The Real J.R.R. Tolkien - The Man Who Created Middle-Earth by Jesse Xander - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing The Real J.R.R. Tolkien - The Man Who Created Middle-Earth by Jesse Xander, which is a non - fiction book published by Pen & Sword and is been released tomorrow February 28th.

Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Real J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man Who Created Middle Earth is a comprehensive biography of the linguist and writer; taking the reader from his formative years of home-schooling, through the spires of Oxford, to his romance with his wife-to-be on the brink of war, and onwards into his phenomenal academic success and his creation of the seminal high fantasy world of Middle Earth. "The Real J.R.R. Tolkien" delves into his influences, places, friendships, triumphs and tragedies, with particular emphasis on how his remarkable life and loves forged the worlds of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Using contemporary sources and comprehensive research, "The Real J.R.R. Tolkien" offers a unique insight into the life and times of one of Britain's greatest authors, from cradle to grave to legacy.

Reading author biographies is one of the things I like to do and especially if they are about an author I like. That is the case with this book. Jesse Xander has done an incredible research about J.R.R. Tolkien and that shows in his writing.

I learned many things about Tolkien regarding his family and career that shaped him and his work. I liked that the author didn't show us only the good things in Tolkien's life but also the darker part of it. That way we learned more about his personality and his relationship with his wife and his friends.

Highly recommend it to any Tolkien and Middle - Earth fan.

Rating: 4 Stars

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo which is the first book in The Shadow and Bone Trilogy also know as Grishaverse. It is a YA Fantasy book that was published in 2012 by Henry Holt & Company. 

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart. 

Shadow and Bone was for a long time on my tbr and after finally reading it I can say that I really really liked it. 

First of all I loved the world - building and the Grisha magic system. I also really enjoyed Leigh Bardugo's writing. 

For me this book has everything. Action, romance, intrigues and of course many tropes, which actually I enjoyed. 

I was reading it as a buddy read but I could not keep to the schedule because I couldn't put the book down. It was fast-paced and full of plot twists that I liked.

I really enjoyed  Alina as a character but The Darkling is and will be my favourite. 

As of writing this review I have already finished the trilogy because I couldn't resist. Why I haven't read it earlier?

Rating : 4 Stars

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Daybreak by A. J. Navab - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing Daybreak by A. J. Navab, which is a debut fantasy book self - published in November 2020. 

Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an copy of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.

Let's start with the most important thing. I really liked Daybreak! 

It is an action packed fantasy book with an interesting world-building and magic system. 

I liked that the book is taking place in Japan which is not so common and I also liked the multiple POVs. I loved the characters and the friendship dynamics between them and if I had to pick one I would choose Mirai as my favourite. 

The ending was exactly what I wanted for our protagonists.

It would be great if you had more stories in this world as I would like to see more of the magic system.

I highly recommend it! 

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads

Protect the world. Preserve peace. Guard the secrets.

For centuries, Hunters have worked from the shadows to protect the world against Rev’ers. Ordinary people would call them demons but the Hunters knew these creatures for what they were. They weren’t possessed by devils, nor were they demons spat out of hell. They were just creatures from a world not found in any science books. No one on Earth knew of their existence, and the Hunters kept the balance. 

In a few short weeks, that balance will be destroyed. 

When Rev’ers go haywire and cause unpredictable destruction, Mafuyu, a Hunter, is tasked with protecting Mirai, an ex-Hunter that has left the organization for reasons not widely known, from Bezaleel. Legend has it that this First-Level Rev'er killed hundreds of men before he disappeared without a trace. Years later, he has resurfaced again. 

Mirai knows all about Bezaleel and First-Levels, but he’s been running from a dark and dangerous past. He fears that if the First-Levels get to him, then history will repeat itself. Then all of the effort he’s put in to guard crucial secrets, all of the sacrifices he’s made, will have been in vain. 

