It’s the penultimate story and we have incredibly idiotic large emu-like demons ahead. Plus equally dense academia to mess with.
This means our family of sorcerers , young budding sorcerers included, have a blast, we find out what a Piemu is, and Steve is that much closer to being a whole skeleton.
I sort of missed him here. And the skelebabies in action. They are so adorable and great fun.
One more installment to go. I can’t wait. I do wish we’d found out what Tan had done when he was lingering on campus. Whatever it was, they deserved it.
Love these covers.
Series and side stories
💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit:Bone series
You must negotiate return of dragon wing. Penalty levied against party members. Piemu unleashed. Accept quest? (YES) (no)
Tan: How is this harder than the pirates?
Devan: I’m looking at the reason.
Tan: Uncalled for. True, but still uncalled for.
Tags:
Academic types are stingy, demonic chickens, strange version of Whac-A-Mole, Niran acquires apprentices, Fa comes to play too, candy tastes best after murder, basically the corruption is spreading
In 52 pages, Sherwood fantastically opens up an entire new world of magical creatures, humorously giving us a newly enlarged found family of sorcerers, a talking dragon skull who has a name that has me giggling, and begins a mysterious adventure that will take 7 chapters to complete.
To my delight, there’s two very young apprentices that have been added to Tan and Devan’s odd little family. Zi Rui, who got his own story, and the very sassy little girl who matches her own way into the mix and our hearts, Lesia.
The dynamics and dialogue is funny, heartwarming no matter how alarming Tan might find that, and makes this story fly by all too quickly.
Especially since Sherwood delivers a sentient dragon skull and a gleeful Niran who ,along with his skelebabies , is willingly heading with them into the northern lands for magical adventures!
I can’t wait for the next episode to come out!
It’s highly anticipated and another great recommendation!
Love these covers.
💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Bone #1
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Sentient dragon skull acquired! Do you wish to find rest of body? (yes) (no)
Tan: Yes!
Devan: No, but why?
Tan: We get half of his hoard~
Devan: We leave tomorrow.
Tags:
Tan’s field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a church’s basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niran’s more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns.
“The emergency contact mirror on his desk buzzed with an incoming call, jittering on the wood as if conveying the caller’s agitation.
Tan snatched it up promptly, still looking around suspiciously.
“Hi, I’m Tan. I own the place, and I’m going to go cry.”
Tan, that magnificent Black Sorcerer of Grimslock, is back in a short magical tale of acquisition and revenge. Mostly acquisition.
Here is how Tan and his husband, Devan, his Knight and now King of Goodwine, find/acquire a young “sorely in need of saving” apprentice, no really he’s family. And add another cat to their ever growing collection.
It’s got pathos, an enraged Tan, a fireball or two, an orphan, Knight Wells in a short appearance, and a highly satisfying, quietly loving ending.
Sigh.
Yes, I loved it.
The boy is Zi Rui. Be prepared to fall in love.
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Did Tan go looking for an apprentice? No.
Is Tan going to keep Zi Rui? Yes.
Did Devan agree to this decision? Debatable.
Tags:
Devan has CONCERNS, so does Wells, Tan thinks having a minion er apprentice is a wonderful idea, crackity crack, it’s a good thing Tan is cute, Villainy short story
The first in a new fantasy series, The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires is a highly entertaining and fast paced fantasy adventure. It’s got reincarnated lovers, a sentient library, a found family of vampire warriors, and so much more.
All in all, a world of fun and magical action adventure, interwoven with love remembered and born again.
Sherwood’s characters are engaging, easily crossing time periods and a magical landscape to emerge in the modern world, embracing the cultural and technological aspects of the era, including even manga comics.
One of my favorite elements is the sentient library herself, Kassandra. A vibrant personality and key figure, even without a voice, I adored her. Master Declan, Ivy and the rest of the found family that defends and inhabits the library are amazing. Then there’s Kit, the one who was left behind, and Gun, the one who died and was reincarnated.
What a story and couple.
I was snared by the tragedy, pulled into the world by the adventures and hope of the future for the couple, and then just had a fabulous time with them along the way with the battles, the magic, and the ever enlarging foundation.
I can’t wait for the next in the series to come.
I’m highly recommending this to fans of this trope and author!
Reborn love. Unleashed magic. We won’t fail twice.
