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[[Category:New Reviews|Fantasy]]==Fantasy==__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Aimee BenderA G Slatter|title=Willful CreaturesThe Briar Book of the Dead|rating=4.5|genre=Short StoriesFantasy|summary= In this collection we're shown the reaction of ten men with terminal illness prognoses, a large man purchasing ' There's a very unusual pet and the case part of a hard-done-by boyfriendme that wants to keep this just to myself for however long I can. There are also delights like the shop that sells words crafted into what they readThis secret magic of my own, all mine, at last. I just want to enjoy it for a boy with keys instead of fingers and the beautifully touching tale of the pumpkin-headed mother who gives birth to an iron-headed babywhile. No, this isn't your average collection of predictable short stories; these are [[:Category:Aimee Bender|Aimee Bender]] short stories.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099558858</amazonuk>}}'

{{newreview|author=Will Storr|title=The Hunger and Within a remote mountain pass, far away from the world, lies Silverton; a town under the Howling protection of Killian Lone|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Killian Lone grows up in the Briar's, a home lacking in love family of witches who protect the town and securitythe wider world from the Darklands. For these he relies on his elderly aunt DorothyThough she has always wished for magic, an accomplished cook. Indeed his visits Ellie Briar is the first non-witch to Dorothy revolve around food be born into her family for generations and as he absorbs all such since she can teach himwas young, slowly inheriting her passion training as a steward revolved around letters and skill along with administration rather than spells and potions. When her grandmother suddenly dies, Ellie's cousin Audra becomes the Briar Witch, the town's leader, and Ellie takes her place beside her knowledge. This attachment As challenges come her way left, right and centre, Ellie uncovers the rare ability to food then becomes his career choicecommunicate with the dead, leading to putting her at the unfortunate discovery heart of a maelstrom of chaos. Reeling from one family secret that has remained hidden for a very long time. Why to another, Ellie must decide who to trust and determine what to do as the Briar witches'unfortunate'? There's a reason for its concealment… a verylegacy, everything they have sacrificed to survive, very good reasonis under threat.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780720807</amazonuk>1803364548

{{newreview|author=Luke Scull|title=The Grim Company|rating=4.5|genre=Fantasy|summary=The gods are dead. The Magelords murdered them Rosevear, a remote and hurled their bodies from heaven partially forgotten island, survives on luring ships into the rocks and are also slowly dominating plundering the world belowwrecks. Dorminia Mira, like her mother before her, is already in their iron graspone of the seven who swim out to survey the ruins – rescuing any survivors and any treasure that lies within. But when the Council Watch lays a trap to end the wrecking, policed by they capture the feared Crimson Watch island's leader and the terrorising Augmentors. ItMira's not even safe father. Desperate to think save him from death, Mira makes a bargain with a wreck survivor who is as Mind Hawks monitor charming as he is secretive and punish with pain and sufferingonly coordinates to guide her, she sets off in search of a family secret that lies buried deep in the sea. However there is a resistanceWith only nine days to unearth what might save her father, albeit fragmented and comparatively impotent but as her journey takes her from the situation is worsening so they must make a stand or lose everything (and everyone) they love. Is watched streets of foreign islands to the evil magic stronger than heart of the heroessmuggler' own resources? They're dying s territory, Mira must be determined to stop at nothing to find outsave the future of her home and the ones she holds most dear.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781851328</amazonuk>0008664730

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=James P BlaylockT Kingfisher|title=Lord Kelvin's MachineThornhedge|rating=45

|summary=On ''You had a dark and rainy night, a weary but determined Langdon St. Ives rides out in hot pursuit of the villain who is holding his wife, Alice, captive. Catching up with his nemesis on the road, the resulting standoff between the two ends with St. Ives witnessing the cold-blooded murder of his beloved, shot in the head at point blank range whilst pinned under the wheels of a carriage. It is a scene that will play out again and again in his mind, driving him right to the brink of madness and desperationretake your place. There appears, however, to be a glimmer of hope in the form of a mysterious machine in the possession of the Royal Academy of Science; a machine that may hold the secret to time itself. Is it possible for our hero to harness the power of Lord Kelvin’s Machine and rewrite history?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857689843</amazonuk>}}''

