BOOK REVIEW: Archangel Errant (Earthbound Angels, #3) / Elizabeth Corrigan

Title: Archangel Errant (Earthbound Angels, #3)
Author: Elizabeth Corrigan
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Purchase link: Amazon

GENRE
Urban Fantasy

REVIEW
Full disclosure: Elizabeth and I share a publisher (Red Adept Publishing, which published my Jane Colt trilogy). I bought this book on Kindle with my own dang money, and neither Elizabeth nor Red Adept asked me to leave this review, which reflects my opinion as a reader.

I've been a fan of the Earthbound Angels series since Book 1 (Oracle of Philadelphia), which introduced us to a world of angels and demons in the modern-day world. Now, in Book 3, we get a glimpse of this world's version of Heaven.

Before I go on, I just want to say that this series is very much A SERIES, as in it only really makes sense if you start from the beginning and read in order (no, you can't just pick up Book 3 and jump right in... you gotta read the set up!). So if you haven't read Oracle of Philadelphia (Book 1) or Raising Chaos (Book 2) yet, get outta here and go check 'em out! Because the rest of this review will probably spoil their plots.

In Archangel Errant, the archangel Gabriel has returned to Heaven after spending two thousand years on Earth, doing what good he can in the mortal world. So has the Bedlam who, after millennia spent as a chaos demon for rebelling against Heaven, has regained angel status (but is still quite chaotic). The rest of Heaven is not happy about this, so when a mysterious attack traps the angels in their own nightmares, he's the prime suspect. But Gabriel believes in Bedlam's innocence (in this matter, anyway) and sets out to wake the angels and find the real culprit.

Archangel Errant is an imaginative retelling of Biblical mythology (I'm atheist, so it's all mythology to me) that depicts the angels as being as flawed and fallible as the humans they're meant to preside over. Which makes them really interesting to read about. Retelling Biblical stories from an alternate angle has become an important element of all the Earthbound Angels books, and Archangel Errant delves into that once more. It also expands the Earthbound Angels world by going deeper into the world of the angels (so far, we've had a good look at Hell and at how the angels have interacted with Earth, but this is our first real foray into their realm).

My favorite part of the book, though, was getting to know the archangel Michael, who up until now has been portrayed as something of a sanctimonious jerk. Archangel Errant has several chapters from his POV as he seeks the Oracle (Carrie/Khet/Cassia/Cama... she's gone by many names by this point), who he's always seen as an abomination because her powers were granted by Lucifer. Because the last two books were told from the POV of the Oracle and her best friend (Bedlam), all we saw was how jerk-ish Michael could be. Now, we get to know what's going on in his head, offering a completely different perspective on his actions. It's a fascinating character development, and it opens the door for much more interesting character interactions to come (according to the author, there are several more sequels planned to this saga).

With its imaginative storytelling and expansive world-building, Archanel Errant is a fantastic addition to the Earthbound Angels saga, and I can't wait to read on when Book 4 comes out! (But don't worry, there's no cliffhanger!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters.


She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car.

BOOK REVIEW: Quest of Thunder (Stormbourne Chronicles, #2) / Karissa Laurel

TITLE: Quest of Thunder (Stormbourne Chronicles, #2)

AUTHOR: Karissa Laurel
PUBLISHER: Evolved Publishing
PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

GENRE
Young Adult--Steampunk/Fantasy

REVIEW
A princess on the run. A steampunk circus. A group of dark magicians who will stop at nothing. If you’re looking for an amazing fantasy adventure, boy, does Quest of Thunder (Book 2 of Karissa Laurel’s Stormbourne Chronicles) deliver! It’s a sequel that totally holds up to the original… in fact, it may be even better.

Evelyn Stormbourne is the last in a long line of thunder-wielding royals, but her own powers are faltering. She’s still on the run after the events of Heir of Thunder (Book 1 in the Stormbourne Chronicles), in which her father was overthrown and she was forced to flee a conspiracy of dark magic. She’s adjusting pretty well to common life, all things considered, but the bad guys aren’t done with her yet. They’re determine to enslave her and exploit her innate powers. Meanwhile, her country is in chaos. In Quest of Thunder, Evelyn hides in anonymity while searching for the Fantazikes—a group of nomads she allied with in the first book but lost touch with—in hopes that they can help her master her powers over the sky. But her identity doesn’t remain a secret for long; the young ruler of the kingdom she’s hiding in discovers who she is and invites her into her palace. Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say that drama happens, and Evelyn is forced to run again… and this time she joins a traveling steampunk circus, working in exchange for passage to the last known location of the Fantazikes.

Quest of Thunder is an utter delight to read, full of magic, adventure, intrigue, and mayhem. Evelyn is a sympathetic protagonist who’s in way over her head… which makes her all the more fun to read about. And as with the last book, there’s a touch of romance. While Evelyn has great chemistry with her love interest, Gideon, she’s more concerned with surviving and figuring out how the heck she’s going to a) escape the bad guys and b) get her kingdom back. And have I mentioned the worldbuilding? A fantastical version of 19th century Europe full of airships, mechanical animals, and magic. While steampunk can walk the line between sci-fi and fantasy, the Stormbourne Chronicles fall squarely in the fantasy camp. I wish I could dive in and hang out with Evie and her friends. Everything about this book comes alive with immersive world-building and colorful characters.

