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Epic Fantasy

Land of Sand And Song by Joyce Chua – Asian Inspired Fantasy of Desert Magic & Court Politics

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Time for desert magic, court politics, assassins, and scheming royals!

Land of Sand and Song by Joyce Chua is one of those classic YA fantasies that is fast-paced and action packed, and slips in all the fun tropes and character dynamics. I also really enjoyed how it was a quick read but still honed in on creating an Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with history and gorgeous mythology and culture. I loved when they paused to talk about lore and magic 😍 it just really made the world so much deeper.

There was no question about it. He owed his life to Desert Rose. They had crossed paths and crossed swords, and their fates had led them both to the palace. He couldn’t leave her to fend for herself now, after everything.

The story follows Desert Rose who must flee for her life after her tribe springs a coup on her chieftain father. Desert Rose swears she’ll find where they’ve taken him — even if it’s the infamous capital, Oasis City, which is hard to get into and harder still to stay alive while you’re there. But with some help from not one but TWO princes πŸ‘€πŸ‘ŒπŸ» Desert Rose ends up in the city and joining the emperor’s assassins where she trains in the House of Night — only she doesn’t intend to work for the emperor. She wants to kill him for the part he plays in destroying her tribe and plotting to steal the magical spring the desert works hard to keep hidden. There’s also a TON of court politics here, as we get chapters from both Wei and Meng, two of the Emperor’s sons — except Meng is favoured and Wei is a bastard prince in exile. Look, I have to say I love backstabby court political plot lines, and while this was pretty straight forward in terms of good vs evil, I was keen to see how far everyone would go. Also very much liked Wei!! He is scholarly and several times was just like “I don’t want the throne but the rest of you are all doing a real bad job of ruling.” πŸ˜‚

Desert Rose is a very fierce YA heroine, tough and distrustful of new people, but also loyal to her family and tribe. She also is hiding a mysterious past +Β  you know there’s going to be some magic happening there πŸ‘€πŸ‘€ The assassin plot line includes a few training scenes, and it all moves along very fast. I did love her friendship with Windshadow too! The book also tackles classism, as Desert Rose is seen as lesser from being illiterate and from the wilds, while the capital girls always have an advantage in class.

If you like books like Rebel of the Sands, Tiger At Midnight, The Oath Breaker’s Shadow & Spin the Dawn, you’ll like this!

She had grown up on these shifting sands. Papa used to tell her that the desert was magical. It can take you anywhere your heart desires. But if you have no direction in mind, Fate can easily sweep you away.

IN THIS BOOK YOU’LL FIND…

  • assassin training and schools
  • exiled princes
  • fast-paced plot that keeps you on your toes
  • classic YA style adventures
  • court politics and devious royals
  • murder mysteries
  • hidden magic
  • fantasy mythology and lore
  • stabby girl x scholarly boy

An exciting and fun fantasy romp that leaves you rooting for the fierce and kind protagonists. It begs for a sequel!!

Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC! Out August, 2021.

Legend has it that a magical spring lies dormant in the heart of the Khuzar desert. Said to be a gift from the gods, the spring holds the cure to all mortal woes.
As mercenaries from everywhere try in vain to find the mystical spring, 17-year-old Desert Rose is on the run after her chieftain father is overthrown and captured by rebel clans. Now out for revenge, she sets out alone to the Oasis Capital to assassinate the person instigating the rebellion: the corrupt Emperor Zhao, who will stop at nothing to possess the elixir of life from the spring.
To infiltrate the Imperial Guard, Desert Rose must pass a series of trials to test her wit, mettle, and her loyalty. But the real test lies in navigating the cut throat court politics with no ally but a rogue prince and a latent magic stirring in her – magic that can bring a kingdom to its knees or destroy her from within.
LAND OF SAND AND SONG is the first of an East Asian-inspired series.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon US | Author’s Twitter

 

Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone – Gothic Whimsy with Monstrous Boys & Fierce Girls

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When Lakesedge promised lonely gothic estates, monstrous boys and daring girls, and ethereal writing, it does not disappoint.

It was truly an aesthetic read! Moody and whimsical, and kind of felt perfect for October too. It also very much fits with a lot of the current types of YA fantasies, so if you enjoy books like A Curse So Dark and Lonely,Β What We Devour,Β The Dark Tide, &Β House of Salt and Sorrows, this is basically its cousin.

The Monster of Lakesedge is a boy with long dark hair and a sharp, beautiful face. And somehow that makes all of this so much worse.

I definitely felt the book’s strength was the aesthetics and settings. I initially thought it was modern for some reason, but it’s actually an epic fantasy world! Basically it’s all cottages and little villages with folklore and superstitions, overlooked by the big lord in the manor — who is rumoured to be a monster after killing his whole family. But when he comes to Violeta’s village for their annual tithe, she is like: “Ah, beautiful tortured looking BOY.” Which, you know, he is just that. The world building is sparse but it mostly focuses most on the magic: how there is a Lady Light and a Lord Under, how the lord’s estate is riddled with foul magical corruption. How if they don’t fix it, it will consume the world. It is about black magic devouring people, the deep sadness of sacrifice, the way you’d die for people you love.

Boys turning into monsters and forced to do monstrous things is so what I like reading, so I loved this aspect a lot. Especially with corrupt poisonous magic eating Rowan alive, and Violeta’s little brother Arien oozing black shadows that he can’t control. Add in a gothic, rambling estate with its lake of horrors and Violeta talking to dark gods? Yes, yes.

