To begin, my fifth favorite read this year was.. Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder by Benedict Patrick!

This book surprised me. I went in expecting a Yu-Gi-Oh fan fiction (which I was excited about anyways) but ended up finding a masterful take on the monster cards deck building trope that was a fast paced page turner that had me sneaking pages on my phone during times I SHOULD have been doing other things. Ben has thrown us into an exciting new world that has the potential to be the next great self published fantasy series. It deserves more hype! I can’t wait to see where this story takes us in book two!

My fourth top read is.. No Heart for a Thief (Malitu, book 1) by James Lloyd Dulin!

NHFAT is a heart breaking story from every angle. Yet, you fall in love with the characters and their stories. Whether that is Tayen and the burden that was thrown on her at such a young age or Kaylo’s backstory that he slowly unweaves throughout the book. You MUST know what happens next with every page you turn. Also, you might be happy to know that book 2, No Safe Haven was also released this year and despite me having not had a chance to get to it yet, I have heard amazing things. James Dulin is definitely one to watch in the fantasy genre!

My third top read of 2023 is.. Combat Codes (The Combat Codes, book 1) by Alexander Darwin!

This first installment of a unique fantasy sci-fi story was just released by Orbit books this year after it had been out in the world since 2015 via self published means. I just discovered it this year and I am so glad that I did! This is Harry Potter meets Karate Kid and Rocky. The story is full of fascinating characters in a world that is built around one on one, to the death combat to solve problems between nations. The story follows Cego, a young teen, who cannot remember how he went from being trained on a remote island with his bothers to suddenly awaking in an underground world and being tossed into slavery to essentially be a cage fighter. You definitely need to give Combat Codes a try!

In the number two spot is.. A Shade of Madness (The Ashes of Avarin, book 2) by Thiago Abdalla!

I was a major fan of A Touch of Light when it came out in 2022. I was then given the chance to read an ARC of A Shade of Madness and when I tell you that it did not disappoint.. I mean it! This was the perfect sequel to an already astounding story. The continuing character development between the books felt real, the action was so amazing, and this story is beautifully written. I CANNOT WAIT for book three! These books need to be on your TBR in 2024 or else you are truly missing out. 

Finally.. my number one read of 2023 is.. The Cradle Series by Will Wight!

I know what you are going to say, “This isn’t just 1 book! That’s cheating!” Well.. You’re probably right! But this is MY list and I can do whatever the heck I want! This year I finally finished Cradle, books 6-12, and frankly I just loved each and every one of them. Will is a master storyteller who has created a phenomenal series that DESERVES the hype it has received over the past few years. This series is for fans of fast action adventures that only get better the further you get into the series. While 12 books might seem daunting, I can guarantee that they are 100% worth it. Not to mention that these aren’t Robert Jordan sized books. The longest book is the last book at 578 pages while the shortest comes in at only 286 pages. All that to say, it won’t take you years to read this series! I’m honored that I had the chance to read these and I cannot wait for the animated series that Will is doing a kickstarter for in 2024! So make sure to read this sooner rather than later so you can enjoy the animation like the rest of us when it comes out!

Thanks for reading my top 5 list for 2023 and as an added bonus I want to end with a list of honorable mentions that deserve to be on your TBR list next year as well!

Project Hail Mary (audiobook!) by Andy Weir

The Last Gifts of the Universe by Roy August

The Monsters We Feed by Thomas Howard Riley

New Yesterday by Frasier Armitage

Aestus: Book 1: The City by S.Z. Attwell

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg

Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz

Synopsis

The second book in an action-packed science fiction trilogy set on a far future world where the fate of nations is determined by battle-hardened warriors who are trained to compete in brutal single combat.

In a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight in the Circles so that the rest can remain at peace. But given the stakes, things are never so simple. The Daimyo govern from the shadows and plot to gain an edge by unnaturally enhancing their Grievar Knights.

Cego and his team return to the world’s most prestigious combat school, The Lyceum. Though he’d like to focus on his martial studies, Cego feels the pull of his mysterious past and two missing brothers.

Solara Halberd, daughter of the fighting legend, embarks on her own quest to bury the past. She must utilize every lesson her father taught her to explore unknown lands where evil lurks in the shadows.

Review

Returning to the magnificent and martial arts inspired world of The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin, Grievar’s Blood picks up where we were left brutally hanging in book one. Some time has passed between the events that had my jaw on the floor in The Combat Codes, but we still find ourselves discovering where our favorite characters wound up after those events. Ultimately, the game has changed and the world they know begins to break and the stakes have never been higher.

Darwin is a brilliant storyteller. Despite the differences between our world and this one, I still found myself enraptured and on the edge of my seat as if watching a real sparing match in person. Book one held a sense of discovery and wonder as we got to know this world for the first time, yet the sequel grabs you by the balls, gives you a twist, and takes you on a journey that is unexpected but truly exciting. It has me anxiously awaiting book three! I immediately messaged the author once I finished and demanded he send the next installment to me haha (he blatantly ignored my demand but was excited that I enjoyed it)

Now that my obvious enjoyment and praise for these books has spilled out of me let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Should you continue this trilogy? Or leave well enough alone and move onto other things? Not to mention, what is successful in this sequel and what did not appeal to me as I read? 

I’ll start with the positives. What I loved about Grievar’s Blood was how it completely took me off guard with some of the directions that it took. By that I just mean some of plot choices were a welcomed surprise. I won’t tell you any of them just to let you savor those surprises like I did. (I hate spoilers) 

Second, the introduction of a new main POV was a really great addition to the story for me. It helped flush out the world and some of our character’s histories. Not to mention they are a badass and I can’t wait to see where the story takes them in book three.

Third, the action scenes in this novel really took it up a notch. I’m not sure if there were quite as many as book one but the ones that do exist are certainly of higher stakes! So if this was a requirement for you to pick up book two then you’re good to go! 

Some of the negatives that I have for this sequel are fairly minor. However, they did force me to lower my rating compared to book one solely for the fact that I enjoyed book one more than its’ sequel. Let me briefly mention these.

First, while reading I felt that the character friendships that were so important in book one were left on the sidelines a little bit because of each main POV’s internal dilemmas. This is not true in every characters case but I wish there had been more relationship developing elements between Cego and his friends. This especially is true for a major moment towards the end of the story. It failed to catch me in what I believe to have been the author’s intended purpose.

Second, these novels have very interesting characters as well as really fun subplots. What I struggled with is that I believe we did not get enough Cego. The other POVs were great but the lack of a strong character ARC for Cego, despite him going through some very intense moments, had me grasping for more. What could have helped Cego’s plot line was more growth so that the major conflicts and their outcomes would have been more impactful. Hopefully that makes sense without giving anything away for those who have not read it yet!

These two criticisms are my main negatives for this book. There might have been a couple other small things but overall I really enjoyed it! Grievar’s Blood was filled with action, exciting surprises, and just a whole lot of fun so please take the time to read book two of this series when it comes out December 2023! It is worth the read. And if you have yet to read The Combat Codes you still have plenty of time to get your hands on it before book two comes out!

A huge thanks to author Alexander Darwin for sending me his ebook to review! It was an honor!

Synopsis

Steeped in blood. Ruled by those with dragons.

Cimeren is a world divided by a mysterious forest and the vast Lake on Fire. Suspicion brews on both sides, and the south has fallen into chaos as battles and quarrels rage between kingdoms.

In the border outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain is dealing with the loss of his brother and his lord as he strives to face the mounting challenges of a squire of the dragonguard.

But when Cyran’s guard-master is called to face the most powerful of the southern kings and bear witness to a secret stolen from the north, Cyran is dragged into a war that has been bubbling under the surface for centuries.

Dragons are not only weapons—they are engines of war. And even though Cyran is not trained in the ways of the dragonguard, he must adapt and learn to become one of them or his homeland and all of Cimeren will be destroyed.

But he was not born a champion.

He may break, and he will bleed.

Review

Have you ever read a book and wondered, “why can’t books just have more dragons?” Well this might be the book you’ve been looking for! R.M. Schultz has written a world of adventure and nightmare that had me flying through the pages at a breakneck pace (yes, quite like riding on a dragon). It was a fantastic and satisfying opening to a series that I am excited to continue. 

Want a cliff notes version? Check out the TikTok I made! Want a full review? Keep reading!

Let’s be honest. There are a LOT of dragon books out there these days. With books trending in the broader book community like The Fourth Wing and Priory of the Orange Tree, it’s hard to know which one will fit your reading style and which one won’t. Not to mention, which are even worth your time and aren’t just another copy of Eragon?! I’m here to say that Through Blood and Dragons is NOT just another dragon book. It is a fantasy thriller with a dark side that reminded me of the feeling I get playing Dark Souls. There are a lot of great draws to this novel such as: dragons of all different species, multiple POVs, political intrigue, strong female characters, action sequences, haunted woods, and even multiple heists!

Schultz writing is detailed but did not feel over the top in my opinion. There is a lot of world building but mostly in a contained area. This made the story feel more real while also building out the fantasy elements in a believable way. There were times towards the beginning that did feel a little slow to me, but once the story gets going it truly doesn’t come up for air.

