Tuesday 30 November 2021

2021 New Releases Weekly - November 30th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of November 30th. 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...

Girls of Fate and Fury (Girls of Paper and Fire #3) by Natasha Ngan

The epic romance of Lei and Wren comes to a breathtaking conclusion in the explosive finale to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire series.

'Don't struggle, Lei-zhi. It's time to take you back to the Hidden Palace. You're going home.'
The jaw-dropping conclusion to Girls of Storm and Shadow left the fates of Lei and Wren hanging in the balance. There's one thing Lei knows - she can never return to the Hidden Palace. The trauma and tragedy she suffered behind those opulent walls will plague her forever. She cannot be trapped there with the sadistic king again, especially without Wren.
The last time Lei saw the girl she loved, Wren was fighting an army of soldiers in a furious battle to the death.
With the two girls torn apart and each in great peril, will they reunite at last, or have their destinies diverged forever?

Genre: YA Fantasy / LGBTQ+
Sequel to: Girls of Paper and Fire
                 Girls of Storm and Shadow
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Jade Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee

Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same.

The Kauls have been battered by war and tragedy. They are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference that could destroy the Green Bone way of life altogether. As a new generation arises, the clan’s growing empire is in danger of coming apart.

The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: Jade City
                 Jade War
Publisher: Orbit

Oddball (Sarah's Scribbles #4) by Sarah Andersen

The newest Sarah's Scribbles collection from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Andersen

The fourth book in the enormously popular graphic novel series, the latest collection of Sarah's Scribbles comics explores the evils of procrastination, the trials of the creative process, the cuteness of kittens, and the beauty of not caring about your appearance as much as you did when you were younger. When it comes to humorous illustrations of the awkwardness and hilarity of millennial life, Sarah's Scribbles is without peer.





Genre: Graphic Novel / Humor
Sequel to: Adulthood is a myth
                 Big Mushy Happy Lump
                 Herding Cats
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Leviathan Falls (The Expanse #9) by James S. A. Corey

The Laconian Empire has fallen, setting the thirteen hundred solar systems free from the rule of Winston Duarte. But the ancient enemy that killed the gate builders is awake, and the war against our universe has begun again.

In the dead system of Adro, Elvi Okoye leads a desperate scientific mission to understand what the gate builders were and what destroyed them, even if it means compromising herself and the half-alien children who bear the weight of her investigation. Through the wide-flung systems of humanity, Colonel Aliana Tanaka hunts for Duarte’s missing daughter. . . and the shattered emperor himself. And on the Rocinante, James Holden and his crew struggle to build a future for humanity out of the shards and ruins of all that has come before.

As nearly unimaginable forces prepare to annihilate all human life, Holden and a group of unlikely allies discover a last, desperate chance to unite all of humanity, with the promise of a vast galactic civilization free from wars, factions, lies, and secrets if they win.

But the price of victory may be worse than the cost of defeat.

Genre: Science Fiction
Sequel to : Leviathan Wakes
                  Caliban's War
                  Abaddon's Gate
                  Cibola Burn
                  Nemesis Games
                  Babylon's Ashes
                  Persepolis Rising
                  Tiamat's Wrath
Publisher: Orbit

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


Crimson Kingdom by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison - Cover Reveal

 




Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the beautiful cover for Crimson Kingdom by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison. This is a YA fantasy romance and it is the third book in The Lochlann Feuds series. Crimson Kingdom will be published on December 17th 2021.

Purchase Crimson Kingdom here
Add to your Goodreads TBR:
Scarlet Princess here
Tarnished Crown  here
Crimson Kingdom here

Without further ado here is the cover...


RELEASE DATE: 12.17.21
TITLE: Crimson Kingdom
SERIES TITLE: The Lochlann Feuds, Book 3
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A




A reckless princess. An unexpected enemy. And a mistake that could cost her everything.


Synopsis of the book:
(For book 1 to avoid spoilers)

Princess Rowan thought she knew her place in the world.
She never expected to feel like an outsider.
She certainly never imagined she would fall in love, least of all with a man from a barbarian kingdom half a world away. But when she is charged with an emissary mission to ensure peace between Socair and her own kingdom, she is forced to reconsider everything she thought she knew about both lands.
And about herself. 
After a lifetime of animosity between the kingdoms, will the Socairans ever accept her as one of their own?
Or will her mistakes push her people into yet another war?
This enthralling story from the Lochlann Realm takes place after The Lochlann Treaty, but can be devoured and enjoyed all on its own.

If you like authors like Adrienne Young, Elise Kova, Brigid Kemmerer, Kiera Cass and Alisha Klapheke you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until December 6th and you can learn more about it and also enter on my Instagram post @booknotes_athina .

You can also choose your team and support them!






















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

Friday 26 November 2021

Those Left Behind by N. C. Scrimgeour - Promo Day Frenzy


 Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Those Left Behind by N. C. Scrimgeour. It is an adult science fantasy book and the first book in The Waystations Trilogy. The book is already out.

Purchase Those Left Behind here


Title: Those Left Behind
Author: N.C. Scrimgeour
Publisher: Alcruix Press
Release Date: Nov 16, 2021
Genre: Adult Science Fiction
Format: Ebook


Synopsis:

A dying planet. A desperate mission.
A crew facing impossible odds. Humanity’s last hope lies with them… Time is running out for the people of New Pallas. Nobody knows that better than Alvera Renata, a tenacious captain determined to scout past the stars with nothing but a handpicked crew and the promise she made: to find a new home for humanity.
But between navigating the treacherous chasm of dark space and first contact politics with a galactic civilization already on the brink of war, Alvera soon realizes keeping her word might not be as easy as she thought. Her only hope may be the secrets of the ancient alien waystations scattered across the galaxy. The mysterious technology could be the key to humanity’s survival—or bring the unwanted attention of the long forgotten beings who built them.
But remaining united in the face of annihilation is a lot to ask from a crew already splintering under the weight of their differences. A jaded pilot wrestling with his family’s blood-stained legacy looks for a place he can start over. A young translator, desperate to leave her mark on the galaxy, searches for meaning out in its lawless frontier. And Alvera reckons with the aftermath of betrayal as she fights for a way to save them all.
As they break apart to forge their own paths, Alvera and her crew all face the same question: what are they willing to sacrifice to save those left behind?

Those Left Behind is an epic, galaxy-spanning space opera full of exploration, adventure, and ancient alien mysteries. Fans of Mass Effect, The Expanse, and Star Wars will love this character-driven science fiction novel—the first installment in the Waystations Trilogy.

Author Bio:

N.C. Scrimgeour is a science fiction and fantasy author whose books focus on character-driven stories in vibrant worlds, from folklore fantasy to space opera.
After completing her Masters in English Literature, she went on to work in journalism and marketing, and communications while pursuing her passion in writing.
Her latest project is The Waystations Trilogy, an epic space opera filled with exploration, war and ancient alien mysteries.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing story-driven RPGs, watching and reading all things science fiction and fantasy, and getting outdoors with the dog for a good walk!

SOCIAL LINKS:



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

Wednesday 24 November 2021

Blood, Fire & Mercy (Da’Valia Trilogy #2) by Christina Davis - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!

Today I am really excited to share with you Blood, Fire & Mercy by Christina Davis. It is a YA Fantasy book and it is the second book in the Da' Valia Trilogy. The book is already out.

Purchase Blood, Fire & Mercy here.
Add Blood, Fire & Mercy on your Goodreads TBR here


Blood, Fire & Mercy (Da’Valia Trilogy #2) by Christina Davis
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing Date: November 10, 2021

About the book:

18-year-old thief Neva Roberts has been living on the run since absconding with the Eye, piece of the greatest weapon ever created. But she’s running from more than a cold-hearted ruler. She has exiled herself to a barren land, trying to forget the pain she caused.
When Trinizhi’s squad of assassins catches up with Neva, her life on the run comes to an abrupt end, and the ultimate betrayal is unveiled. Only one person — Astiand — knew where she was hiding.
With the help of Emiliand and a new Djinn friend, Neva will return to her homeland for the job of a lifetime. If she can overcome dragon wardens, escape a prison island, and double-cross Trinizhi, Neva might just start forgiving herself…

About the author:

Christina Davis was raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is a California girl at heart. She spent much of her childhood in and out of hospitals and embraced reading as an escape. After being home-schooled through high school, she graduated summa cum laude from San Jose State University and attended NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute before embarking on a decade-long career in journalism. She enjoys chocolate, cosplay, coffee, and board games, but not necessarily in that order. She now lives in beautiful Monterey County with her husband and daughter.  

