Tag Archives: book reviews

Aug 7 2026
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Novella Review: To Blackfyre Keep by Anthony Ryan

Title: To Blackfyre Keep

Author: Anthony Ryan

Series: Seven Swords #4

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

The Overview: Guyime – Demon Cursed wielder of the nameless blade – follows the trail of the fabled seven swords into the troubled northlands, a realm where he was once called king… and ravager. Magically guided to enlist in the retinue of a lovesick knight, Guyime and his companions journey to the haunted ruin of Blackfyre Keep, a castle legend tells cannot be held. But a far deadlier threat than mere ghosts awaits. An ancient evil has been conjured and to defeat it Guyime may be forced to become the monster he used to be—the Ravager reborn. –Goodreads

Niki’s Review:

Another entertaining installment! We’re at the point in the series now where momentum is starting to build and patterns are emerging – I’m thoroughly enjoying every step.

My favorite thing about the series is the incredibly expansive world-building. These rich settings have such depth, and all the books so far have made me feel like I’ve consumed a full-length series rather than a couple of meager novellas. It’s amazing to me that he’s able to pack so much into such a small page count. I’ve compared the first book to the atmosphere and expansiveness that I felt in my read of the first few Malazan books, and I still stand by that comparison. It has that X factor. And as world-building draws me to stories more than anything else, you can see why I’m enamored (even if my rating for this specific book is a bit conservative).

These books are more than the sum of their parts, and I’m there for all of it. This one in particular told a story I feel I’ve read before, missing a bit of the novelty from previous books. Also, as rad as I think the cover is, it does kind of let the cat out of the bag on this “great big mystery” of what’s going on around this keep. I read mostly for the discovery process, so knowing what was coming before it was revealed definitely affected my enjoyment (and therefore my rating) a bit. Even so, this is a highly recommendable little snack of a series, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

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, and Leticia! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 27 2026
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Book Review: The Modigliani Scandal by Ken Follett

Title: The Modigliani Scandal

Author: Ken Follett

Series: N/A

Genre: Thriller

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

The Overview: A fabulous “lost masterpiece” becomes the ultimate prize–for an art historian whose ambition consumes everyone around her, an angry young painter with a plan for revenge on the art establishment, and a desperate gallery owner who may have double-crossed his own life away. Behind the elegance and glamour of the art world, anything goes–theft, forgery, betrayal, and maybe even murder. . . . –Goodreads

Dave’s Review:

I have read quite a few Ken Follett novels over the years – mostly historical fiction, but a couple of thrillers as well. While they do begin to feel somewhat formulaic after having read enough of them, I still generally find them enjoyable to read. The Modigliani Scandal is one of the few exceptions. It is an early Follett novel that contains moments of the talent he would later become known for, but ultimately feels underdeveloped and unsatisfying.

The central premise, which is a frantic search for a valuable lost Modigliani painting, sounds intriguing, but the execution never quite comes together. One of the biggest problems I had was the sheer number of characters introduced in such a short novel. The first half jumps rapidly between artists, dealers, collectors, and others, making it difficult to keep track of who is who or to become invested in any of their underdeveloped stories or backgrounds. Just as one plotline gains some momentum, the focus jumps elsewhere and does not return for some time.

Despite being not even 300 pages long, the novel often feels overcrowded. The author packs in so many plot threads, relationships, and twists that very little has time to develop properly. Many scenes feel rushed, leaving the characters flat and unmemorable. This is not at all like the enormous books that he would go on to write, which at times can swing too far in the opposite direction. I feel that this one would have benefited from another hundred pages or so to give the characters and plot development more time to breathe. The strongest writing comes later in the book, where some of the characters have become more familiar to the reader and it benefits from the strong momentum of the chase.

There are glimpses of the fast-paced suspense and the broad cast of characters that would dominate his writing, but The Modigliani Scandal reads more like an outline or a rough draft than a completed thriller. 2.5 stars.

Jul 25 2026
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Book Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Title: Blind Date with a Werewolf

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson World #whatever.5

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

The Overview: When the formidable werewolf Asil finds himself set up on five blind dates by unknown ‘friends’, his solitary life undergoes a dramatic change, in this captivating collection of stories by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series. -Goodreads

The Review:

I had some reservations before diving into Blind Date with a Werewolf. For starters, I’m not much for short stories, so I was a bit wary of wasting time not feeling engaged. But since there was a strong through-line between them, it read more like a novel “in stories” as the cover tag puts it rather than stand-alone snippets. That helped a lot. I also wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for a romance, which the title leads you to believe this book is going to be. But I’m such a big fan of the Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega world that I knew I didn’t want to miss anything potentially plot-advancing, even on a minor scale… so here we are.

