Black Friday deals, last chance for Kickstarter, and a review.

28 Nov 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , ,

Once again I’m participating in the big black Friday book sale and both my books are included at ninety-nine cents. I’m raising the prices after Cyber Monday so grab them while they’re cheap.

You can find all the books in the sale at http://www.blackfridaybooksale.com

Also the Bouncing Back Kickstarter ends November 30th. You only have three days to get the new Rubber Bandit novel before the general public. There are tons of exciting add on and extra goodies such as stickers, art prints and an exclusive in universe newspaper. If you want to read my story about what happened to the turtle at the book festival then this newspaper is the only way to do that.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Still not convinced? Here’s what I had to say:

Amber Gabriel’s newest Novel is part of the SVR Superhero Universe originated by H.L. Burke.

Bouncing Back returns to The former Rubber Bandit as he enters into the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project. This is probably the most religious leaning book in the entire universe. It shows the way Elam’s thoughts and feelings have changed since getting on the right side of the law. It was handled in such a way that religion felt less like a requirement for good behavior but more like a side effect of it.

This story was so heartfelt and funny. It even has a cute kid with a dog.

While this novel gives Elam a pretty solid conclusion., I sincerely hope Amber Gabriel continues to write in this super powered universe.

Links for the TL;DR:

Big Black Friday Book Sale: http://www.blackfridaybooksale.com

Bouncing back Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Conveniently a Cover Reveal and Review

21 Nov 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal, Dive In Review Tags: , ,

Are you ready to see the cover for H.L. Burke’s next superhero romantic comedy?

The 9th book of the Superhero Romance Project series features a widowed superhero/single dad, a woman with secret lie-detector powers, running from her past, caught up in a marriage of convenience trope—all while solving the mystery of why supervillains are attacking the small Alaskan town they call home.

A tale of finding love after grief, a celebration of marriage, and an exploration of faith … but with SUPERHEROES.

Great for fans of both superheroes and cozy romance.

PG for superhero action, discussion of marital intimacy, mild swearing, and fade-to-black romance.

The book launches January 9th, but you can get your copy a MONTH early through the Bouncing Back Kickstarter!

Take me to the Kickstarter!

Back Cover:

When superpowers are involved, a marriage of convenience is anything but.

Losing his beloved wife five years ago shattered Malcom “Mal” Mason’s world. Hanging on for the sake of his teen daughter, Madison, he goes through the motions, leading his superhero team and protecting the citizens of Alaska from the occasional supervillain threat. When a rash of supervillain attacks coincides with his late wife’s brother suing him for custody, Mal’s barely maintained sanity threatens to snap. Could the answer to his problems lie in a marriage of convenience?

On the run from mistakes of her youth, programmer and sometimes “hacktivist,” Charlie has finally found a sense of community, living and working in a small but close knit town. Her secret “lie detector” powers can smell a conspiracy a mile away, and she just knows there’s something bigger and more nefarious behind the recent villain attacks. Her investigating puts her in the villains’ crosshairs and costs her her home. With no where else to go, the local superhero’s offer to play house to get his snooty in-laws off his back seems … tempting. Having a superhero in the next room to protect her from villains and easier access to the case she is determined to crack? Even better.

As Mal and Charlie navigate villain attacks, meddling in-laws, and a rebellious teen in constant hot water, they’re surprised at how good a team they make. Could there be something real in their pretending? Or will Charlie’s secrets sink any chances of a happy ending?

Still not convinced you should get this book early through the Bouncing back Kickstarter? Let me share my thoughts from reading an even earlier version.

Dive in Review of Conveniently Married to a Superhero

Conveniently Married to the Superhero is to the book you need if you are over thirty-five. The leads in this book are a forty something widower and a single hacker in her late thirties. Add in a precocious thirteen-year-old and you have a rom-com made in hallmark movie heaven.

The Marriage of connivence plot in this story is super well done. Burke writes it in such a way that it not only moves the plot forward but also can not be separated from the main superhero action of the story. This is a good romance AND an action packed superhero adventure.

As someone closer to forty than she is comfortable thinking about, I appreciated this novel having older protagonists as I am well past the ‘young love’ stage of my life.

Links:

Add it to your TBR shelf on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244000561-conveniently-married-to-a-superhero

The Kickstarter (GET YOUR BOOK EARLY!) Help get those stretch goals:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Author Site: hlburkeauthor.com

Other Author Social Links:
https://www.instagram.com/burkesdragons/

https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter

https://www.youtube.com/@HLburkewriter

https://hlburkewriter.substack.com/

Grab previous books in the series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Z8815Q

Dive in Review of Stretched Thin

07 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , , ,

NEW RELEASE! The Supervillain Rehabilitation Project Universe EXPANDS with an epic new novella, written by Amber Gabriel, published by H.L. Burke.

STRETCHED THIN

Pulled between crime and the law, the Rubber Bandit is about to snap.

It’s hard enough keeping a job as a former supervillain without every gang initiate, cocky teen, and local tough trying to pick a fight with the notorious Rubber Bandit.

Elam Bentley has worked at the bar as a bouncer for 3 months. His criminal background makes spotting a fake ID easy. When an under-aged, super-powered teen’s escapades cause havoc, his employer reluctantly has to let him go. Unemployed and still under scrutiny from the local superhero team, what is he going to do?

Though Elam would love to see the look on his superhero nemesis Byte’s face, there’s no way he’s joining the Department of Super-Abled. At least that’s what he thinks until recently promoted Detective Fang asks him to go undercover.

Feeling he owes Fang, Elam agrees, but because he is a Sable, he has to go through DOSA to do it. Can he suck it up and do the job, or will the temptation to return to criminal life be too strong?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3SYMLNC/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229186197-stretched-thin

My Dive-in Review

This newest Novella in the SVR universe is the first one written by someone other than H.L. Burke.

Amber Gabriel has contributed to the SVR lore before as an author in the DOSA Files anthologies. Now she takes her character, Elam, from those stories and gives him room to grow as a person.

Amber does a fantastic job of mirroring Burke’s style and tone from the original SVR series while still making this book her own.

The plot line and final resolution of the story are so perfectly suited to the world building that I am surprised it hasn’t already been done. 10/10 perfect addition to the SVR universe.

Want More Rubber Bandit?

If you want to read more about the Rubber Bandit you can find him in the following books. *indicates an Amazon affiliate link.

Rubber Bandit’s debuted in Refined by H.L. Burke: * https://amzn.to/4mQtpLC

Amber Gabriel took the Rubber Bandit and made him her own in “Oh, Snap” in DOSA Files #1: * https://amzn.to/3HIOqaY

The adventure continues in “Civic Duty” found in DOSA Files #2: * https://amzn.to/4kpJ6rD

BUY STRETCHED THIN ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4iZ2lXE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SVR UNIVERSE: https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/supervillain-rehabilitation-project

Dive in Review: To Weave the Wind.

21 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , , ,

My Good Friend Sharon Just released a new book. It’s the second book in her Arts of Substance series.

To Weave the Wind: Arts of Substance – Novel 2

by Sharon Rose

Only the powerfully gifted new ambassador can save the underground province. Or so they believe until she arrives.

Dirklan Province is owed a royal ambassador. What they desperately need is a powerful streamer to restore the trade cataracts. Fanteal should provide both, for they’ve heard of her amazing gift.

Fanteal soon discovers that she will be more of a pawn than an ambassador. Worse yet, as crowds cheer her arrival, she collapses from a mysterious illness. Rumors spread that something is wrong with her gift. Had their old prime minister lied? Why?

The new prime minister’s son, Jaikon, becomes Fanteal’s unwilling champion. He alone saw her gift manifest. Didn’t he? His already shaky reputation will never recover if she possesses the wrong gift.

Fanteal must learn what secrets the last prime minister took to his grave. What did he know about wind weavers and this so-called illness? But her visit to his private library just spawns more questions, and it ends with a disastrous public challenge of her gift.

Now everyone knows the truth—or thinks they do. Trade will fail, and severe poverty will follow. Yet Fanteal and Jaikon know there is a far more dangerous truth lurking in their underground world.

To Weave the Wind is the second story in the Arts of Substance trilogy. Each stand-alone novel explores one of the world’s three substance gifts: forming, wind weaving, and streaming. With every ability comes risk. The gifts are neither easy nor safe. Who has the courage and wit to use their gift well? And at what cost?

