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Category: Book Reviews

Book Review: Empire of Grass (The Last King of Osten Ard, #2) by Tad Williams

Book Review: Empire of Grass (The Last King of Osten Ard, #2) by Tad Williams

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Cover art illustrated by Michael Whelan

Empire of Grass by Tad Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Last King of Osten Ard (Book #2 of 4), The Osten Ard Saga (Book #5 of 7)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 684 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 319,000 words

Published: 7th May 2019 by DAW Books (US) & Hodder (UK)

Empire of Grass is the darkest entry in the entire Osten Ard Saga by Tad Williams so far, and I feel it is going to be outshined by its sequels.

“You don’t know you’re in a story until someone tells it to you afterward.”

…

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Book Review: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere, #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin

Book Review: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere, #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin

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The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an advance digital copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw the cover for The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine, I was intrigued. When I read the synopsis, I was instantly charmed, and had a feeling that this could end up being a lifetime favorite. And I was absolutely correct. From the premise to the setting, from the characters to the references to classic works of fiction, from the voice to the profound musings on the power of story and why stories matter, I was captivated by every page of this book. I dove deep into this story, reading it slowly because I didn’t want it to end. I wish Franklin would write a dozen more books in this series. I would eat up every single one. …

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Book Review: Brothers of the Wind (The Last King of Osten Ard, #0.75) by Tad Williams

Book Review: Brothers of the Wind (The Last King of Osten Ard, #0.75) by Tad Williams

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Cover art illustrated by Jim Tierney

Brothers of the Wind by Tad Williams

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Last King of Osten Ard (#0.75 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High fantasy

Pages: 276 pages (Kindle edition)

Word count: 104,000 words

Publish date: 2nd November 2021 by DAW (US) & Hodderscape (UK)

Super underrated. Brothers of the Wind is beautifully written, melancholic, and layered with impactful details.

“Duty is honor,” my stern father often used to tell me. “And honor is all.” But I would amend his saying. I have learned that our first duty is to truth, because without truth, honor itself is hollow.

…

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Book Review: Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry’s Definitive Collection

Book Review: Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry’s Definitive Collection

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Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry’s Definitive Collection by Stephen Fry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did I purchase this on Amazon solely because it was narrated by Stephen Fry? You bet. He’s one of my favorite narrators of all time. There’s something about his voice that is incredibly soothing, something about his delivery that is cozy and instantly transportive. Additionally, I loved the thought of getting not only his narration, but his brief thoughts on each of these classic, spooky tales. I love his way with words almost as much as the way he says them, and I found his introductions to each story interesting and informative. This collection proved to be perfect for spooky season.

Not only is it an excellent narration of eight classic tales of horror, Fry and the audio producers took things a step further by adding in sound effects that really added to the experience. These effects were perfectly balanced, contributing greatly to the tone and mood without being so prominent as to distract. I wish more audio productions would follow suit. …

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Book Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Book Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

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

Cover art illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy

Pages: 336 pages (Paperback edition)

Publish date: 5th November 2024 by Ace (US) & Hodderscape (UK)

The Teller of Small Fortunes could become the new benchmark for cozy fantasy novel. …

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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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