Hazel Butler

The 10th Scholar: Dark Academia Books And The Cost Of Knowledge

The 10th Scholar: Dark Academia Books And The Cost Of Knowledge

Dark academia books have everything I love: ancient libraries, secret societies, forbidden knowledge, and the occasional spectacularly ill-advised murder. Naturally, I'm obsessed. But a dive into Romanian folklore led me to a school run by the Devil, where nine scholars graduate and the tenth becomes the tuition fee. Which sent me down a rather unhinged literary rabbit hole involving Dracula, Doctor Faustus, Alex Stern, and a frankly unreasonable number of dragons. From my favourite dark academia books to their Gothic roots, I'm exploring the extraordinary knowledge these stories promise, the questionable bargains their characters make, and the unfortunate people who end up paying for them.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-29T13:22:42+00:00January 24, 2024|Dark Academia|Comments Off

Slow Burn In Atlanta: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews (A Review)

Slow Burn In Atlanta: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews (A Review)

It was high time I returned to the world of my favourite urban fantasy series and reviewed the next Kate Daniels novel, Magic Burns. I have, at this point, read the whole series many times, but I never tire of it. A re-read again for the review to refresh my memory on the details. And I have to say, with this novel, the dynamic duo that is Ilona and Andrew Gordon (writing under the pen name Ilona Andrews) smashed it out of the park.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-11T09:39:44+00:00January 10, 2024|Ilona Andrews, Urban Fantasy Reviews|Comments Off

The Role Of Fantasy Warrior Women And Why We Love Them

The Role Of Fantasy Warrior Women And Why We Love Them

In the realm of fantasy literature, a distinct archetype captivates the imagination of readers worldwide: the fantasy warrior woman. These characters, wielding swords and spells and no small amount of sass, stand as pivotal figures in narratives that intertwine magic, adventure, and the age-old tales of heroism. Yet, beyond their prowess in battlefields and mystical lands, fantasy warrior women represent a deeper narrative thread, one that weaves through the fabric of both the genre and our societal understanding of femininity and power.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-29T13:22:40+00:00January 3, 2024|Warrior Women|Comments Off

How To Gain Followers On BookTok: 2K In My First Month

How To Gain Followers On BookTok: 2K In My First Month

Dive into the secrets of captivating the BookTok audience with this insightful guide. Discover practical strategies and personal insights for understanding your niche, mastering content creation, and boosting engagement. Here's exactly how I gained over 2,000 followers in my first month, perfect for authors, book enthusiasts, and digital marketers aiming to make a significant impact on BookTok.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-29T13:22:39+00:00December 27, 2023|BookTok|Comments Off

Archetypal: Why Books Retelling Greek Mythology Are So Popular

Archetypal: Why Books Retelling Greek Mythology Are So Popular

Greek mythology, an intricate tapestry of gods, heroes, and timeless tales, has fascinated readers for millennia. Its stories, steeped in drama, romance, and tragedy, transcend the ancient world to find a permanent place in the literary canon. These myths have served as a foundation for countless works, influencing genres ranging from classical literature to modern fantasy. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the number of books retelling Greek mythology that breathe new life into these ancient narratives, reimagining them for contemporary audiences. Authors are not just retelling these stories; they are transforming them, infusing them with modern sensibilities and perspectives while retaining their mythic essence.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-11T09:39:48+00:00December 20, 2023|Greek Retellings|Comments Off

The Problem With Comic Fantasy Is That It’s Seldom Funny

The Problem With Comic Fantasy Is That It’s Seldom Funny

Comic fantasy, a genre that blends the whimsical elements of fantasy with humor, frequently encounters an intriguing dilemma—it's not always funny to its readers. In this exploration, we delve into the heart of comic fantasy, deciphering the subjective nature of humor and questioning what truly defines a work as comic fantasy. Along the way, we discuss the genre's history, its core elements, the art of humor, common pitfalls, and the role of audience expectations.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-29T11:21:43+00:00December 13, 2023|Musings|Comments Off

Here Be Dragons: Why Fourth Wing Is A Divisive Triumph

I've been reading high fantasy since I was sixteen when a friend introduced me to the Farseer Trilogy by Robin [...]

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-11T09:39:50+00:00December 6, 2023|Romantasy|Comments Off

One Badass Witch: Magic Bites By Ilona Andrews (A Review)

One Badass Witch: Magic Bites By Ilona Andrews (A Review)

Ilona Andrews was not my first encounter with the urban fantasy genre. Not by a mile. I’ve been devouring books of this genre since I was 18 and a friend at uni first introduced me to Kelley Armstrong. I’ll get to the Women of the Otherworld series in due course, but for the first Urban Fantasy series I reviewed, I had to make it my favourite. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - the pseudonym of an epic wife and husband duo - is one of those rare books that is close enough to being flawless that you develop an abiding love for the author, and the character, and the series.

By Hazel Butler|2026-10-11T09:39:51+00:00November 29, 2023|Ilona Andrews, Urban Fantasy Reviews|Comments Off