An Instruction in Shadow by Benedict Jacka – Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
A darker, grittier contemporary fantasy with a protagonist who feels younger than his years and a world that rewards patient readers.
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Dawn of Silence by Heiner de Wendt – Review
Dark, inventive, and genuinely warm beneath all the ash and undead. A post-apocalyptic world full of strange corners, a found family that actually works, and enough ideas to fuel a…
Merchant Magician by John Champaign – Review
If you want urban fantasy with a protagonist who'll bargain with a leprechauns just as well as washing dishes without complaint, this one's for you. Charming, creative, and easy company.
Atlanta’s Guide to Cryptids by Kevin A. Davis – Review
I genuinely appreciated that there is no romance here at all. Female leads without that are still rarer than they should be.
Investigation, Mediation, Vindication by Chris Tullbane – Review
This is not a book that will stay with you for weeks, but it is an easy, entertaining read with rough edges and real promise. Tullbane's debut does enough right…
The Worst Survive by Phil Williams – Review
By the end the job's done and the bigger picture's cracked wide open. This is a frenetic, foul-mouthed ride through a world that won't let you get comfortable, and Scully's…
Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #11: Finalist Announcement!
It has been quite a journey through our thirty books, and we have loved (almost) every minute of it. Four books earned their place as semi-finalists, each one getting their…
Of Magic and Empire by Shay Yates Roberts – Review
Epic fantasy that is expansive and adventurous without being punishing or dark.
The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
Reading this book was like riding a zip line above the crowds on a fairground midway. Everywhere you looked, something was happening. Danger, love, plotting, plots foiled, steam trains, steam…
Physical Magic by William C. Tracy – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
A thoughtful, inclusive fantasy with a strong emotional core, a distinctive setting, and a protagonist whose struggle with self-worth feels honest and earned.
Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
Steampunk, chicanery, and robbery all collude to deliver a romance that is lighthearted, but which emphasizes a lesson in consent.
City of Stone by K. T. Holder – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
Overall, this is a book with a solid foundation, a lot of heart, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with.