Author Links:


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

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Fated to Burn by Emmie Hamilton - Release Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Fated to Burn by Emmie Hamilton. It is a New Adult Fantasy that is the second book in The Destined Series. The book will be released today November 23rd.

You can purchase Fated to burn here


Title: Fated to Burn
Author: Emmie Hamilton
Publisher: Innulum Press
Release Date: Nov 23, 2022
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, Paperback,
Ebook


About the book:

Their paths were Chosen.

Nellie Glazer, a rare shapeshifter banned from the human realm, does not know true fear until she finds herself standing in the middle of the clan she was once forced out of. Demands for her death multiply, and Nellie must come to terms with more than one ghost from her past, each of which has the power to undo her.

The Fates are watching.

Faria Agostonna, Queen of Anestra, has been forced to abandon one realm in favor of another to find her stolen child. But as she is thrown into the human realm without access to her magic, she soon discovers the danger she left behind is nothing in comparison to what awaits her. Now, Faria must press through the fog of her grief and choose her course wisely, for each path set before her will drastically change the fate of the people she left behind. 

Destiny is calling.

Hunter d’Valero, Val Prince and Protector of the Agostonna Royal Bloodline, narrowly survives a deadly attack before he discovers he is bound to Anestra, unable to save those he loves most. As control over his inner darkness slips, he must fight to master it before the fatal consequences are more than Anestra can handle.

The stakes are higher.

The odds are impossible.

Will they survive, or are they fated to burn?

Author Bio:

Emmie Hamilton is a writer, mother, and amateur candle maker.
Her favorite pastime is creating worlds others wish they were born into. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and has been previously published by Pure Slush Press and various non-fiction outlets.

Fated to Burn is the sequel to her debut novel, Chosen to Fall.

You can connect with her on Instagram @authoremmiehamilton or
visit her website www.emmiehamilton.com for the latest
publication information.
SOCIAL LINKS:
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authoremmiehamilton
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authoremmieham



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

Daughter of Thieves by Lichelle Slater - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Daughter of Thieves by Lichelle Slater. It is a YA Fantasy Romance that is the first book in the Sands of Wonder series. The book is already out.

Purchase the Daughter of Thieves here
Add Daughter of Thieves to your Goodreads TBR here



RELEASE DATE: 11.13.21
TITLE: Daughter of Thieves
SERIES TITLE: Sands of Wonder, Book 1
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: n/a


A street rat. A magic lamp. An obnoxiously handsome prince.


About the book:

What should have been an easy-in, easy-out job with my father became a nightmare when he was arrested by the soldiers of Zunbar. As if things couldn't get any more complicated, my estranged mother has demanded I enter the Desert Trials and find the magic lamp hidden inside the Dragon’s Lair cave.
The Desert Trails: a series of ten tasks to prove a sorceress's proficiency in the art of magic.
How hard could it be?
Only, I wasn't blessed with the gift of magic.
Surviving the trials is only part of the problem. I’ve inadvertently partnered with Prince “Abu” and he’s bent on taking the magic lamp from me. I'm not about to let some dashing prince steal my father's freedom.
But the Dragon’s Lair is more like the Cave of Nightmares, and I can’t escape without Prince Abudar’s help. If we don’t work together, we might not make it out alive, and I am not wasting my only wish in order to escape.
's
If you like Lucy Tempest "Thief of Cahraman," Hafsah Faisal's  "We Hunt the Flame" and Dana Swift's "Cast in Firelight", you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until November 26th and you can learn more about it and also enter on my Instagram post @booknotes_athina .

