Alex - Spells & Spaceships
@blogspells.bsky.social
Spells & Spaceships SFF book reviews 🧙🏼♂️🚀
Also enjoy & read/review:
Dark & Middle Ages history/hist. fiction ⚔️
Science & Nature🦊🪶🌲
Norse Mythology 🐐🐐
Lover of Castles 🏰
Also enjoy & read/review:
Dark & Middle Ages history/hist. fiction ⚔️
Science & Nature🦊🪶🌲
Norse Mythology 🐐🐐
Lover of Castles 🏰
Pinned
Beyond the Barrow | Substack
Beyond the Barrow is a place where fantasy meets folklore, where we travel through the mists of time to mythology, history and spooky stories. Click to read Beyond the Barrow, a Substack publication. ...
beyondthebarrow.substack.com
Hi everyone, exciting news - I've created a new home for more content from me!
Beyond the Barrow is a space for folklore, fantasy, myth and magic, even some spooky stories 🍂✨❄️ 🎃
I'd love it if you'd join me and even consider subscribing!
beyondthebarrow.substack.com
Beyond the Barrow is a space for folklore, fantasy, myth and magic, even some spooky stories 🍂✨❄️ 🎃
I'd love it if you'd join me and even consider subscribing!
beyondthebarrow.substack.com
New Review
The Knave of Graves from @sjshank.bsky.social
A very unique and enjoyable read, with dark folklore, a malevolent sorcerer and morally grey protagonist:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2026/02/09/k...
The Knave of Graves from @sjshank.bsky.social
A very unique and enjoyable read, with dark folklore, a malevolent sorcerer and morally grey protagonist:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2026/02/09/k...
The Knave of Graves – Review
Book Snapshot Author – S. J. Shank Genre – Dark Fantasy Length – 338 pages Publisher – Self Published, July 2025 Vibe – Unique, dark, humorous, folklore My Rating R…
spellsandspaceships.home.blog
February 9, 2026 at 11:02 AM
New Review
The Knave of Graves from @sjshank.bsky.social
A very unique and enjoyable read, with dark folklore, a malevolent sorcerer and morally grey protagonist:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2026/02/09/k...
The Knave of Graves from @sjshank.bsky.social
A very unique and enjoyable read, with dark folklore, a malevolent sorcerer and morally grey protagonist:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2026/02/09/k...
I finished Guards! Guards!
Definitely the Discworld I enjoyed most of the 5.
I gave it a 4 star overall. Promising and gives me hope that maybe there'll be a discworld book out there I can give the full 5 to one day...
Definitely the Discworld I enjoyed most of the 5.
I gave it a 4 star overall. Promising and gives me hope that maybe there'll be a discworld book out there I can give the full 5 to one day...
January 26, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I finished Guards! Guards!
Definitely the Discworld I enjoyed most of the 5.
I gave it a 4 star overall. Promising and gives me hope that maybe there'll be a discworld book out there I can give the full 5 to one day...
Definitely the Discworld I enjoyed most of the 5.
I gave it a 4 star overall. Promising and gives me hope that maybe there'll be a discworld book out there I can give the full 5 to one day...
Since my son was born nearly 7 years ago, I've been looking forward to watching The Lord of the Rings together for the first time.
I didn't even know if he'd like it, but today we finished the trilogy & he loved it. May have had tears on my end numerous times 😅❤️ heart = full
I didn't even know if he'd like it, but today we finished the trilogy & he loved it. May have had tears on my end numerous times 😅❤️ heart = full
January 18, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Since my son was born nearly 7 years ago, I've been looking forward to watching The Lord of the Rings together for the first time.
I didn't even know if he'd like it, but today we finished the trilogy & he loved it. May have had tears on my end numerous times 😅❤️ heart = full
I didn't even know if he'd like it, but today we finished the trilogy & he loved it. May have had tears on my end numerous times 😅❤️ heart = full
It's my balloon day :-)
Very happy with this book haul ❤️
Very happy with this book haul ❤️
January 9, 2026 at 1:28 PM
It's my balloon day :-)
Very happy with this book haul ❤️
Very happy with this book haul ❤️
Tonight, I begin my journey as a manager!
Alongside many other duties, I'll have 20 direct reports across 2 teams.
Any last minute advice?
Alongside many other duties, I'll have 20 direct reports across 2 teams.
Any last minute advice?
January 5, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Tonight, I begin my journey as a manager!
Alongside many other duties, I'll have 20 direct reports across 2 teams.
Any last minute advice?
Alongside many other duties, I'll have 20 direct reports across 2 teams.
Any last minute advice?
This rum has gone STRAIGHT to my head.. wow.
Nice though
Nice though
January 1, 2026 at 10:29 PM
This rum has gone STRAIGHT to my head.. wow.
Nice though
Nice though
I'm not sure what else to try but I feel like X and Bluesky are both stuttering a little in comparison to how lively the book community used to feel.
Any reading groups or discords you'd recommend?
Any reading groups or discords you'd recommend?
January 1, 2026 at 8:53 PM
I'm not sure what else to try but I feel like X and Bluesky are both stuttering a little in comparison to how lively the book community used to feel.
Any reading groups or discords you'd recommend?
Any reading groups or discords you'd recommend?
Happy New Year everyone ❤️
Would love to discuss books more next year if anyone has any reading or book discussion groups going!
Reading challenges too!
Would love to discuss books more next year if anyone has any reading or book discussion groups going!
Reading challenges too!
December 31, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Happy New Year everyone ❤️
Would love to discuss books more next year if anyone has any reading or book discussion groups going!
Reading challenges too!
Would love to discuss books more next year if anyone has any reading or book discussion groups going!
Reading challenges too!
Check out the 5 best books I read in 2025!
Total: 31
5 star reads: 11
4 star reads: 14
3 star reads: 6
Any less than 3 tend to be DNF
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/12/30/t...
Total: 31
5 star reads: 11
4 star reads: 14
3 star reads: 6
Any less than 3 tend to be DNF
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/12/30/t...
The Best Books I Read in 2025
Another year comes to a close, faster yet than the last! There’s a day left to go but I’m not going to finish a book in that time so in total, I read 31 books over the year. My target w…
spellsandspaceships.home.blog
December 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Check out the 5 best books I read in 2025!
Total: 31
5 star reads: 11
4 star reads: 14
3 star reads: 6
Any less than 3 tend to be DNF
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/12/30/t...
Total: 31
5 star reads: 11
4 star reads: 14
3 star reads: 6
Any less than 3 tend to be DNF
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/12/30/t...
My most precious individual book is this copy of The Witch's Heart by @gengornichec.bsky.social
Personalised and kindly sent across the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of my favourite stories but also barely anyone in the UK has this edition!
I will always treasure this book 💙💛
Personalised and kindly sent across the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of my favourite stories but also barely anyone in the UK has this edition!
I will always treasure this book 💙💛
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
My most precious individual book is this copy of The Witch's Heart by @gengornichec.bsky.social
Personalised and kindly sent across the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of my favourite stories but also barely anyone in the UK has this edition!
I will always treasure this book 💙💛
Personalised and kindly sent across the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of my favourite stories but also barely anyone in the UK has this edition!
I will always treasure this book 💙💛
Bought this for my 6 year old son for Christmas and we have had so much fun playing it!!
Fantastic game that only takes 15 mins or so, makes us laugh, addictive, brilliant cards.
Great artwork and game design from @jamiesmart.bsky.social
Especially recommend for fantasy fans!
Fantastic game that only takes 15 mins or so, makes us laugh, addictive, brilliant cards.
Great artwork and game design from @jamiesmart.bsky.social
Especially recommend for fantasy fans!
December 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Bought this for my 6 year old son for Christmas and we have had so much fun playing it!!
