A Brief History of LitRPG
Christopher Keene
Books set in worlds with RPG (role-playing game) mechanics, be they virtual reality or alternative universes, have been around since before the 90s. I’ll attempt to cover as much as…
European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss – Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Witty, character-driven, and richer in scope, this sequel sends the Athena Club across Victorian Europe, mixing reimagined monsters, found family warmth, and darker historical realities into a story that is…
Fleet Champions by Rob J. Hayes – Review
Fleet Champions balances explosive action with deepening character arcs in a way that feels earned.
On the Pleasures of Discovering Gaps in Your Reading
Angela Boord
Once upon a time, when I ran upon a gap in my reading, I felt guilty about it. But no longer. As the moodiest of mood readers, I have come…
Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #11: The First Five Fall
Jennie Ivins
Our judges whittle down our group of 30 books by letting go of five at a time. We don’t read the books in any particular order, and so we don’t…
The Grimnir Saga by Scott Oden – Series Review
Stuart Cripps-Schnoor
The world is richly described and vivid, its characters intricate. A violent tale of bitter revenge drenched in blood but defined by its intimate human connections. An absolute must read…
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss – Review
Charming, witty, and deeply character-driven, this Victorian-era mystery reimagines classic literary monsters through a warm, modern lens. With a strong focus on found family, sharp dialogue, and a playful narrative…
All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu – Review
... a confident start to a new series from an author who clearly has things to say about where technology and humanity are headed, and says them through a cast…
The Tattling Whisperwoods by Tilly Wallace – Review
playful, magical, and full of heart. Stronger than the first book, richer in character, and still deeply comforting. It’s not about sweeping epic stakes. It’s about community, care, stubborn hope,…
To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose – Review
Dragons, colonialism, and resistance, with a cast that reflects the full spectrum of humanity and a world that keeps getting richer, Blackgoose is building something special here.
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao: A Vague Review (Because Anything Specific Will Ruin the Ride)
JC Kang
I have concluded The Poet Empress needs to be experienced with very little knowledge of the story and characters, so the enigma of the villain can be unraveled as expectations…
Aspirant’s Oath by Levi Jacobs – Review
The academy concept intrigues me, the dragon element is exactly my kind of thing, and I’m very curious to see how this world and these characters deepen over a full-length…