Category: Fantasy - JARED R. LOPATIN

GHOST BOOK by Remi Lai (Print)

9/25/2025

I really enjoyed this one. It was the last of the Battle of the Book stories that I read and I'm kind of glad I ended with this. Having been introduced to the Underworld, Oxhead, and Horseface, through other media, I felt pretty comfortable from page one. Lai has a tight weave in this story, bringing multiple threads together to craft a really lovely story. It really emphasizes the bonds between people without hitting you over the head with it. I loved the relationship that built between July and William and I'm glad it ends on the note it does.

5/5

Quotes:

"A broken heart is a heart that has loved and been loved." (6)

RISE OF THE EARTH DRAGON by Tracey West (Print)

9/23/2025

#1 - Dragon Masters

This year, four books were given out for the Battle of the Books. This was one of them. It's a light story, the first in a series, about young dragon masters in a kingdom that not only captures dragons but keeps them secret. A young boy is one of these dragon masters and he must learn to bond with his dragon while the others have already done so. I like the worldbuild thus far. It seems accessible to younger readers, though there are some concepts that will be a little more abstract for them. I am curious to see where the series goes, especially because the ending is not satisfying.

4/5

RUTHLESS FAE by Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham (Audiobook)

9/10/2025

Read by Khaya Fraites as Tory Vega, Jessica Schly as Darcy Vega, Gregory Linington as Lance Orion, Julian Dailey as Darius Acrux, Ryan Dalusung as Seth Capella, Jon Vertullo as Caleb Altair, and Gabriel Michael as Max Rigel. Also with Daniel Llaca, Michael Glenn, Karenna Foley, Lydia Kraniotis, Nora Achrati, James Konicek, Lise Bruneau, Kelly Baskin, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Ian Russell, Kit Swann, Terence Aselford, Laura C. Harris, Shravan Amin, Michael John Casey, Tyler Hyrchuk, Crystal Lee, Ken Jackson, Yasmin Tuazon, Christopher Williams, Nanette Savard, Jeri J. Marshall, Kaylee Eluvian, Richard Rohan, Dawn Ursula, Eric Messner, Bradley Foster Smith, Amanda Forstrom, Colleen Delaney, Matthew Bassett, and Christopher Walker
#2 - Zodiac Academy

I must say that I enjoyed this more than the first one. The mixture of the heirs' perspectives grows stronger in this book and I'm waiting for the aligning of forces. The lines aren't quite so clear cut this time, between the Vegas and the heirs, between the students and the teachers...everything is becoming blurred. It's interesting to see how the story is unfolding. The name is a bit of a misnomer. While the star signs play a role, they don't seem to have as much influence on the characters as the elements do. It's much more rooted in the four elements than the signs themselves. Then again, maybe there's a larger game at work here and the signs will come into play later. Either way, I'm planning to continue this series.

4.25/5

THE MANIFESTOR PROPHECY by Angie Thomas (Audiobook)

9/5/2025

Read by Janiece Abbott-Pratt
#1 - Nic Blake and the Remarkables

I had so much fun with this one. Having read Thomas' other work, I was excited to read this. I love the strength of Nic Blake. Thomas is fabulous at writing her thoughts and building her relationships with the other characters, especially the two boys. The worldbuild in this is fantastic, not to mention the way Thomas builds in lore and culture. Thank goodness this is a series; I need more of this.

5/5

ERIC by Terry Pratchett (Paperback)

8/24/2025

#9 - Discworld

This is a shorter book but a delightful one. We're back to Rincewind and Death (two of my faves). Plus, I love a bit of reimagination when it comes to cosmology and the afterlife. I also love that at the top of every page of this novel, the word FAUST is crossed out and ERIC is written in its place. It's just playfully delightful as Pratchett tends to be. I have a feeling this is going to be expanded upon in later novels and I'm eager to see how it relates to the greater Discworld...well, world. To place so much in the hands of two incompetents with someone else really pulling the strings, it's probably inadvertent in its metaphorical relatability, though I'm unsure that anything Pratchett does is inadvertent.

