Fantasy 
For all things related to the genre.
Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2021?
(1)Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2021. Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out titles in 2021. *** 10. The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu & A… Read More ›
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Clang-Dong. Welcome to Funiculi Funicula, a quaint little tucked away café in Tokyo with a remarkable secret. “Several years had passed since the café had its moment of fame because of an urban legend that claimed it could transport people back to the past.” If you could travel back to the past, would you? Time… Read More ›
Redshirts
In the opening pages of Redshirts, Ensign Davis is on an away mission for the Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union. He’s accompanying the ship’s officers: Captain Lucius Abernathy, Science Officer Q’eeng, and Chief Engineer Paul West; and they’ve all been trapped in a cave infested by carnivorous Borgovian Land Worms. “Davis!” Captain Abernathy called. “Stay where you… Read More ›
By Its Cover: Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge
A woman holds up a glowing martini glass in front of a green-lit bar. The mix of light and shadow draw the eye, but it’s the subject matter that piques interest: a novel of magic and mixology. Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge is, according to the book blurb, an urban fantasy that “blends alcohol… Read More ›
Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2018?
Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2018. Based on circulation figures at my local library, these were the most checked out fantasy titles in 2018. Some surprising entries ranked high on this year’s list… *** 10. The Invisible Library… Read More ›
John Polidori’s The Vampyre
Before the arrival of Bram Stoker’s Dracula on the literary scene in 1897, there was Lord Ruthven, “a nobleman, more remarkable for his singularities, than his rank.” Lord Ruthven’s origins and the story in which he appears germinated one infamous night in June 1816 at the same gathering that birthed the idea for Frankenstein. John… Read More ›
Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2017?
Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out which fantasy novels were the most popular in 2017. Based on circulation figures at my local library, these were the most checked out fantasy titles in 2017. It’s an unusually surprising list… *** 10. Staked by Kevin Hearne — In the 8th… Read More ›
Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2016?
After looking at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out which fantasy novels were the most popular in 2016. The following list includes a mix of high fantasy, urban/paranormal fantasy, and steampunk titles, all of which are shelved in the Fantasy section at the library where I work. Based on circulation figures, these were… Read More ›
Two Ravens and One Crow
What a strange interlude. Unlike his earlier novella, Grimoire of the Lamb, Hearne’s second novella, Two Ravens and One Crow, is less an adventure story and more of an interlude between books that fills in some interesting backstory along with a side dish of excitement. It begins with Atticus wishing he could train his druid… Read More ›
Live Read: Grimoire of the Lamb
Today, The Poisoned Martini is reading Kevin Hearne’s novella, Grimoire of the Lamb. Atticus O’Sullivan looks twenty-one years old, but he is the centuries old druid Siodhachan Ó Suileabháin lying low in the desert clime of Tempe, Arizona. When an evil sorcerer steals the titular grimoire, Atticus travels to Egypt to get it back, but… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 