Fantasy-Faction

@fantasyfaction

World's leading SFF book community! Posts by 🏹 @kitvaria.bsky.social & 🐉 @jennieivins.bsky.social. Lover of books. Hater of trolls. No AI. Probably not a real dragon. ;)

313 Following3,816 Followers593 Posts

Bluesky

Is this your profile?Claim it and fantasyfaction.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· 21d

Today Colleen McMillan reviews Bi Ka Bi's light novel, Thrice Married to a Salted Fish! - JI 🐉 "As you might guess from the series title, this one isn’t all sunshine and murder...I cried at the end of book one and immediately picked up book two." fantasy-faction.com/2026/thrice-... #booksky 💙📚🪐

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows two Chinese men with long flowing hair in red hanfu trimmed in gold. The man on the left is in a wooden wheelchair and the man on the right is leaning over and putting his hand on the first man's shoulder. They are in front of a misty forest and it is snowing. The background of the image is a cropped version of the back cover of the novel. It shows a traditional Chinese house with steps leading to a porch lit by a hanging paper lantern. The snow here is piled up on the roof and the steps.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· 25d

Today @alyalyoops.bsky.social reviews @tkingfisher.com's Hemlock & Silver! - JI 🐉 "Combines elements from the fairy tale fantasy she often writes in, as well as a few unnerving moments from her horror writing in books such as What Moves the Dead." fantasy-faction.com/2026/hemlock... #booksky 💙📚🪐

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It is black and has a three-line green and gold border that ends in a bundle of hemlock flowers in each corner. The center features a ruby red apple with a snake coiled around it. The snake starts out made of woven grass at its head and the rest of it is made up entirely of easily recognized poisonous flowers including belladonna, nightshade, and more hemlock. The color palette is predominantly green, with pops of white, purple, and pink within the foliage. The background of the image is a close up of a pile of red apples.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· 27d

Today @summerhanford.bsky.social reviews Evie Woods' The Lost Bookshop! -JI🐉 "A delightful example of magical realism...[that] contains an intricate, dual timeline quest, more than one love story, and well-researched historical and present-day details." fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-los... #booksky

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows the close up of a bookcase filled with blue and brown, leather-bound books. On either sides are the hanging vines of a pothos plant. In the center of the eye-level shelf is a two-story, yellow, brick building with a slate roof and red door. The background of the image is green ivy, peeking out of the shadows.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· 28d

Today I got 'big mad' at a post on kids not being able to read books like The Hobbit, because they are too hard to read "even as an adult"! Nope. We aren't doing that nonsense. Kids can read big books. And here are my thoughts on the subject. - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/kids-ca... #booksky 💙📚🐉

Image is a child with dark hair reading a book. The child is focused on the book, which is out of focus, and we can only see the top part of their face. Below the child are the words, "Kids Can Read Big Books, A Fantasy-Faction Article."

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· 29d

Today Christopher Keene reviews Rob M. Lastrel's The Bystander! - JI 🐉 "The tropes...come out of a cinephile’s lexicon, and...I got a kick out of the hundreds of abilities named from lines in classic horror, science fiction, and fantasy movies." fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-bys... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The book cover sits in the center of the image. The cover shows a hoard of horror movie monsters closing on a lone young man at the front of the image. He is wearing a purple hoodie and holding his left arm up towards a glowing purple rectangle. The glow illuminates him, and also the throng of dark shapes about to attack him. Above them a cloudy night sky is barely visible. The background of the image is a photo of a dark night sky illuminated by soft moonlight.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 12

Today @kitvaria.bsky.social reviews @fantasticphil.bsky.social's The Worst Survive, out July 28th! - JI 🐉 "A frenetic, foul-mouthed ride through a world that won’t let you get comfortable, and Scully’s the kind of bastard you end up rooting for." fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-wor... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows the back of a man with short hair wearing a leather jacket and holding a gun in his left hand and a bottle of liquor in his right. The rest of the image is reddish-orange with a single area of yellow in a flat patch of baren ground in front of him. The surrounding landscape is a destroyed city, with crumbling electrical pylons and bent chain-link fences wrapped in barred wire, with dark clouds hanging over the scene. The background image is a photo of an electrical pylon set against a reddish-orange sky with a bright spot of yellow glowing in the center of the image.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 10

Today Stuart Cripps-Schnoor reviews three of the late, great David Gemmell's works: Waylander, Legend, and Sword in the Storm! - JI 🐉 "There is the deep moral core that runs through his work...courage, sacrifice, loyalty, redemption, and love." fantasy-faction.com/2026/david-g... #booksky 💙📚🪐

The image shows a cutout photo of David Gemmell. Behind him are two of his books. On the left is Legend and on the right is Waylander. The background of the image is a fiery red and purple sunset. Over the image are the words, "David Gemmell: Legend, Waylander, and Sword in the Storm," at the top and, "A Fantasy-Faction Review," at the bottom.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 8

Today author @angelaboord.bsky.social gives us a short list of books "to celebrate the condition of being human with heart, grace, and depth," with her article: Human Writer Seeks Inspiration in an Age of Machines! -JI🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/human-w... #booksky 💙📚🪐 #NoAI #authorsky #fantasybooks

Image is a flat illustration done in three colors plus white. It shows a cellphone laying flat on a bright orange/red surface in the center of multiple stacks of books. The books are dark dark blue and mint green with white edges. A dark blue hand is reaching out of the white static of the phone's screen; its fingers turning the same orange/red as the table's surface and the many bookmarks trailing out of the books and onto the phone's screen. Over the image are two white boxes of text. The first, in the upper left, reads: Human Writer Seeks Inspiration in an Age of Machines. The second, in the lower right, reads: A Fantasy-Faction Article.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 6

Tom Joyce reviews @ryancahill.bsky.social's prequel to The Bound and the Broken series, The Fall! - JI 🐉 "Its ambitions are more controlled and precise. It sets a tone, establishes an emotional foundation, and invites the reader into the aftermath." fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-fal... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows an inverted triangle made of a fine filigree of vines and swirls floating in a dark space. Below the triangle, yellow sparks fly up from an unseen fire. The background of the image is a similar dark space, with a yellow tinge. Yellow flames rise from the bottom right corner and lick the edge of the book.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 2

A day late, but July 1st started Round Two of the 11th Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off! We have gone from 300 submissions to 10 finalists! Interested in learning more? Check out our round up of Round Two! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/self-pu... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #SPFBO #FantasyBookSky

The image shows a scene in oranges and yellows of a city of dark towers being blown apart by a rising phoenix whose wings spread across the entire sky. In the foreground is the silhouette of a man in long coat with his arms outspread welcoming the phoenix even as flames lick up around his feet. Over the image are the words: 11 Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off Finalists, A Fantasy-Faction Article.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jul 1

Today @alyalyoops.bsky.social reviews the new Warriors Graphic Novel release, from Gibson Twist & Sammy Savos, The New Prophecy! - JI 🐉 "[These] adaptations of the main arcs are some of the best Warrior Cat releases since Omen of the Stars." fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-new... #booksky 💙🪐📚🐈

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows an illustration of an orange cat's head turned to face the viewer. The cat has fluffy fur, white tuffs in its ears, bright green eyes. It is looking at the viewer with what can only be described as a smirk. Behind the cat are green mountains covered in pine trees. At the bottom of the cover on the left is an orange badge that reads New Release. The background of the image is an illustration of a mountain side with pine trees at the bottom, all in an orange that matches the cat.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 29

Today Colleen McMillan reviews the manga/anime Witch Hat Atelier! -JI🐉 "The show and manga are slow burns ... @shirahamakamome.bsky.social focuses on quiet character moments, allowing the reader to fall in love with Coco and those around her." fantasy-faction.com/2026/witch-h... 💙 🪐📚 #anime #manga

The manga cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a young anime girl with blond hair in a teal cape and matching pointed hat, jumping through the air. Her hair matches the tassel on her hat and her leather shoes. Behind her is a pastoral landscape with stone houses and chimneys of a provincial town down in subdued greens and browns. Stylized gold stars frame her face in the peachy sky. The whole image has the look of a watercolor painting. The edges of the cover have dull gold Art Deco designs. The background of the image is a watercolor wash of teal, pale yellow, and ruddy brown, with more stylized stars around it.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 26

