James Nicoll Reviews

Magica Riot by Kara Buchanan (October 2024)

Claire always wanted to be a girl.

She never dreamed she’d be a magical girl.

The last night of Claire Ryland’s old life was pretty normal, aside from the alley fight with interdimensional monsters. Fortunately, the drummer of her favorite local band transformed into a magical girl and saved her.

Then Claire became a magical girl as well. Things got a little complicated after that.

Now Claire is juggling two new lives: living as a girl and as a member of Portland’s super-secret supernatural defense squad, the hard-rocking magical girls known as Magica Riot!

Again, Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison (March, 1971)

Piers Anthony, Gregory Benford, Joan Bernott, James Blish, Ben Bova, Ray Bradbury, Edward Bryant, Terry Carr, Thomas M. Disch, Burt K. Filer, David Gerrold, M. John Harrison, James B. Hemesath, Richard Hill, Lee Hoffman, H. H. Hollis, David Kerr, Dean R. Koontz, Ursula K. Le Guin, Evelyn Lief, Richard A. Lupoff, Ken McCullough, Ray Nelson, K. M. O’Donnell, andrew j. offutt, Chad Oliver, A. Parra (y Figueredo), Ross Rocklynne, Joanna Russ, James Sallis, Josephine Saxton, Robin Scott, . T. L. Sherred, James Tiptree, Jr., Leonard Tushnet, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Andrew Weiner, Kate Wilhelm, Gahan Wilson, Bernard Wolfe, Gene Wolfe; illustrated by Ed Emshwiller.

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert (July 2025)

The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. She’s exhausted from fighting the endless wars of kings and queens, and has long accepted that her death is near. Alone at last but for a few uninvited companions — a near-mythical wolf, a goddess’s avatar, and a feline that embodies magic itself — Oneira realizes that she’s bored. On a whim, or perhaps at the behest of fate, she makes an unlikely trip to the most extensive library in existence: the home of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.

By recklessly stealing a book from him, Oneira inadvertently initiates a forbidden correspondence. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found — nor could ever find — in any other. 

But Oneira soon learns that Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is tasked with waging war on the queen she once served. A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire — and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away.

A bond with Stearanos could alight the long-extinct flame of life within her… or it could destroy her entirely. 

Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha (May 2025)

From the author of Consort of Fire comes a scorching romantasy novel full of courtly intrigue and erotic crackle riding the swells of immortal love.

Aleksi, the charming and charismatic god of love, is dying. But nothing can stop the Lover from completing his final quest: a dangerous diplomatic visit to a former adversary.

Setting sail for a mystical kingdom of ice, Aleksi is joined by Einar the Kraken, infamous pirate lord, and Naia, a sweet young water nymph. Intoxicated by the pair’s electric connection, Aleksi vows to enjoy his last days by playing matchmaker, pushing away his own desires for the sake of theirs. But he’s unexpectedly caught up in a raging game of seduction.

As the trio navigates turbulent seas and the political perils of the Ice Queen’s court, dark secrets reveal clues to one’s tragic past and another’s epic destiny. Aleksi’s powers spin out of control while love and lust run wild. And when enemies emerge from the shadows, the Lover is forced to make a choice. Will he give away his heart to save all that he holds dear?