The Magician of Tiger Castle – A Potion Of Many Stripes

I found myself delightfully surprised while reviewing the list of notable Fantasy and Science Fiction releases of 2025 to see a book by Louis Sachar, of Holes fame, on the list. The Magician of Tiger Castle is an adult standalone historical fantasy (Sachar’s first) about a recalcitrant alchemist trying to potion his way out of…

The Familiar Cover Photo

The Familiar – Slow Summoning

Leigh Bardugo described The Familiar as romantic and character-driven, but I found it to be neither of these things. The premise is interesting and the protagonist enticing, but the narrative is slow and struggles to keep up with its own plans. Burned bread becomes a fresh loaf, a meager basket of eggs begins to overflow,…

He Who Drowned The World – Destined for Greatness

He Who Drowned the World, by Shelley Parker-Chan, is the perfect closer to the story that began in She Who Became the Sun. Parker-Chan doubles down on characterization, crafting a story that surpasses the expectations set by its predecessor. The stakes are high so let’s get into it. Zhu Yuanzhang may have defeated the Mongol…

Ordinary Monsters Cover Photo

Ordinary Monsters – Ordinary Indeed

Is Ordinary Monsters too long? Possibly. But while I was not dissuaded by the page count, I was exasperated by the end of the book. The book’s strong, descriptive start quickly turns into a chaotic story that hopped, skipped, and jumped to its ending.  There are extraordinary children in the world, children with unnatural Talents.…

A Restless Truth Cover Photo

A Restless Truth – A Sinking Ship

Me and A Restless Truth by Freya Marske did not get along. After an enchanting frolic through book one in the series, my expectations were high, and they came crashing down quickly. Our original characters, Robin and Edwin, set the standard, and I found that this adventure could not live up to the first magical…

Heaven Official’s Blessing – Divine Storytelling

I’ve seen the hype surrounding Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s light novel, Heaven Official’s Blessing, and felt like an outsider having not jumped into the fandom as soon as Seven Seas Entertainment published its English translation. I had a feeling I would love this story, and I’m happy to share I proved myself right. Graced with…

All The Seas Of The World – (Exile)irating

Every three years, like clockwork, Guy Gavriel Kay puts out a new historical fantasy masterpiece and I get to slowly luxuriate in its beauty as I stroll through the pages. This year we have All the Seas of the World, a hauntingly thoughtful tale about the nature of home, exile, and finding a place of…