Tabitha Tomala

After the horrifying discovery from The Lost War, Aranok and crew have a new realized goal. But to accomplish it, they will have to face impossible odds. Readers will see a definite switch in how the team works together, and it’s much more disjointed than before. Emotions will run high as they deal with the aftermath of their choices causing conflict and infighting. And if they can’t work together, there’s no way they will be able to save Eidyn.

The Bitter Crown is a dark journey forcing characters to endure traumatizing experiences. From watching someone be fed to a reanimated child, to being coerced into committing murder in front of family, no one will leave without scars. And each fresh wound on the psyche adds up over time for the characters. This will cause moral conflict and split-second decisions influenced by emotions instead of reason. Some of the most unshakeable characters will find their beliefs in question.

There were many moments where characters did not take the expected route seen in fantasy novels. Nirea for example relied on her instincts as a pirate. Delicate situations that would usually be taken care of discreetly were instead blown wide open. It was refreshing to see new angles and the ensuing chaos created a wonderful mix of action and emotional response. While there are times when the writing slows to take a new direction, it swiftly picks back up when the conflict of that direction takes hold.

The Bitter Crown was such a fascinating journey. Seeing the characters evolve through trauma was heartbreaking to witness, but addicting to read. Many still have to come to terms with all they did in this novel. I cannot wait to see what happens in book three. Fans of high fantasy need to read this series.

Thank you to Daniel Meyer for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Sam Adams is a teenage wizard who has no desire to draw attention to himself. When he finds out about a new drug on the street called Hex, his investigation will put him straight into the line of fire. While Hex might give humans magical powers, it comes with deadly consequences. Tensions between the Southside and Northside are bad enough as it is, let alone adding Hex into the mix. Sam will find himself up against impossible odds, as tempers and situations escalate.

Credible Threats is an action-filled sarcastic ride. Sam’s response to tough situations is to drop sarcastic humor which helps break tension and propel the story forward. And as soon as Sam mentioned his cat’s name was Catrick Swayze I couldn’t help but laugh. Catrick is quite the character. He serves as a voice of reason for Sam, calling him out on risky ideas, and helps where he can with his own brand of magic.

But make no mistake, there are also darker themes lying in wait for the reader. Throughout Credible Threats, Sam deals with the loss of a close friend. Flashbacks and emotional scenes will immerse readers in Sam’s regrets and solidify his reason for moving forward despite the risks. And the writing captures all of this in a way suitable for young adult readers. The action sequences have cut-away scenes perfectly timed to allow readers to enjoy the story without too much detail. The depth of emotion portrayed for Sam’s character is relatable and readers will root for him through every tough decision he has to make.

Credible Threats is for readers who enjoy fast-paced urban fantasy novels. Daniel Meyer does not pull punches for the characters but skillfully captures their struggles both mentally and physically. This is suitable reading for both adults and young adults.

With the passing of Robin’s parents, she ends up living with her uncle until their wills are settled. Raised to avoid magic she didn’t expect to find a demon in the basement. A very illegal demon in the basement. Skirting around rude family members and illegal activities was not Robin’s plan. But if her uncle keeps dodging her questions about the will, she might as well poke around the demon. After all, it’s in a summoning circle, it can’t hurt her, right?

Having the chance to see Robin’s origins as a demon summoner was fantastic! She has a sad start having lost her parents before the story even begins. And she is such a timid character! While she tries to stand up for herself, she’s just learning how to do so. Unfortunately, this means people talk around her and verbally push her around. Such a vast difference from Tori in the Spellbound world of Guild Codex. I can’t wait to see the character development in store for Robin in future novels!

And Robin's baking treats to share and enjoy with others was so wholesome. It broke my heart when family members didn’t appreciate it. Yet Robin found an uncommon ally who loved her baked goods.

