SFINCS finalist review: BLACKCAP

SFINCS finalist review: BLACKCAP by Benjamin Aeveryn

I’ve read the novella for the SFINCS competition as a part of the Team Behind the Musings.

Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship aka SFINCS (pronounced “sphinx”), is a yearly competition to recognize, honour, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.)

The following is my honest review and all opinions are my own.

Synopsis

The Blood of the Spear

The Blood of the Spear by indie author Mark Timmony is the 1^st book in the epic fantasy series The Eye of Eternity. The book was Fantasy Fellowship’s indie read for April 2023, and the Fellowship is currently doing an Indie Spotlight tour on Instagram (which I’m a part of). I first read The Blood of the Spear in January and I reviewed the book. The review that I’m posting on the blog is a part of my Review Reloaded series in which I go over some of my previously written and published book reviews and give them a bit of a makeover.

The Blood of the Spear is a classic epic fantasy book, with intricate world-building. From the start of the book, it is very clear that the author dedicated a lot of thought, time and attention to the creation and development of Athmay (the world of The Eye of Eternity series). Every aspect of world-building: from geography to history, cultures, magic systems and creatures that inhabit this world are developed with care.

Dragonfall

I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley, courtesy of the publisher DAW Books.

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam is the first book in the new unapologetically queer, epic fantasy trilogy The Dragon Scales. Divided into 4 parts, Dragonfall explores the worlds, cultures and customs of Lumet and Vere Celene by following the stories through the point of view of 4 interconnected characters: Arcady Dalca (Eremia), Everen Emberclaw, Sorin and Cassia Emberclaw. Although the majority of the book focuses on Arcady (a human thief from the city of Vatra) and Everen (the last male dragon) and the exploration of their characters and the (magical) bond that forms between them, Lam’s masterful writing manages to weave these intimate, chamber-like scenes to a grander tale.