Category: Steampunk Fantasy, steampunk science fiction

Review: Uncertain Sanctuary : The Complete Trilogy by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The collection contains the following books:

The House That Walked Between Worlds #1

House in Hiding #2

The House That Fought #3

This was a terrific way to binge the series. I was able to read all three novels as though they were one big book, each flowing seamlessly into each other’s narrative. 

Charting the journey , through three books,of human sorcerer Dr Kira Aist from a state of deep raging, grieving trauma as she flees Earth and the deaths of those she loved to one of a woman content with her new as one of the few supremely powerful sorcerers and her role in the universe. 

While Schwartz has created so many imaginative and fascinating characters and elements here, I have to admit that Kira’s “House” , an enormous sentient black intimidating castle, is one of my favorites. Full of personality, capable of space travel and a “world ender” in offensive combat powers, some of the best scenes and moments occur when the House is involved.  

Honestly I could see a cable series with this. 

Then there’s a goblin giant war cat (see the cover), and fascinating group of found family of friends that Kira starts to gather around her, and more importantly, a cyborg elf that eventually becomes her partner. 

I did have a few notes about the trilogy. The overall theme involves children suffering as well as child deaths. Also brief torture scenes. While the torture scenes aren’t particularly graphic, they’re still emotional scenes. If any of these scenes or elements are triggering, please be warned. 

Then finally, Evander, an elf turned into a cyborg without his permission, with devastating consequences, wears “warrior braids “.  This is a hairstyle where each braid is one of remembrance, of a fallen brother warrior. That’s an element that is seen by many cultures and traditions.  

But Schwartz’ Kira refers to them occasionally as Corn rows, which struck me as odd. Kira’s background is Russian. So this started veering away from warrior braids and into cultural appropriation territory. At least that’s how it felt to me. 

Aside from those notes, this is another highly successful and well written trilogy from an author who is an auto-read for me. 

Another winner and recommendation. 

Cover design by Miblart 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Complete Trilogy: Uncertain Sanctuary, Books 1–3 (Audible Audio Edition)

Blurb 

No spaceship needed. Kira has a magic, traveling castle.

Pursued by her parents’ killers, Doctor Kira Aist calls on her inheritance as Baba Yaga’s great-granddaughter to create a House and escape Earth.

Plunging into the dangerous mysteries of Reality, she learns what it means to be a rare human sorcerer.

As strangers are drawn to her House, Kira becomes enmeshed in a diabolical plot to destroy Reality.

Who can she trust?

Of her new friends, some seek refuge, others power, and one just wants kitty treats.

In a Reality that includes cyborg elves and goblin space pirates, kobold gossips and dinosaurian scholars, one human doctor must decide the price she’ll pay for justice—and for love.

***

The Uncertain Sanctuary bundle includes three previously published novels:

The House That Walked Between Worlds

House in Hiding

The House That Fought

A high stakes, cozy fantasy that romps across the universe.

Publication date

September 5, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

618 pages

Galactic empire science fiction, 

Review:  All Fun and Games (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 11) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating:  5✨⭐️

All Fun and Games is the penultimate book and it’s a fantastic read. As Honor Raconteur gets closer to the series finale next year, the characters are more settled in their respective roles and relationships. That’s never been more satisfying and clear than seeing Jamie and Henri finally engaged and preparing for their wedding and future plans. 

Jamie’s Queen’s Own are functional and adding to their numbers and the core group we’ve gotten to know so well.   And that brings us to this complicated series of murders that Jamie, Henri and the Queen’s Own must investigate.

Cruel, seemingly unrelated, and yet Jamie can feel there’s something tying these horrifying acts together. 

Alongside the investigations, the couple are moving forward with their new life together. Looking for new housing, and oncoming nuptials. 

There’s wonderful twists and heartbreaking turns. And a lovely little end. 

The last book in the series will be published next year and I look forward to seeing how Jamie and Henri‘s remarkable journey comes to a close. 

Highly recommended. 

No sexual content. A sweet kiss, nothing more. Magical energy, crime investigation and science fiction. Terrific work. 

This is Honor Raconteur also known as AJ. Sherwood.  A must read no matter what name she’s writing under. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        All Fun and Games (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 11)

    

Blurb 

It’s all fun and games until someone gets murdered.

Well, the Queen’s Own certainly isn’t having fun, because what’s worse than one case? Two, of course. And what’s worse than two? Whatever madness Jamie’s currently in.

