Friday 31 December 2021

December 2021 Wrap up

 Hello everyone!!

Today is the last day of the month and of the year and I think it is appropriate to end 2021 with a monthly reading wrap up.
In December I read 7 books (4 physical books and 3 ebooks) and most of them were 4 and 5 star reads, so I am really happy.


Let's start...

The Raven and the Rush (The Book of All Things #1) -  Sarah M. Cradit

I read Raven and The Rush as part of a Book Of Matches Media Tour and I really enjoyed it.
We follow Roshynora and Evrathedyn as they both try to fulfill a destiny they never truly wanted. The characters felt real with all the struggles and heartbreak that they faced.

Rating: 4 Stars

Check out my review here







The Eye of the World ( The Wheel of Time #1) - Robert Jordan

This book was on my TBR for some time and thankfully I finished it in December. It's the 1st book in a 14 book long series and I loved it from the beginning The writing and the world building are incredible. I cannot wait to read more.

Rating: 5 Stars











The City of Mist:  Stories (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books) - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I was really excited when I heard about this short story collection. The Cemetery of Forgotten Books is one of my all time favourite series and I loved to be back in Zafon's Barcelona and meet again some old and new characters from the books.

Rating: 5 Stars








Ilahara: The Last Myrassar (Ilahara #1) -  C. M. Karys

First of all the book is written by two fellow bookstagrammers Chiara (@_ckarys) and Maria (@_mkarys) and I am really happy and proud of them.

Aside from that the book was one of my most anticipated releases and after reading it this month, I loved it. I really liked the story, the world, the characters , the writing... everything...

Rating: 5 Stars

Check out my full review here





The Great American Read: The Book of Books: Explore America's 100 Best-Loved Novels by PBS

It is a companion book to PBS's summer 2018 series. The book has interesting information for each of the 100 Best -Loved Novels, as well as many themed articles.

Rating: 3 Stars











Letter from Birmingham Jail  -  Martin Luther King, Jr

This book belongs to the Penguin Modern Classics Collection (No 1). It is an inspiring book about injustice, equality and non-violent resistance.

Rating: 4 Stars












The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies -  Simon Webb

This book tells the fascinating story of the origin of our ideas about wizards, witches and fairies. It combines folklore and scientific findings to give us an  image of the origins of wizards, fairies etc., as clear as possible.
It was an interesting read and it is well written and well researched.

Rating: 3 Stars

I received an eARC from Netgalley and the publisher








That's it for the month of December.
Have you read any of them? If yes, what did you think?

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


Thursday 30 December 2021

Obsidian Throne by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison - Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Obsidian Throne by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison. It is a YA fantasy romance and the fourth book in The Lochlann Feuds series. The book is already out and now you can binge the whole series!!

Purchase The Lochlann Feuds series here
Add the books to your Goodreads TBR:
Book 1 here
Book 2 here
Book 3 here
Book 4 here

RELEASE DATE: 12.26.21
TITLE: Obsidian Throne
SERIES TITLE: The Lochlan Feuds, Book 4
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A

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

Synopsis:
(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 Adrienne Young, Elise Kova, Brigid Kemmerer, Kiera Cass and  Alisha Klapheke, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until January 4th 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

The Lost Sister by Alexa H. Michaels & Elinora Pane - Cover Reveal


 Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the beautiful cover of The Lost Sister by Alexa H. Michaels & Elinora Pane. It is a New Adult epic fantasy book and it is the first book in The Daughters of Elydon Duology. The book will be released on February 8th 2022.

Purchase The Lost Sister here
Add The Lost Sister to your Goodreads TBR here

Without any further ado here is the cover...



RELEASE DATE: 02.08.22
TITLE: The Lost Sister
SERIES TITLE: The Daughters of Elydon Duology, Book 1
GENRE: NA Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A


"Our family was torn apart by our father’s hunger for power..."


Synopsis:
Meira: I’ve lived two hundred years without my sister --my twin. And the worst part is she doesn’t even know I exist. Now, I’m sneaking into the kingdom where I was born, right under the nose of our megalomaniac father, who happens to be the king. He can’t know I’m here, or we’ll both be trapped.
I can only pray that my sister isn’t cruel like him. That she will accept me and want to escape. I have to save her. Or die trying.

Rina: My father is a tyrant king. And now he’s betrothed me to a monster. This palace is just a gilded cage, and I have to find a way out. Just when I give up and decide to do something desperate--a miracle. My mirror image appears in the market. This stranger claims to be my twin. She promises me escape.
If I don’t go with her now, I’ll be trapped here forever.

The Lost Sister is a high fantasy adventure. This epic voyage has dark elements, heart breaking romances, and plenty of narrow escapes on the high seas and islands in the world of Theria.

***This is the first book in the Daughters of Elydon duology. That means this book has a “to be
continued…” ending.

If you like authors Elise Kova, Danielle Jensen & Sylvia Mercedes, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until February 7th 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

Wednesday 29 December 2021

Ilahara - The Last Myrassar (Ilahara #1) by C. M. Karys - A Review

 


"A Dragon Does Not Fear The Flames"

Today I am reviewing Ilahara : The Last Myrassar by C. M. Karys. It is a New Adult Fantasy book and it is the first in the Ilahara series. The book was released on November 2021 by Literary Wanderlast.

First of all the book is written by two fellow bookstagrammers Chiara (@_ckarys) and Maria (@_mkarys) and I am really happy and proud of them.

Aside from that the book was one of my most anticipated releases and after reading it this month, I loved it. I really liked the story, the world, the characters , the writing... everything...
The story has all my favourite elements such as assassins, intrigues and of course dragons. The writing and the world-building makes you feel that you are there yourself and you can not even notice that Ilahara is written by two authors. 
As far as characters go we have a group of them that come from different backgrounds but are all connected somehow. I loved the multiple POVs and the fact that we have a slow enemies-to-lovers romance, which is one of my favourite tropes. 
I loved the connection between the characters and the friendship dynamics and I cannot pick a favourite among them.

Now all I want is book 2 because this one ended in a pretty strong cliffhanger.

I highly recommend checking out Ilahara. You will not regret it!

Rating: 5 Stars

Synaopsis:
Princess Asharaya Myrassar lost everything on the night of the Coup of Fire when the usurper queen, Aerella Argarys, slaughtered the royal family and claimed the throne of the fae kingdom of Ilahara. After seeking refuge on the human continent and leaving her magical past behind, Asharaya takes on a new identity: Shara, an assassin blessed with dark powers.

Prince Derron Argarys owes his royal title to his mother's coup, and although he has all the status and power one could wish for, he cannot escape the memories of the brutal death of the former prince he once called friend. Now the heir to the throne, Derron must set aside his memories and learn to rule by the Argarys words: show your power, hide your heart.

But when a crone proclaims the last of the dragon-blessed rulers still lives and prophesizes Asharaya's return to Ilahara, friend and foe alike set out to find her, Derron among them. Yet he discovers in Asharaya not only a cold and beautiful assassin but also the princess he once knew. When the chance to rid his family of the Myrassar threat comes, Derron hesitates in dealing the killing blow, charting a new course that may see Asharaya's return to Ilahara to face her greatest enemy and her destiny as the last dragon-blessed queen.

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



Tuesday 28 December 2021

2021 New Releases Weekly - December 28th

 Hello everyone and welcome to the last New Releases Weekly of 2021!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of December 28th. 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 with one book that was released on December 26th...

Obsidian Throne (The Lochlann Feuds #4) by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison

This is the epic conclusion to Rowan's story.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Sequel to: Scarlet Princess
                 Tarnished Crown
                 Crimson Kingdom










And now back to books releasing today...

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska

The Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this new standalone YA fantasy set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where witches are burned, and two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover that they might be falling for each other.