I tore through the first book in this series and demanded an early copy of the second, which I promptly devoured as well. The third and final installment of the Stormbourne chronicles (Crown of Thunder) will be coming out in a year or so, and I can’t wait!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

COVER REVEAL: Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil / written by ME

Hey everyone! Happy Halloween! And on this spooky day, I'm thrilled to, at long last, reveal the spook-tastic cover of my YA dark fantasy, FLYNN NIGHTSIDER AND THE EDGE OF EVIL! It's been a long time coming, folks. I wrote the first draft of this book way, way back in 2012 (it was the second thing I ever wrote once I started writing seriously... predates everything I've published except Artificial Absolutes).

I actually organized a photo shoot for the cover back in 2013, with my sister, Angel Fan (who was in high school at the time), as Aurelia "The Firedragon" Sun, a kickass teen monster fighter, and her friend from school, Joe Rorem, as the titular Flynn, a young rebel with a unique ability that could change the fate of the world. Now, those photos didn't turn out so well (since I was behind the camera, HAH!), so I organized a second shoot the following year, in 2014, with a real photographer (Tom Castles). And I've been sitting on 'em ever since...

Publishing delays happen, and those of who've known me for a while might have noticed that I've since switched presses. Also, those of you who saw my previous cover reveal, for STARSWEPT, might've noticed that Angel posed for that one too. Funny thing is, even though the covers are being revealed within a few months of each other, the shoots actually took place three years apart.

Why'd I do a custom shoot for Flynn and Aurelia? Well, first of all, as you probably know, I have a thing for faces on covers, and it's really hard to find the right stock photo. I probably would have able to find one for Flynn, but Aurelia? She's East Asian, and stock photos are notoriously, problematically, frustratingly white. Also, Angel actually helped me brainstorm the world of Flynn Nightsider, and as an in-joke I wrote Aurelia to look exactly like her. Naturally, that meant I had to put her on the cover ;-) 

Did I care that now, two of my characters are physically identical on their covers? Nope, because their personalities and abilities are so, so different, and the photos reflect that. Angel's basically two totally different people on the two different covers; one's a shy, romantic classical musician, and the other's a tough, no-filter action heroine. I have a feeling if they ever crossed paths, things would get pretty interesting :-P

Anyway so that's the background! And now, here's cover, done by the ever-talented Streetlight Graphics.

Isn't it cool?? I love how it turned out. Streetlight did an amazing job of capturing the creepy, dark fantasy atmosphere I was going for. And Tom Castles did a great job photographing the kids (they were both teens at the time... now, of course, they're in college... they grow up so fast...). This shoot was pretty straightforward, since it was shot in Tom's studio. I asked the kids to bring their own wardrobe - any dark colors would do, essentially. And since the background was going to be photoshopped anyway, we didn't have to worry about props except for Aurelia's swords. Naturally, I had swords lying around (though the one pictured had to get photoshopped anyway because the original blade's angle was off, but at least having one meant her grip was believable). 

Just for fun, here are some behind-the-scenes pics:

Photographer Tom Castles snaps a pic of cover models Joe Rorem (as Flynn Nightsider) and Angel Fan (as Aurelia "The Firedragon" Sun)

Joe and Angel goofin' off on set :-D

Break so the kids could tumble-snap-yak or whatever it is they were doing in 2014 ;-)

Book's info taped on the wall... Tom had a whole wall full of research/inspiration. That guy doesn't mess around.

Oh yeah, what's the book actually about? Well, here you go...

Title: Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil (Flynn Nightsider, #1)

Author: Mary Fan

Publisher: Crazy 8 Press

Publication Date: May 15, 2018

Break the enchantments. Find the truth. Ignite the revolution.

A century ago, the Enchanters defeated the evil Lord of the Underworld, but not before he’d unleashed his monsters and ravaged the earth. The Enchanters built the Triumvirate out of what remained of the United States, demanding absolute obedience in exchange for protection from the lingering supernatural beasts.

Sixteen-year-old Flynn Nightsider, doomed to second-class life for being born without magic, knows the history as well as anyone. Fed up with the Triumvirate’s lies and secrecy, he longs for change. And when he stumbles across a clue that hints at something more – secrets in the dark, the undead, and buried histories – he takes matters into his own hands.

Before long, Flynn finds himself hunted not only by the government, but also by nightmarish monsters and a mysterious man with supernatural powers … all seeking him for reasons he cannot understand. Rescued by underground rebels, he’s soon swept up in their vision of a better world, guided by a girl as ferocious as the monsters she fights. But as the nation teeters on the brink of revolution, Flynn realizes three things.

The rebellion is not what it seems.
Flynn himself might be more than he seems.
And the fate of the world now rests in his hands.

Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18481757-flynn-nightsider-and-the-edge-of-evil

Check out the two prequel novellas set in the Flynn Nightsider universe, The Firedragon and Firedragon Rising.

