January 2022 Reading Wrap up

 Hello everyone!!

January is over so it is time to share with you my monthly reading wrap up. In this month I read 6 books in total. 2 of them were ebooks and the rest were physical books. I also found two of new favourite books among them.

Let's see them together, shall we?

Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #1) by Sue Lynn Tan

This is a fantasy book that is also a myth retelling. It s the first book in The Celestial Kingdom Duology and was published on January.

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

This was my first read on 2022 and it was also a 5 star read that I loved. It is a debut fantasy and it is inspired by Chinese mythology and more specifically by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess.

I loved the writing style of the author, it is so whimsical and beautiful and the world - building and magic system are just phenomenal. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Check out my full review here

 

The Heir by Benet Stoen

It is a YA fantasy book and it is the first book in The Royal Three trilogy. The book was released on July 2021.

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

This is a gender-bent Hades and Persephone re-imagining with political intrigue, complex characters and many shocking plot twists. 

I liked the writing style and the story and how it progressed. It is slow at the beginning but then picks up and you just want to turn page after page to find out what happens.

Rating: 3,5 Stars

Check out my review here

The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S. A Chakraborty

This is a fantasy book with elements of historical fiction and it is the first book in The Daevabad Trilogy. The book  was published in 2017.

I had The City of Brass in my shelves since when it was published and I finally managed to read it. I loved it and I regretted not having done that earlier. 

First of all, I love the story and the writing style . S.A. Chakraborty describes everything perfectly. My favourite thing of all though, is the world and the world - building that she does.

Rating:  5 Stars

Check out my full review here

Gilded (Gilded #1) by Marissa Meyer

This is a YA fantasy book that is also a fairy tale retelling. It was published in November 2021.

I read as part of the #booktalkwithwifey readalong on Instagram  and I really enjoyed it. It was dark and also whimsical and atmospheric. The main character wasn't my favourite but that didn't stop me from liking the book. 

Rating 4 Stars

Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier

This is a YA Fantasy book that was released also on November 2021 and it was part of the December Fairyloot box.

I read it as part of their readalong and I loved it. I didn't have high hopes for it but thankfully it surprised me and became a 5 star read for me. All the plot twists made it even more gripping and I kept turning the pages. I loved the characters and the writing style.

Rating: 5 Stars

As Kingfishers catch fire by Gerard Manley Hopkins

It is a selection of his poetry and it is part of Penguin's Little Black Classics.  I didn't like it as it was expected since I don't like that kind of poetry. 

I just read it as part of my challenge to read all the books in this series.

Rating: 1 Star

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

Athina

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Frozen Hearts & Death Magic by Day Leitao - Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Frozen Hearts & Death Magic by Day Leitao. It is the first book in the Of Fire and Fae series and it is a YA Fantasy Romance. It was released on January 22nd.

Purchase the book here

Add it on your Goodreads TBR here

Here are 5 Reasons to read Frozen Hearts & Death Magic:

1. If you like books with fae and stories like The Cruel Prince.
2. If you like multi-POV stories, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, family drama, royal intrigue, and mysterious magic
3. It has many plot twists and because the book is inspired by telenovelas, the twists are really good.
4. It has a really good world-building
5. It has different and well-thought magic systems.

Synopsis of the book:

It all started with a kiss. A forbidden fae kiss. 

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own.

They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming? But the fae is evasive and secretive. He’s also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: she kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the Gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

About the author

I’m originally from Brazil but I’ve been living in Canada for over 10 years now. I have some influence from Brazilian writers and Brazilian culture, but I also read popular books in English. I watched some Anime as a kid, my favorite being Yamato.

I’ve always loved to write stories, and I like to always include romance, action and humor in my writing. I think stories can touch us deeply. I live in Montreal, Canada, with my son.

My books include the Ya fantasy series Kingdom of Curses and Shadows, Portals to Whyland, and the sci-fi standalones The Sphere of Infinity and Star Spark.

Check out my blog for some news, updates, and nonsensical ramblings.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook 

Check out the tour schedule here

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

Athina

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The City of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - A Review

 

"I have always envied the ability to forget that some people have for whom the past is like a change of season or old shoes that it is enough to condemn in the back of a closet so that they are unable to redo the lost steps".

The City of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a collection of short stories all taking place at the same setting as the novels of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. The collection was published posthumously in 2020 and was translated in English in 2021. I have read the Greek translation of the book.

Gathered here for the first time - and some never before published in English - these stories showcase the talents of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, a writer beloved by millions of readers and a master who has left us too soon.

The Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is one of my favourites. It is so atmospheric and just perfect. So, when I heard that a short story collection was coming out I was really excited and of course after reading it I just loved it. It was good to be back in Barcelona and meet old and new heroes. 

The writing as always with Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books was excellent. It is a pity that we will not read more by him.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

The echo of the great characters and motifs of the novels of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series resonates in the stories of Carlos Ruiz Zafón.

A boy decides to become a writer when he discovers that his inventions hold the power to entice the rich girl who has stolen his heart...

An architect flees Constantinople with plans for an impregnable library...

A strange gentleman tempts Cervantes to write a book that has never existed...

And Gaudí, sailing to a mysterious rendezvous in New York, delights in a spectacle of light and steam, the stuff that cities should be made of.

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

Athina

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2022 New Releases Weekly - January 25th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of January 25th. 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...

Goliath -  Tochi Onyebuchi

In the 2050s, Earth has begun to empty. Those with the means and the privilege have departed the great cities of the United States for the more comfortable confines of space colonies. Those left behind salvage what they can from the collapsing infrastructure. As they eke out an existence, their neighborhoods are being cannibalized. Brick by brick, their houses are sent to the colonies, what was once a home now a quaint reminder for the colonists of the world that they wrecked. 

A primal biblical epic flung into the future, Goliath weaves together disparate narratives—a space-dweller looking at New Haven, Connecticut as a chance to reconnect with his spiraling lover; a group of laborers attempting to renew the promises of Earth’s crumbling cities; a journalist attempting to capture the violence of the streets; a marshal trying to solve a kidnapping—into a richly urgent mosaic about race, class, gentrification, and who is allowed to be the hero of any history.

Genre: Science Fiction /  Dystopia

Publisher: Tordotcom

Into the Midnight Void (Beyond the Ruby Veil #2) -  Mara Fitzgerald

Emanuela has finally gotten what she wanted. Since escaping her catacomb prison, she's started running things her way. Under her rule, citizens no longer give up their lives at the first, tiny appearance of their omens. As long as they aren't caught bad-mouthing their queen, they can live out their days like everyone else.

But when cracks in her magic start to show, Emanuela begrudgingly allies herself with her enemies, including her frustratingly alluring archnemesis, Verene. Together, discover deeper truths about the mysterious blood magic Emanuela and Verene both wield. There is a higher, otherworldly authority outside the veils, and in order to save Occhia and the other realms, Emanuela may just have to rip another crown off someone's head.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Beyond the Ruby Veil

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections  -  Eva Jurczyk

What holds more secrets in the library: the ancient books shelved in the stacks or the people who preserve them?

Liesl Weiss has been (mostly) happy working in the rare books department of a large university, managing details and working behind the scenes to make the head of the department look good. But when her boss has a stroke and she's left to run things, she discovers that the library's most prized manuscript is missing.

Liesl tries to sound the alarm and inform the police about the missing priceless book but is told repeatedly to keep quiet to keep the doors open and the donors happy. But then a librarian goes missing as well. Liesl must investigate both disappearances, unspooling her colleagues' pasts like the threads of a rare book binding as it becomes clear that someone in the department must be responsible for the theft. What Liesl discovers about the dusty manuscripts she has worked among for so long—and about the people who preserve and revere them—shakes the very foundation on which she has built her life.

Genre: Fiction /  Mystery

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

On January 26th , Saga returns...

Saga (Issue #55) - Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

At long last, Hazel and her star-crossed family are finally back and here to kick off a NEW STORY ARC! So, where the hell have they been? As thanks for fans’ endless patience, the SAGA team is proud to return with a double-length issue—44 pages of story for the regular $2.99 price point—without variant covers or gimmicky renumbering. Just more pulse-punding adventure, heart-wrenching character drama, and gloriously graphic sex and violence, as SAGA begins the second half the series and the most epic chapter yet!

