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Recommend this book:
Saving Cottonwood
Lisa Page
2026 Finalist
282 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite
Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page follows a recently divorced middle school librarian named Iris, who was seeking a fresh start in an old adobe house near the bosque. This landscape of cottonwood trees and winding riverbanks seems to hum with its own quiet spirit. In her quest for a peaceful life, Iris is instead drawn into a fight against developers who threaten to destroy the local forest preserve. Unseen forces and eerie coincidences pull her deeper into a web of secrets that, unexpectedly, bind her to the land’s history. The closer she comes to uncovering the truth, the higher the stakes become. But along the way, she meets a cast of unique characters who help her rediscover courage, purpose, and belonging. Read this empowering and whimsical story now.
Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page is a gentle story that celebrates the quiet magic of connection and the healing power of hope. Page's tender blend of realism and wonder emphasized the living spirit of the land and made me admire the strength of a person’s heart. What truly elevates Saving Cottonwood is its deft blend of magic, nature, and destiny. These elements make the story so compelling and distinguish it from other works in the same genre. I love how the author described the setting and the landscape, particularly the cottonwoods, bosque, river, and land. Page’s writing breathes life into the land, making the landscape feel as alive as the characters themselves. The interweaving of nature and story infuses the plot with a sense of wonder, and I was unable to put the book down even for a second. The narrative is light and mystical, and the story itself is a gentle reminder that caring for the world around us is its own quiet act of enchantment.
Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page follows a recently divorced middle school librarian named Iris, who was seeking a fresh start in an old adobe house near the bosque. This landscape of cottonwood trees and winding riverbanks seems to hum with its own quiet spirit. In her quest for a peaceful life, Iris is instead drawn into a fight against developers who threaten to destroy the local forest preserve. Unseen forces and eerie coincidences pull her deeper into a web of secrets that, unexpectedly, bind her to the land’s history. The closer she comes to uncovering the truth, the higher the stakes become. But along the way, she meets a cast of unique characters who help her rediscover courage, purpose, and belonging. Read this empowering and whimsical story now.
Saving Cottonwood by Lisa Page is a gentle story that celebrates the quiet magic of connection and the healing power of hope. Page's tender blend of realism and wonder emphasized the living spirit of the land and made me admire the strength of a person’s heart. What truly elevates Saving Cottonwood is its deft blend of magic, nature, and destiny. These elements make the story so compelling and distinguish it from other works in the same genre. I love how the author described the setting and the landscape, particularly the cottonwoods, bosque, river, and land. Page’s writing breathes life into the land, making the landscape feel as alive as the characters themselves. The interweaving of nature and story infuses the plot with a sense of wonder, and I was unable to put the book down even for a second. The narrative is light and mystical, and the story itself is a gentle reminder that caring for the world around us is its own quiet act of enchantment.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/ruthless-kingdom&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81AUJAe4QiL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=Ruthless Kingdom by Cathrina Constantine grabs you right from the start. We follow Avianna Carrington, a girl just about to turn eighteen who’s spent her life hiding in the human world. Her "normal" life is ripped apart when she witnesses the brutal murder of her parents by soldiers in olive-green uniforms. She ends up hiding out on a tiny, remot...){kind=link}
Ruthless Kingdom
Cathrina Constantine
2026 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Mansoor Ahmed for Readers' Favorite
Ruthless Kingdom by Cathrina Constantine grabs you right from the start. We follow Avianna Carrington, a girl just about to turn eighteen who’s spent her life hiding in the human world. Her "normal" life is ripped apart when she witnesses the brutal murder of her parents by soldiers in olive-green uniforms. She ends up hiding out on a tiny, remote island with her brother Teddy and their strict Aunt Aggie, but it isn’t long before a mysterious tracker named Harp shows up. He drops a total bombshell: she’s actually the secret daughter of King Leonidas. To protect her from the cutthroat politics of the magical kingdoms, she was hidden away, but now she’s being pulled back into Verdae. The world-building is great as you go from the thieving groups in Thistledown forest to the tension-filled castles of Verdae, where everyone from the jealous Queen Balize to the rival princes has their own agenda.