5/5

Quotes:

"Rincewind glanced sidelong at the parrot, who had been unnaturally silent for some time and was now cowering up against his ear like an elderly spinster in a strip club." (45)
"'Multiple exclamation marks,' he went on, shaking his head, 'are a sure sign of a diseased mind.'" (115)

THREE SHATTERED SOULS by Mai Corland (Audiobook)

8/19/2025

Read by Jaine Ye, Greg Chun, Sophie Oda, Roger Yeh, and Zion Jang.
#3 - Broken Blades

I didn't know this was the last of the series. I would have sworn Corland was going to write a quintet. Still, it was a nice return to the realms and these characters. I think the fact that it was wrapping up moved the story faster than I was expecting it to. I was also pleased by Corland's ability to interweave deeply personal moments from the characters with the political adventures. None of it felt like fluff or filler. I would welcome another set of stories in the realm and Corland has said she may revisit with other characters. I am sad that we won't get more from these characters, but Corland ended it in a satisfying way.

Quote:

"Miracles and whores: that's what we exist in now."

4.5/5

GUARDS! GUARDS! by Terry Pratchett (Paperwork)

8/17/2025

#8 - Discworld

I had fun with this. It didn't go anywhere I thought it was going to, but that's pretty common with Pratchett, I've come to find. I see that this is the first in the City Watch series and I am quite curious to see how it all plays out, especially for Vimes and Carrot. Plus, love Lady Ramkin and I'm hoping for more of her. I'm hoping (but not expecting) for a return of the dragons, or at least some dragons. The more the Patrician features, the more I'm intrigued. I don't think this is my favorite line of story arcs (Death definitely holds first place with Witches in the second) but this might be taking third.

4.75/5

THEO TAN AND THE IRON FAN by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Audiobook)

8/6/2025

Read by Kimberley Wong and Caleb Yen.
#2 - Theo Tan

I had fun with this one. It has a little bit of a Rick Riordan feel to it. It definitely feels like an ending though - I think this is just a duology. Theo and Kai on another adventure, this time in Diyu, meeting kings and demons and other spirits was just what the doctor ordered. Sutanto really fleshes out these characters and the ending is (without spoiling anything) apropos for this story. The audiobook is well done with alternating voices to signify Theo chapters and Kai chapters and the writing is such that you're left wanting more from each chapter. It's also a learning experience for me. I consider myself a Sutanto fan.

4.75/5

THEO TAN AND THE FOX SPIRIT by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Audiobook)

8/4/2025

Read by Kimberley Wong and Caleb Yen
#1 - Theo Tan

Because I enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's Aunties series, I figured I would give her middle grade a try. This was a fun read. There's a current of sadness throughout but that's to be expected from the premise. Sutanto is great at writing banter. The main characters, Theo and Kai, have such a great dynamic with the back and forth that plot sometimes takes a backseat. Not too much of a backseat though; there is evil to destroy, of course. I feel like I'm learning more and more about Chinese culture through my television choices (JENTRY CHAU VS THE UNDERWORLD) and my reading. I'm here for it. Especially since I'll be teaching middle school mythology next year. I've already started the second book in this series, so keep an eye out for that review as well.

4.5/5

A WORLD WORTH SAVING by Kyle Lukoff

8/2/2025

Read by Will Malloy and Kyle Lukoff

This popped up on Libby and I figured I would give it a try. I'm glad I did. A queer cast with a trans protagonist working with Jewish mythology - it's quite the mix and it works. I love the way that A, the main character, fights his demons, both literally and figuratively. It has its moments of "Why are you doing that?" but that's middle grade fiction, isn't it? People make odd choices; especially those of the teenage persuasion. Then again, these characters are facing, unfortunately, very real consequences, even if they're supernaturally motivated. It reminded me a little of AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH US, though not even close to the level of graphic language and violence that White gives us. I'd be interested in reading more by Lukoff.

Quotes:

"Bonds formed through struggle are both stronger and more fragile than any other [...]"
"No one is ever the right person to change the course of history. No one should have to be."
"You are the only human being, in the long history of mankind, to be born to your parents, to this place, in this body, in this moment, with this mind, which makes you the same as every human being who has ever lived: unique and irreplaceable."
"It is not on you to complete the work but neither are you free to desist from it." (Rabbi Tarfon)
"I knew who I was and I knew that I was real; not just real, but necessary. Important. Irreplaceable. Holy."

4.5/5