Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

The Reckoning is the fifth and final book in The Legend of Oescienne series by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, an epic fantasy tale with an enchanting setting, compelling characters, mythical creatures and a conflict of huge proportions. Jahrra is the one destined to defeat the evil Crimson King, the one spoken of in the prophecy, but how she will do this is still unclear to her. The only problem is that the moment comes quicker than she expected and she is still a long way to figuring out how to defeat the most powerful enemy in the land. On another front, Jaax travels to the valley of the elves, seeking the help they need to bring down a ruthless tyrant. The Tanaan dragon shows signs that there could be more danger than Jaax might have thought. Two destinies at the crossroads, mysterious plots, and deadly enemies at every step of the way.

Jenna Elizabeth Johnson crafts a work that will stay with readers. The beauty of the setting and how it reflects in the story is one of the things to praise this author for. The reader is greeted with vivid images that set the atmosphere — the icy breeze whispering across the vast tundra and ruffling the short, tough grass, the frigid sea and the cold mountains, and other rough conditions. The conclusion to this epic series is dramatic and explosive, a tale that inspires similar feelings reader have when traveling the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The prose is exquisite, at times lyrical, and the narrative evokes the proverbial conflict between good and evil. The themes of war, adventure, and sacrifice are well developed. The characters evolve steadily with the story and I loved how the author builds the strength of the protagonist. I loved Jahrra and her sense of daring. I loved her in the choices she makes — difficult choices. The plot is intricately structured with surprises and turns that will give readers many an "Aha!" moment. The Reckoning is engaging and utterly delightful, a transporting kind of read.

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

In The 19th Bladesman by S.J. Hartland, Kaell's destiny had been written long before he was ever born. It was his destiny to fight the ghouls, to keep their forces at bay, and to die young. But there is more to this title than just that. The 19th Bladesman had another prophecy attached to him. If the 19th Bladesman is broken, then an evil god seeking dominion over all will be freed from his prison, and the prophecy states he will be broken. Prophecies of death and consequences see many who seek Kaell's death, only the manner of its deliverance varies, depending on whose side they are on. Fate has been kind in sparing him twice, once as a child and once again as a young man once more in the same woman's clutches, but will his luck hold out? Can he overcome what fate has in store, and if he does, can he live with the consequences?

S.J. Hartland writes the kind of action scenes that effortlessly draw the reader in and have them visualizing the flurry of movement in such a masterful way that I have only ever encountered in a handful of authors. However, it is not only the fast-paced, heart-pounding action where the author excels, but the world building is also phenomenal, with clear attention paid to provide a rich culture, society, history, religion and structure. The scenes flow effortlessly into one another, making its size as an epic barely noticeable as you turn page after page, losing yourself in a clearly well-constructed plot that is driven by the varied cast of vivid characters. The characters are every bit as deep and complex as the world itself, each sporting their own drives, ambitions, agendas, and, of course, flaws. Danger lurks at every turn, and trust is a difficult commodity to invest in. Action, betrayal, peril, insight, and the moxie to defy fate itself propel the reader through a rollercoaster adventure like no other. I love a big book, and give this one my full recommendation, something I save only for the books that really make me invest in the plot and characters. The 19th Bladesman is my kind of story, and I can't wait to see where S.J. Hartland takes us next.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

In Thief of the Night Guild: Queen of Thieves Book 2 by Andy Peloquin, Ilanna is the best thief among all the Hawks of the Night guild. She’s proud of her skills, and proud of her status within the guild, but is determined to raise enough money to buy her freedom. She could never do that on the ten percent she gets to keep of her earnings, so she steals a little extra. It’s a dangerous game, but Ilanna is a dangerous woman and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her son. After Duke Phonnis executes a close friend of hers, Ilanna comes up with a plan that will not only result in a big enough haul to buy her freedom, but will avenge her friend and ruin the Duke. With the Guild Council’s permission, Ilanna puts together a team to pull off a heist that will eclipse her conquest of the Black Spire.

Thief of the Night Guild is a tightly plotted novel that builds momentum from page one. There’s a fair amount of backstory since this is the second book in the Queen of Thieves series, but Andy Peloquin elucidates all essential details as they become necessary. Ilanna is a clever, skilled, and confident character, but she’s also the stereotypical abuse-hardened woman one often encounters in fantasy novels. While I enjoy dark characters, I don't enjoy it when a character’s inability to express so-called weak emotions is categorised as strength. However, I’ll credit Peloquin for revealing the frailty behind this mental state. Apart from this character trope, Thief of the Night Guild is an entertaining, addictive read full of clever twists.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Panther Across the Stars by Lon Brett Coon is an epic fantasy with characters that are deeply explored and a culture that is as rich as it is fascinating, a story for readers who are intrigued by war heroes and tightly plotted stories. Readers follow the path of a man who defies everything, rises above himself to fight for his people, a story with a historical setting in 1800s America. With the alien race known as the Jhagir by his side, will this hero be able to win freedom for his people?

