#fantasyreaders

[libraryofnika]

“𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓,” — “𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓?

𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚃.𝙽.𝚅𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚜 ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ⊹˙⋆

Gracing you again with my unedited full review of 𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, a new high fantasy novel series that I enjoyed so much. I absolutely highly recommend this brilliantly written novel. My full review might contain SPOILERS, so be aware of that when you decide to read my unedited review.

◇

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Date Finished and Reviewed (Goodreads): June 21, 2024

Ratings: 4⭐️

◇

It took me a while to finish this because this novel was stressing me– NOT IN A BAD WAY BUT IN A GOOD WAY.

Going forward, the writing is brilliant. It did really well in drawing my attention and curiosity from the very start until the end. I was glad that the writing really did fit the story, I think that’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book very much.

The world building was intricate. I would say the author did well in introducing it in the novel, I quite enjoy it. The world building did really feel medieval to me and perhaps a little bit of the GoT atmosphere. I would definitely love to see more of it in the 2nd book. Although I’m quite waiting for the Dragon and Vampire concept to be shown more, it wasn’t that much here, so I hope the 2nd novel will exercise these more.

The plot was very much politial at the beginning. However, it did waned and went towards the character arc route, in my opinion, in like 60%, which I didn’t have a problem considering the characters were really likeable. I was really rooting for them all. Still, it was politically intrigued to me in some ways and more building of the storyline.

I would say I was more attached to the characters, especially Rhella and Virgil. Their dynamics and chemistry are undeniable. They’re giving me so much of a strong couple and ride or die couple vibes, and strangely, the Percy and Annabeth, I don’t know why, honestly. I’m definitely looking forward to the developments of this pairing.

Asriel, on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be honest, but after that scheme of his, I was upset. I was expecting so much of him, but I would say I’m disappointed with his character.

There are quite a few suspicious characters, in my opinion. I would say let’s see how it goes in the next instalment.

The parts towards the ending on the hand— I’m not quite sure how I should feel about it, I’m suspicious? It was abrupt to me and felt anticlimactic. That being said, let’s see how it would go after that part in the next instalment.

Overall, this was a solid introduction for the series. I’m really rooting for this and excited for the events, especially Rhaella, Virgil, Asriel, and the rest of the characters’ development in the next instalment ♡

If you like these, you’ll need to check this novel ♡

◇ political intrigue

◇ world building

◇ well written characters

◇ queer cast

◇ royals

◇ fantasy elements (dragons, prophecy, vampire, and the likes)

◇ strong and potentially ride and die couple

◇

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity, I definitely had fun in this novel. I’m super excited and can not wait for the 2nd instalment ♡

P.S. I made an honest mistake on my tbr post and had this book under sapphic, but the right category would be queer for the characters 🔖

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[short-stories-by-ezra]

🌕 The Carnival Awakens: Part 1 Drops January 23, 2025 🌕

🌕 The red moon rises on January 23, 2025! 🌕 Step into the haunting world of A Forgotten Carnival: The Secrets Beneath the Big Top. Part 1 drops soon — will you uncover the mysteries of the Lune Rouge Carnival? 🎡✨ Read it free

The Lune Rouge Carnival vanished one stormy night in 1959, leaving behind only ruins and whispers of a curse. Now, decades later, Jules Landry is drawn into the Louisiana bayou, where the shadows breathe and secrets linger. In Part 1, journey with Jules as they uncover the eerie remnants of the carnival and confront the haunting melodies of a forgotten world. But nothing in the swamp is as it…

[joyffree]

𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 & 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑, 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐖 𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐔𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃..

House of Boreal Epic Fantasy by K.L. Kolarich

Hunted and horrified, the Quadren escapes to the mist-choked House of Boreal—a remote highland citadel shrouded by harrowing tales of the occult. Meanwhile, mortal lies flood the crown city and propaganda plagues the streets. Insurgents infiltrate Bastiion, each lobbying for the vacant throne.

