Dear authors who submitted to this year’s SPFBO competition,
Thank you for trusting us with your literary works. It’s been wonderful to watch this competition continue to grow and see new friendships be forged amongst those taking part. Alas, there can only be one who continues on as the finalist for Lynn’s Books and The Critiquing Chemist. In case you needed more books for your TBR pile, read on to see a recap of this year’s semi-finalists from our batch and discover who we’ve chosen as our finalist!

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Dream of Death City by PJ Nwosu

General Thoughts:
Thora just wrapped up a corruption case in the capital of the Red Kingdom. Having earned the nickname Battle Axe, you’d think she’d be more important to the Investigation House. And yet, as a Dust-Caste slave, her duties regularly include things like laundry, sweeping, and cooking. She dreams of the upper-sirs recognizing her worth and promoting her to assistant investigator, but that’s all it can be, a dream. Then, she and her superior, Low Investigator Diem, are given a new task: locate a Sun-Caste noble girl that’s gone missing on an island far away. Upon arrival, they discover that the people of Death City are a little looser when it comes to the laws of the Red Kingdom. Strangely, they are also met with resistance from the very person who requested their help. How far are they willing to go and how much are they willing to bend in order to solve this mystery?

Dream of Death City is the first book in the Red Kingdom series by PJ Nwosu. I enjoyed the atmosphere that Nwosu created. Fear hangs heavy in the air since breaking any of the rules is met with deadly consequences, and Nwosu adds to this ominous mood by incorporating red and black elements throughout this tale to represent blood and death. The worldbuilding is also spectacular, as the Thousand Island Frontier hosts hidden relics, long-forgotten towers, and inhabitants with their own ways and beliefs. While the Red Reform prohibits the sharing of stories, it was interesting to learn about the history of the Red Kingdom and the eras that came before it. There is also a unique magic system at play here, but I’m not entirely convinced that it’s more than superstition and medicinal knowledge. The characters within this novel do have a different speech pattern, like adding the word “true” within a sentence for emphasis. Overall, Diem and Thora must work together to unravel this mystery without letting themselves get caught up by the island’s draw of what could be. After all, ‘what’s dead is dead and all shall die…’

Here is Lynn’s review of Dream of Death City.

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The First and Last Demon by Hiyodori

General Thoughts:
Char is a human bonded to the only demon in existence, Vesper. As a demon, Vesper has incredible abilities and Char reaps some of the benefits as her “Host”, like no longer requiring sleep or sustenance to survive. And so, over the centuries, they have been used as warriors to protect Jace whenever there was a need for a hero. Then, in times of peace, they were put in stasis (to keep Char from aging) until the next crisis. And yet, when Char wakes up this time after fifty years of slumber, there’s no one around to explain the latest dilemma. In fact, the entire town of Gloryblower has been abandoned and sealed under a dome around a vorpal hole that randomly drops magical beasts into the world. While it’ll be hard enough figuring out how to fix this, Vesper also seems to be out for Char’s blood and Char can’t recall why. Will she be able to put the pieces together before one of them breaks?

The First and Last Demon by Hiyodori is a standalone that’s set in the same world as the Clem & Wist series. Despite the small scale, the setting is fascinating since the reader is brought along as Char navigates a ghost town. And not only that, but it’s a magical ghost town, so there are some unexpected modifications that’ve been made for typically mundane buildings (like an abattoir at the post office). Then you have the relationship between Char and Vesper. My goodness are there some violent interactions between those two as Char works through the guilt she feels for forcing Vesper to do things against her will over the years. As some of Char’s memories slowly return, the bigger picture starts to take shape in a really satisfying way. Hiyodori pulls off something special with a minimal cast of characters, where Asa and Wist appear at just the right time to keep the story from feeling stale. These newcomers are also instrumental in putting the final pieces of the puzzle together. Overall, this dark tale goes in unexpected directions and is absolutely captivating.

Here is Lynn’s review of The First and Last Demon.

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The Many Shades of Midnight by C. M. Debell

General Thoughts:
Brivar is an apprentice surgeon from the Temple of Yholis sent with the king’s envoy to locate the former Duke of Agrathon, Alyas-Raine Sera. Not only will Brivar’s medical skills be put to the test, but also his ability to read others considering that Alyas, a renegade military leader, had been exiled by the king of Lankara fifteen years prior following the loss of hundreds of soldiers. Given the current state of the world, Alyas is now being called upon to protect Lankara’s borders and uncover the truth behind a mysterious plague that turns folks into monsters. That is, if it doesn’t kill you first. As the investigation puts them in the line of fire with the syndicates mining Isyrium (a metal that’s not only beautiful but used in almost all areas of society), secrets and conspiracies abound. It’s hard to know who to trust when greed colors every decision. It’s hard to know the right decision when failure is not an option.

The Many Shades of Midnight by C. M. Debell is a standalone book set in medieval-esque Ellasia. Throughout this tale, we see how gentle Brivar is regardless of the situation and how he wants the best for his patients, never leaving when the going gets tough. It’s also clear how the past affects Alyas and the weight he carries, striving to do what’s best for others, often at his own expense. While the story is primarily told from the perspectives of Brivar and Esar Cantrell (Alyas’ foster brother), a handful of other viewpoints are introduced later on that provide insight into how different folks are trying to deal with the growing unrest as more secrets come to light. Given the lofty political maneuvers at play here, Debell excels at balancing action with introspection. The tone of this narrative is more on the somber side, especially as it becomes clear what’s really going on and what’s at stake. Debell has penned an impressive, complete story, one where the ramifications of what transpired will stay with the reader even after the story is done.

Here is Lynn’s review on The Many Shades of Midnight.

