What do you think?
Rate this book
The Miners Mine #1
Miners of the Mystics
Deep in the mountain where magic and mining coincide, penniless Oliver enlists as a Miner of the Mystics. The dream is unfathomable riches, the risk is injury or even death. A risk worth taking for just a glance at Sentinel Tau, an otherworldly being tasked with protecting the mountain’s inhabitants.
Oliver’s luck plummets when he suffers a magical curse. Even a wayward touch could hurt him or his friends, alienating Oliver from everyone but Tau, whose healing magic he needs to survive. Oliver aches for an echo of his feelings behind the Sentinel’s expressionless mask—and discovers it in unexpected ways.
When Oliver and his friends unearth a portal, the rarest artefact of all, he is plunged into a world of nightmares. There, he uncovers the gruesome origins of mining for the transmundane. The truth of what they might have unleashed upon their own world is only the beginning of a harrowing road Oliver stumbles down to be with Tau.
A slow-burn dark fantasy m/m romance story.
Oliver’s luck plummets when he suffers a magical curse. Even a wayward touch could hurt him or his friends, alienating Oliver from everyone but Tau, whose healing magic he needs to survive. Oliver aches for an echo of his feelings behind the Sentinel’s expressionless mask—and discovers it in unexpected ways.
When Oliver and his friends unearth a portal, the rarest artefact of all, he is plunged into a world of nightmares. There, he uncovers the gruesome origins of mining for the transmundane. The truth of what they might have unleashed upon their own world is only the beginning of a harrowing road Oliver stumbles down to be with Tau.
A slow-burn dark fantasy m/m romance story.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2023
29 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Penny Moss
6 books99 followersHi, I'm Moss.
It/Its
I write deeply flawed characters who walk their own paths, and build stories from side to bottom to side to top, with intricacies that are more than a little inconspicuous.
Sign up to the Newsletter
It/Its
I write deeply flawed characters who walk their own paths, and build stories from side to bottom to side to top, with intricacies that are more than a little inconspicuous.
Sign up to the Newsletter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 11, 2023
This book was full of delicious surprises and mysteries. The world-building is superb, plunging us into a surreal, magically-haunted setting that we get tantalizing glimpses of through the experiences and beliefs of the characters. One of my favorite things about it is that the characters themselves have an imperfect understanding of their world, and the plot brings them into direct confrontation with that-- sometimes in the form of other characters who defy their understanding, sometimes through events that "shouldn't" ever happen.
As an author Penny Moss doesn't shy away from the characters' unique flaws or shortcomings, with themes of resentment, guilt, pettiness, and bias simmering in various forms throughout the arc of the story. But Moss doesn't trap the characters there (it's a delight when writers allow their characters enough breathing room to traverse the spaces between good or bad without being flattened fully into one or the other). We also get treated to everything that makes these characters likable, and worth caring about, especially in those moments they're able to tap their redemptive qualities: forgiveness, compassion, selflessness, and love (both platonic and otherwise). Moss makes those moments feel richly earned, and poignant.
The relationships are well-weathered in the way that I want to see out of lifelong friendships, but the plot also pulls the characters into high-stakes decision points where the course of their relationships can, and sometimes do, irrevocably shift--sometimes for the better! Which balanced well against the darker points in this story.
I was particularly swept off my feet by the wonder and allure between the main character and his love interest. Just absolutely luscious, tender, and hot chemistry. I appreciated how protectiveness and care were expressed both ways between them, and how clearly the two were able to communicate about what counts-- despite the mysterious silence of the love interest.
Truly haunting horror-imagery, a tightly-woven plot, believable characters, and scary (sometimes hilariously) unpredictable magic.
And I haven't even gotten to the ART. Stunning full-color chapter art, which sets this book apart. So much atmosphere and emotion conveyed through the illustrations. I keep going back to look at my favorites.
Loved this. Can't wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As an author Penny Moss doesn't shy away from the characters' unique flaws or shortcomings, with themes of resentment, guilt, pettiness, and bias simmering in various forms throughout the arc of the story. But Moss doesn't trap the characters there (it's a delight when writers allow their characters enough breathing room to traverse the spaces between good or bad without being flattened fully into one or the other). We also get treated to everything that makes these characters likable, and worth caring about, especially in those moments they're able to tap their redemptive qualities: forgiveness, compassion, selflessness, and love (both platonic and otherwise). Moss makes those moments feel richly earned, and poignant.
The relationships are well-weathered in the way that I want to see out of lifelong friendships, but the plot also pulls the characters into high-stakes decision points where the course of their relationships can, and sometimes do, irrevocably shift--sometimes for the better! Which balanced well against the darker points in this story.
I was particularly swept off my feet by the wonder and allure between the main character and his love interest. Just absolutely luscious, tender, and hot chemistry. I appreciated how protectiveness and care were expressed both ways between them, and how clearly the two were able to communicate about what counts-- despite the mysterious silence of the love interest.
Truly haunting horror-imagery, a tightly-woven plot, believable characters, and scary (sometimes hilariously) unpredictable magic.
And I haven't even gotten to the ART. Stunning full-color chapter art, which sets this book apart. So much atmosphere and emotion conveyed through the illustrations. I keep going back to look at my favorites.
Loved this. Can't wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2024
Working on my long review...👀
October 15, 2023
This was superb!
Fantastic layered world-building, oodles of rep, colourful characters with a variety of strong personalities, mayhem and magiiiiiiic.
I always love books which follow a close knit group, and this one was no exception! This novel primarily follows Oliver's POV but occasionally branches out into the rest of the main cast, which enables the reader to bond with all of them. Every member of the gang has their own stuff going on, and I'm excited to learn more about them in subsequent books.
This book is so much more than a simple romance (it's got action and adventure by the bucketload!). But the slow burn romance between Oliver and Tau (a godlike masked, mute creature) was beautifully written, as well as original.
The full coloured illustrations in this book were STUNNING and I'm now in awe of both Moss's writing and drawing ability.
Miners of the Mystics was an outstanding debut novel, recommended to anyone who enjoys richly detailed worlds, high-stakes plots and unique romances.
Fantastic layered world-building, oodles of rep, colourful characters with a variety of strong personalities, mayhem and magiiiiiiic.
I always love books which follow a close knit group, and this one was no exception! This novel primarily follows Oliver's POV but occasionally branches out into the rest of the main cast, which enables the reader to bond with all of them. Every member of the gang has their own stuff going on, and I'm excited to learn more about them in subsequent books.
This book is so much more than a simple romance (it's got action and adventure by the bucketload!). But the slow burn romance between Oliver and Tau (a godlike masked, mute creature) was beautifully written, as well as original.
The full coloured illustrations in this book were STUNNING and I'm now in awe of both Moss's writing and drawing ability.
Miners of the Mystics was an outstanding debut novel, recommended to anyone who enjoys richly detailed worlds, high-stakes plots and unique romances.
November 30, 2025
I've recently re-read Miners of the Mystics, one of my favorite books, and I think I somehow enjoyed it even more this time around.
Miners of the Mystics is just an incredible book and start to a series. If you haven't heard much about it before, I hope you stick around for this review or jump directly into its world because this book is... intensely meaningful, so smart, and something I haven't seen on bookshelves before. Which, do you know how rare that is? A *unique* book? Miners takes themes I love found family, liminal spaces, magic, monsters, and monster romance, to name a few - and makes them not only exceptional but NEW.
To start with, just one part of what makes Miners so deeply hypnotizing, is the world-building, which is phenomenal. Taking place largely in a mountain and nearby town, this first book easily, gradually, and without info-dumping, lays the groundwork for some of the rules of how this world works (or at least how the characters THINK it does), and then breaks some of those rules in ways both supernatural and profoundly human. It sets up powers I haven't seen done these ways before and multifarious portals to dimensions filled with unheard of creatures. There's unique magic here in the literal AND literary sense, laced with sibylline nuance and dark and unknown threats nipping at the characters' heels.
Which, the plot is just insanely good. It starts out quite gradual here in the first book, with a laundry list of unknowns and characters trying to move towards what they want while being tugged in the direction their morals make them go. I don't want to say much here because there are so many twists and secrets every reader deserves to discover for themself, but suffice to say it KEEPS me on the edge of my seat. And I'll gladly talk about the characters instead.
The cast of characters in this series is FULL. You want to read about found family, with no blood relation, being there for each other no matter what? Friends with unique histories and personalities getting thrown into danger at every turn, and only having each other to stay alive or stay sane? Forbidden love interests sweetly falling for each other and being so fiercely protective they'd RUIN themselves for the other? Yeah, this book has all of that too, and it has it in spades. It's rare I find a romance book so rich in its characters, with beloved side characters featuring almost as much as the mains, one of the many things I love about it!
Oh yeah, and that ROMANCE. in a queer-normative world full of queer characters of many flavors, the only thing any character finds odd about Oliver's infatuation with the Sentinel Tau is that Tau is twice his size, magical, doesn't seem to be human, and also, touching him is completely illegal. And yet...? Touch, they do.
The slow-burn romance in this book is precious. Despite the setting, despite the darkness and monsters and horrors the characters must survive, Tau and Oliver are preciously sweet. There's no other way I can say it. They're curious and tender and kind, yet roughly desperate when they touch, and if you've ever wanted to read a dark fantasy/horror that ALSO makes you blush and kick your feet? You've found that too.
AND and and if you didn't know, included in this catalogue of qualities, Penny Moss, the author, is also an artist who NOT ONLY has made the cover of every book it has written, but ALSO has made chapter art for every. Single. Chapter. Of this series. EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER!!
You want character art? You want to see the love interests' tender moments? The terrifying monsters? The portal to another world? The weird, whimsical, and wonderful in this book? YOU'VE GOT IT. IN THIS FIRST BOOK ALONE, there are twenty-five chapters and twenty-five pieces of human-made artwork rendering EXACTLY what the author intended because the author. Is also. The artist. Aphantasia who?!
Miners of the Mystics is a favorite of mine for so many reasons, not even all of which have been included here. Actually, there's not a single moment Miners has only one thing going for it. Every chapter is rich with smart writing, character development, friendship, mysterious plot, and sweet, swoon-worthy romance. I just... I go on these tangents of this series because it’s so insanely good, and I freaking *love* this book. Suffice to say, I am *obsessed*. I can't recommend this book or this author more highly, and if anything here has piqued your interest, please add Miners of the Mystics to some of your lists. While there IS a bit of a cult following for this indie series and queer author, they both deserve more accolades than they've gotten, and all I can do is scream about them both from the rooftops until they finally find their way into more readers' hands. Check them out!!
Miners of the Mystics is just an incredible book and start to a series. If you haven't heard much about it before, I hope you stick around for this review or jump directly into its world because this book is... intensely meaningful, so smart, and something I haven't seen on bookshelves before. Which, do you know how rare that is? A *unique* book? Miners takes themes I love found family, liminal spaces, magic, monsters, and monster romance, to name a few - and makes them not only exceptional but NEW.
To start with, just one part of what makes Miners so deeply hypnotizing, is the world-building, which is phenomenal. Taking place largely in a mountain and nearby town, this first book easily, gradually, and without info-dumping, lays the groundwork for some of the rules of how this world works (or at least how the characters THINK it does), and then breaks some of those rules in ways both supernatural and profoundly human. It sets up powers I haven't seen done these ways before and multifarious portals to dimensions filled with unheard of creatures. There's unique magic here in the literal AND literary sense, laced with sibylline nuance and dark and unknown threats nipping at the characters' heels.
Which, the plot is just insanely good. It starts out quite gradual here in the first book, with a laundry list of unknowns and characters trying to move towards what they want while being tugged in the direction their morals make them go. I don't want to say much here because there are so many twists and secrets every reader deserves to discover for themself, but suffice to say it KEEPS me on the edge of my seat. And I'll gladly talk about the characters instead.
The cast of characters in this series is FULL. You want to read about found family, with no blood relation, being there for each other no matter what? Friends with unique histories and personalities getting thrown into danger at every turn, and only having each other to stay alive or stay sane? Forbidden love interests sweetly falling for each other and being so fiercely protective they'd RUIN themselves for the other? Yeah, this book has all of that too, and it has it in spades. It's rare I find a romance book so rich in its characters, with beloved side characters featuring almost as much as the mains, one of the many things I love about it!
Oh yeah, and that ROMANCE. in a queer-normative world full of queer characters of many flavors, the only thing any character finds odd about Oliver's infatuation with the Sentinel Tau is that Tau is twice his size, magical, doesn't seem to be human, and also, touching him is completely illegal. And yet...? Touch, they do.
The slow-burn romance in this book is precious. Despite the setting, despite the darkness and monsters and horrors the characters must survive, Tau and Oliver are preciously sweet. There's no other way I can say it. They're curious and tender and kind, yet roughly desperate when they touch, and if you've ever wanted to read a dark fantasy/horror that ALSO makes you blush and kick your feet? You've found that too.
AND and and if you didn't know, included in this catalogue of qualities, Penny Moss, the author, is also an artist who NOT ONLY has made the cover of every book it has written, but ALSO has made chapter art for every. Single. Chapter. Of this series. EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER!!
You want character art? You want to see the love interests' tender moments? The terrifying monsters? The portal to another world? The weird, whimsical, and wonderful in this book? YOU'VE GOT IT. IN THIS FIRST BOOK ALONE, there are twenty-five chapters and twenty-five pieces of human-made artwork rendering EXACTLY what the author intended because the author. Is also. The artist. Aphantasia who?!
Miners of the Mystics is a favorite of mine for so many reasons, not even all of which have been included here. Actually, there's not a single moment Miners has only one thing going for it. Every chapter is rich with smart writing, character development, friendship, mysterious plot, and sweet, swoon-worthy romance. I just... I go on these tangents of this series because it’s so insanely good, and I freaking *love* this book. Suffice to say, I am *obsessed*. I can't recommend this book or this author more highly, and if anything here has piqued your interest, please add Miners of the Mystics to some of your lists. While there IS a bit of a cult following for this indie series and queer author, they both deserve more accolades than they've gotten, and all I can do is scream about them both from the rooftops until they finally find their way into more readers' hands. Check them out!!
