Fantasy | Self-Publishing Review

Element of Reflection by T.C. Elofson

A stunning new fantasy world reveals itself in Element of Reflection, the first visionary installment of The Waterbringer Trilogy by T.C. Elofson.

The mystical realm of Hisan once trembled in the shadow of the old gods, but even as their memory fades, some are still blessed with their elementalist gifts, including Takayo Jin, a fearless teenage pirate. Her ability to masterfully manipulate water – dehydrating an enemy in seconds, or commanding the sea like a weapon – is only one form of these ancient powers of the gods. Suddenly severed from the life she has known for so long, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-02-08T07:59:43+02:00February 7th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy|

Review: The Giants’ Dance by J.W. Webb

J.W. Webb invites readers back to the magical world of Ansu in The Giants’ Dance, the savagely good second installment of the Berserker Trilogy. Carrying on from the cliff-hanging conclusion of Book 1, this novel finds the heroes scattered but resilient, determined to face the mounting evil together, in this classic action-packed fantasy.

Jaren and Finvar make for an unlikely but entertaining team, as usual, as they journey to rescue Savarna in chivalric fashion. With the mythical axe Griner firmly in hand, Jaren heroically leads the pair against demons, stone giants, ghosts, and all other manner of ice realm obstacles […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-02-03T09:02:06+02:00January 16th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy, J.W. Webb|

Review: The Iljjock Yoke by Anita Vaani

A young cowherd’s life is turned upside-down when he’s whisked away from the 3^rd century BC to an incredible realm of the divine in The Iljjock Yoke by Anita Vaani, the first book in the Yadduk and the Gods of Seabor series.

This is an endlessly inventive novel, filled with ancient mythology, plenty of humor, plot twists, time warps, and a seemingly hapless protagonist discovering the untapped strength inside himself. After being dragged through the cosmos and arriving on Seabor, Yadduk’s eyes are opened to the bizarre lifestyles and plans of the fickle gods, who seem to hold a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-02-02T09:57:55+02:00January 15th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy, Visionary Fiction|

Review: Shades of Black 1: In Darkness Cast by Jonathan Shuerger

Author Jonathan Shuerger drops a fantasy bombshell of epic proportions with In Darkness Cast, the first book in the Shades of Black series. Armed with a spiraling, action-driven plot, wickedly entertaining characters and bloodthirsty prose, this ambitious novel hums with sinister intent.

Throughout the novel, the author explores traditional fantasy themes of the hero’s journey, painful self-revelation, as well as the changing faces of friend and foe alike. The immersive nature of the writing and the impossibly high stakes of the story make it impossible to put this book down in the middle of a chapter.

The relationship between […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-25T03:33:39+02:00January 6th, 2021|Categories: Book Excerpt|Tags: Fantasy|

The Shimmering by Michael L. Clark

A mysterious phenomena tears lovers two centuries apart in Michael L. Clark’s dramatic new fantasy novel, The Shimmering.

Finding the way back home to his beautiful wife is no easy task for Daniel, after being tossed back in time to a very different Tennessee wilderness, where survival depends on quickly recognizing friend from foe. Time-traveling is a popular plot device, as well as a risky one, but the way these two storylines merge, twist, and mirror one another is impressive and a joy to read.

Readers are given a godlike overview of a rapidly unfolding mystery, which makes for exciting […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-30T04:58:25+02:00December 27th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy, Time Travel|

The Night Sender by Christina Tsirkas

A fantastical, erotic, and revelatory journey into self-discovery, The Night Sender by Christina Tsirkas is the story of a bold young woman who dares to challenge societal norms and cultural expectations at every turn.

A secretive coming-of-age ceremony brings together the free-spirited and open-minded Rose with the curious and daring Roosha, a mystical Night Sender whose only purpose in life is to deliver pleasure. However, their unique and surprising connection draws them both into a forbidden affair that will put their lives – both present and future – on the line.

Overflowing with blush-inducing language and perplexing emotional puzzles, this […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-21T06:15:47+02:00December 21st, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Erotica, Fantasy|

Review: Enok and the Womb of Gods by A. SkoroBogáty

Author A. Skorobogaty weaves a remarkable origin story unlike any other in Enok and the Womb of Gods, a magical mixture of history and mythology. Pulling from ancient sources and stories known the world over, this novel expands the backstory of humanity, exploring traditions of worship and culture through the winding tale of Enok, a young slave willing to take the ultimate leap into the unknown.

This coming of age story finds Enok enmeshed in countless misadventures, barbarian battles, serpent-worshipping empires and even the early throes of romance, albeit from a prison cell. The plot is expansive and unpredictable, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-11-10T03:40:23+02:00November 9th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: A. SkoroBogáty, Fantasy|

Review: Soul Seeker by Kaylin McFarren

When a corrupted child grows into an unrepentantly evil young man, he must be stopped, and that will require the investigations of a horrified father and the services of a dedicated demon, in the colorfully complex fantasy by author Kaylin McFarren, Soul Seeker.

Firefighter Benjamin Poe is fed up with his lazy, complaining son Gabe, but those feelings amplify when there’s a fire at Gabe’s workplace, killing the three co-workers he particularly despised. Poe can’t help but try to learn more until he is confronted by a strange man with bright flashing eyes. Crighton is so well acquainted with […]

SPR2020-10-27T08:10:47+02:00October 27th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy, Kaylin McFarren|