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Book Review: Thief Liar Lady
by D. L. Soria Recommend (lightly) Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Aislinn never dreamed of being a princess. She only cared about surviving her harsh step mother and handling her two step sisters. The prince falling in love with her at the ball was just a matter of design, and before she knew it, she was living in the palace. It was almost like a fairytale. The only problem was that she didn’t love the prince back, and she had a larger goal in mind than just marrying a prince and living happily ever after. D. L. Soria’s Thief Liar Lady is a new twist on…
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6 Common Classic Fantasy Tropes
As I read different fantasy books, especially classic older books, I find myself thinking of many different tropes that often show themselves in multiple stories and series. These tropes often help sink the story into being a ‘fantasy’ story instead of another genre. I thought it would be fun to share a few of the ones I’ve been thinking about recently and, hopefully, hear your thoughts on these different tropes. 1. Prophecies A prophecy that defines the fate of the world is one of the most classic tropes in fantasy stories. There are many books that include this device to create a framework for plot development. Having a prophecy gives…
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Book Review: Temple of No God
by: H. M. Long Highly Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Spoiler Alert: This is book 2 of the series. If you haven’t read the previous novel, there may be spoilers for events in book one. If you wish to see my review for the first book, click here. Hessa has been the leader and high priest of her people for ten years now. Life under Tyvander’s guidance has become normal even if it isn’t exactly peaceful. When a visitor comes to her village on behalf of an arpa aspiring to be their new emperor, the world becomes uncertain once again. Maybe there is still more…
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Book Review: Spice Road
by: Maiya Ibrahim Highly Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Spice is the key to magic. The Qualian shields drink a tea prepared with spice and feel the magic fill them. It is a very personal experience. Imani is a shield, and when she drinks the spice tea, she can control her weapons in a way only magic will allow. She is known as the djinni slayer, and she is determined to keep her people safe. Spice Road by May Ibrahim is a young adult novel that takes the reader into an Arabian inspired world to experience an amazing adventure that crosses vast sands and cities.…
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Book Review: The Endless Song
by: Joshua Phillip Johnson Highly Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Spoiler Alert: This is book 2 of the series. If you haven’t read the previous novel, there may be spoilers for events in book one. If you wish to see my review for the first book, click here. Kindred has finally left the surface of the sea to dive below. Her small crew is beside her, and all three of them anxiously await the start of a new wonderful life. She hopes to find her grandmother, but there is so much ground to cover. Where should she start? Flitch is the fourth child in the…
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Book Review: Legends and Lattes
by Travis Baldree Highly Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles IndieBound Travis Baldree’s debut novel, Legends and Lattes is absolutely delightful. In fact, it is one of the best light-hearted books I’ve read in a long time. When I first saw the cover of the novel, I was already intrigued. I loved the happy light cover with a cute coffee shop background with the two characters in the middle. Then, I was even more intrigued after reading the title. Everything about my first impression of this novel drew me in, so I knew I just had to read it. I was not disappointed in the least. To be…
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The Black Coast
by Mike Brooks Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books There is a clan that has sailed across the sea seeking a refuge that they are not sure will be there. They worry that they will have to fight, but they cannot stay where they were. Will they be able to land safely and make a new home with the people that were once their enemy? A country is on the verge of war. The God-King’s line isn’t solidified. If there is any chance that a new claim could be made, the country might not make it through. How will Narida endure? The Black Coast by Mike…
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Hall of Smoke
by H. M. Long Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Hessa’s world is crumbling around her. Her goddess has abandoned her and her people, the Eangen. She is the only survivor of her village. She might be the only Eangi left in the world at all. Hessa’s only hope is to continue on the last mission she was given from her goddess. Kill the man named Omaskat. However, that is easier said than done, and when she finally finds him, will she have the strength to carry out her orders? Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long is a mythology lover’s dream. There is so much complexity…
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Good Vs Evil: High Fantasy
If you want to see my other thoughts on good vs evil, click here for my other posts. The fantasy genre in general often revolves around the concept of good against evil. Evil has risen in power and is trying to dominate, control, corrupt, or destroy the world, and good must answer the challenge. High fantasy, in particular, largely revolves around this situation. So, how do high fantasy stories portray this epic idea of good vs. evil? The first important thing to note is that high fantasy often presents a very strict idea of what/who is good and what/who is evil. There is a clear demarcation between the sides, and…
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The Forever Sea
by Joshua Phillip Johnson Highly Recommend Where to find: Amazon Barnes & Nobles Indigo Books Kindred is a keeper aboard her ship. A keeper keeps the ship afloat as it sails the Forever Sea. A sea that is not made up of water, but a sea of grass and flowers and plants. It’s a sea of life. It goes on farther than anyone has ever traveled and deeper than anyone has dared to venture. Beware sailing the roughs where the pirates live in a moving city and who attack any ships that sail too close. However, Kindred’s grandmother wonders what lies below the sea. Now Kindred will have to decide…
