TL;DR Review: Great character work. A solid mystery driving the plot. A fascinating exploration of first contact and its ramifications. Synopsis: ‘Eight years ago they sent a single ship to test our defences. Now they’re building an armada.’ Cole grew up in the shadow of grief. Kyoko grew up in the shadow of war. Two […]
Books
Australian & New Zealand Author Showcase No 25 – Assaph Mehr
An idea squeezed into my head in 2023, after seeing so many of the book community gathering at conventions across the US and UK. And once my FOMO subsided, I got to thinking about who might be gathered together if we had similar conventions closer to home. Pending the master planning required to arrange a […]
COVER REVEAL: Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang
I LOVED this book so much, and I’m loving this brand new cover by Del Rey even more! Title: Blood Over Bright HavenAuthor: ML WangPublisher: Del ReyRelease Date: 29th October, 2024Pre-order: HereCover Designer: Aarushi MenonCover illustration: Elwira Pawlikowska Synopsis: The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of […]
Book Review: Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
TL;DR Review: Bloody, brutal, and spectacular. Insanely action-packed with highly addictive characters and a gothic world that just keeps getting darker and more intriguing. Synopsis: From holy cup comes holy light;The faithful hands sets world aright.And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,Mere man shall end this endless night. Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail […]
Book Review: Play of Shadows (Court of Shadows #1) by Sebastian de Castell
TL;DR: True to the spirit of the Greatcoats, but fresh and unique. Thrilling, complex, and absolutely addictive. Synopsis: Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series set in the universe of THE GREATCOATS. Damelas Chademantaigne picked a poor night to flee a judicial duel. He has […]
Review: The Hallows by HL Tinsley
TL;DR Version: Nuns with machine guns, a grim and gritty flavor, and a bizarre mystery I had to solve. An unforgettable reading experience! Synopsis: The Hallow serum was once sacred to the Auld Bloods. Used to gain access to their lost ancestral powers, now it is regulated and administered by the powerful Providence Company. Evolved […]
Book Review: Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. Gibson
TL;DR Review: Engaging, fascinating, and set in a unique and riveting world. Strong characters and a compelling sci-fi detective noir story. A truly stunning debut. Synopsis: TWO YEARS AFTER a devastating defeat in the decade-long Spore War, the island nation of Hoppon and its capital city of Neo Kinoko are occupied by invading Coprinian forces. […]
BOOK TOUR/REVIEW: Renia (Luna Ruinam Vol. 1) by Karl Forshaw
SYNOPSIS The Halls of Venn are the seat of both knowledge and power in the great continent of Luna Ruinam. Renia, a scribe with a tragic past, spends her days expertly copying books that do little to satiate her desire for knowledge. When a fateful commission lands on her desk, she finds herself tasked with […]
Isla’s Reach: The Breaths and Depths (The Breath and Depths #1) by Francisca Liliana
Synopsis One catastrophe is all it takes. The world of Iona has forgotten the time when dragons ruled the skies and their Viden riders controlled the wind. The Evandis War, started by the long dead Cinead the Decayed, was won, but at the extermination of every dragon and rider. Evelyn, the last Viden, has been […]
Review: Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz
-Norbert Zsivicz first book, the Hungarian Literary Award winner Sealed Empire now available in English by the famous translator Tamás Pétersz (Game of Thrones). Blurb Ser Edward, an experienced sailor, embarks on perhaps the most daring expedition of the Kingdom of Esenworth so far. His mission is to try to earn the blessing of the […]
Book Review: Majordomo by Tim Carter
TL;DR Review: Immediately relatable and engaging with a surprising amount of heart. Fun, fresh fantasy in the vein of Kings of the Wyld, The Dungeoneers, and Orconomics. Synopsis: A plucky underdog. A powerful necromancer. And the idiot heroes bent on murdering them. Kobolds are supposed to run away—it’s what they’re best at. But Jack? Born […]
Review: Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf #3) by Richard Swan
TL;DR Review: Grimdark and brutally epic, a solid conclusion to a trilogy that promises to be one of the best reads of the year. Synopsis: THE TIME OF JUDGEMENT IS AT HAND The Empire of the Wolf is on its knees, but there’s life in the great beast yet. To save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt […]