Saturday 30 April 2022

April 2022 Reading Wrap up

 Hello everyone!!

As you already have guessed from the title, it is time again for my monthly reading wrap up. In April I read 8 books, of which 2 were ebooks and the rest were physical books. The two ebooks were also eARCS. 
It was a really good reading month since I had three 5 - Star reads and discovered a new favourite author.




But don't waste any more time. Let's see what I read in April.

The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne

This is the first book of John Gwynne that I read and I loved it.
It is set in a Norse inspired world and it is full of magic, adventures and vengeance. I loved the world building and I cannot wait to explore more of it. I also really liked the writing style and the way John Gwynne wrote his characters.
I am really excited to learn more about the world, the Gods and the magic in the sequel The Hunger of the Gods.

Rating: 5 Stars

Check out my review here



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

This graphic novel is set in the Villains universe and it takes place between the events of Vicious and Vengeful. In this one we have three new EOs and we also meet our main characters from the books.
I really liked the story and the writing and I found the illustrations very fitting to the story. However, I believe that it was a little bit short and I hope that they are more installments in the future


Rating: 4 Stars

Check my review here



The Enigmas of History: Myths, Mysteries Madness from Around the World by Alan Baker

This book was okay . I didn't like it but I didn't hate it either.
It has some really good chapters but the majority was not so good in my opinion. There was no problem with the writing but with the selection of the topics for each chapter.

Rating: 2 Stars










The Hunger of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #2) by John Gwynne

Well, I have found a new favourite author and I am really happy about it. Now I want to read all of John Gwynne's books. 

I loved this book too.  We now follow more POVs and the story continues from where we left it in book 1 and now the storylines of our main characters are interconnected. 
The ending was really intense and I need book 3 asap.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review to come pretty soon



Rebel Girls Mean Business : 25 Tales of Entrepreneurs and Investors by Rebel Girls

I really enjoyed reading this installment of Rebel Girls. I liked the selection of female entrepreneurs and investors that it included. Every story was really inspiring.

Also the illustrations in these books are always really beautiful.

Rating: 4 Stars






Aphorisms on Love and Hate by Friedrich Nietzche

This little book contains a selection of Nietzsche's aphorisms and it examines the pleasures of revenge, the falsity of pity and the incompatibility of marriage with the philosophical life. 
I liked reading this little collection It was easy to read and some of the ideas mentioned are still valid. 
However, through this collection we can see how sexist Nitzsche was.

Rating: 3 Stars







Gallant by V. E. Schwab

The latest book of my favourite author is a standalone fantasy book that I loved. I really loved the story and the atmosphere that was created through the setting. I loved Olivia and Gallant.


Rating: 5 Stars

Review to come pretty soon.








The Atlas Six (The Atlas #1) by Olivie Blake

This book was really hyped and I was confused while reading it. I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. By the end of it though I was sure that I liked it. 
If you like dark academia and fantasy books with a school setting you will definitely enjoy this too.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review to come pretty soon.





That was my reading wrap up for April.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

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

Friday 29 April 2022

ExtraOrdinary (Villains #1.5) by V. E. Schwab - A Mini Review

 


ExtraOrdinary by V. E. Schwab  is part of the Villains series and it is of course a fantasy graphic novel. It was released in October 2021.

This graphic novel is set in the Villains universe and it takes place between the events of Vicious and Vengeful. In this one we have three new EOs and we also meet our main characters from the books.
I really liked the story and the writing and I found the illustrations very fitting to the story. However, I believe that it was a little bit short and I hope that they are more installments in the future

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

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!

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

Thursday 28 April 2022

The Wish-eater by Claire Luana - Book Tour

 


"A desperate wish. A creature shrouded in myth. A perilous journey to the heart of what it means to truly live..."

The Wish -  Eater by Claire Luana is a YA fantasy romance standalone book that was published on April 26th.

Add The Wish -  Eater to your Goodreads TBR here
Purchase The Wish -  Eater here


RELEASE DATE: 04.26.22
TITLE: The Wish-Eater
SERIES TITLE: N/A
GENRE: YA Fantasy Romance
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Domestic violence (on screen-there is one scene with physical violence and also emotional manipulation), abortion (discussion/consideration on-screen but it occurs off screen), emotional infidelity


About the book: 

There is no greater pain than a wish unfulfilled— a truth Elodie Mercer and Sebastian Beringer know all too well. After four long years of trying for a child, Elodie’s hopes of motherhood have all but consumed her. She’s convinced a baby will save her loveless marriage and help banish her husband’s demons.
Sebastian’s suffered
his own secret pain—watching Elodie married to the wrong man for all these years.
So when a stranger comes to their quiet village with a fantastical tale of a mythical, wish-granting creature, Elodie latches onto the story as her salvation. Driven by the desperate desire to see their wishes fulfilled, Elodie and Sebastian embark on a dangerous quest to find the Wish-Eater, only to discover that there are things worse than a wish unfulfilled, after all.

If you like The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, Uprooted by  Naomi Novik and East by  Edith Pattou, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until May 5th 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

Shadow Angel, book 3 by Julie Hall & Leia Stone - Book Tour

 


"From the moment I saw the shadows come to life, I knew my world would never be the same."

Shadow Angel, book 3 by Julie Hall & Leia Stone is a YA Urban Fantasy Romance and it is the third book in the Shadow Angel Series. The book is already out and actually the whole trilogy is now complete and is free with KU.

Purchase Shadow Angel here
Add the Shadow ANgel series to your Goodreads TBR :


TITLE: Shadow Angel, Book 3
SERIES TITLE: Shadow Angel Series
GENRE: YA Urban Fantasy Romance
STEAM LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: n/a
RELEASE DATE: 04.21.22


Synopsis: 
(For book 1 to avoid series spoilers)

Yesterday I was a teenager waiting tables in Manhattan, and today, monsters exist and I can see them.
Overnight I’m thrown into the realm of the Watchers, a society of earthbound angels split into two factions: The Shades, whose powerful dark magic is given to them by the fallen angels, and the Lumens, whose abilities are bestowed on them by the archangels of Avalon.
They’re on opposite sides of a brutal war, and I only have a few days to pick which side I want to join. I’m ready to choose when the Shades force my hand by cursing someone I love.
The only hope I have of saving them rests on the broad shoulders of the prickliest Shade alive, Gage Alston. He’s cold, arrogant, and quite possibly the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Do I trust him? No.
Do I need him? Yes.
Do I want to kiss him? Maybe.
Perhaps I’ll choose darkness after all.

There is a giveaway running until April 30th 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 26 April 2022

2022 New Releases Weekly - April 26th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of April 26th. 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...

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

A dark and compelling fantasy about sisterhood, impossible tasks and the price of power, from award-winning author T. Kingfisher

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra―the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter―has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince―if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Titan Books

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”

So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.

Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.

But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak—and what legacy she intends to leave behind.

A stunning debut from a powerful new voice, Kaikeyi is a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreak—of an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.

Genre: Fantasy /  Mythology Retelling
Publisher: Redhook

The Discord of Gods (A Chorus of Dragons #5)  by Jenn Lyons

The Discord of Gods marks the epic conclusion to Jenn Lyons's Chorus of Dragon series, closing out the saga that began with The Ruin of Kings, for fans of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.

The end times have come.

Relos Var's final plans to enslave the universe are on the cusp of fruition. He believes there's only one being in existence that might be able to stop him: the demon Xaltorath.

As these two masterminds circle each other, neither is paying attention to the third player on the board, Kihrin. Unfortunately, keeping himself classified in the "pawn" category means Kihrin must pretend to be everything the prophecies threatened he'd become: the destroyer of all, the sun eater, a mindless, remorseless plague upon the land. It also means finding an excuse to not destroy the people he loves (or any of the remaining Immortals) without arousing suspicion.