I slump back down on the bed. I can’t stop shivering. Because the real horrors of Lakesedge aren’t in this room. They’re on the blackened shore of an endless lake, where a monster fed the ground with his blood. Where my brother will go, with magic and shadows, to try to mend it all.

Two things though:
1. Violeta was a very typical YA heroine who was definitely The Main Character in ever aspect of her life. She always assumed she knew best, crashed every situation without asking clarity from anyone, and would override everyone’s wishes because she Knew Best. Though it came from a place of her just wanting to protect those she loved.
2. If you like slow-paced books, this will be for you!! We have a group of loveable characters working on alchemy and spells at the estate to heal the corruption, but not a lot of plot happens. The romance is also very fast.

Overall, it’s beautifully written and it’s so easy to be sucked into the dark, eerie world of haunts and insidious black magic, contrasted against lovely gardens and estates and lace dresses and romance.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy! Out August, 2021.

There are monsters in the world.
When Violeta Graceling arrives at haunted Lakesedge estate, she expects to find a monster. She knows the terrifying rumours about Rowan Sylvanan, who drowned his entire family when he was a boy. But neither the estate nor the monster are what they seem.
There are monsters in the woods.
As Leta falls for Rowan, she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under, the sinister death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is inexplicably drawn . . .
There’s a monster in the shadows, and now it knows my name.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Booktopia | Publisher AUS

 

The Memory of Souls (#3) by Jenn Lyons — My Favourite Series Just Keeps Getting Better

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I have found myΒ  new series obsession in A Chorus of Dragons. πŸ˜©πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

You know when a book is so good you don’t even want to review it because you’ll have to condense your jumble of feels into wORDS??? Me right now πŸ˜ͺ This series has cemented itself as an absolute favourite. It doesn’t just live in my head rent free, it parties up there. I don’t even need to make memes or tumblr jokes about it because they are just…canon. On the page. If we had a dollar for every time Thurvishar corrected Kihrin or demurely agreed he is a complete dumbass, we would be rich.

Note: This is book 3 in the Chorus of Dragons series! There are no spoilers in this review, but it may spoil things from the first two books. My reviews for The Ruin of Kings (1) and The Name of All Things (2).

The characters own my heart, but the story itself is just phenomenal — twisty and complex, with a deliciously vibrant and vast world, and history that can leaves you in awe. Yes, I do get a bit confused at the family tree since there is soul-swapping and reincarnation galore. By the end there are a lot of characters and, like Kihrin, I have but one braincell. But I still kept up and thoroughly wholly enjoyed myself as the plot twists unravelled and the audience (me *sobbing*) is left to gasp in awe, horror, and shock.

Also I am so thoroughly here for the howΒ  it’s just 600 pages of morally grey characters. The best part about the villains (I can’t even NAME villains because it’s truly about perspective after a while) is how each thinks they’re truly doing the best they can for themselves but also the world. It’s so, so well written.

Right so THE CHARACTERS. 😭 You already know I’m obsessed. We finally have the gang of four together: Janel, Kihrin, Taraeth and Thurvishar. And the dynamics!! Thurvishar just being tired as the other three wrangle hormones and their teen crushes πŸ˜ͺ Β Kihrin finally has his sexuality meltdown while everyone watches patiently and is just like “you’ll be fine bro”. Still shipping Janel, Taraeth, and Kihrin together. They are solidly fools and I love them. I appreciate how affably the series includes trans and genderqueer characters. Yes, there are some countries that still oppress it, but the vanΔ“ are just like…gay. All of them. (Proof that fantasy worlds don’t need to have all of the same oppression as our worlds.)

I also love the vastness of the world. The travelling they did was not boring! The whole tone of the book was almost self-depreciating and it indulged us with humour and domestic moments, as well as the most brutal boss battle yet. The ending was phenomenal. I screamed into my sleeve. But did I mention the fREAkINg cliffHAnGER–

It’s cemented as one of my all time favourites and I just pine for the next volume.

I also still am listening to the audios, and the narrators are the best, they’re so expressive and fun and utterly perfect. So in summary, perfect book is perfect πŸ˜ͺ and I’m a smear on the carpet by this point. (BUT THAT ENDING WHAT THE–)

THE LONGER HE LIVES,
THE MORE DANGEROUS HE BECOMES.
Now that Relos Var’s plans have been revealed and demons are free to rampage across the empire, the fulfillment of the ancient propheciesβ€”and the end of the worldβ€”is closer than ever.
To buy time for humanity, Kihrin needs to convince the king of the Manol vanΓ© to perform an ancient ritual which will strip the entire race of their immortality, but it’s a ritual which certain vanΓ© will do anything to prevent. Including assassinating the messengers.
Worse, Kihrin must come to terms with the horrifying possibility that his connection to the king of demons, Vol Karoth, is growing steadily in strength.
How can he hope to save anyone when he might turn out to be the greatest threat of them all?

Goodreads | Book Depository

[Blog Tour] Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski – Vampires, Darkling Forests, Banter!

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You know what? I’m going to describe Disenchanted as a ‘darkling delight’.

I loved this book 😍 It was everything I want in YA fantasy: monsters in the woods, cluelessly lovely princess, love-to-hate romance, sass and bickering, and a thunderingly epic ending. I’m kicking off the MTMC Blog Tour for Disenchanted today, so get ready for (1) me flailing, and (2) a giveaway!!

THANK YOU TOΒ MTMC TOURSΒ FOR HAVING ME!

