This year for the Shimmering Worlds challenge hosted by @afantasysky.bsky.social I managed to do 10 out of 12 of the prompts. This challenge celebrates and highlights POC authors and so I love joining each year. The photos below show which prompts I managed.

I have several in here - lots of lovely ideas for bookish gifts and treats!

I’m excited to receive a copy of A God of Countless Guises by @bradleypbeaulieu.bsky.social which will be released in January from @headofzeus.bsky.social This is the sequel to The Dragons of Deepwood Fen which was a great start to this epic fantasy series! I’m a huge fan of the dragons in this!

If you’re still looking for fantasy book gift ideas, we have loads of recs for you below 👇🏽

This week I’ve been reading The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H G Parry - so much fun!! This is a book for book lovers as it features fictional characters coming to life and having to solve a rather puzzling mystery. It’s cleverly done & an entertaining read for the holidays.

Thank you @orbitbooks for this ARC of The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by @reenamccarty.bsky.social — isn’t the cover gorgeous?! ’enchanted contracts, faerie intrigue and French toast … and magical bureaucracy’ - sounds like a perfect read to escape into! 🥰

I finished The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi - this is out 8th January from @hodderscape.bsky.social & if you want a cosy, fun, magical read then add it to your TBR because I loved it! Demelza & Arris are two doomed characters in a fairytale-esque world that’s bursting with whimsy!

I wanted to share some bookish gift ideas. Hope this helps! 🎁 A Book Stand - this is great hands-free reading. 🎁 A clip on book light - I like this rechargeable one. 🎁 Book ends 🎁 DIY Book Nook Kits - The one in the video is from Cute Bee but even Lego have some!

Look at this stunning cover for THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF LOVE! 👀 Be first to read the prologue 👉 bit.ly/3XHexUK via @thefantasyhive.bsky.social #BookSky @srlpublishing.bsky.social @julieacrisp.bsky.social @thebookseller.com @booksaremybag.bsky.social @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social

Thank you so much to @thefantasyhive.bsky.social for hosting this cover reveal! 🥳

Check the link below for a sneek peek of Heather Child's THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF LOVE, available for pre orders everywhere

Heather Child is back with speculative critique on the social media age THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF LOVE. We not only have the cover to reveal, but a sneaky little taster to share too! Read more: tinyurl.com/y864e6f5 @heatherika.bsky.social @srlpublishing.bsky.social @julieacrisp.bsky.social

I’m halfway through The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi which is such a delightfully enchanting fairytale. It’s fun & bursting with magic I’ve also started The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell. I love the mystery in this & am looking forward to seeing time travel twists!

Here’s two books I treated myself to last week The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by HG Parry is where literary characters come to life and cause chaos! Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao - sounds beautifully magical with studio Ghibli vibes 🥰 Yes please to both. Have you read either?

Today we're thrilled to welcome Sarah Mughal Rana to the Hive on the publication of her epic Muslim-inspired high fantasy novel DAWN OF THE FIREBIRD. She's written a fascinating article for us on writing faith into fantasy Read more: tinyurl.com/2mkpfphy @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

Thank you @hodderscape.bsky.social for these epic fantasy ARCs Sister Wake by @daveruddenwrites.bsky.social - rebellion, gigantic gods, & Celtic myth - perfect for me! Out 15th Jan Saltswept by Katalina Watt - ragtag crew, a perilous quest & Southeast Asian mythology - sounds fun! Out 26th Feb

Sights may be focused on Christmas but TO takes us back to the last weekend of October which everyone in the SFF community knows is BRISTOLCON weekend! For those of you who couldn't make it, TO shares the highs of another successful year Read more: tinyurl.com/2pap8jje @bristolcon.bsky.social

We welcome Rachel Van Dyken to the Hive ahead of the relese this week of her urban Norse romantasy FALLEN GODS from Tor Bramble! Rachel shares with us her top favourite fantasy novels Read more: tinyurl.com/5e79p6sj @torbooks.bsky.social

Thanks so much to the The Hive for hosting my interview with GR Matthews! Go and give it a read if you're either looking for a chuckle, or a gritty fantasy read. 😉

This is such a beautifully thoughtful review! Love when the reader brings so much to the experience 🖤🖤🖤

We're thrilled to welcome both G. R. Matthews and Julia back with an interview all about Matthews latest epic fantasy release A GOOD DAY TO DIE: "Rawlins arrived as an idea, a way of exploring a villain's viewpoint" More: tinyurl.com/575k6x92 @grmatthews.bsky.social @kitvaria.bsky.social

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m reviewing The book of Fallen Leaves by @astamaki.bsky.social out in March from @orbitbooks.bsky.social “Takami has delivered a masterfully written debut, one that every fantasy reader needs to devour.” Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/12/the-...

Nils reviews A. S. Tamaki's epic debut fantasy THE BOOK OF FALLEN LEAVES: "a sublime epic fantasy debut. There’s so much depth and scope to this novel" Read more: tinyurl.com/37v6ens3 @orbitbooks.bsky.social @nilsreviewsit.bsky.social

Helping customers pick a book for someone else is something I really miss about bookselling, so I had an absolute ball with this post! If you ever need a recommendation, tag me!!

"For the one… Who thought Belle’s prince was sexier as a beast" 😂 Love that

A gift guide full of brilliant recommendations on what you could spoil your book buddies with this holiday season (and yes quite a few monster smut picks too!)

