Posted August 5, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments
The All-Nighter
Genres: Fantasy,
Graphic Novels Pages: 114
Series: The All-Nighter #3 Rating: 
Synopsis: In this final arc, the staff at The All-Nighter are trying to piece their lives back together in the wake of Alex’s disappearance. They know that Alex would stop at nothing to get any of them back, so they have no choice: it's time to bring this fight to The Takers.
With unexpected new allies, the crew will have to live up to Alex’s dreams of super heroes. If they want to rescue their friend and uncover the mystery of The Takers, they’ll have to do it as a team—or as a family.
The third volume of Chip Zdarsky’s The All-Nighter certainly goes places. Alex’s been kidnapped by the Takers, and everyone else is trying to figure out what the new rules are. The found family splinters for a bit, each trying to figure out a way forward, and God shows up.
Yeah, God. Or at least, the (Christian) God humans tell stories about, in the same way they tell stories about vampires, werewolves, etc. It’s a reasonable development from what we know about how stories work in this world, giving birth to monsters and heroes, but I’m going to guess it’ll make some readers profoundly uncomfortable. However, it doesn’t preclude God really existing, if you read carefully. The “God” we meet as a character is a made creature, but that doesn’t mean there’s no real God in the world of The All-Nighter. It’s pretty wild to speculate about, but Zdarsky didn’t go there.
Anyway! It goes kind of predictably from there, because of course Lucifer shows up, amongst other developments like the found family all saving each other (though not without loss).
The idea behind this series isn’t super original (stuff like American Gods leaps to mind, but also — though not set in our world — Michael Scott’s Paedur the Bard books, and quite a few others that I’m just not retrieving from memory in this second), but it’s a fun enough exploration of it, which maybe nudges the idea in a slightly different direction by having superheroes a la Marvel also be part of the mythology that comes to life.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: Allison O'Toole, book reviews, books, Chip Zdarsky, comics, Frank Cvetkovic, graphic novels, Jason Loo, Paris Alleyne, SF/F
Posted August 1, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 7 Comments
Cinder House
Genres: Fantasy,
Romance Pages: 144
Rating: Synopsis: Sparks fly and lovers dance in this gorgeous, yearning Cinderella retelling from bestselling author Freya Marske—a queer Gothic romance perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and T. Kingfisher.
Ella is a haunting.
Murdered at sixteen, her ghost is furiously trapped in her father's house, invisible to everyone except her stepmother and stepsisters.
Even when she discovers how to untether herself from her prison, there are limits. She cannot be seen or heard by the living people who surround her. Her family must never learn she is able to leave. And at the stroke of every midnight, she finds herself back on the staircase where she died.
Until she forges a wary friendship with a fairy charm-seller, and makes a bargain for three nights of almost-living freedom. Freedom that means she can finally be seen. Danced with. Touched.
You think you know Ella's story: the ball, the magical shoes, the handsome prince.
You're halfway right, and all-the-way wrong.
Rediscover a classic fairy tale in this debut novella from "the queen of romantic fantasy" (Polygon).
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I found Freya Marske’s Cinder House a little slower to get started than I’d expected from a novella: it felt like more than half the book was setup (though important things did happen!) and then the ending had to happen at an absolute gallop. A little more time in the second half for a good head of longing to build up would have really helped the ending, though I’m trying not to say too much about that.
The bones of the story are Cinderella, but it’s also much more than that, with quite a bit of worldbuilding woven in. The politics of the world were a bit difficult to grasp from the vantage point we have, which honestly makes sense since, well, Ella’s a house. Kind of. Interestingly, from the buildup I guessed two possible endings, and in the end they were both sort of right (and both sort of wrong).
I did enjoy the world-building, and the way the story works out — the way Ella’s sisters torture her into compliance was very well thought out and described, for instance, it’s all very thoughtful — it just felt like the pacing was a touch off.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Freya Marske, romance, SF/F
Posted July 31, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 160
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #9 Rating: 
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 9 of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation felt maybe a tad disjointed, because we’re lacking information about events until a flashback/explanation later, and this happens twice (once about how Lizel plans to defend the people, and then also about the promise he makes Gil make).
That said, it’s a great conclusion to this little arc of the attack on Marcade, and we see a lot of Lizel’s scheming. And it’s to be hoped that in the next volume, Gil and Eleven give him whatfor about it, for goodness’ sake.
There are some really fun moments between the trio, though most of the focus is on Lizel’s cleverness and his efforts to thwart Variant Ruler. The elves kind of come out of nowhere, and I felt kinda like I’d missed something, but they were technically somewhat foreshadowed…
Not my favourite volume in some ways, but I enjoyed it as always.
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Lamp Magonote, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted July 28, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 6 Comments
What Stalks the Deep
Genres: Horror,
Science Fiction Pages: 192
Series: Sworn Soldier #3 Rating: Synopsis: Alex Easton does not want to visit America.
They particularly do not want to visit an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia with a reputation for being haunted.
But when their old friend Dr. Denton summons them to help find his lost cousin—who went missing in that very mine—well, sometimes a sworn soldier has to do what a sworn soldier has to do...
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sometimes I think people’s reactions to the three stories so far in T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series are very telling about what frightens them. My favourite — the one I think is best — is the first one, because it plays on all my fears about contagion. The second book didn’t fill me with as much enthusiasm, and this one hit a different note: if you’ve read it, on the Ingold-to-Denton scale, I’m definitely on the Ingold end in terms of my reaction.
In other words, this one is barely horror to me and doesn’t scare me at all. I do appreciate it more than the second book (which, to be clear, I did also enjoy), but it was the finding of kin in Ingold, his fascination with what’s happening and with the mines, that was the key here. Which is fine, because I’m not necessarily interested in being scared, but I think it does add an edge and make things memorable. For me, the tensest thing about the book was actually Alex’s claustrophobia.
We do also see the aftermath of the first book for Denton — it’s good to link back up with him, and to understand how it affected him too. Differently, somewhat, but deeply, to the point where the best comfort he can imagine is summoning Alex to join him when weird shit starts going down again.
I continue to love the world-building about sworn soldiers, though there wasn’t that much of it in this one.
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, horror, SF/F, T. Kingfisher
Posted July 26, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
The Apothecary Diaries
Genres: Fantasy,
Light Novels Pages: 344
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (LN) #3 Rating: Synopsis: Maomao must help keep Consort Gyokuyou safe during her pregnancy. An imperial consort being with child is supposed to be a matter of the utmost secrecy, but this is the rear palace, where maneuvering and backstabbing are as commonplace as banter and tea parties. Threats seem to lurk around every corner — but it’s not just the rear palace keeping busy. Jinshi finds himself struggling to entertain a most unusual request from a pair of visiting ambassadors. Later, he’s invited to an important gathering in a faraway place — but who knows what dangers might be waiting for him?
I found volume three of Natsu Hyuuga’s The Apothecary Diaries (the light novel version) dragged a little bit, if I’m honest. It felt like there was quite a bit of filler, and it was harder to tell if there was an underlying linkage between the stories, even when they revealed more of the court and characters (and ultimately… with most of these chapters, there wasn’t a strong link to bring it all together).
It’s hard to tell since there are so many volumes, of course; maybe some of the details of these stories will become important later — and it is fun to see a bit more of the court and characters like Xiaolan and Suirei. But for me the potentially plot-forwarding bit didn’t come soon enough to really keep my interest in this volume.
Also, the “frog” scene was excruciating. Come on, Maomao, what good is all that doing?!
So I’m sure I’ll read more of The Apothecary Diaries, probably both the light novel and the manga; I love Maomao and her way of thinking. Buuut… I probably won’t go onto volume four right away this time.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, light novels, Natsu Hyuuga, SF/F, Touko Shino
Posted July 20, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Castle of the Winds
Genres: Fantasy Pages: 212
Series: The Secrets of Ormdale #3 Rating: 
Synopsis: At Midsummer’s Eve, the Red Dragon will choose his bride.
Following this mysterious invitation, Edith sets off on a quest to the Castle of the Winds to find a lost family of dragon keepers in the mountains of Wild Wales.
But all is not as it seems. Edith must guard her own hidden power, or she might not return to her friends in Ormdale—including the man who has come to love her. Will Edith make an alliance with the legendary Red Dragon of her dreams to safeguard her ancestral charge, or will she lose everything she has tried to protect?
Book 3 of The Secrets of Ormdale is a breathtaking adventure that will take Edith to exhilarating new heights…and deeper into peril than ever before.
Oof, it’s difficult to know what to say about Christina Baehr’s Castle of the Winds. I think in writing it and setting it mostly in Wales, she did do some research into Wales at that period: she seemed to know about things like the Welsh Not and the Treachery of the Blue Books (Brad y Llyfrau Gleision), even if she didn’t directly reference the latter: certainly her characters discuss the situation of the Welsh versus the English in the Victorian period.
But… all that research, and she didn’t really think that maybe this wasn’t a story she should be telling, at least not with an Anglican clergyman’s daughter as the heroine? It risks becoming a bit of a “white saviour” sort of story (granted, of other white people, but nonetheless of people she’s viewing as “primitive”). It’s especially problematic since Nonconformist religion was part of what led the Welsh to be viewed as lesser. It’s all a bit messy and interacts weirdly with the fact that the bad guys have set up a socialist, atheist Welsh commune with faux-medieval trappings.
I was basically uncomfortable with the story from the moment someone was announced as “Arthur, Prince of Gwynedd”, and also “Lord Pendragon”, and I didn’t get any happier about it the further I went along. It tiptoes along the edge of being okay, nominally sympathetic to the ordinary Welsh people caught up in it all, but… I don’t know.
It’s probably also pretty weird that despite her Jewish mother, she’s so very Anglican Christian.
I don’t know if I’ll read more of this series to see how things shake out. I enjoyed it quite a lot prior to this book, because when she’s not being positioned as a saviour to the poor ignorant Welsh, Edith and her relationship with Simon are great fun. She’s a little bit in the mould of Emily Wilde and Isabella Trent, and I enjoy that very much. I guess we’ll see how it sits with me given a little time.
Rating: 1/5 (“didn’t like it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Christina Baehr, SF/F
Posted July 19, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga)
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga,
Romance Pages: 178
Series: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (manga) #2 Rating: Synopsis: Not long ago, in a fantasy world in a different dimension, a business guy was dragged through a portal. Stranded in a new land, Kondou has only one request—to spend his days peacefully working himself into the ground. But when he collapses from downing potion after potion day after day, it’s the handsome knight captain Aresh who rescues the bean counter in distress... However, ‘twas just the beginning of the tale for these star-crossed lovers. After all, not even a near-death experience and his first time can stop Kondou from working the very next day! And so, jilted by the man he saved after a night of many firsts, Aresh starts a personal crusade to teach Kondou how to work to live instead of living to work. Meanwhile, Kondou for the life of him just can’t figure out why he’s not allowed to take any overtime...
The second volume of Kazuki Irodori’s adaptation of The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter into manga form is fun! It mostly focuses on Aresh’s attempts to get Seiichirou to take care of himself better, with Aresh quickly becoming fascinated by as much as exasperated by him, along with some world building.
I do wish Aresh would talk to Seiichirou about how he feels a bit more, and tell him that he likes him and wants to spend the time with him — and that he’d maybe be a bit less controlling, even if Seiichirou has no sense of self-preservation. The scene where Seiichirou says he’s not interested in younger people is really pretty funny in a sad sort of way — poor Aresh!
I’m not sure entirely where it’s going to go, as far as weighting between plot, pining and actual relationship stands. We’ll see, I guess; I’m interested enough that I’m thinking about reading the light novels.
Since this review was posted quite a while after being written, I have of course now read all three light novels. The review of the first is up!
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, Kazuki Irodori, manga, romance, SF/F, Yatsuki Wakutsu
Posted July 18, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Comet in Moominland
Genres: Children's,
Fantasy Pages: 192
Series: Moomintrolls #2 Rating: Synopsis: When Moomintroll learns that a comet will be passing by, he and his friend Sniff travel to the Observatory on the Lonely Mountains to consult the Professors. Along the way, they have many adventures, but the greatest adventure of all awaits them when they learn that the comet is headed straight for their beloved Moominvalley.
I either never read Tove Jansson’s Comet in Moominland or forgot most of the story — or maybe it’s present but shorter in the comic strip versions? It’s been so long. The beginning and ending seemed familiar, but not the middle stuff: I remember never entirely being clear where Snufkin or Snorkmaiden came from, but this is where they join the family!
Speaking of which, I really love Moominmamma just relentlessly adopting anyone who needs a mother. The end of the book, where they all creep into the cave in fear, is just so sweet (Moominmamma sings a comforting lullaby, promising them all “your mother is here” — but only Moomin himself is actually her child).
I love the way things just are in these books: Snufkin’s a Snufkin, Sniff’s a Sniff, a Hemulen is a Hemulen… we don’t get enormous amounts of explanation, it’s just on with the adventure, and you’d better keep up!
Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)
Tags: book reviews, books, children's books, SF/F, Tove Jansson
Posted July 16, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 4 Comments
The Baby Dragon Café
Genres: Fantasy,
Romance Pages: 312
Series: The Baby Dragon Rating: 
Synopsis: When Saphira opened up her café for baby dragons and their humans, she wasn’t expecting it to be so difficult to keep the fires burning. It turns out, young dragons are not the best magical animals to keep in a café, and replacing all that burnt furniture is costing Saphira more than she can afford from selling dragon-roasted coffee.
Aiden is a local gardener, and local heart-throb, more interested in his plants than actually spending time with his disobedient baby dragon. When Aiden walks into Saphira’s café, he has a genius idea – he'll ask Saphira to train his baby dragon, and he'll pay her enough to keep the café afloat.
Saphira’s happy-go-lucky attitude doesn’t seem to do anything but irritate the grumpy-but-gorgeous Aiden, except that everywhere she goes, she finds him there. But can this dragon café owner turn her fortunes around, and maybe find love along the way?
A.T. Qureshi’s The Baby Dragon Café is frothy and light, more sugar than substance, a cosy read without major conflict and a romance without huge miscommunications or a mid-act breakup. There are a couple of dramatic scenes, but mostly it’s about a shy guy bonding with his dragon and a bubbly café owner who misses her family and loves dragons.
It’s exactly what people complain about when talking about cosy fantasy and romance, and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who is looking for rich worldbuilding. It plops dragons into everyday life, and otherwise it could be any romance book — not much would change if you made it The Baby Horse Café, in some ways.
This all sounds critical, but it was a fun read for me in the moment, I’m just saying not to pick it up with greater expectations than that. It’s tropey and sugary and I’m pretty certain it’s meant to be. The romantic leads communicate and solve their problems fairly swiftly, are relatively in touch with their emotions, and the big drama with Aiden’s family fizzles into absolutely nothing. There are some dramatic scenes with the dragons that sit a bit oddly with the rest (Saphira pushes Aiden out of the way of a burst of dragon fire, and then later there are some dragon-related rituals with a certain amount of peril), but for the most part it’s just… cosy.
There’s maybe something a bit “young” feeling about it, with the squealing between Saphira and her best friend Lavinia — it feels quite teenage. The main characters are supposed to be in their twenties, and not their early twenties, but… it’s fine. It’s not meant to be that deep, I think! Avoid it if that’s not what you want.
Rating: 2/5 (“it was okay”)
Tags: A.T. Qureshi, book reviews, books, romance, SF/F
Posted July 13, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 1 Comment
The Moomins and the Great Flood
Genres: Children's,
Fantasy Pages: 64
Series: Moomintrolls #1 Rating: Synopsis: Essential reading for any lover of the Moomins. This is where it all began: The Moomins and the Great Flood offers an extraordinary glimpse into the creativity and imagination that launched the Moomin books. Moominmamma and young Moomintroll search for the long lost Moominpappa through forest and flood, meeting a little creature (an early Sniff) and the elegantly strange Tulippa along the way.
I’m not sure which of Tove Jansson’s Moomin novels I’ve actually read; I know I’ve read most if not all of the comic versions, thanks to Cardiff Library, but the novels so far have been sort of half-familiar. I think I have read this first one, The Moomins and the Great Flood before, because some of the episodes definitely felt familiar, down to the phrasing — like the marabou stork and his glasses — but in the end… who knows?
It was a fun revisit, even if it feels like the world isn’t fully set up yet in the final configuration (does Sniff get named at all in this? I don’t think so). If I recall rightly, it’s pretty skippable, but I’m glad I didn’t: I always like to see where things began.
It’s a bit of a madcap ride, really, from one random event to the other, but it’s charming all the same.
Rating: 3/5 (liked it)
Tags: book reviews, books, children's books, SF/F, Tove Jansson