The SAGA series has sold over 6.8 million copies to date across all formats, has been translated into 20 languages, and has garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, plus a Hugo Award, British Fantasy Award, Goodreads Choice Award, Shuster Award, Inkwell Award, Ringo Award, and more. It has been featured in such mainstream media outlets as TIME, Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, NPR, and beyond, and has become a pop culture phenomenon.

Genre: Science Fiction Graphic Novel

Publisher: Image Comics

And on January 27th...

Pandora - Susan Stokes -  Chapman

A pure pleasure of a novel set in Georgian London, where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations and romance.

Perfect for readers who loved The Binding and The Essex Serpent.

London, 1799. Dora Blake is an aspiring jewellery artist who lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents' famed shop of antiquities. When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora is intrigued by her uncle's suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar. Edward sees the ancient vase as key to unlocking his academic future. Dora sees it as a chance to restore the shop to its former glory, and to escape her nefarious uncle.

But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it. As Dora uncovers the truth she starts to realise that some mysteries are buried, and some doors are locked, for a reason.

Gorgeously atmospheric and deliciously page-turning, Pandora is a story of secrets and deception, love and fulfilment, fate and hope.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Harvill Secker

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

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The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S. A. Chakraborty - A Review

 

“Greatness takes time, Banu Nahida. Often the mightiest things have the humblest beginnings.”

― S.A. Chakraborty, The City of Brass

The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty is a fantasy book with elements of historical fiction and it is the first book in The Daevabad Trilogy. The book  was published in 2017.

I had The City of Brass in my shelves since when it was published and I finally managed to read it. I loved it and I regretted not having done that earlier. 

First of all, I love the story and the writing style . S.A. Chakraborty describes everything perfectly. My favourite thing of all though, is the world and the world - building that she does. The story is told through two POVs, Nahri and Ali and they might start in completely different places but then they converge. My favourite scenes were those where Dara was present. I loved everything about him.

There is a lot of political intrigue that adds to the overall story and setting. And of course the magic of the djinn and how it differs between the many tribes is incredible. And I don't have to mention the ending of the book.

Tomorrow I am starting book 2, The Kingdom of Copper and I highly recommend that you start reading this trilogy asap.

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

In the markets of eighteenth century of Cairo, thieves, tricksters, con artists and outcasts eke out a living swundling rich nobles and foreign invaders alike.

But alongside this new world, the old stories linger. Tales of djinn and spirits, of cities hidden among the swirling sands of the desert - full of enchantment, desire and riches - where magic pours down every street hanging in the air like that.

Many wish their lives could be filled with wonder, but not Nahri. She knows the trades she uses to get by are just tricks and slights of hand, there's nothing magical about her. She only wishes to one day leave Cairo, but as the saying goes...

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

Athina

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The Heir by Benet Stoen - A Review

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am reviewing The Heir by Benet Stoen. It is a YA fantasy book and it is the first book in The Royal Three trilogy. The book was released on July 2021.

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

This is a gender-bent Hades and Persephone re-imagining with political intrigue, complex characters and many shocking plot twists. 

I liked the writing style and the story and how it progressed. It is slow at the beginning but then picks up and you just want to turn page after page to find out what happens. I liked the dynamics between the main characters, Finn, Andromeda and Angelus. 

I wanted though more information about the world and the magic system and I hope that book 2 will give us that. 

The ending was something that caught me of guard as I wasn't expecting that to happen. It also felt a little bit rushed. 

There are some major trigger warnings such as assault, self harm & suicide attempts.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

About the book:

Three rulers.

Two sides.

One plot for revenge.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Lavdia.

In a village all but forgotten by the country’s rulers, Finn leads two lives. One of a simple country doctor, and the other of a smuggler with cargo of a rare variety: Wielders, a nearly extinct race of people born with the ability to control Magic. With their rights being threatened by the very people in power meant to protect them, the Wielderssee Finn as their last chance for a better life. But when Finn is abducted and blackmailed into the service of a vengeful royal, his loyalty, and his heart, will be put to the ultimate test.

