Category: Fantasy

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Short Stories, Uncategorized

Oliver of the Silver Hand – Short Story Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Oliver of the Silver Hand is a story by S. Marie Diegutis. It is a short story and prequel to the Dragon Hatcher series. This short story combines commonly known myths and legends such as Merlin and dragons, along with the author’s own characters. This gives the story an interesting feeling of originality while using the wizard we all know from Arthurian legends. This short story is certainly an entertaining one.

Short stories can be a little difficult, particularly when they are attached to a larger series. An author has to connect it to the larger story, while also giving us enough information in the single short story to stay interested, instead of just wanting to skip it and go pick up the novels it’s attached to. Thankfully, with Oliver of the Silver Hand, Diegutis keeps you interested. Tidbits of information are given to us, though enough is left out to make the reader want to pick up the series when it is available. I know I will be looking look for this series when it comes out.

As touched previously, the story uses the Arthurian character Merlin. This is done well and interestingly using lessor known stories about the magic man having a sister, which ties him to Oliver, the main character as his brother-in-law. The Merlin in this story is certainly not limited to the wise and carefully guiding character we are used to, he’s a bit of a drunken playboy in this story. An interesting take on the character and worth reading. As for the other characters of the story, they are equally worth reading about, though of original creation.

As stated before, Oliver of the Silver Hand is a prequel, so there are questions left out that make one want to read the rest of the series. Such as more about the dragons and their various abilities, as well as some of the main character Oliver, who even so early in the series seems to have a huge history that could be fun to learn about.

Over all, Oliver of the Silver Hand is worth reading, and should be picked up by fans of fantasy. Hopefully, the rest of the series will be as entertaining as it’s prequel!

I got my copy of Oliver of the Silver Hand on Reedsy Discovery! https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/oliver-of-the-silver-hand-a-fantasy-short-story-prequel-in-the-dragon-hatcher-urban-fantasy-series-s-marie-diegutis#review

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Paranormal, Review

Blood Rebirth – Book Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Blood Rebirth is the second novel in the Divine Series by S.M. McCoy. It picks up directly where Blood Cresent ends. Just like the first book, Blood Rebirth continues to follow Chrystal through her twisted and confusing life in the supernatural world. Though this time she has entered a school for other young supernatural people. Sadly, she gets about as much help there figuring out who she is as she did before. Though a few new friends pop up, the side characters from the first book also carry over.

Blood Rebirth does a good job of filling in the holes that Chrystal memory issues from the first book left hanging open. It also produces for us a collection of curious new creatures and issues for the main character. Some of Chrystals family issues can only be guessed at still however, though others are much more of a surprise, such as Chrystal’s father’s history, though I will not spoil that for you. I will leave it at. I was definitely surprised, and it was not a direction that I had expected.

The characters in Blood Rebirth remain interesting and well written, more so when you get to learn more about them. The various types of creatures in the supernatural world are better explained and more detail is given to the various family powers that the main character has inherited.

Blood Rebirth is a must read if you read the first book. It leaves you on a heavy cliff hanger through, and I am looking forward to reading the third book, Blood Queen, which I have access to thanks to Reedsy Discovery. I started it last night!

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Review, Uncategorized

The Provenance Book One of Astar’s Blade – A Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

The Provenance (Book One of Astar’s Blade) is a history of a fictional world. Particularly the area of the Mid-Run Valley and a few other locations within the world. This fictional history is told through two time lines, the present period of the world and the distance past of the world. The stories follow both the actions of the world’s deities and their children, and the life of a young man whose family is cursed with the vision of ghosts. 

As the story progresses, you learn about how the past worked to create the world that the rest of the story takes place it. You experience everything from flawed gods with an ancient Greek mythology feel to them, to a young man’s desperate climb of a mountain to learn what ghosts so desperately want him to know. Is he simply mad or is there really something waiting for him to learn?

The Provenance is a great story. It is not very often that an author offers such an in-depth history of the world they have built. Often you are merely given as much knowledge as a current plot requires you to know. Sneak peaks in to different aspects of the world the main character sits in. The Provenance, however, pours two histories at you which tie together in to a wonderful story line allowing you to learn much of the world. If other novels by Joe Lyon provide as much detail in to their stories as this one, I will be hooked to the series for life.

The story of The Provenance flows well until the end, where my one issue arises regarding this story. The ending seems far too sudden, as though it was thrown in rather quickly. Despite this single issue, reading about the journey that leads to this climax makes up for sudden ending, and also leaves one interested in future books of the series. There are some questions that I hope the other novels answer.

Fans of fantasy should pick up The Provenance and any other work by Joe Lyon they may get their hands on! 

You can find out more about The Provenance on Reedsy Discovery https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the-provenance-joe-lyon#review

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Review

Dark Creatures: A Simple Game – Book Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Dark Creatures: A Simple Game is a contemporary fantasy novel with a bit of a twist. Computer gamers are given roles in a game that allow them to build the digital world based on their actions. However, playing the game has some affects on their own lives, seeming to allow strange changes as their roles lead to being more than just gamers. However, they may not actually be the ones in control.