As the Hunters discover why their world has been tipped into sudden, unmanageable chaos, about Bezaleel and the Rev’ers, Mirai’s past unravels and reveals a world that no one, least of all Mafuyu, ever knew existed.

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Sword of Destiny (The Witcher #0.7) by Andrzej Sapkowski - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski which is the second short story collection in The Witcher series. As you probably know The Witcher is a fantasy book series translated from Polish and has also been made into a video game and a Netflix show.

Sword of Destiny is another collection of short stories set in The Witcher world where Geralt of Rivia has more adventures and meets his destiny. I love this world and the stories Sapkowski writes. 

In this collection we got to see more of Geralt's character and his relationship with Yennefer. We saw characters from The Last Wish but we were introduced to new ones as well. 

The relationship between Geralt and Ciri is like a father - daughter one and I really liked how this was shown. 

My favourite story is The Sword of Destiny where Geralt meets his child of destiny, Ciri.

I cannot wait to pick up the first full novel.

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.

This is a collection of short stories, following the adventures of the hit collection THE LAST WISH. Join Geralt as he battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike...

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Book Series I want to read

 Hello everyone!!

Today we are going to talk about the book series that I want to read for a long time but I haven't yet managed to.

All of them are well-known and hyped series with excellent reviews so I am confident that I will like them too.

Without further ado let's start.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

I believe that everyone knows these books and if you haven't read them you have probably watched the HBO TV series. They are 7 books in total but only the 5 of them have been published already. It is unknown when the rest will be published.

The books in the series are: 

1. A Game of Thrones

2. A Clash of Kings

3. A Storm of Swords

4. A Feast for Crows

5. A Dance with Dragons

6. The Winds of Winter (not published yet)

7. A Dream of Spring (not published yet)

The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski

This is another well-known series that became more famous after the Netflix adaptation. There are also video games inspired by them. It consists of 5 main books and 2 short story collection and I have only read the short story collections.

The best and most recommended reading order:

1. The Last Wish [short stories]

2. Sword of Destiny [short stories]

3. Blood of Elves

4. The Time of Contempt

5. Baptism of Fire

6. The Tower of the Swallow

8. Lady of the Lake

9. Season of Storms [prequel]

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I probably should have read these books earlier but you know what, never is too late with books. I have already read The Assassin's Blade which is a collection of five novellas.

The books in the series are:

1. The Assassin's Blade

2. Throne of Glass

3. Crown of Midnight

4. Heir of Fire

5. Queen of Shadows

6. Empire of Storms

7. Tower of Dawn

8. Kingdom of Ash

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Another famous series by the same author which is kind of a Beauty and the Beast retelling if I am not mistaken. 

The books in the series are:

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses

2. A Court of Mist and Fury

3. A Court of Wings and Ruin

4. A Court of Frost and Starlight

5. A Court of Silver Flames

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

I haven't read anything from Brandon Sanderson yet  and if I want to consider myself a fantasy reader I have to fix that asap.

Mistborn is an epic fantasy trilogy and a heist story of political intrigue, surprises and magical martial-arts action. The saga dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge?

This is a fantasy series, featuring one trilogy, a sequel quartet, several companion pieces of various lengths (from short stories to full novels), and future planned trilogies.

Books #1-3 are a trilogy to be read together.

Books #4-7 are sequels that take place 300 years later.

The books in the series are:

1. Mistborn: The Final Empire

2. The Well of Ascension

3. The Hero of Ages

4. The Alloy of Law

5. Shadows of Self

6. The Bands of Mourning

7. The Lost Metal (not yet published)

The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson's epic fantasy cycle tells the story of Roshar, a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain. It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. As brutal wars rage over the control of these magical weapons, an ancient text called The Way of Kings tells of ancient times, the Knights Radiant, and perhaps the true cause of the war. The Knights Radiant must stand again.

