Review - Mushroom Blues by Adrian M Gibson

 The start of February 2025 finds me doing fairly with indie fantasy reading - I've now finished one semi-finalist and four finalist books in the SPFBO competition.

Mushroom Blues by Adrian M Gibson is an interesting finalist entry in the SPFBO X competition. It is told from the viewpoint of a detective, Henrietta Hoffman, employed by the Neo Kinoko Police Department in her increasingly personal mission to uncover the mystery behind the cases of some murdered children. The children are "fungals", humanoids with mushroom-like characteristics and her whole investigation is within the context of a recent bitter of war of conquest by the human Coprinians over the fungal-like Hoppinese.  We get a strong picture of the devastating effects of colonisation and poverty suffered by the fungals over the course of the novel. The setting has strong cyberpunk influences and its strange developments within the city environments, based on fungal blooms, take some getting used to.

Henrietta is carrying a large amount of emotional baggage from her past as she persists with the case, also finding herself saddled unwillingly with a fungal colleague, Koji. She must overcome her own history of alcoholism and guilt, cultural  brainwashing and ignorance of the fungal people she is investigating.

I found the first three-quarters of the book fairly slow, and the occasional self-flagellation by the main character off-putting. But the descriptions, characters and world-building were quality and this kept me reading. Ridgeway, Hoffman's superior, was a surprisingly well-drawn and engaging boss; while Koji's character steals the show over the most of the book, as we experience more and more revelations of his own past, hidden abilities and the dark surprises within his family. I also enjoyed the numerous common Hoppinese figures that the detectives encounter along the way, and Hoffman's startlingly psychedelic bicycle ride. The last quarter of the book is where the main action occurs and I was happily strung along for most of it.

I did find myself questioning how a character subjected to torture and the sawing through of her arm was able to carry a child shortly afterwards. And it is a very minor thing, but in a fantasy world that seems analogous to north America of the 1980s or 90s, with cars and cassette tapes, where was (the tech and cultural giant) television? But overall, this was an often dark, worthy book with a lot of lucid writing and good use of standard detective thriller story elements.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

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Review - Gates of Hope by JE Hannaford

 

This is my first review of the SPFBO X competition finalists books. Gates of Hope by JE Hannaford is an engaging story with more than a dash of the fantasy epic about it. There is a deceptively large amount of world-building behind it within the land of Caldera. It is dominated by craters after an event called The Rending, in which people dwell in areas named semiclaves. Their world is bound up with the ancient history of the Aulirean Gates, and conflict with the race called awldrin, which sealed the gates closed. And beyond their settled areas, the Edgelands and threats like the dangerous flying xotryl creatures are encroaching 

It follows the viewpoints of three main characters. Darin is a young man who finds himself apprenticed as a So'Dal, an organisation of magical healers whose abilities centre around the use of special plants. However, he finds himself also bonded to a moonhound, enchanted beasts with the power to communicate telepathically and walk through dreams. And when Darin then finds himself involved with a hidden, elite group of men, his adventures truly begin. 

Suriin is also a young apprentice So'Dal on the same world. She must deal with the fate of her father who was unfortunately poisoned while on a journey. Suriin's impetuous nature and good intentions affect a difficult choice she must make. Lastly, the third POV character, Elissa, is from a separate world, Tebein, which has been harshly oppressed by the sinister race of the awldrin. Her decision to leave her harsh home community of DragonsBreath to join another society, based on harmony and understanding, has tragic but also, ultimately hopeful consequences. 

I found the magic system of Gates of Hope unusual, based as it is around music, dreams, plants, wefts and...whistles?! The story and characters are engaging, and the moments of youthful elation we experience with Suriin and Darin were some of the most enjoyable for me. But I also thought it could have done better with some more driving plot force and momentum. There were some sections that seemed a bit indulgently cosy, and rather a lot of time is spent on the characters' own inner thoughts and musings. Anyway, it's a promising start to a series.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

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Review - The Fall Is All There Is by C.M Caplan

 

Review - The Fall Is All There Is (Four of Mercies Book 1) by C.M Caplan

In this book, we follow the story of Petre Mercy, a member of a royal family in a setting that resembles a possible future Earth. Petre is part of a family dynasty that was begun by a cruel father, and he and his siblings must find their separate ways forward after the king's death. The story is told in the first person, from the viewpoint of Prince Petre, an authentically portrayed (high-functioning) autistic character, who has run away from his family background. 

