God Stalk
A dark, inventive fantasy with mesmerizing worldbuilding and a wonderfully strange heroine starts incredibly strong, only to squander its promise on meandering plots and a disturbing relationship involving a child murderer. I loved it until I very much didn't.
The Wood Nymph and the Cranky Saint
Daimbert returns to Yurt for another cozy fantasy adventure, but a jumble of disconnected mysteries, an irritating new wizard, and an abrupt climax leave this sequel far short of *A Bad Spell in Yurt*'s charm. Even a delightful wood nymph can't quite save it.
The Children Star
On a planet with fascinating alien biology, an orphan colony becomes entangled in a struggle for the world's survival. Slonczewski delivers extraordinary science and thought-provoking ideas, but uneven pacing, shallow relationships, and a rushed final act keep this installment from reaching the heights of its predecessors.
Jinian Star-Eye
A promising finale to the Jinian trilogy takes a horrifying turn when its treatment of disability, eugenics, and supposedly soulless children undermines everything that came before. What begins as an imaginative fantasy adventure ends in an ethically disastrous mess.
Guilt-Edged Ivory
Theo and Ran return to Ivory for a murder mystery full of aristocratic intrigue. It's an enjoyable read, but the low stakes and focus on the whodunit leave less room for the rich relationships that made the earlier books so exceptional.
Daughter of Elysium
A richly imagined, intellectually fascinating exploration of cultures, ecology, and family. Less plot-driven than *A Door Into Ocean*, but just as rewarding for readers who love getting lost in a world and its ideas.
Dervish Daughter
Jinian's second outing loses some of the charm and cohesion of *Jinian Footseer*, especially thanks to underdeveloped companions and Peter's obnoxious pressure for sex, but once Jinian gets room to act on her own, the book finally catches fire.
Godbond
The Sea King trilogy promises a world-saving three-way, but its finale delivers meandering quests, endless emotional agony, and a conclusion that's somehow both too convenient and too vague.
Jinian Footseer
A pragmatic young woman sets off through a richly imagined fantasy world, encountering strange creatures, mysterious old gods, and no shortage of adventures—with six wonderful older women offering support along the way. A captivating, meandering journey whose pleasures far outweigh its frustratingly rushed conclusion.
Jalav
A promising fantasy about a fierce tribe of warrior women begins as an intriguing reversal of traditional gender roles, then devolves into relentless rape, slavery, and abuse portrayed as romance. Unconvincing characterization and a dreadful post-apocalyptic reveal only make its dangerous rape apologism worse.
Deryni Checkmate
After the brisk, satisfying intrigue of Deryni Rising, its sequel offers little but vague political unrest, religious persecution, endless dowry discussions, and characters who seem as bored as I am. I abandoned the book at page 78.
The Devil You Say
Aubrey Arbuthnot returns for another absurd supernatural adventure in 1920s England. The plot is more ambitious and the humor more outrageous than Strong Spirits, but an increasingly obnoxious protagonist and some unexpectedly cruel stereotypes diminish the fun.
Soul-Singer of Tyrnos
A young Singer follows the gods' guidance across Tyrnos, using the magic of song to heal suffering and expose corruption. A compact, traditional fantasy quest with likable characters, unusual magic, and just enough adventure to scratch that fantasy itch.
Watchstar
A solitary young woman in a telepathic society must protect an outsider while preparing for a dangerous coming-of-age ordeal. A thoughtfully written exploration of consciousness, morality, and cultural contact—though its philosophical interests didn't entirely align with mine.
The Adversary
The final volume of The Saga of Pliocene Exile delivers an overstuffed conclusion in which murderous abusers edge toward redemption, ever-expanding psychic powers dissolve the stakes, and crucial information is withheld simply to keep the reader turning pages. Includes a complete spoiler-filled recap for anyone who'd rather skip the 470-page ordeal.
Strong Spirits
When a charmingly useless young aristocrat's father dies, his ghost refuses to leave him alone. A wonderfully absurd little supernatural comedy set in 1920s England, with dry humor, lovable characters, and just enough detail to make its 151 pages feel like a complete world.
Deryni Rising
A young prince, his Deryni magician mentor, and a vengeful sorceress collide in an elaborate struggle for the throne. A classic historical fantasy with impossibly dramatic characters, convenient magic, and an unexpectedly comforting old-fashioned charm.
Mindbond
Kor and Dannoc spend an exhausting amount of time discussing their magical bond, their feelings, and their feelings about each other's feelings. The plot barely registers, but the increasingly suggestive love triangle kept me reading for entirely undignified reasons.
The Light in Exile
An agrarian colony, a mysterious agent, and an ancient alien race consumed by loss. A beautifully crafted, character-driven science fiction novel that balances cosmic stakes with intimate, believable lives—despite some languid pacing.
A Bad Spell in Yurt
A freshly graduated wizard takes a job in the charming kingdom of Yurt, only to discover something sinister threatening its king. A delightful, cozy fantasy mystery with lovable characters, just enough intrigue, and a whole lot of heart.
Call of Madness
In a kingdom that executes its mages, a reckless princess discovers she has forbidden magical powers. An intriguing premise and thrilling final act are undermined by inconsistent characterization, questionable decisions, and a frustrating protagonist.
King's Dragon
An intricately constructed medieval fantasy with a promising prologue, but its painstaking worldbuilding and a young woman's brutal loss of agency couldn't sustain my interest. After two attempts, I still couldn't finish it.
The Walls of Air
Rudy and Ingold undertake a perilous journey while Gil and Minalde investigate an ancient keep. Intriguing mysteries and stronger characterization can't quite overcome frustrating plot contrivances, questionable decisions, and a truly baffling approach to food storage.
Two-Bit Heroes
Theodora returns to Ivory, gets engaged to Ran, and finds herself tangled up with a band of outlaws. A slow start and a messy ending can't spoil the delight of spending more time with Doris Egan's wonderfully human characters.
The Garden of the Shaped
Immortal scientists create three races and gradually forget why they made them. A fascinating exploration of creation, privilege, and prejudice loses its momentum when philosophical mysteries give way to a less compelling race war.
The Time of the Dark
A medieval historian, a drifter, and a magnificent old wizard find themselves fighting to survive an apocalypse in another world. An unexpectedly thin plot and unconvincingly resilient protagonists disappoint, but Ingold nearly saves the whole thing.
The Fountains of Mirlacca
A kindhearted outcast, a fascinating guild of exorcists, and a richly imagined little fantasy world. Unfortunately, rushed pacing and some spectacularly misleading back-cover copy undermine an otherwise promising story.
The Nonborn King
The third Saga of Pliocene Exile novel abandons much of what made the series wonderful: compelling characters, immersive storytelling, and emotional depth. What's left is war, betrayal, and people I desperately want to see die.
Madbond
An amnesiac hunter, a carnivorous horse, six intertwined tribes, and a bromance that goes from zero to eternal devotion. A slow start gives way to fascinating mythology and excellent storytelling.
The Golden Torc
Book two of the Saga of Pliocene Exile broadens the cast, speeds up the storytelling, and leans harder into science-fantasy. Not quite as immersive as The Many-Colored Land, but still compelling—and Sugoll is worth the price of admission.
The Many-Colored Land
A one-way ticket six million years into Earth's past, a cast of misfits, and the delicious terror of the unknown. A sprawling science-fantasy epic that initially blew me away.