Fantasy Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Stormheilm by Richard J. Blanco

Royal intrigue, long-buried magic, and a time-traveling scheme to save the human kingdoms collide in Stormheilm, the new fantasy novel by author Richard J. Blanco.

After 13 years of peace between the ancient Concord and Fehr families, rumors of war in the East prompt the king to send his son on a quest of honor, but the king’s long-buried past threatens to explode a fragile balance. Tainted by lies and deception, Prince Nathaniel sides against his father and falls in league with a dangerous clan of witches who promise to help him secure the throne – provided he kills […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-13T10:09:51+02:00May 11th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

The Court of Capricorn by Christopher Range

Sparkling with wit and a Shakespearean tongue-in-cheek style, The Court of Capricorn by Christopher Range is an inspired work of theatre with a backstory as grand as the cosmos.

When Capricorn summons the other twelve constellation-oriented individuals to his court, it is proposed as a time of celebration, but the reality of this cosmic convention may be something quite different. Half fairy-tale and half-allegory, there is a brilliant simplicity to the eccentric story, but the mind of the playwright perpetually shines. With clever allusions and elbow-nudging references throughout, as well as memorable personifications and precise character development, this reads like […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-11T09:29:01+02:00May 10th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Theatre Book Reviews|

Review: Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead by M.S. Valdez

Author M.S. Valdez delivers a staggering read with Empire Paladin: Realm of the Dead, the first book in a longer series that promises to be a dark delight. Set nearly eight centuries in the past, during the sinister and sacred times of the Holy Roman Empire, this is an epic tale of nobility and magic, salvation, justice, the end of the world, and everything in between.

Seated firmly at the center of this sweeping novel, with reins and warhammer in hand, is Lady Camila Chastaine, a paladin in service to the Empire, who takes her God-given task very seriously. […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-06-05T04:29:37+02:00April 28th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Historical Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Jealousy of Jalice by Jesse Nolan Bailey

Childhood friendship, tribal loyalty, and the bonds of magic are tested in The Jealousy of Jalice, a riveting and brilliantly penned novel from author Jesse Nolan Bailey. This female-led fantasy adventure features visceral descriptive language, an endlessly creative new world, uniquely relatable characters, and a fine balance of emotional intrigue and enrapturing action.

Annilasia, Delilee, and Jalice were once childhood friends, but the years have taken them in very different directions. Annilasia has become a tillishu, a skilled assassin with a shadowy past, Jalice is the revered wife of the Sachem, the chief of all tribes, and Delilee is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-02-28T05:43:25+02:00April 2nd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: A Noble’s Path (The Enchanted Isles Book 2) by I.L. Cruz

Inez Garza, sporting a new magical streak of purple hair, is back at the heart of rebellion and action in A Noble’s Path, the second book of the Enchanted Isles series from author I.L. Cruz. Following on from the tumultuous events of A Smuggler’s Path, this new installment dives right into the action, supported by remarkably thorough exposition from the first book.

Magic is still forbidden in Canto, but the hidden market is alive and well, and Inez continues to tread the finest line between royal blood and illicit smuggling. Navigating the complex underbelly of illegal magic and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-07-05T10:22:19+02:00March 12th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: Dark World: Genesis by A.R. Kingston

Tradition, magic, fear and a sinister plot to tear a kingdom apart collide in Dark World: Genesis by author A.R. Kingston, the first book of the Dark World Saga. Blending elements of classic fantasy with recognizable themes that feel starkly poignant in today’s divided times, this is a compelling start to an expansive new series.

In a kingdom once ravaged by war, leaders now rule with iron fists, forbidding pure-blood mages from mixing with any of the “grays,” ensuring that the magical bloodlines remain untainted. Alexandra Hamilton is the defiant young princess of Manevia, sequestered in her room like a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-03-02T08:10:12+02:00February 11th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Romance Book Reviews|

Review: The Void Revealed by Stephen J. Ethier

Power struggles abound in the city of Windhold, the entrancing setting for Stephen Ethier’s new science fiction and fantasy novel, The Void Revealed.

Centuries have passed since the last winds of Fury blew through the basin, scorching and burning all that lay in its path. Safely atop the Spire, the city of Windhold now braces for another period of devastation as the Void beneath their feet again turns into a violent realm of death and destruction.

However, there is far more to the Fury than meets the eye, and the tenuous balance of power between the Brotherhood of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-05T05:34:22+02:00February 4th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Aetherstorm (Songs of Sarin) by Alexander Ferrick

An eclectic group of warriors are each drawn to an epic tournament to the death in Aetherstorm (Songs of Sarin), the blistering new novel from author Alexander Ferrick.

A horde of demons has decided to challenge the dominion of the elven royalty by luring the greatest warriors of the land to a battle royale. Everyone traveling to the tournament, and their subsequent storyline, is driven by very different aims. There are the orphans Garron and Luca, who are seeking to avenge the death of their magical mentor and fully test their burgeoning powers. Prince Maronir, however, is determined to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-19T07:21:10+02:00January 29th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|