Beth
@bethanmay.bsky.social
Editor of The Fantasy Hive
Ex-Bookseller
Cymraes
She/Her
Opinions Own
Ex-Bookseller
Cymraes
She/Her
Opinions Own
Big news today...
We have a big announcement to make today - unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to close the Fantasy Hive
We will be staying open for SPFBO reviews for the remainder of SPFBO 11
Read more here: tinyurl.com/4cz7zcjv
We will be staying open for SPFBO reviews for the remainder of SPFBO 11
Read more here: tinyurl.com/4cz7zcjv
July 13, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Big news today...
Reposted by Beth
Is something on Rocky head question?
April 26, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Is something on Rocky head question?
Reposted by Beth
Curious about MORTEDANT'S PERIL? Wonder what a Mortedant gets up to? Well, the lovely @reactorsff.bsky.social are hosting the first chapter so you can get to meet Irody and find out about that most important of investigative tools, the cabbage.
reactormag.com/excerpts-mor...
reactormag.com/excerpts-mor...
Read an Excerpt From Mortedant's Peril by RJ Barker - Reactor
In a city of ancient automata, strange spirits, and sleeping gods, a cleric of death finds his own life on the line…
reactormag.com
April 8, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Curious about MORTEDANT'S PERIL? Wonder what a Mortedant gets up to? Well, the lovely @reactorsff.bsky.social are hosting the first chapter so you can get to meet Irody and find out about that most important of investigative tools, the cabbage.
reactormag.com/excerpts-mor...
reactormag.com/excerpts-mor...
Reposted by Beth
My second novel, THE KNIGHT WATCH, will be published by Orbit in June this year. It features the Knights of the Round Table killing Nazis and living their messy queer afterlives during the Second World War. I'll be sharing the wonderful cover art as soon as I'm permitted to do so.
January 5, 2026 at 4:20 PM
My second novel, THE KNIGHT WATCH, will be published by Orbit in June this year. It features the Knights of the Round Table killing Nazis and living their messy queer afterlives during the Second World War. I'll be sharing the wonderful cover art as soon as I'm permitted to do so.
Reposted by Beth
Fantasy Hive drop one of the first reviews of MORTEDANT's PERIL and i think they liked it...
"Mortedant’s Peril is a shining demonstration of an author going from strength to strength...an absolute triumph of a page-turning fantasy murder-mystery."
(Possible minor spoilers.)
"Mortedant’s Peril is a shining demonstration of an author going from strength to strength...an absolute triumph of a page-turning fantasy murder-mystery."
(Possible minor spoilers.)
Beth and Nils were super excited to dive into the upcoming new release from RJ Barker, fantasy murder-mystery MORTEDANT'S PERIL
"Barker’s signature inventive style and his heartfelt storytelling really shines in this novel"
More: tinyurl.com/3dthfs9j
@torbooks.bsky.social
@rjbarker.bsky.social
"Barker’s signature inventive style and his heartfelt storytelling really shines in this novel"
More: tinyurl.com/3dthfs9j
@torbooks.bsky.social
@rjbarker.bsky.social
March 30, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Fantasy Hive drop one of the first reviews of MORTEDANT's PERIL and i think they liked it...
"Mortedant’s Peril is a shining demonstration of an author going from strength to strength...an absolute triumph of a page-turning fantasy murder-mystery."
(Possible minor spoilers.)
"Mortedant’s Peril is a shining demonstration of an author going from strength to strength...an absolute triumph of a page-turning fantasy murder-mystery."
(Possible minor spoilers.)
Reposted by Beth
🚨3 DAY PREORDER DEAL KLAXON🚨
THE IRON ROAD pb is 25% off in the Waterstones flash February sale - use code FEB26 at checkout
Plus loads of other killer titles, fill your boots, 3 days only!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-iro...
THE IRON ROAD pb is 25% off in the Waterstones flash February sale - use code FEB26 at checkout
Plus loads of other killer titles, fill your boots, 3 days only!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-iro...
