Silence is Silver (Shadowbinders #0.5) by Andrew Watson - A Review

 Hello everyone & Happy Thursday!!

Today's post is a mini review for Silence is Silver by Andrew Watson (@the_fools_tale). This is a prequel novella and takes place before the events of the Shadowbinders trilogy.

I read it as an eARC and loved it. I really like the writing style and the world building. Despite the fact that it is only a novella, it has its plot twists that keep you turning the pages. Silence is Silver is full of action and emotions.

You get to see how Bas became who he is and how his past shaped him as a character in Harbinger of Justice (book 1 in the series).

This novella can be read either before or after you read the first novel in the series.

Silence is Silver will be released tomorrow June 14th and you can read it for free if you subscribe to Andrew's newsletter.

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

The Urdahl believe pain is inevitable. But if one can lean into that suffering they can achieve anything.

Beneath the desert sands, Bas has spent his entire life training to become a fully-fledged Urdahl. And now his time has come to prove his worth. First, he must drink from the Seeing Bowl to clear his clouded mind and witness visions bestowed to him by ancient deities. Next, he must prove strength of body with the Passage of the High Pass. But destiny is shrouded in red and strength of arm will not be enough to survive its true tests.

Will he ascend to a full Urdahl or will his visions of blood come to pass?

The turning season has begun.

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

Athina

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Witch Hat Atelier , vol 2 by Kamome Shirahama, - A mini Review

 Hello everyone & Happy Thursday!!

Tell me a book that you recently gave it a 5 star rating.

The last book that I gave a 5 star rating, it was actually a manga. 

Last year I attempted to read my first ever manga and I chose Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama and I loved it. Several months later I picked volume 2 and I am still loving it. 

It is a very sweet story about a little girl, Coco, who loves magic and she wants to become a witch. However, things are not so simple as they sound and look. 

I really love how the story progresses and the characters, world building and magic system are incredible. 

I should stop now and go pick up volume 3.

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis:

After traveling to the mystical township of Kalhn with her new master to buy a casting wand, a strange, masked witch transports Coco and her three sister apprentices to an eerily quiet city. But they soon find out that they're not alone, and they encounter a ferocious dragon! Do these fledgling witches have what it takes to defeat the fire-breathing beast, or will their plans and lives go up in flames?!

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

Athina

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Fathomfolk (Drowned World #1) by Eliza Chan - A Review

 

Fathomfolk is the first book in the Drowned World series by Eliza Chan and is a modern, myth-inflected story of revolution and magic set against the glittering, semi-submerged city of Tiankawi.

I enjoyed reading this one but it was not one of my favourites. I liked the characters, some more than others and I also liked the asian inspired setting and folklore. Mira and Kai were my favourites.

The book comments on social issues such as privilege, poverty, political exploitation and social hierarchy, and it does it really well.

However, I found it to be a little slow paced for my taste and towards the end I wanted more explanations. 

Rating: 3 Stars

About the book:

Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears.

 

But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on peering down from skyscrapers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk — sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas—who live in the polluted waters below.

 

For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to reform. At last, she has the ear of the city council and a chance to lift the repressive laws that restrict fathomfolk at every turn. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when a water dragon is exiled to the city.

 

New arrival Nami is an aristocratic water dragon with an opinion on everything. Frustrated by the lack of progress from Mira's softly-softly approach in gaining equality, Nami throws her lot in with an anti-human extremist group, leaving Mira to find the headstrong youth before she makes everything worse.

 

And pulling strings behind everything is Cordelia, a second-generation sea-witch determined to do what she must to survive and see her family flourish, even if it means climbing over the bodies of her competitors. Her political game-playing and underground connections could disrupt everything Nami and Mira are fighting for.

 

When the extremists sabotage the annual boat race, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Even Nami realizes her new friends are not what they seem. Both she and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth it, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.

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

Athina

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The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg - A Review

 Hello everyone & Happy Thursday!!

Today's post will be a review!

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg (@gosalgo), is a mythic dark fantasy, equal parts smart, exhilarating, and delightfully fun. It examines identity, loneliness and forbidden love, in a stunning world with Thai demon folklore. 

The book was released on April 9th from Angry Robot (@angryrobotbooks)

I really liked reading this book. I loved the Thai & Southeast Asia inspired world building and the lore. The writing was really vibrant and the characters were both dark and funny. I really liked our MC Ex, who is very loveable.

If I had one complain it would be that towards the end I was a little bit confused but thankfully the ending was satisfying.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infected forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, saves him from an ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.

But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect of the Phi Hunters, but the Hunters themselves, along with the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

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

Athina

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Harbinger of Justice (Shadowbinders #1) by Andrew Watson - A Review

 Hello everyone & Happy Thursday!

I have a book review for you today. It is about Harbinger of Justice by Andrew Watson, which is the first book in the dark epic fantasy Shadowbinders series.

Upon the black sands and beneath the ever-watching eyes, a tale of shadow magic and ancient mysteries unfold.

After reading the synopsis of this book, I knew thatI would like it and of course I wasn't disappointed. I loved it and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out.

This is a really good debut novel and I really liked the writing style, as well as the world building (which is Egyptian inspired) and the lore behind it. I also rally enjoyed the characters and the found family trope. One of the things that I liked the most was the magic system that has to do with shadow magic. 

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

In the desert city of Yontar, Nya cares for her sick mother. But when Nya is arrested, her mother’s death is all but certain unless Nya joins a secret project that promises her freedom. If she survives. 

Rai, a mercenary, has a shadow dark enough for two. In his quest to discover the nature of the creature living in his shadow, Rai collides with old friends and new enemies, stumbling into an ancient mystery that could mean the end of the world as they know it. All the while, a darkness stirs and rebellion threatens, helmed by a man who promises justice will reign.

