North by D.W Ross (Onyxborn Chronicles #1)
Cold from the North begins in Broadheim, a Nordic inspired land, that is suffering from a much colder winter than usual. We’re quickly introduced to Ogulf a young viking and his friend Melcun who posses some interesting abilities that are rather frowned upon. A rather mysterious and dangerous enemy is lurking on the horizon, flattening everything in it’s path. This causes the main characters to quickly be thrown into the deep end, deciding it’s best to run and regroup rather than fight an unknown enemy. Now, some of this might sounds familiar, which it is, but the plot was driven forward at a perfect pace and I felt myself easily drawn into the world and its characters. The Nordic/Viking theme was also never lost in the book and at times I felt that cold that the characters felt.
Cover Reveal Blitz: The Thirteenth Hour (The Cruel Gods #1) by Trudie Skies
Cruel gods rule the steam-powered city of Chime, demanding worship and tribute from their mortal subjects. Kayl lost her faith in them long ago, and now seeks to protect vulnerable and downtrodden mortals from their gods’ whims. But when Kayl discovers powers that she didn’t know she had—and destroys a mortal’s soul by accident—she becomes Chime’s most wanted.