Book Review: The Left Hand of Darkness (The Hainish Cycle, #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Review: The Left Hand of Darkness (The Hainish Cycle, #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: StandaloneThe Hainish Cycle (Book #4)

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 367 pages (ebook edition)

Word Count: 92,000 words

Publish date: March 1969 by Ace Books


The Left Hand of Darkness is a great example of a book conveying big themes in a small package.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

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Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig

Book Review: Dawn of Vengeance (The Droseran Saga, #2) by Ronie Kendig


Dawn of Vengeance by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really respected Brand of Light when I read it, but I have to confess that it stressed me out. For its slim size, and considering that it was put out by a Christian imprint, I found Kersei and Marco’s story surprisingly dark and heavy. Kendig didn’t shy away from the hard, and her characters experienced quite a lot of trauma, both on page and off. She toed the line in terms of content, from language to violence to sexual content, the balance struck managing to feel simultaneously clean and edgy. It was just unlike any other story I’ve experienced in the Christian realm, which led to some cognitive dissonance. However, it’s a story that I’ve thought about often in the months since I read it, so it was only a matter of time before I had to return to the series. Strangely enough, I experienced that same shock to my system all over again in Dawn of Vengeance. This series is not for the faint of heart or the impatient of mind. Once I reacclimated, I was swept away but the continuation of the story.

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Book Review: Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1) by Rob J. Hayes

Book Review: Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1) by Rob J. Hayes

Cover art illustrated by Eshpur

Herald by Rob J. Hayes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Age of the God Eater (Book #1 of 3), The God Eater Saga

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 720 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 235,000 words

Publish date: 23rd of July 2024 by Rob J. Hayes (Self-Published)


Herald, or the entire God Eater Saga by Rob J. Hayes, is my pick for the best self-published fantasy books of 2024.

“Books, I have long since learned, can enslave or liberate a person as surely can a sword. But often, with a book, the subject won’t know the difference.”

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Book Review: The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3) by John Gwynne

Book Review: The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3) by John Gwynne

Cover art illustrated by: Marcus Whinney

The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Bloodsworn Saga (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 536 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 22nd October 2024 by Orbit


The moment is here. Another ending from John Gwynne. The Fury of the Gods is the action-packed concluding volume to Gwynne’s—quite likely—most popular series, The Bloodsworn Saga.

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Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire

Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10) by Seanan McGuire


Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

One of the highlights of my reading year always comes right on the heels of Christmas, when I snuggle in and read the newest Wayward Children novella right ahead of its release. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is the tenth installment in the series, and marks the seventh year of this tradition I always anticipate. The tone of McGuire’s writing always immediately draws me in. There’s something lovely and soothing and sad about her voice. This entire series is equal parts whimsical and maudlin.

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Book Review: Labyrinth’s Heart (Rook and Rose, #3) by M.A. Carrick

Book Review: Labyrinth’s Heart (Rook and Rose, #3) by M.A. Carrick

Cover art illustrated by Nekro XIII

Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rook and Rose (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 688 pages (Kindle edition)

Word Count: 220,000 words

Publish date: 15th August 2023 by Orbit


Labyrinth’s Heart provides a satisfying conclusion to every major characters of the Rook and Rose trilogy.

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Book Review: Brand of Light (The Droseran Saga, #1) by Ronie Kendig

Book Review: Brand of Light (The Droseran Saga, #1) by Ronie Kendig


Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brand of Light is completely unlike anything I’ve ever read. For one thing, it’s such an interesting blend of medieval fantasy and space opera. I’ve never encountered quite this mix of the two. It is also among the edgiest Christian fiction I’ve read. Kendig takes this story to some dark places, but she does so with a respectable amount of tact and grace. You know that some horrible things are happening, but she never revels in descriptions of that darkness. Instead, even when things seem to be at their most hopeless, she finds a way to shine a light into that darkness. If this first book is any indication, the Droseran Saga can hold its own against any sci-fi in the general market.

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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

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


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

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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