TL;DR Review: Grueling, gritty, and grimdark as hell. A main character who takes badass and resilient to a whole new level. Synopsis: A gender-flipped Die Hard set in a mysterious castle, Cameron Johnston’s The Last Shield is an engaging fantasy read, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Mark Lawrence. The ancient forest realm of […]
High Fantasy
Book Review: Outlaw Mage by (The Dageian Puppetmaster Book 1) K.S. Villoso
TL;DR Review – A wonderfully complex examination of cultural whitewashing and complicated families. Synopsis: Despite Rosha’s best efforts, she will never fit in. To her classmates, she is forever an outsider, a girl from the fringes of the empire just lucky enough to have well-off parents. To her teachers, she is either a charity case […]
Book Review: Of Thieves and Shadows by B.S.H. Garcia
TL;DR Review: A breathtakingly epic world and high stakes adventure with an intriguing cast of complex, well-developed characters. Synopsis: Some secrets are best left to the shadows. But shadows have a mind of their own. The ancient land of Quinaria teeters on the brink of war, as its most precious resource is unearthed and exploited. […]
Book Review: Mistlight (The Aenigma Lights #2) by JA Andrews
TL;DR Review: More mysteries, and bigger. The fate of a world hangs in the balance, and can only be saved by a truly ragtag, lovable crew. Synopsis: Keeper Kate has spent weeks searching for her missing brother. Following his trail, studying clues, using the mysterious aenigma box to help reconstruct the story of what had […]
Book Review: Voice of War (Threadlight #1) by Zack Argyle
TL;DR Review: A dark, high fantasy that slowly grows more epic. Fast-paced action, great characters, and a compelling story. Synopsis: Three lives come together in this modern epic fantasy where magic users go missing, old gods return, and creatures of light ravage the land. A high general with a dark voice in his head that […]
Book Review: The Chaos Gate (Ever Hero Saga #1) by Jeff Pantanella
TL;DR Review: Shaolin Monk meets Dungeons and Dragons, with a side order of “holy sh*t this is dark and epic”! Synopsis: Evil forces seek to steal the souls of the world. They didn’t bargain on a mystic monk and a feisty witch to get in their way. This is their story. When the demons came, […]
Review: Season of the Dragon (Dragos Primeri #1) by Natalie Wright
Season of the Dragon is a fun story with incredible worldbuilding that might just be your anyone looking for their next epic fantasy fix.
Review: Memories of Ice (Malazan Book of the Fallen #3)
Synopsis The ravaged continent of Genabackis has given birth to a terrifying new empire: the Pannion Domin. Like a fanatical tide of corrupted blood, it seethes across the land, devouring all who fail to heed the Word of its elusive prophet, the Pannion Seer. In its path stands an uneasy alliance: Dujek Onearm’s Host and the Bridgeburners – each now outlawed by the […]
Book Review: Siren and Scion (Mages of the Wheel Book #3) by JD Evans
TL;DR Review – A riveting look at blooming love in the wake of trauma. Complex characters, epic action, and a wonderful expansion of the world. Synopsis: She was beautiful the way the ocean was beautiful. In a new way every time one looked. She is water, bright and alluring, fathomless and profound. He is a […]
Book Review: Storm and Shield (Mages of the Wheel #2) by JD Evans
TL;DR Review: More magic, more action, and all the spice and steam you could ask for. A spectacular “opposites attract” romance. Synopsis: “All you see is that I run. Why haven’t you realized I always come back?” She is lightning and storm. A spy, driven out of her home by a tyrant ruler. He is […]
Book Review: Stone and Sky (Stone and Sky #1) by Z.S. Diamanti
TL;DR Review: Warcraft meets Lord of the Rings in this light, positive, enjoyable high fantasy tale of friendship and courage. Synopsis: Come fly away on griffin-back! Fly off to the world of Finlestia in this epic fantasy story for readers looking for adventure, magic, and just plain fun; a tale where friendships must overcome insurmountable odds […]
Book Review: Reign and Ruin (Mages of the Wheel #1) by JD Evans
TL;DR Review: The perfect blend of romantic and epic fantasy. Clever, engaging characters, an enthralling story line, and a lava-hot romance. Synopsis: “All magic is beautiful…and terrible. Do you not see the beauty in yours, or the terror in mine? You can stop a heart, and I can stop your breath.” She is heir to a Sultanate […]