Category: Self-Published

Book Review: The Delve (A Novel of The Time Before) – Dan Fitzgerald

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Romance, Self-Published4 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing an ARC of The Delve by Dan Fitzgerald which will be out in the wild on the 1st February. The Delve is the first in a trio of linked standalones in The Time Before, which is set 2,000 years before the Maer Cycle trilogy and the Weirdwater Confluence duology but can be read independently.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

The sword wants what it wants.

The Deepfold mine has gone dark on the eve of war. Without its supply of brightstone, the Maer’s technological advantage over the humans will evaporate. A rising knight named Yglind has earned his Forever Blade and been sent on a quest to uncover the cause of the blackout. Joined by his trusted squire Ardo and a prickly mage named Aene, Yglind hopes to cement his legacy and the Maer’s chance at victory in the coming war.

Inside the Deepfold, they are plunged into a world of bloodshed and chaos. Unknown foes have slaughtered many of the miners, and a gruesome dragon stalks the dark tunnels. While taking refuge in the mine’s impregnable keep, Yglind and Ardo seek solace in each other’s arms and the courage to face the cruel forces arrayed against them.

With their civilization hanging in the balance, they strike out against the invaders as their quest hurtles toward its bloody end.

***

Author’s note: this book contains explicit, consensual sex scenes, violence, gore, and death, and is not intended for readers under the age of eighteen.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Delve (A Novel of The Time Before) – Dan Fitzgerald” →

Book Review: Stellar Instinct – Jonathan Nevair

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Review, Sci-Fi, Self-Published, Thriller1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing an ARC of Stellar Instinct by Jonathan Nevair, which is out in the world on the 1st of December (so there is still time to sneak in that pre-order!).

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

A secret agent. A gaming mastermind. Two players in a dangerous competition blurring the boundaries of entertainment and reality.

Mysterious signals pulse from an icy planet in a remote star system. GAM-OPs wants answers. Enter Lilline Renault, secret agent extraordinaire. To ordinary citizens she’s Keely Larkin, an adventure company guide with a flair for the daring and a penchant for writing trite poetry. Lilline’s at the top of the spy game, but publishing her literary work is proving harder than saving the galaxy.

When the mission uncovers a dastardly plan threatening billions of lives, Lilline leaps into action. Verses flow as she rockets through space, dons cunning disguises, and infiltrates enemy territory with an arsenal of secret gadgets. But to prevent the whims of a self-obsessed entrepreneur from turning the galaxy into a deadly playground means beating him at his own game. Lilline will need her best weapon to stand a fighting chance: her instinct.

STELLAR INSTINCT: A spy-fi thriller set in space.

Continue reading “Book Review: Stellar Instinct – Jonathan Nevair” →

Book Review: The Monsters We Feed – Thomas Howard Riley

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing an ARC of The Monsters We Feed by Thomas Howard Riley, which will be out in the wild on the 6th December. This is a bit of a ramble – perhaps moreso than usual – because (a) I absolutely freaking love this book and (b) it is very much a book that I don’t want to spoil. What this means is that towards the end of December/Start of January once more people have had the pleasure of reading it, I will likely return for a deep dive post because there is so much more I want to talk about!!

For now though, please do check out the book and author – and if it catches your fancy then please pre-order!

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, and I also had the honour of being a beta reader for this one, however all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

The morning before he found the dead body, Jathan Algevin thought he had his whole life just the way he wanted it.  

He knows his city inside and out, and doesn’t bother carrying a sword, trusting his wits and his fists well enough to get by, hustling extra coin by ratting out loathsome magi to the law for execution. 

He and his sister, Lyra, have watched out for each other ever since the day they were orphaned by a bloodthirsty rogue sorcerer, and now they finally have steady work, good friends, and the freedom to spend every night laughing at the bottom of a bottle. 

But nothing lasts forever.

When he stumbles across a brutal murder, Jathan discovers a strange crystal lens that opens his eyes to an invisible world of magick and terror lurking just beneath the surface of his own, making him question everything he thought he knew. 

But will gazing into this new arcane realm lead Jathan to save lives, or help destroy them?

With dangerous people hunting for the lens, monstrous lies unraveling his life, and a hidden underworld calling to him, it is only a matter of time before his whole world comes crashing down. 

