#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!!

[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 . .

[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!

[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

[libertyreads]

January Wrap Up:

The January Wrap Up is coming to you a few days early because my husband and I are actually about to head to Rome for 8 days. It’s exciting, but I didn’t want to forget about the books. Overall rating for the month is 3.47 stars, but if you excluded the 1.5 star book it would be a 3.72 star kind of month. I’ll take it.

1. Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts-- Rating: 3.0 stars. In this one I liked the concept and most of the plot, but really didn’t connect with the characters.

2. The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout-- Rating: 3.25 stars. I was very conflicted with this one. I hated that the romance overpowered the harder hitting parts of the story.

3. Keepers of the Labyrinth by Erin E. Moulton-- Rating: 3.0 stars. This book probably hurt me more than the 1.5 star book I read this month because it could have been so much more in better hands. I liked the mythology, but it lacked world building and depth. Could have easily been multiple 500 page books in the right hands and I would have loved it.

4. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers-- Rating: 4.0 stars. This book felt similar to books published at the time, but I still enjoyed the characters and the political intrigue.

5.Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson-- Rating: 4.0 stars. The start of my reread before the final book came out. I picked up on a couple of clues that I missed the first time around and I still really enjoyed the setting and characters. I swear Nate and I have the exact same sense of humor.

6. Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke-- Rating: 1.5 stars. The worst book I read for the month. I would argue that it’s almost unreadable. Everything was very prosaic and topsy turvy for no reason.

7. The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson-- Rating: 4.0 stars. The only notes I left for myself with this one said: “I forgot how much the lack of a final book unnerved me last year. *grabby hands*” So, that’s how I felt about it. HA. I think I enjoyed this one more this time around.

8. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton-- Rating: 4.0 stars. This one was unexpected for me. I knew I’d probably like it. I’m a fan of desert fantasy, but I also knew that I had been looking forward to buying it for a couple of years. (Multiple book buying bans prevented it.) So I was worried I wouldn’t like it with as much as I had built it up.

9. The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson-- Rating: 4.5 stars. This was such a great conclusion to the series. I hope we get more from this world. I feel like I’d read about Stevie in the future. At college or something. I wrote a full review for that one on this blog, so check it out if you want more in depth thoughts.

Overall, I think it was a good reading month because I mostly enjoyed what I read and I read more than I expected. I only need to read 4 books a month to reach my goal for the year and 7 a month to reach my stretch goal so 9 books this month was great.

[kimferprod]

There’s one thing I really love about Royal Bastards (the novel written by one of the Playchoice writer, Andrew Shvarts) it’s how the author completely destroys the Good Guy Get The Girl trope (you know, being a gentlemen and nice and just expect the girl to fall into your arms, which you can think i’m into because i’m a stydia shipper and stydia can be mistaken for following this trope but not at all, but that’s another subject. I am irritated by that trope, I really despise it). I was worried at first when they introduced the crush one of the character had for the main they will go down with it, but throughout the story, and two very important moment, they crush it. I couldn’t be more relieved.

Here’s one of the important passage regarding it, it’s toward the end of the book so don’t read if you don’t want to be spoiled. It’s REALLY spoilery. 

So, Miles, the one who has a crush for the main character, Tilla, betrayed the group of friend after seeing this one sleeping with Zell, a Zitochi bastard who is part of the group. They are locked in a dungeon when Miles pays them a visit, and has confrontation with Tilla

[Miles speaks] “And then I realized this just didn’t make sense. The Tilla I know, the Tilla I loved, wouldn’t hurt me like that. That just wasn’t her. “But it is me, Miles,” I [Tilla] pleade. “The Tilla that you know is this weird, elaborate fantasy you’ve built up over the years, because you thought we’d be getting married.’ Jax cocked an eyebrow at that. “You don’t love me. You love an idea of me. But this is who I am. And Zell is who I really choose.”

