Fifteen Favorite Fantasy Reads of 2022

The following list is my top 15 favorite fantasy reads of 2022. In order to be eligible to make the list, they must be:

novel length
speculative fiction (fantasy or science fiction generally)
Indie/small publisher is a bonus for getting on the list, because I don’t think authors like Terry Pratchett or J.K. Rowling really need any extra help from little old me, but I don’t make it a hard-and-fast rule because
- 1) we all know how good I am at following my own rules (not good at all) and
- 2) I like having a little flexibility built in!

Reviews, ReadingJenelle SchmidtDecember 27, 2022 Comments

Frost: Winter's Lonely Guardian Release Day

Today is the day!

I’m so happy to be participating in the blog tour for Frost, by E.E. Rawls. This adorable, wintry YA adventure with a splash of romance has just released and it’s truly a beautiful story.

I got to read an early copy, and I just fell in love with Frost and Norah and Tim. (Tim! I want so badly to wrap him in a blanket and protect him)

There are a lot of fun elements in this story: seasonal fae guardians, selkies (the world needs more books with selkies in them, just sayin’), a magic harp, winter vibes, and lots more fantastical flurries of fun. (I seriously couldn’t help myself - alliteration calls to me). Featuring an MC who thinks he’s super tough and ice-cold, but is an actual cinnamon roll, and a leading lady who thinks she’s a cinnamon roll but is way tougher than she thinks. An internal struggle between giving in to bitterness and despair and doing the right thing. Redemption…. ahhhh, this is such a great story!

Book Reviews, Featured Artist Friday, Interviews and Blog Tours, ReviewsJenelle SchmidtNovember 2, 2022Comment

Rings of Power: Episodes 1 & 2

So, I definitely intended to give Rings of Power a hard pass. My interest in watching it was down around absolute zero. Especially after the complete and utter disappointment that was the Wheel of Time series.

However….

Reviews, Television ShowsJenelle SchmidtSeptember 8, 2022 Comments

The Book of Boba Fett

Another TV Show Review!

Because the last one went so well. snark

But, you know, ever the optimist over here.

So we’ve been watching The Book of Boba Fett, and there are now 3 episodes available to watch.

So far, I’ve been enjoying it mightily, and I’m very much looking forward to episode 4 this week.

I’m not even going to try to do this without spoilers, so consider this your warning:

SPOILERS AHEAD

Reviews, Television ShowsJenelle SchmidtJanuary 14, 2022 Comments

Fifteen Favorite Fantasy Reads of 2021

2021 is winding to a close, and it’s time to share my annual post about all my favorite fantasy reads from the year!

This is always both simultaneously one of my favorite and least favorite posts to write. Favorite because I love looking over the books I’ve read, reminiscing about the stories I loved, and recommending them. Least favorite because it’s a lot of fiddly work and because it’s always impossible to put them in an order I’m completely happy with. But, I’ll try.

I read 80 books this year! Not quite as many as last year, but some of my reads this year were on the longer side, and I got a TON more authoring work done this year than last year.

The books on this list are my fifteen favorite fantasy reads.

Book Reviews, Reading, ReviewsJenelle SchmidtDecember 16, 2021 Comments