The body count is rising, all the MO’s are different, and cleaning charms have wiped the murder scenes of clues. It’s hard to link the cases beyond the use of the charms, yet Jamie is sure there’s a connection. But what is it?

They need to figure out the answer fast, because the clues suggest one of their own might be next.

  • Publisher: Raconteur House
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: August 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 422 pages
  • Book 11 of 11: The Case Files of Henri Davenforth

Review:  All In A Name (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 9) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating:  5✨⭐️

In a series full of just outstanding books and incredible writing, this ranks among the top.  There’s several reasons but high among them are the way that Raconteur has handled Jamie’s PTSD and reoccurring trauma from her past torture and kidnapping at the hands of the dark witch Belladonna. 

That’s a huge element of this book as murder victims are delivered directly to Jamie’s door and the villain seems to have direct ties to the deceased Belladonna. 

Great suspense, high magical energy and action! We get a new fantastic character in Chanty! New “old “ inventions. And waiting for Henri to still pop the question. More suspense. 

No spice at all. Just mild kisses and on to more action. Fantastic characters and mysteries, some of which are built around actual obscure real cases. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        All In A Name (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 9)

    

Blurb 

Someone left Jamie a prezzie and she would like to return it with a no thank you.

It all starts with a dead Robert Martin, the man who killed RM Burtchell. Jamie doesn’t know how, but it’s obvious he was yanked out of high security prison, murdered, and dumped on her front doorsteps.

Now the situation is entirely out of control. Someone obviously wants her attention–her people are being targeted and hurt, they can’t catch a lead, and it’s bringing up Belladonna vibes.

Jamie would like to request a new plot device.

Review:  This Potion is da Bomb (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 8) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating:  4.75✨⭐️

This was a highly entertaining and a grand new book in the series. As the first case for Jamie’s Queen’s Own agency, it’s an intriguing mystery.  It will take Jamie, Henri, and her crew of investigators that are quickly forming a core of friends as well, to new lands and new magical powers to explore. 

It expands into the growing relationships between Jamie and Henri, Sherold, and others around them both. And the adorable Felixes are in the mix too. 

The format of Henri’s notes, with different colored handwritten notations by others (Jamie, Sherold, Henri) are often funny, full of references and tiny emojis. I love it. 

Don’t miss Jamie’s ever growing list of new additions to this universe of “inventions” from her world, new discoveries. It expands from book to book. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        This Potion is da Bomb (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Yay first Queen’s Own case! Yay first international case! Blowing people up with bombs, not so yay.

This is supposed to be a murder-suicide but the case smells. And not just because the dead potion maker lacks knowledge about the cure he supposedly created. Jamie’s got a smoking crater of an office (and body), a queen breathing down her neck, a witness clinging to life, and no answers.

One thing she knows for certain, however–this potion is a cure to die for.

Review: Death Over the Garden Wall (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 7) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating:  4.75✨⭐️

I love Death Over the Garden Wall because it’s a bit different from the other cases Jamie and Henri have investigated. And it goes in a different direction than what I had originally imagined. 

There’s peril, plenty of magic, suspense and suspects to explore when the body of an old friend of Queen Regina’s is found washed up on shore after a tumultuous night with angry guests. At her cliffhanger of a house.

Jamie, Henri, some of her Kingsmen “ducklings “ and the Felix trio along with her other close associates/friends are there to help them investigate and solve the mystery. 

The chapter titles and handwritten “note” by different characters never fail to entertain me. I love how this is framed out by the author.

While this might not be the most compelling or difficult mystery to figure out, it’s engaging and totally one I was invested in. 

Another winner in a series full of outstanding writing. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Death Over the Garden Wall (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 7)

    

Blurb 

Three modus operandi to die. Four employees, six house guests, and not a single witness.

Confusing clues and no helpful leads cloud the death of Countess Giada Barese, who washed up on shore two weeks after her mysterious disappearance. Henri and Jamie have no idea if her death is a homicide, suicide, or accidental death, for nothing adds up.

There is something strange going on, though, Jamie’s sure of that. The countess was found wearing mismatched slippers, her lover disappeared the next day, and everyone is acting shifty.

Jamie feels like she’s playing a game of Clue, one she’s determined to win. Where’s a candlestick when you need one?

Review:  Grimoires and Where to Find Them (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 6) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

Talk about catastrophe magic! And it starts at a book faire! I loved the mystery and layers of Grimoires and Where to Find Them. 