RSL reviews Ivy Grimes' upcoming folk horror novella THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR: "with its poetic turns of narrative to its easily imaginable characters, reminds me time & time again that to die is not an absence, but a shift in perspective" More: tinyurl.com/53juhdpp bsky.app/profile/ivyg...

We’ve put together a Christmas Gift Guide for a variety of fantasy books! So if you’re struggling for gifts for a reader or you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our recommendations below 👇🏽

So many great recommendations here (including mine!). Particular shoutout to @chadbourn.bsky.social - because his first book absolutely took over my Christmas Day back when 😊

The Fantasy Hive team have curated a Christmas Gift Guide to aid anyone out there struggling to buy for the reader in their life. If you're looking for a recommendation we've missed in our categories, please comment! These 89 books are us holding back... Read more: tinyurl.com/375wuk5k

My November Reading Wrap-Up! I had four 5 star reads but my favourite of the month was definitely The Book of Fallen Leaves by @astamaki.bsky.social I’m starting off December by continuing reading The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi which so far is a whimsical, magical and very fairytale esque!

Including mine as always! 😊 @gbauthor.bsky.social 💙📚❤️

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m intervening the wonderful Lauren Du Plessis about her incredible debut novel Tender @influxpress.bsky.social fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/inte...

November always manages to fly past as we gear towards the holidays but the team still managed to pack the month full of excellent reads - check out what their Top Picks were! Read more: tinyurl.com/nvdmevas

Jonathan was fortunate to meet Lauren Du Plessis and interview her about her debut body horror TENDER: "I do love isolating characters in a strange place, an unfamiliar place. I feel like that brings personalities to the front quite quickly" More: tinyurl.com/33s23a6v @influxpress.bsky.social

G R Matthews is back with a brand new epic grimdark adventure for us A GOOD DAY TO DIE, and TO Munro has reviewed it ready for publication day! "this gritty revenge quest leaves the reader... with some significant thoughts to ponder" Read more: tinyurl.com/3n86smr9 @grmatthews.bsky.social

In line with Native American Heritage Month, author Caskey Russell has written a beautiful article on his debut novel THE DOOR ON THE SEA, out now from Solaris Read more: tinyurl.com/nhbbauwx @solarisbooks.bsky.social

This week our Monster Botherer Emma was rather enjoying the slow burn of Ali Hazelwood's MATE except: "My only complaint is that it needs more werewolf... it’s more where wolf than were wolf" Read more: tinyurl.com/yckxcy66 @themonsterbotherer.bsky.social

Jonathan reviews Lauren Du Plessis' debut literary horror TENDER: "a masterclass in the psychological slow burn" Read more: tinyurl.com/yj3u3458 @influxpress.bsky.social

Cat reviews THIS GILDED ABYSS - the nautical sci-fi romance from @rebeccathorne.bsky.social that's out today from Tor! "Intense, thrilling and with a compelling romance subplot that never detracts from the action, I finished this in two days" More: tinyurl.com/4mwymnk4 @torbooks.bsky.social

Happy Publication Day to THE BOOKSHOP BELOW by Georgia Summers - out today from Hodderscape! To celebrate, we're thrilled to share with you an excerpt! Reaed more: tinyurl.com/ycx8scmu @hodderscape.bsky.social @georgiasummers.bsky.social

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social myself and Beth are reviewing Keeper of Magical Things by @julieleong.bsky.social Nils: “Leong just knows the recipe for a hug in a book” Beth: “a gentle and heartwarming story that invites you in with open arms” Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/the-...

My latest review for The Fantasy Hive! 😊📚💙 #Booksky

Nils and Beth cosy up with a new buddy read - the latest cosy-fantasy offering from Julie Leong, THE KEEPER OF MAGICAL THINGS: "a gentle and heartwarming story that invites you in with open arms" Read more: tinyurl.com/526d4zbf @hodderscape.bsky.social

Something a little different from Cat today as she reviews Alastair Reynolds noir sci-fi fusion HALCYON YEARS: "A fine futuristic mystery that keeps you guessing throughout, while retaining an admirable sense of humanity." Read more: tinyurl.com/2k2bkk2u @gollancz.bsky.social

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m reviewing Blood for the Undying Throne by @sung-il-kim.com & translated by @antonhur.com “hits you with emotion and provides a fuller picture of this incredible inventive world.” Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/bloo...

Nils returns to Sung-il Kim's Bleeding Empire trilogy in his second novel, BLOOD FOR THE UNDYING THRONE, translated by Anton Hur and out now from Orbit: "hits you with emotion and provides a fuller picture of this incredible inventive world" More: tinyurl.com/5awkhr3d @orbitbooks.bsky.social

Today, Theo reviews Adrian Tchaikovsky's climate-change sci-fi SATURATION POINT: "Tchaikovsky’s writing is as entertainingly fluid as ever" Read more: tinyurl.com/a9k55ket @solarisbooks.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social

This week I’m diving into two ARCs from Orbit Books I’ve already started The Book of Fallen Leaves by @astamaki.bsky.social & it’s SO good! The blend of epic fantasy & Japanese mythology is👌🏽 I’ll also start Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett which sounds adorably cosy 😻

A lovely review of Made Things (which is getting its UK release shortly)