Fantastic game that only takes 15 mins or so, makes us laugh, addictive, brilliant cards.
Great artwork and game design from @jamiesmart.bsky.social
Especially recommend for fantasy fans!
Fantastic game that only takes 15 mins or so, makes us laugh, addictive, brilliant cards.
Great artwork and game design from @jamiesmart.bsky.social
Especially recommend for fantasy fans!
I haven't yet got a bookshelf but the new house does have a shelf in the top of my wardrobe I've made use of for some of my favourite authors and special editions 😍⏳
December 26, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I haven't yet got a bookshelf but the new house does have a shelf in the top of my wardrobe I've made use of for some of my favourite authors and special editions 😍⏳
I've logged 284 books and I've never read:
• Robin Hobb
• Abercrombie past Blade Itself
• Tad Williams
• Gemmell past Legend
• Malazan
• Sanderson
• Green Bone Saga
• His Dark Materials
• 37/41 Discworld
• Scott Lynch
• LOTR books
Which do I need to rectify first?
• Robin Hobb
• Abercrombie past Blade Itself
• Tad Williams
• Gemmell past Legend
• Malazan
• Sanderson
• Green Bone Saga
• His Dark Materials
• 37/41 Discworld
• Scott Lynch
• LOTR books
Which do I need to rectify first?
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I've logged 284 books and I've never read:
• Robin Hobb
• Abercrombie past Blade Itself
• Tad Williams
• Gemmell past Legend
• Malazan
• Sanderson
• Green Bone Saga
• His Dark Materials
• 37/41 Discworld
• Scott Lynch
• LOTR books
Which do I need to rectify first?
• Robin Hobb
• Abercrombie past Blade Itself
• Tad Williams
• Gemmell past Legend
• Malazan
• Sanderson
• Green Bone Saga
• His Dark Materials
• 37/41 Discworld
• Scott Lynch
• LOTR books
Which do I need to rectify first?
I think I'm in a minority in that I prefer the smell of new books to old ones. New book smell is my fave
December 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I think I'm in a minority in that I prefer the smell of new books to old ones. New book smell is my fave
I discount 'romantasy' from my TBR but I can't help feeling some of the blurbs sound great & the covers are gorgeous.
I also have to concede my favourite book (Lancelot by Giles Kristian) is actually a love story.
Anything jump out as suitable for a het mid-30s guy who usually reads low fantasy?
I also have to concede my favourite book (Lancelot by Giles Kristian) is actually a love story.
Anything jump out as suitable for a het mid-30s guy who usually reads low fantasy?
December 17, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I discount 'romantasy' from my TBR but I can't help feeling some of the blurbs sound great & the covers are gorgeous.
I also have to concede my favourite book (Lancelot by Giles Kristian) is actually a love story.
Anything jump out as suitable for a het mid-30s guy who usually reads low fantasy?
I also have to concede my favourite book (Lancelot by Giles Kristian) is actually a love story.
Anything jump out as suitable for a het mid-30s guy who usually reads low fantasy?
Hey everyone, What's been your book of the year?
December 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Hey everyone, What's been your book of the year?
Reposted by Alex - Spells & Spaceships
The season’s upon us! Thor and Loki really know how to botch a holiday shopping expedition. W/ art by @barbarianlord.bsky.social.
Read it in Bostonian at @mcsweeneys.net:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/tho...
Read it in English at @blogspells.bsky.social:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2023/11/21/a...
Read it in Bostonian at @mcsweeneys.net:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/tho...
Read it in English at @blogspells.bsky.social:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2023/11/21/a...
December 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The season’s upon us! Thor and Loki really know how to botch a holiday shopping expedition. W/ art by @barbarianlord.bsky.social.
Read it in Bostonian at @mcsweeneys.net:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/tho...
Read it in English at @blogspells.bsky.social:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2023/11/21/a...
Read it in Bostonian at @mcsweeneys.net:
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/tho...
