Book Review: An Inkling of Flame (Song of the Damned, #0.5) by Z.B. Steele

Book Review: An Inkling of Flame (Song of the Damned, #0.5) by Z.B. Steele

Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


An Inkling of Flame: A Song of the Damned novella by Z.B. Steele

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Song of the Damned (Book #0.5)

Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy

Pages: 89 pages (Paperback edition)

Published: 13th January 2025


An Inkling of Flame by Z.B. Steele does what the title signifies. It shows the burning potential the series has to leave its scorching mark in the genre.

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Book Review: A Darkness at Sethanon (The Riftwar Saga, #4) by Raymond E. Feist

Book Review: A Darkness at Sethanon (The Riftwar Saga, #4) by Raymond E. Feist

A Darkness At Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Riftwar Saga (Book #4 of 4), The Riftwar Cycle (Book #4 of 31)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Classic Fantasy

Pages: 401 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 7th February 1986


A Darkness at Sethanon successfully provided a climactic final few chapters to The Riftwar Saga trilogy, but as an installment, it is also the weakest book of the trilogy.

“Your destiny is now your own to forge as best as you may.”

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Book Review: Silverthorn (The Riftwar Saga, #3) by Raymond E. Feist

Book Review: Silverthorn (The Riftwar Saga, #3) by Raymond E. Feist

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Riftwar Saga (Book #3 of 4), The Riftwar Cycle (Book #3 of 31)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Classic Fantasy

Pages: 401 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: May 1985


Silverthorn is a different form of adventure in The Riftwar Saga focusing on Arutha and Jimmy more rather than Pug and Tomas.

“Life is problems. Living is solving problems.”

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Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson


Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Truth Cursed was billed to me as Black Widow by way of Ella Enchanted, and that description honestly isn’t far off. The opening paragraph immediately put me in mind of Ella Enchanted, both in tone and in the condition of our main character. Also, while I’ve never read the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, I have a feeling this novel would scratch that same itch. There was mystery and suspense and intrigue, with a dash of romance thrown in. Honesty was contrasted with open communication, appreciation for one’s abilities contrasted with acceptance of oneself. But while there were some important themes, couched subtly within the story, it was the story itself and the development of its characters that kept me turning the pages. It was such a fun, romp of a tale.

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Book Review: The Left Hand of Darkness (The Hainish Cycle, #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Review: The Left Hand of Darkness (The Hainish Cycle, #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: StandaloneThe Hainish Cycle (Book #4)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 367 pages (ebook edition)

Word Count: 92,000 words

Publish date: March 1969 by Ace Books


The Left Hand of Darkness is a great example of a book conveying big themes in a small package.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

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Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig

Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig


Dawn of Vengeance by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really respected Brand of Light when I read it, but I have to confess that it stressed me out. For its slim size, and considering that it was put out by a Christian imprint, I found Kersei and Marco’s story surprisingly dark and heavy. Kendig didn’t shy away from the hard, and her characters experienced quite a lot of trauma, both on page and off. She toed the line in terms of content, from language to violence to sexual content, the balance struck managing to feel simultaneously clean and edgy. It was just unlike any other story I’ve experienced in the Christian realm, which led to some cognitive dissonance. However, it’s a story that I’ve thought about often in the months since I read it, so it was only a matter of time before I had to return to the series. Strangely enough, I experienced that same shock to my system all over again in Dawn of Vengeance. This series is not for the faint of heart or the impatient of mind. Once I reacclimated, I was swept away but the continuation of the story.

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Book Review: Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1) by Rob J. Hayes

Book Review: Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1) by Rob J. Hayes

Cover art illustrated by Eshpur

Herald by Rob J. Hayes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Age of the God Eater (Book #1 of 3), The God Eater Saga

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 720 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 235,000 words

Publish date: 23rd of July 2024 by Rob J. Hayes (Self-Published)


Herald, or the entire God Eater Saga by Rob J. Hayes, is my pick for the best self-published fantasy books of 2024.

“Books, I have long since learned, can enslave or liberate a person as surely can a sword. But often, with a book, the subject won’t know the difference.”

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Book Review: The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3) by John Gwynne

Book Review: The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3) by John Gwynne

Cover art illustrated by: Marcus Whinney

The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Bloodsworn Saga (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 536 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 22nd October 2024 by Orbit


The moment is here. Another ending from John Gwynne. The Fury of the Gods is the action-packed concluding volume to Gwynne’s—quite likely—most popular series, The Bloodsworn Saga.

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Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire

Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire


Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, Tordotcom, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the highlights of my reading year always comes right on the heels of Christmas, when I snuggle in and read the newest Wayward Children novella right ahead of its release. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is the tenth installment in the series, and marks the seventh year of this tradition I always anticipate. The tone of McGuire’s writing always immediately draws me in. There’s something lovely and soothing and sad about her voice. This entire series is equal parts whimsical and maudlin.

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Book Review: Labyrinth’s Heart (Rook and Rose, #3) by M.A. Carrick

Book Review: Labyrinth’s Heart (Rook and Rose, #3) by M.A. Carrick

Cover art illustrated by Nekro XIII

Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rook and Rose (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 688 pages (Kindle edition)

Word Count: 220,000 words

Publish date: 15th August 2023 by Orbit


Labyrinth’s Heart provides a satisfying conclusion to every major characters of the Rook and Rose trilogy.

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