Author Archives: JABurch

Book: BlackwingAuthor: Ed McDonaldPublisher: GollanczPublished: 2017 Quite simply this series is one of my favourites of all time, and I am not sure what that says about me as a person because this book is really f*cking bleak. That said, unlike most Grimdark you are never left devoid of hope, which I think is aContinue reading “Blackwing v Pendle Witches Brew”

Book: OrconomicsAuthor: J. Zachary PikePublisher: Self-Published – Gnomish Press LLCPublished: 2014 Winner of the 2018 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, which if you haven’t heard of I encourage you to google it, Orconomics is a brilliant blend of economic theory with DnD style shenanigans. Does that sound weird? Understandable really, but honestly it shouldn’t put you offContinue reading “Orconomics v Spared no Expense”

Book: One Word KillAuthor: Mark LawrencePublisher: 47NorthPublished: 2019 This is a single sitting book. It’s pacy and exciting from the start. What it isn’t though is anything like any of the author’s other work to date (or is it…). In a departure from the Grimdark fantasy Lawrence is famous for, this book centres on aContinue reading “One Word Kill v Norse Star III”

First post with a guest book review! Check out their bookstagram and give them a follow. Reviewer: https://instagram.com/biblio.jack?utm_medium=copy_linkBook: Black Leopard Red WolfAuthor: Marlon JamesPublisher: PenguinPublished: 2019This book is fantastically written, and grips you in a wonderful way. The language is very explicit and the imagery vivid, but it’s a book worth reading. Hypnotic and confusing,Continue reading “Black Leopard Red Wolf v Shadow Stout”

Beer: They’re Taking the Hobbitz to IsinglassBrewery: Fallen Acorn Brewing Co.Style: IPAStrength: 4.2% It comes in pints! With a label like that I couldn’t not buy the beer. Matching it with this edition of the Hobbit might be sort of cheating but it had to be done I can’t say that the flavour of isinglassContinue reading “The Hobbit v They’re Taking the Hobbitz to Isinglass”

Beer: Cherry PieBrewery: YonderStyle: Pastry SourStrength: 6% If you ever had ‘Toxic Waste’ sour sweets you will instantly recognise the taste of this beer. It is the liquid version of the cherry ones. For me, Sour beer isn’t a sessionable style. My experiences with them have been very hit and miss. This one is definitelyContinue reading “The Dragon Reborn v Cherry Pie”

Book: Jade CityAuthor: Fonda LeePublisher: OrbitPublished: 2019 Pretty much every review I’ve seen of this book has been almost manic in its praise. Perversely this level of hype tends to make me more apprehensive about trying out a book. Also, judging from the blurb JC wasn’t on the face of it a book that satContinue reading “Jade City v Life & Death”

Book: The Last Smile in Sunder CityAuthor: Luke ArnoldPublisher: OrbitPublished: 2020 It’s been 6 years since magic left the world. This isn’t such a disaster for humanity but for the world’s magical entities it has been catastrophic. Dragons can no longer fly, the immortal races are no longer immortal and crucially for the mystery FetchContinue reading “The Last Smile in Sunder City v Independence”

Book: The Gauntlet and the Fist BeneathAuthor: Ian GreenPublisher: Head of ZeusPublished: 2021 I don’t very often pick up debuts on release, but I felt drawn to this book from when I first heard about it. As a new parent, the worst thing I can think of is anything happening to my daughter. So, perhapsContinue reading

I’m putting the beer review first because this is book 3 in a trilogy so to avoid spoilers don’t read beyond the beer! Beer: DicemanBrewery: Wychwood BreweryStyle: StoutStrength: 5% Very drinkable stout, which isn’t always a given with non-Guiness stouts. Good body to it, and a smokiness which comes through strongest. Best drunk cold, butContinue reading “The Bone Ship’s Wake v Diceman”