Power of Lies (Book 1) The easiest way to include a lot of erotica in a fantasy novel is to toss in some lust magic. But Hadley doesn’t keep things quite so simple, by layering in other elements of magic to her excellent world-building. The erotica always makes sense, based on the rules of the … Continue reading Review: Dark Orchid Trilogy by Auryn Hadley
Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 4 (Eburosi Chronicles #11) by R.A. Steffan
As is typical for me with the books in this series, I devoured this installment in a single evening. This story does an excellent job of tying up multiple story lines and plot points, beyond the obvious of the overall "get Rayth's throne back from his evil brother." Frella finally bonds with her dragon and … Continue reading Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 4 (Eburosi Chronicles #11) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
I burned through all of the books in this series very quickly, then had to wait months for this latest installment. I read it all the evening of the day it was released. It was worth the wait. Like the previous books, Frella's story contains nonstop action and adventure. Multiple relationships are in play. And … Continue reading Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 2 (Eburosi Chronicles #9) by R.A. Steffan
I finished the first installment of The Dragon Mistress on a Friday night, right before I was supposed to play video games with my spouse and a friend. Instead, I devoured the next installment in a single evening while they played without me. I regret nothing. The dragons play a larger role in this story, as … Continue reading Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 2 (Eburosi Chronicles #9) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Lion Mistress (Eburosi Chronicles #5-#7) by R.A. Steffan
Because of how much I enjoyed each installment of The Horse Mistress, my first experience with the world of the Eburosi Chronicles, I went ahead and bought the full collection of the next adventure as one book. I have no regrets about that decision. This world gave me one of the most intense book hangovers of … Continue reading Review: The Lion Mistress (Eburosi Chronicles #5-#7) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 4 (Eburosi Chronicles #4) by R.A. Steffan
Now that our three heroes are in a solid relationship, it was time to shake things up a bit. It would have been easy for the author to focus on a more character-driven story, but I love how they don't let the readers forget that war is coming. Times are changing, and our heroes have … Continue reading Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 4 (Eburosi Chronicles #4) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #3) by R.A. Steffan
When their rock shatters, Carivel and Senovo have to work together to put Andoc back together again. Their relationship arc goes through another set of trials, just enough to make a reader worried while also keeping faith that everything will work out for the best. The world of Eburosi grows again when the characters travel … Continue reading Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #3) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 2 (Eburosi Chronicles #2) by R.A. Steffan
The epic fantasy world of Eburosi deepens, along with the relationship between Carivel, Senovo, and Andoc, in this second installment of The Horse Mistress. Many of the quibbles I had about the first book are addressed here, such as external conflicts that stand in the way of their relationship and more extensive world-building. Along with learning … Continue reading Review: The Horse Mistress: Book 2 (Eburosi Chronicles #2) by R.A. Steffan
Review: Ragnarok Unwound by Kristin Jacques
Disclaimer: I received an advanced electronic copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This novel starts with a bang and hooks you right from the start. Despite what the title implies, this is a story about more than just Norse mythology. It's a world where every pantheon of gods … Continue reading Review: Ragnarok Unwound by Kristin Jacques
Review: Shattering the Ley (Erenthrall #1) by Joshua Palmatier
This is one of those books that I snagged at a convention after meeting the author that then sat on my "to be read" shelf for an embarrassing amount of time. When I saw the final book in the trilogy had been released, I figured it was long past time to dive in. "Diving in" … Continue reading Review: Shattering the Ley (Erenthrall #1) by Joshua Palmatier
Review: GENRENAUTS: SEASON ONE by Michael R. Underwood
Sometimes, you find a published story that incorporates major elements of an idea you had once upon a time and you're disappointed, because now it's already "taken." But other times, you stumble across a story that's very similar to a vague idea you had back in high school and you're thrilled, because someone has already … Continue reading Review: GENRENAUTS: SEASON ONE by Michael R. Underwood
Review: THE DYING OF THE GOLDEN DAY (Heartfriends Trilogy #1) by Carrie Gessner
Disclaimer: I attended the same graduate program as the author and consider her a friend; however, I purchased my hardcopy version of this novel for full price. I spend a lot of time reading urban fantasy these days, so it had been a while since I dove into a more traditional epic fantasy. Starting this … Continue reading Review: THE DYING OF THE GOLDEN DAY (Heartfriends Trilogy #1) by Carrie Gessner
Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. It’s no surprise that I was drawn to this book immediately, considering it’s fusion of fantasy and science-fiction elements, it’s excellent world-building, and its awesome protagonist named Vic (short for Victoria). But I’ve been burned by free … Continue reading Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Review: THE MAGICIAN’S LAND (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman
Some trilogies work well when the author tries to have every book tell a story in a very different way. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of them. I adore heist stories, but this one jumped us right into the middle of the heist story line without really explaining how Quentin got to that position. Instead, we … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIAN’S LAND (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman
Review: THE MAGICIAN KING by Lev Grossman (Magicians #2)
This novel was easily my favorite in the trilogy, for a few different reasons. Perhaps it was because of the distance of writing in third person, or because Grossman can not as easily identify with Julia as he can with Quentin, but I absolutely thought that Julia's "coming of age" narrative in this novel was … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIAN KING by Lev Grossman (Magicians #2)
Review: THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman
First of all, let's get a few things straight. (1) This is a literary fantasy novel. (2) This novel was much more influenced by The Chronicles of Narnia than by Harry Potter. (3) I read this trilogy because I adore the television show currently airing, so my review is going to be linked to that bias … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman
Interview with Samantha Holloway
The final book in Samantha Holloway's epic fantasy trilogy is coming out soon, and to celebrate, I've asked her here to pick her brain about the specifics of writing books in series format rather than one by one. When you started Wisewoman’s Daughter, did you know Married to the Wind was going to end up … Continue reading Interview with Samantha Holloway