Starter Villain by John Scalzi – Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
A clever, chaotic sci-fi comedy full of talking animals, double-crossing villains, and absurd plans. Starter Villain is sharp, funny, and an absolute joy from start to finish.
urban fantasy
Ring the Bells by C. K. McDonnell – Review
A chaotic, foul-mouthed Christmas entry in the Stranger Times series, packed with ancient gods, bad decisions, bodily fluids, and zero cozy vibes. Perfect for readers who like their festive 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.
Wolves (I Bring The Fire, #1) by C. Gockel – Review
My favorite parts were definitely the scenes outside of Midgard. The Asgard bits, and the way the gods interact, were the highlights for me.
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.
Heart Blade by Juliana Spink Mills – Review
If you have a teenager in the house looking for a good read, or if you, like me, enjoy a well-written YA book every now and then, I can genuinely…
The Pilgrims of the Damned by Steve McHugh – Review
These are vampires who make choices about what kind of people they want to be, not mindless predators, and I love that mix of grit, gore, and moral conviction
The Company of Death by Elisa Hansen – Review
for those who like post-apocalyptic worlds with zombies and vicious vampires, instead of the current trend of romanticised vamps, it could be worth a read
Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker – Review
... a warm, thoughtful, and unusual book that balances sadness and fear of death with hope, humor, and love.
Julia’s Favourite Self Published SFF Books – A Giant List – Part 2 – Urban Fantasy
Because honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of hidden magic peeking out between coffee shops, office jobs, and late night bus rides? Urban fantasy is where the ordinary meets the…
The Dark Elf Dynasty File by Phil Parker – Review
...a fast, dark, and surprisingly thoughtful read. It is a gritty urban fantasy with weight behind it...
Those Who Dwell in Darkness by Steve McHugh
A gritty, fast-paced urban fantasy with sharp edges, a solid mystery, and absolutely zero romantasy nonsense. Come for the vampire hunt, stay for the clever banter, great characters, and the…