2021 New Releases Weekly - June 29th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of June 29th. 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 Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian--who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white--her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go--for the protection of her family and her legacy--to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Berkley Books

A War of Swallowed Stars (The Celestial Trilogy #3) by Sangu Mandanna

“A rare gem of a sequel . . . Each page drips with action and moral complexities.” —Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire, on A House of Rage & Sorrow

A prince without his kingdom. 

A kingdom without its princess. 

The destruction of the stars themselves.

War is destroying the galaxy. Esmae has vanished without a trace. A terrifying, ravenous beast is devouring the stars one by one. Titania is offered a gift that may well be a curse. Alexi, the exiled prince, is asked to pay a heavy price for his mistakes. And far, far away, on a dark, mysterious planet, a sleeping god stirs awake.

War or family. 

Pride or peace.

As the end of the world draws ever closer, Esmae and Alexi must decide how far they’ll go to win—and who they’ll sacrifice along the way.

Celebrated author Sangu Mandanna promises a gripping conclusion to the Celestial Trilogy in A War of Swallowed Stars.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: A Spark of White Fire

                 A House of Rage and Sorrow

Publisher: Sky Pony

The Betrayed (The Betrothed #2) by Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass brings another sparkling romance to a stunning conclusion in this sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller The Betrothed.

Can you follow your heart when it’s already broken?

After fleeing Coroa and leaving the memory of her beloved Silas behind, Hollis is unsteadily adjusting to life in Isolte. The Eastoffe family’s affection is a balm on her weary spirit, though Etan, a surly cousin with a deep distaste for Coroans, threatens to upset the uneasy peace she’s found.

While tensions at home ratchet up, disquiet in the kingdom of Isolte is reaching a fever pitch. The Eastoffes may have the power to unseat a tyrannical king—but only with Hollis’s help.

Can a girl who’s lost it all put the fate of her adopted homeland over the secret longings of her heart? 

Genre: YA Romance

Sequel to: The Betrothed

Publisher: Harper Teen

The Chariot at Dusk (The Tiger at Midnight Trilogy #3) by Swati Teerdhala 

A queen at last. An empty palace. A kingdom to save.

Esha is reeling from Kunal’s betrayal, but she has a kingdom to rule from behind a thin smokescreen—pretending to be Princess Reha while she sends her most trusted soldiers to collect Reha and Kunal by any means necessary. Traitors, after all, must be punished.

But the Yavar are attacking from every front—tracking down Kunal and Reha in the remote mountains, kidnapping Harun—in search of legendary artifacts that will give them the power to break the precarious janma bond and release the destructive magic back into the lands.

Now that the race is on to find the missing artifacts, Esha must put aside her rage and work with Kunal again—but can she find the strength to forgive him, or will the Viper have her revenge at any cost?

In the final book of Swati Teerdhala’s epic fantasy trilogy, the lands’ fate, their people’s livelihoods, and the bond that sustains their world all depend on what Kunal and Esha can offer—to the gods and to each other. 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: TheTiger at Midnight

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

This Poison Heart (This Poison Heart #1) by Kalynn Bayron 

Darkness blooms in bestselling author Kalynn Bayron's new contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deadly power.

Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms with a single touch.

When Briseis's aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to leave Brooklyn behind for the summer. Hopefully there, surrounded by plants and flowers, Bri will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they could never have imagined--it comes with a specific set of instructions, an old-school apothecary, and a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world that can only be entered by those who share Bri's unique family lineage.

When strangers begin to arrive on their doorstep, asking for tinctures and elixirs, Bri learns she has a surprising talent for creating them. One of the visitors is Marie, a mysterious young woman who Bri befriends, only to find that Marie is keeping dark secrets about the history of the estate and its surrounding community. There is more to Bri's sudden inheritance than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it . . . until a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family.

From the bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead comes another inspiring and deeply compelling story about a young woman with the power to conquer the dark forces descending around her.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

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

Empire of Dragons by Rachel L. Schade - Cover Reveal

 Hello everyone!!

Today in  collaboration with Literary Bound Tours, I am really excited to show you the cover for Empire of Dragons by Rachel L. Schade 

Without further ado, here is the stunning cover...

