#Rati Mehrotra

[alkiores]

Book cover for the russian edition of «Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove» by Rati Mehrotra✨

[gennsoup]

Grief does not have a colour. It does not have a name, a language, or a nationality. But it has a texture--the smell of ash, the taste of tears.

Rati Mehrotra, Vetala

[bookaddict24-7]

New Young Adult Releases! (October 17th, 2023)

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Have I missed any new Young Adult releases? Have you added any of these books to your TBR? Let me know!

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New Standalones/First in a Series:

Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters

If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

At the End of the World by Nadia Mikail

Flower & Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

Our Divine Mischief by Hanna Howard

Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology by Various

One Hundred Days by Alice Pung

New Sequels:

Wild Wishes & Windswept Kisses (Singh Sisters #2) by Maya Prasad

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Happy reading!

[richincolor]

Title: Flower and Thorn Author: Rati Mehrotra Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Romance Pages: 338 Publisher: Wednesday Books Review Copy: Purchased Availability: Available now

Summary: Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared into the mysterious mist of the Rann salt flats one night. Now seventeen, Irinya uses her knowledge of magical flowers to help her caravan survive in the harsh desert. When her handsome hunting partner and childhood friend finds a priceless silver spider lily—said to be able to tear down kingdoms and defeat an entire army—Irinya knows this is their chance for a better life.

Until Irinya is tricked by an attractive imposter.

Irinya's fight to recover the priceless flower and to fix what she's done takes her on a dangerous journey, one she's not sure she'll survive. She has no choice but to endure it if she hopes to return home and mend the broken heart of the boy she's left behind.

Review: [Flower and Thorn contains some fairly graphic descriptions of injuries and death, including a haunting supernatural body horror moment.]

Flower and Thorn is a book with some fascinating world-building elements. While it is undeniably a fantasy (with magical flowers that can utter ominous and cryptic comments to our protagonist), the background driver of the plot is actually the Gujarat Sultanate resisting Portuguese colonialism. The blending of fantastical and historical elements is where Flower and Thorn shines, and author Rati Mehrotra did great work in that arena. I also appreciated how Flower and Thorn tackled inequality and oppression within the sultanate at the same time it highlighted the horrors of colonialism, from sexism affecting the nobles’ preferences for an heir to how the flower hunters and their families are exploited and kept in poverty.

The magical flowers are key plot points throughout the story, both in their comparative rarity and their abilities. I really enjoyed the flower hunting scenes in the Rann. Mehrotra did a fantastic job of selling how difficult and dangerous the work could be—and how dangerous the flowers and their thorns could be in the wrong hands. I still can’t quite picture how using the silver spider lily would actually play out, but the concrete effects of the jasmine, hibiscus, and other flowers helped bolster my belief that it could topple enemies and that it desperately needed to be kept away from the Portuguese.

I had mixed feelings about Irinya as a protagonist. When it came to the adventuring side of the book, her stubbornness and determination to see things through were fantastic. The climax in the Rann and Irinya’s emotional journey there were perfection—I was delighted every step on the salt flats. I also enjoyed the romance despite the love interest being off-screen for the bulk of the book. But Irinya was so wildly out of her depth when it came to the palace intrigue portions of the plot that I found myself increasingly frustrated by her choices. The very first chapters of the book are about her being betrayed (it’s in the summary!), so I was certain she would be more cautious, be more suspicious of others, or try to gather more information before acting as we continued, and that just didn’t play out like I’d hoped.

Recommendation: Borrow it someday if you’re a fan of fantasy. The blending of fantasy and history made Flower and Thorn a highly interesting read, and I appreciated the unique magic system. The climax and conclusion of the book were very well done, and I appreciated the emotional journey even if some of the plot points frustrated me. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Rati Mehrotra’s future books.

Extras: Read the first chapter of Flower and Thorn for free here and see a map for the setting.

Flower and Thorn: A brief history of early 16th century India

[book-blogandquotes]

"One of the problems with human men is how little they last, like dry leaves going up in flames. A woman is like a candle; she can burn all night long."

Rati Mehrotra, Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove

[roseunspindle]

March 2023 TBR

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Mahimata | Author: Rati Mehrotra | Publisher: Harper Voyager (2019)

[jolieeason]

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books Date of publication: October 17th, 2023 Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Magic, Historical Fiction, Historical Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | Kobo Goodreads Synopsis: One girl. One boy.A promise broken.A magic stolen. Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared…

[lilibetbombshell]

[siriuslygrimm]

Perennial Prospects

#BOOKREVIEW - Perennial Prospects - #FlowerAndThorn #blog

Flowers are rare and possess magic that makes them highly sought after; a broken promise between flower hunters regarding a practically mythic flower leads to a great many changes in their lives in Rati Mehrotra’s Flower and Thorn. Like her mother before her who disappeared in the dangerous mists of the salt flats when she was a child Iriyna wants to be a flower hunter, and she spends her days…

[petalpetal]

whether they are YA depends who you ask and what decade it is but have you read the thief by megan whalen turner

oh I don't care about year I just want to have an arsenal of YA books that I have read so I can recommend them to patrons who looking for something specific or simular to another book they read.

