Publisher: Gollancz

Uptown Oracle Reads… The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLea

If you’re in the mood for a book that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day, Phoenix Keeper by S.A. McLean might just be your next favourite read. This cosy fantasy novel combines the everyday challenges of zookeeping with the wonder of magical creatures, all while exploring themes of social anxiety,…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Seven Mercies by Elizabeth May and L.R. Lam

Seven Mercies is an absolute gem that shines brightly in the sci-fi genre, offering a thrilling adventure filled with depth, diversity, and heart. This novel is the second installment in the Seven Devils duology, and it not only meets the high expectations set by its predecessor but surpasses them with a richly woven narrative that…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapowski | A Riveting Odyssey 📚

Sword of Destiny, the second instalment in Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series, continues the tale of Geralt of Rivia, the enigmatic monster hunter. In this collection of short stories, Sapkowski weaves a tapestry of adventures that delve deeper into Geralt’s character while introducing new challenges, relationships, and moral dilemmas. Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapowski (Affiliate…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapowski | Unraveling the Enigma

Embarking into Andrzej Sapkowski‘s fantasy masterpiece, The Last Wish, feels akin to stepping into an enchanting realm. As the initial installment in the Witcher series, this collection of interconnected short stories introduces readers to Geralt of Rivia, and themes of identity, destiny, and the consequences of choice. I found myself immersed in Sapkowski’s universe, and…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Hand of the Sun King

The Hand of the Sun King follows Wen Alder as he grows up in an almost coming of age style story. It has an introspective first person narrative, like an autobiography or journal of sorts. Despite this very singular focus on the character of Foolish Cur, he’s not always a likeable character and it displays…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Ninth House

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Affiliate Links) Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact,…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Trouble With Peace

The Trouble with PeaceJoe Abercrombie (Affiliate Links) Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion. Peace is just another kind of battlefield… Savine dan Glokta, once Adua’s most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way. For heroes like Leo…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Seven Devils | A Outstanding Feminist Space Crew Ready to Save the Galaxy

I wanted to reach Seven Devils for a couple of different reasons. Firstly, I loved Elizabeth May’s The Falconer and wanted to see what her writing sci-fi was like. I’ve not read any of Laura Lam’s work before, but I’m still excited to see what the two writer set up was like. Then I was…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Of Sand & Malice Made | A Small Epic Fantasy with Arabian Nights Vibes

Of Sand & Malice MadeBradley Beaulieu (Affiliate Links) Çeda is the youngest pit fighter in the history of the great desert city of Sharakhai. In this brilliant new story, a prequel to Twelve Kings, she has already made her name in the arena as the fearsome, undefeated White Wolf. None but her closest friends and allies…