One aspect I LOVED about this story was that it had four main point of views that it switched between. A pair of siblings who are clearly the “good guys” and two others who are the “bad guys”. This dynamic I loved. Getting to see both sides of the story but in a way that the narration still hides motives and details in just the right way to keep you guessing. 

When it comes to the plot of the story, don’t worry there are no spoilers here, I felt like there were a few forced elements. By that I mean the actions did not feel quite as natural as they could have been. You knew that certain actions were taken to advance the plot instead of a true decision the character might have made. I won’t go into detail but I will say that to me it did not spoil the read for me. Just left a few mental notes in my head that I am mentioning to you here. Obviously it did not affect my enjoyment as you can see from my rating!

Finally let’s mention a few major themes that really stuck out to me. What price should we pay to protect and defend those in station above us? What price should we pay to protect and defend those we love? What are the qualities of a true leader? Do humans deserve more rights than those of others? What moral responsibilities do political leaders have to their people and in these cases do the ends always justify the means? There were many others throughout this novel that I’ve failed to mention here, however, these were the ones that stood out and remained with me when I reflect upon this novel.

As you can see I really enjoyed Through Blood and Dragons. If you are a fan of medieval books with dragons but also want more modern main characters, I think that this is the perfect book for you as well! 

I want to end by saying thank you to Escapist Book Co. for allowing me to participate in this book tour! Not to mention, a huge thank you to Schultz for sending me a copy of Through Blood and Dragons to review! I’m excited to have this on my shelf and I cannot wait to continue reading! 

Rating: 7.5/10

Synopsis

After diamond power promises to replace steam, an unemployed labourer and a thieving noble unite to foil an international plot and avert a war.

Alf Wilson resents the new technology that cost him his factory job, especially as his clockwork leg bars him from army enrollment. He daren’t confess his unemployment to his overbearing mother. Desperate over the rent, he ends up in a detention cell with a hangover.

Impoverished Lord Richard Hayes maintains his expensive parliamentary seat by a mixture of charm and burglary. During a poorly planned break-in, he inadvertently witnesses a kidnapping. To cap it all, the police arrest him for the crime. At least he’s using a fake identity. The real criminals make off with not just the professor who discovered diamond power, but her plans for a diamond-fuelled bomb.

When Rich encounters Alf in the neighboring cell, he sees an opportunity to keep his noble reputation intact. He persuades Alf he’s a secret agent who needs an assistant. This chance association will take them to the oddest locations. But law-abiding Alf’s first assignment? Break Rich out of jail.

Review

The Diamond Device is a perfect read for those looking for a fun gaslamp mystery set at the beginning of the industrial revolution but in a steampunk inspired world. This is the equivalent of cozy fantasy but for steampunk mysteries. This is a good fit for those wanting a story that has great characters, an interesting world, and a mystery involving a maid, a laid off, disabled factory worker, and a broke and swindling Lord. 

There are many things to love about this 250 page steampunk mystery, The Diamond Device. What Thaung has absolutely NAILED with this novel is her characters. I fell in love with each and every one of them from the very beginning. The each have their own unique character arcs and backgrounds that make you want to know what is going to happen to them from the start. My favorite character being Alf, a disabled, laid off factory worker who has a clockwork leg and a mom and sister he is trying to take care of in a changing world that is seemingly needing less and less blue collar workers as new technology begins taking their place. I think you’ll like him!

Thaung’s world building is just enough steampunk mixed with mid 1800’s to have that familiar backdrop but with an exciting twist. Kind of like when you try cherry Sprite for the first time. You know what I’m talking about you Sprite enthusiasts. What makes this story different from other steampunk novels is that steampunk is very new to this world. It is just beginning to cause drastic differences in this world. In my opinion, I would have loved to have seen and experienced more of these pieces of technology. They almost come across as props in the story rather than major elements to the plot. The title of the book is The Diamond Device however, if you are expecting this device to be a big part of the story you will be mistaken. The story is built on character relationships with heist and mystery vibes filling in the rest. I would equate the steampunk to a avatar skin in a video game. While it looks cool, it ultimately does not affect the actual story in many ways. 

The writing and plot of this novel are well done. The characters are well written and extremely believable which contributed to my love for them. The plot is a lot of fun. It reminded me of a Robert Downey Jr’ Sherlock Holmes style story. Quirky characters who get in all kinds of trouble while trying to improve their lives and solve a kidnapping that has changed their lives. Basically lots of fun! 

