The Summer Goddess by Joanne Hall
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
The Summer Goddess is a beautifully told, thematically rich fantasy that offers something far beyond the typical “white male protagonist” hero’s journey. It’s a breath of fresh air for anyone…
epic fantasy
In Solitude’s Shadow by David Green
... sharp, character-driven fantasy with teeth, full of heart, heartbreak, and hard choices. If you want magic with meaning, battles with consequences, and a cast that actually makes you care,…
A Bitter Drink by Azalea Forrest
Overall, I really enjoyed the blend of cozy comfort and emotional depth, with just the right amount of darkness to keep things interesting.
Sairo’s Claw by Virginia McClain
he mystery, action, and dynamic character interactions kept me glued to the pages, and I found myself resenting every interruption that pulled me away from reading.
Code of the Communer by Kai Greenwood – Review
Code of the Communer is a beautifully crafted, deeply immersive fantasy that more than deserves to be on readers' radars.
The Green Wyvern (Volume One) by Matt Heppe – Review
It’s the kind of collection that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place: for the fun, the adventure, the camaraderie, and the sheer…
Hallowed by Y. R. Liu – Review
Hallowed has all the hallmarks of a writer with a strong voice and the potential to grow into something special.
SPFBO Finalist Review: By Blood, by Salt by J. L. Odom
This was my favourite of the SPFBO books by quite some distance. It’s a powerful story about outsiders, how they try to fit in, and how they are treated.
SPFBO Finalist Review: Gates of Hope by J. E. Hannaford
The plot starts with a classic fantasy trope but quickly deepens into something more complex, balancing humor, action, and reflective moments.
SPFBO Finalist Review: Runelight by J. A. Andrews
Also, Kate and Venn's passively antagonistic friendship . . . I love it!!! I wanna be there for ALL their interactions – to adjudicate, or just laugh. Their banter is…
SPFBO Finalist Review: Wolf of Withervale by Joaquín Baldwin
This year's finalists are all big on their worldbuilding but the stand out so far has been The Wolf of Withervale. The author has obviously spent a huge amount of…
The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley – Review
The inner conflict that comes with that was bleeding of the page, and addictive.