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Why You Need to Read: “Firebreak”

Firebreak By: Nicole Kornher-Stace                                                      Audiobook: 13 hours 42 minutes Published: May 4, 2021                                                          Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Cyberpunk             Out of the twelve real SecOps operatives, only three—06, 08, and 22—are still among the living. The other nine—05, 28, 02, 33, 38, 11, 21, 42, and 17—are dead. We lost 11 and 21 earlier this year:… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Firebreak”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Liar’s Knot”

Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. Rook & Rose, #2: The Liar’s Knot By: M.A. Carrick                                                                    Audiobook: 23 hours 14 minutes Published: December 9, 2021                                                 Narrated by: Nikki Massoud Genre: Fantasy/Sequel             This was her true home, the place where she and Tess had launched this con. The one place… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Liar’s Knot”

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An Analysis of the Genre: Grimdark, Horror & Dark Fantasy

NOTE: This post is a rewrite of an assignment I wrote for a graduate school course. If you would like to read the original essay, then click here. Also, this is written in APA Format. Speculative fiction is the general term used when describing books which fall under the genres of fantasy, science fiction and horror,… Continue reading An Analysis of the Genre: Grimdark, Horror & Dark Fantasy

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Why You Need to Read: “First, Become Ashes”

First, Become Ashes By: K.M. Szpara Published: April 6, 2021 Genre: Urban Fantasy TRIGGER WARNING: Be advised. This book contains elements of self-harm, imprisonment, rape, torture, abuse, and non-consensual sex.  I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts are mine alone.             Her voice drips with pity I… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “First, Become Ashes”

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Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”

Tower of Mud and Straw By: Yaroslav Barsukov Published: February 21, 2021 Genre: Fantasy             The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distinct, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? (Part I. The Duchy. 5).             Critics have an… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”

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Standing, there, identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present,… Continue reading 401

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Why You Need to Read: “The Stone Sky”

The Broken Earth 3: The Stone Sky By: N.K. Jemisin Published: August 15, 2017 Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Fantasy *Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2018, Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel 2017, Winner of the Locus Award for Best Novel 2018*             The job you “have” to do is the easier of the… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Stone Sky”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Obelisk Gate”

The Broken Earth 2: The Obelisk Gate By: N.K. Jemisin Published: August 16, 2016 Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian *Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017*             “We’re going somewhere you can be better,” he says gently. “Somewhere I heard of, where they can help you.” Make her a little girl again, and not…He turns… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Obelisk Gate”

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Why You Need to Read: “Realm of Ash”

The Books of Ambha: #2: Realm of Ash By: Tasha Suri Published: November 12, 2019 Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Coming-of-Age NOTE: Some minor spoilers from Empire of Sand. You have been warned.              “My blood—my Amrithi blood in this loyal Ambhan body—is part of the curse. But it’s also part of the cure. I just don’t know how. But the… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Realm of Ash”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Rage of Dragons”

The Burning #1: The Rage of Dragons By: Evan Winters                                               Audiobook: 16 hours, 15 minutes Published: July 16, 2019                                    Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi Genre: Fantasy/Military/Historical Fiction/Folklore             And if Tau didn’t feel better, it had to be because there was still so much to do. He needed to go to Kigambe and test to become an Ihashe. Then he’d… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Rage of Dragons”