Tag: Fantasy

‘Tinker’ by Jennifer M. Lane: A Compelling Whiskey Rebellion Historical Romance

Tinker is a story of love and rebellion on the early American frontier. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Book Review: Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane

Part of Paste Creative Book Tours

Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours

Adult Alternate Historical Fiction / Romance A propulsive Whiskey Rebellion tale of defiance, rebellion, love, and divided loyalties on the early American frontier.

The people of western Pennsylvania suffer under a hefty tax on whiskey. When the local militia takes up arms against the hated tax collector, his estranged daughter finds herself caught in the crossfire.

The Story

Set in 1794 Pennsylvania, Caroline Neville is on her way to Pittsburgh to buy more ink when she encounters the burning remains of her father’s effigy along the road, alongside several “liberty poles” bearing Liberty and No Excise signs protesting the whiskey tax.

She arrives at Mr. Jeffrie’s small shop to pick up an ordered book and the ink she needs to write an article for the Gazette. Her ultimate hope? To convince the public that her father, the local tax collector, is not the evil man they make him out to be. The locals are angry at him, and any member of his family, and they are out for blood.

While at the shop, she meets Tench Coyle, a reporter for the Gazette and a member of the militia opposing the tax. Tench has no idea that she is Mr. Neville’s daughter.

Becoming “Tom the Tinker”

When open conflict erupts between the local militia and the government, Caroline takes matters into her own hands. She tries to get her father to present the farmers’ case to the President, but he refuses, stating that he’s only doing his job and doesn’t make the laws.

Desperate to turn the tide before her family gets hurt, Caroline adopts the pseudonym “Tom the Tinker” and pens peaceful pleas for tax repeal in the local Gazette, calling for a peaceful gathering.

Not knowing that she’s Tom the Tinker, or even a Neville, Tench gets the Gazette to print the letters. But as the two fall deeply in love, the harder it becomes for Caroline to tell him her true identity. Soon, her efforts at peace take a dangerous turn toward rebellion, and she faces losing everything she loves. Against all odds, she needs to fix it all before she’s charged with treason.

Review

Tinker is a compelling blend of historical fiction, political intrigue, and romance set against the turbulent backdrop of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. Rich in historical detail, the novel brings to life a little-known chapter of early American history while exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and personal courage.

Set against the rugged backdrop of Pittsburgh, Caroline Neville is a memorable heroine, intelligent, determined, and willing to risk everything to prevent violence and protect those she loves. Her double life creates constant tension, especially when she falls for Tench.

As their passionate, high-stakes romance develops, the tension thickens. Their chemistry feels genuine, while the escalating unrest surrounding the whiskey tax keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace. Lane expertly balances a propulsive plot of divided loyalties with a tender, slow-burn love story where secrets threaten everything.

Vivid Prose & Perspective

The narrative is told through Caroline’s first-person point of view, featuring vivid and highly descriptive prose:

“He pulled his hand back and smoothed his shirt, the fine lines around his eyes softening as the shock of being confronted by a woman overtook his decorum.”

Lane deftly captures the gritty defiance of the early American frontier while delivering a deeply emotional character study.

The Verdict

Overall, Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane is a thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying historical novel that offers readers an inspiring story of one woman’s determination to make a difference during a pivotal moment in American history. Fans of historical fiction with strong female protagonists and a touch of romance will find much to enjoy.

“If he ever looked up from the tasks he performed in honor of George Washington hundreds of miles away, he would see how his disloyalty to his family had cost him a daughter.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Get your copy of Tinker today!

About the Author

Jennifer M. Lane is a Maryland native and Pennsylvanian at heart, currently living in the Philadelphia suburbs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in communications from Barton College and a master’s in liberal arts with a focus on museum studies from the University of Delaware, where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials.

She is an active member of the Authors Guild, the Historical Novel Society, and the Independent Book Publishers Association. Her first book, Of Metal and Earth, won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a Finalist in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards (Literary / General Fiction).

When she isn’t writing, she sits on her township’s historical commission, serves as co-chair of the MontCo (PA) Book Fest, and co-organizes several book festivals each year.

Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours

**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Jennifer M. Lane for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Sleeping Beauties’ Review: Stephen and Owen King’s Urgent Feminist Fable

‘Sleeping Beauties’ by Stephen King and Owen King. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Sleeping Beauties: A Novel

By Stephen King and Owen King

The Synopsis

In the small Appalachian town of Dooling, it’s business as usual. Ree and Jeanette are cellmates in the local women’s prison—Ree is serving time for credit fraud, forgery, and drug possession, while Jeanette is in for manslaughter after stabbing her husband in the groin with a screwdriver.

Meanwhile, Dr. Clinton Norcross, the prison psychiatrist, is at home wondering what he was thinking when he got his wife Lila (the Dooling sheriff) a pool for their 10th wedding anniversary, while musing on his experiences as a mental health professional. Elsewhere, Tiffany, a junkie, lives with her cousin Truman, a meth cook, in an isolated trailer. Out of nowhere, a mysterious woman shows up and kills Truman, leaving Tiffany shocked but alive.

Soon after, a global phenomenon strikes: when women fall asleep, they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If that gauze is disturbed, they awaken as feral, violently protective forces. The authorities name the sleeping disease Aurora.

Only one woman, the mysterious Eve Black, is immune to the condition.

As fear and confusion spread, Eve becomes the focus of suspicion, fascination, and conflict:

  • The Protectors: Some believe she holds the key to saving humanity.
  • The Aggressors: Others see her as a threat that must be eliminated.
  • The Opportunists: Many exploit the chaos to wreak their own vengeance on new enemies.

As the men turn to violence in a suddenly all-male world, the women’s consciousness drifts to “Our Place,” a peaceful, matriarchal alternate world where cooperation and peace seem possible, creating a striking contrast to the chaos unfolding left behind.

Review

In Sleeping Beauties, the powerhouse duo of Stephen King and Owen King deliver a gripping, high-stakes allegory that feels both grand in scale and intimately unsettling.

The narrative heartbeat of the book relies heavily on its fractured character dynamics. At the center is Eve Black. She serves as a living Rorschach test for the town’s remaining men. To Clint Norcross, the empathetic prison psychiatrist, Eve is a patient to protect and a key to understanding the phenomenon. To others, driven by fear and toxic tribalism, she is a demon to be eradicated.

Stephen and Owen King have created a large cast of memorable characters whose strengths, flaws, and motivations drive the narrative. While its length may feel daunting at times, the richly developed characters and escalating tension keep the pages turning.

The prose is vivid and descriptive: “The liquor hadn’t taken over Terry’s mind yet, so far it was only visiting…”

The blend of supernatural horror and contemporary social issues gives the story emotional depth and relevance.

Core Themes

  • Gender Dynamics & Matriarchy: The book aggressively interrogates how society functions without the stabilizing, often invisible labor of women. “Our Place” suggests that a world governed by women inherently leans toward harmony, contrasting sharply with the immediate chaos left behind.
  • The Fragility of Civilization: With women gone, the male population rapidly devolves into primal, warring factions. The Kings masterfully expose how quickly systemic order crumbles into senseless violence when fueled by fear and toxic masculinity.

The Verdict

Ultimately, Sleeping Beauties is a provocative, urgent fable. It uses a supernatural lens to examine real-world gender divides, delivering a thrilling father-son collaboration that prompts readers to consider how fragile civilization can be when fear takes control.

Similar to King’s classics The Stand and Under the Dome, it’s an ambitious, provocative, and engaging novel that will appeal to fans of character-driven horror and readers who enjoy speculative fiction with meaningful themes.

“That was happening more and more: watchers lurking at the farthest reach of her vision. Hallucinations. How long could you stay awake before all rational thought broke down and you lost your mind compeletely?”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Have you read Sleeping Beauties? Do you think a world without women would devolve as quickly as the Kings suggest? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

About the authors

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes Never Flinch, the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Owen King is the author of the acclaimed novel The Curator, Double Feature, and We’re All in This Together: A Novella and Stories. He is the coauthor of Intro to Alien Invasion and the coeditor of Who Can Save Us Now? Brand-New Superheroes and Their Amazing (Short) Stories. 

