Reviews by year

Featured Fantasy Reviews

These are the top rated fantasy reviews. Subgenres covered include urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, fairytale retellings, myths and legends, and portal fantasies. You will find more reviews if you use the search box on the right.

Featured Fantasy Books

Malice by Heather Walter

Alyce is a Dark Grace, tolerated for her magical abilities but reviled by many in the superficial Briar queendom, where an ancient curse condemns princesses to an early grave if they fail to find true love. The first novel in the Malice duology.

5th September 2023

Survivors by G. X. Todd

A man wakes in a shallow grave to go on a quest across post-apocalyptic America to find someone at the instruction of a voice in his head. The third part of the Voices series.

9th August 2019

Warrior Of The World by Jeffe Kennedy

As a princess who has become a warrior priestess tries to heal, she wonders whether her past will ever allow her to fully protect those she has grown close to. The third novel in the Chronicles of Dasnaria series.

12th August 2022

Spectred Isle by K. J. Charles

In 1923 a sceptical archaeologist looks into occult happenings around London, only to get caught up in more danger than he bargained for. The first in the Green Men series.

9th May 2020

Monstress Volume One: Awakening by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda

A teenager searches for answers about herself and her war-torn past, whilst a monster stirs inside her. A graphic novel.

26th August 2016

Radiance by Grace Draven

Two minor royals marry to secure an alliance between their countries, although they find each other hideous and others will scheme to tear them apart. The first novel in the Wraith Kings series.

2nd January 2017

Rat Queens Volume One: Sass And Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch

A group of young women would rather get drunk and slay trolls than call their parents. A graphic novel.

9th August 2016

Rat Queens: Volume Two: The Far Reaching Tentacles Of N'Rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch and Stjepan Sejic

The second instalment of the Rat Queens series the Queens take on demons from another dimension who are destroying their town. A graphic novel.

17th August 2016

The Iron Ghost by Jen Williams

An adventuring trio take on a quest for a lost object in the frozen north, without accounting for the complex political situation there. The second novel in the Copper Cat series.

1st January 2022

Sinful Cinderella by Anita Valle

Cinderella is used to being mistreated by her step family, but little is as it first appears in this twisted version of the classic Cinderella story. The first book in the Dark Fairy Tale Queen series.

15th January 2019

Sleeping Late On Judgement Day by Tad Williams

Bobby Dollar has already been to Hell, but his toughest test will come when he takes on a rogue angel who outranks him many times over. The third Bobby Dollar novel.

8th June 2017

Solatium by Becca Mills

Beth Ryder has hidden powers that mark her out for a different life, but she is about to find out how different when she embarks on a fantastic and dangerous journey. The second novel in the Emanations series.

11th October 2015

Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman

A young woman rebels against her family whilst trying to resist the will of the fae lord. The first novel in the Split Worlds series.

4th February 2013

Apocalypse Now Now by Charlie Human

Baxter is trying to lead a normal life as a high school racketeer when his girlfriend goes missing, and he has to hire a supernatural bounty hunter to retrieve her. The first in the Apocalypse Now Now series.

27th October 2015

Any Other Name by Emma Newman

Cathy feels trapped by marriage, whilst her friend Sam feels unable to save his own. The second book in the Split Worlds series.

23rd October 2013

All Is Fair by Emma Newman

Cathy wants to change a magical society that has not altered for centuries, but she discovers that even those at the top are little more than puppets. The third volume in the Split Worlds series.

19th May 2014

Copperhead by Tina Connolly

Helen is beautiful, but what good are perfect looks if people use them to keep her powerless? The sequel to Ironskin.

29th October 2013

Cobweb Empire by Vera Nazarian

Death has ceased in the kingdoms, but this is far from the only problem facing their inhabitants as their world is broken by growing dark magic. The second novel in the Cobweb Bride trilogy.

24th December 2019

Crown Thief by David Tallerman

Trouble is brewing for the thief who once stole a giant, and his developing conscience is not helping him to escape it. Book two of the Tales of Easie Damasco.

23rd December 2012

Ironskin by Tina Connolly

A cursed woman becomes a governess to a very peculiar child in this dark fairytale.

30th October 2012

The Grass King's Concubine by Kari Sperring

A privileged young woman goes searching for the reason her life is charmed, but her curiosity takes her to another world, and mortal danger.

9th December 2015

Some Kind Of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce

A young woman returns to her family after a long absence. But can she walk back into her old life after all she has seen?

5th November 2013

Evermore by C. J. Archer

Spirit medium Emily is faced with losing her beloved ghost, Jacob, along with her only income, unless she can solve the mystery of the fading spirit world and disappearing ghosts. The third book in the Emily Chambers Spirit Medium trilogy.

13th August 2023

Possession by C. J. Archer

A rogue spirit is possessing the souls of the living in London, causing havoc. Emily must find the culprit, save her friends, and deal with the grief of falling in love with a ghost. The second volume in the Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy.

7th August 2023

Suited by Jo Anderton

Tanyana wonders who she can trust with her secrets when even her body seems intent on betraying her. The second in The Veiled Worlds series.

6th August 2012

Harbinger of the Storm by Aliette de Bodard

The Revered Speaker has died, and the High Priest for the Dead must keep order so that his successor has an empire left to rule over. The second book in the Obsidian and Blood series.

22nd March 2011

Debris by Jo Anderton

When a fall destroys her latest grand project, magical architect Tanyana feels like she has lost everything.

1st September 2011

Johannes Cabal: The Fear Institute by Jonathan L. Howard

The acid-tongued necromancer journeys to the Dreamlands and takes on ghouls, gods, and furry menaces with a society who want to defeat fear itself.

20th September 2011

Featured Fantasy Films

Moana directed by Ron Clements and John Musker

A young woman in ancient Polynesia sets off on an epic quest with the demigod Maui to restore her island, against the wishes of her father.

29th December 2016

Coraline directed by Henry Selick

Coraline Jones feels bored and neglected, and is ready to swap her workaholic parents for more attentive and loving substitutes.

21st June 2009

The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan

In the second instalment of Christian Bale's take on Batman, the caped vigilante of Gotham City takes on The Joker.


Pirates of the Caribbean : At World's End directed by Gore Verbinski

In the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series can the crew rescue Jack Sparrow and keep Lord Beckett from eliminating piracy forever?


Day Watch directed by Timur Bekmambetov

The second episode in the series adapting Sergei Lukyanenko's Night Watch novels.


Batman Begins directed by Christopher Nolan

The story of the origins of the Dark Knight is retold.


Mirrormask directed by Dave McKean

Weirdness abounds in this story of a girl, her mother, and a very peculiar dream.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets directed by Chris Columbus

The boy wizard begins his second term at Hogwarts.


A Knight's Tale directed by Brian Helgeland

A peasant poses as a knight in this adaptation of a story by Chaucer.


Labyrinth directed by Jim Henson

When Sarah has to babysit her baby brother she accidentally summons the goblins to take him away.


Time Bandits directed by Terry Gilliam

A boy is entangled in the adventures of a group of robbers who have stolen a map that allows them to travel through time.


Freaks: You're One Of Us directed by Felix Binder

A downtrodden fry cook discovers that she has special powers after she meets someone who shows her the truth about her kind in this superhero movie.

6th November 2020

Unreviewed books

Monstress Volume Three: Haven by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda
In this graphic novel Maika Halfwolf and her friends reach a safe refuge from those chasing them, and begin to find answers. But their respite from danger is not to last.

Monstress Volume Two: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda
Maika travels to find out more about her dead mother, Moriko, and about the monster inside her. As she crosses the sea to a land shrouded in mist, ghosts, ghouls, and the bones of a dead god increase the eerie mood in this graphic novel.

Lumberjanes Volume 1: Beware The Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis and Brooke Allen
A group of girls discover their summer camp is a hotbed of mystery, supernatural monsters, and dodgy puns. A graphic novel.

Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed
A group including a ghul hunter and his zealous assistant investigate supernatural killings. The first in the Crescent Moon Kingdoms series.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Most of the magic has left England, until two magicians appear in the nineteenth century. But they become rivals.

Fables: Legends In Exile by Bill Willingham, Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, and Craig Hamilton
New York is full of legendary characters hiding in plain sight. When a flat is found full of blood, Snow White and a wolf detective set out to discover who is responsible. A graphic novel.

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
The third novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
Destructive Thread falls from the sky, threatening the planet. A kitchen girl hopes her bond with a dragon will help her save the world. The first novel in the Pern series.

The Kind Folk by Ramsey Campbell
An impressionist begins to suspect that he is only playing at being human, and that he is being followed by malevolent fairies who want him back.

The Woman Who Married A Cloud by Jonathan Carroll
A collection of short stories. It features stories about God and linked souls, the magic of money, and houses that remember.

Throne Of The Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed
An elderly ghoul-hunter who would like nothing better than to retire is forced to confront an ancient sorcerer threatening to seize the Throne of the Crescent Moon.

Vellum by Hal Duncan
A young man steals an ancient book that transports him to a different version of reality. But a supernatural war is brewing, and nothing is as it seems in this complex narrative. The first volume in The Book Of All Hours series.

Gardens Of The Moon by Steven Erikson
The Malazan Empire is locked in perpetual warfare as mages, soldiers, and the Empress engage in a battle for supremacy. The first book in the Malazan Book Of The Fallen series.

Weaveworld by Clive Barker
When an odd old lady is taken ill, workmen enter her house and clear a carpet that seems to contain a world.

The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey
A young dragonrider impresses an unusual white dragon with interesting abilities. Part of the Dragonriders of Pern series.

Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey
As deadly Thread threaten the planet, a dragonrider looks for a better solution to the problem. Part of the Dragonriders of Pern series.

Rat Queens Volume Three: Demons by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Tess Fowler
In the third episode of the Rat Queens series the Queens travel to a mage university in search of answers. A graphic novel.

Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson
Wizard Drusilla Jaco faces an undead serial killer mimicking the Axeman of New Orleans turns up in the city. The third in the Sentinels of New Orleans series.

Dead In The Family by Charlaine Harris
Sookie faces intense family problems when her awkward supernatural relatives turn up. The tenth Sookie Stackhouse novel.

Dead And Gone by Charlaine Harris
Werewolves and shifters announce their presence to the world, whilst Sookie learns more about her distant relatives. The ninth Sookie Stackhouse novel.

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Will steps through a portal into another world in the second novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
Five companions must band together and summon a cursed warrior from his resting placein order to protect the land of Fionavar from evil. Book two of The Fionavar Tapestry.

Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
A young singer faces an uncertain future when his voice breaks. But when he comes into contact with dragons his life takes a different path. Part of the Dragonriders of Pern series, and the Harper Hall trilogy.

Momo by Michael Ende
Sinister grey men have arrived and are stealing time. It is up to the ragged Momo, with the help of some friends, to stop them.

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
An illegitimate prince discovers he has the Sight. The first novel in the Merlin series.

Bloodsworn by Tej Turner
Trouble starts when villagers decide to investigate the fate of those Chosen who have been taken away from them. The first in the Avatars of Ruin series.

Covet The Night by Rebecca Main
Gwen has terminal cancer, so she jumps at the chance of a new life as a vampire. But first she must pass an initiation with the jealous Roux family, navigate the supernatural court, and fend off a handsome undead hybrid who keeps turning up.

Unreviewed films

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe directed by Andrew Adamson
Four children travel through a wardrobe into the land of Narnia, which is being kept in perpetual winter by a witch.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl directed by Gore Verbinski
A blacksmith teams up with the pirate Jack Sparrow to save Elizabeth Swann, his love, from a crew of undead pirates. The first film in the series.

Spirited Away directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Chihiro is displeased when her parents decide the family will move to the suburbs. On the way they stop off at an abandoned theme park, and are pulled into a world of demons and monsters.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen directed by Terry Gilliam
An aristocrat has fantastic adventures whilst trying to save a town from attack by Turkish soldiers.

Harry and the Hendersons directed by William Dear
A family come across a friendly bigfoot and decide to adopt him. But keeping Harry the sasquatch hidden and safe will be a challenge.

The Princess Bride directed by Rob Reiner
A young man must rescue his true love from an unwanted marriage in this story of sword fights, pirates, and yucky kissing.