TRIPLE BOOK REVIEW: The Norse Chronicles / Karissa Laurel

Hey everyone! I recently finished reading Karissa Laurel's Norse Chronicles series, and it was a blast! I read and reviewed the first book, Midnight Burning, a bit over a year ago, then finally got around to the sequel this summer, and finished up just now. It's been a fun adventure through Norse mythology and twisty-turny plots... so, without further ado, here are my reviews of all three books in the trilogy!

Actually, there is some further ado. I must disclose that Karissa and I share a publisher (Red Adept Publishing, which published my sci-fi books Artificial Absolutes and Synthetic Illusions), but neither asked me to review these books. I bought 'em with my own cash monies, and they are mine to review as I please.

Oh, and one more ado: There's a prequel novella to the series, Moonlight Falling, that I haven't read yet, but totally want to! 

And yet another ado: there are no spoilers in the reviews below, so read without fear!

ANYWAY.

Series Title: The Norse Chronicles
Author: Karissa Laurel
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing

GENRE
Urban Fantasy

REVIEWS

MIDNIGHT BURNING (#1)

Four months after her twin brother's murder, Solina Mundy leaves her quiet North Carolina home to clean out his apartment in Alaska. Though the police have designated the case as unsolved, she soon begins to suspect that his friends know more than they're letting on. What's more, she's been getting strange nightmares--visions of a wolf devouring her brother that seem to have come true. She soon discovers that there's more to Mani's world than he told her--legacies of gods and monsters from Norse legends come to life--and that she herself has a greater part in it than she could have imagined.

Okay, who doesn't love a good story of ancient mythology come to life in the modern world? I'm a sucker for this kind of thing, and Karissa Laurel's MIDNIGHT BURNING really hit the spot. The story follows the classic fantasy hero's journey... ordinary character gets jerked out of her banal life by unthinkable circumstances, discovers that she has supernatural abilities, and finds herself at the center of huge, world-ending conflict... But does so with unique flair.

Pause for disclosures. *clears throat* Karissa and I share a publisher, Red Adept Publishing. We're also buddies. However, neither Karissa nor Red Adept asked me to write this review, and all this gushing represents my honest opinion of the book.

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, flair. MIDNIGHT BURNING is full of it. Solina herself is a mild-mannered character, a shy girl thrust into circumstances she's completely unprepared for, but the supporting cast is as full of color and energy as a laser show. There's Skyla, a tough-as-nails ex-Marine with the spirit of a modern day Valkyrie who was Mani's close friend and who refuses to rest until she and Solina uncover the truth behind his death. There's Val Wotan, Mani's coworker and buddy whose easy charm and swoon-worthy looks spell irresistible trouble. And then there's Aleksander Thorin, Mani's boss, who's more the strong-and-silent type, but who exudes a mysterious, magnetic kind of allure. As their surnames suggest, Val and Thorin turn out to be closely connected to their legendary Norse namesakes. Very closely connected.

I couldn't blame Solina for stumbling into that love triangle--who wouldn't have trouble picking between the unreliable but oh-so-charming playboy and the standoffish but oh-so-magnetic billionaire?--and for once, I seriously didn't know who Mr. Right was supposed to be.

But the romance part was only a small part of a much more complex story, full of rich worldbuilding that takes Norse myths of old and expands them into the modern world. And detective-story-like mystery-solving as Solina and Skyla seek the truth behind Mani's death. And fantasy adventure as Solina explores her newfound superpowers... and finds herself the target of villains who literally want to end the world. Talk about stakes!

As the story progresses, Solina grows and develops as a character, and I loved watching her emerge from her brother's shadow to become a kickass heroine in her own right. Between the plot and the world and the characters, I was completely hooked and found myself reading every chance I got (I was seriously pulling out my Kindle to sneak an extra page or two every time I had even five minutes to myself).

By the time I reached the end, I was bummed it was over. Fair warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger. The good news: The sequel, ARCTIC DAWN, is out!

Find it on Amazon.

ARTIC DAWN (#2)

