Lilly Lockwood (Author of Songs of Broken Bells)

Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was ok Blue by Niranjan K.	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novella was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition This story wasn’t really for me. The overall plot felt a bit rushed and the focus on Alora didn’t add much to the plot. I kept waiting for her side plot to have a bigger effect on the overa ...more
Dec 18, 2025 08:19AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Blue by Niranjan K.. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Blue by Niranjan K. <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was amazing The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I was drawn in by the blurb and then even further drawn in by the first chapter. Donohue weaves together a unique story filled with worldbuilding that draws from folklore, rich descriptions, and a plot that pulls you along to the very end. I particul ...more
Dec 18, 2025 08:17AM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was ok Blue by Niranjan K.	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novella was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition This story wasn’t really for me. The overall plot felt a bit rushed and the focus on Alora didn’t add much to the plot. I kept waiting for her side plot to have a bigger effect on the overa ...more
Nov 09, 2025 05:19PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Blue by Niranjan K.. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Blue by Niranjan K. <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it Reap, Sow by S.H. Cooper (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This story was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition First off, the star of this story was the prose. S.H. Cooper does an absolutely fantastic job and weaving together an evocative description. I also think Luci's narration is top notch, reader ...more
Nov 06, 2025 09:35AM · like · see review
Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it Floodwaters (The Divine Archive) by Wren L. Rivers (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review. This review may contain minor spoilers. Worldbuilding: Floodwaters is set in a second world (Midir) that seems to have a similar technology level to our own but there is polytheistic p ...more
Oct 21, 2025 12:55PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Floodwaters by Wren L. Rivers. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Floodwaters by Wren L. Rivers <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Lilly Lockwood wants to read Wrath of Olympus (Ships of Britannia #1) by E.M. Kkoulla (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 18, 2025 03:09PM · like
Lilly Lockwood rated a book liked it Servant of the Muses (Jake Conrad Mythological Mysteries, #1) by Brad A. White (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Oct 18, 2025 02:54PM · like · see review
Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it The Nome King and the Shroud: A Space Opera by Tim Pratt (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The Nome King and The Shroud is a tale as old as time of human vs absolutely unhinged AI that can and will kill them without hesitation, but with a delightful twist. The titular ‘The Nome King’ is not only an ark ship shot into space to ferry a colon ...more
Oct 13, 2025 09:40PM · like · see review
Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was amazing The Final Voyage of Avery Mothmere by Helen Whistberry (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3. This review may contain minor spoilers. Worldbuilding: The island that Avery finds themself washed ashore on is a strange place of circles, killer crabs, forest giants, tower dwelling beings ...more
Oct 11, 2025 07:13PM · like · see review
Lilly Lockwood is currently reading The Nome King and the Shroud: A Space Opera by Tim Pratt (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 11, 2025 06:27PM · like

Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was ok

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*This novella was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition*

This story wasn’t really for me. The overall plot felt a bit rushed and the focus on Alora didn’t add much to the plot. I kept waiting for her side plot to have a bigger effect on the overa ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was amazing

The Drowned Heir
by Jennifer R. Donohue (Goodreads Author)

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I was drawn in by the blurb and then even further drawn in by the first chapter. Donohue weaves together a unique story filled with worldbuilding that draws from folklore, rich descriptions, and a plot that pulls you along to the very end. I particul ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was ok

Blue
by Niranjan K.

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*This novella was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition*

This story wasn’t really for me. The overall plot felt a bit rushed and the focus on Alora didn’t add much to the plot. I kept waiting for her side plot to have a bigger effect on the overa ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it

Reap, Sow
by S.H. Cooper (Goodreads Author)

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*This story was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition*

First off, the star of this story was the prose. S.H. Cooper does an absolutely fantastic job and weaving together an evocative description. I also think Luci's narration is top notch, reader ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it

Floodwaters (The Divine Archive)
by Wren L. Rivers (Goodreads Author)

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I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: Floodwaters is set in a second world (Midir) that seems to have a similar technology level to our own but there is polytheistic p I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: Floodwaters is set in a second world (Midir) that seems to have a similar technology level to our own but there is polytheistic pantheon consisting of gods that command specific elements. We get some hints at who the various gods of this world are, though the focus is primarily on 'The God King' Einari. I would have loved to learn more about this world, but I think Rivers does a good job at giving us just a taste of what's to come.

