Marc Aplin's Blog

SPFBO 10 Champions League: The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French

French deserves credit for doing something original with grimdark genre and creating a setting quite different to what you will usually have read

Heart Blade by Juliana Spink Mills – Review

If you have a teenager in the house looking for a good read, or if you, like me, enjoy a well-written YA book every now and then, I can genuinely recommend this debut novel!

When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi – Review

... a delightful group of short stories following a whole slew of characters ...

The Darkness Calling by Kaleigh McCann – Review

All in all, The Darkness Calling is a dark and gripping fantasy read that held my attention from start to finish. While not without its flaws, it offers a refreshing focus on sibling dynamics, morally complex characters, and a story world that dares to be ruthless.

Pilgrims of the Dead by Steve McHugh – Review

These are vampires who make choices about what kind of people they want to be, not mindless predators, and I love that mix of grit, gore, and moral conviction

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long – Review

Her quest is twisted by the power struggle between the new and the old gods, and her decisions will decide the fate of the world as she knows it.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins – Review

Gritty, thoughtful, and addictive from start to finish.

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson – Review

... an engaging read with some original touches, especially in its handling of language and magic.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle – Review

If you are a foodie and/or interested in the afterlife this is the book for you.

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen – Review

The dynamics between the gods, the cult’s unintended growth, and Vanja’s ever-evolving relationship with power and consequence make Painted Devils a worthwhile read...