{{newreview|author=James P Blaylock|title=Homunculus|rating=2T Kingfisher's latest novella is a lovely reimagining of a fairytale that is well known and well beloved.5|genre=Fantasy|summary=What could possibly be the connection between But whilst there is a mechanical toy crocodile that eats birds, princess trapped in a giant emeraldtower, sleeping under an oxygenator device for eternal enchantment, Thornhedge is not her story. Instead, our protagonist is Toadling, who was stolen away by fairies when she was a spaceship new-born baby and a tiny alien man with secreted away to the power of life and death? The answer, land of course, is that each item on this unusual list has been placed inside one of four identical boxes. The boxes are hidden in various locations in order fairie where her childhood was spent being taught how to prevent the contents draw magic from falling into the wrong hands, but evil has a habit of seeking things out...her veins and cast spells.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857689827</amazonuk>1803364238

{{newreview|author=Terence Blacker|title=The Twyning|rating=5|genre=Fantasy|summary= Efren is Cast out from Rome, Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking an oasis in which her art can find a nobody in home and where her future can thrive rather than stagnate. But as some as she enters Florentine society she faces great opposition from the powerful Accademia, the kingdom self-proclaimed guardians of rats till he witnesses the kidnapping of healing magics that through paintings have the king. His future changes in a moment as he's sent up power to protect the human world to rescue him. Talking of humans, 11 year old Peter is abandoned by his parents city and left to scrape a living its citizens from London's streetsplagues and curses. His affinity with animals gives him the name 'Dogboy' The all-male Accademia has hoarded power over art and employment with rat catcher Bob architecture for centuries and scientist Dr Ross-Gibbonguard it above all else. The Doctor's ambition is to encourage humanity to annihilate the rats by dragging To them, Artemisia – an ambitious young woman who promises trouble and change – has no place amongst them into a war. Efren and Dogboy, both insignificant in their own worlds, must make both man and rodent see sense; easier said than donesociety.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781850704</amazonuk>1803362340

{{newreview|author=Daniel O'Malley|title=The Rook (The Checquy Files)|rating=5|genre=Fantasy|summary= A woman wakes up with amnesia surrounded by dead people wearing gloves. In her pocket she discovers Set in the near-distant future, in a letter from Myfanwy Thomas, world on the previous inhabiter verge of her body. Myfanwy tells a strange story of working for 'the Checquy'climate collapse, a paranormal version of MI5 which has been permeated by a web of betrayal and danger. The problem Britain is that Myfanwy never discovered the source before her body changed hands (so to speak)in great peril. The amnesiac has British Isles desperately needs a clear choice: to continue Myfanwy's investigation hero (or several) to do a runnersave the day and rescue what little remains. It's her decision but Myfanwy's warning is less than encouraging: ::''Remember they want you dead.'' Something for her to bear in mind along with What no-one expected was that one of the fatal, unintended consequences Knights of permitting cheap cheese into the UKRound Table would answer the call.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1908800372</amazonuk>0356518523

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=John R FultzAmelia Estelle Dellos|title=Seven Kings: Books of the Shaper: Volume 2Delilah Recovered|rating=54

|summary= Runaway slave Tong suicidally avenges his lost love We meet Dee at a point when her life isn't going as planned but death seems things might, just might, be about to elude himlook up. Meanwhile King Vireon is happily married Out of work, about to the beautiful shape-shifting sorceress Alua, although his sister has problems with lose her husbandflat, King DDee is up for an accountant'zans job. A courtesan is carrying his baby; odder still when you realise heBut it's impotentnot to be. Dee is attacked by two men calling themselves witch hunters. She survives the attack but not unscathed. The Twin Kings of Uruz, scholarly Lyrilan and war-hungry Tyro, can't agree Witch hunters? What on how earth has that to rule so Tyrodo with Dee? She's wife Talondra puts a real spanner in the works to force a decisionjust an ordinary woman, living an ordinary life. However bad their lives currently Slivers of memory of things that are, evil is spreading through their world like a dark shadow not ordinary at all return to her and, to make things worse still, Ianthe will never be the Claw and Gammir the Reborn aren't as dead as everyone supposes them to besame.... (You'd think the clue would be in Gammir's name wouldn't you?)|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0356500829</amazonuk>B0BKYFDLLV