Live-Action Masters of the Universe is Now in Theaters

Idris Elba, Kristen Wiig, Tom Wilton, Nicholas Galitzine, and Camila Mendes star in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, now in theaters. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.

By the Power of Grayskull! Masters of the Universe Hits the Big Screen This Month

I grew up watching the He-Man animated series. For more than four decades, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has remained a beloved staple of pop culture.

Debuting in 1983, the original animated series captivated audiences with its colorful characters, epic battles, and the timeless struggle between good and evil. Fans were drawn to Prince Adam’s transformation into He-Man—the heroic defender of Eternia—and to deeply memorable villains like Skeletor. The show’s core themes of courage, friendship, and responsibility continue to resonate with viewers of all ages, while pure nostalgia has helped introduce the franchise to entire new generations.

Photo: IMDb

Now, He-Man returns to the big screen in the live-action Masters of the Universe, arriving in theaters this month! Directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, the film promises an action-packed adventure that brings the legendary world of Eternia to life for a new era of fans.

It’s now playing in theaters everywhere!

🎬 New Movie Release: Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe is an epic sword-and-sorcery film based on the iconic media franchise by Mattel. Mark your calendars, because this marks the second live-action film adaptation since the cult-classic 1987 film.

Quick Facts:

  • Director: Travis Knight
  • Writers: Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callaham
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Runtime: 2 hours 20 minutes

🎭 The Star-Studded Cast

The new film brings together an incredible ensemble cast to bring Eternia to life:

  • Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam / He-Man
  • Camila Mendes * Jared Leto * Alison Brie * James Purefoy * Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson * Charlotte Riley * Kristen Wiig * Morena Baccarin * Idris Elba

📜 Official Synopsis

In the furthest regions of space, the kingdom of Eternia is threatened by the villainous Skeletor and his mischievous armies of darkness. To save his father’s kingdom and protect the lives of those he holds dear, young Prince Adam must retrieve a mythical sword and become the fabled warrior known only as “He-Man.” (IMDb, 2026)

Are you planning to see it? Whether you’re a die-hard fan from the ’83 cartoon era or brand new to Eternia, let me know your thoughts on the new live-action look in the comments below!

Book Review: ‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ by Andrew Varga | A Jump in Time Book 4

‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ is the thrilling continuation of Andrew Varga’s time travel series. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Related Post: Time Travel Meets Thermopylae: ‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ Is Here

⚔️ Rewriting History: A Review of ‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ by Andrew Varga

In the high-stakes world of Andrew Varga’s A Jump in Time series, the past isn’t just a memory, it’s a battlefield. The fourth installment, The Spartan Sacrifice, takes the series to a fever pitch, blending the grit of ancient warfare with the mind-bending ethics of time travel.

The Stakes: A Vision of Global Domination

Victor Stahl’s bid for power is no longer a shadow play; it’s an accelerating threat. As a congressman with presidential aspirations, Stahl isn’t just looking to win an election, he’s looking to “fix” humanity by erasing most of it. With his own team of time travelers, he is systematically manipulating history to pave the way for his dark utopia.

The Mission: 480 BCE

Fearing they are running out of time, 17-year-old Dan Renfrew and his partner Sam jump back to ancient Greece. They land on the eve of the legendary Battle of Thermopylae. While their primary goal is to thwart Victor, they are quickly pulled into the brutal reality of King Leonidas’s stand against the Persian Empire.

Why This Installment Stands Out

Varga vividly recreates the tension of Sparta, immersing readers in the harsh realities of the vastly outnumbered warriors.

  • Historical Immersion: The detail enriches the narrative without stalling the momentum, making the ancient world feel immediate and dangerous.
  • Character Growth: Dan’s evolution is a highlight. His courage is now tempered by the heavy responsibility of his powers and the unintended consequences of his actions.
  • Visceral Narrative: Writing in the first person, Varga puts us directly in Dan’s head. From the opening nightmare of vengeful horsemen to the “anxious vibe” of a lecture hall, the prose is sharp and evocative.

“As soon as I swung open the door to the lecture hall where the medieval club met, I could sense something was wrong – an anxious vibe hung over the room like a dark gray storm cloud.”