September 1, 2023
I. AM. EXCITED.
Queer fantasy, monsters and magic, steamy romance, nonbinary and trans rep... all I've been asking for and more! Moss's world building has me hooked. They weave a fantastic blend of familiar technology with otherworldly magic. Once I got comfortable with how things worked in this world... everything got thrown into question. I'm invested in this band of friends and I can't wait to see how their stories unfold as the series continues.
I'm absolutely vibrating with excitement to be getting into this series from the beginning. Do NOT sleep on this!!
Thank you SO much to Moss for the chance to check out the ebook for free. The moment I finished reading, I ordered my paperback copy. As always, I'm writing this review of my own accord.
Queer fantasy, monsters and magic, steamy romance, nonbinary and trans rep... all I've been asking for and more! Moss's world building has me hooked. They weave a fantastic blend of familiar technology with otherworldly magic. Once I got comfortable with how things worked in this world... everything got thrown into question. I'm invested in this band of friends and I can't wait to see how their stories unfold as the series continues.
I'm absolutely vibrating with excitement to be getting into this series from the beginning. Do NOT sleep on this!!
Thank you SO much to Moss for the chance to check out the ebook for free. The moment I finished reading, I ordered my paperback copy. As always, I'm writing this review of my own accord.
August 20, 2024
4.5 star rounded up.
One of the things I like most about this author is the wonderful worldbuilding she develops, which for fantasy seems necessary, but the good thing about this book is that you have to think and deduce the rules of the world by yourself, because the author doesn't use any character to explain them.
It's full of otherworldly magic, mundane technology and characters that jump off the pages, including the secondary ones.
I really liked the relationship between Tau and Oliver. Tau is a being from another world, who is in charge of taking care of the humans who work in the mine, healing them and providing them with well-being. He immediately develops feelings for Oliver, a human who has gone to the mine to look for magical artifacts to make a living or to find the one that will get him out of there and lead him to a life of luxury. Oliver reciprocates Tau's feelings.
I'm looking forward to reading the second one.
One of the things I like most about this author is the wonderful worldbuilding she develops, which for fantasy seems necessary, but the good thing about this book is that you have to think and deduce the rules of the world by yourself, because the author doesn't use any character to explain them.
It's full of otherworldly magic, mundane technology and characters that jump off the pages, including the secondary ones.
I really liked the relationship between Tau and Oliver. Tau is a being from another world, who is in charge of taking care of the humans who work in the mine, healing them and providing them with well-being. He immediately develops feelings for Oliver, a human who has gone to the mine to look for magical artifacts to make a living or to find the one that will get him out of there and lead him to a life of luxury. Oliver reciprocates Tau's feelings.
I'm looking forward to reading the second one.
August 18, 2024
Finding out that this was the author's first book was kind of a trip. I read their most recent release first, and was wondering how similar in style it was. I was not disappointed.
The character work done in this book is exceptional. I cannot understate how good it is to read a novel where I care about every single supporting character, and to have a story with an m/m romance in it where the women aren't relegated to cookie-cutter figures just shoehorned in for the sake of it. Both main characters are charming, and so, so different from anything I've ever read in a romance before.
I love Oliver and his flaws and his unrelenting nature and sweet innocence that persists through the horrible shit he goes through. (Do not touch him, he is primed and ready to blow)
I love Tau because the mystique is KILLING ME. They have a mask for the whole book?? I have an idea of what's underneath, but the mystery is delicious, plus: he's so cute. It's not easy to make a character's personality clear when all they have is non-verbal communication on a page, but somehow Penny manages.
The imagery described throughout the book, environmental or visceral, is very clear and rich, and the setting is both fascinating and curious.
Stuff you should keep in mind that may not work for everyone (me included, in some cases):
- this entire book is one long unreliable narrator. Details are left out or coloured by the character's opinions. You HAVE to be able to piece together information from context clues or breadcrumbs as the narrative is not going to explain it.
There are 3 more books in the series that may answer some of the unanswered questions left at the end of this book, but overall it was enough to where I felt lost at times, and not having those details did bother me.
- this book ends on a cliffhanger. Fortunately for us, the next book is coming out in a few weeks, so this is a good time to pick it up.
- the romance is VERY slow burn, so do consider this as a fantasy novel with romantic elements.
People are sleeping on Penny Moss--if you're interested in picking up something weird, well-written, engrossing and a little freaky, please do yourself a favour.
The character work done in this book is exceptional. I cannot understate how good it is to read a novel where I care about every single supporting character, and to have a story with an m/m romance in it where the women aren't relegated to cookie-cutter figures just shoehorned in for the sake of it. Both main characters are charming, and so, so different from anything I've ever read in a romance before.
I love Oliver and his flaws and his unrelenting nature and sweet innocence that persists through the horrible shit he goes through. (Do not touch him, he is primed and ready to blow)
I love Tau because the mystique is KILLING ME. They have a mask for the whole book?? I have an idea of what's underneath, but the mystery is delicious, plus: he's so cute. It's not easy to make a character's personality clear when all they have is non-verbal communication on a page, but somehow Penny manages.
The imagery described throughout the book, environmental or visceral, is very clear and rich, and the setting is both fascinating and curious.
Stuff you should keep in mind that may not work for everyone (me included, in some cases):
- this entire book is one long unreliable narrator. Details are left out or coloured by the character's opinions. You HAVE to be able to piece together information from context clues or breadcrumbs as the narrative is not going to explain it.
There are 3 more books in the series that may answer some of the unanswered questions left at the end of this book, but overall it was enough to where I felt lost at times, and not having those details did bother me.
- this book ends on a cliffhanger. Fortunately for us, the next book is coming out in a few weeks, so this is a good time to pick it up.
- the romance is VERY slow burn, so do consider this as a fantasy novel with romantic elements.
People are sleeping on Penny Moss--if you're interested in picking up something weird, well-written, engrossing and a little freaky, please do yourself a favour.
September 19, 2023
I’m a bit torn on this, but I’m rounding up from 3.5. I think it has a lot of potential, though things still feel a bit chaotic and unexplained in some ways. It’s only book one, so.
It started off pretty strong, though we’re thrown right into this world without any explanation. There’s a fine line between info-dumping and no explanation at all, and it’s hard to balance. I think I was just confused by a lot of the mining terminology, which I thought was like made up fantasy stuff 😅
This is truly a creative and unique world, full of interesting characters. The idea of mining to find random items, creatures, portals, and even curses is pretty interesting, though it feels kinda unexplained too. But that’s why I feel there’s potential; there’s a lot we have no explanation for after book 1, but I can see further plot points clarifying a lot of that.
