What do you get when you take the quirky humor, witty banter, and absurd plot elements of a book like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and set it against a backdrop of late-Victorian England instead of the galaxy, replace spaceships with flying houses, and make your main characters pirates and witches instead of robots and aliens? Well, friends, you get the The League of Gentlewomen Witches, the second book in the Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton, a highly entertaining and romantic romp that will leave you wondering “What did I just read?” while at the same time exclaiming “How utterly delightful!” I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 15/03/2022

STAR RATING: 4/5 ✶

SUMMARY:

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.

OPINIONS:

Having not read the first book in this series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, I had no idea what to expect from this book. I was intrigued by the cover and the blurb, and having been told I didn’t need to read the first book to enjoy the second, I decided to jump in. I’ll admit, at first I was completely unsure of what exactly I was reading. The first time, for example, I encountered text with a strikethrough I was baffled, only to later realize it was not only purposeful, but also quite a novel and effective way to deliver a joke! And what about our FMC Charlotte’s references to the propriety of Jane Austen’s heroines while stealing a briefcase and inciting violence in a teashop? Or the image of a prim lady of the Wicken League carrying around a stuffed poodle? Was I supposed to take these things seriously? The answer, of course, was no – The League of Gentlewomen Witches is very much a purposefully whimsical satire that takes the reader on a fantastical adventure filled with pirates, witches, meddling aunts, burgeoning friendships, steamy romance, and plenty of tea.

The romance between the witch Charlotte and pirate (and therefore mortal enemy) Alex, was surprisingly satisfying. At first, I wondered if this book would deliver a full, A-plot Romance given its whimsical, quirky nature, and did it ever! Charlotte and Alex’s story is a true enemies-to-lovers tale. Witches and pirates are pitted against one another in age-old historical feud. And to make matters worse, Charlotte has been predestined to lead the Wicken League with exacting manners and uphold their feud with the improper pirates, while Alex hates witches after being horribly abused by one as a child. But throughout the course of the book, Charlotte and Alex grow together to overcome the limiting strictures of Charlotte’s upbringing and heal the terrible wounds of abuse that have turned Alex away from friendship and love. I was happy to see their character backstories explored and their relationship develop in deeply meaningful ways. I wasn’t sure it could be pulled off given the tonal context, but Holton did a superb job at delivering a truly satisfying and fleshed out Romance amid the chaotic adventure that is this book!

A word about steam – these are two thirsty protagonists! Both Charlotte and Alex’s gazing and the internal monologues they have about each other build a definite and palpable sexual tension, but, like other aspects of this book, it is done with wit and humor. When our couple finally comes together in a hilarious spin on the “only one bed” trope it is unexpectedly and deliciously steamy without being overly explicit – this book did a great job of threading that needle!

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is laugh-out-loud funny. The prose is easy to read while at the same time utilizing Regency and Victorian language reminiscent of Jane Austen. In fact, the book pays homage to Austen and Shakespeare, and fans of both will be pleased at Holton’s treatment of their favorite authors. I’d recommend it as a slump-buster or to anyone who loves Fantasy Romance and is looking to lighten their mood. I will most likely read the first installment of the series at some point as well as the third book, which is definitely coming given the Epilogue, but I will wait for the right time to do so, i.e. when I’m in need of a good laugh and a warm heart.

If you are looking for a blockbuster, but would rather read than watch TV, this is the book for you. The Kaiju Preservation Society is fast-paced, full of action and has DINOSAURS (well, Kaiju, but they’re large and scary and very dino-like). It is a fun read, though one that may not hold up on second thought – go in expecting entertainment, and it’s precisely what it says on the tin.

Many thanks to Black Crow PR and UK Tor for sending me an ARC. All opinions are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 17/03/2022

STAR RATING: 3/5 ✶

SUMMARY: Jamie’s dream was to hit the big time at a New York tech start-up. Jamie’s reality was a humiliating lay-off, then a low-wage job as a takeaway delivery driver. During a pandemic too. Things look beyond grim, until a chance delivery to an old acquaintance. Tom has an urgent vacancy on his team: the pay is great and Jamie has debts – it’s a no-brainer choice. Yet, once again, reality fails to match expectations. Only this time it could be fatal.