Today our judges reveal the scores for our semi-finalists AND our finalist pick for this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! Congrats to our winner and good luck in Round Two! fantasy-faction.com/2026/self-pu... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 25

Today @kitvaria.bsky.social reviews Shay Yates Roberts' Of Magic and Empire! - JI 🐉 "Epic fantasy that is expansive and adventurous without being punishing or dark." fantasy-faction.com/2026/of-magi... #booksky 💙 🪐📚

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a blond haired woman in a long brown dress and holding a staff. She is accompanied by a white wolf. They stand on the edge of a cliff overlooking a fantasy city with a giant castle looming in the background. In the cloudy, sunset sky flies a white dragon. The background of the image is also a cloudy sunset sky: a photograph with clouds of pale pinks and yellows.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 24

Today our judges review our fourth & final semi-finalist, in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO), @ericlewis.bsky.social's The Artificer’s Knot! Finalist reveal: Friday the 26th! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/the-art... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 22

Today our judges review our third semi-finalist, in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO), @wctracy.bsky.social's Physical Magic! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/physica... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social) Background image by Marc Szeglat.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 19

Today our judges review our second semi-finalist, in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO), Rel Carroll's Of Mages and Makers! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/of-mage... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 18

Today our judges review our first semi-finalist, in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO), K. T. Holder's City of Stone! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/city-of... #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 16

Today our judges say goodbye to final group of books before our semi-finals, in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/spfbo-1... Background image by Sinziana Susa. #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

The image shows a book with deep blue cover open on its back, with its pages fanned open. Above the book is written: Fantasy-Faction's SPFBO #11 Seventh & Final Fall.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 15

Today @alyalyoops.bsky.social shares books to fill the “magical orphan who goes to school and defeats the evil villain with help from their found family, as the prophecy foretold” shaped hole in reading lists that some of us may have! - JI🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/childre... #booksky 💙 🪐📚 🏳️‍⚧️

The image shows the close up of an open book lit with a tangle of white fairy lights that gives a golden glow to the pages. Across the book is laid an organically shaped magic wand, also wrapped in fairy lights. Over the image are the words, "Try This Instead: Children's and YA Lit Recommendations, A Fantasy-Faction Article," written in gold, surrounded by gold stars.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 13

ICYMI: @powjay.bsky.social reviews Daria Lavelle's Aftertaste! - JI 🐉 "I loved how the food was the link between the spirit and their special person and the detail Lavelle put into it that had my mouth watering." fantasy-faction.com/2025/afterta... #booksky 💙🪐📚 🌶️📚 #foodsky

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a black background with a sprinkling of salt falling from a source off page. The salt is falling into a blue mist filled with sparkles. The background of the image is a closeup of a place setting on a white table cloth, half in shadow.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 12

Today our judges say goodbye to our sixth group of books in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/spfbo-1... Background image by congerdesign. #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

The image shows a field of tall dandelions. In the center of the image are four hardcover books standing upright with pages fanned open. They make a circle in the grass with their spines touching. At the bottom of the image are the words: Fantasy-Faction's SPFBO #11 Sixth Group Fall.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 10

Today @summerhanford.bsky.social reviews Shannon Lee and @fondalee.bsky.social's Breath of the Dragon! - JI 🐉 "The writing is crisp, clean, and beautifully to the point...A classic tale of youthful rebellion." fantasy-faction.com/2026/breath-... #booksky 💙 🪐📚 #fantasybooks #bookrec

The book cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a young man in a sleeveless, white karate gi thrusting a golden spear off screen. He is wearing a red tattered belt, which has grown and swirls around the spear and flies up into the sky behind him. Directly behind him is the body of a Chinese black dragon. In the background is a stone fortress on a hill with a red full moon hung beside it. The background of the image is a close up of charred wood that looks like dragon scales.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 9

Today our judges say goodbye to our fifth group of books in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/spfbo-1... Background image by Taylor Wright. #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