A Breton princess at the peak of the French Renaissance, Lilac lives prisoner in her parents’ castle after a wicked secret is revealed on the eve of her tenth birthday soirΓ©e. Years later, her coronation ceremony looms, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobleman bent on snatching the throne, Lilac prepares for the worst…
Until a mysterious letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, detailing a curious offer to cure her darkness forever. Lilac begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande in pursuit of the impious enchantress at the edge of town. With only the protection of an inherited dagger-and, unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest-she must traverse Brocèliande and return in time to claim her rightful position as sovereign monarch.
This is the story of a cursed princess,
A crestfallen killer,
The town that wants them to burn,
And the witch that can save them both.

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

 

With an education in Mass Communication–and an engrossment in all that is curious and bewitching–Brianna Sugalski is an author and blog editor at the Parliament House Press.
The Filipino-American author was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, but travels the country every few years with her husband and two children. She admires the luminaries of the Victorian Era; growing up reading period literature, folklore, and fables has inspired her to paint vibrant settings of nature and narratives that readers will hopefully enjoy.
Ultimately, she aspires to make her own readers laugh, to challenge their perspectives on society and systemic prejudice, and to help them discover the magical meaning of their own powers within.

Website | Twitter | Amazon | Instagram

1. Dark forest full of dark creatures.

Look you just have to say MONSTERS and WOODS to me and I’m there. Obsessed. It’s one of my favourite combinations and I can’t get enough.Β  InΒ Disenchanted, Princess Lilac braves the BrocΓ¨liande where all the monsters (vampires, ogres, fae, and more) have been banished to. Humans do not go in there. But Lilac needs to find a witch to cure her curse…the curse of being able to understand the wicked speech of monsters. It’s alienated her from her people and, if they’re going to accept her as queen, she needs it gone.

Basically the forest is FANTASTIC. I loved every moment of their travels (no lagging pace there too!) and the visits to the vampire den and the tired old supernatural inn and the fae glens…it was all incredible. Also they are dark monsters, pretty monsters. But also soft monsters πŸ₯Ί.

2. The actual existence of Princess Lilac.

I just loved her?! For so so many reasons. LikeΒ  (a) she loves pastries and literally packed her runaway sack full of…3 dresses, some matches, aND PASTRIES. (b) She flaps about absolutely cluelessly but also passionately. (c) She loves her people, even though they’ve shunnedΒ  her, and she struggles to believe anything or anyone is evil…until they prove it. (d) She has zero time for toxic masculinity. (e) She is all πŸ€¨πŸ™ŒπŸ»about her goals. You stand in her way? You get glared at as she stomps on past.

She’s terrified on this wild, insane adventure. AND she’s brave.

3. There is banter and bickering πŸ‘€πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

All books should have banter, this is just my entire opinion tbh. Banter is like the gift and blessing of the love-to-hate trope and we have that here gloriously. Also just love when the bickering happens because two characters are begrudgingly and lovingly caring for each other πŸ₯Ί

“You’re the one who kidnapped me.”
“If I had known you’d be this annoying, I definitely would’ve let the Morgen drown you back there.”

4. Vampires trying to do better.

Garin is the love interest and a vampire….which, I actually am not drawn to vampire stories usually? But I really liked this one. There’s a lot of classic vampire vibes here: they can’t go out in sunlight, they need invitations into a home, drinking blood of course, they get very protective over their….prey/lovers/either-or. πŸ˜‚ The overprotective alpha-male thing didn’t get too over-strong though, which I’m glad because that’s not my thing! While Garin wrestled deeply with his monstrous side vs falling for a soft pretty princess, he definitely is not The Good Guy.

But he is a bit like:

Garin: I am terrible, unforgivable, I’ve ripped out tHROATS–
Lilac: my clothes are so filthy and blood soaked
Garin: allow me to wash them for you

5. It has magic! Humour! Deathly scenes! Politics!

And the underlying theme of: no one is born “wrong”. Your abilities and the things you can do are not a mistake πŸ’›This was just such a fiercely fun read, I had such a good time!

Hi Brianna! So lovely to have you here to chat all a bout your incredible book today πŸ˜πŸ™ŒπŸ» Can you tell us about your publishing journey? How your book went from seed idea to finished novel?

Yes of course! So in 2017, my family experienced the stillbirth of our first daughter, which really brought us within ourselves. For me, that looked like a LOT of writing, which quelled my anxiety. For whatever reason, I began with poems about an imperfect princess, and then those led to poems about a monster who just enjoyed being a monster. Six months later I looked at these poems which I would either toss away or maybe self-publish into a small collection, and I saidβ€”wait, there’s a story to be told here. Each poem became a chapter of my full first draft.

I had fully intended to self publish because the querying process (back then I didn’t even know what it was called) was daunting to me, so I hired an editor to do two proofreading/ content passes and fully invested in this manuscript.

At the end of the second pass, I had just started to get into the writing community on Instagram and Twitter via my publishing internship, and found out about PitMad and PitchWars. I, totally new to this, nervously and with the blessing of my editor, participated last minute in PitchWars in Spring of 2018–and Disenchanted got picked up by the publisher I’d had my eye on all along!

I’m so sorry for your loss, but so glad you were able to write through it all πŸ’› Tell us how you decided on the title! Did it go through any changes?

Oh goodness, YES. So from the poetry to my second draft, I called it THE WOODS OF DUSK AND DAWN. But then, i found it to be general and sort of irrelevant to what the book had actually becameβ€”I thought in the beginning it was going to be this badass epic fantasy, but in the end it became more heartfelt, a little more romantic, a lot funnier. Disenchanted is such a great term to describe the undertone of the book haha. The real challenge is titling the sequel and possible third book.