Arctic Dawn, the second book in Karissa Laurel’s Norse Chronicles urban fantasy series, picks up where Book 1, Midnight Burning, left off. After discovering that she’s the reincarnation of the ancient Norse sun goddess, Solina Mundy found herself entangled in a potentially world-ending battle between immortals. Now, after a harrowing fight that forced her to unleash her powerful-but-still-unfamiliar supernatural abilities, Solina just wants to lie low. But a stranger with an legendary weapon forces her out of hiding, and sending her back into the fray. I loved the first book in this series, and the sequel did not disappoint. Ancient legends in a modern setting, intriguing characters and shocking plot twists – it’s like book candy, and I loved every page! Solina’s quick wit and relatable quirks make her such a fun narrator to follow, grounding the out-of-this-world plot in a way that makes it feel real, even though we’re talking about gods and goddesses and monsters and prophecies and such. She’s grown a bit as a character since she was introduced as a naïve newcomer in Book 1; now that she understands her place in the Norse world, she’s not afraid to take charge of her own fate. Also returning are the swoon-y god of thunder, Thorin (not Thor, who perished in Ragnorak, but Thor’s son), who’s both a love interest and a source of conflict for Solina, and modern-day Valkyrie Skyla Ramirez, Solina’s best friend. The story has a lot of supporting characters, most of whom are drawn from Norse mythology, creating a colorful pantheon. Oh, and I should also mention, there are some pretty cool action scenes. Anyway, if you like magical stories in the contemporary world, you should totally check this series out! Find it on Amazon. MOLTEN DUSK (#3) Molten Dusk is the final installment in Karissa Laurel’s Norse Chronicles urban fantasy trilogy, and man, does this series end with a bang! Solina Mundy, a contemporary girl with a modest life who discovered that she was the reincarnation of the ancient Norse sun goddess, has had her world turned upside down in more than one way. Though she’s started to gain control over her supernatural abilities, a recent betrayal has left her shaken (I won’t say more, since it would ruin Book 2, Arctic Dawn, but suffice it to say that I messaged Karissa to say “Noooo how could you!!!” when I reached that part of the book!). She finds comfort in her growing relationship with Thorin, the god of war, and her friendship with Skyla, a modern-day Valkyrie. Meanwhile, world-ending plots are still in motion—someone is trying to bring about a second Ragnorak. And Solina has the sneaking suspicion that it’s not just the obvious villain—someone on the inside has been feeding the enemy information. Done with hiding and letting others protect her, Solina takes matters into her own hands, searching for the enemy and trying to untangle their secrets. This book further expands upon the rich world-building developed in the first two books of the series, introducing new elements of the mythology and expanding on previous ones. The same can be said about the romance with the swoon-worthy Thorin… Also included: battles with stone soldiers and trippy explorations of Norse realms. Full of thrilling action scenes and unexpected twists, all building up to a climactic final battle, Molten Dusk is a truly satisfying conclusion to an awesome series. Find it on Amazon ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Announcing FLYNN NIGHTSIDER AND THE EDGE OF EVIL!

Hey everyone! Exciting news! For those of you who've been following me for the past few years, you've probably seen me promoting two YA dark fantasy novellas, THE FIREDRAGON and FIREDRAGON RISING. These stories were written as prequels to a full-length novel, FLYNN NIGHTSIDER AND THE EDGE OF EVIL, and I'm thrilled to announce that I (finally!) have a release date for it! While I enjoyed working with the folks at Glass House Press (who originally contracted the series and published the two novellas), I've reached a point in my publishing life where going indie with it simply made more sense.

So FLYNN NIGHTSIDER AND THE EDGE OF EVIL will now be releasing on May 15, 2018 with Crazy 8 Press, an indie publishing collective. And I'm revealing the cover on Halloween! Thought the spooky aesthetic matched the holiday :-) Sign up below to join me!

REVIEW: The Captivity of Choice (Broken Throne, #1) / William R. Herr

Title: The Captivity of Choice (Broken Throne, #1)  Author: William R. Herr Publisher: Mechanicsburg Press Available on Amazon GENRE Fantasy - Dark Fantasy REVIEW In the William R. Herr's haunting sequel to From a Broken Land (Broken Throne, #1), princess-turned-military-lieutenant Kira struggles to find her place in a world of men. Since running away from an unwanted marriage, she has found a new life and earned the title of Tenant... but the past won't leave her alone so easily. Meanwhile, she's fallen in love with Gidon, her commander - who doesn't know if he can trust those within his own ranks. And on the other side of the land, a man named Malechi, declared a prophet, leads a city in religious rebellion. Herr's spellbinding fantasy novel brings all these characters careening toward an unexpected and fate-changing conclusion. In The Captivity of Choice, Herr has woven more detail into the already-rich fabric of the complex world-building he set up in the first book. If you think you've seen it all in Book 1, just wait until you see what's in store in the sequel. The book features several elements of classic fantasy - kingdoms, magic, destinies, knights - but mixes in an element of horror in the darkness. I really enjoyed this darker flavor of fantasy, which really comes to life through Herr's lush and haunting descriptions of the world... and the mist. The Captivity of Choice, as its title implies, is ultimately a story about how characters' decisions drive their destinies... which, in this world, sends them down the path to the eye-popping conclusion. There's honor, religions fanaticism, romance, combat, magic, trickery... There's so much going on in this book, and yet it never felt like too much. I really enjoyed reading this - would have gotten through it a lot faster if I hadn't been so busy last month that the only time I had to read was on the train. My favorite character was (unsurprisingly) Kira, who's gone from damsel-in-distress to strong heroine who can outsmart the best on the battlefield. Yet she's not all-powerful, and ultimately, the forces of fate are too powerful for any individual to battle. The ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel, and I hope I get to read one soon! ABOUT THE AUTHORVisionaries, migrants, soldiers, and thieves-Will, as his friends call him, surrounds himself with all of these, and more. Obsessed with "the wisdom of the lowest classes," he views the world as a perennial outsider, in the company of men and women most would not want to meet in a dark alley. His work reflects this, as he winds dramatic irony and sarcasm together with romance and drama to paint a picture of the world that others prefer not to see. William R. Herr was raised on the road, and continues to live there. When not travelling the United States behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, he can be found in Central Pennsylvania, either writing, editing, or arguing with college students over hot cups of coffee. He lives with his wife and an extremely vocal Irish Stafford-shire Terrier named "The Duke."

