Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Archer's Moon

J.W. Webb (Self Published)

| Reviewed by James Farlow

Archer’s Moon: Dawn of Legends by J.W. Webb is a wide-angled prequel to the fantastic universe of Legends of Ansu, delving into the creation of its mythical environment many years before the main story begins. The tale of the young goddess Argonwui “Aggy” and her relationship with the mortal Eltayn Elafan, a young hunter who finds himself embroiled in divine schemes, ancient rivalries, and cosmic forces. As Aggy yearns to be free and have an adventure in the mortal world, she struggles to understand her divine blood. She is constantly thwarted...

Desiderata

M.P. Desmarais (self-published (IngramSpark))

| Reviewed by Joanne Higbee

Desiderata by M.P. Desmarais delivers an engrossing science fiction novel with fully fleshed-out characters and a conflict that grows in stakes with each page. The hydropower systems of Gracyr are failing, and there is an urgent need for a new source of energy. Four unlikely allies—a gifted swordsman Gerrard, a fierce swordfighter Andromeda, a relentless scholar Regina, and a disturbed fighter Hector—are on a dangerous quest to find a solution. From bartending to privateering and bounty hunting, their journey takes them deep into uncharted terr...

The Assays of Ata

K.I.S. (K. Schultz)

| Reviewed by Brenda Baiocchi

K. I. S.'s The Assays of Ata is a spellbinding fantasy tale brimming with intrigue, political machinations, and the struggle for survival against the backdrop of a nightmarish setting and formidable foes. Set in the richly imagined world of Áitarbith, the story follows Ata—a Pandial spy masquerading as a maid in the Cinnaen royal household. The setting—a glass-encased palace highlighted by its fragility and vulnerability amid a winter storm—acts as both a luxurious home and a precarious haven fraught with danger. Ata's covert operatio...

The Virus of Beauty

C. B. Lyall (Hazel Publishing Company, LLC)

| Reviewed by Jayne Anne Rooney

The Virus of Beauty by C.B. Lyall is a compelling YA fantasy that delivers a complex tale of magic, political intrigue, and personal identity. The story follows Wilf Gilvary, a teenage boy living in Hong Kong, who discovers he is the son of a powerful wizard. After a series of dramatic events, Wilf is thrust into a hidden magical realm called Mathowytch, where witches and wizards clash in a deadly war that threatens to wipe out witch magic. As Wilf battles to understand his true nature, he must deal with treacherous alliances, confront his fear...

Blood Oath, (Storm Breake...

Kayla Cunningham (Fire and Ice)

| Reviewed by George Buehlman

In Blood Oath, Kayla Cunningham delivers a gripping tale set within a dark, fantastic realm torn apart by the violence of the Sovereign War. The story follows Allyria Pilar, a sixteen-year-old prisoner in Redvine, who faces execution after her desperate attempt to save a magical woman, Prisoner #9486114, escalates into chaos. This pivotal moment catapults Allyria into the depths of a brutal system designed to crush hope and humanity. When unexpected help arrives through the enigmatic Death Dealer, Allyria must navigate her newfound freedom. At...

A Madness Unmade

E.K. Larson-Burnett ()

| Reviewed by Louise Garten

In A Madness Unmade, the first installment of the Deathly Inheritance Duology, E.K. Larson-Burnett introduces readers to an intricately woven tale in a world steeped in necromancy, spectral beings, and the intricate legacies of a powerful family, the Rumbrooms. The narrative follows Laurel Rumbroom, a young woman navigating her life as a living entity among ghosts in her family manor, the Underhallow. With her father’s recent death, her struggle with his unresolved spirit, and the Legacy of the Revenant Accords, which control the aftermath of d...

August In Savannah: The N...

Safiyyah Ar-Raheem (Amazon KDP)

| Reviewed by Louise Garten

Safiyyah Ar-Raheem’s August in Savannah is a mesmerizing young adult novel that deftly interweaves elements of supernatural intrigue with the relatable struggles of adolescence. The story follows Symone, a high school student who relocates with her family to the enchanting, yet mysterious city of Savannah, Georgia. The book opens on a rainy August day, capturing Symone’s excitement and anxiety as she sets out to navigate her first day in a new school. Immediately, Symone's encounter with Arius, a charming boy with a mystical secret, sets the st...

Tales of Urath: Of Dragon...

Arthur J Dorety III (Arthur Dorety)

| Reviewed by Jayne Anne Rooney

In Tales of Urath, the first book in the Of Dragons and Drakes series, Arthur J. Dorety III delivers a sweeping fantasy adventure set in the richly imagined world of Urath, where dragons and drakes, remnants of ancient divine beings, dominate the landscape. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of several characters, including the determined Helm Boargut, who searches for the magical sword Father Frost to restore peace to his war-torn kingdom. Simultaneously, the cunning Lord Kavalla teams up with drakes and the malevolent Fire Witch Al Khimia...

Destroyer of Worlds

Martin Bird (Independently Published)

| Reviewed by Elena Enger

 In Destroyer of Worlds, Martin Bird pens an engrossing fantasy filled with existential inquiry, vivid landscapes, and richly drawn characters. Set against a backdrop of a planet that is reminiscent of classic speculative fiction, the narrative follows Rintoul, a Truth-seeker from the Order of the Black Robe, whose powers of foresight evolve in a chaotic world that constantly tests his perceptions of reality. From the outset, the reader is immersed in a richly constructed world—one not entirely dissimilar to our own but suffused with intri...

The Trillion Dollar Cow

Juan Zamora (Amazon.ca)

| Reviewed by Hannah Bietz

Juan Zamora's The Trillion Dollar Cow is a captivating tale with elements of a dystopian setting, a world devoid of the internet. It explores themes of loss, ambition, and the complicated espionage game. The story follows a young boy, Reymundo, who must struggle to find his place in the world after his father's disappearance during a war. He is presented as a naïve young man, but he quickly becomes embroiled in a world of espionage, and when the stakes get high, his only way of escape becomes a cow. The narrative intricately unfolds within the...

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