Book Review: We Burn Our Dead – Ted Laughton

March 11, 2026 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release date: March 1st 2025
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 266
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

On a rain-lashed cliff above a black and restless sea, a band of killers pauses between battles.

By morning, one of them is dead.

They are a mercenary brotherhood bound by bloodshed and the iron will of their leader, Sturmund. Among them stands a woman hardened by the same bitter wars. They have all walked the warrior’s path too long to abandon it.

Until the forest.
Until the Beast.

In the deep woods beyond their camp moves something vast and patient—an ancient horror bound to its killing ground and driven mad by the passing years. It does not forgive trespass.

What begins as pursuit becomes reckoning. With each clash, more than flesh is torn away—conviction frays, pride splinters, and the discipline holding the company together begins to rot.

As grief twists into obsession, the line between warrior and monster blurs.
The forest will test what their violence is worth.

We Burn Our Dead is an unflinching, mythic dark fantasy about violent legacy, fading legend, and the terrible beauty of standing your ground in a merciless world.

Review

We Burn Our Dead is the dark and gripping tale of a group of mercenaries who, on their way to their next mission, have camped on the edge of a deep wood. When one of the group does not return from hunting, the group soon discovers an ancient horror in the woods, one that will stop at nothing to tear them apart.

This was such a terrific read. This grimdark story is well executed, and the writing style is incredibly beautiful. It’s the sort of story that just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go until the very last page. There is plenty of action, but the story really focuses in on this brotherhood of mercenaries and the lives they have led. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, and I loved the way the main story was interspersed with flashbacks to each character joining the group, giving you the opportunity to understand where each member had come from.

There are some pretty dark and eerie moments, and Laughton really builds the tension in the latter half of the book. I was really absorbed, and I ended up reading this one in just a few sittings. The ending was not what I expected, but the story comes to a really interesting conclusion, and it has definitely made me keen to read more from this author. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking grimdark standalone with beautiful, poetic writing, this one should definitely be your next read.

Book Review: The Hunger of the Dragon – R. M. Schultz

February 12, 2026 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release date: September 27 2025
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 574
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

Divine remnants are hoarded, stolen, and killed for.

These items grant powerful magics to those with the strength to wield them.

The war of the gods has passed, leaving Midgard without direction, but vengeance and the battle for control has just begun.

A berserker of the Raven must protect her magical items from those bent on stealing them while a Wolf warrior renounces her clan to pursue the impossible—harnessing the magics of the Dragon. A thief of the Wolf is led astray and will never regain what is taken from him. They protect their own, claim what they can, and rise to power in waves of glory.

But when a mysterious new clan emerges seeking to conquer all, the Ravens and Wolves must safeguard their divine remains or destroy each other.

The resulting war will determine the fate of each clan as they succumb to the hunger of the Dragon and the forbidden runes.

Review

R. M. Schultz is back with a new Norse-inspired fantasy, and I could not put it down.

The story follows rival clans as they attempt to control the remnants of their dead gods. Each seeks glory, but will they be strong enough to claim the power they desire? When a mysterious new clan appears, the Ravens and the Wolves must protect their divine remnants or risk losing everything.

This is my fourth book from R. M. Schultz, and I think it’s my favourite yet. This is an incredibly compelling grimdark tale, and it felt much darker than The Forged and the Fallen series. I absolutely loved the Norse-inspired world, and the level of detail in the worldbuilding was superb. I thought it felt so unique and intricate – very different to other Norse mythology books I’ve read in the past. The magic is really interesting, and I liked seeing the different types of magic the clans could wield. The magic system felt well-developed, and I am looking forward to seeing more of it in book two.

Schultz writes really gripping and compelling battle scenes, and that was especially true in this book. There is plenty of action and more than a few moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-crafted, and though I liked all the protagonists, I found Märren’s storyline to be particularly compelling. Overall, this was a brilliant book that I found hard to put down, and if you’re a fan of books like John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga, this is one you definitely don’t want to miss. I cannot wait to see where Schultz takes the story in book two!

Book Review: Hammerfall – Rob J Hayes

February 2, 2026 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release date: February 3rd 2026
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 280
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The author kindly sent me an E-ARC for review
Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Synopsis

How long can a cause remain just, when painted in the blood of innocence?

