Fantasy Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Sick as Our Secrets by Jim Christopher

Sick as Our Secrets by Jim Christopher

The second title in the Utopian Testament series, Jim Christopher’s Sick as Our Secrets is an action-packed, white-knuckle blend of thriller and fantasy about an epic fight for the life of a boy with supernatural powers.

Hawk is a restrained and mysterious man, employed at Utopia Farms in the rural Texas countryside, a marijuana dispensary, which may be doing something shadier under the table. Hawk does what he can to keep the farm running smoothly, despite having to deal with inexperienced employees who are only in charge due to nepotism. Nearby, a strange woman named Irene and her disabled landlord, […]

Michelle Hogmire2022-02-15T07:52:53+02:00February 15th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez

The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez

A newly forged adventurer finds herself back in a rapidly changing world in The Great Migration by Steve Ramirez, a wildly creative and enrapturing novel. In a capital suddenly beset on all sides by mistrust, incursions, rebellion, and disease, unexpected heroes are forced to righteously rise in defense of their home, their way of life, and the future of the Kingdom.

A misunderstood race of monsters is spreading fear – and a fever – amongst the Citizens, but the true enemy of humanity is something far greater, and overcoming age-old ignorance may be the only hope to save the world. […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-02-25T10:45:48+02:00January 28th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Snowlands: A Blood Moon by Morr Meroz, Illustrated by Collin Fogel

Snowlands by Morr Meroz

Author Morr Meroz and illustrator Collin Fogel have summoned a beautifully stunning world with their immersive graphic novel Snowlands: A Blood Moon.

Feba the snow-white wolf cub is forced to flee her pack to avoid a curse – or a death sentence – launching her on the journey of a lifetime, as she crosses paths with many other creatures wandering in the wild, some who are keen to join her adventure, and others who aren’t so sure. Gathering allies and making friends along the way, like Batu the monosyllabic wildcat, Usha the grief-stricken leopard seeking the Seeress, a pacifistic […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-03T09:55:37+02:00January 1st, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews, Comics & Graphic Novels Reviews, Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Crop Burner by Gavin Black

Crop Burner by Gavin Black

Author Gavin Black plunges readers into a rich new fantasy world with Crop Burner: The Tale Of Fearn & The Deamhon, a stirring coming-of-age adventure.

Born into the world as something to be feared, Fearn is faced with a childhood filled with grief. However, as his nascent powers grow, more hands and minds seek to guide him, including those of a mysterious and widely feared Crop Burner. Fearn’s destiny lies far beyond his fiery origins, and as he learns to harness the energy of Dainua, he finds his place in a broken world not made for him.

Although there […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-25T09:12:24+02:00December 9th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews|

Elashom the Great Refuses and Other Stories by Erick Drake

Elashom the Great Refuses and Other Stories by Erick Drake A wide-ranging short story collection in both content and form, Erick Drake’s Elashom the Great Refuses and Other Stories is a lush, clever, and quick read for fans of the supernatural and strange.

The collection features six enchanting science fiction and fantasy tales, set everywhere from historical seventeenth-century England to the futuristic darkest reaches of space. Drake’s subjects also entertainingly run the gamut: the dead soul of a witch’s boyfriend trapped in a dreamcatcher, a surprising seance with a devilish twist written in play format, and a story about a declinatory sculptor inspired by the Biblical milieu of William Blake.[…]

Michelle Hogmire2021-11-18T08:26:29+02:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Science Fiction Book Reviews, Short Stories Book Reviews|

Review: Of Prophets and Pinioned Angels by Kyle Fox

Of Prophets and Pinioned Angels by Kyle Fox

Plunging once more into the bleak, battle-scarred existence of Jacobus, the dauntless fallen knight of Korigane, Of Prophets and Pinioned Angels by Kyle Fox is the masterful second book in his Tales of Exile series.

After shearing his way through endless horrors in the first book of the series, this doomed warrior is now tasked by an angel to liberate even more souls from the creeping darkness and brimstone that befell his home. The angel Ezrea tells him of other kingdoms, where other battles must be fought, and more blood must still be spilled, in this dark, mystical, and visceral […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-12-06T04:26:47+02:00October 25th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey

A tireless and tremendously creative adventure, Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey is a strong sequel in a deeply fascinating realm.

The trio of young heroes from the first book is summoned back to the magical land of Meridia after receiving a dire warning from The Creator – the “other side” of the Sovereign they defeated to stop The Fading. He cryptically warns them that three evil beings plague the lands they had all risked their lives to protect, and that they must return. Even though the adolescent trials of the real world are forefront […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-03T03:04:54+02:00September 27th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: Dreck by Alex Grass

Dreck by Alex Grass

Author Alex Grass creates a haunting and gritty dystopian world in Dreck, a monstrously good read penned with a masterful voice. Driven by an unflinching protagonist who takes no guff and gives no quarter, this dark and raw-edged thriller will suck you in and keep you there.

Dreck, the mystical beast from a sinister nursery rhyme, ends up on Frank Attanasio’s cold mortuary slab, but this dauntless and sardonic hero quickly learns that death is anything but permanent. The antlered monster is still glowing, appears to be doling out gold coins, and has repeatedly broken into Frank’s mind with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-22T03:58:21+02:00September 3rd, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Horror Book Reviews|