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Book Review: Kings of Heaven (Ash and Sand, #3) by Richard Nell

Book Review: Kings of Heaven (Ash and Sand, #3) by Richard Nell

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

Cover illustration by: Derek Murphy

Kings of Heaven by Richard Nell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Ash and Sand (Book #3 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy

Pages: 411 pages

Published: 1st September 2020 by Richard Nell (Self-published)


Kings of Heaven has carved Ash and Sand as one of the best fantasy trilogies I’ve ever read.

“A man fails in only two ways, my son. He quits, or he dies.”

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Book Review: Side Jobs (The Dresden Files, #12.5) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Side Jobs (The Dresden Files, #12.5) by Jim Butcher

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12.5 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 434 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 14th April 2011 by Orbit (UK) & 26th October 2010 by Roc (US)


Back Up, The Warrior, and Aftermath were the only noteworthy stories in Side Jobs for me.

“Whenever it gets too dark, think of the good things you have, the good times you’ve had. It will help. I promise.”

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Book Review: The Black Song (Raven’s Blade, #2) by Anthony Ryan

Book Review: The Black Song (Raven’s Blade, #2) by Anthony Ryan

Cover illustration by: Cliff Nielsen

The Black Song by Anthony Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Raven’s Blade (Book #2 of 2)

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy

Pages: 442 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 28th July 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 4th August 2020 by Ace (US)


Anthony Ryan has delivered a satisfying action-packed conclusion to Raven’s Blade while leaving room for one or two more books in the world.

“He lies. They all do, these servants of things unseen. Long ago I learned that prophecy is always built on shifting sands and destiny an illusion used to banish fear of the chaos that is life. I trust what I know. I’ve seen what waits on the other side of death so I know it’s always better to cling to life.”

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Book Review: The Bone Shard Daughter (The Drowning Empire, #1) by Andrea Stewart

Book Review: The Bone Shard Daughter (The Drowning Empire, #1) by Andrea Stewart

I received an ARC of The Bone Shard Daughter (Orbit) in exchange for an honest review.

The Bone Shard Daughter book cover

 

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Drowning Empire (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy

Published: 10th September 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 8th September 2020 by Orbit (US)


I will make no bones about it: This brilliant fantasy debut has announced Andrea Stewart as quite possibly the best newcomer of the year.

Bone. Shard. Magic. How intriguing does that sound?!?! I’m a sucker for a cool magic system and the sound of that sold me instantly. Having finished this book speedily, I can honestly say you would be wrong if you thought that was the final mark under this book’s coolness column. We’re talking migrating islands, lost ancient civilizations, wet and dry seasons that last for years if not decades, mythical creatures, people mysteriously disappearing, and other inexplicable magic. I fully understand if you stop reading this review about now to go and place that pre-order. Excellent choice in supporting this author if I may so.

“The construct looked nothing so much as a giant spider, dark brown and glistening, as tall as my chest when it stood to attention. Human hands were attached to the end of each of its spindly legs, and an old woman’s adorned the abdomen.”

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Book Review: Changes (The Dresden Files, #12) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Changes (The Dresden Files, #12) by Jim Butcher

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Changes by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 554 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 18th March 2010 by Orbit (UK) & 6th April 2010 by Roc (US)


Changes was insane, a true Game-Changer for the series.

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Book Review: Dead Man in a Ditch (The Fetch Phillips Archives, #2) by Luke Arnold

Book Review: Dead Man in a Ditch (The Fetch Phillips Archives, #2) by Luke Arnold

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

Cover designed by: Emily Courdelle

Dead Man in a Ditch by Luke Arnold

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Fetch Phillips Archives (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 448 pages

Published: 24th September 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 22nd September 2020 by Orbit (US)


It feels good to be back in Sunder City.

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Book Review: Paternus: Wrath of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy, #2) by Dyrk Ashton

Book Review: Paternus: Wrath of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy, #2) by Dyrk Ashton

Paternus: Wrath of Gods by Dyrk Ashton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Paternus Trilogy (Book #2 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mythology

Published: July 2018 by Paternus Books Media (Indie)


If I’m limited to just two words to describe The Paternus Trilogy so far, I would say that it’s fun-tastically spectacular.

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Book Review: Sailing to Sarantium (The Sarantine Mosaic, #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay

Book Review: Sailing to Sarantium (The Sarantine Mosaic, #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay

Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Sarantine Mosaic (Book #1 of 2)

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Pages: 451 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 1998 by Penguin Books Canada


It pains me to say this, but it’s time for me to accept that Guy Gavriel Kay’s books aren’t for me.

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Book Review: Paternus: Rise of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy, #1) by Dyrk Ashton

Book Review: Paternus: Rise of Gods (The Paternus Trilogy, #1) by Dyrk Ashton

Paternus: Rise of Gods by Dyrk Ashton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Paternus Trilogy (Book #1 of 3)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mythology

Published: July 2017 by Paternus Books Media (Indie)


An excellent new take on urban fantasy, Paternus: Rise of Gods was fascinating, fun and simply fantastic.

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Book Review: The Trouble With Peace (The Age of Madness, #2) by Joe Abercrombie

Book Review: The Trouble With Peace (The Age of Madness, #2) by Joe Abercrombie

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

Cover illustration by: Tomas Almeida

The Trouble with Peace by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Age of Madness (Book #2 of 3), First Law World (Book, #9 of 10)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Grimdark fantasy

Pages: 512 pages (UK Hardback)

Published: 15th September 2020 by Gollancz (UK) & 15th September 2020 by Orbit (US)


Incredibly mesmeric and brilliant. The trouble with reading Abercrombie’s newest book is that there’s no more new Abercrombie book to read.

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