Fantasy Archives - Luke’s Blog

30Nov 2023 by Luke Harkness 1 Comment

Year One by Nora Roberts book review

About a week ago, I'd never heard of Nora Roberts and I definitely hadn't heard of her book Year One, however, when my partner went out to a Christmas Market and popped into some charity shops instead, she brought me in back as well as another book. When I posted the two books on social, nearly all of the responses said that I should read Year One and then finish off the trilogy. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Year One by Nora Roberts is an apocalyptic book that was actually…

23Nov 2023 by Luke Harkness 1 Comment

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros book review

Book reviews, Fantasy, Romance

Iron Flame is one of the most hyped books of the last decade. The absolute storm that was Fourth Wing meant that when Iron Flame was announced and coming up to its release, a lot of the online bookish community was getting excited. It was the first book in a long time that had book shops across the country doing midnight launches for god sake! Please note that this article contains affiliate links, this means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. However, following up a book that so many people absolutely adored with a sequel that equals if not betters…

12Nov 2023 by Luke Harkness 4 Comments

The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros book review

Book reviews, Fantasy, Romance

The Fourth Wing was one of the most talked-about books on the internet this year. It, for many, has been the entrance into fantasy that they finally needed. It features dragons, a sweeping landscape, a broadening world, different cultures and conflict - enough for me to consider it fantasy. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. I'm a huge fan of fantasy having bread Brandon Sanderson, John Gwynne, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.R.R. Martin and many more. I've also indulged in some YA fantasy such as Sarah J Maas, Leigh Bardugo and Liani…

28Oct 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

The Return to the King by J.R.R. Tolkien book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

Have you heard of Lord of the Rings? If not, it's a relatively unknown fantasy book that was published many decades ago, split into three books to make it more accessible for readers, built up a mass following, made into one of the most successful and celebrated trilogies of all time and is now considered the greatest piece of fantasy work ever written. The Return of the King is the third book in the series and the one many consider the best. But did I? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the…

14Oct 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Return of the Knights by Gregory Kontaxis book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

We all know I love a good fantasy book. The Return of the Knights is a book that was kindly sent to me by Kontaxis himself quite some months ago. The book focuses on our main protagonist Elliot who takes on the task of essentially attempting to slow down and possibly even stop the conquering of Knightdorn by Walter, a tyrant king who is looking to slowly sweep across the land and rule it all. But Elliot is more resilient and talented than his younger years may suggest. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final…

10Oct 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

Babel by R.F. Kaung book review

Book reviews, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

I write this review of Babel through gritted teeth as I know it’s a book that is very well-loved by nearly everybody who’s read it. My social media feeds blew up with how great this book was when it first came out and so I was incredibly excited to read it. I will state that I listened to the majority of it and sometimes listening to a book like this where there isn’t a lot of dialogue and there are some very descriptive pieces of narrative can sometimes remove my immersion, but even then I knew what was going on and I’m still left with the same feeling. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below,…

01Aug 2023 by Luke Harkness

A Court and Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

You've likely heard of Sarah J Maas if you know much about fantasy. She's made a name for herself in the fantasy genre over the past decade-plus for smashing out some well-received female-led fantasy series. One of her more successful is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. The first book in the series is of the same name - but is it any good? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via any of the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. I've updated this review to reflect my reread in 2023. Some elements are my initial thoughts…

22Jul 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

Joe Abercrombie is an author name that needs no introduction in the fantasy space. He’s a name that is often brought up as one of the best in the genre and most certainly the best at grim dark fantasy (where it’s all swearing, dark humour and gore etc). Before They Are Hanged is the second in the The First Law trilogy. I have read and enjoyed The First Blade which I enjoyed the characters of but said that the plot was slightly lacking. Does Before They Are Hanged improve upon this or is it much of the same? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra…

29Jun 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

The Assassin of Malcoze by Bryan Asher book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

Quite a long time ago I was sent a couple of books by Bryan Asher: The Assassin of Malcoze, the book this review is about, and The Treasure of Lor-Rev. The idea behind the books is that they're all set in the same world but aren't necessarily directly linked to one another story-wise. It's an interesting premise that allows Asher to write different books but brings people into the idea that they're all connected. The Assassin of Malcoze is the "first" in the series and focuses on the short stories of three people from Malcoze (one of the settings in the world). Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small comission…

16Jun 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

We all know I absolutely love fantasy books - there's something about the imaginative setting, the idea of things being formed and created that aren't real and reading about a story and setting that's so much more grand and interesting than our own. Therefore, when a new fantasy series comes along and starts to get some hype, I always have to try and get my hands on a copy of the first book in the series to see if it's my type of thing. Of Blood and Fire and its subsequent The Bound and the Broken series of books have been receiving said hype and I must say, I can see why. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products…

Category: Fantasy