On a throne miles away, Andromeda, selected at birth to inherit the role of Mother Queen and continue her family’s royal line, has waited years for her chance to exact revenge on those who stole her freedom and tore her family apart. But she can’t do it alone. With the help of a handsome and intriguing young doctor, she will right the wrongs committed against her, and forge a path of a most gloriously scarlet retribution.

With the fate of their kingdom hanging in the balance, these two unlikely allies must navigate an intricate web of political rivalries and long-buried secrets in order to achieve their goals. But as hidden plots unfold and the true rot at the heart of the country is revealed, what starts as a quest for justice spirals into a desperate game of survival.

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

Athina

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Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #1) by Sue Lynn Tan - A review

 

“Some scars are carved into our bones - a part of who we are, shaping what we become.”

― Sue Lynn Tan, Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is a fantasy book that is also a myth retelling. It s the first book in The Celestial Kingdom Duology and was published on January 11th (US) and today (UK)

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

This was my first read on 2022 and it was also a 5 star read that I loved. It is a debut fantasy and it is inspired by Chinese mythology and more specifically by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess.

I loved the writing style of the author, it is so whimsical and beautiful and the world - building and magic system are just phenomenal. The book is action packed and fast - paced and in my opinion it can stand pretty well as a standalone. Of course I am really intrigued to see how it will continue in the next one. 

I loved the main character, Xingyin, because she is a fierce female warrior who fights for her family. She is smart and passionate. I also loved the relationship dynamics between her and the prince.

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis of the book:

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

Add Daughter of the Moon Goddess to your Goodreads TBR here .

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

Athina

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Bound by Firelight (Wickery #2) by Dana Swift - Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you Bound by Firelight by Dana Swift. It is a YA Fantasy book and it is the second book in the Wickery series. The first book in the series is Cast in Firelight. The book was published yesterday January 18th.

Purchase Bound by Firelight - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indigo, IndieBound

Add Bound by Firelight to your Goodreads TBR here

Synopsis of the book

The heart-pounding sequel to Cast in Firelight, perfect for fans of epic, sweepingly romantic fantasy by Sabaa Tahir, Susan Dennard, and Mary E. Pearson.

After a magical eruption devastates the kingdom of Belwar, royal heir Adraa is falsely accused of masterminding the destruction and forced to stand trial in front of her people, who see her as a monster. Adraa’s punishment? Imprisonment in the Dome, an impenetrable, magic-infused fortress filled with Belwar’s nastiest criminals—many of whom Adraa put there herself. And they want her to pay.

Jatin, the royal heir to Naupure, has been Adraa’s betrothed, nemesis, and fellow masked vigilante . . . but now he’s just a boy waiting to ask her the biggest question of their lives. First, though, he’s going to have to do the impossible: break Adraa out of the Dome. And he won’t be able to do it without help from the unlikeliest of sources—a girl from his past with a secret that could put them all at risk.

Time is running out, and the horrors Adraa faces in the Dome are second only to the plot to destabilize and destroy their kingdoms. But Adraa and Jatin have saved the world once already. . . . Now, can they save themselves?

“I was hooked from beginning to end!”—Kathryn Purdie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of

Bone Crier’s Moon

“Fans of Serpent & Dove’s smart-alecky Lou and The Wrath and the Dawn’s cunning Shazi should prepare themselves to fall head over heels for the fiery Adraa.”—Kelly Coon, author of the Gravemaidens duology

About the Author

 

Dana Swift started making up fantasy worlds when she was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned degrees in English and Advertising. While in college, Dana competed as a saber fencer and learned a thing or two about fighting, parrying and how it feels to fall in love with your sparring partner. She currently lives with said husband in Miami, Florida.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Here is the link for the tour schedule: https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2021/11/16/tour-schedule-bound-by-firelight-wickery-2-by-dana-swift/

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

Athina

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 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of January 18th. 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...

Engines of Empire (The Age of Uprising #1)  -  R. S. Ford

This epic fantasy tells the tales of clashing Guilds, magic-fueled machines, intrigue and revolution—and the one family that stands between an empire's salvation or destruction.

The nation of Torwyn is run on the power of industry, and industry is run by the Guilds. Chief among them are the Hawkspurs, and their responsibility is to keep the gears of the empire turning. It’s exactly why matriarch Rosomon Hawkspur sends each of her heirs to the far reaches of the nation.  

