The Stardust Thief is author Chelsea Abdullah’s debut novel and the first in the author’s series The Sandsea Trilogy. There are so many aspects of the book that make it a great read, but in the end it comes down to phenomenal storytelling for me.
Orbit
Review: Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
An entrancing, enlightening fairytale novel that blends the lines of history, fantasy, and romance.
Review: Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
A gorgeous retelling of Kaikeyi.
Review: The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Trilogy #2) by John Gwynne
The Hunger of the Gods is the second in John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Trilogy, and one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2022. I loved the first book, as well (read my of The Shadow of the Gods), so I was looking forward to reading this one, as well. Let there be no doubt – it did not disappoint.
Review: The Bladed Faith (Vagrant Gods #1) by David Dalglish
The Bladed Faith is the first in David Dalgishes’ new series, Vagrant Gods. Dalglish, who has proven himself a master of action over the last several years (and is fresh off the phenomenal finale of his last series, The Keepers) has managed to publish yet another fascinating fantasy series. I came for the amazing cover and intriguing synopsis and stayed for the fantastic fight sequences, amazing storyline, and compelling characters.
Review: Age of Ash (Kithamar #1) by Daniel Abraham
As a lover of science fiction, I can appreciate the breaking of the status quo. Every so often, genres like cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic fiction came in to stir shit up and make it messier, so to say. But fantasy, I’ve found, is much more comfortable resting on its laurels—challenges to foundational fantasy conventions have been slower, and few and far between. In the last decade or so, though, the intention from authors to actively challenge fantasy’s history has been growing.
Daniel Abraham’s newest novel Age of Ash, book one in The Kithamar Trilogy, seems to do just that. It tackles the notion of “epic fantasy,” questioning the epic-ness of it all and how big battles and a fast pace have dominated that landscape. But beyond that, Age of Ash is a heartfelt story that grounds itself in genuine characters in grim circumstances. What follows is a novel that is epic in its ideas and execution, but relatable in its perspectives and emotions.
Review: Age of Ash (Kithamar #1) by Daniel Abraham
From New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed author Daniel Abraham, co-author of the Expanse, comes a monumental epic fantasy trilogy that unfolds within the walls of a single great city, over the course of one tumultuous year, where every story matters, and the fate of the city is woven from them all. Kithamar is a centre […]
Review: Jade Legacy (Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee
Jade War is the third and final release in Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga series (I previously reviewed books 1 and 2 here and here). Considering the events of first two books in the series, I had high hopes for this finale, but I was also a little trepidatious about where the final storylines were going to end up. Read on to find out what I thought of the ending.
Engines of Empire (The Age of Uprising #1) by R.S. Ford
A majestic first novel in the Age of Uprising series, with a gorgeous audiobook to match.
Review: Jade War (Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee
Jade War is the sequel to Jade City and the second book in Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga series. I was so happy after reading book 1 that I could not wait to read book 2, and I dove right in. As expected, Jade War lives up to the expectations created by the greatness of Jade City.
Review: Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1) by Fonda Lee
Jade City is the first book in Fonda Lee’s critically-acclaimed Green Bone Saga series, and… wait, what was that? I am three years late getting to it, you say? Yes, that is true, and let me tell you: no one regrets waiting to read this series more than I do. I wish I had read it earlier, because, not only do I love it, but it is clearly one of the best fantasy books of the last 5 years.
Review: The Bone Shard Emperor (The Drowning Empire #2) by Andrea Stewart
hooked. The vibrant world, imagining an empire of seasonal, migrating islands, and the relatable cast of characters had me fully invested to the end. But it was the richness of her prose and worldbuilding, and the gut-punch weight of the book’s many twists that left me aching for more.
Thankfully, Stewart’s sophomore effort and the sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter does not disappoint. In fact, The Bone Shard Emperor swiftly ups the ante, dealing with the fallout of its predecessor and building political and emotional pressure in captivating ways. With morally grey characters (in a morally grey world) that I can truly root for and a world with a deep, mysterious history I want to know more about, The Drowning Empire series just keeps getting better.