This is one of those books that is hard to explain, but should be experienced.
Fantasy
Review: Thunder, Blood, and Goats (Tales of the Nine Worlds #1) by Lyra Wolf
Thunder, Blood, and Goats is a novella side story in Lyra Wolf’s The Nine Worlds Rising series (previously titled The Nine Worlds Chronicles). I have been a big fan of this series (read my reviews of the previous books here, under the old series name: Truth and Other Lies [The Nine Worlds Rising #1]; Chaos Rising [The Nine Worlds Rising #2], and this latest release has done nothing to diminish that experience.
Review: The Justice of Kings (Empire of the Wolf #1) by Richard Swan
The Justice of Kings is the debut fantasy novel by Richard Swan and is a riveting mystery and political powerhouse of a book. I was given a pre-release copy of this to review from Orbit and it immediately shot up my TBR. I’m not quite sure what brought it to the top of my list, but boy was I glad read it. Now I have three months to talk about how good it is before it comes out!
I went in knowing very little about the story, only vaguely remembering the synopsis. And I was genuinely surprised along the way about the story and its scope.
The book follows the story of Konrad Vonvalt, an enforcer of the Empire’s laws, and his dispensing of Justice across the unruly nation. His protégé, Helena, is our main POV and the story is written by her far into the future. The style of writing is very similar to Farseer, an absolute favorite of mine, so that was a treat. Because of this style, we get plenty of ominous foreshadowing about the future of this world and its’ Empire.
Review: Shadow Service Vol. 1 & 2 by Cavan Scott
Shadow Service Vol. 1 & 2 is by Cavan Scott, Corin Howell (Illustrator), Trionna Farrell (Color Artist).
Shadow Service completely surprised me, I knew I was going to enjoy it but I went in mostly blind and was very surprised by where this series went! It starts out following a witch who is a PI and very quickly terrifying creatures start to appear.
Review: Blood of the Chosen (Burningblade & Silvereye #2) by Django Wexler
Blood of the Chosen is book 2 in Django Wexler’s Burningblade & Silvereye series, and the follow up to Ashes of the Sun (the first in the series, published in 2020 – a book which I also enjoyed. Read that review here). Blood of the Chosen does a great job of upping the stakes and keeping the tension high. I loved this book.
Review: Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
renching, thoughtful and satisfying close. Each of the books in this series stands on their own in such a unique way: Jade City is a story about a city and its warring clans; Jade War broadens the scope, establishing a country on the geopolitical world stage; and Jade Legacy goes even further, as multiple generations of a family come to grips with their legacy and the future of their nation. As time progresses, as power waxes and wanes, who will finally take control of Kekon?
Review: Shackled Fates (The Hanged God Trilogy #2) by Thilde Kold Holdt
Shackled Fates is the follow-up to author Thilde Kold Holdt’s 2020 debut novel Northern Wrath (which I absolutely loved. You can read my review here.) Northern Wrath was one of my favorite books of 2020, and I honestly did not think there was any way I could like book 2 more. But something happened on my way to Niflheim…
A Drowned Kingdom (The Drowned Kingdom #1) by P.L. Stuart
Synopsis Once Second Prince of the mightiest kingdom in the known world, Othrun now leads the last survivors of his exiled people into an uncertain future far across the Shimmering Sea from their ancestral home, now lost beneath the waves. With his Single God binding his knights to chivalric oaths, intent on wiping out idolatry […]
Review: The Wisdom of Crowds (The Age of Madness #3) by Joe Abercrombie
Synopsis Chaos. Fury. Destruction. The Great Change is upon us… Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and […]
Review: Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1) by Fonda Lee
Jade City by Fonda Lee shot up my TBR pile with the effusive praise poured upon Jade Legacy, the conclusion of the series. I was blessed to be sent a review copy of Jade City by Orbit, so I decided to start the trilogy.
This series is an urban fantasy tale with heavy influences from gangster and mafia stories mixed with kung-fu. I’m not a huge fan of those kind of stories, but I love well written characters and an interesting take on fantasy, so I gave it a shot.
Review: Reaper (Cradle #10) by Will Wight
It is very rare for a book to make me feel so deeply the grief of a lost loved one, the slow, step by step journey out of depression and apathy, the rejection of family, the joy of being with loving friends, the hopelessness of a lost cause, the hope of a better tomorrow, and the sorrow and brokeness of one who is scared of losing everyone they love. Reaper is a triumph, a book that for me has catapulted the Cradle series from very, very good to an all time great.
Review: Of Blood and Fire (The Bound and the Broken #1) by Ryan Cahill
Of Fire and Blood is a nostalgic and warm read, plucking on the lute strings of themes I enjoy around a warm fire of favourite tropes, gathered for the tale. It’s certainly not a fantasy trying to be an edgelord, it’s a book offering warmth and safety. A great, old timely tale wearing new clothing.