The books in the series are:

1. The Way of Kings

2. Words of Radiance

3. Edgedancer

4. Oathbringer

5. Dawnshard

6. Rhythm of War

If I keep searching I am sure I will find more series to add to my never-ending tbr but for now these ones will do.

However if you have anything to recommend I am all ears.

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

2021 New Releases Weekly - February 16th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of February 16th. There are a lot of books that are in my most anticipated list, but as I said before this list is of course incomplete as it includes only books that I am interested in and the majority of them are in the Fantasy genre.

Let' start...

A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it. 

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other. 

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts. 

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

Genre: Fantasy

Sequel to: A Court of Thorns and Roses

                 A Court of Mist and Fury

                 A Court of Wings and Ruin

                 A Court of Frost and Starlight (#3.1)

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Wayfarers #4) by Becky Chambers

With no water, no air, and no native life, the planet Gora is unremarkable. The only thing it has going for it is a chance proximity to more popular worlds, making it a decent stopover for ships traveling between the wormholes that keep the Galactic Commons connected. If deep space is a highway, Gora is just your average truck stop. 

At the Five-Hop One-Stop, long-haul spacers can stretch their legs (if they have legs, that is), and get fuel, transit permits, and assorted supplies. The Five-Hop is run by an enterprising alien and her sometimes helpful child, who work hard to provide a little piece of home to everyone passing through. 

When a freak technological failure halts all traffic to and from Gora, three strangers—all different species with different aims—are thrown together at the Five-Hop. Grounded, with nothing to do but wait, the trio—an exiled artist with an appointment to keep, a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, and a mysterious individual doing her best to help those on the fringes—are compelled to confront where they’ve been, where they might go, and what they are, or could be, to each other. 

Genre: Science Fiction

Sequel to: The Long way to a Small, Angry Planet

                  A Closed and Common Orbit

                  Record of a Spaceborn Few

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

The Black Coast (The God-King Chronicles #1) by Mike Brooks 

Epic world-building at its finest, in an upcoming author’s fantasy debut. The Black Coast is the start of an unmissable series filled with war-dragons, armoured knights, sea-faring raiders, dangerous magic and crowd-pleasing battle scenes. 

When the citizens of Black Keep see ships on the horizon, terror takes them, for they know who is coming: for generations, Black Keep has been raided by the fearsome clanspeople of Iwernia. Saddling their war dragons, the Naridans rush to defend their home only to discover that the clanspeople have not come to pillage at all. Driven from their own homeland by the rise of a daemonic despot who prophesies the end of the world, they have come in search of a new home. Meanwhile the wider continent of Narida is lurching toward war. Black Keep is about to be caught in the cross-fire of the coming war for the world – if only its new mismatched society can survive.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Orbit

Soulstar (The Kingston Cycle #3) by C.L. Polk 

With Soulstar, C. L. Polk concludes her riveting Kingston Cycle, a whirlwind of magic, politics, romance, and intrigue that began with the World Fantasy Award-winning Witchmark. Assassinations, deadly storms, and long-lost love haunt the pages of this thrilling final volume. 

For years, Robin Thorpe has kept her head down, staying among her people in the Riverside neighborhood and hiding the magic that would have her imprisoned by the state. But when Grace Hensley comes knocking on Clan Thorpe’s door, Robin’s days of hiding are at an end. As freed witches flood the streets of Kingston, scrambling to reintegrate with a kingdom that destroyed their lives, Robin begins to plot a course that will ensure a freer, juster Aeland. At the same time, she has to face her long-bottled feelings for the childhood love that vanished into an asylum twenty years ago.

 Can Robin find happiness among the rising tides of revolution? Can Kingston survive the blizzards that threaten, the desperate monarchy, and the birth throes of democracy? Find out as the Kingston Cycle comes to an end.

Genre: Fantasy

Sequel to : Witchmark

                   Stormsong

Publisher: Tordotcom

These are some of the new releases of this week.

Are you excited about them?

Do you have other ones on your radar that I should know of?

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong which is the first book in a YA fantasy  series and was published in November 2020 by Hodder & Stoughton.

The second book Our Violent Ends comes out  in November 2021 and the cover is stunning.

These Violent Delights is a heart-stopping imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River. 

First of all my favourite trope is in the book: Enemies to Lovers. Despite that I also liked the plot and the writing of the author. She had done a very good research and it felt as if you were in the 1920s Shanghai yourself. 

I enjoyed the main characters as well as the side characters. Roma is my favourite and I want to see him in the sequel to be more badass. 

I need the sequel asap because that ending killed me...

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A monster has awakened in 1920s Shanghai, killing off citizens and stirring trouble between two feuding gangs. The rival heirs, Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai, must work together before the monster destroys all they hold dear, even while the Chinese Civil War breaks out around them.

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco by Kerri Maniscalco

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco which is the first book in The Kingdom of the Wicked series. It is a YA fantasy / historical fiction book published in October 2020 by JIMMY Patterson Books. 

In the book we follow Emilia who she and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s  restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden. Then Emilia summons Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. 

Well, this was a highly anticipated book for me and thankfully it didn't disappoint. I loved the story, the pacing and I really liked the characters. Emilia is not my favourite but Wrath is as well as Nonna. I really liked the relationship between Wrath and Emilia. 

The world-building is very interesting but at some points I felt that it needed more explanation. The setting on the other hand is very atmospheric.

The ending was perfect, in my opinion, and it made me wanting to read the next book asap so I can find out what  happens and who truly is Wrath. By the way we have a title for the second book and it's Kingdom of the Cursed.

Rating: 4 Stars

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White - A Review

 Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White which is the first book in the Camelot Rising trilogy that published in November 2019 by Delacorte Press. 

Book two, The Camelot Betrayal was published in November 2020 and the final book, The Excalibur Curse will be published sometime in 2021.

It is a YA fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot. We follow Princess Guinevere who has come to Camelot to wed a stranger to her, the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution, to send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

I had high hopes for this one but unfortunately it didn't fulfill them. I still enjoyed reading but not as much as I wanted. However I want to continue with the series.

It was a very slow-paced story and sometimes it got a little boring. I didn't like  that for at least half of the book, Guinevere herself doesn’t know what she’s supposed to be doing. Merlin sends her to Camelot to protect Arthur, but he fails to mention what the threat is. I liked the ending of the book because it was something that I couldn't predict and probably the reason I gave the book three stars. Also, it was a little difficult to connect with the characters but I liked the identity of Lancelot. 

Rating: 3 Stars

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

2021 New Releases Weekly - February 9th

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of February 9th. 

There are a lot of books that are in my most anticipated list, but as I said before this list is of course incomplete as it includes only books that I am interested in and the majority of them are in the Fantasy genre.

Let's start...

The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1) by Namina Forna 

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Delacorte

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology.

Angrboda's story begins where most witches' tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love.

Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin's all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger.

With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she's foreseen for her beloved family…or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age.

Genre: Fantasy / Mythology retelling

Publisher: Ace Books

The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #1) by Julie Kagawa 

You may have heard of me...

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool… King Oberon’s right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before.

With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince consort, Puck’s longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Stormbreak (Seafire #3) by Natalie C. Parker 

In this epic conclusion to the Seafire trilogy, which Booklist called "Mad Max by way of Davy Jones," Caledonia Styx will risk everything--her heart, her crew, and even her life--to defeat Lir and take back the Bullet Seas once and for all.

Because this is the 3rd book  I won't add more to the synopsis.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to : Seafire

                  Sea Tide

Publisher: Razorbill

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard

Award-winning author Aliette de Bodard returns with a powerful romantic fantasy that reads like The Goblin Emperor meets Howl’s Moving Castle in a pre-colonial Vietnamese-esque world. 