Kihrin's goals are complicated by the fact that not all of his "act" is one. His intentions may be sincere, but he's still being forced to grapple with the aftereffects of the corrupted magic ritual that twisted both him and the dragons. Worse, he's now tied to a body that is the literal avatar of a star - a form that is becoming increasingly, catastrophically unstable. All of which means he's running out of time.

After all, some stars fade - but others explode.

Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: The Ruin of Kings
                 The Name of All Things
                 The Memory of Souls
                 The House of Always
Publisher: Tor Books

One Foot In The Fade (The Fetch Phillips Archives #3) by Luke Arnold

Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

In a city that lost its magic, an angel falls in a downtown street. His wings are feathered, whole—undeniably magical—the man clearly flew, because he left one hell of a mess when he plummeted into the sidewalk.

But what sent him up? What brought him down? And will the answers help Fetch bring the magic back for good?

Working alongside necromancers, genies, and shadowy secret societies, through the wildest forests and dingiest dive bars, this case will leave its mark on Fetch's body, his soul, and the fate of the world.

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Sequel to: The Last Smile in Sunder City
                 Dead Man in a Ditch
Publisher: Orbit

The Girl and the Moon (Book of the Ice #3) by Mark Lawrence

In the third exhilarating novel in this dazzling epic fantasy series, a young outcast will fight against staggering odds to save her world.

On the planet Abeth, a narrow Corridor of green land is surrounded on all sides by ice plains where only the strong survive. Ice triber Yaz has completed a perilous journey and arrived at the Corridor, and it exceeds and overwhelms all of her expectations. Everything seems different but some constants remain: her old enemies are still two steps ahead, bent on her destruction. She makes her way to the Convent of Sweet Mercy, where nuns train young girls who show the old gifts, but like the Corridor itself the convent is packed with peril and opportunity. Yaz has much to learn from the nuns—if they don’t decide to execute her.

The fate of everyone squeezed between the Corridor’s vast walls, and ultimately the fate of those laboring to survive out on ice itself, hangs from the moon, and the battle to save the moon centers on the Ark of the Missing, buried beneath the emperor’s palace. Everyone wants Yaz to be the key that will open the Ark – the one the wise have sought for generations. But sometimes wanting isn’t enough.

Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: The Girl and the Stars
                 The Girl and the Mountain
Publisher: Ace

Bow Before the Elf Queen ( The Elf Queen #1) by J.M. Kearl

In hiding all her life, Layala prepares for the day the wicked High Elf King Thane will come to steal her— his powerful mate. She trains to take her revenge for the wrongful execution of her parents, who died for her freedom.
Now that day has come, forcing her to come face-to-face with what she’s hidden from: a dangerous, dark-haired, warrior king determined to marry her.
After she’s shoved into a black carriage pulled by six ominous steeds, Layala makes plans to take her captors’ lives and free herself...
...but Thane has a secret that makes it impossible for Layala to slay him. She has an even darker truth that makes loving her forbidden, no matter how much Thane wants to touch.

Dare to dive into this whimsical and deeply romantic story inspired by Hades & Persephone, The Lord of the Rings, and a sprinkle of Norse mythology. A tale that will grip you from the first page and stay with you long after the last.

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Independently publshed

The Wish - Eater By Claire Luana

There is no greater pain than a wish unfulfilled— a truth Elodie Mercer and Sebastian Beringer know all too well. After four long years of trying for a child, Elodie’s hopes of motherhood have all but consumed her.  She’s convinced a baby will save her loveless marriage and help banish her husband’s demons. Sebastian’s suffered his own secret pain—watching Elodie married to the wrong man for all these years.

