The Withered King by Richardo Victoria – Book review

The Withered King by Richardo Victoria was an amazingly fun read- an impressive blend of science fiction and tech.

Fionn is the wielder of a legendary Tempest Blade, and he is blessed – or cursed – by the Gift. Though his days as a warrior are long over, his past leaves him full of guilt and regret. Life, however, has other plans for him, when he agrees to help a friend locate a missing person. Gaby and Alex never expected to become heroes… until they met Fionn. As an ancient evil arises and consumes the land, Fionn must help them to master their own Gifts and Tempest Blades. Together the three of them, and their friends, will chart a course aboard the flying ship Figaro to save the planet. Will Fionn’s past be an anchor, or will he overcome the one failure from his former life before time runs out? In a world where magic and science intermingle, anything is possible. Including second chances.

Review

I love sci-fi fantasy, so I was so pleased to discover when reading the second chapter that The Withered King by Richardo Victoria wasn’t just a fantasy but a fantasy with lots of tech ( including flying machines).

The Unspoken Name by A .K Larkwood – book review

This epic sci-fi fantasy was on my beat the backlog challenge and I have to say I loved the first book of The Serpent Gates, The Unspoken Name by A. K Larkwood.

Genre: Fantasy, sci-fi fantasy

Series: Book 1 of The Serpent Gates

Source: My own – from my backlog!

Csorwe does. She will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honored title: sacrifice. On the day of her foretold death, however, a powerful mage offers her a new fate.

Csorwe leaves her home, her destiny, and her god to become the wizard’s loyal sword-hand — stealing, spying, and killing to help him reclaim his seat of power in the homeland from which he was exiled.

But Csorwe and the wizard will soon learn – gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due.

Review

I bought this book on impulse on a Kindle daily deal-the cover with its decorated tusk was alluring and then neglected to read it for some reason.

The plot is as expected for fantasy- a race to find an ancient artefact but there are so many parts of the book that makes it different from the other books.

The Boy with Fire by Aparna Verma- Book Review

The Boy with Fire, by Aparna Verma, is science fiction fantasy at its best with a unique South-East Asian inspired world, lush descriptions and memorable characters with more than a hint of dubious morality. I will definitely be buying book two of the Ravence Trilogy.

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Release Date: 31/8/21
Publisher: New Degree Press
Series: Ravence Trilogy Book 1

Review

Thank you to the Net Galley, the publisher and author for the eARC for an honest review.

This book caught my eye on Twitter, so I was excited when I was able to read the book ahead of its publication courtesy of Net Galley and I wasn’t disappointed.

Ravence is a desert kingdom in an uneasy truce with her neighbour Jantar, weighed down by its past and a prophecy that terrifies King Leo. Jassen is a half Ravani and half Jantari assassin who agrees to protect the King’s heir Elena until her coronation but Elena has her own secret too.

In my opinion, there aren’t enough science fiction fantasy books out there and this book reminded me why I love this little sub-genre so much. The author’s world-building is intricate and vivid with the technology seamlessly woven in with the fantastical elements of prophecy and magic. The prose becomes hypnotic towards the middle of the book and I could easily see this book on TV or the screen.