Fire burns bright and has a long memory…. 

Quiet, thoughtful princess Thanh was sent away as a hostage to the powerful faraway country of Ephteria as a child. Now she’s returned to her mother’s imperial court, haunted not only by memories of her first romance, but by worrying magical echoes of a fire that devastated Ephteria’s royal palace. 

Thanh’s new role as a diplomat places her once again in the path of her first love, the powerful and magnetic Eldris of Ephteria, who knows exactly what she wants: romance from Thanh and much more from Thanh’s home. Eldris won’t take no for an answer, on either front. But the fire that burned down one palace is tempting Thanh with the possibility of making her own dangerous decisions. 

Can Thanh find the freedom to shape her country’s fate—and her own?

Genre: Fantasy /LGBTQ+

Publisher: TorDotCom

These are some of the new releases of this week.

Are you excited about them?

Do you have other ones on your radar that I should know of?

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

The Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship #2) by Micheline Ryckman - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

First of all I want to thank Micheline (aka @whimsicalillustration) for the opportunity of reading this book earlier by sending me an eARC.

Now, let's get to the book.

The Lion of the Sea is the second book in The Maiden Ship series by Micheline Ryckman and it is a YA fantasy that is releasing today (February 7th, 2021) by Whimsical Publishing.

Last year in December I read The Maiden Ship and it went straight to my favourites (check my review here).

As was with the first one, this book is full of action and lovely characters. We rejoined our characters from the first book and also met some new ones, who drive the plot even further. I love Micheline's writing, it's whimsical and it can transport me to the setting with no difficulties. The story picks right where it ended in The Maiden Ship and continues to be full of action. We see our characters grow and make decisions that affect everyone. 

The book had everything. Happy and sad moments and of course funny ones. The Lion of the Sea doesn't end in a cliffhanger as The Maiden Ship did but you still want to know what is going to happen with our characters. I am eager to find out how Dain & Sable's story goes on as well as the reunion of a certain couple.

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

“Perhaps the present, no matter how messy, is the perfect time to live.”

Family is not always blood, and home is where the heart is. It took Dain Alloway years to understand these foundational truths. Now the captain of The Maiden, surrounded by the found family he loves, Dain sets out to end a centuries-old genocide and prevent an oncoming war. But when the girl he loves is torn from his arms, Dain might be forced to choose between saving just her, or saving them all.

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk which is a YA historical fiction book published in January 2018 by Tor Teen. 

This book takes place in ancient Rome and its story focuses on what if Spartacus was a woman instead of a man. We follow the life of Attia, who is a Maedi princess from Trace, from the moment she was sold as a slave in Rome. 

I liked this book and I enjoyed reading it. It was a first in a series but I read that it won't continue. That's a pity! I would like to read more of about Attia's adventures and Spartacus. I liked Attia's  character and her dynamics with Xanthus, a gladiator and Champion of Rome. 

It's a beautiful fantasy / historical fantasy book full with action, gladiators and the story of Spartacus. It also discusses themes like slavery and injustice. 

We have two narrators in the book. Attia, who is a badass warrior princess and Xanthus, the gladiator who is loyal and respectful .

The book had a lot of action but it was also a little bit slow, especially at the beginning. It packed all the action and the reveals towards the end. 

Rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Forged in battle, from the dust of the arena, a legend will rise...

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

January 2021 Wrap up

 Hello everyone!!

It is already the end of January and that only means one thing, monthly reading wrap up. This month went really well! I read 7 books (4 physical books & 3 ebooks, one of them was an arc). I also participated in Medieval - a - thon (still going, ends in February 10th) and did many buddy reads.

Without further ado, let's get to the books...

The Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship #2) - Micheline Ryckman

Thanks to the author I read an eARC of this book and I really liked it. It continues right where the first one ends and I enjoyed everything about it, from the story to the characters.

Rating: 4 Stars

Publication date: February 7th 2021

Read here my review for The Maiden Ship and on Sunday I will post my review for this one too.