So when a stranger comes to their quiet village with a fantastical tale of a mythical, wish-granting creature, Elodie latches onto the story as her salvation. Driven by the desperate desire to see their wishes fulfilled, Elodie and Sebastian embark on a dangerous quest to find the Wish-Eater, only to discover that there are things worse than a wish unfulfilled, after all.

From the author of the Confectioner Chronicles comes a stand-alone fairy tale romance that explores the complexities of love and family, the true flavor of folklore, and the cost of the slow erosion of hope.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Live Edge Publishing

Blade of Shadow (Seven Swords #2)  by Sarah K.L. Wilson

Every surface of the land creeps with monsters.

I escaped from the first wave of monsters with a magic sword, a kidnapped duke, and a big chip on my shoulder.
It's not enough for me to run. Not when this tide threatens to sweep over the entire world.
I'm the only one who can warn people of what's coming. I'm the only one who knows the truth. And I'm the only one who holds a sword able to fight against the tide of plague and monsters ... or am I?

Author's Note: This is dark, intense, romantic (not steamy), unrelenting and contains cliffhangers because all the best stories do. Read at your own risk.



Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: Heart of Shadow

On April 28th ...

Elektra by Jennifer Saint

The House of Atreus is cursed. A bloodline tainted by a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods.

Clytemnestra
The sister of Helen, wife of Agamemnon - her hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy by the feckless Paris. Her husband raises a great army against them, and determines to win, whatever the cost.

Cassandra
Princess of Troy, and cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it. She is powerless in her knowledge that the city will fall.

Elektra
The youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence?

Genre: Fantasy / Mythology Retelling
Publisher: Wildfire

The Imagination Chamber by Philip Pullman

A book of stunning, moving, exhilarating, breathtaking scenes setduring the events of Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.

Master storyteller Philip Pullman returns to the world of Lyra and Will, Mrs Coulter and Lee Scoresby, Pantalaimon and Iorek Byrnison, in this must have companion to the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic





And on April 30th...

The Jade Setter of Janloon (The Gren Bone Saga #0.5) by Fonda Lee

THE JADE SETTER OF JANLOON is a standalone novella in The Green Bone Saga. It takes place two years before the events of Jade City.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Subterranean Press









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

Wolves of Adalore & The Red Maiden by Morgan Gauthier - Cover rebrand tour

 


"Siblings. Enemies. Rivals. Only one will sit on the White Throne."

Wolves of Adalore & The Red Maiden by  Morgan Gauthier are book 1 and 2 of the Mark of the Hunter series. They are YA Urban fantasy book and they are already released. 

Purchase the books here
Add the books to your Goodreads TBR : book 1book 2

Look how gorgeous are the new covers...



TITLE: Wolves of Adalore, Book 1, The Red Maiden, Book 2
SERIES TITLE: Mark of the Hunter Series
RELEASE DATE: Already Released
GENRE: YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
STEAM LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
- Incest is mentioned, but not seen.
- Torture is mentioned, but not seen.
- Death/loss of family members.


About the book:

Niabi killed for it once and is prepared to kill again.
Crispin wants it and is determined to have his revenge.
Salome wants nothing to do with it, but has to fight for it.

After years of people insisting she must be cursed due to her discolored left eye, Salome starts to believe they might be right. But when Harbona the Seer unexpectedly visits her, he reveals not only has the Year of the Hunter begun, but Salome’s distorted eye is in actuality the Mark of the Hunter, and she is charged to avenge the blood of the innocent.
With the Immortal Seer, their axe-wielding guardian, and a dangerous bounty hunter known as the Wanderer in their company, Salome and her brother, Crispin, embark on a journey to defeat their sister and reclaim the White Throne.

If you like Throne of Glass, Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until May 1st 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 25 April 2022

Bride of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes - Book Tour

 


"A shunned princess. A reluctant king. A marriage that could save their kingdoms . . . but destroy their hearts. "

Bride of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes is a YA Fantasy Romance and the first book in the Bride of the Shadow King series. The book is already out.

