I’m Ronit J, a fantasy nerd with big dreams and bigger anxieties, all struggling to make themselves be heard within the existential maelstrom that is my mind. Fantasy – and by extension – the whole speculative fiction genre is how I choose to escape reality.
Abandoned by the Gods by Ronit J Welcome to Adeva... A land abandoned by the Gods themselves. The mortals that were left behind built a rich thousand-year history full of legendary exploits. But history doesn’t remember everyone. Written by the victors, written for them, history has a bad habit of neglecting many. This collection features four tales of those hapless souls that history forgot. A girl sold into divine servitude who would threaten to change the face of Adeva's history, a noble forced into dacoity fuelled by vengeance, a princess in forbidden love compelled to make an impossible choice, and an ordinary woman fighting to survive through a mad god-king's reign, this collection is an attempt to honour their humanity, to celebrate those who dared to defy norms, dared to thrive despite fate being against them. Welcome to Adeva. Your faith will not protect you. ——————————————————————————————————————— The stories: * Servant of God: Sold into bonded slavery to a temple, Jagadasi discovers that not everything is as pure as she had believed. She turns to her God for a way to cleanse the temple, but the solution she receives is bloody, with the potential to change the face of Adeva’s history. * The Princess Who Loved Her Maid: Princess Ilava is deeply in love with her maid, Raci. When her father arranges her marriage with Emperor Mahamara, Ilava is forced to choose between losing Raci, or antagonising an avatar of God. * Dacoit, Son of a Noble: Bhola’s rich life is uprooted when King Ananda’s conquering forces usurp his domain and kill his father. Forced into a life of dacoity, Bhola’s life is fueled with a singular motive: Kill King Ananda before he ascends to godhood. * Bittersweet Chutney: An account of an ordinary woman’s life set against the backdrop of one of Adeva’s most significant historical events—the killing of a mad god-king. |
Help! My Dog Is The Chosen One! by Ronit J Kunal is forced to adventure… Because his dog is the Chosen One! Kunal is just your average guy living on rent in Mumbai, working from home, and suffering from anxiety. His world is turned upside down when his girlfriend asks him to foster a rescued street dog. Despite his qualms, Kunal agrees because ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ That’s when the extra-dimensional dark lord attacks. The dog is the only one who can stop the dark lord, but he can’t do it without Kunal’s help. Can Kunal overcome his many anxieties or will our world suffer for eternity? |
The Price of Power by Michael Michel
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear 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 slow burn with an explosive finish, The Price of Power is an awe-inspiring introduction to an ambitious fantasy epic. A true modern classic in the making. |
A Dirge for Cascius by Calum Lott
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear 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 reflective piece of art that is as intimidating and dense as it is satisfying and emotional. Calum Lott is a mad genius for what he’s created with Valsollas. |
A Princess of Oldir by Bryan Wilson
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 Can you break an already broken TBR? A prime example of political intrigue done right, A Princess of Oldir is a rewarding entrée for The Power of the Stars. |
The Bartender Between Worlds by Herman Steuernagel
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 sweet blend of cozy cocktails and multiverses with a dash of friendship served warm. Steuernagel’s mixology-based magic system is one you don’t want to miss. |
Soul Cage (SoulBreaker Book 1) by L. R. Schulz
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 Soul Cage is a complete fantasy package with a colorful world, complex characters, thought-provoking magic system, and a rich story that sets up a larger epic. |
Fleet Champions by Rob J Hayes
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well That last line left my jaw hanging and my eyes tearing up. Fleet Champions is yet another stellar entry in the criminally underrated Titan Hoppers series. |
Silence is Silver by Andrew Watson
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: Adequately represents the story Reminiscent of the Fremen and the Aiel, this novella is a visceral coming-of-age prequel set in a cruel world full of terrifying creatures and brutal cultures. |
Lost Souls by Ryan Skeffington
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story I felt the chill in my bones reading this emotionally driven sci-fi adventure with real, hard-hitting character moments that will leave you teary-eyed. |
Demon by Rob J Hayes
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
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 After trudging through 150 pages of torture, fever-dream-level suffering, Hayes weaves a finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, screaming victory. |
The Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel
Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Mostly clear Characters: Some more thought out than others
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Engaging
Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well Michel’s new novel sets the ground for what is to be an explosive & epic journey of growth, imaginative world-building, & absurdly creative magical showdowns. |
Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Matches the story well Empathetic, lyrical, and visceral, Your Blood And Bones’ heartfelt narrative will creep you out and make you weep, all the while longing for more from Anderson. |
War Song: Legacy Rising by Michael Michel
Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Straightforward Characters: Roles are clear
Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down Emotional Response: Strong emotions
Thought Provoking: New ideas came up
Cover: Adequately represents the story Brutally real, visceral, and inspiring, War Song: Legacy Rising is a powerful novelette that explores the extremes of slavery and colonisation from the perspective of a flawed protagonist. |