A Spell for Change is everything you want in a leisurely weekend read: it is a heartfelt, intriguing, and at times eerie tale of defiant people trying to carve out space for themselves to peacefully exist true to themselves, in a world that tries to tell them they have no right to. It presents us with food for thought while also granting escapism, wonder, and supernatural phenomena that I will not spoil the exact nature of.
Historical
Review: Goodbye Dolly A Story of World War One by E.J Lake
In late 1944, the American Flying Fortress, “Dangerous Dolly”, plunges into an electrical storm to escape destruction by a Nazi jet fighter. Captain Jack Ronan and her aircrew emerge over wartime England in the year 1915. There, they make a forced landing on the estate of an outcast politician named Winston Churchill. Desperate to restore […]
Intro to Indie Horror + Representation
Similarly to my original Intro to Indie posts (which you can check out here: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-fi) this is an idea I’ve been brewing for months. Also feel free to check out my original Intro to Indie + Rep post for Fantasy here. Not just where to start with horror or underrated horrors, but horror from authors you […]
Review: The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
I don’t know what kind of otherworldly sorcery Arden imbues her words with to make them feel so visceral, poignant, truthful, beautiful and powerful. I’ve rarely felt with the depth that I have through her writing, even when it’s over extremely simple or seemingly mundane things. But I do know she’ll keep having a space on my shelves any time she writes anything. This latest novel merely cemented that.
Review: The Knowing by Emma Hinds
I think it’s important to start this review with a warning that The Knowing is a very dark book, and there are themes of sexual violence from almost the very first page. I wouldn’t say that there’s a single relationship within the book that doesn’t have some kind of manipulation or abuse in it.
If you’re okay with reading books with these types of content warnings then you’ll be utterly spellbound. Once I’d gotten over the shock of how almost every event in the book centres around sex I found myself wrapped up in the story. Flora is a mystic who can speak with the dead, only she’s been told she should never acknowledge the ghosts (and boy does it get interesting when she does)
Review: The Judas Blossom: Book I of The Nightingale and the Falcon (#1) by Steven Aryan
An imaginative and sprawling epic fantasy reimagining of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia, following the lives and treacherous journeys of four key figures in the heart of war. 1260, Persia: Due to the efforts of the great Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire covers a vast portion of the known world. In the shadow of […]
Review: The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec
Historical and mythological inspired fantasy, showcasing the sisterhood between Queen Gunnhild and her childhood friends, Signy and Oddny.
The Words of Kings and Prophets (Gael Song #2) by Shauna Lawless
Synopsis Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek […]
Review: The Corset by Laura Purcell
If nuanced character work calls to you, you don’t shy away from gothic horror with explicit gore, and you want something that keeps you on the edge of your seat with you breath held tight, dear reader, you’ll devour this cleverly woven book.
Review: Assassin’s Creed: The Golden City (#1) by Jaleigh Johnson
A young emperor’s life hangs in the balance in ancient Constantinople, and only the Brotherhood of Assassins can save him, in this action-packed historical adventure from the award-winning Assassin’s Creed universe Constantinople, 867 – A murderous plot is afoot. Assisted by the Order of the Ancients, the emperor schemes to assassinate his son and throw the city […]
Review: Bellatrix (Legion XXII #2) by Simon Turney
Synopsis: Warrior and combat medic of the Twenty Second Legion, Titus Cervianus, must fight the armies of the fabled Warrior Queen in this blistering new Roman adventure from Simon Turney. Egypt, 25 BC. Titus Cervianus is no ordinary soldier. And the Twenty Second is no ordinary legion. Formed from the personal guard of a conquered […]
Review: Ithaca (The Songs of Penelope #1) by Claire North
A beautiful retelling of Penelope’s life through the eyes of goddess and protector, Hera.