Synopsis Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the […]
Fantasy
Review: The Aeronaut’s Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1) by Jim Butcher
I LOVED this book. I have to admit I was slightly afraid of it when I saw that it was 600+ pages but I shouldn’t have worried because they fly by. I flew through The Aeronaut’s Windlass and it kept me engaged and enthralled the entire time.
The whole premise of humanity living in giant Spires with monsters living on the ground of the world just hooked me. The tiny tidbits you get about the ground were fascinating and I’m really hoping that at some point we get to visit the ground (sorry characters but I want to know what’s there).
Review: The Traitor God (Age of Tyranny #1) by Cameron Johnston
Synopsis A city threatened by unimaginable horrors must trust their most hated outcast, or lose everything, in this crushing epic fantasy debut. After ten years on the run, dodging daemons and debt, reviled magician Edrin Walker returns home to avenge the brutal murder of his friend. Lynas had uncovered a terrible secret, something that threatened […]
Review: Crucible of Chaos (Court of Shadows: Prelude) by Sebastien De Castell
Other than a Masterclass in creative and devastating insults, Crucible of Chaos is the prelude to De Castell’s upcoming series, A Court of Shadows, set once again in the Greatcoats universe, and oh how I’d missed Tristia and its mottle mix of travelling magistrates. Truly dear reader, I can’t even begin to explain to you what the original tetralogy means to me so I won’t try it now. Suffice it to say that this standalone mystery thriller works as an excellent bridge between what came before and what is yet to entertain and possibly hurt us. I for one am dying to see what the author has planned, starting this March.
Review: A Dagger in the Dark (Pillars of Peace #0.5) by Tom Dumbrell
Synopsis Twenty years before the events of The Look of a King, in a world on the cusp of change, a young man dreams of a life far from the one he has known. Is he a captain in the making, or out of his depth? The stakes are high, and only time will tell […]
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Synopsis The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes market of illegal spellmaking and the high risk business of starting over. “Sarah […]
Review: We’re All Monsters Here by Amy Marsden
Synopsis When Anna is invited to a secluded retreat full of selfish, greedy humans, of course she doesn’t say no. Not only did she manipulate the CEO of the world’s largest oil corporation, Peter Beyer, into organising the four-day getaway in the first place, but no self-respecting vampire would ever turn down such easy prey. […]
Review: Night of Knives (Novels of the Malazan Empire #1) by Ian C. Esslemont
Synopsis: The empire is named for the tiny island and city of Malaz, now a sleepy, seedy backwater port. Tonight however, a once-in-a-generation Shadow Moon brings demon hounds and darker beings. Also, a prophecy promises the return of long missing Emperor Kellanved to the contended imperial throne. This night will determine the fate of the […]
Review: A Necromancer Called Gam Gam (Chronicles of Gam Gam #1) by Adam Holcombe
Synopsis: A grandmotherly necromancer seeking resolution for her past with the help of her loyal entourage: an undead cat and a spectral knight. A girl on the run from the Eternal Empire for the mysterious power she possesses. When a chance encounter pulls them together, Gam Gam will do what it takes to protect Mina […]
Review: Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Rating – 9 /10 Synopsis ” His hand moved before his brain could. His left hand pulled on the saya, while the right drove the blade forward.” Japan, 1625 A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon […]
Review: The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth (Tolkien’s Legendarium) by J. R. R. Tolkien / Edited by Brian Sibley
Synopsis J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume complete with new illustrations in watercolor and pencil by renowned artist Alan Lee. J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a “dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) […]
Review: Elegy of a Fragmented Vineyard by Kaden Love
TL;DR Review: A stunning complex, thoroughly fleshed-out world and a terribly grim premise heralding from a talented new voice in fantasy. Synopsis: Forced to appease the policies of a foreign fiefdom, Phenmir must do the unthinkable: harvest organs from infants. Ten years ago, a new generation of children began to manifest abilities from the gods. […]