I was amazed by how Cathrina Constantine handled the magic and the pacing. It’s not just a slow burn; there are carriage chases, magical duels, and "finger-snap" spells that keep the action moving fast. The characters really have a lot of life to them. Harp, with his sapphire eyes and obvious scars, is a standout, but even the villains like Queen Balize are layered. It’s a story about heritage and betrayal, but it’s also about Avianna finding her own strength after losing everything. Living in a busy place like Lahore, I usually look for books that offer a total escape, and this one definitely did it for me. I found myself staying up way too late, turning the pages to see if she’d actually make it through the Royal Tournament. Ruthless Kingdom is a fantasy with heart and some serious "just one more chapter" energy.
Ruthless Kingdom by Cathrina Constantine grabs you right from the start. We follow Avianna Carrington, a girl just about to turn eighteen who’s spent her life hiding in the human world. Her "normal" life is ripped apart when she witnesses the brutal murder of her parents by soldiers in olive-green uniforms. She ends up hiding out on a tiny, remote island with her brother Teddy and their strict Aunt Aggie, but it isn’t long before a mysterious tracker named Harp shows up. He drops a total bombshell: she’s actually the secret daughter of King Leonidas. To protect her from the cutthroat politics of the magical kingdoms, she was hidden away, but now she’s being pulled back into Verdae. The world-building is great as you go from the thieving groups in Thistledown forest to the tension-filled castles of Verdae, where everyone from the jealous Queen Balize to the rival princes has their own agenda.
I was amazed by how Cathrina Constantine handled the magic and the pacing. It’s not just a slow burn; there are carriage chases, magical duels, and "finger-snap" spells that keep the action moving fast. The characters really have a lot of life to them. Harp, with his sapphire eyes and obvious scars, is a standout, but even the villains like Queen Balize are layered. It’s a story about heritage and betrayal, but it’s also about Avianna finding her own strength after losing everything. Living in a busy place like Lahore, I usually look for books that offer a total escape, and this one definitely did it for me. I found myself staying up way too late, turning the pages to see if she’d actually make it through the Royal Tournament. Ruthless Kingdom is a fantasy with heart and some serious "just one more chapter" energy.
Recommend this book:
The Orphans of Nilad
The Nosam Chronicles Book 1
Erich and Dani Sanchack
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In The Orphans of Nilad by Erich and Daniella Sanchack, driven by a sealed letter, EoC leads Kaida, the blue-eyed barbarian Dinger, and the half-elf Kekron ashore to Nilad, a mountain town shrinking under fear after miners vanish, and strange messages begin appearing in the magistrate’s office. The letter promises a relic called the Amulet of Planes, believed to offer a path back to the world they lost, but reaching it demands more than a simple journey. As suspicion follows them through Nilad, the group is sent into ruined dwarven halls carved into the mountains, where hidden patrols, lethal creatures, and false allies turn every step into uncertainty. When they return with proof that something larger is moving around the town, new orders pull them deeper into the Drows' range, closer to the source.
Erich and Daniella Sanchack’s The Orphans of Nilad is the first book in the sweeping new Nosam Chronicles fantasy series, setting in place an excellent foundation for all that is to come. There are loads of high fantasy elements, including the fear that a white dragon may be moving south toward the Nilad, and orc forces are tightening around the settlement. Out of all the characters, Dinger is impossible not to adore. There's a real tenderness beneath his hulking figure, and we see this when he's viewed only as a source of violence and the pain it stirs in him from a childhood spent being valued for strength alone. The authors do an excellent job with dialogue, and the witty, intelligent banter between the quartet of travelers is brilliant. With wonderful world-building and immersive, visual landscapes, readers with a hunger for action-packed, character-driven fantasy quests will find a great deal to love here. Very highly recommended.
In The Orphans of Nilad by Erich and Daniella Sanchack, driven by a sealed letter, EoC leads Kaida, the blue-eyed barbarian Dinger, and the half-elf Kekron ashore to Nilad, a mountain town shrinking under fear after miners vanish, and strange messages begin appearing in the magistrate’s office. The letter promises a relic called the Amulet of Planes, believed to offer a path back to the world they lost, but reaching it demands more than a simple journey. As suspicion follows them through Nilad, the group is sent into ruined dwarven halls carved into the mountains, where hidden patrols, lethal creatures, and false allies turn every step into uncertainty. When they return with proof that something larger is moving around the town, new orders pull them deeper into the Drows' range, closer to the source.