BOOK REVIEW: Heir of Thunder (Stormbourne Chronicles, #1) / Karissa Laurel

TITLE: Heir of Thunder (Stormbourne Chronicles, #1) 
AUTHOR: Karissa Laurel
PUBLISHER: Evolved Publishing
PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

GENRE
Young Adult--Fantasy

REVIEW
17-year-old Evie Stormbourne was born to a long line of rulers with power over the thunder and lightning. But over the generations, that power has faded, and her own abilities are relatively weak. After her father, the king, is killed and a sudden revolution leaves her a fugitive in her own land, her only hope for survival is her father's horsemaster, a gruff young man named Gideon. The two travel incognito with the goal of smuggling Evie out of the kingdom, but complications soon arise, and Evie soon finds herself struggling for survival on her own. What's more, things are not as they seem, and her journeys eventually lead her to learn the shocking truth behind her father's death... and her own fate.

Disclosure time: Karissa and I are both published by Red Adept Publishing (which published her Norse Chronicles and my Jane Colt novels). I bought this book on my own because I really enjoyed her other stories and this review represents my honest opinion.

Anyway, Karissa Laurel's HEIR OF THUNDER is the first in a planned YA fantasy trilogy, and it was catnip to a longtime fantasy fan like me. Heroine journeying across a fictional version of old-timey, steampunkish Europe? Magic and mayhem and twists and turns? Yes, please! Evie travels across various European-esque countries in her journeys, and it was a real delight getting to see the different kinds of lands that make up her world.

As a character, Evie is easy to sympathize with, and I loved watching her grow from a damsel in distress to a heroine in her own right. When the novel begins, she's just a lost princess trying to survive after her world collapses around her. With little more than determination and a touch of magic, she winds up reclaiming her own fate and taking control of her destiny. Gideon starts off as her protector, but... let's just say there's plenty she does without him as well. There's palpable chemistry between the two, and I foresee a complicated romantic arc that'll manifest over the rest of the series... *rubs hands with delight*

As for the world... well, let's just say it's got swords and horses and dirigibles and pirates and magic and caravans. A fun mix of Lord of the Rings-type high fantasy and steampunkish tech (did I mention there are dirigibles??), blended into a delightful Europe-inspired universe that feels at once new and familiar.

All in all, this was a delightful read and just the kind of heroine-centric fantasy adventure I've always loved. Can't wait for Book 2!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

BOOK REVIEW: The Dragon and the Stars / Derwin Mak and Eric Choi

TITLE: The Dragon and the Stars
EDITORS: Derwin Mak and Eric Choi
PUBLISHER: Daw Books
PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

GENRE
Science Fiction/Fantasy -- Anthology

REVIEW
I picked up this anthology after meeting one of the editors and contributing authors, Derwin Mak, at the Ad Astra convention in Toronto earlier this year. And it was one whose premise sold itself. I mean, a collection of sci-fi/fantasy stories inspired by Chinese mythology and experiences? Yes please! I myself am Chinese American, and one of my biggest gripes is that Chinese people--Asians in general, in fact--are virtually invisible in the world of sci-fi/fantasy. Unless you're reading or watching something that came FROM Asia--anime, Bollywood, kung fu films, manga, etc--chances are, the only Asians you'll ever see in sci-fi/fantasy are token sidekicks or stereotyped cameos.

So it was really wonderful and refreshing to get 18 new SFF stories of incredible range, all by Chinese authors of varying experiences and all featuring Chinese people. From a tale inspired by old school folklore to futuristic sci-fi to alternate history... reading these stories was like popping Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans into my mouth, except all the flavors were awesome and made extra special because they were just what I was looking for.

Each story is special in its own way, and to be honest I simply don't have the time to review them each individually. But I highly, highly recommend that you pick up this wonderful collection. There wasn't a single story I didn't like, and what really wowed me was the incredible breadth the anthology covered... so many different types of stories! And it's especially refreshing since even today, six years after this anthology was published, Asians are still portrayed in the same stereotypical buckets in most mainstream SFF (always the ninja, or the sneaky gangsters, or the sexless nerd, or the mute chinadoll, or the dragon lady...). Next time I see a stereotypical Asian nerd in fiction, I want to shove this anthology in that person's face and be like IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! SEE?? SEE????

Okay, so this turned out to be more of a rant than an actual review... sorry about that! In a nutshell... This anthology features an incredible collection of excellent stories, and the sheer imagination of it all is amazing. I really, truly enjoyed reading every single one of them.