It seems Tom’s ‘animal rights organization’ is way more than it appears. The animals aren’t even on Earth – or not our Earth, anyway. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures roam a tropical, human-free world. And although Kaiju are their universe’s largest and most dangerous animal, they need support to survive.

Tom’s ‘Kaiju Preservation Society’ wants to help. However, others want to profit. Unless they’re stopped, the walls between our worlds could fall – and the consequences would be devastating. (from UK Tor)

OPINIONS: I’m a bit torn about how to rate this book, to be honest. Because on one hand, I had a lot of fun reading it, devoured it in a single sitting and it does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. But on the other hand, it doesn’t read like a novel, if that makes sense? It reads more like a pulpy science fiction blockbuster, heading from one dramatic reveal to a cinematic explosion and vice versa. I felt like The Kaiju Preservation Society ultimately was so plot-driven and action focused that characters ended up on the back burner, which made it work less well as a book. However, it has already been optioned by Fox, so a screen adaptation is in the works, and I expect that that medium is better suited for this and it’ll make a brilliant visual story.

Ultimately, I think what you’ll get out of The Kaiju Preservation Society will depend on what you are looking for. If it’s escapism with fantastic creatures that are a mix between dinosaurs and dragons, this may be the right read for you. If you are looking for a complex read with multi-dimensional characters and deep analysis of its themes, then this is probably not the one. Because while this touches on a lot of issues such as Covid-related unemployment, precarity of the job market, preservation, military vs. civilian influences in defense strategy and so on, the book doesn’t finish any of these thoughts, which personally left me feeling rather unsatisfied, especially in hindsight.

However, my main issue with the book was the lack of in-depth characterisation, which is what draws me to books over other types of media. Jamie, the main character does get his fair share of page time, as well as space for reflection, but outside of him, you don’t actually get to know any of the other characters besides their bare personnel facts. This won’t be as much of an issue for every reader, but it is something that bothered me, and worth knowing before you dive in.

If you’re intrigued, you can add The Kaiju Preservation Society to your Goodreads here, and order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).

A light-hearted in a darkly cynical way science fiction adventure that reads like The Martin in the best possible way, but also does its own thing. Many thanks to Jess at Rebellion Books for an ARC.

RELEASE DATE: 22/02/2022

STAR RATING: 3/5 ✶

SUMMARY: Dying isn’t any fun…but at least it’s a living.

Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.

On a fairly routine scouting mission, Mickey7 goes missing and is presumed dead. By the time he returns to the colony base, surprisingly helped back by native life, Mickey7’s fate has been sealed. There’s a new clone, Mickey8, reporting for Expendable duties. The idea of duplicate Expendables is universally loathed, and if caught, they will likely be thrown into the recycler for protein.

Mickey7 must keep his double a secret from the rest of the colony. Meanwhile, life on Niflheim is getting worse. The atmosphere is unsuitable for humans, food is in short supply, and terraforming is going poorly. The native species are growing curious about their new neighbors, and that curiosity has Commander Marshall very afraid. Ultimately, the survival of both lifeforms will come down to Mickey7.

That is, if he can just keep from dying for good.

OPINION: What makes you, you? Is it your memories, the things that happen to you? Or is it your thoughts and dreams? What happens if someone has exactly the same memories as you but you think they’re a self-absorbed ass? These aren’t irrelevant questions for Mickey. After accidentally being left behind, Mickey7 has to work with Mickey8 to avoid being detected which isn’t easy when there’s not enough food for both, the commander has it in for both of you, and your girlfriend is getting particularly inquisitive about why you don’t remember conversations. The plot is fairly straightforward, but the joy in the book is the interaction between Mickey7 and 8. Watching the variations which emerge as well as each’s approach to the challenges ahead shouldn’t be so amusing considering they’re to all intents and purposes the same person.

