Manda Simas's SPFBO Semi-Finalist Pick

Introduction

If you’ve been following our posts, you know the drill. The SFF Insiders team for SPFBOXI consists of 6 reviewers with a slush pile of 5 books each to read and present a semi-finalist pick that will then be evaluated by each of us. We were required to read at least the first 100 pages though most of my books were finished. And that’s because I was the luckiest girl in the randomizer, I tell you what. 

I am Manda, aka Fulltimebookish, a reviewer and lifetime bibliophile that really loves entering a story feet first, whatever the genre. I look for characters I feel invested in, circumstances that blow my mind, and worlds I want to escape into (or from, depending on my mood), that are written beautifully. Because I like going into books blind, I try to review in a way that is spoiler free and conveys the vibes without every detail that you’ll want to experience discovering yourself. But make no mistake, I will use every character to convince you if I think it’s the book for you.

Which brings me to the most important thing. I loved these books. I think any of these would make a great read and I implore you to listen to my words more than gleaning a quick winner and setting the rest ablaze. There was so much to enjoy and the greatest part of reading is that in life there isn’t one winner, there isn’t one perfect book. There are billions of different journeys you can take within the pages of the past, present, and future. So congratulations truly to every one of you, whether you won the lottery this year, or missed out. You wrote the books we all get to enjoy. Whether it’s my personal pick, subjected to my personal lens, or not, it is a valuable achievement and I thank you for sharing them with all of us! I hope others will feel the same and take the chance on your books too, finalists and otherwise. 

But enough stalling, let’s get into my pile.

Reflections Upon the Anniversary of My Descent by Kell Shaw

After a brutal attack, the perfect life Vex had been planning for was shattered into pieces as she lay there dying. But when she’s offered the opportunity for vengeance in exchange for her soul, she takes the chance. Now, bound to a life she didn’t know she’d bargained for, Vex works to unravel both her past and future while navigating the underbelly of her forsaken city. 

I will break the ice with a tough swing by saying this ended up being my only DNF at 40%. The story itself had a really cool premise. Girl turned demon, a revenge plot with a promising twist, and a world set up to shine. It reminded me a bit of the show Dead Like Me in concept, and I really liked the hook as I jumped in. At first, I was all in to giving Vex the time she needed to get her (newly demon) feet under her, and there was certainly a lot to like about her journey. But, what I loved about the concept, I continued to struggle with in execution. 

The plot unravels some intriguing questions about everything Vex thought she knew. We’re spurred along with learning new skills, making some rash decisions, and encountering some wild happenstance. Dang, if this girl cannot just stay put and do what she’s told (said every parent of a teenager ever). That said, I sometimes got hung up as I read. It had what felt like an unbalanced mix of chaotic and predictable beats, while maintaining an overall sense that nothing is at it seems, but without trusting the reader with anything to stand on. And I think that mostly came from the perspective. It reiterated clunky foreshadowing, key world elements and flashbacks throughout that felt outside of what the character’s purpose of writing this would be. With the main character as our narrator, she was unreliable at the best of times and inconsistent at the worst, making it hard for my mind to hold back from challenging some reveals with the perspective the story was written from, which would pull at my attention.

In general I think the characters were a highlight for me. I did enjoy Vex, our antihero baddie, as she learned her new abilities and studied with her new big sister. That said, her development felt a little stunted with "typical teen" rhetoric, making her “not like other girls” persona feel slightly forced. The surrounding characters did a good job at playing their roles in Vex’s life, and our demon daddy (if you want to understand, pick it up) made for a really interesting element in the story. I loved the play here with adulterated familiarity, using what they love to manipulate the character.

The world unfolded organically which I liked, even if a little mysterious. I wish I saw more of how our worlds differed. For an urban fantasy, you had to trust the process, flying blind a lot more than I tend to like when it comes to how a world works, and how it differs from our own. I was left wanting more of what species exist, what motivations, prejudices and political structure surrounds the character’s everyday life and thinking, and how it affects her own motivations. But what I did see was a highlight for this story. And I will certainly cut the teenage voice some slack here, she really only cared about her boyfriend and hockey at first, and when I was her age, same. Mostly because the cute boys played hockey, but I also wasn’t a badass like her. She did grow in depth and concern for the world around her as I read, and perhaps later in the series she does take a breath and look around a time or two. 

This story truly has vibes, and the seedy underground was a cool place to explore, if not a fully comprehensive experience for me. I liked the training montages, portals to the underworld in an addict’s closet, and Vex’s fight against the rampant drug problems that deteriorated their broken world. The weakened angels and blurred lines of good versus evil lost me at times, but what I really struggled with was the prose. There was a hefty list of crutch phrases, repeated descriptors and odd behaviors. Even in the journaling/letter style of the book that lends to forgiving a lot, it didn't end up reading well for me personally. It had a good start, but after the first chapters the issues started to blare. That doesn’t mean it’s not for someone, however. And I think it’s worthy of a look if it sounds like your cup of tea.

