When it’s done well, fantasy and science fiction can be breathtaking, twisting the constraints with which humans see themselves and their world. Amateurish SF/F, however, reads like a high schooler’s first attempt at writing after getting stoned and playing Dungeons and Dragons. The first three quarters of Virtual Warrior reads, unfortunately, like the latter; the…
It’s hard to summarize The Shadow Prince because it’s different from any other romance novel I’ve ever read. In a way it reminds me of Robert Howard’s Conan, except that it’s not very exciting or amusing. The book takes place in the Median Empire, which, in case you didn’t know (I didn’t), existed for several…
The story of Cupid and Psyche is, hands down, my favorite myth. So many other myths end unhappily with people being turned into flora because of personality flaws or being sentenced to drag a rock up a mountain for eternity for daring to defy the gods. Depressing stuff. In contrast, the tale of the joining…
I wanted to read this book because it has a gorgeous cover, and because it’s billed as a romantic fantasy. I didn’t realize that it’s the third of a trilogy. When Desperate Alliances opens, the uninitiated reader must deal not only with an unfamiliar universe, but a well-established love-triangle. Imoshen is the last surviving member…
In medieval times, the citizens of Markesew picked a Virgin to sacrifice to their local dragon each year and Alizon is selected. “Saint” George is a professional wrestler, who is called across time to Alizon’s castle where he is expected to slay the dragon. Upon his arrival, George finds that the dragon is not the…
The third and final book in the Sevenwaters trilogy, Child Of The Prophecy is full of the same lush and beautiful poetry that characterized the first two volumes and will leave readers wanting more from this talented new author. This enthralling and bittersweet story focuses on Fainne, daughter of the sorcerer Ciaran, a seventh son…
Kristine Grayson’s last book, Thoroughly Kissed, was thoroughly charming and one of my favorite reads last year. Naturally I jumped at the chance to review Completely Smitten. While it doesn’t live up to the previous book, there are some cute moments that elevate this book into a more-entertaining-than-average read. Due to a feud with Cupid,…
Aphrodite’s Passion is mildly entertaining, but not truly engaging. With a “superhero” hero and talking ferret it’s often laugh-out-loud funny. But as soon as the plot turns inward and focuses on the hero and heroine’s relationship, it falls flat. Super-hero Hale is a direct descendant of Zeus. Head and shoulders above ordinary people, he can…
Looking for a change from the usual? Whatever else can be said about Goddess By Mistake, from its crazy plot to its wacky characters to its, shall we say, colorful cover art, it is a sharp left turn away from the same old thing. At an estate auction, Shannon Parker spots a strange piece of…
If the devil is in the details, then Fantasy Lover is going straight to hell, or rather Hades. This thoroughly entertaining book is one of those teeth-gnashers in which the good book before you makes you long for the great book it could have been. The premise is a knockout: for 2000 years, Julian of…
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