A Forest of Vanity and Valour by A. P. Beswick – Review
Tom Joyce
A Forest of Vanity and Valour is a fresh, dark take on the Robin Hood legend that immediately grabbed my attention with such an inventive premise. Rather than relying on…
Historical Fantasy
Thrice Married to a Salted Fish by Bi Ka Bi – Light Novel Review
Colleen McMillan
While the title sounds silly, the plot is deadly serious. The main protagonist isn’t our transmigrated soul, however. Instead, we enter ancient China through the eyes of aspiring physician Lin…
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods – Review
Summer Hanford
On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found. For too long, Opaline, Martha, and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.…
The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
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…
The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E. B. Hudspeth – Review
If you love fictional non-fiction, scholarly characters going gloriously off the rails, or just something that feels genuinely unlike anything else on your shelf, this one is worth your time.
European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss – Review
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…
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…
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.
Gather the Anarchists by Tilly Wallace – Review
Overall, this series feels like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket after a long, draining day. It’s steady, reassuring, and quietly engaging without demanding too much from you.
Soulstar by C.L. Polk – Review
Soulstar is a timely and important conclusion, exploring power, social inequality, and resilience. It’s an intense, thought-provoking read that balances romance, politics, and personal struggle, leaving a lasting impression well…