Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
We love fast-paced fantasy books at VBC, and we’ve found another series you’re going to want to devour: The Witchlands by Susan Dennard. We’re talking magic skills, a great friendship arc, and a hot dude who captains a ship. Even better Dennard makes her Witchlands world—a second world where some people are born with “witchery” abilities—accessible and immersive. So, naturally, we partnered with Tor Teen... 
Fury (Menagerie #3) Rachel Vincent Published: Oct. 30, 2018 (MIRA) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for and honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Menagerie. August 24,... 
Vengeful (Villains #2) V.E. Schwab Published: Sept. 25, 2018 (Tor) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: This is the second book in the series. While we strive to avoid spoilers, this review will assume you’ve read Vicious. If you haven’t, please check out that VBC review. I was incredibly excited for this book. It wasn’t... 
Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1) Jennifer Estep Published: Oct. 2, 2018 (Harper Voyager) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Ever since the death of her parents fifteen years ago Lady Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair has lived as a shadow amongst her royal family at the palace in the... 
The Night Crossing Robert Masello Published: Sept. 18, 2018 (47North) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Bram Stoker is managing a theatre with his friend the great actor Henry Irving. He’s also writing, though getting more and more frustrated by his inability to write the story that... 
Oh, VBC crew, I have something delightful for you with today’s Win It Wednesday: a signed copy of Two Dark Reigns. I adore Kendare Blake’s books. Each new one is better than the last, which is seriously saying something. I fell in love with Anna Dressed in Blood, and now I think everyone else is also in love with her Three Dark Crowns series. Amy reviewed Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne for us, and... 
Hidden Sun (Shadowlands #1) Jaine Fenn Published: Sept. 4, 2018 (Angry Robot) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Rhia is…unconventional, to say the least. She is a noble lady—but one who spurns the idea of a conventional marriage, because she knows that a conventional man would not... 
Shadowblack (Spellslinger #2) Sebastien de Castell Published: Aug. 21, 2018 (Orbit) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check our VBC’s review of book 1, Spellslinger.... 
Foundryside (Founders #1) Robert Jackson Bennett Published: Aug. 21, 2018 (Crown) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Tevanne is a city run by four Merchant Houses who each control the art of scriving—a magical code that can imbue objects with a kind of sentience. Those who don’t work for... 
Have you dived into Ausma Zehanat Khan’s Khorasan Archives series? This fantasy series packs a punch, and we have a copy of the first book in the series The Bloodprint to giveaway to a lucky VBC reader. If you end up loving it, the second book in the series The Black Khan will be out on Oct. 16, 2018 (pre-order). ABOUT THE BLOODPRINT A dark power called the Talisman has risen in the land, born of... 