BOOK REVIEW: A Halo of Mushrooms / Andrew Hiller

TITLE: A Halo of Mushrooms
AUTHOR: Andrew Hiller
PUBLISHER: Self-published
PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

GENRE
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

REVIEW
I met Andrew Hiller at 2016’s Farpoint convention, and he struck me as the kind of guy who’d have a fresh and uncommon writing style. And when I delved into his novel, A HALO OF MUSHROOMS, my suspicions were confirmed in a delightful and entertaining way. A HALO OF MUSHROOMS is not your typical spec fic, and in fact, can be a bit hard to describe. Part sci-fi adventure, part fantasy fairytale, and part something that defies genre, the novel offers unique and often cinematic storytelling. The plot follows the escapades of one Derik, a healer from another world who steals a mushroom. But not just any mushroom – one from the place of origins, whose existence has great consequences. Branded an outlaw and hunted by monsters, he seeks a safe place for his cargo. He winds up running into and befriending a colorful cast of supporting characters during his twisty-turny journey. Vivid descriptions pepper a text that comes to life with creativity and panache. If you’re looking for a fun and different sci-fi/fantasy read, look no further.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Hiller attempted to travel the road least taken only to fall off. Caught in wild currents, he surfaced to find his commentaries selected four times as best of the year on Washington’s NPR station WAMU 88.5 FM, a pair of his plays fill the New York City stage, and an opportunity to act and write with the original Muppets gang in his Cobblestone Documentary series. His first fantasy novel, A Climbing Stock, grew to reach the top 50 on Amazon’s humor best sellers. In between projects, he has taught art in a psychiatric ward, hosted an internationally broadcast science, health, and tech radio program, and reads everything that makes him go “Huh?” or “Ha!” His second novel, A Halo of Mushrooms was released in December 2015.

BOOK REVIEW: The Girl From Everywhere (The Girl From Everywhere, #1) / Heidi Heilig

TITLE: The Girl From Everywhere (The Girl From Everywhere, #1)
AUTHOR: Heidi Heilig
PUBLISHER: Greenwillow Books
PURCHASE LINK: Amazon 

GENRE
Young Adult - Fantasy

REVIEW
Heidi Heilig’s gorgeous YA fantasy debut, THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE, follows 16-year-old Nix Song as she travels across time and through mythology. Nix lives on an enchanted pirate ship, The Temptation, that can sail to any place for which a map exists—no matter what time period it’s from or what kind of reality it depicts. Captained by her father, the ship has taken Nix to a grand variety of places—from the land of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights to modern-day New York City. But though he could go anywhere and anytime, Nix’s father only seeks one location: Hawaii in the 1860s, when Nix was born… and when her mother died. The only way he can get there is by obtaining a map drawn of that era and in that era, and he’s so hell-bent on going back in time to save his wife that he never pauses to think about what this might mean for his daughter. Nix, on the other hand, is all too aware that his actions could erase her life—her dreams of captaining her own ship, her friendships with the crew (particularly the charming Persian thief, Kash), any hope for a future.

The bulk of the novel takes place in 1880s Honolulu, where Nix, her father, and the crew chase yet another lead for the map Nix’s father wants so desperately. Funnily enough, this is actually the era Nix would have lived in if she hadn’t spent her life on board a time-hopping barge. It’s here that Nix meets Blake, a kind-souled American boy who offers, for the first time she can remember, a reason to stay in one place. There is a bit of a love triangle between Nix and the two boys in her life—Kash and Blake—and honestly, I didn’t know who to root for. Both love interests are charming, though in very different ways, and both seem to genuinely care about Nix. And I loved reading her dialogues with each of them… the characters really came alive for me, and I found myself more invested in them than I meant to.

The romance is just a small part of the story, though. The plot follows Nix in her efforts to both obtain the map for her father and discover her own past—which, it turns out, is much more complicated than she imagined. THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE is a wonderfully imaginative and refreshingly unique book with fantastic world-building and truly memorable characters. The settings really come to life and, in a way, they’re characters in the book as well. I loved how Heilig explored places that aren’t often seen in books, adding something different and lovely to the world of YA. Nix is an intrepid and sympathetic heroine—one who’s fearless in her actions yet whose emotions fill the page with relatable vulnerability—and I really enjoyed the combination of wit, snark, and rawness in her voice. Also, it was great seeing a hapa girl get the spotlight for a change.

One of the real highlights for me was when Nix ended up in the fantastical necropolis of a ruthless Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang. This is part of a history and mythology I’d grown up hearing snatches of, but never really seen depicted in fiction (unless you count the third Mummy movie, which... meh). The vivid descriptions, the sense of a lost world come to life, the meticulous research that clearly went into writing about this place… actually, these things apply to all the settings.

Anyway, THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE is a truly enjoyable fantasy adventure with characters I couldn’t get enough of. I was listening to the audiobook version while on an 11+ hour drive across half the country, and that drive went by way too quickly. The narrator does a beautiful job of bringing Heilig’s words to life in a way that feels genuine and inviting. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for something magical and different, something with writing that really pops and sparkles.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi grew up in Hawaii where she rode horses and raised peacocks, and then she moved to New York City and grew up even more, as one tends to do. Her favorite thing, outside of writing, is travel, and she has haggled for rugs in Morocco, hiked the trails of the Ko'olau Valley, and huddled in a tent in Africa while lions roared in the dark.

She holds an MFA from New York University in Musical Theatre Writing, of all things, and she's written books and lyrics for shows including The Time Travelers Convention, Under Construction, and The Hole. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their pet snake, whose wings will likely grow in any day now.

