Category Fantasy Books

Oct 28 2026
Image

Book Review: The Tomb of the Corpse King and Other Stories by Anthony Ryan

Title: The Tomb of the Corpse King and Other Stories

Author: Anthony Ryan

Series: Seven Swords #7.5

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: None listed yet on Goodreads, but this contains a few prequel and aftermath stories for the Seven Swords series. I’ll provide a link in case one gets generate in the future: Goodreads

.

Niki’s Review:

What a fantastic way to round-out a series!

I will admit I went into this collection hoping he’d chosen to write a certain story (I wanted a series aftermath tale following a specific character). Unfortunately my hopes were dashed. But in it’s place I found a few other stories that actually enhanced my overall experience with the series.

But the start was rough. Halfway into the first story I was wondering what I’d gotten myself into. I was confused about timeline through the entire thing, as it read like a prequel, but it kept referring to a place we’d visited within the main series and I thought the main character was someone we’d met. After I finished it, I picked up Blackfyre Keep to flip through to see if I could figure out where this story lined up, only to discover that the main character I’d thought we were following was an entirely different person, also with an “L” name that was within a few letters of being identical. I’m willing to take accountability on being dense in this case and losing some enjoyment because of that, but Ryan’s insistence on using “L” names throughout the entire series has been a constant source of annoyance and I don’t feel like it helped at all with clarity or character distinction. At one point I had to make myself a character chart to keep them all straight. That said, even if I’d been clear that this was a new character, I don’t think the story was overall particularly compelling, nor did it add much to my experience with the series as a whole.

… but the other three stories are a different, uh, story.

The two back stories added a ton of context to the series to the point where I’d recommend reading them before beginning the series if you plan to eventually consume the whole thing. Especially the Scarlet Ziggurat, which did a much better job acclimating the reader to the main character than the first book (which kind of throws you right into the fire). And the Seeker prequel was just a cool tale from start to finish and I think I’d have appreciated it even as a stand-alone.

Okay, let’s talk about the title aftermath story. Even though it didn’t cover the character I was hoping it would, it still provided just as much of an impact as any of the books from the main series. It’s crazy to me how he can pack so much into such a small word count. I could tell early on that the author had a sort of darling of his series – a character that got featured and highlighted more than the others. So having my capstone experience with the series riding with that character seems very fitting. And I think it gave a broad sense of world resolution that the main series-ender lacked a bit. There were so many cool world-building things here, and really my overall takeaway from Seven Swords is that I wish we’d get more because it’s such a creative project with seemingly endless possibilities.

Overall, even though the collection starts slow, it’s quickly amps up into one of the most value-adding extras I’ve ever read for a series. I’m hoping it’s not the last we’ll see from this world, but if it as, at least it went out with a bang!

I’d like to thank Subterranean Press, Anthony Ryan, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of this short story collection!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Karen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Elizabeth, Bee, Poochtee, Kinsey, Alysa, Derek, Kelly, Grace, Carmen, Leah, and Laura! <3

Other Books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 27 2026
Image

Book Review: Tales From the Territory by Travis Baldree

Title: Tales From the Territory

Author: Travis Baldree

Series: Legends and Lattes #3.5

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: There are many tales yet untold . . .
‘GOBLINS & GREATCOATS’: Chaos goblin Zyll is involved in a case of mistaken identity, where she solves a murder at an inn whilst simultaneously stealing all the cutlery.
‘JUST A THIMBLEFUL’: The sweet rattkin baker Thimble finds a new home for his soon-to-be famous cinnamon rolls.
‘PAGES TO FILL’: An act of mercy leads to a life-changing discovery for warrior orc Viv.
In ‘MIROGRAPH’, young succubus Tandri assists a university professor on a mysterious project where art and science collide.
In ‘CAVALIERS & COFFEES’, Viv, now the owner of Legends & Lattes coffee shop, discovers that imitation is not the highest form of flattery. –Goodreads

Niki’s Review:

This collection was an absolute delight! I keep saying I don’t care for short stories, but I may need to re-evaluate, as I was hooked on this right from the first page. It helped that the first story (Goblins and Greatcoats) was about my single most favorite character I’ve met over the last few years: Zyll. This being is hysterical (and slightly unnerving), and her story was every bit as entertaining as the scenes we got with her from Brigands and Breadknives. It also provided a great backstory to how she came to possess a certain item…

And then the Thimble story!! Which was very reminiscent of Ratatouille, but I loved the twist Baldree put on the tale. This was the one for which I felt the largest emotional connection. It also best captured the cozy, day in the life aspect I loved so much about Legends and Lattes. Thimble spoke to my artist’s soul. He had an insatiable drive to refine his culinary confections to perfection without any external appreciation for his efforts. His story arc there was especially satisfying, and I think this is the one I’ll remember most from the collection (which is fitting because it’s the cover image feature on my Broken Binding copy).