They named her the Starhammer once. Hero to some, monster to many more. First into the breach at the Shattering, anointed in the blood of a thousand demons. The last of the legendary Valkyr.

But the Starhammer is dead. Or so all the stories tell.

Amidst the soaring trees and haunted slopes of the Primals, Selitha relies on the forest to provide, and cares for her family. Nothing is more precious to her than her daughter.

It is a simple life. It is a peaceful life. It is a lie.

When bandits raid the Primals, burning towns and stealing children from their beds, Selitha has no choice but to lend her axe to the rescue.

Volcanic giants spew ash into the sky, demonic bears claw the forest to splinters, and there are even rumours the kin, half-men half-beasts, serve the raiders. All the Terrors of the old world stand against her.

With a severed head as guide, to rescue the children, Selitha may need to bring the Starhammer back from the dead.

Review

Selitha is the last of the Valkyr. She was once known as Star Hammer, the legendary warrior, but now she is content with her quiet life with her husband and children. Until one day a group comes to her home and begs for her help – their children have been stolen and their village torn apart. Selitha has no choice but to help them. As she embarks on her deadly quest to save the children, she discovers the Terrors that she thought long gone might not be quite as vanquished as she thinks.

This was such a gripping, action-packed read. This is my third book in the God Eater world, and it’s just such a fascinating world. Hayes has created a really detailed and vibrant world, and there is so much history contained in this relatively short tale. The story is well executed with absolutely tons of fast paced, compelling action scenes as well as quite a few dark and bloody moments too.

While this is part of the God Eater series, this can absolutely be read as a standalone and I think this would work really well as an introduction to the series. Selitha is a really compelling main character – she is no longer the warrior she once was, but she is also so much more than just a wife and mother. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the group and each character was well developed with their own secrets and motivations. The character work in this book is really terrific and there are definitely a few moments that tug on the heartstrings. I liked all the characters, but Selitha’s daughter and the head were probably my favourites as they kind of stole the show.

Overall, Hammerfall was a brilliant read from start to finish. If you’re looking for an entertaining fantasy story that’s full of bloody action, dark monsters, humour, and heart, this is one you definitely don’t want to miss.

Blog Tour: The Whisper of Stars – Cristin Williams

November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release date: November 6 2025
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 384
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Anarchist poet Katya Efremova has spent ten months imprisoned in a covert government laboratory. When an escape attempt goes terribly wrong, she’s transferred to a new prison colony being established on Solovetsky Island in the White Sea. She learns her arrest wasn’t due to her involvement in a magic-fueled resistance against the Bolsheviks—it was because of her murdered mother’s research into the legendary folk hero, Stenka Razin. Katya finds a clue her mother left for her the day she died, which may contain a cipher: Listen to the whisper of stars.

Given his title of nobility, imprisoned aristocrat Dima Danilov knows he’ll never leave Solovetsky Island alive. Dima finds a 250-year-old manuscript written by his ancestor which gives a first-person account of Stenka Razin’s rebellion against the tsar. Desperate for his life to mean something before it’s over, Dima decides to write an epic poem based on Razin’s life, hoping to encourage Russians to revolt against Bolshevik tyranny.

Natasha is a rogue witch who has been experimented on in the government laboratory for two years. When she’s offered her freedom in exchange for spying on Katya, she jumps at the chance, though she has her own reasons for wanting to solve the conspiracy surrounding Katya’s mother’s death.

As their goals intertwine, the three imprisoned Russians work together to uncover the secret behind Stenka Razin’s rebellion, a secret woven into the history of Solovetsky Island.

Review

The Whisper of Stars is a beautifully written fantasy tale that follows three prisoners who are sent to live on Solovetsky Island. Katya is attempting to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and the secret message she left her about Stenka Razin’s rebellion. Dima is an aristocrat hoping to do something meaningful to help the Russians’ revolt against the tyranny they face, and Natasha is a spy sent to get close to Katya, but she has her own reasons for wanting to get close to Katya. Can the three work together to solve the mysteries surrounding Razin’s rebellion and the history of Solovetsky Island?