Some of the major themes in this novel are: as we gain advanced technology in our world, how can we continue to provide opportunities for everyone to continue to thrive?; just because someone may appear to have it all together this does not mean they actually do; loyalty to one’s word is important for everyone’s sake; if you don’t try to make friends with those around you that are different from you, you may be missing out on a great friendship. These are just some of the major themes I found in this novel. 

The Diamond Device is a great little novel that I highly recommend you check out if you are new to the steampunk genre and would like to give it a try. I guarantee you’ll love it!

Synopsis

Yesterday, her biggest worry was failing an exam.

Today, it’s saving the galaxy.

From her six foot four inch height to the uniform white dots that peppered her skin in perfect geometric patterns, Ellie Whitmore was certainly unusual, but an alien from the other side of the galaxy? Of course not. That’s just what the tabloids said to sell papers.

Or so she thought.

Turns out not only is Ellie an alien, but an ancient and powerful relic housing the forbidden knowledge of a lost civilization is hidden deep within her genetic code. Suddenly she’s on the run from a malevolent Emperor who sees her as the key to ruling the galaxy. Even her own mother can’t resist the draw of ultimate power and the one person Ellie might be able to trust is an unrepentant assassin who may be responsible for her life’s upheaval. Now, she must travel to a distant planet and unlock the secrets to restoring peace and ending tyranny.

But how can anyone expect her to save the galaxy when she can’t even pass organic chemistry?

Review

A Space Girl from Earth is a sci-fi adventure that attempts to set the stakes high but ultimately trips up on its’ own feet by forcing in a trope that doesn’t want (or need) to be there. While I really wanted to enjoy this novel I found myself struggling to finish as the mask of an epic space adventure began to peel off and a forced romance took shape. I believe both of these could have co-existed but because the novel is so short and the relationship is so forced that the character developments were not ready for that kind of commitment in the eyes of the reader. 

I wanted to start this review off straight and to the point with my biggest criticism because I believe this to be significant for the entire book. However, I do believe there are redeeming factors to the book as well.

The world building is very fascinating. While the majority of the book takes place on earth, there is also a very present push and pull coming from the histories and pasts of those not from Earth. Earth is a remote and relatively unknown planet, but because of how large the scope of other civilizations are from elsewhere in the galaxy, I found that Earth began slowly growing smaller in its’ size and importance to this ‘world’ that Christina has written. This to say, I really found myself interested in the world being revealed before me. 

The plot of A Space Girl from Earth was fairly simple with a splattering of unique twists thrown in. One being, how the solution to fighting advanced technology was to steampunkify everything. This allowed for a contrast between different societies as well as two lines of science that led to differing yet similar results. Which I really enjoyed! Overall, I found the plot to be lacking because of a subplot that became “too big for its’ britches” as my mom would say. Instead of investing in some of the key plot lines, everything revolved around a growing relationship. Making the story feel caged. 

Some of the major themes of this novel are: one’s uniqueness should be cherished and not hated; technology is only a tool and is only as good or as evil as the individual wielding it; the thirst for power can make anyone do unimaginable things to obtain it; love is not limited to any standard; and finally, the means to an end is not always justifiably, no matter how good the end or intentions are. 

A Space Girl from Earth is not a bad idea. It has potential with lots of interesting plot lines and devices throughout. In my opinion it is just not quite developed enough for the scope of the plot being attempted. Therefore, the book as it is I would not recommend. 

Synopsis

Lucas Rurik faces unwanted celebrity, ancient enemies, and dangerous zealots in a thrilling urban-fantasy noir from the author of the Hellequin Chronicles.

Centuries of life experience inside and outside the Rift couldn’t prepare former Raven Guild member and riftborn detective Lucas Rurik for his latest set of challenges. First, when his capture of a prominent political figure “trends” on social networks, he finds himself the target of both the media and the public. Then, Noah Kaya, an Ancient, tracks him down for help on a job. As a rule, Lucas doesn’t trust the Ancients; they always seem to have an ulterior motive. But something about this gig just won’t let Lucas say no.

It seems one of Noah’s close friends disappeared right after becoming the lead suspect in a murder case. The problem is the guy in question isn’t the type to knock someone off. Not to mention a whole lot of rift-walkers have recently gone missing, the crime scene reeks of pure rift energy, and a deranged killer who Lucas thought was long deceased might not actually be dead after all.

Soon, what was originally a simple search for a missing person devolves into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an age-old enemy—and it could bring Lucas face-to-face with Dr. Callie Mitchell, the depraved scientist he’s been hunting for months . . .