Then we get into my least favorite of the collection, Pages to Fill. I found it oddly difficult to follow compared to the other stories and even had to go back and reread a good chunk of it at one point because I was so disengaged. It was almost as if it were missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what it was. The end half of the story was a bit more successful, and I finally found a story element I liked enough to keep my attention. While doing research after finishing the book, I discovered this particular story was written many years before the others in the collection. Interesting, then, that it’s the only one I had a struggle with. I think it signifies just how far the author has grown as a writer since his early publishing days, so I was still able to appreciate it as a good stepping stone.

And finally, a maddening but also heartwarming tale taking us to a time period after L&L with Viv and her coffee house crew. It’s fun to get a “where are they now” update, and I’m certainly hoping this isn’t the last we’ll see of them. Injustices in books, even in cozy books, stress me out, so this was probably the most evoking tale of the bunch. Even so, it ultimately left me with all the right emotions and was a good capstone for the collection.

Overall I’m not sure which story was my favorite, but I can say I think it is worth reading for fans of the series. It added a good bit of roundness to the world for me and I truly cannot wait to see what the author has in store next! I experienced the story both on audio (narrated by the author himself – a narrator by profession, so you know it’s good!) and via the Broken Binding hardback edition. The physical book I read had striking full color illustrations to go along with each story, which definitely enhanced the experience for me. Overall I’m thrilled to add this one to my library!

I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio, Travis Baldree, and Netgalley for the chance to listen to and review an early copy of Tales From the Territory!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Karen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Elizabeth, Bee, Poochtee, Kinsey, Alysa, Derek, Kelly, Grace, Carmen, Leah, and Laura! <3

Other Books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 25 2026
Image

Book Review: Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: Sea of Charms

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Series: Spellshop #3

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Marin is a supply runner with her own boat that she sails from island to island, delivering whatever anyone will pay her to deliver: letters, flour, even the occasional enchanted lemur. It’s a lonely life, but it’s hers, and she wouldn’t trade the freedom of the sea for anything. Her only companion is a sea serpent, Perri, whom she saved from a fisherfolk’s net. One day, she sails to Alyssium and discovers the city is on fire. There’s been a revolution, and the empire has fallen. Marin, with Perri, begins transporting refugees, finding them new homes where they can start over. One such refugee is Dax, a composer who refuses to leave behind his instruments, no matter how much she tries to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, and his charming smile, Marin discovers perhaps she isn’t saving him ― maybe it’s the other way around. –Goodreads

Niki’s Review:

Sarah Beth Durst continues to write stories I wish I’d thought of first. After dazzling me with Race the Sands a few years ago, I’ve been gradually working my way through her works. She’s such a delightful writer – telling stories filled with so many fun fantasy elements that make you feel like a kid again. Everything I’ve read so far has been solid, and I can’t wait to eventually get to all of her books.

In general, I need to read more feel-good stories like Sea of Charms. That said, it did take me about half the book to really get into it. I was missing a little of that slow-burn, day-in-the-life aspect that we got in the first two books (one via starting and operating a jam shop, the other via the daily care and maintenance of greenhouse plants). Both fulfilled a specific craving, which I feel was lacking in Sea of Charms. Just a little more page count dedicated to the care and keeping of the magical ship would have gone a long way. Plus more effort on fleshing out the ship itself, giving it even more magical properties. As it was, with the ship acting as little more than a vessel (ha) from place to place, it felt like an opportunity wasted.

But that was my only negative takeaway from the book. What it lacked in caretaking vibes it more than made up for with adventure. We got to explore more of the many islands in this nation, which was probably my favorite aspect of the story. Also, the story was told along the same timeline as the other books in the series, expanding what we know of this world and where we’ve visited. As we get closer and closer to the source of the main conflict with each book, I feel myself getting increasingly invested. The framework for this whole thing is particularly fantastic because, as each of the islands has it’s own unique and magical properties, the possibilities are endless for future books. And in fact, we’ve already been given some insight into the characters we’ll meet for the next book (The Magical Cheese Emporium), for which I’m incredibly excited!

I initially wasn’t sure if I liked the main characters and their love story. I couldn’t see the what their draw was to one another other than physical attraction at first. But as the story went along, the care they took in creating a safe place for each other, offering support, and prioritizing one another soon became apparent, making this one of the more profound love stories I’ve read in a while. It was really sweet. And the side characters! Durst is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for great side characters. I thought nothing could beat the rolling cactus in the first book, but Perri, the sea serpent, earned a star from me all on his own. Loved.