[backyardbookworm]

Battle of the Bastards

                              WARNING: SPOILER ALERT

      I bought Royal Bastards as a pre-release because I was captivated by the unique plotline. The protagonist, Tilla, is the bastard daughter of the one of the lords of the land. She is raised in the palace but with few of the privileges that are afforded to her two legitimate half-sisters. The princess of their kingdom, Lyriana, comes for a diplomatic visit and chooses to sit at the bastard table with Tilla and her friends instead of with the lord and his family. Their new friendship is tested when Lyriana’s uncle is murdered by Tilla’s father and they overhear his intentions to kill the princess next.

      They escape from the castle via underground tunnels and are accompanied by Miles, the bastard son of a neighboring lord; Jax, Tilla’s non-royal half-brother; and Zell, a Zitochi warrior and a member of the land’s native tribes. Together the five of them flee from the only home Tilla has ever known in hopes of escorting Princess Lyriana home safely and preventing an all-out war. Along the way they face a number of trials, including being sold-out by childhood friends and the princess being poisoned by a giant tunnel spider. The unconventional group finally reaches the home of a lord who is still loyal to the crown and he benevolently takes them in.

      Finally safe, Tilla and Zell utilize their respite to explore their relationship. Miles, who has been secretly betrothed to Tilla, sees the two of them together and abandons his friends and sells them out to Tilla’s father. With inside information from Miles, the villains are able to infiltrate the fortress and imprison Zell, Tilla, Jax, Lyriana, and the lord of the castle, Galen. While imprisoned, Razz, Zell’s brother, visits the group to antagonize them. When Razz threatens Lyriana’ virtue Jax escapes from his bonds and knocks Razz unconscious. During the scuffle Jax is mortally wounded and dies soon after in Lyriana’s arms. Enraged by Jax’s death, Lyriana uses her powers of magic to kill Razz and the rest of the group is able to escape from the prison. During their escape, they stop to free the other mages being held captive in the castle and are confronted by Zell’s father, Tilla’s father, and Miles and his mother. Zell combats his own father and, while he is able to paralyze his father, Zell is also wounded during the exchange is and taken away by the healers. Suddenly Tilla is left on her own to face her father and in a twist of fate she uses his own weapons against him and blows the castle to bits. In the end, Tilla and Zell are saved from the destruction, healed of their wounds, and promised a safe and prosperous life with Lyriana in her kingdom for their service of returning her home safely.

        As you can see, the overall plot of the story is very creative and compelling. The author of Royal Bastards, Andrew Shvarts, is an undoubtedly intellectual individual and his intelligence is evident throughout his writing. His ingenuity shines through best in the ideas and thoughts of his characters and the harebrained plans that they concoct. I thoroughly enjoyed these surprisingly clever moments but my favorite scene from the book ended up also being the saddest. The moment when our heroes are in prison and Jax is stabbed and dies during his struggle with Razz is simultaneously painful and beautiful. The way that Shvart’s describes Jax’s death and the emotions and thoughts that Tilla has in those moments are incredibly moving. I respect the fact that Shvarts was willing to sacrifice one of his main characters for the sake of the authenticity of the story and, in this specific instance, he hit the nail on the head and captured the emotional power of the moment perfectly.

      Aside from this one highly emotional scene, the rest of the book seems lacking in emotional maturity. The interpersonal interactions between the characters seem cheesy and forced at times. He doesn’t always explain where the characters are in relation to one another or what they are doing so then a character might suddenly be kissing another one or be killing an enemy with no explanation of why or how they got to be there. It’s a small flaw, really, but it threw me off a few times in the book and generally made for confusing interactions.

      All in all, it is a very exciting and innovative story which is, unfortunately, often interrupted by awkward social interactions. I think that Shvarts has the ability to write beautiful emotional scenes between his characters and that if he had spent more time on this book that it could have been truly amazing. As it is, Royal Bastards is an exciting adventure story but not very compelling. I would recommend it to people looking for a slower paced adventure type of read instead of a captivating page turner.