Santa Womble - Final Epic and All Other Types of Fantasy Special Edition V
Ho Ho Ho!
Yes its the final of Santa Womble’s visitations with a large selection of Fantasy theme reading suggestions. This will focus on books out this year. While Santa then heads to the North Pole I will have my favourite books of the year out on the 31st and probably soon also the 2023 Book Tempters TBR challenge. But without further ado lets give you some books to get reading!
Temple of No God by H M Long — - Battling Gods, unique cultures and a mature female lead await you in this instalment of a very interesting fantasy series and a writer you need to watch!
Hovering by Dorothy-Jane Daniels — - off to alternate Sydney for a wonderfully eerie tale of getting lost in unfamiliar places. A fascinating novella
The Chancels of Mainz by Russell Hemmell — - A gloriously strange and smart piece of historical fantasy as an ambitious Inquisitor finds his world turned upside down.
The Queen of the High Fields by Rhiannon A Grist — = A smart tale of friendship, welsh mythology and a mysterious island that offers your your dreams. Very compelling
Bloodsworn by Tej Turner — and Blood Legacy by Tej Turner — - really impressed that this fantasy series has teenage heroes who actually act like teenagers plus an understanding of trauma and interesting plots that gave it a lot of depth.
The Embroidered Book by Kate Heartfield — - a fascinating historical fantasy of 18th Century Europe and revolutions with added magic.
Age of Ash by Daniel Abraham — - a bold imaginative idea of one year in a fantasy city that will be told three ties from different perspectives. I loved the intrigue and way we saw this city live.
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by T L Huchu — - a welcome second novel in this series of magical, haunted future Edinburgh and its has a lot to say about current life too. Better than the first novel too!
Ogres by Adrian Tchaikovsky — - a fairytale, an allegory and best of all a really great story about revolutions and those who can lead them.
Story Matrices - Cultural Encoding and Cultural Baggage in Science Fiction and Fantasy by Gillian Polack — some non-fiction but this explores how fantasy tales are themselves made of familiar building blocks and how can these also go wrong. Thought-provoking for writers and reviewers.
Queen of Clouds by Neil Williamson — = An imaginative tale of climate change, rebellion and magic await in this very unusual but compelling tale.
Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher — = a triumph of fantasy that reminds me of Pratchett at their best with comedy, drama and a key message on the rights of women. Fantastic!
Equinox by David Towsey — - a fantastically smart dark fantasy where everyone carries a night and day self within them. Mystery, horror and intrigue await.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah — - a highly enjoyable adventure set in a world inspired by the Arabian myths. An author to watch out for!
To Catch A Moon by Rym Kechacha — - a glorious tale of the fantastical where lions are made of leaves and women sew the future. Entrancing work!
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna — - another entry in this series that I feel is even stronger than the first and even challenges the world it has created to progress further!
Cast Long Shadows by Cat Hellisen — - A wonderfully dark atmospheric fantasy of powerful women unfortunately set in conflict with each other
The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings — - a bold and imaginative tale of New Orleans in our hearts and realities clashing. Gorgeous to read
Ashael Rising by Shona Kinsella — - A wonderfully inventive fantasy of a low tech society meeting a powerful greedy higher technology/magic power. Well worth a look!
The Swordsman's Descent by G M White — And great to return to one of my favourite aging swordsmen as he has a new task to save the land he loves.
The Path of Thorns by A G Slatter — - A deliciously dark gothic fantasy with added house of secrets to unpeel!
The Way The Light Bends by Lorraine Wilson — - a wonderful tale of grief, love, loss and hope with added fae. You need this!
Hooked by AC Wise — - Another trip to a darker Never-Never Land and this time the not so good Captain is shown to be more than a cliche
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope — - A really intelligent and informative magical heist tale set in 1920s Black Washington DC. A read I massively enjoyed
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean — - On of my favourites of the year for constantly surprising me with a modern gothic novel of secrets, families and a lot of deaths plus books!
Their Heart A Hive by Fox N. Locke — - a tender queer love story set in a magical world inspired by Cornish traditions. What is not to enjoy?
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless — - a great historical fantasy that has two compelling female leads in Ancient Ireland saving their respective families
Queen of Eventide by Matthew Ward (Narrated by Kristin Atherton) — A very enjoyable modern fantasy set in Nottingham and also features that archer fellow
Ithaca by Claire North — - One of my favourite authors tackles Greek myths and the voice used is Hera Queen of the gods to narrate. A fascinating and intelligent tale.
Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy by Sam J Miller — - a gorgeous tale of boxing, tattoos and magic plus love. It totally won me over and I do not like Boxing!
Spear by Nicola Griffith — Runalong The Shelves - One of the best retellings of Arthurian legends I have read and the writing is pure poetry.
The Green Man's Gift by Juliet E McKenna — - One of my joys this year has been catching up on the Green Man series and this latest entry has evil fae. I love these books
Twelve Paths to Glory by Joyce Chng — - a very fun wuxia fantasy
The Unbalancing by RB Lemberg — - A brilliant tale of love, trauma, healing versus fixing and language to just savour. A writer I hugely admire
Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse — hugely impressed with this tale of demons, angels and weird westerns.
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri — - Loved this sequel to the Jasmine Throne and I want and also am scared what the final books holds in store for me!
City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky — - A hugely impressive fantasy tale of revolution where the city is just as much an important character. Intricate and immersive.
The Hero Interviews by Andi Ewington — - Some highly enjoyable and refreshing comic fantasy
When The Glow Lights The Woods by Eule Grey — - A suitably festive SF love story I really admired
The World We Make by N K Jemisin — - A fascinating conclusion to the Great Cities duology and I loved the description of city life and city magic.
Have a lovely end of 2022 and stay tuned for more booktempting soon