Dark Town by Palmer Pickering

Temerity’s life as a barmaid at The Tin Roof serving adventurers has left her longing for one of her own. With her father and brothers already off trying their luck in the Dragon’s Game, she hesitates to venture in herself, leaving her mother alone. But when her trusted hobgoblin Half-pint gives her a little tip, Temerity takes a chance on entering the Dragon’s Crawl, the first level of the Game. With Half-pint at her side, they start their grind, but will they come out empty handed, or will their luck win out?

This cozy litRPG was a really fun read for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the book and the audio. With a low key feel, even when Temerity levels up and things get harder in the game, it was something I think would be applicable for a wide range of ages. It feels lower YA friendly, with the pacing reflecting that as much as the characters. I think it could be great for middle grade and up. 

This was my first litRPG, which was very entry level friendly. As a lifelong RPG gamer, it was super easy to immerse into and watch the gameplay unfold, and even as a noob you’d have no problem following along. The story is simple here, or so it seems, yet its execution was entertaining, and the twists and obstacles were hysterically familiar and unexpected at the same time. I loved how the main character and the plot shared the driving seat, which also lends to the gamified feel. 

Some characters really shine here. Half-pint is an absolute delight. It took me a little longer to feel invested in Temerity, not fully understanding her choices and motivations at the start. I did love their relationship, though, and later in the story I started to really root for her. Especially as she developed, became sure of herself, and took bigger chances. The side characters in the story felt wonderfully placed (ps, justice for poor Hannah), and the NPCs were a particular favorite of mine, adding fun challenges to the game and making me want to join.

The game play is really cool, I love the no map monkey wrench, and the magic gems with their respawn costs. The maps were unique and I loved the challenges presented in them. The ways of winning the levels were creative and the underlying meaning within their solutions shone through.

The prose was simple, with a slightly repetitive nature, which I think lends to my reading age rec as well. It did leave me wanting a bit more atmosphere, more of what the kids call vibes. But all in all it was an enjoyable read and something I’m going to share with my kids. If litRPG is your thing, check out this cozy, classic gameplay feel story.

The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams

The paths of four unlikely companions converge in the noxious city of Drenth, where its desert inhabitants are relegated to mining the world's most valuable resource to keep their overseers afloat. As family ties, political strife and the influence of the gods rage, old wounds and resentments burn within. 

We have a triple threat on our hands, a true blend of Dystopian Science Fantasy with an intricate world and superb magic system. There are airships and sand worms and sentient weapons and dragons and political and theological intrigue… and, and, and. It was as if Bill took all the best of my favorite genres and developed a world that felt new all at the same time. 

The plot is a tale as old as time, orphaned chosen one, barely prepared, and thrust into a fallen world with both mortal and celestial beings entwined in a complex power struggle. But Bill turns this story on its head, making it feel both fresh and nostalgic. The analogies seeded into the text here are well thought out and a sense of eerie familiarity wasn't lost on me. That said, this story took me a long time to get into... and for me it wasn't a pacing issue, it was a sheer scope of world issue. Delivering all we needed to know was vast, and getting my bearings took me the first quarter of the book, which I think is a big ask for a chonker.

That said, if you give it the time, the payoff is great. As a heist ensues and our characters develop, I was enthralled. Their motivations are complex and delicious. They feel unique and their actions are innate to who they are as they navigate their very real ties and their own beliefs. I loved the lore heavy characteristics given to each of them, it felt like every voice was their own, and even if you didn’t connect with a certain character in the big cast you could appreciate how they are delivered. Bringing them together, against a truly maniacal villain, all mounts to an unbelievable crescendo.

Part of that payoff is the sheer world you grow more and more comfortable (or really, uncomfortable) in. I said it earlier, but Bill Adam knows how to build a world. Gritty and pervasive, he leaned into some brilliant avenues to accomplish a factioned web with intricacies you can build an epic series on. The magic system, with its tiers of purity and array of unique abilities was really cool, and I’m definitely needing my own sassy possessed sword. 

The icing for me was the prose. I think the writing was perfect for this story. It wasn’t too purple or too plain, it was world focused and unique, giving you a great immersive feel. The use of multiple POVs with the dynamics it brought worked well, even if it was hard to navigate in the beginning before we really learned where we were with our characters. 

At the end of the day, I think the learning curve paired with the moderate pace made my buy in a bit hard at first, but the characters brought me through and the pay off here is really spectacular. I feel set up well for a wonderful series I will absolutely be finishing.

A Ballad of Vengeance by Karim Soliman

A father (and grandfather) on a revenge quest after his son is slaughtered brings him back to the very place he never thought he’d return. A well written and nailbiting story I couldn’t put down and had to own. 

The plot was dynamic here, and the pacing flowed with it so well. I felt like the story breathed as I read it. At its bare bones, the plot felt familiar. But with the elements brought in to fill it out, I was honestly captivated. I love that it was character motivated. My investment did stutter a bit towards the middle and end as the action took over and we lost a bit of the inner voice at times that I had come to really appreciate. But with all that unravelled within this dynamic family and the events that affected their fates, I couldn’t help but turn page after page.

