All I knew about this one going in was "there will be bees," but oh honey, there was so much more! This dual POV kept me guessing through both intricaAll I knew about this one going in was "there will be bees," but oh honey, there was so much more! This dual POV kept me guessing through both intricate narratives, up to the very end, weaving together in a truly satisfying way. Set in fantasy world ravaged by a climate change, where the wind has gone, things really do come down to "the birds and the bees," as who controls them, controls the world. Perfect for fans of political intrigue, class division between the wealthy and powerful and those at their mercy, and those who love mystery, strong female characters, and unexpected twists. Big thank you to the author who provided a free copy for review and interview purposes--review opinions are my own. ...more
Out of the “Forest� and up to the skies, A CASTLE OF BROKEN MEMORIES is a cheeky and charming reimagining of the Jack and the Beanstalk tale, this timOut of the “Forest� and up to the skies, A CASTLE OF BROKEN MEMORIES is a cheeky and charming reimagining of the Jack and the Beanstalk tale, this time with a fun and feisty heroine leading the adventure, flipping the damsel in distress trope on its head. Ascend the beanstalk to a forbidden castle packed with enchantments, realms beyond imagining, and curse-crafted perils at every turn. Spice lovers, rejoice, as there are many rooms in this castle, but no closed doors. Ahem. For fans of classic tales with modern reinvigoration, this is the castle of your dreams....more
Mind-bendingly original, THE UNRELENTING EARTH picks up the thread from the first installment in the Rages trilogy, continuing the saga of two remarkaMind-bendingly original, THE UNRELENTING EARTH picks up the thread from the first installment in the Rages trilogy, continuing the saga of two remarkable individuals tasked with saving a society built on eons of tradition, class separation, and reliance on powers assigned to some, controlling the future of them all. At turns, heartbreaking and heart-pounding, with twists that keep coming, I can't wait to see how the trilogy wraps!...more
Vengeance goes unexpectedly wrong--or right, depending how you look at it--in this beautiful science-fantasy. Rarely have I encountered such an intricVengeance goes unexpectedly wrong--or right, depending how you look at it--in this beautiful science-fantasy. Rarely have I encountered such an intricate and intriguing "magic" system, which thrives on our own interconnectedness, where empathy is made all too real, and where justice isn't what you might think. Gorgeous read, with great appeal for science fiction and fantasy fans alike....more
ZOO-FI is a powerful, eclectic collection of short fiction from the Santa Ana Literary Association, with the unifying theme that the work features an ZOO-FI is a powerful, eclectic collection of short fiction from the Santa Ana Literary Association, with the unifying theme that the work features an animal--if not protagonist, at least a central character--at the forefront of the piece. Each contribution varies in theme and style, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and influences of the local SoCal authors. The result is a striking menagerie, ranging from the absurd to the sublime, and at turns humorous, or horrific. While most of the pieces, such as the cornerstone novella, SPARK IN THE SKY, a beautifully crafted dystopian centering on an anthropomorphic avian protagonist, explore literary themes through a prism of a non-human creature, others employ magical realism, satire, and even horror, questioning what it means to be human. The title may connote an allusion to science fiction, but there is more here than a simple 'creature feature'. Highly recommend, with a note that sensitive readers may want a trigger warning for the piece, AT-HOME BIRTH. ...more
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