Cheers. It's so good to be back with the brothers again and I'm enjoying Ermano as a POV character too.

The Siege of Druine by C.M. Debell

I'm only a few chapters into The Siege of Druine by @cmdebell.bsky.social but I already know it's going to be as fantastic as the other books in her Tales of Isyr series. Superb prose and characterisation, and a plot which is promising another drama-filled, humour-laced, epic humdinger.

I love the new covers on the relaunched Tales of Isyr books by @cmdebell.bsky.social. The Many Shades of Midnight novel and the In Midnight’s Shadow story story collection are superb, character-driven political fantasy at its finest and these gorgeous covers are as beautiful as the author's prose.

The Heart of what was Lost by Tad Williams.

The Heart of what was Lost by @tadwilliams.bsky.social is an action and emotion-packed novel. I loved the Norns insights, meeting new characters and reuniting with two beloved old favourites. The quality of Tad's lyrical prose and superb storytelling reminded me my heart was never lost to Osten Ard.

I hope he doesn't fine you!

Book Review : Orders of Magnitude by Yuval Kordov | FanFiAddict Rating: 9/10 Synopis: The Moon was once colonized. Now it lies silent—mostly.When a mysterious radio signal echoes from the abandoned colony of Serenit ...

Hey Gang

First review of 2025 - Order of Magnitude by @yuvalkordov.bsky.social

A dark blend of sci-fi and horror follows the Vaticans space marines investigate an supposedly abandoned colony on the moon

Book Review : Orders of Magnitude by Yuval Kordov fanfiaddict.com/book-review-...

Based on all the things I like about your writing, I think you'd enjoy it!

Tad’s writing creates such a connection with the reader and I’m more than ready to be reconnected to a thing of beauty which will be a joy forever.

Starting #TheLastKingofOstenArd in these early days of 2025 is my new year treat to myself and I’m so happy to be venturing into this world again as an older adult but with the enthusiasm of a giddy child.

I've been looking forward to journeying back to Osten Ard so much since news of the new series first surfaced but have waited until the final book was published before diving back in.

By the time I finished MST, my life was on a much better trajectory and I'd rediscovered my love of reading and exploring fantasy worlds. That love continues three decades later, the flame rekindled by Tad still burning strong.

Some people describe it as a slow-burn but I was gripped - by the characters, settings, intrigue and wonderful prose. I devoured the rest of the series as the books were released and it was with a heart as heavy as a stone when I bid farewell to that wonderful world 30 years ago.

I bought The Dragonbone Chair while browsing a book store in spring 1991. Its cover sang to me. I was looking for some escapism during a challenging period of my life and it instantly took me back to first discovering the magic, beauty and wonder of LOTR nearly a decade earlier.

I started reading a very special book yesterday. The Heart of what was Lost by @tadwilliams.bsky.social marks my return to the world of Osten Ard after an absence of 30 years. Tad’s Memory, Sorrow and Thorn reignited my passion for fantasy and it remains one of my favourite series. 🧵

Nick Procter's review of The Halley Traveler (The Children of Mars, #1) 4/5: The Halley Traveler by Mike Mollman saw me boldly go where I’ve rarely gone before with my reading – sci-fi. Fantasy, historical fiction, classics and contemporary fiction are my normal go-to re...

My review of The Halley Traveler by @mikemollman.bsky.social

As a sci-fi novice, I had a blast with this book for its thriller-style plot and the MC’s vengeance-seeking journey with found-family bonding, great banter and lots of learning to trust again.

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Nick Procter’s review of The Blood Stones The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken is an immersive, engaging and intriguing epic fantasy which had me utterly engrossed from start to finish. Featuring four point of view characters and encompassing the...

My review of The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken:

“Tecken is as crafty and cunning as a fox with the twists and turns of her plotting and political intrigue. As bold and fierce as a wolf in the scale of her worldbuilding and the brutality of her combat scenes.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken.

I'm excited to start The Blood Stones by Tori Tecken on its release today. The premise sounds great and the ARC reviews have raved about the worldbuilding, intriguing plot, character relationships, powerful themes and stunning prose. I'm here for all that.

Nick Procter’s review of Ruins of Smoke Holy smoke! João F Silva has worked his magic again, this time packing a novel's-worth of action and emotion into a novella. It's an incredible feat, achieved through relentless combat and awesome m...

