Legend of Akikumo by Dani Hoots Genre: Fantasy Age category: Young Adult Release Date: September 15, 2020 Review Confession time: I’m an otaku. For the uninitiated, that’s a die-hard fan of Japanese animation (aka anime). I haven’t been following the latest series as much as I used to, but the enthusiasm is still there. So … Continue reading
Darin Kennedy is the author of over twenty books, including one of my favorite recent reads, The Mussorgsky Riddle. The novel is the first of his Fugue & Fable trilogy. I confess, most of the fiction I’ve been consuming lately has been either in the form of an audiobook or helpfully read to me by … Continue reading
The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street by Cory Putman Oakes Genre: Paranormal, Humor Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: August 18, 2020 The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street is a fun book that isn’t afraid to make its characters fight hard for their goals. At the crux of the story is a competition … Continue reading
Child of Destiny The Rising Saga Book 1 by M.K. Adams Genre: YA Fantasy A young orphan on the run from the King. A warlock with the power to protect her. And, the fighter holding them together. The Rive, a realm ruled by the iron grip of a war-hungry King, is on the brink of … Continue reading
Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: September 29, 2020 Review Dungeon Critters is a fun-filled graphic novel that may take its inspiration from the standard tabletop RPG but ultimately creates into a fun and original world that stands on its own as well as … Continue reading
The Little Dog Laughed by Jackie Sonnenberg Genre: Horror Age category: New Adult (Listed in both adult and YA categories) Release Date: February 26, 2020 Review The Little Dog Laughed by Jackie Sonnenberg was one of those books where I understood what it was trying to do, but it couldn’t quite pull off the execution … Continue reading
No Ordinary Boy by Tracey Mayhew Genre: Fantasy Age category: Chapter book Release Date: October 1, 2020 Review This is UFM’s first review of a book younger than middle grade. I’ve been reading a lot in this age category lately, both for my own research as I attempt to write a book in it and … Continue reading
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova Genre: Portal Fantasy Age category: Young Adult Release Date: September 1, 2020 Review Wayward Witch is the final book in the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy by Zoraida Córdova. Each of three stories focuses on a different Mortiz sister. Having not read the first two, but intrigued by the description of the … Continue reading
Hi, everyone! I’m very excited to host a special preview of the just-released pirate fantasy novel, OF SKY AND SEA by Antoine Bandele. You can read the blurb and excerpt below, plus enter the giveaway for a $10 gift card and your own e-copy of the book! By Sea & Sky The Sky Pirate Chronicles … Continue reading
Never Date a Siren by Byrd Nash Genre: Urban Fantasy Age category: Young Adult/New Adult Release Date: November 19, 2019 Review If you’re in desperate need of a refreshing new series (and who isn’t right now?), College Fae Magic by Byrd Nash may be just what you’re looking for. I was drawn into this first … Continue reading
R.J. Blain is the author of the series Magic Romantic Comedies (With a Body Count). She suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning. In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels … Continue reading
Story magic by Laurel Gale Genre: Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: August 3, 2020 Review Story Magic by Laurel Gale has one of the more unique magical systems I’ve read about in a long while. In this world, spells are cast by calling upon invisible creatures known as “listeners” and enticing them to … Continue reading