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Melanie RawnHadeer Elsbai|title=Glass Thorns - Touchstone The Daughters of Izdihar|rating=4.5

|summary= Cayden is a hybrid being part elfDrawing inspiration from Egypt, ''The Daughters of Izdihar'' explores the lives of two women who could not be more different, fae yet find themselves fighting for the rights of women and human but all wizardweavers – those with magical abilities - in a society pitted against them. He also has a day job as a tregetour or playwright with his own touring companyNehal, born into the upper class, Touchstone. They're ambitious and planning wishes to get through attend the trials Weaving Academy to learn to control her abilities and then join the military, but instead she is forced into an arranged marriage with Nico. Giorgina on the upper flight. As you would expect from other hand did not have a wizardprivileged upbringing like Nehal and feels great pressure to provide for her family and maintain their reputation, this troupe doesn't just act; they also weave magic imbued in hallucinations and encased in glass withies. The problem is they're short whilst secretly attending meetings of the Daughters of Izdihar – a glister, a troupegroup campaigning for women's wielder of withiesrights. Or rather they were until Mieka arrives. Actually short's a good world as he's an elf but he Giorgina also happens to be the best glister anyone's ever seen, thorns permittingin love with Nico. With one problem solvedWhat follows is a story of an unjust society, another remains. Namely prophetic dreams that have haunted Cade since boyhood filled with hypocrisy and they aren't improvingcruelty, in fact they're more like nightmaresfrom which blossoms a group of admirable women fighting for their rights and overcoming their personal obstacles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781166609</amazonuk>0356520471

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Rosanne LicataHeather Fawcett|title=Blood Bonds: The CaravanEmily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

|genre=TeensGeneral Fiction|summary=Raj Emily Wilde is part Araban expert academic scholar on faerie lore, and she has travelled extensively, and researched meticulously, part Roman. Sheto write her life's independent work, the very first encyclopaedia of faeries. Whilst she is brilliant at research and strong-willed - too independent and strong-willed speaking to fit well into a society where women belong faeries, she is not so good with people. So when she finds herself far, far North in the home small village of Hrafvsnik, having somehow offended the village matriarch, she is not sure what she has done, nor how to redeem herself and put her final investigations for her book back on the right track. Enter Wendell Bambleby, her dashingly handsome and insufferable rival who arrives unexpectedly, all charm and only men can bring change delight, much to Emily's frustration. But why is he here? What does he want? And what exactly is going on with the worldfaerie folk around Hravsnik?|isbn=0356519120}}{{Frontpage|author=Christopher Golden|title=Road of Bones|rating=3. So she runs away5|genre=Horror|summary=The Kolyma Highway… the 'Road of Bones'… the R504. Disguised as Stretching for over a boythousand miles across Siberia, she is roaming it's one of the world's most notorious routes. For months of the streets year it's a spread of Antioch when she encounters Bjornolfsheet ice suspended above the permafrost surrounding it, while its 'spring' sees it turn into a Danish kinghuge blodge of unremitting, apocalyptic-level mud, which dries into rutted, puddly dust. Drawn I don't think google streetview updates it very often. Built because Stalin wanted so much uranium and other Siberian minerals, and because he wanted to him in give too many people a lesson, it legendarily cost a way she life every metre it covers. You caneasily find documentaries about it online, but that's a bit rich, for one of our main characters, Felix 'Teig't explainTeigland, is a film-maker, doing a recce with his cameraman buddy, Raj stows away on John Prentiss – who's mostly there to encourage the project to fruition to claw back some of the caravan funds he is guarding'd invested in the pair's prior TV projects. As They pick up their oh-so-chatty local guide, gain the journey continuescompany of a local beauty, Raj must decide whether and fetch up at the terrible dangers guide's childhood village. And that's where things start to both Bjornolf and herself are worth risking if she reveals her true nature to him...go awry…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1770975667</amazonuk>1803361476