Emotions: I have a lot of conflicted feelings about this story. At times I was disgusted by the actions and thoughts of some of the characters, but the more I sat with it, the more I realized just how true to life their actions were. These characters are put through hell, and through that Rivers doesn't shy away from the acts of cruelty (sometimes viewed as a kindness) that humans will engage in when their world is utterly changed and they don't know if it will ever be normal again. But there are also profound moments of kindness and closeness that the characters experience. It's a delicate balance that left me feeling heartbroken at the end.

Intrigue: I'm always a fan of stories that involve a yet unseen deity/entity making themselves known and how their followers react to their presence. I think Rivers does a really wonderful job at tapping into the human psyche with this kind of situation.

Relationships: Eris is, at times, a somewhat unlikeable main character, but we have to remember that he's a teenager with all of the complicated feelings about his family and others in his life to match. Rivers shows us all sides of Eris, good and bad, but at the end of the day I still found myself rooting for him, and I think that takes a lot of skill. There is a sort of budding romance between Eris and Miri (which unfortunately gets overshadowed by other events) that I thought was cute and was very awkward in the classic teenage fashion of not really knowing how to flirt.

Descriptions: The prose is fairly simple (not at all a bad thing, I love simple prose) but Rivers does a good job at setting the stage for the story. I think they do a particularly good job at describing Eris' inner thoughts and exploring how his mental health declines throughout certain events.

Engagement: The first half of this story was a little slow for me (to be honest I'm just not that into reading stories where teenagers are the main characters) but things certainly pick up at the halfway mark and I was on the edge of my seat as the characters deal with the ensuing certain events they've been thrust into. I never quite knew what Eris or Miri were going to do next or what they were going to encounter.

Final thoughts: This is a capital T tragedy and an in depth exploration at the worst parts of people during the worst parts of their lives. I think Floodwaters is a shocking setup for River's upcoming novel Blood of the Gods, and I think it's a must read if you're interested in that story. ...more

Lilly Lockwood wants to read

Wrath of Olympus (Ships of Britannia #1)
by E.M. Kkoulla (Goodreads Author)

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Lilly Lockwood rated a book liked it

Servant of the Muses (Jake Conrad Mythological Mysteries, #1)
by Brad A. White (Goodreads Author)

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: I'll admit that I don't often read stories inspired by Greek mythos and it's not my preferred form of fantasy (outside of when I devoure This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: I'll admit that I don't often read stories inspired by Greek mythos and it's not my preferred form of fantasy (outside of when I devoured the Percy Jackson series in middle school). But in spite of my lack of knowledge, I thought the inclusion of the muses and some background information about various Greek gods made for an interesting twist on a classic noir mystery.

Emotions: This story didn't evoke a ton of emotions in me, but it was a very fun read! I did appreciate Jake's genuine concern for Clio as the investigation to find her progresses. Though he had unknowingly bound her to himself, it was clear that he cared deeply about her. I think for some the climax would definitely be emotional, but I didn't quite make a strong enough connection to the characters.

Intrigue: White crafted a very interesting mystery with a twist I genuinely didn't see coming (but thought was well planned out). I've also never read a noir greek mythology mystery and I think it makes for a very unique and fun story.

Relationships: The relationship between Jake and Erato didn't quite hit for me. I know that she's the muse of passion/love but Jake's constant lusting after her and describing her body left a somewhat sour taste in my mouth. I did find the relationship between the three muses we meet in this story to be interesting (Erato, Clio, and Urania). White does a good job at depicting the messy family dynamics of greek gods.

