The nitty-gritty: A mysterious tower is the setting for this entertaining sci-fi/fantasy tale, made better by Dan Hanks’ emotional themes. Dan Hanks takes a familiar idea—the survival game—and twists it into something new and exciting. The Way Up is Death is a fast-paced thriller with horror elements and a bit of a LitRPG feel to […]
The nitty-gritty: A fun prequel that delves into themes of marriage and communication, Odd Spirits incorporates magic, spirits and emotional ties, all wrapped up in a beautiful package. Odd Spirits is a prequel novella to Evocation, which I read earlier this year, and focuses on married couple Moira and Rhys. At just over a hundred […]
The nitty-gritty: A focus on relationships rather than plot left me with mixed feelings for this cozy, science fiction alien invasion story. Key Lime Sky is the second book I’ve read by Al Hess, and although it has elements I love, like humor and interesting queer characters, it didn’t hit the highs I experienced when […]
The nitty-gritty: An emotionally charged tale of sorcerers and possession, Evocation is a glimpse into a fascinating fantasy world. Evocation is an evocative, magical series opener that follows a group of occultists living and working in Boston. If you’ve ever read an S.T. Gibson book before, then you’ll know that her stories focus heavily on […]
The nitty-gritty: Unsettling and eerie, Chris Panatier’s latest is a skillfully written story that delves into the horrors of psychiatric care gone wrong. “Charlotte lurks at the edge of my thoughts, pulling strings in the shadows of my psyche. She is my creation, not the other way around. I say it aloud when I’m alone. […]
The nitty-gritty: A well-written debut with a loveable main character, Thirteen Ways To Kill Lulabelle Rock is a fresh, funny and feel-good story. “At the end of all this, there’s going to be one Lulabelle left. Who do you want it to be?” What happens when a famous actress tells her thirteenth clone to kill […]
The nitty-gritty: R.W.W. Greene’s witty and creative alt history series ends with a bang in this well written, if sometimes uneven, conclusion. “Brooklyn bought a ticket on the Magic Bus, a bright yellow flying party that traveled between Eisenhower and Dragon, the Moon space station, a couple of times daily, a six-hour trip, drinks and […]
The nitty-gritty: Caroline Hardaker’s latest explores the pain of transformation and the beauty of becoming one’s true self in this emotional tale of one man’s journey through mental illness and grief. Mothtown is an unusual, dreamlike novel that follows a character named David through childhood and into adulthood as he tries to come to terms […]
The nitty-gritty: A feel good story with lovable characters, World Running Down is an engaging dystopian that offers plenty of food for thought. Despite the gloomy title, World Running Down was a breath of fresh air, an upbeat and optimistic story that tackles some heavy themes in an accessible way, and it was simply a […]
The nitty-gritty: An ancient evil threatens a small, rural village in this terrifying story, perfect for fans of folk horror. “Board your window, keep on your light, when the Tatterskin walks at night.” The Hollows is a tense, thrilling horror story about a group of people who have to face a terrible threat while stuck […]