Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
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kitvaria.bsky.social
Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
@kitvaria.bsky.social
1.2K followers 400 following 1.9K posts
SFF book reviewer, SPFBO judge, fantasy addict, audioholic, ex bookseller.

Open to ARC requests (no romance!), especially Indies.

Servant to the cutest rescue pup.

Autistic & demi.

Considers "woke" a compliment.

https://linktr.ee/kitvaria
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kitvaria.bsky.social
Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️ @kitvaria.bsky.social · Jan 6
All my reads of 2025!

Book 1 Mislaid in Parts Half-Unknown by Seanan McGuire

A quick and easy novella, which is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. Not too deep, but a bit whimsical and weird, fun and contemplative at times.
kitvaria.bsky.social
If you need a few moments of calm, I recommend watching a black dog in the snow...

#GalliTheExplorer #CuteDog #PumiMix #DogAdventures #LifeOfADog #Dog
#AdoptDontShop #RescueDog
#dogs #DogSky
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Know what little rascal has been living here rent free for 2 years now?

He git his own vegan cake for breakfast as his gut is finally happy since he only gets tiny bits of lamb and otherwise is veggy.

Happy #GotchaDay Galli!

#GalliTheExplorer #LifeOfADog
#AdoptDontShop #RescueDog
#dogs #DogSky
Decorations that read "Happy Gotcha Day", balloons and a small dog cake with the same text and a 2 on it Galli in Front of the decorated backdrop, sitting in front of his cake and waiting for the "go" to eat it A cake (chickpea flower, banana, peanuts butter & sweet potato) with a "Happy Gotchas Day" decoration on it Decorated with a 2 made with self made treats Galli in Front of the decorated backdrop, demolishing his cake
November 23, 2025 at 4:48 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
He might not be good with kids or most dogs, but the left is his reaction to builders in the next room who make one hell of a racket.

Also he's always happy to pose for a picture 😉

Lucky me! Second gotcha day anniversary on Sunday ❤️

#GalliTheExplorer #CuteDog #LifeOfADog #RescueDog
#dogs #DogSky
A dog lying super relaxed on his side, head down, with a plush teddy in his mouth A dog posing, lying in the grass, with a red paper truck advent calendar, his paw on it
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Apparently I never got around to posting these...

I really need to get back to bookish community things!

So many good books and I am so behind on everything..!

#ReadingWrapUp #SeptemberWrapUp #OctoberWrapUp

All titles in alt text, as usual!
October Wrap up: The General of Izril – Pirateaba A Winter’s Mercy – Phil Williams Oksy, Come Home – Phil Williams Three Wise Men – Cairnh McDonnell A Good Day to Die – G. R. Matthews A Ruff Royal Christmas – Karen Schaler The Pilgrims of the Damned – Steve McHugh A Little Holiday Fling – Farah Heron Date Night in December – Jaqueline Snowe Sternenfunkeln im kleinen Strickladen in – Susanne Oswald Warten auf Weihnachten mit Lieselotte – Alexander Steffensmeier Beta Read – J. E. Hannaford September Wrap Up: A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence – Stephanie Burgis Hinter verzauberten Fenstern – Cornelia Funke Mord unterm Weihnachtsbaum – David Safier The Tainted Cup – Robert Jackson Bennett The Last Light – Pirateaba Bitter Waters – Vivian Shaw Once Was Willem – M. R. Carey
November 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Anyone on my friend list interested in an ARC of either or both of these, let me know and I'll get you the link / book!

