ReviewsFeed -

Monthly TBR – September 2026

Posted on September 5, 2026September 5, 2026 by fantasyst95

My monthly TBR for September features more 2026 releases than usual. I don’t know, I think I’m just in the mood for it right now! Between some upcoming blog tour obligations, as well as four other reads I’m picking up that were published in earlier this year as well, this is definitely a reading list to look out for if you enjoy reading newly published books. It’s interesting, because most of the time I read backlist books. However, a change is as good as a rest, they say.

I’m still up to my usual tricks of signing up for blog tours. That hasn’t changed. What is a little bit different? Is that I’m picking up 2026 releases I’ve highlighted as books I want to read this year over on YouTube, as well as starting to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist.

Readalongs / Reading Obligations

Kingdom of Ash

Goodreads

We finally made it! When I started my Throne of Glass readalong earlier this year, I didn’t really think I was going to get to the end. To be honest, my expectations were to get so far, and for the series to fall short of expectations or not grip me in a way that keeps me reading. Whilst I understand this series is lighter on romance than other Sarah J. Maas books, this is still present in the narrative. There have been a couple of occasions where I have not gelled with that, but I’ve been able to read on and it hasn’t impacted my enjoyment of the storyline overall.

Finally, we are going to see how this series concludes! I’ve already listened to the first 15% of the audiobook this week. How events will come together at the end I do not know. There are lots of parts in play, and a lot of characters that could influence the storyline in a number of ways. I’m just going to have to discover the ending for myself. Hopefully, I can make good pace with this listen as I’ve got over 18hrs 30mins left to listen to.

Invisible

I’ve got one blog tour review due later this month, and thankfully I have the copy of this read so I can pick this up imminently. That is Invisible by Heleyne Hammerlsey.

I don’t typically pick up books that are some way into a series unless I’ve read from the beginning. Invisible is a bit of an exception in that it is the sixth book of a series, but can be read as a standalone. That is what I’m going to be doing. Invisible is a pretty traditional crime genre and plot involving the discovery of a swimmers body.

However, there was far more to that story. The backstory I don’t necessarily have that The DI in charge of the case is back from work after an incident that endangered her own life. Hopefully some detail is alluded to in this novel so I understand her backstory, because this is clearly going to play a part in the narrative. I’ll let you know how that pans out and whether you can pick this up as a standalone yourselves when I review the book on publication day, 23rd September!

Debt Reckoning

Goodreads

I’ve signed up to an audiobook blog tour for Debt Reckoning, and I should get my download code in the near future. So, whilst I can’t physically start this book as of drafting this monthly TBR, I do expect to pick this up after listening to Kingdom of Ash.

Dent Reckoning is a political thriller novel, so a little bit different from the type of books I pick up usually. However, I’m intrigued by the synopsis of this particular book. I’ll tell you a lot more about this one at the beginning of October. However, I can tease you with some thoughts here and there as I progress with this book in my regular Sunday Summary updates this month. My last few blog tours have been pulled together a bit last minute. I’m determined to change that…

One More Hour of Daylight

Goodreads

Another blog tour obligation due at the beginning of October, date to be confirmed, is One More Hour of Daylight. Yes, I’m leaning into my love of World War II historical fiction here and I’m excited to feature a new release in the genre.

The World War II history books I have read that sound similar to One More Hour of Daylight being based around English pilots landing in enemy territory. One More Hour of Daylight is the difference in that this includes a storyline that is the other way around. The synopsis hints that the book is somewhat about compassionate nature of humankind.

Anyway, one I can update you on as I start reading. Again, I don’t think I have a copy of this book yet but I expect to receive it shortly.

2026 Releases/TBR Returners

The Language of Liars

Goodreads

The Language of Liars remains on my list of books I want to pick up. It originally featured on my July TBR, then August, but I’m going to 100% finish it in September. Hold me accountable folks!

This is a language based spy novel so is a little bit unusual. I can’t wait to try it. The Language of Liars is another 2026 release, and one I talked about in my 2026 highly anticipated releases YouTube video earlier this year if you want to take a look.

When I originally put this book on the list, I didn’t appreciate how short it was. However, that’s going to work to my advantage. Not only am I a little behind with my 2026 Goodreads reading goal, I enjoyed picking up shorter reads like Dungeons and Dimwits last month, and I’ve gotten stuck in recent months with larger books like The Pillars of the Earth. So, we’re embracing short narratives in September. There’s more to follow…

Julia

Goodreads

Before we get to that though, we have to revisit Julia. Again.

In my 2026 resolutions post, I set out my intention to read the original 1984 by George Orwell, then immediately follow up with Julia by Sandra Newman. I got a little bit stuck with 1984 as it is a book I have already read previously. I lost a little motivation with that original title, but did get there in the end. Julia is a new take on that same world and storyline. Thankfully, it’s still fresh enough in my mind that I’ll be able to pick this book up and remember what happened in 1984.

However, I’m determined not to put it off any longer!

Yesteryear

Goodreads

Another 2026 release I discovered recently is Yesteryear. By all accounts, it’s a popular read at the moment. I took a look earlier at potentially borrowing this title digitally from my library, only to discover I would be ninth in the queue! Clearly, this title has a bit of buzz about it.

Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the book, but rather saw something about a film or TV adaptation featuring Anne Hathaway. It was that news that sparked my interest in this title. It is the last book I’ve added to my overall TBR, so naturally I would normally treat it as the least priority to pick up. However, I’m in the mood for doing something different and I’m intrigued as to why this book is so popular. So, I’m ignoring my backlist and picking up Yesteryear. It can judge me in silence 😂

And some Booker Prize shortlisted novellas…

The Wax Child

Goodreads

Earlier this year, I set out my intention to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist. That list was around 12 or 13 books long, and at the time, I don’t even think the shortlist had come out. I’m sticking with my intention to read the longlist, because if there was one thing I strive for in my reading, it’s to try different things.

The Wax Child and the next book I feature have some similar themes. They are also both pretty short, as books go. So, they will lean into my want to dip into different books and have fairly short reads to dip into.

What’s interesting is that whilst these books have been long listed for a prestigious award, neither book has an exceptional rating on Goodreads. Will my view mirror the judges thoughts, or the wider public?

The Witch

Goodreads

My second Booker longlist novel, and final book of this monthly TBR, is The Witch. Now I’m absolutely reading this book, there is no question about that. If nothing else, it is only around 150 pages and so achievable regardless of my feelings about it. What scares me is that this book only has a 2.89 star rating on Goodreads. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that low!

So, 2026 is all about trying new things. Again, it will be interesting to see whether I agree with the general public view or if I like the book!

Summary

Yes, I do have a number of titles in this September monthly TBR. However, with three of the nine books on today’s list less than 200 pages, as well as two audiobooks, i’m not asking too much of myself in terms of page count.

I’m looking forward to a reading list of books that have been published this year. That’s not something I ever really set out to do, but this happens to be a happy coincidence. Will I enjoy these new and fairly topical books for a change, or will I wish I had gone back to my backlist.

There’s only one way to find out… See you on the other side!

Monthly Wrap-Up – August 2026

Posted on September 3, 2026September 3, 2026 by fantasyst95

Reading progress in August felt like a bit of a mixed bag. Whilst I had plenty of blog tour obligations to keep me turning the pages, outside of these, I don’t feel like I got to as much of my reading list as I wanted. Nevertheless, I have a decent number of books to talk to you about in today’s monthly wrap-up post for August.

Have you read any of the books I feature in today’s monthly wrap-up? Take a gander below to find out!

Books Read

Duel of Beasts

Goodreads Link

With my first blog tour obligation for Duel of Beasts coming out on the 2nd of August, you would think I would have finished this book in July ahead of that to post. Alas, that was not the case. Whilst I had started the book in July, it was barely the case. Rather, I ended up binge reading this book ahead of that review post. Thankfully, I got on pretty well with this book. I don’t know what I would have done if I found reading it difficult, or I didn’t gel with the narrative style.

Thankfully, that’s not the case and I talked about my experience with this book over on my blog to review. If you want to check out more, go and take a look at that review here.

