Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A little overwritten and much more focused on the romance than the central plot. But I did like it! Plot: Focused in on the romance more than anything but it was interesting enough to keep me through with a few very attention grabbing pointsCharacters: There was a... Continue Reading →
The Navigating Fox by Christopher Rowe
Source: NetGalley and the Publisher - thank you!!! TL;DR: I loved this but it's my type of novella, definitely not for everyone. Plot: This one is going to not work for everyone with a drop you in, dual time line story but I thought it tied together nicely and was well thought-out Characters: Clever and... Continue Reading →
A Stranger in the Citadel
Source: Tachyon Publishing - Thank you!!!TL;DR: A surprising take on the post-apocalyptic book banned world. I definitely recommend this one. Plot: What starts out as a fairly standard plot device really gets it's feet under it 30-40% in and that last 20% was surprising and intenseCharacters: I actually loved our characters for all their flaws... Continue Reading →
The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan
Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher! TL;DR: A slow fantasy that deserves a lot of attention with what could be a great payoff Plot: Alternating between two groups in two different worlds - I really liked this but it did slow everything downCharacters: I liked all our characters, flaws and all. My favorite by... Continue Reading →
Daughter of the Beast by E.C. Greaves
Source/Heard about: SPFBO 9 - Purchased (and then bought books two and three!)TL;DR: Fun and 100% worth the read! 5/5 Stitched Stories Thoughts: I really enjoyed this. The narrative style was fantastic, especially as E.C. Greaves really leaned into the first person perspective. Since we’re behind Zyntael’s eyes throughout the whole story we really are... Continue Reading →
Across the Sorrow Sea by Anthony Ryan (Book Five of the Seven Swords)
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!TL;DR: One of the better installments in the series. Good action and monsters, and we finally get part of an answer for why the swords were made. Plot: This was definitely a plot first book. We got some major reveals and the new direction of the story was... Continue Reading →
The Circumference of the World by Lavie Tidhar
Source: NetGalley & the Publisher! Thank you so much!!TL;DR: I loved it - a set of interconnected stories of a book, a religion, and how fiction can affect reality. Plot: Each story within the book is like a nesting doll, starting with a woman seeking her missing husband and the book and (totally not a... Continue Reading →
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
Source: NetGalley, Thank to to Tor!!TL;DR: While not my favorite in the Singing Hills Cycle I still think this is a valuable story in the series, giving us a closer look at the order and it's inner workings. Plot: For the most part I enjoyed the plot of this. It did loose me at the... Continue Reading →
Night of the Living Queers edited by Shelly Page & Alex Brown
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A fun collection overall with a few standouts and only two big disappointments. Collection: For the most part the collection felt cohesive but there were two jarringly dark stories I didn't care for.Characters: A fun and diverse cast, none of them stood out, but I enjoyed them... Continue Reading →
Sir Hereward & Mister Fitz by Garth Nix
Source: NetGalley, thank to Harper for the arc!TL;DR: A collection of very fun, classic fantasy stories about a knight and a magical puppet. It surprised me and made me laugh out loud several times. If Fantasy shorts are your cup of tea - this is a great pickup. Plot: The nucleus of each story is... Continue Reading →