Purchase To Weave the Wind on Amazon*: https://amzn.to/3NBAAXM

All Non-amazon stores: https://books2read.com/u/3nBwKx

Book one links: https://books2read.com/u/b5wRLG

My Dive In Review

To Weave the Wind is the second book in the Arts of Substance series. While this book is stand alone with new unrelated characters, I still recommend reading the first book as the events of that book effect the culture and people of this book.

Naturally To Weave the Wind revolves around a wind weaver, a person with the ability to sense and manipulate air flow. Ambassador Fanteal is not what the people of Dirkland expect, or even want.

To them a female ambassador is only good for boosting ones political power through marriage. A wind weaver is even more useless to their underground nation.

But despite these set backs, Fanteal does her best to bring about real change to the country of Dirkland. Change that is long over due.

I really admire Fanteal’s determination and perseverance as she navigates the political hurdles set before her. She also collects a small close knit circle of friends around her who help fulfill her duties without overstepping her bounds as an ambassador.

Sharon Rose composes a masterful plot of political intrigue and the tiniest bit of romance as she once again demonstrates her ability to create and navigate complex interpersonal situations.

*I received an early review copy of this story and the above review is my honest evaluation of it.*

See the Full Series here: https://amzn.to/4dUB0TY

Author bio:

I started writing when I was seven years old. Okay, My Life as a Flying Squirrel may have had a couple spelling errors, but my classmates loved it.

Plenty of life has happened since that first story, and I’ve come to realize the things that fascinate me. People. Communication. Culture. Personality. Viewpoints. Beliefs. Anything that makes each of us beautifully unique. Small wonder that my art spills out in story form.

It was only a matter of time before I just had to share my stories. I publish fantasy and science fiction because they allow vast spaces to explore. My stories weave cultures and characters, who are more than they seem to be, into adventures with mystery, romance, and hope.

When I’m not writing or reading, I may be traveling, enjoying gardens, or searching for unique coffee shops with my husband. We live in Minnesota, USA, famed for its mosquitoes—uh, I mean 10,000 lakes and vibrant seasons.

Cover Reveal: Her Fake Superhero Boyfriend

15 Aug 2024 1 Comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal, Dive In Review Tags: , , ,

Today I am showing off the cover for the next superhero book from H.L. Burke. Because, when it comes to H.L. Burke, there will always be another superhero book.

About the Book:

He’s a villain pretending to be a hero. She’s a disaster who needs to prove she’s got it together. Can they fake date their way to success?

According to Mira Beckridge’s wealthy and stuck-up family, she’s only ever done one thing right: land a superhero boyfriend. With a hero at her side, maybe she can finally convince them to invest in her fashion line. When her prize superhero catch breaks up with her the day before meeting her parents, she needs to find a replacement, STAT.

Wannabe actor KC can’t land a role even with his super-ability to change his face at a whim. Broke and desperate, he’s fallen back on pulling cons just to make rent. When a supervillain thief recruits him to case the Beckridge Estate, he jumps at it. After all, a guy’s got to eat.

When Mira approaches KC with an offer to play her boyfriend for the week, KC thinks he’s hit the jackpot. Free food and lodging at a mansion and easier access to his target? He’s got nothing to lose, right? Especially not his heart.

Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217340600-her-fake-superhero-boyfriend

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCR7HDK2


Her Fake Superhero Boyfriend, the fifth book in H.L. Burke’s Superhero Romance Project, superhero romcom series drops Sept 9th!

Her Fake Superhero Boyfriend is the fifth book in the Superhero Romance project series. It can be read as a stand alone but if you want to read the rest of the series it’s on sale until August 20th.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Z8815Q

The series is book 1 FREE, books 2-4 99c each for the next few days.
 

I know your next question.

Did I read it?

Yes, yes I did.

Here’s what I thought:

Full review under the quote graphic.


Her Fake Superhero Boyfriend is the newest release in H.L. Burke’s superhero universe. It picks up after the events of Wishing on a supervillain and features a side character from that story.

This might be a story about a “fake” relationship but this story is really about two flawed protagonists who come into their own just by being genuine with each other. A truly relatable romcom that shows how confidence and self-worth are directly effected by the company we choose to keep.

KC is a face shifter who can be anyone. So why is it that after he meets Mira all he wants to be is himself.

Mira is a sweetheart from a cutthroat family and it takes KC to show her how truly strong she can be.

For all the tropes and Hallmark moments, this book is surprisingly deep.

For anyone who feels like they don’t belong, you just need to meet your people. Not necessarily a significant other, friends are enough.

