Synopsis A gender-flipped Die Hard set in a mysterious castle, Cameron Johnston’s The Last Shield is an engaging fantasy read, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Mark Lawrence. The ancient forest realm of Sunweald is bordered on two sides by far mightier nations – a precarious situation. At its centre, the Sunweald Palace is […]
Reviews
Review: A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim Newman
Synopsis: December 1st. Angie and her teenage son Rust prepare for Christmas, stringingfairy lights around their isolated home on the Somerset levels and decorating a treewith traditional ornaments. The first door of the advent calendar is opened, but the chocolate inside tastes off. Rust receives his first Christmas card; it’s unsigned, and the message is […]
Review: The Oathsworn Legacy by K.R. Gangi
Synopsis: Rawley and Baelin make a living the only way they know how—protecting the people of Centrum by slaying the dark things that stole their childhood: Monsters, and everything evil. Though the work never ends, and there’s plenty of coin to go around, Rawley and Baelin discover a sinister secret hidden deep within the crevices […]
Review: Is it Real? The Loch Ness Monster by Candace Fleming
Synopsis Put on your detective hat and prepare all your investigative tools, because you’ve been assigned a new case to solve: the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster! Follow along as award-winning author Candace Fleming uses all of her nonfiction tools and storytelling prowess to investigate the enduring mystery surrounding the existence of the Loch […]
Review: The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills
Synopsis: Zenya was a teenager when she ran away to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people of Radezhda, the city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Vodaya, Zenya finally became Winged Zemolai. But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is […]
Review: Our Winter Monster by Dennis Mahoney
Synopsis: For the last year, Holly and Brian have been out of sync. Neither can forget what happened that one winter evening; neither can forgive what’s happened since. Tonight, Holly and Brian race toward Pinebuck, New York, trying to outrun a blizzard on their way to the ski village getaway they hope will save their […]
Review: The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne
Book 1: The Shadow of the Gods Synopsis Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne. After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land […]
Book Review: Blood Brothers by Rob J. Hayes
TL;DR Review: A sad, sweet, heartfelt story about remembering fallen loved ones wrapped up in magic, action, and a fascinating world. Synopsis: Blood Saberu is dead. His last request, that his brothers carry his body up the Heaven’s Trail mountains to make sure he gets into Heaven. Full Review: It was wonderful to be back […]
Charlie’s Top Horror Reads of 2024
Hello! It has been a little while since I have spoken through this forum. A combination of starting a new job and actively trying to mix up reading all the new great horror stories with those that have been on my list for years has meant that I just have not been reviewing so much […]
Review: The Walking Dead: The Alien by Brian K Vaughan / Marcos Martín
Synopsis COLLECTED IN HARDCOVER FOR THE FIRST TIME! Originally only available on PanelSyndicate.com, this oversized hardcover features a story firmly set in THE WALKING DEAD comic book continuity by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN (SAGA, PAPER GIRLS) and MARCOS MARTIN (THE PRIVATE EYE, BARRIER). Review Found this while browsing Skybound’s Black Friday sale. I didn’t know there were in-universe stories […]
Review: The Hunger of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #2) by John Gwynne
Synopsis THE DEAD GODS ARE RISING. Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest. As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own–and Varg takes the […]
Book Review: New Sword Smell: A Splatter Elf Collection by Philip Overby
TL;DR Review: Bloody dark and bloody entertaining. A short story collection perfect for fans of Kings of the Wyld and The Witcher. Synopsis: Includes naughty language and splattery violence. In the chaotic, gore-slicked world of Groteskia, everyone owns a sword, but few know how to use them. Enter Katzia of Clovenhoof aka the Splatter Elf, […]