Sword of Destiny (The Witcher #0.7) - Andrzej Sapkowski

Another collection of short stories set in The Witcher world where Geralt of Rivia has more adventures and meets his destiny. I love this world and the stories Sapkowski writes.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #1) - Leigh Bardugo

If it wasn't for #TheLastGrishaReadalong I wouldn't have read it and I would have missed out. 

First of all I loved the world - building and the Grisha magic system. I also really enjoyed Leigh Bardugo's writing.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

A Little History of Economics - Niall Kishtainy

A enjoyed reading this non fiction book as it helped me refresh my knowledge on the subject. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the history of economics.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #2) -  Leigh Bardugo 

The second book in The Grishaverse was also really good. I liked how the story continues but I wanted more of The Darkling!

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) - Chloe Gong 

I read this one together with the girls from #booktalkwithwifey and I really really liked it. It is set in 1920s Shanghai and that makes it even more interesting. That ending though...

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy #3) - Leigh Bardugo

The final book in the trilogy and I wasn't ready. I enjoyed it more than the second book but I would have preferred a different ending to the story.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come later in the month.

Those were all the books I read in January and I hope February is a good reading month as well. 

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

The Maiden Shp (The Maiden Ship #1) by Micheline Ryckman - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing The Maiden Ship by Micheline Ryckman (aka @whimsicalillustration). This is the first book in her YA fantasy series The Maiden Ship and it was published on February 2020 by Whimsical Publishing. 

I finally read The Maiden Ship and I am in love with it. I love everything about it, the story, the setting, the magic system and of course the characters. Micheline's writing is magical and I enjoyed every bit of it. 

The story is about Dain Alloway who was only nine years old when he began a new life with his father, sailing aboard The Maiden. Eight years later, the aristocratic city-boy turned merchant-sailor feels like he lives with one foot on land, and one foot in the sea. Life floats smoothly by until the night he wakes to find a mysterious woman in his cabin. 
The events that unfold after her appearance transform Dain's world. Now, hunted by empty-faced demons, he finds himself thrown into a dangerous web of intrigue and magic. As the crisis grows, the young sailor discovers powerful gifts buried deep within, talents that might shift the tide of a centuries-old war. Whether or not he's ready, Dain will have to risk it all for the salvation and freedom of those he loves.

The story had the action it needed and the necessary character development. Dain is an amazing protagonist. He is sensitive but also strong and determined. But the secondary characters are great as well. Sable and Mo were among my favourites.

The ending of the book was a little unexpected and left my with many questions and now all I want to do is know more. Thankfully, thanks to Micheline, I have an eARC for the next one, The Lion of the Sea which I will read asap. 

Rating: 5 Stars

The Lion of the Sea, the next book in the series releases on February 7th 2021 and you can preorder it now.

Micheline is a wonderful creator. She is an incredible artist and a great writer as well. Check out her books and her art on her website: https://whimsicalpublishing.ca/

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More

2021 New Releases Weekly - February 2nd

 Hello everyone!!

 

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of February 2nd. There are a lot of books that are in my most anticipated list, but as I said before this list is of course incomplete as it includes only books that I am interested in and the majority of them are in the Fantasy genre.

Let's start...

 

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. 

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Atria Books

Daughter of the Salt King (Salt Chasers #1) by A.S. Thornton 

As a daughter of the Salt King, Emel ought to be among the most powerful women in the desert. Instead, she and her sisters have less freedom than even her father's slaves … for the Salt King uses his own daughters to seduce visiting noblemen into becoming powerful allies by marriage.

Escape from her father's court seems impossible, and Emel dreams of a life where she can choose her fate. When members of a secret rebellion attack, Emel stumbles upon an alluring escape route: her father's best-kept secret—a wish-granting jinni, Saalim. 

