Urban Fantasy Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Untamed Barbarian (Visigoth Barbarians #2) by Jayla Jasso

In Untamed Barbarian, the second in the Visigoth Barbarians series from author Jayla Jasso, a time-traveling hunk from the 5^th century lands smack dab in the middle of a 21^st century murder investigation in southern California for a hot and gripping urban fantasy.

Andaric, the brutally handsome and physically brutal time-traveler, has come in search of his brother, who was similarly catapulted forward from ancient France, but he gets understandably distracted by the stunning Kaiya Martinez. She may be tasked with determining his mental state – and judging whether he is the serial killer the town has […]

Review: Demon Heart 2: Never Say Die by David Crane

Mastering the demons within ourselves is a popular theme in literature, but in Demon Heart 2: Never Say Die by author David Crane, this battle is not contained to the philosophical realm. In the second installment of this series, the powerful and deadly Naoko Kitamura has a new life, but when you’re the descendant of an ancient, mystical tradition, it’s hard to leave the past behind.

Six years have passed since Naoko sacrificed herself in Osaka to save the city from a nuclear disaster. She has created a new life for herself and fallen in love, even sharing the secret […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-08T08:42:29+02:00January 8th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Urban Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Demon Heart by David Crane

Thrillers set in far-flung locales hold extra appeal for those readers looking for an exciting escape, and the exotic, unbelievable nature of Demon Heart, a new novel by David Crane, certainly fits that bill. Similar to the author’s earlier work, this novel is an intense, chaotic and brilliantly executed story that dances on the edge of reality.

Naoko Kitamura is a rough-around-the-edges cop on the streets of Osaka with a dark family secret. A creature of Japanese tradition and mythology, she is a demon hybrid, capable of unleashing incredible powers when she needs to. However, she is also half-human, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-09T10:49:12+02:00November 14th, 2018|Categories: Book Excerpt|Tags: Urban Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Transitioners: The Purple Blues by Indigo Cox

The Transitioners by Indigo Cox, the first book in the Purple Blood Lineage series, is a beautiful coming of age story that just happens to have one of the most refreshing superhero journeys at its core.

Misty is the first African-America student to make it into Girard, a high-profile music school. While an exceptional student and musician, she is still looked down upon due to the color of her skin. A fact that normal students can’t change, but Misty can. She is a Transitioner. A half-human, half-god being who can change her appearance with the assistance of music and meditation. […]

SPR2019-01-11T14:50:50+02:00August 27th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Urban Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Legacy of Dolyn: Volume 1 by Amelia Guillem

Told in the format of blog posts, Legacy of Dolyn: Volume 1 is an entertaining modern fantasy, replete with pop culture references and nods to anime.

Glendolyn Villem works as a secretary in a police station, with everyday problems that are easily relatable, like searching desperately for guy on an app called “Mingle.” Then, to her great dismay, she is ordained with magical powers and joined by a cat confusingly called Gwen, who, whether Glen likes or not, will be her mentor.

Glen must deal with the burden of being a sorceress and the complexities of her powers in a […]

SPR2018-08-23T07:36:04+02:00July 30th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Urban Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Raging Falcon by Stephen C. Perkins

If the paranoia surrounding mind control and global-scale governmental conspiracies was ever shown to be true, this world could tear itself apart at the seams. In Raging Falcon, the debut novel of author Stephen C. Perkins, it just might happen. For readers who enjoy genre-bending fiction, this story makes for an adventurous and sometimes exhausting read for a premise that is at once fantastical and plausible.

In the world of this novel, magic is alive and well in the deepest core of global politics, and psychological sorcerers have managed to infiltrate every level of society, orchestrating the greatest trick […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-07-26T10:44:45+02:00July 3rd, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Urban Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Through the Villain’s Eyes (Primordial Realms Book 2) by Stacy Benedict

Immersing oneself in a strange new world is what fantasy is all about, but imbuing magic and mystery into the world most humans recognize also makes for great storytelling. Through the Villain’s Eyes by Stacy Benedict is a veritable masterpiece of the macabre, with real-world contexts and settings that juxtapose brilliantly with the slight edge of magic flowing through the pages of this book.

In this dark, supernatural novel, there are Primordials and those that hunt them, including the mysterious and violently fascinating Blaire, one of these terrifyingly tough hunters. However, she isn’t sure about being a tool of pure […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2018-03-28T10:38:06+02:00February 27th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Urban Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Underground by Roxanne Bland

★★★★

The Underground by Roxanne Bland is an original urban fantasy that pits supernatural creatures – or zots – against the larger, more paranoid, human population. In the uneasy peace that blankets Seattle, a werewolf alpha, a mage, and a master vampire fight each other and the outside world as they try to balance responsibilities and power structures. Add an alien assassin in hiding, a fifth dimensional demon, and a rebellion to the mix, and the city’s about to blow. The novel is a fast-paced adventure from beginning to end with engaging characters and a strong dose of drama.