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Celia FriedmanAndrew Givler|title=Legacy Of Kings Soul Fraud (Magister 3The Debt Collection Book 1)

|summary=Three ''Matt has a terrible life. Seriously—it's awful. It is so bad that Dan the Demon is shocked when Matt turns down his infernal offer: 10 years is a long time to wait between parts of a trilogyblissful life in exchange for his soul.'' Poor Dan! I know, especially one as good as Celia FriedmanI know, we shouldn's Magister Trilogyt feel sorry for soul-catching demons. But he really is a terrible salesman. I'm not someone blessed with great patienceHe never hits his targets and, which has made the wait interminable, but finally I when he fails to get even Matt to find out what happened to Kamala and sign on the other Magisters and to see how Salvator Aurelius is coping with being the first Penitent Kingdotted line, he's so desperate that he simply forges Matt's signature.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1841495360</amazonuk>1958204021

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Patricia BriggsOlivie Blake|title=Aralorn: Masques and WolfbsaneThe Atlas Six

|summary=Here is what seems quite a rum [[:Category:Patricia Briggs|Patricia Briggs]] compendium – her first attempt at a fantasy novelDark, published and read by roughly six men and an orc back in the early 1990ssharp, and what would appear the fourth book in the same serieshighly inquisitive, dusted off after they both got a rewrite in 2010, and together at last for the curious completist. And if the rewriting ironed out a few creases it shows just how much there was needed done – for the first book is still full of minor problems – a man immune to, or invisible to, magic unless when it's needed for the plot, a host of exposition all throughout, and much that marks it down as a debut effort. It doesn't mean itThe Atlas Six''s not worth reading howevermakes its publishing debut after becoming a Tik-Tok sensation.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0356501647</amazonuk>1529095239

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jim ButcherDaniel Abraham|title=Cold DaysAge of Ash|rating=4.5

|summary=Happy birthday Harry Dresden! We meet Alys under the most northerly of Oldgate's four bridges, And what she has a birthday as life becomes knife in her hand and a little hectic for the Winter Court Knightmeeting that she dreads. He returns to life in time to fight in Meanwhile the Winter Palace, have a near death experience at the hands City of dark, mini-people, then Kithamar is nearly killed again (by at a friend this time) and his island of Demonreach is about to explode taking a chunk point in the turning of years when the USA with itworlds are at their thinnest and all things are possible. He therefore has 24 hours to save some world. Oh, It is the night between the funeral of a Prince and you know those headaches he's been having? HIs head is on the verge coronation of exploding toohis successor. Indeed, it's For a night the sort of birthday that it's hardly worth reanimating forKithamar is un-ruled.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0356500896</amazonuk>0356515427

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jesse BullingtonAnn Sei Lin|title=The Folly of the WorldRebel Skies|rating=45|genre=FantasyTeens|summary=It is Kurara has spent her entire life as a servant on the 1420sMidori, and a lot massive dining hall floating in the sky where soldiers of what we now think of as The Netherlands is underwaterthe Empire come to drink and make merry between their conquests. Crossing the deluge However, when a man named Himura arrives to tell her that she is a most unlikely trio Crafter like him, someone with the power to form paper into whatever she desires – a posh man seeking something power sought after all across the Empire. He asks her to come with him, to leave the help life of dreary servitude that is all she has known. Well, soon Kurara won't have any say in the othersmatter, including because the Midori is destroyed by a monstrous paper spirit known as a girl who has survived his sometimes-fatal testshikigami, and a manic fellow fresh from saving himself upon the gallows, who might or might not have been down she is forced to hell in flee out into the interimworld. What that quest She joins Himura aboard the Orihime, a sky-ship whose express purpose is, and how it will lead to nightmareshunt down shikigami, deaths galore and a lot of other interesting parts whole world of the story, is for you to discover, in this absorbing cross-genre piece.adventure awaits her…|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0356500888</amazonuk>1406399590

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Graeme K TalboysB09Q3P283Y|title=Stealing Into Winter: being the first adventure from the chronicles of Jeniche of Antar Shadebringer|author=Grayson W Hooper

|summary=Streetwise young thief Jeniche wakes Clyde Robbins signs up to find her prison cellfor the US Army during the Vietnam War. He's walls collapsing around her. This is no natural disaster but an invasion by not really that invested in the Occassansfight against Communism, mercilessly brandishing 'moskets', weapons that fire death rendering nor is he particularly interested in a career in the native Makamban cudgels futilemilitary. Whilst scouring the streets and avoiding the marauding army, Jeniche visits old haunts, checking on her friends and wondering what to do next. This last part If he's honest - which Clyde usually is solved for her: a band of Tunduri monks and nuns, including their young Godwith himself at least -King himselfhe hasn't got many choices and this one, want a guide to take them home to Tundurat least, the land gets him out of winter beyond the desertrut he's in. The journey may be hazardous but nothingHe's safe anymore, good in training and so, accompanied by the muscular, slow-witted stable owner, Trag and mysterious swordsman Alltud, their journey beginsis quickly put onto a non commissioned officer training course. He's chuffed with himself.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178099625X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chris WoodingJennifer Saint|title=The Iron JackalElektra

|genre=FantasyLiterary Fiction|summary=For once I don't feel like devoting my first paragraph to a teasing plot summary. And while IElektra'm here to judge by Jennifer Saint tells the book and not story of three women who live in the coverheavily male dominated world of Ancient Greece. Cassandra, even the British paperback blurb agreesClytemnestra, and gives nothing away Elektra are all bit players in its woolliness. I am duty bound to say this is the third book to feature Darian Frey and the rest story of the crew of his flying craft Trojan War. Yet Jennifer Saint shows us that often the ''Ketty Jay''. If pressed I will say it starts with him indulging in a further instance of thievery, making a mistake, and then finding just how much is in silent women have the science fantasy universe that can possibly get between him most compelling stories and what might repair the damagemost extreme furies.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780620853</amazonuk>1472273915

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Kate GriffinDean Koontz|title=Stray SoulsQuicksilver|rating=2.5|genre=FantasyThrillers|summary=Sharon Li has a normal job in a London coffee shop but doesn't feel normalMeet Quinn Quicksilver. SheHe's beginning not had the chance to get to realise shebe a mercurial character yet, for he's lived in a nun-run orphanage since he was a shamanthree-day old foundling, especially when she and now is so at one with the city, she vanishesstarting a career on a needless magazine's staff. In order But when this book starts he IS now ''subject to meet others whosudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind''ll understand, she starts Magicals Anonymousfor something – call it unearthly intuition, call it mind-control, call it a self-help group for the mystically confused coming supernatural urge – has demanded of him that he go to terms with their gifts. The meetings come with various beveragesa derelict diner, biscuitsfind a gold coin worth a fortune, a Facebook page cash the value of it out of his bank and a very good turnoutprepare for going on the lam. However And all this is not herbal tea just in time for two of those typical Men in Black types to turn up and crunchy-creams as someone or something seems suggest he's of interest to them. Helped to be stealing escape, he finds his flight is interrupted by other instances of him acting without being in control, the spirits discovery that make London's soul and another something walks the streets tearing people limb from limb. The city he is dying not unique in having some kind of burgeoning power – and gradually Sharon realises that Magicals Anonymous are a whole lot more than just a social group. As odd as it sounds to look at them, the Midnight Mayor wants them to save the capitalbesides.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0356500640</amazonuk>1542019885

 {{newreview|author=Holly Black|title=Red Glove (Curse Workers 2)|rating=4.5|genre=Teens|summary=Cassel lives in a world where magic is frowned upon. Practice is banned and everyone wears gloves to prevent being worked. Cassel himself is a transformation worker - the rarest type. And he is the most powerful transformation worker in living memory. This makes him extremely valuable to the crime families who use curses to support and maintain their empires. It also makes him extremely dangerous as far as the authorities are concerned. And that's why Cassel tries to keep his status to himself, since he discovered it in the [[The White Cat (Curse Workers, Book 1) by Holly Black|first book]] in this ''Curse Workers'' sequence.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0575096764</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Brent WeeksTasha Suri|title=The Blinding Knife (Lightbringer 2)Jasmine Throne|rating=4.5