Read it in English at @blogspells.bsky.social:
spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2023/11/21/a...
Really looking forward to this from @jnevair.bsky.social
Any books releasing in Q1 of '26 you're excited for?
Any books releasing in Q1 of '26 you're excited for?
December 13, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Really looking forward to this from @jnevair.bsky.social
Any books releasing in Q1 of '26 you're excited for?
Any books releasing in Q1 of '26 you're excited for?
What's a cosy fantasy you'd recommend to someone who usually reads epic swords and sorcery and Grimdark type stuff and wants a change of pace?
December 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
What's a cosy fantasy you'd recommend to someone who usually reads epic swords and sorcery and Grimdark type stuff and wants a change of pace?
It feels rare to find a book that has deep world building AND is a page turner.
Can you name any books that by the end of the series are really deep but you always get that "one more chapter" feel?
Can you name any books that by the end of the series are really deep but you always get that "one more chapter" feel?
December 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It feels rare to find a book that has deep world building AND is a page turner.
Can you name any books that by the end of the series are really deep but you always get that "one more chapter" feel?
Can you name any books that by the end of the series are really deep but you always get that "one more chapter" feel?
Where do the cool kids chat about fantasy these days?
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Where do the cool kids chat about fantasy these days?
I had a dream last night that I met @annasmithspark.bsky.social for the first time randomly in passing but my kids were crying and I had to make sure they were ok and I missed my chance to tell Anna what an amazing author she is 🤣😭
If you want an amazing reading experience, read her work NOW
If you want an amazing reading experience, read her work NOW
December 8, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I had a dream last night that I met @annasmithspark.bsky.social for the first time randomly in passing but my kids were crying and I had to make sure they were ok and I missed my chance to tell Anna what an amazing author she is 🤣😭
If you want an amazing reading experience, read her work NOW
If you want an amazing reading experience, read her work NOW
Just incase you're an author & you've seen I was reading your book or loved the first one but never read the second, I do absolutely plan to get there!
Just had the busiest year of my life and reading has taken a back seat. Hoping to carry on reading more soon.
Just had the busiest year of my life and reading has taken a back seat. Hoping to carry on reading more soon.
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Just incase you're an author & you've seen I was reading your book or loved the first one but never read the second, I do absolutely plan to get there!
Just had the busiest year of my life and reading has taken a back seat. Hoping to carry on reading more soon.
Just had the busiest year of my life and reading has taken a back seat. Hoping to carry on reading more soon.
At the start of the year I made a list of 25 books I'd definitely, without a doubt read in 2025.
I read 4.
4 of them.
I read 4.
4 of them.
December 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
At the start of the year I made a list of 25 books I'd definitely, without a doubt read in 2025.
I read 4.
4 of them.
I read 4.
4 of them.
Today I finished Wyrd Sisters and updated my Discworld Journey
Unfortunately I still haven't found a book in the series I love yet but this was more promising...
Wyrd Sisters - 7/10
Mort - 6.7/10
Reaper Man - 6.4/10
Hogfather - 6.2/10
Unfortunately I still haven't found a book in the series I love yet but this was more promising...
Wyrd Sisters - 7/10
Mort - 6.7/10
Reaper Man - 6.4/10
Hogfather - 6.2/10
My Discworld Journey
In November 2024, I began my Discworld Journey and I plan to read the vast majority (who knows, perhaps all?) of these books and will be updating this blog post with my thoughts on each book as I d…
spellsandspaceships.home.blog
December 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Today I finished Wyrd Sisters and updated my Discworld Journey
Unfortunately I still haven't found a book in the series I love yet but this was more promising...
Wyrd Sisters - 7/10
Mort - 6.7/10
Reaper Man - 6.4/10
Hogfather - 6.2/10
Unfortunately I still haven't found a book in the series I love yet but this was more promising...
Wyrd Sisters - 7/10
Mort - 6.7/10
Reaper Man - 6.4/10
Hogfather - 6.2/10