Alex - Spells & Spaceships

My son chose this book today with me on our trip into town.

It's really good! He's already designed his own fantasy map and wrote the things he's encountered in a journey across the map.

Maybe I'll be promoting his books in a few years 👀

Beyond the Barrow | Substack Beyond the Barrow is a place where fantasy meets folklore, where we travel through the mists of time to mythology, history and spooky stories. Click to read Beyond the Barrow, a Substack publication. ...

Hi everyone, exciting news - I've created a new home for more content from me!

Beyond the Barrow is a space for folklore, fantasy, myth and magic, even some spooky stories 🍂✨❄️ 🎃

I'd love it if you'd join me and even consider subscribing!

beyondthebarrow.substack.com

The Beauty of Autumn I always feel a calmness and sense of optimism in the changing of the seasons.

The Beauty of Autumn 🍂🎃

My first post on my new blogging home - Beyond the Barrow.

Check it out below:

Beyond the Barrow | Substack Beyond the Barrow is a place where fantasy meets folklore, where we travel through the mists of time to mythology, history and spooky stories. Click to read Beyond the Barrow, a Substack publication. ...

Hi everyone, exciting news - I've created a new home for more content from me!

Beyond the Barrow is a space for folklore, fantasy, myth and magic, even some spooky stories 🍂✨❄️ 🎃

I'd love it if you'd join me and even consider subscribing!

beyondthebarrow.substack.com

Things are getting spooky!

Check out the blog tour for Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson from @blackcrowbooks.bsky.social

(I'm on 18th!)

An excellent review from Womble as usual, which perfectly captures the vibe and nuances of this book!

A Sword of Gold and Ruin by Anna Smith Spark — Runalong The Shelves Publisher – Flame Tree Press Published – Out Now Price – £20 hardback £3.82 ebook The sequel to the masterpiece folk horror high fantasy A Sword of Bronze and Ashes, a lyrical blend of epic m...

New Review - A Brilliant mythic tale of magic, family and great storytelling I strongly recommend A Sword of Bronze And Ruin by Anna Smith Spark is out now and go get it! www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/9/...

I generally don't buy 2nd copies but I had to use my last birthday book vouchers for the updated edition of A Sword of Bronze and Ashes for the matching sprayed edges, premium feel, extra chapter and matching spines.

And I'm glad I did 😍

@annasmithspark.bsky.social

Stay tuned next month where I'll be on the blog tour for this, right in the middle of spooky season!

Love @normkonyu.bsky.social 's work and I'm really excited to read this.

Thanks @comicstitan.bsky.social for including me on the tour ☺️❤️

A Sword of Gold and Ruin – Review Book Snapshot Author – Anna Smith Spark Genre – Fantasy, Folklore Length – 352 pages Publisher – Flame Tree Publishing Vibe – Lyrical, mythical, unique My Rating &#821…

'Read it slowly and allow it to take hold of you. Remind yourself that books can also be art [...] cherish the beauty of human emotion, language and imagination.' A wonderful review of A SWORD OF GOLD AND RUIN from @blogspells.bsky.social Out now!!
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/09/23/a...

A Sword of Gold and Ruin – Review Book Snapshot Author – Anna Smith Spark Genre – Fantasy, Folklore Length – 352 pages Publisher – Flame Tree Publishing Vibe – Lyrical, mythical, unique My Rating &#821…

New Review!

In this much anticipated sequel to a Sword of Bronze and Ashes, @annasmithspark.bsky.social
continues to push the boundaries with her unique and refreshing brand of fantasy ❤️

spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/09/23/a...

Thanks so much ☺️

A Sword of Gold and Ruin – Review Book Snapshot Author – Anna Smith Spark Genre – Fantasy, Folklore Length – 352 pages Publisher – Flame Tree Publishing Vibe – Lyrical, mythical, unique My Rating &#821…

New Review!

In this much anticipated sequel to a Sword of Bronze and Ashes, @annasmithspark.bsky.social
continues to push the boundaries with her unique and refreshing brand of fantasy ❤️

spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/09/23/a...

Of course I am! :-)

This BEAUTY arrived this morning from Waterstones 😍

Review coming soon as nearly finished the eARC!

SO honoured & thrilled to see my quote on the inside cover & alongside @petemc666.bsky.social @shaunalawless.bsky.social and @grimdarkmagazine.bsky.social !!

@annasmithspark.bsky.social

I'm working hard to have a few spooky book reviews for October and viking ones for the following month in Norsevember :)

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman - The Fantasy Inn Jared Shurin from the Fantasy Inn reviews The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman (of The Magicians fame), a standalone Arthurian fantasy book.

thefantasyinn.com/2025/09/11/t...

I'm honestly really excited to get to it. Do you think I should wait til the house move is complete?

I know that Piranesi is stuck somewhere where he's exploring many rooms but that's about it!?

Thanks Jodie :) hope you're well

I was too curious not to pick it up!

I'm excited!! We're moving house in about a month and I'm considering saving it as the first read in the new house :)

Great to hear! Hope you enjoy it :)

The Scour – Review Book Snapshot Author – Richard Swan Genre – Fantasy Length – 193 pages Publisher – Grimdark Magazine, 20th October 2025 Vibe – Mysterious, compelling, foreboding, spoo…

New Review!

The Scour by @richardswanauthor.bsky.social brought to you by @grimdarkmagazine.bsky.social

I loved this prequel novella to the Justice of Kings trilogy (yes you can read this one first and I highly recommend it!)

Full review here:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/09/04/t...

Exciting News!

@brendannoble.bsky.social has a new cover and Kickstarter campaign for an absolutely gorgeous edition of A Dagger in the Winds, book 1 of the Frost marked Chronicles.

Check it out! 😍

Launches September 22nd and I think you'll agree this is beautiful!

The Life and Death of Richard III – Review Book Snapshot Author – Anthony Cheetham Genre – History, Non-Fiction Length – 256 pages Publisher – Head of Zeus Vibe – Informative, formal, professional My Rating &#8…

New Review

The Life and Death of Richard III - a re release of Anthony Cheetham's very solid 1972 biography with an updated new chapter from Dan Jones.

Thankyou @headofzeus.bsky.social !!

spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/08/28/t...

I haven't actually read that one to be honest. Piranesi just jumped out at me as something that I might really like!

Cameron, have you read the Justice of Kings? If so, which would you suggest reading first?

Sounds great 👌

Wanted to try something different when I'm done with my current (extensive) reading plans and ARCs...

Anyone read this?