As it happens, I liked it better than I thought I would. The book was nothing like I expected. The blind date aspect was clever and cheeky, acting more as setups for fun supernatural mysteries than legit romantic encounters. There was indeed a romance angle – a very slight one that served more to set things up for future books than as any sort of major highlight within this one.

Was the story a bit too silly? Perhaps. I’ve always liked Asil as an enigma character. He’s a bit scary because we don’t really know much about him or why everyone in this world fears him. And he’s old.. as the book puts it, “Not quite as old as dirt,” which always made me picture a grizzled, cranky old man. But because everything has to be over-sexualized, I was informed many times while reading this that despite his age, he actually has the appearance of a much younger man. Of course he does. Because apparently werewolves don’t age. Anyway I amused myself by continuing to picture him as an old man on all of the dates/adventures. What’s more, the story took away a lot of Asil’s mystery – having him act very out of character (by my reckoning) for the sake of adhering to the book’s theme. Nothing about his mannerisms drew me back to that scary werewolf with history and depth. Briggs often likes to take these big bad wolves and show the reader their softer sides. Like, they’re deadly beasts to everyone else, but you’re special so they can behave like puppy dogs for you. Sometimes it’s charming. In this case it kind of wrecked a character I’ve spent several books wanting to know more about. At least his wolf is still a badass.

That said, I’m sure there’s a good reason for all of this setup. And the composition of the book itself was creatively done. The structure of the stories, the strong thematic elements throughout, the tie-backs, the series-relevant supernatural mysteries, the fun cameos, and the setup for what will likely be a somewhat important addition to the series going forward were major merits. The whole time I was reading it I was marveling at how cleverly done it was, even if I didn’t absolutely love the plot.

As the book has spoilers for things that happened in some of the most recent Alpha & Omega books, I would not recommend picking this up on a whim as a taste-test of the world. It’s very much for the fans, and it’s clear its purpose is to advance the plot of some of the more secondary characters in this world. As a big fan, I am very eager to find out how all of this will play into the next main book in the series.

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, and Leticia! <3

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 23 2026
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Introducing: My Co-blogger Dave!

You may have noticed a new voice on the blog (no, I am not co-writing as an alias). It’s my pleasure to introduce my Partner and new co-blogger: Dave Clark. We’ve been reading friends for years and I’ve always admired his superbly written and insightful reviews, and have long taken inspiration at his dedication and consistency. When the opportunity arose to invite him to post with me on this platform, I was ecstatic. We have a lot of similar SFF interests (you may see some dual-reviews), but Dave is much more well-read, diving into multiple genres and is currently working his way through several award-winning books lists (like the Pulitzer and the Hugos). I think he’s going to add a delightful variety to our core of book reviewing. Here’s a few things he wrote about himself as a bio:

My story with books is a simple one. I have been reading (and accumulating) books for my entire life. You will rarely see me without one in reach. I got started as a kid, reading them under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to have been going to sleep. Sometimes I still lose some sleep to reading, although I have since upgraded to proper lighting in hopes of minimizing the strain on my aging eyes. The majority of my reading is within science fiction and fantasy, but I also like to branch out for some broader exposure. So I do read literary fiction, horror, or an occasional selection from just about any other genre.

I’m so happy to have him here, and I love the new life his presence has breathed into the space. Here’s to many years of geeking out together about books! <3

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 21 2026
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Book Review: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Title: To the Lighthouse

Author: Virginia Woolf

Series: N/A

Genre: Literary Fiction

Rating: 3/5 stars

The Overview: The serene and maternal Mrs. Ramsay, the tragic yet absurd Mr. Ramsay, and their children and assorted guests are on holiday on the Isle of Skye. From the seemingly trivial postponement of a visit to a nearby lighthouse, Woolf constructs a remarkable, moving examination of the complex tensions and allegiances of family life and the conflict between men and women. As time winds its way through their lives, the Ramsays face, alone and simultaneously, the greatest of human challenges and its greatest triumph—the human capacity for change. –Goodreads

Dave’s Review:

Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse is widely considered to be a pinnacle of twentieth-century literature. Its deep symbolism, introspective style, and philosophical musings about the passage of time and life serve as a wealth of material for study and discussion. That said, I found it much easier to appreciate than to actually enjoy.

Anyone expecting a conventional narrative will almost certainly struggle, as I did. There is very little in the way of plot, with the author instead focusing largely on the inner thoughts and shifting perspectives of her characters. While this stream-of-consciousness approach has merit, it comes at the expense of momentum. Long portions of the novel feel more like introspection than storytelling. The pacing is glacial, and I was frequently waiting, hoping, for something interesting to happen.

