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Book Review: Nolyn (The Rise and Fall, #1) by Michael J. Sullivan

Book Review: Nolyn (The Rise and Fall, #1) by Michael J. Sullivan

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

Cover art illustrated by Marc Simonetti

Nolyn by Michael J. Sullivan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Rise and Fall (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 480 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 3rd August 2021 by Grim Oak Press (Self-published)


Nolyn was an engaging military fantasy and murder mystery novel in the world of Elan. But this is not designed for newcomers to the world of Elan.

“An empty house is a lonely place, an oversized coffin with furniture and windows.”

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Book Review: The Severing Son (The Sundered Nation, #1) by Vaughn Roycroft

Book Review: The Severing Son (The Sundered Nation, #1) by Vaughn Roycroft

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

Book cover

Cover art by John Anthony di Giovanni

The Severing Son by Vaughn Roycroft

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Sundered Nation (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Pages: 538 pages (Paperback edition)

Published: 18th October 2022 by Avalon Cottage Publishing (Self-published)


The Severing Son is a fast-paced modern fantasy debut with great actions and nodes to classic fantasy tropes.

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Book Review: The Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire, #3) by Andrea Stewart

Book Review: The Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire, #3) by Andrea Stewart

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

Cover art by Sasha Vinogradova

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Drowning Empire (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 624 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 20th April 2023 by Orbit Books


In the words of Mephi, The Bone Shard War was a very good and satisfying conclusion.

“Popularity doesn’t make a thing less valid. On the contrary, I’d argue that the book is popular because the proverbs ring true to so many.”

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Book Review: A Touch of Light (The Ashes of Avarin, #1) by Thiago Abdalla

Book Review: A Touch of Light (The Ashes of Avarin, #1) by Thiago Abdalla

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

Cover art by: Alejandro Colucci

A Touch of Light by Thiago Abdalla

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Ashes of Avarin (Book #1 of 4)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Pages: 447 pages (Hardback edition)

Published: 1st March 2022 by Thiago Abdalla (Self-Published


A Touch of Light is a confusing and challenging character-driven fantasy debut.

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Book Review: Mother of Learning ARC 2 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic

Book Review: Mother of Learning ARC 2 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic

Cover art by: Mansik Yang

Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by Domagoj Kurmaić

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Mother of Learning (Book #2 of 4)

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

Pages: 644 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 1st December 2021 by Wraithmarked Creative (Indie)


Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by nobody103 or Domagoj Kurmaic was as good as the first volume. It almost completely topped ARC 1 that I read last month.

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Audiobook Review: Dawn Razed (Ethereal Earth, #4)

Audiobook Review: Dawn Razed (Ethereal Earth, #4)

Review copy of audiobook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Dawn Razed: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Ethereal Earth Book 4) by [Josh Erikson]

 

Dawn Razed by Josh Erikson

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Ethereal Earth (Book #4)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Published: 13th December 2022 by Josh Erikson (self-published ebook) and Audible Studios


Dawn Razed might have taken its time, but it was worth it.

A self-published series that’s also superbly self-narrated by the author, the Ethereal Earth books (and audiobooks) are some of the best urban fantasy reads out there, in my opinion.  I’ve enjoyed these stories tremendously not only because they were so much fun, but because both character development and worldbuilding were excellently executed.

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Book Review: A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, #7) by Robert Jordan

Book Review: A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, #7) by Robert Jordan

Cover art by: Melanie Delon

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Wheel of Time (Book #7 of 14)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 902 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 15th May 1996 by Tor Books


Phaw! I can’t believe I’m finally halfway through The Wheel of Time. And the slog begins here. Phaw!

“Wounds to the pride are remembered long after wounds to the flesh.”

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Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Cover art by Steve Argyle

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Genre: Science fiction, Portal fantasy

Pages: 420 pages (ebook edition)

Published: 1st April 2023 by Dragonsteel


Sanderson’s experimental and bizarre comedic sci-fi novel with the theme of redemption will be a big hit or miss.

“Your life isn’t unremarkable. You are merely living in the wrong time. Find your Perfect Dimension ™. Embrace your destiny— whether it be to bring Promethean light or exert relentless domination— and travel the dimensions. Become a wizard.”

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Book Review: The Bone Shard Emperor (The Drowning Empire, #2) by Andrea Stewart

Book Review: The Bone Shard Emperor (The Drowning Empire, #2) by Andrea Stewart

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

Cover art by Sasha Vinogradova

Cover design by Lauren Panepinto

The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Drowning Empire (Book #2 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 560 pages (Hardcover edition)

Published: 23rd November 2021 by Orbit Books


The Bone Shard Emperor is a compelling sequel with a focus on politics and character development.

“Old men always think they know better than everyone else, even when the world has long since changed around them.”

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Book Review: The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington

Book Review: The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington

ARC provided by the publisher—Saga Press—in exchange for an honest review.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Hierarchy (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy

Pages: 640 pages (Hardcover edition)

Word Count: 240,000 words

Published: 23rd May 2023 by Saga Press


This is not an exaggeration. The Will of the Many by James Islington is the best fantasy book with a magical school trope I’ve ever read since The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

“The power to protect is the highest of responsibilities… When a man is given it, his duty is not only to the people he thinks are worthy.”

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