Tag: fantasy novella

Book Review: Threshing Day (The Empyrean #3.5) by Rebecca Yarros

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella
Length: 208 pages
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Red Tower
Release Date: September 29th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

TIS GOOD.

I don’t have a lot of thoughts but I did like this novella. It had some interesting tidbits and a few of the stories stood out as maybe important for book four? This mostly came across as filler for me but I might change my thoughts on that on my eventual reread + book four.

I haven’t reread these books recently so admittedly not every facet or character was fresh in my mind so I had a hard time figuring out how worth it the information was to the series. I think knowing the character line up before going in would be more helpful.

Definitely recommend going with the audiobook with different narrators for the different stories. I liked it a lot!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Novella
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: none(?) I think
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Book Review: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella Collection
Length: 448 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: December 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson-creator of the Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn saga, and countless bestselling works of science fiction and fantasy-comes Tailored Realities, a new short fiction collection including the never-before-published novella Moment Zero.

Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, this collection features stories from beyond the bounds of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe.
Along with the never-before-seen novella “Moment Zero,” Tailored Realities will include “Snapshot,” “Perfect State,” “Defending Elysium” (a novella set within the world of Skyward), and five other stories that were originally published individually elsewhere-never before collected into one volume, and many never before available in print.

The collection will also include a stunning black and white illustration for each story.

Thank you Tor Books for the gifted ARC.

SOLID GROUP.

First of all, I was beside myself when this ARC showed up on my doorstep and had to read it immediately. It’s a great mashup of all sorts of Sanderson samplings and I liked the unique vibe to each story.

The final novella (one of the few which has never been seen before) was engrossing. It was just the right level of confounding that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. And honestly it’s a bit gut punchy too??? HOW DARE HE. This story alone is worth the read.

My favorite part were all of the post scripts after each story. I LOVE behind the scenes information and learning the thought process behind each moment.

If you’re a Sanderson fan I think you’ll enjoy this collection.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Novella Collection
  • Language: low
  • Romance: not really
  • Violence: moderate+
  • Content warnings: loss of life, su!cide (briefly mentioned)

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ARC Book Review: The Breaker of Stars (The Curse of Ophelia #3.5) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: 220 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A war of fractured hearts.
A fate written in the stars.

Cypherion does not love recklessly, but he loves hard. And while his friends may have forgiven Vale’s betrayal following the Battle of Damenal, he has kept the Starsearcher at arm’s length.

That is, until his Revered commands the two embark on a quest to Vale’s territory in order to find the secrets hidden within her damaged magic. And with so many betrayals being exposed in her life, Vale has one goal: win him back, even if only as a friend.

With weeks alone, under the watch of no one but the stars, will Cypherion be able to continue protecting his heart, or will he find a fate that outweighs the risks of love? And if he does, will the eddies of war allow him to keep it?

The Breaker of Stars is a second chance fantasy romance with cunning political intrigue, sprinkles of celestial magic, and a dazzling love story. It is book 3.5 in The Curse of Ophelia series and contains important series details, recommended to be read between books 3 and 4.

Thank you to the author for the eARC!

GREAT ADDITION.

If you’ve been enjoying this series and are curious if it’s worth picking up the novella, I say it is! I loved being back in this world and getting to deep dive into two characters I have really liked.

I liked the pacing and story line. It really feels well woven into the larger plot while maintaining this as a personal story to Cypherion and Vale. I love this world and seeing another view point of it only added to the experience. There’s some good tender moments, a bit of spice and I am definitely curious how this will continue into book four.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Novella
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: physical altercations, depictions of emotional/mental abuse and neglect, torture, physical ailments related to seizures

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