Phantastic Reads
@phantasticreads.bsky.social
Jamie, she/her, professional book nerd | current book reviewer, former library worker/bookseller
Pinned
I’m Jamie and I used to work in bookshops and libraries. Now I review books (speculative and hardboiled fiction, comics) on my blog phantasticreads.wordpress.com
#booksky
#booksky
@keithrosson.bsky.social’s #CoffinMoon is out next week!
I know it’s not out until September, but I couldn’t wait to devour #CoffinMoon
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
September 1, 2025 at 6:07 AM
@keithrosson.bsky.social’s #CoffinMoon is out next week!
I find myself chasing the high of a book that isn’t even out yet 😭 @kjcharleswriter.com
#AllofUsMurderers is one of my favorite books so far this year, and I want to reread it immediately.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
All of Us Murderers
All of Us Murderers, by KJ Charles Zeb accepts an invitation to stay with his cousin in the family country manor, only to discover that everyone else he doesn’t want to see is already there. Cousin…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
August 29, 2025 at 1:23 AM
I find myself chasing the high of a book that isn’t even out yet 😭 @kjcharleswriter.com
One of my professors (now passed and dearly missed) told me that it’s best to write about things that either you really love or really hate. This is why, if I can’t quite figure out what I want to say about a book I’ve read, I go and find other reviews.
August 2, 2025 at 7:47 AM
One of my professors (now passed and dearly missed) told me that it’s best to write about things that either you really love or really hate. This is why, if I can’t quite figure out what I want to say about a book I’ve read, I go and find other reviews.
Reposted by Phantastic Reads
Reading The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, and some passages in Good Stab’s voice are like taking a big sip of a good whiskey, and just letting it roll around your tongue. Sooo good.
@sgj.bsky.social
I recommend Jameson Triple Triple, btw. Very smooth and affordable.
@sgj.bsky.social
I recommend Jameson Triple Triple, btw. Very smooth and affordable.
August 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reading The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, and some passages in Good Stab’s voice are like taking a big sip of a good whiskey, and just letting it roll around your tongue. Sooo good.
@sgj.bsky.social
I recommend Jameson Triple Triple, btw. Very smooth and affordable.
@sgj.bsky.social
I recommend Jameson Triple Triple, btw. Very smooth and affordable.
#HobtownMysteryStoriesVol3 is the weirdest and most disorienting installment to date, plus it sheds light on what exactly is going on in Hobtown!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/h...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/h...
Hobtown Mystery Stories Vol. 3
Hobtown Mystery Stories Vol. 3: The Secret of the Saucer, by Kris Bertin and Alexander Forbes Hobtown always makes you wonder what the hell is going on, and The Secret of the Saucer takes the cake.…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
August 2, 2025 at 7:13 AM
#HobtownMysteryStoriesVol3 is the weirdest and most disorienting installment to date, plus it sheds light on what exactly is going on in Hobtown!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/h...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/h...
The suspense in #TheHomecoming kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t bear to look, and HAD to know what was going to happen.
The Homecoming
The Homecoming, by Zoë Apostolides Ellen’s job is to go around interviewing people about their lives so she can write their memoirs for them. When one of her colleagues cancels, Ellen takes the ass…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The suspense in #TheHomecoming kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t bear to look, and HAD to know what was going to happen.
Finally read the latest two #DresdenFiles novels in preparation for next year’s #TwelveMonths
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/p...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/p...
Peace Talks
Peace Talks, by Jim Butcher It’s finally time to deal with the encroaching Fomor faction in Chicago. To that end, Brain Marcone has agreed to host a peace conference between the signatories of the …
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
July 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Finally read the latest two #DresdenFiles novels in preparation for next year’s #TwelveMonths
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/p...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/p...
#AllofUsMurderers is one of my favorite books so far this year, and I want to reread it immediately.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
All of Us Murderers
All of Us Murderers, by KJ Charles Zeb accepts an invitation to stay with his cousin in the family country manor, only to discover that everyone else he doesn’t want to see is already there. Cousin…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
July 26, 2025 at 11:29 PM
#AllofUsMurderers is one of my favorite books so far this year, and I want to reread it immediately.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/a...
I’ve read Mariko Tamaki and @nicolegoux.bsky.social‘s #ThisPlaceKillsMe three times already. I promise you need it.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
June 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I’ve read Mariko Tamaki and @nicolegoux.bsky.social‘s #ThisPlaceKillsMe three times already. I promise you need it.
Tom’s right. As someone who’s mostly skipped over classic eco-go in the past, I was amazed and immediately dug up some Wyndham audio adaptations while waiting for the books to come in.
Just finished Overgrowth by Mira Grant (aka @seananmcguire.bsky.social.)
Many thoughts. First, holy moley, does she know how to structure a book. The framing of this book - I will just say it’s masterful.
Many thoughts. First, holy moley, does she know how to structure a book. The framing of this book - I will just say it’s masterful.
June 7, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Tom’s right. As someone who’s mostly skipped over classic eco-go in the past, I was amazed and immediately dug up some Wyndham audio adaptations while waiting for the books to come in.
Trying to make the blog more user-friendly, which means adding a search bar and replacing the amazing disappearing buttons with text links.
June 7, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Trying to make the blog more user-friendly, which means adding a search bar and replacing the amazing disappearing buttons with text links.
@authoroux.bsky.social drops us into a horrifically gothic fairytale in #AGirlWalksintotheForest
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/a...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/a...
