SciFi / Fantasy / Horror
Plot/Idea: McPherson delivers a wild ride of supernatural lore and gore, as vampire Hunter Reeves discovers a new, dangerous power lurking in his veins—he’s a cambion, the offspring of a human and a demon, with eerie telepathic abilities. The novel is brisk and packed with dark fantasy elements, with a sprinkling of sci fi throughout.
Prose: Vigorous prose mixed with dialogue that leans toward the fanciful in places lends West of Nowhere an otherworldly feel. McPherson’s style awakens old world vampire stories and entwines them with mystery/thriller overtones, making the resultant narrative decidedly unique.
Originality: Bloodbound: West of Nowhere weaves a wealth of supernatural fantasy components together, interlacing them with themes of belonging and regret into one intense, fast-moving story.
Character/Execution: McPherson’s characters are deeply developed, with gripping backstories that paint them as troubled, multilayered protagonists. The romance between Hunter and Kai Taylor—a fellow vampire and leader in The Order—is gentle but passionate, and Kai’s dark history makes him an arresting lead. Thrown into the mix is Gibson, a puzzling cambion who possesses a magnetic draw for Hunter and adds an unexpected energy to the plot.
Plot/Idea: Gibson's novel is well plotted and benefits from solid, precise world building. There are clear stakes and tension from the very beginning, which makes for a compelling page-turner.
Prose: The prose is descriptive and even literary. This fits well within the fantasy genre and for the unique world the author introduces—in an accessible manner—to readers. Gibson work is imaginative and compelling.
Originality: While The Blackened Yonder is in some ways similar to other fantasy series—and many of the good-versus-evil tropes have been seen before—there is much to distinguish this book from others in the genre. The world building is distinctive, the lines between good and evil are blurred, and reference to religion and the supernatural are original.
Character/Execution: Athenne is a very compelling character and we are drawn in by her journey as a "terrorist" from the very beginning. The relationship between humanity and the gods is unique and readers will easily identify with the cast of characters.
Plot/Idea: Ternion of Tarr proves a thrilling addition to the Simgra series, with a fascinating central triumvirate of characters bolstering its audacious plot. A gripping and involving prison drama, Arliss's novel features an intriguing and dangerous world rife with mystery and action.
Prose: Arliss thrusts readers into an imaginative world teeming with tension and drama. Her creative use of detail heightens the electric atmosphere in the prison, while her vibrant descriptive language is a joy to experience.
Originality: Ternion of Tarr is a confidently written fantasy thriller with brilliantly observed characters and a well-paced plot. Engrossing and exhilarating, this latest installment is a treat for those fond of fantasy adventure mysteries.
Character/Execution: Rill Narin, Arliss's protagonist, is a Tangler with the ability to briefly inhabit other bodies. Stark dialogue emphasizes the characters' distinct personalities, and Arliss expertly develops their emotional depth.
Plot/Idea: The Citadel is a tense and exciting sci-fi fantasy with a striking cast and intriguing plot. The novel centers on Achelous's kidnapping and the subsequent crusade to rescue him, unfolding in an engrossing and edgy storyline.
Prose: Dravis adorns his text with gripping world building and a glut of dramatic tension. His detailed and succinct use of language and well-rounded characters add a vibrant, effervescent energy to the novel, making it an infectious and immensely satisfying experience.
Originality: The Citadel is a confidently written fantasy novel with an accessible and likeable story, driven by sharply observed characters. Dravis's crisp writing is evident in the text's persistent, rollicking rhythm, a strength of the novel that maintains interest throughout.
Character/Execution: The Citadel's dense and colorful cast includes the abducted Achelous and his mistress, the courageous Princess Marisa. The characters' sharp and dynamic dialogue gives the narrative emotional depth and authenticity.
Blurb: A riveting fantasy novel with sharp, well-crafted characters.
Plot/Idea: From start to finish, Contine creates a sci-fi world all its own in an exhilarating, fast-paced read. The action races from the start, rarely letting up, but Contine ensures it flows well with minor interruptions.
Prose: Though not overly complex, the prose adds to the world building—and to Finley's journey. Contine's writing is accessible, while still delivering a clear fictitious universe that will appeal to readers.
