Fantasy Archives - Novel Notions

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

March 24, 2025 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: A Darkness at Sethanon (The Riftwar Saga, #4) by Raymond E. Feist

March 13, 2025 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

A Darkness At Sethanon by Raymond E. Feist

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Riftwar Saga (Book #4 of 4), The Riftwar Cycle (Book #4 of 31)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Classic Fantasy

Pages: 401 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: 7th February 1986

A Darkness at Sethanon successfully provided a climactic final few chapters to The Riftwar Saga trilogy, but as an installment, it is also the weakest book of the trilogy.

“Your destiny is now your own to forge as best as you may.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: Silverthorn (The Riftwar Saga, #3) by Raymond E. Feist

March 5, 2025 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Riftwar Saga (Book #3 of 4), The Riftwar Cycle (Book #3 of 31)

Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Classic Fantasy

Pages: 401 pages (Kindle edition)

Published: May 1985

Silverthorn is a different form of adventure in The Riftwar Saga focusing on Arutha and Jimmy more rather than Pug and Tomas.

“Life is problems. Living is solving problems.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

March 4, 2025 Celeste Comments 0 Comment

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. …

Read More Read More

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

January 26, 2025 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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.”

…

Read More Read More

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

January 20, 2025 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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. …

Read More Read More

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

December 28, 2024 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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. …

Read More Read More

Book Review: Empire of Grass (The Last King of Osten Ard, #2) by Tad Williams

December 1, 2024 Petrik Leo Comments 0 Comment

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.”

…

Read More Read More

Book Review: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere, #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin

November 25, 2024 Celeste Comments 0 Comment

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. …

Read More Read More