It’s got books thefts galore, book lovers and collectors everywhere, Reaper grimoires going missing, and Henri has friends we didn’t know about!

This has moved further into the future with Jamie being here several years later her kidnapping and more than settled down in her own life and relationships. She can, through the efforts of Henri and Seaton, at least communicate with her family, and she’s happy.  

So is Henri, enough that he’s ready for another step in his life and career. It’s an exciting and very wonderful element here. 

The three Felix’s are very much a part of this story and the group. And new characters are introduced as their roles are integral elements of the story and mystery. 

We see new “inventions” that Jamie with Ellie’s manufacturing magic and creativity has introduced to the world and the lists at the end continue to grow. 

A fabulous addition to a fantastic series. It’s slow burn, no sex, all delightful G content. Creative, well written, beautifully plotted and executed. 

A must read for me to share.  I’ll be so sad whenever this series ends. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Grimoires and Where to Find Them (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 6)

    

Blurb 

How do you catch an elusive thief?

There is nothing more delightful than a bookfaire with his lady love. At least, until Henri learns that a grimoire belonging to the dangerous Reaper’s Set has been stolen without its protective box. When Henri and Jamie go looking for answers, they are horrified to discover more than one volume has been stolen without its protective box.

Jamie has never seen Henri so livid or frightened. The spells in the grimoires, unchecked, are powerful enough to make a building melt. Literally. Melt. They need to find them quickly, for the war-era grimoires could tear the city apart–and have already gotten a head start. 

With the thief nowhere to be found and still stealing grimoires, Jamie, Henri, and Seaton are more than ready to catch him. 

Please. 

And thank you. 

Review:  Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

Intriguing murder mystery, new adorable Felix’s, and a terrific insight into Henri’s thoughts and emotions on why he has been so thoughtful and slow in his courtship of Jamie.  And hers in return on why it was important for her to have the time to establish herself and continue to work on her trauma and transition before anything personal could occur. 

Depth of evolution of the characters and a highly intelligent investigation of this unusual, and for Henri, emotional case, make Three Charms for Murder  a fantastic read and engaging narrative full of action, magic, and fast paced storytelling. 

I love this so much!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5)

    

Blurb 

It takes more than three charms to commit murder.

When an old childhood friend comes to Henri asking for help in solving his parents’ murders, Henri agrees immediately. He knows this case is not going to be easy. Mr. and Mrs. Atwood’s bodies had been found magically posed to mimic a statue, and the investigator in charge ruled it a murder-suicide. Which is simply not feasible according to the Atwood children.

Aware this is a high society case and all attention will be on them, the team makes their way out to the Atwoods’ vacation home. Upon arrival, Jamie and Henri are horrified to find most of the trace evidence destroyed by incompetence, the bodies unpreserved, and the case file a single page of notes. To top it all off, the local police force wants nothing more than to see them fail.

Add in a string of suspicious burglaries, compromised wards, arson, and a suspect who will do anything to keep the truth under wraps, and Jamie and Henri are ready to commit murder themselves.

Review:  Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

I really enjoyed Breaking and Entering 101 for a number of reasons. Obviously because I love the characters and series, they continue to develop and evolve in their respective roles, professionally as we see here as Kingsmen consultants, and personally as Jamie has consistently shown that she’s dedicated to her new world and found family. And they to her. 

There’s two distinct mysteries to solve here, both extremely important to undertake and each has its own unique quirks and skills required to succeed in understanding and investigating it. 

One is the theft of heavy gold ingots from a train car that’s locked and warded. Another, which introduces a favorite new character of mine, is a mystery of how the Royal palace (and its many incredible wards) is being constantly being surpassed by a trespasser who doesn’t do anything much but look around, sampling food and drinks. 

This brings in the wonderfully crafted Queen, the many Kingsmen familiar with Jamie, and those slowly becoming a part of Jamie and Henri’s (and RM Seaton as well as Felix Clint) inner circle.   

The time frame has moved by 2 years. That includes new “discoveries and inventions” Jamie has introduced via Ellie to this world. 

Don’t miss out on the additions by Jamie of her knowledge and comparisons at the end. It grows by each novel. 

Another must read in a must have series. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Since Jamie and Henri agreed to be Kingsmen consultants, they’d not had much call to actually consult. Which is a fortuitous thing, as Henri is up to his neck in labwork and interviews for a new Magical Examiner due to Sanderson’s departing. He is hardly in any position to add more tasks onto his shoulders. 

Which, naturally, means two disasters strike at once. 

In a brilliant coup, a group of thieves have struck the railroad and stolen a breathtaking three hundred thousand crowns in gold. No one has any idea how, who, or where the ingots have gotten to. The Kingsmen on the case are baffled, as this is hardly their normal purview. They naturally reach out to their Kingsmen consultants, which mean Jamie and Henri are now on the week-old case. 

To spice things up further, someone is routinely sneaking through the palace wards and lurking about the grounds, and no one has any idea how the breach is occurring. Seaton’s beside himself trying to figure it out and Henri has been drawn in to assist him. 

As Jamie would say: When it rains, it pours.

Review:  Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

What a great mystery and story! Both sad, satisfying and it will be the story the propels an important element of this series into more development and exploration for Jamie and her closest friends. 

In addition, Royal Mage Sherard, now a close friend and colleague, is here, Clint the talking magical cat, and one of Jamie’s police ducklings, McSparrin, and she’s got Ellie the magician engineer, to soup up the engine of the cars she rides in to go 50 mph instead of 30!

Again, it’s a fantastic formula for a story. Henri is writing his cases but in such a way that the reader can see it published in the future. But his friends, Jamie and Sherard insert themselves into these pages via hilarious notes and even entire sections which he then smartly remarks upon. All in different colored ink. Black ink for Henri, blue ink for Jamie and green ink for Sherard. And if that sounds chaotic, it’s not. It’s remarkably clear whose voice it is and the emotionally tones carry through vividly.

Another sparkling performance from the author and characters. 

Fabulous!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Henri is quite accustomed to dangerous and unusual cases landing in his lap. Being partnered to the Shinigami Detective likely has something to do with it. What he is NOT accustomed to is the queen herself marching into his lab and handing them such a case. 

Former Royal Mage Joseph Burtchell was found dead in his home, all signs pointing to murder. However, it’s in question as to how the murderer accomplished the deed—the house was locked, the wards fully up, and the body bearing a peculiar wound.

It’s a locked room mystery, one with a suspiciously absent murder weapon and lack of suspects. Henri’s left baffled. Jamie’s excited, relishing the challenge the case represents. 

Who’s powerful enough to thwart a royal mage’s wards and murder him undetected?

Review:  Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

“‘How upset is our good Queen?’

“Livid, Seaton answered cheerfully.

I’m quite happy about that. Angry women change the world.’”

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) the oh so appropriate title of book two is a great, emotional story. The mystery hits on many levels as well, bringing in everything from the societal aspects of health care (or lack thereof), the need for better government regulation of magical items and their manufacture, and general police procedures on multiple fronts. 

It’s dealing with epidemics, ignorance, violence and scam artists who have caused unprecedented harm. 

And all while showing how Jamie is still recovering from her ordeal, maneuvering through a society and systems that are designed to keep women from being able to live as equals, and instituting change from a world that is unknown and one she can’t return to. 

New fantastic characters are emerging in continuing important roles, in Jamie’s life and the series, such as RM Seaton, and the notes of each character, identified by color, are highly entertaining and important to the story and influence of their respective roles here. 

How do I love this? Let me count the ways.

  1. Spectacular writing.
  2. Great mysteries 
  3. Fabulous characters that continue to develop 
  4. Found families 
  5. World building that’s incredible in depth and vividly detailed 
  6. Slowish burn ever romance 

Yes and yes! 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2)

    

Blurb

A dead charm maker is only the beginning. 

Humanity seems determined to come up with increasingly clever ways to murder one another. They seize upon new technological advances in a way that’s alarming, their creativity and blood-thirstiness knowing no bounds.

When a charm maker is blown up inside his own vehicle, for once it’s not Henri Davenforth’s expertise needed: it’s Jamie Edwards’, the Shinigami Detective. Car bombs are something unique in Kingston, and only she has experience with them. But the unique murder takes an unexpected turn when it becomes evident that the dead charm maker dabbled in something he should not have, inciting disastrous results.

The dangers he unleashed upon Kingston threaten thousands of lives and it launches a race requiring not only Jamie and Henri’s expertise, but the Kingsmen’s as well to beat the menace spreading through the city.

Meanwhile, the murderer is still at large, leaving Henri and Jamie to wonder: what will blow next?