Hi, I’m Kit. Immortal vampire and technomage extraordinaire. You know how it goes.
For the record, I am absolutely not stalking my reincarnated husband.
Okay, I am, but it’s for his own good. And mine. Er, assuming I can somehow figure out how to tell him he’s reincarnated and a mage, and we all live in a sentient library.
Any thoughts on that? I’m currently taking suggestions.
One thing’s for sure. He’s not dying on me again. Never again.
Tags:
The fluffiest fluff to ever fluff, that y’know includes violence, magic, reincarnated lovers, vampires, sassy library, Kassandra the library has OPINIONS, found family, all the magical shenanigans, Kit and Gun are part time soulmates full time problem, authors have lost all discretion in this, Kit is a walking green flag, the crack ship armada is sailing at full speed here, master should never have access to a credit card, or a bookstore, no book is off-limits with that man, triggers involve too much sap and cuteness, occasionally blowing shit up, violence is not the question but it is the answer, Sentient Library Tells All, I’m absolutely a library book check me out.
The time has come, the wizard says, for all great adventures to come to an end and all the fabulous adventurers to tend to their wounds, gather their treasures, and head back home.
Necromancer Lawton, Half Orc Berklak, and the rest of the Beefcake Brigade are still on their quest to find the reason for the dreaded miasma that’s spreading over the lands, causing the females of various species to turn on the males in a murderous frenzy.
Now they are headed into the frozen southern landscape of Gwafellaw. There awaits such wondrous things as dragons, a crazy wood elf, and the solution to the murderous rage that’s seeping over the continent.
Cody’s final chapter in this fabulous adventure is a doozy. She gives us a bit of fatherly acceptance for Lawton, forest love for Berklak and new magical powers, some wildly inspired battles, and an ancient, devastating origin tale that is the beginnings of all the woe here.
Yes, that does contain mention in an ancient poem of multiple SA to a woman long dead. Be warned.
Cody pulls together all the pieces of the journey, the events of carnage, and magical scenarios to create one monumental experience as a cap to the adventure and a final chapter in this epic tale. Loved it.
What a strange and glorious romp this has been! I shall miss this motley, powerful, magical crew. And hopefully, one day, Cody will decide to send them forth to adventure once more.
Until then, I’m highly recommending all five chapters of this excellent adventure. Make sure to read them in order.
I honestly thought passing through the ward to the freezing land of Gwafellaw would be more miserable than it turns out to be. Who has time to be miserable when everything in the land wants to kill you? No one, that’s who.
Between fighting dragons, finding a new species, and saving a crazy druid, Berklak and I are learning exactly what it means to be anchored, tied together, bonded, and in love. We’re going to defeat the aelysou hurting Fasgard no matter what it takes, because I’m the high sorcerer of Fasgard and the most powerful necromancer alive. I won’t let anything separate me from the love of my life—not my father, not a goddess, not even death.
Berklak:
I’ve been adventuring for over fifty years, and I’ve adventured in Gwafellaw before, but I’ve never seen so much hostility. The only good thing walking this land is Lawton, and I’d follow him to the portals of death herself if that’s where he wanted to go.
I might not be sure exactly what we’re going to find in this frozen wasteland, but if it’s not my happily ever after, I won’t have done my job right. I’m proficient in weapons, and I’m confident we’ll prevail, but it’s a good thing we have Lawton to keep us from permanently making the ultimate sacrifice. I’d hate for him to lose me before we even figure out where we’re going to live after this.
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
Necromancer Prince Lawton, his lover, the half Orc barbarian and founding member of the League of Extraordinary Rage, Berklak, and their merry crew of mismatched otherworldly beings are off on an adventure, I’m mean, mission to find out what’s plaguing the Kingdom of Fasgard. Turns out, it’s quite a lot.
So many mysteries , bodies, zombies, and magic gone awry.
Cody’s having a blast rolling the dice in a serialized story that’s , in the author’s words, playing out in a “lighthearted, fun TTRPG vibe”. For those who don’t know what this is, it’s a tabletop role-playing game. You grab paper, pencil or pens, and game is on with a bunch of people in various roles. Dungeon & Dragons being the hallmark here.
This has all the feels and more. I love the characters and, especially in this chapter, we get more growth and history along with the “event a minute “ storyline. Dwarves and every aspect that even has a side dwarven element is just amazing. From the dwarven mead to their ability to accept any other being as a dwarf if they have grown up in a dwarven environment is incredible. We absolutely believe in these dwarves, yes, we do.