*I was an early reader for this Novel. All opinions are my own and are given honestly*
 

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled “The Dragon and the Scholar,” the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy “Cora and the Nurse Dragon,” among others .

Author Site: www.hlburkeauthor.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burkesdragons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter

Game On: SVR the next generation.

26 May 2024 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours, Dive In Review, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,


I’m back with even more SVR news. The Anthology Kickstarter is closed and We are getting the Audio version! Thank you to everyone who backed it. If you did back the Kickstarter then you may have seen a new SVR book available as an add on. That book just released today and it’s all about the next generation of teens in the SVR universe.

NEW RELEASE!
From the Award Winning Superhero Universe by H.L. Burke comes a brand new Young Adult
Series set in the world of the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project.
Follow the next generation of young superheroes as they compete to prove themselves, forge
new friendships, and strengthen family bonds.
The book is now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Buy it now to experience the
continuing saga of the Powell family.

Game On
Supervillain Legacy Project Book 1
The Department of Super Abled has announced the first-ever teen competition: a multi-stage
challenge to find the next great superhero talent … and Ruby Powell wants in.
The daughter of superheroes, fifteen-year-old Ruby has spent her whole life waiting to be old
enough to start saving the day. When the Sable Games are announced, she sees her chance.
Step 1, convince her superstar mother to lead her team. Step 2, prove herself the most valuable
member of her team and win the hearts of the viewing public. Step 3, win the game and set
herself up as DOSA’s next big thing.
The son of a supervillain, Oliver Shelby has a lot to prove. When his application is rejected due
to his history of heart issues, it looks like he’ll be sidelined. The Powells’ new underdog team
might be his last chance. All he has to do is fudge the paperwork about his extensive medical
history and hide the huge surgical scar on his chest. No big deal, right?
With some teens willing to play dirty for the top spot, Oliver and Ruby’s team struggles to stay in
the running. If Oliver’s secret gets out, will they even be allowed to compete?

Author Bio
H. L. Burke is the author of multiple fantasy novels including the Supervillain Rehabilitation
Project Series, the Spellsmith & Carver Steampunk series, and Ashen. She is an admirer of the
whimsical, a follower of the Light, and a believer in happily ever after.
Author Links
www.hlburkeauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/burkesdragons/
https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter

My Review

Author H.L. Burke has done it again. That’s right, even more superhero books. Game on is the first book in a new series featuring the next generation of heros, AKA the children of the characters from her previous series.

Usually, I like to tell people were to start reading but there are too many books in this universe and Game On has a shiny #1 on the cover so I guess well go with that. Besides, nearly every previous character makes a cameo so I can’t even go by who is in the book. Still there is an inate joy in seeing character grow and change over time.

On that note, I really loved getting to know the new cast of characters, especially Oliver. He was introduced in Burke’s most recent release Wishing on a Supervillain and it was interesting getting to see him all grown up.

Game On is a different kind of superhero book though. Instead of a villain to fight or a world to save, This is a sports book. Camp Sable’s Team needs to win the game and defeat the rival team to win the first ever Sable competition. I don’t normally read sports stories, but as always, everything is better with superpowers.

Buy Links
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1NXMW2R

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211316346-game-on

Additional Extras:
The Cover as a jigsaw puzzle https://im-a-puzzle.com/share/4261384c891ac41

Dive in Review: Always Peachy

09 May 2024 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , ,

My Friend Amy released a new. It’s a Christian living book about finding happiness even when the universe feels like it’s out to get you.

Dive In Review: Always Peachy

Always Peachy: Living Happy When Life Hurts by Amy C. Williams, is an encouraging reminder that God is always there, even on those days when nothing goes right.

Amy provides entertaining and personal stories of times when life got hard but with God she could always get through it. I found so many of her personal anecdotes relatable.

The best part of this book is the message. You might look at this book’s title and assume the message is to always be happy no matter what, because God is a magical cure-all that will make the world go your way.

But he isn’t a magic cure-all. In Always Peachy: Living Happy When Life Hurts, author Amy C. Williams gives you permission to NOT be okay. She expresses, on every page of this book, how important all your emotions are.

A book that doesn’t make me feel less Christian for feeling sad, angry, or hurt, I am here for it. I am also here for the stories about buried washing machines and horse-riding in Guatemala.

