As the continuation of Jules Verne's classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it's depressing to consider how great of a novel Nemo Rising could have been. Unfortunately, my only recommendation here is to give it a pass on your reading list....

Krampus is as much a story about the traditions of Christmas and Yule as it is a tale of discovery, as the titular character struggles to find his place in a world that has moved on without him....

Letters from Father Christmas is a fun, almost nostalgic-like glimpse into the lives of the Tolkiens. It’s the sort of book one can share with the children each and every year much like Mr. Tolkien did with his own children....

Vasya is on her own, which is just fine with her. But she's rushing into an unknown danger she isn't ready to face. The Girl in the Tower is another fantastic read from a true up and coming author. It’s rare a series this good comes along, so don’t miss it....

An entertaining jaunt onboard a steamboat of old. The stories flow together seamlessly (a credit to the editor) and the overall story is fun and engaging....

The Bear and the Nightingale is historical fantasy fiction at its best. A vibrant world, rich characters, more than a hint of the supernatural, and an endearing main character who doesn’t have all the answers but isn’t afraid to find them. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of this book now....

If you’re looking for something beyond the traditional Dickens to read this holiday season, A Lot Like Christmas may fit the bill for you. Despite a couple of the stories feeling like duds to me, I’m giving it four rockets because there are many more stories I enjoyed than not, and even a few which stand out as holiday gems....

Plenty happening in Fool's Quest but it still falls just short in terms of moving the story along adequately. Still, a good read that longtime Hobb fans will love....

In this first book of the Fitz and Fool trilogy, Hobb returns to her most beloved character, FitzChivalry Farseer. As is typical of Hobb, the story unfolds slowly, though a suspenseful finish was a nice setup for the larger storyline to come....

A diverse collection of entertaining, frightening, and sometimes unsettling Halloween stories....