I really found myself swept up in this gorgeously written story, and I was so captivated that I ended up reading this book in just a few sittings. Williams’ prose is beautiful, and I thought the remote, frozen landscape particularly came to life in the story. This is a slower-paced story, but it’s full to the brim with mystery and political intrigue. It kept me gripped throughout, and I really enjoyed the complexity of the narrative. I thought the historical aspect of the story felt very detailed, and it was clear that lots of research has gone into bringing this story to life.

Williams has crafted some really fascinating characters in this story, and I really liked all three of our main protagonists. If I had to pick, I’d say my favourite was Katya, but I enjoyed reading all three POVs. I really enjoyed the way alliances shifted and mysteries were unravelled. I was never quite sure who was trustworthy and who wasn’t. Williams does a magnificent job of building tension, and I was particularly glued to the book for the last hundred pages. Overall, The Whisper of Stars is a thought provoking read, so if you’re looking for a historical fantasy book that’s full of puzzles, mystery, and magic – look no further than The Whisper of Stars.

Book Review: What Stalks the Deep – T. Kingfisher

October 29, 2025October 28, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Sworn Soldier #3
Release date: September 30 2025
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 192
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

Alex Easton does not want to visit America.

They particularly do not want to visit an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia with a reputation for being haunted.

But when their old friend Dr. Denton summons them to help find his lost cousin—who went missing in that very mine—well, sometimes a sworn soldier has to do what a sworn soldier has to do…

Review

What Stalks the Deep is the third instalment in T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series. In this one, we’re back following Alex Easton and Angus as they travel to Boston. Alex has received a mysterious telegram from his old friend Dr. Denton, asking for his help. When they get to Boston, they learn that Denton’s cousin Oscar has gone missing in a coal mine. Before he went missing, Oscar sent some very strange letters, raving about strange lights and missing belongings in the coal mine. Can they discover what happened to Oscar before it’s too late?

This is my third T. Kingfisher book this year, and it was another brilliant, atmospheric read. This is a pretty short one at less than 200 pages, and I ended up reading it more or less in one sitting. It was fast paced, well-plotted, and full of tense, creepy moments. I loved the claustrophobic, dark mine setting, and Kingfisher did a fantastic job of bringing that eerie setting to life. I loved that the story went in ways I wasn’t expecting, and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion.

I’ve grown quite attached to Alex and Angus over the course of the three books, and it was lovely to be back with these characters again. Easton is a brilliant protagonist; he’s witty and sarcastic but also brave and loyal to his friends. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of reading books about Alex Easton and his adventures (though he does deserve a bit of a break from the supernatural goings on). Overall, this is a compelling sequel, so if you’re looking for a fun series of horror novellas to sink your teeth into, What Stalks the Deep (and the other books in the series) should absolutely be on your spooky season TBR.

Book Review: Red City – Marie Lu

October 27, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: The New Alchemists #1
Release date: October 14 2025
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 518
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation, an exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates who market it to the world’s elite in the form of sand – a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.

Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city – and the paths of their lives – will be irrevocably transformed.

The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates’ brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off from opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.

Review

Red City is my first book from Marie Lu and it was such a rollercoaster ride. This urban fantasy tale follows two people caught in the middle of two rival syndicates who fight for control of alchemy. Where once they might have fallen in love, now they are on opposite sides of a rivalry that is only going to get worse.

Red City was such an addictive read. Marie Lu is an author I’ve always wanted to try, and I’m so glad I got to read this one because I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed Lu’s writing style, and I was sucked into the story very early on. The worldbuilding was well done, and I loved the dark, gritty, dangerous setting of Angel City. I thought the alchemical magic system was really fascinating, and it was well explained without dumping lots of information on the reader.

Red City has some really compelling characters, and I thought the romance was executed perfectly. This felt very much like a character driven story, and I grew really attached to Sam and Ari as the story progressed. Sam is determined to find a better life, and joining the ranks of Grand Central is her ticket to the life she dreams of. Ari is the new young talent in Lumines, but he has been cut off from his family and his heritage. Lu really explores themes of family and identity in this story, and I cannot wait to see where she takes these characters in book two.

Overall, I thought Red City was a captivating urban fantasy tale with a brilliant mix of action and character progression. It’s marketed as ‘The Godfather meets The Magicians’ and I think that’s a perfect comparison. If you’re looking for a fantasy story with characters that will stick with you, Red City is a book you do not want to miss.

Book Review: Secrets of the First School – T L Huchu

October 26, 2025October 25, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Edinburgh Nights #5
Release date: October 16 2025
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 400
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

I’ve had my arse kicked more times than I can count

Ropa Moyo is dead, banished to the Other Place by the reanimated spirit of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville of Scotland. Turns out being on the losing side sucks worse than being skint.

Now, the Cult of Dundas intends to ascend to godhood, spreading their corrupting reach from Edinburgh to all of Scotland’s schools of magic. Ropa must find some way to escape the Other Place, save her sister and gather allies across the country before Edinburgh falls.

A royal plot, a family secret and a stolen body. As Scotland descends into petty in-fighting, Ropa’s only hope lies in her grandmother’s final the first school of magic.

An ancient power is returning . . . and is hungry for revenge.

Review

T. L. Huchu is back with the final instalment of the Edinburgh Nights series – and it’s a wild ride.

Following on from the events in book four, we follow Ropa as she finds herself dead and banished to the otherlands. The Cult of Dundas is determined to ascend to power, and Ropa must find a way to return from the dead, save the ones she loves, and stop the country from falling. But with so many secrets and so many lives at stake, will Ropa succeed?

I’ve loved every instalment in this series and Secrets of the First School is no exception. Fast paced and incredibly engaging, I couldn’t put this book down.

Ropa has such a strong narrative voice, and I have absolutely loved seeing her grow as a character over the course of the five books. She’s brilliant and sarcastic and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks, but she’s also loyal and brave too. She’s joined by a really compelling cast of characters, and I would love for there to be a spin-off series with some of the other characters.

As this is the final book in the series, I won’t say too much about the plot, but there were lots of twists, secrets finally revealed, and overall, the series comes to a really satisfying conclusion. I love the Edinburgh setting, but I loved that we traveled to new places in this installment, including the Isle of Iona, which is my favourite place to visit.

Huchu has done a magnificent job of bringing the series to a close, and if you’re looking for an engaging fantasy series full of adventure and mystery, I highly recommend the Edinburgh Nights series.

Book Review: Virelai’s Hoard – Vivien Nash

October 25, 2025October 25, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: The Dagger and Tide Trilogy
Release date: August 4 2025
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 297
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: The publisher kindly sent me an E-ARC to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

Some treasures should stay buried. Some secrets should never be unearthed.

Riley has spent her life surviving on lies. She cons, she cheats, she takes what she wants and never looks back. When she tricks her way onto the Moonshadow, a pirate ship bound for an impossible treasure, she expects gold, and dreams of the things that come with it. Stability, security, a future where she doesn’t have to fight for every scrap. What she doesn’t expect is to be dealt into the crew’s games, drawn into their stories, and treated like she belongs.

But their leader, Captain Calla Nymeris, is as untouchable as the ocean—secretive, relentless, her gaze always fixed on the horizon as if haunted by something only she can see. Her first mate Sable is a force of nature herself, a warrior with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, who watches Riley like she’s trying to decide whether to trust her or throw her overboard.

As they chase a treasure that shouldn’t exist, through waters that pull ships under and islands where the dead do not sleep, Riley realizes she wants more than gold.

But the sea is always hungry. And it never gives without taking.

A darkly romantic sapphic fantasy, Virelai’s Hoard is a tale of cursed treasure, treacherous seas, and love tangled in betrayal.

Review

Virelai’s Hoard is a fun and entertaining swashbuckling fantasy tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story follows con artist Riley and her rat companion as she tricks her way on board the infamous pirate ship, the Moonshadow. Captained by the mysterious Calla Nymeris, the crew is on their way to find a treasure that should not exist. Their quest is fraught with danger, and not everyone is going to make it back alive.

Virelai’s Hoard is quite a short read at just under 300 pages, and I found myself absolutely racing through it. It was quick-paced and full to the brim with action and adventure. I really like pirate books, and I thought Nash did a brilliant job describing life on board a pirate ship. I particularly enjoyed seeing Riley adjust to life on the sea with the hard work, danger, and the closeness of the crew. The plot was engaging, and I thought the action scenes were particularly entertaining.