The characters likewise failed to engage me. Woolf spends much time in the minds of a number of them, but the style renders them largely indistinct and unmemorable. They blend together, making it difficult to relate closely or to form a real attachment to any one individual. At this point, a couple of weeks after having finished the book, very few of the characters left any lasting impression on me. They really function merely as mouthpieces (mind pieces?) for the author’s ideas, a choice which often caused me to struggle with engagement.

Despite these frustrations, the book succeeds at what I believe it is intended to do – that is to ruminate on the passage of time and life. The lighthouse can be seen as a symbol of long-term goals, and the many ways that they shape our lives as we aspire to achieve them. It is certainly symbolic of a plethora of other things that attentive readers will pick up on as well, given some patience. Woolf is clearly a strong writer, being almost poetic at times. The density and style do at times require a careful analysis, similar to that of poetry, to extract some of the layered meaning. If I ever revisit this work in the future, I will be sure to do so at a point where I am prepared to devote the necessary time and focus.

I can certainly appreciate why To the Lighthouse is considered a masterpiece, even if it never connected with me on the level that was likely intended. It is a book whose ideas outlive the characters or story. I am glad to have read it, even though the journey was difficult and ultimately not as rewarding as I had hoped to find it.

Jul 11 2026
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Book Review: Among Others by Jo Walton

Title: Among Others

Author: Jo Walton

Series: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 2/5 stars

The Overview: Startling, unusual, and yet irresistibly readable, Among Others is at once the compelling story of a young woman struggling to escape a troubled childhood, a brilliant diary of first encounters with the great novels of modern fantasy and science fiction, and a spellbinding tale of escape from ancient enchantment. Raised by a half-mad mother who dabbled in magic, Morwenna Phelps found refuge in two worlds. As a child growing up in Wales, she and her twin sister played among the spirits who made their homes in industrial ruins, but her mind found freedom and promise in the science fiction novels that were her closest companions. When her mother tries to bend the spirits to dark ends with deadly results, Mori is sent away and must try to come to terms with what has happened without falling prey to the darkness. –Goodreads

Dave’s Review:

Among Others is one of those books that sounds great on paper, and seems perfect for anyone who spent time reading classic science fiction and fantasy during their younger years – which certainly describes me. However, if you are actually looking for any sort of narrative to go along with that nostalgia, you will probably need to look elsewhere.

The novel follows Morwenna (Mori), a teenage girl attending a British boarding school. It takes place over the course of about a year, 1979, and is presented in the format of a diary written by Mori herself. The fantasy/magical elements are very subtle here, while the emotional core centers on Mori’s immersion in books as a coping mechanism for her childhood trauma. She goes extensively into the books that she is reading – and there are a lot of them over the course of the year. For me, this was the most fun element of the story, but unfortunately, they are not very well integrated into the narrative, often serving as more of a diversion from the lack of much of any plot than anything. I enjoyed the references to many authors and books that I have either read, or own and are waiting to be read, but anyone without much background in the classics may find all of the unfamiliar name-dropping to be tedious and repetitive.

Mori herself is an interesting and sympathetic narrator, but her arc feels flat over the course of the book. There is a conflict with her mother that is mostly internalized, and some dark things in her past which sound more interesting than anything that occurs over the course of the book, but this is alluded to only sparingly. There are also some magical elements that are so subdued and ambiguous that they seem almost unimportant. I also found the conclusion of the book to be very anticlimactic. Some of this may be a result of the diary format itself, which in general tends to be a reflective way of telling a story rather than immersing the reader in actions of the present.

The book contains magical realism elements and is written in a lyrical yet accessible style that will probably appeal to fans of Susanna Clarke or Ursula Le Guin (in fact, Le Guin wrote the introduction to my edition of the book). However, I find both of those authors to be superior to Walton, or at least to what we get in this book, which is the only Walton that I have read. The endless lists of books and name-dropping are more akin to the likes of Ready Player One, and although the writing style of Among Others is better, Cline uses them to tell a riveting adventure story, whereas Walton makes them too much the focus of the bare-bones story.

Sadly, this book did not work for me at all. It did win both the Hugo and Nebula awards, and it is apparent why it has some avid admirers, but the author’s approach just did not work for me. The classic science fiction and fantasy book references kept me going through the novel’s relatively short length, but I was relieved to be moving on to something else when I reached the end. Ultimately, Among Others feels more like a celebration of the genre rather than a compelling novel in its own right.