The colony of Niflheim is lightly drawn although with enough small details to give a sense of how perilously life is balancing here and the existing species’ desires and purpose is a mystery right up until the end with a satisfying resolution hidden from everyone except the reader. Interspersed between Mickey7’s daily life and struggles to ensure he has enough food, is how exactly he ended up in the situation of Expendable alongside a history of other colonies and ways they failed. While this adds to Mickey’s backstory (he was a historian on the planet he left behind) ultimately I didn’t feel they added all that much to the story but neither did they slow down the pace of the narrative so readers may be divided on this.

I enjoyed the ride this book took me on and it’s very cinematic in its approach to life on a colony so it’s not too surprising that it’s already been optioned for a movie. I look forward to seeing how it plays out as well as the next book Edward Ashton writes.

A fun sci-fi adventure with a large cast full of distinct and interesting characters with a ship that steals the show. Many thanks to Brianna at Wunderkind PR for an eARC All opinions are my own.

SUMMARY: TwiceFar station is at the edge of the known universe, and that’s just how Niko Larson, former Admiral in the Grand Military of the Hive Mind, likes it.

Retired and finally free of the continual war of conquest, Niko and the remnants of her former unit are content to spend the rest of their days working at the restaurant they built together, The Last Chance.

But, some wars can’t ever be escaped, and unlike the Hive Mind, some enemies aren’t content to let old soldiers go. Niko and her crew are forced onto a sentient ship convinced that it is being stolen and must survive the machinations of a sadistic pirate king if they even hope to keep the dream of The Last Chance alive.

OPINION: I picked this up as I’ve previously enjoyed Cat Rambo’s short fiction – in particular Red in Tooth and Claw as well as Every Breath A Question, Every Heartbeat an Answer and I was curious what a longer story from them would look like. They’re particularly good at looking at what comes after being a solider and in this respect You Sexy Thing is no different. But this makes it sound heavier than it is. The most straightforward comparison is A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, in that both books have a crew that is very close with a new member who is put among them and becomes one of them. But that does both books a disservice. You Sexy Thing has a much more cohesive story although this doesn’t stop the action shifting from various ships and planets.

While there is a large cast of characters each of them is distinct and memorable – from Dabry, Niko’s second in command who’s also the head chef and passionate about his herbs and spices, to Skidoo, who is Octopi shaped but formed of two symbiotic beings and is unembarrassed about seeking their pleasures where they can. Atlanta, the outsider to the crew is both naive but capable in her own way and her development over the story, in particular the ending is both satisfying and adds to the comfort factor of the book. Finally, the star of the book is the ship You Sexy Thing. A sentient bio-ship, they have gone through a succession of owners who have barely stretched their potential and Niko’s crew give them plenty of opportunities to experience new emotions such as pride, petulance, novelty, a sense of learning and a range of others. Rambo’s description of these is perfect and very much endears you to You Sexy Thing as they’re very much their own character in a way that’s different to other ship’s AI. It doesn’t feel like a human voice, but is a person in their own right.

Overall the plot shifts between Niko’s past and the crew’s present with several flashbacks from different characters. While the short works well as a standalone, there are plenty of hints at a wider story, both with a sinister threat, and the mystic Lassite’s constant mutterings about the importance of Niko to the Golden Spiral and following the path. All in all it was an enjoyable sci-fi adventure, and I would look forward to seeing what’s in store for Niko and the others.

This showed up in the mail at exactly the right moment – Graphic Novels, for me, are comfort reads. and this first volume of The Rema Chronicles was no different. I devoured it on the same day I got it, and it made a bad day into a much better one.

