While this book could use a bit more developmental editing and a good copy edit, I kind of… loved it? Ha. It was easy to read and get hooked on, I enjoyed Stark’s writing style and the world-building, and I especially liked the banter and relationship between the main characters.
Much like Good Stab had to tell his story to Pastor Beaucarne in a piecewise fashion, I felt like I had to read this book in a similar manner to fully absorb it.
Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado is a fantastic start to an epic fantasy series set in a remarkable African-inspired world. The prologue was excellent, and I was instantly hooked (in fact, I ended up reading the whole book in less than 24 hours).
Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles is often shelved as science fiction, but it reads more like a mirror held up to humanity—warped, poetic, and devastatingly clear. Published in 1950, it masquerades as a speculative account of Earth colonizing Mars. But it isn’t really about Mars. It’s about us. About mankind. Our failings. Our nostalgia. Our brilliance. Our destructiveness. What we export when we go somewhere new. And what we can’t seem to leave behind.
The Secret Market of the Dead by Giovanni De Feo is just as much about being a woman in a “man’s” world (if not more) as it is delightfully strange.
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is a bold, multi-POV epic with rich world-building, layered politics, a touch of romance, and a story that rewards patience. It kept me guessing the entire time—and I loved watching all the threads come together. If you’re into fantasy that doesn’t spoon-feed you but absolutely delivers, pick this one up.
The Mender’s Curse is everything I want in a classic fantasy—magic, rebellion, an epic quest, and a cast of characters I actually care about. The world is wonderfully immersive without being overwhelming, and the story hits that perfect balance between action, heart, and quiet moments of healing and development.
This Is How You Lose the Time War is a dazzling, albeit oftentimes overwhelming, masterpiece—a love story that defies time, space, and the very nature of its own existence. Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone craft a tale that is as much a literary experience as it is a science fiction adventure, blending lyrical prose with an achingly tender sapphic romance.
I never thought I’d rave about a book about snails (I’m only partially joking lol), but here we are…
Maria Reva’s Endling is a profound exploration of survival, identity, and the intricate dance between humanity and nature, set against the backdrop of contemporary Ukraine.
Within the Embers is a great continuation of T.A. Reilly’s Scattered Destinies series. Its mix of magic, high stakes, romance, and time travel, combined with a badass, relatable female main character; a swoonworthy male main character; and a cliffhanger that leaves you craving the next book, will appeal to fans of fantasy series like ACOTAR, TOG, and The Empyrean.
Conquist by Dirk Strasser is an immersive historical fantasy that takes readers into 16th-century Peru during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, blending real events or details with a gripping, imaginative story. If you’re looking for a book that’s not only exciting but also makes you reflect on the nature of conquest—both external and internal—Conquist is well worth the read.
Andddd the slow-burn continues … Echoes of the Raven by Ingrid Seymour is a solid continuation of The Eldrystone series, picking up immediately where House of the Raven left off. The story plunges into darkness right from the start, which sets the tone for the intense journey ahead. The book shines in its second half, where the pacing quickly picks up, the plot thickens, and the character development deepens. Not to mention that ending?!!