Zylas is an alluring morally gray character. He has his own plans and toys within the bounds of his contract. While he won’t hesitate to eliminate a threat, there are moments he seems to hold back. But it might just be that he does this for his own enjoyment. But no matter where Robin and Zylas go, there is sure to be entertaining chaos in their wake.

Taming Demons for Beginners is the start of The Guild Codex: Demonized series. Readers familiar with the world will see fun cameos from Crow and Hammer guild members, as this book lines up with a previous tale. Taking Robin’s timid character and pairing her up with a troublemaker is sure to create intense interactions. And I can’t wait to read about it.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Wild Fruit is forbidden for those as young as Badger and his friends. There is always a risk of danger when eating it. But surely it couldn’t be as bad as the rumors say? Yet when Badger and friends cause hijinks to acquire Wild Fruit, they could never predict what would happen. While each of them carries a power, when they bite into the fruit it amplifies their abilities, and for some, it will forever change them.

Savage Wild is such a wholesome tale. This is the perfect beginner fantasy novel for young adults. The friendships between Badger and his friends are so heartwarming. They support one another, and their strengths and weaknesses pair so well. Even when one makes a mistake, the others try to make them feel better by acknowledging the mistake, but not letting them dwell on it. These characters are certainly the friends you want to continue having adventures with.

And adventures they have! Each step of the journey is filled with picturesque imagery. The forest seems majestic as they travel into the wilds. But what starts as a simple quest to find a friend, turns into a fight for the throne. Little do the friends know, the wilds are in an uproar as two opposing sides seek to become king. Badger and his friends will unwittingly be swept into the battle and have to use their combined strength to make it through.

Savage Wild has a wonderful array of representations. It is also one of those tales that while it does deal with darker elements, the characters make it easier to read. And it has great themes underlying the story such as friendship and learning how to carry increasing responsibility.

Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Past and present storylines blend together with different types of horror written between them. Readers will experience emotionally devastating events in the past, while also bearing witness to body horror and gore in the present. Unease will creep its way into the reader's mind as they begin to reveal the horrifying truth behind the lodge and its animals.

The level of detail given to the body horror was spot on. This is not a book to read if you are squeamish. The souls lingering on past death certainly have revenge planned, and they will not hold back their anger or resentment when they strike. What starts as small actions easily ignored escalates into full-blown attacks and mauling by the end.

While the acts of horror were thoroughly shown to the reader, the impact on the characters was not displayed as well. Characters certainly reacted to the horrific events when they saw them, but there wasn’t enough emotional connection. Adding more depth of detail to how the horror was affecting them would have brought it full circle. However, each incident escalates and adds to the tension, making the reader wonder if anyone would make it out alive in the end.

This is a quickly moving story and a bit of a puzzle builder as Chris Coppel weaves the meanings of the past into the present. The Lodge is for those who enjoy horror novels and a setting characters are trapped in.

Throughout Tori’s search to save Ezra, she’s stepped on quite a few toes. What should have been a small job, has exploded into a full out assault. One thing has spiraled into the next until the entire Crow and Hammer Guild is pulled into the crossfire. Old foes and allies will return in this final explosive conclusion. Readers can’t help but be pulled into the action.

Damned Souls and a Sangria brings The Guild Codex: Spellbound series full circle. Tori’s come a long way from being the angry bartender slinging drinks at the boys. She has a wealth of friends and companions, willing to risk everything to keep her and those they love safe. Not to mention the experience and skills learned along the way in her many adventures. Tori’s limits will be tested as one thing after another pulls people away from her. But the one thing no one can break is Tori’s determination.

Annette Marie will leave readers poised on the edge of their seats as Tori faces her greatest challenges yet. Each one threatens to rip away Tori’s resolve. She’s reminded time and again of her weaknesses, but given a choice between saving her own life or a friend's, she will always choose the other person. Reader beware, your emotions are going to go on a rollercoaster.