Many thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for sending me a review copy. All opinions are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 03/03/2022

STAR RATING: 4/5 ✶

SUMMARY: Tabby Simon is determined to learn what happened to her father, who was found dead after researching a tree that leaks a mysterious mist in her neighbourhood. She is unexpectedly led to Rema, a distant world of magic and beauty that is periodically invaded by a nearby planet desperate for resources. While Tabby searches for the truth surrounding her father’s death, she meets a handsome blue-haired boy named Philip. He has his own dangerous secrets, but he has promised to help Tabby get home. As Tabby learns more about this strange world, she discovers that she is destined for something far greater than she ever could have imagined. (from Scholastic)

OPINIONS: This is the latest in a series of comfort reads – as you can probably tell if you’ve been reading my recent reviews. And graphic novels somehow always end up in that category for me, especially ones that fit in the YA and MG space. The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist kind of slots in between the two categories. It has elements of both, and while Tabby, the main character is fifteen, it can easily be suitable for younger readers who are more used to a middle grade diet. The story is compelling – and there are turns to it that make me really eager to get my hands on the second volume (which I hope is coming soon *hint hint, Scholastic, please*).

I really liked Tabby, her stubbornness and curiosity. The way her relationship with Philip and the greater mythology of the world developed was really well-done, and I am curious to see where the story goes from here. While it took me a little bit to get settled with the world and the story – I felt the introduction was a bit clunky and the pacing in the first few chapters a bit off – once I did, I really enjoyed it. What first felt like a generic plot in a world that felt like most fantasy realms became more plastic once I got to the halfway mark and more characters made their way into the plot and Tabby got to be more than the vehicle that the reader sees this new world through.

I think as this graphic novel series goes on and Tabby’s story in the world continues, her relationships deepen and the reader learns more about the mythology behind it, we’ll have a really lovely series on our hands for that elusive teen audience most of all. It will appeal to readers ten and up, I think, but really be ideal for that demographic that often falls between YA and MG. A definite recommendation from me.

Add The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist to your Goodreads here, and order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).

I am often intrigued by grand-scale stories and settings that are a character in their own right. And the Kithamar of Age of Ash is exactly that. A city, but also a character in an epic story, in which the smaller plots of the book unfold. Having heard great things about Daniel Abraham’s earlier work, I was very excited to pick this one up, but I’m not quite sure whether it met all my expectations. I think I may have to read on and see where the story goes from here to really make up my mind.

Many thanks to Nazia at Orbit for sending me a review copy of Age of Ash. All opinions are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 17/02/2022

STAR RATING: 3.5/5 ✶

SUMMARY: Kithamar is a center of trade and wealth, an ancient city with a long, bloody history where countless thousands live and their stories unfold.

This is Alys’s.

When her brother is murdered, a petty thief from the slums of Longhill sets out to discover who killed him and why. But the more she discovers about him, the more she learns about herself, and the truths she finds are more dangerous than knives.

Swept up in an intrigue as deep as the roots of Kithamar, where the secrets of the lowest born can sometimes topple thrones, the story Alys chooses will have the power to change everything. (from Orbit)

OPINIONS: This is a compelling story straddling the fine line between epic fantasy and Grimdark. Centred around a city rather than individuals, it sets up a unique sort of storytelling focused more on the grand picture of an evolving society. And I loved how Kithamar became a character in Age of Ash, not merely a setting. Alys’s story is used as a vehicle to illustrate this period in the life of the city, to make this amalgamation of culture come alive.

However, the story itself of a petty thief, of a murdered brother, of coming to terms with loss and dangerous secrets, is not something that feels especially groundbreaking. I am definitely intrigued enough to want to know more about Kithamar, to read about other stories set in this city that is both enchanting and gritty at the same time, but I’m not sure if I think that Age of Ash by itself is a book that stands out for me. And that is probably more due to me as a reader than due to the book itself – right now, I seem to click most with stories that have a hopeful aspect to them, and while this is not only bleak, it is less oriented towards a hopeful future than works for me at the moment.

The characters are strong and well-developed, and the writing is immersive – I ended up devouring the book despite my struggles with it, which speaks for the quality. It feels like this is one that I will probably enjoy more on a reread when I’m in a different reading mood, so there’s a good chance that I’ll pick it up again in a couple of months to give it another shot.

