FanFiAddict

A gaggle of nerds talking about Fantasy, Science Fiction, and everything in-between. They also occasionally write reviews about said books. 2x Stabby Award-Nominated and home to the Stabby Award-Winning TBRCon.

Dark Fantasy

Review: An Altar on the Village Green by Nathan Hall

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When I heard this was very Dark Souls-esque I was instantly intrigued. As someone who doesn’t have the patience to actually sit and complete them (mostly because I die way too much), but who will sit and google all the lore while her brother plays it, this was perfect for me.

There are so many small nods to the series, open gates that persist between deaths, the crazy lore where nothing ever quite seems to be on the side of ‘good’, and just the dark atmosphere that sits throughout the book. If you like the Dark Souls series you should really pick this up.

Series Review: The Age of Madness by Joe Abercrombie

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The Age of Madness series consists of three books: A Little Hatred, The Trouble with Peace, The Wisdom of Crowds. It is also part of Joe Abercrombie’s First Law universe, but it is hard for me to place exactly when this story takes place in relation to the rest because it was a very long time ago that I read them. Suffice to say, though, The Age of Madness fits perfectly within Abercrombie’s grimdark theater.

Book Tour: Shadow Shinjuku by Ryu Takeshi

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Shadow Shinjuku is a Japanese crime thriller and Ryu Takeshi’s first published novel. It is so interesting that the synopsis mentions noir, as well, because that was the vibe I got while reading it. I found the combination of urban fantasy, crime noir, and thriller to be fascinating. The book also has some supernatural elements, too, so it is hard to nail this book down to one genre.

Review: The Free Bastards (The Lot Lands #3) by Jonathan French

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The Free Bastards is a final book that takes everything we hold dear, all the cool, badass, components we’ve loved from the first two and throws a dash more of court intrigue that’s a weird fit with mongrels around, more strange magic and ramps it all up to a hundred! It’s a book that knows itself and ain’t scared to flaunt it. It’s a tapestry of all that the Lot Lands had to offer in books 1 and 2, woven into a tight picture then set ablaze; let me tell you this, reader, when the fire that is Oats starts, it doesn’t stop.

Review: The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater

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The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater is Rebellion Publishing’s leading title for September, marking it the perfect addition to your fall lineup. Goodwater delivers on all ends by blending together American Gothic, horror, and fantasy genres. Red Valley is brimming with supernatural creatures and closely guarded secrets that are best left untold.

The Wisdom of Crowds (Age of Madness #3) by Joe Abercrombie

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With a great story, a great cast of characters, and tragic character arcs throughout, this is a riveting finale to a fitting trilogy. I wish to return to this world once again and am sad it’s ending.

Chaos. Fury. Destruction.

The Great Change is upon us…

Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds.

With nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption. Orso will find that when the world is turned upside down, no one is lower than a monarch. And in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out of allies… while Black Calder gathers his forces and plots his vengeance.

The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the Weaver’s ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together…

Review: The Darkest Dusk (Onyxborn Chronicles #2) by D.W. Ross

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The Darkest Dusk is the second installment in D.W. Ross’ Onyxborn Chronicles series and the follow up to Cold from the North (which I reviewed earlier this year: review link). In the first book, I noted liking the plot, characters, and setting, but wanting more climactic events along the way to the end. In book 2, I think Ross did a nice of job sticking with what worked in the first book and expanding on those things while doing a better job with the narrative ups and downs.

Review: Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire #1) by Jay Kristoff

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Empire of the Vampire is the powerful new book from Jay Kristoff, a book so colourful in themes yet ever shaded black and grey. It’s what would happen if The Name of the Wind developed a penchant for blood and vice. Not to mention that never have I ever been moved to such sadness by a prologue before. The undertones of despair, of a flame almost burnt out, but so desperate. Not for life, but for a drug. EOTV will bare its fangs first and ask questions later.

Review: Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire #1) by Jay Kristoff

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Empire of the Vampire is sensational; a deliciously bloody slice of dark fantasy that leaves you thirsting for more. Vampires, violence, sex, drugs, and characters you can sink your teeth into come to a head in this epic story of love, friendship, loss, and revenge. This is Kristoff at the top of his game, and is only just the beginning of Gabriel de León’s story.

Review: The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater

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The Liar of Red Valley is listed as an “occult fiction” book and “magical realism”. I guess that makes sense, because it probably falls short of horror, even though there is a lot of creepiness. I really enjoyed it, and I have no problem saying it is an early entry into spooky season.