Book Review: The King-Killing Queen (The Old World Tales, #1) by Shawn Speakman

Book Review: The King-Killing Queen (The Old World Tales, #1) by Shawn Speakman

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

Cover art illustrated by Magali Villeneuve

The King-Killing Queen by Shawn Speakman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Old World Tales (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Pages: 296 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 7th November 2023 by Grim Oak Press (Indie)


The King-Killing Queen is a great and fast-paced Arthurian-inspired fantasy novel.

“You can learn a great deal about a man by what he reads.”

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Book Review: Mother of Learning ARC 4 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic

Book Review: Mother of Learning ARC 4 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic

Cover art by: Mansik Yang

Mother of Learning: ARC 4 by Nobody103

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

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

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

Pages: 601 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 4th April 2023 by Wraithmarked Creative (Indie)


Mother of Learning was one of my priority series to start and finish this year, and I’m pleased Mother of Learning by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic is the first web novel series I finished. It certainly won’t be the last.

“Children often do not understand the importance of what their parents try to teach them.”

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Cover Reveal: No Safe Haven (Malitu, #2) by James Lloyd Dulin

Cover Reveal: No Safe Haven (Malitu, #2) by James Lloyd Dulin

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

It’s time for another cover reveal! And this time, it is for the second book in the Malitu series by James Lloyd Dulin. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Dulin’s debut novel, No Heart for a Thief, and the cover art to the sequel is illustrated by Martin Mottet and designed by Michael Dulin. The result is fierce and incredible. I won’t take much more of your time. Without further ado, here’s the beautiful cover reveal of No Safe Haven by James Lloyd Dulin!

If you’re a book reviewer, you can request for an ARC HERE!

Cover art illustrated by Martin Mottet

Cover designed by Michael Dulin

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Cover Reveal: Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker

Cover Reveal: Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker

Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.

It’s been a while, but it’s time for another cover reveal! Today’s cover reveal will be for the newest book by Wick Welker, Saint Elspeth. I have read Dark Theory by the author and it was a great science fantasy novel, I will certainly keep an eye out on this one. And you should, too, if you love reading sci-fi. The author knows how to implement intriguing ideas and concepts into his narrative. The book will be released on the 4th of November 2023. If you are a reviewer who wants to read and review the book early, a request for an ARC should be open on the 4th of September 2023.  Without further ado, here’s the beautiful cover reveal of Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker!

Cover art illustrated by Damonza

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Book Review: Jade Shards (The Green Bone Saga, #0.75) by Fonda Lee

Book Review: Jade Shards (The Green Bone Saga, #0.75) by Fonda Lee

This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on Jade Shards

Cover art illustrated by: Charis Loke

Jade Shards by Fonda Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Green Bone Saga (Book #0.75 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 136 pages (Hardback edition)

Published: 31st July 2023 by Subterranean Press


Jade Shards is an incredibly well-written farewell titles for the fans of Green Bone Saga.

“This one’s for the fans.”—Fonda Lee

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Book Review: Waybound (Cradle, #12) by Will Wight

Book Review: Waybound (Cradle, #12) by Will Wight

Cover art illustrated by Patrick Foster

Waybound by Will Wight

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Cradle (Book #12 of 12)

Genre: Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Xianxia

Pages: 518 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 4th June 2023 by Hidden Gnome Publishing (Indie)


Packed with enormous action scenes, Waybound closed the final chapters of Cradle fittingly.

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Book Review: Aiduel’s Sin (The Illborn Saga, #2) by Daniel T. Jackson

Book Review: Aiduel’s Sin (The Illborn Saga, #2) by Daniel T. Jackson

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

Aiduel’s Sin by Daniel T. Jackson

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Illborn Saga (Book #2 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 650 pages (Paperback Edition)

Published: 28th January 2023 by Troubador Publishing (Indie)


Aiduel’s Sin is filled with compelling narrative, debatable actions, violent battle scenes, and revelations that left me excited for the rest of the series.

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Book Review: Farilane (The Rise and Fall, #2) by Michael J. Sullivan

Book Review: Farilane (The Rise and Fall, #2) by Michael J. Sullivan

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

Cover art illustrated by Marc Simonetti

Farilane by Michael J. Sullivan

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Rise and Fall (Book #2 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 440 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 7th June 2022 by Grim Oak Press (Self-published)


Farilane is a great sequel to Nolyn with guaranteed huge emotional ramifications if you’ve read every book in the world of Elan before reading this.

“Virgil… life is a gamble, my friend. The trick is to wager wisely, balancing risk against reward.”

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BOOK REVIEW: DRAGONFIRED (THE DARK PROFIT SAGA, #3) BY J ZACHARY PIKE

BOOK REVIEW: DRAGONFIRED (THE DARK PROFIT SAGA, #3) BY J ZACHARY PIKE

Dragonfired
Dragonfired (The Dark Profit Saga, #3)
by J. Zachary Pike
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Satire, Humor
Published: 1st September 2023, Gnomish Press


Dragonfired is J. Zachary Pike’s exhilarating final entry to the Dark Profit Saga, a fantasy satire that targets capitalism, racism, classism, role-playing games, and many other ripe topics. It concludes the hilarious, incisive, and moving tale of Gorm Ingerson and the Heroes of Destiny and their struggle to overthrow the evils that have corrupted the land of Arth.

It is perhaps the most serious of the trilogy, as it tackles heavy themes of love and redemption, duty and honor, and civil rights. Yet the mood is consistently counterbalanced with clever jokes, wordplay, and social commentary that mirrors our own society’s inadequacies. While it never strays too far from the central theme of how money corrupts, the book also successfully lampoons lawyers, business strategies, marketing, and evolving technologies. The commentary never feels forced or shoehorned; one of Pike’s greatest strengths is weaving these topics so tightly into the plot that they feel necessary and pertinent.

The characters are one of the book’s greatest strengths. Although there is a wide cast of characters and many points of view, each voice felt distinct and relatable. A silent character is written so well that he conveys some of the most emotional moments using only stares and body language. Almost all character arcs had powerful conclusions, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that one antagonist’s fate was a bit of a letdown. The trilogy seemed to be pointing toward a final confrontation between a Hero and this villain, but it went in a different direction.

One of my favorite aspects of the entire series is how well Pike consistently subverts tropes. At various times, I felt comfortable in thinking I knew where it was headed, only to be upended and proven wrong time and time again. There are some truly excellent bait-and-switch moments, many of them infused with laugh-out-loud humor, that made the book a joy to read. I snorted on one page, while being gutted on the next. Excellent stuff.

Having been a fan of Orconomics since it hit the SPFBO scene years ago, this has been one of my most anticipated series to finish. From the brilliant scene transitions – a series highlight – to the raw moments of Pratchett-like wisdom, Pike has crafted a witty and emotional conclusion to one of the most entertaining fantasy sagas I’ve read. If you’re looking for a series that is humorous, insightful, and pure fun on every page, then pick up the Dark Profit Saga.

Book Review: Beyond Redemption (Manifest Delusions, #1) by Michael R. Fletcher

Book Review: Beyond Redemption (Manifest Delusions, #1) by Michael R. Fletcher

This is a repost of a review I wrote in 2017.

Cover art illustrated by Richard Anderson

Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Manifest Delusions (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 495 pages (129,000 words)

Published: 16th June 2015 by Harper Voyager


I don’t think I truly knew what I was signing up for when I started reading this book because it was beyond anything I could ever dream of, and was insanely marvelous.

Beyond Redemption, the first book in the Manifest Delusions series by Michael R. Fletcher is what I foresee as the beginning of a magnificent series in the grimdark fantasy genre.

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