AndΒ  the title honestly is perfect!! Tell us 3 random facts about Lilac!

Okay soβ€”

1. Lilac’s favorite pastries are tarts, raspberry or strawberry.
2. Deep down, she’s very interested in learning how to ride horses, as that ability/ privilege of royal lifestyle was stripped from her when her ability was found out at an early age.
3. She has a hidden talent for picking locks…

Lilac’s love of pastries is just so relatable πŸ‘€πŸ‘ŒπŸ» Which part of a novel do you love writing the best: the beginning, the middle, or the end?

My favorite part of writing disenchanted was when Lilac and Garin got to know each other, so that would probably be, without giving too much away, the beginning-middle? Around chapter fourβ€”disenchanted is the first book I wrote and WIP I had, but I think that applies to the kind of fantasy I enjoy in general. Chapters 3 and 4 are when things pick up steam!

All of their interactions were the absoulte best ahhh!! And now lastly! Was any chocolate harmed in the making of this novel?

Oh, Paperfury. Far more than I care to admit.

You have only our full understanding here 😌✨ Thank you so much for these wonderful answers!!Β  It’s been amazing chatting 😍

 

 

Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a book of your choice from Book Depository (up to $22 USD) + an ebook of Disenchanted!

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October 12 – Paperfury
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October 15 – The Reader and the Chef
October 16 – Gwendalyn’s Books
October 17 – My Bookish Court
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October 19 – Alissa’s Booktopia
October 20 – The Caffeinated Reader
October 21 – Eternal Chapters

tell me if you like vampire books!! what are your faves? is this one on your tbr?

 

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner [Magic and Technology Collide!!]

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This is a story of survival and contrasts, culture clashes and secrets.

It has such a fascinating mix of technology and magic (I thought it was sci-fi at first, but now I think it’s epic fantasy!) with a city in the sky and a city down below — and neither acknowledging the other exists. Until a boy crashes his plane Below and finds this whole other world on the brink of destruction and a goddess with missing magical powers trying to save them all.

I was excited for a new series from this author duo!

I really loved Kaufman and Spooner’s first trilogy, These Broken Stars! The Other Side of the Sky gave me tons of similar vibes too: survival on an unknown planet, lots of odd creatures lurking in the jungles, and super intricate world building. I definitely think the focus in this book was world building > characters. I did like the characters, but the world was so vast and fascinating. There’s deadly mist that can murder you or bless you with magic powers. Steel can stop magic. There are plane gliders and engines that suspend whole cities thousands of metres up in the air. There are living deities vs calculating kings. Prophecies and destinies! If you choose to believe them…

The story is mostly set in Below. This world of harsh survival and rivers and jungle. Everyone mostly lives on boats in the water, and life revolves around the goddess who is meant to save them all. (There are also cultists who want to murder her, ya know. We all have our pests.) I reeeeally was interested in the sky cities though, but I have a feeling that will be in the sequel.

Below they think the people in the sky are gods. In the sky, they think there’s nothing Below. The collision of the two cultures when North falls to the ground is a clash of culture and confusion. North believes in technology while Nimh believes in magic. (And I did laugh how North is like “Science is real because you can explain it.” And Nimh is like, “Okay explain your watch.” North: “jafdskld um…sciencey stuff…ajfdkslad.” πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚)

The characters

Okay so we have two alternating points of view: North and Nimh.

Nimh is a goddess who can never be touched. She takes her job very seriously, but she’s lonely and worried she’s a fraud because her powers haven’t manifested yet. She thinks North is part of a prophecy that will save them all. She also has a CAT. The BINDLE CAT. Who is opinionated and demanding and wonderful!! 10/10 to the cat.

North is a lovely and polite dumbass, which we stan quite frankly. He’s a prince in the sky and he has lots of grand ideas and schemes, that are all…terrible. And go wrong. πŸ˜‚I did enjoy his chapters the most.

There’s also lots of casual queer rep which was AMAZING. In the Sky, North has two mothers (his bloodmother and his heartmother πŸ₯ΊπŸ’›) and he’s in love with his two best friends and they plan to all marry and make a Three! πŸ˜­πŸ’› Down Below, there’s also sapphic side characters and none of this is questioned. It just is, which I really liked.

I do think though, that because the book was world focused, instead of character focused, I missed a lot of connection I’d love to have. Nimh goes through some things I was waiting for her to really be shaken by, but…she sort of just gets over it. North is supposed to be in love with his best friends but once he’s Below he barely thinks of them and really quickly gets this crush on Nimh. And the villain just didn’t seem scary to me oops.

it’s a thick and fascinating tome with intricate world building and layers of prophecy and entangled magic.

There are some great twists, aching loneliness in the characters, and desperation to be known and understand for who you are, not who you wereΒ toldΒ you should be.

Thanks Allen & Unwin for the review copy! The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is out Sept 1, 2020.

Two worlds, two hearts and a choice that will shape their fate forever.
Prince North’s home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate unknown technology. But North believes his sky island is sinking. Its engines are failing, and the key to saving his home is to venture to the place the engines were first created.
Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the surface, responsible for providing answers, direction – hope. But in the midst of the surface’s worst crisis yet, a mist that spreads madness and poison, doubts have arisen among the people about Nimh’s divinity. She must find a way to manifest her power – before she is overthrown, and all is lost.
North’s and Nimh’s lives are entwined – though their hearts can never be. Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose to either save their people, or succumb to the bond that is forbidden to them.

