It’s been six months since I started this blog! There are many people I’d like to thank for their support during this time: From the authors who’ve provided ARCs to other book reviewers for the tips and recs. Also, shout out to all the queer writer mutuals on Twitter who remind me this is a safe space. Thank you all for proving once more how wholesome the indie community is.
I’ve had so much fun building this blog and I’ve found more authors to keep on my radar. In no particular order, these are seven books I read in the last six months that I rated five stars.
It goes without saying these books are Tiny Elf Approved. Let’s hope the next six months bring many more 5-star reads!
1. Fledgling by C.F. Welburn
This is the first part of The Ashen Levels, a pentalogy of novellas. I did not expect such a skillful prose in a LitRPG story. Truthfully, this is not the best representative of the subgenre as it only includes some of the elements. It’s dark, it’s epic, and has a protagonist you want to cheer on. Writing this just reminded me I need to pick the next one ASAP.
2. Of Shade and Shadow: The Exiled by Niamh Schmid and Rebecca Schmid
This cover didn’t really catch my attention. But since I rely on reviews to pick my reads and hold my TBR in check (which, let’s be honest really isn’t reined in), it made the cut. This is a YA novel with two teenage POVs of characters dealing with trauma. I loved that there’s nothing like whiny characters or love triangles which makes some people usually avoid YA.
3. The Prince of Starlight by Lou Wilham
Some terms instantly get my attention: anything star-related, anything music-related, “queer”, “swashbuckling”, “elves”, “political intrigue”, “princes”, “coming-of-age”, and “thieves”. This book’s protagonist is a dramatic queer elf prince, and it has the word “Starlight” in the title. It’s funny and cute, and I loved the interactions between the characters.
4. Desolate Seasons by Dana C Brentson
Another novella, part of a series of interconnected standalone stories. This author reached out to me and I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but since it was short I gave it a chance. The beginning was a little slow but I was fascinated by all the twists and turns.
5. Threads of Fate by Cat Rector
This anthology is a companion for Cat Rector‘s recently completed Unwritten Runes Duology. It’s been a while since I read the first book and it was nice meeting these characters before the events in The Goddess of Nothing At All. It’s no secret Cat is one of my favourite authors and this collection is a clear reason why.
6. The Blood of Crows by Alex C. Pierce
An SPFBO 8 semi-finalist. Another book with one of my preferred tropes: heists. What I love the most about this trope is that it features a nice balance between humour and corruption. I was a bit worried but it lived up to my expectations. Thieves in fantasy are usually my favourite characters. Ren, the protagonist, is noble and charming in his naïveté.
7. An Inheritance of Ash & Blood by Jamie Edmundson
This was the author’s first attempt to write for a younger audience. I would consider it a miss in this regard. While it’s primarily a coming-of-age story, the surrounding themes are somewhat dark. It’s rich in political intrigue, which I relish. It kept me captivated and reminded me why I love epic fantasy. The next book can’t come out soon enough.
Tiny Elf Arcanist 
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