Tag: fantasy
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The Strength of the Few Review: A Bold Expansion
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James Islington’s sequel to The Will of the Many is an ambitious, multi-dimensional epic that expands the world of the Hierarchy. While it suffers slightly from middle-book syndrome, the character growth of Vis across three different realities makes The Strength of the Few a must-read for fans of high-stakes fantasy.
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Gideon the Ninth Review: Lesbian Space Necromancers in a Gothic Escape Room
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In this Gideon the Ninth review, I’m going to break down why Tamsyn Muir’s debut isn’t just a funny tagline—it’s a masterclass in atmosphere, voice, and character dynamics. Despite some pacing hurdles, this has easily become my favorite read of 2025 so far. If you spend any time in sci-fi or fantasy circles, you have…
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The Hunger of the Gods Review: Is This “Middle Chapter” Syndrome?
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John Gwynne returns to the Bloodsworn Saga, but does the sequel hold up? In our review, we discuss why Orka remains the highlight, while new POVs like Gudvarr and Biorr clutter the narrative. A classic case of “middle book syndrome” that sets the stage well but sacrifices character depth.
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Review: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
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Review Contains Spoilers. Rating: 3/5 In the crowded landscape of modern fantasy debuts, Godkiller by Hannah Kaner stands out with a killer premise: Gods are not distant myths, but tangible manifestations of human belief that walk the earth. While the novel delivers a refreshing take on divine magic and features a gritty, lived-in world, it…
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Conquering Fear: Driving Character Development with fear
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Fear. It’s a primal emotion that grips us all, from the bravest warrior to the meekest villager. As we approach halloween, I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to understand this emotion, and how it can influence us, both in terms of characters within a story, and within our real lives. So, to address…
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Tightening the Screws: Building Tension In Dark Fantasy
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7 secrets to writing terrifyingly tense dark fantasy. Uncover the tools of tension, dread, suspense, and psychological horror. Leave your readers gasping for more…
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Beyond the Scars: Why Trauma Matters in Fantasy
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The most impactful fantasy stories are those that resonate with the human experience, even in their fantastical elements.
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Where Shadows Dance: Exploring the Overlap of Horror and Fantasy
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As a fantasy author, I’m sometimes asked about the influences that shape my work. While Tolkien, Jordan and Sanderson certainly hold places of honor on my bookshelf, there’s another, perhaps unexpected, genre that whispers darkly in my ear: horror. Horrifying Fantasy For some, the pairing might seem jarring. Fantasy, with its sweeping epics and heroic…
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The Great Leap: Exclusive Chapter Preview
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Read this exclusive chapter preview of my upcoming fantasy novel, The Great Leap, releasing on 31st of May, 2024.