It's Karnawał season in the snow-cloaked Kingdom of Lechija, and from now until midnight when the church bells ring an end to Devil's Tuesday time will be marked with wintry balls and glittery disguises, cavalcades of nightly torch-lit "kuligi" sleigh-parties.

Unbeknownst to the oblivious merrymakers, two monsters join the fun, descending upon the royal city of Warszów in the guise of two innocent girls. Newfound friends and polar opposites, Zosia and Marynka seem destined to have a friendship that's stronger even than magic. But that's put to the test when they realize they both have their sights set on Lechija's pure-hearted prince. A pure heart contains immeasurable power and Marynka plans to bring the prince's back to her grandmother in order to prove herself. While Zosia is determined to take his heart and its power for her own.

When neither will sacrifice their ambitions for the other, the festivities spiral into a wild contest with both girls vying to keep the hapless prince out of the other's wicked grasp. But this isn't some remote forest village, where a hint of stray magic might go unnoticed, Warszów is the icy capital of a kingdom that enjoys watching monsters burn, and if Zosia and Marynka's innocent disguises continue to slip, their escalating rivalry might cost them not just the love they might have for each other, but both their lives.

Genre: Fantasy / LBGTQ+
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Here's to Us (What if it's us #2) by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

Ben has spent his first year of college working on his fantasy manuscript with his writing partner Mario, who is a great Spanish tutor, and an even better kisser. So why can’t he stop thinking about the fact that Arthur’s back in town two years after they called it quits?

Arthur is in New York for a dream internship on Broadway, with a boyfriend back at home that he couldn't be happier with. But when he comes upon Ben cuddled up with a mystery boy, he starts to wonder if his feelings for Ben ever truly went away.

Even as the boys try to focus on their futures, they can't seem to help running into each other in the present. Is the universe forcing them to question if they’re actually meant to be?

Possibly not. After all, things didn’t work the first time around.
Possibly yes. After all, the sparks are still flying.
Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and raise a glass.

Here’s to celebrating old friends!
Here’s to embracing new beginnings!
Here’s to believing in second chances!

Genre: YA contemporary romance / LGBTQ+
Sequel to: What if it's us
Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Evershore (Skyward #3.1, Skyward Flight series #3) by Brandon Sanderson & Janci Patterson

From #1 bestselling author Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson comes the final of three Skyward series novellas, each told from the perspective of a different member of the team back on Detritus. Listen to Jorgen’s story along with Cytonic.

With the government of Detritus in disarray because of Superiority treachery, and with Spensa still away on her mission in the Nowhere, Jorgen must work together with the alien Alanik to pick up the pieces. They intercept a strange transmission from the planet Evershore and its Kitsen inhabitants, who say they have some of Jorgen’s people and want to return them—but can the Kitsen be trusted? And can Jorgen learn to master his increasingly erratic cytonic powers before they spiral out of control and destroy all hope of forming an alliance against the Superiority?


Genre: YA science fiction
Sequel to: Sunreach
                 ReDawn
Publisher: Delacorte Press

The Untold Story (The Invisible Library #8)  by Genevieve Cogman

In this thrilling historical fantasy, time-traveling Librarian spy Irene will need to delve deep into a tangled web of loyalty and power to keep her friends safe.

Irene is trying to learn the truth about Alberich-and the possibility that he's her father. But when the Library orders her to kill him, and then Alberich himself offers to sign a truce, she has to discover why he originally betrayed the Library.

With her allies endangered and her strongest loyalties under threat, she'll have to trace his past across multiple worlds and into the depths of mythology and folklore, to find the truth at the heart of the Library, and why the Library was first created.


