Synopsis: Nightsoul. A name striking terror into the hearts of Eltnia’s people for decades. A mysterious, sinister ruler, buoyed by the foreboding magic of the malevolent sorceress Barbis. A haunting spectre, appearing out of mist, razing kingdoms to the ground, then vanishing like a ghost, leaving behind destruction, ruined corpses, and paralyzing despair. And Nightsoul […]
Fantasy
Review: To Touch a Silent Fury by R.A. Sandpiper
Synopsis: She rides to claim her fate, he flies to burn it down. As the only woman in the Moontouched Brotherhood, Tani studies on the haughty island of Eavenfold surrounded by men who see her as an ill omen at best. Her Fate Ceremony is only days away, offering five possible escapes from the storm-locked […]
Review: Doomed to Die: An A–Z of Death in Tolkien by Tom Racine
Synopsis J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings meets Edward Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies in this darkly satirical illustrated parody of the Tolkien universe: ‘A is for Arwen broken by sorrows; B is for Boromir punctured by arrows. C is for Celebrimbor hung out to dry; D is for Denethor…’ ‘Stories – frankly, human stories are always about one thing […]
SPFBO XI Review: The Golden Princess (Chronicles of Fu Xi) by Brian Braden
Synopsis Raised in splendid isolation.Betrothed to a man she despises.Destined to rule over the greatest city on earth.She is the Golden Princess. Sarah dreams of love and adventure beyond her gilded prison, but tonight her dreams come true in the most terrifying way imaginable. A bloody power struggle erupts for the throne, and dawn finds […]
SPFBO XI Review: Shadows of the Sundered Lands by Corbin Rook
Synopsis: The walls that kept the darkness out are beginning to fall. One hundred and fifty years ago, the Sundering drowned Avoni in darkness, twisting every living thing into a nightmare. The only survivors live under the Aurora Shrouds, mystical barriers shielding isolated towns from the horrors outside. When a Vanguard Courier, uncovers evidence that […]
SPFBO XI Review: Shadow of the Sword (William of Alamore Series) by C.J.R. Isely
Synopsis Laster has always wanted to prove himself to his father by becoming a knight of Alamore. Only months away from the end of his training, he has his chance when his own mentor, Sir Dasroch, gives him the honor of riding in place of a knight on a borderland patrol. But the perfect dream […]
Review: Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity
Synopsis: The Saint of Silence trades coins for every sordid divulgence uttered to him. The darker the secret, the higher the price. Leena has a secret, one that has haunted her since she was seventeen – she can see the dead. When her brother falls ill, she knows what she must do: seek the Saint. […]
Book Review: Hard Reset by Jonathan Yanez
TL;DR Review: Red Dead Redemption meets Borderlands in this fun, fast-paced LitRPG adventure. Synopsis: Hard Reset is a fast-paced, unpredictable, and clever take on the LitRPG genre, blending beloved sci-fi and apocalyptic themes to create an intricate new reality. In this world, life begins in a coffin, cars float, a good ray gun is your best […]
Review: Death Show Colossus by Bill Adams
Synopsis: 20 Climbers. 20 Watchers. 5 Hunters. 1 Colossus. After both their parents die during the live broadcast of the Tournament of the Colossus, Quinne promises to always keep Benn safe. Even from the deadly Hunters who scour the slums for those who can wield magic. But when Benn’s rare ability manifests during a public […]
SPFBO XI Review: A Mage’s Mentor (Ucksil’s Folly) by Stephen Jarocki
I read this book as a judge for Fanfiaddict for SPFBO XI. These are my personal thoughts and do not represent the thoughts of the whole team. Synopsis: A Mage’s Mentor is a debut fantasy novel that is the first book in the Ucksil’s Folly series. The story follows Sinccah, an ambitious young mage in […]
Review: The Curse of Dragon Tail Island: A Pirate Fantasy Adventure by Jonathan Nevair
Synopsis Set sail with the Salty Scoundrels in this swashbuckling pirate fantasy—a rollicking tale of clashing cutlasses, monsters and magic, and high seas adventure. A once-legendary pirate and his loyal crew risk uncharted waters for a chance at freedom, treasure, and glory. Captain James R. Hawk, aka Trusty Jack, and his Salty Scoundrels are do-gooder […]
Review: Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle) by Rosaria Munda
Synopsis When the revolution came, everything changed. The old rulers were overthrown and the city’s traditions were shattered. Annie and Lee grew up in the aftermath, their lives shaped by the chaos. Brought together in the same orphanage and despite their differences, they became each other’s closest allies. But years of training have turned their […]