Erich and Daniella Sanchack’s The Orphans of Nilad is the first book in the sweeping new Nosam Chronicles fantasy series, setting in place an excellent foundation for all that is to come. There are loads of high fantasy elements, including the fear that a white dragon may be moving south toward the Nilad, and orc forces are tightening around the settlement. Out of all the characters, Dinger is impossible not to adore. There's a real tenderness beneath his hulking figure, and we see this when he's viewed only as a source of violence and the pain it stirs in him from a childhood spent being valued for strength alone. The authors do an excellent job with dialogue, and the witty, intelligent banter between the quartet of travelers is brilliant. With wonderful world-building and immersive, visual landscapes, readers with a hunger for action-packed, character-driven fantasy quests will find a great deal to love here. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Through Winter and Darkness
R.M. Schultz
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Through Winter and Darkness by R.M. Schultz is set in Cimeren, where dragons have long been bound to human kingdoms, but former Belvenguard dragonknight Cyran Orendain turns outlaw when he begins freeing them from royal control. His rebellion becomes a war effort after Beninthel, a dead elven king, rises with the Harrowed, an army that uses undead dragons to overrun the living. Cyran must build a free dragon legion before his old king, Igare, captures him and before the dead reach Galvenstone. His sister Jaslin Orendain, marked by the Harrowed, discovers a power that may save the sick dragons Cyran cannot heal. Far above Cimeren, Sirra Brackenglave, the last known elf, carries the Sky Sea Pearl, a weapon linked to dragon bondage, toward a decision that could change the war for good.
Through Winter and Darkness by R.M. Schultz is an excellent fantasy novel because Cimeren feels lived in through places that have their own history. Nevergrace has the ache of a guarded home. Northsheeren has the chill of a dead kingdom. The sky sea feels ancient in a physical way when Sirra Brackenglave reaches the horn of the gods. The character work is strong in Cyran Orendain, whose decency shows when he treats Luximerianthus as a named life with a will. Schultz also writes Jaslin Orendain with a calm inner strength at Northsheeren, where the Sky Sea Pearl places her before a test tied to dragon life. The dragons are a major pleasure here, especially Shadelmere’s fire, Shaanguthuth’s bearing, Luximerianthus’s bond, and Brysives’s breath sight. Well written and gorgeously immersive, readers who enjoy dark fantasy with battles and extensive world-building will love this book. Very highly recommended.
Through Winter and Darkness by R.M. Schultz is set in Cimeren, where dragons have long been bound to human kingdoms, but former Belvenguard dragonknight Cyran Orendain turns outlaw when he begins freeing them from royal control. His rebellion becomes a war effort after Beninthel, a dead elven king, rises with the Harrowed, an army that uses undead dragons to overrun the living. Cyran must build a free dragon legion before his old king, Igare, captures him and before the dead reach Galvenstone. His sister Jaslin Orendain, marked by the Harrowed, discovers a power that may save the sick dragons Cyran cannot heal. Far above Cimeren, Sirra Brackenglave, the last known elf, carries the Sky Sea Pearl, a weapon linked to dragon bondage, toward a decision that could change the war for good.
Through Winter and Darkness by R.M. Schultz is an excellent fantasy novel because Cimeren feels lived in through places that have their own history. Nevergrace has the ache of a guarded home. Northsheeren has the chill of a dead kingdom. The sky sea feels ancient in a physical way when Sirra Brackenglave reaches the horn of the gods. The character work is strong in Cyran Orendain, whose decency shows when he treats Luximerianthus as a named life with a will. Schultz also writes Jaslin Orendain with a calm inner strength at Northsheeren, where the Sky Sea Pearl places her before a test tied to dragon life. The dragons are a major pleasure here, especially Shadelmere’s fire, Shaanguthuth’s bearing, Luximerianthus’s bond, and Brysives’s breath sight. Well written and gorgeously immersive, readers who enjoy dark fantasy with battles and extensive world-building will love this book. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Mathsmagica
Light's Shadow
Daniel Georgiev
2025 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow by Daniel Georgiev is the gripping second installment in the Mathsmagica series, where magic and mathematics intertwine. Harmony Enforcers Sova, Evie, and Nilah continue their studies, unaware of the looming chaos whilst dragons resurface and threaten to change reality as they know it. Meanwhile, Avos, a shadowy figure, seeks to manipulate events to rewrite the rules. While the trio’s journey takes them to the Castle of Wax, a labyrinth of magic and danger, the characters must face unimaginable trials and unlock hidden powers. This fast-paced fantasy is filled with daring adventures, intricate magic, and poignant themes of unity and destiny.