|summary=Gavin Guile thought he had five years left On the night of her sacred burning, Princess Malini defies her brother and refuses to complete his seven great purposesstep on to the pyre. She is immediately sent to be imprisoned on the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once filled with a community of people who got powers from the mysterious deathless waters. But now it seems he has less the temple is nothing more than onean overgrown, decaying ruin. He might be the Prism - One day, Malini witnesses a girl kill someone with magic. Instead of reporting her for such a gruesome crime, Malini claims that the most powerful light drafter in girl saved her from an attacker and begs for the Seven Satrapies, capable of drafting huge amounts of light without risk of losing his mind girl to the colours - but he's lost blue. He can't see it or draft itbecome her own personal maidservant.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1841499072</amazonuk>0356515648

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Stefan BachmannGenevieve Gornichec|title=The PeculiarWitch's Heart|rating=4.5

|summary=''Don't get yourself noticed A modern and you won't get yourself hangedapproachable reimagining of the Norse myths that centres around a witch named Angrboda.'' Such is life for peculiars like Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie. Their mother is human but their - absent - father is She hides in a Sidheforest at the edge of the nine worlds, a high fairy. Fairies are contemptuous remembering nothing of her past life but that fact that she was survived burnt at the half-breed peculiars and humans distrust and suspect themstake three times because of Odin's wrath. Hapless peculiar children Her attempts to live in peace, however, are often hanged by humansquickly thwarted when Loki shows up with her literal heart—the one that was cut from her chest before she was tied to the stake—and refuses to leave her alone. AndAfter an initial period of mistrust, even more worryinglyAngrboda begins to fall for Loki's charms, bodies and the two start an unusual family made of peculiars have been turning up recentlya half-dead daughter, quite deada son that's a wolf, covered in ancient faerie script and as empty of bone and organ as they are of lifeanother son that's a snake.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0062195182</amazonuk>1789097061

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jay KristoffHannah Whitten|title=StormdancerFor the Wolf

|summary=Warrior Masaru has raised his In Red's family, the first daughterbecomes queen, Yukiko, alone since his wife left. Yukiko is now 16; and the second daughter becomes a feat more due latterly to her own strength and resourcefulness than his caresacrifice. For since his wifeTo Red's departuremisfortune, Masaru has gone she is the second daughter. Sent alone into the woods with nothing but the cape on her back, Red knows what to piecesexpect: within the woods is a wolf, addicted to gambling and he is the one who will decide the narcotic effects fate of lotus smoketheir kingdom. The days when he was the legendary Black Fox are behind him which If she is not a shame as worthy sacrifice, the monsters he keeps contained to the Shogun (not a man known for calm reasoning or lack of ferocity) has a mission for them. Masaruwoods will be released, Yukiko and an entourage must hunt and capture the legendary stormtigerfabled kings he keeps hostage will never be returned—or so the stories go. But they're extinct aren't they? Well, no, they aren't as Yukiko discovers when Red enters the hunt goes terribly wrong and she's left alone with just a storm tiger for company. She fights woods, expecting nothing more than to find a way homebe killed within the hour, learning as she goes finds that the full extent to which the Shogun has worked against the good of the nation in general and her family in particularlegends are lies. And the stormtiger? LetThe wolf is not a monster—he's just say he's had his wings clipped and he's not happy about ita man.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0230759017</amazonuk>0356516369

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=G Willow WilsonJohn Gwynne|title=Alif the UnseenThe Shadow Of The Gods

