City of Stone by K. T. Holder – SPFBO #11 Semi-Finals Review
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Overall, this is a book with a solid foundation, a lot of heart, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with.
women in sff
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee – Review
Summer Hanford
Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector.…
Between Earth and Sky by Rebecca Roanhorse – Series Review
Aly Noel
The Between Earth & Sky series by Rebecca Roanhorse deserves a spot at the top of your TBR (to-be-read) list and to be the center of more conversation in the…
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…
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…
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,…
To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose – Review
Dragons, colonialism, and resistance, with a cast that reflects the full spectrum of humanity and a world that keeps getting richer, Blackgoose is building something special here.
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…
Mumbai Singularity by Nym Coy – Review
Overall, this felt like stepping into a different storytelling tradition and letting it unfold in its own voice. The mix of grounded character work, big concept ideas, and mythic scale…
Grace Designs Mysteries by Tilly Wallace Books 1 & 2 – Review
The Grace Designs Mysteries are gentle, character driven cosy mysteries with a historical flavour and a light fantasy touch. They shine through their protagonist, their sewing room setting, and their…
The Saint of Steel series (books 1-3) by T. Kingfisher – Review
The blend of cute, fun, cosy and quite dark and bloody is a mixture I never knew I needed, before I found this author.
Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell – Review
There are no knights or swords here, just a travelling tribe that hunts and gathers everything it needs to survive.