Author Daniel Georgiev has a knack for making concepts work together, and there's a clear passion for the world of mathematics in this inventive novel that becomes more infectious the more you read on. The fusion of math and magic as a central concept creates a refreshingly original fantasy world where things make logical sense, but everything is new and exciting. I liked the central trio of characters, and their struggles with identity and the power of friendship are themes that readers can relate to. I'm a big fan of dark and mysterious characters, so Avos was a real treat to explore as a complex figure haunting their every move, with genuine motivations beyond just chaos for the sake of it. Attention to detail is also present in the fast-moving plot, which is full of twists and high-stakes battles with cinematic moments on every page. Overall, Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow is a fantastic sequel novel that enhances the story world and characters even more. I can't wait to see what comes next in this highly recommended fantasy series.
Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow by Daniel Georgiev is the gripping second installment in the Mathsmagica series, where magic and mathematics intertwine. Harmony Enforcers Sova, Evie, and Nilah continue their studies, unaware of the looming chaos whilst dragons resurface and threaten to change reality as they know it. Meanwhile, Avos, a shadowy figure, seeks to manipulate events to rewrite the rules. While the trio’s journey takes them to the Castle of Wax, a labyrinth of magic and danger, the characters must face unimaginable trials and unlock hidden powers. This fast-paced fantasy is filled with daring adventures, intricate magic, and poignant themes of unity and destiny.
Author Daniel Georgiev has a knack for making concepts work together, and there's a clear passion for the world of mathematics in this inventive novel that becomes more infectious the more you read on. The fusion of math and magic as a central concept creates a refreshingly original fantasy world where things make logical sense, but everything is new and exciting. I liked the central trio of characters, and their struggles with identity and the power of friendship are themes that readers can relate to. I'm a big fan of dark and mysterious characters, so Avos was a real treat to explore as a complex figure haunting their every move, with genuine motivations beyond just chaos for the sake of it. Attention to detail is also present in the fast-moving plot, which is full of twists and high-stakes battles with cinematic moments on every page. Overall, Mathsmagica: Light's Shadow is a fantastic sequel novel that enhances the story world and characters even more. I can't wait to see what comes next in this highly recommended fantasy series.
Recommend this book:
Skull's Vengeance
Linnea Tanner
2025 Honorable Mention
402 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Skull's Vengeance is a work of fiction in the action and fantasy subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to graphic scenes of sex and violence, as well as some explicit language, and was penned by Linnea Tanner. The work forms the fourth book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. In this high-octane work of sword and sorcery, we find ourselves with our central protagonist Catrin, a Celtic warrior queen who must reunite with her secret Roman husband Marcellus to finally vanquish her wicked half-brother King Marrock. To defeat this powerful sorcerer, Catrin will be tested to her emotional, physical, and magical limits as Rome and Britannia continue to clash everywhere she turns.
It's always refreshing to be able to enjoy a book series at whichever point you join in, and Linnea Tanner does a great job of bringing readers directly into the action whilst also feeding the relevant backstory into the novel early on to make sure that we learn or remember important series details for everything to make sense. After this, the plot rockets off at a fantastic pace that amps up the tension at every turn, making for a surprisingly quick read filled with passion, bloodshed, and some very cinematic and exciting dark magic to top it all off. I enjoyed Marrock as a central villain with credible powers that make good sense according to the work’s internal logic, and the climax of the work serves to test Catrin’s mettle and keep readers’ hearts in their throats. I would certainly recommend Skull's Vengeance to fans of the existing series, and Tanner’s writing to fantasy readers everywhere.
Skull's Vengeance is a work of fiction in the action and fantasy subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to graphic scenes of sex and violence, as well as some explicit language, and was penned by Linnea Tanner. The work forms the fourth book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. In this high-octane work of sword and sorcery, we find ourselves with our central protagonist Catrin, a Celtic warrior queen who must reunite with her secret Roman husband Marcellus to finally vanquish her wicked half-brother King Marrock. To defeat this powerful sorcerer, Catrin will be tested to her emotional, physical, and magical limits as Rome and Britannia continue to clash everywhere she turns.