Genre: Historical Fantasy
Sequel to: The Invisible Library
                  The Masked City
                  The Burning Page
                   The Lost Plot
                  The Mortal Word
                  The Secret Chapter
                   The Dark Archive
Publisher: Ace

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





Thursday 23 December 2021

The Curse that Binds Us by Katie Hayoz - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you The Curse that Binds Us by Katie Hayoz. It is a NA dark fantasy /  historical fantasy mashup and it is the first book in The Devil of Roanoke series. The book will be released on December 24th

Purchase The Curse that Binds Us here
Add the book to your Goodreads TBR here


RELEASE DATE: 12.15.21
TITLE: The Curse that Binds Us
SERIES TITLE: The Devil in Roanoke, Book 1
GENRE: NA Dark Fantasy / Historical Fantasy mashup
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Kidnapping. Death of a child. (On-screen.)
Violence. (Off-screen and on-screen.)


Some curses can’t be outrun.

Synopsis:

Redd longs to understand her past. And with a mysterious box showing up every year on her birthday, she’s certain the answers she seeks lurk within. But with each new appearance, her mother takes them on the run from the 400-year-old artifact. After finally discovering the antique before her mom, Redd is determined to learn the truth. Yet her actions awaken a link to the evil her mother fought to keep dormant.
John lives in an old-fashioned village, a place of exquisite beauty and abundance. But such splendor demands that the villagers commit unspeakable acts. When the link with Redd is unlocked, the village council believes they
have a solution to simplify their darkest task. John is sent to find the one girl who could possibly save them…it only requires her to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Eleanor sets off from England to America in 1587, pregnant and desperate to leave her ties with the devil behind. But when the captain of the ship refuses to take her and the other settlers further than Roanoke Island, what should be the beginning of a better life turns into a horrendous struggle to survive. Eleanor’s desire to see her daughter live at any cost will curse her and everyone around her for centuries to come…
In a mash-up of urban and historical fantasy, Redd, John, and Eleanor's stories meld together, delving into the nuances of good and evil, the price of loyalty, and the extremes we will go to for those we love.


If you like The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Interview with a Vampire and  The Cruel Prince, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until December 14th 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

Crimson Kingdom by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison - Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Crimson Kingdom by Robin D.  Mahle & Elle Madison. It is a YA fantasy romance and it is the third book in The Lochlann Feuds series. The book was released on December 17th.

We are celebrating the release of book 3, Crimson Kingdom, with the announcement that there will be a 4th and final book, Obsidian Throne, and it releases only 2 weeks after this one!
Elle and Robin didn't want readers to wait for the last book and I think that's awesome!

Purchase Crimson Kingdom here
Preorder Obsidian Throne here
Add The Lochlann Feuds series to your Goodreads TBR:
Book 1 here
Book 2 here
Book 3 here
Book 4 here


RELEASE DATE: 12.17.21
TITLE: Crimson Kingdom
SERIES TITLE: The Lochlan Feuds, Book 3
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A


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

Synopsis:
(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 Adrienne Young, Elise Kova, Brigid Kemmerer, Kiera Cass and  Alisha Klapheke, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until December 28th  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

The Raven and The Rush by Sarah M. Cradit - Book Tour & Review

 


"One raven. One boy. One destiny."

Hello everyone!!

Today I am reviewing The Raven and the Rush by Sarah M. Cradit. It is a YA fantasy romance that is the first book in The Book Of All Things series. The book released on December 14th.

I read Raven and The Rush as part of a Book Of Matches Media Tour and I really enjoyed it. 
We follow Roshynora and Evrathedyn as they both try to fulfill a destiny they never truly wanted. The characters felt real with all the struggles and heartbreak that they faced.
I also really liked the world-building and the writing was really beautiful. The book is about love, duty, betrayal and at the end redemption.
Also the book contained art work of the characters and some scenes which was stunning.