The characters are well sculpted and readers will be keen to follow them as they evolve through the story. Lon Brett Coon's gift for storytelling and backstory infuses the tale with a life of its own. The pacing is fast and the story is well-structured with chapters that end with an irresistible invitation to the reader to move to the next one. The prose is characterized by a singular beauty and an economy of word that will please the reader. The overall story is balanced and the scenes are beautifully written and focused. I also enjoyed the fact that the author spares his readers unnecessary dialogues and focuses instead on creating powerful images for his readers. The scenes are action-packed and each of them unveils a layer of character development. This is a gripping story that readers would love to see on the big screen. I enjoyed the writing, the great characters, the immense conflict and the intensity of the action in this epic fantasy.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Breathing Sea I: Burning by E.P. Clark is the standalone third installment of The Zemnian Series and is preceded by book one, The Midnight Land: The Flight, and book two, The Midnight Land: The Gift. This third part reads perfectly well as a standalone. Dasha will one day rule as Empress over the female-run land of Zem. Dasha has been coddled and advised from within the confines of the royal walls, but inevitably must see and understand those she is destined to rule. She also must come to terms with a bargain made between her mother, the Tsarina, and the gods, as she attempts to understand uncontrolled visions and body function so that she might harness the power of her half human, half god self and finally become the woman she is destined to be.

The Breathing Sea I: Burning is a beautifully told story with an incredible nod toward an alternate world where women run the show. In a story filled with fantasy and plenty of drama, Dasha is on a quest that is unique to her position. This is not a fast-paced read, but it is elegantly written and engrossing in both style and substance. I admit that it took some time for Dasha to endear herself to me, but I suppose one might argue that was her human side stepping forward, with childish antics and a vexatious attitude. Where this book truly shines is in its descriptive elements, where the landscape comes to life and supporting characters are as interesting as their lead. I'd recommend this book to those who love well-written fantasy, and am happy to discover that I will not have to wait to see where the saga ends, as the fourth book in the series, The Breathing Sea: Drowning, has already been released.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

Larin was raised in a temple by his priest uncle, Akul, a former warrior who singlehandedly keeps the largest gang in the Wormpile District away from the four blocks surrounding the temple, making this the safest part of the poorest and most dangerous section of the city. Nowhere is truly safe for Larin, however, who’s plagued by outbursts that compel him to gesticulate and shout in a strange language. Hours in the temple library and chance meetings with a limping mage lead Larin to the startling discovery that these outbursts come from the Lord of Demons, Haraf. The Demon Lord seeks to escape his prison and wreak vengeance on the six-limbed gods who imprisoned him and his kind. The six-legged gods have their own supporters, men who roam through the Wormpile, rounding up converts under the guise of justice and charity, and the Indigens who gather on the borders of the empire, waiting for their moment to invade and enslave everyone.

City of Shards by Steve Rodgers is a unique and exciting dark fantasy. The success of magic depends on a combination of innate ability, correct pronunciation of an ancient language, and the phase of the huge moon, Spellgiver. This system creates a perfect equilibrium between complexity and ease of understanding. There were times, especially in the first half of the book, where I became confused between the different pantheons of gods and the particular societies they’re significant to. This does become clearer when the reader most needs it. City of Shards starts slowly as Rodgers immerses the reader in the rich and unique world before pushing Larin towards an impossible choice between future slavery and human sacrifice under the six-legged gods, or annihilation at the hands of the demons. Rodgers removes any truly good outcome from the premise and the effect is amazing.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Pawns is the first book and a stunning introduction to The Wielders of Arantha series by Patrick Hodges, a sci-fi set in the future, seven hundred years from now. A story that features aliens, an impossible mission, and a race against time to save an entire planet is surely going to grab the attention of fans of sci-fi. The Jegg is an alien race that invades the earth and they have already destroyed more than half of the Terran Confederation. The future of the earth could depend solely on a few highly skilled scientists; they are working ceaselessly in a hidden corner of the Sahara Desert to find a solution to the invasion. They are working on a technology that would enable them to access the energy source that could help destroy the aliens. But something awful happens and only two members of the crew survive: Maeve, the wife of the captain of the team, and her son, Davin. Now at the destination, can they complete the mission and return in time to save the earth?

Patrick Hodges has won me over as a fan and I can’t help but wait eagerly for the next book in this series. The writing is so exquisitely great that it makes the read an exceptional experience. The reader will love the characters and I enjoyed the fact that they are faced with a serious crisis, working feverishly to find a solution to a deadly invasion. The plot is powerful, fast-paced, and original. Pawns paints a wonderful setting and readers will feel like they are part of the exciting story. Well-crafted with a gripping plot and memorable characters, this novel will have fans of sci-fi enthralled.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

One senses just how much B. Muze, author of The Shaman’s Apprentice, enjoyed writing this wonderful story. We enjoy The Shaman’s Apprentice all that much more, not just for its intricate plot line and the emotions stirred in us by the unforgettable characters, but also for how beautifully this story is written. At the center of the plot is Jovai, who doesn’t have a name when the story opens. That, in itself, is an interesting concept i.e. how does any young person feel, whether in the fantasy world of this story, or in today’s world, when he or she is nameless…has no identity, as it were?