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

Court of Dragons by Frost Kay - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Court of Dragons by Frost Kay. It is a YA Fantasy book and it is the first book in the Dragon Isle Wars series. The book is already out!!

Purchase Court of Dragons here
Add Court of Dragons to your Goodreads TBR here


RELEASE DATE: 11.16.21
TITLE: Court of Dragons
SERIES TITLE: Dragon Isle Wars, Book 1
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: n/a


As a daughter of the Dragon Court, Wren knows three truths: never show weakness, pay the tithe, and never trust the elves.

About the book:

When the enemy strikes on the eve of her wedding, Wren has no choice but to fight. Captured, she's dragged before the elvish king and given two choices.
Death or marriage.
She submits, biding her time as she plots and spies, determined to strike at the heart of the elvish royalty and take back her family's throne once more. But the more time she spends with her dangerous and achingly handsome husband, she finds herself wavering.
Only the strong survive the hash moors of the Dragon Isles, and she can't afford to question her loyalties, leaving only one final choice.
Strike hard and fast. Never waver. It's his heart or hers.

If you like books like From Blood and Ash, A Deal with The Elf King, and The Bridge Kingdom, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until November 29th and you can learn more about it and also enter on my Instagram post @booknotes_athina .

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


Monday 22 November 2021

2021 New Releases Weekly - November 23nd

Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of November 23rd. 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 City of Mists: stories - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Return to the mythical Barcelona library known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books in this posthumous collection of stories from the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow of the Wind and The Labyrinth of the Spirits.

Bestselling author Carlos Ruiz Zafón conceived of this collection of stories as an appreciation to the countless readers who joined him on the extraordinary journey that began with The Shadow of the Wind. Comprising eleven stories, most of them never before published in English, The City of Mist offers the reader compelling characters, unique situations, and a gothic atmosphere reminiscent of his beloved Cemetery of Forgotten Books quartet.

The stories are mysterious, imbued with a sense of menace, and told with the warmth, wit, and humor of Zafón's inimitable voice. A boy decides to become a writer when he discovers that his creative gifts capture the attentions of an aloof young beauty who has stolen his heart. A labyrinth maker flees Constantinople to a plague-ridden Barcelona, with plans for building a library impervious to the destruction of time. A strange gentleman tempts Cervantes to write a book like no other, each page of which could prolong the life of the woman he loves. And a brilliant Catalan architect named Antoni Gaudí reluctantly agrees to cross the ocean to New York, a voyage that will determine the fate of an unfinished masterpiece.

Imaginative and beguiling, these and other stories in The City of Mist summon up the mesmerizing magic of their brilliant creator and invite us to come dream along with him.

Genre: Historical Fiction / Stories
Sequel to: The Shadow of the Wind
                 The Angel's Game
                 The Prisoner of Heaven
                 The Labyrinth of the Spirits
Publisher: Harper Perennial

Cytonic (Skyward #3) - Brandon Sanderson

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Reckoners series, the Mistborn trilogy, and the Stormlight Archive comes the third book in an epic series about a girl who will travel beyond the stars to save the world she loves from destruction.

Spensa’s life as a Defiant Defense Force pilot has been far from ordinary. She proved herself one of the best starfighters in the human enclave of Detritus and she saved her people from extermination at the hands of the Krell—the enigmatic alien species that has been holding them captive for decades. What’s more, she traveled light-years from home as an undercover spy to infiltrate the Superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home.

Now, the Superiority—the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating all human life—has started a galaxy-wide war. And Spensa’s seen the weapons they plan to use to end it: the Delvers. Ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant. Spensa knows that no matter how many pilots the DDF has, there is no defeating this predator.

Except that Spensa is Cytonic. She faced down a Delver and saw something eerily familiar about it. And maybe, if she’s able to figure out what she is, she could be more than just another pilot in this unfolding war. She could save the galaxy.

The only way she can discover what she really is, though, is to leave behind all she knows and enter the Nowhere. A place from which few ever return.

To have courage means facing fear. And this mission is terrifying.

