Book Review: Ravencry by Ed McDonald

The Good: Compelling characters (and creatures!), plot twists aplenty, and a return to one of the most nightmarish landscapes in fantasy, this time cranked up on the creep-out factor. The Bad: After a strong start, I personally felt that the foot came off the gas pedal while some of the investigative meandering got underway, but …

Book Review: Crowfall by Ed Mcdonald

The Good: Above and beyond the compelling characters and punchy plot, this is a book that keeps you guessing right up until the final page. The Bad: As with Ravencry, Crowfall embarks on an entirely new direction to a destination that I hadn’t anticipated – some readers may dislike this, but I for one am …

Book Review: Bloodchild by Anna Stephens

The Good: Everything. Seriously. *SPOILERS* The Bad: IT GAVE ME FEELINGS – I DO NOT LIKE FEELING FEELINGS. The Ugly Truth: THIS. IS. HOW. YOU. END. A. SERIES. (If I could somehow capitalise a full stop I would use it in this review.) Pulse-pounding drama and action to the heart-breaking end. 11/10, A++, all of …

Book Review: We Are The Dead by Mike Shackle

The Good: A pull-no-punches account of the realities of war, complete with a cast of humans (key point: not heroes) whose efforts will likely fail, but if they don’t try, then who else will? The Bad: Not a ‘bad’ for me, personally speaking, but the story does contain scenes that some readers may find upsetting …

Book Review: The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

The Good: The titular dragons aren’t the only things that come raging out of the pages thanks to the triple-threat of people, ‘places’ and plot, making this Africa (Xhosa) inspired epic an unforgettable read. The Bad: For me? Nothing. Seriously, I love this book. I have seen some people getting put off by the ‘simple …

Book review: Witchsign by Den Patrick

The Good: Fantastic concepts, especially in terms of world building and history. Strong themes from start to finish, with shock reveals along the way. The Bad: While Witchsign got off to a cracking start, I felt that the pace slowed in the middle, though it quickened to breakneck speed in the last 10%. Additionally, I …

Book Review: Legion Versus Phalanx by Myke Cole

The Good: Entertaining, educational, easy to read, eye-opening and (this might sound strange but it’s true) emotional. The most accessible military history book I have ever read. The Bad: This isn’t your average non-fiction military history, and whilst for me this was a VERY pleasant surprise, there will be some readers looking for more in-depth …

Book Review: A Time of Blood by John Gwynne

Warning: may contain spoilers for A Time of Dread! The Good: This is a John Gwynne book. NEED I SAY ANYTHING MORE? For those who haven’t read a Gwynne book, let me say this: this is epic fantasy as it was meant to be written – good vs evil, heroes and heathens, myths and monsters, …

Book Review: Master of Sorrows by Justin Call

The Good: Destiny and dark magic, a fresh take on time-honoured tropes, a world brimming with history, belief and ideals, action sequences that dare to be different, and a plot filled with secrets and surprises. The Bad: Bit of a slow burner at the start, and some of the early dialogues felt a bit like …

Book Review: A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

The Good: A fresh take on what the ‘end of the world’ looks like, a story that is as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking, strikingly simple prose on the surface with plenty of depth beneath, plot-twists that pull the rug right out from underneath you, and most importantly…DOGS! The Bad: As much as I loved …