Fantasy Book Reviews

★★★★

In The Crown Princess’ Voyage by Dylan Madeley, politics, subterfuge, and war guide the plot as established characters move into broader, more demanding battles.

Kensrik, Osterik, and the Coast do not always get along, but a few clever machinations and a fleet of massive warships with strange, new weapons propel them into open conflict. A crown princess, a knight, a goddess, and several very confused city states take turns leading the narrative.

Although Crown Princess Chandra is ostensibly the main character – and certainly the titular lead – the story shifts between different points of view. Derek is really […]

★★★★

Although fantasy worlds are in abundance at the moment, there is always room for fantasy fiction as fresh and smart as The Demon King and the Boy Who Hardly Knew Anything. Pat Ellis may be a first-time writer, but this debut novel has the echoes of a much more mature and seasoned author.

In the generations-long struggle between the magic of Aranfeit and the technological brilliance of Morandia, there are countless stories to tell, and the riveting chunks of exposition throughout this novel welcome readers into this new land – one where “traditional” fantasy and futuristic sci-fi elements […]

★★★★

There are many fantasy authors who rely too heavily on the work of others, or the favorite tropes of the genre, when creating their own worlds. Fortunately, there are authors like Allan Batchelder who derive inspiration from fantasy masters and then construct wholly new and endlessly engaging realms for readers to enjoy.  Steel, Blood & Fire, Book 1 of the Immortal Treachery series, is a grim, edge-of-your-seat pleasure to read.

Batchelder doesn’t concern himself with too much exposition, but instead jumps right into the action, transporting readers into a dark, brutal world and introducing them to one of […]