February 17, 2026 at 8:39 AM
🚨3 DAY PREORDER DEAL KLAXON🚨
THE IRON ROAD pb is 25% off in the Waterstones flash February sale - use code FEB26 at checkout
Plus loads of other killer titles, fill your boots, 3 days only!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-iro...
THE IRON ROAD pb is 25% off in the Waterstones flash February sale - use code FEB26 at checkout
Plus loads of other killer titles, fill your boots, 3 days only!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-iro...
Reposted by Beth
GOOD NEWS!
Waterstones are also offering 25% off my new book MORTEDANT'S PERIL with the code FEB26. I've seen a few reviews I can't talk about yet and it all looks pretty good so far.' Only one way to know, right? AND save money. BARGAIN.
#WPreorder
Waterstones are also offering 25% off my new book MORTEDANT'S PERIL with the code FEB26. I've seen a few reviews I can't talk about yet and it all looks pretty good so far.' Only one way to know, right? AND save money. BARGAIN.
#WPreorder
February 17, 2026 at 8:23 AM
GOOD NEWS!
Waterstones are also offering 25% off my new book MORTEDANT'S PERIL with the code FEB26. I've seen a few reviews I can't talk about yet and it all looks pretty good so far.' Only one way to know, right? AND save money. BARGAIN.
#WPreorder
Waterstones are also offering 25% off my new book MORTEDANT'S PERIL with the code FEB26. I've seen a few reviews I can't talk about yet and it all looks pretty good so far.' Only one way to know, right? AND save money. BARGAIN.
#WPreorder
Age verification?
I met Terry Pratchett.
In the Hay festival.
When it was in the town.
I met Terry Pratchett.
In the Hay festival.
When it was in the town.
Age verification?
My copy of Appetite for Destruction has the banned artwork.
My copy of Appetite for Destruction has the banned artwork.
Age verification?
Horace just went skiing.
Horace just went skiing.
February 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Age verification?
I met Terry Pratchett.
In the Hay festival.
When it was in the town.
I met Terry Pratchett.
In the Hay festival.
When it was in the town.
Reposted by Beth
Beth reviews Amélie Wen Zhao's stunning and dark Xianxia romantasy THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM:
"an addictively rich read, one to gorge your senses upon"
Read more: tinyurl.com/mrxryd3n
@ameliewenzhao.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"an addictively rich read, one to gorge your senses upon"
Read more: tinyurl.com/mrxryd3n
@ameliewenzhao.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Beth reviews Amélie Wen Zhao's stunning and dark Xianxia romantasy THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM:
"an addictively rich read, one to gorge your senses upon"
Read more: tinyurl.com/mrxryd3n
@ameliewenzhao.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"an addictively rich read, one to gorge your senses upon"
Read more: tinyurl.com/mrxryd3n
@ameliewenzhao.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
Reposted by Beth
FREEDOM & LITERACY, a slower-paced book discussion forum. We're NOT a book club. We're just a bunch of readers who love to discuss books. Oh, also we're almost 5 months old with over 130 members and over 350 topics!
Come take a breath with us.
freeliteracy.jcink.net
#currentlyreading #booksky
Come take a breath with us.
freeliteracy.jcink.net
#currentlyreading #booksky
January 8, 2026 at 8:29 PM
FREEDOM & LITERACY, a slower-paced book discussion forum. We're NOT a book club. We're just a bunch of readers who love to discuss books. Oh, also we're almost 5 months old with over 130 members and over 350 topics!
Come take a breath with us.
freeliteracy.jcink.net
#currentlyreading #booksky
Come take a breath with us.
freeliteracy.jcink.net
#currentlyreading #booksky
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!
As we reach the end of another year of bringing you content featuring incredible books from the world of SFF we round up the team and choose the best of 2025 publishing in the Fantasy Hive's Awards!
Discover the nominees and all the winners here: tinyurl.com/ymej7zv5
Discover the nominees and all the winners here: tinyurl.com/ymej7zv5
January 5, 2026 at 10:59 PM
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!
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
“This is a spellbinding read that celebrates magic and whimsy.”
Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2026/01/the-...
