Prime Deceptions is located within a clear set of genre co-ordinates, but it also brings a fresh perspective to a sub-genre in which the core arguments are by now well-rehearsed.

Ziljak’s folkloric fantasy stories interrogate these boundaries of otherness, suggesting that by alienating those we cannot understand, we end up revealing our own monstrous selves.

When we talk about what makes modern epic fantasy good, we are likely to point to the depiction of intricate political systems and ensuing moral complexity for which the genre offers space. But centring colonialism within a fantasy narrative calls into question the need to ensure nuance: the reader is unlikely to be conflicted.

From a Shadow Grave is both haunting and haunted.

The constant progression of ideas and themes is a little like throwing all the ingredients from the cupboard into a pan; while there are some interesting and even enjoyable flavours, the overall effect is both overwhelming and unsatisfying.

Hunted By The Sky weaves both of its source cultures together seamlessly in a single world that embraces diversity in a genuine way

We’re never at a loss for stories about how the empire or metropole would deal with an apocalypse, but rarely do we ever see a globe-altering event affect anywhere else, let alone demonstrate how the “end of the world” would never hit all of us equally.

 Occupying the space between “novel” and “collection,” Slipping follows the logic of dreams. Characters surface at unexpected times, their experiences described from multiple perspectives in noncontiguous chapters, resulting in a fractured effect.

Determann challenges the Orientalist narrative that the Muslim world is inherently opposed to the speculative possibilities offered by science fiction.

There are greater criticisms than being left wanting more.