Review: Rebel Fire

Oct 3, 2026

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Rebel Fire Rebel Fire by Ann Sei Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kurara is a Shikigami and a crafter. Something that has never been seen before or since as far as anyone knows. Now that she knows this fundamental truth about herself, she will stop at nothing until she is able to free all Shikigami from the blood bonds to crafters that keep them captive.

Kurara is a complicated protagonist, who freely admits she has no idea what she is doing and only hopes she is making the right choices along the way. Rather than being a chosen one plotline, Rebel Fire is a tale of trying like hell to follow your own moral compass to do good.

This book was just as brilliant and fast-paced as the first one. I really enjoyed the deepening of the lore around Shikigami, and crafters. The introduction of celestial magic adds a new layer of complexity. The world building is just as rich as in the first book. Ann Sei Lin is a master at weaving complex fantasy worlds with a glimmer of reality to keep it grounded.

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Indie Autumn

Oct 2, 2026

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Hello, and welcome, to a new segment here on The Backlist Book. Indie Autumn is for the championing of independent authors and books published via small/independent presses. Today I'm going to share with you some of my personal favorite books that fit the bill. Let the screeching (affectionate) commence!

First up is Our Bloody Pearl by D. N. Bryn. 


This atmospheric take on the lore of sirens is absolutely worth the plunge. First published in 2018, Bryn weaves a masterful tale of drama, forced confinement, unlikely partnership, and high stakes rescue. Our protagonist is Perle, a siren captured by a lady pirate who has figured out how to neutralize their song. With their greatest weapon useless all seems lost until a chance for escape presents itself, in the form of another pirate...But is he really their chance to escape, or just another type of cage?

you can see my original review here.


The above book was originally published through The Kraken Collective.


Next we have I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times by Monique Polak. 

This books serves as an excellent jumping off point for exploring feminism, what it is, and what it isn't. Within you will find a brief primer on the waves of feminism, and why now more than ever we need to reclaim this term from the jaws of fascism, and incels. While the latter two topics are not directly discussed within, this book is all about why we need to stand tall and proud in our acceptance of others. Further reading is encouraged to gain a more rounded understanding of such a weighty, and relevant, topic.

See my original review here.


This book  was published by Orca Books. Orca is an independent Canadian Press.



And finally, we have Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton.

Set in 1944 in New York City, the story centers Kate, a department store employee, and, if her mother gets her way, an actress. One day Kate's aunt, and some relatives from Poland arrive suddenly. With them is a mysterious steamer trunk, seemingly full of heirlooms. The aunt seeks to convince Kate that she has a sacred duty to protect the contents of the trunk at all costs for they once belonged to the woman who inspired Cinderella. Kate must race against time and disease to get to the truth of the matter. 

See my original review here.


This book was independently published by the author under the name Amaretto Press via Smashwords.

Review: Where Kindness Lives: A Women's Fiction Anthology

Aug 8, 2026

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Where Kindness Lives: A Women's Fiction Anthology Where Kindness Lives: A Women's Fiction Anthology by Janet Koops
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This anthology series may be fairly broad in terms of included genres, however the themes are eerily identical in many of the tales.

The standout piece for me is The Irish Library in Kilkenny by Christy Matheson. It follows an often overlooked character of Irish folklore. Fionn mac Cumhaill's (Finn McCool) first Queen Sadhbh (Saba). The rich history behind it gives this particular story a vibrancy, and urgency, that make it seem full of life. I can't wait to explore more of Matheson's fiction.

The subjects covered in this anthology are rather focused; on women's agency in their own lives. This is explored through themes of others' attempts at control and how the characters respond to it. My only gripe is that they didn't include more author's from outside the US.

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