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Saturday, July 30, 2022

Blog Tour: Oath Bound & Shield Breaker by Richard Cullen (review by Matthew Higgins)

 


Today Fantasy Book Critic via Matthew Higgins is excited to be a part of Richard Cullen's blog tour for The Wolf Of Kings series. Matthew will be reviewing the first book Oath Bound which can been read below.
Friday, July 29, 2022

Hugh Howey's SPSFC's submissions are Open Three More Days. Self-published Sci-fi Writers - Hurry up!


As huge fans of literary contests promoting indie books, we want to remind you that Hugh Howey's SPSFC is still open for submissions. 
Thursday, July 28, 2022

A Strange And Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows (reviewed by Shazzie)

 


Official Author Website
Order A Strange And Stubborn Endurance over HERE
Read an excerpt from the book here
 
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys (Reviewed by Daniel P. Haeusser)

 


Official Author Website
Official Author Twitter
Order A Half-Built Garden HERE
 
 
OFFICIAL AUTHOR INFORMATION: Ruthanna Emrys lives in a mysterious manor house on the outskirts of Washington, DC with her wife and their large, strange family. Her stories have appeared in a number of venues, including Strange Horizons, Analog, and Tor.com. She is the author of the Innsmouth Legacy series, which began with Winter Tide. She makes home-made vanilla, obsesses about game design, gives unsolicited advice, and occasionally attempts to save the world.
 

SPFBO Semi-finalist interview: Holly Karlsson, the author of Kingdom of Essence


About Holly Karlsson: Holly Karlsson writes epic and adventure fantasy filled with magic, dangerous quests, compelling characters, and mythical creatures. Holly is the author of the Daughters of Fire & Sea Trilogy, and Kingdom of Essence.

She enjoys connecting to her readers and regularly releases flash fiction stories on her website www.byhollykarlsson.com. Follow her on Instagram @byhollykarlsson, Facebook www.facebook.com/byhollykarlsson/ or Goodreads.

Kingdom of Essence links: AmazonGoodreads
Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Fantasy Book Critic Video Interview with Gourav Mohanty (interviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

 



OFFICIAL AUTHOR INFO: Gourav Mohanty was born in Bhubaneswar, the City of Temples. A gold medallist from SLS, Pune, he currently practices law in Mumbai. He moonlights as a stand-up comic, a painter, and a blogger. As evident, his life always has many tabs open. A connoisseur of mythologies and momos, he has won numerous scholarships, one of which took him to the castles of Europe. Ever since, he has wanted to play medieval matchmaker by conjuring a world where Vedic India meets Italian Renaissance. Sons Of Darkness is his SFF debut. 

 


I hope you enjoy this interview with Gourav Mohanty. We talk about his debut, and how the story developed. Plus how he finally was able to land a publisher. We chat about the Mahabharata, his knowledge of obscure Indian mythology & wanting to write a uniquely fantastic story. I hope you enjoy this interview.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Book review: The Providence Rider by Robert McCammon (Matthew Corbett #4)


Book links: AmazonGoodreads

Series links: 

SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD—FBC Review —Amazon 
THE QUEEN OF BEDLAM - FBC REVIEW - Amazon
MISTER SLAUGHTER - FBC REVIEW - Amazon


AUTHOR INFO: Robert Rick McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.

McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama. He is currently working on the eighth Matthew Corbett novel, The King of Shadows.

Publisher: Subterranean Press (February 2, 2010) Length: 416 pages Formats: ebook, paperback. hardback, audiobook

Exclusive Cover Reveal: The Coraidic Sagas (Omnibus Edition) by Alicia Wanstall-Burke




Friday, July 22, 2022

Book Acquisition Interview With Aparna Verma (Interviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

 


 Yesterday Orbit Books dropped a stunning announcement. They have signed on Aparna Verma and her indie debut The Boy With Fire. I was previously introduced to Aparna's writing when I got my hands on a copy of her debut. It was a complex epic fantasy with socio-political issues as well an intriguing magic system & world history.  Today Aparna joins me to chat a bit about her writing journey & how she got inspired to write her fantasy book. Read ahead to know about Aparna and her official trad published debut The Phoenix King.