My review of Ruins of Smoke by João F Silva.

“I've said it before and I'll say it again, Silva is a wordsmith who's on fire and he deserves to be setting the fantasy fiction world alight with The Smokesmiths.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Nick Procter’s review of The Bone Ship's Wake The first time I met Joron Twiner he was a shipwreck of a shipwife, wallowing in self-pity and drowning in drink and misery. The journey RJ Barker has since taken him on, from the opening of book 1, ...

My review of The Bone Ship’s Wake by @rjbarker.bsky.social includes two homages to the Tide Child trilogy:

“What a wonderful journey it’s been
All the things and places we've seen
The Maiden's tricks, the Mother's blessing
All the calls of Keyshan rising.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Next up is Ruins Of Smoke by João F Silva, a prequel to the fabulous Seeds of War.That had me gripped by its unusual, interesting characters, superb action and of course its smokesmiths magic. I'm expecting more great stuff from this novella. And what another awesome cover!

Midnight in Flaeres by CM Debell.

I've just finished Midnight in Flaeres by @cmdebell.bsky.social - a prequel to her novel The Many Shades of Midnight. This short story is a welcome return to the world of Ellasia and foster brothers Alyas and Esar, featuring lots of tension and great action. It's free via the author's newsletter.

Nick Procter’s review of Secret of the Thistle Benjamin Aeveryn’s Rainfallen series continues to deluge the reader with wonder and excitement in Secret of the Thistle. This excellent sequel to Salt in the Wound expands the plot and post-apocaly...

My review of Secret of the Thistle by @benjaminaeveryn.bsky.social

“This excellent sequel ... deluges the reader with wonder and excitement. It ramps up the intrigue and there are sure to be more dark clouds and storms ahead when the Rainfallen series continues.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Secret of the Thistle by Benjamin Aeveryn.

I've finished an eARC of Secret of the Thistle by @benjaminaeveryn.bsky.social and it successfully expands the engrossing plot and post-apocalyptic setting of book 1 in the Rainfallen series. But be warned, there are a few stings in the tail of this clever, unusual tale. It's out on 20 November.

Nick Procter’s review of Of Thieves and Shadows Contrary to popular wisdom, I judge books by their cover and I’m happy to report that Of Thieves and Shadows backs up its fantastic façade with more than 500 pages of engaging content. It’s a co...

My review of BSH Garcia's Of Thieves and Shadows:

“An ancient evil is stirring in the Heart of Quinaria and this epic tale stirred all the right emotions in this reader.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Nick Procter’s review of Daughter of the Beast I’d had Daughter of the Beast in my sights after watching a BookTube interview with the author, so when it reached the final of SPFBO 9 I had all the encouragement I needed to bring it to the top of...

My Goodreads review of Daughter of the Beast by @greavesec.bsky.social:

“The prospect of a rich and unique story inspired by Slavic myth appealed to my desire for something a bit different. The book certainly delivered on that promise.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Bone Ship's Wake by RJ Barker.

I've also embarked on the final voyage of the Tide Child trilogy by @rjbarker.bsky.social as part of a Page Turners Discord buddy read. I'm told The Bone Ship's Wake provides a powerful finale to this brilliant nautical fantasy series.

Secret of the Thistle by Benjamin Aeveryn.

Next up is an eARC of Secret of the Thistle by @benjaminaeveryn.bsky.social, the sequel to the excellent Salt in the Wound. I'm excited to see where this Arthurian-infused, grimdark, post-apocalyptic, fantasy-sci-fi-horror-thriller mash-up goes.

You're very welcome, Tru. Thanks for writing such a great story.

Nick Procter’s review of The Thirteenth Hour The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies is a zany rip-roaring tale set in an imaginative world where cruel gods demand worship and their rule is enforced with brutal efficiency. It’s fun, charming, sur...

Another belated Goodreads review. This time it's for The Thirteenth Hour by @trudieskies.bsky.social:

“Its motley crew friendships, layers of mystery, unusual, immersive setting, quirky and diverse characters, and storytelling flair all chimed strongly with me.”

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Of Thieves and Shadows by BSH Garcia.

Next up in this fantastic year of indie reads is Of Thieves and Shadows by BSH Garcia. I was first attracted by the fantastic cover and the premise sounds perfect for my tastes - layers of intrigue, allies with conflicting ambitions and potential war over a dwindling precious resource.