James Nicoll Reviews

The Nameless Land by Kate Elliott (November 2025)

Surprising betrayals, surprising alliances, and surprising discoveries of heritage abound in this energetic sequel to The Witch Roads. 

When the royal party finds themselves in a land they never believed they could access, it will take all of Prince Gevulin’s (admittedly impressive) diplomatic skills to forge a coalition with an unlikely group of would-be allies. 

Meanwhile, as Erin mourns her lost love, an unwelcome visit to the land of her birth brings back the traumatic memories of the childhood she shared with her sister. 

And a surprise visit from an unwelcome family member threatens to derail the plans of multiple opposing factions. 

Loyalty cannot be demanded, only won 

Dead Hand Rule by Max Gladstone (October 2025)

From the co-author of the viral New York Times bestseller This is How You Lose the Time War.…Great powers clash and epic action unfolds in book three of the Craft Wars series. 

The time until the endtimes is ticking away. If the world has any hope to survive, it must come together now. 

The foundations of the world are quaking. Markets crash and cities burn as a new god struggles to be born. Ancient hunters skitter across space, eager and hungry. Dark forces conspire to undermine that could stand in their way. Divided, the world of the craft is certain to fall. 

In Alt Coulomb, the great powers of the world gather in conference. Empires, divinities, and corporate concerns take seats at the table. Untold wealth and inexhaustible might is on offer, but coalition will not come easily. Can these forces come together to save the world? And if they do, what parts of it will they choose to save, and for whom?

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson (September 2025)

The next thrilling golden-age-style mystery from #1 Icelandic bestseller Ragnar Jónasson, author of Death at the Sanatorium and Reykjavík.

One winter evening, bestselling crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir goes missing.

There are no clues to her disappearance and it is up to young detective Helgi to crack the case before its leaked to the press.

As Helgi interviews the people closest to her — a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge — he realizes Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote.

As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of the writer’s very unexpected life. 

The Ravenous Sky by K. D. Kirchmeier (October 2025)

In this heart-pounding adventure perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, two teens must venture into the unknown to save humanity from dragon-like monsters. 

Thomas and Cassie found hope where the shadow road ended. Now they must forge a future for themselves and their newfound community of people left behind after the blitz ravaged their homes. But the journey ahead is dangerous. 

Thomas and Cassie separate, each seeking important clues to the origin of the blitz, while surviving threats at every turn. They must find a way to send the terrifying dragon-like monsters back where they came from. Could answers lie in a mythical world beneath our own?This post-apocalyptic adventure blends heartfelt friendship with high stakes action in an unforgettable tale of survival against all odds. 

Those Who Went Before by Elizabeth F. Spencer (March 2025)

The Lady in White and the Hunter of Night is Helvensgate’s most beloved children’s tale. It tells of two lovers, blessed by magic, whose quest ended with them sleeping for centuries, hand in hand, until they can be together once more.

All of it is wrong.

A thousand years ago, Adecca was sent away to serve the spirits of the dead; Mikael was exiled after being cursed by the Wood. They were each other’s best and only friends — or so Adecca thought — until, with one unexpected kiss, Mikael enchanted them both with eternal sleep.

Now Adecca has awakened, and the world is nothing like she remembers. The empire’s machines move of their own volition, a man-eating forest is growing into the city, and conflicts between the empress and the engineering guilds are spiraling out of control.

Still, Adecca could have everything she ever wanted — a home among people, actual friends!—and all she must do is ignore the supernatural mysteries writhing beneath Helvensgate and pretend she is madly in love with Mikael.

Clearly something must be sacrificed for this world to be at peace. But does it always have to be her?

The Sleepless by Jen Williams (May 2025)

Welcome to a world where gods and monsters roam the earth…

Elver is the guardian of the wild and dangerous monster forest. Saved from the brink of death by a god, her skin will poison anyone she touches.

Artair is on a mission — one that takes him face-to-face with Elver at her most ruthless. But her defenses are useless when she discovers he’s the only human impervious to her deadly gift. For Artair isn’t human: he’s one of the Sleepless, cursed to share his body with an evil spirit.

Lucian inhabits their body while Artair sleeps, and he is hell-bent on manipulating Elver for his dark purposes. But Elver is harbouring secrets too, and she has her own reasons for feigning an alliance with these two souls.

Caught in the crossfire of gods, monsters, and a dangerous magic they can barely understand, it is only a matter of time before the paths the three of them choose to take will set alight the very foundations of their world.

With a love triangle like you’ve never seen it, incredible world-building, brilliant writing, and a dangerous quest, The Sleepless will have you spellbound.