This is a Western low fantasy book that reads like a mix between a cowboy movie (if the cowboy was Batman) sprinkled with a little monster invasion. It was definitely different. The first chapter felt much more like a prologue than a “Chapter One”, and honestly I was feeling on the fence... Continue Reading →
SPFBO Review: Raven’s Will by Terry Graves
Moving right along with my pile of SPFBO books! A fairytale retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, reimagined as an epic Saga during the Viking age. Old prophecies of the Norse say that, before Ragnarök, a great winter will fall upon the world. The gods have been defeated and vanquished from the Nine... Continue Reading →
Review: The House of Sacrifice by Anna Smith Spark
Guyyysssssss I was so excited when this book arrived in the mail for me. I mean, I didn't think I had time for literally any other books and then when it arrived on my doorstep I absolutely immediately stopped everything I was doing and started it. This review is based on a review copy. Thanks... Continue Reading →
SPFBO Review: Theft of Sapphire by Joseph Daniel
Moving right along into my SPFBO pile, today I'm reviewing the Horrible Imaginings: Theft of Sapphire. Four clans of genies are hidden deep in an abandoned mine, surrounded by a forest full of monsters, mysteries and treasure. Judah is determined to pass his wishgranter's exam and join Alifair's Repo Agency—premier repossessors of broken, malfunctioning and... Continue Reading →
Review: Wrath of Storms by Steven McKinnon
My favorite book that came out of last year's SPFBO was Symphony of the Wind, which surprised me not by being awesome, but by being just... exactly all the things I love in a book. So when I was approached with the sequel, well... I was all over it. So this review is based on... Continue Reading →
Esme’s SPFBO 5 Semifinalist! Kalanon’s Rising by Darian Smith
An Aside: I'm not sure how many semifinalists I'll end up with this year, I'm almost done with my batch of 15, and after this announcement, I'll probably pick one or two more. Our finalist will be chosen after Kristen and I have both read each other's picks and discussed it at length 😀 There's... Continue Reading →
SPFBO Review: Rose in the Dark by Casia Schreyer
Wooo SPFBO! I've had a busy July but luckily, still managing to get some books in! Princess Rheeya Stone-Rose, the eleventh rebirth of the Stone Clan Princess, must find her true love to complete her soul bond and keep her province prosperous. It would be easier if she didn’t feel like every nobleman she meets... Continue Reading →
Review: The Valley of the Gods by Phil Tucker
This is one of those books that I've been looking forward to since the previous book in the series was released. It was a total surprise too. Audible emailed me one day and was like 'oh hey, this book is out' before it was even visible on goodreads. Good thing I had a credit, amirite?... Continue Reading →
Review: The Gossamer Mage by Julie E. Czerneda
I stumbled over this one on NetGalley while I was looking for something else, which... happens more than you'd think. In usually good ways! ^_^ So, thanks to the author, as well as DAW via NetGalley for the review copy!~ Only in Tananen do people worship a single deity: the Deathless Goddess. Only in this... Continue Reading →
Esme’s SPFBO 5 Review: The Crumbling Kingdom by Jeffrey Hall
Long Ass Review: Wish and Moso live in a city that’s surrounded by a dense, dangerous, and oft-thought cursed jungle. Those brave enough to go into the jungle to get supplies for medicine, riches buried ages ago, or animals for food are known as jungle-divers. Wish and Moso are some of the best around,... Continue Reading →