*I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The honest opinion is my own.*

Read what the author has to say about it here: https://acwilliams.substack.com/p/the-book

Add it on Goodreads: https://rebrand.ly/44qus8w

Buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4adhKiG

Dive in Review: Realm of the Gods

27 Feb 2024 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , ,

I know it’s been a bit since my last post. I have been reading lots of books but I can’t tell you about them yet. The problem with beta reading is that the book isn’t published yet. But never fear. I’m sure they will all release in the same week leaving me to scramble to create a bunch of blog posts that I promised to write.

Until that maddening day arrives here’s one book I can tell you about.I releases today and it was a ton of fun to read.

In a realm where dreams and reality intertwine, the final battle brews.

The gods of Order have vanished. Despite priests like Dantess and Myra struggling to maintain peace, the Harbingers of Chaos fan the flames of rebellion, bringing the world to the brink of war.

Galen, drawn into the heart of the Dreaming—an ethereal realm where past, present, and future collide—confronts not only his nemesis, the cunning Carnaubas, but a horrifying truth: the exiled gods of Order still hunger for dominion.

Luckily, Galen is not alone. Eve, a young girl gifted with the uncanny ability to see the threads the connect everything, joins him on a desperate quest to find the elusive god of Chaos, their only hope for preventing Order’s return.

The Realm of Gods is more than just a story; it’s a descent into the battle between Order and Chaos, a testament to the enduring power of human connection, and a battle cry for rebellion against tyranny.

Dive-in Review

Realm of the Gods is the thrilling conclusion to Glen Dahlgren’s fantasy series, The Chronicles of Chaos.

I really mean it when I say: start on either the prequel novel The Game of War, or book one The Child of Chaos.

I was hooked after reading the prequel novel The Game of War. And each subsequent installment only served to enthrall me further into Dahlgren’s immersive world building.

The Realm of the Gods was no exception. This novel was an emotional rollercoaster of tension and suspense. Characters I have come to love all had satisfying, if not all happy, ends.

It was amazing the way all the different plot threads wove together and helped create this beautiful love letter to creativity and chaos.

Nothing more can be said without spoilers.

*Thank you to author Glen Dahlgren for providing me with an early review copy. This above review is my own honest opinion.*

Ready to join the heroes you love on their final, climatic dance between despair and hope, the last leg in an extraordinary journey that you’ll never forget?

Buy it now! Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/48B6L1s

Not caught up yet? Find the whole series on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3SS6mlx

Do you prefer paper to digital? Why not support the author directly by buying directly from him and get your book signed too! https://mysteriummerchandise.bigcartel.com/

About the author
Glen Dahlgren is the award-winning author of the acclaimed book series, the Chronicles of Chaos, dubbed “what fantasy fiction should be” by New York Times bestselling author and fantasy legend Piers Anthony.

Books in this now complete series won multiple Readers’ Favorite Gold Medals, American Fiction Awards, Independent Author Network Book of the Year awards, and the Dante Rossetti Award.

Glen has also written, designed, directed, and produced critically-acclaimed, narrative-driven computer games for the last three decades. What’s more, he had the honor of creating original fantasy and science-fiction storylines that took established, world-class literary properties into interactive experiences. He collaborated with celebrated authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (The Death Gate Cycle), Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time – now a TV series from Amazon), Frederik Pohl (Heechee saga), Terry Brooks (Shannara), and Piers Anthony (Xanth) to bring their creations to the small screens. In addition, he crafted licensor-approved fiction for the Star Trek franchise as well as Stan Sakai’s epic graphic novel series, Usagi Yojimbo.

Find out more at: https://glendahlgren.home.blog/

The Winter Queen’s Tale: Dive in Review.

06 Dec 2023 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , ,

Today I’m bringing you epic winter goodness for your reading pleasure. This book released recently, and you can buy it. But I guess first I need to tell you why you should buy it.

The tales warn of faeries lurking beyond the iron-bound trees, eager to snatch wayward children. Yet at the onset of every winter Neve and Vale cross the iron’s protection and dance to the snow bees’ song.

The year Neve comes of age a faery lord joins the dance. He tempts Neve into accepting a dangerous magic and then steals Vale away.

Alone in the Ice Palace, Vale will need all of his wits to survive. Faeries whisper behind every door, and elves watch from the shadows. The Snow Queen’s court plays for blood.