Rivals turned reluctant rebels, both haidrens share a naivete to the changing shadow, to evil taking form. For it is the highlands where legend streams into reality—and in Boreal where when an ancient wrath is reborn, a more dangerous bright awakens.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

◦ ◦ FREEBIE ◦ ◦

House of Darakai by K.L. Kolarich

BEHIND THE MASK OF WAR AND VALOR, BETRAYAL REIGNS WHERE IT BLEEDS…

Orynthia’s young king grievously takes his throne in the wake of regicide. From the city’s underbelly, unrest brews for the cross-caste convicted, while the haidrens hastily depart Bastiion to embark on the coronation tour for the realm’s new sovereign: Dmitri Korbin Thoarne.

Now the seated haidren for his House, Zaethan Kasim returns to the brutal mountains of his youth, where competition and conquest eagerly await his homecoming, unlike his dismissive father. There, Zaethan swiftly uncovers a Darakai radically changing. Committed to doing whatever it takes to protect Dmitri’s regime, he fights to remain alpha zà as Wekesa—his favored rival—prepares his challenge. To ensure he is named champion, Zaethan presents another deal to the highlander witch he despises. Yet in balancing fealty to both king and countrymen, Zaethan begins to doubt Darakai’s loyalties, as well as his own.

Luscia Darragh Tiergan is no stranger to the brutality of the south. However, after a harrowing attack, it is the shadows lurking behind it that slashes her dreams into a waking nightmare. Plagued by whispering omens, Luscia wrestles to silence her uncontrolled Sight. And as she is stalked out of Bastiion from within the Other, she must conceal the volatile manifestations from her Boreali guard but, most especially, the Darakaian haidren Luscia’s sworn to help.

Hosted by the House of War, the Quadren confronts an enemy more dangerous than the last. For where treachery stirs, it is not the crown that reigns, but the bloodshed encircling it.

@K.L.Kolarich

Hosted by @LadyAmbersReviewsPR

[jandkwriting]

Books K picked up at the library. #library #librarybooks #reading #fantasy #fantasyreaders #mapmaker #dreadfulyoungladies #thirteenthhour #hardcovers #bookcovers https://www.instagram.com/p/CqK6Rg2OsFI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[peterrsthomas]

Book Review: Caraway of the Sea

Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the ship’s first mate and enforcer. Sacrificing nearly all she is to ensure that he becomes the most fearsome pirate Captain to ever sail the Carnelian Sea. She realizes too late, that the seas have only grown darker, and the waves more fearsome, they threaten to pull her under completely and mold her into something akin to a nightmare.

Caraway of the Sea, a new novel by Madeline Burget, is a new entry to the pirate fantasy/romance space. Billed as a ‘grim cozy pirate tale’, it promises slow-burn romance and lots of paranoia.

And boy does it deliver.

Caraway, our titular main character, is a young woman in a man’s world. Here, though she did hide herself as a man in events prior to the story, hiding as a man isn’t the main focus. People accept that she is a woman. But, that does not mean she is free from danger—far from it. Indeed, she is still the subject of violence, and in particular sexual violence. This is explored in some depth.

But Caraway is herself violent, and we get the sense that this is in some part because she is a woman. To keep herself safe, she has to present herself as someone not to be messed with. And this leads to many a brutal encounter. The action sequences are, indeed, brutal, and bloodthirsty readers will find enough swordplay and gore to satisfy. 

The main focus is on Caraway’s fracturing relationship with her brother. He, as captain of their crew, is becoming increasingly paranoid and insecure, and she, as his protector, tries to prevent him from following a deadly and ruinous path. But events soon turn for the worse as she becomes the latest subject of his dark suspicions. 

The story is interspersed with flashbacks, and this mostly works well, though there is one jarring revelation (which I won’t spoil) that made me question how it could take so long for Caraway to come to her eventual realisation. On reflection, it does speak to the nature of gaslighting and abuse in a fundamental way, and made me reevaluate Caraway as something of an unreliable narrator—she is slow to understand what becomes plain to the reader, and we watch her come around.

My one gripe is the overuse of Caraway recalling memories of things recently passed that the reader was not privy to. The emotional weight of such moments is underwhelming if we weren’t witness to the initial occurrence. This happens more at the start, and is in no way disruptive, but it is just one of those things that didn’t work for me. Perhaps things could have been sequenced differently, or some scenes added in place of others, that would have provided more coherence here.

