Synopsis The Hallow serum was once sacred to the Auld Bloods. Used to gain access to their lost ancestral powers, now it is regulated and administered by the powerful Providence Company. Evolved from the echelons of the Auld Church, the company exists to maintain the balance between faith, science and politics. But keeping the peace […]
Gaslamp
Remnant by K.R. Solberg Book One of The Palimar Saga
Synopsis: When Jon Thurman and his family of smugglers get entangled in a manhunt for a godkiller they are forced out of hiding to face off against corrupt leaders and evil immortals. This will lead to learning things about their past that Jon would rather keep secret. Review: Remnant is a flintlock fantasy that is […]
Review: Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov
Synopsis A science fantasy noir tale from the Nebula-nominated author of “Tower of Mud and Straw.” Refusing the queen’s order to gas a crowd of protesters, Minister Shea Ashcroft is banished to the border to oversee the construction of the biggest defensive tower in history. However, the use of advanced technology taken from refugees makes […]
Book Review: Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris
TL;DR Review: Sherlock Holmes meets the League of Extraordinary Gentlewomen. A gothic mystery that sucks you in, with marvelous characters that keep you coming back for more. Synopsis: In this fresh-yet-familiar gothic tale—part historical fantasy, part puzzle-box mystery—the worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power. At the dawn […]
FLASHBACK REVIEW:Legacy of the Brightwash (Tainted Dominion #1) by Krystle Matar
SYNOPSIS Tashué’s faith in the law is beginning to crack. Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three […]
Review: The Thirteenth Hour (The Cruel Gods #1) by Trudie Skies
The Thirteenth Hour is a promising introduction to The Cruel Gods series and shines brightest with its exploration of magic, religion, and technology between mortal and divine forces. The overarching storyline is a grand and imaginative idea.
Book Review: The Thirteenth Hour (The Cruel Gods #1) by Trudie Skies
TL;DR Review: Magic-based steampunk with a colorful cast of characters, wicked gods, and a lovely slow-burn romance. Synopsis: WHEN THE SAINTS FAIL, THE SINNERS STEP UP.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 […]
Review: The Hallows by HL Tinsley
TL;DR Version: Nuns with machine guns, a grim and gritty flavor, and a bizarre mystery I had to solve. An unforgettable reading experience! Synopsis: The Hallow serum was once sacred to the Auld Bloods. Used to gain access to their lost ancestral powers, now it is regulated and administered by the powerful Providence Company. Evolved […]
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (Cecelia and Kate) by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Synopsis A great deal is happening in London and the country this season. For starters, there’s the witch who tried to poison Kate at the Royal College of Wizards. There’s also the man who seems to be spying on Cecelia. (Though he’s not doing a very good job of it–so just what are his intentions?) […]
Review: Where Shadows Lie (The Last Gift: Arc one #1) by Allegra Pescatore
Synopsis The Chosen One is dead. Only his sister can take his place. Disabled since childhood, Elenor was content to live in her brother’s shadow, besting her cousins at cards and sneaking her girlfriend into her room at night. Now she’s next in line for the throne and beset on all sides by factions out […]
Review: Shattered Spirits: The Fall of Ishcairn by Cal Black
Synopsis Legends say a dead god is buried under the stone city of Ishcairn, protecting its inhabitants by dashing enemy fleets into the jagged coast of Craeburn. Adjunct professor Corrie Ecksley doesn’t believe any of that, but she knows from her work excavating nearby burial sites that the ancient Craeburn people believed it enough to […]
Review: Shattered Spirits: The Fall of Ishcairn by Cal Black
This novella skillfully intertwines facets of gaslamp fantasy and eldritch horror, evoking a chilling and captivating narrative that surpassed my expectations. It’s an unnerving tone to the final chapters that etched themselves into my memory. A quick, yet immersive literary experience for anyone looking for a single-sitting read.