Damned Souls and a Sangria is a fantastic end to The Guild Codex: Spellbound series. Readers' time with Tori and the crew has come to an end. Plot threads left open previously have been closed, but there are side stories still to enjoy in the universe. It was a wild ride from book one that carried on with each new story. The journey was worth every minute spent on it.

The Lost Apothecary is a tale told to readers through the perspectives of different women. Apothecary Nella from 1791 and historian Caroline in the present day are the main characters. Both women have dealt with infidelity in their relationships, and separate losses over children. While their tales are not one for one the same, the heartbreak they endure is a common thread throughout their narratives.

This novel relies heavily on the literature side of writing, giving readers a surface level understanding of the two women’s situations. The reader is told through first-person what they are experiencing, but the emotional side is left up to the reader's imagination. The audiobook narrator added emotion to the women’s stories, but the reader is still told more than shown what they are going through.

As Nella reveals the truth behind her choice to make poisons, Caroline begins to discover the truths about her marriage. Both women deal with deceitful men, and in their way take a stand against them. There is a shared grief between the two women and this common theme is carried within the tale. While Nella tells the reader about the man who influenced her life, readers will see firsthand the gaslighting and deception Caroline must face.

The Lost Apothecary is a fictional novel for those who want to read about finding oneself after infidelity and the desire to have a family. Sarah Penner also makes sure to include the themes of womanhood and remaining true to yourself instead of what others want you to become.

Thank you to Netgalley and Neem Tree Press for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

The prelude to Clytemnestra’s Bind immediately sets the overall tone of the book. Readers will lay witness to the atrocities leading to the family curse, and the seemingly never-ending cycle of revenge. What begins as a horrific meal unfolds into a tale of brutality and neglect as Agamemnon reclaims his father’s throne and disposes of almost everyone Clytemnestra loves.

When Clytemnestra’s family is torn from her grasp and destroyed she becomes the shell of a woman. The emotional heartbreak she endures, while written elegantly, is torturous for the reader. Grief threatens to overwhelm Clytemnestra as she is forced into marriage with Agamemnon. Yet a small thread of hope rests within her. A hope that she will be able to break the curse of revenge.

Susan C. Wilson does not shy away from the abuse and trauma Clytemnestra and her children endure. Living in a society that does not see women as equals, but as objects to be used to better future gains is horrifying. Clytemnestra has no true power, but she does all she can to protect her children. The depth of love she has for them is clearly seen, as is the pain she feels when they experience the wrath of their father and his brutality.

Clytemnestra’s Bind is a read for those interested in Greek retellings and stories leading up to Troy. While it is tragic and deals with many harder hitting themes, this story is expertly crafted and the words flow across the page.

This review was originally written when The Lost War was self published. I've since reread The Lost War when it published through Orbit.

The war for Eidyn may be over, but the horrors that follow are just beginning.

Locked away in his prison of a castle, Mynygogg is a looming threat to the countryside. The King’s council has been sent to rescue a hidden queen to protect what territory they have stolen from Mynygogg. Among them is the king’s advisor Aranok, who also happens to be a magic casting draoidh. As they venture towards the queen, Aranok learns that his hometown has been taken over by the blackened. Horrific creatures able to spread disease and death by a simple touch. Aranok has the choice to follow his king’s orders, or find his family. Heart wins over duty, and Aranok plunges into a journey that will lead him down a dark road. As the party divides, they will each encounter horrors leftover from the war and none will be the same as they were by the time their journeys end.

By stepping into the world of The Lost War, readers will be enveloped in a rich high fantasy filled with magic, demons, and fantastic storytelling. Despite the amount of main characters in the traveling party, Justin Lee Anderson gives everyone their time to shine. As the characters struggle to understand the war-torn country, the reader will delve into the mistakes and horror the aftermath of war brings. The past for each character will be split wide open to show what they’ve experienced while fighting for their country, or simply trying to survive.