Supremacy

Goodreads Link

I can’t remember when I started supremacy. It was definitely at some point last month, but it could have even been in early July. Reading progress with supremacy was slower than I would have liked. Even still, I did have a good time with this book. I took advantage of a week off in August to make a solid dent in progress. Even still, I only really finished this book towards the end of the month.

If you’re looking for a book that can tell you more about AI, its birth and the origins of the intentions behind the technology, supremacy is an interesting one. The focus of the book is how altruistically the technology started, but inevitably its growth was hindered by access to data which I could only get from major corporations and therefore lose the altruism and get used for commercial gain.

Dungeons & Dimwits

Goodreads Link

Dungeons and Dimwits is by far the shortest and quickest read to grace my monthly wrap-up for August. I read this relatively short graphic novel in the space of around half an hour one evening about 2/3 of the way through August. That’s very specific, but it went some way towards getting me back in the reading mood. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, so I think having a short read to tick off the list and go towards achieving something (I read this for a blog tour obligation, and actually read it in decent time – not something I’ve done very much of lately!)

It also was a very fun and pretty lighthearted read. If you enjoy nerdy games like dungeons and dragons, or generally fantasy of this ilk, then pick up this graphic novel if you want a bit of change.

The Knife Maker of Venice

Goodreads Link

I went in hard on the blog tours this month. The Knife Maker of Venice is a historical fiction blog tour I took part in later in August. I also ended up reading this book pretty close to deadline.

However, what I really liked about this historical fiction novel is that it featured a time and setting combination that I have not explored before. We also enjoy a lot of travel, considerably more than the characters who have been enslaved and taken across the world against their will. Within, we get to read deeply personal stories and experience a family bond that chains cannot incumber.

If you’re interested in picking up this historical fiction book, take a look at my blog tour review here.

Tower of Dawn

Goodreads Link

Of all the books I talk about in this monthly wrap-up post for August, I would say Tower of Dawn surprised me the most.

I’m reading Sarah J Maas’s Throne of Glass series as a way of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It is a romantic series, which is something I don’t traditionally read. I’m not a big romance fan, so naturally I don’t gravitate to these books in the first instance.

Tower of Dawn varies from the remainder of the series and doesn’t exactly follow on from Empire of Storms. I didn’t read much about the book before diving into it, so this took me by surprise. However, I enjoyed revising characters that branched off from the main series several books ago. It’s going to contribute to the final storyline, so I can’t wait to see how it all comes to an epic conclusion.

The Midnight Train

Goodreads Link

The Midnight Train was the second audiobook I completed in August. In all, audiobook progress went pretty well, and I can share in this monthly wrap-up I’m pretty happy with the progress I made. Although at times it felt slow, I should bear in mind I picked up a fairly sizeable audiobook in the form of Tower of Dawn before picking up The Midnight Train.

Comparatively, The Midnight Train was a very short listen. I also went into this book with some trepidation as to whether this book would live up to my expectations of The Midnight Library. The Midnight Train is the second book set in this universe, and whilst it tackles similar ideas, it does so from a slightly different perspective.

Personally, I still really enjoyed this audio. Even though I had high expectations, I liked the change in angle on this book and thankfully, the success of the first book didn’t overshadow the message of The Midnight Train.

The Other Life of Mary English

Goodreads Link

My final blog tour read to include in my monthly wrap-up was The Other Life of Mary English. Much like my experience with Duel of Beasts at the beginning of August, I ended up reading The Other Life of Mary English pretty last minute.

As a result, I actually read the majority of the book on the 1st of September. However, I did start this book on the very last day of August, which is why I’m including it here.

Naturally, I’ll be talking about this one again in my September TBR and wrap up post. However, you have the benefit of a link to check out this review here given I briefly touched on the book in August. As of the end of the month, I hadn’t read very much there wasn’t really in a position to make much comment on it. That will come later, or in that review.

Summary

So, I’ve had quite a few books to read and report on in today’s monthly wrap-up for August. Hopefully next month I can take it a little easier on the blog tour obligations and instead get back to books I want to read and get back on track.

What have you read this Summer?