Conall, the eldest son, is sent to the distant frontier to earn his stripes in the military. It is here that he faces a threat he could have never seen coming: the first rumblings of revolution. 

Tyreta’s sorcerous connection to the magical resource of pyrstone that fuels the empire’s machines makes her a perfect heir–in theory. While Tyreta hopes that she might shirk her responsibilities during her journey one of Torwyn’s most important pyrestone mines, she instead finds the dark horrors of industry that the empire would prefer to keep hidden.  

The youngest, Fulren, is a talented artificer, and finds himself acting as consort to a foreign emissary. Soon after, he is framed for a crime he never committed. A crime that could start a war.  

As each of the Hawkspurs grapple with the many threats that face the nation within and without, they must finally prove themselves worthy–or their empire will fall apart. 

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Orbit

Shattered Midnight (The Mirror #2) -  Dhonielle Clayton

The Mirror: Shattered Midnight is the second novel in the innovative four-book fairy-tale series written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

Zora Broussard has arrived in New Orleans with not much more than a bag of clothes, a beautiful voice, and a pair of enchanted red shoes. Running from a tragic accident caused by her magic, Zora wants nothing more than to blend in, as well as to avoid her overbearing aunt and mean-spirited cousins. Music becomes Zora’s only means of escape, yet she wonders if she should give it all up to remove the powers that make her a target, especially as a Black woman in the South. 

But when Zora gets the chance to perform in a prominent jazz club, she meets a sweet white pianist named Phillip with magic of his own, including a strange mirror that foretells their future together. Falling into a forbidden love, Zora and Phillip must keep their relationship a secret. And soon the two discover the complicated connection between their respective families, a connection that could lead to catastrophe for them both. In the era of segregation and speakeasies, Zora must change her destiny and fight for the one she loves . . . or risk losing everything.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Broken Wish

Publisher: Disney -  Hyperion

Servant Mage - Kate Elliott

Fellion is a Lamplighter, able to provide illumination through magic. A group of rebel Monarchists free her from indentured servitude and take her on a journey to rescue trapped compatriots from an underground complex of mines.

Along the way they get caught up in a conspiracy to kill the latest royal child and wipe out the Monarchist movement for good.

But Fellion has more than just her Lamplighting skills up her sleeve…

In Kate Elliott's Servant Mage, a lowly fire mage finds herself entangled in an empire-spanning conspiracy on her way to discovering her true power.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Tordotcom

Beyond the End of the World (The Other Side of the Sky #2) -  Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson and Laini Taylor, this sequel to New York Times bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s genre-bending fantasy The Other Side of the Sky takes us to the grand sky-city of Ciel, where danger and mystery await.

Time to stop Inshara. Time to find a way between worlds. Time to find each other again. 

Nimh still holds on to her divinity, if only by a thread. 

In her final confrontation with Inshara, the woman determined to take her place and rule Nimh’s kingdom, both Nimh and her enemy were sent to the world above, in the cloudlands. 

Now North looks to the sky, left behind on the surface world. 

Desperate for a chance to join the girl he loves and save his world, North will stop at nothing to find a way back to his home in the sky-city of Ciel. Before it’s too late to save anyone. 

But more awaits them in the world above than North or Nimh could ever expect. And as they come together and team up with allies from above and below, they face an ultimate test of their bond, their abilities, and their belief in each other in a quest to save their worlds.

Vivid, compelling, and absolutely magnetic, this much-anticipated sequel to New York Times bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s The Other Side of the Sky has something for every reader: a star-crossed love full of tantalizing longing, unique and immersive new worlds to explore, and nonstop thrills that escalate into an unforgettably electric conclusion.

Genre: YA Fanasy

Sequel to: The other Side of the Sky

Publisher: HarperCollins

Akata Woman (The Nsibidi Scripts #3) - Nnedi Okorafor

From the moment Sunny Nwazue discovered she had magic flowing in her blood, she sought to understand and control her powers. Throughout her adventures in Akata Witch and Akata Warrior, she had to navigate the balance between nearly everything in her life–America and Nigeria, the “normal” world and the one infused with juju, human and spirit, good daughter and powerful Leopard Person.