Purchase Bride of the Shadow King  here
Add Bride of the Shadow King to your Goodreads TBR here


RELEASE DATE: Already released
TITLE: Bride of the Shadow King
SERIES TITLE: Bride of the Shadow King, Book 1
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Arranged Marriage 
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A



About the book:

Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. Her chronic illness makes her a liability to the crown, and she has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.
When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride , Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.
Though not eager to take a human bride, King Vor is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people.
When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.
So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?

If you like authors Elise Kova, Grace Draven, Miranda Honfleur, you will like this book too.

There is a giveaway running until May 5th 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 23 April 2022

The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne - A Review

 


“We are the Bloodsworn, closer than kin. A brotherhood, a sisterhood: we live and die together.”

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne is a adult fantasy book and it is the first in the Bloodsworn Saga. The book was released on May 2021.

This is the first book of John Gwynne that I read and I loved it. 
It is set in a Norse inspired world and it is full of magic, adventures and vengeance. I loved the world building and I cannot wait to explore more of it. I also really liked the writing style and the way John Gwynne wrote his characters. 
We follow the story through three POVs (Orka, Elvar and Varg) who seem separate at the beginning but towards the end their stories come together in a fascinating way. My favourite of the three is Orka who is a character perfectly written from the start. She puts her family above everything and that is what drives her vengeance forward. 
One of the themes in the book is found family and that is evident in all our POVs but especially in Varg's.
The book is full of battle scenes that are all exceptional. 
The last part of the book was intense and action packed and also full of violence and emotions. 

I am really excited to learn more about the world, the Gods and the magic in the sequel The Hunger of the Gods.

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis of the book
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.

Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods . . .

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

Friday 22 April 2022

Son of Death by Stacey Willis - Book Tour

 


"This is what you died to do."

Son of Death by Stacey Willis is a YA Urban Fantasy and it is the second book in The Daughter of Fire Saga series. The book is already out and we are not only celebrating the newly released hardcover edition of this book  but also  from April 20 -May 1st, you can use code: BNPDOFS75 at the Barnes & Noble checkout to receive 75% off both book1 & 2 hardcover editions!!

Purchase Son of Death here
Add The Daughter of Fire Saga series to your Goodreads TBR :



TITLE: Son of Death
SERIES TITLE: The Daughter of Fire Saga, Book 2
RELEASE DATE: Already Released
GENRE: YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
STEAM LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mild violence

Synopsis:
(for book 1 to avoid spoilers!)

When Savannah Green’s predictable life is suddenly shattered by the false alluring temptation of a party, she finds herself on the plane of the dead, with her only belongings being her memories and the leftover fragments of a severed relationship with her father.
Savannah must navigate the life of a Grim Reaper while she closes in on the reasons for her father’s disappearance. And she will begin to dig up the truth about the divine world and those who rule it – as well as the age-old forces hellbent on overthrowing it. But after a mistake costs someone’s life, she will become the Reapers Organization's number one target. Yet even while on the run, when a long standing and still very persistent threat arises, Savannah must put her own pride aside in order to protect those she loves.
Even if it means dying completely.

If you like The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, A Wicked Trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and The Heroes ofOlympus by Rick Riordan, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until April 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

Wednesday 20 April 2022

Shadow Kissed by Rebecca L. Garcia - Book Tour

 


"Some fates belong to the shadows…"

Shadow Kissed by Rebecca L. Garcia is a YA Fantasy Romance and it is the first book in the Marked by Blood series.  The book is already out.

Purchase Shadow Kissed here
Add Shadow Kissed to your Goodreads TBR here


TITLE: Shadow Kissed
SERIES TITLE: Marked By Blood, Book 1
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Enemies-to-lovers
STEAM/HEAT LEVEL: Mild
TRIGGER WARNINGS: N/A

About the book:

Olivia knows everyone at the guild is on high alert, but no one will tell her why. She’s certain the death of her boyfriend is behind it, but the truth is far worse. Darkness has come to the mortal kingdom. When the guild protecting them is attacked by vampires, Olivia is swept away from the safety of her home when her mom and best friend are taken.
Before she can get away, she’s captured by a vampire, Sebastian, who insists he’s protecting her. But when she’s taken to the City of Nightmares, the most dangerous place in the vampire kingdom she realizes she’s been made prisoner.
As she fights to survive in a world where mortals are nothing more than things to be fed on or traded, Olivia must use her wits and place her trust in the handsome, but deadly Sebastian, if she’s going to figure out a way to save her loved ones.
However, some of the world's most vicious vampires want her dead. Others want her for themselves.
When the truth comes out, Olivia realizes the ones she loves have been shielding her from a fate worse than death. Can she escape the clutches of her bloody destiny, or will she succumb to the shadows?

If you like  A Dance With the Fae Prince by Elise Kova and Ember Of Night by Molly E. Lee, you will like this one too.

There is a giveaway running until April 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

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley - Book Tour

 


Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley is a YA queer standalone fantasy that was released yesterday April 19th.

Add Sofi and the Bone Song to your Goodreads TBR here
Purchase Sofi and the Bone Song:




About the book:

In this gorgeous, queer standalone fantasy, a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!

Music runs in Sofi’s blood.
Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art.
Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father’s title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi’s horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges.
Almost like magic.
The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi’s father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy.
As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future.

About the author:

Adrienne Tooley (she/her) was born and raised in the desert suburbs of Southern California. She grew up in the theater, earning her B.A. in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. She and her wife currently live in New York City where she works in hospitality tech. In addition to writing novels she is also a singer/songwriter and has released several EPs which are available on Spotify & other streaming sites. Her debut novel, SWEET & BITTER MAGIC, is out now from S&S/McElderry. Her second novel, SOFI AND THE BONE SONG, will release from S&S/McElderry in 2022. She can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @adriennetooley.


Author Links:

Check out the rest of the tour schedule here


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

Tuesday 19 April 2022

Gossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley - Book Tour

 

Gossamer in the Darkness, an all new captivating fantasy novella set in the Fantasyland World from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley and 1,001 Dark Nights, is available now!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley brings a new story in her Fantasyland series…

Their engagement was set when they were children. Loren Copeland, the rich and handsome Marquess of Remington, would marry Maxine Dawes, the stunning daughter of the Count of Derryman. It’s a power match. The perfect alliance for each house.

However, the Count has been keeping secret a childhood injury that means Maxine can never marry. He’s done this as he searches for a miracle so this marriage can take place. He needs the influence such an alliance would give him, and he’ll stop at nothing to have it.

The time has come. There could be no more excuses. No more delays. The marriage has to happen, or the contract will be broken.

When all seems lost, the Count finds his miracle: There’s a parallel universe where his daughter has a twin. He must find her, bring her to his world and force her to make the Marquess fall in love with her.

And this, he does.

**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!
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/36QfqCY

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/34q0FWq

About Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.
Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.

Connect with Kristen Ashley

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Monday 18 April 2022

2022 New Releases Weekly - April 19th

 Hello everyone!!

Well, it's time for this week's new releases post. This time we look at books published in the week of April 19th. 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...

Fevered Star (Between Earth and Sky #2) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Return to The Meridian with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s sequel to the most critically hailed epic fantasy of 2020 Black Sun—finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Lambda, and Locus awards.

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying 
The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent. 
The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded? 
As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth. 
And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction? 
Welcome back to the fantasy series of the decade in Fevered Star—book two of Between Earth and Sky.
Fantasy
 
Genre: Fantasy
Sequel to: Black Sun
Publisher: Saga Press

Flint And Mirror by John Crowley

From award-winning author John Crowley comes a novel that masterfully blends history and magic in Flint and Mirror.

