Book Reviews and More

CategoryFantasy

Should You Read Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson?

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"Gardens of the Moon" is the first book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erickson. Although it may not be exceptional on its own, it serves as an introduction to a more captivating story. The book has good plotting, an interesting world, and unique characters. The series improves significantly from book two onwards, with book three being particularly excellent. Overall, it is...

Want to Explore the LitRPG Genre? Here are my 5 Favorite Series in the Genre

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What is LitRPG LitRPG, short for Literary Role-Playing Game, is a new genre of fantasy literature that is inspired by the leveling up and other elements found within Role Playing Games ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to actual video games. The magic system in these stories is often developed around a leveling system where characters will actually level up and gain skills, abilities, or other...

Exploring Heavenly Horses in ‘Under Heaven’ and ‘Empires of the Steppes’

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Guy Gavriel Kay's bestselling book "Under Heaven" introduced the concept of the Heavenly Horses to me, but my true fascination was sparked when I delved into their historical roots within the pages of Kenneth W. Harl's "Empires of the Steppes." The real life Ferghana Heavenly Horses played an interesting role throughout ancient Chinese history and I detail both the War of Heavenly Horses and the...

Should You Read Jade City by Fonda Lee? A Review Unearthing the Magic, Characters, and Clans of Kekon

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If you are anything like me you have heard excellent things about this series for years and are likely wondering if it lives up to the hype. I am happy to say that this Jade City met and exceeded my expectations. Jade City tells the story of two rival clans in a large city who are in a contest over the control of Jade, the only source of magic in the world. If you are a fan mafia stories in any...

Should You Read Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree?

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Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is one of my new favorite slice of life fantasy stories. Follow Viv the former orc adventurer as she retires to follow her dream, starting a coffee shop. Is coffee popular in this medeival setting town? Not one bit, but Viv is ready to bring this gnomish delight to the common folks. If you want a low stakes, relaxing story that will make you smile (and maybe...

What Progression Fantasy Books Should You Read? Here are my Top 5

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Dive into the enchanting world of Progression Fantasy, a subgenre that has been taking the literary world by storm over the last decade. In this realm, characters grow and evolve, unlocking extraordinary powers and abilities through relentless determination. Join me as I explore some of the most gripping books in this genre, where underdog protagonists challenge the odds, form found families, and...

Book Reviews and More

Wyatt McGilllen

Hey there! I'm Wyatt McGillen, a 26-year-old book enthusiast from Wisconsin. My background includes a bachelors of arts with majors in Philosophy, History, and Politics and Government and a national finalist in impromptu speaking.

I love learning about our world and how we fit into it. This blog is an accumulation of philosophy, sociology, and impromptu speaking. These topics are all filled with captivating stories, interesting facts, and profound ideas. All of which enrich my life and hopefully yours.

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