Armus and Inghram’s relationship is looking intriguing, Darian, Frost (the Unbearded, which I’m still giggling about) and Tavia, all the crew members are developing further. So is the sexy bond between Lawton and Berklak.
Cody’s expanding the boundaries of the darkness plaguing the Kingdom while giving us and the intrepid crew very little answers. Hopefully more will come soon in the next chapter.
Until then, enjoy these short wonderfully entertaining stories for the format as well as the spontaneity that it narratively captures so well!
I expected challenges along the way in this adventure, but I didn’t expect to come face to corpse with the work of another necromancer. It pains me, but I can’t let just anyone carry on creating potential wights and contagious zombies. Fortunately, I know exactly how to fix the problem, even if it drains me dry. Thankfully, I have a Berklak to help me recover.
Berklak:
Mead—that’s all I need. At least that’s what I think, until my little necromancer reaches for a weapon that could kill him, and I realize that I might need a little bit more in life than the drink of orcs. It’s a good thing Lawton’s ok with me setting boundaries, because I need him to be safe, whole, and energetic, even if I have to give him everything I am to make that happen.
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
In Scepters & Scrolls, S.R. Meadows has , unfortunately, set herself up for criticism and anticipatory story attacks by the inclusion of the word “cozy” in the title. Scepters & Scrolls is many things but a cozy read it’s not.
Meadows’ on a cozy. Each book in the series gets a similar note.
“Author’s Note: This is a full length cozy fantasy novel with a low stakes adventure and a sweet romance. Get cozy and escape to the world of Illyria where contentment is key and coziness is a must!”
That’s not a cozy. Not by definition at least. A cozy , often a mystery or murder mystery, is a long beloved trope, defined by several elements. It’s lighter in atmosphere, is comedic, and is often comforting in tone. Its focus is on the relationship between two people with the drama being outside of their dynamic, usually the mystery. If it happens in a quirky village, all the better.
But the author seems to think a cozy is about having cozy feelings after or during your reading experience. Hmmm, no. That’s Dr Phil not The Oxford English Dictionary.
This story is a fantasy adventure. It has a bored librarian who goes in search of a missing book, find orphaned children in need, a not so lovely Prince who does some nasty things because they are necessary, and tons of political stuff that is layered on. There’s some cool maps, one that shows planets, which, curiouser. Portals, ghouls, and things which did not make any sense.
The relationship between the magical librarian, Sanev, a character I thought had promise, and the Prince, Hamon, who wasn’t well developed. Hamon was too one dimensional. He had one personality until the end where he made a complete switch in his attitude and actions, all off page.
From rigidity in his beliefs and behavior, which we witnessed, to someone who was completely comfortable with his change of heart and where it left his position within the kingdom . A sea change that the author had laid zero foundation for. This was a very shaky part of the story.
Meadows has some very interesting things going on but keeps bouncing around, unable to find a narrative thread that fits or one that flows well through the story. The girls are cute and we started to get to know them but then we switched off to another area. Then it’s espionage and a moonstone we have no idea what it does. Then apparently Sanev is able to portal around places like a lively baby goat so is dangerous situations even a thing? No idea.
Like I said, it’s more a series of questions attached by nice elements and some characters that have potential. All of which ends on a cliffhanger of sorts.
No, definitely not a cozy. Someone please explain it to the author.
Maybe not even a fantasy romance as they don’t seem to have a relationship but hold hands at the end. What is this? Fantasy/scify adventure series. That’s the closest thing I can come.
There’s 4 books written within this universe but I’m not invested enough to go check them out.
The open road calls our name, but home is always waiting.
Sanev, a magical librarian’s assistant in the south, embarks on a journey to retrieve a lost book. It just so happens to be with northern Prince Hamon, who is embarking on the scariest journey of all: parenting three orphaned water elves with a penchant for trouble.
When their two paths intertwined, Sanev finds himself teaching a reformed goblin how to cook and training the three girls how to tame their wild powers.
But in the evenings, he finds himself drawn to the lonesome, brooding Prince Hamon…and wondering if he should help him too – in conquering his siblings and claiming the throne.
Sanev’s first journey away from his library in the small town of Sunfall brings more than he could have ever imagined, and a choice he isn’t sure he’s brave enough to make.
But more than that, it brings a family he’s never known.
Author’s Note: This is a full length cozy fantasy novel with a low stakes adventure and a sweet romance. Get cozy and escape to the world of Illyria where contentment is key and coziness is a must!
Jennifer Cody has started a serialized fantasy story that’s an absolutely fantastic read and entertaining adventure. The drawback? It’s in a serialized format so each story is short and ends far sooner than the reader wants.
I was totally immersed in the characters, the storylines, and the journey they were about to embark on when this tale ended. Argh ! But that’s absolutely in keeping with the spirit and tradition of a serialized story.
So if that’s an issue, then waiting until all the stories are published, then reading them together is probably the best option for you.
But otherwise, dive into a lively tale of a half orc and a necromancer who meet and go on a journey to find the enemy who’s destroying their Kingdom. Each character is intriguing, well fleshed out, and full of great elements. There’s plenty of interesting side characters and an established world that’s further explored as they get closer to their next stage in their relationship.
The sorcerer is a popular character, especially in this form but I really like where Cody is taking Lawton in terms of family dynamics and powers. And of course, his new role and relationship with Berklak, the half-orc. Berklak is another being that’s got plenty of depth and room for growth. Equipped with what we already know about Berklak, he’s already a great main character.
I believe Cody intends to have the installments released pretty quickly. I can’t wait.
Need a new fantasy read? Hear a new addiction for you!
Being a half-orc is fun most of the time. Most people think I’m all orc, and that usually slicks things up so I can glide in and out of town without much fuss. Most of the time things go really smoothly for me. Sometimes, young watchmen from small towns with too much time on their hands pick a fight with half-orcs just trying to get some mead, and sometimes that ends up with me taking a kid all the way to the capital to become a bard, and sometimes that means I discover along the way a new questline that I need to follow. Sometimes. Well, this time, at least, and my companion for this quest is the cutest little necromancer I’ve ever seen (he’s the only one I’ve ever seen, but he’s adorable).
Now, where did I leave my barrel of mead again?
Lawton:
Being the most feared human in Fasgard is annoying and inconvenient. It’s not like I went out of my way to be born a necromancer, but since my options are death or working for the king, I gladly accept my role as high sorcerer. It doesn’t matter that I’m a prince of the realm, at least not to anyone in the palace. When one of my father’s concubines loses her temper a little too hard, the things I discover lead me to the most wonderful half-orc I’ve ever met (I’ve only met the one, but he’s amazing), and my very first real adventure.
I can’t believe I’m finally going to leave the palace!
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with zen a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
Well, that was one fabulous fantasy epic romance! There’s forced marriages, death and deep intrigue, bloody battles, kingdoms at risk, and finally, finding true love.
I had such a fantastic time reading this and getting into the lives of these characters! And happily, this is only the first book in the Warriors series.
But starting us off is the taking of the Kingdom of Revellan by the Emperor’s son, Commander Draylon Aravaid. He’s leading the battle and the troops to defeat the traitor King and insure that the Emperor’s orders are carried out.
However, once the blood is spilled, the battle ends, left standing is two young siblings guarded by the enemy’s spare heir, Prince Yarif DiRici .
With those elements solidly in place,Winter creates a fantasy world of bitter kingdom politics that incorporates spies, assassins, intrigue on a vast scale, betrayal, forced marriages, and a cast of beautifully drawn characters, from the main couple to the several villains of the story.
Both men are easily seen by the reader, well defined by their personalities and rich descriptions. There’s Draylon Aravaid, Commander of the Emperor’s Army. Second son, scarred, a seasoned warrior with a thoughtfulness and determination that underpins his ability to strategize and fight. He’s such a splendid man and character. I adore him.
He plays up perfectly against his counterpart, the third son and heir spare of the traitorous and now dead King. That’s Prince Yarif DiRici, a multidimensional figure, protector, secretary, linguist, consort to be. And here he’s the one person protecting his younger brother and sister from the Emperor and his plans.
The Emperor is an evolving figure here , one I wish we could have had more insight into. He is more of a one dimensional character than he could have been, and the hints at the end would have made the Emperor a far more complex figure.
But the rest? Fabulous! Especially Rufe, Draylon’s best friend who’s suffered much in his past. The red-headed king who’s playing a big role here, no spoilers. And May from the kitchen.
