April 2023 - Novel Notions

Book Review: The Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire, #3) by Andrea Stewart

April 28, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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

Cover art by Sasha Vinogradova

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Drowning Empire (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 624 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 20th April 2023 by Orbit Books

In the words of Mephi, The Bone Shard War was a very good and satisfying conclusion.

“Popularity doesn’t make a thing less valid. On the contrary, I’d argue that the book is popular because the proverbs ring true to so many.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

April 27, 2023 Celeste Comments 3 comments

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“No two persons ever read the same book or saw the same pictures”
The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I’ve read plenty of books that made my heart ache, but very few that made my heart feel seen. There is something remarkably soothing about No Two Persons, this quiet novel told in vignettes. From beginning to end, one thought rang in me, heart, mind, and soul: “Ah. There you are.” I can’t articulate how it made me feel. The feeling it inspired isn’t big or showy, but it’s a feeling I’ve been seeking my entire life. Whatever that feeling may be, I’m incredibly thankful to have experienced it. And I hope other readers will have the same healing, soothing, quiet experience of being seen by what you love. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: A Touch of Light (The Ashes of Avarin, #1) by Thiago Abdalla

April 23, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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

Cover art by: Alejandro Colucci

A Touch of Light by Thiago Abdalla

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Ashes of Avarin (Book #1 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 447 pages (Hardback edition)

Published: 1st March 2022 by Thiago Abdalla (Self-Published

A Touch of Light is a confusing and challenging character-driven fantasy debut. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: Mother of Learning ARC 2 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic

April 20, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover art by: Mansik Yang

Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by Domagoj Kurmaić

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Mother of Learning (Book #2 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Web novel

Pages: 644 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 1st December 2021 by Wraithmarked Creative (Indie)

Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic was as good as the first volume. It almost completely topped ARC 1 that I read last month. …

Read More Read More

Book News & Cover Reveal: The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy, #1) by James Logan

April 14, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 2 comments

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

We have a slightly different but super exciting post today. Novel Notions is hosting the new book announcement and cover reveal of The Silverblood Promise by James Logan. James Logan is the pseudonym of James Long. Who is James Long? Well, if you’ve read plenty of awesome fantasy books published by Orbit Books like The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne, The Legacy Trilogy by Matthew Ward, and Empire of the Wolf trilogy by Richard Swan, then here’s some info for you, James Long is the editor behind those series. This is what James has to say regarding this cover art and debut:

Sounds exciting, right!? I won’t take more of your time. Without further ado, here is the GORGEOUS cover reveal of The Silverblood Promise by James Long.

Cover art by Jeff Brown …

Read More Read More

Cover Reveal: Harbinger of Justice (The Shadowbinders Trilogy, #1) by Andrew Watson

April 13, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

It’s time for another cover reveal! And this time, it is for a debut novel by Andrew Watson, a fellow booktuber just like me! I’m thankful that Watson has entrusted me and Novel Notions to host the cover reveal of his debut novel. Like always, one of the reasons I’m excited about today’s cover reveal is because I get to reveal another cover art done by the famous indie fantasy cover artist: Felix Ortiz! Without further ado, here’s the cover reveal for Harbinger of Justice by Andrew Watson, the first book in The Shadowbinders Trilogy! Also, if you’re a reviewer interested in getting an ARC of this one, you can click here to request an ARC!

Cover art illustrated by Felix Ortiz

…

Read More Read More

Audiobook Review: Dawn Razed (Ethereal Earth, #4)

April 11, 2023 TS Chan Comments 0 Comment

Review copy of audiobook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Dawn Razed: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Ethereal Earth Book 4) by [Josh Erikson]

Dawn Razed by Josh Erikson

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Ethereal Earth (Book #4)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Published: 13th December 2022 by Josh Erikson (self-published ebook) and Audible Studios

Dawn Razed might have taken its time, but it was worth it.

A self-published series that’s also superbly self-narrated by the author, the Ethereal Earth books (and audiobooks) are some of the best urban fantasy reads out there, in my opinion. I’ve enjoyed these stories tremendously not only because they were so much fun, but because both character development and worldbuilding were excellently executed.

…

Read More Read More

Cover Reveal: Between Princesses and Other Jobs (Tales of Indrajit and Fix) by D.J. Butler

April 11, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Hi everyone!

Petrik here. It’s cover reveal time! Today, Baen Books, for the first time, has asked Novel Notions to host the cover reveal to one of their upcoming books in 2023: Between Princesses and Other Jobs by D.J. Butler. I haven’t read anything by D.J. Butler yet. but the cover art to this book is illustrated by Kieran Yanner, one of my favorite artists. Without further ado, here’s the absolutely beautiful cover reveal for Between Princesses and Other Jobs by D.J. Butler!

Cover art by Kieran Yanner …

Read More Read More

Book Review: A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, #7) by Robert Jordan

April 11, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover art by: Melanie Delon

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Wheel of Time (Book #7 of 14)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 902 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 15th May 1996 by Tor Books

Phaw! I can’t believe I’m finally halfway through The Wheel of Time. And the slog begins here. Phaw!

“Wounds to the pride are remembered long after wounds to the flesh.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

April 7, 2023 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Cover art by Steve Argyle

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Science fiction, Portal fantasy

Pages: 420 pages (ebook edition)

Published: 1st April 2023 by Dragonsteel

Sanderson’s experimental and bizarre comedic sci-fi novel with the theme of redemption will be a big hit or miss.

“Your life isn’t unremarkable. You are merely living in the wrong time. Find your Perfect Dimension ™. Embrace your destiny— whether it be to bring Promethean light or exert relentless domination— and travel the dimensions. Become a wizard.”

…

Read More Read More