Add Age of Ash to your Goodreads here, and order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).

Some authors just manage to hit the right spots book after book – and Elle McNicoll is on book number three, all of them utterly different, but all of them featuring neurodivergent heroines who don’t fit the traditional mold and charming readers again and again. And this one may be my favourite yet.

I don’t often review books I’ve bought myself, but this one charmed me into doing it anyway.

RELEASE DATE: 03/02/2022

STAR RATING: 5/5 ✶

SUMMARY: Edinburgh is a city filled with magical creatures. No one can see them… until Ramya Knox. As she is pulled into her family’s world of secrets and spells, Ramya sets out to discover the truth behind the Hidden Folk with only three words of warning from her grandfather: Beware the Sirens. Plunged into an adventure that will change everything, Ramya is about to learn that there is more to her powers than she ever imagined. (from Knights Of)

OPINIONS: This is Elle McNicoll’s first foray into fantasy, but deep down, this story about magical creatures is one about the most human quality of them all: being accepted. Being valued not for who others want you to be, but for who you are, whether that meets expectations or not. And through the weaving of a secret underworld of beings from Hulders to Kelpies to Sirens into the beautiful town of Edinburgh and its bookshops, Like A Charm manages to send a powerful message that really, we’re all people, and every single one of us is valuable. (Truly, Edinburgh is a character of its own in this story, not just a city that it happens to be set in. It comes to life along with its inhabitants, testament to the strength of Elle’s writing.)

Ramya, oh Ramya. A dyspraxic heroine, proud of her neurodivergence, with zero interest of fitting into other people’s boxes. Growing up as a stubborn, likely neurodivergent, kid with a disregard for authority and expectations twenty years ago, I would have thrived if I had been able to read a book about a heroine like me. Someone who is weird, but ok with it. Someone who makes their way through life based on their own rules. She is brilliant in her prickliness, charms with her determination and refuses to take no for an answer where it is not merited. She may truly be my favourite character in children’s literature right now, finding her spot among classic characters like Pippi Longstocking or Matilda Wormwood.

Now shoo, go add Like A Charm to your Goodreads here, and order a (signed) copy from Knights Of’s own bookshop, Round Table Books here.

Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Star Mother, the first book in the Star Mother duology by Charlie N. Holmberg. Folks that read my review will remember that I was looking forward to the sequel, itching for the conclusion to a story that felt a touch incomplete without a satisfying ending for Saiyon’s character. I was surprised and pleased with how quickly Star Father was released, right on the heels of Star Mother, but unfortunately it was not the sequel I was hoping for. It’s difficult not to compare this book to its predecessor, as they really are meant to be read as a pair, and you’ll see that reflected in this review – it looks at how this book fares as both a continuation, and ultimately the conclusion, of the Star Mother duology. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

RELEASE DATE: 08/03/2022

STAR RATING: 3/5 ✶

SUMMARY:

In a heavenly war, the moon is prevailing…

It happens in an instant, filling Aija with dread: the Sun is suddenly cast from the sky, throwing the Earth into midday darkness. On the fourth day of endless night, Aija finds an unconscious man by the river. His skin is as hot as her lantern’s glass and just as golden. To Aija, a farmhand with the soul of an artist, this beautiful stranger is an inspiration—and a mystery. He calls himself Saiyon. He bleeds light. His friends are celestial. His enemies, godlings of the moon.

Between Aija and Saiyon, attraction grows warmer. For Aija, an unfathomable revelation: she’s falling in love with the earthbound Sun God. When Saiyon’s faltering powers are restored to full glory, what then? There’s a way Aija can become immortal, too. Saiyon can’t support such a risk.

Aija chooses to follow her heart to places darker and more dangerous than she realizes. Whatever sacrifices lie ahead, they’re the only way to make an impossible true love last forever.

