Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Across the Green Grass Fields (Wayward Children #6)Seanan McGuirePublished: Jan. 12, 2020 (Tor)Purchase at: Amazon or BookshopReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Every... 
The Bright and Breaking Sea (Captain Kit Brightling #1)Chloe NeillPublished: Nov. 17, 2020 (Berkeley)Purchase at: Amazon or BookshopReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Foundling Kit Brightling has worked hard to earn her spot as Captain on a ship in the Queen’s Crown Command fleet. It helps that she loves the sea and... 
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueV.E. SchwabPublished: Oct. 6, 2020 (Tor)Purchase at: Amazon or BookshopReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars On the day of her wedding in 1714 Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil (literally and figuratively). Addie wants to be free. She wants to grow out of the small French village in... 
The Tiger at Midnight (The Tiger at Midnight #1)Swati TeerdhalaPublished: April 23, 2019 (Katherine Tegen Books)Purchase at: Amazon or BookShopReview Source: Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Ten years ago nearly the entire royal family of Jansa was killed in a coup that put a pretender on the throne, divided the Jansan and Dharkan... 
Crush the King (Crown of Shards #3)Jennifer EstepPublished: March 17, 2020 (Harper Voyager)Purchase at: Amazon or BookshopReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Kill the... 
When We Were MagicSarah GaileyPublished: March 3, 2020 (Simon Pulse)Purchase at: Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars In theory, Alexis knows that she can rely on her friends for anything. I mean they’ve all been keeping their magic a secret for years. Putting that theory to the test, when that same magic results... 
The Unwilling Kelly BraffetPublished: Feb. 11, 2020 (Mira)Purchase at: Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3 stars On the night the heir to Highfall, Gavin, was born, a newborn foundling, Judah, was brought into the walls of the city, specifically into the castle and is raised alongside the heir. As Judah and Gavin... 
The Will and the WildsCharlie N. HolmbergPublished: Jan. 21, 2020 (47North)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 2.5 stars After Enna’s mother was killed by a mysting near the wildwoods of their home, Enna has understood to fear them. Their presence in the wildwood increases. When one attacks Enna in the home she shares with her father, she knows only one way to... 
Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5)Seanan McGuirePublished: Jan. 7, 2020 (Tor)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Every Heart a Doorway. Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack... 
Realm of Ash (The Books of Ambha #2)Tasha SuriPublished: Nov. 12, 2019 (Orbit) Purchase: AmazonReview Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Arwa has survived a massacre with the aid of those she refuses to acknowledge. Her husband is dead, killed in the same massacre by a nightmare that shouldn’t exist. She refuses to go home,... 