Above all, the slow burn romance is done well. Enzo, the strong and handsome love interest, is a compelling counterpoint to Caraway, and his affection for her grows even as she is slow to understand her feelings towards him. We can empathise with her reluctance while still rooting for them—even if Enzo isn’t always trustworthy.

In all, this book is definitely a worthy contribution to the genre. And, it is the first in a series—I will be interested to see where Caraway adventures next…

[xxkwho]

A Curse for True Love - Stephanie Garber

My review :: 5 stars - Magical. In every sense of the word. I’m in awe and will never get enough of this world that truly only Stephanie can create. The second you start one of her books, you know it’s her work. She’s unique and thoughtful, the twists, the love, the magic of the world, it’s incredible. This was the absolute perfect ending to another trilogy. 

[turning-pages-seeking-sages]

📖✨ Monthly Reading Wrap-Up

September 2024 Edition

📕 Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne Fantasy/Horror | ★★★★½ (4.5/5) A young woman discovers dark secrets lurking in the seemingly idyllic Italian town she moves to, as she becomes entangled with a sinister entity. Review: The toxic family dynamic was rage-inducing but her growth was so satisfying.

📗 Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See Historical Fiction | ★★★★¼ (4.25/5) A story of friendship, healing, and the remarkable life of Lady Tan, a woman physician in 15th-century China who challenged societal expectations. Review: A beautiful book with characters who are very much a product of their time but their worries and aspirations remain timeless.

📘 Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko Fantasy | ★★★★½ (4.5/5) A mind-bending novel about a young woman's entrance into a mysterious institute where reality and language twist into something far beyond comprehension. Review: I can't explain what this book did to my brain—Stockholm syndrome comes close. Click 'keep reading' for the full list and StoryGraph links.

📙 Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan Epic Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) The overthrow of a corrupt monarchy sets off a revolution in a world of magic-wielding powder mages and political intrigue. Review: Loved the world-building, but the women in this story come off quite flat.

📕 The Assassins of Thasalon by Lois McMaster Bujold Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) A retired sorcerer-turned-saint is called back into action when an assassination plot threatens the stability of his world. Review: I enjoyed the political intrigue and love a good comeuppance.

📗 Knot of Shadows by Lois McMaster Bujold Fantasy/Mystery | ★★★★☆ (4/5) An unconventional investigation unfolds in a world where magic and mystery intertwine, revealing deeper truths about life, death, and the spiritual realm. Review: This poignant story of vengeance and justice moved me to tears.

📘 The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman Fantasy | ★★★★¾ (4.75/5) A thief with a debt to a ruthless guild must navigate a world full of danger, including goblins, witches, and an epic war, to survive. Review: I loved this book—the tone, the worldbuilding, and the characters, whom I am now completely in love with.

📙 Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) A wounded mercenary finds herself stuck in a sleepy seaside town and unexpectedly drawn into the warmth of a local bookshop, where new adventures await. Review: Cozy, heartwarming, and sweet in all the right ways.

📕 The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden Historical Fiction | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) A chilling tale set during World War I, blending the supernatural with a soldier's haunting experiences in the trenches. Review: A solid read, but it was a book-reader mismatch because I wanted more fantasy.

📗 The Do-Over by Lynn Painter Romantic Comedy | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) A woman gets the chance to relive Valentine's Day over and over, as she tries to fix her love life and face her fears about commitment. Review: Light and entertaining but the romance didn't stand out for me.

📘 White Cat by Holly Black Urban Fantasy | ★★★½☆ (3.5/5) In a world where magic is forbidden, Cassel discovers his family's darkest secrets and grapples with the consequences of his own powers. Review: I've had my fill of Cassel and his twisted family dynamics.

[bucolicbook]

Songlight (The Torch Trilogy, #1) by Moira Buffini 

US pub date - 9/3/24

I love a good fantasy, and with truly fond memories of reading some fantastic YA fantasy novels back in the late 80’s/early 90’s (there are some I’d love to read again but can’t remember titles), I will happily read either.

Engaging and compelling, Songlight pulled me in from the very first chapter and I read this, eager to see what next - and wow, I’m definitely looking forward to the next two titles. 