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

Athina

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A Curse For True Love (OUABH #3) by Stephanie Garber - A Review

 

“I am a monster, but whether you remember it or not, I’m your monster, Evangeline.”

― Stephanie Garber, A Curse for True Love

A Curse for True Love was the finale to a beloved trilogy that I was hoping for. Stephanie did again an amazing job with this book. 

We are back to the Magnificent North and follow Evangeline Fox as she tries to figure out what is happening and what has happened to her. 

As always I loved the writing style and the relationship dynamics between our characters. Evangeline and Jacks is a great combination and if I had to make one complaint about the book, it would be that I needed more scenes with these two together. 

It was a fast read and I wish that it wasn't because I didn't want it to end. 

I hope that we get more stories in the Magnificent North and see our characters again. 

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.

Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A Curse for True Love, the breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy

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

Athina

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood - A review

 

“Maybe you're not meant for me the way I'm meant for you, but I'm going to choose you anyway, over and over and over again.”

― Ali Hazelwood, Bride

If you wanted to describe the book in just one sentence, you could say that it is a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha werewolf. After that you can leave to Ali Hazelwood to create a perfect story. 

This is the second book I read from the author and just like the previous one I just loved it. It was very addictive and couldn't put it down. 

Ali Hazelwood knows how to write romances regardless of the setting. She created her characters to feel real and with great relationship dynamics. 

Bride was a funny, smart and sexy book with a found family trope and an enemies to lovers trope and excellent banter and tension between our main characters. And adding to all these, we also have great plot twists that left me with my mouth open.

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast-again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange. Again.

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It's clear from the way he tracks Misery's every movement that he doesn't trust her. If only he knew how right he was...

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what's hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory... alone with the wolf.

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

Athina

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Seeds of War (the Smokesmiths #1) by João F. Silva - A Review

 

"He ran like the monster he was. And the smoke followed."

Seeds of War by João F. Silva

Seeds of War is a self-published epic fantasy book and the first in The Smokesmiths series. I came across this book through @fantasy_fellowship and it sounded very intriguing that I started reading it.

The Smokesmiths is a gritty epic fantasy series with a harsh world of smoke magic, alien creatures and ancient secrets where characters do their best to come out on top. Peace will not last.

I really liked reading Seeds of War. It has great world - building, a very unique magic system and well - written characters with strong development.  The book is about complex characters with troubled pasts, who navigate a dangerous world while striving to protect those they care about.

I am really excited to read book 2 and learn more about the world and our characters.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

GIMLORE is a single mother and war veteran turned crime boss set on protecting her family and her town.

ORBERESIS is a petty thief pretending to be God to protect a terrible secret.

REDNOW is the world's most feared mercenary, but his best days are behind him and there's one job left to do.

In a world of dangerous monsters and devastating smoke magic, the seeds of war are being planted. Allies must be treasured and enemies defeated.

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

Athina

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To Cage A God (These Monstrous Gods #1) by Elizabeth May - A Review

 Hello everyone & Happy Friday!!

Today I am coming to you with a book review. 

To Cage a God by Elizabeth May is the 1st book of an epic new, Imperial Russia-inspired dark fantasy duology of gods, politics, and deadly magical powers. 

This sentence alone had me very intrigued to read it. I really enjoyed reading To Cage A God. The premise is really interesting and I really liked the world building and the Imperial - inspired setting. Also the relationship dynamics between the two sisters was done really well. 

If you like the second chance & enemies to lovers tropes, you should read this book. There is also great representation in the book as the characters deal with trauma and loss.

The only problem that I had was with the pacing as I found it little slow for my tastes. The last chapters of the book though, were a real page turner and the ending was very satisfying, however I would like to know how the story continues in the next book.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

As a child, Galina’s village was decimated in a battle between the alurea, a ruling class possessed by gods imprisoned in human bodies. A stranger offers her shelter—and justice against the empress who slaughtered her family. The bargain is Galina will become a vessel for a deity of her own. And when the time comes, she will be a weapon used to take control of the throne.

Twenty years later, the woman who invoked Galina’s god is dead, and she’s on the run with her foster sister, Sera. Both women are fugitives struggling to adapt to the deities within their bodies and forced to finally attempt the mission they were groomed infiltrate the palace and overthrow the cruel empress to end the brutal reign of alurea.

But their duty grows complicated when Sera’s ruthless former partner catches up with her, and Galina finds herself on the verge of losing her heart to an enemy princess. As secrets and lies come to light, both women will discover what they’re willing to do for their people—and how far they’ll go to occupy a blood-soaked throne.

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

Athina

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The Fireborne Blade (The Fireborne Blade #1) by Charlotte Bond - A Review

"Slay the dragon, find the blade. True love can't be far behind..."

The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond

The Fireborne Blade is a fantasy novella and the first installment in The Fireborne Blade series. The book will be released on May 28th.

In Fireborne Blade , the author creates a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, ghosts, scheming squires, and sapphic love to tell a story of the place we make for ourselves in the world, and the roles we refuse to accept. With deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing...

It is a very adventurous story with  determined female knights on epic quests, involving dragons, magic, and betrayal, with a touch of sapphic romance and a conclusion full of surprises.

i really enjoyed reading it and I am very intrigued by the ending to read the sequel. It is a very simple story about a Knight that goes on a quest to retrieve a sword but it is done really well. 

I would have liked it more if there was more information about the world or if the length of the book was longer. We could have learned more about the world and the characters then.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.

A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it's that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.

Will Maddileh prove her mettle? Or will she end up like countless knights before her―as a puddle of gore and molten armor?

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

Athina

 

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