Even with all of these cool elements coming together, Durst made it even better by incorporating music into the storyline in a way that wove together the entire plot. Without going full bard-mode, she managed to make the book feel heavily musical… it was downright beautiful. I will probably remember this book more as the music installment rather than the exploration/merchant one, which I don’t hate.

Overall, this was a delightful book that was the exact sort of cozy fantasy I crave between my usual gritty SFF reads. Despite the fact that it has a romance component, I would not lump this into the romantasy category, as its primary focus is on the fantasy elements, there are no sex scenes, and it has completely different vibes than the books I’ve read in the romantasy category. It was an incredibly wholesome read, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

I want to thank Macmillan Audio, Sarah Beth Durst, and Netgalley for the chance to listen to and review an early copy of Sea of Charms!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Karen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Elizabeth, Bee, Poochtee, Kinsey, Alysa, Derek, Kelly, Grace, Carmen, Leah, and Laura! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 23 2026
Image

Book Review: Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske

Title: Bodies of Magic

Author: Freya Marske

Series: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: At the Academie of the Grand Duchy of Sieuxerr, every mage with the healer’s gift has five years to master their power and to prepare for the infamous Grand Exam—a five-day trial whose results will determine their entire future.

The list of exam rules includes:
• You will perform five practical cases.
• Your exam group is chosen at random.
• You pass together, or fail together.

It does not include:
• On the first day, your exam group will find a classmate’s dead body in the exam hall.

And as they will soon discover, this particular group all have something to hide… and all have a connection with the dead girl, a brilliant scholar who would have been first in their class.

Five scholars. Five secrets. Five days in which to solve a murder, pass the most important exam of their lives, and uncover a secret larger than all of their own combined. One with the potential to change the world.

Are you ready?

Let’s begin. –Goodreads (isn’t that a killer overview?!)

Niki’s Review:

One of my favorite books of the year!

I know better than to fall for the “for fans of X: this ridiculously popular book” spiel, generally. But in this case what is being advertised (A Deadly Education meets Grey’s Anatomy) is exactly what Bodies of Magic delivers! I’ve never come across a medical fantasy, let alone one with and academic framework, so I knew the moment I first saw it that I needed to read it ASAP. And you know what? It was fantastic.

Here’s the thing, when I pick up a book like this I’m expecting the medical school to play a strong role in the story (it did), I want a lot of detailed magical workings included (there were), and I want the mystery to be satisfying (it was decent). The author really delivered on all of the promises made, producing one of the best books I’ve read all year (and definitely one of my top academic books). It’s worth highlighting specifically what made the medical magic school aspect of this story so freaking good. You really get into the nitty gritty of how the magic works – everything from training on cadavers to experimenting with untested industry-advancing medical magic theory. Then we also get these complete case studies as part of their final exam where we get to follow the process all the way from symptom presentations to diagnosis to treatment plans. These students are brilliant, most at the top of their graduating class, and the amount of detail they get into during these final exams is so satisfying. It ticks all my boxes, and I’ll long remember this book for how perfectly it presented this aspect of the story. It was phenomenal.

So now I’ve explained how completely into the story I was for the medical magic, I’ll admit that the rest of the book was good, more than passable to be fair, but a bit more focused on the interpersonal relationship of the variety of “who is sleeping with who” than I usually prefer in books. It’s part of the reason the book is being likened to Grey’s Anatomy. And I think the main reason it worked for me where other books of the same vein may have not was because of how pertinent all of the social happenings were to solving the murder-mystery case. It felt very fitting and appropriate to include and also enhanced the collegiate atmosphere the story. I also found I was a bit more emotionally invested in the characters than I might have been otherwise. It worked because it was balanced so well with the magic aspect of the story, and the author never forgot to hone back in on the elements that were making the book special. Add to all of that some great pacing, a nice variety of focus, and an incredible momentum to the end of the book, and you can see why I’m so enamored.

Overall this was a huge success for me and I think it has a strong recommendability factor to those who love dark academia, to those who like mysteries in their fantasy books, all the way to the romantasy crowd. It hit a lot of good notes without diving too far into one thing, and I’m sure I’ll be recommending it often for years to come.