At a Glance: The Spartan Sacrifice

CategoryDetails
SeriesA Jump in Time (Book 4)
GenreYA Science Fiction / Historical Drama
SettingAncient Greece (480 BCE)
ThemesPower, Ethics of Time Travel, Heroism
Best For Fans OfQuantum Leap, historical thrillers, and fast-paced YA

Final Verdict

Suspenseful and thought-provoking, The Spartan Sacrifice skillfully balances action with ethical complexity. It explores a chillingly timely theme: Whoever controls the past writes the future. When a catastrophic accident disrupts the timeline, the moral weight of altering history becomes more frightening than any villain’s scheme.

“As long as Victor controlled the past, he could write the future, and our little group was just a speck of dust he could whisk off the page.”

Rating: Highly Recommended for readers who love high-stakes adventures and the “what if” of historical events.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the ‘A Jump in Time’ Series

If you’re new to the series, it follows Dan Renfrew, a normal teenager who discovers he is descended from a line of “time jumpers.” These secret heroes resolve glitches in the time stream to ensure history stays on its proper course.

From 1066 England to the gates of Sparta, Dan must battle malevolent jumpers whose lust for power threatens the entire future of the world. It’s a modern-day Quantum Leap that asks: How much would you sacrifice to save the world?

*Thank you to Michela Malafaia / Imbrifex Books for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Whispers of Mayhem’ Is a Must-Read Dark Romantasy for Fans of Fierce Female Leads

Whispers of Mayhem is Aurora Ramsden’s latest romantasy novel. Photo: Amazon

Whispers of Mayhem (Guardians of Death)

by Aurora Ramsden

Overview

Whispers of Mayhem is a dark romantasy packed with savage creatures, deadly magic, unhinged humor, and a heroine who absolutely will take your head.

Nyx Blackwood has always suspected she isn’t human. She’s immune to fire and plagued by visions ripped straight from a horror movie. Loud, unapologetic, and fiercely independent, Nyx is done pretending to be normal and she has no intention of softening herself for anyone.

Alongside her sisters, triplets Opal and Rue, Nyx owns The Triad, a tattoo and piercing studio. Opal serves as the rational backbone of the business, balancing Nyx’s explosive temper and Rue’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Together, the Blackwood sisters take life by the horns, and heaven help anyone who gets in their way.

Everything changes when a mysterious stranger named Ryker walks into the shop, tosses Nyx a gold coin, and promises he’ll see them soon.

Not long after, the sisters are transported to another realm and enrolled in Death University. Surrounded by chaos and danger, they learn they are powerful creatures who need intense training, because the world’s evil isn’t waiting for them to catch up.

Review

Whispers of Mayhem is a fast-paced plunge into dark romantasy that revels in chaos, blood, and biting humor. Aurora Ramsden introduces Nyx as a vision-seeing tattoo artist whose sharp wit is matched only by her sharper instincts. Alongside her sisters, she is violently ripped from everything familiar and thrown into a brutal new world crawling with savage creatures, deadly magic, and truths that refuse to stay buried.

The tone is unapologetic and the humor delightfully unhinged. Fight scenes are vivid and immersive, pulling the reader straight into the action:

“I pull the vine tighter around his throat, standing to the side of him, reveling in his rising panic…”

Told in first person through both Nyx and Ryker’s perspectives, the danger feels constant and deeply personal.

Nyx is not a passive heroine waiting to be saved, she is rage, survival, and teeth. Ramsden writes her with an itchy trigger finger and zero hesitation to turn violent when pushed, making it impossible not to root for her. The bond between the sisters adds emotional weight, grounding the carnage in loyalty and love. Together, they are an unstoppable trio.

As they uncover who and what they truly are, the tension escalates toward a chilling truth: self-discovery isn’t optional, and time is not on their side.

Dark, violent, and wickedly entertaining, Whispers of Mayhem is a must-read for fans of gritty fantasy with heart and humor buried beneath the bloodshed. This being the first book in the Guardians of Death series, prepare yourself for the Blackwood sisters, they’re just getting warmed up. If you love strong female leads, this book is for you.

“The shadow figure-faceless and void-moves with predatory grace, slicing at her with a malevolent glee, leaving trails of darkness swirling in the aftermath of each cruel blow.”