A Drowned Kingdom by P. L. Stuart (reviewed by Matthew Higgins)

 


Official Author Website
Order A Drowned Kingdom over HERE
 
Thursday, July 21, 2022

Down Among The Dead Men by Craig Schaefer (reviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

 


SPFBO 8: The Fourth Jettisoning & Semi-Finalist Update (Jen's batch)



It’s that time in the contest where I have to break a bunch of hearts and choose which book to put forward. This is never an easy decision for me or for any of us involved, I am sure.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater (Reviewed by Daniel P. Haeusser)

 


Sunday, July 17, 2022

Book review: Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi


Book links:

AUTHOR INFO: Ronald Malfi is the award-winning author of several horror novels, mysteries, and thrillers, including the bestselling horror novel Come with Me. He is the recipient of two Independent Publisher Book Awards, the Beverly Hills Book Award, the Vincent Preis Horror Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, and his novel Floating Staircase was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Maryland and tweets at @RonaldMalfi

Publisher: Titan (July 19th, 2022) Page count: 448 Formats: ebook, paperback 

Hugh Howey's Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) has a winner!

 


Thursday, July 14, 2022

Book review: The Enlightenment Project by Lynn Hightower


Book links: Amazon, Goodreads

AUTHOR INFO: The author of numerous thrillers, including the Sonora Blair and Lena Padget detective series, Lynn Hightower’s internationally bestselling novels have been included in the New York Times List of Notable Books, the London Times’ bestseller lists, the WH Smith Fresh Talent Awards, and the Shamus award. Lynn teaches Master Novel classes in the UCLA Extension Writing Program and works as a Manuscript Consultant/Writing Coach for novelists.

Publisher: Severn House (March 1, 2022) Page count: 256 p Formats: ebook, paperback, audiobook

SPFBO 8: The Third Batch (Michael's Batch)


This is my third year involved in the SPFBO, though my first on this side of things. Like everyone, I have my likes and dislikes. The reality is some genres are going to be a hard sell with me. That said, I will do my best to approach each book with an open mind. I’m happy to be surprised. I am, however, a writer and not a reviewer. I can’t turn that part of my brain off. So…sorry.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

COVER REVEAL: The Children of Chaos (The Cruel Gods #2) by Trudie Skies

 


Pre-Order The Children Of Chaos over HERE (USA) & HERE (UK)

Today we are thrilled to be taking part in Trudie Skies' cover reveal for book II of The Cruel Gods series titled The Children Of Chaos.

SFFBO Semi-finalist interview: Sarah K. Wilson, the author of Fly With The Arrow

  


About Sarah K. Wilson: I write timeless stories. Not the stories you think you want but the stories you don't know you desperately need. I believe in happy endings and that it should take a lot of struggle to get to them. I believe that sometimes violence is the answer, that sometimes no one is coming to save you, and that self-sacrifice is always worth it. I believe in big twists and beginnings that start in the end. I believe in heroic acts of bravery, that chaos sometimes trumps order, that there's humor in dark things, and that risks are what you make of them. I believe in the someday that will make all things new. And I believe in stories - sweeping, epic, glorious stories that renew our hearts and our hopes and refresh our minds like woodland streams. Oh, and I'm a USA Today bestselling author. I suppose I should mention that.


