Fantasy Romance

REVIEW: Herb Witch by Elizabeth McCoy

REVIEW: Herb Witch by Elizabeth McCoy

Dear Ms. McCoy: This book came highly recommended from Reader Shana. It is a fantasy story set in some land with detailed and intricate world building. What’s even better is that there is a strong romance underpinning to the story. Unfortunately, I am not the right type of reader for this book. I find this [...]

REVIEW: The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly

REVIEW: The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly

Computer programmer Joanna Sheraton must rescue an imprisoned wizard to save the universe from destruction. There was a time when Joanna Sheraton knew nothing of the Void. She was an ordinary computer programmer, toiling in a cubicle in air-conditioned Southern California comfort, unaware that sinister forces had penetrated her universe. But from across the interdimensional [...]

REVIEW: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

REVIEW: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

Dear Ms. Carey, Kushiel’s Dart, your fantasy novel, is the story of Phedre, who begins life in the Night Court of Terre D’Ange. The Night Court is peopled by prostitutes, known in this world as Servants of Naamah, the goddess of such things. Terre D’Ange is modeled on Renaissance France, but with some substantial differences, [...]

REVIEW: A Wind Out of Indigo by Callan Primer

REVIEW: A Wind Out of Indigo by Callan Primer

Dear Callen Primer: Thank you for sending me your book for review.  I really liked the idea of this book as pitched in the review query and initially I was very excited about where the story was going.  Alice Standish, former mistress of the King, is kidnapped and brought to the palace.  Either marry Louis [...]

REVIEW: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

REVIEW: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Dear Ms. Snyder, I feel like I’ve been neglecting the fantasy genre. This is a terrible thing in my opinion because I love the genre. So I thought to rectify the decided lack of non-YA fantasy in recent reading. I thought your latest novel, the first in a new series, would be a good way [...]

REVIEW: A Clockwork Christmas by Nina Gooden

REVIEW: A Clockwork Christmas by Nina Gooden

Dear Ms. Gooden, I’ve never read a steampunk book and frankly had doubts that it would be to my taste but since I’m trying to expand my reading of new-to-me authors, I thought why not try a new genre as well. The results weren’t what I was hoping for but the reason for the grade [...]

REVIEW: The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly

REVIEW: The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly

Seventeen titles in all are republished by Open Road Media and can be perused here. Dear Ms. Hambly, In the discussion of my review of your book “Bride of the Rat God,” lots of our readers chimed in with their favorite Hambly books and with suggestions of what book of yours I might try next. [...]

REVIEW: Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin

REVIEW: Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin

Dear Ms. Jemisin, While I didn’t think the first two novels of your Inheritance trilogy were perfect, I liked that they were different and introduced some much-needed fresh air into the fantasy genre. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the final installment given that it’s about the child god, Sieh, and the thought of [...]

REVIEW: Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly

REVIEW: Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly

Dear Ms. Hambly, The title of this book is what got my attention. I mean, how could it not? Once I saw it, I knew I had to read it. Who’s the Rat God? Who is his bride? What on earth is going on here? If not for her actress sister-in-law Chrysandra Flamande taking her [...]

REVIEW: Cast in Ruin by Michelle Sagara

REVIEW: Cast in Ruin by Michelle Sagara

Dear Ms. Sagara, Ah, the peril of the long-running series. I knew in the back of my mind that your ongoing Elantra series consisted of many books but checking Amazon, I see that Cast in Ruin is book 7. This both surprises me and makes me wince. Surprise because I can’t believe it’s been that [...]

REVIEW: Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

REVIEW: Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

Dear Ms. Thomas: I’m always on the lookout for a good fantasy story. They are rare in romance, perhaps because those writers that are devoted to this sub genre are more interested in exploring heroic tropes that are common in fantasy rather than romantic tropes. The setting is in some fantasy old world country and [...]

REVIEW: Silent Blade and Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

REVIEW: Silent Blade and Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Dear Ms. Andrews: Thank you for sending me a complimentary copy of this short story. Because it is short, I admit I don’t have much to say about it. When I was told that this book was connected to another short, “Silent Blade”, it made sense to read it and review it together. I had [...]

REVIEW: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter

REVIEW: Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter

Dear Ms. Showalter, You’re one of those authors I feel I should love. Your story ideas are creative and inventive. You’re prolific – one of my favorite traits in an author. Your online personality is sweet and easygoing.  And yet for some reason, your books and I never seem to quite connect. Every time you [...]

REVIEW: Broken Fortress & Enemies and Shadows (Rifter Parts 6 & 7) by Ginn Hale

REVIEW: Broken Fortress & Enemies and Shadows (Rifter Parts 6 & 7) by Ginn Hale

[Spoiler alert: I think I've managed to avoid direct spoilers for these two installments, but it's almost impossible to talk substantively about the series without referring to events that occur after the first installment, The Shattered Gates. Proceed at your own risk.]   Dear Ms. Hale, Your Rifter series has been a revelation to me [...]

REVIEW: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

REVIEW: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

Dear Ms. Elliott, The first novel of your Spiritwalker trilogy, Cold Magic, was my favorite read of 2010. To say that I’ve been eagerly anticipating the sequel might be an understatement. I had a few mishaps in obtaining a review copy but thanks to Jane’s heroic efforts, I received one last week and I devoured [...]