Content Warning

Intended for mature audiences. Contains:

  • Violence and gore
  • Dark humor
  • Strong language
  • Explicit sex scenes

About the Author

Aurora Ramsden’s love for fantasy romance is rooted in memories of her mother and strengthened by the bond she shares with her closest girlfriends, trading smutty recommendations, laughing over morally gray men, and celebrating heroines who bite back.

Her stories are messy, blunt, sexy, a little unhinged, and unapologetically raw, packed with chaos, sarcasm, and enough spice to keep your Kindle sweating.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 out of 5)

Whispers of Mayhem delivers a ferocious blend of dark fantasy, sisterhood, violence, and unhinged humor. The worldbuilding is immersive, the pacing relentless, and Nyx Blackwood is the kind of heroine who refuses to be forgotten. The sister dynamic adds emotional depth, while the action and spice keep the pages turning.

A few moments feel intentionally chaotic, which largely works in the book’s favor, but readers who prefer slower worldbuilding or softer fantasy tones may find the intensity overwhelming. For fans of gritty romantasy with spice, morally gray characters, and heroines who choose violence every time, this book hits hard.

Perfect for readers who want their fantasy dark, bloody, funny, and unapologetically wild.

*Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Of Shadows and Lost Souls: Love and Loneliness in The Jinja of Blood

The Jinja of Blood: Of Shadows and Lost Souls is the exciting new fantasy novel by Vivian Bell. Photo: Amazon

The Jinja of Blood: Of Shadows and Lost Souls (Book 1)

By Vivian Bell

An ancient jinja is home to the Wind and Ice clans, vampires who spend eternity fighting loneliness and boredom. In modern-day Japan, the New Bloodline must navigate everyday life, love, and increasingly ferocious yokai.

Shun Holynorth, a vampire, lives in the frost of eternity, while Haruki Akayama, a mortal, exists within the fragility of human time. Their meeting becomes the crack through which both light and darkness seep.

Story Overview

The novel opens with Shun admiring the sun’s final rays at sunset. Even after centuries, sunsets still mesmerize him, though they stir an ancient unrest within his soul. Shun belongs to the New Bloodline, children born of vampires and immortals. As the youngest, he’s seen as delicate, earning him the nickname the Cub. Adam and Ryuu are assigned to protect him as he begins university at Aizawa Academy, where vampires and humans study side by side.

Haruki Akayama and Yoshi Yamamoto are among the human students attending Aizawa Academy. Haruki is a 20-year-old billionaire with no immediate direction in life, aside from his determination to find his mother, who disappeared during his childhood. He’s dating Sam, unaware that Sam is a vampire.

As the group begins school, friendships form and secrets surface. Shared struggles and personal drama draw them closer together, revealing unexpected similarities. Beneath their everyday lives, however, a lurking danger emerges, only briefly introduced here, as this is the first book in the series.

Review

The Jinja of Blood: Of Shadows and Lost Souls blends ancient myth with modern unease. Set within an ancient shrine, it explores what happens when immortality collides with change. The New Bloodline must balance mundane university life with the growing threat of increasingly dangerous yokai, creating a compelling tension between the ordinary and the supernatural.

Shun and Haruki’s connection acts as a bridge, allowing light, darkness, longing, and fear to seep into each other’s worlds. Bell writes their relationship with emotional sensitivity, making it feel earned rather than merely symbolic.

As the opening volume of The Jinja of Blood, the novel sets the tone for a saga focused less on spectacle and more on belonging, friendship, and love in all its complexities. While the central romance between two young men places the book firmly within queer fantasy, the broader cast adds depth and diversity.

The vampires and immortals are portrayed as beings seeking normalcy rather than reveling in blood and gore. Their longing for ordinary lives makes them relatable, despite their centuries-long existence.

The narrative flows smoothly, supported by vivid, poetic language:

“The leaves, no longer resisting, surrendered to the wind’s invitation and danced over gardens and rooftops, skimming aerials and skyscrapers.”

