Synopsis These visions explore the myriad realms where humanity and technology intersect, taking readers to distant futures where human and machine exist in uneasy symbiosis, to worlds both grim and wondrous, where survival depends on getting the upper hand. A woman’s passage into a digital afterlife where nothing, not even the self, remains fixed.A hunted […]
Action Fantasy
Review: The Book Of Fallen Leaves by A.S Tamaki
Shogun meets Game of Thrones in the blockbuster epic fantasy event of the year ‘Family feuds, political savagery and complex characters on both sides of an epic, unfolding war . . . I loved it’ Nicholas Eames ‘A sprawling, complex fantasy epic that builds toward a brutal finale’Fonda Lee Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince […]
Review: The Book of Fallen Leaves by A.S. Tamaki
Synopsis: The fates of gods and samurai converge in this Japanese-myth inspired epic fantasy masterpiece from debut author A. S. Tamaki. Sen Hoshiakari, the exiled son of a traitor, is determined to restore his decimated clan to their former power at any cost. But when his path collides with that of Rui, a lowborn woman […]
Review: The Builders by Daniel Polansky
Synopsis A missing eye.A broken wing.A stolen country. The last job didn’t end well. Years go by, and scars fade, but memories only fester. For the animals of the Captain’s company, survival has meant keeping a low profile, building a new life, and trying to forget the war they lost. But now the Captain’s whiskers […]
SPFBO XI Review: The Golden Princess (Chronicles of Fu Xi) by Brian Braden
Synopsis Raised in splendid isolation.Betrothed to a man she despises.Destined to rule over the greatest city on earth.She is the Golden Princess. Sarah dreams of love and adventure beyond her gilded prison, but tonight her dreams come true in the most terrifying way imaginable. A bloody power struggle erupts for the throne, and dawn finds […]
SPFBO XI Review: Shadow of the Sword (William of Alamore Series) by C.J.R. Isely
Synopsis Laster has always wanted to prove himself to his father by becoming a knight of Alamore. Only months away from the end of his training, he has his chance when his own mentor, Sir Dasroch, gives him the honor of riding in place of a knight on a borderland patrol. But the perfect dream […]
Review: Death Show Colossus by Bill Adams
Synopsis: 20 Climbers. 20 Watchers. 5 Hunters. 1 Colossus. After both their parents die during the live broadcast of the Tournament of the Colossus, Quinne promises to always keep Benn safe. Even from the deadly Hunters who scour the slums for those who can wield magic. But when Benn’s rare ability manifests during a public […]
REVIEW: Twelve Months (The Dresden Files #18) by Jim Butcher
SYNOPSIS Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files, can he save himself? One year. 365 days. Twelve months. Harry Dresden has been through a lot, and so has his city. After Harry and his allies narrowly managed to […]
Review: The Monster of Lightower Library (A Lamplight Short Story) by Morgan Stang
Synopsis Enter the library of Lightower Keep, an ancient depository of arcane knowledge. With secrets around every corner, mysterious tomes, and even the odd ghost or two, monster-hunters throughout the ages have consulted its vast bestiary. Now, for Huntress Isabeau Agarwal, it may hold the key to putting down her most recent an invisible entity […]
Review: Die Slow (The Runeborn Trilogy #2) by Morgan Shank
Synopsis The Runemasters are purged. The Hound, the Tower’s secret weapon, is buried under rubble in the ocean. Most importantly, the mainlanders who ended the Runemasters—Magon, Seneka, High Priest Oath, Itula, and Princess Elthren—survived the ordeal. However, Princess Elthren suffered great loss, and she will never be the same. Itula drained her magic, and she […]
Review: Anji Kills a King (The Rising Tide #1) by Evan Leikam
Synopsis Anji works as a castle servant, cleaning laundry for a king she hates. So when a rare opportunity presents itself, she seizes the chance to cut his throat. Then she runs for her life. In her wake, the kingdom is thrown into disarray, while a bounty bigger than anyone could imagine lands on her […]
Eleni’s Top Reads of 2025
I couldn’t really pick a top five, nor a top ten this year. So you get the fun of a top 15! Like last year then, I’ll just be sharing all of their glorious covers and if I reviewed the book itself I’ll be linking the rambles in their titles so you can see if they are the books for you, at your leisure.
These are all books that kept me up till the very small hours of the night, some even made me see the first inklings of dawn and deprived me of even the little sleep I do get. But! I have no regrets whatsoever and neither would you, I believe, if you gave them a go!