Cover Reveal: The Radiant King (Astral Kingdoms, #1) by David Dalglish

Cover Reveal: The Radiant King (Astral Kingdoms, #1) by David Dalglish

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Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

We have another incredibly exciting post today. Orbit Books has asked Novel Notions to host the cover reveal for one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. I know, right after the reveal of Grave Empire by Richard Swan, today I have the honor of revealing the cover art of The Radiant King by David Dalglish! This is the first book in a new trilogy named Astral Kingdoms that it slated to be released in March 2025. I have been a fan of David Dalglish’s fantasy books ever since I read The Keepers trilogy, and after reading a few chapters of The Radiant King, this is truly shaping up to be his best work. But anyway, you’re here for the beautiful cover art. And the cover art is handled by one of the most incredible artist in the industry, Magali Villeneuve! Without further ado, here’s the GORGEOUS cover reveal of The Radiant King by David Dalglish!

Cover art illustrated by Magali Villeneuve

Cover designed by Stephanie A. Hess …

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Cover Reveal: Grave Empire (The Great Silence, #1) by Richard Swan

Cover Reveal: Grave Empire (The Great Silence, #1) by Richard Swan

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Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

We have an incredibly exciting post today. Orbit Books has asked Novel Notions to host the cover reveal for one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. I had the pleasure of revealing Richard Swan’s previous trilogy, Empire of the Wolf, and today I get to host the cover reveal to Swan’s newest upcoming book. Grave Empire! This is the first book in a new trilogy taking place in the same world as Swan’s previous trilogy. Philip Harris is in charge of the cover art, and it’s looking incredibly beautiful and intricate. It is an honor for me and Novel Notions to post the cover art to this. Without further ado, here’s the GORGEOUS cover reveal of Grave Empire by Richard Swan!

Cover art illustrated by Philip Harris

Cover designed by Ben Prior …

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Book Review: The Devils (The Devils, #1) by Joe Abercrombie

Book Review: The Devils (The Devils, #1) by Joe Abercrombie

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

Cover art by Will Staehle

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Devils (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Pages: 512 pages (Paperback edition)

Word Count: 213,000 words

Publish date: 6th May 2025 by Gollancz & Tor Books (US)

I fully realize this book is not out until May 2025, but so far, The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the best fantasy book I’ve read this year. It’s devilishly brilliant.

‘No matter how you fight, you can’t beat time. It lays low every empire, topples every tyrant.’

…

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Book Review: The Liar’s Knot (Rook and Rose, #2) by M.A. Carrick

Book Review: The Liar’s Knot (Rook and Rose, #2) by M.A. Carrick

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Cover art illustrated by Nekro XIII

The Liar’s Knot by M.A. Carrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rook and Rose (Book #2 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 688 pages (Kindle edition)

Word Count: 215,000 words

Publish date: 9th December 2021 by Orbit

The Liar’s Knot took its time to get its gear running, but the moment it started, the M.A. Carrick duo proved why this is a stronger installment than its predecessor. …

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Book Review: The Narrow Road Between Desires (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #0.5) by Patrick Rothfuss

Book Review: The Narrow Road Between Desires (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #0.5) by Patrick Rothfuss

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Cover art illustrated by Nate Taylor

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Kingkiller Chronicle (Book #0.5 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 240 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 40,000 words

Publish date: 14th November 2023 by DAW Books and Gollancz

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss is a potentially rewarding expansion to the already whimsical and beautiful novella, The Lightning Tree. …

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Book Review: The Mask of Mirrors (Rook and Rose, #1) by M.A. Carrick

Book Review: The Mask of Mirrors (Rook and Rose, #1) by M.A. Carrick

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Cover art illustrated by Nekro XIII

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Rook and Rose (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 688 pages (Paperback edition)

Word Count: 215,000 words

Publish date: 19th January 2021 by Orbit

The Mask of Mirrors is the start of a Venetian fantasy-setting series with a heavy focus on political intrigue, multiple identities, lies, and world-building. …

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Book Review: The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes

Book Review: The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes

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The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned at the end of the world, it’s that hope is stronger than despair.”

The Nightmare Virus is exactly the kind of book I’ve been hungering for without being able to describe. This is fast-paced, high octane dystopian science-fantasy with incredibly high stakes and some captivating allegorical themes. The writing flowed wonderfully, there was a ton of believable character development, and the faith element mattered deeply to the plot. The story itself was fantastic and, while I could draw some comparisons to other stories I’ve loved, it also felt wholly unique. It felt familiar and true while still being a story unlike any other I’ve experienced. I loved everything about it. …

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Book Review: The Price of Power (The Price of Power, #1) by Michael Michel

Book Review: The Price of Power (The Price of Power, #1) by Michael Michel

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ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Price of Power by Michael Michel

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Price of Power (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 730 pages (Kindle edition)

Publish date: 6th February 2023 by Morningstar Books (Indie)

The Price of Power is a foundational character-driven fantasy debut with promises of great things to come.

“As much as the future is fickle, the past is solid and certain. What it tells me is things continue forward. The future persists even when bleak. I fight fear with wisdom.”

…

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Book Review: The Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois by Ryan Graudin

Book Review: The Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois by Ryan Graudin

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The Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois by Ryan Graudin
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher, Orbit/Redhook, in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw the title of this book, I couldn’t help but be excited. For obvious reasons. My name is an uncommon one, and I’ve never read a book featuring a protagonist who shares it. And then, earlier in the year, I read a delightful middle-grade novel, The Girl Who Kept the Castle, by the same author. Knowing how much I loved her writing for young readers, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her adult debut. I might have set my expectations just a bit too high. While this book was expertly crafted, with gorgeous prose and lush settings and characters I grew to love, the pace and the scope didn’t quite work for me. But overall, this is a charming story that ushers readers into a magical world they won’t want to leave.

“People so often think their futures are set in stone, that their stories are written in the stars before they’re even born, but stone can be worn away, and stars will turn to dust if you wait long enough.”

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Book Review: Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

Book Review: Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

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Long Live Evil (Time of Iron #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Publish date: 1st August 2024

 

How many times have you dreamt of entering the world of your favourite novel or series? Got lost in the thought of meeting that character or leading the charge against that villain? Being the one to entice that dark haired, shadow wielding … *cough* ok, let me bring it back to the point. Many of us dream of entering our favourite fantasy novel, with the usual caveats, of course. Obviously, we want to be one of the rich or powerful or beautiful characters, not the cannon fodder or poverty stricken nobodies that hover in the background, worth nothing more than a passing reference, if that. But what would it take you to actually DO it? Maybe your imminent death? That’s what happens to Rae. When a mysterious woman reveals that there’s no hope left for her, that her tumours have spread and the upcoming costs of treatment will destroy her family before she dies anyway, she’s offered one opportunity to change it all, to live. And she takes it. Who wouldn’t? Finding herself in the pages of her favourite fantasy series, Rae uses every bit of her (admittedly patchy) knowledge of the plot to keep herself alive and manipulate her way to her goal – stealing the Flower of Life and Death. It’s her only chance to live her real life again, free of disease and pain. But being a villain is harder than it looks and the real world is not the only place where death stalks the story…

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