Because the story is set in Japan, Japanese terms appear throughout. While this occasionally slows the pacing, the included glossary is helpful. The incorporation of Japanese folklore, such as the story of Hachiko, the faithful dog who waited for his long dead owner at Shibuya Station for ten years, adds cultural richness.

Final Thoughts

Overall, The Jinja of Blood: Of Shadows and Lost Souls is a strong and atmospheric beginning to a dark urban fantasy saga. It explores themes of friendship, identity, coming of age, and love. Though categorized as LGBTQ+ fiction due to its central romance, the story’s emotional core and diverse cast give it broad appeal.

Fans of fantasy, vampire lore, and Japanese culture will find this an engaging and promising start to what is sure to be an exciting series.

“Yoshi was the only anchor that allowed him to maintain a connection to reality. Without him, he would have capsized in the tidal waves of his own soul.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About the Author

Vivian Bell is a shadow behind shrine doors, writing queer gothic tales of vampires, jinja, and cursed bloodlines. The Jinja of Blood is her debut dark fantasy, set between university corridors and yokai-haunted districts in modern-day Tokyo.

*Thank you to Vivian Bell for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

World Premiere Spotlight: Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge at Fantastic Fest 2025

Rui Pedro Silva in Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge. Photo: MoreThan Films, used with permission.

Fantastic Fest 2025: The Tree of Knowledge World Premiere

Fantastic Fest, held annually in Austin and known as the largest genre film festival in the U.S., is back at the Alamo Drafthouse from September 18–25, 2025. Celebrated for spotlighting fantasy, horror, science fiction, action, and cult films, this year’s lineup promises a hauntingly excellent collection of premieres.

One of the most anticipated titles is Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge, having its World Premiere at this year’s festival. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)

Film Details

The Tree of Knowledge (A árvore do Conhecimento)
Feature Film (Portugal/France)

  • World Premiere – 2025
  • Runtime: 100 mins
  • Language: Portuguese (with English subtitles)
  • Genre: Dark Comedy / Fantasy

Directed by: Eugène Green
Producers: Luís Urbano, Sandro Aguilar, Julien Naveau
Starring: Rui Pedro Silva, Ana Moreira, Diogo Dória, João Arrais

Fantastic Fest Screening

📍 Location: Alamo Drafthouse Lamar
1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

🎬 Next Screening:
Tuesday, Sept 23rd – 6:00 PM @ Theater 8

Synopsis

In biblical terms, the “Tree of Knowledge” symbolizes free will and the ability to discern right from wrong. For filmmaker Eugène Green, it becomes a metaphor for spiritual awakening and renewal, set against the backdrop of Europe’s booming mass tourism.

The story follows Gaspard (Rui Pedro Silva), a Lisbon teenager who falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has struck a pact with the Devil. The Ogre uses Gaspard to lure tourists, transforming them into animals before killing them. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog he has grown attached to, and in an enchanted manor, encounters the spirit of Queen D. Maria I of Portugal. Enraged, the Ogre sets off in pursuit—leading to a fantastical and allegorical journey of survival.

About the Director: Eugène Green

Born in New York City on June 28, 1947, Eugène Green is a French filmmaker, writer, theater director, and actor.

  • Studied literature and art history in Paris
  • Founded Le Théâtre de la Sapience in 1977, staging both contemporary poetic and baroque theater
  • Directed his first feature, Toutes les Nuits (1999, released 2001), winner of the Louis Delluc Prize for First Film
  • Has since directed 10+ feature films and 6 mini-films
  • His works have screened at Cannes, Locarno, Berlin, and other international festivals
  • In 2019, the Fundação Serralves in Porto hosted the first major exhibition dedicated to his cinema

✨ With The Tree of Knowledge, Green brings his signature poetic and philosophical style to Fantastic Fest, offering audiences a surreal and allegorical tale that blends dark comedy, folklore, and fantasy.

Exploring Identity and Forbidden Love in ‘Hunted in the Shadows’

‘Hunted in the Shadows’ by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Related post: Urban Fantasy Spotlight: ‘Hunted in the Shadows’ Casts a Spell on Readers

Book Review: Hunted in the Shadows by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley

Hunted in the Shadows is the bewitching sequel to Shot in the Dark, an urban romantasy that blends forbidden love, identity, and found family with a rich, dangerous world.