When you first dive in to Dark Creatures it feels like your usual fantasy novel. Curious fictional creatures in a fantasy world, doing hero things, defeating the bad guy and saving the world. The usual. As you read, however, you find that this novel really has more layers than expected. You are not only reading about the adventures of two heroines but also their creator, and then beyond even that. This leads to a multilayered story that can feel a bit confusing but soon comes together towards the end of the book.

The characters are nicely made, though it felt as if more time was put in to making the antagonist unlikeable than making the protagonist likeable. This works out, however, as the villain is so unlikeable that you want to see him dead from the very point they introduce him. When you read the book, you will understand why.

In short, is Dark Creatures: A Simple Game worth reading? It is! If you are a fan of fantasy, pick it up! You will enjoy yourself! According to the back matter of the book there is also a squeal to look out for. I hope I get to read it soon! I really want to see the villain put in his place!

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Review

Alchemist Assault

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Alchemist Assault is a fantastic sequel to Alchemist Apprentice. It picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first book. Sam, the main character, is continuing to try to adjust to life in the academy, though because of the damage to the library from the first book, he has lost his favorite place to spend most of his time studying. Aside from this minor conflict, the town the Academy is in has been attacked. As is prone to happen with Sam, he ends up tied up in a conflict involving these people. Some of which are much more closely tied to previous conflict than he could ever guess.

I enjoyed this story. Though unfortunately, I found I could guess some villains from the beginning of the story. This was slightly disappointing, as it seemed a bit too obvious. Aside from this issue I found I enjoyed the rest of the story. I enjoyed the further evolution of Sam and his friends and I have found I have become more and more interested in how alchemy and magic work in this world.

Over all I say that Alchemist Assault is a wonderful second novel, and I am looking forward to the next installment.

Posted in Books, Comics, Fantasy

I Got Pregnant with the Tyrant’s Child – A Comic Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

So when I stumbled on this comic though an advertisement on Facebook for Tappy Toons. I love to read so I am always open to picking up something new. Now I have a lot of various reading apps on my phones. Most of them are filled with trashy novels that I find are entertaining to read. Others are filled with comics from various places in the world. The one thing that interested me in reading this one on Tappy Toons was the fact that I could read the first three chapters for free. Which gave me enough time to decide if I would want to continue to read the rest.

I found that despite the title making you wonder what sort of nonsense you are getting into; I Got Pregnant with the Tyrant’s Child is a rather fascinating romance and adventure story. It centers on the difficulties a female knight named Elan experiences after a drunken festival night has her waking up in the bed of a cruel and deadly Emperor. As the title of the comic may inform you, she ends up pregnant and flees to try to find a safe place for herself and her child, fearful he may try to kill them.

Now I will say this comic is still being released on Tappy Toons, and I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story turns out. Now I know there are plenty of websites you can read these things for free, but I strongly suggest you use the legal apps and websites so that the creators can be properly supported.

I strongly suggest this comic for fans of dramatic romances, fantasy, and various types of graphic novels.

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Review

Kimeno By Ross Kingston

Posted on by Tawny Molina

When I started reading Kimeno I was not sure how I felt about it. I almost felt confused, as confused as Kimeno is by the world! The concept of a world where people are named through actions and given magical artefacts. However, the more I read, the more I realized I was fascinated by the ideas and wanted to learn more about the world. Particularly in one major area, what are artefacts and how are they made?

Beyond my curiosity and amazement induced questions, I found myself genuinely enjoying this very original world. Now when I say an original world, I mean a genuinely original world. This is not a copy and rename of the usual fantasy worlds. Everything in this novella feels new. And I love it! I strongly suggest this novella for anyone who is looking for something that feels new. Sick of the same fantasy troupes? PICK THIS UP! You will not regret it.

Also… I need to know more about the Immaculate Butlers! I want more!

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Review

Alchemist Apprentice – Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

A fantastic story about a young man giving everything he can hoping to make sure his younger sister has the best life she can, and trying to find a place for himself. This fantasy story is far from just a repeat of similar tales of magical academies. The relationship between Sam, the main character and his little sister is heavily part of the reason for any of the story happening. Orphaned, he knows his little sister has talent and goes to some extremes to make sure she had a place in the Academy for Arcane Arts.

The world of Alchemist Apprentice is original and well made. There is a lot more than just the tale involving the school here. There are also heavy influences of family, war and friendship. The style of magic and alchemy created for this world is fascinating and I hope they go in to more detail in later books. The first of a series it is clear that the creators of this book have a good grasp on their world.

The characters are realistic and exciting to learn about. They have emotions and flaws in their thinking that make them more interesting than some of the perfect fantasy protagonists that come out of some novels. I look forward to picking up the next novel soon.