The ruling Shaman of Jovai’s tribe, Yaku, concedes to the wishes of the spirits that Jovai become his successor. There’s one problem: Jovai is female; a female Shaman is not pleasing nor acceptable to the tribe. But Yaku must do as the spirits have asked, so Jovai is taken from her family to be raised and taught by the Shaman. Once over her fear of the great Shaman, she proves a willing and very capable student. Jovai develops her mystical powers, listens closely to the sounds of the world around her, sounds the average person never hears, grows into womanhood, and becomes a healer like her master. But when the time comes to now present her to the spirits so she can receive her new Shaman name, Jovai’s world turns upside down. She begins an epic journey that carries her far from her master, her family and tribe. Though now not officially a Shaman, her Shaman-like abilities help her survive abuse, hunger, wild beasts and, even more than once, death.

Does Jovai’s journey end happily? Does she finally become a recognized Shaman? Does she ever get back home? B. Muze takes Jovai and readers into frightening landscapes, brutal and bloody battles, and gory mystical events as readers eagerly turn pages to find out. But while The Shaman’s Apprentice is a mystical, mythical fantasy, it’s also a clever allegory about the possible development of our own world, along with an exploration of current and past attitudes toward gender equality, or even identifying genders, an area very much under discussion nowadays. It’s also a reminder of just how much we miss really hearing and experiencing people and places around us as we rush through our busy lives. As such, it’s impossible to finish The Shaman’s Apprentice and not continue thinking about it. This story is so much more than a brilliantly written fantasy! Those readers who enjoy this book will be pleased to know that The Shaman’s Apprentice is part 1 of Jovai’s story. The continuation will be eagerly welcomed by fans of B. Muze’s writing. Terrific!

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

His mother had given everything she had to protect him. Born Noss touched, there were those who would call Ruka cursed. Children like him were not allowed to live in some places, although some northern laws protected them from the death sentence that people were all too willing to preach was right. She loved him, she believed he was a child of prophecy, one who would destroy and create the world anew. Ruka, however, believed no such things. He lacked his mother's faith in the gods, and sought only to live. But he was an outlaw, unjustly accused and unfairly sentenced. He vowed to survive, to live on for his mother. He took everything that was good and buried it in a haven of his own, making a place where he could be all he wished, a place where things in the real world didn't matter. Except they did. While Ruka tries to survive, a young prince tries to find his place in the world. Sent to the navy, unsure of his calling, Kale finds camaraderie and earns the respect of many. Before both these men lies a difficult future, one that will either save the world or see it burn.

There a complex depth to the characters in Richard Nell's Kings of Paradise (Ash and Sand Book 1). I enjoyed watching each of their developments. Dala, Kale, and Ruka have very different stories, different lives, and yet all three are destined to change the world. I loved how these characters grew and changed when challenged by circumstances. Weakness becomes strength, and the power and strength of an idea is central to this story. Written with a flair befitting the world of fantasy, and with a passion the reader can't help but experience. There is so much depth to the plot, characters, world building, and hierarchy that you can't help but be drawn into this world of darkness, entitlement, and hatred. Sometimes things must be destroyed to be built anew, a theme explored in this impressive tale. Love, betrayal, loyalty, honour, sacrifice, gods and men, agendas, politics, and manipulation; what more could you ask for? A must for lovers of fantasy, especially those who enjoy losing themselves in a epic tale.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Du Lac Devil is the second book in The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Yarde, a story with a compelling historical setting and a drama that will surprise fans of fantasy. Saxon Britain is on the brink of war. Kingdoms fall under the might of the Wessex King, Cerdic. Only the Du Lac family can stand up to him, but the family suffers from internal discord which can play to their great disadvantage. Merton is a great warrior whose interests are very unpredictable. Will he join the ranks of the Du Lacs and stand against the invading king or will he follow his personal interests? This is a series that features a family saga, political intrigue, and war.

Mary Yarde has woven a compelling story with a beautiful setting, a story that features an equally compelling conflict. The reader is introduced to the key characters in the very opening pages of the story and the conflict comes across as a great hook. The Du Lac Devil combines great writing with storytelling skills to keep the reader’s eyes riveted on the pages. The writing is clear and beautiful and the descriptions are vivid, painting a picture that readers can easily visualize as they read. The dialogues flow naturally and they help to deepen characterization and to enhance the plot. I also enjoyed the narrative voice which came through as strong, clear, and confident. Yarde creates characters that are real and memorable and a story that readers will love to share.