Originality: The Moon Run's concept is original, and Contine's follow through is equally inventive. The world-building and the escalation to Finley's race are cleverly developed, making for a compelling adventure with plenty of energy.
Character/Execution: Finley is a flawed and likable protagonist who readers will both identify with and root for, and the relationship that she and Garis develop increases the stakes of the race. From the first pages, readers will be eager to discover who wins the race—and whether the primary leads will end up together.
Plot/Idea: The Shadows of Erathal, book one of the Legends of Evorath series, is a likable if fairly typical fantasy adventure novel. The characters are well written and overall vision is quite creative, successfully crafting an interesting and imaginative universe.
Prose: Macolino's text is full of convincing and dense fantasy language which occasionally contains powerful graphic descriptions of events. His expressive writing style is particularly effective at heightening the emotional intensity of the characters' relationships and their surroundings.
Originality: The Shadows of Erathal is a fairly straightforward fantasy novel with well crafted characters and interesting worldbuilding. Unfortunately, it ultimately suffers from an overreliance on dialogue that has a tendency to be rather dull and ponderous.
Character/Execution: Central protagonist Jaldor's world is turned upside down by a sinister presence in a lively good against evil fantasy. This heroes versus villains adventure story features interesting supporting characters like Zelag the bounty hunter and a formidable dark elf army.
Plot/Idea: After a mysterious, violent disease all but destroys humanity, an unlikely duo of New Yorkers flee the city and try to navigate the 'new' world–complete with heartbreak, redemption, and the possible rebuilding of the human race.
Prose: Lehman's prose is descriptive and captures the relationship between two strangers at the end of the world in a thoughtful manner. However, at times, he does lose the reader's interest with excessive prose that throws off the pace of the action.
Originality: A plague of violence that destroys all but the dregs of humanity is not an original storyline–though there are no zombies or respiratory diseases here. But despite its somewhat familiar plot, Lehman still manages to create an entertaining, largely fast-paced, read.
Character/Execution: The two main characters, Will and Jesse, are the heart of Penitence, and their relationship is largely well written. The supporting cast–whether fleeting encounters or more permanent companions–also adds depth and helps to break up the (sometimes grating) monotony of Will and Jesse's conversations and petty arguments.
Plot/Idea: The Guardian is a riveting mystery thriller with well written characters and a compelling storyline. The novel manages to pose profound questions regarding religion, belief, spirituality, and morality, all while maintaining a tight and enjoyable plot.
Prose: Tracy's text displays a delicate and articulate use of language that creates an evocative atmosphere full of religious imagery and presence. Its strength is in its simplicity, with straightforward prose that is easy to follow but sprinkled with passionate intensity.
Originality: The Guardian is expertly constructed by Tracy, with the weight of being a prophet weighing heavily on main character Iliya Rusul's conscience throughout the novel. The cast of characters are well orchestrated and combine effectively to keep readers hooked and involved.
Character/Execution: Tracy's central character, Iliya, is a prophet trying to save the world from corruption and suffering. She is a dynamic protagonist, ably supported by a diverse cast, particularly the dark and mysterious presence of the guardian.
Plot/Idea: Tembreull invents a masterfully creative world where Earth is on the verge of extinction—by way of humankind's own self-destructive tendencies. Texas has seceded, violence abounds, and protagonist Arden must protect his group of Druids from the oncoming devastation. The plot is ambitious, but Tembreull succeeds in a thoughtful contemplation of the interplay between humans and nature.
Prose: The prose can be dense, weighed down at times by Tembreull's introspective style, but the worldbuilding here excels. Readers will be absorbed by the story's dichotomy between the tangible and the otherworldly.
Originality: Fractured State in the Blighted Earth combines a myriad of moving parts, from epic adventure to spirituality to the nature of chaos itself, but its study on humanity's wreckage of Earth is most stirring.
Character/Execution: Tembreull's characters are a study in contrasts: transcendentals, like the Sentient Winds and elementals, both pursue and safeguard Earth, while the human cast navigates a world where mythos and the real world intersect. The characters' complexity and depth drive the novel.