Title: Empire of Dragons

Author: Rachel L. Schade

Publisher: Dragon Shadow Publishing

Release Date: September 17, 2021

Pages: 412

Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy

Synopsis of the book: 

Save the empire…or let it burn.

Revenge failed her…

Three years ago, Lo’laeni Nolanhou did the unthinkable, slaying the empress of the cruel Alrenian Empire and freeing her people, the Forwyn slaves. But the price of revenge wasn’t freedom, only guilt. Vowing to never kill again, Lo dedicated her life to the god Elhani, serving as a nun within the Circle of Serenity to fight against the injustices still wrought against her people i n the torn capital of Alrenor.

Then Caesiem, a handsome and mysterious Teramese boy aligned with an underground Forwyn vigilante group, flips her world upside down. The unrest growing within Alrenor is worse than Lo realized. Corruption is everywhere…and the Forwyn vigilantes want an empress slayer.

Revenge fuels her…

For years, Empress Jaliana, Daughter of Karye, has been a captive in her own palace. A prisoner to her mother’s killers. A powerless pawn, alone and unable to take back her throne, her dragons, or her kingdom.

Until one night a never-before-seen gift manifests itself within Jalie. It’s terrifying. Brutal. Everything she has ever needed. But the Forwyn won’t give in easily. They task Kovi, a young soldier, to watch over her, and he challenges everything she’s ever believed about her enemies… One empire. An age-old hatred. Two girls who will risk anything—even their souls—for their people.

Author's Bio

Rachel L. Schade was born on the first day of summer in a small town in Michigan. She attended The Ohio State University to learn how to write obnoxiously long papers, cite people who use big words, and discuss her passion: books. She has a great love for the color blue, sunshine, chocolate, and not folding her laundry. Currently she lives in Ohio with her husband and surrounds herself with books, coffee, and furry creatures on a regular basis.

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rachelschadeauthor

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rachellschade

Check out the rest of the hosts:  https://literaryboundtours.com/2021/06/14/cover-reveal-schedule-empire-of-dragons-by-rachel-l-schade/

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

Athina

Awakening Shadows (The Navarre Chronicles, Book 1) by Sydney Hawthorn - A Review & Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you my review for Awakening Shadows by Sydney Hawthorn.

 This post is in collaboration with Book of Matches Media (@bookofmatchesmedia) and the author who gifted me an ebook copy if the book.

Awakening Shadows is the first book in The Navarre Chronicles and it is a YA Dark fantasy with mild steam/heat level. It was published in September 2020 by Lilac Daggers Press LLC. 

If you like Throne of Glass, Shadow and Bone, The Starchaser Saga and  Divine Blood by Beck Michaels you will love this book too.

MYREVIEW

Awakening Shadows is a fantasy romance book that I really enjoyed.

I liked the writing style of the author and the world that she builds around the story. The book has the  perfect amount of adventure and there is also magic and mystery that I really love. I enjoyed the characters and the slow burn romance between Quinn and Joseline. My favourite is Quinn and I also enjoyed the dynamics between Evalyn and Dax. 

I will definitely continue with the series, as the next book Whispering Shadows will be published really soon!

Rating: 4 Stars 

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BZSL7MJ/

Add it to your Goodreads tbr here . 

Book synopsis:

A Princess. A Warrior. A Slave. A kingdom falling to ruin. And a Queen meant to save them all.

Navarre has been at peace for three hundred years, the prophecies of the promised princess no more than a whispered memory of the past. Sheltered from the world around her, naïve Princess Joseline is no stranger to the responsibility and isolation of being heir. But when an attack on her eighteenth birthday reveals the looming return of the legendary demon king, shattering every protective boundary around her, Joseline is thrown full force into the long-forgotten prophecy and the role she plays in his demise.

Saved from Aeron’s clutches by a secret organization of warriors trained to protect her, Joseline is forced to choose between her curiosity to understand their motives and her duty to her people’s safety. Swept into the impending war threatening her country, Joseline must learn at all costs not only to fight, but to control the ancient magical power awakening within her.

Her life and the lives of her people depend on it.

