Synopsis: The returning mercenary Crimson Guard are sworn to oppose the Empire. Some elite Avowed scheme to open paths to power. Ascendants, ancient powerful entities, seek to exploit all sides for gain. “Traveller”, a swordsman, and his companion Ereko, confront successive enemies until the last from which none have returned. “Old Hands”, generals and mages […]
High Fantasy
Review: The Slain Divine (The Vagrant Gods #3) by David Dalglish
Synopsis The Everlorn Empire’s grip on Thanet is tighter than ever. The God-Incarnate himself has arrived on its shores to crush the struggling rebellion and carry out his final, sinister plan: he will sacrifice the entire island in order to rise, reincarnated from its ashes. The rebellion is struggling to separate allies from enemies, and […]
Review: Rise of the Ranger (The Echoes Saga #1) by Philip C Quaintrell
Filled with elves, magic, dragons, a secret assassins guild (more on them later) and more fantasy tropes than you can shake a magical stick at, Rise of the Ranger is a great start to what promises to be a brilliant series!
Review: The Will of the Many (The Hierarchy #1) by James Islington
Synopsis AUDI. VIDE. TACE. The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their […]
Review – The Soul’s Aspect (The Aspect #1) by Mark Holloway
Synopsis A healer forced to become a killer for an empire that would grind his country to dust. Kehlem, the sickly son of a widowed physician, has devoted his life to learning his father’s craft. Wanting to finally step out of his father’s shadow, he embarks on a project of his own, seeking out the […]
Review: The Emperor’s Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1) by Brian Staveley
Synopsis Great intrigues take place in secret in the kingdom and the reigning emperor is treacherously murdered. All the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of his two sons, Kaden and Valyn, and on the shoulders of his daughter Adare. The siblings have not seen each other for some years, as each child receives a […]
Ashley’s Top 10 Reads in 2021
Reflecting on my favorite books of the year is one of my favorite December activities. Here are my top 10 reads in 2021.