Nash does a great job creating tension and romance between the characters, and overall, I thought the romance was well done. I found the characters interesting, and all three of our main characters – Riley, Sable, and Calla – were well developed. I really liked seeing the dynamics between all the different crew members as the story progressed and things got tough. The story came to a really interesting conclusion, so I am very much looking forward to reading book two in the trilogy. The story has a great mix of adventure and romance, and there’s even some ghosts, sirens, and curses thrown into the mix. If you’re looking for a pirate story with characters you can’t help but root for, definitely check out Virelai’s Hoard.

Book Review: The Second Death of Locke – V. L. Bovalino

October 22, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: The Hand and the Heart #1
Release date: September 23 2025
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 504
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier.

She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to use. Grey would do anything for Kier – be anything for him – if he would only ask.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into the dangerous heart of their nation’s war, Grey and Kier will need to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect their secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, but heir to the lost island of Locke – the root of all power. If she dies, all magic dies with her.

Review

The Second Death of Locke is a beautiful and addictive fantasy book that I could not put down. The story follows Grey Flynn – Grey is a Hand who acts as a well for her mage, Kier. Without her, Kier can’t do magic, and the two are inseparable. When Kier and Grey are sent on a mission to escort the lost heir of Locke to safety, the team knows this mission is going to be fraught with danger, because not only must they keep this mysterious heir alive, they also have to protect their deepest secret – that Grey is actually the lost heir of Locke.

I’ve read three other books by Tori Bovalino and given them five stars, so this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. I’m so happy to say that I absolutely loved this book. From start to finish, it was filled with beautiful, lyrical writing and a plot that kept me glued. I thought the story had such a unique, compelling premise, and it was paced really well. There were some twists I didn’t see coming, and I am so intrigued about where Bovalino is going to take the story in book two. There’s plenty of action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, and while I’m not a big romance person, I thought the romance was really well developed in the story.

Bovalino has created some really compelling characters, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Grey and Kier. Grey spends most of her time covered in blood and dirt, she’s a bit on the angry side, and she often speaks up when she shouldn’t. I loved the dynamics between her and Kier, but also between her and the rest of their group as she began to open up and trust people. Kier is also a really likable character, he’s brave and determined and willing to do anything to protect the people he cares about. All the characters in The Second Death of Locke are complex and well crafted, and I can’t wait to see where they end up next.

The Second Death of Locke is an incredibly engaging fantasy adventure full of magic, mystery, and romance. This will without a doubt be in my favourite reads of 2025 so if you’re looking for a fantasy read that will keep you hooked till the very last page, this is one you do not want to miss.

Book Review: To Clutch a Razor – Veronica Roth

October 20, 2025 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Curse Bearer #2
Release date: September 16th 2025
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 229
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

A funeral. A heist. A desperate mission.

When Dymitr is called back to the old country for the empty night, a funeral rite intended to keep evil at bay, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to get his hands on his family’s most guarded relic—a book of curses that could satisfy the debt he owes legendary witch Baba Jaga. But first he’ll have to survive a night with his dangerous, monster-hunting kin.

As the sun sets, the line between enemies and allies becomes razor-thin, and Dymitr’s new loyalties are pushed to their breaking point.

Family gatherings can be brutal. Dymitr’s might just be fatal.

Review

To Clutch a Razor is the second instalment in Veronica Roth’s Curse Bearer series. Following on from the events of book one, the story follows Dymitir as he travels back to his family home in search of a book of curses that he can use to barter with Baba Jaga and get his sword back. To get the book Dymitir must not reveal his true nature to his monster killing family. Meanwhile Niko has been sent on a mission to kill the razor, one of the most legendary Knights there is. Will the two succeed in their tasks, and at what cost?

This might be a short novella at just over 200 pages, but my god did it pack a punch. I completely devoured this story, and I still think about it weeks after finishing it. The plot was gripping, the characters complex and flawed and the writing beautiful and lyrical. I thought the Slavic folklore was absolutely fascinating, and Roth created such a brilliant sense of atmosphere in this story. This instalment felt much darker than When Among Crows and I am so excited to see where Roth is going to take the story in the final chapter.

To Clutch a Razor is a perfectly executed novella. If anything, I loved this one even more than book one, so if you’ve been considering picking this one up, I would highly recommend it. This would make absolutely perfect reading for a dark autumn evening, and I am very much looking forward to reading more from Veronica Roth.