OPINIONS:

The aspect of Star Mother that stood out to me was its theming. A personal journey of devotion, self-sacrifice, love, and motherhood formed the backbone of the first installment of this duology. The Romance was not an afterthought, but a carefully woven aspect of the story that served to amplify the themes while never presenting itself as the “main attraction.”

So, when I started Star Father, I was expecting something of the same. I knew that this book would be the conclusion to Saiyon’s story, giving him the HEA he needed for the story in Star Mother to feel complete, but I assumed it would be presented against the backdrop of the same type of deep and meaningful theming that grabbed me in that book. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The Romance is the main focus of Star Father; Aija and Saiyon falling in love followed by Aija’s quest to become immortal so that she can be with Saiyon is the focus of the plot and the characters’ motivations.

Those of you that know me are probably reading this and raising a brow: Does Romance-loving Kat actually think that is a bad thing? Has hell frozen over? Rest assured friends, I’m fine. Allow me to explain…

If you are going to make a book Romance-forward, i.e. the Romance is the plot of the book and there are no other plot elements through which to develop themes, you have to develop your characters deeply and meaningfully such that your themes are tied to the characters’ arcs and the romantic relationship must be transformative. That did not happen here. There was no growth in either Aija or Saiyon – their characters, dare I say it, were quite shallow and their relationship fell largely flat. I had a frisson of hope that Aija’s character would gain depth and grow through her art, especially given the plot point that involved creating a likeness of Moon, but alas that thread turned out to be perfunctory. And Saiyon, who’s struggle as a God beholden to the universe’s laws and for whom this book was ostensibly written, received very little page time and even less exploration into his history, motivations, or desires.

In short, I struggled to find any substantial themes in Star Father beyond Aija and Saiyon falling in love and finding a way to be together. Had the romance been rooted in something deeper, e.g. a personal realization or the resolution of some internal struggle, perhaps this book would have worked for me, but much to my chagrin, it didn’t.

I have the same small quibbles with this book as I did with the previous, finding the writing a touch overwroght at times, using metaphors that weren’t grounded in the story or the characters. Once again, the ending was a bit rushed given the amount of time Aija spent questing for immortality; much like the characters themselves, their HEA needed more attention and depth.

I’m glad I read this book, as I needed the conclusion to Saiyon’s story to feel complete, but I will admit that it wasn’t as satisfying as I had hoped. I will continue to recommend Star Mother, but with the caveat that I wouldn’t recommend Star Father and that it may leave you wanting.

Award-winning middle grade published in a stunning 20th anniversary edition? That quickly peaked my interest – and seeing that the story of A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park was set in medieval Korea got me hooked. I didn’t think much further and screamed an enthusiastic YES when I was offered a review copy – massive thanks to Rock the Boat! And then the story drew me in and left me crying…

RELEASE DATE: 20/01/2022

STAR RATING: 5/5 ✶

SUMMARY: 13-year-old Tree-ear lives in a Korean village famous for its ceramics. He doesn’t have much but he loves to watch master potter Min at work and dreams of learning the craft one day.

Reluctantly Min agrees to let Tree-ear help him. Determined to do whatever it takes to prove himself, Tree-ear embarks on a dangerous journey to present his master’s work to the king, unaware it will change his life forever. (from Rock the Boat)

OPINIONS: A book that has me weeping by the end of it definitely deserves all five stars. It took me a little while to really get settled with the story, as you can tell that it’s a slightly older book – not in a bad way, but children’s books have changed a lot in how they approach storytelling and narrative in the meantime, so the set-up and pacing was a bit slower than expected, especially as the book was relatively short. It is the sort of story that drives the reader’s investment through character and emotions, rather than a full plot and constant action. In that respect, it is a children’s book that is of the sort that easily reads up, and has as much to give to adults as it does to young readers. I think it would also make for a great book to read aloud to a child that isn’t quite ready to read this on their own yet.