Goodreads | Book DepositoryΒ | Amazon | Publisher

have you read any of the other books by these two authors? do you prefer scifi or fantasy? 😍

 

Fable by Adrienne Young [Dark And Gritty Tale of the Sea and Survival]

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Dark fantasy and books about the sea absolutely call to me.

I want them all. This was my first time reading an Adrienne Young book and I liked it! It had the right amount of description and action; heart-punching phrases contrasted with taut action scenes. It really was easy to read too. And it was quite dark. It’s set in this brittle, cruel world of ships and traders, knives and murder, and softness is not only unforgivable — it’ll get you killed. Fable is the kind of character thrown into situations where she should drown, but she just refuses to give up.

Though I swear she ate like two meals the whole book and this child is stressing me out. πŸ€¨πŸ™ŒπŸ» Every time she went diving I was just accidentally holding my breath. So all the points to this book for making me realise my lungs are like little deflated grapes.

note: I read an eARC from Netgalley so I edited the cover in for the photo!

the story…

Fable is a dredger, skilled at diving for gems and staying underwater for ages. After her cold father dumps her on the most ruthless and cruel island ever to fight and work her way off, to prove to him she can survive this world, Fable does just that. She also gets tangled up with the crew of theΒ Marigold so the book leans into found-family. It’s not technically about pirates, but definitely has that vibe to it. Lots of ship terminology and sailing. Bit o’ diving. I think the thing I was most surprised about is there’s no grand finale. I’m guessing the story will read like ONE just stretched over two books, but the petering out ending confused me. The ruthless beginning was my favourite.

It was a world poised on the tip of a knife.

the characters…

The world is really harsh, so all the characters are too. I did end up liking the crew of the Marigold! They’re a bunch of orphans and waifs, teens who are harsh as the sea but loyal as anything to each other. I just…wanted to get to know them better? Was hoping for like Dregs (from Six of Crows) sort of dynamics, but only Will and West get many speaking lines. Fable herself is admirable with surviving the hard world, but she’s not very dynamic and I couldn’t describe her personality. Definitely keen to see what book 2 brings!!

You weren’t made for this world, Fable.

Overall it’s a fantasy of cruelty and loyalty, of survival against a world that wants nothing more than to drag you under.

It felt like a rallying cheer to the underdogs, and definitely suits anyone looking for a sea-themed adventure where love is a terrible risk.

“I’m on the Marigold to crew.”
“No, you’re not.” She sighed, getting to her feet. “You’re on the Marigold to find a family.”

Thanks Wednesday Books on Netgalley for the eARC! Fable by Adrienne Young comes out Sept 1, 2020.

As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.
But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive.
Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

Goodreads | Book DepositoryΒ | Amazon | Publisher

do you like harsh settings and underdog characters?? tell me your faves and what you think of this one? πŸ‘€

 

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko [Best YA Fantasy of 2020!!! Can I say?!]

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This book is just a RAY of excellence.

….And I will not apologise for using a completely appropriate title pun just now 😌 I just absolutely adored every page of Raybearer. (Well I listened to the audiobook, which was also incredible and I can’t recommend enough!!) It felt fresh and powerful, creative but also gives that comfort of a good sprawling fantasy world that you can just lose yourself in.

I suspect this will be the best YA fantasy I’ll read this year and I am here, in awe.

the characters were everything

This is generally what sells a book for me, and oh I love the cast of Raybearer so much. Tarisai is cunning and clever, soft and vulnerable. She just wants a family and to be loveeeeed. Her voice is spectacular; she has the kind of narration that makes every scene a delight to be in. She also has a very specific gift: she can see the memories of a person or object just by touching them. She can also erase or dull memories, and she actually uses this for good to take away her childhood friends’ bad dreams. πŸ₯Ί

The side characters also stole my heart too. I loved Dayo (the prince) and his and Tarisai’s really tight friendship. Then there’s Kirah who was practical and clever but also that mothering friend. And Sanjeet! The one who is too tol, too intimidating…but secretly an utter marshmallow. (Also can we take a second of deep appreciation that a YA book exists where the first boy Tarisai meets isn’t the love interest πŸ˜‚πŸ‘ŒπŸ» thank you.)

The complexities of the villains (are they villains πŸ‘€) were also thoroughly captivating. I also loved the coming-of-age bent to this. The prince and his Eleven are still only growing up, so while they learn politics, the adults are still busy controlling the world. Their backstory was both layered and dark and fascinating too.

This is also #ownvoices Black fantasy and all the characters (I think!) are Black too!

let’s talk about the plot

The world is so deliciously complex and huge, it had so many layers. It felt REAL. Vast and unmappable. You don’t have to remember or understand every people group or country, because it reminds you of who is who until you fall into the rhythm of the story. I genuinely appreciate a complex world and history! The backstory is amazing too. Like you could easily want a prequel following The Lady’s life?! (Or am I just craving more from this author…also that.)

The story starts when Tarisai is young: it follows her growing up under tutors and being taught to be terrifically smart. But all she wants is the love and affection of her distant mother, known only as The Lady. At 12 years old, Tarisai is taken to the palace to join the contest to become one of the prince’s sacred 11. This is how the kingdom is ruled: the king (the Raybearer) has a council of 11 and they are all completely interwoven and close and can talk through their minds and all linked by deep deep love.

Of course there are SO many twists and backstories and I’m not even going to go into it too deeply because just read it!!!! But least to say Tarisai gets chosen by the prince and the world unravels and changes from there.

