Book Review Bloodtide by Sophie Burnham

 This is book 2 in the Ex Romana Series and I ate this one up like Halloween Candy! 

The new cover direction is really really really good.  i just love how each cover is different, but does follow a theme that is slick and sophisticated, just like the series! 

So this is the second installment in this series and I was a little concerned that it might suffer from that second book slump.  I was delightfully surprised.  Bloodtide is more engaging than Sargassa and I had trouble putting this one down, and I REALLY CANNOT WAIT for THE THIRD! 

Going to try to do this with no spoilers - might be a bit tough. 

   In Sargassa we are introduced to a wide cast of characters who are all cogs in the wheel of the never ended Roman Empire. (or did it really never end?) Initially I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of characters, but I will say as I read they swiftly sorted themselves out pretty cleanly.  And the set up- which included the world building- explaining the social order, introducing the players, and the general environment really sets up Bloodtide for super success. 

   In Blood tide, our band of unlikely allies continues to work to try to bring about a more just situation. Everyone has different tasks and is being lead by a mastermind, who has a somewhat tenuous grasp on power.  As they work, underdog hero/ines emerge, relationships are tested, discarded and maybe picked up again.  This is a fairly queer normative novel with many characters involved in several types of relationships. As Covert missions are completed, family tree elements are revealed, and each character must make difficult choices as they move forward in tense, electric environment. 

 I remained true to my favorite character Theo Nix, who is just the most badass of them all, but seems about to be felled by love!

I did receive this book from Astra Publishing House and this is my completely honest review. I did love this book, and I do want to read more from this author, especially in this series. 

STATS

First Published: October 2025

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, grief, Weather events,  body injury, food insecurity, classism. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Happy Publication Day!

   Book Two in the Ex Romana Series by Sophie Burnham is out in the world! 

BLOODTIDE  continues the adventure in an alternate world where the Roman Empire never fell. Apocalypse is coming, and unlikely alliances are being formed.

 I did receive an advanced reader copy from DAW- Astra House - and I can't wait to post up that review!

   This is a complex fantasy read which will appeal to readers who have wanted just a little more from their novels. Fully fleshed out characters, surprise twists and turns, and a storyline full of thought provoking moments.  And a story this complex is nothing with out some messy, complicated relationships! 

    And the COVER!  Design by Adam Auerbach   and illustrated by Simon Prades ( who is also know for his work for the New Yorker) - this one is a stunner!  

 Let me know if you pick this up!  Happy Reading! 

Book Review Esperance by Adam Oyebanji

  Many thanks to Astra Publishing House/Daw books for the gift copy of Esperance to read and review.

  As seems to always be the case for this reader, a great cover sucked me right in! 

Small attempt at a synopsis: Detective Ethan Krol is called to an apartment in Chicago where a father and son are deceased with their lungs oddly full of sea water. Ethan knows this is strange, but he begins his investigation rather normally. Soon, he is swept wholly into the investigation leading him to Providence RI, and Edinburgh Scotland. 

A second story line introduces us to Abidemi Eniola who arrives in England from parts unknown. She hooks up with a modern gal, Hollie Rogers to help her along her way. Abidemi is super smart and has a lot of cool technology that Hollie's never seen, but sometimes seems like she doesn't quite understand how basic things like, airplanes, or pawn shops work. Abidemi states she has inheritances for several people she has to find and Hollie - who's at a loose end- decides to go along for the ride. 

What Hollie doesn't know is that the inheritances are for Descendants of a Rhode Island Merchant and Ship owner from back during slave trading days. 

Chaos ensues. 

Honestly, I did not know it was possible to write a cohesive novel that brought together classic noir detective fiction, supernatural sci-fi elements, Nigerian spirits/spirituality - the concept of debt to be paid (gbese) and historical events, I would have said that this might be a step to far, but somehow Oyebanji has put it all together into a bit of a Cyperpunk, Sci-fi, Detective Noir and Historic fiction novel that reads nicely and makes sense. 

Is this a book for everyone? No, it really is not.  I think it falls into the weird genre for me and will appeal to Sci fi readers, those who like weird stuff and those interested in cybertech.     I expect readers who enjoy Blake Crouch, or Rob Hart would find this appealing! Could it have a wider readership? It could because it's well written and easy to follow! 

STATS

First Published : May 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, police action, murder, references to slave trade, medical situations, blood, and injury. distant parent, parent death, child death.  As always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Last Chance to Save the World, by Beth Revis 5/5

 I was OVER THE MOON to get an advanced listener copy of the audiobook for Beth Revis' novella Last Chance to Save the World. Many thanks to Net-Galley and Astra publishing house and Dreamscape Media for the Advanced listener copy. It was Chef's kiss perfection! 

Me- flying in a balloon to get "over the moon"...

Navigation aérienne. Ballon & appareil de direction construit par M. Pompéien-Piraud, inventeur / / B. Arnaud. , 1883. [Lyon ; Paris: B. Arnaud, ?] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002735905/.

  I have read all of the Chaotic Orbits series and this one is supposed to be the last. It promised a satisfying ending and I'm going to have a bit of a hot take, this was NOT at all satisfying, unless there is a fourth book or spin off on the way. 

If you are looking for a fun, slow-burn tension filled series that is both futuristic and realistic-with some devastating plot twists, this is a series for you! 

   While I suppose this could be read as a stand-alone, I think it really is better to start at the beginning  with  Full Speed to a Crash landing.  and read through to get the full impact of this funny and snappy rom-com set in space. 

   Last Chance to Save the World did not disappoint (despite my misgivings about the ending). Ada and Rian - our main characters continue to play their parts well. Rian's still the somewhat stiff G-man determined to impart rules and order to situations- convinced that by following them to the T- he can indeed save the world.  Ada, well- she's Ada. She is a bundle of chaos, impropriety, snark and surprise. She's also determined to save the world- but her methods are more...flexible shall we say.  Of Course... Rian is essentially obsessed with Ada, probably in part because she is so wildly unpredictable and "off limits" Ada's also  IN LOVE  but she's true to her own character, even a bit prickly to herself- not allowing herself nice things. Despite this not progressing to the on-page "spice" that readers today seem to be clamoring for, I think I appreciated it more because it takes something special to hold a readers attention with out that. 

These two spend some time in forced proximity, concoct a plan to literally save the original Earth, and yet still can't quite manage to figure each other or their situation out. If that isn't a very realistic romantic situation, I am not sure what is.  All of this, of course is set in space, with ships, space stations, interesting space foods and clothing.  

As readers we are taken along for the wild ride,  and left a bit short of breath as Ada takes things right down to the wire. Can Ada and Rian save the Earth? Can they save themselves? 

You 'll want to read to find out. My only warning to the reader is that while the ending is somewhat satisfying, it really doesn't feel like the end. So if you're listening DAW Books, readers want more! 

Shout out to the Audiobook narrators: Dara Rosenberg and David Bendena. They narrate the entire series, and for me they enhanced it entirely. If there were mispronunciations, I missed them, and the flow and pace was so natural and enjoyable. Highly recommend the audio for those who enjoy ear-reading. 

My only sadness with the Ear reading is that there isn't a beautiful trophy book for my shelf. The art for these covers is on-point, it reflects the fun, campy, snappy nature of the series and I hope at some point to get a full set. (Deep down I am hoping for maybe an omnibus, but I'd settle for a book 4...) 

STATS

First Published : April 8, 2025

Pages: 176

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: parental death, illness, climate

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly!