Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Spellslinger (Spellslinger #1) Sebastian de Castell Published: July 17, 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): 3.5 stars In order to earn his mage name and join his family as a member of the Jan’Tep (“People of True Magic”), Kellan must master the six types of magic as well pass the... 
The Girl in the Green Silk Gown (Ghost Roads #2) Seanan McGuire Published: July 17, 2018 (DAW) 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 out VBC’s review of book 1,... 
The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands #1) Jonathan French Published: June 19, 2018 (Crown) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 5 stars The Grey Bastards, a group of part-Orcs who help protect their territory from Orc incursions, who help protect a land they’ve never seen against a repeat of a war... 
Spinning Silver Naomi Novik Published: July 10, 2018 (Del Rey) 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 Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders. Where her grandfather is successful at moneylending, her father not so much. So Miryem takes it upon herself to collect the debt... 
One of Us Craig DiLouie Published: July 17, 2018 (Orbit) 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 Who defines what a monster is? Is it the child who doesn’t look “normal,” or the adult who locks that child away in a home with other children, who are beaten, not educated, and forced to work in... 
The Sisters Mederos Patrice Sarath Published: April 3, 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): 3.5 stars Yvienne Mederos is the eldest sister, Tesara the youngest of the pair, daughters of a successful merchant and his wife. When they are forced into poverty and sent to a... 
The Defiant Heir (Swords and Fire #2) Melissa Caruso Published: April 19, 2018 (Orbit) 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 Lady Amalia never meant to become a Falconer—though technically she isn’t. She never meant to become an agent of her government, either—though here she is. Her last... 
84K Claire North Published: May 24, 2018 (Orbit) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 2 stars Life in our world has changed—it’s become nothing but a number, an amount of worth. Everyone has worth—except for those who don’t. And in this world, any crime is ok, as long as those who commit it can... 
The Glass Blade (Hunters of Infinity #1) Ryan Wieser Published: March 6, 2018 (Rebel Base Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 2.5 stars Jessop is a warrior with exceptional powers and skill. She saves the lives of a couple of men who turn out to be Hunters of Infinity, a select group of... 
Torn (The Unraveled Kingdom #1) Rowenna Miller Published: March 20, 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 Sophie Balstrade has used her talent as a seamstress to support herself and her brother, Kristos, and she’s managed to open her own shop even as others around her struggle... 