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the DRC

[authorrmbrown]

Eat your cereal

One of my favourite parts about writing Song of the Stag was inserting little references to Scottish culture within the story. Special mentions go out to the famous 'it's legal tender' debate, David Cameron's 'balanced settlement', and a nod to Robert the Bruce's Queen, but my favourite by far is a reference to the Better Together campaign's 2014 advert entitled 'The Woman Who Made Up Her Mind'.

The advert itself became infamous in 2014 for its patronising and misogynistic script centred around a housewife who decides to vote no to Scottish independence. The character bemoans her husband's sudden interest in the topic, and her patience finally gives out that morning, just before the camera starts rolling, when he brings it up again and she says, 'It's too early for politics, eat your cereal!'

The phrase became something of a symbol for the way the Better Together campaign tried to tivialise real-life concerns people had with the UK by passing off independence supporters as flag-waving, Braveheart-worshipping lunatics. 'It's all a load of patriotic guff, just shut up and vote no,' it seemed to say.

The reference to this line comes into play in Song of the Stag when our main character, Cait, starts to feel sympathy and agreement towards the Storrian Separatist cause, completely contrary to the conservative views held by the residents of her village. She tries to keep her mother's words - 'it's too early for politics, lass. Eat your cereal.' - in her mind as she moves about the city, trying her best to ignore the hardship that the Separatists aim to fix, and the call to revolution in her heart.

Song of the Stag is available now!

[jbankai89]

[morgainameyersauthor]

Available on Amazon and KU!!

[thequantumversechronicles]

🌌🔭✨Under the twinkling Crysallis sky, Mina and Lumiel gaze through ancient telescopes, captivated by a rare celestial event. The wonders of the Quantumverse unfold above, bridging past and future through the lens of magic and science.  

🔥 Join us on a Magical Adventure as I debut my NEW serial fiction The Quantumverse Chronicles in July 2024! Epic Adventures, Powerful Spells, Massive Worldbuilding, Magical Creatures, Wizards, Mages, Druids, Elves, Fairies, Crystal Kin, Humans and more. Welcome to the #quantumverse.

[joyffree]

◦ ◦ FREEBIE ◦ ◦

House of Darakai by K.L. Kolarich

BEHIND THE MASK OF WAR AND VALOR, BETRAYAL REIGNS WHERE IT BLEEDS…

Orynthia’s young king grievously takes his throne in the wake of regicide. From the city’s underbelly, unrest brews for the cross-caste convicted, while the haidrens hastily depart Bastiion to embark on the coronation tour for the realm’s new sovereign: Dmitri Korbin Thoarne.

Now the seated haidren for his House, Zaethan Kasim returns to the brutal mountains of his youth, where competition and conquest eagerly await his homecoming, unlike his dismissive father. There, Zaethan swiftly uncovers a Darakai radically changing. Committed to doing whatever it takes to protect Dmitri’s regime, he fights to remain alpha zà as Wekesa—his favored rival—prepares his challenge. To ensure he is named champion, Zaethan presents another deal to the highlander witch he despises. Yet in balancing fealty to both king and countrymen, Zaethan begins to doubt Darakai’s loyalties, as well as his own.

Luscia Darragh Tiergan is no stranger to the brutality of the south. However, after a harrowing attack, it is the shadows lurking behind it that slashes her dreams into a waking nightmare. Plagued by whispering omens, Luscia wrestles to silence her uncontrolled Sight. And as she is stalked out of Bastiion from within the Other, she must conceal the volatile manifestations from her Boreali guard but, most especially, the Darakaian haidren Luscia’s sworn to help.

Hosted by the House of War, the Quadren confronts an enemy more dangerous than the last. For where treachery stirs, it is not the crown that reigns, but the bloodshed encircling it.

@K.L.Kolarich

Hosted by @LadyAmbersReviewsPR

[thebookishmum]

Currently reading this book. 30% (ish) of the way through. It’s based on the legend of Brynhildr and Sigurd (a Germanic saga). The prose is poetic and feels as though you (the reader) are eavesdropping on a conversation. Both of the protagonists throughout their narration are addressing it to each other. I’m very invested in learning how it is going to develop throughout and how those developments will change and add to the story it is based off. I am enjoying the way Kate Heartfield has approached these characters and the way in which she has provided historical context alongside the fantasy elements