I love historical-fantasy blends (no surprises), and the promise of a realistic depiction of the dark ages caught my attention. What to expect A novella based on Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th century. A village in Sussex is facing a Danish raid, with the chief and warriors away and his daughter ruling in his stead. […]
Book Review
Book Review: The Last Gladiator, by Daniel Ottalini
Daniel Ottalini’s Steam Empire Chronicles have an obvious appeal to me – writing fellow alternate history based on Rome – so I was quite glad to jump on the prequel novella. What to expect A story set in Ottalini’s Steampunk version of the Roman Empire, but a few years before the events of the main […]
Book Review: False Value (Rivers of London #8), by Ben Aaronovitch
I’ve been following Peter Grant’s adventures, so was happy to delve in to this new instalment. What to expect This novel is the first after the closure of the previous arc in Lies Sleeping. None of the old enemies appear (though don’t worry, the good side-characters are still there), and instead more of the world […]
Book Review: Bloody Rose, by Nicholas Eames
I read Kings of the Wyld last year and loved it, so I thought it’s time I’d take a stab at the sequel. What to expect The events in this novel take place six years after Kings of the Wyld, but more importantly with (almost) completely different characters. While Clay, Gabe, and Moog make guest […]
Book Review: 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed, by Eric H. Cline
I watched Cline’s lecture on the topic (see below) and found it fascinating, so wanted to follow up with reading more details. This book should be required reading to anyone interested in the bronze age and antiquity. What to Expect Cline starts with an over-view of the collapse of the Late Bronze Age, and then […]
Book Review: 24 Hours in Ancient Athens, by Philip Matyszak
I’ve read a couple of Matyszak’s fictional-non-fiction works before, and I find his style refreshing. 24 Hours in Ancient Athens doesn’t disappoint, and delivers an excellent education resources – packaged in easy to consume storytelling. What to Expect This isn’t fiction in the normal sense – no plot and characters as such. Instead, Matyszak reconstructs […]
Book Review: Son of a Liche, by J. Zachary Pike
Son of a Liche continues Pike’s first novel, and delivers on the promise. This is what Terry Pratchett would write, if he played D&D and poked fun at the GFC. What to Expect The story starts about a year after the end of Orconomics. Pike weaves an excellent epic from multiple threads, building on events […]
Book Review: A Gathering of Ravens, by Scott Oden
A Gathering of Ravens is an intelligent, intriguing, and different kind of fantasy tale. I read it just in time for the release of the sequel, which is now high on my TBR list. What to expect Set at the turn of the 11th century, Oden weaves an incredible tale of historical fantasy that brings […]
Book Review: The Grey Bastards, by Jonathan French
The Grey Bastards is a shining example of SPFBO winner, and I’m reading through them to get all the best indie voices. This novel didn’t disappoint — the accolades are well deserved! What to expect A classic epic fantasy, starting small and building up to a grand finale, through many twists of betrayals, revelations, and […]
Series Review: Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
I’ve read the first novel in the series, Rivers of London, a few months back. I quite liked the premise, so naturally delved down that rabbit hole. Here’s a review of the whole series to date: seven books, a couple of novellas, six graphic novels, and assorted shorts.
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 