Some things I struggled with: the POV switching/time jumps. While I enjoyed the various characters and definitely appreciated seeing Tau’s POV, it got a bit confusing at times because there were time jumps. The first time jump is actually in Oliver’s POV, where it jumps ahead 5 years. That’s okay, except there’s a character missing with no explanation until a bit later on. If I were a patient person, that’d be no problem. As it happened, I went back and searched to see if I missed something. But anyway. When the POV switches, sometimes it jumps back in time and the chapter doesn’t pick up where the last left off. I got confused several times that way. However, one area the author shines here is that I never doubted whose POV I was reading, and that happens a lot. It was clear throughout each chapter.
The portals, dimensions, and realities at play definitely had me lost. We seem to be dealing with portals that travel to different dimensions, but also some that show memories? There’s a LOT about this that remains unexplained and confusing at this point. Again, it’s only book 1. But why are them Horrors transporting some folks and tearing others limb from limb? 😅🤷♀️
There’s also so much unknown about the Sentinels. What happened when Tau was imprisoned? Why was he brought back, just because Nu couldn’t handle the job? What happened when he was encased in the orb after he went through the blue door portal? I was confused about his life state a lot. And he gets a random outfit change that’s unexplained, too. Guess we’ll find out. I also just didn’t understand Nu’s deal with Oliver and why he was so violent toward him. It seemed harsh.
And the unknowns about the Sentinels leaves me with some questions about the budding romance. Oliver is clearly very attached to Tau, and Tau’s POV indicates similar attachment with maybe less nuanced understanding. But I still have some reservations. Tau is an immortal being, and Oliver is a 20something kid who’s never been intimate with anyone. And Oliver draws a lot of comfort from Tau. I think I really need to see them become able to communicate somehow.
All that aside, there’s a lot to love about the book, despite the gore and misery throughout. Particularly the found family aspect. Oliver is like perpetually broke because his curse makes him an inefficient miner and he has to spend much of his wages on new tools all the time, but his friends are always looking out for him and taking care of him regardless. Even when they’re on shaky ground. They literally help him bathe so he doesn’t hurt himself. These people could’ve dumped his ass and instead they are so good to him. I love them all. And for Benjamin’s sake, I hope he and Sam get their HEA someday.
Anyway, it’s a all very intriguing with so many unanswered questions! It’s a book that had me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I will likely be picking up the next book.
It started off pretty strong, though we’re thrown right into this world without any explanation. There’s a fine line between info-dumping and no explanation at all, and it’s hard to balance. I think I was just confused by a lot of the mining terminology, which I thought was like made up fantasy stuff 😅
This is truly a creative and unique world, full of interesting characters. The idea of mining to find random items, creatures, portals, and even curses is pretty interesting, though it feels kinda unexplained too. But that’s why I feel there’s potential; there’s a lot we have no explanation for after book 1, but I can see further plot points clarifying a lot of that.
Some things I struggled with: the POV switching/time jumps. While I enjoyed the various characters and definitely appreciated seeing Tau’s POV, it got a bit confusing at times because there were time jumps. The first time jump is actually in Oliver’s POV, where it jumps ahead 5 years. That’s okay, except there’s a character missing with no explanation until a bit later on. If I were a patient person, that’d be no problem. As it happened, I went back and searched to see if I missed something. But anyway. When the POV switches, sometimes it jumps back in time and the chapter doesn’t pick up where the last left off. I got confused several times that way. However, one area the author shines here is that I never doubted whose POV I was reading, and that happens a lot. It was clear throughout each chapter.
The portals, dimensions, and realities at play definitely had me lost. We seem to be dealing with portals that travel to different dimensions, but also some that show memories? There’s a LOT about this that remains unexplained and confusing at this point. Again, it’s only book 1. But why are them Horrors transporting some folks and tearing others limb from limb? 😅🤷♀️
There’s also so much unknown about the Sentinels. What happened when Tau was imprisoned? Why was he brought back, just because Nu couldn’t handle the job? What happened when he was encased in the orb after he went through the blue door portal? I was confused about his life state a lot. And he gets a random outfit change that’s unexplained, too. Guess we’ll find out. I also just didn’t understand Nu’s deal with Oliver and why he was so violent toward him. It seemed harsh.
And the unknowns about the Sentinels leaves me with some questions about the budding romance. Oliver is clearly very attached to Tau, and Tau’s POV indicates similar attachment with maybe less nuanced understanding. But I still have some reservations. Tau is an immortal being, and Oliver is a 20something kid who’s never been intimate with anyone. And Oliver draws a lot of comfort from Tau. I think I really need to see them become able to communicate somehow.
All that aside, there’s a lot to love about the book, despite the gore and misery throughout. Particularly the found family aspect. Oliver is like perpetually broke because his curse makes him an inefficient miner and he has to spend much of his wages on new tools all the time, but his friends are always looking out for him and taking care of him regardless. Even when they’re on shaky ground. They literally help him bathe so he doesn’t hurt himself. These people could’ve dumped his ass and instead they are so good to him. I love them all. And for Benjamin’s sake, I hope he and Sam get their HEA someday.
Anyway, it’s a all very intriguing with so many unanswered questions! It’s a book that had me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I will likely be picking up the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
I got this as an ARC & my review is voluntary!
My adhd has a hard time with fantasy novels so I wasn’t optimistic about my ability to finish this going in but WOW am I glad I read this!
The world is fascinating and mysterious. The found family element is superb. The characters are just flawed enough to be realistic so that you get properly attached to them. I wanted to wrap Oliver and Tau and Benjamin in the biggest hugs. The romance is a sweet slow burn. The queer representation is fantastic.
Warning- this does end on a cliffhanger!
I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
My adhd has a hard time with fantasy novels so I wasn’t optimistic about my ability to finish this going in but WOW am I glad I read this!
The world is fascinating and mysterious. The found family element is superb. The characters are just flawed enough to be realistic so that you get properly attached to them. I wanted to wrap Oliver and Tau and Benjamin in the biggest hugs. The romance is a sweet slow burn. The queer representation is fantastic.
Warning- this does end on a cliffhanger!
I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
October 5, 2023
I loved, loved, loved this book! At first, I did struggle a bit to understand the world but once I did I was hooked. I love Oliver and Tau’s relationship, plus the photos at the start of each chapter? Stunning. Highly recommend for fantasy lovers!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 14, 2024
If it was possible to rate higher then 5 stars I would!!! This series is becoming my whole world! ♡ Oliver is THE cutest and his feelings for his friends are so cute and so real!!! The way everyone shows their love for their friends is everything! I cannot wait to find out more about Tau and his kind!
I don't normally read 3rd person but the chapters still read in each pov which is odd but so good and fits the how the story is told. I love this so much!
I don't normally read 3rd person but the chapters still read in each pov which is odd but so good and fits the how the story is told. I love this so much!
September 16, 2023
An excellent debut novel and a fantastic read.
This story is fantasy adventure filled with gory horror elements, diverse characters, queer romance and gorgeous chapter art to boot. Very LGBTIAQ+ friendly with a wide range of experiences represented, this is well worth a read, especially if you’re partial to human x non-human romance, unique world-building and eclectic found family dynamics.
The book follows Oliver, an unfortunate miner, as he and his friends mine magical artifacts for cash and progress, but misfortune and bizarre happenstances keep befalling them. It’s only Tau, the mine’s god-like magical guard and protector, who seems to have any answers. And Tau doesn’t talk, as such.
All the characters get their time in the sun, and each grows more complex as you go along, often in unexpected ways. Imaginative and inventive world-building which is revealed only as you need it, while always giving the sense of more below the surface just bubbling away, ready to pop out at some unexpected moment. Some truly horrific descriptions make this a great option for anyone looking for something with fantasy horror of the monster variety, and the sweet, sensual romance makes for a great counterbalance.
So excited to see where we go in Book 2!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Miners of the Mystics in exchange for an honest review.
This story is fantasy adventure filled with gory horror elements, diverse characters, queer romance and gorgeous chapter art to boot. Very LGBTIAQ+ friendly with a wide range of experiences represented, this is well worth a read, especially if you’re partial to human x non-human romance, unique world-building and eclectic found family dynamics.
The book follows Oliver, an unfortunate miner, as he and his friends mine magical artifacts for cash and progress, but misfortune and bizarre happenstances keep befalling them. It’s only Tau, the mine’s god-like magical guard and protector, who seems to have any answers. And Tau doesn’t talk, as such.
All the characters get their time in the sun, and each grows more complex as you go along, often in unexpected ways. Imaginative and inventive world-building which is revealed only as you need it, while always giving the sense of more below the surface just bubbling away, ready to pop out at some unexpected moment. Some truly horrific descriptions make this a great option for anyone looking for something with fantasy horror of the monster variety, and the sweet, sensual romance makes for a great counterbalance.
So excited to see where we go in Book 2!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Miners of the Mystics in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2025
Again, Penny Moss dazzles with the quality of her worldbuilding and writing 💫 I was thoroughly hooked. I love me some slowburn, and this book served. Also, I might have a mask kink, I don't know 🫣 I loved Tau and Oliver so much, my sweet babies!
And the art! I love having art between the chapters. The talent! Cheezus.
And the art! I love having art between the chapters. The talent! Cheezus.
September 15, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Miners of the Mystics follows Oliver and his friends as they dig for magical artifacts but end up uncovering more than they bargain for....
I thought the world / setting for this book was very interesting and made it stand out from the usual generic fantasy ones we get. I really liked the idea of the magical mines and treasures (and horrors) they contained.
The main cast felt very fleshed out, you can feel the history that they all share, along with their hopes, fears etc, This was strengthened with the excellent use of POVs to not only to flesh out the characters, but show events from other perspectives, allow for some excellent story telling and important reveals.
If you enjoy well written fantasy with a cast of likable LGBT characters, this is worth checking out!
Miners of the Mystics follows Oliver and his friends as they dig for magical artifacts but end up uncovering more than they bargain for....
I thought the world / setting for this book was very interesting and made it stand out from the usual generic fantasy ones we get. I really liked the idea of the magical mines and treasures (and horrors) they contained.
The main cast felt very fleshed out, you can feel the history that they all share, along with their hopes, fears etc, This was strengthened with the excellent use of POVs to not only to flesh out the characters, but show events from other perspectives, allow for some excellent story telling and important reveals.
If you enjoy well written fantasy with a cast of likable LGBT characters, this is worth checking out!
November 29, 2023
I loved this! The world-building is so cool and detailed, and the idea of mining for magical relics is inspired. We're introduced to it in such a way that it's easy to understand, the info isn't just dumped on you. The amount of excitement I felt whenever they uncovered something, it was like I was there.
I love the main characters, each one unique, especially the main couple. They are my babies, and I want to protect them from everything. Which might be kinda hard, considering the amount of trauma they go through. RIP me. But who am I kidding, I love a tortured hero!
The gore was shocking (in a good way, I love to be shocked lol) as it should be. It felt visceral and real, and it gripped me hard. And the plot twisted and turned in the most satisfying way. Can't wait for the next one!
I love the main characters, each one unique, especially the main couple. They are my babies, and I want to protect them from everything. Which might be kinda hard, considering the amount of trauma they go through. RIP me. But who am I kidding, I love a tortured hero!
The gore was shocking (in a good way, I love to be shocked lol) as it should be. It felt visceral and real, and it gripped me hard. And the plot twisted and turned in the most satisfying way. Can't wait for the next one!
September 26, 2023
Good Start
This is a good start to this series. I really enjoyed reading this and I can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This is a good start to this series. I really enjoyed reading this and I can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
November 25, 2025
DNF @ 30%
September 15, 2024
4.5, cliffhanger, 1st book of a planned 4-book series per author’s note. Very eager for the rest of the series!
September 16, 2023
I love the worldbuilding in this story. It's so cool and interesting and new and every reveal made me more interested in what would come next. Our characters are miners that dig into mountains but what they're looking for are arcane artifacts. Not like 'magic dust', but like they're digging into the earth and then there's a coffin. Or they crack the wall with a pickaxe and find a talking animal. They can then sell these finds to the mine's owner. Each mine is owned by unique rich people, and each mine has their own demigod-of-sorts that can sense magic and heal people and other miracles. The idea of digging in a tunnel and turning around to see this god-like being floating there and knowing that means you're coming up to something that will probably be dangerous is SUCH a great idea and I love it. The author definitely did a lot of research into mining, which is good but also bad because they'll say something I don't understand and I assume it's a worldbuilding thing and that they will explain. Pages later of still being confused I'll look it up and oh, it's a mining term. Huh. Wish they'd have told me that. It happens more than a few times, but that's still a pretty minor flaw in an otherwise fascinating world.
Why only 3 stars?
Well, first of all, this is a 'Every Chapter Is A Different POV'. Personal preference, I'm not a fan of this with any writer. I always get 'stuck' at chapters of characters I don't care as much about. The different POVs can do some cool things, like a character, Oliver, has a nickname he doesn't love because it's a reminder of a huge mistake he made. Almost every other POV calls him by this nickname. I thought that was fun. But, while sometimes these POV changes can be a way to expand a large world, show how different things are for each person, in this book always within the same friend group that generally experience things together and, also, I definitely felt that there were two Main Characters and everyone else was still a minor character. The minor characters don't really change the plot much, they just react to what the Main Characters do.
Also...I don't love the characters. I just didn't really care about most of them or I didn't like them. I'm a pretty character-driven reader, I'll read a bad plot if I like the characters enough, and not really being attached to any of the characters made an interesting plot sometimes feel like a chore rather than a delight.
Having said all this, I'd definitely be interested to see what the author writes next. And if they ever came out with a pamphlet or a mapbook or honestly a goddamn history textbook about this world, I would be ALL OVER THAT.
Why only 3 stars?