Now, those hard lessons and abilities are put to the test in a quest so dangerous and fantastical, it would be madness to go…but deadly not to. With the help of her friends, Sunny embarks on a mission to find a precious object hidden deep in a magical realm. Defeating the guardians of the prize will take more from Sunny than she has to give, and triumph will mean she will be forever changed.

Genre: Fantasy

Sequel to: Akata Witch

                Akata Warrior

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Bound by Firelight (Wickery #2) -  Dana Swift

After a magical eruption devastates the kingdom of Belwar, royal heir Adraa is falsely accused of masterminding the destruction and forced to stand trial in front of her people, who see her as a monster. Adraa's punishment? Imprisonment in the Dome, an impenetrable, magic-infused fortress filled with Belwar’s nastiest criminals—many of whom Adraa put there herself. And they want her to pay. 

Jatin, the royal heir to Naupure, has been Adraa’s betrothed, nemesis, and fellow masked vigilante... but now he’s just a boy waiting to ask her the biggest question of their lives. First, though, he’s going to have to do the impossible: break Adraa out of the Dome. And he won’t be able to do it without help from the unlikeliest of sources—a girl from his past with a secret that could put them all at risk. 

Time is running out, and the horrors Adraa faces in the Dome are second only to the plot to destabilize and destroy their kingdoms. But Adraa and Jatin have saved the world once already... Now, can they save themselves?

The heart-pounding sequel to Cast in Firelight, perfect for fans of epic, sweepingly romantic fantasy by Sabaa Tahir, Susan Dennard, and Mary E. Pearson.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Sequel to: Cast in Firelight

Publisher: Delacorte Press

And on January 22nd...

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic (Of Fire & Fae #1) -  Day Leitao

A forbidden fae kiss could be deadly.

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming? 

But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again. 

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster. 

Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is a telenovela-inspired upper YA romantic fantasy for fans of multi-POV stories, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, family drama, royal intrigue, and mysterious magic. It’s book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up.

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Sparkly Wave

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

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The Revelation of Three by Sara M. Schaller - Book Tour

 

Hello everyone!!

Today I am really excited to share with you The Revelation of Three by Sara M. Schaller. It is a YA fantasy book and it is the second book in The Empyrean Trilogy. The book was released on August 2021.

This was supposed to be a review post but since my copy didn't arrive on time , I will post my review later on when I have finished the book.

Purchase the book : Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Add the book to your Goodreads TBR here

Title: The Revelation of Three

Author: Sara M. Schaller

Publisher: Designs by Seraphim

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 485

Format: Hardcover | Ebook

Synopsis of the book:

He thought he was prepared to go to war with the Devil, but what if Satan’s not his true enemy?

Ever since the Devil donned a powerful amulet that allows him to walk the Earth, he has grown weaker-and so has his authority. As a result, mutiny is rising in Hell, and the Devil must fight to remain the king of the underworld. Little does he know, there is much more at stake than his title.

After the death of the nun who raised him and his best friend, Jordan Conway cannot think of anything but finding Sophia and keeping her safe. Luckily, he has a team of archangels on his side, and with their help, the two lifelong friends are reunited. But Jordan didn’t expect the reunion to include another of Sister Helen’s charges-the boy he’d loved like a brother but who had pushed him away, Dane. The three orphans never thought their lives would amount to much, but finding their way back to each other is leading them to finding out who they truly are.

All paths converge when the fourteenth sphere, a celestial object with a power like no other, appears at the Met. The angels must keep it from falling into the wrong hands, and soon, the lines between good and evil blur as they find themselves fighting alongside Satan to prevent the unleashing of a dark and dangerous force hell-bent on taking them all down. But in this world, nothing is as it seems, and the mysterious sphere is possibly the least of their concerns…

Get ready for another adventure as the three friends, and the angels they now consider family, travel the globe in search of a way to save each other-and the world.

About the author

SARA M SCHALLER is a paralibrarian, publishing professional, and young adult author. She lives in Colorado with her mom, dad, brother, and four furry canine siblings. Sara loves the world of pop culture and the performing arts, so when she is not reading or writing, she is either watching movies and shows, attending conventions, or going out to see live performances.

