As a fantasy and science fiction book reviewer who takes himself entirely too seriously, I am constantly looking for the latest cerebral and poetic hit to recommend and impress people I know. But, there is a time and a place for almost everything in fiction, and sometimes you just want pulpy fun that has a…
TJ Klune followed up The House In The Cerulean Sea with a hotly anticipated sequel, Somewhere Beyond The Sea. The book marks a return to Klune’s heartfelt and thoughtful world packed with magical kiddos who will make your heart grow three sizes. We said the original had “enough love and heart to fill an ocean,”…
Continue reading ➞ Somewhere Beyond The Sea – Klune Strikes Again
I’ve always enjoyed looking for lesser-known books, but lately I’ve been hungering for them. I still enjoy the heavy epic stories that come out every month, but I need breaks. Enter A Country of Ghosts by Margaret Killjoy, a fantasy story about a collection of anarchist communities fighting for their survival against a larger empire.…
Continue reading ➞ A Country of Ghosts – Haunting, In A Good Way
A new Quill to Live tradition we started last year is to allow each reviewer to recommend one book that has to jump to the front of your to-read pile. Brandee’s choice for 2023 was The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, and I liked it so much that I ended up reading the entire six-book…
The dark and alluring cover for a Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright easily captured my attention, and it won me with its compelling premise. Blood workers have sanctuary in the Kingdom of Aeravin. Ruled by an immortal Bloodworking king, those with the ability can use their powers and flourish under his rule. But only…
Continue reading ➞ Mistress Of Lies – Deceptively Disappointing
Anyone who wants to put out any short-form content should be taking notes from Nghi Vo—her ability to put out consistently well-written and captivating stories at around the two-hundred-page mark. You might naively think that shorter books are easier to write than longer books, and I would think you are wrong. It takes extreme focus…
Continue reading ➞ The City In Glass – Break For A Good Time
It’s rare that I get excited about a series originally planned as a trilogy being expanded, but here we are. Apostles of Mercy, Lindsay Ellis’ third book in a planned series of five books, paves the way for a deeper and richer experience that does not want to tidy loose ends. It’s a science fiction…
Continue reading ➞ Apostles of Mercy – A Slower But Worthy Translation
I’ve read two wildly different T. Kingfisher stories, so I had no hesitation in picking up her newest tale, A Sorceress Comes to Call. Kingfisher is a great writer and her talent is undeniable, but even these truths could not hold my attention in her retelling of The Goose Girl. Cordelia can’t move her body,…
Continue reading ➞ A Sorceress Comes To Call – A Slow Approach
I am not sure how we got here, but I find myself in the unenviable position of reviewing a book I simply did not enjoy at all. Today I am taking a look at the third and final entry in The Empire of the Wolf series, The Trials of Empire (by Richard Swan). I have…
My local independent bookstore runs a summer reading challenge. Each staff member has their own selections, and I’m a fan of Tim’s picks. He reads lots of fantasy and sci-fi, so I joined his branch of the challenge this year. One of his picks in the “Released in 2024” category was Ghost Station by S.A.…