But in the land of the Salt King, wishes are never what they seem. Saalim's magic is volatile. Emel could lose everything with a wish for her freedom as the rebellion intensifies around her. She soon finds herself playing a dangerous game that pits dreams against responsibility and love against the promise of freedom. As she finds herself drawn to the jinni for more than his magic, captivated by both him and the world he shows her outside her desert village, she has to decide if freedom is worth the loss of her family, her home and Saalim, the only man she's ever loved. 

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: CamCat Books

All the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth #2) by Adalyn Grace 

Through blood and sacrifice, Amora Montara has conquered a rebellion and taken her rightful place as queen of Visidia. Now, with the islands in turmoil and the people questioning her authority, Amora cannot allow anyone to see her weaknesses. 

No one can know about the curse in her bloodline. No one can know that she’s lost her magic. No one can know the truth about the boy who holds the missing half of her soul. 

To save herself and Visidia, Amora embarks on a desperate quest for a mythical artifact that could fix everything―but it comes at a terrible cost. As she tries to balance her loyalty to her people, her crew, and the desires of her heart, Amora will soon discover that the power to rule might destroy her.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: All the Stars and Teeth

Publisher: Imprint

A History of What Comes Next (A History of What Comes Next #1) by Sylvain Neuvel 

Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a scfi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next. 

Over 99 identical generations, Mia’s family has shaped human history to push them to the stars, making brutal, wrenching choices and sacrificing countless lives. Her turn comes at the dawn of the age of rocketry. Her mission: to lure Wernher Von Braun away from the Nazi party and into the American rocket program, and secure the future of the space race. 

But Mia’s family is not the only group pushing the levers of history: an even more ruthless enemy lurks behind the scenes. 

A darkly satirical first contact thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them...

Genre: Science fiction

Publisher: Tor.com

Beneath the Keep (The Queen of the Tearling #0) by Erika Johansen 

The story of a decadent kingdom descended into darkness, alliances forged under fire, and a battle over a prophecy that will change the course of history.

The Tearling has reverted to feudalism, a far cry from the utopia it was founded to be. As the gap between rich and poor widens and famine threatens the land, sparking unrest, rumors of a prophecy begin to spread: a great hope, a True Queen who will rise up and save the kingdom. 

But rumors will not help Lazarus, a man raised to kill in the brutal clandestine underworld of the Creche, nor Aislinn, a farm girl who must reckon with her own role in the growing rebellion. In the Keep, the crown princess, Elyssa, finds herself torn between duty to the throne and the lure of the Blue Horizon, a group of fierce idealists who promise radical change . . . but Elyssa must choose quickly, before a nefarious witch and her shadowy master use dark magic to decide for her. It is only a matter of time before all three will be called into the service of something bigger than they have ever imagined: a fight for a better world.

Genre: Fantasy

Prequel to: The Queen of the Tearling series

Publisher: Duttin Books

Finally on February 7th we have...

The ​Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship #2) by Micheline Ryckman 

“Perhaps the present, no matter how messy, is the perfect time to live.” 

Family is not always blood, and home is where the heart is. It took Dain Alloway years to understand these foundational truths. Now the captain of The Maiden, surrounded by the found family he loves, Dain sets out to end a centuries-old genocide and prevent an oncoming war. But when the girl he loves is torn from his arms, Dain might be forced to choose between saving just her, or saving them all. 

The Lion of the Sea is the second novel in Micheline Ryckman's, The Maiden Ship, series. This YA fantasy adventure is chalk full of action filled scenes set upon the high seas. You'll rejoin a loveable cast of characters from the first book and meet some nasty pirates and alluring mermaids along the way.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to : The Maiden Ship

Publisher: Whimsical Publishing

Thanks to the author I have already rad this and I loved it. I will have a full review here on release day. Also tomorrow I will have a review for the first book.

These are some of the new releases of this week.

Are you excited about them?

Do you have other ones on your radar that I should know of?

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina

Read More