S.D. Reeves Books

Books, Short Stories, Poetry

S.D. Reeves

Rev Request: Witch’s Jewel by Kater Cheek

By Leave a Comment

I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.

Something is missing in modern fantasy today. The lion’s share that forms the bulwark of the genre’s ground troops seem lacking – like they are missing an important piece of their equipment. As if in haste, they all decided to leave their helmets back home before they went a-sieging the castle. Oh, there are several of the usual tropes. Fey creatures. Magic. However, the stories lack gravitas; the weight that these otherworldly things should bring. And this is where I find myself with Kater Cheek’s The Witch’s Jewel (Kit Melbourne book 1). Excellently written, with engaging characters, but a setting where encountering of the unusual has all the significance of suddenly deciding to order a different cup of coffee.

[Read more…] about Rev Request: Witch’s Jewel by Kater Cheek

Review Req: The Affliction of Praha, by Simon Gillard

By Leave a Comment

I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.

Atmospheric novels are my bag. Whether it is horror, science fiction, or regular old literary. The Affliction of Praha, a historical mystery by Simon Gillard, has that in spades. But it is not perfect. There are tense issues, POV issues, and a smattering of other problems that are – naturally – exactly what I expect in a debut novel. Still, I am not one to complain too loudly over something I enjoyed.

[Read more…] about Review Req: The Affliction of Praha, by Simon Gillard

Rev Req: The Name Of Red, by Beena Khan

By Leave a Comment

I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.

A flawed heroine makes for a good character study. Tragic backstories, ill decisions, they can all work in tandem to make a protagonist believable. Except when they don’t. Since I am in Switzerland now, I think I will quote Paracelsus: “All things are poison…only the dose makes a thing not a poison.” That’s the problem with Red, the protagonist, and this book “The Name of Red,” by Beena Khan . Too much of everything, has made the story a poison pill.

[Read more…] about Rev Req: The Name Of Red, by Beena Khan

Reviews: From the writer’s drawer

By Leave a Comment

Reviews. Authors need them, companies want to sell writers more of them. And readers? Well they just don’t normally want to bother. A lot hinges on that review count (and usually positive aggregate). If you are a gamer you might compare them to achievements – get the right ones, and you might unlock something special. Well that ‘something’ includes access to quality promotion websites, consideration from bloggers and the media, and in many cases direct sales. We will talk a little bit about it all today.

[Read more…] about Reviews: From the writer’s drawer

Rev Req: Wild Hare, by Laura Koerber

By Leave a Comment

I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.

I have never been a huge fan of political flavored fiction. I am also probably the wrong person for the message this book espouses – I am a Southern boy from OL’ Alabama, as it were. Still, Koerber writes with a keen wit, and deft ability at storytelling that is enthralling. And she didn’t even have to hand me some cake.

[Read more…] about Rev Req: Wild Hare, by Laura Koerber

Pandora’s box of world-building elements

"Curses of Scale is a Pandora’s box of world-building elements, and Reeves shows great skill at parceling out the pieces of lore and mystery that today’s fantasy readers crave. Readers will be sure to enjoy this crafty, utterly transportive novel." ~Red City Review

Curses of Scale

Curses of Scale
5
2018-06-20T13:10:53+00:00

Curses of Scale

"Curses of Scale is a Pandora’s box of world-building elements, and Reeves shows great skill at parceling out the pieces of lore and mystery that today’s fantasy readers crave. Readers will be sure to enjoy this crafty, utterly transportive novel." ~Red City Review

A coming of age tale with a lot to say about life

" Curses of Scale is a coming of age tale with a lot to say about life and taking charge of one's destiny in the search for independence. " ~ Readers' Favorite

Curses of Scale

Curses of Scale
4
2018-06-20T13:10:17+00:00

Curses of Scale

" Curses of Scale is a coming of age tale with a lot to say about life and taking charge of one's destiny in the search for independence. " ~ Readers' Favorite

A character-driven, fantasy adventure

‘A character-driven, fantasy adventure. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Curses of Scale
4
2019-01-26T20:13:04+00:00
‘A character-driven, fantasy adventure. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

Vivid scenery and quirky characters populate The Melody of Three

"Each character has something driving them, some fierce motivation behind their actions, but the full importance of their goals isn’t quite revealed until the end, and sometimes not even then. Each character has flaws, personality quirks, and all the little details that make them full-fledged people and not just tropes or puppets – it’s easy to get interested and invested in what happens to them." IndieReader

The Melody of Three

Curses of Scale
4
2021-10-06T13:42:13+00:00

The Melody of Three

"Each character has something driving them, some fierce motivation behind their actions, but the full importance of their goals isn’t quite revealed until the end, and sometimes not even then. Each character has flaws, personality quirks, and all the little details that make them full-fledged people and not just tropes or puppets – it’s easy to get interested and invested in what happens to them." IndieReader

An exquisitely written start

"Reeves writes with both the mechanical acuity of Shakespeare and the warm, wry wit of Terry Pratchett...This is an exquisitely written start to a new fantasy series that demonstrates the dangers of an irresistible distraction."Red City Review

The Melody of Three

Curses of Scale
4
2021-10-06T13:45:08+00:00

The Melody of Three

"Reeves writes with both the mechanical acuity of Shakespeare and the warm, wry wit of Terry Pratchett...This is an exquisitely written start to a new fantasy series that demonstrates the dangers of an irresistible distraction."Red City Review
4.3
5
Curses of Scale