Apocrypha: The Dying World #1: City of Burning Shadows by Barbara J. Webb

Hiding from the past, from the horror of his life as a priest after the gods disappeared. 

Hiding from his emotions, denying the nightmares that haunt his sleep and the anger that fuels his days.

Most of all, hiding from the truth—that no matter how much he keeps his head down, no matter how he clings to the echoes of everyday life, his city—his world—is dying.

When a new technology offers salvation to his desperate city, Ash must reach out to people he left behind and step back into the world that almost killed him. But coming out of hiding now could be the worst mistake Ash has ever made.

Because there are monsters in the darkness, feeding the chaos, watching the city burn. And once those monsters know his name, Ash will never be able to hide again.

[Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads]

The Alchemy Wars #1: The Mechanical by Ian Tregillis (Orbit Books)

My name is Jax.

That is the name granted to be by my human masters.

I am a clakker: a mechanical man, powered by alchemy. Armies of my kind have conquered the world - and made the Brasswork Throne the sole superpower.

I am a faithful servant. I am the ultimate fighting machine. I am endowed with great strength and boundless stamina.

But I am beholden to the wishes of my human masters.

I am a slave. But I shall be free.

[Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads]

The Song of the Shattered Sands #1: Twelve Kings In Sharakhai by Bradley P. Beaulieu (Gollancz)

In the cramped west end of Sharakhai, the Amber Jewel of the Desert, Çeda fights in the pits to scrape a living. She, like so many in the city, pray for the downfall of the cruel, immortal Kings of Sharakhai, but she's never been able to do anything about it. This all changes when she goes out on the night of Beht Zha'ir, the holy night when all are forbidden from walking the streets. It's the night that the asirim, the powerful yet wretched creatures that protect the Kings from all who would stand against them, wander the city and take tribute. It is then that one of the asirim, a pitiful creature who wears a golden crown, stops Çeda and whispers long forgotten words into her ear. Çeda has heard those words before, in a book left to her by her mother, and it is through that one peculiar link that she begins to find hidden riddles left by her mother.

As Çeda begins to unlock the mysteries of that fateful night, she realizes that the very origin of the asirim and the dark bargain the Kings made with the gods of the desert to secure them may be the very key she needs to throw off the iron grip the Kings have had over Sharakhai. And yet the Kings are no fools-they've ruled the Shangazi for four hundred years for good reason, and they have not been idle. As Çeda digs into their past, and the Kings come closer and closer to unmasking her, Çeda must decide if she's ready to face them once and for all.

[Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads]

The Scarlet Star Trilogy: Bloodrush by Ben Galley

I return to the SPFBO, starting with Ben Galley’s fantasy/western self published novel, Bloodrush, the first book in The Scarlet Star Trilogy, which is currently available to buy, and was the victor from Bookworm Blues' selection of novels.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit Books)

I review N.K. Jemisin’s brilliant The Fifth Season, the first book in The Broken Earth epic fantasy series from Orbit Books, published in August 2015 and currently available to buy in the UK and the US.

The Great Self Published Fantasy Blog Off Winner Announcement!

In this post I announce my finalist for the next round of the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off, as well as talk about what you can expect on the blog going forward.

The Red Queen's War #2: The Liars Key by Mark Lawrence (Ace/Harper Voyager)

I share my thoughts on the second novel in The Red Queen’s War trilogy by fantasy author Mark Lawrence, entitled The Liar’s Key and published by Ace in the USA and Harper Voyager in the UK. Currently available in the USA it is not released in the UK until 18 June. 

The Shadow Campaigns #2: The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler (Del Ray)

I review the second novel in The Shadow Campaigns series, The Shadow Throne, a military flintlock fantasy novel from Django Wexler, published by Del Ray and currently available to buy in both the USA and the UK.

The Soulseer Chronicles #1: Marked by Sue Tingey (Jo Fletcher Books)

Sue Tingey’s debut novel, Marked, is an urban fantasy published by Jo Fletcher books and is the first book in the Soulseer Chronicles, and currently available to buy in the UK.

Telltale's Game of Thrones Season 1x01 "Iron From Ice" (PC)

I review the first episode of Telltale’s Game of Thrones series, an episodic graphic adventure story, based on the television adaption of George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, following a similar structure to that of Telltale’s The Walking Dead, A Wolf Among Us and Tales From The Borderlands, featuring voices of actors and characters from the HBO show.

The Film Column #2: Avengers: Age of Ultron, Children of Men, The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies, Miller's Crossing & Mud

In the second instalment of the Film Column, I continue to look at the last five films I’ve seen in alphabetical order. This time around, I’m looking at, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Children of Men, Miller’s Crossing, Mud, and The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. There are light spoilers for The Hobbit but everything else is spoiler-free.

Sins of a Sovereignty by Plague Jack

I review Sins of a Sovereignty, a self published fantasy novel by Plague Jack, the latest novel to be covered as part of the Great Self Published Fantasy Blog Off.

The Copper Promise #2: The Iron Ghost by Jen Williams (Headline)

The second novel in Jen Williams’ The Copper Promise Trilogy, The Iron Ghost, is a fantasy novel published by Headline Books and is currently available to buy in the UK.

The Great Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off: State of Play #1

 As I’m participating in the Great Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off, I thought I’d offer an update on how I’m doing with my progress and talk a little about the books that I’ve received to review.

Fire & Ice by Patty Jansen

 As part of Mark Lawrence’s Great Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off, I share my thoughts on the first book that I finished reading for this assignment, Fire & Ice, the first in the Icefire Trilogy form Patty Jansen.

Knight's Shadow by Sebastien De Castell (Jo Fletcher Books)

Sebastien De Castell’s fantasy novel Knight’s Shadow is the second book in the highly praised Greatcoats series from Jo Fletcher Books. Hit the break to find out what I thought.

The Autumn Republic by Brian McCellan (Orbit)

I cover the final act in the Powder Mage Trilogy, entitled The Autumn Republic, written by Brian McClellan and published by Orbit Books. This book is currently available to buy in both the USA and the UK.

Gemini Cell by Myke Cole (Ace/Headline)

I cover Gemini Cell, a prequel to the Shadow Ops trilogy by Myke Cole, currently available to buy through Headline Books in the UK and Ace in the US, and can be read whether or not the reader has prior knowledge of Control Point, Fortress Frontier and Breach Zone. 

The Librarians Season 1 (TNT)

I review the first season of TNT’s The Librarians, developed by John Rogers, which is a spin-off of The Librarian film series, sharing continuity yet remaining accessible for newcomers. The Librarians stars Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Kim, Noah Wyle and more.

The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne #2: The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley (Tor)

I review the second act in The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne series by Brian Staveley, entitled The Providence of Fire. Following on from The Emperor’s Blades, this epic fantasy sequel is published by Tor and is currently available to buy in both the USA and the UK.