The image shows the close up of an open book resting on an old log. It is surrounded by autumn leaves in red, orange, and gold. A red leaf sits on the open page. Below the book is written: Fantasy-Faction's SPFBO #11 Fifth Group Fall.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 8

Today Christopher Keene reviews @bryceoconnor.bsky.social and @lukechmilenko.bsky.social's Iron Prince! - JI 🐉 "[The] formula is almost point-for-point a shounen battle manga, like a sci-fi Naruto or My Hero Academia (and who doesn’t love those?)." fantasy-faction.com/2026/iron-pr... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a shirtless, white, young man with white hair, wielding a lightning-blue sci-fi saber. His arms and legs are robotic, he is wearing a metal mask, and his eyes are glowing blue. He is in a huge arena and surrounded by either humanoid robots or other people in full sci-fi body armor. Lightning is arching off his sword and he is staring directly at the viewer. The background of the image is a photo of blue and pale pink neon lights on a dark background.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 6

Today our judges say goodbye to our fourth group of books in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)! - JI 🐉 fantasy-faction.com/2026/spfbo-1... Background image by Rhamely. #booksky 💙🪐📚 #spfbo (cc: @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social)

The image shows the close up of an open book sitting on an overstuffed chair with a white and dark gray gingham pattern. Laying on the open book is a dried, brown maple leaf. Above the book is written, "Fantasy-Faction's SPFBO #11 Fourth Group Falls".

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 5

ICYMI: Julia Kitvaria Sarene reviews @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social's Charms, Charts, and Conspiracies! - JI 🐉 "[A] cosy fantasy...creating a world so warm and full of good people that you feel the loss of it when you close the cover." fantasy-faction.com/2026/charms-... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The book cover sits in the center of the image. The cover has a dark blue background with various illustrated images scattered about it, including: a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, a scroll being written on by a quill, a tan men's hat with a blue band, a stack of books, a brown owl sitting on a stack of books, a cloth measuring tape, a rolled up scroll, and a black cat. The background of the image is a piece of aged parchment.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 5

Today Stuart Cripps-Schnoor reviews @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social's Daughter of Crows! - JI 🐉 "Grimdark fantasy with a pulse. Bloody, intimate, and emotionally ruthless. My only real criticism is simple: I finished it, and now I have to wait." fantasy-faction.com/2026/daughte... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The cover sits in the center of the image. It shows a statue of three women, the one on left faces left, the one in the middle faces forward, and the one on the right faces right. All three women have long braided hair and the woman in the middle has a wing instead of a right arm. The statue is oxidized green with hints of gold peeking through, as are all its surroundings. It is standing in the center of a set of columns each decorated with golden skulls. Below the statues vines form brambles and are beginning to crawl up the pillars. Behind the scene is a swirl of gold ending in a dark starburst at the top of the cover. A crow is about to land on the statue. The background of the image is a closeup of green and white marble with veins of gold running through it.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 5

ICYMI: @kitvaria.bsky.social reviews Pirateaba's Blood of Liscor, book 8 from @thewanderinginn.bsky.social! - JI 🐉 "One of the stronger entries in [The Wandering Inn] series, and it earns that almost entirely on the back of its character work." fantasy-faction.com/2026/blood-o... #booksky 💙🪐📚

The cover sits in the center of the image. It shows two gnolls, or were-hyenas, fighting on a dirt street of a medieval town in the middle of the night. The two full moons reflect in a puddle of mud and blood below them, and a single streetlight illuminates the rest of the scene. The larger gnoll is leaping at the smaller with a large sword. The smaller gnoll stands ready with a smaller sword in one hand and a shield in the other. The background of the image shows a close up of dark, dried mud in swirling patterns.

Fantasy-Faction@fantasyfaction· Jun 1

Today @angelaboord.bsky.social reviews @oleandercraw.bsky.social's upcoming novel, Devouring Fortune! -JI🐉 "Easily the best book I’ve read this year, trad or indie...a character-driven dark science fantasy standalone that absolutely breathes its world." fantasy-faction.com/2026/devouri... #booksky