Review of ~ Mike Shackle – We are the Dead

8/10

I received a review copy of We Are The Dead in exchange for an honest review. I’m writing this for Grimdark Magazine and it will be posted on that website on the 16th of August 2019 for the blog tour. Thank you to Mike Shackle and Gollancz for the opportunity.

Tinnstra is the daughter of the legion’s and the nation’s finest Shulka warrior, Grim Dagon. Although an extremely extraordinary fighter herself, she is training as an initiate and always holds thoughts of doubt, fear, and incompetence in her mind regarding her potential actions.

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Review of ~ Tom Lloyd – Knight of Stars (The God Fragments #3)

7/10

I received an advanced review copy of Knight of Stars in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Tom Lloyd and Gollancz.

“We’re here to drink beer an’ fuck people up, but we ain’t halfway through the beer yet.”

After somehow surviving the labyrinth of Jarrazir the soldiers of Anatin’s Mercenary Deck seem like they have a simple task for the next few weeks. Lots of drinking, violence, sex, and banter whilst visiting the picturesque Mage Islands and dealing with a debt issue. It turns out that there may be a few complications. Giant golanthas, dragon-like tyserns, Mastrunners, and Teshen – the Knight of Stars – having to deal with his ex-girlfriend.

Review of ~ Evan Winter – The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, #1)

9/10

*Minor spoilers may follow.*

The inhabitants of Omehi who are known as the Chosen have been warring with the savage hedeni tribes for hundreds of years. The hedeni may have superior numbers but the Chosen have the Gifted. These are powerful female mages who can source power from the underworld Isihogo. The Gifted are a huge asset in battles. They can turn a warrior into an Ingonyama which is a giant, amazingly powerful protective being. The pinnacle of their powers, and the aspect that the hedeni fear the most is that when Gifted work together they can call a Dragon Guardian to aid them on the battlefield to bloody and devastating effect.

Review of ~ Brian Naslund – Blood of an Exile (Dragons of Terra, #1)

7.5/10 – Soon to be posted on Grimdark Magazine

I received an uncorrected proof copy of Blood of an Exile in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Brian Naslund and Tor.

Bershad the Flawless is a dragon-slayer. After betraying the King fourteen years ago Bershad was exiled and given a brutal sentence. To spend the rest of his days trying to kill the flying lizard behemoths that roam around Terra. To most, this is a fate worse than a simple execution and very few dragon-slayers ever actually complete the deed even once.

Review of ~ R. F. Kuang – The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)

9.5/10 – Soon to be posted on Grimdark Magazine.

I received an uncorrected proof copy of The Dragon Republic in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank R.F. Kuang and Harper Voyager.

The Dragon Republic is a phenomenal follow-up to what was one of my highest rated fantasy books of 2018, and I think this exceeds the debut in almost everyway.

Rin is a drug-addled individual who has the monstrous, murderous and perhaps demented power of the Phoenix at her fingertips. We join her here as the commander of the Cike; potentially orchestrating her shamans who can wield the extraordinary power of certain Gods.

Review of ~ Craig Schaefer – Ghosts of Gotham

8/10

“I am thinking,” the voice in the chaos said to Lionel, “of writing a new tragedy. You’re going to play the hero.”

I received an advanced reading copy of Ghosts of Gotham in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Craig Schaefer and 47North for the opportunity.

Lionel Page is an investigative journalist who often goes deep undercover to uncover charlatan healers, psychics, and magicians. After exposing Reverend Wright as a fraud to his many admirers Lionel is approached by an apprentice journalist.

Review of ~ Ed McDonald – Crowfall (Raven’s Mark, #3)

8/10

“Another Heart of the Void? The sky is shattered, the rain sends men mad. Even the geese are trying to eat us. What the fuck do we have to gain by unleashing that kind of power again?”

I received an advanced reading copy of Crowfall in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Ed McDonald and Ace Books for the opportunity. May contain spoilers for Ravencry.

Crowfall is an engaging and thrilling final chapter to an excellent dark fantasy trilogy. I have seen the Raven’s Mark series referred to as Grimheart. I thought that tag was a joke initially but the more I have thought about it the more fitting the label actually seems. However chaotic, gruesome, or terrible things may seem in this world there are always underlining currents of hope and love.