by Naomi Novik Overall: I loved the first two books of the Scholomance series (A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate). The Golden Enclaves wraps up the trilogy with a bang! As book 2 ends on a cliffhanger (almost literally), and I don’t want to give anything away for those who haven’t read the wholeContinue reading “The Golden Enclaves”
Category Archives: Fantasy
Acts of Violet
by Margarita Montimore Overall: while this is the first book of Montimore’s that I’ve read, it won’t be the last! I love true crime, podcasts, family dramas, magic, and show business; Acts of Violet combines these elements into a story that I binged in 24 hours. Violet Volk, the name adopted by the woman bornContinue reading “Acts of Violet”
Stormsilver
by Raven McGory Overall: A jam-packed dark fantasy romance set in modern-day Washington, DC. Except instead of congressmen, lawyers, and lobbyists, the characters are gods, demons, grim reapers, and wolves (OK, I admit there might be a little overlap in those two categories). Young, a dragon god who’s been demoted to demon status, spends hisContinue reading “Stormsilver”
Thistlefoot
by GennaRose Nethercott Overall: I went into this book hoping for an offbeat fairytale retelling with Night Circus vibes, compelling characters, and strange magic, and this book delivered in spades. Thistlefoot takes the Baba Yaga folk tales as its jumping-off point: Isaac and Bellatine Yaga, estranged adult siblings with strange abilities, receive a cryptic noteContinue reading “Thistlefoot”
The Monsters We Defy
by Leslye Penelope Overall: A wonderful novel that creatively combines historical fiction and fantasy, The Monsters We Defy describes the adventures of Clara Johnson, a resident of Washington, DC, in 1925. Although her work as a secretary at Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s Journal of Negro History keeps a roof over her head, Clara spends muchContinue reading “The Monsters We Defy”
The Last Graduate
by Naomi Novik the second installment of the Scholomance trilogy picks up right where A Deadly Education left off. I loved the first book, and the sequel did not disappoint! El may no longer be a loner, but her problems continue. Although many of the mals (dark spirits/monsters that attack wizards to get their mana,Continue reading “The Last Graduate”
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven
by Juno Dawson Overall: Although it’s been compared to The Craft and A Discovery of Witches (both of which share some of its fantasy DNA), the media property I thought of most reading Her Majesty’s Royal Coven was James Bond. It’s not just the title, which of course recalls Her Majesty’s Secret Service, or theContinue reading “Her Majesty’s Royal Coven”
Gallant
by V. E. Schwab Overall: This is a quick YA fantasy/horror story – more like a long fable or very dark fairytale than a full, complex novel. Olivia, a mute orphan who can see ghosts (ghouls in the book), was abandoned by her mother as a child at an orphanage called Merilance with only herContinue reading “Gallant”
Here be Dragons
I love series with dragons, dating back to my adolescent discovery of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series. Here are my current favorite fantasy series featuring dragons. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman This series of eight books (so far!) revolves around the adventures of Irene, who can travel to alternate realities through a mysteriousContinue reading “Here be Dragons”
My Favorite Fantasy Series You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Kim Wilkins’ Daughters of the Storm or Blood and Gold Books: Daughters of the Storm, Sisters of the Fire, Queens of the Sea Bluebell, the warrior princess of these books, is such a great protagonist. She wouldn’t be out of place in one of the Game of Thrones or Wheel of Time books. I loveContinue reading “My Favorite Fantasy Series You’ve Probably Never Heard Of”
Liz Helfrich 