Well, first of all, this is a 'Every Chapter Is A Different POV'. Personal preference, I'm not a fan of this with any writer. I always get 'stuck' at chapters of characters I don't care as much about. The different POVs can do some cool things, like a character, Oliver, has a nickname he doesn't love because it's a reminder of a huge mistake he made. Almost every other POV calls him by this nickname. I thought that was fun. But, while sometimes these POV changes can be a way to expand a large world, show how different things are for each person, in this book always within the same friend group that generally experience things together and, also, I definitely felt that there were two Main Characters and everyone else was still a minor character. The minor characters don't really change the plot much, they just react to what the Main Characters do.
Also...I don't love the characters. I just didn't really care about most of them or I didn't like them. I'm a pretty character-driven reader, I'll read a bad plot if I like the characters enough, and not really being attached to any of the characters made an interesting plot sometimes feel like a chore rather than a delight.
Having said all this, I'd definitely be interested to see what the author writes next. And if they ever came out with a pamphlet or a mapbook or honestly a goddamn history textbook about this world, I would be ALL OVER THAT.
September 23, 2024
Miners of the Mystics by Penny Moss is the first book in "The Miners Mine" Series. I loved this book. It feels like it has been a while since a book has sent me on such an intense emotional roller coaster. I'm so excited and scared for whatever happens next. I can honestly say that if I didn't have book 2 in my hands I would have been sobbing after finishing this book. The emotional roller coaster, the characters, and the body horror. (And more honestly but I don't want to give too much away.)
There are so many aspects of this book that I love. I loved the emotional roller coaster, I spent most of this book bouncing between elated and sad. Mostly because the characters are so lovable and kind; their hurts and triumphs hit so hard. It truly felt like these characters couldn't catch a break and I was just sitting back and watching it all happen. I also don't think they'll be getting a break anytime soon seeing as this is the first book in a tetralogy (four book series). But at least they have each other. Their little found family is so strong and stubborn. They care so much for each other. You leave this book just wanting to give them all a hug.
I knew going into this book, thanks to the content warnings included by the author, that this book was going to have body horror. But nothing could have truly prepared me for what I was about to see. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Body horror is my favorite genre of horror. This book is one of few that has equal parts horrific scenes and cute wholesome scenes. Not only that it has so many interesting races like the Ursidae. I'm so excited to read more about it all in book 2!
Overall, I loved this book and am so excited for the next book. I just want to say a few more things. I appreciate that the author included content warnings and a dictionary for the slang used in the book. I loved the queer normative world and the diversity of the characters. And finally, I'm so excited to continue the series and for more world building and character development. Based on the description book two Miners of the Tempest, seems like it is going to be just as heart wrenching and horrific as this book. Maybe even more so. Regardless I am both excited and scared to read it.
There are so many aspects of this book that I love. I loved the emotional roller coaster, I spent most of this book bouncing between elated and sad. Mostly because the characters are so lovable and kind; their hurts and triumphs hit so hard. It truly felt like these characters couldn't catch a break and I was just sitting back and watching it all happen. I also don't think they'll be getting a break anytime soon seeing as this is the first book in a tetralogy (four book series). But at least they have each other. Their little found family is so strong and stubborn. They care so much for each other. You leave this book just wanting to give them all a hug.
I knew going into this book, thanks to the content warnings included by the author, that this book was going to have body horror. But nothing could have truly prepared me for what I was about to see. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Body horror is my favorite genre of horror. This book is one of few that has equal parts horrific scenes and cute wholesome scenes. Not only that it has so many interesting races like the Ursidae. I'm so excited to read more about it all in book 2!
Overall, I loved this book and am so excited for the next book. I just want to say a few more things. I appreciate that the author included content warnings and a dictionary for the slang used in the book. I loved the queer normative world and the diversity of the characters. And finally, I'm so excited to continue the series and for more world building and character development. Based on the description book two Miners of the Tempest, seems like it is going to be just as heart wrenching and horrific as this book. Maybe even more so. Regardless I am both excited and scared to read it.
November 14, 2024
Honestly, I spent most of this book frantically trying to figure out what just happened—and I'm not sure I ever fully succeeded—but I had a great time. What a strange and imaginative world! Nothing is as expected, which I find very refreshing as a reader. I like that the characters frequently seem just as lost as I feel, and like me, they plow ahead anyway and hope something good happens. There are still so many unanswered questions, which usually makes me nervous (especially in an ongoing series) but I have faith the payoff will be worth the wait—I can tell a lot of planning went into this. I'm not always the best at picking up on little details the first time, but that means there will be plenty of for me to catch in rereads. :)
The romance is early stages yet, just crumbs really, but what a fun pairing! Oliver is such an interesting and complicated character. I can't wait to learn more about Tau (and the rest of the characters—it's a stacked cast!).
The romance is early stages yet, just crumbs really, but what a fun pairing! Oliver is such an interesting and complicated character. I can't wait to learn more about Tau (and the rest of the characters—it's a stacked cast!).
August 16, 2024
Oh wow .. Im going to try and review this without giving out spoilers. But the sloooooow burn and the "innocence" of oliver was what hooked me. The adventure, mystery and drama was the 2nd hook haha. Ive made all sort of sounds while reading this! From gasps, to oh nos, giggles, and sniffles from cryingggg.
Want to read
November 20, 2024Omg i need to read this!
February 12, 2025
MM, Fantasy, Horror, Monster, 3rd Rotating POV (Side Characters)
Status: KU, Same Couple Series, Cliffhanger, Third Act Conflict -
Oliver: Mystical Miner (5 Yrs), Mid 20s, Bi, Cursed (Unpredictable Strength with No Control; Causes Constant Injuries to Self, Objects and Potentially Others; Isolated for Safety Reasons), Former Farm-Hand, Former Coal Miner (Childhood, Sold by Mother), Illiterate, Enjoys Sewing, Touch Starved, Traumatized,
Tau: Guardian of the Mine (Sentinel), Immortal Magical Being, Non-Speaking (in the Human Realm), Wears a Mask, Light Magic, Ability to Heal Others, Favorite Color is Green, >l
Rep: Queernormative World, Defaults to They/Them when Pronouns are Unknown, Trans and NBi Characters, POC Characters
Maji: Mystical Miner (5 Yrs), 26 Yrs Old, Has a Greenhouse
Lucetta: Mystical Miner (8 Yrs), POC (Black), Lesbian, Mid 30s, Sam's Sister (Hateful Relationship), Studied Geology,
Benjamin: Mystical Miner (10 Yrs), Can Cook, Late 30s, Pining for Oliver,
Sam: Mystical Miner (10 Yrs), Lucetta's Brother, Benjamin's Husband,
Notes: Unreliable Narrators (Unknowing About the World), Mystical Miners Search for Magic Artifacts in Mountains, Found Family, Portals to Other Worlds, Fantasy Races, Living in a Magical Mine, Pining, Slow Burn, Forbidden Love, Size Difference, Codependency, Tau Constantly has to Heal Oliver, Tau Discovers the Wonders of the Human Body and Sexual Attraction
Story Notes (Spoilers Abound): This World Has So Many Secrets, Mine Owner is Hiding Something,
Sex Notes:
CWs:
Critique Notes: Unannounced Time Hopping
Status: KU, Same Couple Series, Cliffhanger, Third Act Conflict -
Oliver: Mystical Miner (5 Yrs), Mid 20s, Bi, Cursed (Unpredictable Strength with No Control; Causes Constant Injuries to Self, Objects and Potentially Others; Isolated for Safety Reasons), Former Farm-Hand, Former Coal Miner (Childhood, Sold by Mother), Illiterate, Enjoys Sewing, Touch Starved, Traumatized,
Tau: Guardian of the Mine (Sentinel), Immortal Magical Being, Non-Speaking (in the Human Realm), Wears a Mask, Light Magic, Ability to Heal Others, Favorite Color is Green, >l
Rep: Queernormative World, Defaults to They/Them when Pronouns are Unknown, Trans and NBi Characters, POC Characters
Maji: Mystical Miner (5 Yrs), 26 Yrs Old, Has a Greenhouse
Lucetta: Mystical Miner (8 Yrs), POC (Black), Lesbian, Mid 30s, Sam's Sister (Hateful Relationship), Studied Geology,
Benjamin: Mystical Miner (10 Yrs), Can Cook, Late 30s, Pining for Oliver,
Sam: Mystical Miner (10 Yrs), Lucetta's Brother, Benjamin's Husband,
Notes: Unreliable Narrators (Unknowing About the World), Mystical Miners Search for Magic Artifacts in Mountains, Found Family, Portals to Other Worlds, Fantasy Races, Living in a Magical Mine, Pining, Slow Burn, Forbidden Love, Size Difference, Codependency, Tau Constantly has to Heal Oliver, Tau Discovers the Wonders of the Human Body and Sexual Attraction
Story Notes (Spoilers Abound): This World Has So Many Secrets, Mine Owner is Hiding Something,
Sex Notes:
CWs:
Critique Notes: Unannounced Time Hopping
February 21, 2025
this was a really really mixed bag for me and i had no idea how to rate it. parts of it were 2 stars for me, and other parts 4. 3 stars feels both too low and too high at the same time—i liked this so much, but i think i was equally delighted and frustrated.