A Girl Walks into the Forest
A Girl Walks into the Forest, by Madeleine Roux Valla is chosen to be the Count’s bride, her beauty exchanged for food and fur to keep her village safe. But the way through the forest is long, and …
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
June 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM
@authoroux.bsky.social drops us into a horrifically gothic fairytale in #AGirlWalksintotheForest
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/a...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/a...
Hey, remember @toril.bsky.social’s webcomic Hotblood!? #HotbloodVol1 is coming out and it’s even more gorgeous than you remember!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/h...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/h...
Hotblood! Volume 1: The Land of Promise
Hotblood! Volume 1: The Land of Promise, by Toril Orlesky In an alternate past where mythic creatures roam the US alongside humans, centaur Rook is hired to kill Asa Langley. But how can he turn on…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
June 5, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Hey, remember @toril.bsky.social’s webcomic Hotblood!? #HotbloodVol1 is coming out and it’s even more gorgeous than you remember!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/h...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/h...
And in another instance of “I can’t wait until closer to release,” @scumbelievable.bsky.social is out to destroy us again with #BlackFlame in the best way possible
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/b...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/b...
Black Flame
Black Flame, by Gretchen Felker-Martin When a surviving copy of Bartok’s transgressive, queer horror film is brought to Ellen’s employer for restoration, it makes her uneasy. She’s spent the …
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:52 PM
And in another instance of “I can’t wait until closer to release,” @scumbelievable.bsky.social is out to destroy us again with #BlackFlame in the best way possible
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/b...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/b...
I know it’s a bit early for reviews, but @seananmcguire.bsky.social knocked it out of the park with the upcoming October Daye book, Silver and Lead!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/s...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/s...
Silver and Lead
Silver and Lead, by Seanan McGuire While Titania had all of Faerie marching to the cruel beat of her drum, someone robbed Muir Woods of all the rare and dangerous artifacts left in the queen’s keep…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
June 3, 2025 at 4:41 AM
I know it’s a bit early for reviews, but @seananmcguire.bsky.social knocked it out of the park with the upcoming October Daye book, Silver and Lead!
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/s...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/s...
PI Vandy Myrick is back in book 2! #DeathOfAnEx is a great sequel, and the series is promising to be one of THE detective series to follow.
Death of an Ex
Death of an Ex, by Delia Pitts Vandy’s back! Still struggling with her past and the death of her daughter, Vandy reconnects with her ex-husband shortly before he’s found dead. Can she figure out wh…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
May 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
PI Vandy Myrick is back in book 2! #DeathOfAnEx is a great sequel, and the series is promising to be one of THE detective series to follow.
Took a break from the usual horror/comics/fantasy fare to check out #KissMeMaybe. Glad I did! A fun #queerromance with an asexual lesbian lead and a bisexual love interest.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/05/05/k...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/05/05/k...
Kiss Me, Maybe
Kiss Me, Maybe, by Gabriella Gamez In this sequel to The Next Best Fling, Angela comes out online as an asexual lesbian after gaining notoriety by posting an accidental thirst trap. In the on…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Took a break from the usual horror/comics/fantasy fare to check out #KissMeMaybe. Glad I did! A fun #queerromance with an asexual lesbian lead and a bisexual love interest.
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/05/05/k...
phantasticreads.wordpress.com/2025/05/05/k...
#WelcometoStHell is a really honest look at how complicated body image is as a teen, and why it can be so hard to recognize gender dysphoria. It’s also really funny.
Welcome to St. Hell
Welcome to St. Hell, by Lewis Hancox Lewis Hancox revists his teens growing up within gender dysphoria in a small town in northwestern England. Adult Lewis narrates the story, occasionally breaking…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
#WelcometoStHell is a really honest look at how complicated body image is as a teen, and why it can be so hard to recognize gender dysphoria. It’s also really funny.
#Motherlover is a great comic about queer love
Motherlover
Motherlover, by Lindsay Ishihiro When single mom Alex moves in next to married mom of four Imogen, they quickly form an unlikely friendship that takes them through triumphs and heartbreak. It’s alw…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
#Motherlover is a great comic about queer love
A gothic horror comic, you say?
Skin Deep
Skin Deep, by Flo Woolley A short queer horror comic set in a dance house, packed with a gothic intrigue, all told with night-dark inks and a ghostly green and blue palette. A must-read! Amazon Boo…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
A gothic horror comic, you say?
#ECCruelUniverseVol1 is another great comics anthology
EC Cruel Universe, volume 1
EC Cruel Universe Vol. 1, edited by Sierra Hahn and Matt Dryer I really loved EC Epitaphs from the Abyss, and I was thrilled to get a shot at its sister titles. EC Cruel Universe doesn’t disappoint…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
#ECCruelUniverseVol1 is another great comics anthology
On a lighter note, #DraculasBrunchClub is a good addition to your middle grade Halloween comics, or your favorite babybat’s year-round collection!
Dracula’s Brunch Club
Dracula’s Brunch Club, by Brian Gonsar and Keenan Gaybba Count Dracula has returned from a six month world tour, eager to return to a grueling social schedule of hosting brunches and providing bake…
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
On a lighter note, #DraculasBrunchClub is a good addition to your middle grade Halloween comics, or your favorite babybat’s year-round collection!
I know it’s not out until September, but I couldn’t wait to devour #CoffinMoon
phantasticreads.wordpress.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I know it’s not out until September, but I couldn’t wait to devour #CoffinMoon