#A Year of Orenda

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Happy 10th Anniversary Orenda Books

Happy Anniversary Orenda Books. 10 years since the first ebook, The Last Days of Disco, was published and what a ten years it has been. @orendabooks #teamorenda #books #bookthreads #bookstagram

A very quick post to wish a very happy 10th Anniversary to Orenda Books. Ten years ago today, the very first ebook from the wonderful Orenda stable, The Last Disco by David F. Ross, was published and, thankfully for all of us readers, there has been no looking back since. I am a huge lover of the books that Karen Sullivan and the team produce every year, and I know I am not alone. Karen is also…

[lucalearnstowrite]

Today I saw her again. I think she's ready now. She has grown to be a beautiful woman, just like you. I know I never admitted it before but what best friend I would have been if I didn't call you ugly. She's even more effervescent than you. I'll keep a check on her and be with her when it's her time, just like you wanted.

My new recipe didn't work. It's tough being a researcher. Well, you bailed out before you even had to start it. I loathe the government and yet gonna recieve an award from them. It's kind of amusing.

You should know I'm getting old. The elixir is still at the same place u left it. I won't be taking it as well. I want to meet you soon, to beat you with my broomstick. Don't worry I ain't suicidal. I have plenty time. I'll make June a good witch before that. You know she got good nose just like her father. She smells off my potions the moment I enter the room. Her orenda is amazing and actually better than mines. She grew Henbane seeds that I gave her just in two days. Ah did I forgot to mention that last time? Must have forgotten. So much work these days for an old lady.

Ahh alright, I'm sorry. I know it's early for her but look she passed. I can see that in her, she's strong. Also aunts gotta be little mischievous, I can't be all responsible you know. That's your thing not mine. But sike, you are supernal now.

It's been 17 years Tabitha and I miss you. We decided to grow old together but you left me. You left us. I still wish you took that elixir that day but you are too righteous I can't blame you. I hope you are not lurking around in the town since then and found peace. Cupcakes were tasty right? June and I made them. Here, done with sowing your daisies. *Herbivicus* and Boom they bloom, beautiful!!

Alright I gotta go now, the mayor wants to see me to discuss my winning speech. And he wants me to mention him in the speech. That guy will never change.

Bye Tab

Happy birthday

[legendsofmyriad]

Lore of Myriad - The Founding of the Clan of the Phoenix

The Clan of the Phoenix is among five vampyre clans in Lucarian. These vampyres hold a considerable amount of power, able to consume both energy and blood, unlike their counterparts who solely rely on the latter. Upon the establishment of the clan, they were referred to as high vampyres. 

The clan was founded by Orenda Callarook, the youngest of the five founders and only part vampyre. Born under the blessing of a dying phoenix, she developed magnificent fiery wings and gained renown as a formidable warrior. As she got older, she embraced her power and committed herself to using it for the improvement of Lucarian. She travelled extensively in the realm of the undead, aiding the disadvantaged, holding the influential accountable, and mediating between villages to prevent war. 

When a leader in the north-west grew unruly and cruel, she listened to the cries of the people and emerged victorious in a one-on-one battle when he dared to challenge her. Due to her reputation as a bold yet kind-hearted soul and as a token of gratitude, she was appointed as their new ruler. As a gesture of acceptance, she gave them her strength and long-lasting life, elevating them to the status of high vampyres. They learned from her example and she charged them with protecting the vulnerable and maintaining a code of honour. 

In order to prevent any individual from having absolute authority, she established a system of three seats, which other clan leaders also adopted after witnessing her success. The first seat she took for herself. She gave the second one to a wise general who valued diplomacy over violence, and the third to an adept alchemist who had dedicated her life to alleviating the suffering of others. 

During the harshest winter of her lifetime, she commanded a group of high vampyres to visit a human village within her realm. Their mission was to deliver a fragment of her fire for warmth and sustenance to aid the crops that had withered in the freezing temperatures. Although the initial flame was destroyed years later in a strange incident, a remnant of the blaze was salvaged. This was planted inside a cave in Whitepond Peak where it burns to this day. They named it The Pitch Flame and maintained it in tribute to their founder. This fire is used to light funeral pyres, as it is believed to carry the bodies of the departed to Orenda’s Hall. 

With each passing generation, they remained true to their founder’s belief in the importance of honourable actions, and their culture adapted to incorporate those values. Like her, they possess exceptional skills in combat, but they put top priority on exhausting all alternatives before engaging in war. 

The clan is currently led by Lord Alaric Volkar, Lord Bertram Demaret, and Lady Muriel Austra. 

-- -- -- -- --

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[justforbooks]

Best crime and thrillers of 2023

Given this year’s headlines, it’s unsurprising that our appetite for cosy crime continues unabated, with the latest title in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die (Viking), topping the bestseller lists. Janice Hallett’s novels The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, which also features a group of amateur crime-solvers, and The Christmas Appeal (both Viper) have proved phenomenally popular, too.

Hallett’s books, which are constructed as dossiers – transcripts, emails, WhatsApp messages and the like – are part of a growing trend of experimentation with form, ranging from Cara Hunter’s intricate Murder in the Family (HarperCollins), which is structured around the making of a cold case documentary, to Gareth Rubin’s tête-bêche The Turnglass (Simon & Schuster). Books that hark back to the golden age of crime, such as Tom Mead’s splendidly tricksy locked-room mystery Death and the Conjuror (Head of Zeus), are also on the rise. The late Christopher Fowler, author of the wonderful Bryant & May detective series, who often lamented the sacrifice of inventiveness and fun on the altar of realism, would surely have approved. Word Monkey (Doubleday), published posthumously, is his funny and moving memoir of a life spent writing popular fiction.

Notable debuts include Callum McSorley’s Glaswegian gangland thriller Squeaky Clean (Pushkin Vertigo); Jo Callaghan’s In the Blink of an Eye (Simon & Schuster), a police procedural with an AI detective; Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy (Pushkin Vertigo), featuring queer punk nun investigator Sister Holiday; and the caustically funny Thirty Days of Darkness (Orenda) by Jenny Lund Madsen (translated from the Danish by Megan E Turney).

There have been welcome additions to series, including a third book, Case Sensitive (Zaffre), for AK Turner’s forensic investigator Cassie Raven, and a second, The Wheel of Doll (Pushkin Vertigo), for Jonathan Ames’s LA private eye Happy Doll, who is shaping up to be the perfect hardboiled 21st-century hero.

Other must-reads for fans of American crime fiction include Ozark Dogs (Headline) by Eli Cranor, a powerful story of feuding Arkansas families; SA Cosby’s Virginia-set police procedural All the Sinners Bleed (Headline); Megan Abbott’s nightmarish Beware the Woman (Virago); and Rebecca Makkai’s foray into very dark academia, I Have Some Questions for You (Fleet). There are shades of James Ellroy in Jordan Harper’s Hollywood-set tour de force Everybody Knows (Faber), while Raymond Chandler’s hero Philip Marlowe gets a timely do-over from Scottish crime doyenne Denise Mina in The Second Murderer (Harvill Secker).

As Mick Herron observed in his Slow Horses origin novel, The Secret Hours (Baskerville), there’s a long list of spy novelists who have been pegged as the heir to John le Carré. Herron must be in pole position for principal legatee, but it’s been a good year for espionage generally: standout novels include Matthew Richardson’s The Scarlet Papers (Michael Joseph), John Lawton’s Moscow Exile (Grove Press) and Harriet Crawley’s The Translator (Bitter Lemon).

Historical crime has also been well served. Highlights include Emma Flint’s excellent Other Women (Picador), based on a real 1924 murder case; Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s story of a fortune teller’s quest for identity in Georgian high society, The Square of Sevens (Mantle); and SG MacLean’s tale of Restoration revenge and retribution, The Winter List (Quercus). There are echoes of Chester Himes in Viper’s Dream (No Exit) by Jake Lamar, which begins in 1930s Harlem, while Palace of Shadows (Mantle) by Ray Celestin, set in the late 19th century, takes the true story of American weapons heiress Sarah Winchester’s San Jose mansion and transports it to Yorkshire, with chillingly gothic results.

The latest novel in Vaseem Khan’s postcolonial India series, Death of a Lesser God (Hodder), is also well worth the read, as are Deepti Kapoor’s present-day organised crime saga Age of Vice (Fleet) and Parini Shroff’s darkly antic feminist revenge drama The Bandit Queens (Atlantic).

While psychological thrillers are thinner on the ground than in previous years, the quality remains high, with Liz Nugent’s complex and heartbreaking tale of abuse, Strange Sally Diamond (Penguin Sandycove), and Sarah Hilary’s disturbing portrait of a family in freefall, Black Thorn (Macmillan), being two of the best.

Penguin Modern Classics has revived its crime series, complete with iconic green livery, with works by Georges Simenon, Dorothy B Hughes and Ross MacDonald. There have been reissues by other publishers, too – forgotten gems including Celia Fremlin’s 1959 holiday‑from-hell novel, Uncle Paul (Faber), and Richard Wright’s The Man Who Lived Underground (Vintage). Finished in 1942 but only now published in its entirety, the latter is an account of an innocent man who takes refuge from racist police officers in the sewers of Chicago – part allegorical, part brutally realistic and, unfortunately, wholly topical.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[lilywily143]

So basically this au takes place in the fictional world i've spent around two years crafting, the characters are all kitties with a penchant for creepy eldritch magic, blood, and capitalism

these are the character designs

The disassembly drones are vampires (probably pretty easy to figure out)

The worker drones are kitties who used to be well... slaves... that were owned by one of the major three cities (Orenda City) and built a village in the (monster infested death guaranteeing) Tenebrous Forest to mine copper and glistrall, glistrall is a rare yet potent magical metal and Orenda city needed it for their unholy experiments with magic. However, nobles, mostly ones who had some influence in the business, lived in the city too.

Everything was going fine until one night all of the nobles were killed by an unknown force *cough cough nudge nudge*, yet, all of the slaves were spared, leaving them free to govern themselves.

Then Uzi was born and you can probably guess what happens after that.

Also the au is called Blood and Magic, yes I'm unoriginal

Oh that sounds so cool!!!

[rabidcowboys]

Howdy! My name is Coyotl, but you can call me Kai. I’m cohost of the Pack (System). Our system consists of 14 members, most of them canines. The body is 18 years old and gender-fluid.

Allow me to introduce you to the gang.

��� Coyotl | he/him | coyote | cohost

🌙 Aeryn | she/he/they | yukon wolf | cohost

💢 Saul | he/him | belgian malinois | rage holder

⛓️ Jaws | he/him | beauceron | gatekeeper

☀️ Kiran | she/they | african lioness | gatekeeper

🥩 Desperado | he/him | melanistic three-eyed coyote | persecutor

🌸 Laika | she/her | mackenzie valley wolf | pup/little

🪶 Orenda | she/her | rocky mountain wolf | matriarch

❄️ Bullet | he/him | siberian husky | packmate

🌲 Jasper | he/him | algonquin wolf | packmate

🌊 Pacifico | she/her | vancouver sea wolf | packmate

🪚 Denji/“Dennis” | he/him | chainsaw devil/human | introject

⚔️ Eren Jäger | he/him | human/titan shifter | introject

🏜️ John Marston | he/him | human | introject

🔪 Karma Cheyenne | he/him | were-coywolf | introject

‼️ DNI LIST ‼️

p3dos/z00s, ableists, racists, therian haters, endos, etc.

We hope to make friends here !

