Fantasy | Self-Publishing Review

Review: At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke

At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke is a second fantastic dive into the realm of Ostamp, following on from the sprawling adventure of Book 1, When Darkness Descends.

An already epic quest takes an unexpected turn, a la Game of Thrones, and casts the core characters in different directions, where their own destinies will find space to develop on their own. The Relevation Trilogy is curiously but aptly named, as the depth of this series’ plot continues to spiral and expand in this middle chapter. Tom is forced to navigate new depths of grief, alienation from […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-03T07:55:34+02:00July 16th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy|

Review: The Lost Princess of Story by Suzanne de Planque

Author Suzanne de Planque weaves a marvelous new world for fairy tale and high-fantasy lovers alike in The Lost Princess of Story (The Chronicles of Story: Volume One). Blurring the lines between the hard and charming streets of Brooklyn and the mythology of Story, the place where all our fairy tales are true, this endlessly creative novel is an immersive new chapter to the tales we’ve known for generations.

Following a youthful band of unsuspecting heroes as they discover what a true adventure means, the Doors to Story begin to open, and these unsuspecting children are pulled back into […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-16T04:31:59+02:00July 5th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy, Suzanne de Planque, YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: Shadow of the White Bear by J.W. Webb

A high-fantasy feast for fans of the genre, Shadow of the White Bear by J.W. Webb is the perfect final chapter to the brilliantly crafted Berserker trilogy, part of the larger Legends of Ansu series.

Jaran Saerk continues his hero’s journey, returning with Savarna to face the sinister force that is Sheega the witch on Valkador. What neither realize is that the element of surprise is gone, and an even greater evil lingers in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike a devastating blow. Desperate to find their friend Finvar, but also wary of the deadly dangers that await […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-19T02:42:49+02:00June 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy, J.W. Webb|

Review: Song of All Songs by Donna Dechen Birdwell

Donna Dechen Birdwell has crafted an immersive and visceral vision of the future with Song of All Songs, a novel that begs to be savored like few others in recent memory. In an unspecified future Earth, after humanity has once again been decimated and reborn, this first installment of the EarthCycles series plays out as both a wonderful adventure and a well-crafted prophecy.

A rare treasure and a hidden gift leads Meridia on a journey that will uncover the truth of her past, her family, and the fate of the world as she knows it. After being separated from […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-06-08T07:07:13+02:00June 7th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Donna Dechen Birdwell, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Speculative Fiction|

Legacy of Flame by Rebecca Bapaye

Rebecca Bapaye has beautifully envisioned a world drenched in magic, dark history, and epic quests with Legacy of Flame, her impressively detailed debut fantasy novel.

In this exciting and expansive new fantasy realm, romance, violence, betrayal, and power collide in a fast-moving, character-driven story, which boasts a creative magical scope that will enthrall old-school fantasy lovers. Elia is a richly imagined protagonist, an ice queen who is anything but a damsel in distress, and is given as much character depth as Syllian, her fire priest antagonist.

While readers will recognize certain themes and tropes from high fantasy, there are […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-05-20T04:12:31+02:00April 30th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy|

Eyes Last Seen Dying by Colin Adams

A vibrant and fully imagined new fantasy world springs to life in Eyes Last Seen Dying by Colin Adams, a visionary and violent fantasy adventure.

Subtly weaving YA themes into this detailed and masterfully designed world, Adams heads this fantasy action adventure with a powerfully relatable young protagonist. Lena is fast and fiercely independent, but far from invincible, even if the worst enemies emerge from her own mind. Forced to grow up at an impossible pace after accidentally nudging the world towards chaos and ruin, she must sharpen her skills to protect against mounting enemies on all sides.

Steeped in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-04-22T08:16:28+02:00April 21st, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy|

Review: The Dragon’s Zenith by Jason F. Boggs

Strap in for a nonstop cosmic ride in The Dragon’s Zenith, the final book in the Dragon Trilogy by author Jason F. Boggs. Wrapping up a galaxy’s worth of loose ends in style, this novel delivers an ultimate showdown loyal readers may not be expecting, as well as unexpected new allies, strange alien worlds, and that engaging blend of fantasy and sci-fi that this series has done so well from the start.

With the world-building basics and character exposition out of the way, this third and final novel dives right into the action, as well as the personal entanglements. Alene […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-05-04T03:37:42+02:00March 30th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy, Jason F. Boggs|

Review: Tales from Ara 1: Into the Unknown by Gleem

Tales from Ara 1: Into the Unknown is a wild and tempting fantasy romp through a new world, penned by the unique writing team known as Gleem.

A young erotic fantasy writer named Harlette seems to be losing her creative spark when she is transported through a mirror into another dimension – the unbelievable realm of Ara. Once she realizes her new environment isn’t a dream, the high-spirited protagonist with a penchant for puppy love is thrown into the midst of chaotic power struggles in an elven kingdom.

However, Harlette and her trusty, occasionally chatty cat Bernard didn’t land […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-04-11T09:33:52+02:00February 20th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Erotica, Fantasy|