Seven Deaths of an Empire is a new standalone fantasy novel from author G.R. Matthews. It is being billed as grimdark and comparable to George R.R. Martin; however, I would not make those comparisons, myself – at least not to Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. To me, this would closer to old-fashioned, classic fantasy.
Fantasy
Review: Horns of the Hunter (Tales of Luah Fáil #1) by Frank Dorrian
Horns of the Hunter is a standalone novella set in Luah Fáil, a setting that will be familiar to those who have read some of Dorrian’s earlier works. I was completely sold upon seeing the wonderful cover by Felix Ortiz and Shawn T. King. Anyone who says they don’t judge a book by its cover is a liar.
Book Tour: The Throne of Ice & Ash (The Runewar Saga #1) by J.D.L. Rosell
Hello and welcome to FanFiAddict’s stop on the book tour for J.D.L. Rosell’s The Throne of Ice & Ash (The Runewar Saga #1). We want to thank Justine & Timy @ Storytellers on Tour for letting us be involved and a big shoutout to J.D.L. on the recent release of The Throne of Ice & Ash.
Review: Sairo’s Claw (Gensokai #3) by Virginia McClain
Sairo’s Claw is the third installment in Virginia McClain’s Gensokai series, though each book is a standalone set in the same universe. I have not read the first two, but this book is adventurous and fun, with interesting storylines and complex, nuanced characters.
Review: Jade City and Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #1-2) by Fonda Lee
All the pieces of this jade puzzle worked so well for me. Jade City wowed me with its empathetic characters, engaging worldbuilding and tense action. Jade War amplified that in all the best ways with the addition of an international scope, political intrigue and a more integrated sense of where Kekon and its clans fit within the broader world. And, amidst all of this, the intimacy of the Kaul family bleeds through every page. Fonda Lee has crafted a masterful fantasy world with these two books, gifting me with some of my favorite fictional characters of all time.
Review: Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
From beginning to end, Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun is a stunning work of fantastical fiction. Bringing together inspiration from Pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Aztecs, Maya and various tribes and nations of Native Americans, there is a distinct sense of passion on display here. This is wholly evident in Roanhorse’s worldbuilding, but her characters are where Black Sun truly shines. And as the start to a trilogy called Between Earth and Sky, it is an epic start to what will surely become a memorable series in modern fantasy canon.
Review: The Blacktongue Thief (Blacktongue #1) by Christopher Buehlman
The first thing you notice when beginning The Blacktongue Thief is the narrative structure. Written in first person with fourth-wall breaking type style, it definitely takes a bit of an adjustment. However, I’m a huge fan of this form of writing. I’ve always enjoyed first person narrative but when it feels like someone is telling the story directly to YOU, it makes the book even more engaging. In fact, it took me longer to read this book than usual because I didn’t want to miss a word of what our protagonist Kinch is telling you.
Review: The Blacktongue Thief (Blacktongue #1) by Christopher Buehlman
The Blacktongue Thief is the first installment in Christopher Buehlman’s new Blacktongue series, published by Tor Books. I have to say I really love this book, as it has so many aspects of an adventure fantasy that I enjoy.
Review: Sistersong by Lucy Holland
I’m just saying please buy this book, please read it, please experience it and please feel everything it is going to give you. I was caught out by just how much emotional punch it has, and those last 100 pages are going to be a roller-coaster of emotion. I wanted to cry happy tears at the end. The kind of tears where your heart is broken, then fixed just enough that you feel almost happy again.
Review: The Helm of Midnight (The Five Penalties #1) by Marina J. Lostetter
The Helm of Midnight is the first in Marina Lostetter’s The Five Penalties Series, and the author’s first fantasy novel, according to her bio in the back of the book. I love the premise of this book, and, while in the end it did not keep my interest as much as I had hoped, Lostetter definitely showed off her writing chops.
Review: The Shadow of The Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne
Ah Shadow of the Gods, the book I feel is taking book blogs by storm. I mean, just take a quick look on this site to see how many of us have reviewed it (hint: it’s a lot).
John Gwynne has been called one of the best fantasy authors currently working today, and I’m hard pressed to disagree. And for good reason, the Faithful and the Fallen is a great work of epic fantasy and I enjoyed his sequel trilogy, Of Blood and Bone, even more.
While his previous work had hints of Norse and more northern European mythology, Shadow of the Gods truly dives deep into the Norse elements and it completely blew me away. This is easily Gwynne’s best work and my favorite book of the year so far, so if you’re in anyway a fantasy fan, this is a must read for 2021. So, don’t even read farther, just go buy a copy.
Review: Stone & Shield (Fall of Emros #1) by Thomas J. Devens
Stone & Shield is the first release in Thomas J. Devens’ Fall of Emros series. It was written in a classical fantasy style and in multiple POVs. I like the story, and I think the writing is technically very sound.