[fictionfromafar]

You Can’t See Me

By Eva Björg Ægisdóttir

Translated by Victoria Cribb

Orenda Books

Publication Date: 6 July 2023

Even by the high standards set by previous Icelandic crime fiction writers, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir’s debut, A Creak On The Stairs was very much a stand out novel. Focussing on police detective Elma who has returned to her hometown of Akranes, she and her colleagues investigate a murder with long hidden and mysterious historical connections. The book won the CWA New Blood Dagger and since then two further novels in the series have followed. While these were also strongly impressive, there could perhaps become a temptation that Ægisdóttir might decide to rest on her laurels and continue to produce stories in a similar vein, however with this novel, it’s is very clear that this is an author keen to develop further as a novelist and present a rather different type of story. Thankfully the results are very satisfying and it could be said that she has surpassed her own high watermark with You Can’t See Me.

When I first heard that this book would be a prequel to her Forbidden Dark Iceland series, I assumed that the book would be based upon Elma’s earlier life as a police officer in Reykjavik. I was happy to be proven wrong on both counts. In fact this is a story where the firm focus of the story is on other characters with only a peripheral role for the investigating officers. Instead this is the story of an Icelandic clan. The rich and powerful Snaebergs have taken over a remote hotel for a weekend family reunion. Rarely due the family members meet on mass and with grudges and jealousies that can be present in any large family, many of the guests arrive in trepidation, wary of conflict. Although unique to rural Iceland and its ever changing climate, a snow storm means that it is too treacherous for anyone to get to or leave the hotel, setting the scene for a locked door mystery where a murder could only have been committed by one of the hotel’s temporary residents.

Yet one aspect of Ægisdóttir’s writing that existing readers will be familiar with is that she steers very much away from formulaic retreads. There are some modern and very unique components to this story. Furthermore it is is told to us through multiple voices, some long established within the centre of the Snaeberg family, some who appear more as outsiders and even the perspective of a hotel staff member is given as the family attempt to reacquaint with each other, free from watching eyes (or so they think) and with copious amounts of alcohol available to them. Family secrets and suspicions are sure to emerge leading to fascinating subplots but when a member of the party mysteriously disappears, the autosphere begins to turn as chilling as the outside weather. Despite reading this book in the late June sunshine, there were aspects to the story that made me shiver. It is one of those books that you’re torn between wanting to rush through it and also savour the emotions and sensations of the characters that we are following.

Existing readers may have come to expect that Ægisdóttir’s books will be compulsive reading yet I firmly believe that this is her finest title so far. What’s more, with it being set in an earlier time period than her other novels, it also serves as a perfect introduction to those yet to read her work. One of the best books I’ve read this year.

Many thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inclusion on the blog tour and to Orenda Books for an advance copy of You Can’t See Me. Please look out for the other reviews of this novel on the blog tour, as shown below.

[rosemariecawkwell]

Blog Tour Review: Into Thin Air, by Orjan Karlsson

PUBLICATION DATE: 16 JANUARY 2025PAPERBACK | £ 9.99 | ORENDA BOOKS Description When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend. For investigator Jakob Weber, the case seems clear-cut, almost unexceptional, even though there is some suggestion that Iselin lived parts of her life beneath the…

[marypicken]

Disappearance and Intrigue in Northern Norway: Into Thin Air (Arctic Mysteries #1) by Ørjan Karlsson translated by Ian Giles @OrendaBooks @RandomThingsTours @orjankarlsson @ioagiles

Into Thin Air is immersive, exciting and intelligent.

Source: Review copyPublication: 16 January 2025 from Orenda BooksPP: 300ISBN-13: 978-1916788503 My thanks to Orenda Books and Random Things Tours for an advance copy for review In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried… When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend.…

[calturnerreviews]

#BlogTour - #BookReview of #IntoThinAir by Orjan Karlsson @orjankarlsson @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours #Norway

I’m pleased to welcome you today to my stop on the blog tour for Into Thin Air by Orjan Karlsson. Thank you as always to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book. About the book: In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried… When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø,…

[bookliteratibookreviews]

YuleI Island by Johana Gustawsson

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orenda Books (21 Nov. 2024)Language ‏ : ‎ EnglishPaperback ‏ : ‎ 300 pagesISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1914585909ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1914585906 Book Blurb Don’t Art expert Emma Lindahl is anxious when she’s asked to appraise the antiques and artefacts in the infamous manor house of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, on the island of Storholmen, where a young woman was murdered nine years…

