End of an Era: Review of Leviathan Falls, by James S. A. Corey

            Ending a story is always difficult, a difficulty that is only increased when the story is spread across a series.  Whether is it a book series, television show, or movie franchise, the prospect of crafting an ending that will both satisfy and engage fans can be terrifying.  The danger is somewhat mitigated by going into a story already knowing your ending, just having to fill out in the middle sections in between the first page and the last.  In some works, readers or watchers can tell when the creator did not plan for an ending, a phenomenon mostly found in shows.  But, other times, it is clear that the author has a plan for the story, and it can be incredibly satisfying to see that author stick to the plan and deliver a satisfying ending.  However, even with a plan for an ending, every author knows that it can still be difficult to create a loved ending, especially when the story in question has risen to such great heights.

Sibling Bonds: A Review of Critical Role: Vox Machina: Kith & Kin, by Marieke Nijkamp

            The franchise tie-in novel is a staple of the entertainment business, often presented as a way to consume more of a given piece of media or provide more insight into certain characters and settings.  The larger the franchise, the more likely it is for tie-in novels to be commissioned, sometimes by truly talented authors.  While these types of novels, years ago, were not very good for the most part, overall, the domain of the tie-in novel has been getting better and better.  For example, the recent “High Republic” series out of Star Wars.  Dungeons and Dragons, commonly referred to as the most popular role-playing game in the world, is no stranger to tie-in novels.  From the very beginning, when Gary Gygax controlled the company behind the game, stories were being told in the various official settings, creating fan-favorite characters that still feature to this day.  Today’s book is not an official Dungeons and Dragons tie-in novel, but the game is baked intricately into its DNA, but elevated to the point of just being a great novel.