Tag: Book Review

The Stone in the Skull by Elizabeth Bear

April 24, 2019

The plot and all of its twists and turns is carried lightly atop Bear’s prose.  She is not, however, pretentious in her word-weaving – far from it! I was taken by both her ability to create a glistening, crystalline scene that seemed to hold me hostage as well as her ability to drop me back down to earth with surprising grace and humor. I laughed aloud at several lines, and grinned at the wry comments sprinkled throughout the novel.  … More The Stone in the Skull by Elizabeth Bear

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

April 20, 2019

This book ripped me apart and wrote me back together again. Alix E. Harrow’s debut novel is truly a work of art. I laughed, I cried, and I sat on the edge of my seat in suspense. January’s voice comes through each and every word – first like a gentle rain when her life is filled with upper class stability, and later like a typhoon when she must break away from the chains and preconceived notions holding her back. She wants so badly to be free, but can’t quite tear away without a push.  … More The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

April 16, 2019

The heavens have burst and the gods have fallen. Some are minor pests, mere godlings, but some are high gods with unknown magics and powers. David Mogo, a half-god, contracts himself out to the people of Lagos to help with godling infestations. However, when the local ruling wizard offers him a contract to capture a pair of twin gods, David knows the job is bad news.  … More David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Los Nefilim by T. Frohock

April 15, 2019

Up until I read Los Nefilim, I had never really considered myself a fan of urban fantasy. I’ve read and enjoyed a couple one-offs, sure, but it was never a genre I actively sought out. Reading this book gave me a full-blown identity crisis. I utterly ADORED these novellas. I ate them up. They were wonderful. I loved the setting, I loved the characters, I loved the writing! I could gush for a while about these books. I currently have the sequel full length novel, Where Oblivion Lives, on order, and I can’t wait to read it.  … More Los Nefilim by T. Frohock

The Unicorn Anthology edited by Peter S. Beagle & Jacob Weisman

April 9, 2019

If you’re coming in to this anthology expecting it to be filled with glitter and happiness, I have some bad news: that’s definitely not what you’ll be getting. However, if you’re hoping instead for a much more adult look at what the unicorn has historically symbolized, you will be in for a real treat. Beagle and Weismann have put together an anthology that showcases every aspect of the unicorn, all the way from adorable friendship and coming of age right on over to joy of mastering and destroying innocence. … More The Unicorn Anthology edited by Peter S. Beagle & Jacob Weisman

Shaman’s Crossing & Forest Mage by Robin Hobb

April 6, 2019

The first son is the heir son, the second son the solider son, and the third son to the priesthood. This is as the Good God demands of his nobles, and thus Nevare has been destined to be a Cavalla officer from the moment of his birth. However, when his father places him in the care of a man from the Plains Tribes in order to learn skills the Cavalla Academy cannot teach, Nevare touches a magic stronger and more ancient than he can understand. With the magic of a foreign people coursing through him, will Nevare remain loyal to his country, or will be serve the interests of the forest? … More Shaman’s Crossing & Forest Mage by Robin Hobb

The Path Keeper by N J Simmonds

March 31, 2019

This is actually the worst book I’ve ever read. Literally, the worst book. I’ve read and enjoyed some trash in my time, but the only reason I kept going with The Path Keeper was to see just how far this train wreck could take me. This book is essentially what you’d get if you took Twilight, removed everything about it that was even remotely interesting, and THEN you added in a dose of super fun sexual assault and a variety of other utterly tasteless spices to the whole hot mess. Almost every decision Bella, whoops, I mean ELLA, made me want to (╯°□°）╯︵ 📘 The Path Keeper out the window. … More The Path Keeper by N J Simmonds

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

March 30, 2019

Motivated by a desire to follow after the mother who abandoned her, Gyre Price lies about her experience in order to land a lucrative cave-diving gig. Gyre anticipates a topside team that matches the quality of the gear and paycheck she’s to be given…. only to find that her crew is a single woman, known only as Em. Em has no compunctions about manipulating what Gyre sees, hears, and feels in the cave through control of her diving suit. As claustrophobia and panic settle in, Gyre finds that she can trust no one – including herself. … More The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling