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…
fantasy
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
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 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…
Hammerfall by Rob J. Hayes – Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
It is dark, emotional, sometimes brutal, but also full of heart. It is the kind of story that reminds you that people are rarely just one thing, and that sometimes…
The 11th Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO 11) – Introductions & Book List
It’s that time of year again Factioneers! Time for the 11th Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off to begin! We at Fantasy-Faction have been judging the contest since its inception way back…
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis – Review
Wooing the Witch Queen is a wonderfully immersive, playful, and warm story, perfect for anyone who loves quirky magic, complex friendships, and a touch of romance, all wrapped in cosy-dark…
Julia’s 2025 Reading Wrap Up/Favourite Books of the Year
Expect dragons, witches, robots, rogues, and worlds so magical I wanted to move in permanently. There’s everything here from cosy and charming to grim and gory, from light-hearted popcorn reads…
Julia’s Updated List of Christmas SFF
A festive deep dive into my favourite Christmas-themed SFF reads, from cozy and whimsical to dark, bloody, and chaotic. Fantasy, science fiction, ghosts, gods, zombies, and tinsel included.
SPFBO 10 Champions’ League: Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike – Review
Absurd quests, unexpected twists, and a steady undercurrent of satire kept the pacing brisk and the tone light, without slipping into pure farce.
SPFBO 10 Champions’ League: Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans – Review
... blends romance, magic, and courtly intrigue into a story driven as much by emotion as by politics. Set in a richly imagined, Middle Eastern inspired world, it follows characters…
Limited Wish by Mark Lawrence – Review
Smart, heartfelt, and endlessly quotable, Limited Wish blends high-stakes time travel with genuine friendships, sharp humour, and emotional depth. A perfect mix of brain and heart...