It's always refreshing to be able to enjoy a book series at whichever point you join in, and Linnea Tanner does a great job of bringing readers directly into the action whilst also feeding the relevant backstory into the novel early on to make sure that we learn or remember important series details for everything to make sense. After this, the plot rockets off at a fantastic pace that amps up the tension at every turn, making for a surprisingly quick read filled with passion, bloodshed, and some very cinematic and exciting dark magic to top it all off. I enjoyed Marrock as a central villain with credible powers that make good sense according to the work’s internal logic, and the climax of the work serves to test Catrin’s mettle and keep readers’ hearts in their throats. I would certainly recommend Skull's Vengeance to fans of the existing series, and Tanner’s writing to fantasy readers everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Don't Mess With Anna
A Reckoning in Blood and Ink
Celeste Prater
2025 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Don't Mess With Anna: A Reckoning in Blood and Ink by Celeste Prater is a genre-bending fantasy tale of vengeance, redemption, and the transformative power of justice. When Anna DeMarco, a writer whose soul was fractured by a remorseless critic, conjures a world of karma and dark magic, her tormentor, Milton Smith, is thrust into a brutal alternate realm shaped by her imagination. In this dangerous new land, where curses cut deeper than blades and labor is punishment, Milton must survive trials that force him to confront the pain he caused and the arrogance that defined him. With no knights in shining armor and no easy escapes, this tale fuses contemporary emotion with medieval grit, offering a brutal but redemptive narrative of reckoning.
Author Celeste Prater draws readers in immediately with this clever concept that offers a lot of intrigue. She uses that initial hook to craft a wholly original dark fantasy with modern flair and mythic weight that is sure to satisfy readers from cover to cover. The first thing that struck me right from the start was the strength in the narrative voice. This resounds with all the fierce, unapologetic, and emotionally charged energy you’d expect from a woman in Anna’s position and sets up a confidently told story that’s perfect for fans of vengeance arcs to sink their teeth into. Milton’s torment is never overdone to sound ridiculous or incredulous. The realism in the pain makes this a realistic, visceral, cathartic read that flips the script on both fantasy and real-world power dynamics by doing both things convincingly. Overall, Don't Mess With Anna is a bold, imaginative, and brutally honest read that leaves a lasting impression, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Don't Mess With Anna: A Reckoning in Blood and Ink by Celeste Prater is a genre-bending fantasy tale of vengeance, redemption, and the transformative power of justice. When Anna DeMarco, a writer whose soul was fractured by a remorseless critic, conjures a world of karma and dark magic, her tormentor, Milton Smith, is thrust into a brutal alternate realm shaped by her imagination. In this dangerous new land, where curses cut deeper than blades and labor is punishment, Milton must survive trials that force him to confront the pain he caused and the arrogance that defined him. With no knights in shining armor and no easy escapes, this tale fuses contemporary emotion with medieval grit, offering a brutal but redemptive narrative of reckoning.
Author Celeste Prater draws readers in immediately with this clever concept that offers a lot of intrigue. She uses that initial hook to craft a wholly original dark fantasy with modern flair and mythic weight that is sure to satisfy readers from cover to cover. The first thing that struck me right from the start was the strength in the narrative voice. This resounds with all the fierce, unapologetic, and emotionally charged energy you’d expect from a woman in Anna’s position and sets up a confidently told story that’s perfect for fans of vengeance arcs to sink their teeth into. Milton’s torment is never overdone to sound ridiculous or incredulous. The realism in the pain makes this a realistic, visceral, cathartic read that flips the script on both fantasy and real-world power dynamics by doing both things convincingly. Overall, Don't Mess With Anna is a bold, imaginative, and brutally honest read that leaves a lasting impression, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Labyrinth of Shadows
The Witch's Rebirth
Michaela Riley
2025 Silver Medal
506 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite
In Michaela Riley’s Labyrinth of Shadows, it’s the year 478 AD. Humans are locked in deadly combat with legions from the depths of hell. When the world was young, witches were respected. They fought alongside great warriors, battled mythical beasts, and shaped the very fabric of reality. But then, a powerful dark army, unlike any they had ever encountered, rose from the depths, bloodthirsty and craving power and control. The end of days had come. To save the world from plunging into the darkness closing in, the gods sent a witch from the future: a child carrying the spirits of the ancients, the elementals, and even the fading echoes of forgotten deities. Change was coming—one that would bring destruction and salvation. The fate of all rested in Merona’s hands.
Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley is breathtakingly good. Formidable forces and distinct heroes clash in a confrontation that will shake the very foundations of history and reality itself. It is about destiny, change, transformation, friendship, love, and the price we pay to live, love, and be loved. Even deeper, the book explores past lives and offers some very thought-provoking insights into the soul and the possibility of it being eternal. Dynamic scenes and descriptions connect you with the environment, and in the first few minutes of reading, we are transported to 5th-century Western Europe. Here, we find the ancients in the process of a traditional and powerful ritual deep in the dead of night of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. When a dark force comes, the High Priestess leads her people deep into the woods in search of answers. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something unholy lurked high up in the trees, watching. And it was! As the battles roar on and an unrelenting storm of claws, fangs, spells, and blades clash, you feel the unfolding action wrap around you. Fans of pulse-pounding thrillers, historical fiction, and magic steeped in mythology will find this book a real treat. It is brilliant.
In Michaela Riley’s Labyrinth of Shadows, it’s the year 478 AD. Humans are locked in deadly combat with legions from the depths of hell. When the world was young, witches were respected. They fought alongside great warriors, battled mythical beasts, and shaped the very fabric of reality. But then, a powerful dark army, unlike any they had ever encountered, rose from the depths, bloodthirsty and craving power and control. The end of days had come. To save the world from plunging into the darkness closing in, the gods sent a witch from the future: a child carrying the spirits of the ancients, the elementals, and even the fading echoes of forgotten deities. Change was coming—one that would bring destruction and salvation. The fate of all rested in Merona’s hands.
Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley is breathtakingly good. Formidable forces and distinct heroes clash in a confrontation that will shake the very foundations of history and reality itself. It is about destiny, change, transformation, friendship, love, and the price we pay to live, love, and be loved. Even deeper, the book explores past lives and offers some very thought-provoking insights into the soul and the possibility of it being eternal. Dynamic scenes and descriptions connect you with the environment, and in the first few minutes of reading, we are transported to 5th-century Western Europe. Here, we find the ancients in the process of a traditional and powerful ritual deep in the dead of night of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. When a dark force comes, the High Priestess leads her people deep into the woods in search of answers. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something unholy lurked high up in the trees, watching. And it was! As the battles roar on and an unrelenting storm of claws, fangs, spells, and blades clash, you feel the unfolding action wrap around you. Fans of pulse-pounding thrillers, historical fiction, and magic steeped in mythology will find this book a real treat. It is brilliant.
Recommend this book:
Through Ashes and War
The Forged and The Fallen Book 3
R.M. Schultz
2025 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Through Ashes and War by R.M. Schultz is the third book in The Forged and The Fallen fantasy series. In book one, the Dragon Queen of Murgare seeks revenge for her murdered king, targeting Nevergrace. Cyran Orendain forms an alliance with the dragon Eidelmere, gaining magic and weapon skills. His sister, Jaslin, discovers a mysterious power to lead their people, and dragon thief Pravon serves a hidden employer with influence on the war's outcome. In book two, Cyran searches for the Queen's remains, facing Murgare's retaliation. Jaslin seeks answers about the murder in Galvenstone while Pravon follows an assassin hunting emissaries to prevent peace, and dark forces gather. Now, Cyran secures his kingdom’s victory in the second Dragon Wars, but darkness looms. The Queen is confined, and his past, the king, dragons, and a newly hatched creature threaten the world. Jaslin seeks to share vital knowledge, while Pravon pursues Cyran as the Cimerenden hordes advance.
R.M. Schultz's Through Ashes and War is a fantastically and intricately created fantasy world that has been built over the past two books, and explodes in this third installment. Schultz continues to build on an abundant magic system, harnessing elements like the neblír, spirits, and threads that are attached to a unique ethereal dimension within the story. This extraordinary backdrop elevates the ongoing conflicts, particularly Cyran’s battles against both physical and magical forces. As a female reader, I appreciate Schultz’s intentional inclusion of deep-seated gender and power, with Jaslin being the standout here as she defies societal expectations and tears down barriers in a world where magic and intellect are often viewed as gendered. And then, of course, there are the dragons! Each has their abilities, ranging from healing rose dragons to storm-breathers, and they are exceptional. Schultz’s writing melds together this and so much more, and gifts us with a gorgeous reading experience. Very highly recommended.