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A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit by R.K. Ashwick

General Thoughts:
Ambrose Beake is well-known for his quality potions in the adventuring world. He also has a knack for making the impossible possible, producing items that others wouldn’t even bother trying to make. It’s Ambrose’s knowledge and precision that make him successful at his job. After a new shop opens up across the street, it’s revealed that the new owner, Eli Valenz, deals in elixirs (an alliterative synonym for potions). Unfortunately, Ambrose and Eli get off on the wrong foot following a misunderstanding. Now, Eli is known to bounce around from job to job because none of them really fit. He’s finally settling in but finds he needs a competitive edge to keep his business flush with customers. Thus, the divide between the two shopkeepers continues to grow until suddenly they’re forced to work together in order to keep their shops open. With everything that’s going wrong, what could possibly go right? 

A Rival Most Vial is the first book in The Side Quest Row series by R.K. Ashwick. Rosemond Street features a diverse cast of characters that care deeply for Ambrose and all that he’s been through, even though they don’t always see where he’s coming from. Ashwick delivers on the worldbuilding, with stores built into the walls of a deep chasm, allowing for multiple levels of markets and a whole world beyond filled with dragons and beasts and adventure. As the point-of-view alternates between our two main characters, it becomes clear where their communication falls apart due to their own insecurities. As their situations get worse, Ambrose and Eli fall further from their original selves, causing me to wonder just how Ashwick would turn things around. And of course, the chemist in me was delighted that each chapter title featured the next step in their fictitious procedure. And don’t get me started on the sketches for items designed by each shopkeeper and how well the details and imperfections seem to match their personalities. A Rival Most Vial is a funny and heartwarming read.

Here is Lynn’s review of A Rival Most Vial.

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Twicetime by Carol Carman

General Thoughts:
Lady Rosalind Dibkiss is a Dibkiss no more after forcefully removing her former husband Lord Rudolf from her ancestral home, Castle Stein. Maybe things would have ended differently had he not just blown up the West Wing Tower, aka her laboratory. Maybe he wouldn’t have been in her laboratory working on a potion if she had ever loved him. And so begins the face-off between Rosa and Rudolf. Rosa just wants to rebuild and move on with her experiments. Rudolf, on the other hand, feels slighted and embarrassed, two things that just don’t happen to those in the lording profession and can’t go unchecked. In Rudolf’s corner are his two aristocratic friends. In support of Rosa, we have devoted staff members and family. Knowing that she may not be around much longer to protect Rosa from her conniving ex-husband, Rosa’s Aunt Frances opts to build a bodyguard instead. As a witch, this should be straight forward for her. And yet, unforeseen obstacles abound. Who will come out on top in this comedy of errors?

Twicetime is top-tier entertainment by Carol Carman. It is a fairy tale wrapped in a medieval setting. There are plenty of side stories that add wit and warmth to the narrative. And the way that Carman weaves these asides into the overall picture is nothing short of magical. The author’s writing style made it easy to get sucked into the storyline. It was also interesting to peel the layers back on each character, because there was always more to them than what was first introduced. While I’ve been more tongue in cheek about the book’s premise, it does delve into the more serious issues surrounding mortality and the emotions that can evoke. And so, we witness a full range of emotions and depth within the majority of these characters as they come to terms with death. That said, there are still plenty of shenanigans taking place on both sides of the moat. Overall, Twicetime is a tale full of whimsy, love, and plenty of tea.

Here is Lynn’s review for Twicetime.

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Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell

General Thoughts:
In a world where religion and superstition permeate every aspect of life, a brutal sacrifice involving a daeson (the first-born son) is held every twelve years to appease the Goddess Nasheira. This horrifying sacrifice is shrouded in mystery, leaving Daeson Akrist with no clue as to what the ceremony will entail. Come what may, it’s clear that there are almost no daeson over the age of twelve in any of the camps Akrist has encountered. As the ceremony draws closer, the suspense thickens, turning to horror as more details are revealed. Can Akrist somehow find a way out of this nightmare before the unimaginable occurs?

Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell is a dark, grim, and, quite frankly, difficult book to read due to the detailed and violent abuse exacted upon young children and women in this male-dominated culture. And yet, it’s the gripping storytelling that kept me hooked and guessing throughout. The details that Campbell weaves into the story builds a literary world rich in depth, albeit one that is brutal and unforgiving. Campbell crafts a world with deep religious foundations rooted in the mythical creatures that inhabit the realm, where wurms have evil connotations and dragons are omens of good luck. I was also drawn to the isolated social dynamics within these camps. Due to his birth order, Akrist is ostracized by everyone in his community, especially his mother, through no fault of his own. Regardless of what good he did for the community, some couldn’t overlook his birth order. Luckily, Akrist has a special bond with the camp’s vaiyas, which are large talking birds used for a variety of purposes. He is especially linked to Vax, their leader, and it’s these interactions with Vax that add the levity and companionship that Akrist is lacking. As this unapologetically brutal story wraps up, the brilliant ending will leave readers questioning and revisiting many aspects of the established lore, turning everything we know on its head. Overall, Under the Lesser Moon will leave the reader in shocked horror, with a story and rich worldbuilding that will keep the reader hooked through every twist and turn.

Here is Lynn’s review of Under the Lesser Moon.

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Having read through all of these great semi-finalists, it’s time to pick the finalist from the batch of books for Lynn’s Books and The Critiquing Chemist! Trust me when I say we went back and forth on which book to choose because each one offers something special. Definitely check them out! And without further ado…

Click here to reveal the finalist!

Congratulations to R.K. Ashwick!
A Rival Most Vial heads to the finals with a rating of 8.5 from us!