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Sequel to: Skyward
                 Starsight
Publisher: Gollanz

Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9) - Diana Gabaldon

The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.

Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s teakettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.

Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.

Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.

Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Sequel to: Outlander
                 Dragonfly in Amber
                 Voyager
                 Drums of Autumn
                 The Fiery Cross
                 A Breath of Snow and Ashes
                 An Echo in the Bone
                 Written in my own heart's blood
Publisher: Doubleday

hese 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

Tempting Fate by Sara Whitney - Book Tour

 

Sara Whitney’s award winning Cinnamon Roll Alpha Series is coming back this January with Tempting Fate
Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Title: Tempting Fate
Author: Sara Whitney
Genre: RomCom
Release Date: January 10th

About Tempting Fate:

Leo Alvarez never forgot his first love, but he never quite forgave her either.   When a twist of fate puts Leo in charge of a grant that could save Faith Fox's struggling non-profit, his desire to assist this worthwhile cause barely wins out over his need to stay the hell away from the woman who broke his heart.   Faith swallowed her pride to request funds for her after-school tutoring center, but she had no idea her old boyfriend would be the one holding the purse strings. Now he's insisting on a hands-on partnership—one that has her wanting even more hands-on attention.   With years of history between them, Faith and Leo will need to learn from the lessons of their past if they want to build a future together.   The award-winning Cinnamon Roll Alphas series continues with Tempting Fate, featuring the playful banter, steamy encounters, and sunny outlook that Sara Whitney's readers have come to love.   

Pre-Order Your Copy!


Catching Up with the Series:

About Sara Whitney:

Sara Whitney writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance novels packed with wit, heat, and heart. A 2019 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award finalist, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and landed in academia. She’s a good pinball player, a so-so karaoke singer, and an expert TV opinion-haver. In a funny twist of fate, Sara’s married to a divorce attorney, and she likes to think that her happily-ever-afters help keep their household in balance. She and her husband live in the Midwest surrounded by books, cats, and half-empty coffee cups. Keep up with Sara by subscribing to her mailing list here.    

Connect with Sara:
 

Sunday 21 November 2021

Tik-Tok by Candace Robinson & Amber R. Duell - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I'm excited to feature Tik-Tok by Candace Robinson & Amber R. Duell! This book is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laura Thalassa, and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Tik-Tok is the final book in this dark fantasy romance series. If you love seductive fae pirates, independent female leads, and Hades and Persephone vibes, then you won’t want to miss this epic conclusion!

Purchase Tik-Tok here


About the book:

A world to escape…

North has always tried to pave her own path, to break free from the shadows of the most powerful fae in Oz. Beingborn without magic of her own makes it difficult, but she still has the love of her life in her corner. Or, at least, until she learns that he doesn’t return her feelings, ripping a gaping hole in her heart.

Tik-Tok does what he wants, says what he wants, and rules how he wants. The sea has been his home—his—except when he was begrudgingly bound to serve the now-dead Wizard. But even after decades of freedom, he is still without the one thing he needs: the prophesied female who can open portals through the sea. Without her, he can’t fulfill his destiny.

When Tik-Tok finds North—the fae he’s been waiting for—he wastes no time stealing her away. He isn’t expecting to fall in love with her, perhaps a quick tumble, sure, but nothing more. However, a past he is forced to confront may do more than haunt him … it may destroy North.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laura Thalassa, and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Tik-Tok is the final book in this dark fantasy romance series. If you love seductive fae pirates, independent female leads, and Hades and Persephone vibes, then you won’t want to miss this epic conclusion.


Here are the first three books of the series


There is a giveaway running until November 25th and you can learn more about it and also enter on my Instagram post @booknotes_athina .

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

Athina

Saturday 20 November 2021

Dark Rise (Dark Rise #1) by C. S. Pacat - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am reviewing Dark Rise by C. S. Pacat. It is the first book in the Dark Rise series and it is a YA Fantasy book. Dark rise was released on September 2021 by Quill Tree Books.

