I can’t remember exactly when What Kings Ate floated past me, but given my love of both fantasy and historical foodstuffs I knew it was going to be a hit. What to expect A non-fiction that’s still light-hearted, both informative and entertaining. The author covers many aspects of food throughout history as a way to […]
Fantasy
Book Review: Penric’s Demon, by Lois McMaster Bujold
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bujold’s writing, but somehow had never read them. I was in the mood for a short, light fantasy so jumped on Penric’s Demon. A few weeks later I read Penric and the Shaman, so this review will encompass both. What to Expect A quick, charming adventure of […]
Book Review: Thraxas, by Martin Scott
I can’t recall who recommended Thraxas to me, but the interest overlap was obvious: private detective in a fantasy world with a nod to Roman culture. I put it high on my TBR. What to Expect As it says on the cover, a hard-boiled-style story of a down-on-his-luck, drunken private investigator with magical education and […]
Book Review: A Natural History of Dragons, by Marie Brennan
Multiple people (whose tastes I trust) have repeatedly recommended me the Memoirs of Lady Trent, and I finally got to reading it. I can see what the fuss was about, as it is certainly a unique work in the realms of fantasy. What to Expect Written in first person as a memoir (an old lady […]
Dressmaking for Werewolves
This was a response from a writing prompt, that caught me in the mood. The original prompt was for up to 3 paragraphs on Small village dressmaker bit by werewolf Here’s my micro-fiction submission: Having been bitten by a werewolf, Betty found that her dressmaking skills were challenged to the extreme. In the first month, […]
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.
Book Review: The New Magic, by Joseph Malik
The New Magic is a direct continuation of Dragon’s Trail. Considering how much I liked Malik’s first novel, I was looking forward to this one! What to expect An epic fantasy (technically portal fantasy, as the protagonist started on Earth in the first novel), with all the trappings – warring houses, enemies within and without, […]
