#Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

[littlereadsandteas]

January 2019

For fans of epic fantasy adventures with strong, visionary heroines, The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen is a exhilarating ride that will sweep you away to a world of magic, mystery, and high-stakes battles between good and evil, where the fate of a kingdom hangs precariously in the balance.

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts is a exhilarating and adventurous tale that will captivate readers who crave stories of self-discovery, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, particularly those who enjoy fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age journeys, as they follow the journey of Tilla and her fellow bastards as they navigate the complexities of their kingdom and their own destinies.

The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal is a captivating read for fans of atmospheric, slow-burning fantasy and historical fiction who appreciate complex characters, intricate plotting, and the exploration of themes such as power, loyalty, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity.

The Fifth Ward: First Watch by Dale Lucas is a gripping and action-packed read that will captivate fans of gritty, fast-paced fantasy and science fiction, particularly those who enjoy complex mysteries, morally ambiguous characters, and dark, immersive world-building.

The Deathsniffer's Assistant by Kate McIntyre is a captivating read for fans of atmospheric, character-driven mysteries with a strong focus on relationships, personal growth, and social commentary, who will be drawn to its unique blend of steampunk-inspired fantasy and historical elements.

Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn is a captivating read for fans of epic fantasy adventures that explore the complexities of magic, the struggle for acceptance, and the power of unity in the face of persecution, making it a perfect fit for readers who crave rich world-building, complex characters, and provocative themes.

Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed is a powerful and poignant novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate stories about identity, cultural heritage, and the struggles of growing up, particularly those interested in exploring the complexities of Muslim American experiences and the challenges of navigating multiple worlds.

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon is a poignant and powerful novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate historical fiction, romance, and stories of resilience, faith, and the human spirit, making it a must-read for those who enjoy emotional and captivating tales of love, survival, and the triumph of the human heart.

Evenfall by Gaja J. Kos, Boris Kos is a captivating read for fans of young adult fantasy romance who crave a slow-burning, atmospheric tale of self-discovery, forbidden love, and the struggle to control one's inner darkness, perfect for those who enjoy complex characters, moral ambiguity, and a richly imagined world of magic and illusion.

Slayer by Kiersten White is a exhilarating and action-packed read that will captivate fans of supernatural adventures, fantasy, and strong female protagonists, particularly those who enjoy stories about self-discovery, empowerment, and the battle between good and evil.

[luminouslumity]

Not sure how many of you know this and there was an ad about it on the app (which was how I knew about this in the first place), but Andrew has a book trilogy called Royal Bastards. It's been out for a few years now, and they're not bad (though certainly not my favorite book series). So if any of you can't wait for Blades and want to see what Andrew's like as a novelist, read these.

[janivewe]

"I suppose honor can mean whatever we twist it to mean. "

Just started this book and so far I'm loving it!!

[bumblebee-rose]

Review: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Review: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

I am crying.

Wow. Okay.

Let me start off with how well rounded the characters are. They are literally real and nothing anyone can say will convince me otherwise. I loved every single one of them from the start, maybe not Lyriana at first, but damn I loved her quickly. Jax is literally my child and I want to protect him at all costs. I just loved everyone’s dynamic. They all just fit together like…

[here-we-are-back-at-it-again]

[giggly-squiggily]

#135! What’s your favorite book?? I love hearing about other people’s faves! Hope you’re having a good week, friend! 🥰

*squees* Heck yes! I'm so excited to talk about this one!

135.) recommend any book you like!

So, while my favorites change frequently from year to year, one of my timeless favorites is Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts!

Tilla- our main heroine; is the bastard child of Lord Kent- one of the highest ranking Lords in our story and the "backup heir" if he doesn't have any official ones. One fateful night she meets up with the princess of the Kingdom Lyriana who asks her to show her some sights. During this trip she, Lyriana and the rest of their rag tag group (consisting of Jax, Tilla's half brother, Zell, a Zitochi, and Miles, a childhood friend) witnessed a crime they shouldn't have. One thing leads to another and now they are wanted dead! The only way to survive? Get Lyriana back to her kingdom and father and prove to them they weren't the real culprits!

The book is- admittedly, far from perfect. It's not ground shaking and filled with deep meaningful themes, but it's charming and funny and the characters are absolutely lovable- this book never fails to make me laugh and cry within the span of twenty minutes. It's so good and I recommend it if your looking for a fun story to settle into!

(Now I can't speak for the rest of the series- I've only read the first book; but it's so good!)

Thanks for asking! :D

Send me a book number ask!

[kimferprod]

Royal Bastards just finished, 10/10 would recommend

Andrew Shvarts writes well for Playchoices, and his novel is (in my opinion) better! I love it, can’t wait for the second book.

[backyardbookworm]

“Alone in the hall, I fought back my tears and choked down my fear. I balled my hands into fists. I needed anger now. I needed grit,” (p.318).

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts (May 2017).

[booksbeyondimagining]

Received both my Whimsify and OnceUponaBookClub boxes these past 2 days. Whimsify is the first one, the theme was Misfits & Magic and the book was Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts. The candle smells like raspberries and cream, and I absolutely love the dragon scale bobby pins. The second picture is of the OnceUponaBookClub box and they are unique in that each item in he box is wrapped and is meant to be opened on a specific page of the book. Their theme this month was Swan Princess, thus Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson. I can't wait to get started on this and find out what those gifts are!!

[mariesbookblog]

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Being a bastard blows... Tilla knows this all too well. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children. At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stable hand half-brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax's floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father's side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who's been in love with Tilla since they were children. Then, at a feast honouring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards' Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness. Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana's uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead - with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery. The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart - if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey...

This was a little more... Middle grade than I thought it would be. I should have expected it given the publisher, but you know. Life. Then again, there was the whole 'melting into each other' code for sex thing so it was a strange mix of middle grade and YA. After I got past that, it was an overall pretty okay book. It seemed kind of... almost stale? Like the plot line had been used and reused so many times before that I almost knew what was coming. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, and I'm not saying I predicted everything. There were certainly surprises. It was a... pleasant diversion from work, nothing more and nothing less.

Rating: ★★★☆☆(3/5 stars)

[journeyintotheshelves]

Tuesday’s Treats is a weekly blog post dedicated to newly released books that I’m most excited for. (Books are in no particular order.)

All books featured this week will be released: MAY 30th

1. Eliza and Her Monsters: Francesca Zappia (goodreads) (book depository)

Eliza lives two lives: her real one where she’s shy, smart, and friendless, and her online one where she’s popular and has millions of fans for her webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza never imagined that she could enjoy real life as much as she enjoys her online life, but when Wallace moves into town, that thought changes. But when Eliza’s identity is revealed, her two lives converge and throw everything — her life, her relationship, and her sanity — into chaos that changes everything. YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; HarperCollins, Hardcover (US)

2. When Dimple Met Rishi: Sandhya Menon (goodreads) (book depository)

Dimple knows she must respect her mother’s principles and traditions about finding her the “Ideal Indian Husband” on some level, but she’s excited to break from her family and live her own life. Plus, if her parents paid for her to attend a summer program for web designers, they know she’s not ready for marriage.

Rishi, on the other hand, is a complete romantic and believes in the power of tradition. So, when his parents tell him that his future wife is going to attend the same summer program as he will, he’s completely on board.

When the two finally meet, both think they have each other figured out. But it seems that life, and love, isn’t quite that simple.

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, Hardcover (US)

3. Royal Bastards (Royal Bastards Trilogy: 1): Andrew Shvarts (goodreads) (book depository)

Tilla’s life is a good as to be expected for a royal bastard: she spends the day exploring tunnels with her half-brother, Jax, and the night drinking with palace servants. But some days, she wishes she could sit with her father, enjoying dinner with her family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, cast aside. When a visiting princess, Lyriana, sits at the Bastards’ Table at a feast, Tilla finds herself becoming friends with the princess, and leading her on late night adventures with the other bastards. But on one of these escapades, they witness a crime they were never meant to witness and a coup is brewing for the two kingdoms that Tilla, Lyriana, and the other bastards are the only ones that can stop it.

YA Fantasy; Disney-Hyperion, Hardcover (US)

4. No Good Deed: Goldy Moldavsky (goodreads) (book depository)

Gregor doesn’t want much out of life, just wants to make a difference. To get him started, he goes to Camp Save the World, a summer camp for teen activists. When he gets there, it’s not quite what he expected, but he’s not going to let that ruin his summer. Everything is fine until a contest is announced to see who can do the most good — and that’s when the sabotage begins.

I was pleasantly surprised by Moldavsky’s debut, Kill the Boy Band, last year, so I’m excited to get my hands on this one.

YA Contemporary Fiction; Point/Scholastic, Hardcover (US)

5. I Believe in a Thing Called Love: Maurene Goo (goodreads) (book depository)

Desi has her whole life figured out, mostly. She’s never missed a day of school, she has straight As, and she’s definitely getting into Stanford — but she’s never had a boyfriend. She’s actually a mess when it comes to romance, but when the most gorgeous person she’s ever seen walks into her life, she’s determined to make a change. Using the Korean dramas that her dad watches religiously as a guide, Desi creates her “K Drama Rules for True Love” so she can finally find love. But, she soon finds out that life isn’t quite like a K Drama, and real love is about more than just the drama.

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

[mobilepubliclibraryteens]

Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children. At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children. Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness. Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery. The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . .

[publishedtoday]

May 30, 2017

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children.

[fancyheadachesandtea]

May is Almost Here...

May is going to be so exciting!!

Here are a few books I am excited to read in May.

Yess!! Now *deep breath* here we go...

A Court of Wings and Ruin

by: @sjmaas

Umm. Duh!

They say the longer you wait the better it will be. I believe it. Praise. I believe.

Oh my God, my brain can’t wait to read this (even though I am dreading the thought that this is going to be really close to 700 pages!!) 

I honestly want to see Tamlin crumble, is that bad? I am waiting for that moment when the guy realizes that our dearest Feyre is a HIGH LADY...

BOOM!

What you ganna say now TAMLIN darling?!?! What? What? Hold me back guys! Hold me back before I kick him even more. I never really trusted Tamlin! I never trusted him!

Ok. I am relaxed now.

In general, I am preparing myself mentally. I know there will be blood and peeps dear to us will die. I am preparing for the worst. Let’s move on before I hyperventilate ... shall we?

Ok.

Book:  Flame in the Mist

by : @rahdieh

Renee did such a wonderful beautiful job writing one of my favorite series (**clears throat ** The Wrath and the Dawn) . I am so excited for this one. You guys have no idea!

Japan in the time of samurai, stabby-stabby(ness), strong characters, all in Renée’s words? What in the heck can go wrong?

I am ready. My brain is ready. My body is ready. Yes!!!

Book: Thick as Thieves

Author: @meganwhalenturner

YESS!!!! Stabby-ness and sassiness and politics. What could go wrong? Right? RIGHTT???!!!

If you have not read the Queen’s Thieve series, you have toooooo! Add it to your “TBR” list right now! If you are curios about this read-- don’t fret. You can start wherever you like in the series and not be completely lost. You can be like me and start with the King of Attolia.

You are welcome. :) 

Book: Avenged

by: @amytintera

Amy left us with a cliff hanger in RUINED.

I know, I can feel it. The craziness of Emelina’s sister is going to be off the charts. My Jedi senses are tingling!

And Cas, what about CAS?!? I need this book to know what has happened to the boy!

That is all.

Book: Royal Bastards

By: Andrew Shvarts

Technically, I am cheating. I was lucky (very lucky) to obtain an e-ARC of this book thanks to Netgalley (YAY!!). So technically I read it. So, that’s one out of the list. According to Goodreads, it’s expected to be published in May.

----

Look at you! You made it through this whole post! Thank you for reading.

Leave me a note or comment. What books are you excited to read this May?

PS. I am not affiliated to any of the authors or publishers . I am just ecstatic about books!

[a-pirate]

I was tagged by @polymolly ! <3

3 ships: oof where to start. these are in no particular order just three i like that first come to mind: 1. Janeway/Chakotay (ST: VOY) 2. John Sheridan/Delenn (B5) 3. John/Aeryn (Farscape) 4. frog lady and her husband

Last song: uh, this (Subscribe to Samuel Kim, btw. Those arrangements are second to none.)

Last film: do documentaries count? bc What We Left Behind. 

Currently reading: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts; The Magnificent Nine (Firefly) by James Lovegrove; New Earth by Ben Bova 

Currently watching: if it’s not Star Trek or Star Wars, I haven’t really felt motivated to watch anything lately. 

Currently consuming: leftover Panda Express

Currently craving: the will to write the stories i want to write so i hate myself less

I tag: @my-chemical-mermaid @asinnerofsorts @seraphsfire @prisoner-24601 @prettyshipwreck @zachariesmackthee @jamesholden

[paperbackd]

Waiting on Wednesday: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children. Then, on a late-night escapade, Tilla and her friends stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness. The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey.

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication date: May 30th 2017

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US