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Month: October 2023

Book Review: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

Book Review: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

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

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Horror

Word Count: 91,000 words

Pages:  352 pages (Paperback edition)

Published: 11th July 2023 by Tor Nightfire (US) & 13th July 2023 by Orbit Books (UK)


Well, Boys in the Valley was so good. It was surprisingly so good.

“All of life is a great gift,” he says. “Not because of what it gives us, but because of what it allows us to give others.”

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Book Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Book Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood


Bride by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

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

I can’t remember the last time I read a 400+ page book in less than 24 hours, but that was exactly my experience with Bride. I was pretty excited when Hazelwood announced her first foray into paranormal romance. And somewhat hesitant. While I thoroughly enjoyed The Love Hypothesis, I haven’t been able to get into any of her work since. I was hopeful that a shift in genre would change things, and I was absolutely correct. Bride had me in its thrall from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down.

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Book Review: Howling Dark (The Sun Eater, #2) by Christopher Ruocchio

Book Review: Howling Dark (The Sun Eater, #2) by Christopher Ruocchio

This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on Howling Dark.

Cover art illustrated by Kieran Yanner

Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Sun Eater (Book #2 of 7)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera, Science Fantasy

Word Count: 264,000 words

Pages: 679 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 16th July 2019 by DAW Books


Philosophical, bizarre, sprawling, and epic. Howling Dark outshined the already stunning Empire of Silence.

“The poets say that one’s fears grow less with trial, that we become men without fear if tried enough. I have not found it to be so. Rather, on each occasion we are tested, we become stronger than our fears. It is all we can do. Must do. Lest we perish for our failings.”

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Book Review: The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

Book Review: The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Cosmere

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Word Count: 129,000 words

Pages: 416 pages (Paperback)

Published: 14th January 2020 by Del Rey Books


The Vanished Birds is a beautiful, heartfelt, and tense standalone space opera story about kindness, choices, love, pain, ambition, and found family.

“Geniuses are born all the time, but kindness is rarer, these days especially. The world could use more kindness.”

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Book Review: The Sunlit Man (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson

Book Review: The Sunlit Man (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson

This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review of The Sunlit Man.

Cover art illustrated by Kudriaken

The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Cosmere

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic fantasy

Word Count: 103,000 words

Pages: 447 pages (Kindle)

Published: 1st October 2023 by Dragonsteel Books (Kickstarter) & 10th October 2023 by Tor Books (US Ebook)/Gollancz (UK Ebook)


The Sunlit Man is a detailed exhibition of the bright future of Sanderson’s vision. Sooner or later, fans of the Cosmere must not miss reading this dedicated tribute novel from Brandon Sanderson to his readers.

“Ideals are like statues in the wind. They seem so permanent, but truth is, erosion happens subtly, constantly.”

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Cover Reveal: The Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf, #3) by Richard Swan

Cover Reveal: The Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf, #3) by Richard Swan

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 2024. The Justice of Kings and The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan are some of my favorite books. I read and reviewed both of them already, and today I get to host the cover reveal to the last book of the trilogy: The Trials of Empire! Martina Fačková returns as the cover artist, and she managed to, amazingly, craft another cover art as stunning as the previous two. It is an honor for me and Novel Notions to post the cover art to The Trials of Empire. Without further ado, here’s the super GORGEOUS cover reveal of The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan!

Cover art illustrated by Martina Fačková

Cover designed by Lauren Panepinto

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Book Review: The Lesser Devil (The Sun Eater, #1.5) by Christopher Ruocchio

Book Review: The Lesser Devil (The Sun Eater, #1.5) by Christopher Ruocchio

The Lesser Devil by Christopher Ruocchio

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Sun Eater (Book #1.5 of 7)

Genre: Sci-fi, Space Opera, Science Fantasy

Pages: 205 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 14th April 2020 (Self-Published)


The Lesser Devil is an action-packed spin-off novel that offers readers the chance for a more extensive dive into the mind of Crispin Marlowe.

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Cover Reveal: Arthur (The Arthurian Tales, #3) by Giles Kristian

Cover Reveal: Arthur (The Arthurian Tales, #3) by Giles Kristian

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

It’s been a while. But today, it’s time for another cover reveal! Today’s cover reveal is for one of my most anticipated historical fiction novels. If you have been following my blog and channel, you will know I LOVE Lancelot and Camelot by Giles Kristian. Lancelot is one of my favorite standalone books, and Camelot is a great spin-off sequel to it. Well, today I will be revealing the cover art of the third and final book in The Arthurian Tales trilogy by Giles Kristian: Arthur.  Taking place several years after the end of Camelot, I undoubtedly look forward to reading this standalone sequel to it. Without further ado, here’s the beautiful cover reveal of Arthur!

Pre-order HERE!

Cover art illustrated by Stephen Mulcahey


Title: Arthur

Series title: The Arthurian Tales (Book #3 of 3)

Author: Giles Kristian

Publishing date: 6th June 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bantam (Penguin Random House)

Years have passed since the clash of shieldwalls echoed across the land. The Saxons are now the lords of Britain. And yet the bards still sing of Arthur – ‘In our darkest time, when we need him most, shall he come again.’

Yet old Beran has no love of bards’ songs. Nor of people, unless they are paying him to steal or kill. He is a mercenary, in the employ of the cutthroat Nabor ap Nabor, and he has been ordered to murder a boy fleeing a burning city. No ordinary boy either. No, this boy is the son of King Constantine and the grandson of High King Ambrosius. And he could be the hope of Britain . . . if he lives.

Betraying his companions and returning to a world he thought he had left forever, Beran gives his word that he will take the boy to the one place that still holds out against the Saxons: Camelot.

Crossing a hostile land, they will meet the runaway lovers, Tristan and Isolde. They will seek the help of Guivret, called the Little King, and the Saracen, Palamedes, who once rode beneath Arthur’s banner.

Hunted by Saxons, Nabor ap Nabor, and Queen Morgana, this unlikely band must fight for their lives and for each other. For if there’s to be any hope for Britain, Beran must deliver the boy to Camelot. But to do that, he must also face his own past . . .


A hawk, a wolf, and now a bear. How about that?

I want to give my special thanks to Giles Kristian for allowing Novel Notions the honor and pleasure of hosting the cover reveal for Arthur. As fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts, and self-proclaimed connoisseurs of book cover art, it means a lot for me and all of us here at Novel Notions to be given this opportunity.

Lastly, thank you to everyone for taking the time to read this post!


Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!

My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Chris, Cullen, Dan, David, Dernerror, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends and Lattes, #0) by Travis Baldree

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends and Lattes, #0) by Travis Baldree

ARC provided by the publishers—Tor Books & Tor UK—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover art illustrated by: Leo Nickolls

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Legends and Lattes (Book #0 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy

Pages: 368 pages (Kindle edition)

Publish date: 7th of November 2023 by Tor Books (US) & Tor (UK)


Legends and Lattes and Bookshops and Bonedust, Travis Baldree truly knows the secret recipes for crafting wholesome cozy fantasy novels.

“Never trust a writer who doesn’t have too many books to read. Or a reader, for that matter.”

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Book Review: Starsight (Skyward, #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Book Review: Starsight (Skyward, #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Cover art illustrated by Sam Green

Starsight by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Skyward (Book #2 of 4)

Genre: Sci-fi

Pages: 469 pages (Hardcover edition)

Publish date: 26th of November 2019 by Delacorte Press (US) & Gollancz (UK)


Contrary to my expectations, Starsight was an incredibly fun and engaging sequel to Skyward.

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