Synopsis Life sucks when you’re a potato farmer. That’s why Rin can’t wait to turn sixteen and conquer the nearest beginner dungeon. Only then can he acquire a powerful class in the Game of the Gods and begin the earnest grind to leveling up. With enough monster kills, he might even become someone truly strong, […]
Self Published
Book Review: Don’t Die Dave by AR Witham
TL;DR Review: A cranky boomer gets dropped into a Fortnite-esque video game world…and you can imagine how poorly that goes! Synopsis: A death game where the prize isn’t power or money — it’s health insurance. + Insert coin to keep breathing. + To erase his crippling medical debt, 50-year-old Dave signs a contract that uploads […]
Violence and Vigilance: (Turesia Untamed Book 1) by David T. List
Synopsis: Violence & Vigilance is book one of Turesia Untamed, an epic fantasy series featuring an eternal vendetta, scars of grief and loss, untethered rage, and hope against all odds. Irdessa the Undying, a renowned arena fighter in Fohrvylda, has escaped imprisonment but at great cost. Broken and alone, she must outwit and outfight her […]
Review: Fire in the Hearth (Scars of Magic #2) by Steven Raaymakers
A stunning return to the Scars of Magic series, improving on just about everything while retaining the brutal survivalist tale of Esterra Stake.
Review: Crownfall by Michael Vadney
Synopsis: The gritty underworld and razor-edged found family of Six of Crows collide with the mysterious magic and sweeping intrigue of The City of Brass, all against the vivid industrial backdrop of Arcane in Michael Vadney’s nobledark fantasy debut. Nearly a decade under the empire’s grip has left Burunt a troubled land. Kyndel Heim knows […]
Review: Mushroom Blues (The Hoffman Report #1) by Adrian M. Gibson
Synopsis ENTER THE FUNGALVERSE. Blade Runner, True Detective, and District 9 meld with the weird worlds of Jeff VanderMeer, Philip K. Dick, and China Miéville in Adrian M. Gibson’s award-winning fungalpunk noir debut, now with a foreword from acclaimed author Nicholas Eames and six pieces of original interior artwork. Two years after a devastating defeat […]
SPFBO XI Review: Blackwater (Serpents and Shadows Book 1) 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, […]
SPFBO XI Semi-finalist Review: No More Levels by Benjamin Barreth
Synopsis: Life sucks when you’re a potato farmer. That’s why Rin can’t wait to turn sixteen and conquer the nearest beginner dungeon. Only then can he acquire a powerful class in the Game of the Gods and begin the earnest grind to leveling up. With enough monster kills, he might even become someone truly strong, […]
ESSAY: The Rise of Nobledark Fantasy and What It Says About Us Right Now
The Rise of Nobledark Fantasy, an essay detailing the origins and future of this unique fantasy sub genre. This essay is part of the Crownfall digital book tour. You can find the full tour HERE. BOOK INFORMATION Book/Author: Crownfall by Michael VadneyCover Artist: Katerina Belikova – InstagramTypography/Cover Design: Adrian M. Gibson – PortfolioGenre: Fantasy / Nobledark / New Adult […]
SPFBO XI: One Last Semi-Finalist!
Hello, hello, book fans! We’re back with one last semi-finalist announcement and an update on where we’ll be going from here. We’re also announcing our last cuts. Let’s set with the cuts: Errant Gift by Rhys Price What the judges had to say: Graham: I didn’t enjoy this as much as others seemed to. It […]
Review: The Curse of Dragon Tail Island by Jonathan Nevair
This novel blends pirates with classic fantasy, all in a Robin Hood style package.
Review: The Bad Apothecary (Ninth Path Book 1) by Keon Shore
Synopsis Diwu stumbles into the capital half-dead, wounded by something no healer can cure. Nestled in her flesh is a strange pathogen carrying corruption, the antithesis of the Natural Order. Desperate, she trades freedom for survival and falls into the grip of the Hierarchy, a ruthless organization that keeps power in check by any means […]