For example if you want a good YA fantasy that has a only POC cast and features mainly characters from Central and South Asia I suggest Markswomen by Rati Mehrotra (this is for teens because its borderline YA/Adult by which i mean goodreads has it labeled as teens but I found it in the adult section at my old job so and mainly because the main characters are in the late teens and early 20s ) the books is a sci-fi/fantasy by which its a lot of fantasy elements but it hints on the fact that it takes place on this earth in the distant future and maybe aliens?????

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Good afternoon, my bookish bats. I hope you're bundled up with a fur baby, hot bev, and good book as you ward off this (lovely) chilly weather. No TBR is complete without a few young adult novels, and there are plenty coming out this month! Here are a few YA releases to consider adding to your shelves this October.

✨ All These Sunken Souls (Anthology) ✨ The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosko Jackson ✨ Love in Winder Wonderland by Abiola Bellow ✨ Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya ✨ Beholder by Ryan La Sala ✨ Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai ✨ The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker ✨ Flower and Thron by Rati Mehrotra ✨ The Misfit and His Dashing Devil by MN Bennet ✨ A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli ✨ Starling House by Alix E. Harrow ✨ Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle ✨ A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber ✨ Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare ✨ Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

✨ Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros ✨ What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez ✨ Night of the Witch by Sarah Raasch and Beth Revis ✨ The Spells We Cast by Jason June ✨ The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado ✨ All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters ✨ Before the Devil Knows You're Here by Autumn Krause ✨ Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker ✨ If You'll Have Me by Eunnie ✨ The Space Between Here & Now by Sarah Suk ✨ I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold ✨ Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel ✨ The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold ✨ Brooms by Jasmine Walls ✨ Kween by Vichet Chum

[watsonneith]

2022 in Short Stories

I read a lot, and halfway through this year I started a conscious project to read more short fiction, and keep a record of my reading. That's a goal for 2023, too: I'm subscribed to Apex and Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet and I need to decide whether Fiyah AND Uncanny Magazine is a step too far or whether I should flip a coin (I am someone who doesn't always promptly read my magazine subscriptions, because I own them, so all manner of procrastination becomes possible).

But anyway. After 57 single short stories and three collections in about six months, I thought I'd call out a few of my favorites.

The Massage Lady at the Munjeon Bathhouse by Isabel J. Kim (Clarkesworld)

A story about stagnation and opportunity. I don't really want to give more away.

On the Day You Spend Forever With Your Dog by Adam R. Shannon (Apex, 2018)

Do you want to cry about time travel? This is how you cry about time travel.

An Eight Treasure Hunt by Anya Ow (Translunar Travelers Lounge)

Two strangers cross paths: one is hunting for a mythical ingredient so they can participate as a chef in the famous Eight Treasure Feast and the other has their own problems. Set in the same world as Seven Parts Full.

Girl, Cat, Wolf, Moon by Rati Mehrotra (Uncanny Magazine)

As a child, a misadventure leads Lila to spend the night in the kingdom of cats. She spends the rest of her life trying to get back there.

The Scholar of the Bamboo Flute by Aliette de Bodard (Uncanny Magazine)

An ambitious student on scholarship seeks out an exclusive mentor and walks into a larger story than they had anticipated.

unWindr

I was pointed here by @bzedan, and this is a delightful, horrifying story told in vignettes-- er, reviews.

[thefallingdownthebookhole]

Night of the Raven Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra What was the last book you got that you haven’t heard much about in the bookish community, but are super excited for? If you are interested in giving this subscription service a try or for that book lover in your life use my code: 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝟏𝟎 for 10% off! They even have past box items/boxes/books for sale on their shop! ⁣ #ouabc #ouabcvip #bookbox #booksubscriptionbox #readingexperience #bookishgoodies #booklover #holidaygifts #bookishholidaygift #shelfie #nightoftheravendawnofthedove #ratimehrotra https://www.instagram.com/p/CnYAYC8LVk8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[richincolor]

There are four books coming out tomorrow, plus one we missed earlier this month. Which of these have caught your eye?

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra Wednesday Books

One girl. One boy. A promise broken. A magic stolen. Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared into the mysterious mist of the Rann salt flats one night. Now seventeen, Irinya uses her knowledge of magical flowers to help her caravan survive in the harsh desert. When her handsome hunting partner and childhood friend finds a priceless silver spider lily--said to be able to tear down kingdoms and defeat an entire army--Irinya knows this is their chance for a better life. Until Irinya is tricked by an attractive imposter. Irinya's fight to recover the priceless flower and to fix what she's done takes her on a dangerous journey, one she's not sure she'll survive. She has no choice but to endure it if she hopes to return home and mend the broken heart of the boy she's left behind.

