Valor doubles down on everything that worked in book one and then some. Gwynne goes darker and more epic, building out a world and mythos for his series that steps out of any lingering shadows cast by its predecessors and fully into its own identity.
Epic Fantasy
The Winds of War (The Tapestry of the Tarnished Book 1) by Mosha Winter
Synopsis: THESE THREADS ARE SOAKED IN BLOOD. The Astaris Empire is fracturing, its realm flogged by war and fanaticism. Empress Seline and her Gold Council vie to maintain control, but what is control for a nation built on blood and lies? In the east, the storied Rhaavi people cling to their independence, but as the […]
Among the Thorns – Never the Roses by Jennifer K Lambert
Twin sorceresses. One Prince Charming. Which sister will win out? Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she’s a remarkable one. No wonder she has Prince Sebastien, one of the most eligible royals of the realm trailing her skirts. But when rumours […]
Review: Upon The Forge of Battle (Age of Wrath, #3) by Anthony Ryan
The Age of Wrath reaches its bloody conclusion, the world will be reforged in steel and fire . . . Thera Blackspear was once champion to the Sister Queens. Now she’s a queen herself, with Elvine as her spear maiden, wielding a weapon forged by the gods. But while the traitorous Sister Lore plots in […]
Review: Flame of Almandraaz (Ashes and Embers #1) by Timothy Robare
It seems like Dragonriders are everywhere nowadays. It’s not hard to understand why; dragons are cool. But more importantly, the subgenre taps into many of the fundamental elements that makes fantasy so captivating and fulfilling.
Review: Dune by Frank Herbert
Synopsis Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize […]
Tales of Ethrea by David A Trotter
Synopsis Three Epic Tales In One. The First Oath, Blessings of Blood, and the Many Secrets of Dhall’mahal Academy. Review This was my first time reading David A. Trotter, and I came away thoroughly impressed. Tales of Ethrea collects three short stories set in the world of Ethrea, and each one serves as both a […]
The Call of Wind (Unmarked #1) by K.R. House
Synopsis The power to control the elements, at the cost of your humanity. Long ago, the gods blessed mankind with the power to call the elements, but at a terrible price. Without the protection of a ward rune, the power wilds its users, twisting them into monsters resembling the element they control. Wilding and runes […]
SPFBO XI FINALIST REVIEW: JESTER BY TIM CARTER
The Fanfiaddict team is here with our first finalist review! Today, we’re taking on Jester by Tim Carter. Below you’ll find reviews from 4 team members and our final score. Expect more reviews to come–probably two per month–as we read all the finalists! Let’s talk Jester! First, the synopsis: In a realm ruled by idiots, […]
Review: The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi #2) by Shannon Chakraborty
Synopsis Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she […]
Review: Caine Black Knife (The Acts of Caine #3) by Matthew Woodring Stover
Synopsis In Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle, Matthew Stover created a new kind of fantasy novel, and a new kind of hero to go with it: Caine, a street thug turned superstar, battling in a future where reality shows take place in another dimension, on a world where magic exists and gods are up close and personal. […]
Review: The Queen of Days by Greta Kelly
Synopsis From Greta Kelly, the author of the Warrior Witch duology, comes The Queen of Days, an epic adventure that weaves together a flawed-but-lovable family of thieves, a battle between fallen gods, and stakes high enough to cause vertigo—perfect for fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora and Six of Crows. For Balthazar and his family of thieves, stealing […]