SCI-FI HORROR REVIEW: The Staircase in the Woods - Chuck Wendig

Release Date: 29/04/25

Publisher: Del Rey

SYNOPSIS:

Five high school friends, bonded by an oath to protect each other no matter what.

On a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something extraordinary: a mysterious staircase to nowhere

One friend walks up – but never comes back down.

Now twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared, and the friends return to find the lost boy – and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods…

FROM THE MODERN HORROR SENSATION COMES A NEW BONE-CHILLING MASTERPIECE.

REVIEW:

In addition to this, if you prefer to listen rather than read, click our YT video here:

Chuck Wendig is a prolific author and with a ridiculous number of books to his name, across a lot of genres.

Lucky enough to get a copy early from the publisher, we dig deep and consider climbing "The Staircase in the Woods."

Diving into this book was a  plunge into the unknown as whilst the mythos of the Stairs in the Woods is well known, what you'll get from the furtive imagination of an author like Chuck is a complete mystery.

The book is written with his usual panache, has cracking prose, top notch description and of course keeps you hanging on by your fingernails right until the final page, occasionally  allowing you to grab a breath of air  with masterful lulls of pace.

Add to this, characters that you want to spend time with, that are believable and of course dialogue that feels realistic with choices that you could see yourself making, all round makes this one of the books that I am recommending already for people who love something a little different to pick up as they'll love every page.

All round, a book that was a pure joy to devour and one that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.  Magical.

SCI-FI REVIEW: STAR WARS: Rise of Skywalker - Rae Carson

Release Date: 29/10/20

Publisher:  Del Rey

SYNOPSIS:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Witness the epic final chapter of the Skywalker saga with the official novelization of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, including expanded scenes and additional content not seen in theaters! 

 

The Resistance has been reborn. But although Rey and her fellow heroes are back in the fight, the war against the First Order, now led by Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, is far from over. Just as the spark of rebellion is rekindling, a mysterious signal broadcasts throughout the galaxy, with a chilling message: Emperor Palpatine, long thought defeated and destroyed, is back from the dead. Has the ancient Lord of the Sith truly returned? Kylo Ren cuts a swath of destruction across the stars, determined to discover any challenge to his control over the First Order and his destiny to rule over the galaxy--and crush it completely. Meanwhile, to discover the truth, 

 

Rey, Finn, Poe, and the Resistance must embark on the most perilous adventure they have ever faced. Featuring all-new scenes adapted from never-before-seen material, deleted scenes, and input from the filmmakers, the story that began in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and continued in Star Wars: The Last Jedi reaches an astounding conclusion. 

 

REVIEW:

A well written adaptation of the movie with a few additional details that didn't make it into the film due to streamlining. The prose are sharp, the descriptives on point and for me as a reader really took me into the world in a way that the film never did. 

 

Throw into the mix a deeper understanding of the characters and the chance to enjoy the thrills and spills in excellent combat sequences all round make the book, in my humble opinion way better than the movie. All in this is a great addition to any star wars collection and for me, demonstrates why Rae Carson is an author that is high on my tbr list.

SCI-FI REVIEW: Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising - Timonthy Zahn

Release Date: 01/09/20

Publisher: Century

SYNOPSIS:

Beyond the edge of the galaxy lies the Unknown Regions: chaotic, uncharted, and near impassable, with hidden secrets and dangers in equal measure. And nestled within its swirling chaos is the Ascendancy, home to the enigmatic Chiss and the Nine Ruling Families that lead them. 

 

The peace of the Ascendancy, a beacon of calm and stability, is shattered after a daring attack on the Chiss capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. Baffled, the Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest young military officers to root out the unseen assailants. A recruit born of no title, but adopted into the powerful family of the Mitth and given the name Thrawn. 

 

With the might of the Expansionary Fleet at his back, and the aid of his comrade Admiral Ar’alani, answers begin to fall into place. But as Thrawn’s first command probes deeper into the vast stretch of space his people call the Chaos, he realizes that the mission he has been given is not what it seems. 

 

And the threat to the Ascendancy is only just beginning. 

 

 

REVIEW:

Thawn is one of those characters I just love to spend time with. I love the way he wove his way into the star wars universe and feels like he's never been apart from it, with the way he's carved his own career path within the Empire as well as his early introduction. 

 

Its well written, has great characters throughout and whilst its obvious because its a look back on his life that he's in no real danger of dying its the supporting cast members that you really get to feel for as you really don't know whats going to happen. As expected with Zahn, they're very well fleshed out, feel great in the way that this is presented and when added to solid prose as well as dialogue really does make this latest reveal about the Admiral's past a joy to behold. Great stuff.

SCI-FI REVIEW: Star Wars - Legends: Thrawn: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command - Timothy Zahn

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

It’s five years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and drove the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights. 

 

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build. 

 

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years! 

 

REVIEW:

An original appearance with Thrawn and a character that for me is equally as fascinating as the rebel alliance main cast. Set a few years after the fall of the emperor and written in the early 90's, this book became cannon prior to some rewriting due to the change of ownership. As you'd expect with Zahn, it has a good understanding of pace, a wonderful series of twists and turns and of course characters that you really want to spend time around. A real joy to sit down with and return to brighter days as well as reintroduce myself when facing the latest offering in the next few days. Magic 

 

 

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

The dying Empire’s most cunning and ruthless warlord, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic’s destruction. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council—only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.

Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness, and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the dark side.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

REVIEW:

More from Thrawn and the myriad of associated characters as the reader is once again whisked away into a universe far far away. As with the original novel in this series, the reader has solid character development, some solid twists and turns that add extra flavour and help colour how the vacumn is being filled left by Vader's and the Emperor's death and for me, really does give the reader a series that is great fun to spend time around.

Whilst it might be an unpopular choice I would love to spend more time within the imperial sector rather than with the rebels, purely as its so interesting to get to see a counter argument to the rebellion. 

 Add to the mix, dialogue that moves the plot along and a spartan descriptive style that allows you to get to the meat of the story rather than some which have extra fluff added to increase the size.  

Release Date: 27/08/20

Publisher: Century  

SYNOPSIS:

The embattled Republic reels from the attacks of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has marshaled the remnants of the Imperial forces and driven the Rebels back with an abominable technology recovered from the Emperor’s secret fortress: clone soldiers. As Thrawn mounts his final siege, Han Solo and Chewbacca struggle to form a coalition of smugglers for a last-ditch attack, while Princess Leia holds the Alliance together and prepares for the birth of her Jedi twins.

The Republic has one last hope—sending a small force into the very stronghold that houses Thrawn’s terrible cloning machines. There a final danger awaits, as the Dark Jedi C’baoth directs the battle against the Rebels and builds his strength to finish what he already started: the destruction of Luke Skywalker.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years! 

 

REVIEW:

The final part in this series and one that has been building for an epic conclusion as events that will come to shape the future of the universe are played out on a galactic chess board. Well crafted, topped off with characters on all sides that you care about really does leave you in doubt about the conclusion as you reader really want to see either side lose.

As usual with Zahn, great dialogue, top notch pose and characters that just step out of the pages into the readers imagination in such a way that this series is a firm fan favourite and a great way to spend quite a few hours during this difficult time.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Dr Who: Scratchman - Tom Baker

Release Date:  24/01/19
Publisher:   BBC Books

SYNOPSIS:  
In his first-ever Doctor Who novel, Tom Baker’s incredible imagination is given free rein. A story so epic it was originally intended for the big screen, Scratchman is a gripping, white-knuckle thriller almost forty years in the making. The Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane Smith arrive at a remote Scottish island, when their holiday is cut short by the appearance of strange creatures – hideous scarecrows, who are preying on the local population. The islanders are living in fear, and the Doctor vows to save them all. But it doesn’t go to plan – the time travellers have fallen into a trap, and Scratchman is coming for them. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the Doctor must battle an ancient force from another dimension, one who claims to be the Devil. Scratchman wants to know what the Doctor is most afraid of. And the Doctor’s worst nightmares are coming out to play…  


REVIEW:  
As a kid growing up Tom Baker was my Dr Who. So when I found out that the fourth doctor had written a book set in the Whovian universe I couldn't wait to see what was in store. 

What you get in this book is a story that fits well into the Doctors story arc and whilst it feels like a product of the time that Tom served (1974-81) it is a story that really works well. It will appeal to readers both young and old and in addition to this Tom does a wonderful reading on the audio title. 

All round, the prose was solid, the pace pretty much what you'd expect from a Dr Who tale and above all else the childish excitement came flooding back to me as I sat on the sofa wondering who the Dr would face that week. All round a cracking outing and one I'd recommend to others.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY REVIEW: Warhammer Adventures: Attack of the Necron - Tom Huddleston, City of Lifestone - Cavan Scott

Release Date:  21/02/19
Publisher:   Warhammer Adventures

SYNOPSIS:  
Zelia Lor’s life changes when Necrons attack her home planet and rip it apart! Separated from her mother, Zelia must escape the doomed world, her only hope a scrambled transmission promising safety at a mysterious place known only as the Emperor’s Seat. She is joined by a rag-tag group of survivors – the street-tough Talen, gadget-obsessed Martian boy Mekki and super-intelligent alien-ape, Fleapit.  

REVIEW:  
With Warhammer 40K always aimed at a more adult audience, I was wondering how they were going to translate it for a younger reader and still keep the dark sense of foreboding against the grim reality of a universe full of death and disaster without leaving the audience scared and wanting to continue reading. What has been presented is a cast of characters that not only suit the younger audience but give them hope and a real sense of adventure throughout the danger and death as they use their skills to face one of the deadliest foes known to mankind. Its a great read, it keeps the thrills and excitement going and for me this was a wonderful trip into a familiar world that was not dumbed down for younger readers but gives a different take on the dangers within which all in, really made this a great page turner. Cracking. 
 

Release Date:  21/02/19
Publisher:   Warhammer Adventures

SYNOPSIS: Raised as a slave, Kiri dreams of a better life. That day comes when her barbarian captors are attacked by the noble Stormcast Eternals. Seizing her chance, Kiri flees through a mysterious realmgate to the fabled city of Lifestone! There she meets a special group of children – Thanis, the fighter; Alish, the inventor; Kaspar; the sneak and Elio, the healer. Together, they must lift a terrible curse and save the city from darkness.  

REVIEW:  
A cracking opener to a series that really will hook younger readers into the Warhammer Fantasy world with a lead character who is tough and able to look after herself whilst also being self reliant with a fear of trusting others in the grim world to which she inhabits. Its well written, has great prose and brings the dangers to the fore without concentrating too much on the detail but allows the viewer to see how harsh life can be. Add to the mix a character who will grow, allows the reader to form bonds and care and all round i was a more than happy reader and can't wait to see what will happen in future outings.