|summary=Alif lives under an alias and he has a good reason for that: he's a hakinista in an Arabian oil producing country that, to put it mildly, doesn't encourage free speech. He sells IT know-how and wizardy to any covert organisation that works against the government, their agenda unimportant as long as the aim The Shadow Of The Gods is the downfall first installment of their oppression. But all that's about to change as Alif falls in love and, as it's the wrong girl at the wrong timeBloodsworn Saga, is spurned. His response to this romantic let down is to create a computer programme that will identify her internet activity by her individual typing pattern. Unfortunately what works for him also works against him. It's captured by set in the notoriously dangerous government censor 'The Hand' who also wants Alif and his hidden network era of colleagues. Now Alif runs to preserve his life and those who have trusted him, his only possession an ancient manuscript from his former love. Just a book, albeit one that's accompanied by myths and old wives' tales rendering it irrelevant a logical world. However, sometimes the most desperate of times requires more than logic and, sometimes, a mere book of stories may be more than it seems.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857895664</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Benedict Jacka|title=Taken: An Alex Verus Novel|rating=4.5|genre=Fantasy|summary=Alex Verus, future-diviner and erstwhile Camden magic shop owner has dusted himself off after the rigours of [[Cursed: An Alex Verus Novel by Benedict Jacka|Cursed]] and is good to go once more. He continues training Luna as his apprentice but all is not completely well. Alex has been asked to investigate Vikings in the disappearance shadow of apprentices by Council representativeRagnarok, Talisid. Now, Alex's involvement with when the Council (Gods have battled and indeed Talisid) hasn't always been good their bones lie scattered for Alex's health in the past, but his commissioning may be a sign of his enhanced reputation and this time there's a note of self-interest: Luna may be the next to vanish. Alex receives a tip-off that Fountain's Reach (a stately home with a mysterious past) has something to do with it and, as luck would have it, it's also the venue for the next apprentice tournament which Luna has entered. The investigation begins and hopefully they'll survive all to see it through to the end.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0356500268</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Catherine Fisher|title=The Obsidian Mirror|rating=4.5|genre=Teens|summary=Jake's father disappeared while working on a secret project with his best friend, the celebrated explorer and recluse Oberon Venn. Jake is sure that Venn This story is a murderer and sets out to prove it, dragging his teacher, Mr Wharton, into the investigation. But the truth is perhaps even more frightening: David Wilde isn't deadultimate in High Fantasy, he's lost in time. Venn and his sidekick Piers are intent on re-entering the past John Gwynne certainly does justice to find him, using a device called the Chronoptika. But it's dangerous and they aren't the only ones hell bent on using the time machine. There's Sarah, who can turn herself invisible, and who's being pursued by a murderous Replicant and his wolf. And there's the scarred man with his acolyte and his strange weapon. And there are the Shee, who keep their own counsel, but have their own ambitions, and who enchant the forest on Venn's estate... |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340970081</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Janet Evanovich|title=Wicked Business|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Following on from [[Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich|Wicked Appetite]], pastry chef Lizzy and paranormal bounty hunter Diesel continue to seek the seven powerful stones linked to the seven deadly sins. They're looking for the stone associated with lust and it becomes a bit of a treasure hunt asmythical creatures, accompanied by Gloria (the slightly wizardy un-witch) archaic language and Carl (the ill-mannered monkey) they have to work their way through a string of cluesbattles galore. However, they aren't the only ones looking; for wherever goodies seek power, the baddies lurk also. The baddies in question are again the deliciously dark (on many levels) Gerwulf (Wulf) Grimoir and his medieval minion Hatchet. Wulf may be Diesel's cousin but there's not This is a lot of family love in any room they both occupy so let the race to the stone commence. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>075538492X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Gillian Philip|title=Wolfsbane (Rebel Angels)|rating=5|genre=Teens|summary=After the terrible events at the end of the [[Rebel Angels: Bloodstone by Gillian Philip|second thick book]] in Gillian Philip's ''Rebel Angels'' sequence, we move on a decade or so. Finn is back in the mortal world. But Rory and Jed have stayed with Seth, now the captain of the MacGregor clann's dun. Faerie queen Kate NicNiven continues to an intricate plot against Seth and fascinating characters that are woven together to wrest Rory, the Bloodstone create a wonderfully realistic and prophesied saviour, from him. She is as determined as ever to destroy the veil separating the mortal and faerie worldsgritty world in which our heroes must do battle. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1905537352</amazonuk>0356514218

{{newreview|author=Nikki Gemmell|title=The Bride Stripped Bare|rating=3|genre=Fantasy|summary=A young woman, newly married. Discovering her husband is not all he seems. That he has secrets. That she has needs, wants, desires. That she will need Move on to take things into her own hands if she is ever to be satisfied in her new role as wife.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007163541</amazonuk>}}[[Newest For Sharing Reviews]]