Review

Book three of the Riftborn series picks up soon after book two. Lucas and his team of friends try and find a new life balance after being live broadcasted across the world arresting a political figure. After centuries of moving in the shadows, Lucas now has the public eye which he struggles to handle. Now a new mystery has come calling and one of the most important individuals in the Rift needs his help to find an old friend who has gone missing. Not to mention, no one knows where Dr. Callie Mitchell is or what she is up too. This is a short and sweet recap of where this story begins and some clues to where it can take you.

If you are a fan of books one and two then this certainly needs to be your next read. A Talon’s Wrath finally hands you some answers to this series biggest questions. And it does so by bringing you face to face with all kinds of Rift creatures and mysteries.

What I loved about this next edition to the Riftborn series is that we finally get to see some of the magic of the Rift. In the prior novels there had been lots memories and brief encounters but this book dives into new and exciting surroundings that really help make the painting of the Rift clearer. Yet, it does so in a way that allows for more surprises ahead. Not to mention, there are lots of great action scenes that all of us fans love from Steve!

Another aspect of book three that I loved was getting to see big questions finally answered. This would be akin to Sherlock Holmes finding small clews and run ins with his nemesis Professor Moriarty. You know something big is coming but you aren’t quite sure what. Well, this book answers the what to a large portion of Steve’s story! 

I must admit though that this novel did not quite live up to the first two. While I did enjoy reading it, I found that it was less of a page turner than the first two. With many of the characters and moments of surprise failing to grip me and ultimately falling flat. Maybe I wasn’t in the right head space for this novel when I read it or maybe it actually did fall a little flat. Either way I don’t believe this to be a reason NOT to give A Talon’s Wrath a shot. I believe this story is only just beginning as more questions begin to arise outside of what we’ve looked into so far. 

Ultimately, A Talon’s Wrath is a fun read with lots of action and much of the same lovable cast that we were introduced to in book one. If you have yet to start this series I highly recommend it! It is great for those looking for a good mystery while maintaining their desire to keep reading within the fantasy genre. And for those of you who HAVE read books one and two go buy book three right now! Why are you waiting?!

I just want to end this review by thanking both Steve McHugh and Escapist Book Co. for allowing me to participate in the book tour for A Talon’s Wrath. I have been honored to participate in all three tours for this series and I am very grateful for it! 

Synopsis

A galaxy on the edge of crumbling. A human who shouldn’t exist. One last chance to save the stars.

Colonel Jerrel Abalias is furious with himself. After his best soldier dies at the hands of an assassin, he fears his failure may have cost the Dissension its last hope of winning the ages-long war. But one of his troops recognizes the killer’s ship, and the hard-bitten warrior is determined to hunt it to the ends of the galaxy.

Dezmara Strykar is too cunning for her own good. After waking from cryosleep to find her race all but extinct and her memories completely wiped, the expert pilot is desperate for a sign she’s not the only human left alive. But to fund her near-hopeless search, she turns to smuggling and gains the kind of notoriety that draws dangerous attention.

Setting a trap to bring the murderer to justice, Abalias races against time to salvage his people’s crumbling hope. And accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Dezmara finds herself pursued by an entire army bent on her destruction.

Can the gutsy survivor escape an ever-tightening noose, or will the Dissension hang her for a betrayal she knows nothing about?

Review

F*CK! It didn’t feel right to start this review with any other word. Sean Allen has written an exciting addition to the world of science fiction and I’m surprised I had not heard of it before now. Deceit is a high speed sci-fi adventure filled with thieves, smugglers, space pirates, rebellion and frankly, a lot of f*cking freaky aliens. Oh and if you don’t like ‘foul’ language then this probably isn’t the book for you. Deceit is a great start to Sean’s The D-Evolution series and I’m excited to get to book two! Curious about the details? Here’s a few reasons why you should give this space opera a chance. 

Sean’s world building is centered primarily around unique beings and the spaceships they inhabit. While there certainly are cities on planets and space stations built on astroids, the majority of the story happens inside a handful of completely distinctive spaceships. You’ll find giant military ships, fast smugglers hips, to even ships covered in organic tentacles to do the bidding of their masters. This diversity in environments holds true to the sentient beings throughout the story as well. You’ll find giant bug like bodyguards, wolfish humanoid warriors, and even some beings made out of stone that have the ability to telepathically move rocks. This book is a wild ride that I honestly was not expecting or prepared for.. in the best kind of way!

When it comes to the characters of Deceit, there are several who play protagonist roles throughout the story. The main character though is certainly Dezmara Strykar, the last known human in the universe. She’s a expert smuggler and the best pilot in the galaxy. Not to mention she has an amazing pet… dog? Sure! Dog! I really enjoyed getting to know Dezmara throughout the story. She was well written and has lots of mystery surrounding her, which usually makes for a great character arch! You’ll also meet many other characters in this story. Some fall a little flat at times but others are certainly building up to have some great moments in future books!