If You'll Have Me by Eunnie Viking

Momo Gardner is the kind of friend who’s always ready to lend a helping hand. She’s introverted, sensitive, and maybe a little too trusting, but she likes to believe the best in people. PG, on the other hand, is a bit of a lone wolf, despite her reputation for being a flirt and a player. Underneath all that cool mystery, she’s actually quick to smile, and when she falls for someone, she falls hard. An unexpected meet-cute brings the two together, kicking off the beginning of an awkward yet endearing courtship—but with their drastically different personalities, Momo’s overprotective friend, and PG’s past coming back to haunt her, Momo and PG’s romance is put to the test.

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli Union Square & Co.

What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes. Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesn’t see Ren’s betrayal coming, not until she’s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps. As she’s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right. Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again. But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdom’s peace, and Ren’s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined. She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viper’s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trust…and maybe even love?

All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology edited by Circe Moskowitz Amberjack Publishing

Welcome to the Dark. We are all familiar with tropes of the horror genre: slasher and victims, demon and the possessed. Bloody screams, haunted visions, and the peddler of wares we aren’t sure we can trust. In this young adult horror anthology, fans of Jordan Peele, Lovecraft Country, and Horror Noire will get a little bit of everything they love—and a lot of what they fear—through a twisted blend of horror lenses, from the thoughtful to the terrifying. From haunted, hungry Victorian mansions, temporal monster–infested asylums, and ravaging zombie apocalypses, to southern gothic hoodoo practitioners and cursed patriarchs in search of Black Excellence, All These Sunken Souls features the chilling creations of acclaimed bestsellers and hot new talents, with stories from Kalynn Bayron, Donyae Coles, Ryan Douglass, Sami Ellis, Brent Lambert, Ashia Monet, Circe Moskowitz, Joel Rochester, Liselle Sambury, and Joelle Wellington.

The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert Balzer + Bray

The Blackwoods. Everyone knows their name. Blossom Blackwood burst onto the silver screen in 1962, and in the decades that followed, she would become one of the most celebrated actors of our time—and the matriarch of the most famous Black family in Hollywood. To her great-granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, she has always just been Bebe. And when she passes away, it changes everything. Hollis Blackwood was never interested in fame. Still, she’s surrounded by it, whether at home with her family or at the prestigious Dupree Academy among Los Angeles’ elite. When private photos of Hollis are leaked in the wake of Blossom’s death, she is thrust into the spotlight she’s long avoided—and finds that trust may be a luxury even she can’t afford. Ardith Blackwood has always lived in the public eye. A television star since childhood, she was perhaps closer with Blossom than anyone—especially after Ardith’s mother died in a drug overdose. Ever since, she has worked to be everything her family, her church, and the public want her to be. But as a family secret comes to light and the pressures from all sides begin to mount, she wonders what is left beneath the face she shows the world. Weaving together the narratives of Hollis, Ardith, and Blossom, award-winning author Brandy Colbert tells an unforgettable story set in an America where everything is personal, and nothing is private.

[littlereadsandteas]

February 2018

Markswoman by Rati Mehrotra is a captivating read for young adult fantasy enthusiasts who crave a riveting adventure filled with romance, self-discovery, and a quest for justice, perfect for those who enjoy epic stories of heroism, loyalty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Air and Ash by Alex Lidell is a electrifying and adventurous tale that will captivate fans of fantasy, romance, and high-seas escapades, particularly those who enjoy strong, determined heroines, swashbuckling pirates, and elemental magic, making it a perfect fit for readers who crave a fast-paced, action-packed ride with a dash of magic and a whole lot of heart.

The Midnight Front: A Dark Arts Novel by David Mack is a gripping and epic tale that will captivate readers who crave a richly immersive and atmospheric blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and adventure, with a deep exploration of the complexities of power, morality, and the human condition.

Scan by Walter Jury, Sarah Fine is a exhilarating and action-packed read that will captivate fans of fast-paced science fiction and young adult adventures who enjoy stories about self-discovery, family dynamics, and the battle between good and evil, making it a perfect fit for readers who crave a gripping and emotionally resonant ride.

Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare is a gripping and imaginative read that will captivate fans of historical fantasy, steampunk, and adventure, particularly those who enjoy complex world-building, intricate plots, and strong female protagonists navigating multiple realities and scientific mysteries.

Hearts of Resistance by Soraya M. Lane is a gripping and emotional read that will resonate with fans of historical fiction, particularly those who appreciate stories of female empowerment, friendship, and the unbreakable bonds formed during times of war and adversity.

For readers who appreciate poignant and provocative historical fiction, particularly those drawn to stories of resilience, hope, and the human spirit, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a deeply moving and unforgettable journey through the devastation of World War II, exploring the complexities of love, survival, and the transformative power of human connection.

Blades of Magic by Terah Edun is a exciting and romantic young adult fantasy novel that will captivate readers who crave action-packed adventures, complex characters, and forbidden love, making it a perfect fit for fans of strong female protagonists and epic fantasy worlds.

Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson is a captivating read for fans of Celtic mythology and fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy stories that weave together ancient legends with modern-day adventure and self-discovery, as they will be swept away by Meghan's journey into a world of magic and mystery.