She likes to write stories for all ages in the fantasy genre, and her writing usually contains elements of speculative fiction and features a large cast of characters. Sara has a Bachelor’s degree in English, Art History, and Religious Studies from the University of Denver, and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University. For five years, Sara worked as a graphic designer, and her creativity in design carries over into other areas of her life like writing.

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Website: https://www.saramschaller.com

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

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

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

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/saramschaller_author

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaU-r9PJvM220rdI11Y-_0A

The link to the rest of the tour schedule is here

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

Athina

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Fate Calling by Lindsay Grace - Book Tour

 

"A cursed fae prince. A feisty human lass. A fate they never expected..."

Today I am really excited to share with you Fate Calling by Lindsay Grace. It is a YA Fantasy Romance and it is the first book in The Celtic Fae series. The book is already out.

Purchase the book here

Add the book to your Goodreads TBR here

RELEASE DATE: Already Released

TITLE: Fate Calling

SERIES TITLE: The Celtic Fae, Book 1

GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A

Synopsis of the book:

All Aislinn Morgan wants is to live a peaceful life with her sister in the beautiful highlands of Scotland. When a hike on the Isle of Skye goes horribly awry and the sisters are taken to the mythical land of the fae, Aislinn will do anything to protect the only family she has left.

Even bargain with a beastly fae prince.

But the brooding, dangerous, and powerful Kieran O'Bairr is no ordinary fae. He has spent the last one hundred years in a self-imposed exile for a crime that haunts his every waking moment. The stubborn Aislinn Morgan is a complication he doesn't want, but his longing for the golden-haired lass is undeniable, her kissable lips a temptation he can't resist.

Aislinn is his fated mate.

And one desperate, stolen kiss will be his undoing.

If you like authors Sylvia Mercedes, Emma Hamm, Elise Kova, Alisha Klapheke, Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until  January 2022 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

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2021 Favourite Books of the year

 

Hello everyone!!

Today we are going to talk about my favourite books that I read in 2021. 

I chose 16 books this time and since I mainly read fantasy books, these all belong to that genre.

So, let's start with the books, which will be in reading order.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Series:  The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (book 1)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: June 2012

Read  : January 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

My review here

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Series: Six of Crows Duology (book 1)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: September 2015

Read : February 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Blood and Ash (book 1)

Genre: NA Fantasy romance

Published: March 2020

Read: March 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Blood and Ash (book 2)

Genre: NA Fantasy romance

Published: September 2020

Read: April 2021

Rating:  5 Stars

My review here

Incognito by Katie Delahanty

Series: Keystone (book 2)

Genre: YA Science fiction /  Dystopia

Published: May 2021

Read: May 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

Assassin's Creed : Odyssey by Gordon Doherty

Series: Assassin's Creed Universe (book 9)

Genre: Fantasy/ Historical

Published: September 2018

Read: June 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

My review here

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember in the Ashes (book 2)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: August 2016

Read: July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elise Kova

Series: Married to Magic (book 2)

Genre: Fantasy romance

Published:  August 2021

Read: July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Series: Six Crimson Cranes (book 1)

Genre: YA fantasy / retelling

Published: July 2021

Read: August 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember in the Ashes (book 3)

Genre: YA fantasy

Published: June 2018

Read: September 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

My review here

City of Ghosts by V. E. Schwab

Series: Cassidy Blake (book 1)

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Published: August 2018

Read: September 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

My review here

Dark Rise by C. S. Pacat

Series: Dark Rise (book 1)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: September 2021

Read: October 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Blood and Ash (book 3)

Genre: NA fantasy romance

Published: April 2021

Read: October 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Series: Once Upon A Broken Heart (book 1)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: September 2021

Read: November 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Series: The Wheel of Time (book 1)

Genre: Fantasy

Published: January 1990

Read: December 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

Ilahara : The Last Myrassar by C. M. Karys

Series: Ilahara (book 1)

Genre: NA Fantasy

Published: November 2021

Read: December 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My review here

Here are all of my favourite books from 2021.

Have you read any of them? What did you think?

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

Athina

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