The Sharp Edge of Fate by TF JohnsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I would call this cosy fantasy with a side of definitely-not-cosy.
We're starting with an assassin (hello, my weakness) who is working for an A-grade A-hole. So when he tasks her with a job inside the palace, she doesn't really have a choice despite her gut going against it.
Unfortunately, the job has consequences that soon lead to her searching the city for a lost friend with a mage in tow. She still plans to kill him, and he's probably still holding a grudge, but somehow they have to work together. While Piper (our assassin) also has to care for the two kids of her missing friend.
So, look. There is a lot of detail in taking care of the kids, which tbh is not really my vibe. But I didn't mind it so much here because there was enough magic and strange things happening in the background to hold my interest. Plus, taking care of the kids was a huge part of Piper's character so I just went with it and it is the main factor that gives this fantasy book its 'cosy' vibe. I mean, there are scenes of lounging around doing homework, and drinking hot chocolate. Nothing says cosy like a ho cho.
Still, it is a fantasy story so there is magic and strange creatures and villains and fight scenes and basically plenty of action to keep things interesting. Things get pretty intense with some of the fights, but on the whole it never gets too dark.
It's all set in the same city, so there's no real grand adventure here. It's actually quite modern, with trams for public transport, pubs that serve burgers and chips, and indoor plumbing. It threw me at first, to be honest! It does get a little repetitive at times, with Piper and Alec on the streets, then at home with the kids, then wandering the streets again ... but I never really felt bored by it so there was enough happening that it never became a pattern.
I did get a little confused with the Rylan/Alec/Alexander business - Piper had been hanging out with Rylan, and then all of a sudden this Alec guy was in her doorway and making eyes and things and I literally went flicking back trying to figure out who Alec was (it's the same guy). So there were some clunky moments like that in the writing where it seemed to just want something to happen so forced it out. This lead to some confusing moments that did take me out of the story a bit.
It was a very chill vibe for a fantasy novel about an assassin, but there was still enough here to build a connection to. It wasn't what I expected at all, but I found the cosy vibe actually really worked for me.
I don't know that this'll be for everyone, but fans of slower, calmer kinds of fantasy should still enjoy it, and Piper is an interesting protagonist. I'd recommend it for fantasy fans looking for something a little more mild, and different to the norm.
Was lucky enough to get a copy signed by the author at Supanova 2025. Happy. :)
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