Plot wise, I would argue that this book might be a little confusing at times. Especially at the beginning and you are trying to understand what is happening but once you get it the story really takes off and becomes a page turner! Another big bonus I found in this novel is Sean’s ability to write great action scenes. You’ll find lots of military action, heart pounding ‘car’ chases, and even space battles. Sometimes these moments run a little long at times but overall I really enjoyed them and think if you are a fan of written action then this is certainly a great option for you. 

Some of the major themes of Deceit highlight subjects such as: what it means to be a ‘person’, power corrupts, humanity desires to be connected, and facts aren’t always what they seem. You’ll also see smaller themes such as friendship, loyalty, perseverance, trust, and death. These are certainly not all the themes but these are some of the big ones that stood out to me. 

I don’t normally mention the physical attributes of the book itself but I feel the need to say this. If you are anything like me, PLEASE don’t judge this book by it’s cover. I am not a fan of the design at all. I think this really needs Dezmara’s ship flying through space chased by other or SOMETHING like that. It just doesn’t signal to me “action packed space opera” even though it is clearly sci-fi. That to say, if you are someone who won’t pick up a book if you don’t like the cover, please let this be your moment to reconsider, because the content inside is worth it.

As you can see I have a lot to say about this book! I failed to get this review out in a timely manner after having received the book last fall, but it is finally done and out in the world because if you like space opera’s with lots of aliens then you really need to give Deceit a try. Don’t let the 600+ pages scare you away! It is worth every page. Pick it up at the link up above! I know you won’t regret it. 

Synopsis

In a world long ago ravaged by war, the nations have sworn an armistice never to use weapons of mass destruction again. Instead, highly-skilled warriors known as Grievar Knights represent their nations’ interests in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Murray Pearson was once a famed Knight until he suffered a loss that crippled his homeland — but now he’s on the hunt to discover the next champion.

In underground and ruthless combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes Cego has what it takes to thrive in the world’s most prestigious combat academy – but first, Cego must prove himself in the vicious arenas of the underworld. And survival isn’t guaranteed.  

Review

The Combat Codes brilliantly combines martial arts with the genres of sci-fi AND fantasy in an explosion of action and self discovery. Imagine if Rocky, Ender’s Game, and The Karate Kid were shoved into a mixer and shaken up. The Combat Codes would be close to what you’d find inside. The story is set in a futuristic world that uses magic auras embedded into battle rings (similar to martial arts competition rings) where warriors fight to the death in one-on-one combat to settle disputes between their nations. This story follows a teenager with no memory of how he arrived in an underground city and a disgraced warrior stuck drinking away his past, as they seek to understand who they. Should you read The Combat Codes? Let’s talk about it.

Alexander Darwin is new to the traditionally published industry but certainly not in the indie world. The Combat Codes originally was self-published in 2015 with two sequels following after it. It was later picked up by Orbit Books and was released as a new edition just this month! (June 2023) I say all this to make the point that this series is worth reading and readers knew it before the publishers did! 

Alex’s world building is unique in the fact that I have never heard of a world built around hand to hand combat, magic and technology. While there isn’t necessarily much detail given to the physical world itself, you can’t help but get sucked into this universe and want to know more while you read. No matter if you enjoy sci-fi or fantasy, you’ll enjoy his world building for his ability to integrate the two. 

This novel is certainly character driven. It is a multi point of view story focusing on both a teenager, Cego, and an older gentlemen, Murray. Some standard tropes are used in The Combat Codes such as mentor with a hard past trains a mentee who’s exceptionally skilled in his discipline as well as a school scenario where the most gifted teenage fighters go to train to be knights. However, I really enjoyed Alexander’s take on these and found that they were so different from what I have read in the past that I still felt like I was reading something completely new. 

Cego and Murray themselves were very enjoyable to get to know. Murray being my favorite between the two. My one complaint is Cego didn’t really go through any profound character arch. Murray definitely did, but Cego, who I took to be the primary protagonist of the story, was mostly the same until right up until the end. Which if you are a visual person might have looked more like a straight line right up until the end where it suddenly jerks. However, since this is just book one of a saga I hope to see a more dramatic character arch take place for his character. 