It isn’t action packed and fast, which isn’t a downside, just something to know!

list of other things I loved

  • there is an ace side character!!
  • it talks intricately about culture, what the loss of it means, how controlling people so often backfires
  • it has SO MUCH FOUND FAMILY LOVE
  • friends to lovers πŸ₯°
  • gorgeous writing on every page
  • also very morally grey πŸ‘€πŸ‘ŒπŸ»
  • the ending has phenomenal twists
  • magic! so many kinds with so many impacts

Raybearer really captured my heart and imagination, and I can’t properly articulate just how exquisite this story is. It was creative and nuanced, beautiful and layered. I’m still thinking about it days later and aching with need for the sequel — because w o w that ending has left me both whole and wrecked. I love.

Thanks Netgalley, Blackstone and AMulet Books for the audiobook! Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is out August 18th, 2020.

Nothing is more important than loyalty.
But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawnβ€”but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we’re willing to go for the ones we love.

Goodreads | Book DepositoryΒ | Amazon | Publisher

tell me some of your favourite 2020 YA releases so far!! 😍is this on your TBR? do you like epic fantasy?

 

[Blog Tour & Giveaway] Unravel The Dusk by Elizabeth Lim — A Glittering and Bloody Finale

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Welcome to my stop on the tour for Unravel The Dusk!

You probably remember me being completely starry-eyed over Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim last year 😍✨I’ve been thoroughly counting down the day still this gorgeous sequel was in my hands. It’s full of high stakes, demons, starcrossed lovers, and Maia discovering who she really is: tailor or monster or girl.

I also have a giveaway happening on my instagram!

THANK YOU TO MTMC TOURS AND PRH INTERNATIONAL FOR HAVING ME!

Unravel The Dusk (book #2) by Elizabeth Lim is out now.

The thrilling sequel to SPIN THE DAWN, a magical series steeped in Chinese culture.
Maia Tamarin’s journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. The boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor’s bride-to-be to keep the peace.
But the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It’s only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.

Amazon | Goodreads | Book Depository | B&N | PRH International Sales

Elizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, “Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that’s kinda cool!” But after one of her teachers told her she had “too much voice” in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English. Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel — for kicks, at first, then things became serious — and she hasn’t looked back since. Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

This is a tale of magic, bloodshed, and destiny.

What I really loved about book one was the magic, and I’m so glad this sequel deeply explored the magical powers of the dresses Maia completed in book one. She made three dresses from: (1)Β the laughter of the sun (2) the tears of the moon, and (3) the blood of the stars. Now we get to see what these dresses DO. And their power is dark and fathomless. But there’s a catch Maia didn’t anticipate — she poured herself into the dresses as she tailored them, so they’re not just garments. They are part of her. Their power is hers.

And what is she going to do with it?

Demons. Enchanters. Emperors.

So the story takes off basically where the last one left off: Edan is gone and Maia is finally imperial tailor (they know she’s a woman) and the emperor is set to marry Lady Sarnai (who hates him). War is imminent if this marriage is not successful. Maia just wants everyone to DO THEIR JOB. She is so tired and stressed and sick of losing people. Her family. Her love. Her dreams. And she sacrificed a lot in book 1, so we’re seeing the repercussions there. I really love books about monstrous curses, demons, and fighting your inner darkness, so this was excellent. Maia’s dark side is now seeping into her life and she has no idea if she’ll lose who she is entirely.

I did miss Edan a lot — the humour and wit of Maia/Edan’s relationship isn’t in this one — but we have such high stakes and moments of heartbreak and valiance, I think the more serious tone sat well with the story. And Edan is still such a soft dork πŸ₯Ίsomeone called him a cowherd’s son and he’s like: “Rude???? I mean it’s true but also rude.🀨” I love him so much.

A powerful finale.

We have wars, battles, and impossible stakes all through this book. It’s here to keep your heart in your mouth as you have no idea what the fate of the universe will be. Can monstrous people do good? How do you hold onto yourself when you’ve sacrificed your soul to save those you love?

There’s war, destruction, gorgeous displays of magic, and aching hearts. This is a powerful, blood-soaked finale of magic dresses and demon girls.

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did you read Spin the Dawn? are you excited for the sequel!! tell me your favourite Asian fantasy books!

 

[Blog Tour & Giveaway] 5 Reasons To Read Beneath Cruel Fathoms by Anela Deen

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Welcome to my stop on the tour for Beneath Cruel Fathoms!

You know that feeling when you read a really good book and you turn those final pages, close it, and softly scream inside because it was both so satisfying and good AND you want the sequel?? Me, right now. With Beneath Cruel Fathoms. This whole book was such a breath of fresh sea air (shh I can use ocean puns; the book asked for it), so I’m absolutely going to convince you to read it. Your TBR will thank me, I know it will.

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is the first book in The Bitter Sea Trilogy, an Adult Fantasy series based on Norse ocean mythology where merfolk, violent storms, restless seas, and dark magic stirs the mysterious Failock Sea. It’s also out now!

THANK YOU TO MTMC TOURS FOR HAVING ME!

Beneath Cruel Fathoms (book #1) by Anela Deen is out now.

After a violent storm destroys her ship, Isaura Johansdottir knows better than to hope she’ll be rescued from Eisland’s vast Failock Sea. Adrift and alone, her plans to start over lost, it’s a tragic conclusion after the disastrous end of her marriageβ€”until she’s saved by Leonel, one of the merfolk, a creature long believed extinct. In repayment for her life, Leonel enlists her help to investigate the Failock’s mysterious and deadly plague of squalls. But when Isaura discovers Eisland’s ruthless new Lord commands the storms, her life will be in more danger on land than it ever was at sea.
As guardian of the Fathoms, Leonel must find the cause of unnatural storms ravaging the tidal currents and destroying the sea life. There are rumors of dark magic stirring in the Orom Abyss, the resting place of old, vanquished gods who tried to submerge the land millennia ago. Yet without proof, no one in King Γ†gir’s court will listen to him. And if it’s discovered he broke the Blue Laws to save a shipwrecked landweller, he might not survive the consequences.
As storms spread, Leonel and Isaura uncover secrets as forbidden as the bond that grows between them. Betrayal lurks in the restless sea, and when ancient powers lay siege to Eisland’s coast, the truth may be drowned along with everything else.

Amazon | Goodreads |Β Website | Twitter |Β Instagram

1. Gods And Merfolk And The Sea Aesthetic

I’m slightly in love with the ocean 😍 I live 5 minutes away from the coast and walk there every day and it is just about my favourite thing. So books that just give life to the sea, with the salt and storm aesthetic of the waves…agh, I’m sold immediately. Plus we have Leonel, the last of the merfolk and ostracised in the underwater gods’ court because of being a bastard and a mortal. And the gods are based of North Mythology and they are mean. You know what they say about family: can’t live without them, can’t turn around in case they stab you in the gills.Β πŸ˜ŒπŸ‘ŒπŸ»

2. It has the best trope ever: paranormal creature finds the human world awkward.

Leonel will just about steal your whole heart with his wholesome naivety. Merfolk can shapeshift to having two legs, but he does NOT do this often — until he meets Isaura. But he thinks human things are so odd and he’s constantly perplexed but them and afjdskald I just love this. I will never get tired reading about the magical powerful protector fish man of the sea…being like: “These are very cute little bowls you use to carry around liquid.” He can fight the underwater undead but he, himself, is defeated by pants.

Basically Leonel:

Leonel: why do these pants have so many small shells???
Isaura: …..those are buttons
Leonel: why are there so many????? did you give me these pants because you don’t like me?!
Isaura: πŸ™„

She put up with so much, so graciously (because she LOVES this dumb fish boy).

3. The romance is just so utterly heart melting. I will never be over it.

Leonel and Isaura together…I can’t even say how much I love them. They have culture clashes and he is terse at first and she is grumpy back. But he saved her from drowning and then she, as healer, takes care of him later on. They slowly agree to be friends, and then slowly agree to be friends who kiss sometimes. πŸ₯Ί And I just appreciated the sweet tentativeness of it. Leonel has no idea how to be loved and Isaura is struggling with feelings of brokenness after discovering she’s infertile and having that fact end her first marriage. They both believe they are unworthy. And they slowly see those lies for what they are.

4. Absolutely excellent quips!

I really love books that add in humour and this did it so so well! It had me smiling with Isaura’s quips and Leonel’s being softly confused at human culture. Isaura’s family also made my DAY — her aunt is so funny, her dad is blustery and soft and gentle, and she has an adopted brother who pretends he doesn’t need tea cakes…but he really needed tea cakes.

(Also Jurek and Isaura call each other “heart brother/sister” because he’s adopted.πŸ₯ΊAgain, I MELT on you. Every relationship in here filled my heart.)

5. The plot has both magical mystery and high stakes.

It honestly was enthralling. There are mysterious magic-infused storms murdering sailors and destroying ships, and Leonel wants to stop this before it hurts too much of the ocean. He protects the ocean so hard. And he and Isaura team up to unravel clues. There’s also locked up gods and twists in the underwater court. The pacing was utterly perfect for it too — never a dull moment, but also infused with the soft sweet ones. It also got bloody, wrenched feels, and ended with me needing the sequel. This book!!!

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is an exquisitely heart-capturing book of lonesome brokenness, relearning your own power, and unravelling the darkness and cruel delights of gods and magic under the sea. I fell wholly in love with it and was so hooked to every page!

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Enter the rafflecopter below to win a kindle copy of Beneath Cruel Fathoms! Open INTL.



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which books about the sea (mermaids a bonus!) do you love? πŸ‘€tell me if I’ve managed to convince you to try this one!

 

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons [Oh But I Ferociously Loved It]

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I FINALLY FINISHED READING THE RUIN OF KINGS.

I take a moment to self-five myself just because I’ve been reading for 3 months okay. (Although partially this was my fault as I was listening to an audiobook and didn’t have a lot of time to listen vs I would’ve been faster reading it with my own eyeballs. But the audio is A+ and I’m completely satisfied with my reading choice there.) The thing I love most about this book is it completely enchanted me. I go through phases of being obsessed and then turned off epic fantasy. And this just came at a point where I was obsessed. ItΒ made me obsessed. It had weak patches (in my opinion) but overall it just captivated me. Complex. Wicked. Sassy. Intricately detailed.Β It’s what I crave.

She pushed a dagger into my hands. “And now you are a man with a knife. Woe to the Empire.”

[the story]

It had a lot of trappings of a good ol’ epic fantasy: an empire built on the backs of slaves, dragons, assassin guilds, demons and wizards. It had an insanely complex family tree — made 500 x more complex by the fact nobody could stop swapping their fREAKING SOULS AND BODIES. (“Yes I am your relative, just soul-swapped so now I’m not technically related but still!!”) And they all lied about their identities. And then there were complex family trees. And ancient civilisations merging into newer ones. (I imagined the vanΔ“ as elven type people please no one correct me because Taraeth is my new Legolas.) And THEN ON TOP OF THAT we have reincarnation and rebirth!!!!!