there is SO much to love here, and i will definitely be reading the next book, but parts of this were SO unnecessarily confusing. there were so many instances where i had no idea what was going on, both due to unclear wording and all of the random pov switches and time jumps. overall, i enjoyed the pov switches, and i liked how it emphasised how much of an unreliable narrator oliver was, but i would have liked it if the author worked with the reader just a little smidge more!!! i also have a bit of a gripe with the prose—it's not badly written, but there were a notable amount of instances where i personally would have tweaked the wording and sentence structure for clarity.
i liked the romance, i think? i'm honestly still not entirely sold on oliver. i want to like him so much, but he at times felt like a bit of a caricature; he's flawed, but doesn't really feel like a real person to me in the way that the other characters did. i liked tau a lot, and i loved the unique take on a non-human love interest. seeing into his mind was a delightful surprise, and his one word thought patterns were so insanely endearing.
the worldbuilding overall is amazing, and i have nothing but respect for the insane originality and scope of it! there were a few instances where it didn't totally land for me, but i was happy to put that to the side because the majority of it was so so good. it can be tricky to find truly unique worldbuilding in fantasy romance, and this is like nothing else i've read.
overall i for sure recommend this! with a few caveats!! not perfect, but so original
there is SO much to love here, and i will definitely be reading the next book, but parts of this were SO unnecessarily confusing. there were so many instances where i had no idea what was going on, both due to unclear wording and all of the random pov switches and time jumps. overall, i enjoyed the pov switches, and i liked how it emphasised how much of an unreliable narrator oliver was, but i would have liked it if the author worked with the reader just a little smidge more!!! i also have a bit of a gripe with the prose—it's not badly written, but there were a notable amount of instances where i personally would have tweaked the wording and sentence structure for clarity.
i liked the romance, i think? i'm honestly still not entirely sold on oliver. i want to like him so much, but he at times felt like a bit of a caricature; he's flawed, but doesn't really feel like a real person to me in the way that the other characters did. i liked tau a lot, and i loved the unique take on a non-human love interest. seeing into his mind was a delightful surprise, and his one word thought patterns were so insanely endearing.
the worldbuilding overall is amazing, and i have nothing but respect for the insane originality and scope of it! there were a few instances where it didn't totally land for me, but i was happy to put that to the side because the majority of it was so so good. it can be tricky to find truly unique worldbuilding in fantasy romance, and this is like nothing else i've read.
overall i for sure recommend this! with a few caveats!! not perfect, but so original
August 23, 2023
Penny Moss grabs readers by the throat with their tantalizing and immersive world building. Each part of this mystical mining world(s) are described in a hierarchal way that shows the importance of each scene, setting, and characters present. Changes in scenery and tone rush the senses with thought-out descriptions of weather, as well as flora and fauna.
To compliment the lush landscape of a world, we are introduced to a cast of perfectly-imperfect characters complete with relevant backstories and motivations. The main character, Oliver, captivates the audience from scene one and we are immediately told his main "why" for embarking on his quite dangerous, yet possibly rewarding journey. Following this, we meet his "puzzle pieces," a grumbly, yet caring group of miners. Each of them act as foils and compliments, challenging each other and provoking necessary dialogue in less action packed scenes. As readers, we become attached to them, understanding of their motives as we recognize their experiences in our own lives.
Moss commands attention and suspense like the surface of a lake. While the scenes are described with the fluidity of a lake, the tension remains underneath and ready to break free at the right moment. As the chapter progress, you can feel a tug beneath your fingers and you hold your breath, waiting for that stone to drop and the ripples to grow larger and larger.
Miners of the Mystics is an excellent beginning to fascinating story. Penny Moss master the art of motifs in the form of dire circumstances, love, manipulation, greed, and magical elements.
This review follows the reading of a free copy from BookSprout and has been made voluntarily.
To compliment the lush landscape of a world, we are introduced to a cast of perfectly-imperfect characters complete with relevant backstories and motivations. The main character, Oliver, captivates the audience from scene one and we are immediately told his main "why" for embarking on his quite dangerous, yet possibly rewarding journey. Following this, we meet his "puzzle pieces," a grumbly, yet caring group of miners. Each of them act as foils and compliments, challenging each other and provoking necessary dialogue in less action packed scenes. As readers, we become attached to them, understanding of their motives as we recognize their experiences in our own lives.
Moss commands attention and suspense like the surface of a lake. While the scenes are described with the fluidity of a lake, the tension remains underneath and ready to break free at the right moment. As the chapter progress, you can feel a tug beneath your fingers and you hold your breath, waiting for that stone to drop and the ripples to grow larger and larger.
Miners of the Mystics is an excellent beginning to fascinating story. Penny Moss master the art of motifs in the form of dire circumstances, love, manipulation, greed, and magical elements.
This review follows the reading of a free copy from BookSprout and has been made voluntarily.
October 2, 2024
I finished this book a while ago and kept trying to write a review but I could not come up with one that will do this book justice. I still can't but need to write it so more people could discover this awesome book. And the art included in this book is beautifully stunning, allowing the reader a look into the characters and this riveting world.