Fly With The Arrow links: AmazonGoodreads
Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Upgrade by Blake Crouch (reviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

 


Order “Upgrade” HERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Pines" by Blake Crouch
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of “Eerie” by Blake and Jordan Crouch
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of “Run” by Blake Crouch
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of “Serial Killers Uncut” by Jack Kilborn and Blake Crouch
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of "Wayward" by Blake Crouch
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s Interview with Blake Crouch (2011)
 
Monday, July 11, 2022

Titan Hoppers by Rob J. Hayes (reviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

 


(ARC COVER, NOT FINAL)

Friday, July 8, 2022

August Kitko and the Mechas from Space (The Starmetal Symphony, Movement #1) by Alex White (Reviewed by Daniel P. Haeusser)

 


Order Alex Kitko and the Mechas from Space HERE
 
Thursday, July 7, 2022

Fantasy Book Critic Video Interview With Peter Clines (Interviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)


Order The Broken Room HERE 
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of Ex-Heroes 
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of Ex-Patriots 
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of Ex-Communication 
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of Ex-Purgatory
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of Ex-Isle
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of The Junkie Quatrain 
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of The Fold
Read Fantasy Book Critic Interview with Peter Clines 
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s second interview with Peter Clines                                  Read I See Dead People by Peter Clines (Guest Post) 


AUTHOR INFO: Peter Clines is the toy-collecting, movie-loving, New York Times bestselling author of The Threshold series , the Ex-Heroes series, a pair of short-story collections, a classical mash-up novel, some unproduced screenplays, and countless articles about the film and television industry. He currently lives and writes somewhere in Southern California.


I hope you enjoy this interview with Peter. Peter was supremely kind enough to accommodate me amidst his schedule and we got to talk about his books, especially his newest release THE BROKEN ROOM, how the story developed and how his agent David Fugate is an essential cog in his writing process. We chat about quite a few topics and I hope you enjoy this interview.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi - Review



Official Author Website
Buy The Final Strife HERE

OFFICIAL AUTHOR BIO: With a DNA profile that lights up like a satellite photograph of earth, Saara El-Arifi's heritage is intrinsically linked to the themes she explores in her writing.


She was raised in the Middle East until her formative years, when her family swapped the Abu Dhabi desert for the English Peak District hills. This change of climate had a significant impact on her growth—not physically, she’s nearly 6ft—and she learned what it was to be Black in a white world.

Saara knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Though her stories have developed beyond the trite ramblings of a child, she still appreciates the thrill of a well-told tale.

THE FINAL STRIFE is Saara El-Arifi's debut novel, the first part of a trilogy inspired by Ghanaian folklore and Arabian myths.

FORMAT/INFO: The Final Strife was published by Del Rey Books on June 21st, 2022. It is 608 pages long, split over forty-five chapters, a prologue, and an epilogue. It is told in third person from the POVs of Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa. It is available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.


Monday, July 4, 2022

Book review: Clay's Ark (Patternmaster #3) by Octavia E. Butler

 


Book links: AmazonGoodreads

OCTAVIA E. BUTLER (1947–2006) was the renowned author of numerous ground-breaking novels, including Kindred, Wild Seed, and Parable of the Sower. Recipient of the Locus, Hugo and Nebula awards, and a PEN Lifetime Achievement Award for her body of work, in 1995 she became the first science-fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Fellowship ‘Genius Grant’. A pioneer of her genre, Octavia’s dystopian novels explore myriad themes of Black injustice, women’s rights, global warming and political disparity, and her work is taught in over two hundred colleges and universities nationwide.

Genre: Sci-fi First Published: 1984 Page count: 228 

SPFBO 8: The Second Reaping and Semi-Finalist Update (Jonathan's batch)

Hey folks! Here we are and it’s that time again.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater - Review


OFFICIAL AUTHOR WEBSITE

Buy Half a Soul HERE


Friday, July 1, 2022

SPFBO Semi-Finalist Interview: Kristin Gleeson, the author of Awakening The Gods



About Kristin Gleeson: USA Today Bestselling author, Kristin Gleeson is originally from Philadelphia but has lived in West Cork in Ireland for a number of years where she plays the harp and sings, in addition to painting the beautiful landscape around her. She holds a Masters in Library Science and a Ph.D. in history, and for a time was an administrator of a large archives, library and museum in America and also worked as a public librarian in America and Ireland. She is a B.R.A.G. medallion Honoree.

Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.

Find Kristin online: Facebook, Twitter

Awakening the Gods links: Amazon, Goodreads

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