@hodderscape.bsky.social
THE SWAN'S DAUGHTER by Roshani Chokshi (BOOK REVIEW) | Fantasy-Hive
Nils reviews Roshani Chokshi's upcoming fairytale retelling THE SWAN'S DAUGHTER: "Roshani makes every page vibrant and truly immerses a reader into this fantastical world"
fantasy-hive.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM
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 😂
Sorry not sorry bout your TBR
Happy New Year!
It's the first day of a new year, & at the Hive that means one thing - looking forward to all the new reads we can expect in the year ahead!
So gird your TBRs, we've rounded up our contributors to bring you a huge list of titles to look out for in 2026.
More: tinyurl.com/bdd4mzw2
It's the first day of a new year, & at the Hive that means one thing - looking forward to all the new reads we can expect in the year ahead!
So gird your TBRs, we've rounded up our contributors to bring you a huge list of titles to look out for in 2026.
More: tinyurl.com/bdd4mzw2
January 1, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Sorry not sorry bout your TBR
Did you see my wrap up for 2025? What were some of your favourite reads?
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
Check out Beth's here: tinyurl.com/2pfn96x2
@bethanmay.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Did you see my wrap up for 2025? What were some of your favourite reads?
Reposted by Beth
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...
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...
AGNES AUBERT'S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER by Heather Fawcett (BUDDY READ REVIEW) | Fantasy-Hive
Nils and Beth squeeze in one last buddy read review for you - Heather Fawcett's highly anticipated upcoming cosy fantasy AGNES AUBERT'S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER
fantasy-hive.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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...
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...
Please help spread the word!
My kids' Scouts group have two giveaways running with Crowdfunder, one for tickets to see the #Scarlets, the second for tickets to see #SwanseaCity - neither have any entries yet!
Please share and help us get them going!
Links in attached posts:
My kids' Scouts group have two giveaways running with Crowdfunder, one for tickets to see the #Scarlets, the second for tickets to see #SwanseaCity - neither have any entries yet!
Please share and help us get them going!
Links in attached posts:
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Please help spread the word!
My kids' Scouts group have two giveaways running with Crowdfunder, one for tickets to see the #Scarlets, the second for tickets to see #SwanseaCity - neither have any entries yet!
Please share and help us get them going!
Links in attached posts:
My kids' Scouts group have two giveaways running with Crowdfunder, one for tickets to see the #Scarlets, the second for tickets to see #SwanseaCity - neither have any entries yet!
Please share and help us get them going!
Links in attached posts:
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!!
If you ever need a recommendation, tag me!!
The Fantasy Hive team have curated a Christmas Gift Guide to aid anyone out there struggling to buy for the reader in their life.
If you're looking for a recommendation we've missed in our categories, please comment! These 89 books are us holding back...
Read more: tinyurl.com/375wuk5k
If you're looking for a recommendation we've missed in our categories, please comment! These 89 books are us holding back...
Read more: tinyurl.com/375wuk5k
December 1, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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!!
If you ever need a recommendation, tag me!!
Reposted by Beth
What a wonderful and insightful review! (And yes, that yellow wallpaper...)
A Cinderella retelling, but nothing at all like you know it - Beth reviews CINDER HOUSE by Freya Marske, out now from Tor:
"A Gothic fairytale triumph perfect for the haunting season."
Read more: tinyurl.com/5kr8yedw
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@freyamarske.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"A Gothic fairytale triumph perfect for the haunting season."
Read more: tinyurl.com/5kr8yedw
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@freyamarske.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 5:12 AM
What a wonderful and insightful review! (And yes, that yellow wallpaper...)
If you're wanting a clever gothic read this spooky season then look no further!
A Cinderella retelling, but nothing at all like you know it - Beth reviews CINDER HOUSE by Freya Marske, out now from Tor:
"A Gothic fairytale triumph perfect for the haunting season."
Read more: tinyurl.com/5kr8yedw
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@freyamarske.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"A Gothic fairytale triumph perfect for the haunting season."
Read more: tinyurl.com/5kr8yedw
@torbooksuk.bsky.social
@freyamarske.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
If you're wanting a clever gothic read this spooky season then look no further!