I read and enjoyed both, you can guess they are slightly different 😂

Teacher romcon and grimdark / dark fantasy

More info in the Alt Text, along with the title info and such!
Learning the Rules by Tom Matheson Sometimes the hardest lessons aren’t taught in classrooms Mike Beckett has a plan— Well… he had one. Once a freelance writer with a steady girlfriend and a comfortable (if unreliable) Ford Fiesta, Mike suddenly finds himself jobless, single, and desperate for a fresh start. So, he dives into a year of training, a regular income, and maybe—just maybe—a chance to rewrite his life. What he doesn’t expect is that secondary school will feel like an alien planet. Welcome to High Stow, where the Headteacher, Mr. Palmer, runs the place as if he’s selling vacuum cleaners instead of shaping young minds, and the English department has become Mike’s accidental family. There’s Mrs. Nolan—the battle-hardened leader who’s allergic to nonsense; Mr. Grace, whose love of sci-fi outshines his love of marking; Mrs. Rogers, the mentor who somehow performs real magic every time she steps into a classroom; and Bright—sharp-witted, green-eyed, and absolutely off-limits… or so Mike keeps telling himself. Then there’s Mitchell—foul-mouthed, furious at the world, and one skipped lesson away from expulsion. Reaching him might be impossible. But giving up on him feels worse. As Ofsted inspections loom, lessons unravel, and disastrous dates try to be forgotten, Mike must battle his own awkwardness, the politics of school life, and the quiet fear that he’s in way over his head. Somewhere amidst spilled wine, school trips, and a guitar performance he didn’t mean to agree to, he begins learning the real rules—of teaching, of love, and of starting over. Because sometimes the biggest victories aren’t grades or promotions—they’re the people who believe in you before you believe in yourself. Heartfelt, funny, and full of hope, Learning the Rules is a story for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild their life from scratch… and found unexpected joy along the way. A Good Way to Die by G.R. Matthews Never leave an enemy alive. In the shadowed towns of Esadale, betrayal cuts deeper than any blade. Rawlins—thief, murderer, outcast—has been left to die by the friends he once trusted and he is going to make them regret it. But revenge is never that simple. Hounded through city slums and noble halls alike, Rawlins uncovers secrets of his Fenland heritage, a rising drug trade that threatens to enslave his people, and a guild of thieves whose power rivals kings. With every step, he is drawn deeper into a grim struggle of sorcery, corruption, and bloodshed. Aided by Wilone, a herbalist with secrets of her own, and the hidden network of his despised kin, Rawlins must decide whether vengeance alone will satisfy him—or whether he will become something far darker. As civil war brews, nobles clash with the Church, and the streets burn with rebellion, Rawlins faces the ultimate question: Will he rise as a weapon of justice… or be consumed by the very revenge he craves? Perfect for readers of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and The Witcher series, this dark fantasy revenge tale blends brutal action, and twisted magic. Note: A GOOD DAY TO DIE is set in the same world as SEVEN DEATHS OF AN EMPIRE from Rebellion / Solaris, but is a stand alone novel.
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
This is still running, if you haven't entered yet! Look at the gorgeousness!
November 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
solarisbooks.bsky.social
In the age of the Lady Knight, meet Hwyfar of Avillion, @natania.bsky.social 's QUEEN OF FURY, long stripped of her own magic, she must take up the weapons of her ancestors to save her homeland with the aid - & interference - of King Arthur's nephew Gawain...

https://geni.us/Queenoffury
A copy of QUEEN OF FURY by Natania Barron Against black fabric with an orange and green design with stags and foliage.
November 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
kvjohansen.bsky.social
Passing thought brought on by sales figures & a book that had a dearth of official publicity: do you guys even know that Gods of the Caravan Road is a five-novel series, not four? Were you left hanging after Gods of Nabban? Moth's story continues! The Last Road. Grim. Dark. www.kvj.ca/last-road.html
K.V. Johansen | The Last Road
About The Last Road by K.V. Johansen
www.kvj.ca
November 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Almost two years ago, we adopted a not very cuddly dog.

So days like this make me incredibly happy! Every once in a while the cuddle bug does bite him after all.

#GalliTheExplorer #CuteDog #PumiMix #DogAdventures #LifeOfADog #Dog
#AdoptDontShop #RescueDog
#dogs #DogSky
A dog, sleeping on his back, underneath my left legs, his hind legs in my right leg Close up of dog and his front paw stretched out towards me Outstretched paw in focus
November 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Do you like pretty books? Fantasy Hardcovers? Fancy special editions?

Then you should enter this awesome give away!

There's also free ebooks for everyone, even those who don't have enough luck to win a hardcover.

www.eileenmuellerauthor.com/giveaways/no...
November 2025 Win Deluxe Edition Epic Fantasy Books Giveaway
#win #giveaway #amreading #fantasybooks #epicfantasybooks #deluxefantasyeditions #deluxeeditionbooks Welcome! Enter the Deluxe Edition Fantasy Giveaway, and go in the draw to win one deluxe edition ep...
www.eileenmuellerauthor.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:42 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
@justinleeanderson.com you're in second place at the moment!
fantasyfaction.bsky.social Fantasy-Faction @fantasyfaction.bsky.social · 17d
The latest #SPFBO review:

A mix of mystery, adventure, and heart, The Lost War brings classic quest fantasy to life with warmth, humour, and a twist that still stuns on reread.

fantasy-faction.com/2025/the-los...

💙📚🪐 #FantasyFaction

@marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social one for the scoreboard!
The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson
November 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
shonak.bsky.social
I would love it if you could join me at one my upcoming events to celebrate the release of Daughters of Nicnevin

Waterstones events here: www.waterstones.com/events/searc...

The Highland Bookshop tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Book cover - Daughters of Nicnevin. Two women in 18th century highland dress stand back to back, surrounded by men made of straw. Author photo - a black and white photo of a woman in a dark dress, with long dark hair, looking towards the camera and smiling. Text reads - Upcoming events, November 20th - Waterstones Argyle Street Glasgow, 7pm, In Conversation with Sam K Horton November 22nd, The Highland Bookshop, Fort William, 6pm November 25th, Waterstones Edinburgh West End, 7pm, In Conversation with Rafael Torrubia
November 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
solarisbooks.bsky.social
This #nativeamericanheritagemonth why not dive into @rebeccaroanhorse.bsky.social 's Hugo Award-Winning BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY series - an epic fantasy trilogy inspired by the pre-Columbian Americas!

Buy now: https://geni.us/betweeneands
Against a teal and black fabric background, three splayed out paperbacks: BLACK SUN, FEVERED STAR and MIRRORED HEAVENS by Rebecca Roanhorse. White text: Hugo award-winner - best series!
November 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
jdlrosell.bsky.social
Join me in congratulating my author friend Michael Webb on his new release!

I've been reading Lightbinder early as part of our writer group and can attest you're in for an awesome adventure.

Check it out on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited and help it get off to a great start!

#fantasybooks #newbook
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
adamholcombe.bountyink.com
Might want to adjust some moderation settings, fyi
astridoverthere.bsky.social I said abolish and I fucking meant it @astridoverthere.bsky.social · 19d
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.

Here's how to turn it off.

First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Screenshot of the top of a Bsky feed, with a red circle around the hamburger menu in the top left.
November 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
rjbarker.bsky.social
AT LAST I CAN SHOW YOU! Here is the US cover for MORTEDANT'S PERIL! And ain't it a cracker?
Between two towers a fire burns, some crows fly. Behind them are mysterious sigils. RJ Barker and Mortedant's Peril are written in a fun kind of Tim Burtony font. At the top is the tagline, "death is the story of his life."
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
hierath77.bsky.social
We have about 15 hours to get to £7000 - how exciting! Please consider backing if you haven't already, and please share widely!
wtpress.bsky.social Wizard's Tower Press @wtpress.bsky.social · 20d
We are in the final day of our Kickstarter campaign. It looks like we might make it to £7,000, which would be amazing. If you were thinking of pledging, please do so now.
www.kickstarter.com/...
The cover of They Are Still Here (Mae Nhw Yma O Hyd). The image is of the sorceror, Gwydion, surrounded by wild animals (wolf, boar, deer) in a Celtic knotwork frame. Gwydion's hat is crowned with antlers. He carries an axe in his right hand and an oak twig in his left. Art by Josh Arklin.
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
shonak.bsky.social
I spy a familiar cover…
I’m so excited!!!
reactorsff.bsky.social Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · 20d
Good news for fans of magical bookshops, murdered kings, and The Black Company: November 2025 is packed full of excellent new books, and you can find a list of all of them here!
All the New Fantasy Books Arriving in November 2025 - Reactor
November's fantasy books take us to cozy bookshops and candy stores, as well as a college for necromancers…
reactormag.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
fantasyfaction.bsky.social
Latest review by @powjay.bsky.social

Perfect for those of us that aren’t wanting nightmares but need a little change.

fantasy-faction.com/2025/49216

💙📚🪐 #FantasyFaction #SFFbookRecommenfation
What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher
November 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
fantasyfaction.bsky.social
Fast, fun, and flawed, with great characters, smooth prose, and one unforgettable blind POV. The ending may have cheated me of closure, but I was still hooked, entertained, and left eager for more.

fantasy-faction.com/2025/first-o...

💙📚🪐 #FantasyFaction #SFFbookRecommenfation
First of Shadows by Deck Matthews
November 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
fantasyfaction.bsky.social
A fierce and clever reimagining of history, full of action, heart, and a heroine you won’t forget. I’m already reaching for the sequel.

fantasy-faction.com/2025/dread-n...

💙📚🪐 #FantasyFaction #SFFbookRecommenfation
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
November 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Here's the Brighton #WorldFantasyCon #BookHaul

No idea how I'll fit them on the shelf, but that's a problem for next week 😉

First a pic of all of them, then two nice hardcovers by Kingfisher, more details in comments!
A pile of 29 books Okey come Home and Old Crones Club face out Clockwork Boys and Hemlock and Silver by T. kingfisher Hardcovers Clockwork Boys and Hemlock and Silver by T. kingfisher Hardcovers Under the dust jacket Clockwork Boys and Hemlock and Silver by T. kingfisher Hardcovers end papers
November 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
kitvaria.bsky.social
Sitting at the airport, here's a few snapshots from #WorldFantasyCon in Brighton.

Doing this with the best crew for 11 days (started with BristolCon) was freaking amazing but oh my also so very tiring!

All the books, all the friends, all the adventures and all the drinks 😅
The moon over the sea seen through a pretty pavilion Matthew, me, Marielle, Jude, Nicola and Barbara in Goldsboro books Matthew, Nicola, me, Barbara & Andreas Hugh up in the sky in the I360 - the sea as a backdrop Picture in the upside down house, looking like we're all falling down from the ceiling Andreas, me, Nicola, Kriss & Matthew tumbling down from the ceiling towards a bed
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
hannafordjenny.bsky.social
It’s been a short rest between cons… but I’m about to re-pack.

Bristol was amazing. Thank you to everyone who came, it may have been smaller than usual, but it was still perfectly formed.
If I didn’t get to say hi, let’s try to next year!
October 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Julia Kitvaria Sarene 📚🐉⚔️☠️
fantasyfaction.bsky.social
The latest #SPFBO review:

This brutal, sea-sprayed tale of pirates, betrayal, and uneasy alliances showcases the grit and moral ambiguity that have become Hayes’ trademark.

fantasy-faction.com/2025/rob-j-h...

💙📚🪐 #FantasyFaction

@marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social one for the scoreboard!
Rob J. Hayes – Where Loyalties Lie
October 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM