On September 1st of 2025, the conclusion to one of my favorite recent fantasy series is releasing. With seven installments, this novella saga is criminally underread, and the final entry sticks a ten-point landing. I am talking about The Infernus Gate, novella seven of The Seven Swords by Anthony Ryan. I don’t know what I…
Susanna Clarke’s The Wood at Midwinter is a short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, though it requires no knowledge of the bigger book to enjoy. The story, easily readable in one sitting, weaves a wintry and ambiguous tale with mysterious vibes. 19-year-old Merowdis Scot leaves her sister at the…
Come one, come all to the Cosmere! That’s right folks, after years of Brandon Sanderson reviews and discussions, we’re finally laying down the law. Today, one and a half Brandon Sanderson experts (Andrew and Cole, respectively) shoulder the Herculean task of telling YOU the ideal Brandon Sanderson reading order. A few clean-up notes before we…
Continue reading ➞ Welcome To The Cosmere: A Brandon Sanderson Reading Order Guide
Mia Tsai is back with her sophomore novel, The Memory Hunters, leaving the realm of fun, romantic fantasy and bringing us a new series set in a world rich in memories. It tackles a lot, balancing the importance of history, the nuance of preservation, and the gift of having a community where you belong. Memories…
I have a strained relationship with magical detective cop series. Ever since Dresden finally got so unbearably bad that I threw out the entire series, I have been slow to pick up or follow through with any of the alternatives on the market. The one exception has been The Fetch Phillips Archives. Now four books…
Continue reading ➞ Whisper In The Wind – Establishing Precedent
Did you realize we skipped a week? It definitely wasn't 'cause I just forgot to post! No way, no how. (That is exactly what happened.) But we're back with a puzzle that pays respect to an author who was taken from us too soon. QTL Crossword: In Memoriam Puzzle Spoilers Below! This puzzle is dedicated to…
I did not want to finish this book, but I did. I set a goal this year to DNF anything I wasn’t enjoying at the 50% mark, but the hype for Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven was too big, and my bewilderment too incomprehensible, that I had to see it through. Evelyn has lived…
This piece was originally published at Reactor Mag. When entering the world of Wanderstop, players take on the role of Alta, an injured warrior who collapses in a forest and awakens in an idyllic and colorful clearing. She sits on a bench next to a man named Boro, who eventually becomes a spiritual and emotional recovery…
Continue reading ➞ Story for Story’s Sake: Wanderstop and SFF Books That Reward Reflection
Ever since The Mountain in the Sea, Ray Nayler has been a writer to watch for me. Like some monster out of the cosmos, he has several eyes looking in several directions at once. His stories often explore the relationships between consciousness, intelligence, governance, and power that call to me like a rock opera composed…
Continue reading ➞ Where The Axe Is Buried – I Think I Lost It
I am trying to get to a lot more novellas this year, which means the lot of you will have to put up with some quickfire reviews about some quickfire books. Automatic Noodle, by Annalee Newitz, is a short 200-page novella about a near-future American dystopia where a collection of abandoned service robots open a…