BOOK REVIEW: Midnight Burning (The Norse Chronicles, #1) / Karissa Laurel

TITLE: Midnight Burning (The Norse Chronicles, #1)
AUTHOR: Karissa Laurel
PUBLISHER: Red Adept Publishing
AVAILABILITY: Amazon

GENRE
Urban Fantasy

REVIEW
Four months after her twin brother's murder, Solina Mundy leaves her quiet North Carolina home to clean out his apartment in Alaska. Though the police have designated the case as unsolved, she soon begins to suspect that his friends know more than they're letting on. What's more, she's been getting strange nightmares--visions of a wolf devouring her brother that seem to have come true. She soon discovers that there's more to Mani's world than he told her--legacies of gods and monsters from Norse legends come to life--and that she herself has a greater part in it than she could have imagined.

Okay, who doesn't love a good story of ancient mythology come to life in the modern world? I'm a sucker for this kind of thing, and Karissa Laurel's MIDNIGHT BURNING really hit the spot. The story follows the classic fantasy hero's journey... ordinary character gets jerked out of her banal life by unthinkable circumstances, discovers that she has supernatural abilities, and finds herself at the center of huge, world-ending conflict... But does so with unique flair.

Pause for disclosures. *clears throat* Karissa and I share a publisher, Red Adept Publishing. We're also buddies. However, neither Karissa nor Red Adept asked me to write this review, and all this gushing represents my honest opinion of the book.

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, flair. MIDNIGHT BURNING is full of it. Solina herself is a mild-mannered character, a shy girl thrust into circumstances she's completely unprepared for, but the supporting cast is as full of color and energy as a laser show. There's Skyla, a tough-as-nails ex-Marine with the spirit of a modern day Valkyrie who was Mani's close friend and who refuses to rest until she and Solina uncover the truth behind his death. There's Val Wotan, Mani's coworker and buddy whose easy charm and swoon-worthy looks spell irresistible trouble. And then there's Aleksander Thorin, Mani's boss, who's more the strong-and-silent type, but who exudes a mysterious, magnetic kind of allure. As their surnames suggest, Val and Thorin turn out to be closely connected to their legendary Norse namesakes. Very closely connected.

I couldn't blame Solina for stumbling into that love triangle--who wouldn't have trouble picking between the unreliable but oh-so-charming playboy and the standoffish but oh-so-magnetic billionaire?--and for once, I seriously didn't know who Mr. Right was supposed to be.

But the romance part was only a small part of a much more complex story, full of rich worldbuilding that takes Norse myths of old and expands them into the modern world. And detective-story-like mystery-solving as Solina and Skyla seek the truth behind Mani's death. And fantasy adventure as Solina explores her newfound superpowers... and finds herself the target of villains who literally want to end the world. Talk about stakes!

As the story progresses, Solina grows and develops as a character, and I loved watching her emerge from her brother's shadow to become a kickass heroine in her own right. Between the plot and the world and the characters, I was completely hooked and found myself reading every chance I got (I was seriously pulling out my Kindle to sneak an extra page or two every time I had even five minutes to myself).

By the time I reached the end, I was bummed it was over. Fair warning: this book ends on a cliffhanger. The good news: The sequel, ARCTIC DAWN, is now out! Plus, rumor has it that Karissa's working on a prequel novella that will tell Mani's story... 

Book trailer for MIDNIGHT BURNING (made by yours truly):

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karissa Laurel has tried her hand at many things -- cooking/catering, law, art -- but writing makes her the happiest.

When she's feeling brave, she's on the slopes or riding off-road motorcycles with her guys. When she's less adventuresome, she's on the couch with her nose buried in a book.

She lives in North Carolina with her kid, husband, occasional in-law, and a hairy husky named Bonnie.

BOOK REVIEW: Unnatural Souls (A Realm of the Claimed Prequel) / Linda Foster

TITLE: Unnatural Souls (A Realm of the Claimed Prequel)
AUTHOR: Linda Foster
PUBLISHER: Glass House Press
AVAILABILITY: Amazon

GENRE
Young Adult--Paranormal

REVIEW
A year ago, Grace was in an accident that should have killed her. In fact it did--her soul left her body, and she saw her own lifeless self as she began ascending to Heaven. But then her brother, Ash, sold his soul to a demon to save her life, and suddenly, she found herself back on Earth. Now, the clock is counting down to the day when the demon returns to collect Ash's soul. Not only is Grace devastated over her brother's impending doom, but since returning to life, she's discovered that she possesses a number of supernatural powers--teleportation, telekenesis, the ability to see dead people... and she can't control any of them. So when the Archangel Michael offers to help her learn how to wield her powers and give her a way to save Ash in exchange for her agreeing to help in the inevitable war brewing between Heaven and Hell, she sees little choice but to agree. But Michael won't be the one teaching her... that task falls to Kali, a demon seeking redemption. And furthermore, demons are hunting Grace because of her powers.

