Marc Aplin's Blog, page 18

Cold West by Clayton W. Snyder – SPFBO #9 Finals Review

Today we are reviewing Cold West, which was Before We Go Blog’s pick for this year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. You can read their review here. And you can see the finalist spreadsheet here.

A Rival Most Vial by R. K. Ashwick – SPFBO #9 Finals Review

Today we are reviewing A Rival Most Vial, which was Lynn’s Books & The Critiquing Chemist’s pick for this year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. You can read their review here. And you can see the finalist spreadsheet here.

Blue Eye Samurai – Netflix Series Review

I enjoyed the Blue Eye Samurai much as I enjoyed Solo. Both tell engrossing stories, with complex plots, luscious visuals, and compelling characters; but suffer for being part of an existing setting.

The Wickwire Watch by Jacquelyn Hagen – SPFBO #9 Finals Review

*Disclaimer* Everyone is different and likes and dislikes different things. Reading is no exception. One person’s all-time favorite might seem too bland or too high stakes for another. That being said, the opinions of our judges in this contest are just that, opinions. Just because we let a book go, doesn’t mean it isn’t good. […]

Fantasy-Faction’s Top 50 SFF Books of 2023

Hello Factioneers! Welcome to our best of list for 2023! We have an amazing group of books this year ranging from debuts to sequels, to ends of series, and even a few prequels! Doorstoppers to quick comfort reads. Fantasy. Science Fiction. Everything you helped pick from the best of the best of last year! We […]

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao

“Onmyouji meets Ip Man.” Steeped in deep lore inspired by Chinese cosmology, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night infuses wonder and excitement into the common tropes of forbidden magic, lost heirs, and clash of cultures. The first book in the second series by Amelie Wen Zhao, takes place in a second world China, which has […]

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

They say, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” which is a fair and a true statement for many reasons. The most common reason is the cover doesn’t always do the book justice, among other reasons. There is another common reason for not passing judgment on a book’s cover: the title is revealed before a […]

Blue Eye Samurai – Netflix Series Review

“Mulan meets Kill Bill” I enjoyed the Blue Eye Samurai much as I enjoyed Solo. Both tell engrossing stories, with complex plots, luscious visuals, and compelling characters; but suffer for being part of an existing setting. For Solo, that is of course the Star Wars universe, and I love watching it as long as I […]

Vote Now for Fantasy-Faction’s Best SFF Books of 2023!

It’s that time of year again! Time to vote on the best books of 2023! You have until January 31, 2023 to cast your vote, either here in the comments or on our social media. Please only vote in one place. The top 50 books will be announced the first week of February. Socials: Facebook […]

Kraken Rider Z by David Estes and Dyrk Ashton – Available Now!

Hello Factioneers! Today we would like to congratulate our friends David Estes and Dyrk Ashton on the launch of their new book: Kraken Rider Z! Who are these brilliant writers and what is Kraken Rider Z? Well, if you don’t know already, let me introduce you! Followers of Fantasy-Faction and/or the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) […]