The Asylum where obsession for rock and books live.
Three Crows Magazine had only started its journey, this only being the second issue, but I can already say it has a place in the market. It not only features critically acclaimed authors like Anna Smith Spark, but also gives a chance to upcoming, talented authors such as Gerard Mullen, Luke Frostick and T.A. Sola. All of their stories represent a different culture, giving us a glimpse into our beautiful, colorful world through the eyes of SFF.
I really wished I could like Melokai given some of my friends did, but I just couldn't. I gave it a fair chance, but at the end of the day, I just had to give up forcing myself to go on.
The Eighteenth issue of Grimdark Magazine (GDM) features a nice selection of authors with stories or various articles. You can read a short stories from Peter McLean, Cameron Johnston and Andy Remic, an interview with Devin Madson and Cameron Jonhston, two book reviews about The Igenious by Darius Hinks, plus two articles from Alan Baxter about his experience with publishing, and Mike Myers giving some useful tips.
Galley clearly knows what he is doing, and was able to wave together a story about life and death, revenge and greed, justice and blind fate. Chasing Graves is a dark, compelling entry into a trilogy. The characters and the world is complex and well-built, the story intriguing enough to make you want more. Even if I'm still waiting for that feeling of being completely impressed. So, Mr Galley when is the next book coming out again?
The Seventeenth issue of Grimdark Magazine (GDM) features a nice selection of authors with stories or various articles. It features short stories from Devin Madson, Amanda J. Spedding and Brian Staveley, two interviews with Sebastian de Castell and Jen Williams, two book reviews about City of Kings by Rob J. Hayes and Chasing Graves by Ben Galley, plus an article from Anna Stephens which makes this magazine a complete and highly enjoyable brief read. Don't be surprised when you find yourself adding a few more books to your to-be-read mountain. Oops.
This book has everything you might wish for: a dark tale, gritty scenes, a crazy road trip, monsters, relatable characters and metal. We Sold Our Souls is the perfect bland of prose, characters, the darker side of the world and so many great quotes that I had to restrain myself to use them all.
Symphony of the Wind is intricate, surprising, and doesn't shy away from giving punches. If you like your fantasy dark, don't mind if the pace is a bit slower, want to be surprised and don't see what happens next, you should absolutely check this out!
From The Shadows Of The Owl Queen's Court is a very dark tale about chasing your dreams, about nature having its own way in the end. Do you love the original Grimm tales? How about some action and monsters? Read Benedict Patrick's other books or just looking for something original? Then you found the perfect book, my friend!
Servant of Rage is a blood soaked, intriguing first book of a trilogy. It's a bit rough around the edges, but Anthony clearly is a talented writer, who can pull out writing terror filled scenes as well as emotional ones. Servant of Rages manages to give in some punches and leaves enough questions open to make people come back and read what happens next. Overall, I would recommend to check it out if you didn't do so yet.
Hero Forged is a fast paced, unique, entertaining urban fantasy. It has everything from a villain with blood lust, to an information dealer giant locust, some monsters from your nightmares, gods, a succubus, and a snarky main character being thrown in the middle of it all. If you are bored with the usual UF tropes, you might find this book quite refreshing. A warning: there might be quite a few dead bodies scattered along Gabe's path.
We Ride the Storm is a strong first book, which builds up the conflict and leaves plenty of questions to be answered for the next installment in the series. It's a bloody, character driven, headless... err, endless fun. The hype is real and well earned. I wouldn't be surprised if it landed on many lists at the end of the year as one of the best fantasy books in 2018.
Overall, Red Season Rising is a fast-paced, intriguing and promising dark fantasy debut. Maybe it's not perfect, and maybe not everyone will like it, but it has the potential to be epic. It has a ruthless, cruel villain you'll love to hate, a main character who fights with addiction while trying to keep his head clear, and side characters whom you might find liking. The red season is rising, and your soul is at stake. You better pray to Dajda to keep you safe until her children come to embrace you.
Damien Black, author of the Broken Stone Chronicle series, SPFBO finalist who ended up snatching the third place thanks to the tie on the second place. Ex-journalist, ex-musician (although you can never stop being a musician deep, deep down). I've pretty much publicised already in my Devil's Night Dawning review how I got to meet him and how he played a big part of my being here today, so I won't repeat myself. Let's just say he is one of the nicest people I've ever met and he made me into a sorceress, lol 🙂 He is currently being busy writing book 3 of his epic fantasy series, but took the time to answer some questions!
Warlock's Sun Rising offers a wide selection of characters you can love or hate, from every cast be it noble or peasant, rich or poor, male or female. And that diversity which makes it so damn interesting and enjoyable. Plus the fact that it can leave your mouth hanging open with a twist you never saw coming.
If you love grimdark, you look for a book with self-absorbed pirates, plenty of action, blood and adventure, then Where Loyalties Lie is for you. It's witty, it's brutal, it's bloody, it's dark and it's impossible to put down. There is plenty of rum, fight, plotting against each other, secrets well-kept, magic and interesting enough characters.
Today I'm hosting Jesse Teller on my blog, with a short story about music and life.
Some Distant Sunrise is a powerfully emotional, dark tale of addiction, second chances, choices and life. One the writing makes even more real, where you can almost feel the needle's cold, metallic touch on your arm, the biting cold of the night and feel the pressure of the world as it closes on you, taste the desperation in the air.
Then There Were Crows is a fast paced, enjoyable read - if you have a certain kind of humor and don't mind some violence here and there. This is a rather dark, horroresque urban fantasy with unique characterisation and promising ideas. With some improvements here and there (editing, writing - see my complaints above) this series can grow into something good and worthy of attention all fans of horror, dark fantasy, urban fantasy and everyone in between who like their story with a good measure of snark and violence.
Song is an action driven dark fantasy with a medieval like setting, mages fighting for revenge, for the nation, for everything worth figthing for.
My promised second interview, which was supposed to be the first. @benedictpaddy stopped by and we've talked about the Yarnsworld books, writing, @CritFacedDnD and #SPFBO of course.