Finally, some of the major themes of The Combat Codes fall into a couple main categories. First, lessons from your past should be taken seriously. Second, learn from your mistakes and use that to shape your future. Third, just because someone is skilled in one area, this does not mean they are inadequate in others. Fourth, there is more to life than just facts and science. Finally, friendship and loyalty can help get you through anything. While there were certainly others, these were the ones that have stuck with me the longest after finishing the novel. 

There are so many other things I could say about this novel. I could talk about the kickass action scenes, the different species of persons who get divided into classes based on their skill sets including weird fragile creatures that live in robotic exoskeletons and are the brains of their society, or even the magical tattoos that literally move and react to the world around them. Yet, I really believe you should discover most of these things yourself. Please give this book a chance! If anything above sounds interesting to you then I can guarantee you’ll love this novel. Go buy it!

A big thank you to Alexander for sending me a copy of his book to review. It was an honor getting to read it and I can’t wait to share more about it on TikTok! (@neilthebookguy and while you are there follow Alex at @combatcodes)

Synopsis

The morning before he found the dead body, Jathan Algevin thought he had his whole life just the way he wanted it.  

He knows his city inside and out, and doesn’t bother carrying a sword, trusting his wits and his fists well enough to get by, hustling extra coin by ratting out loathsome magi to the law for execution. 

He and his sister, Lyra, have watched out for each other ever since the day they were orphaned by a bloodthirsty rogue sorcerer, and now they finally have steady work, good friends, and the freedom to spend every night laughing at the bottom of a bottle. 

But nothing lasts forever.

When he stumbles across a brutal murder, Jathan discovers a strange crystal lens that opens his eyes to an invisible world of magick and terror lurking just beneath the surface of his own, making him question everything he thought he knew. But will gazing into this new arcane realm lead Jathan to save lives, or help destroy them?

With dangerous people hunting for the lens, monstrous lies unraveling his life, and a hidden underworld calling to him, it is only a matter of time before his whole world comes crashing down. 

Will he find the answers he is looking for, or will he only find a monster needing to be fed?

Review

The Monsters We Feed is a sinfully addictive noir page-turner where you will find yourself lost within its’ story of lust, murder, and near constant suspense. I found myself reading late into the night because frankly I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. Thomas Howard Riley has now proven himself a writer of both impressive epic fantasy, with his debut We Break Immortals, as well as a specialist in short thrillers with this latest addition to what I believe is only the beginning of a long career in writing.

“And the lies we tell ourselves are the hardest ones to kill.”

The Monsters We Feed is set in the same world as Riley’s Debut but not in such a way to hinder someone new to this world from being able to pick it up. In actuality, I think this is a great introduction into his world if you’re a fan of either grimdark fantasy or noir thrillers. Riley’s ability to draw you into the story page after page is akin to what it’s like drinking with friends. As the night goes on you know you need to stop but you just keep going back for more.

What I loved most about this novel is the character arc of Jathan, the protagonist. As the story begins to take off, the ride Jathan goes through in his pursuit of ‘truth’ was just so fun to read as events unfolded. At times it made me uncomfortable and others I just couldn’t help shake my head at his idiocy but that kind of ride is why I love reading. If a story doesn’t draw out those kinds of emotions was it really worth reading at all? 

 Other aspects of this story that really stand out to me is the world building. This miniature world within the city of Amagon really has a life of its own. This is a grimdark world to its core. The high-class find themselves lost in their dark, lustful and carefree nights out on the town while evil lerks in the streets where unfortunate souls find themselves in the dead of night. Add a little bit of forbidden magic in the mix and a tool that lets you see it and you’ve found yourself a noir unlike any other. I could spend an entire paragraph on the magic system and the joy it brought me but I don’t want to spoil anything for you so just know the mysterious magic plays a large role in a non showy kind of way. You’ll just have to read it to understand what I mean by that. Sorry.

Plot wise I found the story to be really great. This story being character driven really lets the reader dive deep into Jathan’s mind as he starts to discover secrets he couldn’t have dreamed of in his wildest nightmares. This allowed for a really interesting plot where as Jathan learns more you learn more in a true noir style. My only complaint is that one of the central plot points felt obvious to me from the start. I kept thinking it would be unveiled over and over again in certain moments but it kept being passed over which got a little frustrating at times. You may not catch on as I did but all this to say I was relieved when it finally came to light. 

Some of main themes of The Monsters We Feed are subjects like: upper class and lower class may live in the same city but certainly don’t live the same lives; no matter what social class a person is a part of, all people share similar struggles; don’t judge a person by their looks; just because we believe something is true based on the evidence we see doesn’t always mean that it is actually true; and, happiness is not just found at the bottom of liquor bottle or someone else’s pants. MINI NON PLOT SPECIFIC SPOILERS IN THE NEXT COUPLE LINES. SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH TO AVOID. The monsters we feed are not just external. They are within us and we feed them with our anger, mistrust, and pride. It is only when we take a step back and take off our blinders that we can get a glimpse of the entire picture. There is a great section in the book on this exact revelation between Jathan and an old family friend that says this way better than me. 