As I immersed myself in this book, I felt nostalgia at how much the novel felt like the Dragonlance Chronicles. A well-balanced party venturing out to do what they think is right, and never giving up even if there are difficult choices to make. And while there might not be dragons, there are plenty of demons and mutations the characters must face.

I want more of this world. I tore through this novel. Every spare moment I had, I read. There was never a dull moment, never a part where I felt the need to skim. Every word sinks you deeper into Eidyn and its heroes. You laugh, you cry, and you hold your breath as they battle for their belief in a better world.

In The Magic of Krynn, readers will be indulged by short stories focusing on magical mishaps and new tales of challenges the companions from the original trilogy have faced. It is always a joy to learn about events in secondary characters' lives in relation to the greater picture of Dragonlance. And at the same time revisiting old friends and side adventures they’ve experienced.

Otik’s story in particular was a hilariously good time. Anyone who has read the original trilogy knows The Inn of the Last Home. In the short story Love and Ale readers learn about a special batch of ale Otik unknowingly brewed. While trying to rid himself of a spell component, the kender Moonwick pours it into the current batch of Otik’s brew. When the cask is opened later during serving hours, the results are quite surprising to Otik and Tika. Let’s just say Moonwick may have turned Otik’s brew into a love spell.

On the other hand, one of the first stories was a little hard to understand. The Magic of Krynn opens with Riverwind and the Crystal Staff. The crystal staff is an important catalyst for the companions' adventures in the founding trilogy. However, this one was told in the canticle style and while it was full of imagery and creativity my mind had a difficult time following it. That being said, the amount of passion and dedication Riverwind felt towards his task and Goldmoon was clear.

The Magic of Krynn is volume one of the Tales series. Designed to entertain readers with stories of both well-known characters and little-known characters. There is sure to be something for everyone in this Dragonlance anthology.

Victor and Eli both harbor brilliant minds and dark ambitions. Eli’s college thesis starts as researching EOs, humans with extraordinary abilities. But when he theorizes how to become an EO, Victor manipulates Eli into creating them. Their test subjects? Themselves. Victor and Eli will chance bringing themselves to the brink of death to become Extraordinary. But even before they returned as EOs, something was fundamentally missing. Key emotions they should have felt such as guilt and empathy. Now with powers, Eli and Victor will make choices based on their personal vendettas, changing the lives of all they encounter.

Vicious presents the reader with two characters who are villains. While readers may side with one over the other, neither is inherently good. While some of their choices may inadvertently help others, their true goals are less than admirable. Victor bears a personal grudge against Eli. During Victor’s transformation, he caused the death of a fellow student. Eli made sure he was captured and jailed. Upon release, Victor makes his sole focus to be Eli's destruction. While on the other hand, Eli sees EOs as unnatural. Under the misconception of religious duty, he sets out to eradicate any EO he comes into contact with, despite his own extraordinary abilities.

Switching between various timelines, V.E. Schwab builds the narrative piece by piece. Readers will be hooked as the storylines draw ever closer back together. Seeing through various characters' points of view, also allows the reader to experience their skewed ambitions and sense of duty. Eli and Victor are unlikeable characters, but this fits with the overall darker tone and atmosphere of dread. Each has ways of manipulating people to their sides and twisting their loyalties.

Vicious puts extraordinary powers into the hands of two psychopathic main characters. The violent fallout from their motivations creates a brutally dark story. Readers who enjoy dark fiction with a hint of fantasy, give this one a try.

Through Kelsier’s guidance, Vin has become a skilled Mistborn. After the events of the previous novel, the Skaa now view her as a God. Uncomfortable with being the face of a new religion, Vin must learn to deal with the attention her position has attracted. But this isn’t the only challenge Vin will face. Outside forces are setting their eyes on Luthadel to claim the hidden cache of atium from the Lord Ruler. When the sieges begin, Vin and the crew must quickly learn how to face these new threats or risk losing everything they’ve worked for.