I loved Min and especially Ajima so much – despite not having a lot of speaking time in the novel, the gruff potter and his wife really grew on me as the story went on. Tree-ear is a lovely character, both young and naive as well as independent and self-sufficient. Nevertheless, more than anything, he is a boy who wants approval and attention, deep down. Ultimately, his story, his quest to support Min, to show the world what he’s made of is a universal story, one that will resonate with many readers.

A Single Shard shows how a great story doesn’t need to be epic or made up of grand adventures. It can be quiet, it can be the tender representation of a thread of kinship growing between two strangers, or the rip-roaring grief over a friend taken unexpectedly. It is a wonderful book, a sad book, a book that breaks your heart and reassembles it new. I loved it, and I hope you will too.

Add A Single Shard to your Goodreads here, or order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).

Scorpica, the first book in G.R. Macallister’s The Five Queendoms series is billed as a feminist Game of Thrones, which is somewhat misleading. Not every epic fantasy with Grimdark elements is like Martin’s work! But that’s one of my pet peeves. It’s more like Tasha Suri meets Joe Abercrombie if I had to give some comps, although this was one that felt like it didn’t quite manage to hit the expectations set out by its scope.

Many thanks to Sarah Mather at Titan Books for sending me an ARC for review, all opinions are my own as usual.

RELEASE DATE: 22/02/2022

STAR RATING: 3/5 ✶

SUMMARY: In an ancient matriarchal world of magic, gods and warriors, the last girl – unbeknownst to the five queendoms – has just been born. As time marches on, the scribes of Bastian find no answers in their history books. The farmers of Sestia sacrifice their crops to the gods. Paxim, the empire of trade and dealings, has nothing to barter but boys and more boys. Arcan magic has no spells to remedy the Drought of Girls. And finally, Scorpica, where every woman is a fighter, their commander, their queen, has no more warriors to train. The lines of these once-great empires soon to die.

After centuries of peace, the ensuing struggle for dominance – and heirs – will bring the five queendoms to the eve of all-out war.

But the mysterious curse is linked to one of the last-born children, an orphaned all-magic girl, who is unaware she has a claim to the Arcan throne… (from Titan)

OPINIONS: This is one of those books where I’m not sure what to think about it. I think the copy comparing it to Game of Thrones is very ill-fitting, as it feels more like a love child of Joe Abercrombie and Tasha Suri – political fantasy focusing on a grand scope, in a South Asian/Arab inspired world, with some Grimdark elements, but nowhere near the George R.R. Martin-like scope of close PoVs that switch quickly. The narration is really much further removed – which may be part of what made me struggle with the story as I tend to focus on the emotional connection I have with what is going on more than anything else. I have noticed that I tend to be far more forgiving of a story that connects with me, while one that doesn’t makes me be critical of every last detail as it doesn’t absorb me while reading – and one of the things that I’ve found makes a difference in how well I connect is how far removed the narration is from the characters. So wide shots of scenes make me care far less than lots of close-ups that let the reader piece together the grand picture over time.

That said, I am intrigued enough that I will be picking up the next volume in the series when it is ready – I feel like this, while it is rather large, is just enough to whet the reader’s appetites. It doesn’t feel like a story that stands on its own – not a satisfying one at least – very much like part of an ongoing series, so for me, how it goes on will make or break it as a whole. Scorpica is fun to read, and of an epic scope – and I am curious to see how the questions posed in this first book will pan out.

I do wish that Scorpica focused a bit more on individual characters rather than sweeping political happenings, as I did feel that I didn’t get to know the characters as well as I would have liked to. This is a series that will appeal to those readers who enjoy the epic scale over the personal stakes at work, and an almost cinematic approach to storytelling. It is the sort of story that is predestined for adaptation, with a rich world, visual contrasts and the style of writing. So even if it didn’t fully convince me, it is definitely the start of a series to watch out for, and one that will likely make many readers fall in love with it.

If you are intrigued, you can add Scorpica to your Goodreads here, and pre-order a copy via Bookshop here (affiliate link).