Marc Aplin's Blog

While it’s doubtful that modern romantasy writers set out to consciously mimic Hobb’s masterful construction, the choice of first person, the intricate and deep emotional growth, and the form both give to key relationships, draw strong parallels. Bringing together these significant aspects of storytelling helped create one of the most successful and enduring pieces of fantasy literature, and it is wonderful to see them employed so successfully in new works. Intentionally mimicked or not, hats off to Hobb’s for her rich, intricate, engrossing characters and world, and for the joy she has brought to millions of readers.

What stayed with me most is that quiet thread running through everything. Determination. People pushing forward, rebuilding, adapting. Finding their place, even when the world has already taken something from them.This is not a story about easy victories or clean paths. It is about carving something out of a hard world, about choices, protecting those you love and a dash of revenge.

Books set in worlds with RPG (role-playing game) mechanics, be they virtual reality or alternative universes, have been around since before the 90s.I’ll attempt to cover as much as I can about publishing in this genre, there are parts of this article that will be, dare I say, autobiographical in nature and other parts that are based on research.

Witty, character-driven, and richer in scope, this sequel sends the Athena Club across Victorian Europe, mixing reimagined monsters, found family warmth, and darker historical realities into a story that is still full of charm and heart.

Fleet Champions balances explosive action with deepening character arcs in a way that feels earned.

Once upon a time, when I ran upon a gap in my reading, I felt guilty about it. But no longer. As the moodiest of mood readers, I have come to see my towering to-be-read (TBR) pile and those gaps as a blessing rather than a threat.

Our judges whittle down our group of 30 books by letting go of five at a time. We don’t read the books in any particular order, and so we don’t let them go from worst to best either. Each time we will review five books until we get to our semi-finalists, who will get their own reviews.

The world is richly described and vivid, its characters intricate. A violent tale of bitter revenge drenched in blood but defined by its intimate human connections. An absolute must read for anyone who enjoys grimdark fantasy or dark historical settings.

Charming, witty, and deeply character-driven, this Victorian-era mystery reimagines classic literary monsters through a warm, modern lens. With a strong focus on found family, sharp dialogue, and a playful narrative voice

... a confident start to a new series from an author who clearly has things to say about where technology and humanity are headed, and says them through a cast that keeps surprising you