Dungeon23 is a challenge created by Sean McCoy where every single day in 2023, you make a room in a dungeon. Every month represents a level, so you will end up with a dungeon with 12 levels of 30 rooms each at the end of the year and well over 350 dungeon rooms. After looking… Continue reading World23, a worldbuilding-focused alternate Dungeon23 challenge
Book Review: Hymn of Memory by S. Jean
A book about amnesia, loss of identity, and gentle queer love.
Book Review: The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
A gothic mystery novella with Asian folklore, queer representation, and a captivating world, but a confusing plot twist.
Book Review: The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
Four years ago, Winnie's life turned upside down when Winnie's father was revealed to be a Diana - an enemy spy. He was banished, and her and her family turned into outcasts. Now 16 years old, she has one goal: pass the three deadly Luminary trials and become a true nightmare hunter like them, restoring her family's status.
Book Review: A Story Spun in Scarlet by R. Dugan
When I picked up A Story Spun in Scarlet by R. Dugan, I had no way of knowing this book would have such an emotional pull on me. Initially, I was lured in by the promise of a book about the core of storytelling. But throughout the pages, it turned into the story of two people who love each other so deeply that they will move Heaven and Earth to be with each other.
Book Review: Redsight by Meredith Mooring
Redsight by Meredith Mooring follows three priestesses from different powerful sects as they uncover the truth of their existence and their goddesses. Korinna is a young Redseer trained to be a ship navigator, capable of sensing and moving matter at terrifying speeds and across vast distances. Aster, the last Star Eater, can control gravity and form black holes, a power the pirate readily uses on her mission to tear down the Imperium. Sahar, an engineer turned White Priestess, has the ability to sever any energy and matter, with which she fights the pirate to protect her people.
Book Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
The Shadows Between Us Tricia Levenseller delivered everything it promised and more. The romance that blossoms between Kallias and Alessandra is at the perfect pace for me to believe it and get invested. The narrative has feminist themes such as the fight for equal rights for women in a way I can appreciate. While this book doesn't have deep characters, intricate plot, or detailed worldbuilding, it was, simply put, fun. A fairly light read, easy to enjoy and dig into - I found myself picking it up to read at any opportunity I got.
Book Review: The Greenhollow Duology by Emily Tesh
Silver in the Wood and Drowned Country are the first books I've genuinely enjoyed reading in a year, excluding books by my longstanding favourite authors. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the books down, and I read both of them the same evening I started each. The mystery of the old magic, the gay romance, the woodland dream of Fae and enchantingly beautiful forests filled with magical beings had me turning the digital pages until it was deep in the night and I reached the end. These novellas have been the most phenomenal start to my 2024 reading journey I could've wished for. While I did find Drowned Country less strong than the first instalment, I enjoyed both quite a lot.
Book Review: Age of Shadows by F. J. Ali
Age of Shadows by F. J. Ali follows the story of Kalyssa, an orphan girl born with only one eye who has turned to fighting as a gladiator in the pits to earn enough money to buy medicine for her terminally ill brother, Jairus. Until one day, they flee into the cursed ruins of an ancient city where they find a strange golden amulet that binds itself to Kalyssa and an oracle chained to a wall.
Book Review: Floating Hotel by Grace Kurtis
Floating Hotel by Grace Kurtis follows the motley crew of the space hotel Abeona. From its friendly manager Carl to its grumpy accountant Kipple to the ever-eager Reggie, all the different staff members have their own stories to tell -- stories that weave together into a tale of rebellion against the system, an encrypted message from beyond the stars, and the mystery of who the Lamplighter is, and if they can be safely extracted before the Empire gets to them.
Looking back at World23, my alternate Dungeon23 writing challenge
Late December last year, I discovered a challenge among the TTRPG (tabletop roleplaying) community: build one room a day of a mega-dungeon for the entirety of 2023. While dungeon building and -delving didn't really have my interest, working on my world for my campaign did, so I put my own twist on it and made… Continue reading Looking back at World23, my alternate Dungeon23 writing challenge
EmeraldDragonWrites 