Descriptions: This is the aspect where this story shines the brightest. White has perfectly captured the feel of a classic noir mystery, from the way Jake speaks, to the types of villains he faces, to the metaphors use, this story is absolutely steeped in the heavy smoke and whiskey of a good noir mystery.

Engagement: The pacing of this story was very well done. Jake picks up on clues at just the right times, there's a few dramatic show downs with some minor villains sprinkled in throughout to keep the tension high, and the final clue slots into place at just the right moment.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed reading this novella and thought the execution of blending the two genres to be well done.If you like greek mythology and noir mysteries, this is the perfect combination of the two. ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book really liked it

The Nome King and the Shroud by Tim Pratt

The Nome King and the Shroud: A Space Opera
by Tim Pratt (Goodreads Author)

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The Nome King and The Shroud is a tale as old as time of human vs absolutely unhinged AI that can and will kill them without hesitation, but with a delightful twist. The titular ‘The Nome King’ is not only an ark ship shot into space to ferry a colon ...more

Lilly Lockwood rated a book it was amazing

The Final Voyage of Avery Mothmere
by Helen Whistberry (Goodreads Author)

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This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: The island that Avery finds themself washed ashore on is a strange place of circles, killer crabs, forest giants, tower dwelling beings This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: The island that Avery finds themself washed ashore on is a strange place of circles, killer crabs, forest giants, tower dwelling beings the likes of Cousin It, gilded children, and townsfolk who would rather trade their wares for a new story than money. Much of what we learn and see of this island is through Avery's eyes, which leaves you with a lot of questions, but I honestly think that works for this story. We don't need to know how everything works, just how Avery feels about it.

Emotions: Avery is a very autistic coded character (and I believe Whistberry has confirmed this as canon in posts on their social media) and they view everything through a very analytical and scientific lense. As an autistic person myself, I found them incredibly relatable, especially when they had conflicting emotions regarding their situation and how they felt about different characters. This story certainly dredged up my emotions and there is one scene in particular between Avery and Theda (their host with the bountiful locks) that absolutely ripped my heart out.

Intrigue: I talked a bit about the strangeness of this island already but that is one of the big things that drew me in to this story. I was constantly theorizing as to the nature of the island, what was actually happening to Avery (much as they wonder themselves), and what the intentions of Theda and Anchor (the gilded child) were. While I'll keep my theories to myself as to not spoil anything too much, I will say that I absolutely did not see the ending coming (it was a wonderful twist).

Relationships: In such a short wordcount it can be difficult to fully develop characters relationships, and while at time I wish we were able to see Avery spend a bit more time with each character, the development of their relationship and understanding to each inhabitant of the island progressed very naturally. In particular, I loved Avery's conversations with Zaza the giant.

Descriptions: While it's not usually a narration style I'm a fan of, I absolutely loved the almost Jane Austen like manner in which Avery spoke and narrated their story. It really seated the story in time for me and added this extra layer that really made the descriptions sing. The illustrations that preceded each chapter were so much fun and I was thrilled when it was revealed that the illustrations were diagetic.

Engagement: This was one of those stories that I really wanted to savor and read more slowly. I easily could have finished it in one or two sittings but I wanted to sit with each chapter and think about the interactions between the characters or the events Avery had just been through. Even so, I absolutely tore through the last 20% of the book.

Final thoughts: I had a blast reading this story. Every character was so full of life and I loved Avery (and dear Soot the cat) as a main character. If you love stories with a strong voice, fantastical settings, and a plot that never quite lets you know where it’s going to turn next then I’d highly recommend this novella. ...more

Lilly Lockwood is currently reading

The Nome King and the Shroud: A Space Opera
by Tim Pratt (Goodreads Author)

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	Songs of Broken Bells 4.80 avg rating — 10 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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