Blog Tour Review: The Other Life of Mary English – G.D. Harper

Posted on September 1, 2026September 1, 2026 by fantasyst95

My blog tour review post today features of a historical fiction novel in a new time period and setting.

The Other Life of Mary English is also unique in its focus on two female protagonists. In a time where women have very little rights or autonomy, Mary and Manuela stand out for their ability to make the best of the situation and act where a few women ever get to tread.

What makes this block to review? Even more special is that I get to review The Other Life of Mary English on publication day! 🎉

Before I share my review on The Other Life of Mary English, thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and the author GD Harper for the opportunity to read and review the book. I’ve been provided a digital copy for the purpose of reviewing the book, but my thoughts expressed within this review are entirely my own.

As usual, let’s cover the details of the book and purchase links before I share my thoughts.

The Other Life of Mary English – GD Harper

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 386

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Ginger Cat

Original Publication Date: 01 Sept 2026

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – The Other Life of Mary English

The Other Life of Mary English

Two Different Women. One Shared Destiny.

Mary English, a dockworker’s daughter from Faversham, England, travels to South America to escape a scandal from her past. She ends up running a cacao plantation in Colombia, at a time when women were not legally allowed to own businesses there.

Manuela Sáenz, tempestuous lover of Venezuelan revolutionary Simón Bolívar, serves as a colonel in his army. She joins him in battle to fight the Spanish and twice saves his life from assassination attempts.

This is the story of two real-life remarkable women, both fighting oppression, hardship and danger in 1820s Colombia, who come together to change the course of a nation’s history.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts…

Plot

The events of The Other Life of Mary English are set in a wider background turmoil, and in a society where women are beholden to their fathers, husbands and male guardians. In a world where women are left feeling hopeless, Mary and Manuela carve their own names in history. Against the grain of society and expectations, they take charge of their own destinies, and others besides.

As a big history fan, I enjoyed exploring the political conflict taking place in the background of this narrative. I confess, prior to reading The Other Life of Mary English, I had little knowledge of the setting and events within. Thankfully, this book has has gone a long way to filling that gap.

As a result to come on with, we get to explore too deeply first and powerful in a wider history setting. Personal and historical come together in a way that spurs the other on, making each significant and powerful to read and learn about in a fun historical fiction novel.

Characters

As promised, The Other Life of Mary English does indeed have two strong protagonists. Mary English, widow of a soldier, finds herself in a unique position of employment. Her skills at negotiating and organisation land her in a role of trading agent in a new country. Her life at home has not been plain sailing, through no fault of her own. She’s determined to do best by her family where scandal and gossip could ruin it all. In her new position, she is determined to find a way to provide for her family and secure a more reputable future.

Manuela’s background is entirely different, though she is no less enterprising in seeking opportunities to advance herself and her power. Taking up with el Libertador whilst her husband is abroad, she makes herself indispensable to one of the most powerful men in South America. She secures herself a position in the army that has never been taken up before. Her ambition knows no bounds, and why should it?! If she were a man, she’d be celebrated for her ingenuity.

The scope of these characters in the time period they are setting in is one of the main reasons I opted to pick up The Other Life of Mary English. The oppression of women has been a significant part of our human history. It is only in recent years that women have been able to hold assets in their own right, for arguments sake. What Mary and Manuela achieve in this narrative goes beyond the confines that men have placed around women historically. I love watching these two women negotiate power struggles in order to progress themselves for the better.

Setting

19th century Colombia and the turbulence of its political and geographical standing isn’t something I’ve explored in my reading before. It’s for this reason I was drawn to The Other Life of Mary English, as well as the promise of two strong female leads in a narrative where women rarely get to dictate their own storylines.

This story is based of real life figures and events in history. As a history fan, I especially enjoyed this nod to real life, and I’ve walked away from this book having learned something new. If you know me, this is something I like and actively look for in my reading. If I can expand my knowledge and horizons in a fun read, then all the better.

As I mentioned, events in this book are inspired by history. What I especially enjoyed is that the copy of the book I was given included images, as well as descriptions, to back up the facts behind the fiction.

