Synopsis: Set a thief to catch a thief. Set a monster to punish monsters. The Academy of Kindness exists to create agents of retribution, cast in the image of the Furies – The Kindly Ones – against whom even the gods hesitate to stand. Each year one hundred girls are sold to the Academy. Ten […]
Book Review
REVIEW: Twelve Months (The Dresden Files #18) by Jim Butcher
SYNOPSIS Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files, can he save himself? One year. 365 days. Twelve months. Harry Dresden has been through a lot, and so has his city. After Harry and his allies narrowly managed to […]
Review: A Colder Home by Jillian Maria
Synopsis: Amateur cinematographer Cleo Moss hasn’t tried to make a film since her father’s death three years ago. Her cousin Noah, a director, is convinced that her latest script is the perfect opportunity to try again, but Cleo is less sure. Those reservations grow when a blizzard nearly runs them off the road on their […]
SPFBO XI Review: Budding Rhythm by CrimCat
Synopsis Thousands of years ago, the five great gods created the world of Pallos. A land of mysticism where mighty beasts and beings struggled to carve out their respective territories, empowered by the System. On this world, a Paladin in service to Xaoc, the god of chaos, struggled and perished. And then woke up as […]
SPFBO XI Review: A Sea of Blood and Tears by J.K Divia
Synopsis Ionna is a selkie torn between sea and shore. She has waited years for the chance to find the son stolen by the mysterious woods on her island. When Viking raiders threaten her village, she must choose between returning to the sea, saving one of her children, or risking everything to protect them all. […]
Review: Corpsemouth and Other Autobiographies by John Langan
Corpsemouth & Other Autobiographies is a fantastically tantalising set of dark tales, with a deep mythology to be uncovered as you scratch away at its surface, revealing something sinister between the words on the page.
Review: Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs (Copper & Ash #1) by Adam Bassett
Synopsis: For a thousand years, The Old Town has stood as humanity’s last bastion against the maalkonis, malignant black mists that reduced the rest of the world to ash. They are kept at bay by rusty machines on the town’s walls. In order to survive, the dwindling population depends on one another. Since a young […]
SPFBO XI Review: Children of Nemia by Michael Goe
Synopsis On the eve of Nemia’s Journey of Patronage, fifteen-year-old Van is determined to prove himself by returning home as a blooded member of his tribe–assuming he survives the ordeal. As the chieftain’s son, Van will strive to earn his father’s respect by extending a hand in friendship to Simon, a fast-talking sorcerer from a land […]
Review: Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman
Synopsis: All New Sonoran colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch and keep their aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking. But now the colossal Apex Corporation has been hired to commence an “eviction action” – exterminate all life on New Sonora in preparation for a reboot. And they charge […]
SPFBO XI Review: A Mage’s Mentor by Stephen Jarocki
Synopsis Twenty years after her mother’s mysterious disappearance, Sinccah sets out to find answers in the untamed province of Ucksland. Hoping to bolster her meager magic skills, she seeks out the old mage guarding the caravan. While talking to him, she discovers that the pendant her mother left her might hold a secret. Unfortunately, before […]
SPFBO Review: Blackwater by Emily Blakeney
Synopsis: There is much to be done when the kingdom isn’t looking. Iona Strider is a ruthless pickpocket cursed with a disobedient shadow. Violent, too. Worse, she can’t remember who cursed her, or why. But she does know one with each passing day, her control of the shadow dwindles. In her relentless pursuit of answers, she winds […]
Review: Wolf Worm by T Kingfisher
Synopsis The year is 1899 and Sonia Wilson is a scientific illustrator without work, prospects or hope. When the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use. But soon enough she […]