Genre: Fantasy

Review – Reignclowd Palace

Posted September 23, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments

Review – Reignclowd Palace

Reignclowd Palace

by Philippa Rice

Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 400
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Evnie Treedle makes magical things and for the last few years she has been selling them in magical knickknacks shop, the Magpie Nest.

But everything changes when one day Evnie's crafting abilities catch the attention of the nearby Reignclowd Palace. She is asked to become their resident spellsmith... the original spellsmith suddenly ill under mysterious circumstances.

Evnie is soon put to work making and mending magical objects. Yet, problems start to appear when she realises there's much more at stake than friendship or romance; a dragon looms over the kingdom looking for a soul to devour, and it's eyes are set on their princess.

I picked up Philippa Rice’s Reignclowd Palace on an absolute whim — more accurately, I spotted it in a bookshop, was curious about the colourful cover, and ended up putting it on my wishlist. I hadn’t seen anyone else talk about it or review it, which is pretty unusual for me at this point: a lot of my reading decisions are based on seeing other people’s thoughts about the books first.

Aaand I really enjoyed it: it kinda had Howl’s Moving Castle vibes to me in many ways (which is not to say it was a rip-off of Howl’s Moving Castle, just that something about the world and relationships felt adjacent). Evnie is a pretty good protagonist, new to the palace and thus open-eyed to its wonders and quirks, giving us a good chance to explore alongside her but making it make sense that she doesn’t know what’s going on all the time or figure out the intricacies of it.

I feel like there were maybe one or two inconsistencies that I’d have to flick through the book to check back on (why would Fantacci go and get Evnie if the Oracle is so blind to her and what she’s going to do?), and there were a couple of notes that felt off (what happens to the youngest prince in the end makes sense, but felt abrupt) or things that were just a tad weird but never came to anything much (Ren’s crush on Hadriana really seemed a bit creepy/obsessive).

I loved the way dragons work in this world, though, and the chaos of the palace, the nature of Evnie’s magic, the way that it slowly becomes clear what dragons are and what happened to Evnie’s village… And I liked that it works as a standalone: I’ve no idea if there’s other stuff planned in this world, there would certainly be space for it, but there doesn’t need to be.

Overall, a gamble that paid off. It was a nice semi-cosy book for my mood — by which I mean there’s a cosiness to the fact that Evnie’s spellwork happens through knitting and sewing at times, in the friendships growing up around the palace, the light romance, etc, but there is also peril and trauma. There’s a warmth to it that I appreciated a lot.

Rating; 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – Clockwork Boys

Posted September 21, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 5 Comments

Review – Clockwork Boys

Clockwork Boys

by T. Kingfisher

Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 282
Series: Clocktaur War #1
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

In the first book of this touching and darkly comic duology, a paladin, a forger, an assassin and a scholar ride out of town on an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. When forger Slate is convicted of treason, she faces a death sentence. But her unique gift for sniffing out magic (literally) earns her a reprieve-of sorts. Along with a paladin, Caliban, possessed by a demon, her murderous ex-lover, and an irritating misogynist scholar, Slate sets off on a mission to learn about the Clockwork Boys, deadly mechanical soldiers from a neighbouring kingdom who have been terrorising their lands. If they succeed, rewards and pardons await, but they must survive a long journey through enemy territory to reach Anuket City. And Slate has her own reasons to dread returning to her former home. Slate and her crew aren't the first to be sent on this mission. None of their predecessors have returned, and Slate can't help but feel they've exchanged one death sentence for another. Her increasing closeness to Caliban isn't helping matters: for the first time in a long time, Slate might actually care about surviving.

T. Kingfisher’s Clockwork Boys has been issued in a new UK print edition, which finally spurred me to get round to reading it — and now I’m glad that I have the sequel in ebook already, because the UK print edition isn’t out, but the duology is really the same story just split between two books. It doesn’t end in this volume by any means.

I found it all very enjoyable: quintessentially Kingfisher-ish, of course, from her physically nondescript female lead to her magic system to her paladin character and his particular hangups. It’s your classic fantasy journey to solve a problem, a biiiig ol’ problem, with a mismatched group consisting of one volunteer and three felons being compelled by a tattoo that’ll eat them if they betray the mission (fascinating concept). It all has her usual humour and warmth, along with truly terrifying ideas (see also: the tattoo that can eat you).

Of course I’ve read Paladin’s Grace, in the same world but (IIRC) written later, so I had some prior grounding on the world, which means I was also trying to slot it into what I know of that book.

It’s very fun and goes by pretty quickly, even if occasionally I want to whack Caliban upside the head, and I’m eager for the next book.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga), vol 3

Posted September 14, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga), vol 3

The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga)

by Kazuki Irodori, Yatsuki Wakutsu

Genres: Fantasy, Manga, Romance
Pages: 178
Series: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga) #3
Rating: three-stars
Synopsis:

Just the other day, an office worker was dragged through a portal to a fantasy world in a different dimension. He requests only one thing — a job. So began Kondou’s career as an accountant for the Romany Kingdom. However, when Aresh finds said bean counter in dire straits, the dashing knight captain takes it upon himself to care for Kondou. Soon after, Kondou catches the attention of the prime minister, resulting in his promotion to a middle management position. With his new title, Kondou finds his workload increasing along with the dangers associated with him. As a consequence, Aresh faces an entirely new obstacle — how to protect his bean counter from not only himself but the outside world as well…

NB: this review is actually from before I read the light novels, since I try to space out my reviews and provide some diversity! So now I know how the plot all turns out… but I didn’t bother editing this review, and it remains my first impressions.

The third volume of The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter certainly goes places! I found it a bit less light-hearted than the other volumes, since Seiichirou is violently beaten and left for dead, and then dragged into very certain danger for political reasons.

Aresh’s devotion to him continues to be somewhat sweet, though still rather controlling. And yeah, it’s to save his life — and yeah, Seiichirou is annoyingly careless and in fact actively endangering himself to no real purpose — but there has to be a place where it stops, and I’m not certain I believe Aresh knows that (and sometimes he crosses the line). It’s really clear that they need to have a conversation about Aresh’s feelings, though Seiichirou is pretty unreadable on that front, only seeming to think about what he owes Aresh.

I find it disappointing that the Holy Maiden is kind of oblivious. I wonder if she’ll become more of an ally to Seiichirou now, or whether there’s something deliberate and malicious under the girlishness. Her interest in Aresh is pretty annoying, but I find it uncomfortable that I’m annoyed about it — it seems like she’s set up to be hated for being interested in one of the (gay) male leads, a pattern I always hated in fic as a teen and actively avoid now.

Overall, curious where the plot is going, and where Aresh and Seiichirou’s relationship will end up, but I definitely need them to communicate and examine their own feelings (preferably in the reverse of that order).

Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)

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Review – Gwen and Art Are Not In Love

Posted September 10, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 4 Comments

Review – Gwen and Art Are Not In Love

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love

by Lex Croucher

Genres: Arthuriana, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 419
Rating: two-stars
Synopsis:

Gwen, the quick-witted Princess of England, and Arthur, future duke and general gadabout, have been betrothed since birth. Unfortunately, the only thing they can agree on is that they hate each other.

When Gwen catches Art kissing a boy and Art discovers where Gwen hides her diary (complete with racy entries about Bridget Leclair, the kingdom's only female knight), they become reluctant allies. By pretending to fall for each other, their mutual protection will be assured.

But how long can they keep up the ruse? With Gwen growing closer to Bridget, and Art becoming unaccountably fond of Gabriel, Gwen's infuriatingly serious, bookish brother, the path to true love is looking far from straight...

I found Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art Are Not In Love a bit… frustrating. The Arthurian references are a bit all over the place, and how it fits into a post-Arthurian world is very non-obvious (any explanation of the Catholics vs cultists thing takes forever, and also makes no real sense with most versions of the Arthurian legends). Gwen and Arthur are not that Gwen and Arthur, they’ve just been saddled with being named after them and engaged from a very young age to get married. Why you’d do that and not think about the mixed messages of naming a child very obviously after a very famously unfaithful wife, I don’t know.

There are aspects of the story I enjoyed, with Gwen and Arthur’s slowly evolving dynamic (and also Arthur’s friendship with Sidney), but I felt the actual romances were a little undercooked (particularly Arthur’s) compared to that friendship, and actual communication would really have benefitted everyone a very great deal, which… is always a frustrating read for me, personally.

It’s not that I’m a purist about Arthuriana, or at least I try not  to be, but I like to understand what an author is doing, and, well, this really wasn’t clear. It sort of relied on “ambient knowledge that King Arthur is a thing, but I hope you don’t care about details”, and well, I do.

Rating: 2/5 (“it was okay”)

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Review – Into the Riverlands

Posted September 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 4 Comments

Review – Into the Riverlands

Into the Riverlands

by Nghi Vo

Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 100
Series: The Singing Hills Cycle #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Wandering cleric Chih of the Singing Hills travels to the riverlands to record tales of the notorious near-immortal martial artists who haunt the region. On the road to Betony Docks, they fall in with a pair of young women far from home, and an older couple who are more than they seem. As Chih runs headlong into an ancient feud, they find themselves far more entangled in the history of the riverlands than they ever expected to be.

Accompanied by Almost Brilliant, a talking bird with an indelible memory, Chih confronts old legends and new dangers alike as they learn that every story—beautiful, ugly, kind, or cruel—bears more than one face.

This is an older review that somehow never got posted, unearthed again when I was rereading the series!

I didn’t love Into the Riverlands as much as I loved the second book of this series, but it was very enjoyable all the same. (Though I always want more of the neixin, Almost Brilliant, who travels with Chih and records what they do. Sure, Almost Brilliant is there to record what happens, but there’s a personality there too, and I enjoy that aspect of their interactions.)

This one is full of little details that slowly build up, and you have to keep your eyes open to collect the stories and put them together — just as Chih does. I found that process really enjoyable — though I wish, like Chih, that they’d been able to collect the story in the subject’s own words…

I also enjoy that though Chih is kind and wishes people well, they’re not particularly brave or practical. They sort of comfortably go along expecting that, as a cleric, others will look after them. Which doesn’t sound like something to like, but it is actually enjoyable to follow a character who is flawed like this, but still overall a good person. Lots of us are good more in intent than execution, after all.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – Sorcery and Small Magics

Posted September 4, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments

Review – Sorcery and Small Magics

Sorcery & Small Magics

by Maiga Doocy

Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Series: The Wildersongs Trilogy #1
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Desperate to undo the curse binding them to each other, an impulsive sorcerer and his curmudgeonly rival venture deep into a magical forest in search of a counterspell—only to discover that magic might not be the only thing pulling them together.

Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics.

He can summon butterflies with a song, or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Such minor charms don’t earn him much admiration from other sorcerers (or his father), but anything more elaborate always blows up in his face. Which is why Leo vowed years ago to never again write powerful magic.

That is, until a mix-up involving a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime nemesis, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite—respected, exceptionally talented, and an absolutely insufferable curmudgeon. The only thing they agree on is that getting caught using forbidden magic would mean the end of their careers. They need a counterspell, and fast. But Grimm casts spells, he doesn’t undo them, and Leo doesn’t mess with powerful magic.

Chasing rumors of a powerful sorcerer with a knack for undoing curses, Leo and Grimm enter the Unquiet Wood, a forest infested with murderous monsters and dangerous outlaws alike. To dissolve the curse, they’ll have to uncover the true depths of Leo’s magic, set aside their long-standing rivalry, and—much to their horror—work together.

Even as an odd spark of attraction flares between them.

Maiga Doocy’s Sorcery and Small Magics was a fun slow burn. I was a little worried by remembering someone saying it’s Harry and Draco with the serial numbers filed off, but Leo and Grimm didn’t feel like that to me, because there’s no suggestion that they’re on two wholly different sides. Neither of them is remotely close to being evil, or expressing awful opinions (even if Leo is privileged and sometimes snobby). They’re highly incompatible people, at least at the point where they refuse to show anything of their inner selves to one another — but being forced to work together lights sparks, even if we don’t get any explicit confirmation of how Grimm feels by the end.

There’s also a lot going on other than “magical school”, with hints at something weird happening with Leo’s magic, and the system of scrivers and casters setting limits around magic (though it annoyed me that Leo kept breaking those, and it wasn’t quite clear to me whether he’s a special case or anyone could do what he did).

It took me a little bit to get into the book because I wasn’t sure where the romance would come in, and the characters felt too different, but throwing them together for an adventure in a dangerous forest worked well for that — a classic gambit, and I don’t mean that to throw shade. I enjoyed their adventures and discoveries, and the way they snipe at each other along the way.

I’m very curious where it’s going next, and slightly regret reading it when there’s no sign of more on the immediate horizon…

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – Solo Leveling, vol 4

Posted September 3, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – Solo Leveling, vol 4

Solo Leveling

by Dubu, Chugong

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 320
Series: Solo Leveling #4
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

With a veritable army at his command, Jinwoo is now ready to take on the Demon's Castle-but he's got a meeting with Jinah's teacher to deal with first! When asked to talk down a high school student from a life of being a hunter, Jinwoo figures the fastest way would be to show them the realities of a raid. Little does he know that there's more to this particular gate than meets the eye...

In volume four of the Solo Leveling manhwa, things are hotting up on various levels, aaaand I really shouldn’t talk about it all in detail because I’m sure people who are interested want to discover it for themselves! But suffice it to say that weird and unprecedented circumstances follow him around, and now we’re going to learn more about his family (I presume)… plus there’s a big crisis coming that will need all hands on deck.

I’m very curious about how all of that goes, and kind of want to flip through previous volumes again already just to see if I missed something or if it was just revealed now.

I’m grateful the volumes include quick reminders of the characters, though I could honestly use a few more reminders, like a mini-biography. I don’t normally look at that kind of thing a lot, but I have poor visual recognition and for some characters, it’d be handy to have a quick reference with a tad more information. I guess I need to look for a wiki!

I did note with volume three that each volume is getting darker, but there were a couple of glimpses of Jinwoo just being a real nerd here. There was one preeeetty dark moment, but other than that… half the time it felt like it was a video game to Jinwoo, and that’s kinda fun.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 4

Posted September 1, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 4

The Apothecary Diaries

by Natsu Hyuuga, Touko Shino

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels
Pages: 336
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (LN) #4
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself in the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery!

Outside of her official duties, Maomao helps friends and acquaintances in the rear palace. Xiaolan needs a new job after her term of service ends, and Consort Lishu is convinced she's seen a ghost! Then, when complications arise with Gyokuyou's pregnancy, Maomao realizes her skills are inadequate to handle the life-threatening situation. Although Maomao knows someone who can help, they haven't been welcome in the rear palace for a very long time... Maomao also begins to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated incidents in the rear palace. Will knowing too much put her life in danger?

The fourth light novel of Natsu Hyuuga’s The Apothecary Diaries series was more fun again for me, after I wasn’t so keen on the third book. I think that’s because it has a more unified story and begins to pull together past mysteries and reunite previous plot threads. It’s one of the major moments for the series, in which Jinshi reveals more of himself, and we saw more of the politics of the world (rather than the tightly zoomed-in world of the Rear Palace).

I did find that I had a bit of difficulty following who was who, and also who believed what about whom. I feel like another read might help, or maybe reading the manga or watching the anime — I’ve found that helps before, e.g. with Heaven Official’s Blessing. The narrative is just a touch sparing of explanation, even when it seems to be explaining, somehow! Maybe because, accessible as it is, it’s in a whole tradition of stories I don’t know well.

In any case, I’m a bit keener to carry on with the series now, and see what the fallout is for Jinshi and Maomao. She’s outside the court again now, ostensibly in disgrace, and I’m curious if she gets back in or… what!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 10

Posted August 29, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, vol 10

A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

by Misaki, Momochi, Lamp Magonote, Sando

Genres: Fantasy, Manga
Pages: 162
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #10
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!

Volume ten of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation features Lizel’s comeuppance for scaring Gil and Eleven: he’s banned from reading! This is cruel and unusual punishment, and regardless of how cute the moments are when Lizel begs Gil for reprieve, I feel for him.

The chocolate shop contract is kinda fun too: I love that Gil begrudgingly comes to visit them at work, but won’t even go inside, because ewww, chocolate. (All the more for Eleven, right?!)

Compared to the Variant Ruler storyline, this book is a bit of a break from all of that, just featuring the group hanging out, and explaining a bit more of their adventure to see the elves. I love that Lizel got them to attack Gil, and that Gil seemed to love the challenge (and could stand up to it).

I wonder when there’ll be another volume… I love these characters so much.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 3

Posted August 25, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 3

The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter: Magic Research Exchange Plan

by Yatsuki Wakutsu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 272
Series: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (light novel) #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Seiichirou, a typical corporate slave, was mistakenly summoned to another world alongside a Holy Maiden. He met the handsome young knight, Aresh, and they began a physical relationship by necessity. However, over time they've become more like true lovers. Unable to face Aresh's deepening feelings, Seiichirou throws himself into his work. He's been appointed as a guide for a delegation led by a foreign kingdom's third prince. Just before the welcome party, the outfit Aresh prepared for Seiichirou sparks a huge argument. Days pass without reconciliation, and suddenly Aresh is approached with marriage talks! At the same time, the research team completes preparations for the magic spell to send Seiichirou and Yua back to Japan. What will the two of them choose to do?

This volume of Yatsuki Wakutsu’s The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter makes a cute end for Seiichirou and Aresh, with both of them showing that they’re all-in on their relationship. There’s a lot less of the controlling stuff on Aresh’s part, and Seiichirou’s dedication to him becomes apparent as well.

Various things come together in terms of the world-building as well, revealing a bit more of the world and its magic and traditions. We get to see a bit of another country, more of Aresh’s family, and more of the supporting cast (like Sigma and Ist). It’s a lot of fun, in general, and a satisying end to the story — though as the author says in the afterword, there’s so much that it’d be tempting to explore.

That said, there’s a lack of communication thing and a third-act sort-of-breakup that those who disdain those tropes might find annoying (and I found it excuciating), and it comes across as a bit surprising that Seiichirou is suddenly rather good at (and keen on) communicating, after previous books.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

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