Dust of the Darkness by Deck Matthews – Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Exciting, sharp, and with just enough new magic and mystery to keep me hooked.
fantasy
SPFBO 10 Champions’ League: The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang – Review
"It’s one of those rare books that transforms as you read it, and then transforms you in turn."
A Pirate’s Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne – Review
Overall, it’s a fine pick for a cozy filler read, especially if you don’t mind your fantasy leaning more toward fluff than depth.
SPFBO 10 Champions’ League: The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson – Review
A wonderful mix of mystery, adventure and heart. It captures the spirit of old-school fantasy while keeping a modern warmth that makes it easy to love.
Anji Kills a King by Evan Leikam – Review
A sharp, magic-tinged fantasy with a strong opening, a welcome lack of romance, and a prickly protagonist you can’t help but root for.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland – Review
A fierce and clever reimagining of history, full of action, heart, and a heroine you won’t forget. I’m already reaching for the sequel.
First of Shadows by Deck Matthews – Review
How do you kill a shadow? As a raging storm descends on the Blasted Coast, the crippled young rigger, Caleb Rusk, meets a stranger on the road. Little does he…
The Magicians by Lev Grossman – Review
Jayna
This was like two books in one and I felt pretty strongly about each half in different ways.
SPFBO 10 Champions’ League: The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French
French deserves credit for doing something original with grimdark genre and creating a setting quite different to what you will usually have read.
Hall of Smoke by H. M. Long – Review
Her quest is twisted by the power struggle between the new and the old gods, and her decisions will decide the fate of the world as she knows it.
A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson – Review
... an engaging read with some original touches, especially in its handling of language and magic.
Magic, Maps, and Mischief by David Green – Cover Reveal
If you love cosy fantasy, character-driven stories, or are simply looking for a warm and comforting read, this one is absolutely worth picking up. And if, like me, you have…