Nils reviews Alexandra Bell's time-travelling fantasy THE WHITE OCTOPUS HOTEL: "Dazzling, mysterious and heartfelt this is a novel that offers magic and comfort." Read more: tinyurl.com/m5zy9x7m @nilsreviewsit.bsky.social

ICYMI - we run a year-end awards annually on the Hive celebrating our favourite books that came out that year. Check out all our nominations and winners!

We were thrilled to welcome back to the Hive Grady Hendrix for an interview with Nils on his recent horror novel WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS Read more: tinyurl.com/mr6s6hyr @torbooks.bsky.social @nilsreviewsit.bsky.social

Nils was so excited reading this one, she sent me so many whatsapps about it that I feel like I've read it vicariously through her 😂

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m reviewing The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi “This is a spellbinding read that celebrates magic and whimsy.” Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2026/01/the-... @hodderscape.bsky.social

Happy New Year! Which books are starting 2026 with? I’m going to read The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by @indiaholton.bsky.social I think a light-hearted, fantasy Rom-Com would be a great way to start the year.

Your 2026 tbr is going to explode with all the great books coming out this year! Take a look below!

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m sharing my top reads of 2025! Here’s the link to see the full list, including a brief summary of each one and who I would recommend it for. fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/12/nils...

Beth wraps up her year of reading in this list of her Top 25 books of 2025. What were your favourite reads of the year? Check out Beth's here: tinyurl.com/2pfn96x2 @bethanmay.bsky.social

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social myself and @bethanmay.bsky.social are reviewing Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. Nils: “A perfectly enchanting read!” Beth: “I want to pick this book back up and re-read it.“ Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/12/agne...

So pleased to see Lamprecht von Oldenburg in Grave Empire claim the title of "Most Evil Character"

Come and see who won our awards below!

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.

Did you get any books for Christmas? My family won’t buy me books because I have enough, apparently! I disagree but hey ho! Thank goodness for bookish friends! I received A Far Better Thing by H G Parry and also Dragons and Mythical Beasts by Alistair Horne which is illustrated!

🤣

Merry Christmas Eve! The greatest Christmas film is being watched!

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!

ANYWAY happy Friday! Today is a good day to get THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST and read it safely indoors! :D (Or wrap it up and give it to some unsuspecting person, I don't know your life.) A finalist for the Nebula, Hugo, Aurora, Locus, Ignyte, and World Fantasy Award! 🦊🦄🍎

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.

Let the annual rewatch begin!

This is so funny 🤣🤣🤣

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!

I made these Christmas decorations today!

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?

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

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-...

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!!

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 👇🏽

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!

My shelves have had a festive spruce up!

Christmas Tree and decorations are up! Have you put yours up yet?

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-...

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...

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)

"Today Theo interviews Claire North on her upcoming release, Slow Gods. “physical jeopardy is just blood effects and bicep-clenching, unless there is emotional jeopardy too.” Read more: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/slow... @tomunro.bsky.social

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m reviewing the conclusion to the Tales of the Plains trilogy, The Iron Road by @davewragg.com “I was reminded of why I love Wragg’s books so much, they simply bring me joy.” Review link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/the-...

I’m currently reading The Keeper of Magical Things by @julieleong.bsky.social It’s giving me such strong studio Ghibli vibes & is super warming to read. Loving it! Also reading Blood for the Undying Throne by @sung-il-kim.com & translated by @antonhur.com which so far is a fascinating sequel!

Just watched Frankenstein with my dad and it was absolutely incredible! The atmosphere, the performances, the emotion, all of it was outstanding. Chef’s Kiss to Guillermo del Toro. @realgdt.bsky.social

This signed art card of Corban/Storm (illustrated by Sam White) from The Faithful & the Fallen series is my precious! Thank you @johngwynneauthor.bsky.social & @tomunro.bsky.social for sending If you haven’t read this series, please do! Don’t blame me for the emotional trauma though, blame John 🤣

Look at this gorgeous MinaLima edition of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley which is illustrated and includes interactive elements throughout! This is my first time experiencing a MinaLima edition and I’m so impressed with how well it’s put together, the quality is amazing!

Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social I’m reviewing The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by @pfracassi.bsky.social “a heartbreaking slasher. Brutal, frightening and yet deeply emotional” Review link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/11/autu...

Another sequel I’m so grateful to receive. Thank you Orbit Books Blood for the Undying Throne by @sung-il-kim.com, translated by @antonhur.com, is the sequel to Blood of the Old Kings. An epic fantasy with a dragon, necromancy & sorcerers. Can’t wait to continue this wildly fun quest!

I’ve been looking at my TBR and deciding which review/arcs I’m most looking forward to reading and hoping to get to before the end of the year and possibly into the new year. I’ll list them below: The Book of Fallen Leaves by @astamaki.bsky.social — out March 2026

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Here’s my October spooky reading wrap up! Favourite of the month was House of Splinters by @spookypurcell.bsky.social Going into November I’ll be finishing off The Iron Road by @davewragg.com and also starting The Keeper of Magical Things by @julieleong.bsky.social

Omg @davewragg.com The Commodore 🍋 is pure gold 🤣🤣🤣🤣