Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #11: The Second Five Fall
Jennie Ivins
On this, the first day of May, we are saying goodbye to our second round of contestants in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! And just as a reminder, we…
Reviews
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie – What if it wasn’t labeled YA?
Tom Joyce
Imagine if Half a King had been published without the letters ‘YA’ anywhere near the cover. Just a new novel by Joe Abercrombie, author of The First Law, arriving with…
Gnosia: A Deadly Paranoia Game in Space – Anime Review
Colleen McMillan
Adapted from a 2019 visual novel role-playing game of the same name, Gnosia immerses the viewer in an intense game of whodunnit. Or, more aptly, a game of “who’s gonna…
The Farseer/Romantasy Parallel: No, not Molly
Summer Hanford
While it’s doubtful that modern romantasy writers set out to consciously mimic Hobb’s masterful construction, the choice of first person, the intricate and deep emotional growth, and the form both…
Of Song and Shadow by G. R. Matthews – ARC Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
What stayed with me most is that quiet thread running through everything. Determination. People pushing forward, rebuilding, adapting. Finding their place, even when the world has already taken something from…
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…
Fleet Champions by Rob J. Hayes – Review
Fleet Champions balances explosive action with deepening character arcs in a way that feels earned.
Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #11: The First Five Fall
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,…