Category Archives: Fantasy

2023 Recap

Posted on 1 January 2024 by Barbara Howe

I started 2023 with a list of eight books I was excited about reading. Unfortunately, an intriguing concept doesn’t always turn into a compelling story, and I ultimately abandoned several of them, and none of them made it onto the … Continue reading →

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Tides of Magic, Tides of Change

Posted on 21 September 2023 by Barbara Howe

Tides of Magic and Tides of Change are the first two books in a series of fantasy novellas by New Zealand author Andi R. Christopher. Both are charming, feel good stories; a pleasant antidote when the tidal wave of bad … Continue reading →

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When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain

Posted on 17 February 2023 by Barbara Howe

I was as captivated by When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain, the second novella in the Singing Hills Cycle by American writer Nghi Vo, as I was by the first book, The Empress of Salt and Fortune. Like that … Continue reading →

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2022 Recap

Posted on 16 December 2022 by Barbara Howe

I started off this year with a post about the half-dozen books on the top of my TBR pile, and was only happy with one of them (When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain). What about the others? I loved … Continue reading →

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The Rogue and the Peasant

Posted on 2 December 2022 by Barbara Howe

Esme is destined to be a queen. At least, that’s what her mother has always said, and Esme doesn’t doubt her, despite living like a peasant in a small village all her life, where she plays—and fights—with the miller’s children, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fairy Tales, Kiwi author | 1 Comment

Sanctuary

Posted on 21 October 2022 by Barbara Howe

The refuge in Sanctuary, by New Zealand author Andi C Buchanan, is a many-roomed house dating from the 17th century. Once a mansion, it is now in a state of disrepair, tended to by residents with inadequate funds for its … Continue reading →

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The Hands of the Emperor

Posted on 10 September 2022 by Barbara Howe

I am conflicted about The Hands of the Emperor, by Victoria Goddard. I’m giving it three stars on goodreads.com, a compromise between five stars (It’s wonderful! You have to read it!) and two (meh). Let’s start with the part I … Continue reading →

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A Trio of Short Reviews

Posted on 19 August 2022 by Barbara Howe

A trio of books, all by New Zealand authors: Ten Acceptable Acts of Arson: and other very short stories, by Jack Remiel Cottrell, is a collection of flash or micro fiction; the longest stories are a page and a half, … Continue reading →

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Piranesi

Posted on 17 June 2022 by Barbara Howe

Piranesi’s house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned; waves … Continue reading →

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Against the Grain

Posted on 4 February 2022 by Barbara Howe

Against the Grain, by Melanie Harding-Shaw, is a great little comfort read, best enjoyed with a cup of your favourite hot beverage (hot chocolate for me) and a plate of warm baked goods close at hand. Part of the Witchy … Continue reading →

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