The setting is that of a world recovering from several waves of scientific advances then 'annihilations'. Cyborg animals like horses are organically grown, then mechanically implanted with clockwork-style technology. This hybrid, fantastical technology co-exists with a social structure like that of the feudal houses of Europe. The air surrounding recent battles or places of death is possessed by 'gaunts', ghosts that may infect ordinary people. These atmospheric details are some of my favourite parts of the book (although I was left wishing there were more).

The main character, Petre, struggles with his neuro-divergent condition and his own limitations. He tries to resist 'stimming' in order to blend in with others; he is hyper-sensitive and sounds like fingernails drumming make him experience a 'sensory nightmare'; he hyperfocuses on mundane details like a cut on skin; and he must often retreat from too much stimulus. Petre must take regular, chemical injections to increase his reflexes, strength and capabilities and help with 'fitting in'. He is flagrantly bisexual and finds it hard to control and resist his impulses. 

The plot of the story mainly revolves around Petre's dealings with his siblings. Edgar is shown to be a shady, manipulative, Machiavellian character who tries to lure Petre into his custody. The split between Petre and his brother is a shocking one in the early part of the book. Anoise is the new heir to the throne, the oldest, and is trying to find a way past her own inexperience and cautious nature and to retain her grip on newfound power. Desmon is the diplomat, and ultimately proves himself courageous in a difficult journey with his brother.

We see how the others around Petre deal with him and his condition. Some treat it as something to step around; Edgar falsely offers to embrace Petre's nature; while his mother is cold and critical. He relates how she would 'get scornful and start talking about the autism. The way she wished that she could cure it, the way it was hurting everyone around me'. This was a convincing and sympathetic portrayal of family life for someone with a disorder.

Some parts of the novel did not work for me: I thought a lot of the long, drawn-out dialogues had a sensational tone (although this probably again reflects overly Petre's sensitive nature). The author himself, with the story, shows some of the traits of the main character: indulgently focusing on some things (like descriptions of rats in the dark), and an impulse to keep holding up the awkwardness of prolonged dialogue.

However, these are small things and it's overall a promising book. The last quarter of the book has a gripping journey, a wicked betrayal and begins development of the military conflict. If the next book can carry out the kind of tight story of that quarter, I'll look forward to the next volume.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐

Review - The Wickwire Watch by Jacquelyn Hagen

 

Review - The Wickwire Watch by Jacquelyn Hagen (Riverfall Chronicles #1)

I finished this book today as part of my ongoing mission to get through more of the SPFBO 9 competition finalist novels. Although I find myself a bit late to reviewing this novel (there are already two sequels out at the time of writing), it's better late than never to write a review.

The setting of this one resembles mid-to-late 19th century Europe, with some subtly defined steampunk elements lurking in the background. After a historical incident in which an important leader was murdered, there is a rift left between the the two main peoples of the story: the Cassians, who rely on mundane technology, engineering and science; and the Entrians, an aloof, erudite people who wield the powers of mysterious magic. 

Inkwell, the most important main character, is a young teenage orphan who has escaped an orphanage when he encounters a group of refugees, the Colonists. He meets them while fleeing a strange happening while investigating an abandoned house, and has discovered an arcane artifact, a pocket watch. From there, he is taken to the hidden, floating community of the Colonists, Riverfall. Here we are introduced to a variety of characters, and Ink comes to question the dire accusations that have previously been made against the Colonists, while he also becomes part of their village. 

I found the characters in Riverfall well-defined, and we get to hear the secrets of Delia, Simon, Erving and others. There are some sections while in Riverfall that resemble a cozy fantasy atmosphere: this is nothing to change or lower the quality of story, but a reader has to be prepared to take on a great slowing of the pace in these domestic sequences. Ink is gradually absorbed into the community of Riverfall, despite his long-held suspicious nature, and he ponders a lot on the reliability of "the truth" as many have understood it. Caradoc is the heroic, strong-willed leader that the Colonists rely on because of a magical attribute he possesses, and Ink finds himself coming to trust him more and more. 

However, things greatly change in the second half of the novel when Inkwell learns more of the secrets and nature of the Spektors, a group of ghostly, cursed creatures who have been pursuing him. I found this latter half more interesting, since the exposition was now over and Ink becomes involved in several escapades that make him question the truths he has understood once more. He must decide whether to believe Caradoc, Seherene (a dedicated Entrian hunter of the Colonists), or a Spektor he finds was once his relative. We see Caradoc exposed as more of a flawed, realistic character, and Ink negotiating his way through the uncertain waters of events.

This was an enjoyable novel, although it was odd to find myself liking the character details and verbal interactions on Riverfall while also being impatient for some more action to commence. Inkwell is a colourful, unpredictable Artful Dodger character and there were some clever fantasy touches. We are left wondering what deal he has worked out with Seherene to continue, and what his agenda will be going forward, and if he can get away with it. The path is open for the sequels, and I hope personally to see more of the steampunk background and elusive, Entrian magic.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book review - A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick

Here we have it: a cosy fantasy by an indie author, which must contain something special in order to make it to the final round of the current SPFBO competition.

 

Review: A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick

A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick is a book which is most attractive because of its general light-heartedness and the engaging, playful interactions between its characters. Two merchants in a fantasy town must learn to co-operate with each other, as part of a joint potion-making project they agree to undertake. There are some misunderstandings, sad personal histories and difficulties that the main characters must overcome. But the support they receive from those close them results in a feel-good tale with some sweet romance and 'Yes!' moments. There's also a novel, curious magical system that seems derived from baking (yes, baking) in the real world.

The story takes place in the area of Rosemond St, where we are introduced to group of shopkeepers who all know and support each other like one big, diverse family. Ambrose is a potion seller and a half-elf, and had been given away by his family at an early age to be an apprentice to an emotionally cold potions master. Because of this, Ambrose was virtually raised by the other merchants of the street. He is scholarly and introverted, preferring to remain isolated in his potions shop. He reacts with upset and suspicion when a stranger moves into the vacant shop across from his. This is Eli, a human from another area, Kolkea, and he quickly comes into competition with Ambrose as he, too, is operating a potions shop.  Eli is his opposite: he is sociable and a lover of sports and adventure. We also meet Dawn the wand maker, Ambrose's overworked and stressed-out best friend.  

At first, Ambrose and Eli take part in a tit-for-tat bitter rivalry to entice the most customers to their own shops. This ruthless competition, instead, merely drains them and their finances. However, they then find they both must agree, because of the financial rewards offered, to a commission that involves working together. They must brew a special, difficult potion for the mayor's daughter, Beatrice, whose birthday wish is to be able to fly like a dragon with purple wings for one day. To complicate matters, Ambrose and his friend, Dawn, have a falling out, and Eli and Ambrose find their feelings for each changing. There is a bit of danger to face several times, and Eli must face against his natural drifter's inclination, and decide on a future career.

What happens next follows basically an enemies-to-lovers trope, as attraction blossoms between Ambrose and Eli. It's a cute romance, as they grow closer together over the course of the commission's challenge. Some of the winning parts of the story are the book's chapter titles, which are cleverly reminiscent of recipe step instructions and provide insight as to the current state of the characters' relationship development. I found the elaborate potion-mixing stages which Eli and Ambrose go through engaging and interesting. The overall tone or story elements made me think of the Dungeons & Dragons world maybe combined with a sweet Hallmark movie. Or something like the new breed of Netflix rom-coms with LGBTQ characters.  

I did find a few of the fantasy concepts slightly awry. For example, characters seemed to be able to just wave (any number of) wands a bit too conveniently in order to solve a problem, or just swig a magic potion. And I would've liked some more lore and background about the characters and location. But my main issue was that the central romance was just too predictable; there were lots of hints given and anyone could see it coming early on. But these are minor concerns.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

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