Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
The Clockwork Crown (The Clockwork Dagger #2) Beth Cato Published: June 9, 2015 (Harper Voyager) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for May 2015. All dates are U.S. and tentative. Also: Click the title of any book to visit the Amazon page for pre-order or purchase goodness. I’ve included genre classification with each book: UF is urban fantasy, PNR is paranormal romance, F is fantasy, SF is science fiction, YA... 
A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1) V.E. Schwab Published: Feb. 24, 2015 (Tor) 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 Many, many years ago magic was a prevalent thing throughout the worlds. Those who carried magic within themselves could travel at will through the open doors... 
Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) Gail Carriger Published: March 17, 2015 (Orbit) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Jo Rating (out of 5): 4 stars When I found out there was to be a spin-off/sequel series to Gail Carriger’s truly brilliant Parasol Protectorate series (start with Soulless), I’m not going to lie, there... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for February 2015. All dates are U.S. and tentative. Also: Click the title of any book to visit the Amazon page for pre-order or purchase goodness. I’ve included genre classification with each book: UF is urban fantasy, PNR is paranormal romance, F is fantasy, SF is science fiction,... 
Karen Memory Elizabeth Bear Published: Feb. 3, 2015 (Tor) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars “You ain’t gonna like what I have to tell you, but I’m gonna tell you anyway.” So begins Karen Memery’s (“like ‘memory’ only spelt with an e”) story about how she, and the rest of the “seamstresses” working for Madam Damnable at the Hôtel Mon... 
The Diabolical Miss Hyde (Electric Empire #1) Viola Carr Published: Feb. 10, 2015 (Harper Voyager) Purchase: Book Depository or AmazonReview Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Doctor Eliza Jekyll lives a rewarding, if sometimes lonely, life. She is a crime scene investigator who uses not only her intelligence, wit, and... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for February 2015. All dates are U.S. and tentative. Also: Click the title of any book to visit the Amazon page for pre-order or purchase goodness. I’ve included genre classification with each book: UF is urban fantasy, PNR is paranormal romance, F is fantasy, SF is science fiction,... 
Transmuted (The St. Croix Chronicles #6) Karina Cooper Published: Jan. 27, 2015 (Carina Press) Purchase: Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of Tarnished. First, can... 
I was late to the party on Jay Kristoff’s Lotus War books. I started reading the first novel Stormdancer earlier this month, in fact. And seriously y’all should shame me for not reading these books sooner. So. Freaking. Good. The books are full of lyrical prose that weaves a stunning tapestry of worldbuilding mythology and engaging characters. I sank into these books and became utterly enamored. The... 