Brandon Sanderson has the capability to create such complex characters and relationships. The entire crew, how they operate and Vin learning her place in the new world order was so well done. And when Vin encounters Zane, possibly the only other Mistborn who could understand her, the intricate dance of untrust and seeking acceptance will keep readers engaged. The reader is also allowed to see through Zane’s eyes and his twisted view of Vin. As the two meet time and again, the emotional tension between the two escalates, and the way they see each other in such different lights is fascinating.

While the relationships based on rivalry and friendship are well fleshed out, the romantic relationships aren’t given as much depth. Given Vin’s background, she struggles with connections. Vin does show how she feels inadequate for her romantic interest, yet her romantic feelings are rarely shown. Small gestures or body language would have added an extra depth of layer to her attraction. Instead, it feels immature and undiscovered. I’m hoping after the events of book two, the third installment will develop her love and trust in the person she desires.

Despite some hiccups with the emotional side of romance, The Well of Ascension is just as developed and intricate as book one. Instead of one central threat, the crew must fend off various enemies from outside their city, as well as within. And woven within the struggles, are twists and turns readers will never see coming. Right up until the final page, Sanderson keeps the reveals rolling and sets up what promises to be an epic conclusion.

Ames Emerys received official notification of his brother Callum’s death during transport to the planet Kilnin. Accused of murder, Callum was to serve a sentence of hard labor. Ames could not believe his brother committed such a crime. And when Callum is also seen arriving on the planet alive, Ames questions everything. When he begins investigating, Ames receives a travel ban and agents attempt to bring him into custody. Evading capture, Ames sets out to find his brother. Along the way, he will uncover dangerous secrets.

During Ames' journey towards discovering the truth, he encounters a woman named Violet. When he helps her out of a tough situation I was pleasantly surprised to see the two become platonic partners. Though Violet was onboard to help Ames rather quickly, their synergy together was well written. The two complement each other and create a relationship based on learned trust and understanding. There was no romance or need for romance to understand how the two felt about each other, and the respect they had with a growing friendship.

Rebecca Crunden has a talent for creating relatable characters. Emotionally connecting with the characters, readers will feel Ames' need to find his brother, and the ensuing ups and downs they face together. Dust & Lighting feels like the start of a grand adventure. The actions each character aims to take by the end leave a charged open ending. Readers will crave more information. If you’re a reader who enjoys fast-paced short science fiction, give this a try.

Thank you to Jessica A. McMinn for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

From a young age, Princess Amikharlia knew she was different. When she sneaks out with her friends and saves their lives with magic the whispers begin. Even her own father calls her unnatural. And when it comes time to marry a cruel prince, she leaves the royal family to hunt demonic creatures plaguing the land. Little does she know, her fate is entwined with those who would bring the goddess back into the world. And her magic is one of the keys.

The Ruptured Sky is a dark and action-packed journey. Told through the eyes of multiple characters, the reader will experience a range of emotions. As they venture deeper into the lore and world-building, they will be swept up in the story. The characters you come to know and cheer for in the beginning, are nowhere near the same by the end of the novel due to the hardships they face.

Jessica A McMinn created such a manipulative and controlling character in Grey. Obsessed with the prophecy of The Chosen, he’s done everything he can to ensure its success. Including betraying those who love him and gaslighting his own family members. Built to be a despicable character he will entice readers into learning the fate of those he’s exploited. Everyone who comes into contact with him will have their lines irrevocably changed forever.

The characters in The Ruptured Sky are a wonderful mix of personalities and ambition. Their combined goals and ambitions pull them apart as much as they force them together. As the story progresses, readers will be stunned at the revelations from long harbored secrets. Jessica A. McMinn isn’t afraid to challenge her characters, even if it means breaking them in the process. Readers will be entranced by the character arcs and development unfolding across the pages.

With how book one ended, I can’t wait to see where the next one begins. I need to know the fate of the characters and what else is in store for them. If you are a reader who enjoys dark fantasy, give this book a try!