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis

Evrathedyn Blackrook whiles his days away at university, blissfully oblivious to the horrors afflicting his homeland. He escapes into dusty books, content as a second son.
Rhosynora Ravenwood spends her sleepless nights fantasizing of ways to escape her icy, suffocating dynasty. To flee her birthright is to invite a traitor’s penance. To stay is another kind of death.
But time and fate have a way of mending all mistakes.
Evra soon finds himself the new Lord Blackrook. His inheritance is a plague-ridden land, the pyres from his late father’s campaign against magic still smoldering. His realm’s future in the balance, he travels beyond his borders to a remote northern hamlet, where he meets Rhosyn. The spark between them is immediate; the suspicion even stronger. In Rhosyn, Evra sees her rare magic as the perfect answer to his troubles. In Evra, Rhosyn sees everything wrong with the depraved world of men. But Evra is out of options. And Rhosyn is out of time.
As they resist the undeniable, forbidden bond growing between them, Evra’s dawning horror of Rhosyn’s fate brings him to an impossible choice.
His home, or her?

If you like authors Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Leigh Bardugo and Elise Kova, you will like this one too.

Purchase The Raven and the Rush here
Add the book to your Goodreads TBR here

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

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Viper ( Isles of Storm and Sorrow #1) by Bex Hogan - A Review

 


“The man by my side is my opposite and my reflection. The dark to my light. The light to my dark. And everything in between.
But I'm not sure either of us could survive the heartbreak of being together yet being apart.
Love is not enough.”

Hello everyone!!

Today I am reviewing Viper by Bex Hogan. It is a YA Fantasy novel and it is the first book in the Isles of Storm and Sorrow series. The book was published in 2019 by Orion. The next books in the series are Venom and Vulture.

Recently I have come to like books that take place on ships.
Viper was a very interesting and pretty original story that I really enjoyed reading. Marianne's adventures and the twists they took got me turning the pages really fast. Marianne has been training to be the Viper for her entire life - to serve and protect the King and the citizens of The Twelve Isles - but to become the Viper and protect the islands she loves she must find the strength to defeat her father. Marianne is a really good character, she is strong, smart and makes good decisions. 
I liked the world with every island being completely different  from the others and with its own personality. In the story we can also find found family and friendship aspects and many trust issues.

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

He will make me a killer.
Or he will have me killed.
That is my destiny. 
Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles. 
But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake. 
He's the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne's father. 
She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves - and perhaps even her life? 
A brave heroine. An impossible dilemma. An epic new fantasy trilogy set on the high seas.

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

Tuesday 14 December 2021

2021 New Releases Weekly - December 14th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of December 14th. 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 Raven and the Rush (The Book of All Things #1) -  Sarah M. Cradit

One raven. One boy. One destiny. 

From the USA Today and International Bestselling Author of Kingdom of the White Sea comes a new series set in the same vibrant world: The Book of All Things. Escape into this story of destiny and forbidden love weaving together a fate bigger than man, bigger than magic.

Evrathedyn Blackrook whiles his days away at university, blissfully oblivious to the horrors afflicting his homeland. He escapes into dusty books, content as a second son. 
Rhosynora Ravenwood spends her sleepless nights fantasizing of ways to escape her icy, suffocating dynasty. To flee her birthright is to invite a traitor’s penance. To stay is another kind of death. 
But time and fate have a way of mending all mistakes. 
Evra soon finds himself the new Lord Blackrook. His inheritance is a plague-ridden land, the pyres from his late father’s campaign against magic still smoldering. 
His realm’s future in the balance, he travels beyond his borders to a remote northern hamlet, where he meets Rhosyn. The spark between them is immediate; the suspicion even stronger. In Rhosyn, Evra sees her rare magic as the perfect answer to his troubles. In Evra, Rhosyn sees everything wrong with the depraved world of men. 
But Evra is out of options. And Rhosyn is out of time. 
As they resist the undeniable, forbidden bond growing between them, Evra’s dawning horror of Rhosyn’s fate brings him to an impossible choice. 
His home, or her?

Genre: Fantasy Romance

I have already this one and I really liked it. It was a 4 Star read for me and my review will be up on December 23rd.

The Last Wish (The Witcher #0.5) Illustrated Edition -  Andrzej Sapkowski

Experience the world of the Witcher like never before with this stunning deluxe hardcover edition of The Last Wish, the book that launched Andrzej Sapkowski's groundbreaking epic fantasy series, featuring seven gorgeous new full-page illustrations by seven award-winning artists.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit








Heart of a Witch (Embracing Darkness Collection) -  Rebecca L. Garcia

A vengeful fantasy standalone romance perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom and A Touch of Darkness

I’d never particularly liked humans, but I’d never wanted to kill one. Until now. 
Hidden in a kingdom that hates witches, I’m forced to hide what I am. With my sister working in a secret dark magic club, and our family’s shop gaining unwanted attention, things couldn’t be worse when the notorious witch hunter, Damian Shaw, comes to town. 
When my sister shows up dead, and my family’s name is called into question, we’re forced to adopt new aliases and leave the home we cherished. As I watch my life fall apart, I vow to destroy the hunter responsible, but his punishment would not be swift. Death was too easy. 
Redforest is a quaint town, with a church, pretty shops, and like any good town, a dark past. When my family and I move in, I set my sights on the Shaw family, quickly learning everything I can about them. Damian’s son, Elijah, is the hunter’s greatest pride. His heir. His confidante. The only family he trusts. 
I come up with a plan. I am going to shatter every good thing in Damian’s life, ending with his son. My goal: make Elijah Shaw fall in love with me, twist him into the very thing his father hates, then kill him. 
With my heart challenged, the attraction growing, I find myself trapped in a deadly game. In a twist of fate, Elijah might just end up being the death of me. 
Embraced by Darkness is a collection of standalone books set in the same world without an overarching plot, which means you can start with any books in the series and pick and choose which ones you want to read. This collection of novels follows different couples as they go from enemies to friends to lovers, while facing dangerous obstacles in a world split between humans, shifters, witches and gods, set in two kingdoms that separate them.

Genre: Fantasy Romance

On December 17th we have...

Crimson  Kingdom (The Lochlann Feuds #3) -  Robin D. MAhle & Elle Madison

Rowan thought she had escaped being a prisoner. 
But even in Lochlann, she is chained by the memories of everything she left behind in Socair. 
Of everyone she left behind. 
With her people clamoring for war, the responsibility falls on Rowan to enter into a marriage alliance to keep her kingdom safe. That should be easy, considering she’s already received proposals from half the clans in Socair. 
But even with plenty of options, she’s left with no good choices. 
Will she play it safe? Or will she risk everything for the kind of love she never wanted to begin with? 
The kind of love that could break her.



Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: Scarlet Princess
                 Tarnished Crown

And on December 18th...

Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky (Supernatural Beasts & Bullies #7) - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

The winds of fate are shifting, and it finally seems like they’ve been twisted in our favour. 
On the run and cast out from society, we’ve been forced to hide from the mad man who stole our throne. But as more secrets come to light and my sister and I work harder than ever before to reach our potential and claim our birth right, the end is finally drawing closer. 
There is no turning from this path now. The curse chases on our heels as time rushes by and the blood drenched destiny of the man I love looms ever closer just like the monster who stole our throne. 
We must prepare for the final battle, but three things are clear now. 
The cards have already been dealt. 
Blood will spill for a new future to rise. 
And the stars themselves can’t help us. 
The fight for the throne is upon us. All hail the heartless sky.

Genre : Fantasy Romance
Sequel to: The Awakening
                 Ruthless Fae
                 The Reckoning
                 Shadow Princess
                Cursed Fates
                 Fated Throne
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

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



Sweet by Elizabeth Hunter - Release Tour

 

Sweet, an all-new opposites-attract romance novella from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Hunter is now live!
Sweet is a standalone romance novella from USA Today Bestselling author, Elizabeth Hunter.
He survived by always being in control. She’s about to make him melt.
It’s 2004, and Daisy Rivera knows two things: she’s going to end up disappointing her parents’ fondest hopes and dreams in roughly six months, and somehow she’s going to figure out how to kiss the mysterious tattoo artist two shops down from her grandmother’s cafe that everyone calls Spider.
Spider Villalobos knows one thing: if he gives into temptation and makes a move on Daisy, his fresh start is over.
Their shops may be neighbors in Metlin, but their lives are worlds apart. Sweet is an all new novella in the Love Stories on 7th and Main series by USA Today bestselling author, Elizabeth Hunter.

