Book Reviews

In this category, find our book reviews, with a strong focus on fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres, as well as some movies, comics, or superhero-based stories.

Take a look through the Recommended Reading tag for some great stories to add to your TBR!


If you visit Bookshop.org via the linked banner below, you can purchase many of the books reviewed here and help support independent bookstores at the same time. Cosmic Circus may receive a small commission for purchases you make from the shop via this link.Purple Bookshop.org support indie book stores button


Book ReviewsBooksReviews

Book Review: ‘The Three-Body Problem’ by Cixin Liu

I must admit that I love horror, so I thought The Three-Body Problem was about hiding three bodies (naturally, right?). Wrong! The “three-body problem” is an actual physics problem that deals with the movements of three celestial bodies in relation to each other as they move through space. Their movements are very chaotic and impossible to predict. This is bad for

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviews

‘Star Wars: The High Republic: Defy The Storm’ by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland

Phase 3 of the High Republic is now in full swing, with the first wave of books now released and the comics a few issues into their phenomenal runs. Things have never looked more dire for the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy as the threat of the Nihil deepens and intensifies. Star Wars: The High Republic: Defy The Storm

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviewsStellar Picks

Book Review: A Feather So Black (Fair Folk 1) by Lyra Selene

Twelve years ago, twelve girls disappeared from Fodla. They were stolen by the Folk in an effort to end a war between Humans and the Fair Folk. In their place were left sticks, bees, and other things. But when the princess of Fodla was taken, something different was left. A young girl who looked almost exactly like her, but wasn’t quite

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviews

Book Review: ‘The Eaters of Light’ by Rona Munro a Doctor Who story

Bill and the Doctor have a debate to settle in The Eaters of Light by Rona Munro. What happened to the “lost” Ninth Legion of the Roman Army? Stationed in Britain in the second century A.D., the Ninth Legion suddenly disappeared without a trace. To this day, no one knows what happened to them. But of course, the Doctor knows, or

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviewsStellar Picks

Book Review: Song of Carcosa by Josh Reynolds

In Song of Carcosa we once again join Countess Alessandra Zorzi and her protégé Pepper as they travel the world recovering dangerous occult items. This time they are in Venice, Zorzi’s hometown. But there’s precious little time for sightseeing or reminiscing. Pepper is slipping further and further down a supernatural rabbit hole that she might not be able to climb out

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviews

Book Review: ‘Princess of Dune’ by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Brian Herbert continues the story his father started almost 60 years ago with Princess of Dune (a Dune prequel), a collaboration between Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Princess of Dune reveals the backstory of Chani and Irulan, the two women who shape Paul Atreides and the galaxy’s destiny in the Dune series.  [Note: While I am reviewing this novel independently and honestly,

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviews

‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert Review: Classic Sci-Fi Novel Leaves Much To Be Desired

Paul Atreides was born to rule. As the son of a Duke, he’s always known that one day the fate of his people will rest on his shoulders. But now he feels that he may be meant for something more. Since moving to a new planet with his family, Paul has been feeling like he is destined for even bigger things.

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksStellar Picks

Book Review: ‘Two Twisted Crowns’ by Rachel Gillig

In Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window, we are introduced to the kingdom of Blunder. Here magic is real and so is the cost. We also met Elspeth, a girl with a terrible secret. And Ravyn, the man who is both her best hope and biggest danger. Together they embark on a mission to end magic in Blunder. In Two Twisted Crowns,

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksReviews

Book Review: ‘Spaceman of Bohemia’ by Jaroslav Kalfar (Soon to be adapted by Netflix)

An unprecedented phenomenon has occurred. A comet has left behind a cloud of space dust that could date all the way back to the Big Bang! The entire world is competing to see who can reach it first. To the shock of everyone, maybe even himself most of all, a Czech astrophysicist named Jakub Prochazka ends up winning the race. But

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksComics & Collectibles

Book Review: ‘Loki: Journey into Mystery’ by Katherine Locke

Katherine Locke’s new book Loki: Journey into Mystery is based on the popular graphic novel of the same name by Kieron Gillen. Locke’s book follows Kid Loki as he struggles to define himself as separate from his former incarnation. This story places Loki in many difficult situations. He tries to solve his problems differently from the old Loki, but everyone judges him

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksStellar Picks

Read ‘Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up’ by Alexandra Potter Before ‘Not Dead Yet’ Returns!

Ever felt like you don’t know what you’re doing? Did life not exactly live up to the plans your thirteen-year-old self made? Are you sure that everyone else has it figured out and you’re the only one who doesn’t? Well, guess what, you’re not actually alone! From time to time, we all feel like f**k ups! And finally, Alexandra Potter dared

Read More
Book ReviewsBooksStellar Picks

Book Review: ‘Wicked’ by Gregory Maguire

Nearly thirty years ago, Gregory Maguire published his first book for adults. A reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West started a phenomenon. Wicked spawned a multibook series about the citizens of Oz, a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, and now a two-part movie series set to

Read More