Fantasy Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Vallen by Kenton J. Moore

A coming-of-age steampunk adventure with classic fantasy foundations, Vallen (Cloudbreakers Book 1) by Kenton J. Moore is a richly imagined story of loyalty, memory, and the dreams that define us.

Cole Vallen is a simple country farmer who feels destined for something more, namely the sky-high ambition to become a noble Cloudbreaker – a revered warrior of the realm. However, when that dream is deferred by an unexpected peace, a night of bitterly drunken revelry sends his life spiraling in an entirely different direction. Awakening to find himself as the sole survivor of a mysterious explosion, with angry fingers pointing […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-06-03T12:26:12+02:00June 2nd, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong

An enchanting tale of epic ambition and destinies that change the world, Zephyr’s Flight: The Dragons’ War by Ray Strong is a female-driven YA adventure and a compelling first chapter in a promising saga.

Astria, a young girl with an uncanny affinity for dragons, dreams to ride them someday and become one of the legendary protectors of her people, just like her missing father. Since he disappeared in service as a Dragon Rider, the chance to train and prove herself has been nearly impossible, but sometimes the wandering dragons of the realm can choose their own partner.

When Astria encounters […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-09T16:26:48+02:00May 27th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Matrix Opal by Stella Atrium

Youthful heroes face the unforgiving burden of duty and legacy in The Matrix Opal by Stella Atrium, a hard-edged coming-of-age story in a sprawling new sci-fi/fantasy realm, setting off The Duchy Wars series in spectacular fashion.

Ariseng, a young and unassuming force of nature, embarks on a risky quest in possession of the titular talisman, along with a ragtag cadre of companions. Shouldering the weight of a legendary responsibility in a time of social unrest, Ariseng must determine friend from foe and outsmart those who would seek to control the mysterious powers of the whispering people. However, Arisent is linked […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-07-01T16:58:34+02:00May 19th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Hoplite Ridge by Sean Patrick Sayers

A masterful blend of speculative science fiction, allegorical mythology, and visionary fantasy, Hoplite Ridge by Sean Patrick Sayers is a sparkling and original glimpse into the past, present, and future of humanity.

The timeless conflict between mortals and gods has reached another apocalyptic turning point, and on the blasted world of Elysium, humanity’s fate once again hangs by a fraying thread. Osiris, a ruthless god of destruction, arises once more to wipe mortals from existence, convinced that they have once again reached too close to heaven, with their technology threatening to tear a hole open into the realm of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-05-05T10:51:04+02:00April 23rd, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse by Pekka Harju-Autti

A swashbuckling adventure to the edge of the known world and the boundaries of reality, LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse by Pekka Harju-Autti is a philosophical and visionary work of fantasy.

Tasked with expanding trade relations for the British Empire, a veteran sea captain and his son journey to the Bay of Bengal and the mysterious Andaman Islands, where they encounter a local tribe suffering the weight of a dragon’s terrible curse. Every islander is born with the date of their death tattooed on their forehead, and as this isolated society dwindles, they are becoming more desperate for answers, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-04-22T14:44:17+02:00April 21st, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Desiderata by M.P. Desmarais

A fellowship of unlikely companions unites to topple a tyrant and liberate an empire in Desiderata by M.P. Desmarais.

Ruling with an iron fist over his kingdom of Ezmondia, Armando is a towering villain, determined to oppress his subjects through conditioning campaigns of violence and media manipulation. He is also in desperate need of a new power source to fuel his sprawling reign, and the potency of shadow magic could be the risky solution that solidifies his control forever. Standing against this sinister foe is Gerrard – a living legend who is starting to feel his age, Andromeda – a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-03-05T16:39:38+02:00March 5th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Witch Hunt (Shadow World Book 2) by Tim McRae

An intrepid hero must once again face her ageless enemy in Witch Hunt by Tim McRae, a dark and enchanting second installment in the Shadow World series.

Niri, Gryff, and Sara continue their deadly journey as both hunters and hunted, seeking a way to defeat The Witch, while also staying out of her vicious clutches. From wood sprites, winged sylphs, and sinister Dark Riders to haunted swamps, lost castles, and a plethora of portals, McRae’s story is imbued with unique magic, side quests, unexpected allies, as well as bursts of supernatural conflict. Niri’s masterful command of Qi and elemental magic, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-13T19:02:00+02:00January 13th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Discovery of Magic by L. J. Evias

An archery champion and her unlikely fellowship are transported to a mystical realm in dire need of saving in The Discovery of Magic by L. J. Evias, the creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series.

Facing the prospect of moving away and leaving behind all she loves, Alice Harper is determined to win an archery scholarship and find a tangible reason to stay. However, when she and her pals stumble through a mysterious cave portal to another world, the extracurricular stakes get significantly higher. Separated upon their arrival, these five young travelers must navigate a highly divided world […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-03-07T17:54:02+02:00December 5th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|