Phoenix Feather Fantasy Book Reviews

This episode is a little bit all over the place. I read Book of Night over a month ago, but circumstances prevented me from recording.

What were my final thoughts on this urban fantasy, shadow magic, criminal underbelly story? Listen to find out!

This episode marks my first sequel review and my shortest review to date! You'd think I have more thoughts, but when it comes to this sequel my opinion is pretty to the point.

So, did I think The Prince of Secrets improved upon what I found to be a delightful and charming low fantasy romance in The Lord of Stariel? Listen to find out!

*Please bear in mind, this being a sequel that there are inherent spoilers for the first installment, so please listen at your own discretion.

I'm back again after a much longer hiatus than anticipated. But I'm bringing with me a doozy of an episode: a review of the much loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

If you're wondering why I'm reviewing a YA book when I have explicitly stated I do not like YA... well, listen to find out.

(Content warning: I was feeling a little extra spicy with this one and drop a few more swear words than normal, including at least one f-bomb. Enjoy)

In the midst of kind of a low mood, this cozy fantasy romance (with just a dash of fae machinations) was everything I could have hoped for. What was my final rating? Listen to find out!

The Lord of Stariel is the first book in the Stariel quartet, a romantic cozy fantasy series about fae, magical estates, and complicated families.

This Goodread's Choice Award nominee of 2021 had me riveted from start to finish! Seriously, I tore through this spooky YA horror novel in just two sittings. My final rating, though, might surprise you. Listen to find out why!

CW: Mentions of suicide.

Just a short one this week. Even though I don't usually read YA, I couldn't pass up a fantasy book about a Black mermaid based on African folklore. What did I ultimately think? Listen to find out!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that this book has one of THE most beautiful covers I've ever seen. Gorgeous!

This book bamboozled me! Though not actually a fantasy, despite it's marketing, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a fairy tale influenced gothic story about co-dependency and the lies we tell ourselves to maintain a comfortable fiction.

I am so glad to be back and even more glad that April is over. I've got an excellent slate of books coming up to read and review for you in the month of May, starting with Shadow of the Gods.

"Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne."

I swore when I started this podcast I wouldn't turn it into one of those rage-review factories. This week, that promise is tested.

Order of Shiran is described on Goodreads as "a new high fantasy adventure." However, much to my dismay, it is neither an adventure nor particularly new. The combination of poor writing and a head cold had me raging in this episode. F-bombs are more copious than usual. Come along with me this Indie April as I ask the question, do self-pubbed authors even use editors?

Its Indie April which means for the next four weeks I will be exclusively reading (and reviewing) indie published book. How did I, noted vampire disliker and vehement hater of the listed comp titles, feel about this vampire romance? Listen to find out!

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in a new series of heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Strap in folks for the first ranty review of the podcast. It got a little bit colorful and I edited out the worst of the cursing, but just be prepared... I had issues with this book.

A steampunk / gaslamp fantasy based heavily on 17thish century Europe, An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is packed full of court intrigue, imaginative landscapes, and rampant ableism and misogyny! If that sounds like your bag, then take a gander cause we got a doozy here!

By far the most recent book I've read, and my favorite of the year so far! For fans of City of Brass and We Hunt the Flame, this 1001 Nights-inspired tale brings action, a platonic love for the ages, and plenty of jinn to keep you up at night. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah was everything I wanted out of a Middle Eastern fantasy and I L O V E D it.

*By the way the word I was trying to say at the end there was perspicacious.

A man in dire need of family therapy and a cross-dressing kleptomaniac team up in this portal jumping fantasy to PUT THAT THING BACK WHERE IT CAME FROM, OR SO HELP ME -- 

Published in 2015 by Tor, A Darker Shade of Magic is magical, adventurous, and a little bit creepy. What were my thoughts? Listen to find out! 

Romance collides with fantasy in the second episode of Phoenix Feather Fantasy Book Reviews, which discusses Soulbound by Bethany Adams, the first entry in a series that spans seven books! This is our first indie published novel on Phoenix Feather. How does it hold up against traditionally published fantasy romances? Listen to find out!

Arlyn’s quest is simple: Find her father and let him know her mother is dead. After all, Arlyn had promised her mother she’d go. The problem? Her father's people are myths and legends, and he doesn't even live on Earth. But despite a long journey through the mysterious mists of the Veil, finding him turns out to be the easy part.

*Editing Note* Yes, I said "Arya" Atreides instead of Alia. I got my badass younger sisters mixed up for a moment there.

The premiere episode of Phoenix Feather Fantasy Book Reviews launches with the review of a book that has accrued a 4.2 star rating with nearly 35,000 reviews on Goodreads. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse: "The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic."

Spoiler discussion starts at the 10:55 mark and concludes at the 27:55 mark. There are in episode tags to help you avoid spoilers if you haven't yet read this great book. 

Get to know a little bit about your host, Kerry Share, and learn why she chose to launch yet another book related podcast.