Author's social media handles:

IG: @sydneysbookshelf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SydneyHawthorn_ 

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

Athina

No Way, They Were Gay? by Lee Wind - A Review & Book Promotion

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the book No Way, They Were Gay? by Lee Wind which is a non-fiction about the queer history. It is published by Lerner Publishing Group.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed reading this book as I learned a lot of things that I haven't known before about all these famous queer people. There is very useful information at the introductory chapters. 

The book is well written in a simple way that everyone can understand. It would be a great gift for younger readers and adults alike. 

About the book:

History has often ignored men who loved men, women who loved women, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. In 'No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves', author Lee Wind examines primary source letters, poems, and more to rethink the lives and loves of historical figures. Our Queer history has been burned, torn up, hidden, disrespected, coded, and only very rarely shared. 'No Way, They Were Gay?' sets aside all that, and lets the voices of these people from history speak for themselves. With reproductions of primary sources and chatty “pop up” commentaries, it’s an eye-opening ride through the history they’ve been keeping from us. And every reader gets to decide for themselves what they believe.

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

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

Athina

A Lair So Loyal by Zoey Ellis - Book Tour

 

She was saved by a dragon lord. And now he thinks he owns her.

A Lair So Loyal, an all new sexy and epic fantasy romance from Zoey Ellis is available now!

From a dark, magic-ravaged world comes an enthralling new fantasy romance series. Five brothers, last of an ancient Alpha bloodline, each bound by fire and blood to their majestic dragons.

She was saved by a dragon lord. And now he thinks he owns her.

Rescued as a baby by Tyomar, a powerful alpha bonded to a fierce dragon, Oshali was raised in a secluded sanctum. Historic tales of adventure and epic love captivate her, and she’s convinced there is a breathtaking world beyond the sanctum’s walls.

Twenty-five years later, she is now the liaison between the sanctum and Tyomar’s notorious clan… and his visits are equally rousing and nerve-racking.

The rules of the sanctum forbid him from seeing her face, but she is in awe of his intense good-looks and charm, even though she knows he still sees her as a child.

When Oshali accepts an assignment to travel across dangerous war-torn lands without her veil, Tyomar is furious. His overbearing protection reveals a fierce, dark possession.

Insatiable fire ignites between them.

And the passionate tension erupts into something deliciously carnal.

Yet Oshali knows Tyomar is a threat to her heart and her freedom. He refuses to leave her side, and she refuses to tolerate his controlling interference.

When a shocking revelation about her heritage exposes a deception, Oshali must choose where her loyalties lie, knowing Tyomar won’t easily relinquish what he has decided is his.

A LAIR SO LOYAL is the second book in The Last Dragorai, a steamy fantasy romance series. This series can be read as standalones but will be better enjoyed if read in order. Includes romance of a dark nature and a HEA.

Read now!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wEatET
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LairsoLoyal
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3bVhKZf
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hS6KzC
Nook: https://bit.ly/3fPaQG8
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3wCiVEU

Add A Lair So Loyal to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3iBgKxr

Start the series with A Lair So Sinful!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dppgwV
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LairSoSinful
Apple Books: http://apple.co/3pynLPF
Nook: http://bit.ly/3pzs1y2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZrTtTM
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3ujxTzp

Add A Lair So Sinful to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/37tc3PV

Excerpt

“It will please you to know,” she said, taking the opportunity to change the subject. “That I am now considered a full Mheyu Guardian.” She smiled at him. “My training was successful.”

The anger afflicting Tyomar slowly ebbed away. His fists relaxed and his eyes became more focused as he looked her over. “Congratulations, little cloak,” he said gruffly. “You are still wearing your old gowns.”

“My new ones are being made,” she explained. “But they will be ready for me soon.”

Tyomar nodded, but he seemed distracted. “Does that change anything regarding you being our contact?”

“Yes. In a few days, I will no longer be your contact.”

“I see.” The dragorai was silent for a long moment, his face like stone. “So someone will replace you while you familiarize yourselves with your new duties? I’m not sure why it makes any difference if you are still at the sanctum.”

“I won’t be at the sanctum,” Oshali clarified. “I will be traveling.”

Tyomar suddenly became alert. “What? Where could you possibly be traveling to?”

“Across the realm. I’m going to the South—”

His face distorted into an expression of disbelief. “No, you are not.”

“They have given me an assignment. It requires that I travel South.”