To rescue her brother Neve journeys north. Ice answers her call, but with a terrible price. It will take more than dreams for Neve to master the magic. If she fails, both she and Vale will fall prey to winter’s fury.

My Review:

The Winter Queen’s Tale by Naomi P. Cohen is not just a retelling of the classic, The Snow Queen, it adds to the story in a way that also acts as a kind of sequel.

In this novel the story of Gerda and Kai is woven with that of Neve and Vale, siblings who are chosen by the snow bees to become Fae and replace the Snow Queen from Andersen’s version. Just as Gerda is making her way to the snow palace to save Kai, Neve must make her way there in order to reunite with her brother and claim her throne.

I really enjoyed this sorta-retelling. It added a lot to the story and filled in some of Andersen’s confusing ending. (like why in the original the snow queen doesn’t seem to be around to put up a fight when Gerda arrives.)

The characters of Neve and Vale are dynamic and fun to read, and I was glad to read in the afterward that the author is working on another story about them.

I received an early review copy from the author. My opinion are my own and are honestly expressed.

Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/46EWikI

Black Friday and a Dive in Review: A Spoonful Of Malaysian Magic

24 Nov 2023 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

Hi before I can share a review for an amazing Anthology I have to let you know about an amazing black Friday sale. There are over three hundred ebooks listed that are all 99 cents or free. You can find my novel, Runaway Lyrics under fantasy for 99 cents. https://sale.perrykirkpatrick.com/listing-category/fantasy/

A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology

A burong descends from Tansang Kenyalang in the midst of a dire catastrophe. A shapeshifter frees Kedah from the dreaded Raja Bersiong only to uncover a darker secret. A woman learns to channel her family’s food magic. A young huntress of supernatural creatures charts her own path of love. 

This anthology of short stories offers fresh takes on Malaysian folklore and fairy tales, adds enchantment to the ordinary, and bursts with new, wonderful flavours. Stir a little spoonful of magic into your tea, whether you’re from these shores or from far away.

Stories by:

Collin Yeoh · Hamizah Adzmi · Ilnaz A. Faizal · Ismim Putera · Joni Chng · Joshua Lim · Julia Alba · Rowan C · Sharmilla Ganesan · Stuart Danker · Syazwani Jefferdin · Zufar Zeid

Anna Tan writes fantasy stories and fairy tales, and helps people publish books at Teaspoon Publishing. She also wrangles writers and deadlines for the Malaysian Writers Society (MYWriters) and Penang Art District.

Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the current President of MYWriters. She can be found tweeting as @natzers and forgetting to update annatsp.com.

https://facebook.com/annatansp | https://twitter.com/natzers | https://instagram.com/annatsp

My Dive in Review:

One of my favorite things about Fantasy as a genre is jumping right into a new world without having to have any previous knowledge about it.

So when I saw that this was an anthology written by Malaysian authors I figured it would be fine since it’s fantasy.

I was right. Each story does a great job of painting a picture of its own unique world, as all good stories should. But every once in a while I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some subtext I was missing. Would I somehow get more out of this anthology if I was Malaysian?

I think the answer to that question is no. Even the few times I took to google to translate a phrase, or research a folktale, I never really learned more than I picked up from the context in the story. Another round of applause for these writers.

A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is a wonderful dive into a culture that western audiences may be unfamiliar with but feels familiar because of its close proximity to both China and India. For that reason, my favorite story was one that showed modern day Malaysia rather than a more ancient setting. The Dalhia of Hutan Kilat, is a modern day urban fantasy story of a monster hunter who learns to love the magical creatures she is charged to destroy. It was sweet, and I enjoyed googling the creature names to learn more about them.

Whatever your tastes this anthology has something for everyone and definitively proves that fantasy is universal.

I received an Advanced reader copy of this book and the above review is my true and honest opinion.

Add the book to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168405034-a-spoonful-of-malaysian-magic

Amazon* buy link: https://amzn.to/3STQgtf

Universal buy link to other retailers: https://books2read.com/malaysianmagic

Teaspoon Publishing store: https://teaspoonpublishing.com.my/shop/malaysianmagic 

If you liked what you read about Malaysian fantasy Anna Tan has her entire Malaysian fantasy trilogy in the black Friday sale for 99 cents each. That’s her entire series for less than $3. Go check it out. https://sale.perrykirkpatrick.com/

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