Synopsis

Sylvia has been traveling with Jon and Cliff, a pair of hunters, for only two months. Their latest pursuit brings them to an abandoned Blockbuster in Arkansas, where a vampire coven nearly costs them their lives. Determined to continue their journey to Aelthorin, Sylvia seeks a powerful gemstone that could allow her and Jon to be together.

With their supply of silver dwindling, the trio stops at a hunters’ outpost—only to uncover a sinister new order. Monsters are imprisoned, executed, and sold to a mysterious client, and Sylvia finds herself in greater danger than ever. When they stumble into Veloria, the hidden fairy village, Sylvia’s loyalty and courage are tested as destiny collides with sacrifice.

Review

This sequel elevates the story first introduced in Shot in the Dark. The stakes are higher, the world more vivid, and the characters more complex. At its core, Hunted in the Shadows explores identity—what it means to claim, protect, and share it in the face of danger.

Forbidden love simmers beneath every page, amplified by the menace surrounding Sylvia and Jon. Found family remains central: the bonds forged in darkness serve both as anchor and weapon.

The dual POV between Sylvia and Jon gives the narrative emotional depth, balancing high-stakes action with quiet moments of introspection. Sylvia shines as a relatable heroine, torn between her exiled past and the freedom she longs to claim, while Jon and Cliff complicate her choices in compelling ways.

Final Thoughts

With steady pacing, lush prose, and immersive worldbuilding, Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley deliver a paranormal fantasy that is thrilling, heartfelt, and deeply personal. Hunted in the Shadows is a story of survival, identity, and the courage to choose love against all odds. “She’d been eyeing Cliff and I like fresh water in a wasteland since we walked inside…”  

Verdict: A must-read for fans of romantasy, character-driven fantasy, and stories where danger and desire intertwine.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

“I’d been broken for so long. There was no way to explain how badly I wanted to feel whole again – even if grasping at something intangible was the only way to do it.” – Jon

📚 Ready to Read?

If you enjoy urban fantasy worlds filled with tension, romance, and unforgettable characters, be sure to grab a copy of Hunted in the Shadows. And if you haven’t yet started the series, begin with Shot in the Dark to experience the full journey from the start.

✨ Loved this review? Subscribe to my blog for more book reviews, recommendations, and bookish musings delivered straight to your inbox!

When Time Splinters: Magic, Myth, and Mystery in ‘Excavating Fate’

‘Excavating Fate’ is the exciting new action adventure novel by Andrea Franco-Cook. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Excavating Fate: A Novel by Andrea Franco-Cook

Where archaeology meets destiny, and one young woman must choose between home and the fate of the multiverse.

The story begins with nineteen-year-old Amara Kalogridas working among the ruins of Carthage in North Africa. Under the supervision of her father, Dr. Andras Kalogridas, a renowned archaeologist, Amara works alongside her brother Greg and fellow intern Sophie. During an excavation, she uncovers a gravestone belonging to Adones Barca—a soldier lost in battle and the adopted son of Hannibal Barca.

Together with Dr. Jasim Hamad, curator of the Credo Museum, the team ventures into a burial chamber to explore further. It begins as a promising discovery but quickly descends into chaos. A mysterious artifact transports Amara into an alternate, magical version of ancient Carthage.

A World of Magic and Myth

In this ancient realm of warring factions and mythical beings, Amara’s only hope of returning home lies with Jan-Ib-Jann, the king of the djinn. He offers her a chance to return—if she completes a dangerous mission that could rewrite history. But he warns: the timeline she returns to might not be the one she left.

As Amara uncovers Jan’s true motives, she must grapple with an impossible choice—protect her loved ones or risk everything to preserve the fragile balance of all realities.

“Adones had been the only constant since I arrived here, the life raft that kept me from drowning in a sea of fear and uncertainty.”

A Spellbinding Fusion of History and Fantasy

Andrea Franco-Cook’s Excavating Fate is a vivid blend of historical fiction, mythology, and coming-of-age adventure. Amara is a compelling heroine—driven, ambitious, and fiercely loyal to her family. Her dream internship quickly becomes a high-stakes journey of survival and self-discovery.