This was the first time I read something from C. S. Pacat and I loved everything about it. Her writing style, the world-building, the characters and of course all the plot twists at the end.
Dark Rise reminds me of a classic fantasy book with all the classic tropes such as the fight between Dark and Light, the chosen one and the quest. The world-building is huge and we got all the information about it at the beginning of the book which made it a little bit slow-paced.
I really liked the main characters like Will and Violet but also the side characters as well. James On the other hand I just loved and I cannot wait to see more of him in the next books.
Towards the end, the plot twits just kept on coming and the ending left me wanting book two asap.

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

The ancient world of magic is no more. Its heroes are dead, its halls are ruins, and its great battles between Light and Dark are forgotten. Only the Stewards remember, and they keep their centuries-long vigil, sworn to protect humanity if the Dark King ever returns.

Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. When an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, Will is ushered into a world of magic, where he must train to play a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark.

As London is threatened by the Dark King’s return, the reborn heroes and villains of a long-forgotten war begin to draw battle lines. But as the young descendants of Light and Dark step into their destined roles, old allegiances, old enmities and old flames are awakened. Will must stand with the last heroes of the Light to prevent the fate that destroyed their world from returning to destroy his own.

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

Thursday 18 November 2021

Blade of Ash by CFE Black - Cover Reveal

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the cover for Blade Of Ash by CFE Black. It is a YA Fantasy Romance and the first book in the Scepter and Crown series. The book will be published on January 25th 2022.

Without further ado here is the beautiful cover...


RELEASE DATE: 01.25.22
TITLE:  Blade of Ash
SERIES TITLE: Scepter and Crown, Book 1
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A




A boy with power in his name. A girl with power in her hands. An enemy with the power to defeat them both.

Synopsis of the book:
The only way to beat death is to chase it.
Newly crowned, Red blames one person for his father’s murder: the secret sorceress sworn to protect the king.
Alyana Barron, Royal Sorcerer to the throne of Tandera, fears her magic is weakening.
When Red is cursed, his life entwines with Aly’s in ways neither of them expected. Together, they chase after a cure that will heal the king and restore her magic, but the closer they get to a cure, the nearer they step toward death, for
the path to the cure is as dangerous as the curse itself.
Blade of Ash is the first in a new, epic YA fantasy series perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance packed full of royal intrigue, legends, and plenty of ballgowns. If you like female bodyguards and forced proximity with life-and-death stakes... this story is for you!

If you like authors like Kristen Cashore, Alisha Klapheke &  Elise Kova, you like this one too.

Download *FREE* Scepter And Crown novella, SHIELD OF SHADOW here
Add Blade of Ash on your Goodreads TBR here

There is a giveaway running until November 24th and you can learn more about it and also enter on my Instagram post @booknotes_athina .

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

Tuesday 16 November 2021

Jonah Bennett by Tijan - Book Tour

 

Jonah Bennett, an all new emotional and thrilling novella from New York Times bestselling author Tijan and 1,001 Dark Nights, is available now!

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tijan comes a new story in her Bennett Mafia universe…

Jonah Bennett wasn’t like his family. The mafia business was firmly what his brothers did, not him.

That changed the day a rival family killed his fiancée.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Grab your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!

Add Jonah Bennett to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3igoyUK

About Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new series from north Minnesota where she lives with an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f
Facebook:http://bit.ly/2vreAub
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ
Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EcGBqB

For More information about 1,001 Dark Nights, visit:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/37fl0uT
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Y7uBQp
Website: https://bit.ly/2AIIr3A
Stay up to date on all 1,001 Dark Nights releases, join their mailing list today! https://bit.ly/2zgxaHu

The Singles Table by Sara Desai - Book Tour

 

"Prepare to laugh-out-loud while reading The Singles Table."—POPSUGAR
The Singles Table, an all-new hilarious, opposites attract romantic comedy from Sara Desai, is now available!

Opposites attract in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about a free-spirited lawyer who is determined to find the perfect match for the grumpy bachelor at her cousin's wedding.

After a devastating break-up, celebrity-obsessed lawyer Zara Patel is determined never to open her heart again. She puts her energy into building her career and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters. She's never faced a guest at the singles table she couldn’t match, until she crosses paths with the sinfully sexy Jay Dayal.

