In the next few weeks, we’ll review our semi-finalists in the same order as we announced them, starting with The Dragon’s Banker by Scott Warren. Come and see what Team RockStarlit thought of it!
Kings of Ash by Richard Nell
Kings of Ash was a very strong follow-up to Kings of Paradise. I am really looking forward to completing this series with Kings of Heaven which came out a couple of weeks ago.
Smoke and Stone by Michael R. Fletcher
Smoke and Stone is the tale of what happens when mortals are forced to fight the gods’ war while blood flows through the streets as smoke fills the lungs of Akachi and Nuru. Fletcher’s world yet again is relentlessly brutal and dread-filled. And yet, his writing is like a drug you keep wanting more and more of. Give me the next dose!
Captain Moxley and the Embers of the Empire by Dan Hanks
Overall, I really enjoyed Captain Moxley and the Embers of the Empire. If you like adventure fantasy and Indiana Jones then you definitely will love this adrenaline-filled book. Dan Hanks can be an exciting new name in Fantasy in the coming years.
Los Nefilim by T. Frohock
I’m sorry it took me so long to get on the Los Nefilim bandwagon, but now I’m here I’m going to hold on tight. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I absolutely will make sure to look out for anything T. Frohock writes in the future.
Temple of the Oracle by Jeffrey L. Kohanek
Quick paced and actiony fun! I find these are nice bite-size breather books to read in between those heavier and darker themed chonkers that have filled up my kindle.
The Midnights by Sarah Nicole Smetana
The Midnights is about music, family, friendship and finding one’s way in life after loss. That road is sometimes has more bumps than one would like, but everything depends on how we blunts the hits. California is the perfect setting for this book, though I wish it was more part of the story than a mere background blurred as we speed through the story. If one looks for a light, music filled summer read, then The Midnights might be a good choice for that.
Birth of the Dawnhawk by Z. Apollo & M. J. Northwood
With some focus on intriguing fantasy races, a “superhero-like” magic system, and an ancient dark force creeping close from the shadows, Birth of the Dawnhawk by Z. Apollo and M.J. Northwood is probably what happens when two imaginative minds join together to tell a story.
Cry Havoc by Mike Morris
Cry Havoc is like the best kind of popcorn reading! Edge of your seat action, explosions, powder guns, some good, bloody death scenes, and you can’t help but love Jack and Lin.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Overall, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is a highly entertaining and fast read. Sure, it has some teen drama as almost all characters are teens so that’s kinda expected, but that doesn’t mean adult readers wouldn’t enjoy the hell out of it. My Best Friend’s Exorcism ultimately makes one think about the nature of real friendship. Something all of us need some lessons about.