TL;DR Review: Irish history brought to glorious life with magic, manipulation, battles, and intrigue aplenty. Synopsis: They think they’ve killed the last of us… 981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son – and herself – but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend […]
High Fantasy
Book Review: Guard in the Garden by Z.S. Diamanti
TL;DR Review: A cozy, heartwarming fantasy story that does a wonderful job of exploring PTSD and finding a purpose in post-military life. Synopsis: Embark on a wholesome journey of healing and self-discovery. A cozy fantasy tale of forging new friendships and overcoming fears. A quiet quest of family bonds and budding romance. From dragon fire […]
Review: The Radiant King (Astral Kingdoms #1) by David Dalglish
Synopsis Six immortal siblings. Five sworn to peace. One demands a throne. Radiance, the mysterious power of life and creation, is theirs to command. Death cannot claim them. For hundreds of years, the ever-living ruled with ease. Yet when the world is nearly broken beneath their reign, the humbled six swear a They will sit […]
Mini Reviews by Shaggy #1
I regularly read and review short stories, novelettes, and novellas, and their reviews don’t always feel long enough to have a whole post for them. Even some novel-length books are really fun but don’t have me writing a ton about them besides proclaiming my enjoyment for them. Instead of keeping them completely from you, I […]
Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentlemen Bastard #1) by Scott Lynch
Synopsis An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most […]
Book Review: A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay
TL;DR Review: Beautifully lush writing, noble and compelling characters, and a story that takes its time to build to an emotional ending. Synopsis: From the critically-acclaimed author of The Fionavar Tapestry comes an epic fantasy novel of love, both courtly and forbidden, and two kingdoms endlessly opposed… Blaise of Gorhaut is a warrior. He fought […]
Review: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Synopsis Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling. An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by […]
Review: An Exile of Water & Gold by Joshua Walker
Synopsis Brandon Sanderson’s Rhythm of War meets Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time in this epic fantasy mystery adventure. EXILED FROM HEAVEN. FORCED INTO HELL. For centuries, the Aobians of the Great Tree have shared the continent of Q’ara with humanity. A select few known as Sleepers are empowered by Luminosity, the Tree’s greatest blessing. Drift, a young and cynical […]
REVIEW: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
SYNOPSIS A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds. Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock […]
Book Review: Hidden Queen (The Nightfall Saga #2) by Peter V. Brett
TL;DR Review: Diversity and neurodiversity utilized to marvelous effect, wrapped up in a violent, epic, complex, colorful, insanely epic dark fantasy story. Synopsis: Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress […]
Series Review: The Dark Elf Trilogy (The Legend of Drizzt) by R. A. Salvatore
The tales and adventures of Drizzt Do’Urden, famed and infamous Dark Elf of who this series gets its name, are a beloved classic adored by many fantasy readers since the late 80’s. And for today’s ramblings by yours truly, we go right back to the beginning…
Book Review: Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
TL;DR Review: A beautifully colorful and magic-full murder mystery guaranteed to keep you guessing right until the final moment! Synopsis: A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it! For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible […]