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!


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Book Review: ‘Star Wars: The Life Day Cookbook’

Life Day is the Star Wars version of Christmas and now you can celebrate at home! Thanks to Jenn Fujikawa and Marc Sumerak, Star Wars: The Life Day Cookbook is full of delicious food and drinks from a galaxy far far away. Life Day is the Wookie holiday that was first introduced in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. Life Day began on

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Book Review: ‘The Princess Bride The Official Cookbook’ by Jenn Fujikawa

“As you wish.” Aaahhh. Has there ever been a more romantic phrase? Well, there may be a few that are on par but Westley’s (Cary Elwes) simple declaration sums it all up so sweetly. Now, using the all-new The Princess Bride: The Official Cookbook by Jenn Fujikawa you can say these sweet words to your beloved after they pick a recipe

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Book Review: ‘The Amber Spyglass: A His Dark Materials Novel’ by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass is the thrilling conclusion to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. Our young heroes, Lyra and Will, have been separated and need to find each other. Once they do it’s a grueling trip to literal Hell and back for them. Elsewhere mortals and angels fight Heaven for true free will. [Warning: Spoilers from The Amber Spyglass are below!

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Book Review: ‘Kindred’ by Octavia E. Butler

Everyone wonders what it would be like to meet their ancestors. But imagine if you suddenly were transported through time and space and came face to face with one of them. What if you found yourself in the position of saving their lives (and by extension yours)? Now imagine that ancestor is someone you never could have dreamed of having, nor

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Book Review: ‘The Subtle Knife: A His Dark Materials Novel’ by Philip Pullman

The story of Lyra that began in The Golden Compass (Northern Lights outside the US) continues and expands in Philip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife. At the end of The Golden Compass, Lyra leaves her world and enters an entirely new universe and that is where we start in The Subtle Knife. For a quick recap of the first entry in Pullman’s

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Book Review: ‘The Golden Compass: A His Dark Materials Novel’ by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass (Northern Lights outside the US) by Philip Pullman has been a favorite book of mine for literally twenty-seven years. I bought my copy from a book order in the third grade and I have read it… more than twenty-seven times! Something about this fantasy world where people have daemons and polar bears can talk caught my eight-year-old imagination

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Book Review: ‘The Cuckoo: A Under the Northern Sky Novel’ by Leo Carew

The Cuckoo is the third installment in the Under the Northern Sky trilogy from writer Leo Carew. His first two books in the series The Wolf and The Spider were released to a great deal of both critical and reader acclaim. He has been called the next George R.R. Martin by some and fans have been eagerly awaiting The Cuckoo. It

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Book Review: ‘The Stars Beyond: A Twilight Imperium Anthology’

What would that first contact with an alien species be like? In The Stars Beyond: A Twilight Imperium Anthology six authors imagine exactly that, but not necessarily from the human perspective. An anthology edited by Charlotte Llewelyn-Wells, The Stars Beyond is set in the same world as the galactic conquest game Twilight Imperium. The authors use the framework of alien races and

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Book Review: ‘With Great Power: How Spider-Man Conquered Hollywood During The Golden Age Of Comic Book Blockbusters’

Spider-Man is undeniably one of the most beloved pop culture icons of the 20th and 21st centuries. It all started in August 1962, when Spider-Man creators Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko decided to introduce Peter Parker in the 15th issue of the Amazing Fantasy comic series. A few months after his introduction, a wave of commercial and public success followed the

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Book Review: ‘Sound of Light: A School of X Novel’ By Amanda Bridgeman

Imagine a mutant who can convert sound energy into light energy. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect power for a rockstar? Marvel thought so too and Dazzler was born. But Dazzler isn’t interested in being an X-man or working for S.H.I.E.L.D., she just wants to sing. But now she’s being pulled back. Her father is missing and it’s related to her

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Book Review: ‘How to Defend Your Lair’ By Keith Ammann 

As a fan and player of Dungeons & Dragons for many years, I can admit that the game isn’t always the easiest to play. Like juggling, there are constantly moving parts that as a player you need to pay attention to. The game you play is vastly different depending on the class of character you decide to play. Factor in subclasses,

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Book Review: ‘The Heart of Iuchiban: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel’ by Evan Dicken

The Heart of Iuchiban by Evan Dicken is set in the mystical world of Rokugan. From the popular Legend of the Five Rings roleplaying and card games, Rokugan is a fantasy world based roughly on feudal Japan. There are seven clans (Crane, Lion, Crab, Scorpion, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Dragons) that divide the land of Rokugan and there is little love or

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