Fall in love today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BFPR27
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SweetEH
Apple Books: https://apple.co/30apLGz
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/5f8ttk62
Nook: https://tinyurl.com/3ks259zd

Add Sweet to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3x0mINs


Start the Love Stories on 7th and Main Series with Ink: A Novel today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rYSydf
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/InkEH
Apple Books: https://apple.co/31Vb63p
Nook: https://bit.ly/3m15HP6
Kobo: https://bit.ly/320Qk24

About Elizabeth Hunter
ELIZABETH HUNTER is a USA Today and international best-selling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family. She has published over thirty works of fiction and sold over a million books worldwide. She is the author of Love Stories on 7th and Main, the Elemental Legacy series, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.

Connect with Elizabeth
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2P1f95f
Twitter: http://bit.ly/33UT9xp
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2VUJzrk
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2J6TWD8
YouTube: http://bit.ly/33PeLet
Tumblr: http://bit.ly/33HxatB
Stay up to date with Elizabeth by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/35QNMAL

Homecoming King by Penny Reid - Release Tour

 

Homecoming King, an all-new holiday romcom from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is now live!
Rex “TW” McMurtry’s perpetual single-hood wouldn’t bother him so much if all his ex-girlfriends didn’t keep marrying the very next person they dated, especially when so many of those grooms are his closest friends. He may be a pro-football defensive end for the Chicago Squalls, but the press only wants to talk about how he’s always a groomsman and never a groom. Rex is sick of being the guy before the husband, and he’s most definitely sick of being the best man at all their weddings.

Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. She’s dated. Once. And once was more than enough. Privy to all the sad stories of her customers, ‘contentment over commitment’ is her motto, and Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship . . . except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.

The guy who just walked into her bar.
The guy who doesn’t recognize her.
The guy who is drunk and needs a ride home.
The guy who has a proposition she should definitely refuse.

Meet Abby and Rex today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wwGoZj
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HCKing
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3kkKxdZ
Nook: https://bit.ly/3HaU6pp
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3H7Usx7
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3dK25MZ
Smashwords: https://bit.ly/33rsEEK

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3BXRx6s

Meet Penny Reid
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator/ publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

Connect with Penny
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/

Sunday 12 December 2021

The Gift of Dragons by Rachel A. Greco - Cover Reveal


 Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you the cover for The Gift of Dragons by Rachel A. Greco. It is a YA Fantasy book that will be released on May 12th 2022.

Without further ado here is the beautiful cover...


Title: The Gift of Dragons
Author: Rachel A. Greco
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Release Date: May 12, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 316
Format: Paperback | Ebook

Synopsis:

When the prince Adelaide seeks to overthrow tries convincing her that the legendary dragons exist and need help, Adelaide must decide where her true allegiance lies before the kingdom shatters. Ever since the Gyndilians murdered her sister, Adelaide has plotted a rebellion to overthrow the king and prince who failed to protect them during the attack. Following her across the country is a stranger–not just any stranger, but the prince she’s  hoping to overthrow–and Adelaide’s plans begin to collapse.

But Prince Elias has his own dangerous secrets–secrets connected to the dragons that once lived in the land. If he can’t earn Adelaide’s trust, there may never be any peace for Adelaide, her people, or the dragons.

In The Gift of Dragons by Rachel A. Greco, the fate of two species rests on the tip of a dagger. Can Adelaide overcome her prejudices and thirst for revenge to do what’s best for her people before rage and sorrow consume her?