[fantasyroyalfamily]

Sims 4 Fantasy Royal Family Memorial Of Sims That Has passed Away

Servant Ocana Elm

Ocana was a servant of Duchess Zami Ulla. She died while giving birth to her twins, Ulodon and Ana. Ocana had lain with the Phoenix King, King Vu. Legend states that if a human mates with a phoenix, they will burn while giving birth to their children. As a result, humans and other magical beings are prohibited from marrying to prevent such deaths. However, King Vu has married multiple humans, and they have all passed away during childbirth while bearing children for the king.

Others who have died giving birth to King Vu Raye:

Note: The following woman passed away while giving birth to children for King Vu as part of her effort to protect their people. The women of the kingdom were attacked by a powerful enemy, prompting the queens and their subjects to seek refuge in the Phoenix Dragone. In exchange for safety, they agreed to become concubines to the king, giving birth to his children. It is important to note that this is my own revision of the story, influenced by the Brothers Grimm and my own fantasy elements, so it may not align with the Disney version.

Raya of Kumnara (Kumandra- The last Dragon)

She gave birth to twins, P. Channary & Dara Raye.

Queen Merida of Gonboch (Dunbroch)

She gave birth to a daughter, Meria Raye.

Chief Moana of Mona (Motunui)

She gave birth to Prince Moro Raye.

Queen Elena of Avalan (Avalor)

She gave birth to Prince Avalon Raye.

Princess Amber of Chania (Enchancia)

She gives to birth to Princess Ember Raye.

....

Princess Amber's twin brother, King James, married Chief Naamari, and they had a daughter named Roxana. Both King James and Chief Naamari died on the battlefield when Roxana was just five years old. During the chaos, Roxana fled with her aunt, Princess Amber, and Princess Sofia. However, they became separated in the crowd and were never able to find each other again.

Princess Sofia the first of Chania

She died giving birth to her daughter, Somara. Sofia became the concubine of Prince Maro II, who was heartbroken by her death. Prince Maro II is the son of Queen Tiana of Wolf Bay, and she is unaware of this affair.

.......

Duke John Nuserise, Rapunzal's husband.

He died from illness after she gave birth to her 4 children.

Rapunzal sadden by the loss of her husband decided to wear black to represent him as it was his favorite color.

Orenda Moono of the Moon tribe and also of Keana's mother and Selene step mother.

She died from the attack that happened many years ago that caused the release of the first werewolf.

Nakoma Moono, Selene's Step sister, and Keana biological sister passed away as well.

Marivutu

Arabella Marti Kalechi

She passed away from a illness.

Sultana Jasmine's pet tiger, Rajah, passed away from old age.

Council Woman Subira Kasmut, wife of Councilmen Khaa Kasmut

Passed away from illness.

Lady Halima (Aladdin's mother) and also part of the councilman, died from heart break. She lost her son from her second marriage and wasn't able to bear it.

Prince Hassan Leonard of Maeria, and Amir's father.

He passed away from a illness.

Komomajo

Princess Luna Wu passed away from illness.

Prince Julius Leonard, King Xavion's son passed away in war. He left two daughters, Princess Muna and Lumi.

Lord Xian Wula, Mulan's husband died in war protecting Komomajo.

Engkanto Karri

Princess Ulisa family passed away in war in attempts to take over Enkanto Karri only leaving a grandson, Roan. The following are those that passed away in the war:

Ulisa husband, Florian Pence.

Ulisa's Son, Uorian.

Ulisa duaghter in law, Erin Straud.

Mernali

Lord Devon Tamesis, husband of Lady Urusla, he left behind twin boy and girl. He passed away from a illness.

Maeria Kingodom

Delanto Tivonte passed away from a illness. Leaving his wife, daughter and son behind. He was the adviser of King Xavion.

.....

Beauty Sisters:

Martina Breen, leaving her husband and son, Martin.