Can’t wait to read more about the next in this universe from Eden Winters.
Love fantasy? Big epic adventures with romance thrown in? Grand characters and world building? Warrior King is all that and more!
One man is the son of a traitor. The other is the son of a tyrannical emperor. Together, they discover the fine line between duty and justice.
Commander Draylon Aravaid doesn’t hide his lineage as the emperor’s son but doesn’t advertise his origins either. Loyal to a fault, he relies on his hard-won reputation rather than his family name, which his duplicitous father uses to full advantage.
Prince Yarif DiRici trained his entire life to become a consort in a political marriage–all while secretly yearning for love. The death of his father and older brother suddenly thrusts an unwanted crown upon his head, and Yarif into a whirlwind of dangerous plans within plans as he and Draylon are forced into marriage.
The political game is set, and Yarif is kidnapped. It’s up to Draylon to mount a daring rescue to prevent all-out war.
The two men must get past each other’s mistrust, find common ground, and defeat an enemy neither knew they had…and may not survive!
Warrior King is now available for preorder on Amazon, releasing August 25.
Here we are at the penultimate book in the Arcane Hearts series with the release of The Claws of Winter by Nazri Noor. It’s hard to imagine the author is going to be able to not only resolve some of the major mysteries of the series but also to explain the rationale behind some aspects of the family dynamics that undergo an enormous transformation at the end.
Personality transformations, AI intelligent beings that require whole storylines to conclude all the narrative levels it’s involved in, a romantic relationship to move to HEA, and still a deadly conflict with other realms that are in play. Seems a lot to ask of one finale novel.
Because The Claws of Winter ending finishes with all that still left hanging for the final story to deal with.
There’s a ton of elements here for the characters and plot threads to explore here. It picks up where the last book ends, with The Oberon’s Heart being returned to the King of Summer in The Verdant and releasing him from the poisonous crystal vines. But the land and the Fae need to recover, and Queen Titania is missing. More mysteries.
Jackson Pryde has started to become a character I’m not really connecting with anymore. I enjoyed watching him at the start but he’s not really growing up . At least as far as maturity or demonstrating the character growth his fiancé, Xander Wright, the former Incandescent, has shown steadily throughout the series.
It’s odd. I’m not sure if it’s intentional by the author or if Jackson is a personal “blind spot “ creatively for him. Many of the other characters or people around him have aged, acquired important positions and significant others.
Jackson, while working towards his goals of establishing the Hall of Making, has remained essentially, well the same Jackson. Yes, he rebuilt the Artificers Hall. He’s in a relationship. He’s done all these things and gone on all these adventures. However, his inner self, his emotional persona has essentially been unchanged from the beginning. He’s still showing doubts about his abilities, demonstrating jealousy as well as insecurities about Xander when it comes to the College and the Incandescent Magic. Even his exaggerated ego can feel childish when framed around the events that are happening. What was once understandable is now getting tired.
Where Jackson is still struggling and believable is when he is within the realm of his home life , present and past. Whether he’s supporting Lore in Lore’s achievements as a AI being or remembering life with his deceased parents, that’s when Noor takes Jackson and grounds him firmly in the basis for the arc themes and his character. He’s more realistic and we are more invested in him and the story.
Weak components here are to do with the Magical Incandescent young man introduced into the narrative, his interactions with the characters (although this may be a part of the overall storyline), and the ease of resolution of one issue of a major theme. It feels one dimensional.
So many narrative balls up in the air, and so many characters await to catch them.
I’m not sure it all worked here . But it’s very complicated and the world building is so well done that it’s hard not to enjoy the journey even if you’re having quibbles along the way.
Book 7 is complete. Onto the finale, The Grip of Death, Book 8 of Arcane Hearts.
I’m definitely recommending the series and this story. It’s a wild ride.
The guild of artificers is so close to completion, Jackson Pryde can almost taste it. Befriending the Black Market’s guilds has paid off.
Everyone agrees that Jackson should become master of the artificers, even Mother Dough, the powerful guild of bakers.
But it’s not all sugar and spice. A strange sorcerer has reawakened Xander’s interest in Incandescence. The second AI has unearthed a bizarre blueprint. And not everything is as it seems in the Verdance.
Tensions mount as the fae courts question the value of human friendship – and human life. Jackson and Xander may have saved the King of Summer, but now they must face the wrath of the Queen of Winter.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 