Writer and Editor C.B. Calsing/ G.G. Royale

In a world where leviathans rise from the ocean, march across land, and threaten civilization, Din and his boss, Detective Ana Dolabra, must find a devious killer whose murders are putting the world even more at risk.  Robert Jackson Bennett’s “The Tainted Cup” is a masterpiece of world-building. Told in the classic mystery style of the first-person narrative from the perspective of the detective’s assistant, this book has the tropes of Doyle and Christie that you want, but in a fantasy setting rich in complicated detail. I enjoyed how different everyone was, the science/magic of the grafts people receive to enhance their skills, and the looming threat that a giant beast from the sea could destroy the town at any moment.   I loved this book. I savored it. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and read, not so that I could fall back to sleep, but to see what would happen next. Looking back over my reviews of 2023, I’d have to say this is easily in my top three. I recommen...

“A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty” is book two in Stacia Stark’s Kingdom of Lies series.  Prisca, a hybrid, and Lorian, an elf, have been thrown together in a battle against a nefarious human king who uses other people’s magic to keep him young and in power. His reign of over four hundred years must come to an end, but exactly how can they bring that about?  This is standard fantasy with some very spicy scenes thrown in. I usually don’t read erotic romance to review, since it’s my job to edit said genre, but I do enjoy a fantasy adventure, so I took a crack at this one. Having not read the first book in the series, I was a bit lost at the beginning. This series does have the feel of one really big book that was split into three parts, so you can’t skip the prequels. I eventually figured out what was going on and afterward enjoyed the ride. I look forward to the next book in the series.  I like it when a book has multiple first-person perspectives (the direction a lot of ro...

I listened to the first book of this series, "Daughter of the Salt King" in June of last year. I realized I didn't post the review here, though. I've put it at the end so you can see my feelings on that as well. A.S. Thornton’s “Son of the Salt Chaser,” the sequel to “Daughter of the Salt King,” is a fantasy romance that draws on the lore and motifs of the Middle East.  Saalim, the genie Emel loves, has become human, and with this transformation, has forgotten their shared past. Now Emel is a refugee, following him to this city by the sea. She hopes she can rekindle their relationship, but his betrothal to a girl from the other side of the ocean may make that difficult. Instead, Emel finds comfort with Kas. But all is not as it seems, and Emel and Saalim slowly uncover secrets and information that will change their futures.  Like the first book, this is a very solid fantasy romance with lovely world-building and wonderful settings. I really enjoyed the developing rela...