Are you confused!!! I was confused!! At one point the footnote writer said, “Look. It’s complicated and confusing don’t worry about it.”

SIDE POINT: there are footnotes and god bless these footnotes they are so hilarious. And once I knew who was writing them I liked it even more. It basically went like:

Character: And then this happened which mean this.
Footnote writer: Well they’re WRONG and uNEDCUATED and Khirin is dumb!!!! But nevermind keep reading.

Bless.

πŸ“– If you don’t want to die while reading, Tor helpfully has chapter-by-chapter breakdowns.

So yes it was complicated in plot, but enticing and intriguing.

And while at times I felt dizzy, I thoroughly loved being absorbed into a complexly layered world with juicy, violent history. And at the end so many reveals just made me just up and scream. My only disappointments were (A) Taraeth just got FORGOTTEN in the finale?!? He was as useless as a cobblestone. I can’t even I was so disappointed. (B) Khirin is dumb. This doesn’t come as a surprise but I was just sitting here all πŸ˜‘ boy learns nothing. But it was still a phenomenal ending and like I said, I screamed.

(I also think maybe the effort of getting through a 27hr audiobook had me just as ecstatic at myself as the book. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚)

[characters]

Look I listened to the audio so I don’t even want to pretend I can spell names. I also can’t even remember half of everyone since I took so long to read it. (I freaking love this book?! But I am a disaster.). The important thing was: I did love Khirin D’Mon, our protagonist. He was sassy, stupid, classic Gryffindor, heartfelt and completely unable to be squashed. He bled and I felt for him. He did something clever, and I cheered for him. Loving the protagonist is the most important thing for me in a book, so this scores well.

  • I absolutely freaking loved Tareath, a bisexual disaster, who just lived to pick fights with Khirin right up until he suggested they sleep together and Khirin was like “YOU HATE ME” and Taraeth was like “what has that got to do with anything.” Idiot. I love him. I also will continue typing both Taraeth and Tareath because I don’t know. Also he cast illusions and gave me strong Loki vibes. Also his character was criminally underused and I’m crushed.
  • Tyentso the sea-witch turned Black Brother recruit turned — [holds breath] okay I won’t tell anymore but I LOVE HER and I. absolutely. screamed. at. her. finale. plot. twist. Oh my god. You know that moment when something is so viciously satisfying? Yes.
  • Then we have Kemezra. Me @ phonetically spelling something.Β Mother of dragons. She’s old and knows everything and doesn’t tell anyone anything. Stan.
  • The whole D’Mon family was great. They’re a royal family, with Khirin being their long lost son, and they’re absolutely corrupt, poisonous, messed-up murders and demon conjurors and oblivious fools and I loved them. Darzen was despicable. Therin was fantastic for being so damply useless. Lady Miah WAS AMAZING. Love Galen, my poor soft dumb gay Hufflepuff. His and Khirin’s quick bonding as newly found brothers was adorable.
  • I should probably mention Ola and Surgeyuh (hm I don’t think I’m even trying with the spelling now) but I don’t actually care about them. Khirin’s backstory was a bit basic here and I’m a little annoyed at how he grow up in “Velvet Town”, aka, in the brothels, but we made sure to know he was still pure. It’s such a problematic trope and cliche.
  • Then we have Khirin. Idiot. Sassy-mouth. Really earnest and sweet. (Only displeased about his taste in women and his obsessive infatuation.) Thief. Reluctant royal. And OH HIS BACKSTORY. I mean, his other backstory. He has several. His whole life is a rollercoaster that just flew off the rails and everyone is screaming and barely clinging on while Khirin has his hands in the air saying “yeehaw” right before he realises he’s about to die and then he starts screaming. (However I wish there’d been a little more nuance in the mental health rep overall.)

[this is an epic fantasy that set my heart blazing]

I loved itΒ while also being confused and frankly wanting more from the finale. It’s socomplexly layered, ambitious in its history, and daunting in size, but unrelentless in its pursuit to tell a phenomenal story. And IT DID. I’m just stoked. I can’t wait to start book 2.

ps. i do admit I actually thought it was going to be more queer and I don’t know if I misread someone talking about it then? there is queer rep but as far as I can tell, not for Khirin. I need queer epic fantasy though. πŸ₯Ί Where is it.

Thanks Tor Publishing for the review-copy! The Ruin Of Kings (#1) by Jenn Lyons came out February 2018.

What if you weren’t the hero?
Kihrin grew up on tales of long-lost princes and grand quests – despite being raised in a brothel, making money as a musician and street thief. One day he overreaches by targeting an absent noble’s mansion, hunting for jewels. There he witnesses a prince performing a terrifying dark-magic ritual. Kihrin flees but he’s marked by a demon and his life will never be the same again.
That night also leads to him being claimed as a lost son of that prince’s royal house. But far from living the dream, Kihrin finds himself practically a prisoner, at the mercy of his new family’s power plays and ambitions. He must also discover why his murderous father finds Kihrin more valuable alive than dead. Soon Kihrin attempts to escape his relative’s dangerous schemes, but finds himself in far deeper waters.
He becomes tangled in a plot to kill the Emperor, rob the Imperial Vaults, claim a god-slaying sword and free bound demons to wreak havoc across the land. Kihrin also discovers the old tales lied about many things: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, true love – and the hero always winning. But maybe Kihrin isn’t fated to save the empire. He’s destined to destroy it.

Goodreads | Book Depository

do you read much adult epic fantasy?? tell me your favourites and some on your TBR!! and let me know if you’ve read this one!