Will he find the answers he is looking for, or will he only find a monster needing to be fed?


Rated-R Dark Fantasy Noir in a city of hope, lust, and brutality, where swords are banned, and magick is just as likely to get you killed as it is to save your life.

There are always things about ourselves that we don’t want to see.
There are always things we can’t stop doing no matter how hard we try.
We all lie. We all have secrets.
We are all feeding monsters.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Monsters We Feed – Thomas Howard Riley” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Remnant (Divinity’s Twilight #2) – Christopher Russell

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

It’s been a while. Life has been…chaotic to say the least, but there is light on the horizon. And today I am delighted to be back with a very belated review for Remnant by Christopher Russell, the second book in the Divinity’s Twilight series.

You can find my review for book one Rebirth HERE.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant is the much-anticipated sequel to the multi-award-winning epic fantasy novel, Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth.

Power is a curse.

As Vallen and his fellow cadets flee fallen Darmatia, he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. The friend who perished that he might live. The girl whose smile haunts his nightmares. Now, a third voice joins them—something dark, something ancient. And the more Vallen uses his magic, the stronger it becomes.

Tools exist to be used. 

The flames of Sylette’s vengeance are all but quenched. With each passing day, the dominion of the Sarconian Empire grows, and her treacherous father’s throat drifts further from her reach. Sylette’s last hope is a coded message, one that promises a growing resistance against the Empire. But even if she gains the means to avenge her mother’s murder, one question remains: how many ‘tools’ is she willing to sacrifice to see her vengeance through?

What color is love?

Renar has learned to hide a great many things: his emotions, his art, and one truly devastating family secret. But when he must face the man who’s controlled his life from the shadows, will he choose the family he’s always known, or the dysfunctional crew he’s been shackled with?

For every ending, a beginning.

Embers of conspiracy flare in Nemare and Sarconia. A resurrected Sarcon plots to reclaim his imprisoned flesh. As the winds of war swirl and forgotten myths rise, the choices these cadets make could save their country . . .

. . . or unleash something far, far worse.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Remnant (Divinity’s Twilight #2) – Christopher Russell” →

Book Review: Bonds of Chaos (Threadlight #3) – Zack Argyle

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published1 Comment

Hello!

What’s this a second review in one day? Yep, and this time I am delighted to be reviewing Bonds of Chaos by Zack Argyle, the final book in the Threadlight series. And what a way to bring this wonderful series to a close, and I still have so many thoughts and feelings over this book, and I will admit I rambled in this review – because there is so much to love.

You can read my reviews for the previous books here: Voice of War | Stones of Light

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

TO BREAK THE BONDS, THERE WILL BE SACRIFICES

When all was lost, the Heralds returned, and the world embraced them as gods and saviors. But there are some who know the truth: the Heralds are not what they seem.

Now, in a desperate attempt to stop them, Chrys and the others travel to Cynosure with hopes of enlisting the only Amber threadweaver with the power to help.

Chrys, Laurel, Alverax, and those they love.

Together, they will stop the gods…or they will die trying.

Continue reading “Book Review: Bonds of Chaos (Threadlight #3) – Zack Argyle” →

Book Review: The Children of Chaos (The Cruel Gods #2) – Trudie Skies

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published3 Comments

Hello!

Today I am absolutely delighted to be reviewing The Children of Chaos, the second book in the Cruel Gods series by Trudie Skies which is out NEXT WEEK (so there is still time to pre-order a copy for yourself!). I loved the first book in the series, but The Children of Chaos has well and truly raised the bar and I don’t think my rambling comes even remotely close to capturing just how amazing this book is, so all I can say is read it for yourself and find out!!

You can find my review for The Thirteenth Hour HERE

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, and I also had the honour of being a beta reader for this one, however all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

When the saints call, the sinners answer.

Chaos stalks the steam-powered city of Chime and threatens the existence of the gods and their domains. Kayl swore to protect Chime’s mortals from their gods’ cruel whims, but when she agrees to represent the mortals of a god long thought dead, Kayl is thrust into a political role that goes against everything she’s ever stood for.

As the newly appointed ambassador to the god of time, Quen’s goal is clear – protect Chime and the domains by any means necessary. But as the gods make their demands, Quen is caught between his loyalties and his conscience.

To ensure a future for all mortals, Kayl and Quen must unite the gods against the threat of chaos and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for Chime – before the gods choose for them.

For the gods are capricious and have their own divine plans.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Children of Chaos (The Cruel Gods #2) – Trudie Skies” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): No Land for Heroes (Legends & Legacies #1) – Cal Black

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published, Weird West, WesternLeave a comment

Hello!

Continuing with the catch up with a review of No Land for Heroes by Cal Black, the first book in the Legends & Legacies series, and again apologies to Escapist Tours and the author for how belated this post is.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Mildred Berry is down to her last four bullets…

In a wild west where the only things more dangerous than outlaws are dragons, Deputy Berry is struggling to protect her town and keep her family fed. As a last resort, she robs a train for ammunition only to find that the cargo she needs so badly was owned by war hero Frederic Rousseau.

The same Frederic Rousseau whom she served during the Amelior Civil War. The same Frederic Rousseau she’s been hiding from for the last five years.

Millie knows a secret that could ruin Rousseau’s life, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep her from telling the truth. With her violent past bearing down on the life she’s built for herself, Millie has to decide how far she’ll be willing to go to keep her town safe.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): No Land for Heroes (Legends & Legacies #1) – Cal Black” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): These Gossamer Strings (The Last Gift #3) – Allegra Pescatore

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Well life has well and truly knocked me down for the past month or so, and while everything is in disarray outside the blog, I am trying to get back into the swing of things. And first things first, that means catching up on my blog tours and reviews – and my sincerest apologies to Escapist Tours and the author for being so delayed.

These Gossamer Strings was a book I was looking forward, and delighted to have the chance to read and review, as I really enjoyed the first two books and you can find my reviews for them here: Where Shadows Lie and Whispers of Stone.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

A Silence is Broken. The River Beckons. The Forgotten Wait.

With eighteen days until her tribunal and Water Rite, Elenor must find a way to save her doena and keep her throne. The threat of war looms larger and only an alliance through marriage has the potential to save it. But who to trust when all her closest allies have secrets of their own?

The past is creeping up on them, a web of maneuvers and lies spreading back to before the fall of the DomEmpire. Gabriel can feel it constricting around them, drawing him ever closer to a future he never wanted. Confronting the truth of his heritage may be the only way to save Lirin, but at what cost?

Perhaps one the desert has already paid. Shaken after the death of the Red, the Mondaer must choose their path forward. Protect the new Gatekeeper and Incarnate as they have always done, or embrace a future without reliance on Gifts? Fedrik and Fay’s safety depends on the answer, and it’s not looking good. Would they be better off trusting Daemon, or is North right that he intends to use them as a weapon?

These Gossamer Strings is the final installment of the first arc of the Last Gift Series. Threads torn asunder are weaving back together and the Gatekeeper is coming for his Incarnate.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): These Gossamer Strings (The Last Gift #3) – Allegra Pescatore” →

Book Review: The Pact (The Black Hind’s Wake #2) – J.E. Hannaford

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Self-Published2 Comments

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing The Pact by J.E. Hannaford which is out on the 1st September, and is the final book in the Black Hind’s Wake Duology. I adored the first book The Skin (You can read the review HERE), and The Pact has firmly established J.E. Hannaford as a must-read author for me, and I am already ridiculously excited for her next project Gates and whatever will come next in the world of the Black Hind’s Wake.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, and I also had the honour of being a beta reader for this one, however all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

‘How, can you let things fade so far? I had a reason. I had cause, I was limited. You – you hide in your lakes playing games. This world crumbles, the last refuge north of the Everstorm is Mynyw and you have let it fall into jeopardy.’

The new King of Terrania may no longer hunt for Old Ones, but the world is far from safe. As the crew of Black Hind continues to search out the Old Ones and return them to their rightful homelands, the reach of a dead consort haunts the new king from beyond the grave.

In distant Mynyw a loyal guardian discovers the unravelling of an ancient pact. As Black Hind sails into his territory, he has a decision to make. Can he overcome his prejudice and ask for help from the strangers before the last refuge falls?

Continue reading “Book Review: The Pact (The Black Hind’s Wake #2) – J.E. Hannaford” →