Author Bio:

Rachel A. Greco dreams of being a dragon but has settled instead for being an author, which is almost as fun. Her short story, Fairy Light, won an honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition. When not writing, she can be found reading, kayaking, or dancing with elves in the forests of her North Carolina home.




SOCIAL LINKS:
Website 
Tiktok


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

Saturday 11 December 2021

Once Upon A Broken Heart (OUABH#1) by Stephanie Garber - A review

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am reviewing Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. It is a YA Fantasy book and it is the first book in the Once Upon A Broken Heart series. The book was released in September 2021 by Hodder & Stoughton.

Well, Stephanie Garber did it again and I couldn't be happier. I loved this book and it made me love Jacks more. The book had everything, love, mystery and magic. 
It also had appearances of characters from the Caraval series that I really enjoyed seeing. I believe you can read Once Upon A Broken Heart without having read the Caraval trilogy as there are only tiny spoilers but you will enjoy it even more if you read Caraval first. 
Character-wise I really liked Evangeline Fox. She is brave and kind and believes strongly in the happily ever afters.  Jacks was not my favourite character in the previous series as I preferred Legend. After reading this book though, everything changes. The banter and the interactions between the two of them was everything.

All in all this book is magical and whimsical and I urge you to read it now!! As for me I just need book 2 asap.

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis of the book:
From Stephanie Garber, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval, Once Upon a Broken Heart is the first book in a new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.

But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

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

Friday 10 December 2021

She Rises by Caitlin Denman - Book Tour


 Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you She Rises by Caitlin Denman. It is a YA Fantasy book and it is the second book in the She Awakens series. The book is already out!

Sale Alert!!
Until December 14th book1, She Awakens, will be only 0,99 $!!

Purchase She Rises here
Add the She Awakens series to your Goodreads TBR:
Book 1 here
Book 2 here


RELEASE DATE: 12.07.21
TITLE: She Rises
SERIES TITLE: She Awakens, Book 2
GENRE: YA Fantasy
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: n/a

She's awakened her new powers, but can she conquer them?

Synopsis:

Attina finds herself in an unlikely predicament when it's uncovered that the normal, human existence she thought she lived is turned upside down. Finding out she’s half Fae not only confounds her, but in a time where the brutal Fae run the world she is suddenly tasked with bringing the Fae and humans together.
With the help of her trusty, and somewhat snarky steed Raven, Attina sets out on a mission to save the human race from extinction. As she continues on her mission, she discovers powers beyond her wildest
dreams.
In a world where it’s tricky to discern who’s good and where the evil really lies, Attina finds herself in one predicament after another, not knowing who to trust except for Raven. As her journey unfolds, her strength and will are tested. Will she ever be strong enough to bridge the gap between these two worlds?

If you like authors Elise Kova, Holly Black and Laura Thalassa, you wil like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until December 16th  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

Discerning Her Shadows by Tara Webb - Book Tour

 


Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Discerning Her Shadows by Tara Webb. It is a YA epic fantasy romance book and it is the first book in Her Story series. The book is already out.

Purchase Discerning Her Shadows here
Add Discerning Her Shadows to your Goodreads TBR here


RELEASE DATE: Already Released
TITLE: Discerning Her Shadows
SERIES TITLE: Her Story, Book 1
GENRE: YA Epic Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Contains scenes of torture, previous bodily injury, sexual assault, and death.


Synopsis of the book:

Ashlynn Forrest is a royal outcast who is kept in the shadows about who she really is. The mysteries behind each of the king’s appointed deaths and beatings sends her into an awakening. But, her awakening might cost her more than she is willing to lose.⁠
Discovering the king is controlled by an evil curse forces Ashlynn to escape her uncle’s wrath. In hopes to find a cure before the rest of the kingdom succumbs to its sickness she flees across dangerous lands riddled with Knarkes, Elves, Dragons, and other mystical beasts. Her only defense is to hone her awakened intuition. If not, she could lead everyone farther into the king's sick clutches.

If you enjoyed books like Throne of Glass, Graceling, and Eragon you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until December 15th 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