I’d like to thank Freya Marske, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the chance to read an early audiobook copy of this book!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Karen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, Bee, Poochtee, Kinsey, Alysa, Derek, Kelly, Grace, Carmen, Leticia, and Leah! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 20 2026
Image

Novella Reviews: Finally Finishing the Seven Swords by Anthony Ryan (Books #5-7)

It’s kind of a running joke on my Youtube channel that I’ve been saying I’m going to “finally finish this series” for several years now. After all, they are so short, why on earth have I not been able to find time to read them?! As it turns out, the real issue involves overcomplicating my reading life for the sake of delivering on a bunch of arbitrary expectations I put on myself as a content creator.. but that is beyond the scope of this post. Either way, we’ve finally arrived at completion. Here are my thoughts on the remaining books in a short series I initially started in 2021…

Across the Sorrow Sea (#5) [3/5 stars]

I was worried that reading through this series more back to back would dilute the experience I had with each book, and I feel that happened a bit here. I don’t generally get on well with short stories or novellas because it doesn’t give me enough time to get really invested in the story. That said, I loved the world-building here, considering it another great installment in that regard for the series. I also liked the new character introduced, although I didn’t feel as much a connection to her as a few of the others we’ve met along the way. One thing I found satisfying is that the pivotal moment of this particular story moved things forward for me significantly. I finally feel like I understand where we are going and exactly what the stakes are, so now it’s just a matter of enjoying the ride!

The Road of Storms (#6) [3/5 stars]

I’ll admit I initially found this volume to be a lot more mundane than the previous novellas, likely because the setting was much less exotic and we seemed to almost have backtracked. I think it also prudent to admit that because of that, I had trouble staying focused while listening to the audiobook. I’d tell you the first half was dry and directionless, but that could feasibly be because I wasn’t as engaged as I should have been. As soon as I switched to the physical edition though, everything changed and suddenly the series was exciting again… although that could have been more to do with the massive conflict that took place rather than the format switch, but it’s hard to say. At the very least I was able to finish the novella fully engaged and very invested in seeing how the entire thing ends with the next book. The characters are all great profiles, some more favored (developed) than others, but other than sympathy for their plights, I’ve felt no really emotional connection to them. Is that due to the shorter page count? Ryan sure does manage to pack in a TON of things with such a small package, and the focus has been heavy on world-building (love). But at this point in the series I wish I felt just a tiny bit more invested. We’ll see what the final novella has in store.

The Infernus Gate (#7) [4.5/5 stars]

It has been my experience with each of these later books that it takes a hot minute for the story to get going. But once it does, hold on to your seat!! This finale was everything I’d hoped it would be and delivered a killer ending. Weirdly, halfway through I was wondering how we’d ever get to anything satisfying with so much ground to cover and so little time left, but I shouldn’t have doubted. The book had a ton of action sequences, some excellent backstory moments, and a lot of emotionally compelling situations. I didn’t have too terribly long to dwell on any of the things that happened, but I will still long remember the “punchline” of the story, which is probably more important, anyway.

Overall this series has been an absolute delight. I’m not sure it was quite worth how much I invested in the signed and numbered Subterranean Press hardcovers I’ve collected, but seeing as Anthony Ryan is an all-time favorite from reading his Draconius Memoria series, I’m still glad I have them. It created a unique and memorable atmosphere with its expansive world-building that is difficult to find even in full-length novels. I can’t wait to dive into my still unread books from this author!

Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Jen, Karen, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, Bee, Poochtee, Kinsey, Alysa, Derek, Kelly, Grace, Carmen, Leticia, and Leah! <3

Other books you might like:

By Niki Hawkes

Aug 30 2026
Image

Book Review: Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Stories by Andrew Erikson (ed.)

Title: Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Stories

Author: Andrew Erikson (editor)

Series: N/A

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

The Overview: Science fiction and fantasy have gone hand-in-hand since their emergence at the end of the 19th century. Containing the best short stories of the masters of the two genres, this collection brings together the outstanding imaginations of writers such as H. G. Wells, George Griffith, Robert E. Howard and William Morris. Providing both an escape from the troubles of the real world and unique insight, these tales provide an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else. –Goodreads

Dave’s Review:

This compilation is an journey through the early history of science fiction and fantasy, but I found the quality to be uneven. Some stories, particularly the H.G. Wells and Ambrose Bierce selections, remain interesting because of their ideas and the historical context in which they were written. Others are little more than pulpy adventures that feel dated today. I appreciated seeing how authors from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries imagined technology, space travel, and alternate realities, but too many of the stories were overly wordy, meandering, or simply failed to go anywhere particularly interesting. There are some worthwhile curiosities here, but overall I found the collection more interesting historically than enjoyable as a reading experience today.

As usual with short story collections, I noted my thoughts in a couple of sentences after reading each one, and have compiled them below.