Through Ashes and War by R.M. Schultz is the third book in The Forged and The Fallen fantasy series. In book one, the Dragon Queen of Murgare seeks revenge for her murdered king, targeting Nevergrace. Cyran Orendain forms an alliance with the dragon Eidelmere, gaining magic and weapon skills. His sister, Jaslin, discovers a mysterious power to lead their people, and dragon thief Pravon serves a hidden employer with influence on the war's outcome. In book two, Cyran searches for the Queen's remains, facing Murgare's retaliation. Jaslin seeks answers about the murder in Galvenstone while Pravon follows an assassin hunting emissaries to prevent peace, and dark forces gather. Now, Cyran secures his kingdom’s victory in the second Dragon Wars, but darkness looms. The Queen is confined, and his past, the king, dragons, and a newly hatched creature threaten the world. Jaslin seeks to share vital knowledge, while Pravon pursues Cyran as the Cimerenden hordes advance.
R.M. Schultz's Through Ashes and War is a fantastically and intricately created fantasy world that has been built over the past two books, and explodes in this third installment. Schultz continues to build on an abundant magic system, harnessing elements like the neblír, spirits, and threads that are attached to a unique ethereal dimension within the story. This extraordinary backdrop elevates the ongoing conflicts, particularly Cyran’s battles against both physical and magical forces. As a female reader, I appreciate Schultz’s intentional inclusion of deep-seated gender and power, with Jaslin being the standout here as she defies societal expectations and tears down barriers in a world where magic and intellect are often viewed as gendered. And then, of course, there are the dragons! Each has their abilities, ranging from healing rose dragons to storm-breathers, and they are exceptional. Schultz’s writing melds together this and so much more, and gifts us with a gorgeous reading experience. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Journey of Souls
Rebecca Margaret Warner
2024 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Tracy Traynor for Readers' Favorite
Journey of Souls by Rebecca Warner is full of drama, mystery, and mysticism. This book could easily have been called ‘The Decline of a Devout Lady’ as the Countess of Mirefoix starts with prayerful good intentions, but her first sin sets her on a course of total destruction. When her husband returns from the Crusades, the countess sees no way forward for herself or her people and in despair commits her second sin with the aid of her lover. The dreadful tragedy that follows lies solely in this woman’s hands. Trying to fix things, she enters into sorcery and begins summoning souls from other places and times. The problem is that the Jinns are deceitful and never answer her requests in the way she wants. Four ‘souls’ are pulled from another time and place and enter the bodies of those she would sacrifice. It is her undoing.
Rebecca Warner interweaves elements of history, mysticism, and fantasy, spinning a fantastic take on the Dark Ages. She brings history alive in this gritty tale. Journey of Souls explores the depths of sin and the pursuit of forgiveness and redemption. With dark sorcery and brutally realistic elements to living in France in 1206, this fantasy tangos with macabre elements of human nature and blends it with hope, desire, and love. Journey of Souls has rich historical content and is very atmospheric. In an era when all women were subordinate to men, both peasant and noble, this story reveals the plight of a handful of women and the hardships they encounter. Wondering if any of them would ever reach a happy ending kept me turning pages to the very end. A gripping read.
Journey of Souls by Rebecca Warner is full of drama, mystery, and mysticism. This book could easily have been called ‘The Decline of a Devout Lady’ as the Countess of Mirefoix starts with prayerful good intentions, but her first sin sets her on a course of total destruction. When her husband returns from the Crusades, the countess sees no way forward for herself or her people and in despair commits her second sin with the aid of her lover. The dreadful tragedy that follows lies solely in this woman’s hands. Trying to fix things, she enters into sorcery and begins summoning souls from other places and times. The problem is that the Jinns are deceitful and never answer her requests in the way she wants. Four ‘souls’ are pulled from another time and place and enter the bodies of those she would sacrifice. It is her undoing.
Rebecca Warner interweaves elements of history, mysticism, and fantasy, spinning a fantastic take on the Dark Ages. She brings history alive in this gritty tale. Journey of Souls explores the depths of sin and the pursuit of forgiveness and redemption. With dark sorcery and brutally realistic elements to living in France in 1206, this fantasy tangos with macabre elements of human nature and blends it with hope, desire, and love. Journey of Souls has rich historical content and is very atmospheric. In an era when all women were subordinate to men, both peasant and noble, this story reveals the plight of a handful of women and the hardships they encounter. Wondering if any of them would ever reach a happy ending kept me turning pages to the very end. A gripping read.
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