Former military security specialist Jay has no time for love. His life is about working hard, staying focused, and winning at all costs. When charismatic Zara crashes into his life, he's thrown into close contact with exactly the kind of chaos he wants to avoid. Worse, they're stuck together for the entire wedding season.

So they make a deal. She'll find his special someone if he introduces her to his celebrity clients. But when their arrangement brings them together in ways they never expected, they realize that the perfect match might just be their own.

Fall in love today!

Add The Singles Table to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3zX9ime

Read the first book in The Marriage Game series!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ohRyxi
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MarriageGame
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3wLe31C
Nook: https://bit.ly/3ndLgPU
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3wIr0Ji
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3cbEuno

Add The Marriage Game to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2YMr0eW

About Sara Desai

Sara Desai has been a lawyer, radio DJ, marathon runner, historian, bouncer and librarian. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband, kids and an assortment of forest creatures who think they are pets. Sara writes sexy romantic comedy and contemporary romance with a multicultural twist. When not laughing at her own jokes, Sara can be found eating nachos.

Connect with Sara

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2LKantB
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c8abO1
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3szNnhJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3t02kcq
Twitter: https://bit.ly/38WTAN0
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/3v5v2tW
Website: https://saradesai.com/

2021 New Releases Weekly - November 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 November 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's start...

Our Violent Ends (Our Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong

Shanghai is under siege in this captivating and searingly romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, which New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan calls “deliciously dark.”

The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.

After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.

Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.

Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Sequel to: Our Violent Delights
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks (Montague Siblings #3) by Mackkenzi Lee

Adrian Montague has a bright future. The sole heir to his father's estate, he is an up and coming political writer and engaged to an activist who challenges and inspires him. But most young Lords aren't battling the debilitating anxiety Adrian secretly lives with, or the growing fear that it might consume him and all he hopes to accomplish. In the wake of his mother's unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years.

When a newly found keepsake of hers-a piece of a broken spyglass-comes into Adrian's possession, he's thrust into the past and finds himself face to face with an older brother he never knew he had. Henry "Monty" Montague has been living quietly in London for years, and his sudden appearance sends Adrian on a quest to unravel family secrets that only the spyglass can answer.

In pursuit of answers about the relic, the brothers chart a course to locate their sister Felicity. But as they travel between the pirate courts of Rabat, Portuguese islands, the canals of Amsterdam, and into unknown Artic waters, the Montague siblings are thrown into one final adventure as they face a ghostly legend that threatens their whole family.

Return to the enchanting world of the Montague siblings in the finale to the New York Times bestselling and Stonewall Honor-winning series, featuring a teenage Adrian Montague as he desperately seeks the now adult Monty and Felicity-the older siblings he never knew he had.

Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Sequel to : The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
                   The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Extraordinary (Villains #1.5) by V. E. Schwab

Written by #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab, Extraordinary expands deeper into the world of Schwab's critically acclaimed novels Vicious and Vengeful.

Torn from the world of 'Vicious', where death is not the end, only the beginning of extraordinary powers... Three new "EO"s must grapple with their new abilities... and with those who would hunt them down! Featuring unseen character design galleries from Andrea Olimpieri and story commentary from V.E. Schwab!







Genre: Fantasy Graphic Novel
Publisher: Titan Comics

Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

In Adrian Tchaikovsky's Elder Race, a junior anthropologist on a distant planet must help the locals he has sworn to study to save a planet from an unbeatable foe.

Lynesse is the lowly Fourth Daughter of the queen, and always getting in the way.

But a demon is terrorizing the land, and now she’s an adult (albeit barely) and although she still gets in the way, she understands that the only way to save her people is to invoke the pact between her family and the Elder sorcerer who has inhabited the local tower for as long as her people have lived here (though none in living memory has approached it).

But Elder Nyr isn’t a sorcerer, and he is forbidden to help, for his knowledge of science tells him the threat cannot possibly be a demon…

Genre: Science Fiction
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