Under the Knife by H.G. Wells. A story about a man undergoing an operation, yet is able to perceive what is happening on both a small scale and large scale via an outer body experience. Interesting for a story written in the 19th century. No doubt it was terrifying going into an operation back then, with a very high mortality rate, especially for anything major.

The Door in the Wall by H.G. Wells. This one is about a door to some sort of alternate reality where life is simple and peaceful. It definitely seems to be a metaphor for different paths in life and making decisions.

Polaris of the Snows by Charles B. Stilson. I was not familiar with the author prior to reading this story. It is a fun, pulpy adventure story that takes place in the Arctic – perhaps somewhat of a polar Tarzan. This was nothing special, just a fun read.

The Artist of the Beautiful by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I have not read Hawthorne since The Scarlet Letter in high school. This story had promise at the beginning, but ultimately did not go in the direction that I thought it might. However, that is probably not unusual for speculative fiction from so long ago. It was also overly wordy and meandering in a few places, but likely just the style of the author/times.

The Darwinian Schooner by W.L. Alden. An interesting idea of a story about a schooner found at sea, but ultimately I felt that it never went anywhere very satisfying. There was potential for a deeper story. Modern authors likely would have taken this concept much further.

A Visit to the Moon by George Griffith. I cannot say that this was a particularly good story, but it was an interesting read due to its age. This was written in 1900, the same time as H.G. Wells’ serialized novel on the same topic. Some of the details seem quite ridiculous today, but it is fascinating to see how some authors envisioned such a trip the better part of a century prior to when it occurred in reality.

Moxon’s Master by Ambrose Bierce. This starts out with “do you really believe that a machine thinks?” No doubt this was a wild statement in the late 1800s, but with AI prevalent everywhere today, it hardly raises an eyebrow. However, this was an interesting relic of a bygone era, complete with outdated perceptions of technology. And the ending, well, still very much relevant in our world today.

Rats in the Belfry by John York Cabot. An eccentric man builds a bizarre mansion and then discovers a portal. This is perhaps a simple precursor to other similar works that have since presented much more expansive ideas based on this concept. Still, this brief story was worth the small investment.

On the Martian Way by Harry Gore Bishop. I was surprised to discover afterward that this was first published in 1907, before the Titanic. I would have guessed that it took some inspiration from that event. Overall it is an average story, with some interesting insight into what we would now say is a pretty archaic view on how “shipping” routes between colonies on different planets might look.

Within an Ace of the End of the World by Robert Barr. This is a story where a world food shortage occurs at the dawn of the twentieth century. It is discovered that food can be manufactured from nitrogen in the air, but of course that then causes other problems. It was written in 1900, and is a bit bland, but it is an early attempt at tackling certain topics which are still pretty relevant today.

The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E. Howard. A Conan story. I have read a couple of Conan novels long ago. I am not a huge fan. This is more or less what I expected, but at least in short form, it is less of a commitment. It is mildly entertaining, but there is zero depth and it suffers from some very dated tropes that feel a little uncomfortable today.

The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard. Another Conan story, this one is about a young Conan attempting to steal an artifact from a guarded tower. Again, it is purely an adventure story from another era. It is a good bit of fun with the right expectations, but it lacks any depth. This one is probably slightly more memorable than the previous Conan story in this collection.

The Shadow Kingdom by Robert E. Howard. This predates the Conan stories, and is apparently regarded as a highly influential work, considered to be one of the very first truly gritty sword and sorcery story. Be that as it may, I did not find the story particularly interesting or enjoyable to read. It feels pretentious and needlessly excessive. I guess I can at least say that I have read it now?

The Sea-Witch by Nictzin Dyalhis. I was completely unfamiliar with this author, and perhaps if would have been best left that way. This was an overly long and largely uninteresting story about, well, a witch? It is Viking-inspired, but quite pulpy and I got very little out of it for the time I invested in reading it.

The Dancer in the Crystal by Francis Flagg. This story imagines a scenario where electricity becomes nullified. Despite the strong premise, the story itself is a little underwhelming. Written in 1929 and taking place in the 1950s, the effect of the complete loss of electricity in the story is actually nowhere near as catastrophic as it would be were this to occur in our world today.

The Regent of the North by Kenneth Morris. Cool, a Viking story! Except that I found it to be very mundane. It felt like reading a history book with elegant prose. This style of short story is just so different from what tends to be popular today.

The Folk of the Mountain Door by William Morris. A Nordic tale that was supposedly an influence on early twentieth century fantasy authors. That may be the case, but I did not enjoy reading it. The prose is strong, but archaic, and the text has far too many poems/songs for my liking. I also found the story itself to be pretty unmemorable.