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Category: Petrik’s Reviews

Book Review: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Book Review: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

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ARC provided by the publisher—Harper Voyager—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover art illustrated by Patrick Arrasmith

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Fantasy, Dark Academia

Pages: 540 pages (Hardcover Edition)

Word Count: 160,000 Words

Published:  26th August 2025 by Harper Voyager

At this point, it is safe to say Katabasis by R.F. Kuang has an assured path to take the bestseller spot in many outlets around the world. That being said, can this relatively bizarre novel win the reader’s heart?

“How wonderful, truly, to have a friend whose silence you adored.”

…

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Book Review: All That We See or Seem (Julia Z, #1) by Ken Liu

Book Review: All That We See or Seem (Julia Z, #1) by Ken Liu

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ARC provided by the publisher—Saga Press—in exchange for an honest review.


All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Julia Z (Book #1 or 3)

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

Pages: 416 pages (Kindle Edition)

Published: 14th October 2025 by Saga Press (US) & 9th October 2025 Head of Zeus (UK)

All That We See or Seem is the newest near-future sci-fi thriller from Ken Liu, one of my favorite authors of all time. Did it manage to live up to the quality of his previous works?

“Freedom, belonging, telling a story about yourself that you love. Dreaming together. Meaning in all that we see or seem.”

…

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Book Review: System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, #7) by Martha Wells

Book Review: System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, #7) by Martha Wells

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Cover art by Jaime Jones

System Collapse by Martha Wells

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #7)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 256 pages (Kindle Edition)

Word count: 63,000 words

Published: 14th November 2023 by Tordotcom

System Collapse is undeniably action-packed, and it certainly dives deep into the psyche of Murderbot. But it did not progress the plotline of the series as much as I hoped.

“So the next time I get optimistic about something, I want one of you to punch me in the face.”

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Book Review: Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries, #6) by Martha Wells

Book Review: Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries, #6) by Martha Wells

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Cover art by Jaime Jones

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #6)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 176 pages (Kindle Edition)

Word count: 39,000 words

Published: 27th April 2021 by Tordotcom

This is quite likely an unpopular opinion, but I found Fugitive Telemetry to be a big step-down after Network Effect

“It had been such a stupid question, I had forgotten not to have an expression.”

…

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Book Review: The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy, #2) by James Islington

Book Review: The Strength of the Few (Hierarchy, #2) by James Islington

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ARC provided by the publisher—Saga Press—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover art by Jaime Jones

The Strength of the Few by James Islington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Hierarchy (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy

Pages: 736 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 240,000 words

Published: 11th Novermber 2025 by Saga Press

We’re not at the end of 2025 yet, but I believe The Strength of the Few by James Islington has secured the best fantasy book of the year award. This is the finest sequel I’ve read since Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson and The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu.

“The power to protect is the highest responsibility.”

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Book Review: Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells

Book Review: Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells

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Cover art by Jaime Jones

Network Effect by Martha Wells

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #5)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 346 pages (Kindle Edition)

Word count: 112,000 words

Published: 5th May 2020 by Tordotcom

I can say with ease that Network Effect, the fifth title and the first full-length novel in the series, is the best book in The Murderbot Diaries so far.

“Oh shit, my media!…No, wait, I had access to some of it.”

…

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Book Review: The Radiant King (Astral Kingdoms, #1) by David Dalglish

Book Review: The Radiant King (Astral Kingdoms, #1) by David Dalglish

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Review copy provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.


Cover art by Magali Villeneuve

The Radiant King by David Dalglish

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Astral Kingdoms (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 514 pages (PaperbackEdition)

Word count: 174,000 words

Published: 4th March 2025 by Orbit Books

The Radiant King by David Dalglish is a Berserk inspired epic fantasy book that will become one of Dalglish’s most underrated titles.

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Book Review: Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4) by Martha Wells

Book Review: Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4) by Martha Wells

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Cover art by Jaime Jones

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #4)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 150 pages (Kindle Edition)

Word count: 32,400 words

Published: 2nd October 2018 by Tordotcom

Exit Strategy concluded the first story arc of The Murderbot Diaries with another action-packed narrative.

“I was having an emotion, and I hate that.”

…

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Book Review: A Song of Legends Lost (The Invoker, #1) by M.H. Ayinde

Book Review: A Song of Legends Lost (The Invoker, #1) by M.H. Ayinde

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ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover art by Richard Anderson

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Invoker (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 592 pages

Word count: 189,000 words

Published:  8th April 2025 by Orbit (UK) & 3rd June 2025 by Saga Press (US)

A Song of Legends Lost is a Final Fantasy X inspired debut with magic summons reminiscent of Spirit from Shaman King or Stand from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. …

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Book Review: Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3) by Martha Wells

Book Review: Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3) by Martha Wells

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Cover art by Jaime Jones

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #3)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 150 pages (Kindle Edition)

Word count: 32,400 words

Published: 7th August 2018 by Tordotcom

An action-packed story and Miki turned Rogue Protocol into a pleasant surprise for me, despite my preliminary disappointment.

“There needs to be an error code that means “I received your request but decided to ignore you.”

…

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