As ancient Irish clans fought to preserve their lands and their way of life, the Queen and her generals fought to tame the wild land and make it English.

Hugh O'Neill, lord of the North, dubbed Earl of Tyrone by the Queen, is a divided man: the Queen gives to Hugh her love, and her commandments, through a little mirror of obsidian which he can never discard; and the ancient peoples of Ireland arise from their underworld to make Hugh their champion, the token of their vow a chip of flint.

From the masterful author of Little, Big comes an exquisite fantasy of heartbreaking proportion.

Genre: Fantasy /  Historical Fiction
Publisher: Tor Books

The Ambrosia Throne by Tati B. Alvarez

Then…
Before they were gods, they were princes of Dasos.
For years the kingdom of Dasos was ruled by the merciless King Cronus and the bewitching Queen Rhea. Under their rule, the kingdom prospered until the queen discovered she was pregnant with their third child, Zeus.
Hated from birth, Zeus must fight to earn his father’s love and his place alongside his brothers: Hades and Poseidon. If Zeus can find the legendary elixir known as Ambrosia, a substance prophesied to make gods of men, not only will he win his father’s approval, he will secure the future of Dasos.

Now…
Centuries later, Dasos is merely a dilapidated village nestled deep within a brutal forest full of roving bands of the vicious Unhallowed, soulless creatures set to destroy anything in their wake.
Lilith, a curious woman with a fiery spirit, stumbles into town with no recollection of where she came from. All Lilith knows is that she’s drawn to Dasos the same way she was drawn to Finian, the town blacksmith.
A storyteller and weapon forger, Finian is plagued with nightmares of a dark shadowed man. After Lilith’s arrival, the nightmares intensify and soon Finian questions what is real and what resides only in his mind.
When the town is attacked, Lilith and Finian find themselves pawns in a centuries old war between feuding brothers. Destruction, death, and the cursed Unhallowed lurk around every corner.

Love and loyalty will be tested.
Hearts and bodies will be broken.
An unknown enemy will awaken.
Welcome to the world of Dasos, where gods and mortals collide.

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: shelf - published

The Genesis Wars (The Infinity Courts #2) by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends. 
It’s been ten months since Nami narrowly escaped the Four Courts and Ophelia’s wrath. Ten months since she was betrayed by someone she once considered a friend. Someone she poured her heart out to. And now her family here in the afterlife are gone, captured, and Nami is utterly alone. 
On the run, only steps ahead of the AI forces pursuing her, and desperate to free her friends, Nami must take the allies she can find, even if she doesn’t fully trust them. And as she tests the limits of her own power, she must also reckon with the responsibility that entails. 
Stakes are high as Nami navigates old enemies, unexpected allies, and an ever-changing landscape filled with dangers and twists at every turn. Along the way, she’ll learn powerful truths about who she can trust and the sacrifices that must be made in order to fight for a better, freer world for all.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Sequel to: The Infinity Courts
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Spear by Nicola Griffith

The girl knows she has a destiny before she even knows her name. She grows up in the wild, in a cave with her mother, but visions of a faraway lake come to her on the spring breeze, and when she hears a traveler speak of Artos, king of Caer Leon, she knows that her future lies at his court.

And so, brimming with magic and eager to test her strength, she breaks her covenant with her mother and, with a broken hunting spear and mended armour, rides on a bony gelding to Caer Leon. On her adventures she will meet great knights and steal the hearts of beautiful women. She will fight warriors and sorcerers. And she will find her love, and the lake, and her fate.


Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Tordotcom


Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley

In this gorgeous, queer standalone fantasy, a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined—perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!

Music runs in Sofi’s blood. 
Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art. 
Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father’s title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi’s horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges. 
Almost like magic. 
The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi’s father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy. 
As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

These are some of the new releases of this week.
Are you excited about them?
Do you have other ones on your radar that I should know of?

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