“You can refuse it.”

Oshali’s frown deepened, her annoyance building. “I don’t want to refuse it. I’ve been looking forward to exploring the realm since I was little.”

That seemed to disarm him a little, but he looked at her like she was insane. “You will be traveling into dangerous territories during a war, little cloak. Many lives have been lost in this war, and many lives brutally destroyed. Death isn’t the worse thing out there.”

“I know,” she replied, “but I’m prepared. I want to experience the realms. I won’t be risking my safety.”

“No. I forbid it.”

Oshali’s anger burst to the forefront of her hard-fought-for control, and against all of her training and all of her willpower, she snapped back at him. “You cannot forbid it! Your permission is not required.”

Tyomar’s face twisted into a snarl. “I’m sure that if I ordered the Mheyu, they would—”

“They would tell you we do not follow orders from the dragorai,” Oshali finished for him. “They are the ones who are giving me this assignment. What could you possibly say that they don’t already know about me traveling the realms?”

Tyomar shook his head. “You are going into this blindly. You do not know how much danger you will be in.”

“You think I am defenseless?” Oshali asked, almost laughing out loud. “You think I have absolutely no way of protecting myself?”

“Your Mheyu Gowns will not protect you from everything,” Tyomar bellowed. “You think guardians haven’t died out there? You do not know the people out in the realms, the lives people live that make them desperate and angry and do unspeakable things. It is foolish for you to make decisions about anything when you are wholly ignorant of what you’re getting into.”

Oshali huffed out a breath, realizing what was happening. Since he still thought of her as a child, he believed she was incapable of doing anything so adult as to travel across the realms by herself. And the more she thought of it, the angrier she became. Did he think just because he visited and spoke to her now and then that he could control her? Did he think that because he rescued her as a child, that her life belonged to him now? The only thing that rang true from her heated thoughts was that he still felt she was incapable.

Gritting her teeth, she surveyed where they were. High near the top of the mountain, the platform was wide enough for them to be ten feet apart, but behind Tyomar was an enormous drop and the rest of his mountain range spread out, vast and beautiful.

Oshali began to cast, drawing on the Thrakondarian language to create rhythm and pattern in her speech, building and crafting the gorgeous poetry that called on magic to aid her. It responded immediately, rich and plentiful, waiting for her instruction as it gathered. Tyomar’s face dropped, astonishment evident, but before he could do or say anything, Oshali launched into a sprint toward him. Everything she was about to do was against all rules, but Oshali was beyond that. She was too angry. She didn’t need him to cause problems between her and the Mheyu, and destroy her chance to go out into the realm. If he thought she was incapable, then she simply had to prove she was not.

Powering all her energy into her legs, she ran so quickly toward him he had no time to react. Veering slightly to his left, she jumped off the ledge, spreading her arms outward as she jettisoned herself out into the air.

About Zoey Ellis

Zoey Ellis writes dark, magical, fantasy romances about tortured, possessive, alpha anti-heroes and the sassy heroines who belong to them (even if they don’t want to!). Filled with passionate, carnal steam, Zoey’s stories feature couples that go through tough journeys and make mistakes but ultimately have to grow for each other to survive the dark worlds they inhabit.

Described as ‘deliciously dark’ and ‘unputdownable’, Zoey’s thrilling, fantastical romances come complete with roller-coaster twists and turns, unique worlds, and happy endings.

Zoey is a Londoner, cat mama, and proud romance and epic fantasy addict. She loves jealous/possessive heroes, sexual tension that jumps off the page, and memorable, magical worlds. She reads most genres of romance and has a special love for the ‘true mates’ trope and dark angst. However, she enjoys all different genres of fiction, usually on the darker side.

When not working on her stories, Zoey is usually gaming, buddying reading with friends or stumbling upon new and ridiculous ways to mess up a date!

Connect with Zoey
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3efpbbT
Dark Halos Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2Wanne3
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2OhNb3y
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3gUPuWR
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3iVLYNq
Website: www.zoeyellis.com

2021 New Releases Weekly - June 15th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of June 15th. 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...

Blood Like Magic (Blood Like Magic #1) by Liselle Sambury

A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.

After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees—and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic.

Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. The problem is, Voya has never been in love, so for her to succeed, she’ll first have to find the perfect guy—and fast. Fortunately, a genetic matchmaking program has just hit the market. Her plan is to join the program, fall in love, and complete her task before the deadline. What she doesn’t count on is being paired with the infuriating Luc—how can she fall in love with a guy who seemingly wants nothing to do with her?

With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and Luc, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Broken Web (Shamanborn #2) by Lori M. Lee 

The sequel to the hotly-anticipated Forest of Souls, an epic and immersive tale of destiny and sisterhood. Perfect for fans of Susan Dennard, Sarah J. Maas, and Netflix's The Witcher!

The Soulless has woken from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide—a savior—but Sirscha knows the truth. She’s a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she’ll be executed.

But there’s nothing Sirscha won’t risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that’s killing her best friend. While the Soulless is formidable, like all shamans, his magic must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can discover what—or who—that is, she might be able to cut him off from his power.

With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha finds herself caught between a war brewing in the east and the Soulless waiting in the west. She should be trying to unite what peoples she can to face their common enemies, but instead, her hunt for clues about the Soulless leads to a grim discovery, forcing Sirscha to question who her enemies really are.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Forest of Souls

Publisher: Page Street Kids

The Cruelest Mercy (The Kinder Poison #2) by Natalie Mae

In this sequel to The Kinder Poison--which People magazine proclaimed a "delicious high-stakes adventure"--the magical kingdom of Orkena is on the brink of war, and the only person who can save it is Zahru, the girl they once doomed for death.

After surviving the Crossing, Zahru has sworn off adventures. While crown prince Jet navigates the looming threat of war, she's content to simply figure out what the future holds for them. But they're dealt a devastating blow when prince Kasta returns with a shocking claim: he's the true winner of the Crossing and the rightful heir, and he bears the gods' mark as proof. Even more surprising--he's not the only one.

Somehow, Zahru possesses the very same mark, giving her equal right to the throne. The last thing she wants is to rule beside her would-be executioner, but she can't let Orkena fall into his merciless hands. So Zahru, Jet, and their allies must race against the clock to find a way to denounce Kasta before their coronation, because once he's crowned, there's no telling what horrors he'll unleash to win the war.

Zahru will do whatever it takes to keep Kasta from taking the throne...but to stop a villain, is she willing to become one herself?

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to : The Kinder Poison

Publisher: Razorbill

The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie M. Liu

New York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel, Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut story collection, dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.

Briar, bodyguard for a body-stealing sorceress, discovers her love for Rose, whose true soul emerges only once a week. An apprentice witch seeks her freedom through betrayal, the bones of the innocent, and a meticulously-plotted spell. In a world powered by crystal skulls, a warrior returns to save China from invasion by her jealous ex. A princess runs away from an arranged marriage, finding family in a strange troupe of traveling actors at the border of the kingdom’s deep, dark woods.

Concluding with a gorgeous full-length novella, Marjorie Liu’s first short fiction collection is an unflinching sojourn into her thorny tales of love, revenge, and new beginnings. 

Genre: Fantasy / Short stories

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

I am currently reading this one and I will try to have my review up as soon as possible.

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

The Ming Storm: An Assassin's Creed Novel by Yan Lei Sheng - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are reviewing The Ming Storm: An Assassin's Creed Novel by Yan Lei Sheng. It is part of the Assassin's Creed universe and it is the first book in a series. It was published on June 1st 2021 by Aconyte.

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

You know by now my love for the Assassin's Creed books. This one was good but not as good as I expected it to be. I liked the story and the writing style but sometimes I found it a little slow and the number of names was a little confusing. 

I liked that it is inspired by the Chinese culture, which isn't used very often. Towards the end it was action packed and fast paced and I really enjoyed at. 

I will continue reading the series as I want to know more about this aspect of the story.

Rating: 3 Stars

Synopsis of the book

The Ming dynasty becomes a battleground for the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Order of the Templars in this blockbuster action novel from a previously unexplored part of the beloved Assassin’s Creed universe.

