The fates of four parallel worlds collide in V.E. Schwab‘s A Darker Shade of Magic, the first in a trilogy of high-concept fantasy novels from the Monsters of Verity author. Pairing a plane-shifting magician with a ne’er-do-well teenage pirate, Schwab invites readers into a world in which magic is real, and another version of their home is only a token away. Continue reading
If there’s one thing I have learned as a voracious consumer of speculative fiction, it’s that not every strange, narrative happening requires a thorough explanation. In fact, it’s rather nice to not overthink the whys of a fun fantasy, to just go with the flow and accept a novel’s events as they come along. In that respect — and indeed in most respects — Forrest Leo‘s The Gentleman makes for one of the most enjoyable reads I have laid eyes on since starting this website.
The Broken Earth trilogy concludes with The Stone Sky, an unputdownable final installment in author N.K. Jemisin‘s latest SFF series. Separated by the most recent Fifth Season, Essun and Nassun find themselves on a collision course as they race to end their planet’s seismic flux, once and for all. As you might have guessed, the following may spoil the events of The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate, my reviews of which you can read here and here. Continue reading
I’ve written a lot about the need for diversity in kidlit, and New Zealander illustrator Katie O’Neill‘s Princess Princess Ever After hits on all the right notes. Told through O’Neill’s vibrant depictions, this love story of two young princesses saving towns from monsters and fighting back against dark magic will delight readers of all ages. Continue reading
The Broken Earth trilogy continues with The Obelisk Gate, and author N.K. Jemisin certainly hasn’t lost any passion for telling Essun’s story. The Obelisk Gate unfolds the dramatic early days of the Stillness’ latest Season, without losing the steam generated by its predecessor. But before we dive in, a warning: This review contains possible spoilers for The Fifth Season, my review of which you can read here. Continue reading