Reposted by Beth
Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social myself and @bethanmay.bsky.social are reviewing the spectacular The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social
Nils: “evocative and achingly beautiful”
Beth: “Without doubt this is my book of the year so far”
Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
Nils: “evocative and achingly beautiful”
Beth: “Without doubt this is my book of the year so far”
Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
THE EVERLASTING by Alix E. Harrow (BUDDY READ REVIEW) | Fantasy-Hive
Nils and Beth return to a favourite author as they buddy read Alix E. Harrow's upcoming new novel THE EVERLASTING: "an evocative and achingly beautiful read, it is one that will seep under your skin a...
fantasy-hive.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Today on @thefantasyhive.bsky.social myself and @bethanmay.bsky.social are reviewing the spectacular The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social
Nils: “evocative and achingly beautiful”
Beth: “Without doubt this is my book of the year so far”
Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
Nils: “evocative and achingly beautiful”
Beth: “Without doubt this is my book of the year so far”
Review Link: fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
ooh @gdpenman.bsky.social look what i found!
4) “Moonshine” (2018) by G. D. Penman
Another period m/m piece, but this one has more gangsters and Deep Ones.
deepcuts.blog/2018/06/30/m...
Another period m/m piece, but this one has more gangsters and Deep Ones.
deepcuts.blog/2018/06/30/m...
“Moonshine” (2018) by G. D. Penman
Hogan's smile slipped again. "You're asking me to roll over and take it? How is that going to look?" "Better than an FBI raid on Innsmouth or the mob squad kicking in your door, I'd bet." —G. D. Penma...
deepcuts.blog
October 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
ooh @gdpenman.bsky.social look what i found!
Reposted by Beth
I have ten of these PHYSICS FOR CATS pins to give away! Share the post below👇 for a chance to win one. (UK only: you can share from anywhere but I can't send you a pin).
October 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I have ten of these PHYSICS FOR CATS pins to give away! Share the post below👇 for a chance to win one. (UK only: you can share from anywhere but I can't send you a pin).
Beth reviews Stephanie Burgis' romantic vampiric novella A MARRIAGE OF UNDEAD INCONVENIENCE:
"A burgeoning romance caught up in a puzzling mystery with betrayals and family curses that left me wanting more"
Read more: tinyurl.com/2dyb8aht
@stephanieburgis.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"A burgeoning romance caught up in a puzzling mystery with betrayals and family curses that left me wanting more"
Read more: tinyurl.com/2dyb8aht
@stephanieburgis.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Beth
Beth reviews S. T. Gibson's upcoming dark folkloric fantasy romance SAVAGE BLOOMS:
"a decadent feast of deceit and desire in a gorgeously realised and atmospheric setting"
Read more: tinyurl.com/4yauwuu6
@orbitbooks.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"a decadent feast of deceit and desire in a gorgeously realised and atmospheric setting"
Read more: tinyurl.com/4yauwuu6
@orbitbooks.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
August 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Beth reviews S. T. Gibson's upcoming dark folkloric fantasy romance SAVAGE BLOOMS:
"a decadent feast of deceit and desire in a gorgeously realised and atmospheric setting"
Read more: tinyurl.com/4yauwuu6
@orbitbooks.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
"a decadent feast of deceit and desire in a gorgeously realised and atmospheric setting"
Read more: tinyurl.com/4yauwuu6
@orbitbooks.bsky.social
@bethanmay.bsky.social
Reposted by Beth
Calling all reviewers! 📣
Don't forget that you can request early copies of upcoming titles from Titan Books by filling out this form:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Don't forget that you can request early copies of upcoming titles from Titan Books by filling out this form:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Request an ARC from Titan Books! ✨
You must be 18 or over and based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, United States of America or Canada. Please note that submitting your information does not guarantee receipt of a physical proof. By com...
docs.google.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Calling all reviewers! 📣
Don't forget that you can request early copies of upcoming titles from Titan Books by filling out this form:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Don't forget that you can request early copies of upcoming titles from Titan Books by filling out this form:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...