China, 16th century. The Assassins are gone. Zhang Yong, the relentless leader of the Eight Tigers, took advantage of the emperor's death to eliminate all his opponents, and now the Templars hold all the power. Shao Jun, the last representative of her clan, barely escapes death and has no choice but to flee her homeland. Vowing to avenge her former brothers in arms, she travels to Europe to train with the legendary Ezio Auditore. When she returns to the Middle Kingdom, her saber and her determination alone will not be enough to eliminate Zhang Yong: she will have to surround herself with allies and walk in the shadows to defeat the Eight Tigers. 

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

Athina

2021 New Releases Weekly - June 8th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of  June 8th.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...

When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Cards #2) by Janella Angeles 

The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for who is now lost to this world and in the hands of a dangerous magician. Daron is willing to do whatever it takes to find her. Even if it means embarking on a dark and treacherous journey, risking more than just his life, with no promise of return.

After awaking in darkness, Kallia has never felt more lost. Especially with Jack by her side, the magician with who has the answers but cannot be trusted. Together, they must navigate a dazzling world where mirrors show memories and illusions shadow every corner, one ruled by a powerful game master who could all too easily destroy the world she left behind -- and the boy she can’t seem to forget. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny, or lose everyone she loves, forever.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Where Dreams Descent

Publisher: Wednesday Books

See my review for Where Dreams Descent here

The Jasmine Throne (Burning Kingdoms #1) by Tasha Suri

Author of Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash Tasha Suri's The Jasmine Throne, beginning a new trilogy set in a world inspired by the history and epics of India, in which a captive princess and a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic become unlikely allies on a dark journey to save their empire from the princess's traitor brother.

Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters — but is now little more than a decaying ruin.

Priya is a maidservant, one among several who make the treacherous journey to the top of the Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is happy to be an anonymous drudge, so long as it keeps anyone from guessing the dangerous secret she hides.

But when Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a vengeful princess seeking to depose her brother from his throne. The other is a priestess seeking to find her family. Together, they will change the fate of an empire

Genre: Fantasy / LGBTQ+

Publisher: Orbit

Of Princes and Promises (St. Rosetta's Academy #2) by Sandhya Menon 

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the second installment in a brand-new series set an elite boarding school that’s a contemporary spin on fairy tales, this one a delightful, romantic twist on The Frog Prince.

Caterina LaValle is determined to show she’s still the queen of St. Rosetta’s Academy. Sure, her crown may be slightly askew after her ex-boyfriend, Alaric, cheated on her, but she’s a LaValle. She’ll find a way to march right back in there, her hands clutching the strings to the whole puppet show. This time, she’s going to be untouchable.

Rahul Chopra knows that moment he shared with Caterina LaValle at the winter formal meant something. Surely she feels it, too. He’s a little uncertain how someone like him (socially inept to a point way past “adorkable”) could fit into her world, but he’s loved Caterina for years. He knows they’ll find a way.

When Caterina finds out Alaric is taking a supermodel to the upcoming gala, she knows she cannot arrive without the perfect date. But the thought of taking another superficial St. R’s boy exhausts her. The solution? Sweet-but-clueless Rahul Chopra and a mysterious pot of hair gel with the power to alter the wearer into whatever his heart desires.

When Rahul tries it, he transforms instantly into RC—debonair, handsome, and charming. But transformation comes with a price: As Rahul enjoys his new social standing, the line between his two personas begins to blur. Will he give up everything, including Caterina, to remain RC? Or will this unlikely pair find their way back to each other? 

Genre: YA Romance Contemporary

Sequel to: Of Curses and Kisses

Publisher:  Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid 

Stories don't have to be true to be real...

In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power, making her an outcast clearly abandoned by the gods. When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the king's blood sacrifice, Évike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered.

But when monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive en route, slaughtering everyone but Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain, they have no choice but to rely on each other. Except he's no ordinary Woodsman - he's the disgraced prince, Gáspár Bárány, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate his power. Gáspár fears that his cruelly zealous brother plans to seize the throne and instigate a violent reign that would damn the pagans and the Yehuli alike. As the son of a reviled foreign queen, Gáspár understands what it's like to be an outcast, and he and Évike make a tenuous pact to stop his brother.

As their mission takes them from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, their mutual loathing slowly turns to affection, bound by a shared history of alienation and oppression. However, trust can easily turn to betrayal, and as Évike reconnects with her estranged father and discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár need to decide whose side they're on, and what they're willing to give up for a nation that never cared for them at all. 