Narrative Style

One aspect of the writing style I love in The Other Life of Mary English is that the style feels slightly antiquarian and fitting with the time period. However, this isn’t so different from the English we use today. The end result is that the narrative is fitting to the. time it is set in, without being difficult to read. It is a balance worth getting right, and The Other Life of Mary English is spot on!

The Other Life of Mary English is told from the perspective of two strong female protagonists. These narratives happen concurrently, and so we are told the story of these two exceptional women by alternating perspectives. I am a huge lover of multi perspective books, so this was well suited to me and my reading preferences. I especially enjoyed watching these two characters come together… especially as the meeting could have gone very differently!

Summary

If you enjoy personal stories of women fighting against separation, or learning about history within the historical genre, The Other Life of Mary English is ideal for your TBR!

Author Bio

GD Harper became a full-time author in 2016. He has written three psychological thrillers, Love’s Long Road, A Friend in Deed and Silent Money, and two historical novels, The Maids of Biddendenand Arden.

The Maids of Biddenden was the winner in the historical fiction category of the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers, and was shortlisted for the 2023 Selfies Award at the London Book Fair. Arden was placed third in the 2024 Yeovil International Literary Prize. The Other Life of Mary English was a finalist in the Eyelands Book Awards.He has also been longlisted or shortlisted for fourteen other awards.

His books have had over one million page reads on Kindle Unlimited, been number one most downloaded e-book on Amazon UK, number three on Amazon worldwide, and garnered over two thousand reviews and ratings on Amazon and Goodreads, with an average rating score of 4.4.

He lives in East Sussex and, when not writing, can be found wild camping in the Scottish mountains or in the mosh pit at live music events.

Social Media Links –

www.gdharper.com

Instagram: gdharperauthor

Sunday Summary – 30th August 2026

Posted on August 30, 2026August 30, 2026 by fantasyst95

Happy long weekend friends! We’re back with another fresh Sunday Summary post this weekend, and I hope you’re looking forward to catching up on the latest. But first, obviously the news you’ve been waiting for. It’s the final bank holiday between now and the festive season. The big supermarkets are already capitalising. Yes, mince pie fans! You can now get your fix in stores near you. Madness…

I jest. Hopefully you’re here for my bookish commentary. Yes? Good. My first blog post of the week was a low-down of my top 3 reads of 2026 so far. If you’re looking for a book recommendation to uplift your 2026 reading list, I’ve got you covered. See, that’s the premium quality content you expect! As well as that, I shared my review of a fun graphic novel based around the game of Dungeons & Dragons.

Books Read

Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World

Reading the final 80 pages of Supremacy went slower than I thought, but I can say as of this Sunday Summary, we got there.

This boo has been a bit of a slow-burn project, but one I’ve enjoyed reading. In the grand scheme of things, I’m looking to expand my knnokedlge of AI, its birth into the technology we are using today. Supremacy has helped a long way towards that. Aside from its history, the book also looks at sentiment as the technology has grown, including fears over its longer-term use and impact. Discrimination is still very much a problem with the software, by all accounts. Well, when you train it on unfiltered data from a society with underlying discrimination on race, gender and socio-economic factors, it’s hardly a surprise its ingrained in the tech and rears its head in unusual places.

The Midnight Train

I’ve made solid progress with The Midnight Train by Matt Haig, listening to the entirety of this relatively short audio this week.

You may recall in previous posts, like my August TBR, that I had reservations about his book. After its publication earlier this year, there have been mixed reviews published about this latest instalment. Like me, readers went into this book with high expectations based on the success and profoundness of The Midnight Library. They felt The Midnight Train didn’t meet the same standard.

However, I can’t say I agree with that sentiment. On the contrary, I enjoyed the varied angle this books takes, whilst still nodding in several ways to the format and meanings of that first book. I even enjoyed the ties at the end that link the two books especially.

In all, the message of The Midnight Train is an important one, and one I’m glad I read despite the mixed feelings online. Sometimes, books, or opinions of them, are overhyped. I’m glad I read and made my own judgement on this one.

The Other Life of Mary English

Finally, I started a book that I will be reviewing here at Reviewsfeed very shortly. My review of The Other Life of Mary English is going live on Tuesday. As ever, I’ve got a good way of the book to go through before I’m able to draft my review. So, you know how I’m spending my bank holiday Monday tomorrow right?

I’ve made a decent start to this book, and I like where it is going so far. For a book and setting where women are far from prominent or able to stand in society, The Other Life of Mary English is doing a great job of making the protagonist the leading lady in a period of history where that is difficult to achieve.

A fairly light update as of this Sunday Summary. More to follow on this one very soon!

Books Discovered

I’m proud of myself – today I went for a mooch through town, looked in the window of a bookstore… and then walked away! I know, not like me at all! So, there are no new additions this week to report in today’s Sunday Summary.

Coming Up…

What I’m Reading…

Here’s my reading plan over the next seven days:-

Finish The Other Life of Mary English – blog tour obligation 01/09/2026
Start Julia by Sandra Newman
Start the audiobook of The Language of Liars

Blog

I’ve already mentioned that I’ve got an imminent blog tour obligation. So, needless to say, that’s going to be my first post of next week!

Aside from that, I’ll be leaning into my usual content posts that fall at month-end. First will be my monthly wrap-up for reading progress in August. Given the blog tour post, that will go live on Wednesday or Thursday next week. After that, I’ll share my planned September TBR later in the week. I’ve got an idea for what I want my September TBR to look like, but I’m going to keep my cards close to my chest for now. You’ll just have to find out next week what my plans are 😈

Finally, another Sunday Summary update will conclude another week of reading, amongst other things.

Summary

Today’s Sunday Summary feels a little lighter than I originally planned. Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed the reading progress I’ve made at a pace that’s been sustainable to me.

What book have you read this August that you recommend?

Blog Tour Review: Dungeons & Dimwits – James Mascia

Posted on August 27, 2026August 26, 2026 by fantasyst95

Today’s blog tour review is for a graphic novel – not a media format I read or feature much! However, as a bit of a nerdy girl, I enjoy the idea of a book based around the game of Dungeons & Dragons. If I’d had friends who liked the game, I think it is something I could have got onto.

Before I share my review on Dungeons & Dimwits, thanks to Rachel and the author James for the opportunity to read and review the book. I have been provided a digital copy for the purpose of giving my review, but the thoughts expressed within this review are entirely my own.

Here are the usual details of the book, synopsis, and purchase links. Then, it’s review time!

Dungeons & Dimwits – James Mascia

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 110

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Dren Productions

Original Publication Date: 31 Jan 2025

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – Dungeons & Dimwits

Dungeons & Dimwits

Dungeons & Dragons meets Jumanji in a hilarious fantasy adventure where the players are trapped inside the chaotic world they created. Now every bad roll, terrible plan, and overpowered enemy is dangerously real.

When a group of tabletop role-playing gamers suddenly find themselves pulled into their own fantasy campaign, the adventure stops being imaginary and starts being a matter of survival. Thrown into a world filled with monsters, magic, absurd dangers, and enemies far beyond their level, these unlikely adventurers must figure out how to stay alive long enough to find a way home.

But this is not the polished fantasy epic they imagined. This is their game world―complete with ridiculous choices, bizarre characters, unpredictable rules, and all the chaos that comes from years of questionable decisions around the gaming table. As the party stumbles from one disaster to the next, they must rely on teamwork, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck to survive the fantasy world they helped create.
Funny, fast-paced, and packed with tabletop gaming humor, Dungeons & Dimwits is a wild fantasy comedy for longtime RPG players, fantasy fans, comic readers, and anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if the game suddenly became real.

About the Series
Dungeons & Dimwits is a fantasy comedy series about a group of gamers trapped inside their own tabletop role-playing campaign. This first volume begins their journey as they discover that their imaginary world is now very real―and very dangerous. The series follows the party as they face monsters, magic, rival adventurers, impossible quests, and the consequences of their own chaotic storytelling. Readers should begin with Volume 1, which introduces the characters, the world, and the hilarious disaster that launches the adventure.

Purchase Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

My Thoughts…

Plot

Based on the game format of dungeons and dragons, this fantasy graphic novel spins off from a group of boys setting off on a quest and things going awry. If you are unfamiliar with the game format, players create a character and can lean into skills that they level up over the course of a game in order to interact with the world around them. Involving elements of luck by rolling dice, outcomes from battles and interactions can very quickly go one way or another.

All-Star game of dungeons and dragons can be changeable given the story is written by players, this book levels that up further by having something unexpected happen to the characters within. In the scope of the game and fantasy genre, it both surprise me and yet didn’t feel inauthentic. Taking into account the size of the graphic novel, there is plenty of action to peoples engage. The storyline was not being too overwhelming in terms of required understanding of game mechanics. Even the most rudimentary understanding of how the game works is more than sufficient. I don’t have lots of experience but could easily follow the idea!

Characters

Although the demographic of the book is predominantly younger/teenage boys, I still find characters somewhat relatable. They also added humour to this relatively short story, elevating it from a fun fantasy novella to a storyline we were invested in exploring.

There are a broad range of characters introduced in this short story both led by the boys playing the game, but also characters we are introduced to throughout world they are within. There are enough to make the storyline feel complete and comprehensive, but also without being overwhelmed. Bearing in mind The format of this book and the intended audience, I thought this was the ideal balance.

Setting

As a huge fantasy lover, I loved the scope of this book in terms of setting and the imagination that could be used to change the storyline at a drop of a hat. How are some classic fantasy settings to this book, but just because it has seen before, doesn’t mean it’s unoriginal. Especially given this is told from a young character leading this storyline, it’s perhaps less predictable, but it keeps us on our toes.

Changes in location are easy to follow. It doesn’t happen too much throughout the narrative, but the way in which the transitions are conveyed feels natural and the reader can make sense of the changes.

Narrative Style

As a relatively short graphic novel, this book flew by! It’s very easy to read, yet doesn’t feel too short or underdeveloped. I read this book in the space of one evening, with ease. I would imagine most readers to be capable of this as well. However, if you wanted to break this up and read this in smaller chunks, the book is written into five chapters, so there are easy to find interludes if that suits you better.

The nature of the book, being very image based, makes this ideal for days when you need a light read. The artistry isn’t an aspect of storytelling I’m used to reviewing, but allow me to try my best. The style is clean, energetic and dynamic. For a book full of action, this works hand in hand to make the storytelling engaging. The variation in frame layout also keeps the narrative fresh.

Summary

It can be hard to write a review for such a short book. However, with a graphic novel like Dungeons and Dimwits, I think it fitting not to take it too seriously! It’s a lighthearted, yet well-thought out read. Suitable for all readers, it’s a fun fantasy not to take too seriously, yet it’s a series I’m serious about following. I loved it that much!

Author Bio

James Mascia is the founder and publisher of Dren Productions, where he creates sci-fi, horror, and fantasy comics and novels packed with imagination, humor, and thrills. He is the author of titles including Flesh-Eating Cheerleaders, Dungeons & Dimwits, The Poe Murders, and High School Heroes. When he’s not writing strange and exciting stories, James works as a high school English teacher in Maryland. A lifelong fan of Comic Cons, cheesy sci-fi and horror movies, and Dungeons & Dragons, he brings his love of genre storytelling into everything he writes.

Social Media Links – Facebook/Instagram – @DrenProductions

Summary

Some of my best reads of the year are books I didn’t entirely expect to pick up, or came about because the Goodreads reading challenges prompted me to add or expedite the books. Even if I’ve yet to complete a challenge, they’ve proved beneficial in providing my top 3 reads of 2026 so far!

What are your top 3 reads of 2026 so far?

Sunday Summary – 23rd August 2026

Posted on August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 by fantasyst95

Sunday has rolled around again folks! Where has the weekend gone? It’s time for another Sunday Summary post, and I have some good bookish updates to share this week!

Before that though, let’s recap the blog posts I’ve shared so far this week! First, I posted a blog tour review post. That book is The Knife Maker of Venice by David Gilman. Then, I posted a Shelf Control post looking ahead to a Booker prize-winning book on my TBR. It handles tricky topics like race and discrimination. Naturally, they’re topics I like to read about, so I’m excited for this one!