Andrea Dashkov.

Both sister passed away during the War of Enkanto Karri.

Beauty Father:

Lord Judd Hecking.

Beauty's father also died in the war.

[jenmedsbookreviews]

The Torments by Michael J. Malone

Today I am sharing my thoughts on The Torments, the brand new Annie Jackson novel from Michael J Malone. Review on blog. @1michaeljmalone @orendabooks @annecater14 #books #bookreview #thetorments #teamorenda #randomthingstours #mystery #bookstagram

Today I am delighted to share my review of The Torments by Michael J. Malone, book two in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series. I really loved book one, The Murmurs, and this follow up has been one of my most anticipated reads of this year. My thanks to Publisher Orenda Books for the advance review copy, and to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the tour invite. Here’s what it’s all…

[deviantartdramahub]

I have to get something off my chest because it seems like I'm the only one who truly understands/registers this.

To start, I have a friend, in fact they're also a friend of Moonbeam13 and corresponds to her area, who is a member of the native Iroquois in Ontario, and he was submitting a painting to DeviantArt depicting the legendary (but probably existent) figure Atotarho from Iroquois folk history. He was a tyrant who was reformed and became our first ruler.

A DeviantArt mod came by and, their attention having been caught by the picture, came to confront him about it. They told us, "this is f**ish content, this kind in particular isn't allowed".

This brings me to the whole point of this post. To those who I was arguing with the other day: Not everything that involves clotheslessness is carnal in nature or even a nood. Sometimes it's preceded and surpassed by what it represents. A lot of things are like that. That is the point I want to share.

In this case, all pictures of Atotarho before his redemption depict him with a long, eh, you get the idea. Anaconda if you will. In Iroquois narrative, long and overgrown things are associated with two powers, orenda (uki) and otkon, which are two sides of what many might call mana or chi. So here it's symbolic and in turn cultural, and there are also little mini-rules over what is treated this way to represent what. It just is, whether or not you consider it insufficiently self-explanatory or not, and it's difficult to explain to someone outside the culture the logic behind it. It's a subject matter similar in idea to how Greek statues are always unclad. The Greeks valued physique so much that to be clothed in statue form was considered the shameful act, as opposed to modern people who always put clothes on statues, yet nobody really complains that total tenderfoots are viewing what amounts to unclad art with an excuse attached.

So anyways, imagine the difficulty my friend was having as he tried to explain to a mod that framing a painting of Atotarho as being in the same league as an artwork by the likes of Karbo was the same as taking it out of context. Sometimes even seemingly completely obviously interpretable things have a context that is much different than believed.

Eventually, on orders of Moonbeam13, who currently has a more active role in rule enforcement than she has had at the beginning of the year, the mod deemed the argument won in their (the mod's) favor and took the work down and suspended my friend. As a Native American and Native American historian, I am disappointed to see something like this that ended in the departure of my friend. As a high ranking supposedly liberal member of her area, Moonbeam13 gives me the epiphany I don't like what kind of facade this site is turning out to be.

A part of me wants to ask if that was necessary for that, but I know I'd probably lose in the insight department there.

[rich4a1]

Joe Santa Maria Echo Deep

Joe Santa Maria Echo Deep Orenda Joe Santa Maria is a L.A.- based versatile multi-reedist, comfortable playing behind rock groups, laying down post-bop lines, or playing in experimental formats.  Echo Deep, a project that has consumed him for ten years, is his ‘sonic biography,” a daring, totally unique foray into many different cultures and locales. Even the instrumentation is apart from what…

[fictionophile]

#Orentober - paying homage to Orenda Books @OrendaBooks #GreatReads #BookRecommendations #Booklovers

Every October Orenda Books celebrates #Orentober. Over the past few years they have supplied me with countless hours of pleasurable reading. To celebrate their fantastic catalogue, I’ve compiled this post to share with you some of my feelings about just some of the Orenda titles that I have read.I’ll share the Goodreads links for these titles below. “Breakers” by Doug Johnstone – My Review “The…