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: DelRey

Seasons of Chaos (Seasons of the Storm #2) by Elle Cosimano 

Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Victoria Schwab, this enthralling duology follows Jack and Fleur, star-crossed lovers trapped in an endless cycle of death.

As immortal Seasons, Jack and Fleur wielded powerful magic in their roles as a Winter and a Spring. Yet there wasn’t magic strong enough to keep them apart, and they risked everything for their love, for the freedom to live their lives as they choose—together.

That choice came at a cost. Jack sacrificed his Winter magic—and his immortality—to ensure their survival. Although he’d do anything for Fleur, he can’t deny the emptiness he’s felt since. Or the fear that his choice to give up his magic may have doomed them after all.

The world they thought they left behind is still dealing with the fallout of the rebellion they started. With Professor Lyon as the new Chronos, Seasons are free to do as they please. But not everyone is happy with the change in leadership. When an old enemy seeks revenge, the world’s most powerful magic runs wild and unchecked, creating global chaos.

Thrust into the middle of a new war, Jack and Fleur are faced with the aftermath of their choices. But are they strong enough to save the world from a storm that’s spinning out of control.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Seasons of Storm

Publisher: Harper Teen

Daughter of Sparta (Daughter of Sparta #1) by Claire M. Andrews

Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the Gods need her to save the world!

Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis—who holds Daphne's brother's fate in her hands—upends the life she's worked so hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods' waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother's life will be forfeit.

Guided by Artemis's twin-the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo-Daphne's journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.

A reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, Daughter of Sparta by debut author Claire Andrews turns the traditionally male-dominated mythology we know into a heart-pounding and empowering female-led adventure.

Genre: Fantasy / Mythology

Publisher:  Jimmy Paterson Books

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

May 2021 Wrap up

 Hello everyone!! 

May is over so it is time for a monthly reading wrap up. This month I read six books and all of them were ebooks. The majority of them were 4 star reads and there was also a 5 star read among them. 

So, let's see them together.

Charting Stars (The Nine Realms Tales, #1) by Micheline Ryckman 

This book was another great read from Micheline Ryckman aka @whimsicalillustration . I have also read her previous books and I love her writing style.

Charting Stars is a portal fantasy where our main character is transported for unknown reasons (yet) from our modern world to a magic realm. It is an amazing adventure that I really enjoyed reading and it's also a page turner with great main and side characters.

Rating: 4 Stars

Check out my full review here

Incognito by Katie Delahanty 

I liked Incognito more than the first one. It was also full of plot twists and secrets but the twist at the end made me love it even more.

Rating: 5 Stars

Check out my full review here

Stolen Goblin Bride (Stolen Brides Of The Fae #1) by Emma Hamm

I read Stolen Goblin Bride almost in one sitting and I really liked it. It was a fast read and I liked the writing style and the world that was set in.

Rating: 4 Stars

Read my full review here

A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe #1) by P. Djèlí Clark 

I really enjoyed reading this book. At the beginning it was a little slow paced for me. That was mostly because the author introduced us to the world and its elements. As the story went on it became a real page turner and I was continuously trying to guess the suspect. 

Rating: 4 Stars

Read my full review here

Beneath Black Sails (Beneath Black Sails #1) by Clare Sager 

I really enjoyed reading Beneath Black Sails, it was a great reading experience. It is a pirate fantasy book so it is full of adventure and it is also fast paced and a page turner. The romance in it is perfect, It has the enemies to lovers trope that is my favourite. 

Rating: 4 Stars

Read my full review here

The Bard by Andreas Kourtidis

This is a  fantasy novella by a Greek author. It was an interesting story which was at the same time emotional and sweet. It reads like a fairytale.

Rating: 3 Stars

That's it for May. Let's hope that June would be as good readingwise.

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

Athina

Tides and Ruin by Miranda Lyn - Cover Reveal

 Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the cover for Tides and Ruin by Miranda Lyn  in collaboration with the Literary Bound Tours. 

Without further ado here is the beautiful cover...

