indyman avatar indyman book blogger

A blogger-reviewer from Mumbai, India, who loves all things SFF, and also has a keen interest in horror, mystery/thrillers, and comics/graphic novels. Reviewer at SFF Insiders (pssst! I also have a personal blog - indycritic.com).

https://linktr.ee/indyman




Reviews

Noose

Noose by Brennan LaFaro

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

A dark, brutal, and gritty revenge tale. Takes off like a bullet train and won’t let you breathe till it reaches the end. A wild ride, and a western done right.

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Your Blood and Bones

Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

A beautifully written, dark, and thought-provoking novella that hits you with emotions, and will undoubtedly stay on your mind long after you've read it.

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The Tome of Haren

The Tome of Haren by Damien Francis

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

A quite INCREDIBLE dark, epic fantasy debut which impressively honors the various tropes of the genre, and lives up to its name in more ways than one.

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The Martian Incident

The Martian Incident by Ryan M. Patrick

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Fast-paced, full of thrills plus intrigue, and totally befitting the “sci-fi techno-thriller” label, this is definitely something that you don't wanna miss.

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The Hiding

The Hiding by Alethea Lyons

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Alethea Lyons' dark fantasy debut 'The Hiding' is vivid, highly atmospheric, and sure to set your adrenaline rolling in excitement and intrigue alike.

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The Storm Beneath the World

The Storm Beneath the World by Michael R. Fletcher

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

An AMAZING opening chapter to an equally promising new fantasy series. To say it quite plainly – you definitely don’t want to miss out on this whatsoever.

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Renia

Renia by Karl Forshaw

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

“An INCREDIBLE debut which delivers on all fronts. Dark, with well-written characters, a superb plot, excellent world building, and some pretty strong themes to go alongside. A MUST READ!”

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Undead Samurai

Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Moving at breakneck speed, with the undead aplenty, this action-packed tale set in ancient Japan delivers from start to finish. You better get ready to “join the fight”…

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The Hunter

The Hunter by K. Aagard

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well

The Hunter is a great debut into epic fantasy with excellent character work, strong worldbuilding, and a long yet fun journey which makes it a fantastic read.

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A Dragon of the Veil

A Dragon of the Veil by Nick Snape

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story

An INCREDIBLE start to a new, dark epic fantasy series! Great characters, a fast-paced & action-packed plot, and excellent world building. A real GEM of a find!

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Fogbound

Fogbound by N.J. Alexander

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well

A pretty solid debut with a multi-POV setup, numerous sub-plots, impressive world building, enjoyable travel/journey element, and a nasty villain on show.

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The Long Nights

The Long Nights by Tom Mock

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

A STUNNING debut by all means! Fast-paced; exquisitely written; superb character work, and an incredible setting. Dark, horror, urban noir fantasy done right!

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Bloodwoven

Bloodwoven by G.J. Terral

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well

A fantastic debut which thrives on the travel aspect of fantasy; has a great magic system, tons of thrilling action, and a strong theme of faith at its core.

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Exile

Exile by AJ Calvin

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well

A very good, solid start to a dragon-based epic fantasy series with family as a strong theme. I’m very much looking forward to the sequels, and to see where this journey goes. This was my first-ever entry into the author’s work, but it most certainly won’t be the last. Had fun!

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