My mind was blown away in the best way possible and still trying to process all the twist and turns. The mystery of the true villains, dark magic, lurking horrors, and unexpected mind tricks had me biting my nails, sitting on the edge of my seat, glued to the book from beginning to end.
It also had phenomenal world building, a world that was completely new and different, full of mysterious happenings, magic, and intriguing and varied characters. The story mostly focused on Oliver but the author also gave insight to the other characters by providing snippets of their POV, giving the readers a chance to know them better and their complex relationship with each other. However, it's not confusing or overwhelming. The author does a great job of giving everyone their own distinct voice so it's easy to follow. Then there's Tau, an otherworldly creature? a god? He's definitely a mystery. But this makes the developing relationship between him and Oliver even more fascinating. It is a slow burn but the pace is perfect for them, Tau is too much of a mystery for it to be any other way. But you will not be bored or annoyed about it. The action/suspense and the many secrets to unravel will definitely keep you captivated.
I'm already reading the next book, Miners of the Tempest, cause that ending had me 🤯🤯 and I need to know what happened. (Yes, that book is also beautifully written).
My mind was blown away in the best way possible and still trying to process all the twist and turns. The mystery of the true villains, dark magic, lurking horrors, and unexpected mind tricks had me biting my nails, sitting on the edge of my seat, glued to the book from beginning to end.
It also had phenomenal world building, a world that was completely new and different, full of mysterious happenings, magic, and intriguing and varied characters. The story mostly focused on Oliver but the author also gave insight to the other characters by providing snippets of their POV, giving the readers a chance to know them better and their complex relationship with each other. However, it's not confusing or overwhelming. The author does a great job of giving everyone their own distinct voice so it's easy to follow. Then there's Tau, an otherworldly creature? a god? He's definitely a mystery. But this makes the developing relationship between him and Oliver even more fascinating. It is a slow burn but the pace is perfect for them, Tau is too much of a mystery for it to be any other way. But you will not be bored or annoyed about it. The action/suspense and the many secrets to unravel will definitely keep you captivated.
I'm already reading the next book, Miners of the Tempest, cause that ending had me 🤯🤯 and I need to know what happened. (Yes, that book is also beautifully written).
October 2, 2023
I came for the tropes the author listed and stayed for the story. There's something so unique about it that I haven't found anywhere else. The art is a really nice touch too.
The world building is impeccable with things only being revealed when they're needed. And there's a lot of queer rep! I'm seriously wanting to demand a queer normative setting from all fantasy books now.
Multiple povs gave me an intimate insight into who each of the character was. It helped flesh them out and made them more relatable or even dislikable. I'm not a huge fan of Benjamin. I like that he apologized for wronging Oliver, but they were both clearly on very different pages. Each character brought something unique to the story and pushed it forward. Tau being on the roster was a pleasant surprise. His whole personality was a surprise although I liked Maji best since we both love plants.
The story itself feels convoluted. There are so many details (some I admit I didn't understand) and world building things that add to a complete package, but even with time skips that took me by surprise, I could follow.
There are several questions I still have, which I assume will be answered in the next book. Yes this ends on a cliffhanger, but sets it up perfectly for the sequel.
Can't wait to see where the author takes this, because if this story is anything, it's unpredictable.
The world building is impeccable with things only being revealed when they're needed. And there's a lot of queer rep! I'm seriously wanting to demand a queer normative setting from all fantasy books now.
Multiple povs gave me an intimate insight into who each of the character was. It helped flesh them out and made them more relatable or even dislikable. I'm not a huge fan of Benjamin. I like that he apologized for wronging Oliver, but they were both clearly on very different pages. Each character brought something unique to the story and pushed it forward. Tau being on the roster was a pleasant surprise. His whole personality was a surprise although I liked Maji best since we both love plants.
The story itself feels convoluted. There are so many details (some I admit I didn't understand) and world building things that add to a complete package, but even with time skips that took me by surprise, I could follow.
There are several questions I still have, which I assume will be answered in the next book. Yes this ends on a cliffhanger, but sets it up perfectly for the sequel.
Can't wait to see where the author takes this, because if this story is anything, it's unpredictable.
October 18, 2023
Set in a unique world, Oliver works as a miner of mystics. Instead of finding valuable minerals and the like, they mine for mystical artifacts. One such artifact lays a curse on Oliver, where the merest touch can result in painful issues for both him and his friends. Sentinel Tau is the exception. He provides healing magic to Oliver as well as others. Soon, Oliver finds himself falling for Tau even though the Sentinel is unexpressive to most. When his group finds a portal, they realize that there are unimaginable nightmares in their world.
The world building in this one is amazing. Filled with twist and turns, you never know what will happen next. Oliver has a few issues, relating to his curse where other miners shun him and blame him for problems. His friends all have their own set of issues and none of them is perfect. Oliver though wants Tau in his life and he is willing to do almost anything to succeed. This group of miners really work their way into your heart and become like friends to you. The next book will be anxiously awaited to see what other surprises Penny Moss has in store for us and our new friends. This series is moving to the top of my list. Do not miss this one.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it to my pleasure. The opinions are my own
The world building in this one is amazing. Filled with twist and turns, you never know what will happen next. Oliver has a few issues, relating to his curse where other miners shun him and blame him for problems. His friends all have their own set of issues and none of them is perfect. Oliver though wants Tau in his life and he is willing to do almost anything to succeed. This group of miners really work their way into your heart and become like friends to you. The next book will be anxiously awaited to see what other surprises Penny Moss has in store for us and our new friends. This series is moving to the top of my list. Do not miss this one.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it to my pleasure. The opinions are my own
October 15, 2023
Miners of the Mystics is one of those books that left me conflicted. There were moments when I was hooked on the story, where I did not want to put it down. However, there were also moments when I felt the complete opposite. In the end, I found my rating for this sat firmly in the middle.
At first, Miners of the Mystics had me super curious about the world. It is intriguing and something I was desperate to understand, and this had me rapidly turning the pages. The more I read, however, the more I realised full understanding would never come. In fact, it seemed to be accepted that understanding would not come because the characters themselves did not understand things. While I can understand why such a choice was made, it did make it very difficult for me to relate to certain things when I had too many questions. Add in the fact that I enjoyed some of the storylines more than others, and I was constantly flickering between intrigued and frustrated.
All in all, I can certainly see many enjoying Miners of the Mystics. It is one of those stories I can see dividing people, however, and I found myself to be divided.
At first, Miners of the Mystics had me super curious about the world. It is intriguing and something I was desperate to understand, and this had me rapidly turning the pages. The more I read, however, the more I realised full understanding would never come. In fact, it seemed to be accepted that understanding would not come because the characters themselves did not understand things. While I can understand why such a choice was made, it did make it very difficult for me to relate to certain things when I had too many questions. Add in the fact that I enjoyed some of the storylines more than others, and I was constantly flickering between intrigued and frustrated.
All in all, I can certainly see many enjoying Miners of the Mystics. It is one of those stories I can see dividing people, however, and I found myself to be divided.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews