Paternus: War of Gods by Dyrk Ashton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: The Paternus Trilogy (Book #3 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mythology
Published: 23rd June 2020 by Paternus Books Media (Indie)
A truly stunning and magnificent conclusion to an incredibly unique and fun urban fantasy adventure, Paternus: War of Gods cemented The Paternus Trilogy as one of my all-time favourites. …
Cover Illustration by: Daniel Dociu
Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Expanse (Book #6 of 9)
Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera
Pages: 543 pages (UK paperback)
Published: 6th December 2016 by Orbit
A good sequel that feels like a long wrap-up to Nemesis Games. …
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Lord of the Rings (Book #3 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Published: 20th October 1955 by George Allen and Unwin
“For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe by Judith Herrin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 27th August 2020 (Allen Lane)
O lone Ravenna! many a tale is told
Of thy great glories in the days of old’ (Oscar Wilde)
Wilde’s 1878 poem ‘Ravenna’, for which he won the prestigious Newdigate prize, is a celebration of the city’s rich history, and a lamentation of its decline, ‘in ruined loveliness thou liest dead’. In the poem, his 19th century experience of Ravenna is strikingly contrasted with its classical past, but the sense of loss he evokes well reflects every period of Ravenna’s history. A deathly commemoration may be one poetic step too far, but Ravenna is a city which doesn’t loom large in historical memory, despite its long term significance. Even for this history buff, Ravenna’s role at the heart of empires, especially between 402 and the end of the 7th century, was almost entirely unknown. Here, Judith Herrin seeks to fill in those gaps, charting Ravenna from its time as capital of the Western Roman Empire to the late 8th century, when it acts as inspiration for Charlemagne’s imperial and religious building projects in Aachen.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Cover illustration by: Derek Murphy
Kings of Heaven by Richard Nell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: Ash and Sand (Book #3 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy
Pages: 411 pages
Published: 1st September 2020 by Richard Nell (Self-published)
Kings of Heaven has carved Ash and Sand as one of the best fantasy trilogies I’ve ever read.
“A man fails in only two ways, my son. He quits, or he dies.”
Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath
Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12.5 of 25)
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 434 pages (US Kindle edition)
Published: 14th April 2011 by Orbit (UK) & 26th October 2010 by Roc (US)
Back Up, The Warrior, and Aftermath were the only noteworthy stories in Side Jobs for me.
“Whenever it gets too dark, think of the good things you have, the good times you’ve had. It will help. I promise.”
Cover illustration by: Cliff Nielsen
The Black Song by Anthony Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: Raven’s Blade (Book #2 of 2)
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Pages: 442 pages (US Kindle edition)
Published: 28th July 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 4th August 2020 by Ace (US)
Anthony Ryan has delivered a satisfying action-packed conclusion to Raven’s Blade while leaving room for one or two more books in the world.
“He lies. They all do, these servants of things unseen. Long ago I learned that prophecy is always built on shifting sands and destiny an illusion used to banish fear of the chaos that is life. I trust what I know. I’ve seen what waits on the other side of death so I know it’s always better to cling to life.”
I received an ARC of The Bone Shard Daughter (Orbit) in exchange for an honest review.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Drowning Empire (Book #1 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 10th September 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 8th September 2020 by Orbit (US)
I will make no bones about it: This brilliant fantasy debut has announced Andrea Stewart as quite possibly the best newcomer of the year.
Bone. Shard. Magic. How intriguing does that sound?!?! I’m a sucker for a cool magic system and the sound of that sold me instantly. Having finished this book speedily, I can honestly say you would be wrong if you thought that was the final mark under this book’s coolness column. We’re talking migrating islands, lost ancient civilizations, wet and dry seasons that last for years if not decades, mythical creatures, people mysteriously disappearing, and other inexplicable magic. I fully understand if you stop reading this review about now to go and place that pre-order. Excellent choice in supporting this author if I may so.
“The construct looked nothing so much as a giant spider, dark brown and glistening, as tall as my chest when it stood to attention. Human hands were attached to the end of each of its spindly legs, and an old woman’s adorned the abdomen.”
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 by Emil Ferris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beautiful. I had no concrete expectations for this going in, but My Favorite Thing is Monsters is hands down the most unique graphic novel I’ve ever read. The story, the art style, and the character development where all absolutely brilliant. I was incredibly moved by it.
“Never let anyone’s darkness provoke you into your own midnight.”
Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath
Changes by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12 of 25)
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 554 pages (US Kindle edition)
Published: 18th March 2010 by Orbit (UK) & 6th April 2010 by Roc (US)
Changes was insane, a true Game-Changer for the series.