Franco-Cook’s vision of Carthage is richly imagined—alive with political intrigue, magical realism, and cultural depth. Told in first-person through Amara’s eyes, the story explores power, fate, and identity, as she forges uneasy alliances and confronts ancient gods.

“My shallow breaths were the only sounds cutting the silence as I considered who I should trust. I had become a pawn in an imperial war between father and son.”

Final Thoughts

Excavating Fate is ultimately a story of transformation—of people, timelines, and self. With lyrical prose, immersive world-building, and a fast-paced plot layered with mystery, romance, and meaning, Franco-Cook delivers a captivating read.

Perfect for fans of time-slip fantasies, myth-infused history, and courageous heroines who fight not just for survival—but for the truth.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

*Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

“Excavating Fate” will be released on November 1, 2025 and is available for pre-order.

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Haunting Beauty and Hidden Grief: A Review of ‘The Rose Window’

‘The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance’ is book 1 in the Thornecrest series by Alsen Barrett. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

📖 The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance by Alsen Barrett

🕯️ Synopsis

In the year of our Lord 1673, amid the heathered hills of northern England, there stood a castle that had not known laughter in many years. Its walls, veiled in ivy and mist, held secrets like dried flowers pressed in an old book — fragile, faded, and forgotten. (Amazon, 2025)

A carriage wound its way through the bleak moors of Northumbria. The wheels creaked over rutted roads, and the horses’ hooves struck dull thuds against the earth, muffled by the ever-rolling fog. Inside the carriage sat a girl, pale of face and quiet in manner. Her name was Elowen Gray, and she was seventeen.

She had been summoned by a distant relation — a Lord Ashenleigh — whom she had never met, whose name she had only seen on the brittle corner of a letter.

It was to this castle that young Elowen Gray was sent. Orphaned in a far-off parish and now to be taken in by a man she did not know, she arrived on a gray autumn afternoon, with only a travel-worn satchel and a heart full of uncertainty.

✍️ About the Author

Alsen Barrett is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She enjoys reading, history, travel and of course, dogs, which feature prominently in many of the stories .

🕯️ Book Review

The Rose Window is a haunting tale that blends gothic atmosphere, emotional depth, and slow-burning romance. After seventeen-year-old Elowen Gray, orphaned and shaped by quiet grief, is summoned to the shadowy estate of a distant relative, she steps into a world of hidden histories, stained glass, and forbidden longing.

Barrett’s prose is lyrical and immersive, perfectly suited to the fog-draped moors and shadowed corridors of the manor:

“Though beautiful, there was a sadness in its stones, as though the castle itself mourned.”

Elowen’s introspective nature and quiet strength make her a compelling heroine, while Lord Ashenleigh, aloof yet magnetic, hides secrets that echo through the manor’s creaking halls. The novel is richly atmospheric, with a romantic melancholy that fans of the Brontë sisters or Daphne du Maurier will deeply appreciate.

More than a romance, The Rose Window explores themes of grief, inheritance, memory, and the fragile hope that love offers in the darkest places. A story that lingers like a half-remembered dream, it is a poignant and captivating debut that deserves a place among modern gothic classics.

“The castle appeared not gradually but all at once, rising from the hills like something unearthed. High towers pierced the sky. Ivy clung to its stone bones like the grasp of time itself.”

🏰 The Thornecrest Series

The Rose Window is a stand-alone novel and the first in the Thornecrest Series, a collection of interconnected gothic tales exploring generations of secrets, romance, and legacy. Book 1 and Book 8 are currently free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited for a limited time.

Books in the Series:

  1. The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance
  2. The Rose Window: Return to Thornecrest
  3. The Rose Window: Rosamund’s Tale
  4. The Rose Window: The Ashen Flame
  5. The Rose Window: The Legacy of Thornecrest
  6. The Rose Window: Flame of the Firstborn
  7. The Rose Window: The Healing
  8. The Rose Window: Christmas at Thornecrest

Have you read this gothic gem? Share your thoughts in the comments — or tell me your favorite moody, romantic reads! 🌒📚

*This review was sponsored by the author. I received a complimentary copy and all views and opinions expressed are my own.