Holy wow, this is an amazing little book! I'm a huge fan of stories about angels and demons, and so this story really hit the spot to me. UNNATURAL SOULS a follow-up to Linda Foster's previous Realm of the Claimed novella, FALLEN SOULS, which told the stories of how Ash sold his soul and how Kali fell from Heaven, but it does fine as a standalone. Knowing Ash and Kali's backstories certainly made UNNATURAL SOULS a richer read (and I highly recommend you pick it up too!). But if you just walked into UNNATURAL SOULS without knowing it's a follow-up, you'd be totally fine. Foster does a fantastic job of orienting the reader to the world, the stakes, and the situation right away.

Pause for disclosure: Linda and I are both published with Glass House Press. However, neither Linda nor Glass House requested that I write this review, and everything I'm saying reflects my honest opinion as a reader. 

Anyway, back to the fangirling. Can I just say, I love love love Grace, a character who goes from a terrified girl facing confusing and devastating circumstances to a kickass supernatural warrior. Her voice rings from the page--her anguish, her frustration, her anger, her confusion... She really comes to life, and you really get to know all her nuances and complexities through Foster's gorgeous writing. She's also one of those characters who feels honest, like a real person holding nothing back as you follow her thoughts and actions through the story. I also loved Kali, who makes a huge splash even though she's a supporting character. She's not entirely likable--in fact, sometimes, she's downright mean to Grace--but that's what makes her so interesting. She's a fallen angel who's spent an eternity in Hell, and yet you soon realize why Michael has faith in her and believes the core of her to be ultimately good.

The fast-paced action scenes--supernatural battles with the demons hunting Grace and Ash--in UNNATURAL SOULS were a real thrill to read. The book had me on the edge of my seat as it barreled toward its dramatic conclusion, which is satisfying enough for the time being but promises more awesome things to come (Foster has two more Realm of the Claimed novellas coming out soon, all leading up to the first full-length book in the series, SOUL BOUND). 

I made the mistake of picking up this book super late at night, thinking I'd just read a chapter and go to sleep. Well... let's just say I had one heckuva book hangover the next day from staying up far, far, far too late. So you have been warned: UNNATURAL SOULS will suck you in, and you'll probably read it all in one sitting (it's only 100 pages or so long). I'm still reeling over how Foster managed to pack so much richness--worldbuilding! character development! action! drama! twists!--into such a little book, which is both a great read in its own right and a tantalizing teaser for more awesomeness to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Foster was born and raised in Colorado, where she still lives with her (very patient) husband and four (very spoiled) ferrets. Linda became an avid reading enthusiast the moment she picked up her first book, and has grown steadily worse with time. By the time she was 15 years old, her library had become too big for her shelves, and she was forced to donate all of her books to the local school, just to make room for new ones. She started writing short novellas for her friends in middle school, and expanded into full-length novels several years later. Soul Bound will be her first published novel.

BOOK REVIEW: Fallen Souls (A Realm of the Claimed Novella) / Linda Foster

TITLE: Fallen Souls (A Realm of the Claimed Novella)
AUTHOR: Linda Foster
PUBLISHER: Glass House Press
AVAILABILITY: Amazon

GENRE
Young Adult--Paranormal

REVIEW

[Note: I actually reviewed this book on Goodreads when it was published in 2014, but apparently forgot to copy it over to my blog... something I just noticed when reviewing its sequel, UNNATURAL SOULS, and found myself scratching my head when I couldn't find a link to this review!] Full disclosure: Linda Foster and I share a publisher, and I received an early copy of this novella for an honest review. The below represent no one's opinions but my own. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let the gushing begin! Fallen Souls comprises two short stories: Condemnation and Fallen, which set the stage for Linda Foster's "Realm of the Claimed" series. Condemnation reveals how Ash, a good-hearted teenage boy, found himself face-to-face with a wrenching decision: sell his soul to a demon or let his sister die, and Fallen takes the reader back to the very beginning, telling of the day Kali, an avenging angel, learned of the rebellion brewing in Heaven and tried to stop it. After reading both stories, I'm finding it hard to actually write a review because the only word on my mind is "WOW." Just like that - in all caps. Because man, does Linda know how to bring the drama! Tension fills every single sentence, driving you forward to find out what happens next even though you know things can only end badly. Reading this novella is like watching a tragic opera - you know the direction the story is heading in but read on with dread out of the irrational need to see it happen anyway. And then when the ending does happen, you're left with a heaving heart and the word "NOOO!" echoing through your head. Ash and Kali are both instantly likable characters, and realizing from the very first sentence that they're doomed gives everything that follows a dark aura of tragedy. The only consolation is knowing that because there's a series of books around the bend, their stories can't be over - they're just beginning. So if you like stories with tension, drama, paranormal dangers, and vividly drawn characters, do yourself a favor and read "Fallen Souls." The language is riveting, and the plots set up a story you won't be able to resist returning to. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Linda Foster was born and raised in Colorado, where she still lives with her (very patient) husband and four (very spoiled) ferrets. Linda became an avid reading enthusiast the moment she picked up her first book, and has grown steadily worse with time. By the time she was 15 years old, her library had become too big for her shelves, and she was forced to donate all of her books to the local school, just to make room for new ones. She started writing short novellas for her friends in middle school, and expanded into full-length novels several years later. Soul Bound will be her first published novel.