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.
Epic Fantasy
Review: Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire #1) by Jay Kristoff
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
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 Thousand Names (The Shadow Campaigns #1) by Django Wexler
The Thousand Names was an incredible book one. A Military Fantasy filled with fantastic worldbuilding, compelling and unique characters, mysteries and intrigue that had me hooked, and a plot that had me constantly wanting more. A story that stands very well on its own, while at the same time hinting at so much more to come.
Review: Fury of a Demon (Dragons of Terra #3) by Brian Naslund
Fury of a Demon is the perfect conclusion. There, I said it. But what more do you want in a final book? There’re dragons; an enemy so warped in his own wicked image he seems undefeatable; a cannibal with a vengeance; Simeon and his wind, and a lot more. All of it wrapped in a fast-paced plot, full of answers, intrigue and as many twisted creations as Osyrus Ward can pump from Floodhaven Castle. I LOVED every word of this – not a single one misplaced. This book is John Wick and terminator’s love child on steroids, riding upon a dragon.
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: Fury of a Demon (Dragons of Terra #3) By Brian Naslund
The writing was amazing, and each time I felt something new was going to happen, it did. This novel is not predictable, and that’s a good thing. There’s always something new happening, and I cannot wait to see what happens when Vera and the group travel to see the lands beyond Taggerstan. There’s so much story brimming here, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the entire series here.
Review: The Justice in Revenge (The Fall of the Gods #2) by Ryan Van Loan
Blog Tour Review: Legacy of Light (The Legacy Trilogy #3) by Matthew Ward
Review: The House of Always (A Chorus of Dragons #4) by Jenn Lyons
Lyons consistently takes risks in this series that pay off big. It is clear to me the author did not set out to write something standard. Lyons is making her own rules and carving out her own space the fantasy genre. Case in point: The House of Always is epic fantasy meets escape room thriller with a touch of horror, which is a combination I never would have dreamed up. But, not only am I here for it, I crave it. Jenn Lyons is an absolute genius, and I eagerly await the finale (2022 cannot come soon enough); in the meantime, this series gets a strong recommendation from me. You have nine months to catch up.
Review: The Memory of Souls (A Chorus of Dragons #3) by Jenn Lyons
Review: The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson
aisle of a specific section in a library. You grab several large volumes to return to your table and your extensive research thesis you’ve been working on for years. You sit down and in front of you lays a thousand-book-pages book, and you sift through every page, drinking the excitement of investigation and glancing at sketches, pictures and schematics of times of old, slowly taking notes and drawing your own conclusions. This is how I felt while I was reading The Way of Kings. A rich study about an extensive world name Roshar with interesting characters and their history. Even after the first 1000 pages of this grossly engaging and epic adventure (4000-5000 pages total), I felt like I only scratched the surface.