And that’s because the characters are really phenomenal. I wanted more. I love the representation of wisdom over youth and older main characters in Aqen and his wife, along with their grown children. The marrying of cultures was beautifully done and I loved the generational aspect of this story, not only in the present but in his past. I wish I had a little more from some of the characters instead of relying on their established build, but really it was done so well it carried me through.

There was a melding of Egyptian and Nordic mythology and culture in this world and it brought all. the. vibes. Solimon is a sensory writer and pulled off the epic creatures, magic, and action while continuing the meaningful underlying threads of family bonds. I loved the flashback chapters and how they affected current motivations and choices. Their struggles were relatable, and balanced well with political intrigue, meddling gods, and exterior forces. And the magic system comes to life when measured against some seemingly invincible forces. 

On top of that, the writing felt so seasoned, so sure of itself. In a world of debuts that can be hit or miss, it was so comfortable to be in the hands of what felt like a strong voice. You’re brought right into the story and it never leaves you. I strongly suggest giving this book a try. I for one will be checking out more from this author. 

The Purple Prince by Sebastien Menkes

Four threads from across the world, on their own paths, for better or worse, are destined to overlap as the brutal reign of the Kildarion Empire dominates. With the old gods slain and their worship forbidden, daily life has become impossible for those living under its thumb. Fraught with necromanced slaves, ancient powers, and those that thrive outside of the law, our characters must navigate their own purposes and convictions in a world where no one can win.

This turned out to be an unlikely hero of a story for me. In the previous review I spoke of how some debuts are hit or miss, and by the power of grayskull this was a hit. I haven’t stepped into a book and bathed in it like I did with this one in a while. It’s rich in character and world, and I ate it up.

The plot here was delicious. It unfolds slowly and allows for anticipation (and all the predictions) to build as we unravel just how these four storylines will collide. Every thread is rich with its own intrigue. We navigate four very different experiences, privileges, belief systems, and backgrounds. When it all started to click together, my mind was blown. How did I not see these things coming?! There was an impressive amount of groundwork laid to get me there, but looking back at the foreshadowing was a work of art. I wish the author trusted the reader a little bit more in the beginning as things were reiterated, but I think it was done mostly because of the scale of the world, which was hefty, but wasn't always necessary for me personally.

That said, the world building was phenomenal in my opinion. Beautifully fleshed and immersive, deep in lore, and massively creative, it was a joy to be in this world. The people groups, gods, magic, and political and economic systems were a true treat to step into night after night. With a growing underground resistance, rooftop assassins, and aristocratic subversions, I was never bored. It’s hard to talk about a book like this spoiler free because every unassuming detail turns your head later. But what looks on a map as a pretty basic world is anything but. 

The characters are unique and I honestly loved every storyline. I think in general there were some issues I had to move passed, but things that could usually irk me paled in comparison to what was unfolding. Though sometimes motivations felt surface level, most of the time I looked back and could easily rationalize the move. Even if that was moments of complete stupidity being pretty characteristic. But as a whole I was so convinced by these characters. They were well written and interesting, and man did I like them. There are a variety of romantic preferences and relationships in the characters, giving us a diverse offering and contributing (and sometimes manipulating) motivations. My favorite character of all wasn’t even a POV, a feat you’ll just have to read to understand.

This is not a short book, and in some ways I think it could have used a light trim. The prose wasn’t so much lacking as it was taking on a heavy load and just not the strongpoint for me here. I was fully immersed, yet at times it just got caught on its own two feet. But what it lacks in concise delivery, it makes up in spades with intrigue. It is a truly interesting experience, and Menkes has set himself up for an absolute banger of a series.

Semi-Finalist Pick

As you can read, it was an amazingly hard choice. Before I announce it, I just want to say a huge thank you to the competition, to Mark, and to all the authors that trusted me with their stories. I don’t take it lightly, the honor we have here of weighing someone else’s art. You all are maniacs and I can’t thank you enough for the epic journeys I took with the pieces of you that you’ve poured into these worlds. In asking to be judged in this way, sometimes you don’t come out on top not because your own merit fell short but because there was something equally interesting and the edge was just shy. So, readers and authors alike, don’t discount these books. At the end of the day, consider any of them, consider them all. There are no losers here and I was one of the luckiest reviewers in the slush pile with an impossible choice that had to be made.

To tease, for me it came down to the classic struggle of taking the safe bet versus the ambitious new talent. And this time I placed all my chips on the table for…

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The Purple Prince. 

It brought me out of my comfort zone, in a world that wove itself together into a masterful tapestry I could get lost in again and again. At the end of the day, it was the book I cannot stop thinking about. Sebastian, I can’t wait for your next installment. Thank you for the ride, and a huge congratulations on being an SFFI Semifinalist.