Overall, some really great an enjoyable themes throughout this book! I’m sure if I sat and thought about it longer I could come up with a hundred more but these were some of what really stood out to me the most. 

If you are looking for something different and gritty, The Monsters We Feed is exactly what you need to pick up next. A high quality novel that deserves far more attention in the thriller/mystery community. I highly recommend! Unless you don’t like sex. Because there is a lot of talk about sex in this book if you haven’t caught onto that by my mention of lust over and over again. Hope that helps. 

Thanks Escapist Book Tours for allowing me to participate in this awesome book tour! And THANK YOU to Thomas Riley for sending me a copy of his book to read and review! I’m excited to share all about it on TikTok! (@neilthebookguy)

Synopsis

Find your past.

Save your future.

What if you could change everything in your life you wish you’d done differently? Fix regret? Unlock the potential of your past?

That’s what Adam Swann did in New Yesterday, a city where events in the present can alter history. He’s living the life of his dreams, yet he can’t shake a name from his mind — the memory of a woman from a past he left behind.

Who is she? And despite the dangers that remembering his former life would pose, why can’t he bring himself to forget her?

Adam will unearth long-buried secrets as he searches the city for clues to the woman woven through his memory, haunting his every thought. As the truth of his past drags him into a conspiracy that threatens everything he knows, he’ll be forced to choose between the life of his dreams or facing the man he used to be.

Review

New Yesterday is a mind squashing time travel mystery that is guaranteed to keep you up at night in deep philosophical contemplations. Okay, maybe YOU won’t be up at night with philosophical thoughts but I know I spent a LONG time thinking about this book and what it all means. Which basically solidifies this book to remain in my mind for many years to come. Frasier Armitage has brilliantly taken the time travel genre and written something wholly new and absolutely brilliant. Let’s talk about why!

What truly made New Yesterday a wonderful read was Frasier’s ability to layer changes from the past with layers of the of new timelines yet they all worked seamlessly together to create one beautiful timeline built in the present. If you have yet to read this book (which I would guess you are in this category if you are reading this.. unless its you Frasier.. hi..) then you probably don’t quite get this concept in its’ entirety but I promise you it is as marvelous as I am making it out to be. 

The above is certainly a part of Frasier’s world building so I’ll move ahead to that. New Yesterday is a city built in the USA and this city is the one place in the world that has the ability to control time. This in and of itself is super fascinating but the way this city can make changes to its past from the present while maintaining consequences of both pasts in different ways truly is a uniquely built world that I’ve never read anything like it before. I would say that overall the world building in a detailed form is minimal but boy it sure does play a large role in the progression of his story.

That being said, this book is completely character driven from a single POV. It follows Adam Swann and his interactions with this world and a few other characters within it. While Adam does come across as a little vanilla overall, I think there was no way for him to be anything otherwise. When the world can be made perfect for each individual person then ultimately everyone’s about the same. However, what redeems Adam’s basic character creation is his arc throughout. I won’t give any spoilers but it is super interesting and very well done!

I feel like I’ve already given enough evidence that the plot of this story is really good so I’m going to skip this paragraph.. After I restate that it 

is indeed really good. Like really really good. Oh fine. I’ll say one thing. One of my FAVORITE parts to this book was that you don’t really know what genre it is until you get further in and it is done masterfully! 

Finally let’s talk about some of main themes in this novel. Most important is the question that asks, “Would life for every individual be better if every negative life experience each person makes could be replaced with a different positive life experience?” I spent some time writing this question and going through several different versions, but I think this helps ask it the best. This question caries through every chapter of this novel. Other main themes include: to change the future you must let go of the past; the present is all there is; no matter what you do you cannot run away from the past; the choices we make in the present follow us into the future; and many many more. You’ll find themes of love, hate, justice, corruption, big business, small business, and just a lot of great topics that play really well together throughout the novel. 

All this to say, New Yesterday is an amazing debut novel that is wonderfully written and handles all the twists and complexities of time travel logic throughout with the writing precision of a pro. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something that is unlike anything you’ve ever read and is quite the page turner! Give it a go! Or check out his prequel Yestermorrow: A Prelude to New Yesterday if you would like to get a glimpse into this world without the full commitment to a book.

A final thanks to Frasier for sending me an ebook to read and review. I really enjoyed it!