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Tag: 4.5 stars

Book Review: Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett

Book Review: Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett


Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Above the Circle of Earth is a standalone work of science fiction that explores an aspect of the expansion of the human race into space that we don’t often contemplate: the mission field. Imagine a world that is edging closer to a utopia from a secular perspective, but in which those who practice one of the current world religions find themselves relegated to preserves. These preserves are seen as a blessing by many in these faith communities, as it provides them with protection and insulation from the outside world. But how does this effect the Great Commission? We as Christians were commanded to “go ye therefore,” so should we be content to stay in our own insular bubbles because it’s safe and inoffensive to the outside world? And what about when planets beyond Earth begin to be populated? Do we let entire worlds of people live and die without ever hearing the Gospel of Jesus? When we neglect to share our faith out of fear, do we realize the blood that’s on our hands?

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Book Review: An Inkling of Flame (Song of the Damned, #0.5) by Z.B. Steele

Book Review: An Inkling of Flame (Song of the Damned, #0.5) by Z.B. Steele

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


An Inkling of Flame: A Song of the Damned novella by Z.B. Steele

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Song of the Damned (Book #0.5)

Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy

Pages: 89 pages (Paperback edition)

Published: 13th January 2025


An Inkling of Flame by Z.B. Steele does what the title signifies. It shows the burning potential the series has to leave its scorching mark in the genre.

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Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson


Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Truth Cursed was billed to me as Black Widow by way of Ella Enchanted, and that description honestly isn’t far off. The opening paragraph immediately put me in mind of Ella Enchanted, both in tone and in the condition of our main character. Also, while I’ve never read the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, I have a feeling this novel would scratch that same itch. There was mystery and suspense and intrigue, with a dash of romance thrown in. Honesty was contrasted with open communication, appreciation for one’s abilities contrasted with acceptance of oneself. But while there were some important themes, couched subtly within the story, it was the story itself and the development of its characters that kept me turning the pages. It was such a fun, romp of a tale.

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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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Book Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Book Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

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 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

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: Sistah Samurai by Tatiana Obey

Book Review: Sistah Samurai by Tatiana Obey

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

Cover art illustrated by Felix Ortiz

Sistah Samurai: A Champloo Novella by Tatiana Obey

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Champloo (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 140 pages (Paperback edition)

Word Count: 30,000 words

Publish date: 1st November 2023 by Tatiana Obey


Sistah Samurai is legit one of the most entertaining action-fantasy novellas I’ve ever read.

“We were women, and mothers, and sisters, and cousins. We were teachers, and healers, and innovators, and warriors. And we went down fighting.”

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Book Review: Where Darkness Dwells (Song of the Solas, #1) by Andrea Renae

Book Review: Where Darkness Dwells (Song of the Solas, #1) by Andrea Renae


Where Darkness Dwells by Andrea Renae
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Where Darkness Dwells is a lush, beautiful story with a radiant core of hope. It doesn’t shy from darkness, but it also doesn’t revel in it. Instead, it exposes the weak underbelly of that darkness, dwelling on the fact that, no matter how thick the darkness may seem, the Light is always able to overcome it. We might not understand why the darkness has held dominion for so long, or why the Light didn’t reclaim its rightful throne sooner. But we can know that a battle between the two forces is inevitable, and we rest assured of the fact that Light will win.

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

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

Cover art illustrated by Eshpur

Deathless by Rob J. Hayes

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

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

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 196 pages (Kindle edition)

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


Deathless was, unbelievably, even better than Demon; this is an intense and dark political epic fantasy done right.

”It takes more than one person to birth a conspiracy. “

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Book Review: Hell For Hire (Tear Heaven Down, #1) by Rachel Aaron

Book Review: Hell For Hire (Tear Heaven Down, #1) by Rachel Aaron

ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review

Cover Art by Luisa Preissler.

Hell For Hire by Rachel Aaron

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Tear Heaven Down (Book 1)

Genre: Fantasy, urban fantasy

Release date: 4th June 2024 (self-published)


Please allow me to repeat myself, again.  Rachel Aaron has never ever failed to deliver an effortlessly engaging story filled with lovable characters, and an amazing, yet accessible, worldbuilding that is uniquely hers. It came as no surprise that Hell For Hire has all her usual winning trademarks and is possibly her best first book in a series so far.

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