Title: Tides and Ruin

Author: Miranda Lyn

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: October 12, 2021

Pages: 370

Genre: New Adult, Upper YA, High Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook 

Purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094884LHW

Synopsis:

Stealing a prized jewel is nothing compared to a heart. Raised to be the perfect thief, Lyra was not above using her body or her siren’s song to take exactly what she wanted, when she wanted it. But when she is attacked and her song is stolen, she must find a way to win over the commander of the Flame Court while on the brink of war, even if it means sacrificing everything she’d ever learned about being a siren. She thought she could fool him, fool them all. But really she was only fooling herself.

This standalone spin-off will sweep you under the sea with star-crossed lovers, stow you away on pirate ships, and destroy you all over again. All pre-orders will receive an exclusive pin (while supplies last).

Author Bio

Blood and Promise is the debut novel for Miranda Lyn. She grew up smack dab in the middle of the United States with nothing to do but dream up stories of fantastical creatures and powerful heroines. Now married with three children of her own, an idea sparked a buried passion within her to follow a dream and teach her children that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it.

Check out our website for extras, character art, and exclusive content. www.faerising.com. Also, click here to sign up for the mailing list and get access to more exclusive content and giveaways!: https://www.faerising.com/subscribe

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormirandalyn

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormirandalyn/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMirandaL

Here is the link to the list of hosts doing the reveal:

https://literaryboundtours.com/2021/05/30/cover-reveal-schedule-tides-and-ruin-by-miranda-lyn/

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

Athina

2021 New Releases Weekly - June 1st

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of June 1st. 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...

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

MAY THE HAZEL BRING YOU WISDOM AND THE ASPEN GUIDE AND PROTECT YOU...

Samantha Knox put away her childish fantasies of archaeological adventure the day her father didn't return home from the Great War, retreating to the safety of the antique bookshop where she works. But when a mysterious package arrives with a damaged diary inside, Sam's peaceful life is obliterated. Ruthless men intent on reclaiming the diary are after Sam, setting her and her best friend, along with her childhood crush, on a high-stakes adventure that lands them in the green hills outside Dublin, Ireland. Here they discover an ancient order with a dark purpose - to perform an occult ritual that will raise the Specter Queen, the Celtic goddess of vengeance and death, to bring about a war unlike any the world has ever seen. To stop them, Sam must solve a deviously complex cipher - one that will lead her on a treasure hunt to discover the ancient relic at the heart of the ritual: a bowl carved from the tree of life. Will she find the bowl and stop the curse of the Specter Queen, or will the ancient order bring about the end of the world?

Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven mystery adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, ancient relics, and heart-stopping action - the first in a brand-new series! 

Genre: YA historical fantasy

Publisher: Disney - Hyperion

Grace and Glory (The Harbinger #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Danger, betrayal, and enticing forbidden love clash in book three of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Harbinger trilogy!

When Angels Fall

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger.

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome.

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy

Sequel to: Storm and Fury

                 Rage and Ruin

Publisher: Inkyard Press

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Immigrant. Socialite. Magician.

Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer, Asian, adopted, and treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.

But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.

Nghi Vo’s debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice. 

Genre: Fantasy / Historical Fiction

Publisher: Tordotcom

The Ming Storm: An Assassin's Creed Novel by Yan Lei Sheng

The Ming dynasty becomes a battleground for the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Order of the Templars in this blockbuster action novel from a previously unexplored part of the beloved Assassin’s Creed universe.

China, 16th century. The Assassins are gone. Zhang Yong, the relentless leader of the Eight Tigers, took advantage of the emperor's death to eliminate all his opponents, and now the Templars hold all the power. Shao Jun, the last representative of her clan, barely escapes death and has no choice but to flee her homeland. Vowing to avenge her former brothers in arms, she travels to Europe to train with the legendary Ezio Auditore. When she returns to the Middle Kingdom, her saber and her determination alone will not be enough to eliminate Zhang Yong: she will have to surround herself with allies and walk in the shadows to defeat the Eight Tigers.

Genre: Fantasy / Historical Fiction

Publisher:  Aconyte

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

From the New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a new romantic comedy that will stop readers in their tracks...

For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.

But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.

Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. Jane with her rough edges and swoopy hair and soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things, after all.

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.

Genre: Contemporary romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

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